Scribeissue5final by The Scribe

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The

Vol. XVI, Issue 5 Francis Parker School May 2014

MAY 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 2 4 5 6

OP 8 10 11 12 14 15 16 18 20

FE 22 24 25 26 28

AC 30 32 33 34

SP 38 39 40 42

’14 44 46 49 52 53 54 56

COVER BY GRACE SELLICK TOC EDITOR’S NOTE BY SOREN HANSEN GBU BY THE SCRIBE STAFF STAFF PAGE

OPINIONS ADDERALL EPIDEMIC BY CHARLOTTE DICK-GODFREY CROSSING THE SCREEN BY MAX FEYE RETHINK WATER BY EMILY OSBOURNE KEEP IT FRESH BY DAN LEIBOWITZ THE BREAK-UP BY MICHELA RODRIGUEZ “ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE” BY JAY GARDENSWARTZ PERFECT BY CIAN LAVIN SHE SAID YES BY NISHON TYLER LIFE(R) OF THE PARTY BY ALEX DEDDEH

FEATURES BLOCKED OUT BY CAROLINE WOHL GOING THE EXTRA MILE BY SAM PRYOR FILLING IN THE CHANGE BY MYLA ANDREWS MISSION TUITION BY ANDREAS TOWERS AND HALEY BRANER TAKING FLIGHT BY FAITH TOMLIN

ARTS & CULTURE RECREATIONAL READING BY LILY GLASSER STOP AND SEE THE ROSES BY MORGAN SMITH BEST FESTS BY ALLIE GOINES THROUGH THE LENS BY SOPHIA SWEDBACK

SPORTS ONE AND DONE BY GABRIEL GROSS-SABLE TEARING APART A CAREER BY ELIJAH GROSS-SABLE PACKING HEAT BY JASH BABLA KUIPER’S LEGACY BY EMMA MOORE

SENIORS BLAST FROM THE PAST BY CAROLINE MERKIN LETTERS TO FRESHMAN SELF COMPILED BY JULIANA D’AURIA THAT’S WHAT THEY SAID COMPILED BY JULIANA D’AURIA AND MORGAN SMITH LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT COMPILED BY JULIANA D’AURIA AND MORGAN SMITH QUADRANTS COMPILED BY JULIANA D’AURIA AND MORGAN SMITH COLLEGE MAP COMPILED BY NATALIE GREENBERG BACK COVER BY SOREN HANSEN COLOPHON

Body Typeface: Minion Pro 9 pt Header Typeface: Century Gothic Regular Folio Typeface: Century Gothic Printed By: IPS Publishing, San Diego, CA

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Soon-to-be graduates Blake McCool, Jesse Brookins, Katherine Owens, Sophia LaBella, Omar Harb, Kim Svatos, and Claire Klein enjoy their final days on the Upper School campus before leaving for college. See where they’ll be attending in the fall on the College Map on pages 54 and 55.

New Baha’i member Conner Correll incorporating music into his faith.

“The Butterfly Effect” was the theme of the first issue printed by Mosaic magazine.

Senior Cian Lavin reflects on the unrealistic standards of perfection that Parker fosters.

Photography student Cara Steigler discusses her work with instructor Mr. Mark Byrne.

Is the movie industry beginning to take religion seriously, or is Christianity just getting the Hollywood-treatment?

Intense summer training regimens are vital to the success of sports teams in the fall season including football and cross country.

Potted herbs such as parsley and basil are sold at the Riverside Farmer’s Market

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PHOTOGRAPH BY NATALIE GREENBERG

EDITOR’S NOTE A

Creative Director Grace Sellick, Editor-in-Chief Soren Hansen, Managing Editor Olivia Fidler

h, spring. The magical time of year when birds are chirping and the breeze blows softly through the trees.

Recently, a different spring sound can be heard from the far corner of the Social Justice Garden to the last spot in the parking lot: “Click... click... click.” A recent knee surgery has placed me alongside the multitude of other invalids clearly visible around campus by the crutches that support us. Though these harsh chords seem to clash with the sweet song of the present season, they actually share an underlying pattern. As we strain through the final weeks of spring and longingly look forward to summer, I am reminded of what spring truly represents: growth. Crutches give an outward appearance of brokenness, but they are part of the long process that is healing and regrowth. Spring is the perfect time for those with broken bones and scars to heal their wounds and return back to the activities they love (“Tearing Apart a Career,” page 39). Spring is the season of natural growth as the world around us moves quickly past our pitiful southern California winter and on to the lengthening daylight hours of summer. It brings budding trees and blooming flowers. It is the time when gardens are planted and cultivated to produce the leafy greens that appear on our plates (“Keep It Fresh,” page 12).

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It is easy to hear the baby birds singing incessantly from their nest right outside Ms. Southworth’s door. But the passing days of spring will come to an end, and these birds will fly away soon to start their own lives. Though it is completely cliché, our very own seniors will soon be leaving the nest, some having been here at Parker for fifteen years. Looking back to their Lower School days, the seniors might remember when pink jumpers hung down below their knees and the highlight of the day was playing on the monkey bars in the Blue Playground. If only the nap time we so hated in kindergarten were included in the proposed schedule for next year (“Blocked Out,” page 22). Middle school was filled with shortening skirts and social stress, but the Class of 2014 seemed to survive just fine (“Blast from the Past,” page 44). And finally to high school, where the skorts got even shorter and where even though not everyone is a lifer (“Life(r) of the Party,” page 20), the senior class showed their true spirit as they passed AP after AP and won state championship after state championship—quite the class. Though it is fun to look back and remember all of the times, both good and bad, it is important to focus on the future. To the injured, continue to heal and grow and leave your crutches behind. To the juniors, finish out the year strong and prepare to grow into your role that the seniors leave behind. And to the Class of 2014, enjoy your final days as seniors and be excited to grow up into the successful, happy alumni you are destined to become.

SOREN HANSEN Editor-in-Chief

G TH E G OOD

robotics victories

B TH E B AD

donald sterling

U TH E U GLY

the heat wave

So it’s official: robots are taking over. But these robots aren’t your average C3PO Star Wars machines that are celebrated every May 4th for Star Wars Day, with puns saying, “May the fourth be with you.” No, these are lords, the 2485 W.A.R. Lords to be exact. Declaring “We Are Robot Lords,” the robotics team has been engineering and coding its way to victory. They ranked 1st place in the top winning alliance out of 50 teams in the regionals competition in Las Vegas early April. You’ve probably seen the robotics lads and ladies rockin’ some rad maroon hats and shirts with “987” on them. This stands for their alliance made with the High Rollers, a Las Vegas high school team, during the regionals competition. The W.A.R. Lords advanced to the FTC Worldwide Championship April 23-26, placing in the top 16 in St. Louis. The 2014 robot, Odin, and the team have certainly proven their status as one of the top-ranking teams in the world.

Having a bad week? It’s nothing compared to the week that Los Angeles Clippers Donald Sterling had. After telling a friend of his to “not bring African Americans” to Clippers games when she posted a picture with NBA legend Magic Johnson, he was banned by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver from any NBA-related events or facilities and fined over $2 million. In addition, he was forced to sell the team and relinquish all responsibility. There’s no room for racism in any sports, but Sterling went ahead and said it. After the comments, Clippers and Warriors players protested and threatened to boycott game four of the playoffs. You done messed up D-D-on.

It’s 12:58, and you’re sweating in your seat. Will seventh period ever end? Upon exiting the sauna, you pray for a reprieve, when suddenly a hot gust of wind violently blows your papers from your hands. Great. It’s windy, and it’s scorching—what’s the deal? During the week of April 27th, San Diego was hit with Santa Ana winds, and the week’s temperatures ranged from 90 to 99 degrees during the day and remained in the high 70’s at night. Think it was blazing hot elsewhere as well? Nope. The northeastern states suffered from torrential rain and New Orleans’s weekly temperature was a consistent, sunny 75. What’s happening here, America? As if an awful economy wasn’t bad enough.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FACT.CO.UK

THE BAROMETER PROM THEME

Awesome venue? Check. Adorable children handing out cookies? Check. It can be hard to channel your inner child through the stresses of high school, so we’re thankful to have an excuse to let it run rampant. Thanks, ASB, for another great prom theme..

SUMMER PROGRAMS

Even though there seems to be increasing competition over summer internships and Ivy League programs, good for those who are doing what they love because they truly love it. From theater intensives to creative writing workshops and so much more, these kids have it going on. School’s out for summer?

WISH WEEK

In concept, wish week was fantastic–bagels, anyone? However, it seems our hopes got a little too high, as several of our wishes were neglected and left to die in the so-called “wishing well”. Next time, let us know our wishing limits before we all get hyped up for a schoolwide pizza lunch.

PSA: COLLEGE

We understand that getting into college is a huge deal, but there’s a fine line between announcing your acceptance and bragging about it. We’re happy for you– we really are, but it gets a little annoying scrolling through four posts in a row while we’re procrastinating on our own homework. Let’s keep it classy, ladies and gentlemen.

SPRING PEP RALLY

Can I get an L! Can I get an A! No? Parker spirit took a turn down the toilet for last month’s pep rally, where about 10-15 people actually showed up. Go Lancers?

KOREAN FERRY TRAGEDY

Tragedy after tragedy, the death count for the sunken South Korean ferry is still on the rise. It seems like awful events like these just keep occurring, and have us pushing for world peace more than ever.

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STAFF PAGE Editor-in-Chief SOREN HANSEN

Opinions Editor CAROLINE MERKIN

Managing Editor OLIVIA FIDLER

Features Editors CAROLINE WOHL

Creative Director GRACE SELLICK

Arts & Culture Editors MYLA ANDREWS EMMA MOORE

Senior Editor NATALIE GREENBERG Web Editor MADDIE OTTILIE

Sports Editors JASH BABLA CHARLOTTE DICK-GODFREY

Staff Writers ALEX DEDDEH MAX FEYE JAY GARDENSWARTZ ALLIE GOINES GABRIEL GROSS-SABLE CIAN LAVIN DANIEL LEIBOWITZ MICHELA RODRIGUEZ NISHON TYLER Adviser ANDREW HOLBROOK

Etcetera Editors JULIANA D’AURIA MORGAN SMITH

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS In the April 2014 issue of The Scribe, sophomore Isaac Gray responded to the “Quadrants” question “What do you think about when you are alone in your car?,” with the line, “As a mental exercise, I’ve often planned the murder of friends and colleagues.” Gray’s answer is actually a quotation from the BBC television series Sherlock, and The Scribe failed to attribute it as such. We apologize for any confusion or concern this may have raised.

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EDITORIAL POLICY Serving as the official news magazine of the Francis Parker Upper School, The Scribe strives to report on the major news stories on campus while providing the student body with a cutting-edge take on campus life and culture. The editorial staff oversees the editing and production aspects of the magazine. Members of the staff also volunteer a great deal of their after-school and weekend time to work on the magazine. The editor-in-chief assumes all responsibility for the material published in The Scribe. For this reason, any errors or complaints should be reported to the editor-in-chief and not to the authors of particular articles.

Check out The Scribe’s website, with online articles, videos, surveys, old issues, and more at www.fpsthescribe.org Share with us any questions, comments, or concerns you have about the magazine. Your opinions matter! Email us at fpscribe@gmail.com. Join our Facebook fanpage at www.facebook.com/fpsthescribe to stay updated on everything Scribe-related.

OPI N I O NS adderall epidemic pg. 8 I crossing the screen pg. 10 rethink water pg. 11 I keep it fresh pg. 12 the break-up pg. 14 I all the world’s a stage pg. 15 perfect pg. 16-17 I she said yes pg. 18-19 I life(r) of the party pg. 20

PHOTOGRAPH BY DANIEL LEIBOWITZ

Carrots and rainbow chard await a shopper’s purchase at Hillcrest’s Sunday farmer’s market. Due to the health benefits of eating and purchasing locally grown food, America’s citizens are swarming their local farmer’s markets. See page 12 for the scoop.

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ADDERALL EPIDEMIC PARKER’S PROBLEM WITH THE POPULAR DRUG ARTICLE BY CHARLOTTE DICK-GODFREY ARTWORK BY ISAAC GRAY

“I

knew there was

no way I could sit in a classroom, pay attention, and do well,” says Parker senior Jake*. “I needed to start taking Adderall so that I could succeed.” Jake was diagnosed with ADHD as a sophomore and has been prescribed Adderall ever since. Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine and is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorder, known as ADHD and ADD. The combination of the two drugs increases attention and decreases restlessness in patients who are overactive or easily distracted. Some students use Adderall or drugs similar to Adderall to excel in school, whether they are prescribed the drug or not. The number of ADD and ADHD diagnoses and Adderall usage have skyrocketed over the last few years. The United States is 4% of the world’s population but produces 88% of the world’s legal amphetamines. Adderall, also known as the “study drug,” is in high demand across the nation and has increasingly become highly used and abused by students everywhere. According to the MetLife Foundation, which is a global provider of insurance, annuities, and employee benefit programs, 26% of students believe that prescription stimulant drugs, such as Adderall, can be used as a study aid—thus evoking the persuasion and ameatur thought to injest the medication. “Even though I’m not prescribed it, I take Adderall because I feel like I’m pressured to do well,” says Parker junior Steven.* “Adderall really helps, you can see it in my test scores.” * Some sources’ names have been withheld at their request.

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The severity for attention deficit disorders vary for each person, making it difficult to accurately test someone for ADD or ADHD. “I think that most people have a little bit of ADD or ADHD, but some more than others,” says junior Annika Riis. “The people that have severe ADD or ADHD should be taking some form of Adderall, but the people that don’t need it shouldn’t be taking the drug.” “We need to make sure that children and adolescents receive a thorough assessment before being placed on stimulant medications,” says Dr. Alain Joffe, director of the Student Health and Wellness Center at Johns Hopkins University and former chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Substance Abuse tells MetLife. “If that medication is prescribed to a child, it should only be as one component of a comprehensive ADHD or ADD management plan. We don’t really know what long-term effects these ADHD/ ADD medications will have on the still-developing brains of adolescents who do not have ADHD or ADD. We do know they can have significant side effects, which is why they are limited to use with a prescription.”

THE EFFECTS ON THE BODY Like any drug, Adderall is foreign to the body and can therefore seriously affect it. Someone who is consuming the drug unprescribed can encounter dangerous side effects such as severe mood changes, weight loss, insomnia, and heart palpitations. Nonetheless, students are willing to deal these unhealthy possibilities just to get an “A” on their transcripts.

“I have a friend who was diagnosed with ADD and ADHD before he was two years old. When he was old enough, he started taking Adderall at a really high dosage because of how severe his disorder was and eventually he built a tolerance to it,” says Parker junior Riley.* “Because he was so young when he started taking it, it really messed up his brain. He constantly has panic attacks and can never sleep. It’s weird to think something so common can mess you up like that.”

THE PROBLEM Many students are so obsessed with the idea that this drug can be used as an easy pathway to success in school that they fail to consider the effects of the amphetamine. People who take Adderall unprescribed seem to experience these effects more than those who are prescribed. This is because people who are unprescribed usually don’t take the drug as often and therefore are not able to build a tolerance to the side effects. This disturbs the body’s balance and can even increase the possibility of side effects. Even so, students continue to buy Adderall off of prescribed users who are willing to share. “I started dealing Adderall because my close friends would ask me for it, but then it got to kids outside of school,” Jake says. “Kids only need it for a final or an essay and ask me randomly for it. I could go for months without selling any but during finals week I could make up to $200.” Although shocking, dealing Adderall is more common than one might think, especially on a high school or college campus. In fact, MetLife confirmed that one in

four teens has misused or abused a prescription stimulant drug, such as Adderall, at least once in their lifetime—a 33% increase in the last five years. At this age, students are aware of what is legal and what is not. Using prescription drugs unprescribed is a felony, but this doesn’t seem to stop students from buying Adderall. “I pay $10 a pill usually, but one month I won’t buy any and another month I could spend up to $100,” Steven says. “I’m fine with buying Adderall unprescribed, I mean how could I get caught?” Although “getting caught” doesn’t seem possible, some Parker teachers know about the popularity of Adderall and the unprescribed usage of it, making the teachers more conscious of the secretive Adderall deals on campus. However, teachers are concerned not only with unprescribed students taking the drug but also with diagnosed and prescribed students. Math and physics teacher Mr. Brodie Kaster has recently encountered more of his students falling under the ADD or ADHD category. “I have students come into my classroom saying, ‘Oh, I’m taking Adderall now,’ and I would say, ‘I didn’t even know you had an attention problem,’” Kaster says. “I think Adderall is a quick fix, but I doubt there will be lasting effects for helping students focus.” For some reason, getting diagnosed with ADD or ADHD and taking Adderall has become more evident on campus in the last two years. Kaster and oth-

OP er teachers at Parker have noticed this sudden increase in the drug’s popularity and think that Parker’s academic rigor has something to do with it. “There is so much pressure on students to perform, perform, perform,” Kaster says. “When [students] hear about another student who takes Adderall, they think that student has an unfair advantage. It’s all about academic competition.”

MY EXPERIENCE Having been diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed Adderall over four months ago, I have started to notice how

“popular” the disorder and narcotic are becoming, and when I hear the reasons why some people take the drug I wonder why I started taking Adderall too. When my junior year began, I was hardly experiencing any of the stresses that past Parker juniors had warned me about. However, when winter break came to an end, a sudden influx of work and activities that I needed to get done for school hit me. I went from being an organized, calm student to a stressedout, messy-haired freak who could never find her pencil. I never could

manage to sit still and get all of my work done so I began to diagnose myself with ADHD. My parents were hesitant to get me tested because they never believed in the ADD/ADHD diagnostics. After I bothered them about it enough, they reluctantly agreed to take me to a psychiatrist, who diagnosed me with ADHD. When I first started taking Adderall, I felt like I was taking espresso shots every hour of the day until I hadn’t slept in two days. I was scared. I wondered if these symptoms were normal or if they would ever go away. Eventu-

ally I built a tolerance to it and the symptoms calmed down but I still noticed a change in myself that I didn’t like. Every time I take Adderall I don’t have an appetite, I can never sleep well, and I always seem to be upset with everyone around me towards the end of the day. Even though I don’t feel like myself when I take Adderall, I am never as productive without it. Although it helps me study well and finish my work promptly, I wonder if I can do work well without taking it, I wonder if I’ve formed a dependence on Adderall. In order to rid this Adderall epidemic from students’ school environments, it is up to the students, who are the most exposed to the drug, to seriously ask themselves, ‘Do I actually need this drug?’

*Some sources’ names have been withheld at their request.

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CROSSING THE SCREEN CHRISTIANITY TAKING THE MOVIE SCENE BY STORM ARTICLE AND ARTWORK BY MAX FEYE

“F

allen angels

and killing babies! That wasn’t the movie I was expecting to see!” exclaims Cathy Reed, a moviegoer at an afternoon screening of Darren Aronofsky’s Noah, a rendition of the Biblical story of Noah’s Ark. Reed is a elderly woman, a Missouri native, and a devout Christian who considers herself relatively well versed in the passages of the Bible. As a result, she was able to detect the many differences between the true biblical version in the book of Genesis and the Hollywood version. This year is turning out to be a new chapter in the long and controversial history of movies weaving the themes of Christianity and Hollywood together. From as the 1950s, critically acclaimed films have been produced that have roots in biblical scripture, such as the 1956 classic The Ten Commandments. Others at least aim to address Christian values in the modern world, such as the 1981 film Chariots of Fire. Filmmaking production companies plan to release at least eight big-budget faith-based movies to viewers this

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year alone. In a time of impressive computer generated images and a shrinking attention span, 2014 seems to be a fork in the road for Hollywood when it comes to addressing this unique relationship with a massive Christian community. It is faced with the choice to either create powerful faith-based movies and bring the Bible to life for the millions of Christians in America and abroad, or distort the stories for the purpose of greater entertainment and a more vested interest among the non-faithful. In a society where the minds of young people are so deeply ingrained in popular culture of movies and television, Hollywood might just choose what it always has: producing movies that ultimately make the most money. But Hollywood as a business trying to maximize its profits is faced with a slightly more convoluted solution when addressing the Christian community. Fueled by a newfound interest in the subject due to History Channel’s The Bible, which according to Time magazine was 2013’s most watched show on television, as well as the fact that the different sects of Christianity make up about 70% of Americans, Hollywood has perked its ears up

to the potential millions of viewers who would watch these faith-based movies. “I think it’s great to see a scene in a movie based on a passage in the Bible bring that particular scripture to life,” says junior Nathan Wiggins, the head of the Christian Club. This is what makes upcoming Christian movies, such as Son of God, so appealing to the Christian population. Critically-acclaimed movies that have relived the Bible in the past, such as The Ten Commandments, have also met with great success. Still, there exists a culture of violence, fast-paced action, and dramatic themes that dominates the movie industry. Hollywood seems to try to play both sides when it comes to catering to the religious audience, as well as the typical moviegoer. “Hollywood fills its movies with what sells: revenge, sex, malice, and fame,” says Mrs. Cherie Redelings, advisor to the Christian Club. “Don’t forget violence,” says history teacher Eric Taylor, “for instance in movies like The Passion of Christ which depicts the scene of Jesus’ crucifixion.” The movie partially stays true to biblical description, but like

most Christianity inspired Hollywood movies, taps into other elements to increase viewership. Depictions of extreme violence and Satanism brought about a vested interest from average viewers, but also raised protest from the Christian communities. “Hollywood’s core themes don’t really match up with Christianity’s,” Redelings says. “No one wants to see a movie about forgiveness or prayer.” Reed is just one such person who isn’t sure what to make of the Hollywood-created limbo between Christianity and entertainment in movies. “[Noah] certainly was entertaining,” she says. But on the other hand, she feels it wasn’t a very accurate depiction of one of the most well-known stories in the Old Testament. It is becoming apparent that 2014 is going to be filled with biblical movies, such as Noah. What is unsure is the direction these movies will take the relationship between Christianity and Hollywood. Based on the values of Hollywood as an institution, however, it seems unlikely Reed will get to see the pure portrayal of the Bible in a blockbuster film any time soon.

RETHINK WATER BEYOND A REASONABLE DROUGHT ARTICLE AND ARTWORK BY EMILY OSBORNE

he staccato sound of

last month’s spring raindrops, although welcomed, has not ended concerns about California’s drought. Surprisingly, although it is a coastal state, California has the driest summer season in the USA. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, precipitation has recently been at only 10 to 30% of the average amount across Southern California. San Diego, although always veering in and out of droughts, has just faced the driest rainy season in California’s recorded rainfall history. Although Francis Parker may not feel the effect of this drought, it is our civic duty to do what we can to help conserve water. This drought has a huge effect on our state. The dryness caused by the drought has lead to an increased number of wildfires this year. California Fire, the main state agency that responds to wildfires, reported on Feb. 19 that it has responded to 600 wildfires since the first of the year. This is a 330% increase compared to the average. It also seriously affects California’s agriculture which, according to Economy Watch, a News site

with articles that inform people about the worlds economic situation, produces more than half of America’s produce of fruits, vegetables and nuts. Senior Matsuo Chino says he has an uncle in the agriculture business who came up with a new, more effective system of irrigation for his farm. “ It’s really efficient, so we don’t have any water problems,” Chino says. He explains that the system involves meters that measure the water in the soil to see when water is needed. Then there are tubes with holes, similar to a drip irrigation system, that water the plants only when they need it. The drought causing these problems is taking place all over California but is most prevalent in Southern California in the San Diego area, which means rising water prices for us. This happens because many local water sources

“

are severely depleted. For example, according to sdcoastkeeper.org, San Diego’s El Capitan Reservoir, which has been at almost maximum capacity in the past, is now 64% depleted. This causes San Diegans to look elsewhere for water. Today 80% of our region’s water supply is imported from the Colorado River and Northern California. In this kind of a drought it is Parker’s duty to do its part. Although the school makes a conscious effort to be eco friendly and conserve water, there is more we can do. “Parker has already been doing a lot of great things [in regards to resource management],” says Mr. Michael Cain, director of risk and asset management, “but there’s still areas where we could improve.” Parker used 17,417 gallons and spent $67,000 just on water in 2013. Most of this huge amount of water is used in the cafeteria and for wa-

It is important to be mindful of water consumption even when we use it at a relatively small scale.” —Mr. Trotter

tering our grassy landscaping. “You can’t really have much grass and conserve water. It’s kind of mutually exclusive,” says ceramics teacher Mr. Steve Cook. The maintenance staff have done a good job of re-landscaping some parts of the school so we use less water, but it is still hardly the desert landscaping that would be conducive to where we live. Mr. Philip Trotter, a history teacher, also has to think about watering landscaping as he is the head of our school’s Social Justice Garden. Although the garden is watered by hand at the moment, Trotter says that he plans to put it on drip irrigation as soon as the placement of the plant beds is permanent. “It is important to weigh the benefits of having a garden with the economic and moral cost of consuming water in a drought region,” Trotter says. “Water use is a discussion that everyone needs to have when deciding about landscaping.”

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KEEP IT

FRESH THE VALUE OF LOCAL PRODUCE

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL LEIBOWITZ

Stalls of fresh broccoli and green beans are just two of the many types of fresh, local produce at the Hillcrest Farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Market. Open every Sunday on Normal Street from 9AM-2PM, the market offers foods to meet any craving. From locally grown avocados to artisan-crafted bread, visitors to the market are constantly surrounded by fresh and delicious foods.

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he delicious smells are

noticeable long before it comes into sight. The sounds of excited vendors and enthusiastic shoppers are unmistakable. Hundreds of people are eager to get a taste of the unique products that the neat lines of stalls have to offer. The clothes are artisan-crafted and made by small, local businesses. The food is fresh, organic, and locally grown. This is the Hillcrest Farmer’s Market. Every Sunday in Hillcrest, Normal Street transforms into a huge collection of about 140 vendors selling everything from custom-made handbags to gourmet dipping sauces. However, Hillcrest is not the only place to find such a market. There are markets in La Jolla, Ocean Beach, Encinitas, Scripps Ranch, Little Italy, and over 50 more. In addition to offering a gathering place for local communities, farmer’s markets also provide something that few supermarkets can. All products sold at farmer’s markets are local—locally grown in the case of produce and crafted by local artisans in the case of jewelery and clothing. Food that is grown by people that live in close proximity to their customers This opens up countless opportunities. For example, locally grown food often contains less pesticides and artificial preservatives due to the fact that it has no need to travel halfway across the country and stay edible. Further, the markets help to fuel the local economy. Money spent at farmer’s markets is referred to as “sticky” profit. This means that income generated at a farmer’s market goes directly to local vendors and farmers, circulating within the local community rather than being redirected to companies on the other side of the conti-

“

nent. In fact, according to Market Umbrella, a nonprofit think tank and farmer’s market organization, these markets can have an impact from $72,000 to $56,360,000 on the local community per market. However, this economic booster is far from being the only benefit of the markets. “The food is cleaner, it’s healthier, and it’s fresher,” says Head of the Upper School Mr. Paul Barsky. “And not only is it fresher, but it uses less resources.” There is an increasing movement nationwide to encourage the use of local produce, and Barsky is accompanied by countless other supporters of the cause. Among these is none other than the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. According to an article in The New York Times, the First Lady has been an active supporter of healthy, locally grown food since the start. And she leads by example. “They’re not just saying, I want to feed my family this; this is good for us,” former editor of Gourmet magazine Ms. Ruth Reichl told the The Times. “Clearly Mrs. Obama is making a point. She thinks communities across the nation deserve to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables.” The same article explains that the White House kitchen under the Obamas is serving up fresh produce from Maryland and surrounding areas at everything from family dinners to state receptions. Mrs. Obama argues non-stop that this is the best policy, and there is very little reason to disagree. The advantages and positive effects of eating locally are numerous. “First and foremost it brings a healthy environment to the community,” says Josh, a vendor for Carol Gardens at a farmer’s market in Riverside. “And it also brings a sense of self-sustainabil-

ity to the community.” “It lessens the carbon footprint because you’re using less gasoline, less fossil fuel, in order to actually transport from one area to another,” Barsky says. With Parker constantly striving to be a good member of its community, it makes sense that the school is getting involved in this local produce movement, too. “I think there is a plan. What form that will take has yet to be ultimately determined,” Barsky says of the school’s efforts to be a part of the eating locally movement. “What I would love to have is for our garden out on the South Point to expand and for it to provide the vegetables that we eat for lunch on a regular basis. That would be a wonderful addition to our strong food service program.” It would seem that Parker students agree with the idea of eating locally. In a recent survey, 90% of students said that they were behind the concept. With that many students in support of the idea, Parker is poised to become a role model in championing local produce and fresh food. The more students and faculty who take some time to visit their local market and the more people who do their part in adopting this lifestyle, the happier and healthier the future of our local environment will be. So, be bold. Take some time out of your weekend to visit a farmer’s market near you and find out what all the buzz is about.

Communities across the nation deserve to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables.” —former Gourmet editor Ruth Reichl fpsthescribe.org

OP SENIOR EDITORIAL

THE BREAK-UP PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW

ARTICLE BY MICHELA RODRIGUEZ PHOTOGRAPH BY JOSH RODRIGUEZ

ear Scribe,

You know what this is. You knew this was coming. We both did. We always knew we had an expiration date. I know it’s trite, but it’s not you, it’s me. Please don’t hate me for saying that. It’s just that I’m leaving in a few months, and I can’t take you with me. I’ve made dozens of jokes about doing so; I claimed that I wouldn’t graduate this year, or that I’d opt out of college and take up permanent residence in The Pub. But it was only to avoid thinking about the harsh reality: I have to move on. You’ve given me so much, and I’m so grateful. But I’m getting an opportunity to reinvent myself and explore outside this bubble, and I’m going to take it. I have to take it. When we first met, I knew I would fall in love with you, but I didn’t know how quickly or how uncontrollably or how fervently. I may 2014|THE SCRIBE

didn’t know that you would teach me, that you would build me, that you would break me. I didn’t know that you would love me back. But you did. You took me in when I was scared, when I was lonely and feeling aimless. I was 14. The beginning is difficult to recall, distorted by accumulated memories and emotions. I remember that in mid-April of 2011, I opened an email, beginning with “Congratulations.” It was the first time I would feel a thrill like that one; because of you, because of what you gave me, it wasn’t the last. Three years later, I can’t imagine a life where that email didn’t say “Congratulations.” I can’t decide if it’s irrational, or dangerous, or foolish, or all three to say that you defined me. But I’m going to say it anyway. I don’t like the thought of my identity being inextricably bound to another entity, but three years later, I can’t deny that you are the most prominent part of my high school experience. I guess our true anniversary really falls somewhere in late Au-

gust of that year. Our first date: Room 119 on a hot afternoon, with a couple dozen other people. Some of them were my best friends. Some of them weren’t yet, but they would be. Some were welcoming, others were intimidating. And you had brought us together. You had that kind of power. You drew people in, the way you still do, and you tested their wills, and you made them better. And in turn, they made you better. That’s my favorite part when I think about our relationship. Not the way you changed me, but how I got to see you grow. You were as messy as I was when we met, you just didn’t know it at the time. Little by little, your own identity became more concrete. A protocol was installed, then revised, then revised again. You went from stock photos, to the occasional Google image, to featuring student artwork. You lived through the death of “Gossip Girl” and the rise of the long-term investigative piece. You became something new, something truly by the students, for the students.

And in the process, you taught me how to be proud of that. You equipped me with the confidence and curiosity and thirst for challenge that I so desperately needed, and you sent me off in pursuit of the future. And that’s why it’s finally time for us to say goodbye. It’s not because I don’t love you anymore. It’s because I have to let myself fall in love with something else, something new, something I haven’t even discovered yet. Am I sad? Of course. It’s bittersweet. But you shouldn’t be sad. You’ve got plenty of other people who love you and who will learn to love you the way I did, and the way I always will. Love always,

SENIOR EDITORIAL

“ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE” UNMASKING THE HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

ARTICLE BY JAY GARDENSWARTZ PHOTOGRAPH BY NATALIE GREENBERG

igh school is like a really long play. Middle school is your audition, three years long and as depressing as any other

tryout. You’ll spend the next four years questioning your acting choices, why you hung out with those characters, how you even got cast in the first place. You’ll be assigned a preliminary role based on where the directors think your talents lie, but rest assured, your character will certainly change throughout this whole production process. Freshman year, the first few days of rehearsals, you’ll be handed the script. You rip out the contract on the first page, sign your name, and hand it in to the stage manager at the front desk. Over the years, she’ll mark you late for calltime on several occasions. Now you begin to ruffle through the script’s pages, white and pristine. You see lines of dialogue to memorize, stage

directions to follow, choreography to learn—this will not be simple. Still, you are dedicated, you are resolved, you are excited, and you begin to prepare. You get organized by hole-punching your script and putting it in a binder. When the directors speak, you pay attention— take notes even. For now, the work is easy. It will not stay that way for long, however. You begin to befriend some of the other actors. They will be your castmates for the next four years, and soon enough you start to feel comfortable with them. You go out after rehearsals to celebrate their birthdays. You laugh, you have fun, you get close. It’s sophomore year, and you’re further into the rehearsal process. Things are getting harder, but you’re performing well. So well, in fact, that the directors are asking you to take on new roles. You happily accept, of course, and start piling on the extra parts. “Aren’t you worried that you’re taking on too much?” someone will ask you, but you continue on, unfazed. Your script is starting to get marked up with blocking notes and costume change reminders; on some pages, it’s so crowded that you can barely even see the original writing that was there in the first place. One night, someone will invite you to go to a movie or to a party or to somewhere after rehearsal. You will want to go, but the director’s asked you to help out with costumes.

And you just got put into another scene and you have to memorize the lines. And the choreographer asked for your help during that one number. You don’t have time for anything social. For the first time, you tell them that you’d really like to go, but you have too much going on and have to work. You will learn to say this many times. By the time junior year rolls around, it’s tech week and you are behind schedule. Nothing could prepare you for how much work this will be. You go to rehearsal every morning before the sun rises, and rarely make it home by the time it sets. You get asked to be the assistant director, prop coordinator, program designer, house manager, concessions vendor… the list doesn’t end. You say yes to everything, of course. This is what will make you hirable in the difficult acting market, this is why you’re here. You learn not to sleep. You learn how to multitask. You learn that break time is really work time and lunchtime is really work time and there is no time that is not really work time. The work begins to suffer. You wonder if what’s being asked of you is even possible. It is. With the help of your cast, you will work together to produce something magical. There will be long nights and tears and anger and little sleep, but in the end, you will step back and marvel at what you have accomplished. It’s senior year and it’s opening night. You realize that all the rehearsals, all the time leading up to this, have only been preparation. The reviewers will come to see the show, and only based on their critique will you be able to move on, to book another project. “This is the fun part,” people will tell you. “This is where you can relax.” This is also the hard part. All

those extra roles you agreed to do mean you are on stage a lot, and again you have little free time to hang out with your castmates. But your name appears in the program several times, and you are proud of the fact that you have taken on all these extra parts and succeeded. While the entire cast does fantastically, you are thrilled to learn you get especially rave reviews; you will have lots of options after this show closes. Somehow, all the late nights and extra hours seem worth it. Now, you can enjoy the performance and have fun with it. Graduation—curtain call— comes faster than you’d think. All this time you’ve been hoping, praying for it to come sooner, but you’ll never be ready for when it’s actually that time. As they call your name and you walk up to take your final bow, you can’t help but wonder about the past four years. Maybe you shouldn’t have taken on so many extra roles, maybe you missed out on living. Maybe you should’ve taken on more—you always could have taken on more. The theatrical tradition of bowing after a performance originates from a time when all actors in plays wore masks. At the conclusion of the play, the actors would remove their masks and bow their heads to signify that they were no longer playing characters but rather their true selves. Come graduation, you will throw your cap up in the air, you will remove your mask, and you will take a bow. And in that moment, you will smile, because you’ll finally know that you have done just enough.

1515

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SENIOR EDITORIAL

PERFECT SHATTERING PARKER’S UNREALISTIC STANDARDS OF PERFECTION ARTICLE BY CIAN LAVIN PHOTOGRAPH BY OLIVIA FILDER

may 2014|THE SCRIBE

“I

OP have

decided

that you are the sun. Scientifically, the sun produces light energy through the fusion of hydrogen into helium. Essentially, this means that the sun is gradually destroying itself. However, as you know, the sun is the brightest body in the entire universe. Whatever destruction that goes on inside is masked by the warmth and light the sun gives the entire solar system. “The truth is we all selfishly let you eat at yourself while enjoying your brightness and warmth. You don’t have to be the sun. You can shine just as brightly without having to hurt yourself in the process. You can be the moon instead. We will all continue to love and depend on you, but you will be more solid, more permanent.” The self-imploding supernova that consumed my senior year was not one I ever predicted. For three years I attempted to sustain within me a flaming ball of unstable gas. I attempted to provide the warmth of a star. I hoped that the awe-inspiring rays I projected on my peers would glare out the self-deprecating holes bursting open inside my chest. They say it takes just over eight minutes for the sun’s light to reach our atmosphere. This means that if the sun were to implode, humanity would be spared eight minutes of life before our planet would go dark. I watched from the ground as a spectator for my own eight minutes. These minutes translated into the first two months of my senior year, as I continued to drain myself, unaware that my star had already burst, waiting for my world to dissipate into blackness. After those eight minutes had run out, I suddenly found myself seeking intensive psychiatric treatment. I had yet to discover that I had a mental disorder, stemming from my obsessive desire for perfection. I wanted to be the sun. I wanted to radiate a warmth so powerful that it couldn’t be compared to that of my peers. I wanted to be perfect, and it cost me my shine. The night I returned home from a weekend in psychiatric care, I received the inspiring quote listed above from a good friend. Yet

despite the positive perspective that this message instilled in me, I couldn’t ignore the hideous truth enveloped beneath its poetic beauty. The truth is, each one of us is a dying star. As much as I appreciate the push of Parker’s competitive dynamic, it has established an environment where students are exerted past the breaking point in a desperate attempt to keep up with the fantastic lives we believe our peers are living. Every student at some point has felt the pressure of the Parker standard of perfection, an unrealistic, unspoken achievement that we all somewhat desire to attain and often believe that many others have already accomplished. By trickery of the falsified teenage euphoria in group “party” Instagram pictures, the overwhelming display of many inflated GPA scores, and the painful silence concealing the real issues many Parker students are plagued with, we are often led to believe that our peers are leading lives much more glorious than our own. Each of us is therefore like a star, some of us glowing softly knowing the limits to our efforts, and some of us on a doomed quest to attempt to outshine the others. The brighter we push ourselves to burn, the faster we fall apart. At Parker, in such a small environment where word spreads like wildfire, you are often defined by what you choose to share. Though the image you project is entirely your choice, naturally, the identity most choose to show is one without flaws. No one likes to discuss their insecurities, their pains, their troubles, because no one wants them to dim their glow. No one wants to distance themselves from perfection. Yet there are a select few that have chosen to speak up, a pool of students who have changed the way I view my high school experience. After four years of stressing over my studies, these students have helped me realize the true value in my high school education. I now realize that my time at Parker has not been about finding the antiderivative of a complex function, about understanding the synapse of a neuron, or about conjugating the imperfect tense of Spanish verbs. The most important things I have learned at Parker have not

been not found in my class lectures, but rather in my peers. I am grateful for those who shared their stories. I am thankful for the few students who defied the “norm” and reached beyond what’s comfortably accepted. I am appreciative of those who decided to reveal their pain to me. “He” shared with me his childhood history of parental abuse, “she” opened up to me about her battle with anorexia, and “he” revealed to me his struggle with drug addiction. Those who have shared their darkest moments with me have taught me to appreciate the value in my life and have helped me gain a new level of emotional and intellectual depth. However, these experiences have also caused my own sense of torment. The most painful of which being the prolonged realization that so many of these students came to me because they felt they had no one else. They were some of the most well received and social kids I know, yet they felt that their peers were too well off to understand their situation, that they would be ridiculed for bearing “unnatural” emotion. This fear of judgement is how issues go left untreated, how stars burn out in the most horrific of ways. One of these ways I fear is far too present in our adolescent generation. According to aacap.org, suicide is the third leading cause of death of young persons aged 15-24. Sadly, the majority of these teens who choose to take their own lives are those who have a mental disorder, like depression, that will often go undiagnosed if the teen does not speak up and seek help. In mid-April of this year I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), a mental disorder that severely damages one’s emotional stability and is marked by acts of impulsivity, destructive interpersonal relationships, and severe issues with self-image. Unfortunately, according to bpdcentral.com, the suicide rate for those with BPD is 400 times higher than the national average and often if left untreated, can prove fatal by one’s own hand. Thankfully, I am not and will not become another one of these statistics because I am now receiving the proper treatment for my disorder. But back when my issues began, it was my friends who

encouraged me to seek professional help, it was my friends who warned my parents when things weren’t okay, and it was my friends who got me on track to becoming healthy again. Feeling comfortable enough to reach out to my peers potentially saved my life, and I don’t want to risk anyone feeling as if they don’t have those same resources. I want to shatter the word perfect, because all it does is lead people to believe that if they aren’t reaching perfection, then they are doing something wrong. It makes people believe that they must hide their troubles and keep secret whatever is keeping them from achieving that perfection. It keeps people from seeking help. It keeps us all from achieving happiness. Yet isn’t that the ultimate goal of perfection? To achieve happiness? And so comes the sad irony that, in actuality, the belief in perfection is exactly what inhibits us from experiencing its rewards. I want for us to act as the moon. I want for us to be able to shine a light on others but from a more solid foundation, a place of permanence. I know the night sky is darker. I know the moon may not seem as beautiful as that golden ball that ignites our sky, but without the the moon’s glow we are just as likely to fall into darkness. Share your light, even if you are in the dark, —especially if you are in the dark. Because you never know who else is there with you. You never know who might take hope from your glow. You never know who would rather be walking in the dark with you than be walking alone. Shine bright, my friend, because you have one hell of a light, and no one can ever take that from you.

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SENIOR EDITORIAL

SHE SAID YES WHY REALITY TELEVISION ISN’T ALL THAT BAD

ARTICLE BY NISHON TYLER PHOTOGRAPHS BY OLIVIA FIDLER AND COURTESY OF REALWEDDINGS.CA

t’s Friday night and Justina

Kryzyiak is in a satin dress, simple, elegant, with a whirl of fabric over her chest, blossoming from her breastplate like a large, yet delicate rose. It’s sleeveless, and vaguely vintage. There is something in the graceful whoosh of the tulle skirt which seems to imply that June Cleaver would have worn this dress with aplomb. Justina looks cool, but uncomfortable. “It’s just not practical,” she says, and the consultants nod. It is Friday night, and all about her. She is at Kleinfield, the Manhattan

may 2014|THE SCRIBE

wedding dress Mecca, and home to the popular TLC show, “Say ‘Yes’ to the Dress (SYTD).” On its website, riddled with meaningful italics and ellipses to emphasize inflection, Kleinfield relates a charming narrative. Founded in 1941 by Mara Urshel and Ronnie Rothstein and originally located in Brooklyn,the store built its reputation on classic, designer dress and superior customer service. Although the standards appear to have slipped for the average bride since its move to Manhattan and the subsequent filming of nine

seasons of “Say ‘Yes’ to the Dress,” the remnants linger in the loving attention given to each bride featured on the show. Justina Kryzyiak is eloping. She and her fiance left their hometown of Edmonton, Canada for New York. They received a marriage license and began dress shopping the same day. She wants what any bride wants, the perfect dress. Elegant enough to remind everyone watching--the wedding was to be held in central park--what was happening. Comfortable enough for a flight to France, the next stop

on the newlywed’s itinerary. They find the dress at the bottom of the pile, eschewing the June Cleaver dress, a Marilyn Monroe inspired halter top--ultimately too casual, and an unremarkable white gown. Justina glows when she puts it on. Its simple, sheer sleeves, defined waist relaxing into a flowing tulle skirt. Before Randy, the conductor of this great, bridal orchestra, shoves her into a waiting cab, off to have her dress altered before the tailors closes, she manages to stammer out a line which sounds coached, her voice’s imperfections

“

There is no room for irony in dreaming and this is no place for cynics. When you are made aware that your gown solidifies your fate, that’s how you find your dress defines you forever more, you cannot help but buy into the concept.”

rehearsed, “It’s the perfect dress for my perfect wedding.” The next scene is the wedding and happily-ever-after. The lovebirds jet off to Paris, without looking back, except, it would seem, to thank Kleinfield for such determination to make their wedding perfect. The show is formulaic to a fault. The omnipotent voice doles out words of sage advice, quaintly packaged for redistribution--although who would use such advice beyond the walls of the bridal boutique is a mystery for the ages-while images of the brides flash across the screen. There are gasps of happiness, and horror. Laughter and tears alike. This is not a gentle process. This gown choosing is heartwrenching. The consultants gather in the employee lounge and prepare for their appointments, while the floor directors give pithy advice which will prove relevant almost immediately. The show profiles two brides in full, and a third as she returns for a fitting. Justina shares her episode with Shaunna and Sherry. Randy flits between the three of them, soothing headaches, relieving tension, smoothing the full satin skirts. This is his domain, and even without a tiara, he is the star. Everyone knows it. In 2011, TLC announced a spin-off, “Say Yes to the Dress: Randy Knows Best,” 16 episodes where Randy ranks the top-ten of some puntastic or alliterative category. Episode titles include “Budget Busting Brides,” and “Mama Drama.” The second bride is Shaunna Fitzgerald of Pennsylvania. She’s nervous, about the wedding, about the idea of being a wife, and the attendant pressures. In her first confessional she insists that she loves her fiance, but that “I never thought that I would get married. I never wanted to until I met him.” In a puddle of tulle, lace and ivory

satin, is Shaunna, cringing at the mirror. You have to watch it live. That’s the only way to truly appreciate the brilliance of TLC’s programming. The Learning Channel--originally founded to provide free educational television--has rebranded entirely. They broadcast life and all of its indelicacies, and the commercial breaks are part of the “Bringing Home Baby,” details the exquisite care expectant parents put into preparing for their newborns. “I Didn’t Know I was Pregnant,” does the opposite. Women have babies in bathrooms, in their cars, at work, and they never knew it was coming. The channel specializes in the grotesque. “Toddlers in Tiaras” flaunts three year olds who skin roadkill and fall into mud during the week, only to transform into big-haired, cakey-faced dolls in the course of a morning. On “Toddlers”, it is possible to watch the death and simultaneous revival one of the American South’s peculiar institutions, as frustrated parents pour thousands of dollars into their daughter’s smile. It spawned Honey Boo Boo, a chubby “redneck” named Alanna, whose show welcomed almost three million viewers on its premiere night. “Dateline Tuesdays,” chronicle mysterious kidnappings and murders, there’s a lurid quality to it, pain and heartbreak turned spectacle . The second world is the one in which Say Yes to the Dress exists. It is glamour and polish. Women leave with $5,000 dresses, and come together in $100,000 weddings. On a show called “Four Weddings,” brides battle for a free honeymoon, spending tens of thousands on the day of their dreams only to have fellow brides brutally pick apart their every decision. The show it is inspired by, “Four Houses,” showcases the mansions of wealthy On

TLC, life is aspirational or squalid. When Shaunna comes out in her second dress--traditional, simple, strapless, unmemorable except for a pretty twist on a hi-lo skirt-her mom tears up. The consultants know what they are doing, and they are masterful in it. It becomes predictable. The bride falters, the veil comes on, her mother cries, she says yes to the dress. This isn’t about me, or you. We don’t matter. The drama is heightened, true, and it is also true that they do this for our benefit. I was never the type to plan my wedding in advance and I’m still not. But every Friday I turn on the television and watch hour after hour of women finding the dress of their dreams. They believe that the dress will perfect their wedding, that the dress is the key to everything. The consultant will heft the dress over their head and they will come up, wide-eyed and reborn, more beautiful than they have ever been. And their faith makes me believe it, too. It’s indisputably true that a dress can change the way a bride carries herself. I have seen broken, limping women shivering in their changing gowns whilst explaining their criteria: it must have sleeves, because she dislikes her arms; a high neck will hide the surgery scars; a ball gown might hide a toobig tummy, but it might do the opposite. A bride on the podium is a maelstrom of nerves and insecurity, and if there were ever an argument to be made for the devastating effects of the media on the average woman’s self esteem, it need look no further than these Friday nights on TLC. However, I have seen these same women redeemed by the way a dress fits perfectly, like it was made for them and them alone. It happens at least once an episode, yet I can’t shake the sensation that it is miraculous, if a little ridiculous

for a dress to have so much power. But it does. This is not to say that this is a “good” show, or any more meaningful than it seems. SYTD is as substantive as cotton candy, look at it too hard and it melts away. It must be appreciated for what it is, light, pretty and occasionally touching. For an afternoon, these women, average as they might be, are plucked from the mundanity and thrust into the role of “The Bride,” where they flourish. And this is the show’s greatest success. At the end of every episode, the persistently cheerful narrator moralizes, and this episode is no different. He says something trite and pseudo-inspirational, how a bride needs to search her heart for her perfect dress and only then will she find it. It doesn’t always happen. Shaunna Fitzgerald left without a dress and called off the wedding ceremony the next day. She held a small ceremony in the Bahamas. Her dress was not pictured. Even the failures contribute to the mythos, enhancing the sense of wonder. When you contrast Shaunna’s disappointment with Justyna’s success, you understand the stakes. This is not about fabric, it’s about dreams.

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SENIOR EDITORIAL

LIFE(R) OF THE PARTY MY THREE YEARS AT PARKER ARTICLE BY ALEX DEDDEH

“A

ren’t you a lifer?”

“You’re a lifer, right?” “ S h o u l d n’ t you be practicing Hiya-Hiya?” I came to Parker sophomore year as a transfer student. My three years are nowhere near the fourteen years lifers have spent at the school. In Kindergarten I did not don vaguely Native American garb, nor did I sing the legendary Hiya-Hiya song. My early performances instead consisted of “Angel #2” or “Sheep #19” in annual Christmas pageants. I spent eleven years at one Catholic school, and I was expecting to spend four more at another. To my surprise, Cathedral Catholic High School was not the amazing institution my brother had made it out to be. A good school, but just not good for me. Parker was never supposed to be an option, because I never felt like I deserved it. So then why do I keep getting asked if I’m a lifer? Most of the time the answer is because I am “so involved in the school.” However, other seniors had been participating in multiple time-consuming activities that

may 2014|THE SCRIBE

seemed far more important than anything I was doing. Then I really thought about those three years, and really looked back through the 525 days that compiled my Parker experience. I saw playing with, coaching, or managing the boys’ and girls’ volleyball teams. I saw joining, and eventually captaining Improv. I saw writing for The Scribe, going to leadership presentations, hosting Mr. FPS, helping ASB clean up after football games. I saw all these things and thought, “Wow, I guess I did get involved.” I wasn’t sacrificing hours of sleep or a raging social life for my college resumé. Parker gave me the chance to pursue almost every interest I had. At my other schools, I felt as if I was either “Alex the Athlete”, or “Alex the Twin”. I liked making people laugh, I liked writing stories, but there was no creative outlet, no real back up for me. That’s where Parker came in. I could explore all the areas I wanted to. The exploring then changed into succeeding, as I met teachers and students who were genuinely interested in whatever I was up to that day. They opened my eyes to opportunities I wasn’t able

to see before. If Mr. Gass hadn’t sent me an email about Whose Line is it Anyway? coming to San Diego, I would have never seen Improv geniuses, Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, on stage. If Mrs. Duehr and Coach Morrison hadn’t offered the “#Leadership” interim, I wouldn’t have learned that I wanted to work in Disney’s Yes! program. If Sarah Benjamin, Michaela Dews, and Torri Johnson hadn’t been encouraging and welcoming teammates, I wouldn’t have been screaming with them on the court after winning our second State Championship. Yes, I had a lot of high points, but I also had low points as well. With all these activities stacked up against each other, there were many days where I felt as if I was leaning dangerously over the edge, pressing against the breaking point. One day, I did crack under the pressure. I was sitting in Mr. Kaster’s room crying uncontrollably, terrified of how I was going to deal with my rapidly approaching graduation and future. He simply walked over, gave me a hug, and talked with me until I calmed down. In that moment I felt not only accepted, but supported. No matter what emo-

tion I was feeling, or what topic of interest I was diving into, there was always a Parker person there to help me through it. When I think about the girl I would have been if I never came to Parker, the words that keep coming to mind are ordinary, and one-dimensional. I know that seems pessimistic, but I truly believe going to this school sparked a change in me. I felt safe and confident enough to seek out different interests, without fear of being judged. Three years may seem short, but in those years I managed to convince a number of people that I have been at Parker for more than three quarters of my life. Even though I started out as a transfer, and a girl who everyone slightly knew as a twin or a volleyball player, Parker gave me the chance to change that perspective. I am Alex Deddeh, not a lifer, not someone who has all the answers, but a girl with many passions and interests, and a girl who is very proud to be a Francis Parker senior.

F E AT U R E S blocked out pg. 22-23 going the extra mile pg. 24 I filling in the change pg. 25 mission tuition pg. 26 I taking flight pg. 28

PHOTOGRAPH BY CAROLINE WOHL

Academic Dean Mr. Paul Roudebush uses a unique color-coding system to create student schedules by hand. Changes are planned for the 2014- 2015 school year. See page 22 for the story.

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BLOCKED OUT THE STORY BEHIND THE SWITCH ARTICLE BY CAROLINE WOHL ARTWORK BY ISAAC GRAY

“E

ight

fif-

ty-one. I’ve got exactly four minutes until the end of first period and then I have to race to my second period class on the other side of campus,” says the average Parker student. “My teacher is going to kill me if I’m late.” This is a common problem for Parker students: racing from room to room, risking being kept late to one class, resulting in being tardy to the next. How are we supposed to be in two places at once? “Unless we figure out the whole time-space continuum problem, we have to build from this,” says Head of Upper School Mr. Paul Barsky.

WHY THE SCHEDULE IS BEING CHANGED Every six years, Parker goes through an accreditation process where the school is evaluated by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. “We did an in-depth analysis of all the things that we do pragmatically,” says Assistant Head of Upper School Mr. Marc Thiebach. In addition to accreditation feedback, Parker created a Strategic Plan to address the problems and work towards a solution. One of the

may 2014|THE SCRIBE

plan’s goals for student experience is to make the schedule changes acknowledge student workload and enhance student wellness. “We needed to hardwire something into the schedule where there could be faculty collaboration time,” Barsky says. Another problem? The length of classes. The scheduling committee, consisting of faculty from the Upper and Middle Schools, wanted something to allow students more opportunities to have time to reflect on a subject instead of abruptly switching between classes.

THE PROPOSAL The proposed schedule was created using 10 guiding principles. The first principle is passing time. Five-minute blocks in between classes allow time to get from one place to another and maximize classroom time. Second: faculty collaboration. The Upper School is aligning the curriculum with that of the Lower and Middle Schools so it works with the flow of learning throughout the years. This demands time for meeting with other teachers. “Everything was being asked to do outside of school time, on top of the other things,” Thiebach says. “The teachers felt that we need some time to get together.”

Third, the new schedule hopes to eliminate the need for pulling students from one class for the sake of another. The fourth principle addresses early sports dismissal. Administrators are working with the athletics department to figure out scheduling practices and games. One eliminates the stress of homework after practice if there is time to finish it during the day. Fifth, Parker wants to keep aspects of the Middle School’s schedule since that division changed its schedule this past year. The next principle states the new schedule should limit any rotating schedule to a five day rotation. Though the Monday through Friday classes would be different, every Monday through Friday would be the same. The seventh principle pushes to include proper time for programs. The Scheduling Committee felt that if programs, such as class meetings or assemblies, would have to be worked in with the schedule. The eighth principle looks at a later start or earlier dismissal. Our school day would be an eight hour block. “It gives you a better chance of going home with less work left to do,” Thiebach says. Implementing a 6-12 complementary schedule will grant flexibility among the teachers and classes.

Because our campus shares facilities, there must be time for “crossover teachers” who teach subjects on both campuses. “It will be easier if the entire Linda Vista campus is on a complementary schedule,” says Middle School Teacher Ceri Keith. “To allow collaboration to happen,” Thiebach adds, “we need to make sure the schedules complement each other.”

THE PROPOSED BENEFITS The schedule options were shown in early April. Students voiced their opinions at breakout sessions held by Thiebach. A main goal of the proposed schedule is to decrease the amount of schoolwork students go home with. “If Parker wants to be a school that believes in a balance between academics, arts, and athletics,” says Keith, “then a schedule change is necessary to maintain that balance.” “The changes are forward thinking,” says Vice President of Parent Education on the Parents Association Board Temple Zander. “They take into account a variety of priorities and the changing environment of modern school based less on schedules built on a different generation.”

FE “I like the structured time off during the school day,” junior Grant Shives says. “It gives me more time to get work done” “I think there has been a trend at Parker to jam more and more things into the work day without ever cutting anything out,” says physics teacher Dr. J.P. Pierce. “While it is good for high school students and teachers to have a wide variety of experiences, at some point the quantity of things we do begins to affect the quality of what we do.” With rotating block periods, students would have one fewer subject of homework each night. “We need to help shift our students on how to use that time and give them some guidance,” Thiebach says. Though the periods may be longer, proponents of the proposed schedule say they will give teachers a chance to present the material in a fresh, exciting way instead of PowerPoint presentation after PowerPoint presentation. However, how the class is structured and the preparation put into teaching a class might be hard to do in such a short amount of time. “As a teacher who has always had three or four unique courses to prepare, I’m not a giant fan of the rotating blocks,” Pierce says. “This will add quite a bit of clerical and logistical work for our art and science teachers, who often have to set up materials and equipment and put a lot of work into preparing for class.” “You’re not losing out on minutes, but it’s how the minutes are put together,” Thiebach says. “It might refresh you that you’re going to do things differently.” The proposed schedule looks similar to college schedules, preparing seniors for college life. “I hope that these changes reflect an opportunity for high schoolers to have more choices and freedom that begins to approximate college life,” Zander says. “This schedule allows for a different sense of ownership with the students’ days and a responsibility with how they use late start or flex times.” The addition of the flex period can be beneficial. Flex would be a period when events like class meetings and assemblies, would meet. “I look forward to having meetings where we all come together as a community. We get to all have the same information and celebrate

Parker together,” Barsky adds. Flex may also be a period where students can receive help from a teacher and go to them for tutoring. Another main goal of the new schedule is to enhance student wellness. Depending on one’s schedule, there is the possibility of early dismissals. “If you don’t have class until a certain time, you don’t have to be here,” Thiebach says. With the addition of the later start on Wednesdays, students could sleep in later. “The fact that it’s possible I wouldn’t have to come to school until the day is halfway done seems pretty chill,” says junior Adam Wright. However, this might not benefit everyone. “Until I can drive myself,” says freshman Olia Javidi, “the late start will not benefit me, along with many other students.”

THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS Despite the prospective benefits, there are potential problems to the revised schedule. Athletics could be affected negatively. If the school day goes longer, dismissal might cut into practice and games. Parker is working with its athletic department to see where alterations can be made to a sports schedule to accommodate the academic one. “I think the new schedule plans will cut into sports and after school commitments,” says senior Sabrina Devereaux. “Even if Parker sports practices are altered to match the schedule, many students have club sports or work outside of school.” According to the Scheduling FAQs document Mr. Thiebach wrote “we are confident that with a few modifications, students can continue to participate in the same types of activities as with the current schedule.” As a parent, Keith has dealt with this firsthand. “The Middle School day currently ends at 3:00 p.m. so I have already dealt with any impact on after school schedules.” She says that it wasn’t too difficult to deal with the later school day. Transportation will be affected. An earlier start or a later finish might change the bus and shuttle schedule,

especially for those commuting to different campuses. The committee is still looking at how much time students need in a class or between classes, evaluating lunchtime and break. As various schedules were developed, some models had no break and shorter lunchtimes but with an earlier dismissal. “[One of] my least favorite parts of the new schedule [is] the potential for the Upper School to start before 8 a.m. which is not ideal for teenage sleep patterns,” Keith adds. “I don’t like the new starting and ending times,” junior Anna Wilson says. “A lot of us live 15-25 minutes away from school, so getting up even earlier would be kind of a pain.” There is concern over the longer periods. If you have a longer period, teachers may assign more work. However, students will have the time to finish the homework over a longer period of time. With the addition of a mandatory free period, more students will be using the common places to spend time during a free period in the library. “We’re going to have to create spaces for students to go so they don’t all cram inside the library [and create] additional space for them to go work in an atmosphere that is conducive,” Thiebach says.

FEEDBACK Over the course of about two months, there have been student breakout sessions, faculty meetings, and individual meetings to voice opinions and concerns about the new schedule. On April 4, the new schedule models were presented to the Parker Parents Association Board. “I think it is a good idea to implement the changes as it imparts a message of progression,” Zander says. “The schedule options have been designed after a lengthy thought process based in broad research into what works elsewhere.” After altering the schedule and hearing feedback, this step will be repeated a few times until the final schedule is selected and signed off on by Barsky and Head of Middle School Mr. Dan Lang. The official and final model will be signed off by Head of School Mr. Kevin Yaley and will be presented to the students and faculty in May.

The goal of the schedule is to do what is best for the students. “That is our number-one focus,” Thiebach says. “It’s going to be around what makes sense for our students.”

WHAT ARE STUDENTS THINKING? “It makes no sense to change something that works.” — Freshman Michael Laumakis “Free periods for everyone don’t sound so bad. Also, I feel that the administration has made a legitimate effort to improve the schedule, and we should give it a chance to pass or fail.” — Sophomore Ted Gehring “Sports are going to end too late.” — Freshman James Greer-Gentis “We get more time to do homework during school.” —Sophomore Gina Barba “I understand the intentions of the schedule changes. If students can return home with little to no work to do, I believe the student body will be happier. If this plan works, I’ll approve. If it backfires, I’ll probably be even moodier than I am now.” — Junior Britta Wichary “I just think it’ll be easier if we keep everything the same.” —Sophomore Kate Liang “It seems like a challenge for many students who are staying that late. Sports and parents schedules will be interrupted. This is not to mention all that traffic!” — Senior Nicole Morozov

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GOING THE EXTRA MILE

PARKER STUDENTS MAKE A GREATER IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY ARTICLE BY SAM PRYOR PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF WHATEVER IT TAKES

Andrew Castro, a WIT mentor, teaches local kids about the importance of staying hydrated, and proper food portions through fun and games.

largest corporations were founded upon very humble beginnings. One such company was founded in 1901 on the basis of five dollars: Nordstrom. While it may be difficult to believe that this multi-million dollar retail enterprise was first opened with a small shoe shop in downtown Seattle, Nordstrom is not merely an exception to the rule. Presently, 7 of the 10 most valuable brands in the world were founded by American immigrants or children of immigrants, coming with very little in their pockets – Apple, Google, and eBay to name a few. A couple of Parker students seem to be adopting the philosophy that they can build a company out of nothing, and have that enterprise thrive. Unphased by the daunting possibility of failure, sophomore Madeleine Williams and senior Elisa Greenberg defied the odds and created successful projects to help the community.

CANOE CLUB CHILD CARE

W H AT E V E R I T TA K E S

MADELEINE WILLIAMS

ELISA GREENBERG

Living in the predominant military neighborhood of Coronado, Williams often sees many military families struggling to make ends meet without the presence of their deployed members. Striking a stable balance between working and caring for children is difficult within any household, and hits especially hard in homes where a guardian is stationed elsewhere. Seeing these hardships on a regular basis, Williams founded the Canoe Club Child Care organization, which helps to lighten the load by providing free babysitting to military families. “I got the idea for the organization when a family friend, and

may 2014|THE SCRIBE

military wife with a three year old son, wasn’t able to pay me one of the times I babysat for her. From there the idea just took off,” Williams says. Having become an official non-profit organization at the end of 2013, Canoe Club Child Care is in much demand in Coronado, Imperial Beach, and Point Loma. One chief struggle that Williams has faced is finding babysitters who are able to work whenever called upon. “As an organization we want to reward the hard work of both those in service and those keeping everything together at home,” Williams says.

Combatting childhood obesity and feeding hungry children is all in a day’s work for senior Elisa Greenberg, a member of the Whatever It Takes (WIT) team. WIT is an organization promoting student entrepreneurship. WIT team members are encouraged to create non-profit projects to benefit the community. The WIT team meets every week for class, where they organize their projects and discuss their progress. Although the founder of WIT, Sarah Hernholm, provides team members with contacts, “we are responsible for networking and seeing our projects through,” Greenberg says.

everal of the world’s

The main challenge that WIT team members have to overcome is making sure that one member doesn’t overpower the conversations. As WIT classes are entirely student led, there is sometimes difficulty in allocating leadership amongst the team members. “Whatever It Takes provides students with the opportunity to learn how to be an effective leader in an environment that promotes their success,” Greenberg says.

FILLING IN THE CHANGE

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE SAT? ARTICLE BY MYLA ANDREWS ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY MORGAN SMITH PHOTOGRAPH BY GRACE SELLICK

t’s the most stress-

ful test of your high school career, and it’s an exam you have been preparing for since grade school. It’s the pivotal moment that affects where you go once you receive your diploma and ultimately defines your future. For this test, you only have one shot to show your worth. For the SAT, your chances are limited. This entrance exam has been a part of the college application process since the 1920s. Genereally rejected for its extensive and somewhat obscure vocabulary list as well as potentially confusing question choice, the SAT has lost popularity through the decades. For the past several years, the College Board, which administers the SAT, has been repeatedly criticized for the test’s structure and the relevance of material put in the exam. It is viewed as an obstacle to prepare for and overcome, rather than a stepping stone into college. According to the New York Times, the ACT has increasingly gained popularity due to its classroom content-based material, as 1.8 million students took the ACT versus the 1.7 that took the SAT. As a result, the College Board’s new president, David Coleman, has decided to alter the

“

SAT in the hopes to make it more relevant to what is taught in high schools today. Junior Hannah Schneider, who took the ACT, agrees with the College Board’s motives in changing the test. “There are a lot more English sections on the SAT,” Schneider says. “The ACT is more content-based because it has a grammar section, but it doesn’t go into depth like the SAT does. Also, there’s no science in the SAT, and I like science.” One major change is the switch from a 2400-point scale back to a 1600-point scale. The 800 points removed pertain to the essay, which will be optional. Also, leaving blank answers will no longer be a penalty. On the current SAT, a blank answer is a deduction from the overall score. The test will be divided into three sections: evidence-based reading and writing (divided into subsections of reading and writing) and math in addition to an optional essay. The reading/writing and math sections will be given a more balanced time slot, and the allotted time for the essay will be doubled. A huge component of the SAT improvements is the now content-based material. According to the College Board’s website, the

The reality is that people that score

the highest on [the current] exams are people that have higher incomes and can afford the test preparation.” —Ms. Terri Devine

purpose is to get students using to use skills that they will carry throughout their lives, rather than memorizing words that they might feel they no longer need to remember after the test. In addition to the content revision, the College Board has decided to make some basic test prep available through Khan Academy, an online tutoring website. “The reality is that people that score the highest on [the current] exams are people that have higher incomes and can afford the test preparation,” says Dean of College Counseling Ms. Terri Devine. “So [David Coleman] wants to disconnect that. If you want it free, it’s right there through through Khan Academy to take that financial advantage, that economic advantage out of the equation.” The College Board hopes its changes will drastically increase the diversity of college applicants, reaching out to people of more varied socioeconomic backgrounds. Some students say they think that these changes will make the SAT easier, because the questions are supposed to be more relevant to today’s classroom curriculum. “I like how it’s more student friendly,” says freshman Olia Javidi. “It’s easier to study for, I think, because they’re testing the things that we will actually use, like the vocabulary. Also they don’t have weird and random essay questions, but instead will have passage-based questions.” Sophomore Maddie Williams is also in favor of the new SAT, but is bitter about the sophomores being the cut-off year. “I think that the changes are positive,” Williams says. “But I’m

resentful that they won’t be in effect until a year after I have to take them.” However, there are some misconceptions about how simple the SAT will become. Yes, it may become easier for the individual test-taker resulting in a higher score, but everyone else will experience the same grade boost. In addition, the optional essay is strongly recommended, so a student shouldn’t cancel that out of the equation. “While it sounds like they’re getting rid of the writing section, they’re just making it optional, like the ACT has it as optional,” Devine says. “And, as we often say in the college process, when it says ‘optional,’ you can just ignore that and just put ‘required.’” The time allotted and number of questions won’t change significantly with the new text forms. Though some believe it will become easier, a justified estimation of student achievement can only be made once the test is administered. Junior Sasha Stephens however, who has recently taken the SAT, doesn’t think changing the test at all is necessary. “[The content] is pretty much what we’ve already learned in school,” Stephens says. Therefore, a change meant to make the material more classroom content-based is unnecessary. “The test isn’t out there yet,” says Director of College Counseling Mrs. Jasmin Taylor. “So the first time that we’ll really get to see what this blueprint translates into is [the] PSAT next year.” At this point, all we can do is wait and see. fpsthescribe.org

MISSION TUITION DOES GOING TO PARKER MAKE CENTS?

ARTICLE BY ANDREAS TOWERS AND HALEY BRANER ARTWORK BY HALEY BRANER

“I

know it’s a lot of

money.” “It’s really high.” “I don’t know anything about the tuition, nothing.” In interviews with over twenty students, teachers, and parents, few seem to know much about the costs to keep Parker running. “How we spend money is information that members of the Parker community should be able to receive,” says Mike Rinehart, the school’s chief financial officer. $34,485,000 is how much money Parker plans to spend for the upcoming 2014-2015 school year. Parker distributes its budget fairly evenly among its expenses, although 90% of the money comes from only one source: student tuition.

THE BREAKDOWN To fully understand how the tuition adds up and how it is used, it is essential to understand the process of the school’s budget. Every year, starting in October, the business office, fundraising department, and the heads of the Lower, Middle, and Upper School start mapping out the next year’s budget. Then, for the next two months, they continue to plan and meet with the Board of Trustee’s finance committee. They then take a look at the previous year’s income. Student tuition is the primary source of income, but other factors, including

may 2014|THE SCRIBE

summer program tuitions, donations, facility rentals, and the endowment’s earnings contribute to Parker’s income. The endowment is a fund consisting of money donated to the school, which is then invested by the school’s financial group for additional income each year. However, Parker only permits itself to use 3.5% of the endowment earnings to pay for school expenses. Recently, the school has put more emphasis on expanding the endowment because it wants to limit future tuition increases. “If we can move that [income from tuition] from 90% to 85% or 80%,” says Head of School Kevin Yaley, “that’ll help to mitigate future tuition increases.” “We really have a very bottoms-up budgeting process,” Rinehart says. “We say, ‘What do we need to provide the best academic program we possibly can? How

many teachers do we need? What classes are we going to offer? Are we going to offer a new program? How much funding do we need to finance that program?’ And then we look where can we save money, how we can do things more efficiently.” The school’s expenses are budgeted into six separate categories: faculty and staff salaries, financial aid, non-personnel programs (including lunches, transportation, class retreats), benefits for employees, debt service, facilities and technologies, and other maintenance. In January, Yaley recommends a final plan to the finance committee, taking into consideration all of the school’s estimated expenses. The committee either send it back, or approve it. The financial committee must first meet with the board of trustees, and then the full board needs to vote and approve the budget, according to Yaley.

Determining the tuition amount is the last step of the budgeting process because it depends on how much income the school receives from other sources while taking into consideration the expenses. “We have worked very hard to be as efficient as we can, and to be as mindful as we can,” Rinehart says about the budgeting process.

T R E N D S A N D CHANGES A high school education at Parker costs about $108,000 for four years, $27,000 a year. It’s no secret that the price of a Parker education is a high one. However, Parker has made an increasing commitment to financial aid. “As a school, one of the things that has always been important is providing the opportunity for as

FE many different students to attend, so we’re not just catering to one socioeconomic class,” Rinehart says. He says Parker’s business office and financial committee works very hard to make sure that financial aid is accessible to Parker families. Of course, it’s never that simple. “From the outside looking in, the Parker population looks like one big block of rich kid sameness,” English teacher Mr. Benjamin Miller-Callihan says. “But once you’re inside you see the dividing lines, you see the class distinctions, economic diversity, for lack of a better word, even though it’s not huge. It’s still a very real thing.” According to Miller-Callihan, there are kids who don’t have to worry about the financial aspect of attending this school. At the same time however, there are a great deal of students who receive some financial aid or whose families make great sacrifices to be able to send their kids to Parker. Then of course, there are a limited few who receive substantial financial aid to be able to attend Parker. Parker is currently increasing the amount of financial aid by 1% each year, so that by 2017, 15% of the school’s budget will be dedicated towards financial aid. “We’re looking at where we can save costs so we can put our

money towards supporting kids,” Yaley says. Parker saves money by increasing energy efficiency on campus and being more earth friendly. For example, Yaley says, recently the school switched to an online billing system and, as a result, is saving money on paper.

THE PEOPLE’S PERSPECTIVE Although the administration has tried to make the school’s expenses and budget as transparent as possible, incomplete information and obscurities have been the root cause of uneducated opinions among students. “I feel like the student body should be more educated in what the tuition is going towards and how we are really helping to further develop the school,” says sophomore Athena Malcolm. According to Malcolm, knowing for sure how the school spends its money would ensure that the students know exactly what their parents’ tuition dollars are being used for. To some students, however, the tuition and budget remains a topic of discussion. “We get a really good education, but I feel like we could do a

lot more sometimes,” says junior Sapna Singh. “It’s not only what they provide now in the four years of high school,” says sophmore Marc Tardieux, “but also the Parker name that goes through to colleges,” Knowing about school spending is easier for Parker’s faculty. Photography teacher Mrs. Genevieve Moller and English teacher Mrs. Nancy Anderson say they have learned about the school’s budget and expenses by attending faculty meetings. “From what we’ve been presented with at faculty meetings, it looks like [money is] divided pretty well and successfully used,” Moller says. “I really believe in the education here.” Anderson says. “I believe our tuition barely scrapes the surface to be honest.”

IS IT WORTH IT? The current cost of tuition is $27,000 for the Upper School, $25,000 for the Middle School, and $21,000 for the Lower School. With the cost of tuition so steep, it’s not surprising that some parents question whether the school is worth that kind of money. “I think between the quality of the educators and the experiences that the kids have, it’s worth it [the

cost of tuition],” says Rachel Fernandez, a parent of both Lower and Middle School students. Although the price of tuition is expensive no matter how you look at it, Parker provides benefits to its students that include lunch, interim, class retreats, and new technological devices. “We are going to make sure we have the top notch educational experience that we can provide for students,” Paul Barsky, head of the Upper School says. “So that means having the best teachers, it means having the best educational tools, everything from good books... to appropriately used high tech items like computers.” Parker’s tuition may appear overwhelming at first glance, but when compared to other schools of the same nature, it is less expensive. The Bishops School costs $29,950 per year and La Jolla Country Day’s tuition is $28,650, making Parker the cheapest of the three school by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. “The board and everyone else has done a good job of trying to keep our [tuition] the most reasonable and make the most out of it,” Anderson says. “When all is said and done, every penny is worth it.”

BY THE NUMBERS: SINGLE STUDENT TUITION:$27,000 T O TA L S C H O O L B U D G E T : $ 3 4 , 4 8 5 , 0 0 0 WHERE IT GOES IN SALARIES FINANCIAL THE AID BUDGET: OUT OF A YEAR’S TUITION:

$13, 230

AS A PERCENT:

49%

CAFETERIA, BUSES, ETC

$3, 240

12%

BENEFITS

$2, 970

11%

P AY I N G F A C I L I T I E S / O T H E R TECH OFF DEBT

$1,430

$1, 350

$810

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TAKING FLIGHT THE GLOBAL JOURNAL PROJECT AND MOSAIC MAGAZINE CONTINUE TO GROW

ARTICLE BY FAITH TOMLIN IMAGE COURTESY OF THE GLOBAL JOURNAL PROJECT

o much happens in

the community around us that we miss in our Parker bubble. Bringing a global perspective into our lives at school is exactly what The Global Journal Project, or GJP, hopes to do, by sharing stories through its publication, Mosaic. The first issue of Mosaic featured bright butterflies on its cover, representing its theme of, the “butterfly effect,” a phenomenon where a small change in one place can have great effects somewhere else, a truly global effect. GJP is an organization that empowers high school students by giving them opportunities to experience aspects of running and marketing a business while also allowing them to collaborate with partner schools and other members of the community to create a magazine that will share the stories and voices of the community. This non-profit was brought to Parker by its founder Mr. Steve Le, a former teacher at Pacific Ridge. Le says that he was inspired to start this organization while he was teaching. In the history of GJP he wrote for his webpage, Le emphasizes how his teaching inspired him to try and bring a global perspective to his students. “Steve Le wanted a practical way to connect his classroom with the outside world,” the site explains. “This would allow his school community in San Diego, California to learn about and from students and teachers in other parts of the world.” Mr. Marc Thiebach, assistant head of the Upper School, works with Ms. Michelle Adelman, senior class dean and English teacher, as

may 2014|THE SCRIBE

faculty advisors to GJP. Thiebach says that his connection to Le helped bring GJP to campus. “I actually knew [Le] from his days working at Pacific Ridge, and from global initiatives that they do that are similar to ours,” Thiebach says. “He moved on to founding this non-profit which was GJP, and he put out some feelers to a whole bunch of independent schools all over the place about this idea that he helped create.” GJP also reflects an emphasis on the wider community through its three school partnership. Each chapter of GJP begins with a partnership with two local schools, one private and one public. The third school that joins each chapter is an international school, helping to bring a global perspective. Parker’s public school partner is currently the Preuss School and they are hoping to soon have an international partner as well. Junior Olivia Ghosh, chief operating officer of Parker’s chapter, says that they are currently considering multiple options for their global connection. “The most exciting step we’re going to take is getting an international school,” Ghosh says. “Once that happens we’ll have a lot more foreign content and hopefully photographs and that sort of thing. We are looking at schools potentially in Mexico, the Philippines and there’s also a school in Japan that we’re looking at.” GJP not only includes elements of running a business but also works to create a magazine that is a collection of stories taken from outside sources to share with the Parker community. This magazine is called Mosa-

ic. Mosaic is now one of many publications on campus. But instead of clashing with the existing publications such as BEMA, Mosaic offer sdifferent. Senior Katherine Owens, editor-in-chief of the magazine, explains the differences that set Mosaic apart and allow all of Parker’s publications to continue to coexist. “We don’t distribute on campus. Our goal is more to share the voices of the community with the greater community,” Owens says. “Also, we don’t write for our magazine most of the time, we get stories from outside sources.” Owens also says that these unique aspects will help attract students to GJP. “I think it’s going to be really cool because Parker doesn’t really have some sort of entrepreneurial club or something like that,” Owens says, “so I think the aspect of GJP that’s starting and running your own business will be really popular. That will be a great outlet for students.” Freshman Grace Feeney is interested in being involved in GJP for that reason, among others. “I think the business and marketing side of it is really cool,” Fee-

“

ney says. “And I like that the stories come from outside the Parker community and bring new perspectives.” With many seniors leaving GJP, the publication is hoping to recruit new staff members. “It’s a very pivotal point right now because we are going to lose our first set of seniors,” Thiebach says. “We are hoping to attract some people who would like to start off, including some incoming freshmen, at the beginning of the year so that we have a healthy rotation.” Despite being hopeful about the future, Mr. Thiebach feels that GJP still has work to be done. “The next couple years are crucial because we really need to tie up this international school.” he says. “We need to be make sure Preuss is the right public school to work with. We just need to really solidify all of that. And we need to strengthen our business model, be more self sustaining. Looking forward I think it will continue to grow on our campus.”

I think the aspect of GJP that’s starting and running your own business will be really popular. That will be a great outlet for students.” –Katherine Owens

A R T S & C U LT U R E recreational reading pg. 30 I stop and see the roses pg. 32 best fests pg. 33 I through the lens pg. 34

PHOTOGRAPH BY SOPHIA SWEDBACK

Sophomore Kate Liangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s print is evaluated by Mr. Mark Byrne. Film photography classes taught by Byrne and Ms. Genevieve Moller give students hands-on experience with loading, developing, and processing photos. See page 34. fpsthescribe.org

RECREATIONAL READING

NOSE IN A BOOK AND TOES IN THE SAND ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPH BY LILY GLASSER

ummer reading doesn’t have to be a burden. Take a break from muddling through assigned readings, pick up a recreational summer book, and just read for fun. According to English teacher Mr. Philip Fickling, reading not only improves grades on standardized testing and builds fluent reading skills

C AT C H E R I N T H E R Y E BY J.D. SALINGER

SLAPSTICK BY KURT VONNEGUT

T H E T I M E T R AV E L E R ’ S WIFE BY AUDREY NIFFENGER

M r. C h r i s t o p h e r H a r r i n g t o n

M r. J a r e d D ’ O n o f r i o

M r. B e n M i l l e r - C a l l a h a n

When Mr. Jared D’Onofrio was in the seventh grade, he was introduced to a new style of literature, speculative science fiction, that changed his world. “My seventh grade teacher gave me her copy [of Slapstick], she said, ‘Here, I think this is what you’re trying to do in your stories and papers,’” D’Onofrio says. The book follows protagonist Wilbur Daffodil-11 Swain through his unusual life and into his apocalyptic present. Slapstick by Kurt Vonnegut is a pleasantly funny and touchingly sad story with an autobiographical twist that keeps readers coming back for more.

“It’s is really applicable,” says department chair Mr. Christopher Harrington of Catcher in the Rye, by J.D Salinger. “That’s why a lot of teenagers like it, because [the narrator] speaks from a voice that is very much like a teenage voice.” Protagonist Holden Caulfield believes that he is more genuine, and therefore superior, to others whom he sees as artificial. However, this outlook makes him lose his way as others begin to see him as superficial, generating challenges and hardships Holden must overcome. “He’s got this idea that he’s one of the few authentic people left and everyone else is just playing this game,” Harrington says. “He’s critical of pretty much everybody. It’s an interesting study, because everybody feels that way to some extent.”

but also develops moral reasoning. The teachers in Parker’s English department have each recommended a book for Upper School students. So this summer, whether you are on a flight across country or a trip to the beach, kick back, relax, and open up a book. You never know, you just might like it.

“The Time Traveler’s Wife is an outstanding read,” says Mr. Ben Miller-Callahan. This popular novel debuted in 2003 and describes the genetic disorder of protagonist Henry DeTamble that causes him to travel through time unpredictably. Author Audrey Niffenegger uses the DeTamble’s ability as an avenue to explore love, loss, and the difficulties of a relationship through his wife’s eyes.“It’s moving, it’s fun, it’s emotionally engaging,” Miller-Callahan says. “It’s painful in the right kinds of ways.” With an intriguing plot and understandable characters, readers of all ages will relate to and enjoy this innovative novel.

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA BY ARTHUR GOLDEN

ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE BY GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ

BOY’S LIFE BY ROBERT MCCAMMON

Mrs. Isobel Shapiro

Ms. Michelle Adelman

Mrs. Nancy Anderson

Arthur Golden’s remarkable novel provides an insightful look into Japanese society, revealing the hardships and feats of one of Japan’s most renowned geisha, Sayuri. Readers follow Sayuri as she navigates the difficulties and complexities of life in Japan during the World War II period. Mrs. Isobel Shapiro hopes that from reading this work, students will gain an “understanding of a very different culture and historical period and compassion for the characters who struggle to make a meaningful life even when faced with such adversity and pain.” According to Shapiro, this novel will captivate readers and promote personal growth as they empathize with Sayuri through her trials and tribulations. This story was so well recieved that it has now been adapted into screenplay produced by Steven Spielberg.

Senior Class Dean Ms. Michelle Adelman recommends this “magical” work by the recently departed, Nobel Prize winning Gabriel Garcia Marquez. In this magical realist novel, Marquez uses the story of a Colombian family as a means to describe the evolution of the mythical city of Macondo and to explore themes such as love, wealth and wisdom. “I haven’t met many people who didn’t take anything away from One Hundred Years of Solitude,” Adelman says. Though it is not necessarily an easy read, it’s well worth the effort and would be a perfect companion during a long flight.

This bestselling novel by Robert McCammon has earned praise from readers and writers across the globe, as well as Sophomore clas dean Ms. Nancy Anderson. “I [know] one book that I have never had a kid not like” Anderson says. “It’s nostalgic...it’s gripping, and the written language... everything, it’s just beautiful... It’s a smart book.” This mystery novel follows protagonist Cory Mackenson, who discovers there is more to his sleepy Alabama town than meets the eye as he struggles to solve a murder, learning about himself and his family in the process. “I have never had a kid not love it.”

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FRANKENSTEIN BY MARY SHELLEY

THE BIBLE

T H E G R A P E S O F W R AT H BY JOHN STEINBECK

M r. N i c k L e w i s

Ms. Carol Obermeier

M r. P h i l i p F i c k l i n g

Frankenstein, the well-known novel by Mary Shelley, is often seen as no more than a commonly recounted story of a popular Halloween character. However, the story and its themes run much deeper than that. “This novel speaks [to] the power of humans’ fascination to immortalize the self,” says Mr. Nick Lewis. “Humans desire to create something, or someone as the height of human achievement... [to] ensure that what we do matters beyond our time.” The haunting tale of Dr. Victor Frankenstein captivates readers as they experience the horrors and triumphs of the monster Frankenstein creates. “[Shelley’s] vision of a doctor meddling in life speaks how we all, soon, will have our consciousness fully transferred and preserved in the cloud of digital life,” Lewis says. “Haunting, yes, but a potential future.”

This religious text is one of the most popular written works in the world—a true, bona fide classic. Though it may seem a little unorthodox for a summer pick, these scriptures are good to peruse, according to Ms. Carol Obermeier, because they reinforce basic ethics and ideals that you can benefit from regardless of your religious background. “I’d encourage [students] to read The Bible,” Obermeier says. “Every plot in the world is in the Bible. It’s got so many good stories.” These sacred texts are sure to spark interest as they have for hundreds of years. By reading these works, Obermeier hopes that Parker students will gain compassion “not only for others but for themselves as well.”

The Grapes of Wrath is “a great book to read on a road trip, because the characters in the book are doing the same thing,” says Mr. Phillip Fickling of the novel by Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck. “So, if you’re going to travel during the summer, it would be a good [novel] to read.” The Grapes of Wrath is a classic tale that was both influential and controversial upon its introduction in 1939, due to its scrutiny of the inhumanity of man and equality in America. In this novel, the Oklahoma Dust Bowl forces protagonist Tom Joad and his family, like many others, from their farm and on to California in hopeful search of a new home, a new job, and a new life. More than seventy years later, this book still remains a hot topic in the literary world and provokes discussion among readers. fpsthescribe.org

STOP AND SEE THE ROSES EXPLORING THE TREASURES WITHIN THE GALLERY Visitors observe the art for sale during the evening of the Healing HeARTS auction.

ARTICLE BY MORGAN SMITH PHOTOGRAPH BY NATALIE GREENBERG

pon stepping onto the Upper School campus, one is

immediately greeted by the copper plating and grand windows of the James Alan Rose Art Gallery. However, its structural prowess is rivaled greatly by the work within. At its finest, the Rose Art Gallery is decorated with fine

THE PROCESS

Ms. Jaclyn Enck was inducted into the Francis Parker faculty as the art gallery curator for the 20122013 academic year. The then-new position was created to focus the organization of the gallery, and up until last year, the duty of commissioning art was overseen by only one teacher each month before the task was passed on. Although Enck teaches a Middle School Intro to 3D Art class and arranges student art in the gallery, her primary role is that of a manager. “[The Rose Art Gallery] is a big, beautiful gallery, so when artists see it, they’re really interested in creating a show for it,” Enck says. While willing artists are not difficult to find, art shows that fit Francis Parker criteria are not always easy to choose. Parker seeks art that is dynamic, new, unique, and relevant to its curriculum. Enck contacts local artists to procure shows and helps guide faculty in connecting commissioned

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art with their class material.

HEALING HEARTS FUNDRAISER AND ART AUCTION

During the fall of 2013, the Rose Art Gallery became the home of numerous art pieces for the Healing HeARTS fundraiser. The exhibit, consists entirely of works later used in the Healing HeARTS auction, featured student and faculty work, as well as art from the greater Parker community and from National City’s A Reason to Survive, or ARTS, center. The project, headed by junior Sarah Nicita and advised by Mrs. Carol Jensen, donated its proceeds to the center, which works to heal, inspire, and empower children through the beauty of art. “Ms. Jensen introduced me to ARTS, and I’ve worked there as an assistant teacher,” Nicita says of her involvement in the program.

works representative of student curricula. Since 2012, the Rose Art Gallery has housed numerous student art pieces as well as eight commissioned art shows highly regarded by students, faculty, and visitors alike. During the 2013-2014 academic year, the Rose Art Gallery was home to three unique shows. “I wanted to support both communities and promote the understanding of art in San Diego. We celebrated the electric passion of art.”

LIFE LINES

During the winter of 20132014, the gallery featured Life Lines, a show created by artists Judith Christensen and Kathy Miller. Miller and Christensen’s work was originally discovered through the Mingei Museum in Balboa Park, but was commissioned because of its unique artistic aspect and educational connection to Parker’s curriculum. Christensen and Miller use common household items to create different works of art, including stacking blocks and origami, and for Life Lines, used books to form sculpture. English classes and writing electives alike could be found in the art gallery observing and enjoying the artwork. Freshman Ashley Davis

toured the exhibit with her Creative Writing class. “I thought it was really cool. But the same time, I wondered, ‘How could they treat books like this?’” she says. “It showed how writing is an art form.”

TOUCHING GENERATIONS

During the winter and early spring of 2014, the Rose Art Gallery featured the work of Vanessa Backer and Sandra Burgener. Their show, Touching Generations, included a “range of imagery from the whimsical and humorous to mysterious and strange,” according to the Parker website. The show focused on the topic of genocide, which it depicted in ceramic form. So, the next time you find yourself without obligations during a free period or looking to fill your lunch hour, swing by the Rose Art Gallery—you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.

BEST FESTS

YOUR GO-TO FESTIVAL GUIDE ARTICLE BY ALLIE GOINES

o the Coachella pictures cluttering up your Instagram feed urge you to join

the fun? Does the excess amount of high-waisted shorts, fringe, and flower crowns make you want to join the bandwagon and attend a music festival? Maybe Coachella didn’t work out for you this year, but don’t worry, there are plenty of other festivals in California. There are tons of options besides the more mainstream ones, from festivals like FYF in Los Angeles to Outside Lands in San Francisco. The wide variety of price ranges and artists is sure wto match your needs and satisfy the angsty, head-banging teenager inside you.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A B E A U T I F U L V I E W. . .

IF YOU MISSED COACHELLA...

TREASURE ISLAND

OUTSIDE LANDS

L O C AT I O N : T R E A S U R E I S L A N D I N T H E S A N F R A N C I S C O B AY PRICE: $$$ D AT E : O C T O B E R 1 8 - 1 9

L O C AT I O N : G O L D E N G AT E P A R K I N SAN FRANCISCO PRICE: $$$$ D AT E : A U G U S T 8 - 1 0

As one of the most iconic festivals in northern California, Treasure Island is an event well worth attending. Located right on the beautiful San Franciscan waterfront, it takes up the entire island. Last year, this jam-packed event featured big names like Major Lazer, Phantogram, Disclosure, and Haim. This two-day music and arts festival really packs a punch! Since this festival takes up the whole island, there is limited parking. You can either purchase a parking pass or park near Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and take the complimentary shuttle provided by the festival.

Known for the quality of the music lineup each year, Outside Lands has always been the go-to summer festival in California. Outside Lands is an environmentally conscious music, food, and wine festival. They have recycling programs, farmer’s markets, and gardening workshops at the festival; and even the stage, lighting, and sound systems are solar powered! The food at Outside Lands is always some of the most highly regarded of any festival, and you are also bound to see a few celebrities roaming the grounds.

IF YOU’RE LOW ON CASH...

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING OUT OF THE NORM...

FYF

C U LT U R E C O L L I D E

L O C AT I O N : L O S A N G E L E S S TAT E H I S T O R I C PA R K PRICE: $$

L O C AT I O N : E C H O P A R K I N L O S A N GELES PRICE: $-$$ D AT E : O C T O B E R 1 6 - 1 8

D AT E : A U G U S T 2 4 - 2 5 Overlooking the beautiful Los Angeles skyline, FYF is convenient and comparably more affordable than other festivals in California. Last year, the FYF lineup blew fans away with alternative artists like MGMT, Washed Out, Solange, and Flume. Using Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner is an easy way to get to the festival from San Diego, making FYF is the perfect summer weekend getaway.

FILTER magazine’s Culture Collide is an international festival welcoming artists from more than 25 countries. This unique melting pot of music merges on the east side of LA with live performances, film screenings, and international food and beverages. With plenty to do, this festival has merchandise booths and a huge art wall where anyone can come up and add to. So, if you’re interested in getting out of your indie rock and electronic music comfort zone, this is the festival for you.

$= $50

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THROUGH THE LENS A CLOSER LOOK AT PARKER’S FILM PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS ARTICLE BY SOPHIA SWEDBACK PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF FRANCIS PARKER PHOTO STUDENTS

ight pours through the

windows of Francis Parker’s photography class as students crowd throughout the room. The materials they carry range from trays of photographs that are in the midst of development to strips of negatives and safety scissors. Despite these different stages, all of the students are involved in the same intricate process that goes into creating a photograph. Parker has offered a film photography to its high school students for the past 23 years. The course is currently taught by Mr. Mark Byrne and Mrs. Genevieve Moller and is available throughout the school year, as well as over the summer. It continues to be a sought-after course. Despite the fact that students have access to technology like digital cameras and photoshop, film photography continues to be a relevant and valuable form of art. Students often choose photography-related arts due to the expressiveness and relatability of the subject. “Photography is empowering to teenagers because they’re shown images all the time and have a busy, structured life as a high schooler, but when you take photos, where you aim your camera is your decision,” Byrne says. “When someone looks at your photo, they are looking at what you saw. You’re showing what’s interesting to you.” Although the course is mainly taken during the school year, there has been an increasing presence of students in the summer session. “[The summer class] was really nice because I got to process and develop every day,” says sophomore photography student Athena Zander. “I had a lot more time to focus on [film photography]. During the

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school year, I only have 45 minutes, and only 20 of those minutes to print images.” Zander is one of the many students who have taken the three -week summer course. The summer session allows students to concentrate on the subject without the time limit of a single period and distractions of other classes. The photo class is composed of various levels, including an AP course. This advanced level is suggested for students who are passionate about the medium or wish to pursue photography as a career. “It pushes you artistically, and forces you to really think about your work,” AP photo student Cara Stiegler says. “Without AP, it would have taken me a lot longer to figure out what kind of photographer I wanted to be.” Generally, the course aims to teach students how film photographs are created and developed. According to Moller, the main motive of the class is craftsmanship. Due to the value of this concept, it places a significant emphasis on the process that goes into creating photographs. “Film allows you to recognize the baby steps, or the process in creating images,” Moller says. “Sometimes with really creating art, it’s not just about the finished product. It’s about the entire process. So when you work with film, it teaches people to slow down and recognize each step.” Moller suggests the importance of “slowing down and perfecting an art.” In an age where students have access to new technology, these values are often forgotten. However, film photography provides students with a method of experiencing the process that goes into creating art.

Top: Senior Emma Berholtz. Portraiture assignment: students were assigned to work with portraits and studio lighting. Above: Senior Gwennie Gardiner. A street scene captured in Seattle.

Above: Senior Gwennie Gardner. Photo taken during a trip to London. Gardner thermally distressed the negative later on by burning the edges. The distorted negative represents the crossing over of different forms of media.

AC Left: Sophomore Wolf Recht. Photo taken during an interim trip to India. Right: Freshman Adam Gordon. Studio assignment: Students learned how to manage the lighting features in the photo studio.

“

Sometimes with really creating art,

it’s not just about the finished product. It’s about the entire process. So when you work with film, it teaches people to slow down and recognize each step.”

—Ms. Genevieve Moller

Above: Freshman Davin Simms. Billboard assignment: Students were assigned to take photographs of outdoor advertisments.

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AC Another advantage of working with film photography rather than digital is the fact that it increases students’ skill as photographers. “Once you take the photo with a film camera, you can’t edit it,” says AP photo student Leah Munson. “You have to care more about what you’re taking pictures of. I think that that aspect of working with film cameras makes people better photographers.” Ansel Yaley, a freshman who is currently taking her first year of film photography, provides a similar perspective. “Film is a lot more personal,” Yaley says. “You have to process the negatives and you have to print out the picture. In digital, if you have a good camera, then you can take a good picture. But with film, to have a good photo, you have to have an idea from the start and some skill.” Despite film photography’s artistic benefits, it presents some practical disadvantages. The majority of these drawbacks are relatAbove: Sophomore Julia Bricnet’s portrait taken for a free-role assignment. Below: Senior Cara Steigler. A photo from a series that reveals her great-aunt’s life in a nursing home.

ed to the price of materials used for the class. Photo students are expected to provide their own camera, film, and paper. The sum of these prices is considered to be fairly high. There are also difficulties in the means of obtaining the required material. Film itself isn’t as obtainable as it was 20 years ago, and as a result, has become more expensive. In the terms of photography as an art, these disadvantages are outweighed by the medium’s benefits. Film photography encourages and generates craftsmanship that is crucial when practicing any art. “People are always going to appreciate film photography,” Moller says. “I see digital and film kind of as oil and acrylic paintings. One is a little bit more accessible and easier to work with, but there will always be this value to learning oils and that traditional art form. It’s the same with film.”

Below: Sophomore Jonas Munson. Portrait that incorporates the use of shadows and lighting.

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SPORTS one and done pg. 38 I tearing apart a career pg . 39 packing heat pg. 40 I kuiper’s legacy pg. 42

PHOTOGRAPH BY GRACE SELLICK Coach Dan Kuiper stands in front of the Lauer Field scoreboard, a symbol of the success he brought to Parker athletics. “[Kuiper has] moved us from being a small time athletic program in a small school, to a big time athletic program in a small school,” says PE department chair John Herman. See page 42 to learn more about the retiring athletic director’s legacy. fpsthescribe.org

COMMENTARY

ONE AND DONE WHY FRESHMEN NEED TO STAY ARTICLE BY GABRIEL GROSS-SABLE ARTWORK BY ISAAC GRAY

s the final seconds

ticked off the clock in the 2012 NCAA National Championship game, University of Kentucky Head Coach John Calipari began to celebrate an eighth title for the Wildcats. With three freshmen and in the starting lineup, some may have questioned their ability to win with such inexperience, with other teams such as Kansas and Duke winning multiple national championships with upperclassmen-filled teams. Others, however, thought the 2012 Kentucky Wildcats could have beaten an NBA team. The “one-and-done” rule, as it is known, is what makes it possible for college basketball players to leave for the NBA after their freshman year. Although most coaches despise the rule, the more talented players usually take advantage of it, with money being the main reason. Here at Parker, senior Evan Fitzner is preparing to play college basketball for the next four years at Saint Mary’s College of California. Fitzner’s opinion is similar to that of the players in that he likes the rule and if he had the opportunity to leave early, he would do it. “If a young man has the ability to go to the NBA after one year in college, he should be allowed to do so,” Fitzner says. Fitzner’s main argument is that many of the athletes in college basketball don’t have enough money to even put food in their stomachs. Although many of them have scholarships, college basketball players still don’t have it that easy.

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“These kids have to go to college and be exploited by the NCAA, which is making millions off of their hard work,” he says. Along with these issues, Fitzner believes that staying in college can hurt a player’s draft stock if an injury occurs. Fitzner’s mentor and coach for the past four years, varsity basketball coach Jim Tomey, has strong opinions about the rule as well. Out of the traits necessary to be able to leave early, he believes mental strength is the most important. “You have to be emotionally ready,” Tomey says. “A lot of guys have the body that should be able to handle that kind of rigorous schedule, but not all of them have the mental makeup to handle the ups and downs of a long NBA season.” A typical NBA season is 82 games long (without the playoffs) while a college season can only last up to about 40 games, including the NCAA tournament known as March Madness. If a player is unable to sustain his drive and effort throughout the length of the professional season, he may not be strong enough mentally. Tomey also believes that passing up three years of education is not a wise decision academically. “I would probably be telling my kid to stay in school,” Tomey says. “If I felt that he or she had a chance to play in the NBA, I’m not sure how it would hurt that person to complete the education.” Despite his success in 2012, coach Calipari couldn’t waste too much time before thinking about

his plan for the next season. After all, all three of his starting freshmen were set to enter the 2012 NBA draft. Calipari isn’t the only NCAA coach who has to deal with freshmen leaving after one year—it happens regularly now. Historically strong programs such as Duke, Kansas, and Syracuse all deal with the same issue. For many coaches and recruiters, it becomes frustrating to be unable to build a long-lasting team, and even though Calipari has dealt with this oneand-done trend for several years, he is extremely opinionated about the subject. “I’m the one guy out there saying we’ve gotta change this somehow,” Calipari said in an interview with ESPN. “It’s wrong for high school kids, it’s wrong for college kids, it’s wrong for the NBA.” Many question why Calipari, and others, are so against the rule. One main reason is that it slows the development of players who have so much potential. College basketball transforms exceptional athletes into great basketball players so that by the time they enter the NBA draft, they are ready to take on big roles on their professional teams. When college players leave as freshmen, they skip three years in which they can become as prepared as possible to perform at the elite level. An example is Michael KiddGilchrist, who entered the draft as a freshman from Kentucky. He was selected second overall by the Charlotte Bobcats, and his production has not lived up to expec-

tations, scoring an average of just nine points per game in two seasons. So who decides whether a player moves to the NBA or not? Some believe that it should completely be the player’s choice while some believe that it should be the parent’s decision. Others believe it should be up to the coach, and many think it should be a combination of these factors. Tomey is one of these people. “The player has to believe that he is ready for that kind of grind, that kind of money,” Tomey says. “You certainly need to to get good advice from your parents and supporters, but you’ve got to know deep down that you can handle it.” No matter how much longer the one-and-done rule is around, there are a number of reasons why many can’t stand it. It takes away a player’s opportunity to develop his game and can also affect NBA teams negatively. Although some people, like Fitzner, approve of the rule, others find that it has mostly negative consequences. Currently, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is attempting to revise the rule, but not much progress has been made because he only recently began his job. Many, however, are hopeful that the that the end of this rule is in the near future.

TEARING APART A CAREER

THE IMPACT OF ACL INJURIES ACL

ARTICLE BY ELIJAH GROSS-SABLE ARTWORK BY ISAAC GRAY

ast May, senior Kevin Wellis’ athletic career was at its peak. One of the stars of the varsity boys’ lacrosse team, Wellis had his eyes set on the playoffs as the regular season was coming to an end with only five games left. He walked on to the field to play La Jolla Country Day just as he would any other game, filled with adrenaline and ready to win. But this seemingly ordinary game would change Wellis’ entire outlook on his athletic career. Wellis suspected something was wrong when he couldn’t get up after his leg gave way during the game. While the fall itself—as he hurtled toward the goal—was innocent enough, the consequences were severe. As he tried to stand, his left leg felt unstable. “I looked at my knee and I felt that it was pretty loose and wobbling around,” he says. “I thought maybe I bruised my knee or something and maybe it was just locking up.” That may have been wishful thinking. When Wellis’ coaches helped him off the field, he felt his knee clicking as he walked, and while he remained unconcerned, his trainers were wary. An MRI revealed a torn ACL. “I had the surgery early in July and for two weeks I was immobile on my couch,” Wellis remembers. “After those two weeks I started walking around without crutches and I started rehab. And from that day for five months three days a week I was doing rehab exercises and working out trying to get my leg back so that I could play for my senior year.” According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most commonly injured ligaments of the knee. It’s estimated that about 200,000 ACL in-

juries occur annually, and the high school years are when the majority of people are most vulnerable. Mr. Marc Thiebach, head coach of the varsity girls’ soccer team, says that in his 16 years of coaching, about a dozen of his players have torn their ACLs. “Girls are playing way more than they used to at a much higher level, they’re playing much better than they did 20, 30 years ago,” Thiebach says, “And so naturally with that comes increase in injury.” Interviews with athletes, coaches, and medical professionals confirm that girls’ soccer has seen more ACL injuries than any other sport. Athletic trainer Jarrad Phillips deals with countless injuries every day, and about two to three ACL tears annually. According to Phillips, girls are more likely to tear their ACLs mostly because of the structure of their hips. “The Q angle is the angle that your femurs come into your tibia,” Phillips says. “So if you have wider hips, that angle is going to be more severe, and won’t be as strong.” Freshman varsity soccer player Lauren Washington knows that from personal experience. When she tore her ACL during a club soccer game in February 2013, Washington says she didn’t even realize she was injured at first. “I pulled the ball back and the girl hit the inside of my leg and it just kind of popped out,” she says. “It just felt like knee to knee contact. I was gonna try to play the next game but I couldn’t, my parents just wanted to be cautious about it.” The ACL tear is a devastating injury, and the recovery process can seem endless for young, ambitious athletes like Washington. People who have experienced ACL tears usually wait about six weeks before entering the operating room for reconstruction, then undergo months

of vigorous rehab before being cleared to participate in athletics. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Chad Elsner specializes in sports related injuries at Kaiser Permanente. He says in the almost two decades that he’s been practicing, techniques have been refined so that reconstruction of the knee is now the surgery of choice for ACL specialists. “To reconstruct a new [ACL] you drill a hole where the ligament should go through the tibia and drill a hole where the ligament should go through the femur and then put a new graft in there,” Elsner explains. “You can either take one from your own body, they call that an autograft, or take one from a donor, they call that an allograft.” More than just a physical injury, the ACL tear is an obstacle that requires mental strength to overcome. Washington was forced to sit and watch as her team advanced to the semifinals of National Cup. “It was a really hard experience watching my team play and achieve the things they did without me,” Washington says. “But my friends and family and my team were all super supportive.” As tough as it is to take off months of a sport that you love to

play, Thiebach thinks the injury can be difficult to prevent. The key to a successful recovery is patience and a positive outlook. The most important thing is to safely recover and come back to the field strong, and pick up where the player started. “The fact is, injuries, and especially these kind, are a fact of life when you compete and play sports,” Thiebach says. “You could fall down the stairs at your house and break your arm, probably every bit as likely as you could playing soccer. You can’t avoid everything.” That’s a lesson Kevin Wellis learned the hard way when he tore the same ACL for a second time earlier this spring. “Emotionally it just crushed me because I had worked so hard for that full year to come back and be ready to play,” he says. “I felt like I had done something bad and it was a punishment. I didn’t really know what was happening.” As Wellis anticipates yet another surgery scheduled for this summer, he’s all but given up what had promised to be an exciting athletic college career at USD. “It would be too devastating to risk another tear,” he says. “I’m just going to dedicate those four years to fitness and lifting and working out.” fpsthescribe.org

PACKING HEAT HOW PARKER’S TOP TEAMS TRAIN OVER THE SUMMER ARTICLE BY JASH BABLA PHOTGRAPH BY GRACE SELLICK

he final whistle blows,

signalling the end of the season, and the beginning of the next. It requires hard work, effort, and a strong motivation to give it your all in the offseason. The offseason is one of the most important parts of success. It is the time of the year when the players regroup, recover, and come together as a team to fix flaws from the previous season. Regardless of whether the offseason is full of celebration or tears, athletes of any sport can’t deny the importance of the offseason. “It’s a great starting point. It puts everyone on the same page and gives us a great jumpstart to the season,” says junior football player Emory Hingorani.

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For football players, the season never ends. When the playoffs are over, all players must report to 9th period PE if they are not participating in another sport. Then, once the school year ends, players come back to school for optional workouts. The sessions are grueling, going from 12 PM to 4:30 PM, with two hours spent in the weight room. But this is just a warmup, as once July ends, the real offseason begins. All August football workouts are mandatory and require a full month of physical energy and mental focus, as the practices often last 11 hours per day, with every Monday being a full weight room day. The players are on the field for 6 of the 11 hours, sit through 3 hours of

meetings and film study, and are allotted one hour for lunch. Included in the August workout schedule is the infamous hell week, which lives up to its name. However, like all workouts, hell week does have a purpose, as it not only puts the players in playing shape but also brings the team together after some players were absent during June and July. Though it sounds like pure torture, players say the workouts serve a very important purpose, and they do enjoy them. “Personally, I love every second of hell week and looking back on it, it has provided me with some of the best memories of my high school life.” says junior quarterback Khaleel Jenkins. “Hell week

is vital to the success of our team year in and year out because it is a time where we get in the shape necessary to complete a full season, develop a stronger bonds as a team, and altogether just get mentally and physically prepared to win a CIF championship.” The football team’s success can partially be credited to these workouts, as not only do they put the players in prime shape for a long, demanding season, but they get them ready for after-school practices, which are also long and physically draining. “Our pre-season is vital to our success as it allows our players to prepare both mentally and physically for the upcoming season” says Football coach Mr. John Morrison.

“Once the season begins, most of our practice time is used in preparation for our opponents.” But football is not the only sport with an offseason that pushes athletes to their limits. Cross country is one of the most physically demanding sports on campus. In a sport where speed and stamina are the most important skills to have, staying in shape is vital and rest is not an option. “The team starts individual workouts beginning the week after school gets out,” says cross country coach Mr. Matt Schellenberg. Though there are no mandatory summer workouts, varsity and JV runners alike begin running right after school lets out in order to get in racing shape, a level they must maintain for an entire sea-

son. Top varsity boys are expected to run over 400 miles during the offseason, and the girls 300. In all, for varsity and JV teams, the average distance completed per runner is over 200 miles, a goal that seems impossible but is of great importance for a sport where the athletes run over 30 miles per week during the season, totalling over 360 miles per season, excluding meets and individual weekend workouts. Though Parker starts its school year later than most private schools in San Diego County, the late start doesn’t put the Fall teams at a disadvantage. “If anything, it puts us at an advantage” says Hingorani. “It gives us more time to work over the summer where we can practice longer as a team.”

The offseason is a very tough time for athletes. The dread of the previous season can still hang over a team, as well as the feeling of trying to shoulder more load because key seniors from the previous year have graduated. But staying motivated is key. “It’s tough running in the summer heat, racking up miles and recording times that mean nothing, but I know the more I run and the harder I work, it’ll all pay off in the end,” says freshman cross country runner Eric Senhauser. Cross country and football are only two of many sports that have rigorous summer training programs that force the athletes to push themselves to the extreme. The cheerleaders spend four days at a college campus practicing

routines, getting in shape, and performing stunts. Volleyball also begins a summer training program that includes weight and conditioning courses and continues for nearly the entire summer until August tryouts. Though the these workouts take incredible amounts of energy and focus, they are an extremely important component of a team’s outcome the following season. Though summer training seems mundane and time consuming, no athlete can deny its importance or admit that they can perform at a very high level without a very demanding offseason.

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KUIPER’S LEGACY PARKER’S LEGENDARY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR RETIRES AFTER 33 YEARS ARTICLE BY EMMA MOORE PHOTOGRAPH BY GRACE SELLICK

Coach Dan Kuiper, who has been working at Parker since 1981, will be officially retiring June 30th.

hirty-three years ago,

in the spring of 1981, Mr. Dan Kuiper, head coach of the Webb School tennis team, traveled down to San Diego and found himself on the courts of Francis Parker. “That was my first introduction [to Parker],” Kuiper says. “They had an opening and we had an opening, so I drove my tennis team down in the van, and we actually played tennis against Francis Parker.” After beating the Lancers in the tennis match, Kuiper decided to apply for a position at Parker, and was hired as a science and algebra teacher in August 1981. “I happened to hit them when they needed me,” Kuiper says. After seven years as a teacher, Kuiper was promoted to Middle School athletic director, and later, athletic director of both Middle and Upper Schools. Now, thirty-three years, three jobs, and countless League and CIF banners later, Dan Kuiper is retiring, leaving behind a legacy that will not soon be forgotten. “He’s what you think of when you think of Parker,” says football coach Mr. John Morrison, who arrived at the school in 1997, and has been working alongside Kuiper ever since. “It’s going to be very odd to walk by his office next year and not see him in it.” Kuiper’s supportive and friendly nature has earned him a

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place of respect and admiration among his fellow coaches and colleagues, who enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and open-door policy of Kuiper’s office. “He’s a very upbeat, positive guy. Very rarely do you ever see him down,” Morrison says. “He has a very positive outlook on life, and I think that carries into his job and into his interactions with people. I think that’s why we as coaches really enjoy working with him.” In his time at Parker, Kuiper has expanded and improved the athletic department significantly. As the school has changed, growing from around 250 students to over 500, the teams and facilities have flourished as well. “The enrollment doubled, and our athletics were able to double as well,” Kuiper says. “You need the people to fill the teams.” With the increase in team size, athletics at Parker have become more competitive and accomplished. Greater participation helps teams perform better in competitions, eventually allowing them to improve and compete against bigger and better schools. “[Kuiper has] moved us from being a small time athletic program in a small school, to a big time athletic program in a small school,” says PE department chair John Herman. It was under Kuiper’s guidance that the Upper School Field House and the Parker Hall of

Fame,were constructed. “It was his vision to build the Field House,” says head baseball coach David Glassey. “He got it done.” Kuiper’s role as athletic director has entailed much more than just the creation of the new facilities and increase in athletic participation. Kuiper is in charge of 22 varsity sports, 13 junior varsity sports, and approximately 13 middle school teams. “It’s the hiring of all the coaches and equipment, and keeping the budget and making the entire system work,” says Kuiper of his job. “We do over 100 coaching contracts a year between two schools, and about 55 to 60 different people hold those contracts.” With everything the athletic director does, finding someone to replace Kuiper in the coming 20142015 school year is no easy task. A committee, composed of administration from both the athletic department and the Upper School, has been created to evaluate applicants for the position. “Whoever we get will be a wonderful candidate,” Morrison says. “But it’s going to be hard to

“

replace Coach Kuiper.” Once the position has been filled for next year, Kuiper plans on helping his replacement adjust to the new role, before beginning his retirement. In his retirement, Kuiper plans on coaching and possibly racing outrigger canoes, as he once did, in addition to traveling with his family. “I’ve got family living in Kenya, so we’ll spend extended time there with my daughter and half of my family,” Kuiper says. “I’ve got a ton of stuff I’m going to do.” Although Kuiper will enjoy his retirement, he says that he will miss all of the students and staff at Parker. Kuiper’s energy, charisma, and positive outlook will be missed among his colleagues, yet the athletic department will remain as his legacy. “He’s done a remarkable job,” Morrison says. “I think I speak for everyone in the department; we’re really going to miss him.”

He’s what you think of when you think of Parker.” — Coach John Morrison

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;14

SENIORS blast from the past pg. 44 I letters to my freshman self pg. 46 thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what they said pg. 49 last will and testament pg. 52 I quadrants pg. 53 college map pg. 54

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BLAST FROM THE PAST PARKER SENIORS THEN AND NOW ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY CAROLINE MERKIN

lass of 2014, we’re all so proud you’ve made it thus

far and are graduating in the near future, but what kind of celebration would it be without a photo montage flashback? From their Lower School craftiness to their Middle School

modeling days, your fellow seniors have recreated photos with their present selves. But remember, don’t get too caught up in your past—you’ve got a graduation to attend!

“The chemistry between Sofia and I goes all the way back to Kindergarten. One day I scraped my knee on the playground, and Sofia kissed me on the cheek to make it feel better.” — Alex Wasserman

S O F I A L A B E L L A A N D A L E X WA S S E R M A N

“Zach and I weren’t really friends in lower school. You can definitely tell a parents made us take this picture because of how awkwardly far apart we are. I thought it was so funny though when I found it in January looking for old pictures for a senior slide show. I can’t believe we’ve been in school together for so long!” — McKenna Allard

MCKENNA ALLARD AND ZACH SCHMID

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“Although our skirts became shorter through high school, and we have all pursued different interests, our friendships have remained strong.” — Taylor Baranski

K AT E L E M B E R G , TAY L O R B A R A N S K I , A N N A L E I S G I O VA N E T T I , A U D R E Y YA N G , G W E N N I E G A R D I N E R

“[Cara] might be younger than me but she has always protected me. In elementary school she kicked Ian Blalock because he chased me around trying to kiss me. She’s always been a bit crazy and outgoing and I’m kind of shy. I guess that’s why we’re such good friends.” — Jasmine Anklesaria

JASMINE ANKLESARIA AND CARA STIEGLER

“In Lower School we used to always have races on the monkey bars. Since Michaela’s so tall, she always won—surprise, surprise.” — Alanna Platt

M I C H A E L A D E W S , R O S A VA R G A S , A L A N N A P L AT T

“One time when we were in band class we got kicked out for being unruly. There was a canyon right next to the room so we all decided that it would be fun to hop the fence and explore it. I’ll always remember that adventure all four of us took together.” — Eric Goicoechea

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LETTERS TO MY FRESHMAN SELF SENIORS REFLECT ON THEIR FOUR YEARS IN THE UPPER SCHOOL ARTICLE COMPILED BY JULIANNA D’AURIA PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF CAVALCADE

JEREMY KAHAN Hey Jeremy, It has been a very long, good four years. Things are different, but really good. There are so many things I could tell you that I have learned these past four years that would make your high school experience a lot smoother, but sometimes smoother isn’t the best way; the process is more valuable than the product, so I will let you learn through being an idiot. In any case, a couple things to note: Homecoming is a serious event. A polo shirt and jeans will not suffice, so plan ahead. You don’t want to have to hear about it from freshmen when you are a senior. Don’t wait at the movie theater for three hours totally moded on a Sunday night knowing darn well you got ditched—call Mom and Dad to pick you up no matter how embarrassing it is. And never park your car in a San Ysidro McDonald’s parking lot; you will get towed and have to drive to the middle of nowhere to shell out a couple stacks. Cherish every day you have at this school because toward the end of senior year, you will regret you judged others, didn’t make an effort to get to know people, and bemoaned coming to school every day because this is one of the most special places there is with some of the most awesome people. Every day is really a gift. Enjoy it—these will be some of the best four years of your life. Love, Jeremy

A U D R E Y YA N G Dear Freshman Audrey, You probably don’t recognize me. I’m a little taller than you, I have a different sense of style, and I have a few more years of “maturity” that have taught me how to hide my social awkwardness (most of the time). Don’t just avoid eye contact with me and shyly walk away; I want us to be friends. I know you think it’s impossible for a senior to be friends with an underclassman, but I’ll prove you wrong. You might also think that we don’t share any similarities or interests, but I’ll prove you wrong again (ask me any question about the Harry Potter series–I’ll know the answer). And yes, I’m still friends with some of the people you vowed you would stay close with forever. On the contrary, there are some whom I haven’t spoken with in a while. Don’t lose hope, however; you’ve made created some pretty great memories and relationships with people you never thought you’d be friends with. It might be because I’ve learned to place more trust in myself, but hopefully I’m not completely different from you now. We share the same smile, the same laugh, and every now and then we make the same goofy comments. And though you’ve always wanted to know what it feels like to be where I am now, a third-trimester senior with college just out of reach, savor each day in high school. Be patient, be confident, and have faith that life will always present you with something beautiful, even when you’re not searching for it. Keep smiling. Your time will come. And when it does, it will be AWESOME. Love, Audrey

NOAH GAMBOA

Dear Freshman Noah, You’ll be fine. Don’t worry about it. Keep working hard but don’t forget to enjoy your high school experience. Remember to cherish those moments. But be sure to discern whether it is a time for play or work and think carefully about how to spend your time. Do the things you love but, more importantly, don’t do the things you hate. Care for the people around you and be friendly because the people at this school are far more interesting than they seem. Try to see the world as the people around you do and always be willing to learn. Take the classes you want to take and then always make space for Lewis. He’ll change the way you think about English and literature. You don’t really need a locker. Leave your books at home. Lunch gets better. Don’t worry. Avatar the Last Airbender is always cool. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You’ll always get flack for not watching/reading Harry Potter, but it’s really not a big deal. Go on a global trip. Seeing the world with your friends is an awesome experience. Go to the talent shows, Unplugged, concerts, and plays, especially as a freshman. I regret only going to a few my senior year. Finally, sometimes, the things you hate the most freshman year become the things you love the most your senior year. So, be willing to try new things, because life is too short to think in only one way. Sincerely, Senior Noah

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’14 K AT H E R I N E O W E N S Dear Freshman Katherine, First of all, high school is a thousand times better than middle school, so get excited. Except for your freshman interim— that’s gonna suck, but don’t worry, they change it just in time so that you’re the last grade to do it. But anyway, remember to take full advantage of interim; it’s an awesome opportunity to learn from teachers you don’t normally have, go on a trip, or do an internship. If you can, definitely try to do all three! The “four -year plan” thing is dumb. What will be helpful is if you make a three-year plan starting sophomore year, because that’s when you actually understand how high school works and sort of know what you want to do. Also, junior year is rough like everyone says and taking Creative Writing will be the best decision you’ve ever made. Finally, by the time you’re a senior, underclassmen will have way less respect for you than you have for seniors now so, yes, it’s all for nothing. Also, don’t stress too much. Everything always works out and if it doesn’t, then it didn’t matter anyway. Sincerely, Senior Katherine P.S. Always remember to knock before going into the faculty bathroom. Trust me, it’s important.

OMAR HARB To Freshman Omar, Firstly, I’d just like to say that I mean every word that I say to you, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy to hear. With that said, you’re dumb. You are so sure you know exactly what you’re doing but you don’t even have close to an idea. High school will kick your butt if you don’t take that “I know everything” attitude and swallow it along with your pride. Secondly, and much more importantly, yes, your teeth will look remarkable when you get your braces off. Also, you need to stop playing video games. Do something productive with your time and stop losing sleep over your kill/death ratio. Lastly, always remember who you are. The next four years will challenge you and it’s important you remember it is the accumulation of small acts that make a person. Overall, I think you turned out pretty well although I’m sure some people would disagree (that’s another thing: haters gon’ hate). Anyways, love you cutie pie, Senior Omar

MACKENZIE ROWE

Dear Mackenzie, Despite what they will tell you over the next four years, just remember one thing: you will graduate, and you will go to college. You will have your fair share of panicking about tests, late night study sessions and all the other joys of high school, but don’t stress because none of it really matters in the long run. When you get a D on every Dr. Wilson test you ever take, panic a little, then get over it. It will happen over and over again regardless of how much you study. When you become senior editor of the yearbook, you will be working in the Pub more than you ever thought possible; it will pay off. One thing you should know now is that you can’t please everyone, so don’t try. If I could give you a piece of advice, I would tell you to hang out with the people who bring out the best in you. You’ll make a good group of friends... a little later than you may like, but it will be worth it, and you’ll have more fun than you can possibly imagine right now. Don’t waste the next four years, because you don’t want to graduate with any regrets. XOXO, Mackenzie

CHRISTINA CLARK Dear Freshman Christina on the First Day of High School, Look, it’s not going to be how you thought. Your sense of direction will prove a failure once again, and you’ll be ten minutes late and flustered to every class. You’ll forget your pencil case in Topics in Social Studies and have to walk into Mr. Aiston’s room full of seniors to retrieve it. Right after you escape that ordeal, you’ll pass another crowd of upperclassmen, and one boy will jump out and yell “BOO!”, prompting you to drop your books and scream in surprise while the whole group laughs. After you recover, you’ll take it in stride—a reaction that will be useful, but not always possible, over the next four years. You’re going to lose friends, run bad races, dent your car a bit, and pull one awful all nighter. Don’t worry though—none of that comes even close to taking up as much space in your mind as the good parts: all the silly excitement leading up to Homecoming and Prom, joking around with your best friends in free period, cheering with the teammates that have become your family. During all of this, you’ll change so much: your braces will come off; your average hours of sleep will shrink; you’ll actually form friendships with guys. The rush of independence that came from getting to walk to 7-11 will be replaced by an irritation at even having a curfew. When you walk through campus, these unfamiliar buildings, lawns, and pathways will instead seem to pulse with memories, and it will be a pleasant experience, for it will remind you that high school has become a place where you never again have to feel lost. Love, Christina fpsthescribe.org

’14 THOMAS MARSHALL Dear Thomas, I’m going to tell you this once, and I’d wish I’d even told you sooner, please chill the @#$% out. (This is going to be a serious letter, and I know it’s Thomas and you’d expect something funny, but this is something I wished someone gave me the first day I came here.) Life is supposed to be something you enjoy. If you’re always chasing after something more, you can never appreciate what you have, and that’s really why we’re here. Now, this doesn’t mean flunk out of school. You still have to work hard; life’s just about finding that balance between living for now and living for the future. Don’t take yourself too seriously, and never take anyone else seriously. Life’s a lot more fun that way. Quit being so uptight about everything, thinking you’re more important than you are, and being so awkward with girls. They are people too, with feelings, hopes, dreams, and fears just like you. Talk to them, don’t stare at them, and in the unlikely event one of them likes you, treat this situation delicately and with grace. Do not take their feelings lightly and be honest if you don’t like them. Because, in the end, we’re all just people trying to find our way. Also, be nice to everybody. You never know who someone is or what they’re going through until you get to know them, so never judge them. Get to know as many people as you can, be amicable to everyone you meet, and try to find people you like to be around. Step out of your comfort zone. But, above all, enjoy this time. These next four years are incredible, so don’t waste them. Make memories, because at the end of the day, those are all we have, so make them good ones. Good luck, kiddo. Yourself, truly.

RICKEY LEARY Dear Apprehensive Fourteen-Year-Old Rickey, Well, you just started high school, eh? “Brace yourself.” Perhaps you remember reading those two simple words in a book once. Those words were never truer. High school will be the most stressful, challenging, and awkward, yet the greatest undertaking of your fourteenyear-old life thus far. Freedom and responsibilities will usher you forth into a bevy of projects, assigned essays, and untold nights of staying up to ungodly hours of the morning. Not to worry, you’ll handle it. But be sure to seek out junior and senior mentors to make the transition into high school smoother. Take risks, don’t be bland; cartwheeling is fine and all, but ask a girl out, for crying out loud. School is not supposed to be “all work and no play.” That isn’t the right mindset, so go outside and throw a Frisbee or sail in the bay. Keeping that in mind, try not to procrastinate; sleeping is better than late night stress. Also, don’t take Christina Clark’s spot in Mr. Aiston’s class. Your books will be tossed over the ledge of the walkway…to your own chagrin and embarrassment, and to the delight of the entire class. Always be inquisitive in class, and never be afraid to ask questions to a teacher. Always cherish your friends, family, teachers and mentors as they guide you on your quest through high school (more than you will ever know.) Always do your best no matter what in your studies, and always take an interest in everything. Always be yourself and dedicate yourself fully to what you want to do and what you believe in. Finally, I leave with this extremely powerful quote from Sir Isaac Newton: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Never ever forget it, and “brace yourself.” Welcome to High School, Jaded Eighteen- Year-Old Rickey

TORRI JOHNSON Dear Freshman Torri, The most important lesson you will learn in the next four years will be to persevere. At the very beginning, you’ll want to blend in with the crowd because you are intimidated—don’t. Your weirdness makes you special. In the first few months, your coach will make you want to quit volleyball—don’t. You need the PE credits and don’t want to receive a blank diploma at graduation... it’s so anticlimactic. In your sophomore year, you will try anything and everything to get out of your chemistry class—don’t. You’ll find your best friend for two years in that class. You two will become inseparable. Changing one chemistry class would throw off your whole schedule, which would result in your friendship to fade. In junior year, you will not want to try out for varsity volleyball, don’t listen to that voice inside your head. Try it: you will have the time of your life. In the fall of your senior year, you will experience the most stress of your high school career with volleyball, vice presidency, college applications, and a long-distance relationship. Whatever you do, don’t listen to your parents when they try to make you quit volleyball. Their threats are nothing but bluffs. You will go to win state for the second time and your grades will be fine, ASB will thrive, and your relationship will only become stronger. Unlike most people, it’s easier for us to push through something rather than quit and deal with regret. So, no matter how stressful high school gets, give it your all. I will be walking down the aisle at graduation this May happy, knowing I put my heart and soul into Parker. Also, you’re going to turn into that loud senior girl you always saw around campus. That probably explains why you never really acted like a submissive freshman. You should’ve... because you’ll hate all traffic-oblivious freshmen by the end. Senior TJ

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THAT’S WHAT THEY SAID CONFESSIONS FROM THE CLASS OF 2014

COMPILED BY JULIANNA D’AURIA AND MORGAN SMITH PHOTOGRAPHS BY NATALIE GREENBERG

hink you know the Class of 2014? Think again. This year’s seniors are much more than meets the eye. Read on to discover their juciest high school confessions.

W H AT I S Y O U R B I G G E S T R E G R E T I N HIGH SCHOOL?

Hunter Asmann: Senioritis since freshman year. Sabrina Devereaux: I kind of wish I had joined the surf or sail team, but not really. Jeremy Kahan: Not asking Hunter Asmann out. Sofia LaBella: Not joining The Scribe. Lucrecia Mestre: NO RAGRETS. Nicole Morozov: Not giving people enough sass. Michaela Dews: I regret not taking more lunch time naps in Ms. O’s room. Alex Wasserman: Being really shy and weird for most of it (...all of it). Nate Glasser: Having a lower GPA than Preetam.

W H AT I S Y O U R M O S T E M B A R R A S S I N G H I G H S C H O O L MOMENT? Sarah Benjamin: Saying SOMF when I didn’t know what it meant. Emma Berholtz: When am I not embarrassing myself? Rickey Leary: I once brought a bouquet of flowers for a Prom date. It fell through, so I gave them to Ms. Hanscom instead. Milan Marrero: When Braden Salvati pinned me down. Marty Kausas: The day after I released the song “2 Seconds.” Prithvi Tikhe: That hasn’t happened yet. :) But I’m pretty sure it is going to happen at graduation. Sophie Woods: Fainting into the bushes during “Every 15 Minutes.” Whitney Ralston: When I hit Andy Piacquadio’s car and cried about it for four hours.

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H O W F A R W O U L D Y O U G O T O J O I N A F R AT E R N I T Y OR A SORORITY? Taylor Baranski: They would need to give me at least two million dollars and a unicorn. Then maybe I would consider joining. Maybe. Probably not, though. Sara Yuen: Not as far as I would go for a Klondike bar. Sam Deddeh: The distance. Gwennie Gardiner: LOL. Elisa Greenberg: Not far at all... what’s the RUSH? (See what I... Sorry). Luke Pelessone: I would release 20,000 ladybugs in the library. It was a success five years ago. Devin Sefton: Far enough. Cara Stiegler: I prefer the company of my Beanie Babies. Sophie Woods: I would get covered in condiments.

D O Y O U H AV E A D I R T Y L I T T L E S E C R E T ? Nathan Abernathy: I don’t shower. Hunter Asmann: I have a secret relationship with Jeremy Kahan. Alex Deddeh: I don’t actually like Mean Girls or Pitch Perfect. I hope the entire female student body doesn’t kill me. Sam Deddeh: I’m really Alex. We’ve lied to you for three years. Rebecca Dvorak: I still have shorts attached to my Lands’ End skorts. Elisa Greenberg: One time, I told Ms. Hanscom that I did my APES homework when I hadn’t. It still haunts me. Luke Pelessone: Some people have asked me if I’ve watched Frozen. I say no, but I’ve actually watched it more times than Tanner. Annie Sager: Me—dirty?! Never.

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I F Y O U C O U L D T E L L O N E FA C U LT Y M E M B E R A N Y T H I N G , W H AT W O U L D Y O U S AY ? Jasmine Anlesaria: Mr. Witt, the reason you couldn’t hear my french horn part of my freshman and sophomore year is because I wasn’t playing. Alex Deddeh: Mr. Griggs, finally getting an A on a Physics quiz was one of the proudest moments of my sophomore year. Patricia Fernandez: I want Mr. Fickling to ask how I am so I can say, “bitchin’.” Katherine Lemberg: Mr. Taylor, I swear I’m telling the truth when I tell you I’m not a communist. Quit calling me names. Ian Mann: I’d ask Dr. Pierce how much he benches. Milan Marrero: Mr. Aiston, I wanna go on a trip with you. Nicole Morozov: Ms. O, you are fabulous and I love you. Kevin Wellis: I’d tell Señor Caracoza that he is a god. Sophie Woods: Ms. Hanscom, I wish you were my grandmother.

F U N N I E S T T H I N G Y O U ’ V E B E E N B U S T E D F O R AT PA R K E R ? Hunter Asmann: Wearing my see-through underwear. Andy Bickel: Loitering in the parking lot. Dylan Crispen: “Human trafficking” is what Urbano called it. We called it taking a sophomore off campus. Michaela Dews: Using my sophomore ID to try and go off campus. Glenisha and I have been best friends ever since. Eric Goicoechea: Making fun of some guy’s nipples. Alex Mojabi: Being late eighteen times. Chris Papatheofanis: Getting accused of doing drugs in Crivello with Tanner Aiono. Luke Pelessone: Dr. Lown once caught me taking expired candy off his desk. My punishment was getting sick off the candy. Rosa Vargas: Never been busted... My permanent record is blank. Cassia Wallach: Holding hands with my BBG in the parking lot.

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LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT ARTICLE COMPILED BY JULIANA D’AURIA AND MORGAN SMITH IMAGE COURTESY OF NALDZGRAPHICS.NET

Matthew Alessio, leave the nickname “Alessio” to Ally Alessio. Sarah Benjamin, leave the Libero jersey to Nicole Magbanua. Esther Cheng, leave a sense of responsibility to Jason Tyler. Maybe then you won’t kill your Tamagotchis. Michaela Dews, leave all of my wangies to my little sister Katherine and I leave my constant sassy dispostion to Sasha Stevens. Eric Goicoechea, leave my crown of victory from Mr. FPS to any man worthy... Matthew Goff. Omar Harb, leave my luscious voice to Brian Gale. Nathan Vu Ho, leave my sword and shield to Austin Rogers.

Sofia LaBella, the crazy, fun times to the future seniors of band class. Ian Mann, leave my seat on Mr. Maunu’s couch to Aidan Fay. Nancy Mendez, leave LAX captain to Corinne Nixon. Sammy Rodriguez-Mora, leave my amazingly good looking hair to Eric Kanegaye. Sophie Solar, leave my brain to Nate Glasser. Prithvi Tikhe, leave my patience to all the underclassmen. Michela Rodriguez, leave my good looks, popularity, and superstardom to Josh Rodriguez. Don’t let me down. Alex Wasserman, leave my professional-level golf skills to Alan Tom (because he NEEDS it). Sophie Woods, leave the art history couch to Andrew Asbille and I leave the royal throne to Calvin Woods. Audrey Yang, leave my appreciation of cows, my ability to turn situations into songs, and my love of life to the beautiful Natalie Schmidt. Sara Yuen, leave all of my asianess to Mr. Cook. McKenna Allard, leave my extensive collection of One Direction CDS, posters, and memorabilia to Drew Schmid. Hunter Asmann, leave my love of cats to Annika Riis. Jessica Bocinski, leave the Roudebush advisory to Bri Goldberg and Sam Pala. May they continue the legacy of never participating in anything ever. Sam Deddeh, leave the managership of the boys volleyball team to Jenn Wineholt and Sien Gallop, and my position on the volleyball team as Master of Sarcasm to Madeleine Casey. Fernando Guinto, leave my stick shift driving skills to Charlie Bullard. He’s going to need them. Torri Johnson, leave my weirdness to anyone who can handle it. Whitney Ralston, leave my permanent judgmental glare, to my baby squirrel Victoria Ralston. Kevin Wellis, leave nothing to anyone. Cian Lavin, I leave my twerking legacy to Kian Bagheri, my fertilized potted plants to Quintin Chamers, my lack of motivation to Claire Nussbaum (maybe one day she will use it), and the reign of my basement to Max Feye. Randee Holman-Kelly, leave the soccer team to Claire News-bomb. Marty Kausas, leave my slaying powers to Mary Tobin, Anoushka Bose, and Aidan Fay. Claire Klein, leave the gavel to Claire Nussbaum to shoulder stands to Margaret MacVean.

may 2014|THE SCRIBE

QUADRANTS

’14

COMPILED BY JUIANNA D’AURIA AND MORGAN SMITH

HIGH SCHOOL: KEEP WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL IT, OR DELETE IT? SENIOR PRANK?

CHRIS M I YA H I R A

Keep it. What would would we do without unnecessary drama and fluctuating hormones? Live peacefully?

I would inflate the GPAs, force APs upon young kids, and create an atmosphere of dog-eatdog competition to deprive kids of social normality. Oh, wait...

IF YOU COULD BE ANY PARKER STUDENT, WHO WOULD YOU BE?

Audrey Yang, because... Audrey Yang. No explanation needed.

WHAT WILL YOU MISS MOST ABOUT SAN DIEGO?

“HAIL” ON THE SENIOR SHIRTS STANDS FOR...

The Beach Boys said it best: “I wish they all could be...”

Halt And Undignify Lowerclassmen

The beach.

Hula-hooping Always Is Loved

Delete like no other.

Put red dye in the water fountain.

Luke Pelessone, because we all know he’ll be our boss one day. Also, because he’s sassy and classy.

Keep it, otherwise TLC would have too many people to choose from for new TV shows.

I can’t tell you, because they’ll use this as evidence against me in court.

I would be anyone with a pool. I’m not too picky.

Bikinis, burritos, and the beach, in that order.

Have An Illegitimate Lover

Bringing two pugs on campus and putting pictures of Chai everywhere. Oh, wait...

My sister, because she graduated already.

Sunburns. Not.

Hating APs Is Life

Digging out all the grass on campus and dumping glue all over the walkways.

Jeremy Kahan, because his side burns are so fresh.

The one day out of the year when it rains and everyone goes crazy.

Hitchhikers Are Imperfect Laughers

A ceremonial skort burning. It’ll be pretty cathartic.

Margaret MacVean. No explanation necessary.

Mexican food. Scratch that. All food.

EMMA B E R H O LT Z

ALEC WA L S H

CTRL+ALT+DEL. MARCY M E LV I L L E

Keep it. JOEY MCHUGH I don’t think you can delete four years of your life. Unless you take a Forget-Me-Now.

Too much thinking required. We’re seniors, remember?

ALIZA ADLER

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University of Washington Jack Benoit Trevor Palmer University of Puget Sound Nate Abernethy University of Portland Marcy Melville Andrew Wiener University of Oregon Matthew Alessio Matsuo Chino Joey McHugh

COLLEGE MAP Seattle University Sammy Rodriguez Xander Troutman Jake Wiegand

Gonzaga University Allana Platt Hunter Asmann

UC Berkeley McKenna Allard Arielle Swedback Saint Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College of California Evan Fitzner University of San Francisco Lucrecia Mestre Stanford University Sarah Benjamin Noah Gamboa Michela Rodriguez Santa Clara University Fernando Guinto Cian Lavin California Polytechnic State University Ian Mann

University of Montana Milan Marrero

Willamette University Nicole Morozov Zachary Stone

University of Sioux Falls Elisa Martinez Sonoma State University Kate Pasterkiewicz University of California, Santa Cruz Jeremy Kahan Woodbury University Brian Considine

Northern Arizona University Jesse Brookins

University of Arizona Seth Goldberg Devin Sefton Matt Irvine

Pitzer College Chris Papatheofanis Claremont McKenna College Claire Klein Harvey Mudd College Emily Dorsey Scripps College Aliza Adler University of California, Los Angeles Torri Johnson University of Southern Patrick Riley California Kimberly Svatos Mark Klein Audrey Yang Thomas Marshall Bryce Matsumori Loyola Marymount Annie Sager University Ali Bloom Keenan Salvati Jasmine Anklesaria Alex Jones

may 2014|THE SCRIBE

University of Denver Alex Deddeh Randee Holman-Kelley Alec Walsh

San Diego State University Rickey Leary University of San Diego Sam Deddeh Andrew Smith Kevin Wellis Chapman University Jessica Bocinski

Texas Christian University Andre Boyance Eric Goicoechea Blake McCool Carly Stacey

Harvard University Michaela Dews Sabrina Devereaux Zach Schmid Preetam Soundararajan

CLASS OF 2014 D E C I S I O N S A S O F M AY 1 2 , 2 0 1 4 University of Michigan Dartmouth College Taylor Baranski Oberlin College Syracuse University Tanner Aiono Omar Harb Gwennie Gardiner Burak Kiran Chris Miyahira Skidmore College Leah Munson Case Western Cecilia Smith Reserve University Alex Wasserman Nate Glasser Cornell University Alex Barnes Carnegie Mellon University Luis-Miguel Espinosa Da Silva

Lehigh University Andy Bickel

University of Notre Dame Annaleis Giovanetti Purdue University Marty Kausas Rose-Hulman Institute Alex Mojabi of Technology Hamilton Southworth Chase Horne

Undecided Dylan Crispen

Wellesley College Megan Stormberg Boston University Nancy Mendez Lucy Siegel Prithvi Tikhe Brown University Bethlehem Desta Wesleyan University Elisa Greenberg Yale University Rosa Vargas Columbia University Luke Pelessone Christina Clark Fordham University Sofia LaBella Nishon Tyler Estelle Wong

Lafayette College Becca Dvorak Susquehanna University Jonny Vizcaino

Georgia Institute of Technology Adeline Longstreth Wake Forest University Mackenzie Rowe

Tulane University Cassia Wallach Belmont University

Baylor University Michael Winslow

School of the Museum of Fine Arts Cara Stiegler

New York University Arturo Alemany Esther Cheng Dutra Brown Kate Lemberg Patrick Stoia Sean Waters

Davidson College Sophie Woods

Southern Methodist University Emma Berholtz Andy Piacquadio

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University of Pennsylvania Jay Gardenswartz Ayman Mayberry George Washington University Katherine Owens Sophie Solar Georgetown University Matthew Handmacher University of Richmond Whitney Ralston

Patricia Fernandez

Duke University Sara Yuen University of Miami Nathaniel Ho

University of North Carolina Cheyenne Tabb

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