The Suffield Bell

www.suffieldacademy.org

Esse Quam Videri

The Suffield Bell Volume LXXXII, NO. 3

Established 1835

March 2015

Behind the Scenes of Telethon

Photo by Isabella Attianese ’18

Hannah Arthur ’17

​By now, the word “Telethon” is on everyone’s mind. However, many students do not know much about the telethon aside from the performances they see on the night of the event. Even planning for Telethon starts as soon as the Student Council meets for the first time at the beginning of the year. In September, reflections on

last year’s event were explored.

Student Council members briefly discussed what worked and what did not work in preparation for this year’s Telethon. Feedback was collected from students, alumni, and parent viewers in order to make this year’s Telethon even more successful.

In addition, throughout the year

gearing up for the event, many people have reflected on their favorite acts from last year.

Highlights from last year include Mr. Krasemann’s nail-biting performance on a literal bed of nails and the beloved and hilarious International Fashion Show. As many people are preparing to raise the bar for this year’s Telethon, it

is important to take a look at what happens behind the scenes.

Telethon relies heavily on ​ student, faculty, and staff participation as performers, organizers, cameramen, and much more. Students and teachers alike are featured in live acts and videos for the broadcasted event to showcase the very best of Suffield. Off the stage, however, participation is equally prevalent.

Advertising is done before the event by reaching out to local businesses and informing current and previous Suffield families of the details of this year’s fundraiser. During Telethon, students also answer phones to record donations being called in.

Aside from the actual fundraising, many people help in filming the event from different angles. The live broadcast on the Suffield website would fall apart without the help of our cameramen and women, and the technicians who make sure the system is running smoothly. And let’s not forget our phenomenal staff who assist in a myriad of ways from preparing food to helping with set-up.

​Preparing for Telethon acts takes a lot of time and effort as well. The short videos aired during the event can take hours to film in order to get them just right. Rehearsals for live acts take even longer. To make sure that all goes efficiently, participants rehearse and practice until it’s perfect, and then they practice some more. The Telethon is broadcasted live, which means there is no room for error from participants and instructors.

This year, viewers can look ​ forward to a lot of variety within the acts. Earlier this term, the theatre club on campus, Coffee Break, wrote, auditioned, cast, and rehearsed a one act. The choir classes on campus practiced all term for their songs. Many more students and faculty have chosen to show off their special talents this year, which highlights the variety of talented people we have here on campus. Viewers only get a glimpse of the final product of Telethon, but should keep in mind all of the elements that go into the night as they sit back and enjoy the best performances that Suffield Academy has to offer.

Five Suffield Seniors Sign On February 4th, student athletes across the country signed their National Letters of Intent (NLI) to play football at several Division I and Division II colleges and universities on what is traditionally known as National Signing Day. The first Wednesday of February, National Signing Day has consistently been an important date for the Suffield community. This year, five Suffield seniors committed to four schools for college football. Surrounded by friends and family, Andrew Chuma, Trent Crossan, Drew Mahoney, Christian Wilkins, and Mike Yerardi met in Tisch Field House to officially sign their respective National Letters of Intent.

A post-graduate from Shoreham, New York, Trent Crossan came to Suffield this year to increase his exposure and to attract college scouts. Andrew Chuma, also a post-graduate, is a linebacker from Ridgefield, Connecticut. On National Signing Day, both Chuma and Crossan committed to play for Lafayette College in the Patriot League at the NCAA Division I Football

Championship Subdivision level.

Drew Mahoney, a wide receiver from West Suffield, Connecticut, has played for the Tigers since his freshman year. Next fall, he will be attending Bentley University, where he will play in the Northeast-10 Conference at the NCAA Division II level.

Mike Yerardi, a threeyear senior from Cohasset, Massachusetts, signed his NLI to play for the University of Massachusetts Amherst, which is in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the MidAmerican Conference. Although Yerardi played both offensive and defensive tackle as a Suffield Tiger, he will play offensive tackle full-time at UMass.

ESPN’s top recruit from Connecticut, Christian Wilkins, officially signed to play for Clemson University. A defensive tackle from Springfield, Massachusetts, Wilkins will be travelling across the country with the Clemson Tigers, who play in both the Football Bowl Subdivision of the NCAA and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Before signing

Photo by Hillary Rockwell Cahn ’88, P’18

Lindsay Reilly ’15

his NLI, Wilkins thanked his supporters, saying, “A lot of this couldn’t be possible without all the people here today, my family, my friends, [and] my coaches. Thank you.” As a community, we will continue to support all of Suffield’s athletes as they begin new chapters in their lives.

Editorials

2 The Bell March 2015

Je Suis Charlie

The Suffield Bell CONTRIBUTORS

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Amanda Baildon ’15 Lindsay Reilly ’15

WRITERS Hannah Arthur ’17 Isabella Attianese ’18 Amanda Baildon ’15 Devina Bhalla ’18 Billy Cordes ’16 Anna Ortega Grisso ’18 Baek Kang ’16 Jake Mnich ’16 Kaitlyn Nigro ’16 Juhi Rayonia ’18 Lindsay Reilly ’15 Arianna Saxton ’18 Amanda Silverstein ’15 Sarah Swanson ’18 Nick Vardakas ’18 Angela Vecchiarelli ’16 Shannelle Watson ’16

NEWS Amanda Baildon ’15 FEATURES Amanda Silverstein ’15 EDITORIALS Caroline Bauchiero ’15 PHOTOGRAPHY Lydia Swain ’15 ARTS Shannelle Watson ’16 SPORTS Will Robidoux ’16 LAYOUT Tae Hun Kim ’15 FACULTY ADVISORS Tanya Andrysiak Molly Gotwals Tobye Cook Seck ’88

PHOTOGRAPHERS Isabella Attianese ’18 Devina Bhalla ’18 Juhi Rayonia ’18 Lindsay Reilly ’15 Liz Sacco ’17 Lydia Swain ’15 Angela Vecchiarelli ’16 LAYOUT DESIGNERS Tae Hun Kim ’15 Amanda Baildon ’15 Peter Suh ’16

Cartoon by David Pope

EDITORS

Shannelle Watson ’16

In America freedom of speech is a First Amendment right, but lately it seems as if people are becoming more reluctant to take full advantage of this right due to fear of being ridiculed and alienated. People all over the world need to stand up and let it be known that they will not be silenced.

Freedom of speech and expression were recently tested in Paris, France, when a mass killing occurred at the headquarters of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Like may other satirebased magazines, Charlie Hebdo

cartoonists test boundaries and speak their minds. Though the magazine experienced backlash in the past over controversial articles and cartoons, no one expected the act of terrorism that was carried out by two Islamic extremists.

On January 7, 2015, twelve people were killed when two brothers, Cherif Kouachi and Said Kouachi, stormed the magazine’s headquarters. The two carried out the attack in an effort to send a message to the world that Islamic extremist groups do exist and are willing

to do what is necessary to be recognized. Both men went into the Charlie Hebdo building with the intention to execute specific journalists and cartoonists. They entered a conference room where employees were having a meeting and singled out certain writers to be killed execution style. After this massacre, many people began to question whether they really had the freedom to speak their mind and express themselves without repercussions.

The terrorist attack against Charlie Hebdo angered not only the residents of Paris, France, but also people around the world.

Immediately after the killings, the people of Paris gathered together to not only pay their respects to the fallen journalists, but also to show the world that they would not allow the terrorists to scare them into silence. The people of Paris were strong enough to stand up and refuse to be controlled by a radical religious group. Though the situation in Paris was horrific, it acted as a bridge that connected people throughout the world who believe that freedom of speech is a basic human right.

Nick Oleksak ’02: Bantam Bagels Kaitlyn Nigro ’16

College Football Players Being Paid Should college football players be paid? This question has been brought up and discussed several times throughout the past couple of years. There are many valid arguments both for and against this point. Some people argue that because players are on scholarship, they are already compensated enough for playing.

However, after giving the issue a lot of thought, I believe college football players should be paid, but only at the Division I level.

At almost every major college football program, the season revenue outweighs the total spending by a significant margin.

For example, at the University of Texas, the football program brings in $165,691,486. The total spending for the program is roughly $20,000,000 less than that. It does not make much sense that universities cannot spare a small percentage to compensate

their athletes who make the schools so much money. Because these athletes take college classes and attend rigorous practices almost every day, there is very little extra time to get a job like the majority of their peers do.

Therefore, in some cases, it may be difficult for players to pay for the simple things in life, like eating a full three meals a day or getting new clothes. These athletes do not have to make some exorbitant NFL salary, but at the very least, colleges should provide their athletes with a sum of money that will comfortably get them through the season. And who knows, maybe being given a little money for their contribution to the school will actually give some of these athletes the incentive to play a bit harder, making the program stronger and thus further increase the school’s profits.

Photo credit: Nick Oleksak ’02

Jake Mnich ’16

Have you ever thought about what you will accomplish after Suffield?

Alumnus Nick Oleksak ’02 has been very busy since his graduation! Just recently, his company, Bantam Bagels, was featured on the popular ABC show “Shark Tank,” and last year it was included on Oprah Winfrey’s “Favorite Things” list. Nick and his wife, Elyse, met at Columbia University as undergrads, where

he played baseball and she played lacrosse. Nick says that the idea for Bantam Bagels came to him in the middle of the night, “I woke up in bed two years ago, and I thought, ’Why don’t we fill bagel holes with all kinds of fillings?”

At first it was just an idea, but then Nick and Elyse decided to make their dream into a reality.

Both Nick and Elyse have backgrounds on Wall Street, so they used their knowledge of

business to begin the process, and started travelling across the country to meet with investors.

The couple opened their first Bantam Bagels store in New York City in 2013 and the business has been growing exponentially ever since.

As we move on from Suffield in the coming years, we should think of the successes of others and let their compelling stories inspire us.

Editorials

The Bell March 2015 3

Phone-A-Thons at Suffield Academy Nick Vardakas ’18

at Suffield, a crucial piece in helping our students afford their education. If the alumni agree to donate to the Annual Fund, they have a few options for payment.

The donor can either pay via credit card or a check via a pledge reminder.

The goal for these phone-athon fundraising events is to get at least 40% of the Suffield alumni to support their alma mater. Over the past few weeks there have been several phonea-thons. The student callers agree to spend a study hall in Centurión Hall, sitting around a Harkness table with a script and enjoying some pizza. It is important for the seniors who are calling to be friendly and warm in their conversations.

They are illustrating that Suffield students have a passion for their school. Phone-a-thons at Suffield enable us to be the great school that we are!

Photo by Harry Melendez III '07

Phone-a-thons are a huge part of fundraising on campus. They take place multiple times a year, usually during the winter term, to help raise money for Suffield Academy’s Annual Fund. For each event, a few seniors are chosen to call alumni of the school. During this call, the students follow a tentative script to interact with the alumni. The student verifies information, such as the donor’s email address and street address, and then asks if the graduate is willing to make a donation to the Annual Fund.

With the help of phone-a-thon donations, the Annual Fund supports every aspect of education at Suffield – academic programs, student activities, athletics, arts, financial aid, faculty development, and the maintenance of our beautiful campus. One of the major things that the money from the Annual Fund does is help offset tuition

Resume Builder or Service Trip?

Hannah Arthur ’17

As much as we would like to think that the recent increased interest in volunteering abroad has to do with people simply wanting to help from the goodness of their hearts, this just isn’t always the case. The rise in popularity of these trips can be credited to the strenuous college application process.

High school students make up a large percentage of those participating in service trips, and many of those students will go on to make these service trips the topic of their college essays.

What many students are starting

to learn now is that many colleges aren’t interested in yet another applicant who traveled to Asia or Africa to “help” the impoverished children, but who clearly went to serve their own agenda or ease their own minds.

So why don’t more students go on service trips for the sake of doing something good? Many high school students are catching on to the fact that colleges aren’t particularly interested in hearing about your service trip, unless it is addressed within the context of a real passion. Colleges often say directly that they would rather hear

about an internship or job that you took. Those who genuinely want to go on a service trip often feel discouraged from taking the trip.

A word of advice to high school students going on these trips: spend more time learning and understanding the meaning of the service trip you are considering to truly find out if it is something that will benefit the community and not just yourself. It is only when you can put the desires and needs of the community you will be visiting before your own, that you will be ready to go on a service trip. A real one.

Suffield’s Trustees The twenty-nine members of the Board of Trustees of Suffield Academy embody the definition of philanthropy in every way. Suffield Academy is a non-profit organization, and a non-profit of its size needs a large board. Board members donate much more to the school than money. Accepting the invitation onto the board from other members gives one the opportunity to impact the philosophy of the school, manage its resources, and support and evaluate the Headmaster. Suffield’s trustees serve three-year terms with no limit on how many terms they can serve. Each trustee specializes in an area of expertise on one of six committees. The committees are Budget and Finance and Audit, Constructions and Maintenance, Development, Investment, Long Range Planning, and Marketing and Communications. Mr. Cahn believes that choosing to invite someone onto the board is a matter of “governance and strategy.” Suffield’s Board is comprised of past and present parents, alumni, and educators, each with expertise in specific areas. Fred Powers ’83 says that one accepts the role as a trustee because “their heart is in it with a right fit.” All of the trustees help make Suffield Academy the amazing place that it is today.

Photo by John Marinelli

Billy Cordes ’16

Features

4 March 2015 The Bell

Suffield Academy: 4 of 414

HOT OR NOT Ang Vecchiarelli ’16 and Devina Bhalla ’18

Freshman: Anton Davydenko

Sarah Swanson ’18

Anton Davydenko is a freshman from Ukraine. While searching online for a boarding school to attend, he found Suffield Academy.

He finds SA very different from his home because of the culture, food, and language. Having no other students from the Ukraine is not too difficult for Anton, but sometimes he wishes that there were someone else here with the same background as him to talk to, not to mention with whom he could speak his native language!

The one thing he misses most is the traditional Ukrainian food he indulges in while he is home. Anton is interested in the events occurring in Ukraine so he continues to follow the news while he is living at school. Though he often misses home, he also enjoys SA and feels that he has the best of both worlds.

Artsy winter Instagram pictures

Falling on the ice

Going somewhere warm for spring break

Staying home

Justin Bieber’s apology Warm winter layers

The flu

Seniors getting into college

Juniors starting the college process

No winter term exams

Sophomore: Ameera Moumina

Kaitlyn Nigro ’16

Ameera Moumina is a sophomore from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

She heard about Suffield Academy through friends who also attend prep schools in the area, and when she discovered Suffield through a recommendation, she was very interested and visited! Ameera feels that the biggest differences between Connecticut and Saudi Arabia are the environment and the cultures in general. She says she misses the food from home and the warmer climate. When she first arrived at Suffield, Ameera was unsure how she would feel being the only student from Saudi Arabia. However, she really likes being unique and as a result, she has developed the ability to express herself easily. Ameera is a great international addition to the Suffield family!

Junior: Oscar Kvaternik

Photos by Liz Sacco ’17 and Lindsay Reilly ’15

Patriots winning the Super Bowl Friends on Netflix Headmaster’s Holidays

SATs and ACTs Pete Carroll’s decision not to run Cable Subpar snowstorm

Campus Newborns

Kaitlyn Nigro ’16

Oskar is a junior from Slovenia, a country east of Italy with a population of only two million people. Oskar was encouraged to apply to Suffield Academy by friends and family. After a successful interview and a conversation with two past seniors via Skype, he made his decision to attend. Being the only student at SA from Slovenia does not discourage him. In fact, Oskar always wanted to study abroad and he finds exploring a new culture exciting. Because he misses his friends from home while he is here at school, Oskar often uses Skype to communicate with loved ones back home. Oskar admits that although he does not always follow the news back home, he believes it is important to have a connection with his heritage. Oskar loves both his homes in Slovenia and in Suffield!

Senior: Kelly Taylor

Justin Bieber’s blonde hair

Augustus Patton Lynch

Amanda Silverstein ’15

Kelly Taylor ’15 is from the Bahamas, and has been attending SA since her freshman year. Kelly decided she wanted to come to Suffield after her brother, Lester Taylor ’11, had an amazing experience, and she knew she wanted the same. What Kelly loves the most about Suffield is the accepting people and the leadership opportunities that the school offers. Though she often misses the beautiful Bahamian weather and warm beaches, she loves her dayto-day life at SA. Kelly currently lives in Nathena Fuller House, and believes that one of the best parts of being a boarder is the dorm life. Although she misses the Bahamas when she is at school, she loves her friends that she has made here at Suffield and says that she will carry these friendships with her, moving forward.

Kelly believes that Suffield has prepped her well for her future endeavors and believes there is no better place she could have attended high school.

Reese Lauren Brissette

Clara Linn Caginalp

Arts

The Bell March 2015 5

Guitar Show: What You Don’t Know with Katie Madrak ’16

High School Stress

By Simon Park ’16

Photo by Tobye Cook Seck ’88, P’16

Amanda Baildon ’15

You have heard the lunch announcements about rehearsals; you have seen the fliers around school; you have maybe even gone to the winter performance, but how much do you really

know about the Guitar Show?

Katie Madrak ’16, the show’s coordinator, is here to tell us more.

What is the Guitar Show?

Katie: The Guitar Show is a

Anticipation for “Noises Off” Shannelle Watson ’16 As we wrap up the winter term and slowly creep into spring term, the Suffield community has something to look forward to: the spring play, “Noises Off.” Mr. Dugan, the show’s director, suggests that this performance will be unforgettable. “Noises Off” is a play unlike any other recently performed by Suffield’s theater program.

Mr. Dugan says, “the play is about a group of theater professionals putting on a farce called “Nothing’s On.” The audience follows the group from rehearsals to backstage to performance. It

shows what can really happen in a live production.” After plays like “The Crucible” and “August: Osage County,” “Noises Off” will offer a comedic break from some of the more serious and ominous plays that the theater program has a knack for producing.

When casting the play, Mr. Dugan made it clear that the show was going to be difficult. He says, “It is physically demanding and requires over-the-top acting.

Because of that, I was looking for actors who put themselves out there and really went for it on stage!”

one-night performance where we cover songs and put them together with different instruments. There are two shows, one in January and May. Who is the faculty in charge and how does he help?

Katie: Jeff Giglio is our faculty advisor. He comes in from outside of school to help with the show. You’ve probably seen him around at dinner! He writes out the charts for songs that we are playing, too.

What types of instruments do people play besides guitars?

Katie: A lot of people don’t know that the show is more than just guitars and other basic instruments. We play everything including drums, piano, vocals, saxophone, trumpet, bass guitar, banjos, accordions, and tambourine.

How do you decide the set list?

Katie: Everyone gets to pick a song or two for us to try. If we think it will work we start practicing. We try to create a set list that flows from song to song and ends with a high-energy number.

How do you get involved?

Katie: Just email me, Katie Madrak, or show up to one of the rehearsals! We are very welcoming to newcomers!

Slam Poetry:

A Stimulating Twist on the Classic Art Amanda Silverstein ’15 Some poems are supposed to be read, while others demand to be spoken. In the past decade, slam poetry, which debuted in the mid 1980s, has experienced a renaissance across the United States. Slam poetry consists of poets speaking their poems, typically for a live audience. As a result, the poet adds his or her personality to each poem they share. It is amazing how much slam poetry has impacted people worldwide. For example, a very famous slam poem, “A Letter to My 16-year-old Self” written and

performed by George Watsky, received massive exposure, which led to the poet’s successful career in rap. Another inspirational poem is Denice Frohman’s “Dear Straight People,” which illustrates the struggles of being a homosexual in today’s society.

There are many venues across the country, like coffee shops and performance arenas, that promote slam poetry. In addition, poetry slams, which have been gaining popularity over the past few years, are competitions where poets are judged by their

audience on a number scale and rewarded. Not all slam poetry performances are self-written.

Sometimes poets are chosen to recite a poem.

Slam poetry has become a worldwide phenomenon. It gives anybody with a passion for speaking the opportunity to express his or her thoughts and experiences. It is a beautiful form of expression; just watch YouTube videos of slam poetry to understand how it has inspired and awoken the poetic side of millions.

Art Classes at Suffield

Photo by Amanda Baildon ’15

Juhi Rayonia ’18 and Anna Emilia Ortega ’18 Here at Suffield Academy, we have an outstanding and diverse arts program.

The school offers many classes including photography, ceramics, studio art, architecture, film production, and multimedia design.

Regarding the performing arts

program, Suffield has acting, singing and instrumental music classes, and offers dance as a winter sport. The experiences students have in Suffield’s art programs are not limited to these specific classes. Anyone who feels inspired or has a passion for art

can come to the art facilities at any time to work on different projects. There are numerous opportunities for art lovers who want to delve into their artistic sides and express themselves through their work.

6 March 2015 The Bell

Sports

Focus on a Former Athlete: Bryan Vieira ’14 Ang Vecchiarelli ’16 well for Bryan as he played in 8 games, starting in 4 of them.

As a freshman Bryan caught 8 receptions for 137 yards, as well as adding one touchdown.

One of the biggest changes for athletes in their transition from high school to collegiate sports is the enormous difference in the level of play. Vieira describes this experience by saying, “I noticed

how much faster everything is… if you can’t stay with the fast pace then you look really lost out there. You have to be able to think and adjust faster.” Another difference Vieira saw in college football verses high school is the time commitment. In season, he spends about 6-7 hours a day either in meetings with coaches, watching film, lifting

or practicing. The off-season is also hectic, with about two hours a day spent viewing film and on off-season lifts.

Overall, Vieira has enjoyed his time so far at Trinity. He is a great example of an athlete that Suffield Academy has bred into a successful player and leader on and off the field.

Photo credit: Trinity Football

Many successful collegiate athletes have graduated from Suffield in the past few years.

For example, Bryan Vieira ’14 now plays varsity football and is considering doing track at Trinity College. Vieira’s freshman football season at Trinity was a success as his team finished third in the league. At an individual level, the season went

Suffield Snowboarding Anna Emilia Ortega ’18

To participate on the recreational snowboarding team at Suffield Academy is a-oncein-a-lifetime opportunity that not many people can say that they have experienced.

Students who have never seen snow before outside of their experience at Suffield have joined and, in addition

to falling, many can say that they fell in love with the sport. Five times a week the team travels to Ski Sundown.

While there, teammates have fun snowboarding either with their friends or by themselves.

Snowboarding at Suffield is a fun and cool opportunity that is offered to all students.

Suffield Skiing Photo by Hillary Rockwell Cahn ’88, P’18

Arianna Saxton ’18

Suffield’s alpine team remains a tough competitor for other schools. The many hours of gate training in the cold weather has paid off, as the team has seen much success throughout the winter term. Thanks to the excellent coaches, each team

member continues to improve with each run. Ten of the racers raced in the Class A NEPSAC Championship, which was held at Cannon Mountain in New Hampshire on February 25th.

The selected competitors raced in both slalom and giant slalom.

Advice from Current Seniors Baek Kang ’16 The time has arrived and juniors have finally entered the jungle of resumes, college searches, and standardized testing. While the process enthralls many students, others are anxious about dealing with additional workloads, responsibilities, and outcomes. Some of my fellow juniors have shared they are worried most about writing their essays for applications and choosing the college that best fits them. Although College 101 has been an excellent and instrumental guide to the college process, unexpressed anxieties still exist in many members of the junior class. To alleviate these feelings, some seniors have shared their thoughts and helpful advice:

“One of the major things I have learned about the process is that instead of joining all the clubs you can to fill up your resume, you should find something you are passionate about and take as much initiative to pursue that interest.”

Emily Lowe

Please Recycle!

“For me, the process was a bit different because I want to continue acting in college. In order to get in, I have to audition for theatre programs at different colleges and the tiers of these auditions are much higher than anything else. Preparation is key, and if you are prepared, it is a really fun and unique experience.”

Alex Mainolfi

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“The toughest part about this process is knowing if you’re going to be accepted or not. My advice is that if there is one school to which you really want apply, even if it’s a hard reach, APPLY! You won’t have regrets, and you never know!”

Nick Alfano

“As an athlete, the college process is a humbling experience.

The toughest part is making decisions between schools, but as cliché as it sounds, go with you gut and follow your heart!”

Endy Sanchez

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Please Recycle!