St. Luke’s School Established 1940
377 North Wilton Road - New Canaan, CT - 06840 www.digitalsentinel.org
December 2013 Respice — Adspice — Prospice
From the Oval Locker Ben Decatur President
Upper School students, rejoice: it’s the most wonderful time of year! The First Quarter is over, winter break is in sight, there are no mid-term exams, and it’s officially the holiday season! I’d like to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for an amazing year thus far. It has been an honor to represent all Upper School students, to collaborate with the administration to host events, and to work to increase school spirit here on the Hilltop. Let the countdown until Christmas commence. But, wait! Student Government has some big and bold plans for this winter. After a dramatic victory by the Kidd House, the second Founders’ Cup event (the Founders’ Cup Challenge) has come to a conclusion. The current standings are as follows: Kidd (70 points), Von Fabrice (60 points), Oliphant (50 points), Blakely (30 points). The next planned Founders’ Cup event will certainly bring excitement to the Hilltop, as we are planning a Dodgeball Tournament for January.
1 + 1 Equals Opportunity Here at SLS Monika Gabriele School News Editor
Say goodbye to fifty-pound backpacks overflowing with hefty textbooks and disorganized notebooks. Clean out the various novels and poetry books stacked in your locker from the past four years of English classes. Recycle the multitude of random pieces of loose-leaf lost in the abyss of your binders. Get ready, because St. Luke’s is about to embark on a complete technological revolution that could change the face of our education forever. On November 15, Ms. Perry and Mr. Fancher sent out an eBlast to the parents of St. Luke’s that declared, starting next year, St. Luke’s would begin the SLS 1 + 1 program. “Students will use...an SLS-issued MacBook Air laptop,” described the email, “plus...an SLS-issued iPad as foundational and complementary learning tools. These devices act as your child’s new backpack--incredibly light, compact and infinitely powerful.” The technology rollout will begin next year and will issue an iPad to each student in the eighth grade and distribute MacBook Airs out to the ninth and tenth grades, who will continue to use the iPads they were issued last year. In the 2015-2016 year, all ninth, tenth, and eleventh graders will be on the program. Finally, in 2016-2017, the entire Upper School will be participating. By allowing students and teachers to get used to the program gradually rather than all at once, “It allows for new curriculum development, surveying of families, and time
to improve.” There will be an annual cost that pays for the program and students will be able to purchase their devices after graduation for a minimal fee.
As seniors anxiously wait to hear back from colleges, Student Government has worked to keep everyone in the Class of 2014’s mind preoccupied. Proudly, we have continued the tradition of Festive Fridays, where students wear Holiday themed clothes every Friday of December and I love how many ugly holiday sweaters I have seen on the Hilltop this month! Students can also look forward to being greeted at the door with free candy canes and hot chocolate.
The program is based on the concept of Digital Citizenship, which “will provide students with the essentials needed to make ethical and informed decisions about the powerful technological tools they will now have at their disposal.” Growing up as a generation surrounded by technology, children will hopefully be educated by this platform how to be responsible in the unexplored world of the Internet and cyberspace. Beyond stimulating the minds of the student body, the SLS 1 + 1 program will help to both streamline and multiply their opportunities. “With SLS 1 +1,” the eBlast described, “students tap into a growing selection of eBooks, 24/7 access to the Godfrey Library’s digital resources, cloud-based content creation and retrieval, plus an array of educational software that ranges from word processing and data manipulation to audiovisual editing and test preparation.” It will allow students and teachers to be on the same page, creating a level field for growth and development. This simplification is only possible if all students are all on the same platform. As a result, students will not be able to use their own devices. Under the SLS 1 + 1 FAQ section on the St. Luke’s website, this decision is discussed as follows:
continued on page 2, “Opportunity”
Student Government will also be working to draft a proposal for a more relaxed dress code. Inspired by Ms. Perry’s article featured in the Sentinel last month, the student body has been invited to suggest changes to the current dress code. The entire Student Government met with students during lunch to hear what changes the student body wants to see, and we are thrilled with everyone’s
continued on page 2, “Oval Locker”
Inside this issue...
New GVB Coach
College Stress
The Challenge Heating Up
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December 2013
HILLTOP NEWS from front page, “Opportunity”
The Sentinel Staff Editor-in-Chief Sebastian Bates Sports Editor Will Bloomer School News Editor Monika Gabriele Arts Editor Ian Corbet World News Editors Megan Evershed Mac Zech Staff Photographer Julia Muller Social Media Director Drew Lord Staff Writers Chris Bloomer Melanie Bow Ben Decatur Khush Dhaliwal Will Twomey Riley Vaske Contributing Writers Amber Calhoune Mr Henson Tunde Johnson Nicholas Lange Ryan Linneman
“This plan offers every student equal access and equal functionality. It also allows us to provide repair services and loaner equipment, freeing families from these concerns and preventing lost time in the classroom. In addition, research conducted with other schools indicates that when the school distributes the device, it is perceived and used more like a classroom tool than a personal device.” The plan will be a major change in the St. Luke’s experience, but only time will tell how the community acclimates to such a revolutionary transformation. Students, parents, and faculty can find out more information on the SLS website.
Wait, what? Yeah! She came and ate dinner with us and she told us about her year. It was just so surprising because I didn’t know and she just walked through the door and I was like “Fomon?” Weird. So I have to ask, what happened to that Godspell costume you wore last year? Oh, they just gave it to me and I rolled with it. I don’t know where it is now.
from front page, “Oval Locker” input. We will be sure to keep you updated on where the dress code debate goes in the coming months. Also, students should look forward to fan buses appearing at St. Luke’s to bring students to sporting games this winter. The student body was certainly inspired by Mr. Foley’s, Mr. Hirx’s, Noah Daniel’s, and JoJo Brame’s meditation, which reminded us of how important school spirit is in the Storm community and how influential fans can be when it comes to the outcome of the game. Hats off to the Sixth Man for all of their work this year (including the free shirts!), and I encourage all students to get involved with the club, as it’s amazing how fun these games can be (not too mention all of the hilarious chants!). Already a third of the way through the year, I cannot wait to see how the rest of the year unfolds. The spirit on 377 North Wilton Road is infectious and this year is certainly turning out to be a special one! I will leave you with a quote from my favorite Christmas movie, Elf. “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Happy Holidays!
Letter to the Editor
Dear Sir,
Nicholas and Ethan Lange Students
Contributing Photographers Jenna Decatur Mrs Smock Liz Kremer
We would like to express our sincere appreciation and thanks to the entire St. Luke’s community for the tremendous amount of support they gave to our Diaper and Canned Food Drive, which was for the benefit of the victims of the Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
Faculty Advisors Stephen Flachsbart Jim Foley
We were overwhelmed by the number of diaper donations we received with rather short notice and only a two day turn-around. In total, we received over 2,000 diapers, Neosporin, canned food, and five hundred dollars.
The Sentinel is a proud member of the Fairchester Student Press Association, and is dedicated preserving and promoting student journalism. If you would like to contact the Editorial Board, please e-mail us at sentinel@stlukesct.org.
It was amazing: so much fun, so little time. I actually saw [Elizabeth] Fomon [formerly of the Class of 2014] too.
The money will be used to buy additional diapers and other supplies all of which will be delivered to the cargo shipper later this week and then off to the Philippines. Thank you again to everyone for your generosity in donations as well as being a community committed to serving others. We wish everyone on the Hilltop a happy and healthy holiday season.
Cool! Wait, how is the play going? I heard the songs are really weird. Excuse me. I’m conducting the interview here, Erik. An uncomfortable tension arises. So what’d you do in Switzerland? So — basically I had three classes, then I went skiing, then I had three classes, and then I had dinner and study hall. Then we took really cool trips around the area. For instance: I took a bike trip around southern Switzerland. Oh nice, how was that? It was great, though they had said originally that “it’s going to be just like a few rolling hills, pretty light, not that hard.” What they didn’t tell us was that the route was one-hundred miles long! People were so tired, they were falling off of their bikes, and this one girl couldn’t pedal anymore because her legs just didn’t work. Weird. Yeah, so that definitely wasn’t the best surprise but looking back on it, it was pretty fun. That sounds fun, anything else you’d like to add? Well, I didn’t have any technology for two months and I might have forgotten how to type on an iPhone. Did you also do homework by candlelight? No, but all our essays and rough drafts had to be handwritten. I was like a pilgrim. So you’re a senior? That’s great! When do you start hearing back? This interview is over, Erik.
Sincerely,
Thank you!
Nicholas Lange ’17 Ethan Lange ’21
Random Kid of the Month Riley Vaske Staff Writer
Fresh from the hills of Switzerland returns St. Lukes’ very own Erik Eveland ’16. The bright-eyed blonde brings with him stories of the Alps, a girl whose leg don’t work, and what it’s like to be a pilgrim. Welcome Back, Erik! How was Switzerland?
The Founders’ Cup Challenge: The Final Countdown Monika Gabriele School News Editor
Despite its build-up, the championship round of the Challenge ended up being a seemingly effortless victory from the Kidd House over Oliphant. With a final score of twenty-five to zero, members of Oliphant House surely left the Seldin Centre last Thursday with their heads hanging low.
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HILLTOP NEWS Expectations were high for the competition, as both teams were coming into the battle with high standings. Kidd was riding on a wave of glory from their last 20-0 win over Blakely house. Similarly, Oliphant was coming off of an exciting win over Von Fabrice where they made an amazing comeback nd stole all the points. During the Challenge, each team was for the most part made up of the same house members that had competed in the primary rounds. However, Kidd held the early advantage as Oliphant was missing their freshman representative, Ella Pepper. Stacked to the brim with academic prowess, the Oliphant House squad consisted of senior Sean Cullinane (standing in for Liza Epprecht), junior Megan Evershed, and sophomore Charles Simmonds. Equally deserving of scholastic respect, the Kidd team included leading scorer and senior Ian Corbet, junior Tyler Brandt, sophomore Emma Powless, and freshman Emma Tregellas. Both teams had the perfect recipe for success, yet it seemed as if only Kidd knew how to turn on the oven. The trivia began with quiz master and student body president Ben ’14 Decatur rattling off questions about literature, history, current events, and “stocking stuffers.” Ian Corbet proved to be the most knowledgeable student from either team team, quickly answering with remarkable accuracy. He was able to tell the school what F. Scott Fitzgerald’s first name, the identity of Nine Days’ Queen, and even what the bully’s name in A Christmas Story is. He was able to gain an early momentum for the Oliphant House that got important points on the board and quickly put them into the lead. Oliphant was slowly able to rise into the single digits with Simmonds’ knowledge of Shakespearean sonnets and Cullinane’s understanding of current events. However, the Oliphant House could not afford to allow Kidd to score any more points. They resorted to guessing, though the tactic proved unhelpful as they remained at eight points while Kidd rose into the twenties.
‘College Fever’ Sweeps Seniors Drew Lord Social Media Director
As early action and early decision notifications are released from colleges across the nation, college fever runs rampant through the halls of St. Luke’s. In early November, most seniors, in hopes of putting the college process behind them, applied to a few of their topchoice schools early. After a month and a half of waiting, it is now time for official decisions to be released. With most colleges and universities, applicants can receive one of four possible results. The first, an acceptance; second, a spot on the wait-list; third, a deferral (in which an applicant’s application is moved to the regular decision applicant pool to be decided upon in May); and finally, a denial. Effectively, stress levels are at an all-time high for the Class of 2014. Despite the impending decisions, teachers are (yes, understandably) still expecting full participation and dedication from students to their schoolwork. More than ever, seniors need to balance work, stress, extracurriculars and sports -- something that is certainly taking a toll. For the senior class, there are certainly ways to deal with this balance. Many, like Meagan Maguire ‘14, find comfort in obeying what she accepts are “college acceptance superstitions.” “I never wear the sweatshirt -- or any apparel, for that matter — of my top choice school,” Meagan told the Sentinel, “that’s just the worst jinx you can put upon yourself.” Carter Bergeron ‘14, agrees with Meagan, and says that no one should ever “wear any apparel from a school that you’re applying to.” Although nothing has been proven, Meagan and Carter seem to bring an interesting point to the table. After all, who can’t help staring at the kid who has the audacity to wear a Harvard sweatshirt to SAT class? Another student, who preferred not to be named, wished that he could control his obsessive behavior as Emma did. “I check College Confidential every fifteen minutes or so, waiting to see if anyone has made another post about my school. If they indicate that they want to study the same major as me, I panic. I can’t help but think that that applicant is more qualified with me, and I see my chances begin to dwindle.”
Once the category changed to sports, Tyler Brandt to leadership of Kidd House’s team, giving off answers before Decatur had even read the choices. Highest MLB batting average? Brandt seemed to yawn as he answered with “Ty Cobb.” Only pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the World Series? Brandt didn’t even let Decatur finish the question before he buzzed in with Don Larsen. His confidence rubbed off on the rest of the Kidd team-members and only served to further depress Oliphant and their supporters. With a minute and a half to go for Final Jeopardy, Oliphant was grasping at straws for a final chance at victory. The score was 24-8 in Kidd’s favor, so their only option was to bet it all and hope for the best. Kidd, on the other hand, shrewdly bet one point, securing their victory regardless. Decatur read the final challenge – to list the teachers who have spent twenty-five or more years here on the Hilltop – and the Kidd representatives quickly began to jot down names. When the time ran out, Kidd managed to name three faculty members, while Oliphant hadn’t even guessed and handed in an empty sheet. It was a disappointing way to go, and many groaned as the Oliphants slowly made their way off the stage. In the end, this series of academic competitions proved just how exciting this year of Founders’ Cup challenges promises to be. The other three houses will definitely have many more chances to try and rise above the Kidd House and reclaim their founder’s dignity. Looking forward, it will be a battle royale of school spirit that will surely go down in St. Luke’s history.
CollegeConfidential.com, a forum in which applicants post messages and statistics about their prospective colleges, only provide more means for panic. It is easy to get lost in the thousands and thousands of posts by such qualified applicants, but soon you will find that it is only a waste of time. Once you send in your application, there is nothing more you can do. “Don’t obsess after an application has already been sent,” Emma advises to her classmates. “A decision will be made, and there is nothing more you can do than wait patiently.” Others, like Christian Duncan ‘14, and Will Bloomer ‘14, fall to weird quirks and habits while waiting for their college notifications. “I make sure to never fall asleep with my shoes on,” Christian told The Sentinel, “I just feel like it’s really bad luck.” Similarly, Will has a “weird thing about pens” that he uses to ease his tensions. “I keep all my college pens that I get from university tours lined up on my desk. One time, one of my pens cracked after I dropped a textbook on it. I decided it would be best to not apply to that school anymore.” Another, student, who prefers not to be named, refuses to abide by 30 MPH speed limits when driving, and instead travels at 31 MPH, a number that corresponds to his ACT score. “I worked so hard to get my ACT score up from a 30 to a 31, that I just hate the number 30 so much now,” he said. “Doing things like that makes me feel much more comfortable with my impending decisions.” However crazy the senior class might be, there are certainly still students who take a much more composed
approach to the college process. Students like Milo Judge ‘14 understand that it does no good to get all worked up about acceptances. “Sure, I still get stressed about it,” Milo said, “but some things are simply out of my control. And this is one of them. Everyone tells me that I’ll end up at a place that I’m happy at, and I really believe this. We get so much support from parents, peers and our teachers, and we’ve worked so hard to get where we are, so there’s really nothing to fear.” Yet inevitably, college fever runs rampant through the halls of St. Luke’s. In the following days, tears, laughs, screams and celebrations are bound to ensue — but no matter what college lies in our futures, we all must understand that with the support of the Hilltop community, the Class of 2014 will preserver through the current pressures and most certainly strive forth in all future endeavors.
A Fireside Chat with Gracie Jonies: The Girl on Fire Monika Gabriele School News Editor
As we all know, the Hilltop can get a little nippy sometimes, especially as the snow starts falling and the path to the Art House becomes icily treacherous. When that happens, nothing feels better than curling up near the fireplace in the Commons and counting down the days until summer. As most people come and go to the fireplace only sporadically, the Sentinel couldn’t help but take an interest in the students who have become regular occupants of the comfortable armchairs underneath the Global Classroom. Gracie Jones ’15 is a student who’s no stranger to the fireplace and now – thanks to this super exclusive inside look into “what goes down” -- you don’t have to be either. (Note that there will be a special appearance in this column from Anna Newman ’15) Sentinel: Hey Gracie, thanks for sitting down with me. Gracie: It’s no problem. S: Did it come to a surprise to be chosen for the Fireside Chat? G: Yes, I was a little put of guard at first, but I understand, I am quite interesting…when you write that, you know, make sure you write, *sarcasm*. S: Something that really interested the staff of the Sentinel is why you sit near the fire so often? G: …How’d you know that? S: We just did. It’s not like we were able to see you from our meetings or anything… G: Well, first off this school is freezing, second I get cold easily, and third I just like the fire. S: Well said. Do you have any heat related pet peeves? G: Hmm…a pet peeve… Anna (breaking in): Like everything. G: Hmm…when the fireplace it off…heavy breathing… oh! Lint is really annoying. A (breaking in, again): …You really are fascinating. S: Do you have a fireplace in your house? G: Yeah, but only a couple… S: How would you feel if we referred to you as the girl on fire? G: Haha I think I would be more like “the girl near the fire,” but that works too. S: Perfect. Thank you very much, Gracie! G: No problem.
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December 2013
ARTS In Germany, Controversy over the Nazis’ “Degenerate Art” Khush Dhaliwhal Staff Writer
Last month, over 1,400 works of art were found in an 80-year old man’s apartment in Munich, Germany. The man, Cornelius Gurlitt, is the son of a former museum curator. In the 1940s, Cornelius’ father, Hildebrand, was commissioned by Joseph Goebbels’ ministry to get rid of so-called “degenerate” art by selling it overseas.
down pirates with automatic rifles. Instead, it was a drama, built off of rising action. It used the fact that everyone knew that the ship would be hijacked by Somali pirates to build up tension and show the resourcefulness and professionalism of Captain Phillips. Phillips, portrayed as having a strong sense of duty and being a stickler for policy, is ultimately what saves the crew.
After Hildebrand’s death in 1956, his son gained possession of the remaining works by acclaimed artists, such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, Paul Klee, and Max Beckmann. The approximated value of the collection is $1.35 billion.
I also like how the movie mainly focused on Captain Phillips, but also took some time to explore the background of the pirates. The scenes alternated between the two, and actually had some decent character development for the pirate captain, portraying him as daring and clever, but also impetuous and egotistical. He is completely focused on completing his mission and getting money for a hostage and is not deterred by any risk or collateral damage. Phillips actually offers him sound advice several times once he is taken hostage, but due to his ego, the captain often becomes angry and violent with Phillips because he wants to maintain control and doesn’t want Phillips to undermine his authority in front of his crew. The fact that Phillips is able to maintain the illusion of power to some degree while he has a gun to his head is quite impressive and a nice touch to his characterization. Overall, it’s a good movie, so watch it.
Prominent Nazis, including Goebbels (center), visit an exhibition of “degenerate art”
The hills are alive — with the sound of Carrie Underwood screeching, that is. Last Thursday, over 18 million people tuned in to watch NBC’s live presentation of the Rogers and Hammerstein classic, The Sound of Music. As someone who has been singing the famous songs since I was six, I was more than thrilled to see this particular musical brought to life live on television. I was, however, not very impressed by some of NBC’s choices.
For example, The Mother Abbess and Maria sing the song “My Favorite Things” prior to her departure to become a governess to the Von Trapp Children. Instead, when the storm comes, Maria and the children sing “The Lonely Goater” a song that comes much later in the film version.
As art historians, collectors, and experts investigate this recent discovery, they must assess whether the works of art were sold under duress, wrongfully confiscated, or lost.
In the following months and years, Germany will have the difficult task of amending another legacy of the horrors of the Holocaust and World War II. Although it may be near impossible to address the grievances of all involved parties, let us hope that the issues will be settled fairly.
Riley Vaske Staff Writer
For starters, fans of the film version of the musical (the one with the great Julie Andrews), will be disappointed to find that The Sound of Music Live! is based not on the film, but the original Broadway production, an entirely different production.
Part of the controversy over the discovery of the trove arises from the fact that German officials have been investigating Cornelius’ collection for nearly two years, beginning in the spring of 2011. The paintings were confiscated a year later.
However, the big question remains: who owns the art? Is it the reclusive Cornelius, who considered the paintings his “friends” or the heirs of the “original” owners from the 1930s and 1940s? In fact, who owned the art to begin with? Furthermore, how can one address the injustices committed at the time the art was taken while ensuring none are committed in the present day?
The Sound of Screeching
Though she undoubtedly has an impressive voice (although sometimes too “country” for this particular production), Carrie Underwood’s acting falls flat. When she asks the youngest Von Trapp child, Marta, if she is afraid during the thunderstorm, all I could think of was that the poor child actor was probably more terrified of Underwood than of the “storm” keeping her awake. NBC’s decision to enlist an A-list celebrity to play the role of Maria may have been good for boosting ratings, but was ultimately one of the network’s poorest choices. On the other hand, Audra McDonald stunned audiences with her rendition of “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” as The Mother Abbess. Her performance overshadowed Underwood’s entirely and made me more inclined to watch “The Sound of Whatever The Mother Abbess Does Whilst Maria is Off Singing.” Laura Benanti and Christian Borle were just as fantastic in their roles as Else Schrader and Max Detweiler. The two, both Broadway veterans, play their roles so well that it was possible to forget that they are actors at all. They steal the spotlight in any scene they are in, especially
Have an NSA Christmas!
Captain Phillips: A New Tom Hanks Hit? Kevin Jahns Staff Writer
When I first entered the Darien Playhouse, plastic bag full of outside snacks and beverages tucked under my hoodie, I didn’t see how this movie would keep up the suspense. After all, I already knew the story: Somali pirates hijack a commercial ship, take a hostage and then the U.S. Navy comes and kills the pirates and saves the hostage. Even though I already knew what was going to happen, the actors were able to keep up the suspense and keep me engrossed in the plot. I originally expected a movie as dramatic as this to have an opening scene akin to that of Saving Private Ryan. Instead, the opening scene had Captain Phillips driving to the airport and having a mundane conversation with his wife. I understand that the point of it was to make the viewers sympathize with Phillips and see that he was a normal guy who had a family. Though I thought it was corny, the director got this message across effectively. I realized quickly however, that Captain Phillips wasn’t going to be some action movie with the SEALs cutting
by Kevin Jahns
December 2013
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ARTS when they’re together. Towards the end of the production I found myself rooting for Else to win Captain Von Trapp’s affection rather than Maria. The Von Trapp children are all quite good, especially Ariane Rinehart who plays the young, lovestruck, Liesel Von Trapp. She executed the impressive choreography in “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” with ease and grace and sang quite well. The transitions between numbers and location were smooth and astounding, each scene moved fluidly into the next without interruption, and the lack of a live studio audience allowed for the production to feel like live theater. The scenery was well executed, and the costumes were appropriate to both the time and location (Austria in the 1940’s).
Grayson’s AP artwork eventually must consist of three sections – breadth, concentration, and quality. Her portfolio will be submitted near the end of the school year to receive an AP score. At the moment, Grayson is working on the concentration section of her portfolio by building a story around the sketches and finished pieces she has created thus far. Beyond her classes at school, Grayson has also been taking art classes at Silvermine Arts Center in New Canaan. Her favorite class, outside of school, is an oil painting class taught by artist Justin Wiest.
A Rising Star: Grayson Kennedy Khush Dhaliwhal Staff Writer
One doesn’t have to be an art expert to see the great talent in Grayson Kennedy’s work. As a junior taking AP Studio Art, a class normally taken by seniors, Grayson is passionately tackling one of the most difficult and time-intensive classes St. Luke’s School has to offer. The Sentinel sat down with this rising artist to ask her about her work and her love for art.
One of Grayson’s pieces, drawn in charcoal, depicts a man sitting deep in thought. The masterful shading and depth in this piece convey an effortless and natural image. Many of Grayson’s portraits of human subjects are characterized by a raw, and perhaps even visceral quality that can be seen in this specific work. However, as thought-provoking as her human portraits are, Grayson herself would describe her artistic approach as “more based on fantasy than reality,” as is demonstrated by her many drawings of mythical creatures. Most of these drawing have an otherworldly air to them, but Kennedy’s talent still brings reality and believability even to the most fantastical of her subjects. When asked if she wanted to pursue a career in art someday, Grayson simple reply was, “I want to.” I, for one, cannot wait to see her future work.
Macbeth Hath Given Sleep Riley Vaske Staff Writer
Three male witches predict more than just Macbeth’s fate at Lincoln Center this year. Jack O’Brien’s Macbeth is a visually odd production that could quite possibly have had more success as a silent play than as a kaleidoscope of language and technical theater that end up fighting a more intriguing battle than that of Macbeth and Macduff. The diverse cast of Macbeth struggles to stand out next to the true star of the show: the lighting. Lighting Director Japhy Wiedeman’s unusual and unorthodox lighting cues force the actors to push to be stand out over the visuals around them, and the strange decisions he made occasionally ruin scenes like Lady Macbeth’s sleeping walking scene (it was impossible to see her if you were sitting on the wrong side of the stage due to limited lighting and the doctor’s awkward blocking).
Kennedy’s work, often in black and white, takes a very realistic approach to portraying the world around us, but it is not without many layers of well thought-out and masterfully executed creative touches. Her work perfectly balances authenticity with individuality in a way that can convey a wide range of emotions, from solemn dignity to carefree levity. However, regardless of the varying tones of her artwork, each piece leaves its audience with a deep respect for the artist.
However, one of costume director Catherine Zuber’s choices makes an interesting statement. Following the murder of Duncan, Lady Macbeth is seen in a starkly white nightgown that stands out amongst the sullen brown and black costuming of the men on stage. Generally associated with innocence and virtue, white seemed an ironic choice for Lady Macbeth after committing a heinous crime, yet amongst the dark tones of the set and aura of the show seemed at place, adding another layer to the complex character that is Lady Macbeth. While Anne-Marie Duff is a theatrical powerhouse as Lady Macbeth, her male counterpart Ethan Hawke lacks the ability to match her performance, only truly becoming compelling once Duncan has been murdered. His most famous soliloquy falls flat from the first line of, “Is this a dagger which I see before me?” and Hawke’s naturally menacing demeanor makes it somewhat impossible to have any positive feelings toward the character of Macbeth prior to falling prey to the dark side. He is consistently overshadowed by Brian d’Arcy James (Banquo) and Daniel Sunjata (Macduff), both of whom give stunning performances and the latter of the two I would like to see play Macbeth in an alternate performance.
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All in all the production is quite pleasing if you are able to separate Carrie Underwood’s acting from the overall performance, and if you don’t mind Maria sounding like she’s just returned from visiting Judy Garland in Oklahoma.
long, black, hi-lo dress seems to wear her as she makes her way across the stage reading Macbeth’s letter, and the unflattering nature of the back distracts the viewer from what truly is an amazing performance from Duff. As she reaches up to ask the spirits to un-sex her, all one can notice is the way the dress highlights her strange back muscles and overshadows her small frame.
Shakespeare’s language is lost through the distracting visuals on stage and the startling costumes that at one moment seem quite fitting and time appropriate and another completely out of place and modern. The clashing of modern and pseudo-historically-accurate costumes leads the audience to be confused and distracted. No one is safe: Lady Macbeth herself, portrayed by the dynamic Anne-Marie Duff from London’s West End, first appears in one of the most ridiculous costumes in the play. Duff’s
The lack of chemistry between Hawke and Duff is made blatantly obvious by an attempt to fill empty pauses with sloppy kisses and awkward bedroom scenes that serve only to make audience members laugh uncomfortably rather than marvel at one of Shakespeare’s most complex and strongest relationships. The only glimpse the audiences get at their power together is through a forceful and highly effective scene change in which the audience first sees the royal couple together after being crowned King and Queen of Scotland. Jack O’Brien’s recipe for an odd and dreamlike production calls next for unrealistic fight scenes and violence. Indeed, O’Brien only masters one death throughout the entirety of a play ridden with fatalities: Duncan’s. The death of the king is silent and it is only clear the deed is done when Macbeth returns with blood stained hands and a face paler than the ghost of Banquo. However Macbeth’s own timely demise is less tasteful, as Macduff chokes him to death on stage. The absurdity of this scene is only amplified by the humor that emerges from the ability as an audience member to see Hawke panting as he lies “dead” on the ground, his chest heaving as he tries to remain still. The fighting scenes seem not to be choreographed by fight director Steve Rankin, but by a teenage boy. The ridiculously over staged, slow motion, fight scenes bring forth images of traditionally geeky pre-teens with lightsabers in their rooms reenacting scenes from the latest Star Wars film. Banquo’s death is long and outdrawn, as he screams approximately ten times as he is repeatedly stabbed before finally succumbing to death, causing the audience to laugh at the absurdity that Banquo has about as many lives as a cat as he is being stabbed to death. Luckily, this death is left to the imagination as only his shouts can be heard in the dark of the theater. The addition of a new witch who also assumes the role of Lady Macbeth’s nurse, supernatural creatures that looked like the monkeys from Wicked, and the poorly executed apparitions only contributed to the unusual and weak production. Frankly, the best part of the performance, from my perspective, was also the funniest: I was stirred from my brief slumber by the echoes of Macbeth’s “sleep no more.” I only wish I hadn’t woken up. Note: Mr F strongly disagrees
6
December 2013
OPINION The Code in Dress Code
Bring Comfort to the Hilltop!
Dress Code, Dress Schmode
Frank Henson ’74 Teacher, St. Luke’s Parent, and Alumnus
Chris Bloomer Staff Writer
Megan Evershed World News Editor
My history with the St. Luke’s dress code goes back four decades. As a student at SLS in 1972, I watched my classmates wear wigs as a workaround for the restriction on non-shoulder length hair in a dress code that also included the wearing of a sport coat. Today, as a middle school teacher, I see my students struggle to put it all together, especially the boys -- more garrote than tie knot, shirts with tails akimbo, and shoestrings that claw after them like little zombies. But it is as a parent and as a son that I found my clearest understanding of our dress code, and that understanding is hard to appreciate in a world where one is exposed to an estimated 5,000 advertising messages a day, or when it costs $500 to tickle your shins with the faux fur of a brand named Uggs. The value in the dress code is in the word “code.” Code can be defined as “a set of conventions governing behavior or activity in a particular sphere.” You don’t hear the word code all that often. Most frequently, it is part of a larger phrase that defines it, such as “code of conduct,” “code of ethics,” or our all too familiar, “dress code.” Conduct, ethics, dress -- all important in their own way, but the word code is the most important part of the idea, and within code’s definition I connect most strongly with the phrase “governing behavior, ” with an emphasis on the verb “governing.” I think the secret to the value in any code is the act (verb, action) of following it. Adopting and following a code builds integrity and discipline through the act of selfgovernance. I believe my two sons are stronger individuals as a result of following the St. Luke’s dress code. Scratch that -for following a code. And although they may not think it -- nor may you, reader -- but that simple act of doing something they may not have preferred to do, day in and day out, built confidence and strength. It’s a long haul, six years, but they followed a code. Other than their worship of smartphones and Vine and Instagram, observing the St. Luke’s dress code might be the most consistent behavior they have cobbled together since they came into the world. So, yes, I am a fan of codes, ergo the dress code. But I can’t credit it all to my experience as a St. Luke’s parent; I mentioned that my understanding also came to me as a son. My father wrote a letter to my brothers and I ten years ago, and in it, he stressed the importance of having nonnegotiable values that are bound into a code one lives by. That really resonated with me, and I have tried to live by my own code ever since. But the act of living by the code is as important as the values in the code. As young people, without sacrificing who we are, we can all benefit from learning the value of following a code until we have enough experience and learning under our Vineyard Vines belts to create our own codes to live by.
Ties, belts, dress shoes, and tucked-in shirts make up the public face of St Luke’s, but is it a particularly valuable one? Every day I prepare for school the same way: by putting my books in my backpack, going over final material, and putting on my outfit. Of the three, two prepare me for learning, and one is just a burden. At this moment in my St Luke’s career, after 6 years of being imprisoned by ties, I say that I have come to terms with the dress code, which is a statement most students in the Upper School would agree with. But if that were really true, then why do I still count down the minutes to when I can untuck my shirt, loosen my tie, and get comfortable? Because the dress code is, frankly, a burden. Ms. Perry’s article, which has been circling for a few weeks now, has opened my eyes to something that I had never thought of before. She questioned not only our dress code, but also the very idea of a dress code as a whole. This question, which Ms. Perry raised, is only now being debated. Students, including myself, never thought that questioning what we disagreed with was an option. And now with the question in the open, we can debate. Over the past few weeks the student government has been considering the option to propose a modification to the dress code -- a modification from and for the students. During the open forum, students were given the opportunity to vent their grievances with the dress code. Ideas were shouted from every direction, including some that I personally had never considered. Although some people may disagree, I do think that there is a limit to what we should determine to be a dress code. For example, we shouldn’t be able to show up in sweatpants, and still be considered in dress code; at that, there wouldn’t be a dress code, which in the eyes of plenty, is a viable option. My opinion on the matter would be that the dress code should not be thrown out, but reformed. Let us start with the Fall and Winter seasons, when our dress code is at its strictest. Ties are burdensome to everyone. With this golden opportunity that has been presented to us, to modify the dress code, why not eradicate what we disagree with: why not run a “no ties” policy. Ties are, of course, not the only disputed garment. There has also been controversy between students and teachers on whether certain sweatshirts are in dress code. My response? We should allow all sweatshirts with an SLS logo, a rule that is can easily be enforced, and simultaneously promotes school spirit. Lastly, we should consider how, every spring, students are baked alive by the sun. How can we can “beat the heat” here at St. Luke’s? Shorts are not part of our dress code, a statement that can newcomers by surprise. After all, shorts are not inappropriate or offensive, and with the heat predicament that each student faces that time of the year, it is absurd that they are not allowed. Thus, I am officially writing and submitting my vote to allow shorts in the springtime. Hopefully our dress code will be modified soon, and we will finally be able to learn in comfort.
The Sentinel staff was recently perusing some older editions of the newspaper for amusement. Ironically, the dress code – the same issue hotly debated today – was prominently featured in these relics of St. Luke’s journalistic glory. It appears that this conundrum has confounded St. Luke’s students for at least a decade. Since I’ve been at St. Luke’s the dress code has changed too many times. I am a complete supporter in change for the better, but as every change in the dress code policy is met with controversy and adversity, is it ever really a positive change? This past fall, the school welcomed new teachers, new coursework, Toms and jean-style back pockets. Unfortunately, this alteration did not appease students. There was recently a meeting to discuss dress code and what the student body wants. My question is why? To be honest, I don’t see the reason for massive uproar, for eternal discussions about the length of skirts and form-fitting clothes. It’s almost like the only thing students and teachers can talk about is dress code. I’m all for freedom of expression through fashion, but I feel like there are bigger concerns St. Luke’s can concentrate on. I understand students don’t want to be restricted by a dress code. I’ve heard countless complaints about skirts and ties in the past seven years. But as Rhett Butler put it in Gone with the Wind, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” We come to school to be educated, to enrich our minds with ideas and to grow as people, not to spend our days complaining about dress code. Why are we so outraged at the fact that we can’t wear polo shirts until the spring? I hate to be indignantly self-righteous, but there are young people who don’t have access to the opportunities that a school like St. Luke’s offers. These people would, I imagine, welcome a St. Luke’s education with open arms even if they had to wear – dare I say it? – a Dennis skirt. If dress code really is that much of a cross to bear then I feel we should seriously realign our values. Let’s talk about something important, something that doesn’t make us sound trapped in the Fairfield County bubble. So what’s the solution? Well, I don’t know because I don’t actually see the problem with the dress code we have now. If you are in constant discomfort and agony over your oxford shirt and khaki pants then, by all means, call for change. But, really, if it doesn’t irk you that much and you just want to rankle the administration, why are you bothering? I think acceptance is the solution – let’s just accept the dress code as it is and wear our collared shirts and our skirts and our ties and our closed-toe shoes. I mean, in the grand scheme of things, it’s not exactly the bane of our existence, is it? I completely acknowledge the fact that I’m a girl and many of the male students really dislike ties, so petition for the eradication of ties. But attacking “dress code” on the whole, I feel, isn’t going to achieve what you want. Some frustrated students call for uniforms while others call for sweatpants and t-shirts. And some - myself included - feel we should stop worrying so much about how we look and just get on with living our lives.
December 2013
7
JUST FOR FUN Working 9 to 5, Even On 12/25 Stephen Flachsbart Faculty Advisor
This year, we consumers watched in horror as store after store announced they would open earlier and earlier on Thanksgiving Day. Indeed, a number of box stores were open all day. Of course our immediate reaction was one of disgust and loathing for the heartless capitalistic store owners paying their employees minimum wage while they enjoyed the holiday in one of their homes, say in Park City or Key West.
But best of all, no one would ever be disappointed at Christmas ever again. If Johnny was expecting a Playstation, but got a boring old bicycle, no problem…a quick trip out to Target and…problem solved. Or say your wife won’t speak to you after you got her hiking gear instead of a diamond necklace. A quick trip to Zales (with a stop-off at EMS), and you’re off the couch and back in the bedroom. Or if Uncle Lester gave you a regifted beer-making kit, you can always stop by on the way home and simply get some cold bottled beer…you could even sample some while you’re driving back to New Jersey. Now that I think of it, we might as well make it a trifecta – New Year’s Day needs to be a work day too. It makes sense. Instead of trundling off to bed in the wee hours of the morning, everyone – workers and shoppers alike -could just head over to the nearest Sears or Best Buy. All those bright likes and buzzers will do wonders for your headache, and if you’re still feeling no pain, you might decideto buy that new computer or TV, and then resolve to be more frugal as soon as you wake up. Now, after all this working – and shopping – you might be getting pretty tired – but no worries: the stores are bound to lay you off as soon as the holiday crunch is over. Furthermore, they’d have to pay health insurance and benefits if they kept you on the payroll any longer. And as for you shoppers, now that all of your credit cards are maxed out, it’s probably best if you avoid any stores for the next 4 months anyhow.
And now we learn that the strategy backfired as it only served to lower sales the next day, Black Friday, by about 12%.
The Sentinel’s Gift Guide
But after further contemplation, I’ve decided the megastores have it right. Let’s face it: Thanksgiving can be a tremendous bore for non-football fans, so having to leave home at 11 or even 7 am is really a blessing in disguise. No more pretending to be excited about a bunch of hulking guys in bright colors bashing into each other. Furthermore, if you’re greeting shoppers at Walmart, there’s no need to try to bond with your creepy uncle Lester or your deaf grandma with skin lesions.
As the Holiday Season rolls around once again, the Sentinel is proud to present its readers with our fourth annual gift guide. Consider these last-minute present ideas for the special people in your life.
For Mom The Ped-Egg: helps keep her feet feeling smooth and healthy with no mess! Gently removes calluses and dead skin in a special compartment for baby-soft look!
For Dad An ear wax vacuum: so now he can’t pretend he can’t hear you!
Bobby Quakenbush Staff Writer
For a Girlfriend Gym membership: your sweetie will be pleased to know that you want her healthy and happy. Keep those endorphins pumping!
For a Sibling A chia pet - it will keep them out of your hair for months!
And that’s not counting the extra money that you make to buy Christmas presents. In fact, I have a further proposal: why stop at Thanksgiving? Shouldn’t all the malls and box stores be open on Christmas day as well? This step would hugely benefit last minute shoppers who could pick up their presents on the way to their relatives’ house. And as on Thanksgiving, Christmas employees could dispense with all those old sickly relatives.
Top 10: Rejected Winter Activities 10. JV Snowshoeing
For a Boyfriend A complete Nicholas Sparks collection: get your guy in touch with the feminine side he didn’t know he had.
Top of the Hilltop
9. Construction Club
Movie: A Christmas Story
8. Supplement Writing Club
Celebrity: Jack Dorsey
7. Ethics Club 6. Young Whigs 5. Town Meeting Gymnastics 4. Deferred Students Support Group 3. Cooking Class with FLIK 2. Dress Code Inspectors 1. The Sentinel
Singer: Mr. Bisson TV Show: Fresh Meat Dictator: Mr. Yavenditti Sport: Ōllamaliztli App: Quizup Newspaper: The Neshaminy High Playwickian College: University of Michigan Event: Sentinel Seance
8
December 2013
SPORTS Parsons to Coach GVB
Lakoju Commits to Fairfield
Will Twomey Staff Writer
Will Twomey Staff Writer
History teacher, Class Dean, St. Luke’s alumnus… You can now add one more position to Mr. Parsons’s resume: Head Coach of the St. Luke’s Girls Varsity Basketball team.
Sitting in the very center of the basketball court with friends and family, Ami Lakoju ’14 had a big smile on his face as he signed his letter of intent to play Division I basketball at Fairfield University.
Mr. Parsons graduated from St. Luke’s in 1992, and began teaching here in 1998. Since then, he has coached various sports at both the high school and middle school level. In the high school, he has coached JV Girls soccer for two seasons, JV Girls Basketball for eight seasons, and has also been the assistant Varsity Girls Basketball coach. Recently, last year’s head coach, Bert DeSalvo, was offered a full time job that did not allow the flexibility to remain the basketball coach at SLS. As a result, on Friday, November 1, Mr. Parsons was offered the job as head coach, and accepted the position on Monday, November 4.
This year’s team has five seniors who, Parsons stated, “have been a part of the program and understand what it takes to be successful...I will depend heavily on these seniors this year to provide the necessary leadership on and off the court.” In addition to the seniors, the team has a “solid core of juniors, sophomores, and freshman, who will only improve with more experience and playing time”. Coach Parsons also had laudatory remarks regarding his two assistant coaches Jen Pokorney and Emma Creeden, who he mentioned, “…will be incredibly useful as they offer a wealth of experience and enthusiasm for the sport.” Furthermore, Parsons told The Sentinel that he is, “confident that, win or lose, our team will play their hardest each day and will continue to improve as the season goes on.” Certainly, no one doubts that this year’s coaching staff is strong and ready to dominate the FAA’s.
“It’s a blessing, honestly. I put in a lot of work over the summer and during last school year,” Lakoju said. “There’s been a lot of support regarding this program, and I’m really happy to be a part of this. It’s not just me. I got a lot of help to get to where I am today and I’m happy.” Ami came to SLS his junior year and has lived with the family of senior Sean Cullinane, who also plays on the varsity team. Mrs. Cullinane embraces the uniqueness of watching her son and Lakoju play basketball together. “It’s very fun watching them play. We could not be more thrilled for him. It’s a great school for him, it’s an incredible opportunity to be given a full ride,” she said. “It’s a great school and we’re excited we’ll be close enough to watch some of his games. We’re thrilled for him and his family.” Ami admitted that he never would have predicted getting recruited by a division one school, saying, “I always dreamed about getting recruited, but never thought of DI as an option. I always thought I could end up playing Division II or III, but I never thought I would be where I am today. Play as hard as you can and you can get lucky I guess.” Ami considered other schools, but said he chose Fairfield because “The location is close to my family. I feel like I could see myself with the team, and used in a way where I wouldn’t sit on the bench. The free ride didn’t hurt either.” Fairfield University has had two players reach the NBA: Deng Gai in 2006 and A.J. Wynder in 1991. The Sentinel asked Ami what his plans were for after college, and whether he would try for the NBA. “After college, I need to get a job. The NBA would be nice, but it’s much more likely I’ll try business or something.”
Judging by my interview with Coach Parsons, it is clear that he possesses a passion for the sport that is rarely found in high school athletics. This, paired with his years of experience, surely spell success for the Girls Varsity Basketball team. When asked what he looks forward to most about being the head coach of GVB, Parsons said, “I look forward to watching these girls develop and grow as individual players and work as a team, towards a common goal”. The girls open the season on December 11th, at home in the AC against Watkinson at 4:15.
Kevin Jahns Staff Writer
Student, athlete, superstar, sentient multi-celled organism. Hayley Parsons is all of these. She plays squash on the boys and girls teams and several colleges have tried to recruit her for her squash playing abilities. I was able to catch up with Hayley after school one day and ask her some questions about the team, squash in general and the legend that is Hayley Parsons. Sentinel: How did you end up playing on the boys and girls’ squash teams? Hayley Parsons: My coach asked me last year to play on the boys’ team as well. I was initially against it, but James Watson convinced me to play for the boys team this year because they lost a lot of seniors. I’m only playing a few matches though because playing for both teams in the same season full time would be too much of a commitment. I feel sorry for boys that have to play against me though, since they won’t want to lose to a girl.
“I have always wanted the opportunity to take over as head coach of a varsity program,” Parsons said, “and I couldn’t think of a better team to do it with”. Coach Parsons certainly has faith in the girls, who finished last season with a commendable 6-11 record. When asked how he plans to prepare for a successful season, Parsons told the Sentinel that “We will prepare for the season in the same manner as any other year…we will focus on developing our skills and as we learn more about the team’s strengths, we will develop a strategy that gives the team the best opportunity to win.”
Hayley Parsons: Dominating the Squash Court
This season is Ami’s last at SLS, and he is hoping to make it his best. “We have a good close team and I like the captains, Sean and Kevin, and they can lead us to victory. Last week we had a good college level hell week – lots of running, sprints and suicides. Now I think we are ready to start playing basketball, and ready to show the benefits of hard work.” The boys’ basketball team finished eight and eleven last year and reached the first round of the FAAs. This year, with one player signed to a division one school, and two other potential college basketball players in Sean Cullinane and Bryan Lattoracca, we can expect more success.
S: Yeah, in that situation you’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t. If a guy loses to a girl, he gets made fun of, but if he plays very intensely against a girl, he is also made fun of. Speaking of James Watson though, do you think you could beat him in a 1 on 1 match? HP: No. S: I’m sure you’re just being humble. Anyway, how did you first get into squash? HP: My dad was a college squash player and he encouraged me to play. I started playing in 5th grade and I loved it. S: I’m very interested in asking you, especially since you’re a soon to be college athlete, what’s your perspective on whether or not college athletes should get paid? HP: I don’t think college athletes should get paid. College sports aren’t about awarding individuals, they’re about the overall success of the team. Paying college athletes also gives them the illusion that sports are more important than academics, which is dangerous because not all of them will go pro. S: While I have moral qualms with student-athletes making millions of dollars for their schools and not seeing a dime of what they earned, I agree that the other side of the argument is compelling as well, since they are students before athletes. It was great talking with you: thanks for your time HP: You’re welcome!