The Newspaper of St. George’s Independent School
Gryphon Gazette
The
February 2012
Volume X, Issue IV
Celebrating Three Unsung Heroes of St. George’s
Mr. Lunati puts his blood, sweat and tears, into the school at the January blood drive, with a little help from Mr. Cooper.
By: John Marc Shelly ’12
Students at St. George’s see that the teachers and administrators put in a lot of work every day to make St. George’s the exceptional school it is. What some students may not recognize is the “behind the scenes” efforts made by the assiduous workers at the Collierville campus who make sure that the school days and years run smoothly. Larry Lunati, Lori Good, and Unita Garett (known to most students as Ms. Ann) are three of those people who work hard on the St. George’s Collierville campus, most days going unnoticed.
However, without their contribution, St. George’s might not be the school it is now. Lunati, a maintenance associate, will have been an employee of St. George’s for four years this August. Although having several ties to St. George’s before he was hired, he never had any plans to work here. “Before I came here, I worked at Lowe’s for a year. Before that, I was involved in a family project,” explained Lunati. “My grandfather owned a 64-acre potato farm on the corner of Highway 64 and Germantown Road. We turned it into a shopping center with a Best
Never Too Late:
Gryphons Learn New Tricks
Photo by: Suzie Cowan Henry Cowan kicks to start off a varsity football game.
By: Blake Carruth ’13
As we move into 2012, it may be a good idea to try a few new things you have never done before. It might be hard to take that first step sometimes, but in the long run, trying new things will enrich your life.
As American author William Ward said, “The greatest failure is the failure to try.” An example of something you could try is a new sport in the spring trimester that you might not have ever participated in. You might find that sport to be one of your favorite things to do, but you would have never discovered it if you had not taken a chance and gone out to play it. If it turns out not to be the best fit for you, that is fine; you can try something else, and at least you gave it a shot. Junior Henry Cowan tried something new this year—football. “It was great to go and try something that was different than what I usually do, and I really enjoyed being on the football team this year.” If sports aren’t your thing, there are many other activities you could experiment with. Continued on page 5
Photo by: Trish Dianetti
Buy, a Target, and a Walgreens. I was the point man for our family with the developers, the attorneys, and the leasing agencies for close to 15 years,” said Lunati. After this long development project, he retired, but an unexpected back operation for his wife made finding a new job a necessity. “My wife and I have health issues, and they kept putting all of these riders on us,” he said referring to an additional cost to his original insurance policy. “It was not worth the money we were paying, [but] if you get on group insurance, they can’t put riders on you. And thank God that I did, because my wife had a
$100,000 back operation.” Mr. Lunati is thankful to St. George’s for a lot more than his insurance; he is grateful for the people who surround him. “I love y’all, I really do,” Mr. Lunati said. “My favorite part of my job is being around the students. The administration here and the teachers are the top of the line. You won’t find a school any better than this one. I’m working with the best of the best.” Recently, the 2011 State Champion Gryphon football team dedicated their championship trophy to Mr. Lunati during a Friday chapel. “What was so weird was that I was on the boardwalk and Bill Taylor was walking behind me. I asked him if he was headed to chapel and he said ‘Yes.’ I decided to go to chapel too because it would be my last chapel with Cort Casey,” stated Lunati. “I don’t hear good, and Cort told me they announced my name. I stood up and waved because I didn’t know what to do or what happened.” Lunati said with a smile, “I walked up there and didn’t know what to do! It was a great gift to me. It is something I will never forget and I’ll always remember that. I don’t think I’ve ever had anything like that happen to me in my life. It overwhelmed me. I went out into the woods and just tried to get my head together. I cried for like an hour. It was the nicest thing ever.” Continued on page 7
Everything in Moderation:
The secrets of microwaves, sweeteners, and tanning beds By: Ashley Moody ’12
In a world of different people with different opinions, controversies and scams run wild. We have all heard of the multiple controversies surrounding issues such as microwaving plastic and Styrofoam, artificial sweeteners in sodas and foods, and tanning, but what are the real risks involved with these “dangerous” things? Plastic and Styrofoam in the Microwave: According to Harvard Medical School, many Styrofoam containers can be safely used in the microwave. However, you should always be sure to check the label. Plastic containers, however, have a bit of a different story. Food wrapped in plastic or placed in the microwave in a plastic container often times have plasticizers (plastic particles) that leak into the food. Fatty foods such as meats and cheeses tend to be the worst foods to microwave in plastic containers as they release a specific chemical plasticizer called diethylhexyl adipate. In order to determine which
plastic is microwave safe and which plastic should never be placed in a microwave, the FDA spends time testing these plastic containers. Scientists examine the ratio of plastic surface area to food surface area, how long and how often a specific container is going to be used in the microwave and how hot the food is expected to get while in the microwave. Scientists then examine the differing amounts of chemicals that leak into different types of foods. This is how plastic containers are labeled microwave safe. You should never use a container that is not labeled microwave safe because these are often times not tested by the FDA. If there is no label at all, you should avoid placing it in the microwave as that specific container has not been tested or failed testing with the FDA. It is important to note that most take-out containers, water bottles, and plastic tubs and jars used for mayonnaise, mustard, butter, yogurt, and whipped cream are absolutely not microwave safe.
Continued on page 6
Editorial
Page 2
Killing Spiders: Enjoying Life as a Non-Independent
there are pieces of home that are irreplaceable. There are pieces of home that we don’t even realize matter until we find ourselves missing them. Graduating from high school and being independent may mean deciding for yourself how late you stay out, whether to go to class, where you go at night, who you hang out with, and how you use your time. But, it also means killing your own spiders. There are countless everyday tasks that independent people are responsible for. It is these simple, commonplace things that mark the true difference between independence and dependence. And it is these things that are the easiest to take for granted.
Photo by: Melissa Grant
Dear St. George’s Community, In recent weeks, I have been toiling with my deep and invariable desire to graduate, and graduate now. The weather is weird, the weeks are long, my to-do list is endless, and I am finding Memphis to be less and less appealing. I am ready to go. As a result, I have found myself in the state about which administrators have warned us since the beginning of August, wishing away not just the days, but the very minutes. But every minute I am closer to college, to being grown up, to being on my own, I am farther away from home, from being young, and from the world around me with which I am so familiar. Though I am as ready to go as my most independent peers, I was recently reminded of just what that means. A few weeks ago I traveled with my sister and my mom
to Lubbock, Texas to take my sister back to school at Texas Tech, after the Christmas break. I have been to colleges before; I have talked with college students, seen movies depicting the college experience, and spent a massive amount of time imagining college life. But despite all of that, I was struck by the enormity of the wave of independence with which a college student is confronted. When kids leave for college, they leave behind their high school, their childhood friends, their teachers who know their names, their dogs who lay for hours on their beds, their dads who kill spiders and change the oil in their cars, their moms who make dinner and offer gentle reminders. College-bound kids leave behind a million things. Relationships, routines, habits — nearly their whole lives start over. To even the must fluttery social butterfly or the most content and practiced wallflower, the rush
Editor-in-Chief Sophie Kennedy Managing Editor Blake Carruth
February 2012
We, as high school students, are at a unique point in our lives. We are acutely aware of our lack of independence. Though we don’t yet have the hindsight of our parents to prove to us that there are advantages to being “dependent,” of newness that comes with we are old enough to see some of these that much independence is perks. This time is our youth and it is unexpected, and more than a our opportunity to relish where we are little overwhelming at times. in our lives, to celebrate that we are just kids, and to savor our dependence. My sister, Madaline, is an Yes, I am ready to graduate. Yes, I am extremely capable person. She is practical, smart, out- ready for college. But in the meantime, I going, and doesn’t let anyone get to ask my mom to pretty please iron push her around. Madaline my shirt, I get to let Mrs. Rubin de la can do her laundry, bake cas- Borbolla remind me about that English seroles, change flat tires, han- quiz I still haven’t made up, I get to be dle her finances, and tell any- welcomed home every day by three smilthing that breathes what to ing, wagging individuals who couldn’t be do, and how to do it better. In happier to see me, I get to wander into my mind, she is the epitome of Mr. Gibson’s office, anytime, any day, for an independent young person. an uplifting chat about my ill-conceived relationship with AP Calculus. So long No one was more prepared as I’m here, so long as I’m still a high to walk on her own than my school student, I might as well enjoy all Madaline. But, from the doz- those under appreciated aspects of my ens of pictures covering her life as a non-independent. college room, her need to Because, like it or not, come Septembring along every t-shirt she’s ever owned, her little plastic ber, I will have to kill those spiders myChristmas tree stacked on a self. And before you know it, you will too. crate, and the myriad of other Sincerely, little ways she tries to make Sophie Kennedy her house feel like home, I Editor-in-Chief can see that no matter how independent a person may be,
Copy Editors Layout Editors Advisor Erika Zurburg Samer Istanbouli Margaret Robertson Nathalie Vacheron Erika Zurburg
Features Editor Opinion Editor Entertainment Editor Jamie Roche Ian John Claire Peeler Hunt Seabrook
Photo Editors Mary Kathryn Philips Melissa Grant
Sports Editor Rachael Smith
Student Life Editor Rachel Stires Ashley Moody, Madison See
St. George’s Independent School
Opinion
Page 3
Behind the Scenes at the Gryphon Gazette
Photo by: Mary Kathryn Phillips The columnists, Jasmine Yunus and Albert Cantu, pose for their newspaper debut. By: Corky Paul ’12
We’re all familiar with the opinion columns in the newspaper, but do you know the columnists? The recently introduced feature, “What Would Jasmine Do?” as well as senior Albert Cantu’s riveting opinion articles, have taken St. George’s by storm. The hallways have been alive with chatter as
students discuss the latest topics these writers have brought to the surface. Now, I have decided to bring the writers themselves to the surface. Senior, Jasmine Yunus, may be new to the Gryphon Gazette staff, but she’s no novice when it comes to sharing her opinions. Most students are familiar
with her pointed argument style and vocal appeal of making both her ideas and presence known. Regardless of her status as a first year writer, Yunus has been given the coveted position as a columnist. She cherishes the opportunity to entertain and inform her readers each and every issue. When asked to reflect on why she chose to participate in the Gryphon Gazette this year, Yunus responded, “I’ve always had a strong voice. I think it would be selfish of me to not share my knowledge with others. By being a part of the paper, I’m able to enlighten and help others, which is really all I want to do in life— also, this is the first year I’ve been at school enough to actually participate.” Although the Gryphon Gazette is grateful to have Yunus, her contributions do not come easily. When asked to comment on Yunus’ work ethic, Editor-in-Chief, senior Sophie Kennedy, praised Yunus for her fun, carefree attitude. However, she couldn’t help but mention Yunus’ flair for inactivity. Yunus is infamous in the world of journalism for her procrastination, and she plans to maintain such a status. Outside of her work on the newspaper, Yunus is an avid cheerleader and a near-professional online shopper
Learn to Love Yourself
By: Albert Cantu ’12 Perhaps it’s because of my charismatic roguishness, or perhaps my complete disregard for the restrictions of “the system,” but alas I’ve decided not to squander valuable column space aggrandizing the arbitrary insipidity that is Valentine’s Day. Instead, I have decided to devote this article to drawing attention to a more troubling development. It seems that especially in the West, we frequently get caught up in the unforgiving pace of everyday life. The unyielding chaos of the 21st century society may be compared to being trapped on an inescapable treadmill – that is to say, we constantly rush from one place to another and seem to relish the stress we place on ourselves each and every day. As if this stress was not enough, people invariably surround us telling us that we are not good enough. Moreover, many people have trained themselves, for whatever reason, to function as their own worst enemies; they habitually bombard their own psyche with messages of hatred and judgment as opposed to love and acceptance. If we are to be happy and find peace in our lives, we must first become comfortable with who we are as individuals. It is our responsibility to love ourselves because in reality, who else can we uncompromisingly rely on to do what is best for us. Sometimes, however, that first step on the road to loving ourselves
February 2012
is passive instead of active; sometimes stopping and taking stock of where we are in our lives can be the most constructive way of coming to terms with who we truly are. Therefore I encourage each one of you to take a small amount of time out of your day to sit quietly without distractions, and be at peace with the world around you. Some may use that time to simply relax and calm the turbulent waters of the mind, while others may choose to focus on letting go of the past and coming to terms with the present. Acceptance without judgment is the only way that you can truly love who you are. It follows then, that the way to experience a pervading sense of benevolence and open your heart to others, is to first love who you are as an individual. The most important thing to remember is that you deserve the kindness that you show yourself. Too often, we get caught up in our desire to please other people and likewise, place far too much emphasis on what other people think about us. It seems silly that we should care so much about what other people think, while at the same time attempting to find out who we are as people. This Valentine’s Day, remember to show yourself the same kindness that you wish to show others. Inevitably, an unmatched sense of peace and a pervading feeling of benevolence will follow.
Albert Cantu is the other writer for the opinion page. Cantu is one of the Gryphon Gazette’s is a consistent contributing writer, earning him a post as an opinion columnist. He treasures his place on the newspaper as an outlet to impose his opinions on “the submissive masses.” Cantu explained to me how his topics are picked, saying, “My topics are chosen by a mysterious and complex system which involves my editor shouting at me, the two of us haggling over details, procrastinating until the last available moment, and furiously writing down whatever happens to pop into my head via stream-of-consciousness.” Unlike his cohort columnist Yunus, Cantu enjoys writing outside of his duty to the Gryphon Gazette. He writes short fiction, and plans to pursue writing as a career, hoping one day to become a novelist. Outside of his writing pursuits, Cantu is the captain of the wrestling team and is known for his thespian endeavors. With all this activity, this kid has a bright future ahead of him. So, now you have learned everything you could possibly want to know about our columnists. If you want to know anything more, well then…you are just going to have to read their columns.
What Would Jasmine Do?
Dear Jasmine, Let me just begin with saying…you are my idol. As you know, Valentine’s Day has come and gone – and since I couldn’t have you as my Valentine, I had to settle for my boyfriend. Our date went fairly well; however, when it came time to exchange gifts, things took a turn for the worse. He gave me a lovely bracelet (no real diamonds though, so he’s not up to your standards) and I thanked him. I had put a lot of thought into his present, and just knew it was the perfect gift for him. You see he struggles a lot with those pesky between-the-eyebrow hairs that create the borderline uni-brow. So, I got him a top-of-the-line, limited edition, print tweezers from Sephora. What a useful, practical, gift, right? Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to think so. For some reason, he asked if I had mistakenly wrapped something I had gotten for myself. I said no, I had bought it especially for him, my baby boo. After that, the conversation died down pretty quickly and he promptly got the check, saying he wasn’t feeling well. He then recommended that I take the bus home because he had to go give his pet fish a bath. What did I do wrong? Can you help me? What would Jasmine do? Sincerely, Pretty Pathetic Present Giver Dear PPPG, Seems like you are in quite a predicament. First of all, since you are a fan of practical gifts, maybe your boyfriend should have bought you a brain instead of a bracelet. You were definitely not thinking, “What Would Jasmine Do?” when you purchased those tweezers. I don’t usually give gifts because my presence alone is a gift in itself. But, despite this and the fact that you seem to be a lost cause, I have a few suggestions for your future gift giving endeavors. •Might I recommend the gift of clean-shaven legs? I understand that we girls tend to get lazy in the winter, since we so often find ourselves wearing pants – no guy likes to play footsie with a woolly mammoth. •Another suggestion I have, is to give him the gift of being able to see other people. Trust me, he deserves it after sticking it out with you. •Finally, I’ll give you my golden nugget of gift giving advice. The greatest gift you can give is a gift to yourself. Forget the man and buy yourself some shoes. You’ll both be better off. You know you love me, Jasmine P.S. Be on the look out for a “What Would Jasmine Do?” question box in the Senior Lounge. I’m looking forward to reading your questions and hopefully sharing my wisdom.
St. George’s Independent School
Page 4
Entertainment
Hungry for More of The Hunger Games By: Zoe Leake ’13 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a riveting young adult series and a New York Times best-seller. Sixteenyear-old Katniss Everdeen has been forced into the world of the annual Hunger Games as a tribute, a player in the games, and fights for her life against twenty-four other tributes. The story is set in the country of Panem — a fallen North America — that has been split into twelve different districts. All the power lies in the Capitol. Two tributes, ages twelve to eighteen, are chosen each year from every district’s youth, to participate in the deadly games, where only one can survive. Readers become increasingly concerned for Katniss’s well being, her family and friends back in District 12, and the other District 12 tribute, Peeta Mellark. In this trilogy, Katniss wins her place in Panem’s history as “the Mockingjay,”
and starts a revolution against the Capitol and its president, President Snow, with the help of the secret District 13. Collins throws a new surprise at every corner. Every new discovery or change of events makes these books hard to put down. From newfound love to losses of life, this series is wildly entertaining and has a captivating plot that keeps you constantly captivated. Reviewed positively by The New Yorker, The New York Times, Time magazine, USA Today, and many more, this series is a recommended trilogy for teenagers and adults alike. Continuing the excitement past the books, the first movie makes its debut this March. As far as the trailers have shown, the movie will have many similarities with the book, proving that it will be worth the nine-dollar fee. Having read the books myself, I find them very entertaining and enjoyable
because they never become tedious or dull. Falling into a different world is something I look for in books, and that is definitely found in this series. Panem is a country far from the America we know, yet the characters are like friends that we all would want to have. Collins’ fantastic writing style successfully makes you resent the Capitol for the cruel annual games, the secrets withheld by President Snow, and the elegant lifestyle residents of the Capitol lead while others suffer. Before I could catch myself, I wanted to be illegally hunting with Katniss and her childhood friend Gale, and as the story progressed I made a choice between two of Katniss’s suitors—Gale or Peeta. My personal pick was Gale, changing to Peeta at the very end of the third book, but I am sure you will have an argument waiting for me when you finish the books for yourself.
An Adaptation That Works: War Horse Declared a Victory By: Regan Hewitt ’14 ‘War Horse’ (PG-13) is a movie that people view because they feel like they are supposed to see this British ‘goingto-win-awards’ film. I would like to contradict this idea. ‘War Horse’ is a MUSTSEE film with its own sensational cast and plotline. Yes, I believe it will win well deserved awards, but I also believe it is phenomenal. The movie presents the adventures of young Albert Narracott, his family, and his horse Joey, as they move from the rolling hills of England to the World War I battlefields of France. Along the way, a wonderful cast of characters pops up to continue the story of the horse’s interactions with German soldiers and French grandfathers. This summary may make ‘War Horse’ sound like a trip through the countryside, but trust me, it is not. ‘War Horse’, despite all the lovely mo-
February 2012
ments of comradeship between horse and owner, is a movie about World War I. The movie has gruesome, yet artistic fighting scenes. These war scenes are not about the violence and disgusting visual effects that make the squeamish turn away, but rather about the confusion that can take place on the battlefield. The war scenes are juxtaposed with scenes of the buying and training of Joey. The plot, particularly in the beginning, ran a bit slowly—the opening farm scenes were not always the most interesting. The “snow” effects on the winter scenes could have used some work because it seemed particularly fake; I expected a bit more from director Steven Spielberg. The dialogue is not too heavy or too hard to comprehend. There are no glorious speeches or proclamations, yet the simplicity of the dialogue is compel-
ling. It makes the audience listen more closely and become more aware of the tones that the actors are using to convey emotions. A fabulous cast of actors, one that any movie would be proud to boast, graced the film. The credits for the movie include the likes of Emily Watson, Peter Mullan, David Thewlis, Benedict Cumberbatch and Niels Arestrup. The role of Albert, however, goes to a (handsome!) newcomer by the name of Jeremy Irvine. If he ever felt intimidated on the set of ‘War Horse’, it does not show in the movie at all. For people reading this review and scoffing that the play was better, I congratulate you on seeing the play because, yes, you are somewhat right—it was a fantastic play. I had a few tears in my eyes at the end of it, I’ll admit that. But as for the play being better,
I disagree because they are two different experiences entirely. I will admit that the mastery and design of the multiple horse puppets in the play are more artistic and impressive than the movie could ever hope to be. The movie and play cannot be compared in that aspect; however, the movie deals with real horses and has the opportunity to stylize the basic plotline in a more violent, realistic way than the play. Despite their differences, I think that both movie and play do exactly what theatre is supposed to do—explore the human condition and garner a well-deserved audience. ‘War Horse’ is a magnificent movie that should be revered and respected for its cast, director, and overall viewing experience. I urge everyone to go and see ‘War Horse’ in theaters (and if you are offered the chance, go see the play). I am confident that your review of the movie will concur with mine.
St. George’s Independent School
Entertainment
Page 5
“You Know My Methods”: Sherlock Holmes Returns to the Big Screen
By: Rachel Stires ‘12
As an avid fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s dynamic character Sherlock Holmes, I have been awaiting the second movie with anticipation. The first movie made a lasting impression on me, and I believe that the director took an interesting approach on how to play out the movie. Needless to say, I was looking forward to what tactics he would employ in the sequel. At the end of the first movie, I was left dying to know what would come of Professor Moriarty, the true villain that we hear little about in the first movie. Throughout the first story, Sherlock and John, along with the help of Sherlock’s brother, Mycroft and a gypsy named Sim, attempt to prevent the professor’s plans to bring about the demise to Europe. While anxiously awaiting the movie release, I decided to pick up a copy of Sir Doyle’s original stories because I was dying to know more about Sherlock Holmes. I was not expecting it to be an easy read; however, I was mistaken. The copy that I got was an edition that contains all 56 of Doyle’s short stories about Sherlock Holmes. It has truly become one of my favorites, and I haven’t even finished. This book is incredibly easy to read, and the cases that come with each story are always interesting and suspenseful. This book is definitely worth the read, and I highly recommend it to everyone.
Sushi in the 901
Photo by: Britt Paul Claire Peeler gives the thumbs down to Sekisui.
Along with the movie and the book, I also enjoyed a BBC adaptation, which is a mini TV series, called ‘Sherlock.’ This fantastic modern revival takes many of Doyle’s themes into consideration and develops them into more relatable occurrences. The two actors who play the dynamic duo, Martin Freeman as Watson and Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes, display their talent as actors by thoughtfully adhering to the characters. Cumberbatch takes a sharp and cold approach to Sherlock, developing him into a dry, but brilliant character who earns a few laughs with his cynical comments along the way. Freeman gives us a warmer, and more relatable Watson. Overall I am a huge fan of this series, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves Sherlock Holmes and his mind-bending crimes. As far as the second movie goes, I thought it was fantastic. It was exciting, and definitely better than the first movie. There were tons of fast paced action, drama, and hilarious scenes. The villain, Jim Moriarty, was someone you loved to hate and was a stone cold genius, just like Sherlock. I certainly won’t give it away, but the ending has a great twist. I noticed that in the second movie they did take some of their lines straight out of the book, which was exciting
for me as a huge fan of the novel. As for comparing it to the TV show, I would have to say that each adaptation is great and both should be appreciated in their own right. The two pairs of actors do a great job portraying the dynamic duo. Overall, this is truly a movie you should check out. It was worth the wait, and I highly recommend it.
By: Claire Peeler ‘12
Sushi. Either people can’t stand it or they just can’t get enough. I happen to be one of the latter; I adore this scrumptious meal. When Memphians like me are looking for the top places to satisfy their sushi cravings, we look to Sakura or Sekisui. Sakura, located near Saddle Creek in Germantown, offers a wide variety of fried, raw, and cooked sushi that allows people to put convenience aside and travel to this wonderful restaurant. Although some of you might consider going to Sakura to be an easy drive, it is not for a girl like me who lives one hour away from St. George’s. But the truth is, I would gladly drive an hour any day to be able to consume one of Sakura’s delicious Joyce, crunch crab, or caterpillar rolls. Sakura is a family favorite— and for good reason— its comforting atmosphere and delectable rolls are perfect for a family dinner out. This restaurant serves large portions of rolls leaving you feeling fully satisfied. One downfall to this restaurant is that if you decide to stray away from
the typical rolls and venture to specialty rolls, it tends to get expensive. Sekisui, located in Cordova, Collierville, and Memphis, is better known and with its multiple locations, it is convenient for most Memphians. Sekisui tends to avoid unique specialty rolls and sticks to serving typical sushi rolls, such as spicy tuna and California roll. These rolls are delicious, but are usually served in small portions. The chic atmosphere at Sekisui is probably the best aspect about the business. No matter which Sekisui you choose, you always feel like you are in an authentic Japanese restaurant. Both sushi restaurants are of good quality and will satisfy your sushi craving, but, despite its slightly steeper prices, Sakura is the place to go. Sakura offers bigger portions, more variety, and just a better overall experience each time you visit the restaurant.
The Best of the Black Keys: “El Camino” By: Joe Holley ‘12 There has always been something unique about The Black Keys, whether it’s the simplistic yet ingenious guitar licks of Dan Auerbach, the heavy, Mississippi Delta-inspired lyrics, or the fantastic engineering of drummer and producer Patrick Carney. There is one inescapable fact about the blues/rock duo’s new album; it is good. It is really good. With “El Camino,” the Keys have built on their sound by adding in a healthy dose of classic rock, some extremely catchy keyboard work from Brian Burton, and some well-placed, bluesy vocal harmonies. Every track brings something a little different to the album’s overall quality, from
February 2012
the catchy chorus in “Gold On The Ceiling” to the massive shift from soft acoustic to anthemic classic rock on “Little Black Submarines.” It is easy to see why the release has been such a commercial success, with hook-laden melodies scattered throughout and some truly exceptional lead vocal work from Auerbach. Lyrically, songs like “Nova Baby” speak to a deeper poetic subtext, and it’s obvious the band set out with a clear vision concerning their song writing. The Black Keys have caught quite a bit of flack over the years since the release of their previous album, “Brothers,” for sounding too much like
the other blues-inspired rock duo on the scene, the White Stripes. However, “El Camino” sets these criticisms to rest by turning towards a more grounded, classic rock-driven foundation, putting them well apart from the oft-experimental Stripes. There really is not a bad song on the album, with the added classic rock elements breathing new life into their previously dated style. The new blend brings ferocity and personality to the band, bringing out the best in the pair’s already fantastic skill set. “El Camino” is a must-have.
St. George’s Independent School
Features
Page 6
Will You Take the Path Less Traveled?
By: Ian John ’13 When you are in high school, your teenage life is often very predictable. When you turn fifteen you get your permit, then at sixteen you get your license, and so on and so forth. The bottom line is, teenagers are predictable. However, these predictable actions tend to stop as soon as you reach the twelfth grade. All of a sudden, you realize that you are only a few short months away from stepping out of the bubble of high school and into the real world. You are then bombarded with questions such as, “Where you are going to college?”, and “What do you want to do with your life?” More often than not, a typical teenager’s answer is given in three simple words — “I don’t know.” Then again, there are few who know exactly what they are going to do. They know where they going to college, what they
want to be, and where they are going to live. Essentially, it boils down to two types of high school students: those who chart their own course and those who follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before. Junior Gregory Hurley is one of those charting their own paths. Hurley believes in one strong belief: do what you love. When asked if he would like to go to one of the colleges his parents did, he responded with a simple two-letter word —“No.” He elaborated by saying that just because his parents went somewhere or did something does not mean he would like to do the same. On the flip side, Hurley pointed out that it is essential to get advice from parents since “they’ve already done all that stuff before.” He also mentioned to me that at first he wanted to hold similar occupations as
his parents, but now realizes that he’s just “got to do what he wants to do”. Senior Evan Vihlen, believes that the true path in life is your own path. He told me “that the only way to make yourself truly happy, is if you do want you want to do and not follow someone else’s aspirations for your life, instead.” Evan said that when it comes to determining who he wants to be when he grows up, what he wants to do, or even what college he wants to go, it is ultimately up to him. “Don’t get me wrong,” Vihlen said, “my parents help guide me in my decisions, but in the end they will support me in whatever I want to do with my life.” Evan mentioned that he was very involved in the thespian society at school, and although his older brother liked the arts as well, he did not get his passion for it from him.
When asked about how his personal opinion on politics or sports was influenced by his family, he said that he is not influenced at all by them. “My parents don’t really care about who I vote for or what college/team I go for, it’s mainly up to me like it should be.” Vihlen stressed the fact that everyone is different, so every individual should inherently have a different path of his or her own. On the other side of this spectrum are people like junior Hunt Seabrook. Characterized by his family’s favorite team, Seabrook has been a die-hard Ole Miss Rebels fan since he can remember. “I was born with rebel blood and the Rebels’ mascot on my chest,” said Seabrook. He shares many of the same beliefs with his parents, including politics, religion and colleges, just to name a few. He mentioned to me that his parents have had a huge
influence on where he wants to go college and potentially what he wants to do with his life. Hunt believes that getting advice from your elders is key, since they have wisdom on many life subjects. However, above all, Seabrook is more than appreciative for his parents instilling a love of Ole Miss in him. High school is filled with different people choosing different paths. Some students know exactly what they are going to do when they get older, and others live with the mentality of “I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.” Either way though, there is no wrong path. In a way, we all ultimately choose what we want to do in life whether it be following our elders or taking the path less traveled. In the end, we will hopefully find ourselves in the place we were meant to be, whatever that may entail.
Everything in Moderation... Except Maybe Tanning
Continued from page 1 Additionally, cling wrap and plastic wrap (yes, this includes the plastic wrap in which we heat our lunch time cookies) should never be placed in the microwave. Nutrasweet: Aspartame is perhaps one of the most common controversies of our time with all its internet hoaxes and health scares. Products like Splenda, Equal, and Sweet and Low have been claimed allegedly responsible for conditions such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus, and methanol toxicity, causing blindness, spasms, seizures, depression, birth defects and death. However, there is so much scientific untruth to these claims that it is laughable. The US Government Accountability Office stated that the food additive approval process has been accurately and thoroughly followed for these aspartame substances. Additionally,
over 90 countries have approved aspartame and the FDA states that aspartame is one of “the most thoroughly tested and studied for additives the agency has ever approved.” While artificial sweeteners are certainly not particularly healthy because they are artificial, they are not alarmingly dangerous. Like all things, they are just fine in moderation. Tanning: The FDA has spent a great amount of time making the public aware of the very serious dangers involved with tanning beds and UVA radiation. It seems common knowledge that exposure to the UV rays in tanning beds are directly associated with patients who experience skin cancer, skin burns, premature aging, and eye damage. It is a little less known fact that indoor tanning can become addictive. Additionally, it is not uncommon for an addicted tanner to experi-
ence higher levels of anxiety than a less frequent tanner or someone who avoids the beds all together. While many tanning businesses make the claim that UVA radiation is safe and does not come with these very serious side effects, all medical research disproves those claims. In fact, a recent report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that tanning devices are even more dangerous than previously thought. So if you’re a frequent visitor to the tanning salon near you, you may want to consider the risks you’re taking. While this article presents numerous ongoing facts, there a few summarized and important points to take away: tanning beds are simply no good, be sure to check plastic labels before putting something in the microwave, and all things, such as Splenda, are fine Photo by: Melissa Grant Virginia Cartwright eating her heated cookie during lunch. in moderation.
Time to Try Something New
Continued from page 1
Theater is one area in which some students have chosen to spread their wings. Senior Carol Ann Weaver had never participated in a school play before this year. “My friends all encouraged me to try out and I knew that this was my last year to be a part of a play, so I went for it!” “I knew that there’s really no limit on who can participate in what at our school, because we’re all involved in so many different activities, meaning there’s no set unwritten rule excluding me from trying out if
February 2012
I hadn’t in the past,” said Weaver. Even if you might have stage fright, or fear being rejected, you should audition to see if your hidden talent is in drama. When asked if it was worth the risk of trying something new, Weaver stated, “The experience was great because I got to know a great deal of people who I hadn’t known previously, and I had the chance to experience being part of a cast and the bond that you make through the great rehearsal and performances. It’s definitely a choice that I don’t regret and a mem-
ory that I will have forever to cherish.” Examples like these show that it is never easy to go out of your comfort zone and try something new. You might worry that you will fail or not be as good as you hope. However, if you are able to overcome the wall of your own self-doubt, you can find great opportunities in front of you. From there, it is all up to you to find what you want to achieve, seize the initiative, and go for it.
St. George’s Independent School
Features
Page 7
Ms. Good works hard to make St. George’s the best it can be.
Photo by: Mary Kathryn Philips
Mr. Lunati, Ms. Good, and Ms. Ann Make St. George’s a Home Continued from page 1
Like Mr. Lunati, Lori Good goes the extra mile for St. George’s. A southern California native, Ms. Good is the Executive Assistant to the school president, William Taylor, and has been a part of the St. George’s family for thirteen years. “I went to the University of Delaware for my college undergrad. Then I worked in the Philadelphia area,” explained Ms. Good. “Once this campus opened, I started as Mr. Taylor’s assistant and that sort of evolved. I had multiple jobs when the campus only had 170 students. I worked in the office as the Administrative Assistant.” “But right now, I am the Executive Assistant to the school president. This means I do anything Mr. Taylor needs to have done; I do stuff related to the board of trustees, I coordinate with development, I overlook projects that are three-campus involved, and because we run lean in the administrative support area, if anybody is gone, we cover those jobs.” She said that this is her favorite of the jobs she has had. Compared to the business world, Ms. Good says there is a huge difference. “I worked in the business world and it is nothing like this. Here it is everyone for the greater good.” Ms. Good stated her favorite thing about working for the St. George’s family, “I like the people,
February 2012
peers, as well as kids. I’m probably one of the oldest administrative support people on campus, so I think of all of the teachers as peers. So this job keeps me young. Having some interactions with the kids here is always great. People are friendly here. You hear all the time that St. George’s is a family, it really is. I love it here.” Apart from her busy hours at school, Ms. Good is also a full time mother and enjoys reading. “I read, and in the summer, I like to garden a little. My family also likes to travel a lot.” Ms. Good is very active in the St. George’s community and her hard work is always appreciated. As you walk through the lunch line or wander around the halls, you might come across Unita Garett, otherwise known as Ms. Ann. She grew up in Memphis and attended North Side High School. “I’ve worked at St. George’s for three years now,” said Garett. Ms. Ann’s day begins very early, “I come to St. George’s first thing in the morning and turn on all of the lights. I dust and get my water ready for the kitchen, then set up in the dining hall for lunch,” explained Ms. Ann, “I work here from 7:00 am to 3:30 p.m.” Not only is she a full-time employee of St. George’s, but she also works part time for the FedEx Forum and has
done for ten years. “I work for all concerts, Tiger games, Grizzles game, and any other venue that is held at the Forum.” Ms. Ann has daughters ages 25 and 17, and a thirteen-yearold son who attends Shadowlawn Middle School. She has great relationships with some of the senior guys. “Drew Bishop and Alec Mulvihill brought me Ching’s wings, and I got John Marc Shelly, Zach Hodgkiss and Timothy Donovan free tickets to a Memphis Tiger game. I see all the students at the Forum and they’ll come and talk to me, I really like that.” Ms. Ann claims that her current
job at St. George’s is the best job she has ever had. “The people here are just so nice. I mean, some of the kids like to cause trouble, and some of the kids are good, but at the end of the day, you still have to treat kids like kids. I love all the students here, and they all love me,” she added, “I try and talk to all of the students here. I love St. George’s, I really do.” Mr. Lunati, Ms. Good, and Ms. Ann are all incredible assets to the St. George’s community, and they all play a role in making your school day run smoothly. The St. George’s community greatly values the hard work that they put in daily, and will never forget the impact they have on the school.
Photo by: Samer Istanbouli Ms. Ann: one part of the team that makes our cafeteria special.
St. George’s Independent School
Sports
Page 8
Gryphon Student Sections: Saban Sighting: Alabama Coach Pays a Visit to St. George’s Rowdy As Ever Nick Saban, University of Ala- specifics, it is believed he must By: Brandon Horne ‘12
By: Erika Zurburg ‘12
The applause, the cheers, the occasional Gryphon clap, and the relentless encouragement from senior Terry Eleazer—these are just some of the spirited efforts carried out by Gryphon fans to support our Gryphon basketball teams. All these activities are on behalf of the celebrated student group, Ruffin’s Rowdies. Started by graduate Hunter Cowan, Ruffin’s Rowdies, along with the winter cheer squad, have played an important role in the Gryphons’ victories on the court in recent years. When one enters the Slatery gymnasium, more commonly known among students as “The Lair,” one can immediately feel the energy from the crowd as our basketball teams play their best against some of the toughest teams in the region. Originally, Ruffin’s Rowdies had tshirts to unify the crowd, but this year the winter cheer team has been lending the crowd their pom-poms to get students more animated and active in cheering on the players. As the season continues and the schedule becomes more rigorous, the students of Ruffin’s Rowdies are sure to be out in full force. After talking with Eleazer about his role leading Ruffin’s Rowdies, it became clear that this vital position
was taken on voluntarily in order to continue the success of the teams as well as to get as many students involved as possible. The job of getting the crowd excited and rowdy has been that of a committed senior every year since Cowan graduated, and one which Eleazer was more than thrilled to undertake. Akin to baseball’s Andy’s Army, Ruffin’s Rowdies is named after varsity basketball coach Jeff Ruffin, and has really created a lot of interest in basketball at the school. It has given students a place to show school spirit while still maintaining sportsmanlike conduct under senior leadership. Many victories, as well as state championships, can be partially credited to the lively fan sections. With so much support from Ruffin’s Rowdies as well as the school spirit seen at many of the football, soccer, and volleyball games so far this year, it is surprising that this same enthusiasm is not seen at swim meets or the wrestling competitions. The student body is encouraged to show Gryphons spirit at all of our sporting events occurring on and off campus in order to create a positive environment for all Gryphon sports teams. So everyone get out there, and get rowdy!
bama head coach for football, visited St. George’s on Wednesday, January 25, to do a little recruiting. Saban strolled the school with Athletic Director Brent Hill. When asked about his visit, Saban commented, “There are some good athletes here with a good athletic program. We are always attracted to athletes who have a good academic background, and this is a great academic school.” Although he could not discuss any
have been here for senior football player, Brandon Hill. When asked how it feels to have his future college football coach visit St. George’s, Brandon Hill said, “It was a great experience to have him come visit. He has a lot of respect for me as a person and as an athlete.” Brandon Hill signed with the University of Alabama on February 1, officially becoming a part of the Crimson Tide.
Photo by: Emmy Mcclain Brandon Hill enjoys a moment after signing to the University of Alabama.
Applications for Athletes: An Insider’s Look
By: Rachael Smith ‘13
August through November one hears seniors talking about applying and sending in college applications and December through April 1 one hears which schools the typical applicants have been accepted to. But, for the student athlete recruit, the college application process is much different. While a regular student begins applying in the fall of their senior year, by that time most recruited athletes are already announcing and signing with the school they are going to. Although these athletes begin their actual applications with their peers, they typically start the entire college process earlier than the majority of their classmates. The earlier an athlete realizes which sport they want to maybe play in college, the sooner the athlete can launch the process. The athlete has to go through a longer and more stretched out application with many more rules than the typical applicant. Just like a typical applicant the athlete is encouraged to contact schools of interest. But, while the typical applicant is in contact with the admissions office, the athlete is communicates mostly with coaches. The athlete sends every bit of information they can give to the coach about themselves and their sport. NCAA rules state that as a freshman, students are allowed to e-mail or call coaches but coaches cannot e-mail students back unless they
February 2012
are juniors and cannot call them back unless they are seniors. The key for athletes is to stay in touch with as many schools as possible or at the least their top choices of schools. Each time athletes e-mails a coach for the first time they have to introduce themselves, say where they live, which school they attend, why they are interested in the school, their position, and an application which contains the basic information, once again their position, their schools, their competitive team and coach, their GPA, and ACT score. Athlete communication with coaches informs coaches when the athlete will be at a tournament or camp. The more the coaches can see of the athlete the more confident the coach will be in recruiting them. Another major part of the process for recruited athletes college visits. There are two types of visits, official visits and unofficial visits. Official visits are scheduled with the administrative office or coaches. When on an official visit the administrative office or coach will have planned what your doing and where you are staying. They may give you the times of some classes you can sit in on and check out. Coaches may have planned on you attending a practice or game. Each student is only allowed to go on a limited number of official visits. Before taking an official visit, many students, both recruited athletes and regular applicants go on unofficial
visits. These visits often include a general information session, a brief campus tour, and a trip to the schools’s book store. The commitment process is also different for athletes and students. Some athlete’s begin by making a non-binding verbal commit to a college. The next step is signing a national letter of intent. Finally, a student must make deposit to the college to hold their spot. Despite the restrictive nature of the national letter of intent, which prevents a student from being fur-
ther recruited or from playing at a different college, the letter does not guarantee an athlete will be accepted to the school. The letter just means that if the student is accepted, he or she is contractually obligated to play for that school. One aspect of the college application process all applicants can agree on is that the most important thing is to find the school that is the right
Photo by: Emmy Mcclain Omar Williams with Coach Brent Hill and his mother.
St. George’s Independent School
Sports
Page 9
Football Boys, Volleyball Girls, Will Get State Wrapped Around Their Fingers
By: Brandon Horne ’12 Fresh off state championships in football and volleyball, both Gryphonteams celebrated their victory with the process of designing their rings to celebrate their victories. The football team chose between
two designs. Head Coach Brent Hill said that he received input from the coaches, captains, and upper classmen. Then, there was a vote between the two. “The Auburn national championship ring design was very popular so ours is similar to theirs. We just took the TSSAA trophy and copied it on there.” Said Coach Hill. Coach Hill also added that the rings should be in during late March and they hope to have a ring ceremony during halftime of a sporting event. Senior lineman Terry Eleazer said about the rings, “Most everyone agreed on the design we chose.” When asked about how it felt to win
Players to Blame in Recent NBA Lockout
By: Hayden Tupman ‘12
The NBA had a rough start this season when it began with a major lockout. The collective bargaining agreement (CBA), a document that outlines what the league can do and its connection to the players, expired after the 2010-2011 season. It was time to create a new one, but little did people know that certain issues would lengthen this process so much so that the NBA season was reduced from 82 games to 66 games. This lockout was between the NBA players union and the NBA team owners. In the former CBA, the NBA players received 57% of the revenue. The NBA team owners wanted to reduce this because almost 70% of teams lost money in the previous year. The NBA’s offer was a 40% reduction in salaries; the players only wanted a 2.7% reduction. Another core issue of the lockout dealt with the team based salary cap. In the past CBA, there has been an unlimited salary cap, though everything over 70 million was taxed. For wealthy teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers or the Miami Heat this system enabled teams to buy very skilled players. NBA teams with fewer resources were at a disadvantage because they were unable to offer comparable salaries to much sought after players. For this reason, team owners wanted a 45 million salary cap. The players wanted no cap at all.
The lockout came to an end on December 8th when a new CBA was ratified. The new agreement called for a 50-50 split of revenues between owners and players. The CBA helped the owners tremendously as this new deal will net owners 3 billion dollars over the next 10 years. In my opinion, this lockout never had to happen. Caused by greedy players, those 16 unplayed games cost the NBA owners and players around 300 million each. It also affected all the people whose jobs depend on the NBA season. Some individuals such as concession vendors and ticket sellers did not make the money they usually count on because of the players’ excessive demands. An average NBA player makes 5.15 million dollars per year, and yet they believe there should be no salary cap even when owners are losing money. This is a business for the owners, and I believe it is important that the owners at least make more money than their players. Those with the ‘small’ jobs are the ones that really pay in this situation not the multimillion-dollar players. Many people are frustrated by the demands of the players. If the lockout had not affected the number of games this season, I doubt there would have been as much outrage. All in all, the situation should have been resolved in a shorter time period than five months.
February 2012
the state championship his first year as head coach, Coach Hill replied, “I honestly did not even think about me. It was all about the kids. This was the first state championship I had been a part where I felt my team was the true underdog, but I could tell before the game that they were focused. It was truly amazing to see the amount of work the kids put in, especially when nobody thought we would win and having lost to USJ earlier in the year.” The volleyball team came off of an equally successful season, winning a second consecutive state championship. According to senior Caroline Giddis, “At first we wanted to combine two designs and create our own, but that was going to be too complicated. We ended up just picking one of the designs they provided for us.”
Giddis also added, “Winning a state championship was one of the best feelings in the world. We all felt really good and it was very exciting. It felt amazing to dog pile on the court and to win state two years in a row. First-year head coach Emmy McClain said that the team is celebrating together at Texas de Brazil before the Grizzlies game at which they will be honored on February 12, 2012. This is when the athletes will receive their rings. McClain also added, “I could not have been happier to win a state championship my first year as coach. We had such a great group of girls that made it very easy to coach, I could not be more proud.” Be on the lookout for these athletes with their new rings this spring!
Shelby County Championship Strong Showing from St. George’s
Swimmers from the senior class pose to show their trophies.
By: Calla Michalak ’14 On the morning of 27 January, the St. George’s swim team competed in the Shelby County Swim League County Championship meet. There were 41 swimmers competing—our largest team to date—and we had great performances across the board. The boys’ team took third place in all three of their relay events, the 200 medley, the 200 freestyle, and the 400 freestyle while the girls took third in the 200 medley and second place in the 400 freestyle. The girls’ 200 freestyle relay consisting of senior Amanda Poole, juniors Chandler Head and Kara Cooney, and sophomore Brynna Bartlett took sixth place, breaking a St. George’s record with a time of 1:52.54. There were also several top-five individual swims. Senior Anna Lewis Matson came in second place in the 50 freestyle and third place in the 100 freestyle. Senior Justin Kilgore took second place in the 50 backstroke and third in the 100 backstroke. Sophomore Wil Barton came in third place in the 200 IM and second in the 500 freestyle. Sophomore Brynna Bartlett took fifth place in the 500 freestyle, and sophomore Calla Michalak placed third in both the 50 backstroke and the 100 IM. Other swimmers who earned points for the team by placing in the top 20 were junior Amanda Fitzpat-
rick, senior Amanda Poole, senior Mason McGough, senior Andrew McBride, senior Sarah Shochat, senior Rachel Stevenson, senior Ryan Grover, freshman Lexie Marotta, junior Kara Cooney, freshman Julia Spinolo, freshman Matthew Mullahey, freshman Caroline Cannon, senior Katherine Christian, senior Lukas Leung, senior Logan Duffley, senior Rebecca Hollis, freshman Hannah Dietz, sophomore John Hankes, sophomore Michael Kutteh, junior Emma Sisson, sophomore Will Adkins, junior Chandler Head, junior Molly Schaefer, and freshman Josh VanDyke. Poole and Christian also earned qualifying times for the Tennessee High School State Swim Meet in the 100 freestyle and the 100 backstroke respectively. In the overall standings, the girls team took second place, the boys team took fourth, and the combined teams took third behind Collierville High School and the Memphis Home Educators’ Association. The swim team will also say goodbye to twelve senior swimmers at the end of this season. Leung, Christian, Matson, McBride, Matula, Duffley, Kilgore, Grover, Stevenson, McGough, Poole, Shochat, and Hollis. Their competitive spirit and exciting nature will be sorely missed on the pool deck next season.
St. George’s Independent School
Student Life
Page 10
The End of an Era: New Chapter for Dr. Casey By: Nathalie Vacheron ‘13
Photo by: Melissa Grant Dr. Cort Casey poses while teaching one of his past English classes.
Sophomore English teacher Dr. Richard Casey has taught many of us, and if not, amused us with his wit at some point or another. Recently, the St. George’s community received a bit of surprising news; Dr. Casey accepted a job as a Christian Brothers University professor. Dr. Casey earned a doctorate in Instruction and Curriculum Leadership with an emphasis in secondary education. With this, he states, “I will primarily be teaching graduate level classes in CBU’s department of education. I will teach a couple of night classes and focus on community service,” says Dr. Casey. He added that he has always “been drawn to disciplines that focus heavily on reading, writing, history, and the study of man’s inner psyche. My minor was in sarcasm, (no really, you can get a degree in that).” I talked to Dr. Casey about this sad, yet exciting transition. However, he does not quite consider it in that way. “Excitement is not one of the emotions that I feel. As many of you know, Casey men only feel three emotions. They are, in no particular order: hunger, anger, and dizziness.” When asked what he would miss most about St. George’s, he admits that that is a hard question. He will miss the little things, like the bagpipers at graduation. “Those always made me feel like a Tartan warrior. I would be lying if I said that I didn’t half expect Mr. Taylor to come galloping across the front of campus, hair flowing and face painted half blue, shouting out a rallying speech to the faculty to take up arms,” he says. He also will miss the quirky bell times, like the infamous 3:18 bell that signals the end of school. Above all, Dr. Casey will miss the people at St. George’s. “I could rattle
off a phone book of names of students who have inspired me. They made this job the best that I ever had.” Dr. Casey, the man who has made “infinity plus one” children cry because of his notoriously difficult Dante’s Inferno test, had an abundance of parting advice for his students and friends here at St. George’s. 1. “Forget about any music made after 1979. It is all inferior and will rot your mind. Deep down, you know that I’m right. Feel free to thank me later.” 2. “Secondly, my personal philosophy has always been to slow down and enjoy the world around you. You should enjoy your youth. 14,15,16… these are all wondrous ages with fantastic things available to you. Don’t ever get caught up wishing your youth away or trying to grow up too fast. I can honestly say that I enjoyed the age of 16 for what it was. And I loved being 19, and 24, and now that I am a sage 35 years old, life just continues to get better.” “Everyone deals with heartaches, obstacles, and bumps in the road. Take as much time as you can to spend with your loved ones, whether they are your friends, parents, teachers, grandparents, etc… for you never know when your time is up. Cherish one another and let your loved ones know that you care for them. Life is too short not to do so. On that end, I will be dizzy with anger if you do not touch base soon so that we can get together over a meal and chat about life (hopefully alleviating my hunger in the process).” I know many of us will take Dr. Casey’s advice to heart, and even for those of us who refuse to make the musical journey back into the mid-twentieth century, we will miss him greatly.
Juniors Have a Ball at Cotillion
By: Madison See ’13
This fall, the girls in the junior class at St. George’s were invited to participate in the Wolf River Cotillion. On 14 January, twenty-nine girls were presented to society at the Memphis Hunt and Polo Club. It was an amazing night for all who attended. The process of Cotillion began in early September when the first invitations were sent to every girl in the junior class. Next, the girls who chose to participate all communed for the first meeting. The mothers, in charge of putting together the spectacular night, introduced the girls at this meeting. Cotillion has been a tradition at St. George’s for three years now, and each year has been a tremendous success. Two of the most feared — yet most beloved — requirements for Cotillion are finding a dress and selecting an escort. Each girl was required to ask a young man of their choosing to “escort her into society.” He did not have to be from St. George’s and many escorts this year were from different schools. The escort had to be available for the re-
February 2012
hearsal a week before the event and the night of the ball. Finding the perfect dress was even harder. Dresses had to be long enough to touch the floor, white or ivory, and must be tasteful. Some girls were able to buy the first dress they tried on, while others rushed from wedding store to wedding store trying to find their perfect dress. The girls were also required to wear opera-length white gloves. After a few more meetings where the girls reviewed how to walk with dignity, how to stand on stage, and the guidelines for an appropriate dress, they were finally ready. The night began with the girls arriving at the Memphis Hunt and Polo Club pool house to get ready. Professional photos were taken before they were presented into society. Each girl was presented by her father, and then ascended a couple steps and onto the stage. As she stood on stage, a short biography of the junior girl was read to the audience. After what seemed like a very long time on stage, the girl
turned to her escort who was to help her off the stage and walked her out of the room. Following the ceremony was the guests enjoyed the much anticipated dance. There was an amazing band, Party Planet, who was led by one of the original members of Kool and the Gang. They sang every song you could think of, from
popular songs to the classics. The dance began with a fatherdaughter dance to “My Girl,” but the escorts soon cut in to dance with the newly presented ladies. The party continued until midnight, and by then, everyone was exhausted and ready to collapse into bed. It was a spectacular night for all who attended.
Photo by: Jennifer Phillips New members from Wolf River Cotillion gather before being presented to society.
St. George’s Independent School
Student Life
Polar Plunge Celebrates Tenth Year
Photo by: Mary Kathryn Phillips Caroline Cannon and Julia Spinolo jump into the lake at Polar Plunge.
By: Ehi Ike ’13 During Polar plunge, I ask myself, who would jump into a cold lake in the middle of February? The students and teachers at St. George’s would. Polar Plunge is a tradition that has been going on for ten years at St. George’s. But how did this all start? “I had a conversation with former students, Chris McDonald and Wilson Taylor. The idea came up in conversation after an assembly and they ran with it!” Mr. Culley shared. Luckily, Wilson Taylor is now an English teacher for the sophomore class at St. George’s, so it was not hard for me to get in touch with him. “Chris McDonald approached me with the idea and asked
me if I was interested and then we talked to Mr. Culley and chose a date our eighth grade year.” Taylor says. The Polar Plunge happens a lot in the north and both Taylor and McDonald were from the north, so it was a way of bringing their northern traditions to the south. “The school was really small during that time and a small group of people jumped our first year. More teachers jumped then students. Over the years it got even bigger and people wore costumes.” Says Taylor. Taylor wanted to make it an eighth grade tradition as a way of leaving middle school. Eighth graders would set it up and plan everything. There was a bonfire after the first plunge. Culley, Mc-
Middle schoolers in the cast of Treasure Island perform.
Donald, and Taylor even created a ceremony after the first plunge. Mr. Culley created the certificates while all of them would sign them. Everyone that jumped was rewarded a certificate. “Mrs. Culley was awarded most boring jump.” Taylor laughed. Mr. Culley and Wilson Taylor went this year along with many students and faculty members jumping in the lake. Senior Carrie Schaefer was one of the jumpers. “There was a good senior appearance at the Polar Plunge this year so that was exciting.” Schaefer says. This was not her first time jumping into Jake Lake. She jumped when she was in eighth grade as well and was much more nervous that year. “I was scared because it was my first year and I didn’t know what to expect.” Alumni also came and jumped in the lake. “Adelaide Brown and Whitney Taylor came and jumped together.” Culley says. It was a great day for students and teachers to come and jump. The weather was different this year. “This was the warmest water we have ever had.” Culley says. Usually the weather is incredibly cold. The weather was nice and it certainly changed the attitude of the jumpers. “There were students jumping four or five times in the water and some students would swim far out in the lake. We never had that happen before.” The Polar Plunge’s tenth year was a successful one and hopefully the tradition will continue in the future.
Photo by: Mary Kathryn Phillips
St. George’s Students in Treasure Island: X Marks the Spot
By: Ehi Ike ’13 February 2, 2012 was opening night of the outstanding middle school play, Treasure Island. I will admit, when I first heard about the middle school play, I did not expect it to be as amazing as it was. It was funny, adventurous, and told a great story all at the same time. Not only did the actors bring their characters to life, but the tech crew worked extremely well on the many sounds. The music was perfect for each scene and brought humor to the play. Now I am not saying that the music was the only thing that made the play funny; these actors brought plenty of their own humor to the play. Each of the actors seemed so lively and portrayed their characters profoundly. I was impressed by all of their performances, and I am sure I am not the only one who feels this way. If you do not know what Treasure Island is, it was originally a book written by Robert Louis Stevenson. It was also the director’s, Mr. Brown, favorite adventure books. “Kids get excited about pirates.” Mr. Brown said.
February 2012
He thought it would be cool to do an original adaptation of some sort. He considered one of Mark Twain’s novels, but to Brown, Treasure Island seemed like the best novel to bring to life on stage. Brown held auditions for the play in early December and was able to hold practice a couple of weeks before winter break. After a break, students usually forget everything they learned, but not these students. He was surprised at how much the middle school students had retained! They were determined to do the best they could in this challenging play. Some students had the arduous of memorizing lines for not just one, but two characters. Samantha Majuri was both Captain Bones and Ben Gunn in the play and shared, “It was difficult to memorize all of those lines but it was really fun.” Her performance was incredible and she brought both of her characters to life, each with their own sense of humor. Brittain Lawrence also had a character
with many lines. Lawrence played Long John Silver, a mean pirate who wanted to find the treasure box and keep it for himself. Though she had many lines, memorization was not the hard part for her. “I did not have any trouble memorizing my lines, but I did have trouble with projecting them.” Lawrence shared. This was hard to believe seeing as her character throughout the play was so spirited and energetic. She portrayed Long John Silver perfectly. Needless to say, everyone applauded at the end of the night. The Middle School’s performance was amazing. “Opening night was better than expected. It was awesome.” Brown says. He was definitely right about that. “There were a few tweaks but we were able to hide them pretty well,” says Lawrence. I found that hard to believe. The play was outstanding and these actors have a bright future ahead. If you did not get to see the play, I am certain you will see these talented actors in another play soon.
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Citizenship Institute: Behind the Mystery
By: Ceilia Healey ’13
For students not in the Citizenship Institute, the program can seem like a bit of a mystery. Occasionally, students will disappear from their classes, or seem on edge while working on a paper, which according to a Citizenship student, are “painful accumulations of everything we’ve ever discussed in class.” Behind the frequent absences and heavy workload, the Citizenship Institute has two classes working on a project which deals with world issues. The Citizenship Institute is now in its second whirlwind year. The students accepted into the program consist of a wide range of capable and intelligent people, who applied at the end of their sophomore year. The first year in the Citizen Institute is a mandatory crash-course in citizenship. The class covers everything from the Constitution to the childhood obesity epidemic. It also requires more writing than any other junior class, with papers due every few days. However, most students believe the work is worth the effort. According to Emily Joyner, a student in the class, “Citizenship has helped me grow as a person. I’ve become much more informed over the course of the year.” She also requested a shout-out to the “amazing” Luther Mercer, Director of the Citizenship Institute. In the past six months, the firstyear Citizenship students have taken multiple trips, including a visit to the Bridges Center, a leadership retreat, and a trip to Atlanta to meet President Jimmy Carter. Meanwhile, four of the second-year students visited New York to tour the United Nations headquarters, the Federal Reserve, and had the chance to observe the Occupy Wall Street protests. Later this year, they will take a trip to Washington D.C. These trips, which last up to a week, are always interesting, informative, and a highlight for the class. For rising juniors, the application process is simple, and Mr. Mercer encourages everyone to apply. Before the end of the year, anyone who is interested in the Institute will be invited to put in an application involving a resume of extra-curricular activities, a short essay on citizenship, and a recommendation from a teacher. An advisory panel including Mr. Mercer and other members of the faculty, will review each application in order to whittle the pool down to a class of twenty. While Mercer encourages those interested in the program to apply, he says that in the coming years he hopes to see “citizenship opportunities expand to the rest of the school.” He also hopes that the rest of the school will see a gradual shift in subject matter “so that our students can compete in a global world.”
St. George’s Independent School
Seniors
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Senior Spirit
Photo by: Kim Sammons Andrew McBride and Sarah Shochat dress as doctors on Career Day.
Photo by: Terry Eleazer Jasmine Yunus, Natalie Rentrop, and Caitlin Adams dress in their best “Harry Potter” attire.
High School Sweethearts
Photo by: Melissa Grant Duncan Monger and Tori Fitzgereld smile after Duncan receives the King Frosty top hat.
By: Amanda Bennett ’12
While many members of the senior class have been counting down the days until college since the first day of school, some are not so eager to graduate. Many students are cherishing the final days that are left because after high school, friends tend to embark upon new journeys in new and distant cities. For the underclassman and others who are looking on, the burning question is whether or not the couples of the Class of 2012 will elect to stay together after high school. This subject tends to be very emotional. Strong relationships in high school can be hard to come by, so when
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you find that “special someone,” you want to hang on to them. Breaking up before college is a topic that most couples want to avoid. Personally, I think people make too big a fuss over couples going off to college together. It appears that several members of the St. George’s student body agree with me. One student said, “If you are going to different colleges, you have to understand that you are going to have to work at it. It’s going to be difficult to be away from that person, but it can still work.” Some people disagree and believe that there is no way things can work when the relationship is happening in two different states. Some people have had bad experiences with long-distance relationships, while others feel that it, in fact, can work out for the better. Another topic of interest is the notion of couples going off to college “together.” I think it is important for people to avoid jumping to conclusions when they say going off to college “together.” It is, in fact, possible for two people to like the same college and then they both decide to go there. More than one student claimed that as long as the couples go to the same college for the right reasons, then it should not be a big deal. The general consensus on this subject seemed to be, if they both love the college, then why not go? It is important to avoid get tingcaught up in ideas about breaking up when we see our adorable senior couples. We need to focus on the fact that they are happy and still have four months of actual schooling left together, plus three months of summer. This is more than enough time for these couples to figure out the next chapter of their lives.
Photo by: Kim Sammons Kim Sammons and Amanda Bennett wear their tackiest clothes during Spirit Week.
Love Game: Students vs. Faculty
St. George’s is lucky enough to be home to very happy couples; among them are Emmy and Bill McClain and Brandon Hill and Darielle Ratilliff. Mrs. McClain shares her love of research as a librarian here, while Mr. McClain inspires love for science as a Biology and Environment science teacher. Brandon, a senior, is a well-known Gryphon athelete, and Darielle, a junior, cheers him on at basketball games as a winter cheerleader. Senior, Britt Paul challenged the two couples to a game testing their knowledge of each other’s innermost thoughts as well as their memory of their history’s together. Through Brandon and Darielle make a great couple, the McClains win the award for the funniest answers.
Brandon and Darielle:
McClains: Where did you meet? Mr. McClain: Southwestern Ms. McClain: Southwestern
Where did you go on your first date? Brandon: Movies, Happy Feet 2 Darielle: Movies, Happy feet
Where did you go on your first date? Mr. McClain: The frat house Ms. McClain: The graveyard
What did she wear on your first date? Brandon: Blue jeans, red top, black jacket, black heels Darielle: Black heels, Jeans, Red and Black Shirt, and Black Blazer
If she could marry any celebrity, who would it be? Mr. McClain: Napoleon Dynamite Ms. McClain: Obama What is his favorite movie? Mr. McClain: Ferris Beuller’s Day off Ms. McClain: The Big Lebowski What is her biggest pet peeve about you? Mr. McClain: When I throw my socks at her Ms. McClain: When he walks in the house with chicken poop on his feet.
What is her favorite color? Brandon: Pink, red, and purple (in that order) Darielle: Pink, red, and purple What is her favorite thing about you? Brandon: I am funny Darielle: He’s funny What was your best date together? Brandon: Red Lobster and Mission Impossible 3 Darielle: The Drive In Movie to see Happy Feet
St. George’s Independent School