St. Luke’s School
377 North Wilton Road - New Canaan, CT - 06840
December 2009
New Fearless Leader Henry Clayton Staff Writer
Courtesy of Sam Fomon Mike Lupica, award-winning author, signs a book for Megan Flood ‘11 at the Barnes & Noble St. Luke’s Fundraiser.
Books + Music = Fun(draiser) Emily Bergmann Contributing Writer
On Sunday, December 13, St. Luke’s provided a day of music, poetry, and book signings as a means to raise money for the Parent’s Association. A portion of all of Barnes & Noble’s sales that day was given to St. Luke’s in order to fund a plethora of special programs. Any customer who presented the coupon code helped the school with all of their purchases. Other schools have used this special promotion though Barnes & Noble in the past to great success. Hopefully the event was as successful for St. Luke’s. To encourage members of the St. Luke’s community to stop by Barnes & Noble and sup-
Courtesy of Sam Fomon Take Note and Acafellas singing at Barnes & Noble. port the fundraiser, a modified coffeehouse was arranged at Barnes & Noble. The scene was not that of a typical coffeehouse. The scene was not that of a typical coffeehouse. There were no snapping beatniks. Performers were surrounded by Anne Rice novels rather than a stage. People nursed their coffee, and cars skidded on icy roads outside.
The scene was Westport’s Barnes & Noble, and the performers were St. Luke’s students and teachers. From ten o’clock until four, members of the St. Luke’s community plucked their guitar strings, sang songs, and read poetry to entertain holiday shoppers. The festivities revolved around book signings by two prominent St. Luke’s parents and authors: Mike Lupica, who just published Million Dollar Throw, and Michael J. Mauboussin, who wrote Think Twice, about the current financial crisis. Musicians of the day included Sam Fomon ’11, Emily Bergmann ’12, Joanna Bornstein ’10, Vitaly Fetissov ’11, Inna Fetissova ’10, Kamau Burton ’13, Charlie Schlinkert ’12, Conor Swanberg ’10, Andrew Veidenheimer ’10, Tommy Champion ’13, Molly Brown ’11, Spencer Jaffe ’12, and a capella groups Take Note and Acafellas, directed by Dale Griffa. There were also readings of poetry and prose by Anna Van Munching ’10, Colin McIntire ’12, Lily Holland ’11, Emily Bergmann ’12, Sam Fomon ’11, and Kelly Wendt ’10. Faculty members that participated in the event were Stephen Flachsbart, Mark Bisson, Jim Foley, and Philip Van Munching. If you didn’t get the chance to attend the coffeehouse, Barnes & Noble has been very gracious and let St. Luke’s continue to use the coupon code until Sunday, December 20th. You can go to any Barnes & Noble and give this code when you check out: 10066561. Feel free to share this code with family and friends, even those outside of the St. Luke’s community, because portions of the proceeds of all purchases under this code will benefit St. Luke’s. Keep Barnes & Noble in mind for your last minute holiday shopping- remember, a gift from Barnes & Noble is a gift for your school!
In a vast sea of darkness, one man lights the way. One man’s earsplitting cheering, witty heckling, and passionate spirit can be heard and felt above all. The Crusaders gain possession of the ball – fast break for an easy 2 points to gain the lead. From the bottom of the bleachers, he leads his followers in a unified chant: LET’S! GO! LUKE’S! LET’S! GO! LUKE’S! He is our conductor of organized chaos. This is Doug Walker. This is Our New Fearless Leader. This year, Doug Walker has become the new leader of the Sixth Man student cheering section for the St. Luke’s basketball team. Doug has taken on this role after many years of dedicated leadership from Andrew Hilboldt, who graduated from St. Luke’s this past year. Hilboldt played a major role in the founding of the Sixth Man club, and built it into what it is today. Through his years at St. Luke’s, he became widely recognized as “The
Courtesy of Brenda Meany Doug Walker ‘10 shows his passion. Sixth Man,” the embodiment of all that Sixth Man stands for. He was the one responsible for promoting all the major games, designing the awesome game day tee shirts, organizing the music to be played before and during the game, and, of course, orchestrating the very loud and enthusiastic chants during the games. Now Andrew is no longer with us; however, the spirit and passion of Sixth Man lives on, as the torch as been passed down. Doug is more than capable of taking on the task, and has absolutely no shortage of excitement.
See SPIRIT page 11
Inside this issue...
Holiday Gift Guide
Cheetah Woods
New Movies Over Break
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CAFE
December 2009
HILLTOP NEWS
Colette Juran Contributing Writer
Amidst the frenzied deadlines and exams of December, the culture and stories of the holiday season can be forgotten, but not at St. Luke’s School, where on December 17th, from 3:00—4:30 pm, CAFE, which stands for Cultural Awareness for Everyone, will be holding a Multicultural Holiday Festival in the cafeteria. What is the Multicultural Holiday Festival? “It’s a way for the St. Luke’s community to celebrate all different cultures and faiths and to educate others about different holiday celebrations around the world,” ex-
‘Twas the day before break starts, and all through our school Not a student could focus or follow a rule; The grade-books were closed by the teachers with care, All eyes on the clock, the students did stare; Doran read Shakespeare with fervor and passion, But MacBeth versus snowballs- her students looked ashen; Confused about algebra, students in math, For poor kids in language it felt like a curse,
Sports Editor Doug Walker
To hear Shee and Bruner recite foreign verse.
Arts Editor Kelly Wendt
But students closed notebooks in cheery defiance. Out in the hallway arose such a clatter, Mr. Bailey ran out and said, “What is the matter!”
Photo Editor Brenda Meany
Griffa and Leinbach assured him “no fear,” It was Chorale and Band, spreading holiday cheer!
Visual Design Maggie Goldstone
Sir Decatur came out with hearty “hello!” They all thought the kids put on a great show, Classes poured into the hall in confusion, Was this impromptu caroling just an illusion? The clock finally struck three, and the long day was over, Mr. McClure zoomed out in his spiffy Land Rover. The seniors all shouted with joy and delight, Around the whole school was an aura quite bright; Mr. Davis announced without a mistake, “Happy holidays to all, and to all a good break!”
Wishing you good cheer,
The Sentinel
From the Oval Locker
Sam Sexton Student Council President
As we all have our minds focused on winter break, anxiously waiting for the holidays to arrive, there is still a lot happening on campus that we are all currently preoccupied with. Winter sports have begun and with them the excitement and spirit that goes along with the season. The Varsity Basketball and Squash teams are practicing hard and are starting the season out strong. The fan outcome for our first few home games has been terrific! Let’s keep up the enthusiasm! Parts for the winter musical, Cabaret, have been cast and rehearsal has started. The show debuts on Friday, February 26th. The winter musical is always crowd-pleaser and this year’s show will not disappoint, so be sure to save the date! One of the major highlights of this past month was last Wednesday’s ADL workshop. Following the ADL workshop I have noticed many positive changes in our student body. People have been more respectful towards one another and have taken responsibilities for their actions. As you all know from this week’s town meeting, each week I welcome anyone who would like to give a shout out to a member of our community to please do so. The Student Government has decided that shout outs each week are an easy way to continuously remind us all of what we learned last week. This is an opportunity for us to recognize the positive qualities and attributes of our community rather than focusing on the negative. I think that this is a subtle but important opportunity for us to build the
moral and confidence of our student body, which we should take full advantage of. I encourage you all to let someone know that you appreciate what he or she may have done for you or someone else. If you do have a shout out that you would like to give please let me know before Sam Sexton ‘10 town meeting. The end of the first semester is already in sight and there is a lot to expect from the Student Government during the upcoming New Year. In the next few months we plan to host an Upper School Talent Show, a Winter Formal on February 5th, the First Annual Mr. Luke’s Pageant and a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Details for these events will be released at a later date. If you have any suggestions for us please let myself or one of the Student Government officers or representatives know. We are open to all suggestions! I hope that you all enjoy your break, spending time with family and friends celebrating the holidays and welcoming in the New Year. Enjoy your time off and I will see you when we get back!
Editor in Chief Alexandra Jaffe Co-Editor Jon Salamon
Felt Kress and Ms. Spencer’s calculus wrath.
Down in the CLAB Mitchell tried to teach science,
plains Kelly Wendt, an active member of CAFÉ. At the celebration, vibrant flags from around the world will be draped from the ceiling. The event will be a meaningful way to learn about the heritages of many of your fellow students, who will be sharing traditional foods, crafts, artifacts, seasonal games, and absorbing histories of specific cultures. Some of the holidays which will be honored include: Hanukah, Irish Christmas, Junkanoo, Kwanzaa, Samoan Christmas, Three Kings Day, Eid Ul Fitr, Russian Christmas, Chinese New Year, and many more. By including such a wide range of holidays, the school pays tribute and escalates cultural awareness.
The Sentinel Staff
Staff Writers Elina Berglund Maria Carlucci Henry Clayton Megan Cullinane Jenna Decatur Naomi Dubissette Walker Thompson Theodor Trampe Contributing Writers Emily Bergmann Melissa Borts Caroline Hopkins Colette Juran Sam Sexton Ellie Werner Sports Writers Tom Delano Sam Fuller Ryan Giggi Zach Lupica Kevin Young Contributing Photography Sam Fomon Faculty Advisor Mr. Flachsbart
Join The Sentinel Do you like to write? Take pictures? Then The Sentinel wants YOU. Find out what you can do for The Sentinel.
December 2009
Recession
HILLTOP NEWS
Naomi Dubissette Staff Writer
Twas’ the night before Christmas, when all through the nation, People were overcome with a frugal sensation; No stockings were hung by the chimney with care, The Recession had made things too costly this year…
It’s that time of year again and we are forced to face the state of the economy. Statistics show that Christmas generates about $435 billion worth of economic activity each year in the United States alone. While we may not be feeling the dramatic effects of the Recession at St. Luke’s School, it is important to remember that the recession has plunged 2.6 million more Americans into poverty, wiped out the household income gains of an entire decade, and pushed the number of people without health insurance up to 46.3 million. Since 2004, the nation’s poverty rate has risen above 13.2 percent. When you do the calculations, this means one in five children is living in poverty. While incomes have declined for all races, statistics show that Hispanics have experienced the hardest hitting effects. Income declined 5.6 percent for Hispanic households, 4.4 percent for Asians, 2.8 percent for African American families, and 2.6 percent for non-Hispanic whites. “We’ve basically seen a lost decade,” said Lawrence Katz, an economist at Harvard University. “We had a plutocratic boom. Then we have egalitarian recessions. Taken together, only the top ends up growing, on average. For the typical American family, the 2000s have been a disaster.” So the question still lingers over our heads. Is it possible to have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year? This year, the aim is to give meaningfully, not expensively. While America is a society with an unhealthy obsession with brand names and labels, even elite socialites such as Sarah Jessica Parker, are cutting back because of the economic uncertainty. In her own words, the Recession is “very scary…I can’t imagine going shopping.” More optimistic viewers, such as the writers at Hallmark are using the recession to make “recessionized” slogans like “Don’t feel bad; Jesus’ dad was also an unemployed construction worker.” In many ways, the recession is taking America back to its humble origins. As the old saying goes, “It’s the thought that counts.” There are so many ways to give meaningfully without emptying your wallet. For example, giving the gifts of photos, music, and memories can be a sentimental present to any mother. Instead of running to the jewelry stores, carefully put together a photo album of special family moments and let mom know how you truly feel. Instead of the fancy gift cards to distant family members, send an online greeting or actually phone them. And location is crucial. Costco, Sam’s Club, and Wal-Mart are excellent warehouses where one can buy gifts in bulk for co-workers, classmates, and family members. Above all, it is extremely important to remember the less fortunate and downsize our wishlists. As Brittany Hankins stated in her meditation, “you never know what someone is going through.” Find an organization you care about. It can be as simple as buying sponsored gifts. For example, if a local charity is selling holiday teddy bears, buy one. And stop ignoring the Santa that rings his bell outside of Stop & Shop. Remember, the Recession is even harder on less-fortunate families.
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Walker’s Snow Days Prediction Walker Thompson Staff Writer
All of us love snow days, and I thought that I would write an article that would answer the begging question that we all have: Are we going to have a snow day? Although it is very hard to answer, I thought that there would be no harm in at least attempting to do so. My analysis is as follows:
The above graphics, which model the complex-conjugated partial derivative of the convergent square root of the average atmospheric pressure over a three month period, provide a visualization of the effects of high-altitude ground temperature and heat generation on upper-atmosphere cloud formation. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s analysis of the data , the excess heat generated by the increased brachial muscular activity of a small community between twelve noon and one
in the afternoon will have the capacity to create a lower-atmosphere downdraft that could cause hexasymmetric ice crystals to form. Their hexasymmetric structures would then coagulate to form heptafractal-octa(decatetrahedral)-oxisymmetric snowflakes, whose geometric isometry would make them cohesive to large-monomer long-chain alkane molecules. Basically, if we all run every which way all over the Hilltop at lunchtime, it will cause snow to fall that will stick to the pavement, and if snow
sticks to the roads, it means we will have a snowday. While the traditional superstitious methods that have captivated children for centuries will prove insufficient in this particular case (given the uniquely elevated average temperatures of this year), new breakthroughs in both mathematics and meteorology allow for more accurate assumptions to be made. The new branches of science that were used to make these predictions include quadruple (simplex) integration, upper-atmospheric radar studies, and a branch of abstract science called chaos theory (which basically states that small localized conditions and changes can have large-scale effects; its predictive power has been proven time and time again in hurricane pathmigration). However, regardless of the scientific methods used, only one thing can bring about the large-scale effects the theory predicts. If we wish for this to happen, the school community must come together in our quest for a snow day. As far as a White Christmas is concerned, I predict that we will not have one this year. Although our collective efforts can bring about a snow day, a variety of different types of physics and meteorology as well as quantum probabilities govern the possibility of the above outcome. Overall global warming as well as this relatively warm year lessen the probability of having snow on Christmas Day. However, we cannot know for sure. It is entirely possible that some quantum vacuum fluctuation will have a chaos theory-type effect; that is, a small change in some area of empty space might set off a large-scale cascade of events. In just the right place and at just the right time, it could contribute to the movement of a cold front
into the region and, if held there by high pressure zones, this hypothetical cold front could produce storm clouds that could cause a blizzard on Christmas Day (which would probably have to be a few weeks after the initial event). Although this theoretical event or anything like is extremely unlikely to occur, my point is that it is still too early to rule out being able to play in the snow on Christmas Day.
Walker’s predications are clearly validated in these maps, which show the scientific properties of the snow days in relation to the area around St. Luke’s. Unfortunately for those who dreamt of a white Christmas this year, these weather maps show patterns of warm fronts that will most likely negate snowy precipitation. It seems that snow will be a “hot” item on most people’s wish list this year.
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FEATURES
December 2009
Why We Put Trees in Our Living Room Mr. Flachsbart Faculty Advisor We all grow up with our own holiday traditions – going with our parents to pick out a tree, watching “A Christmas Carol,” together, or lighting the Menorah at sundown. And we all have certain family idiosyncrasies. For example, in my house when I was little it was not permitted to even peek into the room with the Christmas tree (and presents) until the entire family had woken up and had breakfast – and no cereal or pop-tarts – we had to wade through mounds of pancakes, muffins and bacon. One time I actually got in trouble and had to wait an extra 15 minutes because in my 6-year-old excitement, I forgot we changed the “present room” from the year before and walked through it on the way to breakfast. I never saw my father angrier. It was also necessary to have turkey, not beef, or goose, or anything else, for Christmas dinner, which was served precisely at 6 p.m. We had stockings with our names on them – even one for the dog – and we always put the same cheesy plastic mistletoe in the same doorway. And, when the holidays were finally over, every ornament and every light had to go back into the exact box it came in, – 100 years ago or so, I imagined. Don’t get me wrong, despite my one criminal accident and the seeming rigidity of our routines, the holidays were definitely a great time for my family and me. But, just last week, as I was trundling down the attic stairs with our shabby boxes of lights and ornaments, I realized that I was now the keeper and preserver of family Christmas traditions, and boy have they changed from when I was a lad! For instance, at our house, it is necessary that my younger son (who’s 17) do the outside lights because my arrangements have been judged to be too linear and symmetrical. Of course, for him to complete this task, we must run out CVS 3 or 4 times to get the right lights, and he needs to have at least on major aggravation fit. Then, when Christmas tree buying day rolls around, the correct protocol is for everyone to have some excuse not to go, leaving me and one unlucky victim to do the deed. This year my daughter reluctantly tagged along. Of course, I have to set up the tree, but that’s not so bad since I’ve learned to hammer it into the stand while it’s still outside. As for decorating, we once again all try to get out of it, but somehow at least 4 of the 5 of us end up tripping over each other, quarreling about whether we actually have to put that stupid 3rd grade art projects up again this year.
Speaking of quarrels, it is essential that my wife and I have a knock-down, drag-out fight over Christmas lists (she hates them; I love them), and we also need to bicker over whether or not we will visit Aunt Sue. One interesting fact I only recently discovered is that while the two of us are asleep on Christmas Eve, our three kids are together in one of their rooms watching irreverent cartoons or maybe “A Christmas Story” 2 or 3 times in a row.
Then, when the big morning, comes, forget breakfast. I barely have time to grab a cup of coffee before the wolves converge on the tree. Soon, wrapping paper is flying everywhere, all 3 kids are screaming at once, even though 2 of them are in their 20s, my wife is calling for order, and I’m sneaking to the kitchen for another cup of coffee, wishing it were laced with morphine. When every gift is finally opened, roughly 15 minutes after we started, I begin my 2-hour clean up ritual, while the kids wrestle, yes, even now, and then get yelled at to hurry up and take my shower because we’re late for Christmas dinner – which for no reason whatsoever must be eaten at 2 p.m. – at Uncle Jim’s an hour away. By then, I don’t care what we eat or when we get there. Old cold pizza would be great. Finally, my favorite tradition of all: every year, on New Year’s Day, we completely dismantle Christmas: the decorations are thrown into random cardboard boxes, the tree is dragged out to the woods, and my wife puts all the poinsettias into the garage to die a quick and painless death. And then I can bask in comforting knowledge that I have eleven golden months before we do it all again!
Doc Bierly’s Return Kelly Wendt Arts Editor
As you may have read in last year’s Sentinel, one of St. Luke’s most well-liked teachers, chemistry teacher Doc Bierly, retired after several years of service to the school. Many students were saddened by the thought of a well-esteemed and tenured teacher leaving, but this year we’ve been seeing that same friendly face- but it’s not just in the science classroom. Before retiring, Doc was not only a fearless chemistry teacher, he was also the head of the cross-country team, leading them to victory and honing students’ skills on running field. According to his former athletes miss him, fondly recalling how he worked them hard, torturing them by forcing them to run laps around the field. Still, they were just as delighted as everyone else to see him back. He even attended the SLS hosted crosscountry meet at Waveny park, showing up to support the team he once lead. According to Doc, he’s back for the money… and to see his favorite students, of course! He’s been working as a substitute teacher in all different classes, not just the sciences. He’s also been spotted chatting with his old students. Although we’re sure Dusty (his cat) misses Doc plenty, we miss him more around St. Luke’s and students are delighted to see him around again. And although we miss his extensive knowledge in the chemistry classroom setting, it’s fun to have him around again. At least we know that in his time away from St. Luke’s, his love of puns didn’t fade! All in all, the SLS population is glad to see Doc is still around and students have been excited to spend more time with him although they doubted he’d ever come back. Looks like we have another crusader who just can’t stay away. For students who think his occasional appearances at SLS aren’t sufficient, they can friend him on Facebook to keep up with him 24/7.
Day in the Life: Kofi Theodor Trampe Staff Writer
Kofi Agyapong is known and well-loved by the entire St. Luke’s community. From his amazing soccer skills to his artwork to his great personality, Kofi is an important member of the senior class. We are all very sad to say goodbye to Kofi when he goes off to Wake Forest after the winter vacation, but we wish him the best of luck in his bright future at Wake. Now everyone at St. Luke’s knows Kofi, but the Sentinel got an inside look at what a day in the life of Kofi is really like. 6:00AM – I wake up, shower and prepare for school. 6:30AM- I eat a breakfast of four peanut butter sandwiches, two pancakes, and a bowl of cereal. 7:00AM – I leave the house and take a thirty minute trip from North Salem to St. Luke’s School with Mike Clark. 8:15AM – I show up for first period class. 8:55AM- I skip second period to read soccer news online. 9:45AM- I show up for Mr. Schacht’s advisory and eat pop tarts. 11:00AM – I show up for the first half of the double period. 11:45AM – I skip the second half to get lunch at Rosie’s with Dylan (Kamikaze). I usually get 3 chicken cutlets with rice and a bottle of root beer. 1:10PM – I show up for class after lunch and often get in a friendly fight with my teacher for being late. 2:05PM – I go to last period to watch soccer videos on my I-Pod. 2:50PM – School is finally over and I hang-out with Squant, Rikki, Hannah, Mike, Timber, Katie, Kelly and Kevin Young, and Mr. Decatur. 3:15PM – I leave school for a workout session with my personal trainer. 6:30PM – I show up for soccer practice with Beachside Soccer Club. 8:30PM – I get home, shower, and eat my favorite dinner: mashed potatoes and steak. 9:00PM – I do homework for about fifteen minutes. 9:15PM – I jump on my computer and chat with people online, mostly freaks. 10:00PM – I eat a huge bowl of mint chocolate chip and coffee ice-cream. 11:00PM – I fall asleep dreaming of soccer at Wake Forest.
December 2009
ARTS
Movies Premiering Over Break Jenna Decatur Staff Writer
Did You Hear About the Morgans?
Release Date: December 18, 2009 Starring Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker, Did You Hear About the Morgans? is a romantic comedy about two New Yorkers who are fighting to save their failing marriage. Upon witnessing a murder in their hometown, the couple flees to a small town in Wyoming to avoid the murderer, and ends up learning a thing or two about each other.
Avatar
Release Date: December 19, 2009 Avatar is a science-fiction action movie that has been in the making for over four years due to its astonishing graphics and special effects. From the director of “Titanic,” Avatar follows the adventure of a paralyzed war veteran who has miraculously been brought to a planet named Pandora. On this planet the man encounters an entirely new species of the human race. Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and Sigourney Weaver, Avatar is a must-see.
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Release Date: December 23, 2009 Two years after the first movie, the lovable chipmunks are back this holiday season in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. The chipmunks decide to take a break from their singing career and attend school, where they end up fighting to save the music program. Of course, the movie contains the famous chipmunk Christmas song that these creatures have made a holiday classic.
Sherlock Holmes
Release Date: December 25, 2009 Based on the characters of Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes is sure to live up to its name. With its amazing cast made up of Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, and Rachel McAdams, the movie follows the lives of two detectives determined to stop a conspiracy to destroy England in the late nineteenth century. In my opinion, Sherlock Holmes is a must-see movie of the year, and a perfect way to spend your Christmas (after opening presents of course!)
It’s Complicated
Release Date: December 25, 2009 For all of you Meryl Streep fans, she’s back in the romantic comedy It’s Complicated, along with Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin. Jane (Streep), discovers she is attracted to her newly married ex-husband, Jake (Baldwin). Suddenly, Jane finds herself being the “other woman” to a man that was originally hers, hence the name It’s Complicated.
Nine
Release Date: December 25, 2009 Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, and Kate Hudson, this musical production is a must see for all of you who enjoy theatrical films. Nine is about a famous filmmaker (Day-Lewis) whose inspiration for his next big production comes from the complications in his life including his numerous relationships with women such as his wife, mistress, and several others.
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Ten Reasons to be Excited for Cabaret Emily Bergmann Contributing Writer
10. Greg Sellhausen and his German accent. 9. It’s the most risque show St. Luke’s has put on in a while. 8. Anna Van Munching’s high kick and other acrobatics. 7. The overall message of the show is much deeper than, say, Bye, Bye Birdie. 6. Fishnets. Lots of fishnets. 5. Sam Posner’s innovative set design. 4. Cross-dressing and Gorilla suits. Enough said. 3. It’s free! 2. It’s better than hanging out with your parents. 1. Dale Griffa will haunt your dreams if you don’t come to at least one performance.
Up in the Air
Release Date: December 25, 2009 Up in the Air has been declared “best movie of the year,” and received numerous other recognitions. This romantic comedy stars George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Anna Kendrick. Ryan Bingham (Clooney), is a corporate administrator who abandons his life on land after hearing he has almost reached one million frequent flyer miles. Determined to achieve his goal, Ryan dedicates his life to this cause and meets the woman of his dreams along the way.
The Lovely Bones
Release Date: December 25, 2009 Based on the best-selling book by Alice Sebold, The Lovely Bones is about a 14 year-old girl who recently has been murdered. From heaven, the girl watches her family cope, and also tries to seek revenge by giving her family clues leading them to her murderer. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, and Susan Sarandon, this bone-chilling drama is definitely a movie to look forward to.
Cast members hard at work learning songs for Cabaret.
Top of the Hilltop Website: postsecret.com Musical Artist: Justin Beiber Game: Name Game/Alphabet Game Videogame: Left 4 Dead 2 Iphone App: DoodleJump TV Show: Jersey Shore Movie: The Blind Side Sport: Basketball Youtube video: search- “laughing without smiling” Most awaited opening: Avatar Celebrity: Tiger Woods Team: Sixth Man Event: Barnes and Noble Coffehouse Student car: Lily Holland’s Volvo C-30
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HOLIDAY
December 2009
8 Cool Facts About Hanukkah Melissa Borts Contributing Writer
Hanukkah lasts for eight days and eight nights. The celebration begins on the 25th of the month of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. The Hebrew calendar runs on a lunar cycle instead of a solar one. Because of this, Hanukkah falls on different days every year.
Hanukkah tradition dictates that the candles on the candelabrum should only be blown out once the festival ends.
Traditionally, Hanukkah is a celebration of the time when the Maccabees (or Israelites) defeated the Greek-Syrian ruler, Antiochus, over 2200 years ago.
The middle candle in the Menorah is known as the shamus. This candle is used to light all of the other candles.
Fried foods are a customary part of Hanukkah. They represent the sacred oil that was used to light the Menorah. Some popular fried foods eaten during Hanukkah are Sufganiyot (sweet jelly-filled doughnuts) and Latkes (potato pancakes).
Hanukkah means “dedication” in Hebrew.
In total, there are 17 possible ways to spell Hanukkah: Chanuccah, Channuka, Channukah, Chanuka, Chanukkah, Chanuko, Hannuka, Hannukah, Hanuka, Hanukkah, Hanukka, Hannukka, Kanukkah, Khannuka, Khannukah, Khanukkah, Khanukkah.
Who Is Santa? Megan Cullinane Staff Writer
All over the world he is referred to as Saint Nicolas, Kris Kringle, or Father Christmas, but to us he is Santa Claus, the jolly, plump, and whitebearded man who brings gifts to the homes of children on Christmas Eve. Santa, of course, lives in the North Pole with his wife, Mrs. Claus, nine reindeer, and magical elves. His ‘naughty or nice list’ determines who has been good enough to obtain presents and who has been so bad as to receive coal. Santa has become the essence of Christmas spirit and the joyful holiday season. But who is Santa, really? Many say he has early Christian origins. Our current perception closely resembles the early Christian Saint, Nicholas of Myra. This Saint was famous for his generosity, particularly his endless gift-giving to the poor. From here this Saint and his indescribable generosity transformed him into the mythical legend we currently designate as Santa Claus. Pre-modern representations of this Christian figure blended together with the British character of Father Christmas to form a character who both Americans and Britons refer to as Santa Claus. Father Christmas dates back to the early 17th century where he is depicted in pictures as a cheerful, redfaced man bringing the good spirit and cheer to the
There are two important Hanukkah items. One is the Hanukkiah. The Hanukkiah is a candelabrum that has nine branches and is meant to hold the Hanukkah candles. The other important item is the Menorah. The Menorah is different because it has seven branches and is associated with the Temple.
people during the Christmas season. He is most famously portrayed as the classic character of the “Ghost of Christmas Present” in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. American literature and poems such as The Night Before Christmas have transformed Santa into the joyful icon we have today. Who Santa truly is varies with each household. Families all over the world have developed their own views of Santa. Nevertheless, whoever Santa really is, he has remained a constant reminder of Christmas and the joyful holiday season. So do not forget to leave him cookies and milk as a thank you for his endless generosity and gift-giving during the holiday season.
Holiday Collaboration Caroline Hopkins Contributing Writer It’s that time of the year again! Radio stations, TV commercials, the insides of your favorite shops, and even your very own living rooms are ringing with beloved holiday tunes. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to stop humming the chorus to jingle bells over and over again as you walk down the hallway. Every family has their own favorite holiday CD’s that they’ve grown up listening to. Whether it be the classical Nutcracker tunes, the soundtrack to Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, or even the 2001 “Now That’s What I Call Christmas!” one thing you can be sure of: these cheerful tunes are the key to getting into that much loved holiday spirit. Due to the incredible popularity of Holiday music, celebrities know that teaming up with other stars in order to produce holiday collaboration albums will inevitably earn them enormous profit, while they successfully spread the Christmas cheer throughout the country. Stars will often sing covers of classic holiday tunes, adding their own original twists and spins in order to create versions that are truly unique. All of you Tay Swift lovers out there are probably familiar with the holiday album that she released in 2007, complete with the star’s very own covers of “Last Christmas”, “Silent Night,” “Santa Baby,” and more. This album was a huge hit, as the classic, well known holiday songs sung by the incredibly popular star appealed to an enormously wide variety of audiences, both young and old. If you’re wondering if there’s any of this type of hit holiday music available for your listening pleasure this Christmas, you’re in luck! On the front page of the iTunes store, you will find an album available for download titled, “iTunes Holiday Sampler.” This album features a variety of both classic as well as recently recorded covers of holiday tunes performed by Weezer, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, Aretha Franklin, and many more. And the best part about this album is that it’s completely free! An even better 2009 Holiday Collaboration album available on iTunes for only $7.99 this Christmas consists of 20 of our favorite holiday tunes covered by popular stars such as Micheal Bublé, Jack’s Mannequin, Regina Spektor, Never Shout Never, Relient K, My Chemical Romance, and more. Or if you’re looking for entire albums of holiday music sung by your favorite stars, you can find albums by Bob Dylan, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Sarah McLachlan, David Archuleta, and many, many more. So if you’re feeling the need to heighten your holiday spirits, it’s as easy as just logging into iTunes and choosing your favorite holiday tunes brought to you by your choice of celebrities. Happy Holidays!
December 2009
7
HOLIDAY
Holiday Gift Guide Elina Berglund Staff Writer
Christmas time is an especially stressful time of year. Trying to determine what to give parents, friends, and teachers can be a lengthy and strenuous process that can easily cause unnecessary frustration. To alleviate some pressure, The Sentinel has put together a gift guide to help you find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.
Sister/ Best friend (girls)/ Girlfriend
Key Chain:
What could be better than looking stylish and giving back to those in need? Here’s your chance to do both! Buy your friends this key ring from Juicy Couture, designed especially for St. Jude’s. 100 percent of profits benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. (http:// shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/shop. do?cID=$category.uidPk&pID=16862, $35)
Makeup-kit: Give your artsy friend a great palette to work with! This mini fold-up makeup kit is portable, so your friends can get the perfect look whenever they feel inspired! (http:// www. eyeslipsface.com/ products. asp?dept_id=1356, $15)
Brother/ Best friend (guys)/ Boyfriend American Apparel Hoodie:
Hoodies always look super-good on guys! Get this comfy hoodie from American Apparel for your boyfriend, brother, or friend, so he can stay warm during the cold months. It’s available in an assortment of colors, such as green, navy, and cranberry. (http://store.
americanapparel.net/5495.html?cid=210, $37)
USB mini fridge and heater:
This USB mini fridge and heater is the ultimate boy gift — get this for your friend so he can keep his drinks hot or cold while he’s hard at work. All he has to do is plug it into his computer and watch as it either cools or heats his drink! (http:// www.usbgeek.com/prod_de-
tail.php?prod_id=0800, $32)
Mom
iPosture:
Face it, nobody ever was so aware of the importance of good posture as your mother, and now you can return the favor with the iPosture. This little gizmo detects if the wearer is slouching, and vibrates as a reminder to straighten up, teaching the user to live in fear of slouching. Just hope your mom doesn’t decide to re-gift it right back. (http://www.iposture.com/store/, $50)
Grandparents
Book Light:
If one grandparent stays up reading, the nifty Lightwedge keeps the peace. It brightens the page but not the room. ($35, http://www. amazon.com/ LightWedgeOriginal-BookLight-Black/ dp/B000VR1NIU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=homegarden&qid=1258495623&sr=8-1)
The Oprah Magazine Cookbook:
Give your mom the ultimate gift — 175 recipes collected from Oprah’s magazine! Whether she’s looking to entertain with appetizers, a five-course meal, or dessert for the whole family, your mom’s bound to find the perfect recipe in here! (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry. asp?r=1&isbn=1401322603, $29.95)
Teacher
Dad
Multi-tool:
Any dad is going to love this miracle tool and the multitude of different parts that pop out: bottle opener, can opener, scissors, screwdrivers, knife blades, wire cutters, and pliers! Your mom will love it too, now that your dad has no more excuses not to fix things. (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. do?product_id=7811351#ProductDetail), $30)
Painting from art class – Priceless!
All grandparents appreciate homemade gifts, as they love to show their grandchildren’s artwork off in front of their friends. Even better, it doesn’t cost you anything!
Personalized notepad:
Teachers are always writing notes and memos, and what could be better than writing these on cute little notes with their name printed on them? (http://www.personalizedpaperstore.com/Qstore/ Qstore.cgi?CMD= 009&DEPT=0767 17562&CAT=1076 717772&BACK=A 0007A1B0107671 7562B1, $14)
Home baked cookies:
Satisfy your favorite teacher’s sweet tooth by baking them a batch of tasty cookies.
Facial Trimmer:
Your dad is bound to feel supermacho when he uses this two-inone styler that looks more like a power tool than a groomer! (http:// www.walmart. com/catalog/product.do?product_ id=5750833#ProductDetail), $26)
Starbucks gift card:
You better believe it that your teachers are just as sleepdeprived and even more caffeine addicted than you! A coffee gift card will be more than appreciated.
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Ellie Speaks the Truth Ellie Werner Contributing Writer As a member of the graduating class of 2010, I must say that it seems that every year something happens to our grade that just doesn’t make sense. Our grade always seems to get the short end of the stick when it comes to administration decisions. Prime example: lunch duty. Ever since lunch duty started, seniors have NEVER had to do it. They had to advise and make sure it got done, but as seniors, who are eating their last lunches at St. Luke’s, they never had to actually pick up a roll of paper towels and clean the tables. And that’s the way it should be. I mean, being a senior should have SOME perks, including not having to clean up after the leftovers of messy freshmen boys. Well, the administration thought, let’s change that. So now, lunch duty is done by advisory. Why?! Was there something wrong with the way lunch duty worked in the past? I really don’t think so. I think that because for the first time since the history of St. Luke’s they decided to keep the same schedule as last year, they felt that they had to change SOMETHING. And unfortunately for us seniors, who would have liked to enjoy our final lunches in the St. Luke’s cafeteria just relaxing, that something turned out to be lunch duty. Take Mr. Mitchell’s advisory, for example—a group consisted of all senior girls. When it’s their turn to clean the lunchroom, it’s not just one or two seniors helping out while juniors and underclassmen do the majority of the labor—no. These seniors are the only ones on lunch duty. So for one week, instead of being able to FINALLY enjoy the senior privilege of driving off campus for lunch, these five girls can’t take a nice drive to Rosie’s and get their favorite Panini because they have lunch duty. Honestly, why was it so necessary to change the system?! Maybe this year’s juniors will get lucky and lunch duty will go back to the old way it was—the right way.
No More Marriage Kelly Wendt Arts Editor The marriage equality debate rages on across the country, taking weirder and weirder twists every day. It started with Texas accidentally banning marriage when writing the law banning gay marriage. The law stated that Texas would not “create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage.” In other words, Texas banned the institution of marriage entirely. A Californian blogger came up with an even stranger proposal, one that has gained a fair amount of publicity in the past week; a movement in California seeks to ban divorce. The idea was born from Prop 8, which banned gay marriage in California in 2008 after a Supreme Court declared same-sex marriage to be legal. The married man who came up with the idea of banning divorce said that if Prop 8 supports voted for it on the grounds that it protected the sanctity of marriage, they should be all for banning divorce to further promote the idea that marriage is sacred. In other words: no marriage for Texas, no divorce for California (gays still out of the equation, though). Next on the agenda: banning dating before relationships; arranged marriages (or relationships, as the case may be in Texas) will be acceptable and never revealing your gender will be the social norm.
OPINION Top 10 Rejected Holiday Presents 10. Lawn flamingo 9. Swine flu 8. Slightly used rubber bands for dental braces 7. Toothbrush from Salvation Army 6. Cow’s liver –scented Holiday candles 5. Sour milk 4. Barbie AdventureQuest 3: The Hair Salon 3. Christmas tree-colored spray tan 2. Prison simulation camp 1. Coal
Top 10 Best Holiday Presents 10. A Lamborghini as your first car 9. A house in Paris 8. Your own island in the Caribbean 7. A Sixth Man t-shirt 6. A lifetime supply of Haribo gummy bears 5. The winning ticket to the powerball 4. The chance to host Saturday Night Live 3. Mr. Flachsbart’s tie collection 2. A haircut that looks good the day after you get it 1. Mr. McClure’s scarf
December 2009
Is Afghanistan the Right Plan? Theodor Trampe Staff Writer
Recently, President Barack Obama announced plans to send an additional 30,000 troops into Afghanistan. With this surge, there will be over 100,000 American armed forces engaged in Afghanistan. I would just like to thank our President for finally showing some strong and necessary action. Too many people fail to realize that the War in Afghanistan is actually only one part of a much larger War on Terrorism. This war reaches from the Philippines all the way to AlgeMap of Afghanistan. ria. Humankind needs to realize that the United States is not the only country involved in this war against terrorism. NATO members and countries such as China, Russia, and India realize the threat of insurgent groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and al-Qaeda. Almost every country in the world is working together against the constant threat of terrorism. President Obama has made the right move by putting more troops in Afghanistan. These new troops will serve as a tool in finally crushing the Taliban, winning the War in Afghanistan, and revitalizing the War on Terror. This troop surge will also make other countries realize that the United States and our president Barack Obama are not easily weakened by external pressure. This is something we desperately need in the wake of President Obama’s unsuccessful and relatively embarrassing diplomatic tour around the world. Alongside the announcement of this troop surge, Barack Obama also publicized a timetable for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Under Obama’s new plan, the United States will begin to remove troops from Afghanistan in 2011. Hearing this left me truly dumbfounded. So Obama is telling the terrorists when we are going to stop killing them? This does not make any sense to me. I don’t go around telling everyone when I won’t be home and how to get into my house. Without a doubt, we will see a rise in insurgent groups once we leave Afghanistan. This announcement is also bound to give terrorist groups strong reason to hold out as long as possible. It also shows a weaker and less decisive side of the United States. If we cannot follow through with one military conflict, who’s to say we won’t surrender easily in any future military endeavor?
December 2009
JUST FOR FUN
When you don’t quite know how to start a conversation, here are pickup lines that do the talking for you.
1. Do you have a Bandaid? I scraped my knee when I fell for you. 2. Are you a fisherman? Because you’ve got me hooked. 3. Are you an alien? Because you just abducted my heart. 4. If you were a new sandwich at McDonalds, you would be called McGorgeous. 5. Did you have Lucky Charms for breakfast? Because you look magically delicious!
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Pickup Lines 6. Bond. James Bond. 7. Did you just fart? Because you blew me away. 8. Baby if you were words on a page, you’d be what they call fine print. 9. Somebody better call God, cause he’s missing an angel! 10. You must be a broom, cause you just swept me off my feet. 11. Coffee? Tea? Me? 12. Did the sun come out or did you just smile at me?
13. If beauty were a grain of sand, you’d be a million beaches. 14. If you were a library book, I’d check you out. 15. I’m feeling insecure right now. Can I have a hug? 16. Well here I am. What were your other two wishes? 17. You’re so sweet, I’m getting a toothache just looking at you. 18. You’re the hottest thing since sunburn. 19. You’re like a dictionary, you add meaning to my life.
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JUST FOR FUN
Poll: Staying Going What SLS Home is doing foror Winter Break Away Jenna Decatur Staff Writer
December 2009
Have You Been Naughty or Nice?
Maria Carlucci Staff Writer 1. Steal from the cafeteria vs. Pay the cafeteria Going away Staying Hom e
2. Cheat on a test vs. Study days before the test (or fail rightfully) 3. Take a misplaced TI-83 vs. Keep yours in a safe place (or buy a new one off eBay) 4. Buy all your teachers holiday gifts vs. Laugh at the thought of buying gifts for them
Winter Break is something that everyone is looking forward to, whether you’re going away, or just simply staying home. Here is what some members of the St. Luke’s community have decided to do over one of the most highly anticipated two weeks of the year... The Sentinel interviewed students and faculty to find out what people are doing over vacation. The results are in.
5. Trash the Student Commons vs. Keep the Student Commons clean
60% are going away for break 40% are staying home
6. Compliment the cafeteria food vs. Smite the sea dogs
Here is what some of the people we talked to had to say about their plans:
Going Away
“I am going on vacation, but I don’t like going anywhere because I like snowy Christmases, not palm trees.” - Katherine Pettee ‘11 “I love going to a different country for Christmas because I get to celebrate with people from all over.” - Mr. Griffa “I really wanted a quote in the paper, so here it is: every year my family goes up to my grandparents’ house in the Adirondack Mountains, it’s kind of a tradition.” - Bobby Hamill ‘11 “Who stays home?!” - Brandon Yarborough ‘11
Staying Home
“I’m really excited for Christmas break and I’m looking forward to spending time with my family.” - Sam Sexton ‘10 “I hope to God that there is snow because as high schoolers we don’t have time to do silly things. So over break, I plan to do silly things in the snow.” - Sam Fomon ‘11 “I love break because I have the liberty to study whatever I desire. I also love the spirit of the season. Like most animals, I have an inherent, almost instinctual attraction to fire.”
- Walker Thompson ‘13
New Year’s Eve Madlib
7. Doodle on desks vs. Erase the vandalism on desks (and use your notebook- not the desk- for artistic expression.) 8. Help your younger siblings with their homework vs. Watch “Jersey Shore” instead 9. Come out to games to support St. Luke’s athletic teams vs. Playing Call of Duty or Farmville for hours alone in your room
10. Stay up until the wee hours of the night procrastinating on Facebook vs. roundings. I was at a New Year’s party in _________________ (foreign country). I wore Getting your beauty sleep The clock struck 11:59. Only one minute until the New Year! I looked around my sura festive, sparkly _________________ (article of clothing) and I had __________________ (past tense verb) the night away. This really had been a ________________ (adjective) past year. I especially remember the time I went to ___________________ (location) with ________________ (specific person). Quickly I tried to think of New Year’s resolutions. Next year, I promise to never _________________ (action) and to ___________________ (different action) everyday. The countdown began. 10, 9, 8... When it reached midnight, I _________________ (adverb) grabbed the person next to me and __________________ (verb). Then I looked up, only to see that it was ____________________ (specific person). It looked like this was already turning out to be a ___________________(adjective) year.
versus
December 2009
11
SPORTS
SPIRIT from cover
A New Era
The St. Luke’s community has shown widespread support of Doug in his approach to the role. One particular junior and avid Sixth Man participant, Tom Delano, offers an insightful outlook: “Doug Funny’s got some big shoes to fill, but hey, he’s got big feet.”
Tiger’s car after the accident.
Courtesy of TMZ
Tiger: Lost in the Woods Zach Lupica Sports Writer
Sixth Man is also respected by the basketball players themselves, who genuinely appreciate the consistent support and dedication they receive from the school community. Junior shooting guard Steven Johnston exclaimed, “I love the Sixth Man, and I speak for the whole team. It pumps us up and gives us energy when we play.” I think we need not question Doug’s level of excitement. When asked how pumped he was to be leading the Sixth Man this year, he responded, “I can’t answer this question without sounding humorous or insincere, but take my word for it: I’m not joking or exaggerating. I eat, drink, and breathe Sixth Man and St. Luke’s Basketball. It’s food for my soul watching Brandon Yarborough powerfully block an opponent. It’s food for my soul watching Steven J drive to the hoop. It’s food for my soul watching Mahoney drain a big three. I get so pumped. I see an infinite opportunity at each game for excitement and passion. Let’s go.”
As much as we would love for everyone to forget about the typical stereotypes of a professional athlete, the athletes keep giving us reasons not to. The most recent reminder comes from probably the most well know athlete in the world, Tiger, now known as “cheetah,” Woods. For those of you who haven’t heard about what has happened, or those of you who live in a hole, here’s the short of it: On November 27th around 2:30 AM Tiger crashed his SUV into a fire hydrant, got knocked unconscious, and was found laying on the ground after his wife “cracked open the back window with a golf club (ironic?) and pulled him out of the car.” This came right after rumors began to surface about a possible affair involving Tiger and a New York VIP host: coincidence, I don’t think so. The odd thing about this story is that we really don’t know anything – nobody knows what was actually going on. Where was Tiger going at 2:30 AM? How did he crash going under 30 mph? (we know this because the airbags didn’t go off), since he was going that slow, how come his wife had to break through the window with a golf club? And, of course, my favorite question: what club did she use? Now, if she’s going for the most damage, I would say either a 5 iron or a putter for many reasons I have laid awake at night thinking about, but that’s besides the point. Everyone has his own theory on what actually happened: I’ve heard everything from his wife chasing him down with a golf club (5 iron?) to Tiger taking pain killers that night. However, we don’t know and probably will never know what actually happened, because at some point, even though he’s Tiger Woods, we have to respect his privacy. As if the story couldn’t get any more interesting, a voicemail and over 300 text messages sent by Tiger to a woman named Jamie Grubbs
were released. The voicemail, supposedly from Tiger, says that he wants Grubbs to change the ID on her phone so his wife wouldn’t recognize whom he was calling and texting (smooth, Tiger). Then, Tiger, or Cheetah, finally admitted to a two-year affair with this woman (or, as he refers to it as, one of his “transgressions”). Tiger also said he wants to keep this a private matter. Maybe he should have thought about his million dollar sponsorships from Gatorade, Nike, Gillette etc. I think they all frown upon the cheating and prefer better ‘driving’. Speculations are now coming out that Gatorade will be pulling out of their sponsorship with Tiger, due to reasons that didn’t involve the recent scandals. Right! It’s just all one huge coincidence. After all of this, in a couple of months when he doesn’t have his own personal section of the ESPN bottom line, he’s still going to be Tiger Woods, maybe with a smaller fan base. In fact, with his current indefinite break,” it’s hard to say what will happen. Is he the greatest golfer to ever play the game? Maybe. Will I ever respect him again as a person? No. I was never the biggest Tiger fan to start with (yes, I was pulling for Y.E Yang down the stretch at the PGA) but I always respected him for the way he played the game. I can look past the cursing at cameramen or club throwing, but not the lying and cheating. Personally, I don’t understand how he could do what he did to his life and his family, but then again, I could never understand how he did any of the things he did on the golf course. My advice to Tiger: Get back to golf soon. People won’t forget what you did. You’re never going to be looked at as a family man again. You will make your apologies, tell us how you’re going to be a better person, but nobody will truly believe you. What you really need to do is to do your best to keep your public life out of the spotlight, and keep people watching golf.
SLS Breakout Athletes of 2009
Doug Walker Sports Editor
This year has been a great one for the St. Luke’s athletics program. However, there were some athletes that seemed to stand out this year. Here are the SLS Breakout Athletes of 2009.
Walker Thompson
In addition to his extreme mental capacity, Walker Thompson has shown great prowess on the cross country team. Walker consistently competed against runners who were years older than him. One notable performance earned him a 3rd place finish.
Kevin Cross
Cross bolstered St. Luke’s defense with his tenacity at corner. Cross’s funny voice belies his skill on the field as he racked up 25 tackles and 3 picks.
Chris Santoro
Santoro has shown immense growth in the past two years. Next year Santoro will head off to Bucknell University to step into the one spot on the team.
he throws himself around with no regard for his body. Thankfully he had no red cards this season and he is still alive.
Daniel Chung
Brett Connors After an unambitious start, Brett vaulted
This mass of a man provided substantial strength at offensive and defensive tackle. For honor, for glory, for aunty!
in as forward late in the season. He will however been known as LB despite the goals he scored throughout the season.
Catherine Simonson
Megan Flood
Dylan Herbert (kamikaze) How can you describe this secret, late-
Egle Vasiliauskaite
This red-headed sensation has jumped out of obscurity into the pages of St. Luke’s history. Field hockey phenom Catherine Simonson provided a solid last defense in goal.
game weapon? Kamikaze, simply. Out on the field
Jumping in as starting goalie for D1 athlete Rachel Brittenham, Meghan flood has shown her mettle day in and day out. No one can match the will power of the Flood. The Lithuanian sensation jumped out onto the volleyball court this season with vigor and spunk.
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SPORTS
December 2009
Boys’ Basketball Girls’ Basketball Kevin Young Sports Writer
The Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team has gotten off to a flying start this season. With great performances against GFA and a school rival, King, the only hiccup so far was the heartbreaking overtime loss to Christian Heritage. Too many, the success may come as a surprise as the team is made mostly from juniors and underclassmen. According to junior guard, Josh Dugas, “Having only two seniors is a gift and a curse, but it has allowed for some juniors who didn’t play much last year to become key role players and I think the younger players will only get better with age.” Despite the important roles of the younger players, it is important to recognize Kevin Mahoney and Zach Lupica for their leadership and commitment. It is clear that the team has looked better and better each game and they look for further success in the future. “We have a different team, definitely smaller compared to years past, but I feel that we have grown together after a few years together and everybody has really grown up and is starting to play to their potential. We had a really good year last year, but we are obviously striving to beat our record. Everybody is finally getting into the basketball groove after their fall sports and I think if we can play collectively, we will be able to do good things this year.” (Josh Dugas, ’11) A big part of the success of the Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Basketball Teams is the support and energy they get from the crowd. So if you are yet to experience a St. Luke’s basketball game, be sure to find Sixth Man section of the stands to cheer this team on to a season of accomplishments and success.
Boys’ Squash Ryan Giggi Sports Writer
The 2009-2010 Boys’ Varsity Squash team has every reason to be optimistic. The team is anchored by veteran experience with some exciting young talent mixed in, creating the perfect balance necessary for a title run. Led by senior tri-captains Chris Santoro, Martin Goman, and resident golfgod Cameron Wilson, the squad appears ready to follow up the success of past years with a new crew of game-ready players. “We may not have Chris Hanson, but I feel like we have more talent and depth than any other team in years past,” says Santoro. “We could win everything if we keep working hard.” Hard work certainly seems to be the theme for this team that suddenly no longer features the feared duo of Hanson and A.J. Hilboldt in the top two positions. The current lineup features some new faces, top to bottom, and as it stands right now, looks like this: 1) Robert Galluccio, JR. 2) Martin Goman, SR. 3) Chris Santoro, SR. 4) James Watson, 8th. 5) Cameron Wilson, SR. 6) Mac Pivirotto, JR. 7) Charlie Nelson, FR. 8) J.D. Ballard, Jr. Galluccio, Santoro, and Nelson have been especially noted for their impressive work ethic in practice, and they are the people who set the tone for the whole team day in and day out—still, it seems as though everyone on this team is a leader. Overall, it appears as though St. Luke’s Squash nation has reason to believe that the dynasty will continue. This is a team laden with talent—more than half of the varsity lineup are potential collegiate squash players—and several bright spots on the JV team indicate that St. Luke’s will not soon go away after the older kids on the team graduate. There is perfect balance, and formiddable talent; let the FAA be warned, St. Luke’s is out for blood.
“We came out strong in the first half and struggled in the second half,” stated Bria Yarborough, a sophomore coming back for her second Sam Fuller year on the team. The squad is looking to work Sports Writer on their offensive game and get into a groove. Hopefully this will be enough to bring in a much What can beat the game against King last needed victory against the next match-up with King. year when Rachel Brittenham’s double foul shot As far as the team’s attitude towards the led to a victory after being down by one? That’s a season goes, it is nothing less than outstandingly tough act to follow. positive, “Every game is a big game”, remarked After losing four key seniors from last one of the senior captains, Sam Sexton. The team season, the Girls’ Varsity Basketball team this is looking good this year with key players such as year will be lacking some of the program’s most Brittany Hankins, Sam Sexton, Ellie Werner, and Hannah looking forward to another promising season. The future for the girls’ program seems to be in a good place with three eighth graders on the roster this year. When asked about her feelings about this season as a whole, Sam Sexton declared, “Despite the drastic change in roster from last season to this one, the team is adapting well and working hard to have a successful year. Everyone is contributing to the success of the team and I Courtesy of Brenda Meany am excited to see how the season turns out.” Girls’ varsity basketball captains Nicasio ‘10, Sexton ‘10, Werner ‘10, Hankins ‘10 Clearly this season promises to be one of decorated players, including Brittenham, now a great progress for the girls, and everyone should D1 baller. However, the team is looking to stay get out and watch their next home game later this positive after two close games against King and week. Christian Heritage.
Girls’ Squash Tom Delano Sports Writer
They’re back. Nothing can get the Girls’ Varsity Squash program down. Last year the team lost some key players in Tara Carey and Molly Parsons. However, the 2009 team looks “as strong as ever,” according to co-captain Kelsea Alderman. Kelsea shares the captaincy with Charlotte Lyons and Allie Young. This season, the team has many
Captains Alderman ‘10, Lyons ‘10, and Young ‘11 young, new faces, but these aren’t bench-warming young players: Two of the top 3 players on the team are 8th graders. Playing number one is 8th grader, Hayley Parson the younger sister of Molly Parsons and Chrissie Parsons, both of whom played number one during their tenure with the squad. In the team’s first two matches this season, the girls dominated their opponents. They shut out both Hopkins and Rye High School 7-0. When Charlotte Lyons was asked how the girls’ season was looking, she simply replied, “promising.” It seems as though their confidence is also as strong as ever, and rightfully so after their first two stellar matches. In addition to individual talent, Alderman
claims that the team’s great performance was due in large part to team chemistry. She said, “It comes down to great teamwork. It’s a sisterhood.” The team is now working much harder. Charlotte Lyons also spoke about the team’s future. She said, “Our main goal is to beat Convent (of the Sacred Heart) and Rye Country Day -- maybe even the Greenwich Academy JV team if were lucky.” Lyons explained how their one, two, and three spot players are going to be extremely important against the difficult teams they will play later on in the season – she expects the top three to provide wins in the tough matches. The team will face Rye Country Day and Convent of the Sacred Heart before winter break. All SLS students are strongly encouraged to come out and support the girls in what will be another great season.