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Tabor Academy’s Student Newspaper Volume 88, Number 4
March 2016
Healthy Relationship Week Students and faculty work together to impact culture by Duhita Das
A few weeks ago, Brooke Wakeman ran “Healthy Relationship Week,” a Black Box series. Over the course of three nights, six faculty members shared their stories of their healthy and unhealthy relationships. Students were fortunate enough to hear from Ms. Smith, Ms. Kaplan, Mrs. Millette, Ms. Parente, Mr. Patterson, and Mr. Millette about their personal experiences. They gave students insight into their lives, what having a healthy relationship means, and compared it to what having a unhealthy relationship is like.
Brooke’s passion about this topic came from her own personal experience during her freshman year at Tabor. She was in an unhealthy relationship but she was, “lucky enough to have a support system,” including her family, friends, and teachers, that helped her get out of it. Looking back at this difficult time in her life, she “sees it as a learning experience” and “want[s] students to know that if they are unhappy with their relationship, or can sense that it is unhealthy, it is okay to speak up and seek support.” There is always someone here to talk to and from whom to seek help. Mrs. Millette, Brooke’s advisor, added that she “believe[s] in the power of using your voice to create awareness and change and love[s] that this week brought many of the faculty and students closer to one another.” Brooke hopes that the students who attended the series walked away knowing that they deserve respect, love, and support. Mrs. Millette says that “hindsight is 20/20” and wishes she knew what she knows now when she was in high school. By using her voice, alongside other faculty members’, she hopes that students understand what a healthy relationships looks, sounds, and feels like. At the core of each talk was the importance of self-love.
Photo by Photo Pool
If a student is feeling unhappy or confused, there are a number of resources here to help. Peer counselors, proctors, counselors, health center staff, advisors, and other faculty members can all help a student find the right person to talk to. Brooke hopes that Healthy Relationship Week will continue next year and that it expands to gain more exposure.
Brooke Wakeman ’16 initiated healthy relationship week with Mrs. Millette’s help.
Alternative Exams: Evaluating Effectiveness The community weighs in on new assessments by Madeleine Gregory
Mr. Townsend, acting Academic Department Coordinator during this year’s midterms, weighs the upsides and downsides of the system of alternative assessments. “It’s a fairer opportunity to demonstrate knowledge,” he says. “Not only good test takers have the ability to do well, and
Please recycle this paper.
more kids are able to show what they can do.” He goes on to emphasize that for some courses, the traditional assessment format does not always provide the most effective manner of testing knowledge. For some history and English classes, for example, the skills and information learned can be better displayed through essays rather than sit-down tests. As both faculty and students agree, the main struggle came from scheduling, and having too many assessments or projects due within a very short time, essentially elongating the stress of midterms.
One major concern is that midterms are necessary practice for AP exams as well as exams in college. “For some classes, my AP exam will be the first continued on page 3
Photo by Photo Pool
There’s been a lot of talk since the implementation of alternative assessments last year about how this new method affects students’ ability to showcase their knowledge and skills and teachers’ ability to properly assess the capabilities of their classes. There are clear benefits and drawbacks to any new policy, and these are becoming more apparent as students and teachers alike continue to navigate the new system.
Teachers and students preparing for the midyear assessments.
Editorials....................................2
Features.................................4,5
Sports..............................7
Tabor News.................................3
Opinions.................................6
The Back Page.................8
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Faculty Lives Courtesy of Mrs. Finch
Outside the Classroom
Mrs. Finch's Story Firefighter Finch.
by LuLu Ward Can you tell me a little about your second life as a fire-fighting superhero? I started fighting fires in 2004 when I joined the Kimball Union Fire Brigade in Meriden, NH (I was a junior in high school then). I was a member of the Meriden Volunteer Fire Department from 2004-2010 when I moved out of town. I was also a member of the Gourley Township Volunteer Fire Department from 2010-2011 in Carney, MI. My favorite thing to do, though, is fight wildfires, which I started doing in 2006 and still do today. I have worked, in order, for the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands, the Midewin Interagency Hotshot Crew (a federal crew associated with the US Forest Service based in Wilmington, IL, 1 hour south of Chicago), the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and back to NH. I have fought wildfires in 11 states as well as Quebec, the largest one being 500,000 acres in Alaska in 2009. With fires that large, we do not put them out with water, but rather contain them and keep them from spreading by cutting fire line. That involves cutting down trees and digging miles of trenches that the fire cannot cross. We also spend time protecting homes by removing burnable materials from around buildings to create a firebreak. I generally work on a fire for two weeks at a time, then go
home for downtime. Sometimes I go right back out on another fire, sometimes there is only one trip per season which usually runs June through September. What made you become interested in fighting fires?
My family moved to New Hampshire when I was five. My dad decided to join the local fire department, so I spent a lot of time with him at the station when I was little, washing apparatus, riding in parades, helping with fundraisers. It seemed like the natural progression for me to to join when I was old enough. When I was 18, my lieutenant suggested that I might like to try wildfires, something he had been doing for 20 years. He arranged to have a class on wildfires taught at my station that summer. I passed, and about a month later found myself in Minnesota on my first fire. After those two weeks, I was hooked on wildfires. I loved everything about it: the excitement of the fires themselves (but there can be a lot of boring downtime, too), the camaraderie of working with the same twenty people towards the same goal, the opportunity to travel and have adventures. Moreover, I love camping. Does your husband do this as well?
Mr. Finch used to fight wildfires also (it’s how we
Understanding the Election
Candidates look towards November
by Jack Gordon Primary season of the 2016 Presidential Election is now in full swing, and the process which started nearly a year and a half before Election Day has finally translated into voting. Even with over eight months of this time still ahead of us, the candidates in both the Democratic and Republican parties have been vigorously tested in just about every setting they enter. From interviews to animated debates to perfectly orchestrated rallies, each candidate is repeatedly asked to propagate their beliefs and ideas regarding the future of the United States to the people of the nation. The presidential candidates have narrowed their focus at the beginning of the year towards a few key states throughout the country. Iowa, the first state in the election process to hold an electoral event, found itself swarmed by candidates in January and early February,
With which party do you most identify?
Democratic 43.5%
trying to show not only the Iowans but the entire country why they are best fit to lead the United States. Aside from being the first caucus, Iowa is also a valued “swing state.” While many states have a specific party which they often elect into office, swing states can go either way, and are therefore crucial to the success of any candidate. The Iowa caucus, a gathering and polling of party members on both sides, set the stage for the primaries to come, bringing to light the strengths and weaknesses of the battling candidates. The candidates left Iowa as quickly as they arrived, heading off to New Hampshire where the first true election, dubbed the “First in the Nation Primary,” took place only a week later. Candidates dashed from town to town throughout the small state, spreading their messages and attracting thousands of people to venues from general stores to large arenas. On the Republican side, the multitude of candidates made this state anyone’s state to win. On the Democratic side, a “virtual tie” between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in Iowa made New Hampshire results even more crucial.
For the candidates, the end of February and beginning of March hold major stakes for the future of their campaigns. With primaries in South Carolina and caucuses in Nevada at the end of the month, it is crucial to have the stage set for the largest primary event of the election, Super Tuesday. On Super Tuesday, the first day of March, voters from twelve states head to the voting booths and cast their ballots in one of the most pivotal stages of the campaign process.
Republican 27.6 % Independent 28.8 % Source: Survey Monkey
Once Super Tuesday comes and goes, the preferences of the country will become more clear, and will result in a smaller group of candidates vying for the top position in the nation. Until then, one can only imagine what this process has in store.
met in 2010). He worked for the US Forest Service for many years, including several years with the Midewin Hotshots. How long has Mr. Finch been a logger? Do you dabble in the logging industry as well?
Mr. Finch has been involved with the timber industry since he was in high school. As an adult, he spent his summers fighting fires and his winters logging up until 2012, when he commenced logging full-time. He has owned his own small business for over ten years, though. I will occasionally go to work with him, though I hesitate to say that I even “dabble” in logging. It is not my favorite job, though I don’t mind driving the skidder (large machine that drives the wood from the cutting area to the landing). I’ll admit I’m not very good with a chainsaw. Is there anything else spectacular about your preteacher past that you think Tabor students should know?
I think the firefighting is probably the most interesting part, but I also used to make maple syrup for a living in Michigan. I worked at a place that tapped 14,000 trees and averaged 5,000 gallons of syrup a year.
If you could vote in the primaries, for which candidate would you vote?
Ben Carson 2.86 % Hillary Clinton 22.04 % Ted Cruz 2.86 % John Kasich 8.57 % Marco Rubio 7.35 % Bernie Sanders 39.18 % Donald Trump 17.14 % Source: Survey Monkey
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The Back Page
continued from page 1 time I sit down to take a major test for that subject,” says LuLu Ward ’16. “I’m worried I won’t have enough practice doing well with this style of test.” Mr. Tyler echoes that concern, saying that this alternative assessment strategy is a “more awkward fit for AP classes.” At the same time, he says, “I’ve always done alternative assessments for my non-AP classes. It’s just a better fit for the material.”
Mr. Townsend, while recognizing the concern about AP preparedness is a legitimate one, refutes that midterms are integral to performing well on later AP tests. “You don’t just practice for 5Ks by running 5Ks,” he points out. “Some days you swim or cross train, you do speed work as well as longer distance running.” His logic holds, especially considering that teachers should have the best grasp of how to properly assess students. They understand well what their students have learned and
can create effective ways to test students on their specific abilities, the motivation behind the change to midyear assessments and away from traditional exams in the first place.
The main concern among the student body, however, was not the nature of the tests but rather the tight scheduling. “There were too many tests and projects in the space of a couple days,” said LuLu Ward ’16. “I couldn’t devote enough time to any to really showcase what I’d learned.” Paul Houle ’16 agrees, commenting that his workload oscillated in the weeks leading up to the close of the semester. Lily Blouin ’16 is hopeful, saying that she thinks these alternative assessments could be effective “if done right.” She argues for a traditional midterm week, saying that “some classes could hold traditional tests, and other classes could have their projects due. Doing projects and
studying and doing regular homework all at once was too much, and I was too overwhelmed to do my best work.”
The new system addresses the idea that traditional sitdown tests are not an appropriate format for all classes. The next step, however, is to make sure students have enough time to complete these assessments to the best of their abilities. Taking the structure from the old system and the flexibility of the new, plans are in the works to adjust the midterm “season” next year. The administration is taking into account the responses from both teachers and students, planning throughout the summer for next year’s midterms. There are no plans to revert to traditional assessments, but Tabor is working towards creating an ideal method of assessing ability, instead of just test-taking prowess.
Survey: I like cultural dinners at the dining hall. 12.12 %
33.84 %
1. Pope Francis made several headlines this past month. On February 12, 2016, Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill, the religious leaders of the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, finally met after nearly 1,000 years of separation since the Great Schism. As reported by CNN, the Pope and patriarch said in a joint declaration, “Thousands of victims have already been claimed in the violence in Syria and Iraq, which has left many other millions without a home or means of sustenance… We urge the international community to seek an end to the violence and terrorism and, at the same time, to contribute through dialogue to a swift return to civil peace.” In other headlines, on February 18, Pope Francis, released a statement condoning the use of artificial contraceptives in an effort to quell the spread of the Zika virus; in the same statement, according to the Wall Street Journal, Pope Francis states that Trump is “‘not Christian” if he wants to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump, true to form, shot back that the pontiff’s comments were “disgraceful.” (Sources: CNN, WSJ)
2. On February 20, UK Prime Minister David Cameron confirmed that Britain will host a referendum on June 23, 2016, to determine whether or not Britain should stay in the European Union. Political parties are now campaigning to sway public opinion, which remains evenly split on the topic. According to BBC, “David Cameron, the Labour Party, SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Lib Dems want Britain to stay in the EU.” In Prime Minister David Cameron’s recent meetings in Belgium with the leaders of the EU’s 27 other countries, he secured favorable changes and conditions for Britain, if Britain chooses to stay. (Sources: BBC, New York Times , CNN)
(New York Times, Al-Jazeera America)
4. Population control remains a growing issue in India. According to the New York Times, “For decades, India has relied on female sterilization as its primary mode of contraception, funding about four million tubal ligations every year.” Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, from the socially conservative Bharatiya Janata Party, took a step towards modernizing the system by introducing policies that will provide women with governmentfunded injectable contraceptives. A bold policy that will reshape India’s approach towards populationcontrol and women’s health. (New York Times)
5. On February 18, 2016, NASA received a recordbreaking number of applications, over 18,000, in response to its recruitment call for astronauts. This is nearly three times the number of applicants who responded in 2011. According to the New York Times, “[in 2011] after sifting through 6,100 candidates, NASA selected eight, an acceptance rate of 0.13 percent. You have a much better chance of getting into Princeton or M.I.T., which admit about 8 percent of applicants.” NASA has attempted to improvise and adjust to the huge influx of applications. The nearly 18,300 applicants eagerly awaiting affirm that the human curiosity for space travel is still steadily growing. [New York Times, The Week, The Guardian]
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5 or more 31.82 % 3-5 16.16%
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3. On February 19, 2016, a double suicide bombing in Northern Cameroon left nearly two dozen people dead and more than fifty wounded. According to the New York Times, Cameroon officials are “laying the blame on the Boko Haram militant group” for this act of terrorism. They assume that this is an act of retaliation because, just a week ago, Cameroonian forces crossed the Nigerian border to engage in a new offensive against Boko Haram forces. New York Times reporter, Dionne Searcey wrote, “Boko Haram is based in Nigeria, where it has overrun villages, killed thousands of people and abducted hundreds of women and children in recent years. Nigeria began a major offensive against Boko Haram last year, prompting many of the militants to scatter across the border into neighboring Chad, Niger, and Cameroon to carry out attacks. The four countries’ military forces have been trying to work together to combat the group.” Despite regional efforts, it is without doubt that Boko Haram remains a dangerous threat to the safety of civilians in the area.
No Opinion 13.13 %
Disagree 14.65 %
w
Somewhat Disagree
Ho
Agree
Somewhat Agree 26.26 %
24.24% 1-2 27.78% Source: Survey Monkey
Twitter What’s on your mind? Tabor Quotes @TaborQuotes “Be the savage you always wanted to be” - Khalida Williams Kanye West @kanyewest I know I confuse you guys sometimes, but please bear with me. Peter Thibodeau @Peterthibs Congrats to one of my best friends and roommate @amirdaouk for becoming an All American Wrestler today! Jeremiah Adams @jbusiness_20 Great news... The mullets back...
Senior Roommate Superlatives by LuLu Ward
Underclassmen, watch and learn.
Best Triplet:
Bridget Lattimer, Nicole McLaughlin, & Karen Morahan BL: “I’d like to thank Ms. Bride, Mr. Ackerman, and all of the dorm parents for the opportunity and hesitant support.” KM: “I’d like to give a special shoutout to our recently departed fourth roommate, Fishy Wap. Sorry you got hypothermia.” NM: “You know it’s true love when you sleep with 4 blankets and a comforter so they can keep their windows open at night. Sorry Fishy Wap for not sharing the warmth RIP.”
Best Friends from Far Away:
Most Entertaining: Emma Waligory & Khalida Williams
EW: “We’re both hot messes.” KW: “We both care about having a good time more than what others think.”
Most Unlikely Best friends: Ava Lennane & Araion Bradshaw AL: “She actually hates me.” AB: “I specifically asked Ava not to love-nest our beds and she did it anyway. More than once.”
Pete Thibodeau & Amir Daouk
Always Playing Jokes:
AD: “Pete’s the closest thing to a father I’ve ever had.” PT: “Amir is really good at cleaning.”
Jeremy Dingle & Austin Franklin
Most Collegiate: Shannon Ryan & Rachel Moore RM: “One year wasn’t enough. Let’s add four more on.” SR: “I can’t wait to be an Eagle with Rachel. She’s my best friend and roommate all in one.”
Four Years Strong: Bippy Abbott & Katie Goncalo BA: “I was obsessed with her in middle school so I begged her to be my roommate.” KG: “She always keeps me laughing and lets me make fun of her stuffed animals.”
JD: “Trying to wake Franky up in the morning is like trying to fit a watermelon through a pin hole.” AF: “Our trash cans mysteriously disappeared towards the end of September for some reason which made throwing away our trash pretty difficult and put a lot of stress on our relationship until Mr. Watt got us this sweet blue trash can! Thanks, Mr. Watt!”
Best Roommates from Different Rooms: Andrea Tardif & Woodard Hooper
WH: “Andrea protects me when I sleep walk.” AT: “Sometimes when I wake up and realize that Woodard is sleepwalking, I just go back to bed.”
Faculty Quiz
DUE RIG: HT NOW !
Which teacher are you most like? by Kat Mitchell
What movie genre would you watch? a. Classic b. Documentary c. Comedy
What is one adjective that describes you? a. Caring b. Energetic c. Funny
What do you do for fun? a. Play with your pets b. Write slam poetry
c. Go to Dunkin Donuts with friends
How early do you like to wake up? a. Early enough to get to extra help b. Early enough to go for a run then go to school c. Early enough to get coffee before getting to first block. EXTRA CREDIT: Choose one. a. Chapel b. All School c. Meeting Block If you got mainly “c” then you are most similar to Mr. Leary If you got mainly “b” then you are most similar to Mr. Chaput If you got mainly “a” then you are most similar to Ms. KaplaN
Book Reviews and Recommendations Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Every Day by David Levithan
No Such Person by Caroline B. Cooney
Reviewed by Noah Urell
Reviewed by Maddy Kistler
Reviewed by Annalisa Souza
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer is a novel that tells the tragic story of the 1996 Everest expedition. Told from the Krakauer’s point of view, who was on assignment for Wilderness Magazine, this story is truly thrilling. Krakauer was on the mountain with a group from Rob Hall’s guide service, one of the best. Everything goes well until the day they try to summit. The group leaders make some bad decisions and the surreal fantasy of climbing this mountain is smashed. Krakauer writes with incredible detail. I would recommend this book to anybody who likes suspense, tragedy, or just great storytelling.
Every Day by David Levithan describes the life of A, a teenager who wakes up every day in a different body. Throughout his time in different bodies, he attempts to keep a low profile, but this plan falters when he wakes up one day in the body of Justin and falls in love with Justin’s girlfriend Rhiannon. This book touches upon the ideas of sexuality and gender through the relationship between A and Rhiannon. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a cheesy romance or a book that makes you think.
No Such Person by Caroline B. Cooney is a novel that follows the lives of two sisters, Miranda and Lander, over the course of one weekend that would change their lives forever. Lander is the older of the two and she is the golden child in the eyes of their parents and anyone else who comes in contact with the family. That all changes when Lander is accused of murder and it is up to her younger, underappreciated sister, Miranda, to prove her innocence. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense and a plot that will keep them guessing.
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Viewpoints:
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Immigration Policy Nicole McLaughlin’s View
Angela Waters’ View Immigration policy refers to who can enter the United States and for how long. In the United States, current immigration policies require that people from a foreign country who want to live in the U.S. must obtain permission, usually through the form of a visa. However, only a limited number of visas can be granted. Many people have been denied entry to the U.S. because of visa restrictions. Thus, rates of illegal immigration have risen. The problem with illegal immigration that the law it breaks is in place to protect the citizens of the U.S. In the case where an illegal immigrant comes to the U.S., that person has bypassed many rounds of background checks and evaluations meant to ensure that he or she does not have a criminal record, and is not carrying a communicable disease. Often, people attempt to justify illegal immigration by citing the need for a better life. However, this goal can be achieved legally, resulting in a safer system and a more fair approach. Some solutions to the problem of illegal immigration include the enhancement of border security, and the possibility of changing immigration laws, allowing states on the border to decide the issue on a state level. This issue is important and impacts all residents of the U.S., and those who would like to become legal citizens. Illegal immigrants undermine the process for those who want to immigrate legally.
Donald Trump has highlighted the issue of immigration reform in his presidential campaign, but he is doing so in a racist, hateful, and ignorant manner that I worry is coloring the public opinion on who immigrants really are. More than 2 million people have been deported in the last eight years alone, according to CNN, and the overwhelming majority are not criminals. The same article reports that one-quarter of recent deportations have been of a mother or father of a child who is a citizen of the United States. Many times, these people are contributing positively to society. I wish more people personally knew immigrants like members of my own family who have come to the U.S. to become hard working members of the community. They continue to strive and work to better their lives and the lives of their families. One of Trump’s main targets have been immigrants from Mexico and Central America. He has been quoted describing these “types” of people as “ignorant” or “lazy”; and as people who are trying to steal American jobs or bring drugs into the country. This is not the only group that Trump has marginalized during conversations about immigration reform, as he once called for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.” His racism and derogatory language is dominating the conversation about immigration reform. At the core, we must remember that America is a country of immigrants and make sure we are getting accurate information on a subject that affects millions of lives.
Thoroughly Modern Millie
A Review of the Winter Musical by Owen Sughrue
Photo by Photo Pool
Following last year’s terrific production of Hairspray, Thoroughly Modern Millie had a high bar to reach. Mille, played by Aurelia Reynolds, was a lead singer in over half of the musical’s songs, and her incredible vocal and tap skills were showcased to the audience’s great enjoyment. Kate Marshall, playing the deceptive and clever Mrs. Meers, was a phenomenal actor as well; her ability to stay in character and maintain an accent for many scenes was truly impressive. Kate made the musical both funny and interesting: her facade made her both a devious and engaging character. Bill Zhai, playing the smooth Jimmy Smith, had a great singing voice and was a likable playboy. Following last year’s performance as Tracy Turnblad, Hannah
Bill Zhai ’16 in his lead as Jimmy Smith.
Rolighed performed Muzzy confidently and with wonderful vocals. As the funloving Miss Dorothy, Lucy Saltonstall had her heart set on living like the “other half.” She played opposite Gianni Cavallo, falling in love with his character Trevor Graydon at first sight. These two performed a spectacular duet, beautifully singing and dancing almost farcically around the stage together. All actors were completely immersed in character, making their 1920s personas incredibly believable. Bung Foo, played by Kelly Ido, spoke in Cantonese and sang in Mandarin, skillfully crafting a fully etched character. Tenzin Chodak played the role of Ching Ho on the opening night, but Hayden Mann stepped in to take over the next two performances,
playing two roles. Although he was given little preparation time, Hayden was exceptional in both of his roles, using script in the first night of his performance as Ching Ho, but, unbelievably, no script on the second night. Hayden only had a few hours preparation and looked as if he had been practicing the role all winter.
While the cast are the most visible product of all the hard work put into Thoroughly Modern Millie, many other people worked to ensure a spectacular show. The orchestra, a collection of musicians from around Massachusetts, played a major role in making the music as good as it was throughout the play. Mr. Horne, the Music Director, and the orchestra started practicing the Saturday
before the premiere, meaning they had less than a week to prepare. The cast and crew added to the performance, just as much as the actors in the play did. The stage design and lighting drew the audience into the Roaring Twenties, with authentic 1922 newspapers, a moving painting of Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night, and upto-the-line translations of Bung Fu and Ching Ho’s conversations projected onto a scrim floating above the actors. The costume design reflected the period’s fashions, and the stage workers efficiently and subtly changed the play’s setting with each scene. Thoroughly Modern Millie was a fantastic musical that leaves us looking forward to next year’s.
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Capturing a Winning Season Team-focused mindset of TAGVB leads to success by Nicole Fernandes
Photo by Photo Pool
Have you ever wished you could ball like the Tabor Girls’ Varsity Basketball team? I know I have. The team plays one of the most competitive schedules in the NEPSAC Class A Division, yet hasn’t had much trouble tallying up a number of wins over the course of the winter. Currently, the team has 19 wins and only 1 loss as they head into the playoffs. They are currently the number-one seed.
Araion Bradshaw ‘16 on a fast break.
The team’s incredible success this season can be attributed in large part to their chemistry. “We’re a pretty close group on and off the court,” says Araion Bradshaw ‘16, who will play basketball at the University of South Carolina next year. “We all truly love the sport. It’s easy to play with people who love what you’re doing as much as you do.” The outstanding skill and connection between players is evident to anyone on the sidelines. Manager Lily Blouin recounts overhearing a group of fans commenting during a game at Worcester Academy that this was one of the best teams they had seen in a long time. “They kept asking me when we were transitioning to our second line,” she laughs,
“and I responded, ‘This is our second line.’” This small interaction sticks out to Lily because it highlights the depth that the players and coaches have worked to create.
Mr. Becker, the team’s head coach, spoke to all the hard work that the girls have done in order to establish themselves as a New England powerhouse. He says that he loves coaching and walking into the gym everyday because “they’re such a great group of hardworking athletes.” He adds that the seniors “set a good example for the underclassmen” by pushing themselves and each other to improve everyday on the court. “We’ve had a lot of success this season because of the incredibly talented senior class and the leadership they have shown.” This year the seniors decided not to have captains, and instead all act as leaders in their own ways. “None of them is trying to be the star, but all work hard for the bigger picture: team success,” Lily comments, summing up this winning team’s philosophy.
The Workshop Success in the Studio A Review of the Winter Drama
Photo by Photo Pool
by Maya Yukselen
The Workshop cast puts on a great show.
Similar to productions of the winter drama in the past, this one did not disappoint. This year, Joslyn Jenkins ’17 worked with eleven students from Mr. Howland’s creative writing class to direct and produce a collection of unique scenes and monologues called The Workshop. All brought something different to the table and incorporated different stereotypical situations or themes and brought a comedic flavor to each.
Just when it could not get any better, videos were incorporated and the director herself, Joslyn, wove in and out of the show, making a few guest appearances. Having no prior directing experience, Joslyn put on a terrific show, unlike anything I have ever seen before. With a combination of scenes and dialogues that made you laugh, cry or laugh until you cried, this show is definitely one for the books.
by Madeleine Gregory and Bridget Lattimer Many have noticed the group of artists with clay covered sweaters and shoes, but few have experienced the true scope of their work and the extent of their talent. A core group of seniors populates Mr. Arnfield’s Advanced Ceramics class, and each of them works throughout the day–during class and free blocks–to perfect their pieces and improve their skills. The ability of this group is unparalleled as each member comes to the studio every day with dedication and a love of ceramics to match.
Self-nominated captain, Nicole McLaughlin ’16, claims that she “owe[s] all [her] success to [her] boys in the studio.” Thomas Kelly, another star in the ceramics studio, gives a “special shoutout to Mr. Arnfield for letting [him] be his young apprentice” and jokingly recognizes Nicole as “someone who is almost good enough to compete with.” Other members of this group include Danil Garankov, Ethan Archambault, and Phil Eisner--who, other students comment, “is not good at sharing the oxidation kiln.” While they love to tease one another, the team has truly bonded over an activity that they all love. The camaraderie among this group of seniors is evident to all, and the talent that they bring to the studio is making a huge mark on Tabor’s Ceramics Program. A major success of the group this year was its involvement in the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts competition.
NCECA hosts a conference in Kansas City, Missouri, every year and chooses ceramic works from across the country to showcase. This year, works by Nicole McLaughlin, Thomas Kelly, and Phil Eisner qualified for the K-12 Youth Collection, and their pieces were shipped to Kansas to be put on display. Only 150 out of 16,000 entries were chosen, and the fact that three of Tabor’s own qualified is testament to the strength of the program. Nicole McLaughlin is currently deciding between attending Maine College of Art (where she received the Dean’s Scholarship for her work) and Kansas City Art Institute, two of the best ceramics schools in the country. Nicole thanks Tabor for her discovery of ceramics and the development of her skill. “Tabor’s ceramics program has helped me find who I am as an artist well before I journey into my career as an artist,” she says. She notes that the “support from teachers and fellow students, as well as the amazing facilities” have pushed her to become better and have allowed her to experiment and grow. Many members of this incredible group arrived at Tabor with no experience with clay whatsoever. What began as an elective freshman and sophomore year, however, became a hobby and then a passion. Their success, though impressive, is secondary to the love they have cultivated for the art and the support they provide for each other.
Photo by Photo Pool
The Workshop challenged social obstacles that are rarely discussed and shared the honest, yet hysterical, truth. From talks about moms at book clubs to arrogant lifeguards, this show made the audience chuckle non-stop. The writers were able to tap into a sensitive part of the audience and were able to combine comedy with reality. The different actors shared with us a variety of characters, all of which the audience could relate to. LuLu Ward played the part of the sweet and sensitive nerd who feels an A in math is life or death, and Austin Franklin was the cocky lifeguard that charms girls with a wink. Laughs roared through the theatre watching these incredible performances. Julia Furneaux performed with what seemed to be a toogood-to-be-fake Boston accent and Max Dadagian began a revolution of putting your feet on the table. You can’t forget about your average band camp geek played by Boo Graham who had everyone’s stomachs in knots from laughter. With all of these convincing actors, I felt that I was a part of the world these characters lived in. Everyone could relate in some way.
A look inside Tabor's Advanced Ceramics Program
Nicole McLaughlin ’16 working in the studio.
News Editorials Arts & Features
Quick Questions Meet Clayton Keller by Wendy Liu
How do you like your role in the video about saving the sea turtles? I loved doing the background dancing and rapping for the video (but I have been told multiple times that my rapping game needs work). During the informative part of the video, I was also very pleased to have been able to show off a lot of class and head turning. I did, at times, feel like the spotlight was stolen from me by Emma and Khalida during the video because my dance moves were clearly superior. How would you describe your experience in working with Emma and Khalida?
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Photo: Open Source
8
Your Closet will Thank You but Your Wallet will Hate You Hey there!
A girl’s best friend is a good pair of shoes. And by shoes, I mean sneakers. As much as the teachers try to fight it, sneakers are in.
I give my shoes the credit for making an okay outfit a great one. I’m sharing my Go-To sneakers. Hopefully, they will convince you to add some personality to your look and help you ease into the summer flipflop season.
It was fun and odd. They are two of the funniest people I have ever known and their chemistry is absolutely awesome and hilarious. What nicknames do you have?
Black Nike Thea:
CK, Claybaybay, C-Man, and The Savage. What is your favorite animal?
Don’t get fooled by that Nike swish—these sneaks are much more than a workout shoe. Paired with leather pants, the Thea keep the effect of a “put together” look for a day in the city—without your feet screaming at you. And, my favorite part about them: with skinny jeans, pants, or, yes, even leggings, the shoe still comes off casual enough to wear for some last minute Sunday errands.
The Honey Badger.
What is the best invention of all? Definitely the Automatic Skittles Dispenser with a built-in sensor What is your favorite pizza order?
Bacon, pepperoni, pineapple, garlic, anchovies, and tuna.
Superga:
What is the weirdest thing you have in your room?
I think the most exciting thing about the Superga brand is their colors and options. You really can’t go wrong. Yes, white is classic, but the shoe itself has such a clean look to it already that the whole point is to make a statement with the color, material, or pattern you choose. If you pick a metallic color like gold, pair it with an olive green dress. If you pick a color like navy, you can still pull off that preppy nautical look by pairing it with white and blue. (Personally, I love the bright red ones.) Bottom line: Go big.
A $150 bag of Skittles.
What is your catchphrase? Don’t sweat the petty things.
Where is your dream home? Luxembourg.
Barney’s High Tops:
In Case You Missed It.... v February is supposed to be the month of love, but it seems like there’s a case of broken hearts going around. vIf you haven’t noticed, it’s still cold out. Please don’t walk outside in only a sweater and complain about how you have the flu now. vThe MUN conference at UPenn. Wish I signed up for that one.
One of my all time favorite sneakers are my Barney’s high tops. I don’t have the name of the exact style, but they are similar to a Golden Goose sneaker. I think it’s super important to have one cool pair of high tops that make a statement. They are a perfect way to make an outfit young and urban, without making it too fancy or dressy. Embrace the sneaker trends this spring, but don’t be afraid to step away from those white Vans and Converse and take a leap of faith.
NMC
vGo cop some new Beyonce songs right now. They’ll make your Saturday nights a little less lonely.
Want to write for the LOG? Come to the next meeting on Wednesday, March 30 @ 8:15, upstairs in the library. All are welcome.
vNot only do flowers bud in Spring… but so do relationships. vThis is what last March looked like:
Photo by Photo Pool
T he L og The Tabor Log is the student produced newspaper of Tabor Academy. The Log is distributed to students, faculty and staff. The Tabor Log welcomes letters to the Editors. Please send submissions of fewer than three hundred fifty words to taborlog@taboracademy. org. The Log reserves the right to edit submissions for space and/or clarity.
Editors-in-Chief: Madeleine Gregory Claire Brito Faculty Advisor: Helene Sughrue Layout Editors: Jennifer Joung Wendy Liu Managing Editors: Jack Gordon Nicole Fernandes Bridget Lattimer
Section Editors: Stephanie Zou Joslyn Jenkins Jennifer Joung Wendy Liu Jason Ma LuLu Ward Nicole Fernandes Duhita Das Hannah Frisch LuLu Ward