The ReMarker | May 2018 by St. Mark's School of Texas

The ReMarker newspaper • St. Mark’s School of Texas • Dallas, Texas • Volume 64, Issue 7 • May 11, 2018 Life in brief

FINE ARTS BOARD CHAIRS Juniors Cole Arnett and Will Hunt will co-chair the 2018-19 Fine Arts Board. The two co-chairs were announced May 4 in Upper School Assembly. The co-chairs are responsible for overseeing all student-run events including Coffeehouse. For next year, the two plan to create new events and promote more involvement in Coffeehouse.

REMARKER

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23 minutes with... I never had the inclination to open a barbecue place, but I did see an opportunity to push the envelope on cuisines which I had never done before.

Scott Gottlich

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News in brief

ALUMNUS AWARD ANNOUNCED John Nance ’64 received the school’s Distinguished Alumnus Award at the Alumni Dinner Friday, April 20, joining the ranks of other former influential alumni such as Ross Perot, Jr. ’77 and Steve Miller ’61. Nance piloted during the Vietnam War, has written four best-selling books and worked as an analyst for ABC News among other career accomplishments. The Distinguished Alumnus Award recognizes achievement of exceptional nature covering an entire career and is only given to one alumnus every two years.

HUNGRY? Most Dallasites think nothing of a quick run to the grocery store. Usually a few minutes away, it’s easy to replenish their pantries with fresh vegetables, meats, fruits and other ingredients. But for thousands of citizens, finding these things is not an easy task. The reason? They live in food deserts. Page 7. • Story Kamal Mamdani, Lyle Ochs, Duncan Kirstein Photo Kyle Smith

Sports in brief

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Wins

Losses in state playoffs

VARSITY LACROSSE

Inside NEWS THE MANUAL LIFE PERSPECTIVES BUZZ COMMENTARY SPORTS BACK PAGE

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MARGARET MCDERMOTT School benefactor helped elevate St. Mark’s to national acclaim by Parker Davis hen Headmaster David Dini sits at his desk and stares straight ahead, he sees one picture. In it, four boys in blue shirts stroll up the front walkway of a house on Norway Road. The two in back carry on a conversation as Dini and his wife follow behind. The young man in the middle, Carrington Kyle ’15 looks around the shoulders of Nathan Ondracek ’15. Ondracek pushes a woman in a wheelchair. He leans over to listen to the woman as she turns back and begins to tell a story. Since Mason Smith ’15 took that photo three years ago, it has continued to hang

on the wall of Dini’s office, holding a deeper meaning than most students, faculty or staff will ever understand. The moment Smith captured in that photo will forever enshrine the legacy Margaret McDermott left not only the school, but also the world. A legacy of wisdom, care, love. A lasting legacy. A legacy like no other. McDermott passed away early in the

morning May 3 at the age of 106. She left behind a daughter, Mary McDermott Cook, among other family. But in addition to her loved ones, McDermott left something more.

Colleges. Libraries. Scholarships. All around the U.S. All around the world. They all bear one name: McDermott. Here, the name can be found across campus. Along with her husband, Eugene McDermott, a co-founder of Texas Instruments, the two helped to elevate the school to its standing among the best in the nation. At 10600 Preston Rd., the McDermott-Green Math Science Quadrangle, the Eugene McDermott Headmaster’s Suite and the positions of Eugene McDermott headmaster and Eugene McDermott Master Teaching Chair in Science all stem from the same name.

The McDermotts’ total contributions go well beyond that, including gifts to fund the construction of Centennial Hall and one of the largest contributions to the school’s financial aid fund. They all stem from seven decades of devotion by a husband and wife to transforming a private school in North Texas into one of the country’s premier high schools. Dini believes the school, its students and its faculty will forever be indebted to the McDermotts, Margaret and Eugene alike, for ushering the school down the path it continues on today. STORY CONTINUES, PAGE 9

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Killing a gun violence protest

pril 20, 1999. Columbine. At the time, the worst school shooting in American history. The first to cause a sharp outcry on a national scale. April 16, 2007. Virginia Tech. Just as bad. Thirty-three dead, including the gunman, and 23 wounded. It couldn’t get worse. Dec. 14, 2012. Sandy Hook. Twenty kids. First-graders. Senseless carnage. An elementary school. Somehow, it had gotten worse. Feb. 14, 2018. Parkland. Seventeen dead, 14 injured. America is still reeling. Something needed to be done, so we took it into our own hands. A national protest, a student walkout on the anniversary of Columbine, April 20, 2018. Peaceful and impactful. Maybe something would change. Millions of students participated, and I think everyone knows someone who left class that Friday, even if they didn’t do it personally. When I finally came home that Friday after getting smacked by our varsity polo team Sam during a Goldfarb practice Issues Editor scrimmage, my mom didn’t even say hello. “You won’t believe this,” she said, with a tone and expression somewhere between bemusement and disgust. That was all it took before I knew her students had done something stupid. My mom teaches U.S. history at a public school. Some of the students there decided to use the walkout as a reason to cut class. All right, that’s kind of inevitable. Of course some kids would take any excuse they can to skip class. But so what? It’s their own choice, and they’re only hurting their grades to no gain. Except the kids didn’t just cut class and go home, or cut class and run around the neighborhood or cut class and waste their time in some other way. No. That would be too decent. Several of them got arrested for shoplifting from a Target. Shoplifting. When they were supposed to be protesting gun crimes. Another big group had gotten themselves kicked out of a Raising Cane’s chicken joint because the staff knew that the students shouldn’t have been there. These kids are the ones who ruin it for everyone. With these protests, America’s youths are trying to act as a united, professional and passionate front. The kids who got their butts caught stealing from a Target when they were supposed to be protesting completely undermined everything that the protest was trying to do. Instead of young American citizens looking for change, the protesters seem like they’re just using an important issue to look for an excuse to screw around. A protest is a solemn thing, especially on the same day of a tragedy like Columbine. It’s not something to spit in the face of — which is exactly what these kids did. It’s disrespect. It’s disregard. And what’s worse is that they destroyed everything that the protest was trying to stand for. Our generation is different because of the connected era in which we live. Now more than ever, teenagers have the power to share their opinions and have their voices heard. However, it’s impossible to hear the valuable contributions that American teenagers are making when the shouting of the ignorant and insensitve drowns them out. Ironically, those same students shot the meaning and credibility of the protest in the foot.

NEWS

Kyle Smith photo

ADDRESSING THE STUDENTS

Rev. Stephen Arbogast gives the opening remarks at the all-school Spring Convocation in the Great Hall April 24 to faculty and students. Headmaster David Dini (right) delivered the convocation’s main address, senior Seun Omonije (second from left) provided the reading and eighth grader Samir Mamtani directed the Color Guard.

News in brief SENIOR FENG AND JUNIOR LIU QUALIFY FOR MATH OLYMPIAD Senior Kevin Feng and junior Dylan Liu qualified for the USA Mathematics Olympiad after scoring highly on the three-hour American Invitational Math Exam (AIME). Senior Jesse Zhong, juniors Albert Luo, Mujin Kwun and Richard Shen and sophomore Nicholas Tsao also participated in the AIME after they scored well in the American Mathematics Competition, which was taken by all Upper Schoolers in honors math classes Feb. 7. BALOG TO ATTEND WORKSHOP FOR NEW PLANETARIUM Cecil H. and Ida Green Master Teacher Stephen Balog is planning to attend a two-week workshop to

learn about the planetarium. Unlike the old one, the new planetarium will project crisper images, the sound system will be upgraded to movie-theater quality and an IMAX experience will be available on campus five days a week. Two of the most exciting add-ons will be the new modules – Living Earth and Zoology – that come along with the planetarium software, Starry Night.

ending the day with ice cream and a cookout. Middle and upper schoolers will listen to Admissions Officer Korey Mack DJing while enjoying an ice cream truck and lunch on the quad. BRENDAN COURT SUMMER PROGRAM TO BEGIN JUNE 5 The Brendan Court Summer Program, a tuition-free, three-week program built to help educate the greater Dallas community, will take place June 5–22 this year. The program posthumously honors Brendan Court ’06 and his strong dedication to the school’s community. The course consists of six Marksmen who teach different subjects to Dallas ISD students.

BLUE AND GOLD DAY TO TAKE PLACE MAY 18 FOR ALL GRADES Blue and Gold Day will take place May 18 this year. Lower schoolers will participate in a variety of field-day events ranging from Lion Ball to tug-of-war before

Although the Winn Science Center construction will restrict teaching space, this year looks to be another success for the program.

seniors Kabeer Singh and Jack Parolisi, who were the co-chairs of the STEM conference this past school year.

STEM CONFERENCE CO-CHAIRS CHOSEN FOR 2018-2019 YEAR Junior William Haga and sophomore Devan Patel were selected to lead next year’s STEM Conference along with current cochair junior Emmett Berger. Berger, along with biology instructor Bonnie Flint and Science Department Head Fletcher Carron, picked the co-chairs. The selections were made after two weeks of interviews with all of the applicants. Haga and Patel will succeed

STUDENT STORE BILLS MUST BE PAID IMMEDIATELY Student store bills were due May 1. Students who have not reimbursed the student store must pay the bill as soon as possible. Failure to pay the bill will result in various repercussions. Eighth graders and upper schoolers who do not pay their bills will not be able to take final exams. In addition, any student who does not pay his bill will not receive his grades and comments at the end of the year.

— Eric Yoo, Michael Anderson, Alam Aldina, Josh Mysore, Sid Vattamreddy, Henry McElhany

Say what?

Inside

3 Leaving Teachers

As the year ends, leaving faculty members look back at their highs and their lows at the school.

Comments made by students, faculty and staff around campus

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If you’re under three feet, get out of my way. — Sophomore Luke Adams running to lunch

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Warner Hartnett

A look at the sixth grader who got third place at a Chinese competition.

Around the corner On campus Upper School Step-Up Chapel · Where: Chapel. · When: May 15, 10:30 a.m. · What: Students rise to their new positions. Senior-Faculty Softball Game · Where: Ruff Field. · When: May 18, 3:15 p.m. · What: A battle between students and teachers.

My seniors tried to conjugate the word ‘yeet’ the other day. — Chemistry instructor Ken Owens ’89

Voting Policy

Examining how lowering the voting age would affect the dynamic on campus.

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Mayonnaise and ketchup is such a slept-on combo. — Junior Adnan Khan

Off campus

Food Truck Friday · Where: Klyde Warren Park. · When: May 11, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. · What: A showcasing of food trucks.

Student Council

Current and incoming Student Council presidents Canyon Kyle and Landon Wood discuss the 2018-2019 academic year.

Food Truck Friday

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You haven’t had enough coffee until your hands start shaking. — Sophomore Wyatt Awtrey

MetroDemic Scavenger Hunt · Where: Klyde Warren Park. · When: May 28, All day. · What: A city-wide competition.

THEIR FINAL GOODBYE

News • May 11, 2018 • The ReMarker • Page 3

As they get ready to leave, departing faculty reminisce over the years of experiences they’ve had at the school.

A pie in the face told him he was a member of the tribe

He came for the job but stayed for the community

Head of Upper School

Doc Nelson Master Teacher

Patrick Andrén It was the first pep rally at his new

school, and he already had the spotlight. Walking onto the gym floor, he grew nervous as everybody’s eyes turned to him. But he was also a little excited. As the cheers started growing louder and louder, he closed his eyes, knowing the moment was about to come. His heart raced and his breathing slowed down. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. InhaBefore he knew it, Head of Upper School Patrick Andrén got pied in the face. “Christian McClain came in here very sheepishly and asked if they could jam a pie in my face,” Andrén said. “To me, that was indicative in terms of they wanted to welcome me into the tribe.” Andrén joined the school community in 2016 with a plan to form some roots. He wanted a home for his family to grow up in. He wanted a city for them to call their own. “As I think about my short time here, it’s reaffirmed the fact that I believe in all-boys schools because of what I’m able to be a part of every day in terms of the hard work and the fun,” Andrén said. “For me, it’s been really fulfilling coming back to something that was really a for-

Jon Valasek mative experience in my life.” Unfortunately, in the past year Andrén realized that his parents-in-law, who live right outside Philadelphia, and his own parents were developing health issues. He needed to take care of them, and to do that, he needed to move closer to them. Andrén applied to an open position, similar to the one he has here, at the Haverford School in Pennsylvania. “In this case, there was a job that opened up 15 minutes away from where my in-laws live,” Andrén said. “It was the only job that I applied to because I’m not gonna go to Boston, I’m not going to go to New York, the only reason that we were even thinking about this was because of my wife’s parents. I applied to that one job. And fortunately for my family, I was able to get that.” Although he regrets having to leave the school so soon, he understands that it was the right choice for both his and his family’s future. “Despite the fact that I’ve been here for less than 24 months,” Andrén said, “I feel like I have made relationships with faculty and even some students that I know are going to be lifetime relationships.”

Doc Nelson Master Teacher Jon Va-

lasek retired in 1984. He had been following his dream of becoming a pilot and exploring foreign lands through the Air Force for 20 years, but eventually it became time for him to move on and do something new—settle down. Valasek already knew what the next step for himself was. He wanted to become a teacher before he had even joined the Air Force, and now that he had gotten to see the world through his own eyes, it was time for him to begin a new chapter in his life. Valasek taught at five different schools, public and private, urban and rural, Mississippi to Ohio. He moved every three to four years, never staying at one place long enough to call it his home. Leaving became Valasek’s second nature. Until he came to 10600 Preston Rd. In 2003, Valasek applied to an open teaching position here on a whim. His friend back in the Air Force had told him about it, and he wanted to see if the school was really as special as he had heard. He never thought he would’ve come back to Texas, but after Valasek was offered the job, he and his family moved down South.

After 60 years of going to school, leaving is bittersweet

A major life decision and a plane ride later, he was here

Middle School Math Instructor

Midle School Humanities Instructor

Paula Cham Retirement is a scary word for Middle

School math instructor Paula Cham. After over 60 years of waking up early and going to school, whether it be as a student or a teacher, school is all Cham knows. “[Retirement] will be new for me,” Cham said. “I really do not know how to retire. Hopefully I can sleep in a little bit if my dog allows it.” Cham feels it’s time to retire, as she wants to spend more time with her children and grandchildren and bond with them more. But she will also miss the relationships she’ll be leaving behind. “Leaving is bittersweet for me,” Cham said. “I am going to have more time with my family, but I will miss my St. Mark’s family.” One of Cham’s biggest legacies on

One of the first things he immediately noticed was the leadership, integrity and ethics the school tried to instill in the boys, and he admired the brotherhood between the students. “The thing that sets St. Mark’s apart, and which every student ought to be extremely grateful for, is that we have a sense of community unlike any other place that I’ve been to,” Valasek said. “It’s a community where everybody pulls together and works together.” In his 15 years here, Valasek has experienced highs and lows. He’s seen a band of brothers train for countless hours with one of their classmates, preparing him for the Naval Academy’s physical fitness test. He’s also seen the student body mourn for Brendan Court, his former advisee in 2006 whose untimely and unfortunate death struck the entire campus. But most importantly, Valasek has seen the community—the students, faculty and staff—who have made a lasting impact on himself. “I really can’t conceive of any school that would be better than ours,” Valasek said. “There might be some school somewhere, but I can’t see any place being any better than this.”

Tim Davies campus is her sponsorship of We Charity, formerly known as Free the Children, an organization that provides resources to kids in need in various impoverished countries. “[Sponsoring this club] has been very rewarding for me,” Cham said. “It’s exciting to see the students here get motivated and excited to help children around the world that they don’t even know.” Even though she loves teaching, Cham says her favorite memories come from spending time outside of the classroom with her students. “I love seeing the students enjoy something that is not usually what goes on in math,” Cham said. “The Pi days and the bake sales are the things that I will never forget.”

Fifth grade humanities instructor Tim

Davies started his career in the restaurant management business in New Jersey. After ten years, Davies, a history major, decided it was time for a change. “I got tired of working nights, holidays and weekends,” Davies said. “I always enjoyed teaching, so I started getting into history teaching and substituting.” Davies moved to Texas to be closer with his wife after 15 years in Maryland and started teaching here in 2010. He believes his time as an instructor here pushed him to become not only a better teacher, but also a better person. “[The school] not only demands the most from students, but also from teachers,” Davies said. “There’s always something here. [The work] has helped

me develop a higher level of professionalism.” Eight years later, Davies is ready to retire from education. “It’s semi-retirement,” Davies said. “I’m helping my wife in her business and finance, but it won’t be a full time thing.” Even in retirement, Davies wants to stay connected to and engaged with the school and its community beyond just being friends with his former students on FaceBook. As he leaves, Davies advises his students to always be students and keep learning. “Never, never stop asking questions,” Davies said. “Never be in a place where you’re the expert. Don’t stifle your curiosity.”

• Story Ishan Gupta, Sid Vattamreddy Photos Kyle Smith, Rohit Vemuri

Departing words from other faculty

Fellow Audrey Lane What’s your favorite memory of the school? It’s hard for me to distill two years into a favorite memory. I would say either when water polo won state last year or the musical performances we have. My favorite part about the school is not big moments like that; it is the smaller moments every day when a kid will come in to my office and tell me some-

thing that he is super excited about. What are you going to miss the most? The kids, for sure. I think if you ask any teacher, they would say that their favorite part about the schools is definetly the kids. The time I got to spend with the kids has been my favorite part and that what I am going to miss the most hands down. What will you do next? I’m going to be working at St. Andrew’s Episcopal teaching three sections of eighth grade and one section of sixth grade Writer’s Workshop. I’ll be moving in June.

Seventh grade instructor Meaghan Frazier What will you miss the most? My boys. They make the St. Marks experience. It just wouldn’t be the same without the kids that I’ve gotten to teach. And I’ll miss my coworkers. The teachers are a lot more fun than y’all think. We have a good time. If there was a piece of advice you would leave your students with, what would it be?

I think it’s important for y’all to ask questions. I also want to stress just how important planning is. The biggest thing that I would want to leave with you guys with is that it is okay to fail. So what do you plan to do once you leave? Teaching high school English at Taipei American School. I’m teaching three sections of freshmen and a section of juniors and seniors. I have never taught juniors and seniors before so we will see how that goes. I’m excited to go abroad and see what school looks like at this level, but in another country.

Fourth grade instructor Lynn Terman How do you feel about leaving school? It’s bittersweet because I think this is an amazing community in which to teach. I’ll look around and think, ‘Wow, what an amazing place to be.’ At the same time I’m incredibly excited for an adventure. What are you doing after leaving? I have an opportunity at the Dubai American Academy in

their Lower School. It will be a challenge for so many reasons. Not just the cultural change, but also moving 8,000 miles away. However, I am also eager to to learn and be exposed to a part of the world that I’ve never been to. What’s one thing you’ll never forget? I will never forget the joy these boys brought me, even on a challenging day. Their excitement for learning is amazing. When somebody does learn something, seeing that light bulb turn on, I will never forget the joy that they have brought me.

Page 4 • The ReMarker • May 11, 2018 • News

A TRIUMPH IN SCHOLARSHIP Cum Laude

Take a glance at the newest Cum Laude members’ study habits, favorite places, advice and more.

THE LINEUP New members of Cum Laude, ten juniors and eight seniors, stand with last year’s inductees. Only 1/10 of the Junior Class and 1/5 of the Senior Class were inducted.

What has been your favorite class in Upper School?

What’s your favorite mid-study snack?

Mohit Singhal: My favorite class in Upper School has probably been economics, taught by Mr. [David] Fisher. I found something I was truly passionate about, and the class convinced me that majoring in economics is something I must do.

Omar Rana: I am a big fan of mac and cheese; it is nutritious and delicious. I almost have it every day.

David Vallejo: Latin has been my favorite class throughout Upper School. Translating classic texts, especially the process of parsing noun-adjective pairs and verbs, recognizing literary devices and identifying underlying Roman themes, is like a puzzle to me. Reading through my translations makes me feel like a modern-day Robert Fagles in a way.

Creston Brooks: Goldfish; I go through cartons of them. And coffee; it’s almost as good as sleep.

Where do you usually study on campus? Ruoming Fan: Anywhere where there are no middle schoolers is great. But more seriously, the second floor of Hoffman, Mr. [David] Cox’s room and the Graduate Hall ,when empty, are great places to actually get work done. Shreyas Annaswamy: I’d like to think the library because that is the ideal study area, but my friends always hang out in the Centennial lounge, so I just go there. Creston Brooks: Either in the Centennial lounge or during first period biology… just kidding, Mr. [Mark] Adame!

Ruoming Fan: Chocolate milk. It’s good for the brain and the soul.

Do you listen to music while you study?

classes in the middle of the day. Having the opportunity to zone out and harness my imagination to create physically lets me enjoy some of my passions that aren’t covered in a typical classroom environment. Creston Brooks: Ultimate frisbee. We have games almost every weekend during the fall and spring leagues, and it’s a lot of fun even if you’ve never played or are just there for the post-game Whataburger. How much of a factor was Cum Laude in motivating you to study?

Shreyas Annaswamy: Yeah—mostly classical music because it helps me focus the best.

Jimmy Rodriguez: Being inducted into Cum Laude was actually one of my main goals going into senior year. I tried to not let senioritis kick in too much throughout the year so that I could keep my grades up and get inducted in April. Cum Laude was just kind of an added motivator for me. But I’ve also always tried to push myself to get good grades and succeed in school, so Cum Laude was just kind of an added motivator for me.

David Vallejo: I only listen to music when completing busy work, which is rare. Otherwise, I just focus on my assignment outright.

Omar Rana: Not a big factor. It’s definitely a great honor, but I would have been happy regardless because I know I have worked so hard.

What’s your favorite extracurricular activity?

Any advice or good habits to share with current underclassmen?

Jack Parolisi: I’ve always found that working on projects in the wood and metal studio gives me a nice reprieve from my

Noah Carr: If you’re going to procrastinate, still manage your procrastination. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.

Jimmy Rodriguez: Always. I usually just put on a chill Spotify playlist to study. Same for homework. If the homework involves reading, though, I usually don’t listen to music so I don’t get distracted.

Mohit Singhal: Make a calendar (Google Calendar is amazing) and keep a to-do list. The more organized you are, the less you have to focus on things that don’t matter, and the more you can focus on the material you need to know.

New Cum Laude inductees Juniors Shreyas Annaswamy Creston Brooks Noah Carr Parker Davis Sahit Dendekuri Ruoming Fan Mujin Kwun Connor Pierce Richard Shen David Vallejo

Seniors Blake Daugherty Waseem Nabulsi Jack Parolisi Omar Rana Fausto Reyher Jimmy Rodriguez Mohit Singhal Rohan Vemu These inductees join seniors Abdullah Akbar, Davis Bailey, Ben Clayman, Kevin Feng, Andrew Li, Kannan Sharma, Niteesh Vemuri, Harris Wilson, Allan Zhang and Jesse Zhong, who were inducted in spring 2017.

• Story Michael Lukowicz, Michael Anderson Photos Kyle Smith

Alumnus Zachary Erwin, class of 1995, to be Foreign Language Department chair, replacing Marmion by Alam Alidina r. Zachary Erwin ‘95 has been hired as the new Foreign Language Department chair beginning the 2018-2019 school year. Erwin feels his experiences at 10600 Preston Rd. provided an important foundation for his future studies as a Spanish instructor. “I lived and studied in Salamanca with [Foreign Language Department Chair Nancy] Marmion and that became one of the best experiences I had at the school,” Erwin said. After his time on campus, Erwin studied at Emory University before earning a master’s and doctorate at Duke University. He currently serves as chair of the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Monmouth University, where he teaches classes discussing language and history. As her tenure comes to a close, Foreign Language Department Chair Nancy Marmion sees few changes in the goals of the Foreign Language Department, even as the methods of language teaching have changed over time. “What language provides students is a window into another culture,” Marmion said. “Until you really speak a language, you can’t fully understand a culture

and can’t fully understand how people from that particular culture view the world.” She is looking forward to the new perspective Erwin will add to the conversation. “He shares some of the same goals that I have in terms of students having a strong base and an understanding of the culture,” Marmion said, “but I’m sure he’s going to bring his own lens to that.” When he visited campus to be interviewed for the position, Erwin was impressed by the caliber of the current program. “My idea is to continue the great work already being done,” he said. “I was excited by the level of engagement and excitement of the students at all levels.” Erwin wants to incorporate more immersion studies and international trips into the program, feeling they will engage and teach students in a way not possible on campus. “Trips abroad will have a

major impact on students’ development as language learners,” Erwin said. “It is my hope that they increase the engagement of a wide variety of students.” Erwin is most excited about joining the faculty of the school, where his exposure to Spanish began. “St. Mark’s is the place where I learned to love Spanish,” Erwin said, “and I’m excited to come home.”

News • May 11, 2018 • The ReMarker • Page 5

THE BRIDGE TO SUCCESS Alpha Male

Late nights and early mornings — sixth-grader Warner Hartnett worked hard to get third place at a local competition. Against high schoolers.

ixth-grader Warner Hartnett walked into the performance hall, confident. He’d practiced the routine in his head 1,000 times. Test, speech and then a bit of tai chi. It couldn’t be any easier. He was prepared. He took a quick glance at the other competitors. Something was a little off, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. He walked past the rows of chairs and as he got closer to the other kids, he realized what was wrong. They were all a foot and a half taller than him. Hartnett was about to compete against 14 high schoolers. Despite being the only middle schooler participating, Hartnett placed third in the local Chinese Bridge Proficiency Competition, held at the Confucius Institute at the University of Texas at Dallas April 7. In the competition, Hartnett took a 20-question multiple choice test about Chinese culture, language and history, gave a two-minute speech in Chinese and performed the martial art tai chi. The first place winner of the competition gets the opportunity to move on to the next level, and from there, they can make it to the international competition in China. Hartnett found out about the competition from his Chinese instructor and

HOLDING HIS PRIZE After acing his exam, performing a speech and showing off his tai chi skills, sixth-grader Warner Hartnett won third place at the Chinese Bridge Proficiency Competition at the Confucius Institute.

advisor, CJ Chiang. After talking it over with her and getting her recommendation, he spent the month he had left prior to the competition studying intensely. “If the student does not want to go, the teacher cannot force them to go,” Chiang said. “I feel like it’s teamwork. Not only the teacher, not only the kid, not only the parents. It’s a team, and we work together. We trust each other and we help.” Hartnett was much younger than the other competitors, taking • ‘Once you know the only two Chinese classes language, you a week while other can dive into contestants were taking that culture and understand more it daily. To reach the level about what the he competed at, Hartworld and the nett had to spend time people there are outside the classroom like.’ practicing and getting Sixth-grader Warner Hartnett ready. “I had a lot of late nights,” Hartnett said. “I was staying up until 12 because of my homework and my practicing.” Hartnett’s Chinese career at the school began when he entered in fifth grade, but he was familiar with the language long before that. At his previous school, the Dallas International School, Hartnett didn’t learn just Chinese. He learned Spanish and French as well.

In fact, despite his impressive performance in the competition, Hartnett considers French to be his best foreign language. Hartnett’s parents, William and Tammy, were both born in the United States and worked in the government, but they enrolled him in the Dallas International School because of their shared passion of foreign languages, which they wanted to instill in Hartnett. “We believe in growing international children, not just children that would mix in with other children in their neighborhood,” Tammy said. “We wanted them to feel like they could go anywhere in the world and feel like they could fit in.” Tammy speaks three foreign languages, William speaks four foreign languages and Warner’s brother speaks five foreign languages, including Chinese. Warner’s family had a big influence on his passion for language and culture, but his time spent in foreign countries also shaped his dedication. Over spring break this year, Warner and

his family traveled to China. While exploring the country, Warner got the chance to talk to natives and improve his communication skills. “When you go to a foreign country,

• Story Ishan Gupta, Henry McElhaney, Eric Yoo Photo Courtesy CJ Chiang

Sophomore Nicholas Tsao qualifies for USA Physics Olympiad by Michael Anderson espite not having taken Upper School physics yet, sophomore Nicholas Tsao qualified for the USA Physics Olympiad exam April 11 and has yet to receive the results. This was not the first time Tsao took the exam. He learned about it and took it for the first time his freshman year, but he did not have enough time to study thoroughly. “At the last winter practice of Math Team, some of the seniors were talking about it,” Tsao said. “I had looked into it at some point earlier in the year, but I completely forgot about it. I just emailed [physics instructor Stephen] Houpt and asked if I could still sign up.” Even though it was long after the signup deadline and only a few weeks before the test date, Houpt let Tsao take the test since he had extras. He passed the first round and qualified for the second round, the USA Physics Olympiad. Although Tsao did not score high enough to earn a medal, he was not too disappointed by the result. “At first, I was just going to take it for fun, for experience,” Tsao said. “About a week and a half before test, I realized I did not have much homework and decided to as well try a little harder. I studied a little bit, and that is about all I did last

year.” This year, Tsao became more focused on preparing for the exam. He started going to physics club, studying in his free time and trying to get better on what he missed last year. In his freshman year, Tsao was not sure if he was going to keep trying to get past the second round of the exams, but he knew it was time for him to get serious when he reached his sophomore year. “I did not plan far enough in the future to consider if I really wanted to take it sophomore or junior year, but I knew I was going to take it both years anyway whether I got in or not,” Tsao said. “I focused more on chemistry, but since I qualified, I’ve made good use of my time.” Tsao has realized the test is more difficult than he expected, but he has seen progress from his work from last year to this year. “The most optimal goal would be to make the physics training camp next year, which is rather unlikely, but I am going to be taking an actual physics course with a teacher that I will be meeting with every day,” Tsao said. “That will definitely help a lot, but I do not know how much. If it goes perfectly, then the training camp in the summer will be ideal. Junior year is a busy year, and if I have to do a lot of other stuff, my goal will be a gold medal.”

you are immediately put into a situation where you have to sink or swim,” Tammy said. “I think what it does is it forces you to speak when you wouldn’t normally be using that vocabulary. The largest advantage to going somewhere is the immersion.” Warner’s trip to China gave him a leg up in the competition, but it didn’t matter to him. He was there to do his best and have a good time, not to beat everybody else. “I felt pretty confident, but I was just doing it for next year,” Warner said. “There was a really good performance before mine, and that was a little frightening, but I stil felt confident.” Even though he didn’t get first place, Warner wasn’t too disappointed because he didn’t feel ready to compete at the international level. Over the next couple of years, Warner’s goal is to develop his skills and compete again in the competition in ninth grade, hopefully winning first place and making it all the way to China. “I started studying very hard at the end because I wasn’t feeling the pressure,” Warner said. “My advice is start early, practice a ton and then your work will pay off.”

Page 6 • The ReMarker • May 11, 2018 • News

Voting Policy

THE VOICE OF YOUTH

As youth activism increases after the Parkland shooting, an important question rises in the nation’s capital: should teenagers vote in elections?

riving. A later curfew. Friday night football games. Upper School spirit parties. The day-to-day responsibilities, activities and privileges of a 16-year-old. To many, 16 is a threshold age that signifies the ending of childhood and the beginning of adulthood, with the exception of one major civic duty: voting. Within the next couple of years, that could all change. Seven out of 13 Washington D.C. city council members intend to lower the legal voting age to 16 by the 2020 presidential election. According to USA Today, the legislation, presented by council member Charles Allen, was prompted by teenage protests in the recent March for Our Lives demonstrations across the country. “Just a few weeks ago, young district residents organized a citywide school walkout and spoke passionately at the Rally for D.C. Lives,” Allen said in an interview with D.C. journalist Erik Salmi. “In hearings on our schools, students testified with well-informed opinions. And yet, they can’t exercise their voice where it matters most – at the ballot box.” The bill would specifically disband the Board of Elections preregistration system and would simply allow a resident to register and vote starting on their 16th birthday. This would include ballots for Council, Mayor, Congressional Representative, Senator, and even President. At 10600 Preston Rd., students and faculty alike embrace the idea of reduced voting age. History and Social Sciences Department Chair David Fisher feels this policy has merit. “It’s great that we take advantage of our federal system and that we use a separate district to experiment with things like voting age,” Fisher said. Fisher sees the change in a positive

way, as it allows for greater youth influence. “If this is a part of a national movement to get more young people involved in how their government works, that’s a win-win,” Fisher said. However, Fisher points out severe issues could arise by lowering the age limit. “If this policy is extended throughout the whole nation, then 16-year-olds could potentially send 18-year-olds to war,” Fisher said. “That seems to be a little unfair.” For 18-year-old senior Arjun Singh, voting is a vital civic obligation. According to him, it is a way to support even the most minor causes. “We should step up and speak up for the people who are left • ‘If this is a part in the dust,” Singh said. of a national “No American should movement to have his or her voice get more young people involved unheard.” in how their Singh sees the recent government national demonstraworks, that is a tions as indications that win-win.’ the voting age should History Department Chair change. David Fisher “It’s good that younger kids are wanting to see change in our nation,” Singh said. “Since the Parkland shooting, high schoolers have a gained a renewed sense of purpose.” Eighth grader Arjun Agarwal, who will be 16 by the 2020 election, also supports the push for youth involvement in voting. ”I think if I have the chance to vote in the 2020 election, and no one will judge me for it, I will definitely vote,” Agarwal said. “If the bill was passed, I’d also start paying more attention to politics in general. Then I could make an informed decision.” Agarwal believes voting is an important right that 16-year-olds deserve to have because the decisions made still affect them.

“Even if older people think 16-yearolds should not be able to vote, they have to understand one thing,” Agarwal said. “There are some issues that are important enough to warrant immediate voting rights for [16-year-olds].” As a senior, Singh is confident he will be prepared on his first visit to the voting booth. “[The school] gives multiple perspectives on various issues and topics,” Singh said. “The school does a really good job of teaching our students how to empathize and make good decisions.” Fisher still sees room for improvement in classrooms across the country. “I’d like to make sure that people who are currently in the voting age are as well informed as they possibly can be and are encouraged to vote as often as they should,” he said. However, Fisher recognizes that the most important aspect of voting is the symbolism behind it. “Voting is a ritual,” Fisher said. “It’s our affirmation that we believe in something and that we are committed to this democracy that we call America.”

The Breakdown

59% • VOTE • DO NOT VOTE

eligible voters that vote

highest voting age across the world

24 Million

number of 18-24 year-olds that participated in the 2016 election Source: US Elections Project

• Story Sid Vattamreddy, Alam Alidina, Josh Mysoré Artwork Matthew Coleman

Junior Jonah Simon to live in Spain this summer by Paul Sullivan unior Jonah Simon is taking a trip to Spain after winning a scholarship from the National Spanish Examination. The trip, lasting a week and a half from July 10 to July 20, will include tours of cities such as Madrid, Segovia and Toledo and various cultural activities. Simon submitted an application to the National Spanish Examination featuring an essay and a résumé to get the scholarship, and he will go to classes in the morning and then explore Spain in the afternoon. “We’ll all live in a dormitory environment and in the mornings we’ll go to classes where we’ll talk about and learn the culture, while in the afternoons we’ll go and explore museums and palaces,” Simon said. “I think it will be a good mix of a familiar classroom environment and getting out of your comfort zone.” It may be a difficult task to become totally immersed in Spanish culture, which he has never fully experienced, but Simon is confident in his abilities as a Spanish student and believes he will thrive in the environment. “It’ll definitely be difficult at first,”

Simon said. “It’s stressful when you have to do everything in a language that isn’t your native language, but it’s good because the more you use it on a regular basis, the more you sort of start to think in the language.” The scholarship will allow for Simon to further his Spanish skills. “I’ve taken Spanish for 11 years, and once you get to a certain level, the best way to improve your Spanish is to go to a Spanish-speaking environment,” Simon said. “The way to get closer to fluency is to use it all the time.” One thing that Simon is looking forward to is the art in Spain. “We’ll be going to visit the Museo Prado in Madrid, and it’ll be great,” Simon said. “The Meadows Museum we have here has Spanish art and has often been called the Prado on the Prairie because it has a lot of Spanish art, but I’m excited to go to the real Prado.” Overall, Simon believes that he will get a lot out of the experience. “I think that before long,” Simon said, “I’ll be able to do everything that I need to do in Spanish, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

In the picture

WILD ART STUFF (WHEN IT GETS HERE)

Photo courtesy of Development Office UP IN FLAMES Chemistry instructor Kenneth Owens shows a chemistry reaction to an audience of facutly, alumni and their families in Decherd Performance Hall. Owens’ show was during Alumni Weekend April 19-21, which was planned by Alumni Weekend Chair Sandy Campbell ’76, his committee and the Alumni office. The committee invited nearly 1,200 alumni and their families to return to the school.

News • May 11, 2018 • The ReMarker • Page 7 CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE

Keeping perspective

DESERTS IN DALLAS A lack of grocery stores with healthy, fresh options on the shelves has led to the spread of ‘food deserts’ in the city. While they continue to be one of the most prevelant issues in Dallas, efforts are underway in the community to combat the problem. here are three grocery stores within a mile of the school. It takes less than a minute to get to Central Market, a minute and a half to get to Tom Thumb and — depending on the light at Northaven Road — three minutes to Whole Foods. Three stores that have easily accessible, fresh food as well as job opportunities for members of the community that surround 10600 Preston Rd. The situation here, however, is not the same for everyone in Dallas. ••• There are over 40 communities in Dallas— as well as ten percent of the nation—that live in what is called a “food desert,” an area that lacks a means of getting fresh food within a one-mile radius. There are citizens in areas of south Dallas that have to travel upwards of ten miles to find the nearest healthy options for grocery shopping. Often times, these people will look to their nearest convenience store and buy processed foods instead of taking long trips to the supermarket, which has been linked to the rise in obesity in Dallas from ten percent in 1990 to 31 percent in 2014. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle for Dallasites who live in these areas is difficult without the easy source of fresh food, and students here take it for granted.

“People deserve better lives. They deserve not to be chased by dogs. They deserve not to live wondering where a healthy meal is going to come from. They deserve to be in a community that is free of drug use and theft and danger. That’s not too much to ask. People deserve a life of dignity, and we intend to try and help them out.”

Food deserts have enveloped areas of Dallas,

and one of these areas that has been affected the most is Oak Cliff. Someone who has seen these deserts spring up is Taylor Toynes, founder of For Oak Cliff — an initiative geared towards improving education opportunities in greater Dallas. A victim of the deserts himself, Toynes understands the effects and consequences the absence of a grocery store has on a community. “My grandmother is in the hospital right now because she’s had congestive heart failure,” Toynes said, “and it really comes from poor eating. It’s hard for my grandmother to even get good food because there’s none around. I grew up in Oak Cliff, and I had a grocery store by my home, but for the past 15 years, there hasn't been one.” Due to a phenomenon called supermarket redlining where grocery stores pull out of Paul Quinn President low-income neighborhoods and move them to Michael Sorrell the suburbs, grocery stores have been increasingly replaced by corner stores. Casey McManemin ‘79 has noticed this change over the years in his work as a member of the Citizens Homeless Commission. “There were grocery stores in these neighborhoods 20, 30 years before,” McManemin said. “What has happened is that these corner stores that have almost exclusively sold these processed food have filled that role. If I’m a large grocery store system, I say to myself: ‘Do I really want to take the risk of building a facility in an area where I don’t really know if there is demand?’” Without these grocery stores, the convenience stores with little access to healthy food are the sole source for many living in the deserts. For many kids in these areas, the artificial food that’s replacing real nutrition is increasingly turning into the status quo. “Have you ever bought fruit from 7-11? It won’t be the first option you get going in there,” Toynes said. “You would rather buy fruit candy than actual Commit Partnership CEO fruit. You may see kids coming in Todd Williams with Takis and drinking soda for breakfast. They think that’s normal. It really lies in disparity that exists in our city as a whole that is really troubling.” These unhealthy foods that are common for kids that are living in food deserts can also affect

their education. Todd Williams, CEO of the Commit Partnership an organization that strives to provide a better education for DFW students, has witnessed first-hand the difficulties of students lacking nutrition in their diets. “I think it's hard for a child coming to school who’s hungry to focus on the task in front of them,” Williams said. “In Dallas ISD, we now serve breakfast and lunch, and we have started launching some schools where we’re doing after-school enrichment and serving them dinner as well. A lot of kids really rely on the public schools to provide the bulk of their nutrition, so when they get their lunch on Friday, they might not have anything decent to eat until the following Monday morning.” Another who noticed the lack of nutrition that food deserts cause is Jackson Cole ‘16. During an internship with For Oak Cliff, he discovered that nobody can focus on an empty stomach. “We wanted to build a culture of education in South Oak Cliff,” Cole said. “We had to focus on a lot of things for that, though. If kids are coming to school hungry and not eating lunch and going home hungry, it makes it really difficult to learn.”

for two years, we’d been trying to get someone to open a grocery store in this community, and everyone turned us down. We thought people shouldn’t have to live that way.” Not only are community gardens important for a source of food, but they also build a sense of community and pride. “The community gardens are as important in the connection amongst the individuals participating in it and the impact it has on that immediate neighborhood because they have self esteem, they take pride and ownership in what they’re doing. That is essential in a neighborhood.” With people building gardens and looking towards a future Dallas, Williams can see a future in which food deserts in Dallas are eradicated. “If the community decides that we own the outcome of every kid no matter what zip code they grow up in then absolutely,” Williams said. “But if we keep thinking of those kids as someone else’s kids and not our own kids, we’re going to continue to struggle with this. We’re going to keep struggling with the symptoms of the have and have nots and one of those is not having fresh food in parts of our cities.”

In an effort to combat these areas without

fresh food, many organizations have begun to plant community gardens to replace the lack of grocery stores including For Oak Cliff and Paul Quinn College. For Paul Quinn President Michael Sorrell, that all started with a Google search: What grows in Dallas? Since then, Sorrell partnered with philanthropist Trammell Crow, replacing the football field at his university with a community garden. “It never should have worked,” Sorrell said, “there was no feasibility study, there was no blueprint, it was just righteous rage. Because

The Stats grocery stores in southern section of Dallas — 54 percent of the city’s geographical area

23.5 million

people in the country live in food deserts Source: Texas Tribune

Plano Carrollton Richardson Farmer’s Branch St. Mark’s

Irving

Dallas Mesquite

De Soto

A LOOK AT THE DESERTS Over 40 communities in Dallas labeled as “food deserts.” Here is a map of where they are. While at first, it may seem like the deserts are only an issue in some parts of town, their prevalence is striking when looking at the city as a whole.

• Story Kamal Mamdani, Lyle Ochs, Duncan Kirstein Artwork Cole Arnett

Page 8 • The ReMarker • May 11, 2018 • News

SIXTH-GRADE SPELLING SENSATION In the spotlight

Following a third place finish at the Dallas Regional Spelling Bee, sixth-grader Sohum Sukhatankar prepares for the national stage.

n second grade, now-sixth-grader Sohum Sukhatankar grew tired of perfect scores. He grew tired of being unable to satisfy his appetite for a burning passion through weekly spelling quizzes. So he took matters into his own hands and began studying spelling on his own. Almost 20 hours a week. He trained relentlessly, looking over the dictionary day after day. A year later, Sukhatankar won his school spelling bee but lost in the county bee. However, his loss motivated him to train harder for the next competition, and he saw his hard work come to fruition a year later. “I tripped up in the first round at the county bee because I mis-said a letter,” Sukhatankar said. “I was disappointed, but that just made me study even harder. So in fifth grade I won my school, county and regional, and then I made it to nationals.” Despite Sukhatankar’s trip-up at his most recent competition, the 60th annual Golden Chick Dallas Regional Spelling Bee, he feels good about the experience

THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE Before a large crowd of competitors and viewers at the 2017 Scripps National Spelling Bee, sixth-grader Sohum Sukhatankar (right) gasps at an easy word given to a speller.

even if he didn’t get the result he desired. “I actually felt pretty good about it,” Sukhatankar said. “I had studied a lot, and there were only three people left. We went for 18 rounds, which was a long time.” Overall, Sukhatankar greatly appreciates the support he receives from his peers at school and his parents. “My friends definitely encourage me, and my parents and family have encouraged me from the start to continue doing spelling,” Sukhatankar said. “I think I’m good at it, and I have a passion for it.” The biggest competition coming up for Sukhatankar is the Scripps National Spelling Bee (SNSB) at the end of the month in which he hopes to place in the top ten. “The SNSB means a lot to me,” Sukhatankar said. “Since I’ve made it so far, I’m devoting a lot of my time to studying for nationals. I also have two more years, so I have plenty of time compared to many other competitors.” Through all of the practice this year, Sukhatankar feels confident in his abilities leading up to the national competition.

• Story Christopher Wang, Paul Sullivan Photo Courtesy Sohum Sukhatankar

“Practicing all year has definitely improved my chances,” Sukhatankar said. “Although I lost at regionals this year, I didn’t have nearly as much competition. I feel much more prepared, both in spelling and vocab, for nationals this year.” Sukhatankar’s father, Mandar, has seen Sohum’s practice pay its dividends academically in • ‘I ‘ve done so well school for his son. in the past, and I “Sohum has told think I can do even better than in the past me that the words if I study harder.’ he learned have Sixth-grader come back to help Sohum Sukhatankar him in other areas like quiz bowl, or he’s done really well at vocabulary,” Mandar said. “So I think there is definitely benefit academically and personally for him. The personal benefit is that he’s able to communicate better, and he understands the complex words he reads in books, and I think that has helped him in general.”

get disheartened when he spelled words wrong,” Mandar said. “I think that’s helped him understand that it’s okay if you’re not the best at everything right from the get-go, but with hard work and perseverance, you’ll eventually get there.” Ultimately, Mandar is very proud of all of the energy Sohum has devoted to a passion of his, and he hopes Sohum continues to pursue this endeavor. “I think he has really invested a lot of time and energy to something that he is passionate about,” Mandar said. “I think he’s off to a great start, and we are always very proud of him to the point that he has expanded.”

Mandar has seen his son’s spelling bee experience help build his character as well. “Initially, I think he was more focused on getting words right, and he used to

At a glance: National Spelling Bee Who

519 competitors

When

May 29-31

Televised On

ESPN

Where

Washington D.C.

News •May 11, 2018 • The ReMarker • Page 9

TRANSFER OF POWER Student Council

Student Council President Canyon Kyle advises president-elect Landon Wood on leadership for next year. James Rogers: What are you looking forward to the most next year? Landon Wood: I’m definitely most looking forward to planning Homecoming. I’m incredibly pumped for the pep rally, the football game and the dance itself. I have been attending Homecomings for the past three years. The fact that now I will be able to plan it and execute it, to make it a night that the Upper School will never forget, is astounding to me. I am so unbelievably psyched to have a chance to do that for the student body next year. JR: Are you looking to change anything? LW: In terms of Homecoming, I want to look at finding a fan favorite venue, perhaps returning to one from a previous year that everybody loved. Other than that, I’ll also look at the scoring system for the High School Cup because we all know it’s been…curious this year. JR: What has your relationship with Canyon been like? Has he helped you in any way already? LW: Canyon is an awesome guy, and he has been a tremendous inspiration to me. Although this was the first year that I worked with him on Student Council, I’ve known him for a long time now; we’ve been friends for a while, and I have always appreciated his enthusiasm and passion for St. Mark’s. I know that next year I will definitely be drawing inspiration from him because he really has made a huge impact this year in whipping up school spirit. JR: What would you like to accomplish next year as the leader of the student body?

LW: My one big goal is to make everyone love and appreciate St. Mark’s. I have always loved going here, and I hope that everyone else realizes what an amazing school we go to. I want every member of the student body – Upper, Middle or Lower School – to be engaged and passionate about our community because St. Mark’s deserves all we have to offer. Mateo Guevara: What was your number one objective for the year, and did you accomplish it? If so how? If not why not? Canyon Kyle: My number one objective this year was to make this year special for each Marksman. I gave all that I had to do this. Through the High School Cup as well as the pep rallies and Homecoming, I tried to find new ways to engage more Marksmen in all that happens on campus. In doing so, I hope that this year was in some way special for each member of this community. MG: What was one thing that surprised you the most about being Student Council president? CK: I think the thing that surprised me was how much every Marksmen wanted to be involved. The High School Cup taught me that the guys will jump the chance to compete as a class. The energy and spirit are there if leaders will simply find ways to tap into them. MG: What is your biggest piece of advice to Landon for next year? CK: Be bold. The community wants to be led. It wants to be engaged in the events that happen on our campus. It is up to you to come up with creative ways to encourage and involve them.

REACH FOR THE STARS Student Council president-elect Landon Wood for the 2018-2019 year leaps into the air as he wrestles with current Student Council president Canyon Kyle to catch a Frisbee thrown to them. Wood previously served as Junior Class president.

MG: What is one piece of advice that you wish someone would have told you about being president around this time last year? CK: Do not hold back on any idea that might help St. Mark’s become closer or stronger. Place it before the council and let them respond, but do not leave anything out that you will look back and wish you had tried. Leave nothing for regret. MG: Was it difficult to mobilize the student body to participate in school functions like drives or parties? CK: No. That was the great thing about this year and St. Marks. The community wants to be involved. They want to engage. The challenge is leading them and giving them the opportunity.

Student leaders Senior Class Joshua Kang President Vice President: Blake Rogers Secretary: Mujin Kwun StuCo Rep: Shane Ndeda

Junior Class Colin Campbell President

Vice President: Taylor Hopkin Secretary: Daniel Ardila StuCo Rep: John David McClain

Sophomore Class

MG: Which school event that you organized was your favorite? CK: Spring Fling. It was a tremendous amount of work to get everything in place. It took a lot of effort to get the decorations done in time for the party, but the result was awesome. DJ Umer and the light show were incredible. It made all of the hard work worthwhile to see so many guys enjoy the last big party of the year. MG: What is something new that you implemented this year? Did it work as intended? CK: The High School Cup was new this year. It absolutely worked as intended. Through this, we were able to significantly increase spirit and support at all of our different events. I truly hope that the Student Council presidents of the future continue the Cup. I think it is a great thing for our school.

Aayan Khasgiwala President

Vice President: Blake Hudspeth Sercetaries: Kit Colson, Rahul Banerjee StuCo Rep: Sarbik Saha

Freshman Class Alex Geng President

Vice President: Enoch Ellis Secretary: Chase Martin StuCo Rep: Pranay Sinkre

Student Council executive officers

President: Landon Wood Vice President: Darius Ganji Secretary: Neal Reddy

• Story Mateo Guevara, James Rogers Photos Lee Schlosser

Margaret McDermott ‘forever intertwined with the history of this place,’ says Headmaster David Dini CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE “You could just go on and on and on,” Dini said of the McDermotts’ contributions to the school. “There’s just so much there, so much depth, so much history. She will be forever intertwined with the history of this place. She’s shaped it, supported it, cared for it, nurtured it. We’re the lucky beneficiaries of it. Those that will come after us will also benefit from it for a very long time.” Over his more than two decades working at the school, Dini had the opportunity to get to know Margaret McDermott personally, especially after he took over as headmaster in 2014. “Any chance you had to be with her was time you just soaked up and cherished because you realized how special it was,” Dini said. After her husband passed away in

1973, McDermott continued to carry on her husband’s mission, a key part, according to Dini, of their mission throughout their lives. “You could tell she felt such a tremendous sense of devotion,” Dini said, “partly because she cared herself, but partly because she was caring for this vision her husband had for St. Mark’s.” This, Dini said, is emblematic of their mission not just here, but across the city, country and even the world. “They knew and understood that education was important to the wellbeing of the common good, the public good,” Dini said. “You could go to countries all over the world and see the tentacles of that philanthropy and see that commitment to the public good, the common good. Go anywhere, and you see that name and its programs, its people, its facilities. It’s pretty remarkable.”

Despite all she’s done for the school, Dini won’t remember McDermott because her last name is emblazoned on the science building or even just outside his office. He’ll remember her because of how she touched the lives of those in every community she was a part of, especially his. When Dini was moving into the headmaster’s residence in 2014, the house was ready for some rennovations. McDermott insisted on coming to visit to take a look around. A mere 102 years old at the time, she went around the house, inspecting every room, every wall with care. But as she was on her way out, she handed Dini a white envelope. Dini helped her into the car and watched her drive off. When he got back into the house, he opened that envelope.

Inside, a check to pay for all of the renovations. Everything. She wouldn’t ever get to reap any rewards from that money. It was just a gift for a close friend. That gesture is by no means a one-off. The McDermotts never had a son. So though they gave the school millions over the course of more than 70 years, Margaret and Eugene never benefited directly from their generosity at 10600 Preston Rd. It was all for the good of the community, the students, the teachers and everyone in between. “That’s just the kind of person that she was,” Dini said. “She wanted to make good things happen for people. And the fact that, in her later years, she was confined to a wheelchair, that didn’t slow her down at all. She lived life to the fullest right down to the very end.”

News • May 11, 2018 • The ReMarker • Page 10

THE MANUAL

Studying with

Daniel Mirochna and Charlie Hubbard

Your guide to all things manly

As finals approach, we talked to some of the leading experts on how to best study.

In this issue Study Snacks Finals Tips Finals Schedule

SNACKING FOR SUCCESS

Your shopping list for study snacks. These foods will give you the energy and focus for your late night cram sessions.

BLUEBERRIES Contains: Vitamin C, vitamin K and fiber Benefits: Prevents brain deterioration and reduces stress Tip: Put a bag of blueberries in the freezer for two to three hours. You’ll trick yourself into thinking you are eating a popsicle.

BANANAS Contains: Potassium Benefits: Boosts concentration Fun fact: Studies show that students who eat a banana right before their exams tend to perform better than others.

DARK CHOCOLATE Contains: Flavonols

DM: Do practice problems over and over again. Check RogerHub multiple times a day just in case the math changes.

Contains: Caffeine Benefits: Calms down nerves and releases caffeine slowly. Tip: Avoid sodas, coffee and energy drinks. The caffeine in these beverages kicks in quickly and will cause you to become fidgety.

AC: Hardest final you’ve taken? DM: Freshman year Latin, I got a 65.

The last two weeks Finals and other key events that signal the beginning of the end of the school year

• Upper School English, final in class writing for grades 9-11

Wednesday May 23 • US Reading Day • 8th grade science final

Thursday May 24 • Grades 8-11 math finals

Friday May 25 • Grades 8-11 foreign language finals • US Final Assembly

• Last day of classes for grades 9-11

• Commencement

• Memorial Day, no school

Tuesday May 29 • Grades 9-11 science finals

Wednesday May 30 • Grades 9-11 history finals • Finals for photography, ceram ics, wood and metal • Short classes, 8th grade

• Guide Andy Crowe Photos Andy Crowe, Adnan Khan

Thursday May 31 • Make-up exams for grades 9-11

Friday June 1 • Blue Shirt Day, rising seniors • Short classes, grades 9-11

AC: Do you listen to music when you study? CH: Usually I just listen to something loud to block outside noise. However, when I’m studying Spanish, I like to set the mood. Maybe some Enrique, some Shakira, some Daddy Yankee. AC: How do you best study for finals? CH: For language, Quizlet is the way to go. With history, you have to go over the notes. Math is a couple practice problems from each chapter. And with sciences, prayer is the best option. AC: Favorite study snack?

AC: Do you pull all-nighters?

CH: Toast.

DM: I can’t do all nighters. I go to sleep at like 11:30 finals week.

AC: What do your study breaks look like?

AC: How do you best study for finals? DM: Review problems, look over old tests, get smarter people to help me. AC: Favorite study snack?

• 8th Grade Reading Day Monday May 28

Charlie Hubbard: The day before, sometimes two if I have to get a good grade on it.

AC: What are some tips on studying for finals?

GREEN TEA

• Upper School English, final in class writing for grades 9-11

Daniel Mirochna: I open my notes like a week before finals but I actually start studying like two days before.

DM: I only listen to music while studying for history and Latin. Usually psychedelic rock like The Doors or Jimi Hendrix or Steppenwolf.

Tip: The darker the chocolate, the better for your health.

Tuesday May 22

AC: When do you actually start studying for finals?

AC: Do you listen to music when you study?

Benefits: Decreases inflammation, lowers blood pressure, and improves blood flow to the heart and brain.

Monday May 21

Andy Crowe: When do you actually start studying for finals?

DM: Chocolate chip cookies. AC: What do your study breaks look like? DM: Watch a show until I realize my 20 minute break turned into two hours.

CH: Just sprawl out on the couch, watch one episode of whatever show I’m working on, then two or three more, then freak out because it’s midnight. AC: Hardest final you’ve taken? CH: Freshman biology. AC: What do you do right before going into a final? CH: I wake up that morning, eat a bowl of cereal, drive to school, get dressed, then walk into the exam room like I’m about to ace it.

Page 11

Hanging out with... senior Davis Bailey

Find out about the magician’s greatest memories. Hint: they revolve around Coffeehouse.

LIFE

Rohit Vemuri photo What inspired you to start performing magic? Last year, Coffeehouse was low on performers. I went home that night, thinking what I could do with a little bit of practice, and I came up with this idea to do a magic trick. What was your first trick? I took a volunteer’s phone and brought up former exchange student Juan Montabes to smash it with a baseball bat. This phone explodes. We shuffled the pieces of broken phone off the stage and got someone in the audience to call it. You could hear a ringtone at the back of the theater under someone’s seat in a cardboard box. I cut open the box. I pulled out a rubber toy fish—there were no slits or cuts in the fish. I cut the fish open and pulled out the phone. Does magic help pick up girls? I’ve been dating the same girl for four years, so I haven’t had the opportunity to work on my pickup skills. What do you do when you see through a magic trick? It’s a big power that comes with understanding magic, but it’s also a big responsibility to keep the magic alive for everyone else. Besides magic, what do you do in your free time? I’m pretty good at street hockey. I’m not bad at Spikeball. I play a little bit of Fortnite and catch some sick Fortnite wins every once in a while. Have you ever failed a magic trick on stage? If you mess up and you pretend it’s not a mess-up, no one will ever know. What will you miss most about 10600 Preston Rd.? One day, you get handed a blue shirt, and you’re like, “I am that guy now. I am the senior who has the responsibility to help younger students.” It’s never a teacher telling you to help out Sid Vattamreddy with learning how to use InDesign because that kid doesn’t know how to use InDesign. It’s something that comes from within. It’s like the seniors and the leaders who come before you left a little piece of them inside of you.

Ryan Norman photo

ON THE SPOT

Students from campus and the Hockday School perform a classic improv game at the 51st annual ISAS Fine Arts Festival hosted at Hockaday April 12-14 in the improv tent. The performers from the two schools include Thomas Loose, Meredith Jones, Will Mallick, Avery Pearson, Louisa Lindsely, Grace Olsen and Sammy Sanchez.

Life in brief MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND HOLDS PERFORMANCE The Middle School band will perform in Decherd 7 p.m. May 17. The members of beginning band, consisting of mostly fifth-graders and some sixth-graders, will perform classic concert marches. The members of the intermediate band, consisting of sixth, seventh and eighth-graders, will perform pieces such as Menomena, This is Me and Crazy Train. NEW LITERARY FESTIVAL VICE CHAIR ANNOUNCED Freshman Max Palys and sophomore Jack Trahan are the vice-chair and chair, respectively, for the 2018-2019 Literary Festival.

Along with Literary Festival sponsor David Brown, the three leaders have already begun meeting to discuss how they can improve the event. They aim to take more feedback from faculty, students and guests to enhance the festival for everyone. By creating more active discussions during the school day and better questions in the main assembly, they hope that next year’s Literary Festival will be a fun and fresh experience for the school. MARKSMEN BALL TOMORROW Marksmen Ball will take place tomorrow evening at the Belo Mansion in Downtown Dallas. The event, which is the last high school dance for the seniors, will include a dinner and the

unveiling of the yearbook and its dedicatee. Seniors, their dates and selected faculty guests will attend the event. MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH TEAM SWEEPS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP The Middle School Math Team competed at the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association State Championships April 21. Students competed in four areas by taking tests in number sense, calculator applications, mathematics and science. Overall, the team finished seventh in the state in sweepstakes with strong performances across the board. PHOTOGRAPHY WINS TOP PROGRAM COMPETITION For the 12th consecutive year, the photography program won the

Association of Texas Photography Instructors’ Top Program Award April 28. A panel of six judges evaluated 30 submissions from students against public and private schools. The school entered ten photographs each for the portraiture, architecture and landscape portfolio categories. LITERARY MAGAZINES RELEASED The Mini Marque, the Middle School literary magazine, will distribute its fifth issue May 18 with a theme of “The Four Elements” with hopes of winning its third consecutive Gold Crown. The Marque published its 56th

volume May 11 with a theme of “Iconoclast” after receiving its fifth consecutive Gold Crown this year. The Marque is one of only ten literary magazines to be honored with this achievement in 2018. SECOND GRADE FINE ARTS EVENING The Lower School showcased several art pieces May 1 in the Lower School hallways after weeks of preparation. Lower School art instructor Suzuko Davis coordinated the art portion of the Fine Arts Evening and introduced the various pieces produced by the young members of the second-grade class. Inspired by virtual tours in the caves of Lascaux and Lee Berger’s visit, these pieces included ceramic dinosaur sculptures and prehistoric cave paintings.

— Dylan Liu, Luke Piazza, Albert Luo, Sai Thirunagari, Trevor Crosnoe, Han Zhang

Inside

Headliners

CONCERTS Center

Everyone picks up their textbooks during summer, but what goes into selecting them?

Kendrick Lamar in classes

English teachers discuss if rap should be in classes now that DAMN. won a Pulitzer.

ISAS weekend

A look of the most prominent fine arts festival, ISAS, at the Hockaday School.

TDE Championship at the Dos Equis Pavillion

May 17

Foster the People at the House of Blues

May 30

Drop date

Electric Light, James Bay

< Wildness, Snow Patrol

Summer jobs

May 16

ALBUMS

Most people have summer jobs. But how have the jobs changed through the years?

Concert date

< Khalid at the Allen Event

Choosing textbooks

Artist in action

Love Everyone, Kanye West

MOVIES

May 18 May 25

‘

Freshman Jerry Zhou and his photography I focus on photography a lot because I enjoy it. It’s a hobby, as well as something I wish to pursue. I like seeing good photos, and I like making good photos too.

4,000

photos taken in his lifetime

200 photos taken per week

June 1

Release date

Terminal

May 11

< Deadpool 2

May 18

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Jerry < Zhou

May 25 Collin Katz photo

Page 12 • The ReMarker • May 11, 2018 • Life

PICKING THE PAGES Keeping Perspective

While public schools have boards that decide standardized textbooks, teachers here have a uniquely flexible process of selecting textbooks. Rather than letting the textbook guide the curriculum, core units and personal niches define each class. • Story Sam Ahmed, Tianming Xie Photo Kyle Smith

ne thousand six hundred and forty dollars. Department, where Science Department Chair Fletcher Carron says From the heavy chemistry textbook to the thin English clastextbook selections are up to the teachers who submit forms at the end sics, every student makes the trip back to campus just a few days of the school year. before the school year begins to pick up their new books. Although students do not have a formal say in the textbook selecBut what really goes into the process of choosing those textbooks? tion, Carron encourages students to give feedback. Who decides where the five percent of each student’s tuition, the cost of “Teachers who are looking to improve would be asking for feedUpper School education through textbooks, will be invested? back throughout the year from students. We do have an end-of-year ··· class feedback form that the students fill out in class,” Carron said. Textbooks are the cornerstone “One of the questions asks for each class, and the process the student’s opinion of the by which faculty members select textbook, but probably more textbooks for students varies from valuable are just the informal department to department. conversations that happen Unlike state-sponsored instiday to day for gauging tutions that often require a board whether the textbooks seem to select each year’s textbooks, to be helping students or here, teachers decide which textnot.” books to use based on their values Recently, more science of how they should be used to instructors have made the guide the curriculum. textbook more a resource than History and Social Sciences a strict guideline since most Department Chair David Fisher of the textbooks have more has found the main driving force content than can be covered of choosing textbooks is based in depth within a year. upon the syllabus of each class. “We find places where “Ultimately, we are driven we have to augment the as a department in choosing texttextbooks with class notes or books that match the syllabus,” with other resources,” Carron Fisher said. “We need to make said, “and a lot of our teachsure that we have a textbook that ers have found that having covers the material that the AP a book as a resource that’s covers. We owe it to our students not heavily relied upon is the to provide them with the clearest best model. By encouraging and most complete exposition of the material students to take thorough class notes and TEXTBOOK SELECTION PROCESS Teachers reach for the texts that speak to them to inavailable.” then providing those students with objeccorporate into their curriculum, imparting Rather than basing the curriculum on tive sheets and other resources, teachers a unique experience for the students. the textbook, Fisher stresses the opposite: the can still give their class the necessary textbook is a tool to guide students through structure.” the curriculum. “It’s not choosing a textbook that’s going In the English Department, instructors to give us the roadmap,” Fisher said. “We’ve have the most freedom in what they got a roadmap, and the decide to teach in their classes. English • ‘It’s a matter of textbook is chosen so Department Chair Michael Morris said the striking the right that students can follow freedom of teachers choosing their own balance between being flexible and the roadmap as well as texts allows deeper and more impactful and being committed possible.” lessons for students. to something. We Additionally, Math“My philosophy is that teachers will negotiate that line so ematics Department create a much more compelling class if we can teach a book Chair Joe Milliet believes they’re truly interested in the book,” Morthat we feel more passionate about.’ in the familiarity of textris said. “Some teachers in our department English Department books for students. By teach books that I would never choose to Chair Michael Morris using textbooks written teach because I don’t have the passion for by the same author, the department creates a the book that they might.” connected curriculum across grade levels. With the freedom English instructors “Whenever possible, we try to find an have to teach their own books, each Enauthor that we like who writes books at glish class is unique, but Morris emphasizmultiple levels so that when kids flow from es the importance of sticking to the same fifth grade to sixth grade and seventh grade, concepts and skills. etc., they can recognize the format and the “What we hope is that the ultimate fonotation looks the same,” Milliet said. cus of the course transcends the choice of To establish that the core material text so that whether you’re looking at nonremains consisent with different teachers fiction or fiction, you are still learning a lot 1-4 5-6 7-8 9-12 across the same course, Milliet regularly of the same concepts and skills, and you holds meetings for teachers to discuss which are benefiting from the teacher’s passion units are augmented or skipped. for that kind of reading,” Morris said. “We How often do students use textbooks? “We have core content for each course, and just hope that their different and interesting 2.7% 2.7% it’s that core content that winds up on those paths lead to the same outcome.” departmental final exams,” Milliet said. “It The question of choosing textbooks is makes up about 80 percent of each course. Then one that is unique to the school because the other 20 percent of time, if they have special there is more flexibility in the selection things they like to do or if they want to go in process. In general, however, Fisher believes more depth on this or that, they can.” discussing the curriculum has more value 28.8% 27.4% than the discussion of which textbooks the That 20 percent of time is based on the teachteacher decides to use. er’s unique set of interests, often consisting of “Independent schools are fortunate in material beyond the core content for certain that we don’t have to worry about states topics. choosing textbooks,” Fisher said. “And in “If we can’t find that high quality work in a a way, it’s one of the problems of American textbook, we write our own materials,” Milliet education that has become such a politi38.4% said. “One of the great things about the departcized issue. I wish the discussion was less ment is that our teachers are so strong in their about textbooks and more about curricula content area that they’re not dependent upon and with respect to the curriculum. I wish it the textbook and its examples to teach. They can would be less about the political leaning of Rarely Sometimes Never Often Every Class write that stuff themselves, make it better and the curriculum and more about the quality customize it.” of the curricula and the type of standard we SOURCE: POLL CONDUCTED FROM 73 STUDENTS The “80-20 rule” also applies in the Science want the students to reach.”

Would you like to see a change in what textbooks the school uses?

NO 62% YES 38%

SOURCE: POLL CONDUCTED FROM 73 STUDENTS

800 Math textbooks bought every year

Cost of textbooks for each grade level

$193 $869 $1130 $1640

1000 Science textbooks bought every year

4500 English textbooks bought every year

5500 Foreign language textbooks bought every year Source: Sarah Key

Life • May 11, 2018 • The ReMarker • Page 13

BECOMING A GUITAR HERO Nextlevel

Freshman Collin Katz has performed at many venues outside of school. Now that he’s in Upper School, he’s also made an impact in Blues Club playing lead guitar.

S ing.

ix years of playing guitar. Nine hours spent at a music school every week. Countless Saturdays spent perform-

From playing in front of Upper School assembly with the Blues Club to performing at a St. Patrick’s Day parade for over 200,000 people, freshman Collin Katz has played guitar with bands at many different venues. What started out as just an inspiration from playing Guitar Hero in fourth grade has now become a passion to which he devotes himself. ··· After starting to learn the guitar in fourth grade through private lessons, Katz decided to form a band in 2015 with the help of a music studio to start performing at different venues. “I really wanted to try gigging and playing in different places rather than just at home,” Katz said. “I was in that band for two years, and I left. I’m trying to start a new one now. One kid [in the band] went to Greenhill, one went to Wylie High School and one was out of state.” In preparation for performances, Katz and his band would meet during Saturdays to practice for around three hours, write songs and practicing covers. They would go around looking for places to perform once they felt ready. “You just go around asking, but once you’ve gotten one, it’s easy if people know you can get a decent audience,” Katz said. “My first performance was at the Profit Bar.” When Katz first started performing, he was very nervous on-stage. However,

he became less nervous the more he performed, and he soon realized not many people would realize when he made mistakes. “Now, I’m normally pretty relaxed on stage,” Katz said. “I started becoming more calm when I realized that people really don’t care if you mess up. I learned that if you get super nervous, you will be worried the whole time and won’t have any fun.” However, the band Katz was part of ended up disbanding because its members did not live close together and had other commitments in school. After being unable to find new members, Katz decided to drop the band. “At the end of the summer in 2017, our drummer, who went to school out at Wylie, was doing the marching band over there,” Katz said, “and his mom could not drive him to practice, so he decided to quit. He was really good, so I just didn’t think it was going to work out without him. We spent a few months trying to find a new drummer, but we couldn’t.” After quitting the band, Katz decided

to apply to the School of Rock in Dallas, where he continued playing guitar. The school teaches students of different levels and organizes performances for the students. He now goes there Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 5-8 p.m. “There are two programs there,” Katz said. “There’s one program that’s the normal after-school program that anyone can join, and I’m in that one. But I’m also in the audition-based program, and that one is super strict because if

• Story Matthew Zhang Photo Rohit Vemuri

JAMMING OUT Freshman Collin Katz plays chords with his electric guitar. His next performance will be with Blues Club performing at Austin Street Shelter.

you are not on top of things, you can get kicked out. It’s kind of like a real school for music.” In addition to playing for School of Rock, Katz is working on writing his own music with his guitar instructor, Dave Escamilla, at the school. “I’m writing songs on my own and recording them with Dave. He was in a metal band called Crown the Empire, so he’s my guitar teacher,” Katz said. “I found a lot of inspiration [for songs] mainly from him and other bands.” In school, Katz is part of the Blues

Club, which he joined partly because his eighth grade humanities instructor, Lisa Brandenburg, recommended him to Blues Club sponsor Stephen Houpt. “Ms. Brandenburg would eat lunch with Mr. Houpt in the cafeteria,” Katz said, “and she would talk about me playing guitar and told him I should join Blues Club. I talked to him in eighth grade, but I didn’t join until this year. We’ve played at Austin Street about four or five times. We played at a fund raiser,

we played at the alumni barbecue and we also did that one in Upper School Assembly.” After almost five years of playing the guitar, Katz said that the biggest challenge he has faced has been switching between different genres of music, but what has helped him • ‘When I mess improve the most has up, I just keep been performing as playing, and everything works often as he can. out. The most “From rock to important thing blues to even some to remember is jazz kind of stuff, it’s that performing hard to jump around should be a fun experience.’ and really get into the Freshman Collin style,” Katz said. “It’s Katz hard to not sound like a rock player playing blues, so you have to really take time and learn how to play blues rather than kind of just going through the motions. Gigging and performing is the best way to build up your skills because it’s really good to play in a live setting compared to performing in your bedroom. It’s a lot different and it helps you all around as a player.”

Page 14 • The ReMarker • May 11, 2018 • Life

RAP IN POETRY’S DNA

Should Robert Frost’s poems be presented alongside Kendrick Lamar’s lyrics now that Lamar’s DAMN. is a Pulitzer Prize winner?

A NEW VIEWPOINT Look at current curriculum, English teachers such as Victor F. White Master Teacher David Brown ponder whether rap should be taught in class.

he students file into the rectangular room and take their seats at the Harkness table, all looking exhausted from a week full of tests, quizzes, papers and lectures. The English instructor gets ready to lead the class. But today’s lesson isn’t another discussion about the metaphorical significance of Oedipus Rex; it’s a poetry lesson. A poetry lesson derived from the first Pulitzer Prize winning rapper, Kendrick Lamar. ··· Kendrick Lamar’s new album DAMN. is the first rap album to ever to win a Pulitzer Prize in the 75 years since awards for music were established. All earlier winners in music went to classical or jazz pieces. Seventh-grade humanities instructor Tim Mank believes this marks a long-needed acceptance of all kinds of music in literature. “I think it’s a great wake-up call, even for myself and for a lot of people that this is art,” Mank said. “You can say it’s not highbrow art, but it is art. It should be treated as seriously as other things that have been considered.” Mank has been a musician his whole life and believes that all music has value, so much so that he regularly presents his humanities classes with music. “When I bring music into my class, I’m bringing it from the approach of poetry,” Mank said. “The introduction of music in my classes is really geared towards expression and poetics.” Despite the benefits of music in

the classroom, Mank maintains that not all music is fit for school. “I tend to stay away from negativity,” Mank said. “If it’s holding up something that I don’t think shows good characters or virtues, I don’t like to bring it in.” Despite the stereotype that rap is explicit music, Mank recognizes that not all rap is bad. “There’s plenty of rap songs out there that do good things,” Mank said, “but it is a form of music that really tackles raw and problematic subjects.” Just like Mank, Victor F. White

Master Teacher David Brown also includes music in his curriculum. “I frequently start class with a song,” Brown said. “I have a whole file of lyrics that I run off and pass out to my students.” Brown claims that music has a special way of reaching his students. “I typically use music as a way to get the students centered and focused,” Brown said. “It’s also a great way to keep them interested in literature.” However, Brown does not plan on incorporating rap music into his classes. “I’m not a big fan of rap,” Brown said. “Almost all rappers use horrid grammar, and I am charged with teaching grammar. I have a number of students who are horrible at grammar, and when I ask them what kind of music they listen to, often it’s rap.” Sophomore Jackson Morris, an avid listener of Kendrick Lamar’s mu-

sic and member of Brown’s class, is supportive of music in the classroom and believes there is a place for rap in the classroom. “I think there’s a lot that is said in rap music, just as much as in poetry or in novels that we study,” Morris said. “It’s just a form of literature. Poetry is using words to express deeper ideas, and what you’re just saying on paper rap say do as well.” Morris’s experience in English class has increased his appreciation of learning music, but he thinks there is • ‘What he does a lot of potential in teaching rap music. with his lyrics is “In Mr. Brown’s more than just putting lyrics on class, he does a paper. It’s talking ‘Song of the Day,’” about real issues Morris said. “It’s that we have in not rap, but it’s still society.’ Sophomore learning through Jackson Morris music. I think there’s a lot of potential for that. I think it would connect with the students more because they have most likely heard some of the songs, and they could learn to really understand the meaning of songs instead of just listening to them passively.” Morris also recognizes the value in

music genres such as rap. “Kendrick has done a lot to change the image of rap, and he has managed to stay mainstream while still talking about issues and remaining a conscious rapper. He raps a lot about racism and the black experience which I can’t relate to, but I am able to appreciate his art despite not sharing the same experiences.”

• Story Sam Ahmed, Cooper Ribman Photo Kyle Smith

Elevated Cooking Club continues food sales to raise money for charity by Eric Hirschbrich ecently, students at the school have been noticing spontaneous burrito sales every now and then from the Elevated Cooking Club. Tacos are always a nice surprise, but Elevated President Darius Ganji has larger plans for future events next year. Along with the help of club members, Ganji has found a way to integrate the club into community service-oriented initiatives around campus. While searching for a way for Elevated to get involved with the community, club members thought

of doing a bake sale. However, the club realized that baked goods used in sales are often store-bought, and Ganji wanted to do something more original for their sale. “We always saw Free The Children, and they were doing bake sales. But it was always classic insta-made brownies and store-bought stuff,” Ganji said. “We thought it would be cool if we could do that, but do it with actually cooked food that we made either the day before or day of.” In addition to the taco sales, Elevated also plans to work with Sage to influence the lunch menu on a few

days of the year. What started out as a simple joke in Ganji’s Student Council speech may become a reality. “We’re trying to do a feature during lunch where we’ll provide one of the proteins or main dishes, and it will probably be Indian food. I joked about that in my Student Council speech, but I thought about it, and I was like ‘Wait, that could work really well.’” Ganji revealed that Elevated plans to continue charity events like the recent burrito sales, and that they plan to serve Indian food, including the famous chicken tikka masala.

A Different View: Organist Glenn Stroh How has mainstream music affected your taste in music? The core of the music I love and spend most of my time playing, studying and teaching is Western art music. I try to stay open-minded regarding musical styles. How has rap influenced change over the years? Music is subjective, and one of the great things about art is that it has the power to challenge and break barriers. Should DAMN. be a Pulitzer Prize-winning album? It’s hard to say whether I would have made the same selection given how many works merit attention each year, but I think Kendrick’s lyrics are thought-provoking and clever, tackling complex issues.

Glenn Stroh Organist

As a classically trained musician and church organist, what do you think about the music and lyrics Kendrick uses? Since the beginning, hip-hop has provided a rich platform for the African-American experience, and Kendrick’s album is really the next step in that evolution. What opportunity does popular musicians have to positively influence life of the younger generation with writing songs about real issues? As a musician, I really respect those who maintain integrity and recognize the responsibility to their community and the world that comes with offering musical commentary up into the public arena. Have you ever seen the negative side of the influence of popular music? Unfortunately, I can think of several examples in popular music which advance or even glamorize behavior that is destructive or abusive to their communities: drug use, objectification of women and violence to name a few.

Life • May 11, 2018 • The ReMarker • Page 15

RAINING SUMMER STACKS Part-time jobs

SHOE COLLECTION Junior Davis Yoo shares his stock of shoes that he bought using the surplus money he earned reselling well-known brands of clothing and shoes.

Whether it’s having the freedom of self-earned allowance or going into the real world, these former and current students got summer jobs. Senior John Gunnin

English instructor Geoffrey Stanbury I was a salesman [for Cutco], and they gave me a kit of knives. I went around houses, giving a presentation and then selling them knives. Originally, I found five close friends. I asked them for references, and by the end, I sold to people I didn’t even know. A pro is in any sales job, you gain people skills, how to read someone and how to move the conversation in a way that you want. I saw a direct relationship with how hard I worked, how much money I made and how much I moved up in the company.

Biology instructor Mark Adame

Towards the end of my freshman year, there was a flyer on the high school’s jobs office bulletin board about doing manual labor at the local VFW [The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US]. My boss had me tear down the ceiling in the basement. I basically had a wrecking bar, and I was just tearing down plaster and wood. At one point, a dead squirrel fell out. Doing manual labor is a really good experience. I was strong enough for it. But, when you’re 14, you don’t really know what you’re getting yourself into.

Senior Hill Washburne

During the school year, I worked in the spring at a hospital, filing insurance claims. Another time, I worked at a pizza place. The only time I didn’t work after turning 16 was during football season. [The jobs taught me] responsibility and how to manage money because if I wanted any spending money, getting a part-time job was the only way I could get it. When I worked hard, my parents gave me good feedback, and it motivated me more to work harder.

Junior Davis Yoo

I had an internship this past summer that I did four to five days a week for five hours a day. Now I invest in stocks on my own. If you treat trading stocks like gambling, it’s stressful, but if you treat it like you’re buying a piece of a company, it shouldn’t be stressful because you’re investing in long-term play. You’re not going to see the result for ten to 20 years. So, if you’re caught up in the day-to-day stress, trading stocks probably isn’t the right game for you to be playing.

McGee Family Master Teaching Chair JT Sutcliffe I buy clothes and shoes at retail price and then sell them for resale. I do meet-ups [with customers] to sell and buy. You make money, you get cool clothes, you meet a lot of people. You basically run your own business. My job taught me patience in terms of meeting people who don’t show up and in terms of making profit because it takes a while to get things going. This job is my lunch money, my gas money and my shoe money. I don’t like asking for money from my mom. I like to be independent.

My folks gave me an allowance, but it was not a big allowance, so I was expected to supplement. Between my graduation year and college, I worked as a tour guide at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. I had to give a tour in French once. I went around talking about the Jasper Johns artwork and the Revson fountain that costed $10,000 and things that would not have been in a normal French class. It was lots of fun, and it was the only time I have ever found my French useful.

• Compiled by Tianming Xie, Sai Thirunagari Photos Kyle Smith

Second annual ceramics senior showcase features five seniors by Luke Piazza he second ceramics Senior Showcase featured five seniors in Nearburg Hall April 28 from 5-7 p.m. The exhibiting seniors included Matthew Freeman, Toussaint Pegues, Fausto Reyher, Cal Rushton and Kyle Zhang. After spending three years learning about the intricacies of pottery, the presenting seniors spent this year working on personal projects in preparation for this event. “Not a lot of people see our work,” Rushton said. “We spend hours in the studio—some nights even until 10-10:30 trying to finish

projects. It’s nice to finally have an outlet to show people something you’ve been spending a lot of time on.” By displaying senior works, ceramics instructor Scott Ziegler hopes that the showcase will attract new students. “Seeing finished work can pique someone’s interest,” Ziegler said. “Even watching someone throw on the wheel can pique someone’s interest, so hopefully if people are coming in to view this exhibit, it will inspire them to maybe look into ceramics.” While the work shown is complex, the actual creation of each

piece is much simpler with some effort, according to senior Toussaint Pegues. “Making this stuff isn’t that hard if you put time into it,” Pegues said. “You can make whatever you want if you start early.” With the senior showcase being a relatively new event, Ziegler aims for the presentation to move beyond the studio and into other art classes across campus. “Hopefully, as the years continue,” Ziegler said, “this will become the staple for students taking ceramics and possibly grow even bigger where it’s a fine arts exhibit.”

Page 16 • The ReMarker • May 11, 2018 • Perspectives

Buddies know best Lower schoolers share their sage advice with the graduating seniors as they head off to college BIG FUTURES Wearing sweatshirts from the colleges of their senior buddies, second-grader Wesley Jackson, fourth-grader Sebastian Gonzalez, first-grader Logan Ziegler and third-grader John Yin have their work cut out to match the successes of their college-bound role models.

Managing Editor Sahit Dendekuri and Executive Page Editor Parker Davis sat down with lower schoolers to hear advice they’d give to members of the class of 2018 as they get ready for college and prepare to take on life: Sahit Dendekuri: What do you see yourself doing here when you’re a senior? First-grader Logan Ziegler: I wanna do interviews for the newspaper. SD: What advice do you have for your senior buddy Toussaint Pegues? LZ: Good luck for whatever the name of the school is that he’s going to. SD: What’s your favorite thing about Toussaint? LZ: I just like him in general, and last year, I visited him back when I had half days. I would just hang out and eat lunch. SD: What fun things did you do together? LZ: He made this sword for me out of plastic or something. I think he 3D printed it. SD: How do you see yourself as a senior? Second-grader Wesley Jackson: Get a good college, try to be helpful, try to be nice to my little buddy, and… Do seniors have a lot of work? They don’t have a lot of work compared to juniors… but I also want to finish all my work. SD: Can you see youself carrying in a little buddy on your shoulders? WJ: It depends if I exercise or not. SD: Do you have any advice for your senior buddy

Matthew Fornaro? WJ: Be nice to [your classmates] because eventually you might need them. SD: What were your favorite things that you did with Fornaro? WJ: The shoulder riding, getting to hang out in our room with candy, when we were writing about our senior buddies and when I see him on campus a lot. SD: What time do you go to bed? WJ: 8:30. SD: When do you think most seniors go to bed? WJ: It depends on when they finish their homework. 9? 9:05? SD: What’s the last thing you would say to Matt as he leaves? WJ: Be yourself and people will like you. SD: If you had to leave for college instead of Matt, what would you miss the most about St. Mark’s? WJ: Teachers and friends. SD: Where do you see yourself as a senior? Fourth-grader Sebastian Gonzalez: Well, I think I might like doing The ReMarker, and I think I might do a sport, and if I did, I think it would be soccer. SD: What should every senior remember to take with them to college? SG:What about, like, oh what’s it called. That thingy. The thingy. With the words. The diploma! That. Or maybe a PlayStation. It’s better than an XBox. SD: What are the most important things about this

The bottom line Thoughts on Commencement

‘

school that make it so special for the seniors? SG: You know everybody and you’ve been with them for so long and you know them, it just provides ways for everyone to bond together and have experiences. SD: What are some of the fun things you did with your senior buddy Eddie Yang ’17? SG: Once, we played a game of ball tag on the playground, and we hid among the crowds and all that. Really, just being able to spend time together was awesome. SD: Are you excited to have a little buddy one day? SG: Yeah! SD: What are your favorite things that you’vedone with your senior buddy Mohit Singhal? First-grader Ishan Siddamshetty: When we met at the convocation, and also when he brought me some snacks from McDonald’s, and I think that’s all. SD: What would you want to say to him as he leaves for college? IS: I will miss him very much, so much that I will be so sad when I never see him again. SD: What memories from here should Mohit take with him to school? IS: Maybe that he spent time with me? SD: Do you have any advice for him? IS: Maybe write letters to St. Mark’s and to me so we can remember each other. SD: What was your favorite experience of your first year at school here?

IS: Fun Day. SD: What do you want to do senior year? IS: I want to be doing hard work so I can earn some money. SD: What are your favorite things that you did with your senior buddy Niteesh Vemuri? Second-grader Eli Jahkin: I went to his swim thingy [Senior Night meet] that we had last year, and that was kind of fun. SD: Do you swim too? EJ: I don’t really swim, I just take swim lessons. SD: What important things would you tell the seniors to bring with them? EJ: St. Mark’s ring if they have it, maybe their student folder from like first grade or something. I still have mine and I’m still using it. Parker Davis: What advice do you have for your senior buddy Waseem Nabulsi? Third-grader Anderson Lee: Um, don’t stay up late at night. PD: Do you stay up late every night? AL: “On weekends, but not on weekdays.” PD: Should Waseem go to parties on the weekend? AL: “Only if he doesn’t have a lot of work.” PD: What college would you go to? AL: “I would study electrical engineering at [the Massachusetts Institute of Technology] if I could.”

The situation: The white tux. The stage on the quad. The last

time they sing the “Alma Mater.” Commencement, the last act a senior will undertake as a student here, is fast approaching. Although it marks the end of the line for the Class of 2018, the ceremony means different things to different people.

Commencement is a night to recognize all of the amazing work the seniors have done all year and really appreciate their contributions to the school. I’m confident we can step up and fill those roles just like they did.

Landon Wood, Student Council Kobe Roseman, four year member President-elect

• Story Sahit Dendekuri, Parker Davis, Sam Goldfarb Photos Kyle Smith

‘

I really like all the guys in the class and I know they’ve all done great things, so I’m sorry to see them go. But I’m also very excited because I know they’ll go on to be the same positive influence in their communities and have a great time doing it. So there’s a sadness, but there’s also a huge smile.

JT Sutcliffe, Senior Class sponsor

‘

It is a surreal moment for me. In first grade, our teacher told us about the graduation ceremony here. I vividly remember imagining myself as a grown-up in a white tuxedo, and it’s weird to imagine that will become a reality in a couple of days.

Kannan Sharma, 12-year Marksman

Perspectives • May 11, 2018 • The ReMarker • Page 17

Mr. Speaker Dr. Michael Sorrell, who will address seniors at Commencement, has a lot to say about making things happen. From parties to basketball teams to food deserts, Sorrell sets out to improve everything around him.

veryone was talking about him. His chapel talk was one of the best received of the year, and his message and story stayed in the collective consciousness—so much that the school elected to have him return to campus as the Commencement speaker. Currently the president of Paul Quinn College and father of second-grader Michael Sorrell, Sorrell has pursued a wide range of projects across the country, always trying to make his mark wherever he went. Sorrell traces the foundation of his entrepreneurial spirit to his time at Oberlin College, where he completed his undergraduate studies— a school where he never thought he would thrive. A basketball player in high school, he was looking to attend a school with equally competitive athletics and academics programs. “My mother was concerned I’d grow up and be selfish, so she introduced sports as a way of teaching me teamwork,” Sorrell said. “ Then it turned out that I was good at it, and it was a really good channel for my hyper-competitive nature.” His parents helped him with a list of schools that had both strong academic and basketball programs. No matter how hard Sorrell played, he knew he wouldn’t make it into the highest-level schools, at least not if he wanted a spot on a college roster. “I was good, but I wasn’t Duke good,” Sorrell said. “I really wanted to play for Georgetown [University], but Georgetown didn’t offer me a scholarship. I wasn’t Georgetown good. I was at Ivy League level, kind of those types of schools.” At a game one night, a scout from Oberlin came to Chicago to watch Sorrell play. The young athlete made an impression. After really hitting it off with the scout Sorrell verbally committed to Oberlin, even though he didn’t really know what he was getting himself into. “I hadn’t taken my recruiting trip yet, so I take my recruiting trip, and I hate it [there],” Sorrell said. “I go, and I’m just thinking, there is no way I’m going to college here. I don’t know what I thought college was going to be like, but this is not it.” Sorrell continued looking into other schools, particularly places where he could potentially walk on to a team. But at dinner a few weeks later, those hidden hopes were shot down before they could ever get off the ground. “I’m thinking that maybe I can do the walk-on deal at Vanderbilt [University], or some of these other schools that have recruited me,” Sorrell said. “Sitting at dinner one night, and we were talking about how my day went, and [my mom] says ,‘Oh, by the way, I sent in all your paperwork to Oberlin.’” Sorrell was shocked and furious, but he began to understand one of his most defining traits. Dr. Michael Sorrell >

“[My mom] realized that it wasn’t the best fit for me, but in that discomfort, I would unlock my gifts,” Sorrell said. “And if I didn’t like it, I could leave after a year. The thing she knew about me was that I’m not a quitter. If I’m in a place, I will find a way to make that place work.” But Sorrell did more than just make it work. At Oberlin’s campus — nearly three hours from Cleveland — he set to work starting up the things he wanted to see. One such thing was the music scene. The clubs around the school didn’t have DJs that were up to scratch, so Sorrell taught himself how to work behind a soundboard. “My roommate and I wound up being the most popular DJs on campus for our last three years of college,” Sorrell said. “We had never done this before. Literally it was talking our way into the club, talking the owner into letting us practice in off hours.” To get the spot, Sorrell knew he’d have to be both clever and a master of the mix. “When they did the tryouts for the position, [the club’s manager] gave us a horrible placement,” Sorrell said, “but we packed the place with our friends. When we got done, they all left, so the place was empty, and we wound up with the job.” This routine self-starting has come to define Sorrell’s career. After Oberlin, Sorrell earned a master’s degree in public policy and worked in community reinvestment and redevelopment in North Carolina for a year. From that job, he attended law school at Duke University, after which he was offered a job at a law firm in Dallas. “I liked the law firm, I thought the people were good people, but I liked the fact that this was not yet a fully-formed city,” Sorrell said. “There was enough good that there was a great quality of life, but there was enough bad that if you were someone that wanted to pour themselves into transforming

the city and improving things, that you could do that too.” Sorrell’s improvement efforts in the city really began in earnest when he was offered the position as president of Paul Quinn College, located 15 minutes south of Downtown. At the time, Sorrell was trying to secure lucrative ownership of the Memphis Grizzlies basketball team, with no plans of serving as the president of a college. “I was driving down the highway, going to scout Kevin Durant in the Big 12 tournament in Oklahoma City, and I got a phone call from the chair of the board,” Sorrell said. “He said, ‘how would you like to be president?’ I said, ‘thank you for the offer, but we’re buying a basketball team, I’m going to get to run it and we’re moving to Memphis.’” However, he didn’t want to turn down the position outright. “I thought about it, and I told him, ‘Look, I’ll give you 90 days,’” Sorrell said. “‘I’ll be the interim president while you look for someone else while we’re buying the basketball team.’” Ninety days were all it took for Sorrell to fall in love. He found such a calling at Paul Quinn that he abandoned his plans of team ownership and accepted the position at the college full-time. “I found calm and peace in a place of chaos,” Sorrell said. “When I arrived, there were fifteen abandoned buildings, everything was in disarray.” He had his chance to start improving in the community, to turn the school and its part of the city around. It was, and still is, no easy task. “We needed to make some hard decisions and have a vision,” Sorrell said. “Growth requires inspiration, it requires nurturing, it requires you having the ability to say to people, ‘this is where we’re going, this is how we’re going to get there and this is why it will be amazing.’”

Commencement approaches for class of 2018 A

t 8 p.m. May 25, 90 seniors will take the final step of their time here as they walk across the Commencement stage on the Green Commencement Theater on the Perot Quadrangle. The ceremony will feature speeches from the to-be-announced valedictorian, Senior Class President Edward Ro and Michael Sorrell, the president of Paul Quinn College. Sorrell, who spoke in Upper School chapel earlier this year, was chosen by seniors as the commencement speaker in April. “I think we’re all very excited,” Ro said, “but it’s also a little bit bittersweet because, while we do want to graduate and move on to new things, we’re still leaving behind a community that we’ve called home for some 12 years.” Senior Class sponsor Dr. Stephen Balog echoed Ro’s sentiment. “It’s always a mix of emotions,” Balog said. “I’m always excited to see what they do when they get out in the world. I’m always excited to hear their stories when they come back about the colleges they’re attending. It’s always a bit of sadness because you’ve built up relationships, and you don’t want them to just wander off.” Ro sees the graduation ceremony not just as a celebration of the seniors, but also of the community that surrounds them, an idea he hopes to capture in his speech. “I want to show, or emphasize to everyone that St. Mark’s is special not because it’s rigorous or challenging, even though it is, but that we succeed because we work together and everyone in the community supports each other,” Ro said. “It’s hard, but because we’re doing it together we’ve all been able to succeed.” Commencement marks the last time seniors will be officially recognized as students of the school, the next Saturday morning becoming part of a long list of distinguished alumni to graduate from the school. But in the week leading up to the ceremony, seniors undertake one of the busiest weeks of their year, filled with the trip to the Dallas Zoo with the first graders, rehearsals for Commencement and Baccalaureate, as well as the official Baccalaureate ceremony at 7:30 p.m. May 22, in which seniors, their families and faculty will gather one last time in the chapel to hear messages from a member of the faculty chosen by the seniors, a response from one senior selected by his peers, among other readings, hymns and anthems by the choir. Even after the rush of a busy year, filled with college applications and months of waiting for one evening, Balog believes it’s important, come Commencement, to take a step back and appreciate what the night truly means. “It’s the same thing every year, no matter what we tell them,” Balog said. “Yes, you walk across the stage, and you’re actually handed you’re diploma. I don’t think they ever fully believe it until they’re actually handed their diploma, and they open it up, and it’s like, ‘It’s real now.’ And that look of excitement and hope and just joy on their face, that’s what makes that evening for me.”

Commencement Class of 2018 Date

May 25

Time

8 p.m.

Place

Green Commencement Theatre

Speakers

Awards

Dr. Michael Sorrell president, Paul Quinn College Edward Ro, Senior Class President Headmaster’s Cup School Flag Citizenship Cup J.B. Henderson Community Service Award

Page 18 • The ReMarker • May 11, 2018 • Life

CUTTING CLASS Schedule changes

ne of the enviable things a senior has is flexibility. After three years of tirelessly memorizing vocabulary for Spanish or dates for history, some seniors can take the year to explore what they are interested in rather than what is required of them. However, some of that flexibility will be taken away. Due to the lack of students signed up and scheduling conflicts for next year, AP psychology and DNA science will be discontinued. ··· As the year comes to a close, most students have decided on courses for the upcoming school year. However, for students who want to take more specialized classes like AP psychology or DNA science, they have to worry about whether their class will even meet. Fortunately, for last year’s students interested in taking a specialized class such as AP psychology, including senior Sammy Sanchez, there was enough interest in AP psychology for the class to meet. As Sanchez moves on to college at New York University, he will implement many of the skills he has learned in his 12 years here. One of the most valuable skills he has learned has come in his last year. Sanchez has enjoyed being a part of the AP psychology

class, and he feels he has learned to deal with common feelings such as anxiety and stress because of it. “We talked a lot about anxiety, and that’s something that a lot of kids at St. Mark’s deal with,” Sanchez said. “This is not a stress-free place by any means, so you learn a lot of ways to cope with that kind of thing.” Sanchez expected a similar interest in the class for the upcoming school year, but the low class enrollment for the 2018-2019 school year has surprised him. “I was [surprised] because the class is relatively big.” Sanchez said. “It was relatively big the year before that. I heard five kids signed up [this year].” Sanchez understands the cancellation of AP psychology for next year, but he thinks these cancellations only force students to take other classes that they might be less interested in. “I feel like every time we remove a class it kind of pigeonholes St. Mark’s kids more and more into what we should be taking,” Sanchez said. “We got rid of Japanese.

As topic-specific classes like AP psychology and DNA science will not be offered, students will likely take a more basic class load.

Now we can only take languages that are helpful for our careers, not because we’re interested in the language.”

For AP psychology

instructor Barbara Van Drie, the class has been an opportunity to teach students about a field of study that cannot be found anywhere else on campus. Often a popular class for its extensive application and survey course style, the lack of an AP psychology course comes with a hole in the course selection for the History and Social Sciences Department. “There isn’t really an alternative course. That’s really why I wanted to offer it five years ago.” Van Drie said. “I wanted to teach it when I first came here. The reason I wanted to offer it was to allow students to see psychology as a path for their lives and a career possibility.” Fortunately for students seeking to take AP psychology in the future, AP psychology is offered every year permitting on class size. This is also the case for the highly specialized DNA science course. Most recently taught by biology instructor Mark Adame, the DNA science course has been the premier course for students looking to go into the DNA and biology fields. However, it too will not be offered next year due to complications with scheduling. Adame notes that for the right student, DNA science can progress a student’s proficiency with the subject before college. “[DNA science] gives students an edge over other students when they apply to college because they have

• Story Eric Hirschbrich, Sid Sinha Artwork Matthew Coleman

that experience.” Adame said. But while the DNA science class has been cancelled for the last two years, administrators have made sure the class will return with the new Winn Science Center. “We didn’t offer [DNA science] for this current school year,” Director of Academic Information Systems Paul Mlakar said. “We didn’t offer it for next school year either because we Mark Adame don’t have the physical biology space to offer it right instructor now with the construction. That will definitely come back online 2019-2020, and one of the new classrooms is a designated DNA science classroom.” Ultimately, the classes taken at the school depend upon the interest from the student body. Sanchez concluded that students should take courses that they find interesting over what will boost their GPA. “If I was a junior picking classes, I’d be more focused on taking stuff that I’m interested in,” Sanchez said.

Life • May 11, 2018 • The ReMarker • Page 19

FROM DRILLING TO GRILLING 23 minutes with... Scott Gottlich

Outside of helping with the wrestling team, assistant coach Scott Gottlich runs his own barbecue restaurant, 18th and Vine. Mark Tao: Who helps to manage the different aspects of 18th and Vine? Scott Gottlich: We have a management company called Fruition Hospitality which operates and manages restaurants, so we do all operations from there. MT: What exactly do you do at your restaurant (18th and Vine)? SG: I’m a chef, and I am also a partner. I have that connection, and we help a lot with the food. I coordinate with the pitmaster, and we collaborate a lot together on different things. We have a unique twist on barbecue. MT: How do you and your wife coordinate together on what parts of the restaurant you guys handle? SG: I do a lot of the food stuff and do all the business-side handling. My wife does the beverage service and customer service, which is how a guest is treated and dealt with, and all the procedures that go along with it as well. So we do all the procedures of the person ordering. MT: Was opening up a restaurant a lifelong dream for you? SG: We had done other restaurants. What happened was I ran into some mutual friends that I knew in college via some friends at St. Mark’s. We were all connected and were getting ready to open a barbecue restaurant, which was already elevated in that it was table service instead of counter service. It was a high-end restaurant, and it took my wife’s time. We realized we wanted to have more projects. As unfortunate as it was, we had to let [the restaurant] go. MT: When you closed the restaurant what made you open a barbecue restaurant? SG: We closed the doors there so we could do other opportunities. I never had the inclination to open a barbecue Scott Gottlich place, but I did Owner of see an oppor18th and tunity to push Vine the envelope on cuisines which I had never done before. That really sparked my interest, and I liked all the people we were partnering up with. At that point, I was just a chef partner. I

FINISHING TOUCHES Working hard to fill up his customers, assistant wrestling coach Scott Gottlich prepares 18th and Vine’s famous house-made sausage.

did that for two years, and this last August, we took over all the operations of the restaurant with the thought that it was a viable project. We had a thought that we could take it further and actually create a model that we could grow from. MT: How do you balance time between your hours as an assistant wrestling coach here and hours as an owner for 18th and Vine? SG: I help with the varsity wrestling team. I can balance my day and carve out a few hours to help during the season and not take away from my other responsibilities. I don’t work shifts at the restaurant, so I can trade my own schedule. It didn’t decrease the amount of time spent on my projects. I just had to be organized enough to plan periods of time in each day that I wouldn’t be available for meeting. MT: Who is on your staff that helps you to run the restaurant? SG: We hired a general manager, Gina, for the entire restaurant, and she has to be there on a daily basis, managing the dayto-day operations. We also have a chef, pitmaster and system manager, so we have a team of management that actually manages the restaurant. We handle the business side of operations and all the procedures, bring all those people and direct those managers in charge to run the ship. MT: What is something you have learned from your experience while working and serving customers at 18th and Vine? SG: I think with any business where you’re the operator and involved with finances you not only have a responsibility to the restaurant, but you also a responsibility to your partners and employees to always do your best. You always make what you feel is the best decision for today and tomorrow. If

FRONT AND CENTER Built with a rustic feel, the 18th and Vine barbecue restaurant provides a comfortable environment for READY TO SERVE After preparing a piece of customers in the downtown steak, Gottlich is ready to present his crearea to enjoy their meals. ation to his customers along with sides.

you have 50 people that work for you, then you’re responsible for 50 families. You have to do everything you can for success and do the best that you can. To me, it’s a tremendous responsibility, but it’s also a rewarding one that you can contribute to that many people. MT: What responsibility do you have to the customers? SG: You have a responsibility to make the best business decisions with the best organizational plans, budgets and procedures to set you up for the best chances of success.

FACTS AND FIGURES

18th and Vine Location

4100 Maple Ave.

Hours Open

11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Most Popular Menu Items

Meats Burnt ends, ribs, brisket ribs and brisket. Salads Pit boss Salad

MT: Where would you like to see 18th and Vine go in the future? SG: I would like to see more 18th and Vines, more offshoots, not as casual. I would like us to keep the same quality of barbecue and have offshoots of those items. You want to maximize all your potential, and there’s a lot of potential.

Entrees Smoked beef tenderloin and BBQ ham carbonara

Two ‘Que Plate

A combination of two meats and a side dish, costing $18

• Story Mark Tao, Luke Piazza Photos Courtesy Scott Gottlich.

We Charity reaches its fundraising goal by Han Zhang e Charity had their last bake sale of the year May 3 in the Alumni Commons and raised $1,4000 to surpass their goal of $5,000. We Charity club sponsor Paula Cham supervised the event. With $1,000 remaining out of their $5,000 goal, club members and sponsors alike hoped that this last sale would be enough to complete their objective. “At the end of every year, we always end with a finale, so we sold pizza, brownies and cookies,” Cham said. “We wanted it to be on a Thursday, since we normally do the bake sales on Fridays. Since this time around is different, I hoped this might be better than on Friday.” This year, the charity’s proceeds will go towards providing clean water,

education and medical supplies to Haiti, with the We Charity organization in Canada providing those in greatest need with aid. However, a problem faces the charity’s organization next year. With Cham leaving this year, another potential problem is getting a new sponsor for the club in order to continue its benefit towards people in need. Without a faculty sponsor, the charity, which counts as a club, would no longer be able to assist people in need. “I just asked Mrs. Stanbury if she would take it over and she said that she would, so she will be the new sponsor,” Cham said. “Ms. Dilday always helps, and of course Mrs. Johnson always lends her brownies to us.” With the success of the last bake sale, We Charity looks to build upon their accomplishments next year.

In the picture

IN HARMONY The Upper School orchestra performs in its spring concert April 24 in Decherd Performance Hall. Orchestra instructor David Fray conducts as the students play with concentration. This concert was the last concert of the year that the orchestra would play in, featuring senior soloists Rohan Vemu, Andrew Li and Cal Rothkrug.

Page 20 • The ReMarker • May 11, 2018 • Life

THE CURTAIN FALLS Lookbook

After three months of late nights and “hell week,” the cast of the spring play performed Inherit the Wind April 27-29. In a re-enactment of the fictionized 1920s scene, Bertram Cates (Niteesh Vemuri) was put on trial for teaching evolution in a public school classroom set in Hillsboro, TN. • Photos Meyer Zinn

5 4

7 6

1. OVERVIEW At the beginning of the play, all the actors take their positions in the courtroom. 2. IN THE SCENE E.K. Hornbeck (left: Henry Exall) berates Bertrand Cates (middle: Niteesh Vemuri) in a cross-examination. Cates’ girlfriend Rachel (Izzy Page) sits sits next to Cates. 3. THE TURNING POINT Tom Davenport (left: Will Mallick) and Reverend Jeremiah Brown (right: Will Hunt) carry Matthew Harrison Brady (middle: Avery Pearson) off stage after he suffers from a heart attack. 4. FINAL SCENE The judge (center: Sammy Sanchez) delivers the verdict while the reporter (left: Jonah Simon) holds the microphone to amplify his decision. Mr. Meeker, the bailiff, 6. THE PEP TALK Defense attorney Col(behind: Brett Marsh) stands behind the reporter while Davenport (Table left: Will Mallick) onel Drummond (left: Dalton Glenn) and Brady (Table right: Avery Pearson) anticipate the outcome. motivates Cates (right: Niteesh Vemu5. NAMING THE COLONEL Mayor of Hillsboro (Matthew Theilmann) names lawyer Henry ri)to persevere through the courtroom Drummond (Dalton Glenn) a “Temporary Honorary Colonel” after Drummond complains as he is tried for teaching evolution. about the town’s bias against him.

7. BEHIND THE SCENES Set crew member Alex Estrada applies a second coat of paint to a prop sign in preparation for the performances.

Life • May 11, 2018 • The ReMarker • Page 21

BUZZ

Reviewing the best of the best... and the worst of the worst.

In this issue: Summer 2018

h, summer. For students, it is the grand break that serves as a period of recharge and rejuvination after a long, hard school year. Finals are over, textbooks are closed and schedules are filled to the brim with vacations, three p.m. wakeups and summer jobs. Before any plans are made concrete, however, there are some things I recommend planning around. Whether you are a gamer or a movie buff, your summer is going to be filled to the brim with Star Wars, Marvel and other notable franchises. Before you buy your tickets, though, take a look at where we think you should go for the premiere of these summer blockbusters. — DUNCAN KIRSTEIN

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema 6770 Abrams Rd.

he Alamo Drafthouse Cinema chain, familiar for moviegoers across the country, is the gold standard for a high-quality film experience. Among its most famous strategies is its strict adherence to cinema etiquette. This means no children under six in the theater, an austere no-talking policy, absolutely no cellphones under any circumstances and no commercials before previews. Complete with homely seats and a welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff and in-house dining, Alamo Drafthouse creates an environment that you want to be in. The staff is more attentive to its

Creative Commons photos

Grade A+ audience than any other theater I’ve been to, and they blend professionalism and affability in a way that creates a truly enjoyable experience. Alamo offers in-house dining, an amenity that is coming to more and more movie theatres, most famously Studio Movie Grill (SMG). Whereas many theatres often fail to juggle the politics of showing movies and serving food, Alamo has a dedicated restaurant off the screens from which all the food is made from scratch. Without the movie, Alamo’s emphasis on silence and the food served comfortably rivals a proper restaurant. Overall, the experience is unlike any other.

Landmark Inwood Theater 5458 West Lovers Ln.

hose of us who venture south of I-635 are no doubt familiar with the neon sign reading “INWOOD” that defines the skyline of Inwood and Lovers Lane. This Tinseltown tribute, displaying a familiar Hollywood-esque façade complete with a marquis and a ticket booth, is famous for its small and traditional movie going experience. First of all, Inwood only has three screens, so your movie selection is limited at any given time. If you’re lucky, your movie will be shown in the lounge theater, a luxurious

REVIEW

Grade Aspace (with a luxurious price) complete with couches, bean bags and loveseats. A ticket in the lounge, however, can price at around $15. If you’re not quite as lucky, your ticket will run closer to $11, and you’ll be housed in one of the smaller, more rudimentary theaters. But even there, the seats are large and comfortable. Besides the lounge, however, there isn’t much that separates Inwood from any other higher-tier theater, and what’s offered in its two regular theaters is above average.

11170 North Central Expy.

Grade B+

tudio Movie Grill is a casual, progressive movie experience that lets you watch your movie while also indulging in your favorite snacks or, if you’re hungry enough, a full blown meal. However, SMG raises a fairly important question: Does the experience of watching a movie on the big screen mix well with the experience of enjoying a good meal at an expensive restaurant? For starters, let me just say that Studio Movie Grill creates a welcoming environment for moviegoers. From the nice employee greeting me to the theater’s food that is, although a bit pricey, surprisingly good. It also offers an incredibly large number of choices, so you can be sure that everyone from the most adventurous taster to the pickiest child

will have something to eat. That being said, the two experiences don’t always mix well. I was watching A Quiet Place. Most of the film is extremely quiet (naturally), so I would always get distracted by either someone trying (and failing) to silently enjoy their delicious meal or a waiter trying (and failing) to silently take someone’s order down. However, that was an extreme situation. Usually when I go to Studio Movie Grill, it’s with friends and we’re watching a loud and fun movie like Despicable Me or Kingsman: The Secret Service. It’s during these types of experiences when the theater’s perks really shine through.

• Reviews Jamie Mahowald, Cristian Pereira

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Movies to look forward to in summer 2018

Movie

Premieres

Genre

Deadpool 2

May 18

Superhero

Incredibles 2

June 15

Superhero

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

June 22

Sci-Fi/Action

Teen Titans Go to The Movies

June 27

Children

Ant-Man and the Wasp

July 6

Superhero

A new world to explore,new gods to take on and a new journey to begin: God of War (2018)

by Duncan Kirstein ith Norse Mythology now replacing Greek mythology, God of War is a fresh breath for the series. The action never stops for Kratos and his estranged son Atreus, but the developers still managed to pack the story with moments that are genuinely funny, exciting and sad. God of War is truly a game that will pull you in, and won’t let you go till the very end. If you don’t believe me, check the change in my AP Statistics grade from time of purchase to time of completion… it dips ever so slightly. God of War centers around Kratos’s journey with his son to spread his deceased wife’s ashes from the “tallest point in all the realms.” There are many twists, however, otherwise the game would be a very short one. Throughout the entire journey, though, Kratos and his son’s actions are

Studio Movie Grill

undercut by an incredible soundtrack and dazzling visuals that will enthrall any fan of the series or newcomer. While a familiarity with the ex-god of war’s adventures and god-killing deeds are not required by any means, they do help to highlight the difference between the old bloodthirsty Kratos and this softer father-figure that is the titular character of the game. With past experience or not, the game truly is full of characters and relationships that the player finds themselves starting to care about out of nowhere. Whether it’s the awkward “barely acquaintances” relationship

between Kratos and his son or the funny “I’m the skill in the family” relationship between the dwarven smiths Brok and Sindri, there is true development that you can’t miss. No other game will give players the same experience, whether they are rowing a boat through a giant snake, fighting gods or taking on Thor himself, God of War truly is one of the greats. Fair warning, however. It is difficult. I mean really hard to beat. You will find yourself throwing your controller in real life as much as Kratos throws his new axe around. Unfortunately, your controller won’t come back to you with the push of the button. At least, mine didn’t. Beating the game is absolutely worth it, though, as the ending delivers a plot twist that will blow away any fan of the norse gods, whether from Marvel or something else. Overall the game is something com-

pletely different from its predecessors. It keeps some elements, and it refers to previous events in the series. The grizzled father figure that Kratos has become is a stark difference to the man players watched sacrifice the entire world just for revenge. Kratos goes to great lengths to protect his son, and it is truly enojyable watching the pair go from people who share a house at best to a father son team that can kill any god that tries to stand in their way. It is this character development, coupled with a great story, that makes this game worth it. There are moments that could be done better, namely Kratos constantly referring to his son as “boy,” but overall, this game isn’t one to be missed. If you have even a second of free time during the Summer, which I hope you do, pick up God of War. I almost guarantee you won’t be able to put it down.

Page 22 • The ReMarker • May 11, 2018 • Commentary Staff editorials

In memoriam | Margaret McDermott, 1912-2018

‘She is one of the great titans of our school.’ — HEADMASTER DAVID DINI.

WALK IN THE PARK Visiting with students in the open air, Margaret McDermott enjoys the company of seniors from the lass of 2015 as they exchange stories and thoughts

argaret McDermott entered the St. Mark’s community 72 years ago with a mission: to see young boys excel in an environment she would help mold. At 10600 Preston Road, the very bricks that students, faculty and staff set foot on every day were built in part form the herculean efforts of Mrs. McDermott and her husband Eugene McDermott, who passed away in 1973. Without Mrs. McDermott and her endless and unwavering support of what the school stands for, we would not be the institution we are today. The opportunities she gave with her countless contributions through endowments, scholarships and other financial donations gave every student and faculty member alike the chance to be the best they can be. Among these contributions include the Eugene McDermott Scholarship Fund, which provides students who have been accepted into St. Mark’s with funds so that they have

COACHES MUST END PRACTICES WHEN THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO

With all of the work that student-athletes already have, they must be released from their practices on time.

COLE ARNETT, MICHAEL LUKOWICZ, MATTHEW COLEMAN

n recent years, several sports teams have extended their practices beyond the allotted 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. time period as enumerated in the school schedule. Teams often start practices at or before 4:00 and end up holding athletes until 6:45 or later, breaking with school policy. This means that students end up not getting home until late into the night. These extended practices create a multitude of problems for student-athletes here. First, when practices go long on weekdays, players are left with much less time to complete the after school tasks they need to. Whether that be studying for a test, completing homework or having dinner with their parents, extended practices can ruin a student’s night. In addition to making athletes’ nights hectic and stressful, this lack of an ability to complete assignments and study what they need to also means that students are less prepared for their tests and other assessments. So, coaches holding students too long for practice has the further effect of detracting from their players’ academic performance. Finally, not only are late-running practices detrimental to students’ classroom performance, but

A Fresh Take on Rights from Alfred the Bear

they can also hinder athletes’ performance on the playing field. Late practices mean later nights and less sleep, and numerous studies have demonstrated that a lack of sleep directly correlates with diminished success in sports. Because of the negative effects of practices running overtime, we believe coaches must adhere to the school schedule and end practices at 6 p.m. Academic teachers must end their classes when the period is over, and there is no reason why coaches should not follow the same policy. While we understand that coaches have goals for practice and that this may at times entail going past 6, coaches must realize that doing so negatively impacts students in a multitude of ways. The school has set practice times to two hours for a reason, as this provides the optimal balance to facilitate success in academics and athletics. So, we believe that teams will continue to have adequate preparation for games if they keep practices to the allotted time. We all want to see our athletes succeed in the classroom and in competition. The best way to accomplish this is by following the school schedule and ending practices when they are supposed to.

the ability to attend the school by helping their financial situation. The connection she and her husband formed with the student body was not only financial but also deeply personal. Many sophomores have vivid memories from the sixth grade when she invited them into her art gallery and laid out a feast for them. More recently, members of the Class of 2015 enjoyed a special afternoon with Mrs. McDermott and were impressed with her curiosity and perspectives on all things St. Mark’s. Mrs. McDermott loved her students, and the students loved her back. Quite simply, St. Mark’s would not be the school that it is today without the vision and generosity of Mr. and Mrs. McDermott. So, for all of the great memories and monumental contributions Mrs. McDermott made to make 10600 Preston Road a place of endless opportunities, we thank her deeply.

SCHOOL SHOULD NOT BE HELD DURING THE ISAS FESTIVAL Change needs to be made for these fruitless and unproductive days of ‘learning.’

he recent ISAS arts festival held April 12-13 at the Hockaday School provided an opportunity for fine arts students to engage with each other in a celebration of all aspects of artistic expression. However, on those particular days, more than 140 students were forced to miss school. This made many classes into ghost towns, with teachers struggling to make any educational progress as many students and teachers were left with absolutely nothing to do. These school days were simply a dead weight. Many teachers were unable to teach their classes in fear of leaving the majority of their students behind, while the students who did attend class were left with nothing to do because teachers struggled to search for things to do that strayed from their planned curriculum. In the future, we should not have school days on similar occasions where the majority of the student body is missing class for a school-sponsored event. Since we are a private school, we are not mandated—like public schools—to have a minimum amount of school days. These days

would be rare; this is the only time this year such a huge portion of students were missing. We understand that administrators fears that fine arts students will opt to take a day off in place of going to the Arts festival. However, we believe that the commitment to a fine art is strong in many of the students that attend the festival. ISAS not only provides an exchange of artistry among high school students, it also brings people in with its fun and carefree atmosphere, an opportunity high schoolers cannot resist. Although students do appreciate the lengths the faculty and staff go to in order to create working environments during these more relaxed school days, we believe that their hard efforts will be better saved for another day where they will be more efficiently utilized. The school should coordinate future school calendars to minimize these days of unnecessary downtime so that teachers have the ability to complete their courses, but when days like this do arise, the school shouldn’t maroon students and teachers on campus.

REMARKER STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF ST. MARK’S SCHOOL OF TEXAS. 10600 PRESTON ROAD DALLAS, TEXAS 75230 214.346.8000

EDITOR IN CHIEF KAMAL MAMDANI

MANAGING EDITORS SAHIT DENDEKURI LYLE OCHS

EXECUTIVE PAGE EDITOR PARKER DAVIS

ASSIGNMENTS EDITOR JAMES ROGERS

CREATIVE DIRECTORS JAHAZIEL LOPEZ MICHAEL LUKOWICZ

HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER KYLE SMITH

ISSUES EDITOR SAM GOLDFARB

COMMUNICATIONS EDITOR CJ CRAWFORD

COMMENTARY EDITORS CONNOR PIERCE WALLACE WHITE

SENIOR WRITER MARK TAO

OPINIONS SPECIALIST DUNCAN KIRSTEIN

RESEARCH DIRECTORS NICK WALSH MATTHEW ZHANG

COPY EDITORS ERIC HIRSCHBRICH DYLAN LIU

HEAD GRAPHICS DESIGNER MATTHEW COLEMAN

FOCUS EDITORS NATHAN HAN CHRISTOPHER WANG

LIFE EDITORS SAM AHMED TIANMING XIE

LIFE WRITERS

TREVOR CROSNOE ALBERT LUO JAMIE MAHOWALD CRISTIAN PEREIRA LUKE PIAZZA COOPER RIBMAN SIDDARTHA SINHA SAI THIRUNAGARI HAN ZHANG

NEWS EDITORS ISHAN GUPTA SID VATTAMREDDY

NEWS WRITERS

ALAM ALDINA MICHAEL ANDERSON MATEO GUEVARA HENRY MCELHANEY JOSH MYSORE PAUL SULLIVAN ERIC YOO

SPORTS EDITORS COLIN CAMPBELL AARON THORNE

SPORTS WRITERS WILLIAM ANIOL JACK DAVIS RAJAN JOSHI LUKE NAYFA ROBERT POU

ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR ANDY CROWE

REVIEWS SPECIALISTS JAMIE MAHOWALD CRISTIAN PEREIRA

CARTOONIST COLE ARNETT

BUSINESS MANAGER PAXTON SCOTT

PHOTOGRAPHERS FRITZ HESSE ADNAN KHAN RYAN MCCORD JACK MCCUTCHAN KATHAN RAMNATH CHARLIE RUBARTH LEE SCHLOSSER ROHIT VEMURI

MIDDLE SCHOOL LIAISON BEN ADAMS

ADVISER

RAY WESTBROOK

ONLINE VIEWING.

Each issue of The ReMarker, along with archival copies, can be viewed on the school’s website, www.smtexas. org/remarker.

READER INVOLVEMENT.

The ReMarker encourages reader input through guest columns and story ideas. Contact the appropriate editor for submissions.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Letters to the editor are welcome and encouraged. They must be typed, signed and not exceed 300 words. E-mail submissions are not accepted.

ADVERTISING.

Contact the business staff at 214.346.8145. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement. Inclusion of an ad is not an indication of an endorsement by The ReMarker, any of its staff members or faculty or staff members of St. Mark’s School of Texas.

DISTRIBUTION.

Press run is 3,800 copies. Copies are provided free of charge to students, faculty and staff at various distribution sites on campus. More than 2,600 copies are mailed out to alumni courtesy of the school’s offices of External Affairs, Development and Alumni divisions.

MEMBERSHIP.

The ReMarker maintains membership in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, New York City, NY; National Scholastic Press Association, Minneapolis, MN; and the Interscholastic League Press Conference, Austin.

Commentary • May 11, 2018 • The ReMarker • Page 23

Red Card: The story of lies, robbery and redemption

gritted my teeth. There was only one way my gift card could have possibly not had enough to pay for my lunch; William Caldwell paid for his own burrito with my gift card. William Caldwell robbed me, and I wasn’t going to let him get away with it. Sophomore year was essentially over. Exams were the only thing on my mind, so I would certainly say I was stressed. Luckily, one young, reliable man would save me from my anxiety. For Christmas of my freshman year, my brother and I were lucky enough to receive two $30 Chipotle gift cards, one for each of us, as a gift from a family friend. I did not have a car at the time, so my use of said gift card was dependent on the generosity of family members who could drive. A few months passed, yet I did not end up being able to use my card at all. One day,

however, I overheard a senior film studies class talking about going to Chipotle with their teacher. Among these students was William Caldwell, my brother’s best Duncan friend and Kirstein frequent visitor Opinions at our house. I Specialist scurried over to him, preparing to bargain. “William, I have a deal that may entice you,” I began. “You see, I have this wonderful gift card, and you have a wonderful car. If you buy me a burrito with this gift card, you may also buy yourself a drink with it.” My new business partner agreed to this trade, and he soon returned to school with my burrito in his hand. I did not have another chance to eat at Chipotle until the end of the summer before

sophomore year. It was then that I pulled out my gift card, handing it to the young college student behind the counter. She swiped the card, but what she said next, I will never forget. “You still owe four seventy-five.” I was taken aback. My lack of funds physically hurting me. “That bastard,” I whispered. The cashier looked confused as I handed her what little cash I had and grabbed my receipt and burrito. I walked away. Fumbling with my year-old iPhone 6, I texted my brother, Graham, asking for William’s phone number. A few minutes later, I was punching the numbers into my virtual keypad. +1 (214) 263-and I forget the rest. “Hello?” The voice of the younger Caldwell offspring muttered. “You owe me lunch,” I replied. “K.” I never forgot that “K.” It meant that

William had acknowledged the debt he owed me. It was also, to me, an admission of guilt. I wasn’t about to let this go. Eight months passed, and I never forgot. May 2nd, I received a text from a number I did not have saved in my phone. +1 (214) 263-???? “What’s your lunch period?” the text read. “Fourth period, Mr. Stranger,” I replied. Thirty minutes and a short text conversation later, I was sitting in William Caldwell’s 2012 Jeep, on my way to Chipotle. Over one year later, this now-college-freshman kept his word to me. Reliability is something in short supply. There are many people who will take what they can get and hope to get away with a long-standing debt. It took a long time, but William proved to be above that. He still stole from an innocent young freshman, but thanks for the late burrito anyways.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

St. Mark’s drama program has made boys not only better students, but also teachers To the editor:

During the recent Alumni weekend I was given the opportunity to visit a number of classes in the St. Mark’s Fine Arts Department. What a truly astounding experience that was! As a past St. Mark’s teacher myself, I want to congratulate the school and those teachers for the powerful messages they are passing to their students. In each class I found learning going on through joy, care, respect and challenge. I was reminded of a quote by Christopher Logue, “Come to the edge,” he said. “We

can’t, we are afraid!” they responded. “Come to the edge,” he said. “And so they came. And he pushed them. And they flew.” I reveled in every moment I spent with those boys and furthermore it reminded me of what an incredibly satisfying job teaching can be. When I arrived at St. Mark’s in 1964, an unctuous cub not yet dry behind the ears, and on my way around the world, yes, on a bicycle, I realized within a few weeks what a life-fulfilling two-way street teaching can be. Kahlil Bibran in The Prophet says it better than anyone I know.

Highs and

From the beach bonanza at Homcoming to a crushing defeat in lacrosse in overtime to ESD, we recall the best and worst memories from this year.

Football vs. Greenhill The football team clinched an overtime win against Greenhill 21-20 after a massive loss last year.

Treats from dads

Dances

Lacrosse Vs. ESD

Lack of Masala

Leaving early from Spring Fling

It was sole-crushing to lose to our biggest rival in overtime after tireless work by the Lacrosse team.

The disappearance of Chicken Masala from the menu left students hungering for the delicious Indian dish.

The soups are especially delicious. I was a fan of the food last year, but I think these meals are healthier. Michael Morris English instructor

Students and faculty share their opinions on issues in the news and around campus.

Students danced and celebrated in paradise at Homecoming 2017 held at Sixty-Five Hundred.

Lunch

‘

STREET

Bora-Bora Homecoming

From ice cream sundaes to banana splits, the treats the dads provided during lunch were the culunary highlight of the day.

Sports

Word on the

“You have given me my deeper thirsting after life. Surely there is no greater gift to a man than that which turns all his aims into parching lips and all life into a fountain; whenever I come to the fountain to drink, I find the living water itself is thirsty. And it drinks me while I drink it.” St. Mark’s gets it and the students give it back. They nourish us and we nourish them. Congratulations. Tony Vintcent Former Fine Arts Department Chair

Although the dance itself was very fun, people leaving early put a dent in the party atmosphere.

‘

I think Sage is extremely good for school food. However, I miss when we would get outside food for special events rather than Sage. Brett Marsh Sophomore

December

Computer accessability

With plentiful breaks and the christmas spirit abound, December kept cheer high and stress low.

The computers provided to us this year were always ready for use and any issues were quickly ratified.

Months

Technology

April

Printer reliabiity

Students and teachers alike were burdened with tons of work with little to no breaks in April.

Many printers this year were constantly unusable due to lack of paper or hardware issues.

‘

I had my doubts at first. They clearly know what they’re doing. I especially like their soup. Overall, the transition has really been seamless. Bruce Westrate Marcus Master Teacher

‘

The space is a huge upgrade from last year and the layout is great. Sometimes the food selections are odd, but they do a good job. Will Mallick Sophomore

What are your opinions of SAGE dining services performance this year?

‘

I’ve loved Sage so far, and I think they did a great job with the variety of things. Panini bar is also a great fallback if the food isn’t the best one day. Avery Pearson Senior

‘

Sage has been pretty all right. It’s a nice change but they put all their really good food on one day like every other week. Panini bar never fails to impress. Adnan Khan Junior

‘

In all honesty, Sage is a huge step up from the food of the past. Usually, I can find something great to eat on a daily basis, but there are the days where the food is not the best. My one suggestion: please bring back Saffron House. Jack Katz Junior

Page 24 • The ReMarker • May 11, 2018 • Commentary

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are...

y name is Tianming Xie, and I rush the tempo, I began to play the tune of will be performing Mozart’s 12 the first variation: twinkle, twinkle, little variations on ‘Ah, vous derai-je, star, how I wond—. Maman’, I said to my reflection in the The door caved in from the corner of window. I chuckled to myself, for I was my eye as a set of poignant eyes glowered anxious to perform the piece that I had into my startled, blank gaze. The volunteer been practicing for the past seven months immediately accused, “Are you rehearsing at the ISAS fine arts festival at The Hockaor are you just fooling around? Like really, day School. ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’?” She shut Fifteen minutes the door before I could respond. before my perforYes. Really. Tianming Xie mance, I sat alone in I chose this piece not to fool Life Editor the rehearsal room, around, but to share the satisfying hands resting on surprise that I personally felt when the grand piano, I listened to Mozart’s 12 variabutterflies shredding my stomach, shoultions for the first time. This piece, in fact, ders slightly restricted by my lightly-worn became the reason I decided to blow away freshman-homecoming suit. Careful not to the dust on my upright Yamaha piano

after quitting for nearly eight years. With each verse, the piece required a higher and higher level of technical finesse, which I am far from mastering, and even though the notes on the sheet music looked like splattered blood from a black and white horror film, the support of my piano teacher, Mrs. Hendricks, gave me the patience to break it down, line by line, measure by measure, note by note. Eventually, I regained my hoary skills, and I felt that eight-year gap fill up as if I had never stopped. When I sensed an ambience of utter confusion from the audience’s soft murmurs during the first verse, I could not hold back my grin. I admit I would be at least slightly puzzled too if I heard “Twin-

kle, Twinkle, Little Star” as the follow-up for freshman pianist Cristian Pereira, who performed Allegro by Handel. My time participating at numerous ISAS workshops and performances taught me that appreciating unfamiliar art disciplines requires the patience to stop and listen to the entire story. Especially in today’s culture, even the brightest of us are victims to our own biases, whether it’s a classical enthusiast rejecting rap music or a painter rejecting anime drawings or an average person hell-bent on extremist viewpoints. Perhaps if we listened closely, not just to music but to the voices of the world, we would hear Truth whispering in our ears as Falsehood blows up our phones with tweets.

Never let a music school record your recital and post it on Youtube

f you had Googled “Lyle Ochs” a year ago, the first thing that would pop up was a video of a 10-year old who looks eerily similar to the guy in the photo below singing “Cold as Ice” while playing the piano or that same blonde boy playing the guitar and singing a Pink Floyd hit. That’s what a friend of mine did Lyle Ochs during a slow Managing Editor Friday at the start of freshman year. He gasps and quickly turns up the volume as loud as possible and shows me the screen. Is this you? Unfortunately, it was. Don’t get me wrong, I was good. But I was spending time with new friends in my first few months of high school, and I needed to fit in, and I couldn’t have some 10-year old with shoulder length hair and

a green skull on his guitar strap ruin any chance of future popularity. Please don’t tell anyone. After pleading with them for a few minutes, my friend promises, and I forget about the video. At the beginning of the next week, I walk into my first period class, and, of course, there is that ten-year-old jamming to “Cold as Ice.” There weren’t too many people in class. I thought the damage could be contained. I made each one of them promise not to tell anybody, and again, I pushed the videos to the back of my mind. The next weekend at a party, “Hey, everybody, look up ‘Lyle Ochs’ on YouTube,” a friend yelled. I was horrified. Any chance with girls, new friends and popularity gone. My cheeks were flushed red, and everyone could see. That is when those videos became the soundtrack to my life. Everywhere I went,

someone would play those songs just because they knew they could watch my embarrassment play across my face. After a few more weeks of continual embarrassment, I finally realized that the popularity of the videos was not going to die down. I couldn’t take it anymore. The videos had to go. I emailed the music studio that posted my videos on Youtube and got them to take them off the site, and I thought that was the end of it. I was wrong. It only got worse. By getting rid of the videos, I inadvertently sent a message to all of my newfound “fans” that they had officially gotten under my skin. The references got more frequent, and the more requests I received to demonstrate my musical talent. It bothered me so much that I started leaving parties early when they started mentioning my songs and I stopped hanging out with my new friends.

TAKING d the glob

A discussion of issues outside the scope of campus, around the country and across the globe.

North Korea agrees to talk denuclearization, Trump accepts Shannon Schnaible

Lower School drama instructor who saved the improv program

he ReMarker would like to thank Shannon Schnaible for all that she does above and beyond what is required of her position of Lower School drama teacher. In addition to producing several Lower School productions, Schnaible took it upon herself to, in essence, keep the St. Mark’s-Hockaday Improv Troupe from being forced to end. When the troupe was without sponsor, and therefore not allowed to practice on campus, Schnaible was able to step in and help the group. Her generosity will not be forgotten by the program she saved. We wish her the best in her endeavors as an improv sponsor, drama instructor and new mother. Thank you Mrs. Schnaible!

STOCK

Looking at the rising and falling stocks around campus

Hockaday senior prom

oun

Unsung hero

While driving back from the second party I had left early that month, my dad gave me some of the best advice I have ever been given. Laugh with them. He explained to me that the only reason my classmates found those videos funny was my reaction. And he was right. The next time a friend readied himself to laugh at my “hippie hair” or my highpitched voice, he heard a new sound: my laughter. I only laughed harder when I saw his dumbfounded expression. I did this every time someone would try to bring up the videos, and the popularity of my videos faded away. If there is one thing that I learned from all of this, it is that you should never let a music school record and post your recitals on Youtube. But I also learned that people don’t make as much fun of me when I’m laughing with them. Now, it’s only a matter of time until someone looks up “Lyle Ochs” on Spotify.

ver the course of the last month, details have continued to emerge about a possible summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un and President Donald Trump. After decades of a lack of true relations between the two countries, this move appears to signal the beginning of thawing of relations between two of the world’s nuclear powers. And with Kim recently affirming the North Korean delegation would bring to the table the possibility of denuclearization, many around the country and around the world are more hopeful than ever the two leaders will find a way to bring an over-50-year-long conflict to a close. Some experts have warned the public—through articles online, on TV or through their own op-ed pieces—not to get too hopeful about the future the Korean Peninsula holds. But it’s easy to get optimistic. As long as we’ve been alive, the tension between the U.S. and North Korea has been an ever-present part of foreign relations. Through the Bush, Obama and now Trump administrations, we have always been faced with the occassional news story on the communist regime’s latest dealings. We’re intrigued to see where these talks go and what comes of them. It may be nothing, but, by the time we’ve moved onto the next school year, we could be living in a changed world.

As an event many seniors looked forward to as the end of the year approached, many students fortunate enough to be asked to Hockaday’s senior prom at the Ritz Carlton enjoyed a night fillled with friends and music at one of the last events the seniors will have together.

Games on the quad We have been pleased to see so much activity on the Perot Quadrangle during passing and free periods. Members of all grades have come together this year to play games such as touch football, frisbee and foursquare, adding to the morale of students of all ages on campus.

Position of sign-out sheet The sign-out sheet for students who plan to leave campus is in a location that makes it much harder to sign out. Because signing out is a requirement for students who leave campus, we urge the school to move the sign-out sheet to a more logical location, such as Nearburg Hall.

Make-up assessments Although it’s important to ensure that a student is well-rested and healthy before he takes a major assessment, it is unfair to the rest of the entire class to allow a student an indefinte, unregulated amount of time to make-up a test or quiz because he has been out for a few days.

Page 25

Bonding over Ezekiel Elliott

was quickly reminded why I love flying Southwest Airlines. Usually, my routine when flying is the same: finish up eating whatever food I purchased in the terminal, make a quick attempt to beat a level in whatever my newest App Store purchase is, and then fall into a nap that ends two or three hours later when the plane’s wheels abruptly meet the tarmac of the runway. This time, it was different. My routine had to be broken. It was Week 10 of the 2016 NFL season, and the seven-win and one-loss Dallas Cowboys, led remarkably by rookies Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott, were in the middle of a bout with the exciting and dynamic Pittsburgh Steelers. Luckily, my obsessive tracking of the game didn’t have to end when I boarded the plane headed for Dallas. Southwest offers the ability to stream live TV on clients’ devices for free during flights. Naturally, the Cowboys were playing on FOX. Perfect. Unbeknownst to me, about every single person on that plane took a similar course of action. As the game went Colin on, it Campbell became Sports Editor more and more of an instant classic. Before my eyes, I was watching something spectacular. What seemed like an improbable stretch became an Riley Sanders photo incredible reality: the young Cowboys were legit. With 15 seconds left in the game, down by one point, the Cowboys faced a first-and-ten at JV TEAMS FINISH the Steelers’ 32 yard-line. It was THE YEAR STRONG a precarious situation: there was The junior varsity baseball not a lot of time left and the field team barely beat Fort Worth goal was not in automatic territoCountry Day April 19 with a ry, even for the great Dan Bailey. score of 11-10. This brought its Then it happened. At this record to 3-5-1. After the win, they have only two games left point, I was sitting next to my dad for the season. and donning beats headphones, In addition, completely engrossed in the game the lacrosse and shut off from my surroundteam lost to ings. I thought I was the only one Plano West who cared about that team and with a score of 4-7, putting them that sport. It is just a game, right? at a 3-1 record this season. The Wrong. As it turned out, nearteam only has one more game, ly everybody on that plane was finishing the season against watching when Ezekiel Elliott Highland Park. so gracefully emerge through The JV water polo team the mess of bodies entangled finished first in the North Region near the line of scrimmage and Junior Varsity Championshiops strutted into the endzone. In a held at Southlake-Carroll ISD matter of seconds, a quiet plane Aquatic Center April 28. erupted into a frenzy of chaos and excitement. I was left in a state of shock, both at the heroics of the Cowboys’ rookies and, more imInside portantly, the power of sports. The plane that day transported somewhere around 150 people. Some were probably like me, but Love of Lacrosse most inevitably weren’t. While we Read how a player were on the same flight with the and alumnus are same starting and ending points, expanding the game of we were just a random assortlacrosse. ment of people from all walks of life. Or so I thought. That day, I learned from my fellow passengers that most of us Storming the Field shared a bond: a love and care for Twice, the Lions have sports. On paper, the premise of been involved in a professional sports seems silly, lacrosse field storm. vapid and primitive. But to those What is the policy on people on that plane that day, the this? football game’s importance transcended that of just a inane game. It was a way to pour ourselves into something larger than ourPenalty Flag A step into the shoes selves and disappear for a while. of a referee who works It was a way for us to overcome for our very own our differences. varsity football team. There’s a reason why, aside from the M*A*S*H finale, each of the top twenty most watched events in United States history are Super Bowls. Sports are more One Wheeling than just games, and thanks to Exploring sophomore Ezekiel Elliott’s prowess and Christian Duessel’s Southwest Airlines’ generosity, unique hobby: I felt an instant connection with unicycling. 149 strangers that day.

SPORTS

26 27

SWING FOR THE FENCES

Sophomore Mason Rareshide takes a big swing at the ball during the Lions’ game vs. the ESD Eagles April 4. After a back-and-forth game, the Lions ended up winning the game 10-6.

Sports in brief MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS HAVE A SUCCESSFUL END The seventh grade baseball team has a record of 4-5 going into its final game of the season, while eighth grade baseball has a record of 2-8. Both teams will play its final games against Home School Athletic Association. The middle school lacrosse blue team put up a record of 3-31, while the gold team is sitting at 4-3-1. Tennis has displayed success thus far going 6-1 under coach Ron Turner. Its final match will be against Trinity Valley. Middle School water polo finished with a record of 11-2, including a win at the North Texas Regional Championship which earned them the number

one seed at the Texas age group State Championship, where they played 3 games at the University of Texas-Austin pool. CREW TEAM WINS AWARDS AT LATEST REGATTA Members of the crew team enjoyed a successful showing at the Texas State Championships in Austin, April 21 and 22. Most notably, the Varsity Quad manned by seniors Riley Sanders and Eduardo Ludwig-Bernardo and sophomores Billy Lockhart and Christian Duessel, finished third in state, securing the bronze medal. The Varsity Quad finished in first out of any school, only coming in third to two club teams. Another strong finish came from the JV Quad, which took fourth in state, made up of juniors

Chad Kim and Raymond Jurcak, sophomore Jack Trahan and freshman Blake Hudspeth. The team took a break before travelling to Oklahoma City to compete in the Central District Youth Rowing Championships, where they placed second.

Second-Team All-Conference. Before playing for Sewanee, Vaughn was a four-year member of the Lions varsity lacrosse team and was the team Co-MVP and captain in 2017.

JAKE VAUGHN ‘17 RECEIVES LACROSSE RECOGNITION After starting fifteen games, scoring 22 goals and dishing out eight assists for the Sewanee lacrosse team, Jake Vaughn ‘17 was named as Newcomer of the Year by the Southern Athletic Association Conference. In addition to Newcomer of the Year honors, Vaughn was also named

JENKINS ‘03 SPEAKS TO MIDDLE SCHOOLERS During Alumni Weekend, Taylor Jenkins ’03, an assistant coach for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, spoke to sixth graders about important life lessons that are taught through sports, such as leadership, competition, preparation, and teamwork. Jenkins, who was the captain of the Lions basketball team during his junior and senior year, was also named by an ESPN.com article as a member of the “Next Wave” of NBA coaches April 20.

— William Aniol, Colin Campbell, Jack Davis, Rajan Joshi, Aaron Thorne

The scoreboard Varsity Baseball

9 9

Wins

Losses

Varsity Tennis

9 4

Wins

Losses

Highlight reel

Varsity Lacrosse

11 6 Wins

Losses

Varsity Water Polo

16 4 Wins

Losses

Spectating advice from the Superfans

‘

Thank you everyone for a great year! From screaming the Spongebob theme song before football games to wearing suits against ESD, y’all really showed up in a big way all year.

— Senior Superfan Man Sam Sussman

Senior tennis captain Davis Bailey

3 hours 57 minutes Bailey’s longest match this year

Page 26 • The ReMarker • May 11, 2018 • Sports

Next Level

GROWING THEIR GAME

In the sport of lacrosse, African-Americans make up a significant minority. But this small community is connected, tight-knit and for one student and alumnus, lifechanging. Now they are doing their part to give back.

STANDING OUT Although they represent a minority, African-American lacrosse players from all across the country often communicate and stand together. With each other’s support, they are able to help spread the game to as many other African-Americans as possible throughout the country.

he thought plays on repeat in his mind: If they can do it, I know I can do it too. As junior Jonathan Taylor looked around, he felt like a fish out of water. A square peg in a round hole. Surrounding him were kids from Dallas-area Catholic schools. A Plano public school attendee, the then-fifthgrader knew he shouldn’t be on the team. He hadn’t even tried out. But there he was. Seeking comfort, Taylor’s mind turned to the few but proud African-Americans in the lacrosse community. Their success reassured him. He belonged at the practice, and he belonged in the sport. If they could do it, so could he. Six years later, Taylor hasn’t forgotten the importance of this strong community and network of African-Americans in lacrosse. That said, his role has changed: it is his turn to be the beacon of hope and inspiration for younger lacrosse players in non-traditional lacrosse communities: if he could do it, so can they. ··· In 2017, 3.03 percent of Division I lacrosse players were black. According to Taylor, this low figure still has its perks. “I can’t really think of any negatives in being an African-American lacrosse player,” Taylor said. “But I can definitely think of one positive: the community. Because there aren’t many of us, I feel that black lacrosse players and coaches tend to look out and care for each other.” In the opinion of Francis Donald ’03, while this percentage is low, it has dramatically increased in recent years. “Since I was in school, there has certainly been an increase of black players at the Division I level,” Donald

said. “As more and more players return home from playing college lacrosse, you will see further growth in the game in non-traditional areas.” After standout careers as a defenseman for the Lions as well as the Nazareth College Golden Flyers, Donald proceeded to take on a prominent role in this growing community as an ambassador of the sport and a mentor to young African-Americans. “As a black la• ‘Because there crosse coach, I have aren’t many of us, I feel that been able to identify black lacrosse and relate to young players and players of color,” coaches tend to look out and care Donald said. “As a person of color, for each other’ Junior Jonathan being in a situation Taylor where you are an ‘only’ or one of few can be challenging. When that same individual steps on the field and sees a coach that looks like them, they feel empowered. As a coach, I have a responsibility to every player. Furthermore, as a black lacrosse coach, I have an added responsibility to create access to the sport for students of color.” Donald, who coached the Lions from 2014-2016, has spent time with numerous organizations which provide exposure of lacrosse to targeted communities. While living in Rochester, NY, Donald worked with RocE6, an organization bringing lacrosse to inner city students. During his time in in Dallas while coaching the Lions, Donald ran lacrosse clinics at the Jubilee Park & Community Center as well as working with Bridge Lacrosse, a non-profit organization providing lacrosse to the under-resourced and urban communities of North Texas. Like Donald, Taylor also has found ways to facilitate the growth of

• Story Aaron Thorne, Colin Campbell Photo Kyle Smith

the sport. He volunteers nearly every Sunday for Bridge Lacrosse, the same organization Donald worked with. After receiving so much inspiration

from older black lacrosse players, it seems only natural for Taylor, who has verbally committed to Villanova University for lacrosse, to provide a similar service for younger players. “It used to always inspire me when I saw another player that looks like me playing lacrosse at a high level,” Taylor said. “That’s why I spend every Sunday during the fall volunteering time with Bridge Lacrosse and trying to mentor a very diverse and young group of kids. I hope that me being there lets them know that there is a role for them in this sport, and that if they put in the work, they can play at a high level.” According to Donald, the sport is growing. And as it grows, so does its inherent diversity. “The beauty of lacrosse is it’s a sport in a young adult stage. It has grown rapidly and still continues to do so,” Donald said. “ Real ‘lacrosse • ‘As a black people’ want to grow lacrosse coach, I have an added the game any way responsibility possible because to create access of what the game to the sport means and has meant for students of color.’ to them. That means Francis being inclusive.” Donald‘03 While diversity in the sport is growing, Taylor felt that things were more difficult for him on the recruiting trail due to his ethnicity. “As a black lacrosse player there are times when you have to prove yourself a little more than another might,” Taylor said. “Most people tend to have this impression that black players are athletic with zero stick skills and ability to handle the ball,

and they tend to push that generalization onto you.” To some extent, Donald believes, these assumptions are warranted. According to Donald, because most black lacrosse players generally pick up the game later than most, they usually fit into “more athletic positions such as defense or short stick defensive midfield.” As Donald prepares to coach the Ugandan Men’s National Team during the 2018 FIL Lacrosse World Championships in Netanya, Israel, he does not forget what the sport has done for him, especially considering his ethic backround. “Being an African-American in lacrosse is important to me because I represent a small demographic,” Donald said. “Lacrosse has taken me places that black individuals from Texas don’t always have easy access to. It has been a catalyst for great experiences and opportunities in my life.” Though he is 16 years younger than Donald, Taylor has already begun serving the lacrosse community after it served and gave him the opportunity to play at the Division I level. Taylor knows he is an important part of setting a precedent for the next generation of African-Americans in lacrosse. “To me, to be an African-American lacrosse player means to be a trailblazer,” Taylor said. “The ‘lax-bro’ stereotype is definitely a thing, and I feel like I am helping to break that. If there is any black kid discouraged by a lack of representation in the sport, I would tell them that they are viewing things with the wrong mindset. I would tell them to look at the African-Americans playing at a high-level and think the same thing that helped me when I was younger: if they can do it, I can do it too.”

Sports • May 11, 2018 • The ReMarker • Page 27

WHERE THE FANS MEET THE PLAYERS Keeping perspective

From a win against Highland Park to an overtime loss against ESD, the lacrosse team has been on the losing and winning end of one of the most infamous fan celebrations of all time: storming the field.

GAME WINNER Fans stormed the field to celebrate with the team after scoring a game winning goal in the third overtime in a lacrosse game against Highland Park High School.

he clock keeps ticking. Three overtimes in, and the game is showing no signs of stopping. Everyone’s cramping, trying to keep the pace up, as the chants in Highland Park’s Highlander Stadium just keep getting louder. Neither team, neither fan section willing to let the other have the upper hand. Junior Will Wood stands behind the net. He darts forward, snags a pass from the outside. He turns and shoots, the ball flying just inches past the outstretched stick of the Scots’ freshman goalie. The buzzer sounds, and his legs start to give in as then senior Luke Rogers becomes the first of dozens of bodies—both players and fans—to begin to form a pile as Wood, Friday night’s hero, takes it all in from the bottom. For Wood, the moment which came in a

district counter game against Highland Park last year, meant more than just scoring the final goal or even winning the game. “Everybody was freaking out,” Wood said, “and it was fun to see all your classmates and buddies run out there and just celebrate as a group. You kind of get it with the Alma Mater, like how we do it sometimes. You kind of get it, but storming the field, it was a completely different scenario.” Wood sees storming the field as more than a simple celebration.

“You don’t want to come off as the school which doesn’t have any respect for your opponents and anything,” Wood said, “but I think it isn’t a sign of disrespect. More of it’s a sign of passion for your school and your team.” Senior Mike Mahowald was the first on the field after Will’s shot found the back of the net. “When it’s a sudden––death lacrosse victory, it’s almost an instinctual response,” Mahowald said. “Everyone ran out there and there was a big dog pile, and I was going nuts. Seeing all the players is really cool too.” However, according to Assistant Athletic Director Josh Friesen, Josh Friesen there is a Assistant right way athletic to storm the director field while still showing respect for the opponent. “After the two teams exchange a handshake and show sportsmanship is when the game is over,” Friesen said. “And so then is when it’s more appropriate for our guys to go down and congratulate their teammates.” Friesen sees the biggest risk in storming the field is with mixing emotional students with emotional players from the opposing team, which could potentially lead to problems. “I think if it’s going to be done, the

teams need to wait until the handshake line is completed and the visiting team is cleared out of the way. Then it would be an appropriate time for them to go out and celebrate with their classmates,” Friesen said. But in situations like the lacrosse team’s 10-9 overtime loss to ESD this year, Friesen has a different reaction to the opposing team storming the field. “First of all I’m honored,” Friesen said. “I think it shows St. Mark’s is a tough school and the players are prepared, and to beat us is an accomplishment. So if you storm us, you’re basically showing us you didn’t necessarily expect to win. And so sometimes it can actually be a little bit of an embarrassment to your school or to the team if they expected to win, but yet the fans are charging the field.” Mahowald feels storming the field is a unique experience because he has the opportunity to see and congratulate his closest friends after a hard-fought victory. “Being a St. Mark’s sports fan is one of the coolest things you can do as a student here,” Mahowald said. “Storming the field is just awesome, and when we get the chance to do it, it’s really cool. Being out there with the team is probably the coolest part, as they’re so into it too, probably more so than all of us.” Ultimately, Wood sees fans storming the field as a sign of passion and loyalty for a school and a team. “As a whole, I think our student

section, if they’re so emotionally vested, to cheer us on and ultimately storm the field and celebrate with us as a team, I think it absolutely shouldn’t be seen as a disrespectful move,” Wood said. Along with excitement from the victorious side also comes the utter despair of the losing side’s team and fan base. Wood, after dozens of games on the lacrosse team, has experienced the highs and lows of being on both sides. “I think when you are surrounded by your teammates at the end of the game and you’re getting swarmed by ESD and all the jubilation all their team and fans feel, you’re definitely a little more disappointed because you’re like, ‘It could have been us,’” Wood said. “We’ve felt the excitement of the fans running on the field before. But by then, there’s just nothing you can do.” After four quarters and half an overtime

of some of the most physical lacrosse of his life, Wood stands at the 50-yard-line and watches at the other end. Watches as an ESD attackman finds the back of the net to seal a 10-9 victory for the Eagles. Watches as fans hop the fence and crowd around and tackle the players in navy jerseys. Watches as the fans under the “Student Section” sign slouch in disbelief. This time, it isn’t his moment. Not his time to be at the bottom of the pile. Not his time to be hero. The moment has come and gone, but he knows it will come again.

• Story Parker Davis, William Aniol Photo Jim Schroeder

Alumni athletes finish college volleyball, golf, lacrosse, water polo, crew and soccer seasons strong by Aaron Thorne ith spring sports well on their way, the school’s alumni who play college sports are seeing action on the court, on the course, on the field and in the pool. Parker Dixon ‘16, a crucial member of the Princeton University volleyball team, has played in all 28 of the team’s games. As a sophomore, Dixon is third on the team in kills, serve aces and total points. On the golf course, Sam Clayman ‘17 and Cameron Clark ‘16 have been making contributions to their respective

college teams. Clayman, a student at Princeton University, recently tied for 30th at the Princeton Invitational, where his school got fourth of 12 teams. At Amherst University, Clark tied for 28th place at the Williams Spring Invitational, a tournament with over eight teams and 50 individuals. Jake Vaughn ‘17 has played in 15 of the Sewanee University lacrosse team’s 16 games thus far. In those games, he has scored 22 goals and dished out eight assists, third on the Tigers’ roster in total points. Due to his performance as a freshman in college, Vaughn was named

Sewanee’s Newcomer of the Year and he earned Second Team All-Conference in the Southern Athletic Association Conference. Riley Graham ‘14 played in nine games for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. He won 32 faceoffs on the seasons, second on the team. At Colgate University, Connor Mullen ‘15 started all 11 games he played in. He got 17 ground balls in his time on the field. Nehemiah McGowan ‘17 has seen the lacrosse field a few times at Amherst College as well. Andrew Lin ‘17, after walking on to the Princeton water polo team as a freshman, finished the season with five goals,

three assists and seven steals. Nathan Ondracek ‘15, a junior at Harvard University, scored 16 goals and 21 assists, in addition to stealing the ball a total of 23 times. Alden James ‘16 and Luke Hudspeth ‘15 have been enjoying their time on the water as members of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Dartmouth crew teams, respectively. Yima Asom ‘14, a forward and midfielder on the Dartmouth soccer team, started all 17 games of the team’s conference-qualifying season. Throughout the season, Asom took six shots.

Sports • May 11, 2018 • The ReMarker • Page 28 Dynamic Duos

OUTSIDE OF THE LANES

Staff-writer Luke Nayfa sits down with Ryan Hershner and Erica Twiss, who are not just co-workers, they’re also engaged.

Luke Nayfa: How did the relationship begin?

school, so it’s cool to have him a part of those now as well.

Ryan Hershner: We were both on the track team at Kansas State (K-State) and since we were traveling quite a bit consistently and cheering for each other, we started building a friendship, a relationship, from there and everything progressed as the years went on.

LN: How would you describe the dynamic of the relationship?

Erica Twiss: We spent a lot of time at practices, study halls, and traveling together, so we became good friends. We had a lot in common, so it progressed from there! LN: When did the relationship start to get serious? ET: He is a year older than me, so when he got closer to graduating we had to decide if we were going to make the long distance effort (we had been dating for about two years). That’s when it got pretty real for me. LN: What’s your favorite part of the relationship? RH: I would just say spending time with each other every chance that we can get. Being able to coach here with each other and being on the same team makes that a lot easier because one of our big passions is this sport. So it’s nice being able to share that together and at a school like St. Mark’s. ET: My favorite part is how much fun we have. He is always making me laugh and always ready to try new things. LN: What’s it like having your fiancé on campus?

CO-WORKERS AND FIANCEES Assistant track coaches Erica Twiss (left) and Ryan Hershner (right) have a dynamic relationship on and off the track.

RH: To me it doesn’t feel any different than if it was any other co-worker/teammate. We try and keep it professional and at the end of the day she is my fiancee, but she is also another coach, so I have to respect her as a coach and respect her as a colleague and take those routes professionally before you get any intimacy. ET: Track season is the only time we see each other during the week, so it’s a nice change. I also have relationships with the track staff at St. Mark’s from when I was in high

• Interviews Luke Nayfa, Jahaziel Lopez Photo Kathan Ramnath

RH: I would say it is very loyal and trustworthy, so that’s one of the big characteristics of our relationship. It’s just being able to trust each other and knowing that the loyalty is within the relationship to keep it strong. LN: How has working together on the track team influenced the relationship? RH: I think it has helped us grow because going through here and going through high school you have these challenges and we get to kind of experience these challenges together and talk through different scenarios and you always have another opinion when you have a significant other. So, I think it has helped us deal with adversity on a small scale before any other larger adversities that come up. ET: We are involved in the same things now, so it is easy to relate to each other’s highs and lows. We face the same successes and adversities, so we can face them together. LN: When you were on the track team at K-State, what differences do you see between their track team and St. Mark’s track? RH: The biggest difference between high school and college is that it is more individual, so there is a higher degree of you showing up to practice when you are designated to and you showing up when you are supposed to be at lifting, and if you don’t show up there is no consequence because the consequence is that you are not going to perform. Versus here it is kind of instilling that hard work and providing that structure that you need to show up and establishing those character traits before you go into a different level. ET: It was the hardest yet most rewarding time of my life. It was so fun to be able to pursue collegiate athletics with other like-minded people. My coaches and training partners became some of the most important people in my life today.

Sports • May 11, 2018 • The ReMarker • Page 29

STEPPING AWAY Senior Garret Mize puts his hands in the air and retreats as his defender attempts to engage in an altercation. The opposing player was ejected and the Lions won by a score of 15-3. The team currently sits with an 11-6 record heading into the Texas High School Lacrosse League semifinals against the Episcopal School of Dallas.

KEEPING W A COOL HEAD With tensions flying high on the field, sometimes the hardest thing to do is to keep yourself under control.

ith their undefeated division record and important playoff seeding on the line, the Lions lacrosse team hosted Plano West April 17. But the score didn’t reflect the intensity and the importance of the game. Tensions grew high as the Lions led 15-0 in the fourth quarter. Senior Garrett Mize boxed out his defender in order to get the ball in a routine ground ball play. “Then, he just snapped and slashed me across the back,” Mize said. The next second, he tried to throw Mize to the ground but failed. He pushed himself back up and began throwing punches at Mize. “I raised my hands and backed away, which in the heat of the moment, was really hard to do but I’m glad I did that instead of getting suspended,” Mize said. “It was tough to try to restrain myself.” St. Mark’s teaches their athletes to play

with composure, even when situations get heated. Athletic Director Mark Sullivan ensures that coaches teach this to the boys during Lower and Middle School. “We are working on how to manage those emotional moments in games where you have to maintain your aggressiveness, but at the same time you have to maintain your composure,” Sullivan said.

• Story Nathan Han, Jack Davis Photo Jim Schroeder

Engleman commits to Claremont McKenna by Rajan Joshi After receiving offers from many distinct universities and colleges, including some from Division I level schools, senior Houston Engleman decided to commit to Claremont McKenna for soccer. He joins countless other Marksmen before him who have chosen to play sports in college after graduating. Though many colleges showed interest in him, Engleman is confident he chose the right school. Engleman originally believed he would be going to Yale next year, but after plans changed, he found a new home where he knows he will enjoy his career. “For a long time, I thought I was going to end up at Yale, but they ended up taking a foreign recruit over me,” said Engleman. “But in the process, I found Claremont McKenna, and I really loved it, so I decided to go there.” On top of this, he will see where

his next four years take him, and if any opportunities arise, he will definitely consider them. “If I had an opportunity after college, I would love to take it,” Engleman said. “But I don’t know if it’s really going to go that far.” Engleman, who was one of the key players on the varsity soccer team this season, helped lead the team to a 9-8-3 record, and he also helped serve as a mentor for some of the underclassmen on the team. He helped them see how hard they must work if they wanted to continue playing soccer in the future. Engleman’s journey to becoming a college recruit took a lot of hard work, and seeing it pay off brings him and his family joy. “It feels amazing to be rewarded after all the time and effort I’ve put in,” Engleman said. “However, as I look back, the real reward is all the memories and things I learned along the way while I was playing.”

Games get emotional, and Mize made the choice to put his hands in the air and stay out of a fight. However, the punishment for getting into a fight could have hurt his season. According to the SPC rulebook, any ejected player will automatically be suspended for the next game. “I didn’t really want to get involved because I was trying to think about the big picture,” Mize said. “We were going to play Highland Park next Thursday and I knew I would’ve been suspended for that game if I got involved, so it was just not worth it.” Lacrosse shares a physical nature with several other sports, including football. That physical nature inevitably leads to emotions running high. But the issue with football even more than other sports is the aggressive style needed to perform at a high level. “A lot of coaches always like to say, ‘Get mad,’ or influence more aggressive play and more pointed efforts to beating the other team down,” football captain Zach Gilstrap said. “It’s good to encourage getting psyched up about the game and getting hyped up about what you’re going to do.” But the key to staying under control, according to Gilstrap, is realizing that being purely mad isn’t the right way to play. “I like to tell myself that I’m not going

to get mad,” Gilstrap said, “but I’m going to know how to focus my aggression on something specific and focus my frustration on a specific play I need to make in order to keep control of my mental state while still being aggressive.” The balance between staying aggressive and focused while still respecting the other team versus tipping over to blind anger and disrespect, especially in the sports with more contact, is a careful line to walk. One of the aspects of walking that line is trash talk. “We’ve had a few teams this year that talk so much crap to us,” sophomore and varsity baseball player Mason Rareshide said. “Everyone is going to trash talk, it’s part of all sports. There’s just a certain line where you have to realize that at the end of the day, you’re just two teams fighting over something that doesn’t mean anything. It might mean something to you, but it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.” But in the end, the trash talk, the fighting and everything else is all a secondary concern to the end goal. “Coach [Hayward] Lee says a lot that trash talking and engaging in that kind of stuff takes away from the game and the respect of the game,” Mize said. “In the end, we’re out there just to play and go 100 percent.”

Page 30 • The ReMarker • May 11, 2018 • Sports

BENEATH THE STRIPES 37 minutes with... Robert Rinker

Referee numbers have been steadily declining for years. What goes on inside the head of one of these officials?

STANDING WATCH Minutes before a Friday night lacrosse game begins, a referee waits and prepares as the opening face-off nears.

t’s Friday night. The lights towering over the turf illuminate the football field as if it is a large, green stage. The smell of soft, salty pretzels wafts into the air. Pads crunch together. Sweat flies off of soaking jerseys as players collide. And every now and then a massive groan is emitted from one of the sidelines. Fans boo loudly. The referees try their best to block out the jeering, but every call they make seems to elicit a fresh wave of protest. No matter what they do, high school officials are bound to be heckled by the players, coaches and fans. It is rude, degrading actions like these that threaten those who ensure the sports we love run smoothly—the referees. For Robert Rinker, who has called many football and lacrosse games at 10600 Preston Rd., officiating has been a huge part of his life. He was an official for 15 years at the youth, high school and college levels and then, two years ago, decided to retire. A big reason for Rinker’s decision was the frequent complaints he would hear throughout a game. “One of the things which moved me

into retirement was the entitlement of today’s youth,” Rinker said. “You call a kid for a slash because he almost took some other kid’s head off, and he throws a tantrum.” Rinker is one of many officials who have stopped working lately, leading to a decrease in the number of referees who participate at the high school level. According to Assistant Athletic Director Josh Friesen, this decline has impacted the football team the most, causing last-minute scrambles to fill essential roles. “Sometimes we struggle to find a sideline chain crew for football,” Friesen said, “so we have to supply our own.” Rinker believes better interactions between the players, coaches and referees would help begin to solve this growing issue. “I think more respect to the officials would help,” Rinker said. “Especially for the younger officials just starting out.” As part of the job, a referee is impartial to either team, and his main goal is to make sure the game is called correctly. “We’re not there to determine the outcome of the game at all,” Rinker said. “We’re just trying to call the fouls and keep the game moving.” Varsity basketball coach Greg Guiler

believes that, while all officials are prone to make errors, they are sincere in calling a fair game for both teams involved. “The vast majority of the time, referees come into the game eager to have a fair whistle,” Guiler said. “And they make mistakes going both ways.” Nevertheless, players, fans and coaches still berate the officials, guilty or not. Rinker can remember instances where he has been mistreated in his career; including getting chased out of a stadium by a coach and being screamed at by a parent who stormed the field. “Football is a sport we all grew up with, so people think they have an understanding of the game,” Rinker said. “You may think you know the rules by watching it on television, but it’s completely different when you’re standing on the sidelines and the play is happening.” While most of the arguments with a referee are about calls, Rinker believes these complaints usually don’t gain anything. “Almost all of the time, arguing for calls will not help you at all,” Rinker said. “But if the coach can intimidate the official to the point where his judgment is skewed, then the coach has won.” Time and pay are two other factors

which likely contribute to the major decrease in referee numbers. “Not only does the game last over two hours, but the officials are required to be here an hour and a half prior,” Friesen said. “What was once a nice way to supplement your income has now become less cost-effective.” According to the Department of Labor Statistics, referees earn an average of only $27,000 per year, as of 2017. “Refereeing is something where you have to earn your way up through the ranks, and I don’t think people are going to make the commitment,” Rinker said. “It also doesn’t pay very well, so you better enjoy doing it. I didn’t become a referee for the money.” While there are many struggles and difficult moments, Rinker is thankful for his time as an official and is especially grateful for the games he’s worked at the school. “I’ve never felt mistreated at St. Mark’s,” Rinker said. “I was treated as well there as any other game I’ve ever worked at, and the kids were always very respectful. There have definitely been inappropriate actions by players, fans and coaches in the past but never at St. Mark’s.”

• Story Nick Walsh, Robert Pou Photo Adnan Khan

Seniors plan Rangers baseball game by Nick Walsh Members of the Senior Class are planning to go to a Texas Rangers baseball game May 23 as a final bonding experience as a class before the year ends. The Rangers will play the New York Yankees at Globe Life Park in Arlington, and it will also be dollar hotdog night. Senior class president Edward Ro is excited for the game and believes there are lots of benefits in attending a sporting event. “I think a baseball game is a great option because it’s exciting, brings a lot of spirit and might remind us of our own games at St. Mark’s,” Ro said. “I think through all the excitement and cheering, it’ll bring the class together more.” As a whole, Ro feels these class trips are important to bonding with everyone in the grade. He hopes

future classes are able to plan outings and benefit from them. “I want to share with the underclassmen that I think you should hang out with the guys you aren’t really close with,” Ro said. “Because once you graduate, you’ll probably hang out with your closest friends from St. Mark’s again. But for the classmate you never really talked to, after you graduate you probably won’t see him very often. So I think it’s definitely worth it to spend time with everyone in your grade.” Ro sees the game as a great chance to create a final memory as a class before the summer before the entire grade parts ways. “I hope it’s one last memorable moment for all of us before we head off to our respective colleges,” Ro said. “Hopefully, we can bond together one last time and get together as a class.”

In the picture ACES Senior Kobe Roseman and Junior Adnan Khan exchange high-fives after winning a point during a match against the Trinity Valley Trojans. The Lions would go on to win the match 4-1 in the middle of a 7-0 counter season.

Sports • May 11, 2018 • The ReMarker • Page 31

SPORTING MEDALS Sophomore Christian Duessel, seniors Eduardo Ludwig and Riley Sanders and sophomore Billy Lockhart (from left) stand with their bronze medals around their necks after winning third place at the Texas Rowing Championships. The four rowers make up the crew team’s varsity quad.

Two minute drill

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

As the spring season comes to a close, athletes, coaches and teams are finishing up their seasons strong.

REACHING BACK Sophomore David Li makes a pass to his teammate during practice.

WORK HORSE Sophomore Anthony Andrews sprints forward in the final stretch of a race.

TRACKING IT DOWN Freshman Mark Motlow reaches for a drop shot during a grueling match.

CRADLING Senior Blake Daugherty looks for his teammates as he hustles up the lacrosse field.

CHIP SHOT Senior Ben Clayman focuses in for a shot toward the hole in a match.

2017-18 STATE FINISH 3rd 2017-18 RECORD 16-4 NOTABLE: After winning its fourth state title last year, the water polo team travelled to the University of Texas for a chance at a fifth, but with a much younger team – a team with 14 freshmen, 12 sophomores, ten juniors and only one senior. THEY SAID IT “These kids – I give them a lot of credit for working hard, and I think they have a really good chance to surprise people” — head coach Mihai Oprea.

2018 SPC FINISH 3rd NOTABLE The annual school-hosted Bradley V. Urschel Invitational was a success, as the Lions won first place at the meet. THEY SAID IT “I think the team has performed at very high levels during most of the season. I think that there’s been a lot more depth to the team. There is a lot more cohesiveneness, and there is more work ethic. But we are still looking for that mindset that helps us perform at a higher level” — head coach John Turek.

2018 SPC FINISH 2nd 2017-18 SPC RECORD 7-0 NOTABLE It’s been 16 years since the tennis squad won SPC, which is the longest current SPC drought for the school. However, it’s the team’s first time in nine years being the one seed going into the tournament. THEY SAID IT “Our 6-0 SPC record is just a testament to the hours both on and off the court that every one of our players has put in with one goal in mind — come together as a team and play the best tennis we possibly can.” — senior captain Davis Bailey.

2016-17 RECORD 13-6 2017-2018 RECORD 11-6 NOTABLE The Lions have earned a spot in the lacrosse state playoffs. THEY SAID IT “For us to make a deep run we have to play in such a manner that the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts. There are more talented teams out there than us for sure, but that doesn’t mean they will outplay us. I know we can beat anyone if we play with great concentration, confidence, energy, discipline and decision making.” — head coach Hayward Lee.

2018 SPC FINISH 11th NOTABLE The team has a lot of promise in years to come, with the developmental team looking better every tournament. Aside from the five main players whose scores count in the matches, the developmental players practice often to work up to the top five for following years. THEY SAID IT “I feel like we’ve progressed and have a chance to maybe do some things in the SPC tournament that are unexpected.” — head coach Greg Guiler.

• Compilations Jack Davis, William Aniol, Robert Pou, Rajan Joshi Photos Riley Sanders, Anthony Andrews, Owen Berger, Rohit Vemuri

In the picture JUKING DEFENDERS Junior Connor Cheetham makes a move and gets past his defender in a game against the Greenhill Hornets. The Lioins went on to win the game 154, cementing a 2-1 record in SPC counter play, their only loss coming to the top-seeded ESD Eagles.

REMARKER

St. Mark’s School of Texas

10600 Preston Road Dallas, TX. 75230

Sports • May 11, 2018 • The ReMarker • Page 32

ONE WHEEL WONDER Alpha male

For children, bikes with training wheels offer extra stability. As riders feel more comfortable, they go to a two-wheel bike, which is less stable and more dangerous. Sophomore Christain Duessel has taken that progression to the next level: he has gone down to just one-wheel and tackled the unicycle.

I wanted to buy a unicycle, just because I

wanted to learn how to do it. I went on to Craigslist, bought a unicycle from this guy who lived about an hour away. I met him at a storage unit facility. I went to Target and used the wall there to learn. That’s how I started. Then, in my backyard, there’s this sort-of hallway with pillars on each side. I start at one end, then I ride to the other side, grabbing on to the pillars each time. Over time, I became less dependent on the pillars and I could just ride. Then, I went to the tennis courts at St. Mark’s, and I kind of just could ride and turn and stay up. That’s about where I am right now.

crew and with school, I haven’t been doing as much recently, but back over winter break I was doing it probably four or five time a week. Since then, it’s been hard to juggle everything in school and ride it consistently.

The unicycle was in really rough shape

when I got it, so I took it to my friend. And we polished it up, gave her a new paint job, and here we are. Now she’s got a brand new off-roading tire and tube. With these cool new additions to my unicycle, I eventually plan on buying a more comfortable seat for the rides to school.

I plan on learning how

to jump onto it and start riding immediatly. It is quite difficult to start riding without something to hold onto, and I want to hone my ability to mount it more efficiently. It would also be useful to learn how to bunny hop it, as I could ride more difficult terrains. Lastly, learning to ride in place would be helpful for stop signs and juggling. Remember, I’m not a clown.

I’ve been to the circus,

but that was not the inspiration. I’ve never wanted to be a clown. I just thought it’d be a fun thing to do. It’d be a cool method of transportation. Like, what if senior year, I could ride my unicycle to school because I live right here on Tulip? I could unicycle to school, backpacks on my shoulders. That’s a goal that I have. One time , while I was rowing at Bachman Lake, I saw a man zooming around the lake on his giant unicycle. I decided that I want to be like that when I grow up.

Eventually, I want to ride it school, because

of the style and utility. It might be dificult, however, because of my dual backpack setup, and my gym bag. I would get major clout, but I have to overcome these obstacles first. And stop signs.

Some kids think it’s cool. My par-

ents think it’s kind of strange. My dad calls me a clown sometimes. Mr. Tholking saw me at the tennis courts once. He laughed, but he looked disappointed. I feel unbalanced to start, I feel a bit terrified, but I also feel happy and I feel free.

Does this help me with the ladies, you ask?

SINGLE WHEELING Sophomore Christian Duessel rides around the driveway on his very own unicycle. Duessel has mastered the art during the course of this year.

When I first got my unicycle a few

months ago, I was practicing daily. I would come home from school and get my unicycle and ride it. I was grinding. During the Fall, I rode my unicycle every single day. After school and crew, on the way home, I’d ride my unicycle at the tennis courts for at least 30 minutes a day. One time, Mr. Tholking caught a glimpse of me, his look was dissapointed. With

• Interview Aaron Thorne Photo Lee Schlosser

Believe it or not, I always wear a helmet,

but I’ve never fallen to the point where I didn’t catch myself on my feet. Normally when you fall off, you fall forward or backward, and so the unicycle either flies out in front of you, or it goes behind you and you catch it with your hands. But in reality, I’ve never really fallen.

Absolutely. Once, I showed a girl my unicycling abilities. She was amazed, to say the least. She also thought it was dumb. She wondered why I bought it. I have no regrets.

Riding a unicycle is challenging because

it’s like riding a bike with no hands from a standstill, but you have one wheel . You have to baleance both forward and backwards, while still staying on the course.