Officer Sadie Herr agrees, viewing the prevalence of stress in the student body as harmful to students’ mental health.
PANTHERS IN THE PLAYOFFS
concentrating on planning events and spreading information. Their hope is to make the club a governmental body of student representatives that facilitates communication between the administration and student body.
In speaking with students across the grades, it is clear that no one was disappointed by the way the school han dled homecoming during the pandemic. People knew homecoming was not going to be the same as it has been in past years, but junior Rhys Hals says she was pleasantly surprised with the dance.
Photos from Jess Farhat, ‘23 and Kai Lincke, ‘22 ~ Designed by Aaron Loving , ‘22, Graphics Editor
She believes that educational opportunities like International Day that cultivate awareness are the solution.
Regarding the goals of each official, a shared theme is improving the experience of Strath Haven students. Vice President Ryan Doherty voices the importance of “bringing back all the great things we have missed over the last couple of years.” He cites the outdoor homecoming dance as an example of their commitment to “[achieve] these goals by any means necessary.”
Both the school administration and the pandemic plan ning team worked to prioritize the opinions of the student body and ensure that students had a safe, enjoyable experi ence
The New HomecomingNormal:Edition
School dances return in an outdoor setting
MAKING A CHANGE
Getting into the Groove
Officer and Activities Coordinator Tyler Debusschere hopes to implement “frequently surveying the general population of Strath Haven High School personnel for feedback.” He also hopes to better involve the student body in event planning. Bock highlights the Student Council General Assembly as an opportunity for any interested student to influence decisions.
A review of the football team’s season as they advance to the next round of playoffs.
Dr. Hilden considered students’ desire to hold a dance, no matter how untraditional, and listened to the student council’s desire to have as close to a traditional homecom ing as possible.
inside this issue...
“I want to see more respect and
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appreciation for students of different cultures, religions, races, and sexual orientations . . . As a Hindu and an Indian, I know what it is like to have my beliefs and background made fun of, and it’s so frustrating to see other students disrespected simply for who they are,” said Pandey.
Jillian Thomas ‘24 Staff Writer
“¨Student council was heavily involved in the planning because it’s a student-run activity so their input was es sential,” he said.
At its worst, it is a nontoxic, political club used to make others feel cheerful and included. At its best, it stays groovy. Since the start of this school year, Student Council has planned weekly video announcements, spirit week, a pep rally, and the homecoming dance. Now that homecoming has passed, Student Council is looking to concentrate on milder events, as well as their yearly goals for Strath Haven that officers emphasized in their campaigns for Student Council last spring.
ҬIt really exceeded my expectations; I think they did a really good job of using the outdoor space,Ӭ she said.
Student Council speaks to current plans and future goals
Bock concurs with Doherty, hopeful to bring back a school-wide Unified Bocce game that promotes the inclusion of students with disabilities.Heandhis team hope to expand Student Council beyond solely
“¨It is important to us as an administration to provide as much as possible,” he emphasized.
Oliver Stockman ‘22 Opinions Editor
In addition to International Day, Bock highlights promoting events like the Haven Helps food drive on the announcements and reopening the school store, while Officer Natalie Caputo hints at the possibility of upcoming dances.
TARTUFFE
Haven’s affinity clubs seek to improve school climate for all individuals.
Hundreds of students lined up in the parking lot of Strath Haven High School on Monday November 1, turning in their tickets and getting wristbands to enter homecoming, the first all-school dance since before the pandemic. Despite the cold weather, students who arrived for the dance were clearly excited that things were return ing to Thenormal.student council managed to put together a great event, with the help of school administrators including Dr. Hilden. He praised the student council for their efforts.
Photos from Haven’s fall drama.
PantherPress
Many identified International Day as the primary focus moving forward. President Sawyer Bock credits the idea to Asian Haven leaders Zach Suico and Joyce Huang, as well as Officer Aashna Pandey. He explains that the collaboration between Asian Haven and Student Council will likely take place in early December, if approved, and that it will comprise performances, speeches, and an educational fair with the cultural clubs of Strath Haven. Pandey identifies the event’s purpose as “to increase appreciation and respect for our diverse student population,” underlining that International Day would be the first of its kind at the school.
The council agrees that a crucial element of improving the student experience is reducing stress. Vice President Geena Seflin hopes to accomplish this by improving student“Funmorale.activities during lunch, after school, and every once in a while during class will greatly boost the spirits of many students. [These activities] combined with our meetings with Dr. Marseille, in which we can give our input as students to the superintendent, can greatly help alleviate stress,” Seflin said.
Vous Êtes Super!
My sister and I playing in the leaves in 2009.
leaving the little things like fall foliage to fade into the background. I’ve let my to-do list triumph over my joy.
Matthew Chen
WE ASKED OUR EDITORS:
But in the last few years, the leaves seem to be falling faster. One day, the sky will be dotted with golden trees and the next, filled with sad, empty branches. I’ve missed the change three years in a row. The sun sets one day, and by the time it rises the next morning… BAM. They’re gone.
Staff Writers
the
Cece Olszewski
LEDITOR
Kai Lincke Editor-in-Chief‘22
Editorial Board
It’s basic but “We Are Never Getting Back Together”.
Advisors
Mr. Robert Zakrzewski
Amanda Anckaitis
Funmi Omotosho
Panther DisclaimerPress
Parading Panthers
Photo courtesy Jack Henry, ‘23
and yearbook design.
Photo courtesy Kai Lincke, ‘22
While my camera roll and dining room table are filled with leaves, I’m not sure that I’m actually processing the foliage. When we were little, my sister and I used to spend hours jumping, playing, and delighting in the leaves. That time has now been reduced to a few seconds, or the time it takes to snap a photo.
As basic as it is, I love “All Too Well”. The song is beautifully written, from perfectly fitting melodies to striking lyrics, and I cannot imagine the album without it.
So this year, I’ve gotten a little extra. When I see a tree, I immediately stop and take a picture. Sometimes, I even pick up a leaf to take home. I want something to hold on to, to pause the season and allow me to savor it for a little longer.
JackPrownHenry
Haven Lends a Hand
French Club celebrated National French Week by writing positive messages en français and posting them around the school. The club was inspired by Grégoire Hussenot’s “Vous Êtes Super,” and hopes the display promoted the language and boosted students’ self-esteem.
Hannah Rappaport Jillian Thomas Collin Woodland
November 11-13. Students participated in two day workshops in specialized areas such as
I’
ve always loved fall leaves. Every year, I eagerly await the change from mellow earth tones to vibrant hues of red, yellow, and orange. I feel like I’m in a Taylor Swift song, walking underneath canopies of golden leaves gently dancing to the ground. The fall foliage is hands down one of the best parts of the year.
I wonder what would happen if we each took a little time out of our days for the little things— noticing the leaves or the squirrels or the sunlight— and just taking time to breathe.
Staff Artists
Winter Lunch
Yearbook staff members traveled to JEA’s Philadelphia storytelling workshop, held in place of National High School from photojournalism
Giorgia DetoursMari
KaiWarmly,Lincke
When did I stop making time to appreciate the leaves? I’m starting to wonder if the leaf season actually has gotten shorter, or if it’s my attention span that has gotten shorter. The chaos of school, activities, sports and college applications has pushed to the foreground of my mind,
Page 2 Octember 2021
fullyintrospectivelycharacter,meandsimultaneouslyIt’speacefulintenseandmakesfeellikethemainperhapswalkingonaFallday,scarfedup.
Yes, this is cliche and doesn’t seem entirely feasible in an environment where time is so valuable. But, you never know when the leaves will change. If we don’t take the time to appreciate them in the moment, we’ll lose them.
Luci JessJuliaDiBonaventuraGrayFarhat
Sawyer Bock Sports
Haven Bowl
“Nothing New” with Phoebe Bridgers.
Gabe GraphicsLawson
Aaron GraphicsLoving
Yearbook
Oliver OpinionsStockman
The Panther Press is first and foremost a reflection of the opinions and interests of the student body. For this rea son, we do not publish any anonymous or teacher-writ ten submissions, and we do not discriminate against any ideology or political opin ion. While we are bound by school policy (and funding) and we will not render any article neutral, individual points may be edited for obscene or inflammatory content. Finally, the articles published in the Panther Press do not necessarily re flect the views of the editors or advisers.
Dear readers,
Put me down for Wonderwall.
Kai Editor-in-ChiefLincke
What's your favorite song from “Red: Taylor’s Version”?
I haven’t heard the whole thing yet (sorry!!) but I love “Nothing New”. I’m too much of a Pharb to have any other answer.
Ms. Shepard’s first block class brought in the most items, and enjoyed a free breakfast.
Mrs. Danielle Perricone-Munn
The Panther Marching band per formed for hundreds of spirited onlookers at 2 parades in the last month: the Halloween and Veteran’s Day parades in Media. On Veteran’s day, Dr. Hilden and Marseille led the procession of Strath Haven instru mentalists and show-flag wielders, which stretches down the majority
Editor Graphics by Aaron Loving, '22
Editors’ Page
During the Haven Helps Food Drive, the school came together to collect 2,329 cans and 1,308 dollars to support the Media Food Bank during an especially important time of year. Members of student council, NHS, and Haven Helps worked to advertise the event and collect the cans.
I’m sure I’m not the only one missing out on the little moments. Our Strath Haven community is filled with driven individuals. Everyone here, from the staff to the students, is constantly striving for success and pushing to do more: take more AP classes, pick up more extracurriculars, work more shifts. You can feel the stress radiating through the hallways and in the classroom.
Arts & Entertainment
Arohi Patil Silla
So, this season, I’m vowing to try and live in the moment and savor the little things. In the words of a very wise teen, life moves pretty fast. If you don’t slow down and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
As winter approaches, many students transition from eating lunch in the cold to indoors, causing the cafeteria to crowd once again. To maintain social distancing, the administration has reimagined lunch so that underclassmen now eat in the cafeteria and upperclassmen eat in the auditorium.
Morgan McErlean Haven Happenings
November wrap- up
On November 17th, the classes of 2022-2025 clashed at King Field.
I love The Lucky One, Holy Ground, State of Grace and All Too Well (the 10 minute version of course). We love Queen Taylor!
Treacherous.
Journalism Convention,
The Class Cabinets organized this Haven Bowl, in which the grades competed in “friendly” football games. After going through the Sophomore team, the Junior Class-dressed in white-out clothes-defeated the freshmen to be crowned the first champions.
diversity and cultural acceptance.
Several other events are planned for YAC in the near future, including a Native American Heritage Month forum, a winter holiday event, and MLK day. Dr. Marseille is actively involved in these events and has been cited as an engaged force in YAC and its mission.
Feminism club is engaging in a variety of activities including organizing donations for women’s shelters
his year, Haven’s affinity clubs have stepped up to make improvements to the school community. All of the club leaders express their desire to improve the environment for all students.
“[We hope to} provide a safe space for everyone in the school, but focusing most on people of LGTBQ+ culture, people who are in the LGBTQ+ community,” Sylvan Prey-Harbaugh, co-President of GSA, said.
ҬIt was cold, but then once you got in the middle of everyone dancing it was fine, and the atmosphere was
in elementary school,” he expressed.
Photo courtesy Kai Lincke
Two leaders of YAC and CoSaTIDE interviewed, Anjali Robinson-Leary and Collin Woodland, note a receptiveness from the teachers but wished for more active engagement. Through CoSaTIDE, members have been engaging with the new superintendent of WSSD, Dr. Marseille, in bi-weekly meetings.
Though Asian Haven just began in September of this year, senior founders Joyce Huang and Zach Suico already have big ambitions. Huang and Suico were inspired to start the club after witnessing discrimination and hate crimes committed against the Asian community during the pandemic.
Both leaders expressed a keen interest in the engagement of more people within their organization.
“¨The other students on the court are amazing, and I'm so lucky to share the nomination with them,” Kai Lincke expressed.”¨.Allofthe students shared the belief that being nominated was valuable.
“¨I was surprised at how much fun it was despite it being cold,” junior Kalli Dewees added.
“Being nominated for homecoming royalty is fun… especially since we didn't have it last year!” Winnie Stach said.Dai´Omi Revis-Hill, who is new to Haven this year, expressed her gratitude for being nominated.
“It was definitely a big deal because I don’t know a lot of people… It showed me that the students are very kind and friendly,” she said.
The New Normal,
“We are developing administrative guidelines for several policies that are outdated and obsolete in terms of active processes in the school. We are focusing on that [with Dr. Marseille], specifically trying to include policies against hate speech, unlawful harassment, and student discipline. We are gathering information and writing an outline of that soon,” Robinson-Leary said.
T
“Especially considering COVID, there was a lot of Asian hate crime awareness happening. And being an Asian person myself, I thought it was important that I contribute to how we can help, especially since it’s affecting people like me and other people around me,” Suico said.
Haven Happenings
Korean lessons, and bringing awareness to prejudice Asians face, the club hopes to host the school’s first international day. The event’s date is still to be determined. Suico and Huang hope that the day would include opportunities for students to wear their traditional cultural clothes to school, take part in an outdoor informational experience with different cultures represented, and attend an international day assembly performance. The event’s goal is to create a deeper understanding throughout the school community of a variety of cultures and provide a platform for those marginalized in the school community, therefore encouraging the school community to embrace
All are encouraged to join and engage the organization by contributing their ideas. Robinson-Leary welcomes anyone to DM them at @_anj4li on Instagram with ideas or questions.
Though each affinity club identifies with one particular group, they welcome all students and remain dedicated to improving the school environment for everyone.
This year, the student body elected ten seniors with the most spirit to homecoming court. In interviews prior to the dance, nominees expressed their excitement and gratitude to be nominated.
Students emphasized that homecoming this year was a vibrant event, full of music and dancing and spirit, a welcomed atmosphere at Strath Haven. and students felt that the student council did a phenomenal job pulling off
In the end, Panther Press editor Kai Lincke and cross country icon Winnie Stach won homecoming royalty.
Page 3 Octember 2021
“In the past GSA has presented to the class just on LGBTQ+ terms and etiqueette- not really sex education but just teaching about the LGBTQ [experince]. We’re trying to come up with a way to give them the tools so that they can teach it so we don’t have to,” Prey-Harbaugh said.Pre-Harbaugh
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for those facing domestic violence and sexual abuse. Donations have been collected through bake sales that Feminism Club has held. Feminism has many goals for the “Wefuture.want to engage more people throughout different grades,” Annie Tolson, co-President of Feminist Club, said.The club wants to place an emphasis on different tenets of feminism such as intersectionality and inclusion of all genders.“Feminism includes not just women, and by liberating women, you also liberate men. I think that engaging not just the young girls of our school but the young men is going to be really important,” Tolson said.
“In the context of the Hispanic Heritage forum, we wanted to make sure when we presented it they [faculty] were getting a unique student perspective on the complexities of the issue, so we can communicate that perspective to strengthen connections between student discussion and administrative action,” Collin Woodland, a leader of YAC, said.
Cuisine and Comradery
Affinity Clubs’ Ambition
really fun,” sophomore Fiona O’Rourke said..
“It makes me proud that I was able to put myself out there more compared to when I was afraid to talk to people
Clubs seek to improve the school community for all students
Hustle at Haven
Additionally,said.sophomores have been at the school for a year, but still have not experienced classic high school events, including the homecoming festivities. .
Morgan McErlean, ‘22, Kai Lincke, ‘22 Haven Happenings Editor and Editor-in-Chief
Students share ramen during Asian Haven’s first meeting on October 11.
Underclassmen and upperclassmen alike enjoyed the event, and while they had varying levels of prior experience, homecoming proved to be an event for everyone.
Upperclassmen commented on differences between this year's homecoming and those of years past. The major contrasting element was that the dance was held outside, but this did not yield complaints from students; they were happy a dance was held at all.
Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) additionally has ambitions for their club this year. Primarily, establishing the club as a safe space is an essential tenet.
Huang and Suico hope to bring awareness to Asian students’ school experience and increase representation for minority students through a range of school events and activities. In addition to hosting weekly meetings, engaging with the school’s Asian communities, offering
“¨Everyone has more of an appreciation for the ability to have the dance this year because we've learned not to take these sorts of things for granted,¨ Feinberg expressed.
Photo courtesy Kai Lincke
However, all are welcome to come and support the club.“A lot of people think it is Gay Straight Alliance, but it is Gender Sexuality Alliance. I always tell people gender includes people who are cisgender and sexuality includes people who are heterosexual, so the club is for everyone despite being sterotyped as just for gay people or people in the LGBTQ+ community,” Prey-Harbaugh said.
“More ideas, more people, more outreach,” Robinson-Leary said.
GSA hopes to get the unisex bathrooms unlocked permanently so any student--students who don’t identify as male or female or students in general--can use them. Another goal is to have sex eduation in the cirruiculum that is more inclusive of LGBTQ+ students.
Students dance to disco tunes during the Homecoming dance on November 1.
The students who have had the opportunity to attend large events like these pre-pandemic were able to acknowledge the differences while expressing their vast appreciation for homecoming being possible. While upperclassmen reflected on past dances, underclassmen experienced something completely new. The freshmen and sophomores may not have known what to expect, but this new normal wasn´t “new” to them at all, as both grades missed their eighth grade dances due to COVID.
“It was my first high school dance so I really couldn't compare it to anything else or complain… I enjoyed being able to see and talk to people I don't normally.,”¨ freshman Paige Katsapis
Homecoming royalty is clearly important to the nominees in some regard, and has also proved to be an opportunity for reminiscence for senior Zach Suico. In being nominated, he was able to look back on his years in grade school.
and his fellow presidents hope that their work will imporve the school environemtn for those in the LGBTQ+ community, and students in general.
Youth Activist Coalition (YAC) and its sister organization Council of Students Advocating for Transparency, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (CoSaTIDE) recently presented to the faculty. This discussion–focused on Hispanic heritage, in the context of Hispanic Heritage Month–is part of bi-monthly forums that YAC engages in. Each forum covers a different topic, from cultural heritage to pressing national issues. Following forums, a discussion occurs between members of YAC and CoSaTIDE and teachers and staff about various issues. A presentation of the data that was collected from the previous month’s forum additionally takes place at these faculty meetings.
such a well-organized event in the midst of such a unique situation.
Despite student agitation involving parking eligibility/ spacing, and the uncontrollable nuisances that arise from it, the consistent sentiment amongst administrators remains that every student who wishes to park either at the high school student lot, or middle school designated parking spots, are responsible for paying the $80 yearly parking fee in order to competitively secure their space.
At 9 am, pajama clad racers toed the starting line of the track at George King field. The middle school jazz band joined the Silvertones and a high school pep band to support the runners as they began the 5k race around the Seniorsneighborhood.WinnieStach and Stephen Waldt won first place overall in the race, and Matt Lund finished secondThoughoverall.the pajamas and onesies make the race seem lighthearted and goofy, the race is held for a serious purpose: to raise funds for the Foundation for Wallingford Swarthmore Schools, which supports learning initiatives and school events throughout the district. The foundation hopes to bring back many of its race day traditions next year.
to middle school start times.
The High School Adjustment
Parking Wars Students struggle to find parking
“The best part of being in person is face-to-facesocialinteraction”-JakeSmith
As for students who haven’t received spots in the student parking lot, many are forced to resort to middle school parking (orthodontist/baseball field lots) as a last ditch alternative.
“Going in [to school] earlier was really hard to adjust [to],” sophomore Sophia Bonaduce said.
Student perspectives on the matter are compellingly passionate, as Haven junior, Archie Bracegirdle, a licenced driver and star actor as Valere in Strath Haven’s recent fall drama production, Tartuffe, expresses his personal experiences and concerns about the complex matter: “I understand why they can’t provide spots for all the students, but it doesn’t make it any less frustrating. I understand there’s nothing anybody can really do about it, but it still sucks. I park at Ortho, and I mean I would like to be closer but I’m just happy to get a parking spot.”
Haven Happenings
“It’s just more self-responsibility, and adjusting to that is a little difficult, freshman Jake Smith said.
Luckily, many struggling freshmen and sophomores have found assistance from upperclassmen and teachers.“The teachers have been super accommodating and I’m never afraid to ask for help or an extension,” freshman Olivia Heisey-Terrel said. ”
Many feel positively impacted by the return, even if it is challenging for freshmen and sophomores to adjust. The teachers and staff have felt touched seeing the level of care and the amount of help and generosity that has come from our school community.
Dozens of community members, including students and a few staff members, braved the cold on Saturday November 13, 2021 to run in the tenth annual Panther Pajama Run. After a one year hiatus, participants were eager to return to the track to run with family and friends.
Panthers Prowl Again
Everybody knows that last year was an unprecedented school year that was extremely challenging and new for everyone. But the overlooked truth is that this year is the first real start to high school for half of our students, and that can be just as challenging.
Junior Riley Glackin sprints towards the finish line of the Panther Pajama Run, which returned after a one year hiatus.
“The best part of being in person is face-to-facesocialinteraction”-JakeSmith
Students expressed that they have felt flooded with work as they adjust to to the high school, and have felt more stressed knowing that their future may ride on some of the decisions they are making now and obstacles they may have to overcome. The general logistics of the high school are different from what some students are used to.
Sophomores Matteo Moreno, Sulien Leon , and Billy Brown collaborate during English class on November 19, 2021.
Students have felt very comfortable reaching out to students and upperclassmen when they are confused thanks to the school atmosphere and community. Many students are new to the building this year and are not aware of some of the basic school rules.
Page 4 Octember 2021
“They park at the middle school because they get permit numbers; they get a tag… I mean we give kids plenty of time to pick them up, and if they don’t pick them up they get reassigned,” said Sweeney in regards to the surplus of student applicants who are approved for parking permits, but aren’t of high enough priority to qualify for high school spaces.According to Sweeney, “Nobody gets any special treatment” although priority is taken into explicit account when determining the distribution of spots amongst students who need it most.
As many upperclassmen can relate to, the topic of stu dent parking at Haven has been a consistent source of conversation amongst student-drivers, that has only been intensified given the recent vacancy of spaces in the high school student lot. This unique occurrence has led assistant principal, and head of student parking, Mr. Mclaughlin, to release a fall parking application to the junior class in re sponse to the almost 30 parking spots gone unclaimed by seniors. Whilst this event has led many eager juniors to take advantage of the rare opportunity, there are still many up perclassmen relying on car transportation that are unaware of the specifics of Haven’s parking guidelines, as well as its complex application process.
Through addressing the source of this surrounding development by conducting a brief interview with Attendance Administration Assistant, and distributor of parking permits, Ms. Sweeney, more conclusive information on official school guidelines involving student parking were provided. When asked about the specific number of Haven students who applied for parking this year, Ms. Sweeney was unable to give a concrete estimate. However, Sweeney was able to provide a first-hand outlook into the acceptance process for applicants applying for parking over the summer.
Photo courtesy Jess Farhat
Panthers Run for Education
Collin Woodland,‘23 Staff Writer
“Having everything back has definitely brought some energy back into the school,” sophomore Connall Strachan said.
“The seniors have first dibs… to my knowledge the next is work-study kids, and then it comes down to first come first serve; so the applications are basically numbered.”Aheavily priority-based application, this process is designed to ensure that students qualifying for need-based parking spots are accommodated first in regards to the listed criteria. However, the criteria for vo tech and disabled students is a proposition Sweeney herself was unable to confidently answer.*
Amanda Anckaitis, ‘24 Staff Writer
While this was a challenge for everyone at the high school, as last year’s start times were much later, this was especially challenging for the freshmen and sophomores who may be used
From Bracegirdle’s account, it is clear that students will do whatever is necessary to preserve their parking privileges, but the scarcity of spaces does create aggravating inconveniences that impact student accessibility.
When asked about any possible parking shenanigans he may have witnessed, Bracegirdle voiced his personal concerns about space etiquette: “I mean one time I had to tell somebody to move out of my spot about two weeks into school, but other than that I haven’t seen any shenanigans in particular besides bad parking.”
“I know a lot of upperclassmen that have helped me and made me feel better about starting high school,” freshman Kelly Montague said.
Many students said that the upperclassmen that they had met in extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, and marching band have helped make the adjustment easier. As these newer students learn how helpful having older classmates who look out for them can be, they will be able to continue this level of comfort for younger students in years to come.
to-day life. Students remember all of the things that were missed last year, and how even in the most challenging of times, it is lucky to have everyone face-to-face and back in the school spirit.
Freshmen and sophomores settle in during an unprecedented school year
It is also important for the new high schoolers to get the full experience of some of the great parts of high school without the confinement of being at home all of the time.
The amount of school work and pressure always dramatically increases as students adjust to high school, but after a partially online school year, freshmen and sophomores have communicated that this workload has greatly affected them.
Although students have felt that it has been a chaotic start of the school year, they have felt more and more grateful reestablishing all of the great things that have come from this familiar day-
Kai Lincke ‘22 Editor-in-Chief
to know that you are needed somewhere, that you can go help.”
Driscoll and her fellow junior firefighters partici pate in training exercises each week and respond to calls with the fire station. These weekly training sessions- which can include cutting cars open and hooking up hoses to the fire hydrants- provide critical experience for junior fire fighters and ensure that they are prepared to safely respond to emergencies.Under Pennsylvania law, fire companies must limit their junior firefighters’ capabilities to keep them safe. Each age level gains increased responsibilities. Cadets, volunteers fourteen and older, learn about expectations and emergency response basics. Junior firefighters sixteen and older can start exterior firework and medical responses. Only adult volunteers can enter buildings, but there is always some way that they can help on scene, and their support is often critical to the team’s response.
Answering the Call
Driscoll notes that senior Dominic Carozza is currently going through fire school, and she just fin ished her EMT. She emphasizes that the junior firefighter program prepares students for success and “helps [them] build on everything [they] want to do” in the future.Though these students participate in the company because they want to improve the community, there are other incentives to join the company: Strath Haven has newly added emergency response electives for firefighting and emergency medical response. Students can now earn elective credit for their time in the company.
Junior Will Ernst explains that volunteers must learn to communicate efficiently and work effectively with anyone to ensure that they can successfully respond to emergencies. Ernst notes that because volunteers don’t know who will respond until they arrive on scene, they have to learn to work with “whoever [they]ve] got.”
Photo courtesy Kai Lincke
Yarborough emphasizes that she loves being part of the firehouse team because it gives her the opportunity to work with different people.
“When you’re on the truck in the back, there’s a quiet understanding between everyone in the cab, just say ing that we’re going, we’re going to work together. And we’re going to help however we can,” she said.
Senior Hannah Driscoll has been involved with the program for two years. She was drawn to volunteer at the fire station because she was looking for a unique, meaning ful activity.
Reach out to one of the local fire companies for more information about joining the junior firefighter program.
“[I hope to] communicate to [the administration] how important and critical mental health is and how much of a structural change we need to see,” she said.
Suiting Up
“We’re young people working with people who are a good amount older than us,” Yarborough said. “It’s not all young guys, it’s a mix- different people, different upbringings and everything. It’s not like you’re working with everyone who’s just like you; you have to learn to work with each other.”
Driscoll notes that it’s easy to forget team mem bers’ differences when they go on fire calls, as they are all united by their duty to serve their community.
Haven Happenings
Strath Haven Junior Firefighters Step Up to Help the Community
Working so closely with other volunteers has allowed the junior firefighters to develop lasting connec tions. Outside of training, volunteers join together for fire house family dinners and community service events. Yar borough appreciates the strong bonds cultivated through these events.“You meet people who are more than just people that you work with,” she said. “There are people [at the station] that I think are just really great to be around, who made an impact in my life, who I see as mentors.”
you’re not going to get again. There’s just nothing like itit’s just an amazing feeling,” she said. “And, you know, we’re able to hang out and laugh, but we also do some thing that’s just good- it’s just pure good. And then from here, you can go on.”
While the school vision of each member is rela tively similar, they each possess unique reasons for what they have enjoyed about Student Council so far. Caputo values the platform that Student Council gives her to ex press her vision for the school. Debusschere likes the col laborative aspect of the club while Doherty prefers the actual planning of events. Herr highlights “[connecting] with people through running the social media account.”
Follow @strathhavensc on Instagram to find virtual announcements and stay up to date with their plans for the year.
The junior firefighters express that they are grate ful to have such a unique opportunity to learn and serve with other volunteers.
Working as a team Junior DominicfirefightersCarozza, Murphy Yarborough, training.ofPatwardhanDriscollDiaz-Granados,EduardoHannahandTanmayposeinfrontafireengineduring
Photo courtesy Ellen Yarborough
O
“This is an opportunity that, especially at this age,
Student Council’s School Spirit Student council president Sawyer Bock (center) and vice presidents Geena Seflin and Ryan Doherty pose after the homecoming pep rally.
utside the truck, red and white lights flash in rapid succession. The horn sounds and sirens blare, warn ing drivers to clear the road. Children hold their ears, star tled by the loud noise. Inside the truck: silence. Volunteers resolutely run through their training and checklists, prepar ing for the task ahead. They adjust their hats, marked with the number 51 for the South Media Fire Company. As they arrive on scene, they are no longer individuals, but mem bers of a team, charged with securing the situation. The team is composed of people of all ages, from 60 year old veterans to 16 year old junior firefighters. Though younger than the other volunteers, these Strath Haven junior fire fighters wear the same look of quiet determination. They know: it’s go Localtime.fire companies Swarthmore Fire and Res cue Association, South Media Fire Company, and Gar den City Fire Company are training seven Strath Haven students as part of their junior firefighter programs. These volunteer companies teach the students about emergency procedures and response and prepare them to become fire fighters and paramedics.
Fortunately, Bock states that Superintendent Marseille and Principal Hilden have been accessible and invested in Student Council’s goals.
Octember 2021Page 5
“A lot of [volunteers] have said that they wish they had started earlier, or they wish they found it earlier,” she said. “So it’s pretty cool to be able to say I’m doing this as soon as I can, and I’m planning to go far with it.”
As an artistic individual, Pandey enjoys using her skills by creating ticket, flyer, t-shirt and poster designs for Stu dent Council. Seflin’s favorite part of Student Council is
Photo courtesy Ellen Yarborough
the prospect of creating lasting traditions for the school and community while Bock appreciates the unique skills of each member and how they mesh together to succeed in their goals as a team.
Driscoll feels that the elective credit adds more incentive to an already compelling program, and encour ages other students to take advantage of the opportunity to get involved. She believes her early start has opened up a new path for her to follow, one that will allow her to make a difference in the world.
“I feel proud to be able to do this, because it’s not something a lot of people would do, and we’re doing it at a pretty young age,” Ernst said. “It’s just very exciting
“I was looking for some way to help out, to do something a little bit bigger than myself. I found some thing that I ended up really loving, and I ended up stay ing,” she said.
Driscoll agrees. She is grateful for the opportu nity to get involved in the community and make tangible improvements as a teen.
Junior firefighter WIll Ernst, ‘23, hooks up a hose to a fire hydrant.
Getting into the Groove, 1 >>
Although the council cannot guarantee a dramatic shift in the student experience or school culture, the officers hope to positively and significantly influence the school, and promise a steady supply of dad jokes along the way.
Junior Archie Bracegirdle, who plays Valere, reacts to the news that he is no longer able to marry his love. Like Emmanouilides, Bracegridle is grateful to be back in the auditorium, even with the pandemic changes. “It’s not totally normal, we’re still wearing masks but it feels great to be able to do what feels more like a real show than we have had in a long time,” he said.
Scan here to access the Spotify playlist! Bombay Bicycle Club Thief George Phoebe Bridgers
Harrison I Live For You George Harrison The Breeze Dr. Dog Halloween
What Is Life
Junior Ella Grossman, Dorine, converses with Olivia Bradford, who plays Organ. Grossman emphasized that she is excited to be back with her fellow actors. “Being able to be back and do what we all love together is lovely and it makes me happy!” she said.
Certainty Big
Arts and Entertainment Octember 2021Page 6
Senior Isabella Emmanouilides acts as Tartuffe, the lead of the fall drama, Tartuffe, during the November 10 dress rehearsal. This is the theatre department’s first indoor performance since the start of the pandemic, and Emmanouilides expresses that she is glad to be back in the Haven auditorium. ”It’s been quite nice to be back in a classic theatre space- I’m excited to have a live audience,” she said.
Junior Aarchie Bracegirdle, who plays Valere, reacts to the news that he is no longer able to marry his love. Like Emmanouilides, Bracegridle is grateful to be back in the auditorium, even with the pandemic changes. “It’s not totally normal, we’re still wearing masks but it feels great to be able to do what feels more like a real show than we have had in a long time,” he said.
Curated by Cece Olszewski, ‘22 • Arts & Entertainment Editor
Tartuffe
Photos and captions by Jess Farhat, ‘23
Maggie Davies, Isaac Ainslie, Brianne Caldwell and Mekhi Williams gather around Sophie DeCristafaro, Madame Vernelle. .
As the dress rehearsal comes to an end, the actors thank the stage crew who worked behind the scenes of the production.
THE PANTHER PLAYLIST vol. 2: octember post-halloween, pre-christmas music on the radio The Panther Playlist~ 10 songs, 39 min 8 sec The Great Pumpkin Waltz Vince Guaraldi Zombie The Cranberries Witches Alice Phoebe Lou (Don’t Fear) The Reaper Blue Oyster Cult 4321 8567 109Ivy & Gold
Is Timothee Chalamet Worth the Hype?
In a potential act of blasphemy against the man for which this section has its namesake, I have to comment on the poor acting skills of Timothèe Chalamet. Oftentimes, his overall little talent in acting is disguised by the characters he plays–teenage human boys not dissimilar to himself. For example, in “Lady Bird”, one of the more popular films he has a role in, he provides a performance that is fairly adequate and contributes nicely to the overall plot of the film. However, playing Paul Atreides–heir to the House of Atreides, a fictional patriarchy of the planet Caladan, and certainly a more challenging role than that of Kyle in “Lady Bird”–his poor skills show through.
“If I were a teenage girl, i’d go to his movies.”
By Giorgia Mari, 22 ~ Detours Editor
The artist can declare anybody as their muse; they could be married to that person or they could have never spoken to them in their life. As a result, the muse can’t really decide not to be a muse. It is a title that can be given to them without their consent, and taking on this title renders that person as an object of infatuation. The title gives staying power to the life of the muse while somehow simultaneously attempting to confine and reduce her to that title alone.
Morgan McErlean ‘22 Opinions Editor
“I dont care.”
-Anika Gossami ‘24
“He’s ugly. I’ll pass.”
-Kate Fox ‘25
Designed by Aaaron Loving, 22 and Kai Lincke, '22
-Lexi Bennett ‘22
Page 7 Octember 2021
“100% worth the hype.”
Arts and Entertainment
-Anthony Crawford ‘23-
Wandering Beyond Timothee Chalamet stars in the science fiction film “Dune” alongside Rebecca Ferguson. This is a new genre for Chalamet, who typically stars in drama and feature films.
-Mrs. Mischo
Hordes of Chalamet stans have flocked to theaters to catch a glimpse of Timothee Chalamet in Wes Anderson’s newest film, “The French Dispatch”. But there is more to the film besides Timmy’s extravagantly messy hair, revolutionary spirit, and terrible mustache. In an earlier section of the film, before Chalamet, the Muse character, Simone, defies muse stereotypes with her complex duality.
“People are way too obsessed with him- like dear god give the guy a break.”
of the muse character in the second article/act, The Concrete Masterpiece.Knowing how muses are usually represented in history and pop culture, I was initially worried about the character Simone (played by Lea Seydoux.) In the film, Simone is a muse, and also a prison guard to renowned artist and mentally disturbed prisoner, Moses Rosenthaler. In her first minute or so of screentime, she plays to stereotypes to establish her role as Rosenthaler’s muse: she is shown posing as Rosenthaler paints her, and we never learn her last name. At the end of the scene, however, she changes behind a curtain and leaves the room in her prison guard uniform. Her disposition has completely changed in a matter of seconds as she has transformed from a delicate, feminine figure to a stern, uncompromising guard. This duality of Simone continues throughout her time in the film and shows complexity, a trait that is not often explored with muse
“Absolutely not”
“Ew no.”
Jenny Hanna ‘22
In “The French Dispatch”, the muse is anything but passive. Instead, she is the driving force and backbone of an artist’s long-enduring legacy.
-Zac Wilson ‘22-
TIMOTHEE PARTET
-Laura Shea ‘24
Ascharacters.amoreholistic muse, Simone is the key motivator for Rosenthaler to continue his work when he begins to break down under the pressure of fame. She is the inspiration for both the abstract painting that sparked his success as well as his frescos. In typical muse fashion, she does not receive any credit or fame due to her association with Rosenthaler, but she does hold a great deal of power over him when she refuses to marry him in a later scene. In showing these personal conversations between Simone and Rosenthaler, the viewer is given more information about the nature of their relationship, specifically the extent of Simone’s influence.
The muse character in Wes Anderson’s newest film is anything but passive.
respectively. I enjoyed the dramatic climaxes; action is omnipresent in this film, and I definitely appreciated it. Fight scenes between members of Atreides and Harkonnen are exhilarating. The film’s director, Denis Villeneuve, creates a visually enthralling landscape in every scene. The narrative of the Fremen is given attention–although it could be given more–and has covert tones of anti-colonialism.
Timothèe Chalamet in “Dune”: A Social Experiment?
Cece Olszewski ‘22 Arts and Entertainment Editor
Now for the film review: “The French Dispatch” does it right. What do I mean by “it”? I mean everything, really. But something that especially stood out to me was the portrayal
for such a role would be able to perform in it, considering the stakes the 165 million dollar budget of the project presents. Still, I, for one, am curious to discover what the second part of the series will unveil.
How “The French Dispatch” Redefines Muse
Chalamet’s performance is less than satisfactory, but it doesn’t inhibit the quality of the narrative
Maybe Timothèe Chalamet is just a social experiment, attempting to determine if viewers will accept a well-known actor in any role, regardless of their performance. Otherwise, it would seem impossible that an actor with so little talent
“He’s hot.”
“Yes he’s worth the hype.”
“Dune” is not a bad movie. It is complex, visually dependent, and long but also intriguing. The female characters contribute significantly to the film with standout portrayals of Lady Jessica and, briefly, Chani by Rebecca Ferguson and Zendaya,
Check out Timothee Chalamet’s latest projects!
The Muse has existed throughout history, typically defined as a female figure who acts as a source of infinite inspiration for a male artist’s work. Hidden beneath this title exists a power imbalance which forces the woman into a passive role and prioritizes the endurance of the man’s legacy. Oftentimes, the muse would either have an artistic career of her own or would play a very significant role in the artist’s success. But the muse’s side of the story was almost always pushed under the rug to spotlight the man’s artistic genius.
“No opinion.”
Continually, “Dune” scenes with Chalamet feel forced. A fight training scene between Paul and Gurney Halleck, a warrior of the House of Atreides, is the most indicative of the overall performance of Chalamet in the film. From the very start of the scene, Chalamet is simply awkward. The forced facial contortions and melodramatic “give us a song instead,” perhaps in the most unimaginably unnatural voice, makes viewing his performance nauseating. Funny is one word that could be used to describe his out of the place gasps and grave face when he says, “ I have you.” However, even as Dune’s protagonist, Timothèe Chalamet’s poor performance contributes surprisingly little to the overall film.
Khalid Khedr ‘25
Adéle Haenel explains in “Portrait of a Lady on Fire”: “I think the concept of muse is an invention, in a way, to make women passive in art history. It’s a way to say, ‘oh, men were active, and women were just there glowing in the room,’ you know? This is [redacted]. And so this is why I say the whole concept of muse...makes me nervous, because it embodies male domination.”
-Wally Oguntomi ‘23
Inktober is a month-long challenge in October where artists are given prompts every day to create different pieces of art. This challenge was created to improve writing skills and thousands of people participate in it worldwide, including Strath Haven students.
DiBONAVENTURAELLA
by Luci DiBonaventura
AROHI PATIL
DETWEILERCHARLIE
“Something about Inktober that I really enjoyed was that even if you didn’t finish it in one day, you had the challenge of working on something new that you may not have done otherwise. The simplicity of pen and paper was great as well and was a nice break from feeling like each piece had to be fully colored and perfect.”
SILLA PROWN
Page 8 Octember 2021
“I liked Inktober a lot because it improved my creativity. I enjoyed seeing what others came up with for the Inktober prompts and what other people thought of my artwork.”
“Inktober was a really fun challenge and a great way to improve my art skills. It allowed me to use new mediums and different styles I’ve never tried before. ”
Inktober
“Inktober was a cool challenge that helped me improve my art skills. It was cool to get out of my comfort zone and try something new.”
EMILYBECK
“This depiction (of a view I photographed) of the Bahamas focuses on creating value through the use of various techniques such as crosshatching. I strived to include as much detail as possible [in my Inktober work] because I love creating detailed artwork.”
“Every student in our school has the right to feel environment..”theirandcelebratedsafeinlearning
One trend I wanted to represent in this illustration is bucket hats. Though they are generally seen as a summery accessory, I thought that it made sense with the crisp weather. For the pants, I went with sweat pants and flared jeans. Both of these are very popular and you would probably see at least a few people wearing these pants. My personal favorite aspect of the collection is the vest. Even though they may not be popular as of now I see them becoming very popular. They work with so many different pieces, especially sweaters, another fall favorite.
Page 9
Fall Fashion
Octember 2021
By removing gender roles from our school traditions, we are becoming a gender-inclusive community that respects all of its students.
Opinion: Gender-neutral terminology for homecoming
Funmi Omotosho, ‘22 Staff Writer
religion and asking people to submit to the pronouns of others goes against their free speech. But these arguments are paper-thin and excuses for hate towards gender-nonconforming individuals. For those who say that we should stick to tradition, our school would never progress and fail to properly support its marginalized students. By ignoring and rejecting the pronouns of those students, we open the door for misrepresentation and show that Strath Haven is a school that only recognizes students who follow the “norms” of society. Every student in our school has the right to feel celebrated and safe in their learning environment.
Strath Haven switching to gender-neutral terms for the winners of homecoming court reflects well on our school.
Embracing gender-neutral terminology should not be a controversial topic
Strath Haven’s switch to gender-neutral terms is a positive step in the right direction. There are several benefits to a gender-neutral homecoming court. Any student, no matter their gender identity, can feel comfortable when becoming a candidate. Students who go by pronouns that are not “he or “she” will not have to force themselves into a box in order to participate. Using gender-neutral titles also allows for more diverse pairings, pairings that steer away from the stereotypical romantic couplingsusually heteronormative- that come with homecoming court. There has been an increase in using gender-neutral pronouns and abandoning pronouns altogether, and Strath Haven’s decision to contribute to this increase reflects a positive change in society.There are people who say that the use of gender-neutral terminology is wrong; that it goes against the laws of science and
by Silla Prown, ‘25 ~ Staff Artist
Opinions
Homecoming has always been an opportunity for students to have fun showing off their school spirit and feel like a part of the student body. The week of fun and camaraderie traditionally ends with a dance, at which students crown the two individuals with the most school spirit and pride. In the past, Strath Haven has always grouped the nominees by gender, leading to one male and one female student being crowned winners at the dance. But this year, Strath Haven made the change from “king and queen” to “royalty”, a more general term encompassing all gender identities.
The work doesn’t end with the dance, though; our administration and student body need to continue to support its gender-expansive students so that they can succeed and feel valued. Respecting the pronouns of others is more important than providing a harbor for hate towards certain students.Embracing gender-neutral terminology should not be a controversial topic.
TYReek HILL He’s a wide receiver. Some weeks he’ll give you five points and you’ll hate him, and then the next week he gives you fifty, and you’ll go, alright, he’s the greatest in the league.
TYReek HILL He’s inconsistent, but when he has a good week he drops a lot of points.
TYREEK HILL Hands down, my best player is the Chiefs wide receiver, Tyreek Hill. He consistently puts up huge numbers for me; the most memorable was the 47 points I got during his matchup against the Eagles. His performance is the reason I am at the top of the league with Mr. Torregrossa.
“At the end of the day, it’s for fun and it’s a way to maintain friendships,” Styer said.Even Dr. Brown, former principal of Strath Haven School, remains a member of the league. And despite his adoration of the Dallas Cowboys, the (primarily) Eagles fan base of Strath Haven find a way to tolerate him.
This school wide contest leaves students and teachers desperate for glory
-Beckett Strachan, ‘22
Edwards explained.
Page 10 Octember 2021
Matthew Chen Staff Writer
“I’m in a league with 10 people and we all put in 10 dollars, so the winner of the league gets 100 dollars,” junior Jack
“We all have our bravado, we all have our toughness, but in the end, it’s all fun and we are just good friends and it’s a way to maintain that,“ Styer reflected.
-Tanmay Patwardhan, ‘22
In the end, it’s the constant check ing on players that drives the competi tive nature of the game. Leagues are often formed between friends for a little competition, or in some cases, monetary compensation.
-Mr. Torregrossa
But strict precautions are set in place to ensure that those who do choose to in volve themselves in this dangerous com petition, stay in the league and cannot withdraw.“Last year, not everyone was en gaged. This year, everyone has to pay and we only chose people who we knew were going to be engaged in the league” said junior Justin Bi, who competes in the same league as Edwards. “We regulate who can and can’t play.”
trols the money and associates who make sure everyone is playing fair. After all, these students are competing for more than just bragging rights; they are seek ing a large sum of money.
-Ms. LattariSports 8 9 6 1611 12 13 14 15 17 222 3 4 18571021 19 20 1 Across: 2- Expressing agreement 5- Our outdoor, socially distanced play 6- Non-partisan think tank 7- Small plastic disc 8- Type of long, slender fish 10- Basic unit of mass, abbr. 11- A club for arguers 16- College-level courses 17- Our school has over 75 of abbr.221-speaking18-theseEffective/persuasiveorwritingMidwesternstate2-Principallegalofficer, Down: 1- Expressing astonishment 2- Like 6 across but more 3-mockingSpiny mammal 4- (some) doctor’s degree 6- Panther… 8- An activist/affinity club 9- Installed software 12- Stomach… 13- Formally known as Holland, abbv. 14- To give something an unofficial name/nickname 15- Unit of measurement for sound, abbr. 1920-Gross!He,she, it, in Chinese Crossword
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Solutions
But with such promising rewards, one can tell how close friends can turn quick ly into ruthless enemies. Aside from the dispiriting fact that losers must give up 10 dollars, the person that comes dead last in the league must face retribution. For instance, Edwards notes that the loser in his league is forced to shave their head.
“At the end of the season, we have a trophy presentation for the winner over a big lunch where we present the award. We also have a trophy for last place, which is very symbolic, if you know what I mean,” said Mr. Styer, an avid member and 3 time winner of the faculty league.
As school spirit burgeons in the wake of the football season, tensions also rise between students in competition for a different kind of title. All around the school, students can be seen huddled in groups discussing trades and statistics.
Managing a team requires lots of at tention and “[Fantasy]time. gets you focused on watching football. . . it makes me invest ed in the sport” senior Mason Green said.
Fantasy Football is serious business. A fantasy league operates like a small scale civilization, with a leader who con
5-OedipusAcross:2-Mhm6-Pew7-CD8-Gar10-kgSpeechanddebate11-16-APs17-club18-Rhetoric21-Iowa22-APs
Fantasy Football: Friendly Tradition or Cutthroat Competition?
-Matthew Jackson, ‘24
COOPER KUUP He’s a wide receiver, and he gets me the most points each week
TYLER BASS He’s the number two rated kicker in the league. He was my last draft pick, but he averages ten points a game.
Known as “Fantasy Football”, this na tional phenomenon has over 40 million players, all rivaling for victory over their fellow friends and family. But what is Fantasy Football, and what makes it so popular?Each week, members of the league go head to head; depending on the per formance of their players, team managers can beat each other if their chosen play ers score more points.
However, competition is not lim ited to just students! A tradition among the teachers, the Fantasy Football scene among the school faculty is just as com petitive, if not more.
Who is your Fantasy Football MVP?
But even amidst the tension and com petitiveness, participants recognize the true meaning of the game
Detours
-Billy Brown, ‘24
In Green’s league, the punishments are even more outrageous: losers must either get a piercing or a tattoo inked on themselves. With such demeaning pun ishments, one would expect that people would refrain from joining such leagues, lest they end up needing to shave their head— and risk becoming the laughing stock of the group.
Jonathan Taylor He’s the best running back over the past six weeks, he’s been averaging 27 fantasy points per game, he leads the NFL in rush yards—and I picked him in the second round.
by Julia Gray, ‘23
Anderson made it to District I Championships. These results serve as tangible evidence of the team’s hard work throughout the fall season. But a successful season means more than just the end result.
The cross country team ran states on November 6th, 2021, placing 17th overall in the AAA PIAA Cross Country Championships.
District One Champions!
Sports
Morgan McErlean, ‘22 Haven Happenings Editor
After racing, and a slew of overall unexpected slow times, the arrival of the team’s grave-looking coach, Coren, prompted anxiety over his announcement of the results of the team.
attribute the success to hard work, plain and simple. “A lot of our varsity players took training really seriously,” freshman Abby Rappaport said.“We worked really hard and went above and beyond.”
Coach Andy Perella feels that the explanation for the team’s success is easy.
Haven began to reassert itself as a force to be reckoned with during Delcos and Central Championships. In the Delco Championships, consisting of teams in Delaware County, Haven placed first with a score of 50, 13 points ahead of the runner-up Haverford. The top five runners–Rowe Crawford, Hannah Prokup, Winnie Stach, Chloe Brown, and Morgan McErlean–all placed in the top 25. Haven had a similarly impressive day at the Central
Senior Emily Shor emphasizes that each player working individually allowed the team to be successful.
“I said before I came here, we have a better chance of winning than being seventh or worse,” he said. “Well, we weren’t seven or worse. And, we weren’t sixth. And, we weren’t fifth. And, we weren’t fourth. And, we weren’t third. And we weren’t second.”
he Strath Haven girls’ tennis team has always been a spirited team motivated by collaboration above all else. Playing in the most competitive league for girls’ tennis in Pennsylvania meant that their past performance at 6th place out of 12 total teams was no small feat. Many team members were content with this level of success, without the need to be competitive with top-scoring teams.
But everything changed during the 2021 season. With tight 4:3 wins against Harriton and Radnor, both teams Strath Haven has never beaten before, the Haven tennis team placed 2nd in the Central League and qualified for playoffs for the first time ever. All lines had consistent success, particularly 2nd, 3rd, and 4th doubles, all with near-undefeated records of 13:1.
So what made the difference? What changed to give the team their best season ever?
the season. The first meet that Haven ran at PTXC had unwelcome results, with Strath Haven as fifth. In the regular season, Haven lost two Central League meets--to Conestoga and Haverford. In invitations, however, Haven had some strong days. At Briarwood Invitational, Haven was the runner-up to Mount St. Joseph Academy. At Paul Short–at Lehigh University, the same course as districts–the team ran fourth overall, only beaten by Hershey, Mechanicsburg, and Mount St. Joseph Academy. Every individual who ran that day–Rowe Crawford, Hannah Prokup, Winnie Stach, Chloe Browne, Morgan McErlean, Celest McConnell, Emma Wei, Audrey Stevens, and Casey Conway–ran a personal best. In fact, several Strath Haven alumni had similarly impressive performances in the Paul Short college races. Rice University junior Grace Forbes placed second in the D1 race. Fifth-year senior at Dickinson College, Isabel Cardi, was first in the D3 race that day.
Immediately, the team began to scream, and Coren’s poker face dissolved into tears. The seemingly less-thanperfect morning of October 29th became the day that Strath Haven Girls Cross Country won the District 1 Championship for the first time in school history.
Senior Julia Anderson notes that many of the players participated in intense summer training camps to increase their skills and confidence. Their dedication and external training was evident when they returned to the court.
The team’s dedication and success brought them closer together. With rousing cheers and new friendships, the team has built bonds that will last long after the season is over. Through close knit communities, dedication, and team spirit, girls tennis has had a successful season beyond just a winning record.
T
Manysaid.players
Haven girls cross country team makes history as program’s first district champions
An Ace of a Season
Most players agreed that competition was never the team’s driving force, instead the comradery shared over events like spirit days and psych boxes.
Girls tennis records wins on and off the court
The varsity team poses before running at the PA State Championships on November 6.
The morning of October 29th was anything but a perfect running day. Rowe Crawford, Hannah Prukop, Winnie Stach, Chloe Browne, Morgan McErlean, Casey Conway, and Celest McConnell–Haven’s varsity team–made their way to the starting line in sweatshirts and sweatpants, attempting to stay warm. The windy, cloudy day seemed to indicate what was going to come, a disappointing race.
“[Tennis is] an individual sport, which means that every person has to do their part to get to that success,” Shor said. “I’m so thankful that we have all these people who work so hard on the team. It’s just this great environment that makes you want to win more.”
Octember 2021Page 11
Hannah Rappaport, ‘22 Staff Writer
The team poses with their trophy after being recognized at the November 12 home footballgame.
Runners hug after learning their team had won the October 29 District One Championships.
“The team has never been crazy competitive, but that’s part of what makes us us,” offered one senior. “Part of our success is that we’d all rather support each other and have fun than just win, and so we’re all motivated to go out there and just do our best.”
After some early wins and a confidence boost, the team produced the best season in history, with several players gaining recognition for their hard work. Julia Anderson, Sofia Anderson, Emma Olenik, Hannah Rappaport, Calli Sophocles, and Emily Shor were named All-Centrals at the end of the season, and Sofia and Julia
All Centrals players (l-r) Emily Shor, Hannah Rappaport, Julia Anderson, Sofia Anderson, Emma Olenik, and Callie Sophocles.
“[It took] hard work in the off season, teamwork during the season, and a dynamic and winning attitude,” Perella
Junior Emily Chen emphasizes that the “really good” varsity team drove the winning atmosphere. With 5 out of 11 varsity players being seniors, the team’s strength was at an all time high.
Photo Courtesy Deirdre Abrahamsson
While Haven finished strong, the season had its ups and downs. With the injury of freshman runner Katie Malek, the team lost a strong contributor early in
League Championships, again placing first, with the top five all in the top twenty of a nearly one-hundred-person race.Strath Haven won the District title by 8 points, or places. The field consisted of over 350 runners and 53 teams. Top six teams in the district made states–Haven, Owen J. Roberts, Haverford Township High School, West Chester Rustin, Phoenixville Area, and Perkiomen Valley. Separating first from seventh–Mount St. Joseph Academy, who did not make states–was only 56 points, a slimHavenmargin.scored a total of 205 points with senior Rowe Crawford 16th, sophomore Hannah Prokup 21st, senior Winnie Stach 42nd, sophomore Chloe Browne 50th, and senior Morgan McErlean 81st. The expectation for Haven, even before the poor weather, was a fifth-place finish in the District. In spite of many factors, including the setup area for the cross country team–under the bleachers of the stadium–Haven had a strong win. With pink shorts, pink hair, and pink hats, as well as the iconic “Haven Girls” song, each and every member of the team pulled off a strong performance to make Haven history.
Photo courtesy Kai Lincke
As they entered the playoffs, the Strath Haven Panthers were 9-1; they beat all of their regular season opposition except for Garnet Valley. They’ve since won three playoff games convincingly, defeating Upper Merion, Marple Newtown, and Academy Park en route to the District Playoff Finals, in which they will face West Chester Rustin. Led by many seniors including running backs Matt Shuler and Chase Barlow, and the junior quarterback, Sam Milligan, the team is phenomenal, but the players assert that their dominance thus far was only a warmup; they’re hungrier than ever.
games,“Right now, we all have our eyes set on the district championship game,” lineman Jake Millet said.
SportsPage 12 Octember 2021
When he chooses both, he sprints from the halftime football huddle back across the field to pick up his instrument and find his spot, performing with his pads on, an image of integration of Strath Haven’s football team and band on Friday nights.
Some players even complained—possibly somewhat jokingly—that the band’s unpreventable absence at the Springfield game may have been detrimental to the team. Anthony Crawford claims that, “it helps a lot when the band is there, and it’s nice when you see that the other team has, like, nobody, and we have this huge band that’s getting loud.”
Above all, closeness sets this group of players apart from past teams. Every single player interviewed mentioned their team’s “chemistry” and hinted at their brotherhood. Filios says many of the Panthers have been playing football together for most of their lives.
-Sawyer Bock, ‘22, Sports Editor
It would be impossible to attend a Strath Haven football game without noticing its “12th man,” the marching band, playing and cheering from pre-game to post-game and performing at halftime. A common question among band members is how this impacts the players; what does the football team really think about the
Photo courtesy Kai Lincke
What sets this year’s team apart, and where do they stand in the playoffs?
A great team must also be prepared to face injuries, and “our whole team has been battling injuries all year long,” according to Filios.
as a sousaphone (tuba) player—are also a part of the marching band.
In fact, Nick Filios points out that “we missed out on some of our goals... I feel like we have a lot to accomplish—from here on out, we have goals every week.”Nate
These values seem inspired by role models like Coach Hollingsworth, who emphasizes the importance of dedication and character.
End Zone Elation
“Football is a sport that you have to be committed to, and at the end of the day, that’s how you want to live your life,” he said. “The goal is to be young men and to be a successful part of the community, and I believe that’s what football gives us.”
The closest game this year was likely against Springfield, in which Haven achieved a 14-0 lead at halftime with long offensive drives that overcame Springfield’s solid defense. However, the team struggled after Anthony Crawford, an offensive and defensive asset as a running back and middle linebacker, fractured his fibula at the beginning of the second half. But Haven hung on and won with a last-second field goal knocked in by Charlie Shankweiler.
Victory Verses Players gather to sing the alma mater after the November 19 playoff win.
The first portion of the postseason is a four-game pursuit of the district title. They’ve won all three playoff
Injuries not only hold players out of games, but as Shuler explains, they’re “really hard mentally because you can’t do everything that you thought you could do before,” and there’s the constant concern of re-injury.
Photo courtesy Kai Lincke
The team expects the band to be at every game because it brings “more energy than the student section, fans, and filling up the stands” and “intimidates the other team,” according to Shuler and Filios.
The football team is certainly anchored by special talent this year, as our star players have proven to be hard to stop, racking up staggering statistics and receiving attention from college football programs and local news.
Though state playoffs once seemed ambitious, they seem closer than ever before. If the team wins the district championship game, they will play for the state championship on December 4.
Millet says that another distinction “is the environment that we’ve created with each other. I feel like in the past, it was kind of just ‘come and go as you please’... but this year... we’re always together.”
Friday Night Lights Clancy gives a post game pep talk after the team’s November 19 playoff win.
Strath Haven Football “Gets It Done”
Matt Shuler and Sam Milligan celebrate after scoring a touchdown during the November 19 playoff game.
The team is undeniably deep in their personnel and bonded as a group, and they’re ready to face adversity by pushing through and supporting each other with the “next man up” mentality.
band?Football players resoundingly respond: “we love the band!”
“The offensive line bought in to the weight room,” he said. “Guys like Barrar, Millet, and Beck—guys that might not have all the accolades—have some serious work ethic.”
Harrington doubles down on the necessity of weekly improvement, citing coach Clancy’s mantra: “you either get better as a team or you get worse.”
“I love band, and I love football, but having to choose [between them] is very difficult at times,” Millet shares.
“We love playing with each other, we have fun playing, and I think that’s why we’re such a good team,” he articulates.Throughpasta dinners the night before games, messing around at practice until the coaches “snap,” celebrating the week’s hardest workers, and post-filmsession brunches, the squad has become a “tight family” on and off of the field.
Some football players—like Jake Millet, who’s a base of the football team as a lineman and a bass of the band
Clancy’s Wins Make History
However, Mr. Hollingsworth, the tight end coach and secondary coach, and CEO of the weight room, adds that overall, “the senior class is a pretty special group.”
Strath Haven head football coach Mr. Kevin Clancy surpassed the District 1 win record after the Panthers defeated Lower Merion. Clancy reached 327 wins after the varsity football team’s October 22 42-6 win, which makes him the winningest coach in District 1 and Southeastern Pennsylvania according to the WSSD website. Clancy has been the Panthers’ coach for over 30 years, and before that he racked up 67 wins as the coach of his alma mater, Archbishop Carroll. Many students know him as a gym/health teacher, and the football community knows him as a class act. Clancy has had the most wins in Delco for years, and the total is still growing, as the team has already won three games since he set the new District 1 record.
“The band is our support system. It’s really encouraging—especially for me on kickoff—having the blaring horns going right before we run down the field,” Harrington said.
Sawyer Bock ‘22 Sports Editor