T he L og thelog@taboracademy.org
Tabor Academy’s Student Newspaper Volume 91, Number 4
February 2017
New Name, New Intiative for the GSA Co-Heads Plan to Leave a Mark on Tabor
by Lydia Mead
“GSA” is a familiar acronym and club for most of us here at Tabor. This year, however, “GSA” has taken on a new meaning— both literally and figuratively. With the goal of promoting inclusivity, co-heads Charlie Dineen and Grace Douvos began the year by changing the GSA acronym to signify “Gender-Sexuality Alliance” instead of “GayStraight Alliance.” Grace Douvos explains their thinking and the importance of this shift, saying that “the name ‘Gay-Straight Alliance’ is exclusive to other groups, and altogether excludes the notion of gender.” “Gender-Sexuality Alliance,” on the other hand, is inclusive of all genders and sexualities.
Photo by Photo Pool.
Additionally, Grace says the new acronym is simply “more interesting and thoughtprovoking.” Grace adds that this shift is not exclusive to Tabor, and that many clubs and organizations are modifying their names to make sure that all feel welcome. In addition to changing their name, clubs are also changing their goals to promote more inclusivity. This is certainly true of the GSA here at Tabor. Grace and Charlie are working hard to make sure the GSA leaves an indelible mark on campus and promotes love, diversity, leadership, and inclusion. Grace describes how the GSA’s goals and intentions this year relate to the name change in that it aims to “celebrate diversity in general” and “promote all diversity and inclusion.”
GSA Co-heads Charlie Dineen and Grace Douvos.
Grace and Charlie also hope to build a foundation and legacy for the GSA at Tabor, ensuring that its impact will be felt in years to come. “The GSA has never really been a concrete thing,” Grace explains. This year, though, the GSA has definite plans and goals. There will be regular GSA meetings, and the GSA’s new emphasis on leadership will make certain that “everyone in the GSA is leading to their full extent,” says Grace. A primarily student-based group, the GSA is hoping to celebrate the full diversity of the student body. Nonetheless, faculty are encouraged to become members, too. GSA meetings are a “safe place to share your views,” Grace says. Looking ahead, Grace and Charlie are already planning a Pride Week in the spring before the Day of Silence. Their passion for the GSA will surely be reflected in the group’s impact on campus.
Student Diversity Leadership Conference:
A student looks back on SDLC by Hana Liu This December, I found out that it’s not just the eleventh season of Grey’s Anatomy that can make me cry. When I went to the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) in Atlanta, tears rolled down my face everyday.
SDLC is a three-day conference that evokes true and genuine emotion from its participants, whether it be from an inspiring quote or from the new people you meet that truly love you for who you are. The conference is an opportunity for both students and teachers to understand more about diversity and learn how to be agents of change in their community. This year, the aim was to “advance human and civil rights” and “fulfill the dream together.” The conference was composed of lectures from keynote speakers and group discussions.
But SDLC is really an experience, so it is difficult to describe that experience to those who didn’t live it with you. SDLC is where I had my Eureka moment of why diversityrelated discussions, acts, protests, and more are so important. The first keynote speaker, Bryan Stevenson, shared a story that opened my eyes. Mr. Stevenson is lawyer who fights to get kids off death row. He told us a story of a boy who shot his father because he had beaten up his mother. The boy thought his mom died
Please recycle this paper.
Preview what’s on stage this winter, pps. 2 and 3. Relive Frozen Fenway, p. 4
because of all the blood and when his father went to bed, the boy took out the gun and pointed it at his father, who was asleep. When his father stopped snoring, he thought his father was going to wake up, so the boy shot him. And because his dad was a cop, the boy was immediately put on death row and tried as adult despite his devastatingly complicated story. After I heard this, tears dripped down my cheeks from sorrow and ultimate shame—sorrowful because of his tragic story and how helpless I felt as I heard his life ticking away, shameful because here I was pursuing a life where I can go into Kate Spade without a budget when this boy who lost his mom and killed his dad would possibly never see the light of day again. The story that Mr. Stevenson shared made me realize that there is still so much more to do in this world than living a comfortable life—so many more people to help and to get dragged out of the darkness they don’t deserve to be in. I learned to pay attention and engage in the diversity talks because it’s through listening to the struggle of others and watching the traumatizing footage that constantly reminds me that the work is not done yet and we all need to keep fighting.
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Grease is the Word! Tabor's musical department takes on an American classic
Photo by Photo Pool.
by Maddy LaCasse
With the middle of February nearing, the community prepares for Winter Family Weekend. More specifically, they are getting ready for the highlight of the weekend: the Winter Musical.
Danny Zuko. In addition to new talent, senior actors with plenty of experience will make their last appearances in a Tabor musical this year, such as Lucy Saltonstall ’17 as Sandy Olsson and Aurelia Reynolds ’17 as Betty Rizzo.
In terms of the cast, brand new talents are being showcased. For example, sophomore Connor Cook ’19 will make his first appearance in a Tabor production as the male lead,
The musical is one of Tabor’s most highly-anticipated events. Each year, the cast and crew never fail to entertain the audience and showcase the magnificent talent we are lucky enough to have here at Tabor.
Photos by Photo Pool.
Each year, the musical attracts hundreds of students, faculty, parents, and community members to Hoyt Hall for three nights to watch a spectacular display of acting, singing, dancing, lighting, set designing, and directing. As Mr. Heavey, the director of the production this year, puts it, everyone is really “charged up about the musical,” as it is the tremendously famous and well-loved Grease. Almost everyone knows at least one song from Grease, so the energy at the musical will be fantastic, with the audience singing along to beloved classics sung by Tabor’s most talented entertainers.
The cast of Grease in rehearsal.
An important part of the production this year is the dancing and choreography because, as anyone who has seen Grease knows, this musical has its fair share of detailed dance numbers. Luckily, most of the cast members have great dance experience. Specifically on the guys side, Tenzin Chodak ’18 and Connor Cook ’19 are both acrobatic and they bring that talent into the dance numbers. These dances give the musical a high-energy and spirited feel, entertaining the audience with new spins put on classic numbers.
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Black Box Gets Ready for its Winter Performance A new look at an old tale
by Lillie Lovell On February 23, 24 and 25, the Winter Drama is taking over the Black Box. Directed by Ms. Hawley, this year’s play is a re-telling of the story of Little Red Riding Hood as written by four of the cast members: Marion Wolloch ’17, Trinity Monteiro ’17, Kyla Horton ’19, and May Xia ’17. The writers, along with Elijah Tremblay ’17, will also be the actors featured in the drama.
Little Red Riding Hood is a well known fairy tale, but why does the story of an innocent little girl being tricked and eaten by a wolf still resonate with us? How should girls behave as they venture off on their own? And why does a wolf do what it does? What does it mean to stray from the path? What is the resounding moral of this story? These were the questions that the playwrights from within our
community asked themselves as they compiled and twisted and elaborated on the story. The performance is expected to be funny, dark and an excellent showcase of the many talents of this group. Ms. Haley shares that it is “possibly the only show you’ll see at Tabor this year featuring skateboard tricks, a trombone solo, a Motorhead song, and copious amount of blood.” Sounds like a performance to look forward to! Make sure you sign up at the reception desk to see one of the shows before all the seats are filled.
Photos by Photo Pool.
4 Exciting Changes in the Athletic Department Tabor initiates Hall of Fame and rejoins ISL by Owen Sughrue This year, Tabor’s athletic department has a new director, a new Hall of Fame, and, as of next year, a new league in which to schedule athletic contests. Our new athletic director, Mr. Leary, is enjoying his new position. So far, Mr. Leary says the year has been “awesome” and Tabor’s move to the ISL, the advent of the Tabor Hall of Fame, and the start of the volleyball team have all been “great.” Mr. Leary says he has experienced “lots of learning” in the first few months of his current position, and he enjoys the “challenges” thus far “because they force [him] to think and be innovative.”
Photo by Photo Pool.
One innovation is the introduction of Tabor’s Athletic Hall of Fame. On October 15, the first Tabor Academy Hall of Fame class was inducted in the Fish Center. Fifteen athletes, seven coaches, and six teams were part of the inaugural induction ceremony. The ceremony included speeches from athletes and recognition of some of Tabor’s most special athletic events, teams, and people.
Another change on the horizon is Tabor’s inclusion in the ISL, set to start next year. Mr. Leary says, “Tabor’s move into the ISL is absolutely amazing. Most importantly, it will allow for a better academic/athletic balance in the lives of our students and coaches who are committed to our programs season after season.” There is “no doubt” that the ISL will be a significant athletic challenge but Mr. Leary, along with other members of the Tabor community, is confident that the move is great in many ways, such as consistent competitive games, matches, and meets, and shorter distances to the other schools in the league.
Mr. Leary has enjoyed his transition from being mainly a teacher to his new position as Athletic Director. All changes have difficult aspects, but Mr. Leary has found the new job to be fun and exciting. Tabor feels lucky to have Mr. Leary as athletic director, and the school looks forward to this year and the years ahead with Mr. Leary and Mrs. Walker in charge of our busy and exciting athletic lives.
Have an idea for a story? A viewpoint that you’d like to propose? Or oppose? Come write for the Log! Email story ideas to thelog@taboracademy.org.
Photo by Photo Pool.
Alumni Spotlight Veterinarian Whitney Greene
by Danielle Plunkett
Tabor alum Whitney Greene at work at the Buttonwood Park Zoo.
Since her graduation from Tabor Academy, Whitney Greene has found her way to the position of Buttonwood Park Zoo Veterinarian, where she leads all of the Zoo’s veterinary activities ranging from general veterinary care to wildlife rehabilitation to developing conservation tactics for the Zoo’s endangered species. Whitney has ended up exactly where she wants to be, but the path she took to get here was replete with incredible detours that helped to develop her love for animals and her passion for healthcare.
wanted to be a vet,’ and that just wasn’t me,” she said.
Whitney earned a Masters of Science in comparative immunology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth before finally attending the Western University of Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine in California, where she had a rather different background from most of her classmates. “All of my other classmates had the story of ‘When I saw Fluffy get hit by a car when I was twelve and the vet saved him I decided I
Whitney says that her time at Tabor instilled in her a love for learning that is still a very large part of her life, and her current job has given her the opportunity to pursue that love. “Being a vet has allowed me to do everything I love in one job,” she said, and while it took time to travel the path to that job, the skills she learned and the experiences she had along the way are invaluable to her now.
Whitney discovered an interest in marine science during her time at Tabor, and her many hours in the then-new Marine and Nautical Science Center led her to volunteer as a marine mammal trainer at Mystic Aquarium. Whitney worked with a variety of marine mammals at the aquarium, including sea lions and beluga whales, while earning her degree in Biology from Connecticut College. Soon after, Whitney got the opportunity to intern in an aquatic veterinary position at the Living Seas in Epcot at Disney World. This was her first experience with veterinary medicine, and she “fell in love with it.” In fact, she turned down a job at Discovery Cove in Orlando as a dolphin trainer, a position she had always dreamed of having, to complete the requirements she needed to apply to veterinary school.
Instead, Whitney had spent her time in college studying animal training, nutrition, and behavior, which gave her an edge among her peers. “In animals,” Whitney said, “behavior is everything. Having knowledge of an animal’s behavior helps you see when things are wrong.” All of the skills and knowledge she had acquired in her previous jobs as a marine animal trainer helped her to quickly understand and form bonds with the animals under her care, which is certainly helpful when your patients can’t tell you where it hurts. While in veterinary school, Whitney spent time in several zoos working with many different types of animals; she found her way to Buttonwood after she graduated. “There’s so many benefits to being at a small zoo,” she said as she explained how working in a small setting with a manageable schedule has allowed her to pursue her other interests outside of being a veterinarian. In January, for instance, Whitney and some other veterinarians will be starting a college class for students interested in zoological science to satisfy her desire to teach. Whitney also gets to spend a lot of time doing what she loves most: research. Currently, she is in collaboration with other doctors and researchers around the country on four research projects.
5 Photo by Photo Pool.
Heaven Kept A Poem by Trinity Lynn Monteiro
At the bottom of my mind’s rabbit hole...
A mangled, spiral trail framed by trees of immeasurable height leads to a concealed heaven where you and I are kept. Slowly crossing over a glossy and frosted reflective floor is where we are to be found swinging to and fro, arm in arm, soul with soul, with tunes we make up along the way.
Just enough light sneaks through a sky of entangled branches, and shines enough so we can only see one another. And just a slight, icy breeze like a thousand sharp needles brushes us by to keep the swaying on going.
I never knew how loud one’s breath could be or how bolting a heart beat could feel.
It never crossed my mind how warm one’s body could remain just from the warmth of another.
As you and I are reunited, thoughts of nerves throughout my body that I cannot feel or the unnatural pale sheet of color overcoming by hands are less significant now.
The swaying to and fro distracts the feeling of whipping winds passing, and though I cannot physically feel you holding on... I can.
Down the rabbit hole I only have visions of you and me together..
Swaying back and forth, gliding the floor, but it all comes to a stop too soon.
The everlasting curse we call distance strikes as abruptly as lightning; the image of you fades away as paper in water.
Eyelids awaken.
Dreams are aborted.
About this poem: This is an older piece that I wrote which qualified me to get into the New England Young Writers’ Conference. In this piece my main focus was on imagery and packing it with as many details as I could which would hopefully create a vivid imagine in each reader’s mind. The inspiration for this stemmed from Alice in Wonderland and a mix of buried desire. --Trinity Monteiro
However, tonight I plan to return.
When the sun goes down and moonlight illuminates the earth, I plan to fall back down into the place unlike any other, a place made for only me.
In the night I plan to return to the bottom of the rabbit hole where you await for me...
Tabor Takes Fenway Boys' Varsity Hockey participates in Frozen Fenway for the first time
by Nicole Fernandes With about 300 Tabor students and faculty, as well as about 350 Tabor alumni and parents, upwards of 650 Tabor fans cheered on the Boys’ Varsity Hockey Team at Fenway Park on Wednesday, January 11. It was the first ever Frozen Fenway game for Tabor, and it was truly a remarkable and spirited event.
For those who aren’t familiar with Frozen Fenway, it is an annual series of collegiate ice hockey games featuring both local and regional colleges and universities. Every year, some of the best high school hockey teams in New England have the honor of being invited to play at Frozen Fenway, as well. Given the history of Tabor’s strong hockey program and move to the ISL next year, Mr. Leary claimed Tabor “was prime for an invitation.”
Photo by Photo Pool.
The night at Fenway began with The Nightingales singing the Star Spangled Banner. Then, Travis Roy ’95 did the ceremonial puck drop, and, shortly after, the game was underway. With a throng of Tabor fans decked out in black and white Frozen Fenway hats, the crowd went wild as Pat Daly ’18 scored the opening goal of the game. In a span of about nine minutes, Belmont Hill was able to capitalize on their chances and scored three goals in quick succession. Although Tabor played well in the second and third periods, generating lots of opportunities to score, the puck just wouldn’t hit the net. The game ended with Belmont Hill on top by a score of 4-1.
Although Tabor was unable to pull off the win, it was a thrilling hockey game for both the players and fans alike, bringing both the school and the larger Tabor community together, but it was even more special experience for the players. “It’s something you dream about,” Daly said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us. We didn’t win, but the experience is what matters.”
Book Reviews by Caroline Post
by Jack McCain In Ruta Sepetys’ novel Salt to the Sea, the reader follows four characters, Florian, Joana, Emilia, and Alfred, as they attempt to escape the advancing Russian forces in East Prussia during the ending days of World War II. Each character carries a burden from their past which they hope to escape by leaving their old homes. With enemies on both sides, the protagonists have nowhere to turn but to each other as they traverse the snowy countryside to get to their ultimate destination, a giant cruise ship, the Willhelm Gustloff. Many people did not make it onto the ship and the details of those left behind are gruesome, but there is hope for the protagonists. Salt to the Sea flows well and is action packed. Whether the protagonists are being chased by Russian soldiers or attempting to trick a suspicious German guard, they never seem to have time to rest, and neither does the reader. The short chapter signals a change in point of view, making it hard to put the book down. The abundance of details puts the reader in the mind of the characters and represents the unpleasantness of the time as families are separated and loved ones left behind. I would recommend this book to any fan of historical fiction especially World War II - themed works. However, if you are to read this novel, you must be able to handle gore and vile acts upon other human beings.
Netflix Nook
Truth, Twists, and Teeth
Gillian Flynn, author of The New York Times bestseller Gone Girl, perfectly displays the darkest places of the human mind in her psychological thriller Sharp Objects. Camille Preaker, a reporter from Chicago, returned to her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri, to investigate and report on the brutal murders of two young girls. Ann Nash and Natalie Keene were just over the age of ten when they were kidnapped and strangled to death; all of their teeth were pulled from their mouths. Although she returns to town with the intention of reporting about the murders and leaving soon after, the circumstances force Camille to stay and deal with issues of her past. Her strained and unusual relationship with her mother plays a large role in her story while she is in Wind Gap. Camille, who is severely depressed, voices her distress by carving words into her body with a knife; she is covered head to toe with scars from the past, with words that remind her of moments in her life. As Camille searches for the truth behind the murders, she uncovers the truth about her family, her life, and everything she thought she knew about the death of her sister Marian. Beautifully written, with a dark, riveting storyline, Sharp Objects is impossible to put
down as the story twists on.
The writing itself is very detailed throughout Sharp Objects; the author describes everything in a way that made me see each chapter play out in front of my eyes like scenes of a play. This book is different from other thrillers and almost belongs to its own genre. Not only does it have a thrilling and terrifying plot, but the book also includes psychology, family, teenage pressures, love, and even a look into the life of a reporter. The craft of writing is never boring, nor over-detailed; instead, it forces deep thought and draws you into every moment of the story. The best thing about the book is the suspense it creates for the reader. Through every chapter, the disturbing plot twists and turns captivate. Hearing from the view of Camille Preaker brings awareness to the terrible effects of self harm and the way in which strained relationships with family can tear someone apart. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a thrilling and suspenseful story; however, it is really for everyone because it teaches so many lessons and induces deep thought about issues that are prevalent today. A great, beautifullywritten book, it gives access to the dark but realistic parts of the world we live in. Sharp Objects is definitely worth the read.
by Anastasia Chase
The Crown is Netflix’s newest original series, and it has taken its viewers by surprise due to the sheer authenticity not commonly found in Netflix-directed shows. As Netflix’s most expensive show to date, it reflects extravagance in every minute detail. Each of Queen Elizabeth’s ball gowns is carefully tailored, the rooms in Buckingham Palace are set up with perfection in mind, and the actors even travel to and from the UK to South Africa to film. The scripts are checked by countless editors and historians to be sure that the show remains true to the past events of the Royal Family’s lives.
The first season of The Crown follows Elizabeth Windsor II from her marriage in 1947 in the first episode, to the tenth and final episode set in 1955. Each episode is an hour long, so the viewers gain an in-depth perspective on the main characters’ lives. Throughout the season, we watch Queen Elizabeth as she endeavors to find the balance between her role as Queen and as a member of her family. At first, we sense Queen Elizabeth’s struggle for the same respect from Parliament that her father, a male monarch, had before her. As the season goes on, we also witness the tension grow between her and Prince Philip as they try to hold their marriage steady with Elizabeth as the head of the family. Overall, The Crown provides a riveting alternative to a history textbook, and will captivate those of all ages and interests.