T he L og thelog@taboracademy.org
Tabor Academy’s Student Newspaper Volume 93, Number 3
December 2018
Being Here Now Examining an initiative here at Tabor
Pin courtesy of Mr. Quirk
by Sam Monaghan
This year, Mr. Quirk has given the Tabor community a phrase to think about this school year. This phrase is “Be Here Now”; it’s a simple, intuitive movement which emphasizes engagement and safety. “Be Here Now” refers to people’s use of technology around campus and suggests that the Tabor community needs to commit to putting away our phones. The goal was to bring attention to how members of the community routinely use technology. Mr. Quirk explained that “the idea is meant to be simple and flexible as the year goes on.” The movement was made to evolve as the year progresses, influencing how attached to devices the community is and encouraging more personal interaction. One of the main motives behind the movement was to have students feel that they have “permission” to find time away from technology; “Be Here Now” serves as that permission.
we have surrounding us if we’re forever looking down or being distracted.” Mr. Quirk’s hope that students’ time at Tabor is meaningful and substantial.
It has been a couple months since the Tabor community first heard the phrase “Be Here Now,” and there have been mixed results on how the movement has been going so far. When asked how “Be Here Now” has influenced the way he uses technology, Ryan Grace ’19 responded, “It has made me become more aware of my phone usage. I put timers on my Instagram and Snapchat where it only lets me go on for 30 minutes a day.” Ryan’s new habits illustrate how the movement has some students thinking about and controlling their technology use. However, the addictive nature of social media is a hard habit to break, and this is a process that will continue. On how the community is doing so far this year, Mr. Quirk explained, “We have made some progress, but I would like to see a little more self-discipline, and hear more people talking to each other about it.”
Another point of emphasis with “Be Here Now” is truly appreciating Tabor’s unique location. So often students remark how fast their time at Tabor goes by, but if students take more time to value each moment around the Tabor campus, their time will be more Overall, the movement has prompted a successful start to the meaningful. Mr. Quirk remarked, “It is very hard to appreciate all school year with room for improvement as the year progresses.
A Heads Up for This Winter’s Musical Learning more about the musical Heathers
by Cat Shakin
After Tabor’s 2017 production of Grease, we didn’t think it could get better. However, we were proven wrong when last year’s musical In the Heights debuted and will likely be proven wrong again with this year’s production of Heathers. Heathers is a classic show about high school that deals with a wide range of social issues and views them through a satiric lens. The writers of the play do not introduce serious themes in a serious way, and manage to keep the general mood more playful than depressing. Director Mr. Howland—who chose the show, his last at Tabor—claims that “Heathers is a very funny show, one that brings humor to some very difficult adolescent topics.” Among these topics are suicide, LGBTQ+ intolerance, bullying, substance abuse, school shooting/bombing, sexual harassment, and self-hate. The school has appointed two dramaturges that will act as consultants to the cast. A dramaturge’s job is to advise Please recycle this paper.
the cast and crew on the themes and setting of the play in order to ensure that it is accurate. Dramaturges Grace Mead and Tayler Rogers will talk to the school about how these issues and other themes are involved with the show. They will also be working with Ms. Bride and Mr. Petrocelli on how to help Tabor become more aware of these issues.
Senior Kelsey Boch looks forward to this year’s musical. She explains, “I have been in the three past musicals, and I am so excited for Heathers this year!”
Tryouts for Heathers began the week of November 11, and Mr. Howland says that “[he] can practically guarantee that [everyone] will have an amazing time.” The winter musical will be held on February 14, 15, and 16. See the cast and crew pull off the hardships of high school in a comedic way.
Album Review on p. 3 Featured Athlete on p. 5