“Some of the News That’s Fit to Print”
May 14, 2012
The VA Voice Vermont Academy, Saxtons River, Vermont 05154 “Discere verba et opera Dei”
Vermont Academy Dedicates “Great Room”
By: Eamon O’Keefe The dedication of the new Vermont Academy “Great Room,” on Friday, concluded a storied renovation of the old chapel in Fuller Hall. The room was dedicated to Jeffery and Carolyn Salzman, parents of alum Ben Salzman, due to their generous contribution toward renovating the room into the next Vermont Academy library. Their efforts and the efforts of many in the community helped revitalize this great room into a highlight of the VA campus. The room originally served as the VA auditorium, but eventually fell into relative disrepair as Horowitz later assumed its purpose as a place for the community to meet. The five year renovation project encompassed a broad plan that included two classrooms adjacent to the “Great Room.” The highlight of the renovation was the restoration of the two stained glass windows that are clearly the most distinctive feature of the room. Rick Neumann with Neumann Stained Glass Studios in Brattleboro, Vermont oversaw the completion of the windows, and as evident by any who enter the room, the stained glass windows are incredibly well restored. It’s completion marked a major step forward for Vermont Academy, and is now a highlight of our campus. Seniors and faculty attended the event along with Mr. Brennan, The Salzmans, trustees, and past school president and Saxtons River resident Brian Schilling. The dedication emphasized the importance of the “Great Room,” as a study area and library that all students could enjoy. The success of this project has and will continue to bolster Vermont Academy’s campus and reputation. The community offers a sincere thank you to all those who made the “Great Room” a reality. The “Great Room” has made the future of Vermont Academy a little brighter.
Volume 16, Issue 2
IN THE MARGIN Obama Supports Gay Marriage Barack Obama said Wednesday on a TV interview that he was in favor of gay marriage after Vice President Biden came out in support of the issue. Mitt Romney reafirmed his stand against gay marriage in responce to Obama’s announcement. JP Morgan Chase Loses Billions The esteemed JP Morgan Chase bank lost an estimated $2 billion dollars on a trade made by the famed “Walrus” of London. The bank’s CEO Jamie Dimon discussed the issue with reporters on Friday. A SEC investigation regarding the event will take place.. Romney Accused of Bullying Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was accused by high school class mates of bullying a class mate that came out later as being gay. Reports suggest Romney cut off this students hair after he had bleached it blonde. Mitt Romney told reporters that he didnt remember the incident specifically, but offered an appology for any innopropriate activities he was responsible for in high school.
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The VA Voice
Mr. Hearon Survives Several Days in Spain with Mr. Carreno By: Mr. Hearon
Our beloved Academic Dean, Mr. Hearon, recently returned from a trip to Spain to visit the Vermont Academy Wildcats currently studying there. Despite the rainy Galician weather, Mr. Hearon had a wonderful visit and is happy to report that the VA in Spain program is thriving. Dare he say, rocking. For the record, Mr. Hearon has no idea why he is writing this article in the third person, but he is going to continue with this approach because it seems acutely sensible to him, at least in this very fleeting moment of faux-journalist bliss. Where was he? Oh, yes, España. The Iberian peninsula. Land of contrasts. Catholics and Communists. Seafood and bull tail. He digresses, admittedly, but you get his drift. First, some background: the VA in Spain Program is located in Santiago de Compostela, one of the three most important “Holy Cities” on this planet and the final stop every year for thousands of pilgrims who make the pilgrimage to pay homage to Saint James, whose remains are preserved in the crypt of the city’s magnificent cathedral. It also happens to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. So impressive is the medieval architecture of its well persevered “old town” that it is actually a UNESCO Heritage site. Due to its unique location in the northwest corner of Spain, in a city that has the feel of a small town, Santiago is the perfect place for the VA program. With its incredible seafood and its thriving religious and university populations, VA students could not dream up a more unique academic experience to complement their studies here in Saxtons River. Though Mr. Hearon loves Saxtons River, he does recognize the need for a good plate of Galician Squid (the local delicacy) every now and then. Second, let’s talk for a moment about the rare opportunity afforded our students through this program. Mr. Hearon has been working in international education for several years and is proud to say that there are few (he would argue zero) schools in this fine land providing their students with this type of international studies program. It is that special. For example, the VA students currently occupy classroom space across the street from the cathedral in a building older than the United States. To get to the classrooms one has to pass monks and clergy chatting in ancient hallways few tourists have ever seen. Throw in a trip every now and then to Madrid, Barcelona, Florence, and Rome…well, things start looking really good. Third, expect to do much work in addition to some soulsearching. Mr. Hearon was very impressed by how hard the VA students were working in Spain. On some days the students have classes and study from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. And they love it! Mr. Hearon asked the students directly about their experiences and all he heard was how amazing, how special, their time had been in Spain. The VA in Spain students return this week! Please give them a huge Wildcat welcome when you see them and ask them about the trip. We are hoping to expand the program to the winter trimester next year to accommodate all those lax brahs and lady laxers, so please pay attention to announcements for an upcoming informational meeting.
May 14, 2012
Cartoon by: Mr. McCardle
How To Contact the VA Voice: To write a letter to the editor or ask Mehmet about a philosophical question, email: vavoice@vermontacademy.org We also would like to hear recomendations on how we can improve.
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The VA Voice
French Ellections Produce New Leader By: Thomas Durnford
One of the world’s major powers, France, recently held presidential elections. Voter turnout was an unprecedented 81 percent of the 46 million registered voters, and the winner was socialist Francois Hollande. Hollande is the first socialist to take control of France since Francois Mitterand left in 1995. Hollande beat out incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy by a slim margin of about 1 percent; 50.8 to 49.2. Sarkozy was the first sitting president to be ousted in 4 decades, the last being in 1981 when Valery Giscard d’Estaing was defeated by socialist Francois Mitterand. Hollande was not the obvious choice to be the presidential candidate for his party. Long before the election occurred, the expectation was that Dominique Strauss- Khan was going to be the nominee for the socialists. But a sex scandal in a New York Hotel involving an immigrant housekeeper effectively ended his political career last year. He lost much of his creditability with the people of France. Most of the French people feel that Hollande won based on his campaigning initiative of “change”, and “a more traditional presidency.” Sarkozy was one of numerous incumbents in Europe to be ousted by what is seen as a “popular revolt against budget-cutting and tax hikes in a time of recession and high unemployment.” Mr. Hollande was quoted as saying “I want to initiate a transformation of society in the long term.” He will get a chance to live by that very example in his own life, as he must move into the Presidential Palace on May 16, only ten days after winning the election. Two days later he will travel to Washington for a meeting of the G-8 countries, and will be in Chicago four days later for a NATO meeting. Hollande is hoping that he can talk Angela
May 14, 2012
Academy Astrology
Aries. March 21st - April 19th Tadlock’s Take: Aries, you’re looking at a wonderful month here. May will bring about a transformation of sorts and you will be fueled with new hope and energy as we head into summer. There are money-making opportunities on your horizon, so be aware and seek out any business opportunities that cross your path. Projects that you have been working on for some time will begin to gather steam and I see and strong finish in-store for you at the year closes in. Now is not a time to focus on love, unfortunately. I’d say, get you’re work done first and focus on your love life after exams!
Merkell (chancellor of Germany) into allowing the European Central Bank to lend money to economically strained countries in order to encourage growth. Merkell promotes a path of budget cuts and austerity to solve the European debt crisis. Within France, Hollande plans to raise taxes on big corporations, and to raise the tax rate 75 percent for those who make more than €1 million euros a year. He also plans to lower the retirement age from 62 to 60 in order to enable younger people to enter the work force and reduce unemployment. He says that over the next five years, he will balance France’s budget. Hollande claims that he will raise the minimum wage, and hire 60,000 more teachers in the next five years. He finally hopes pull all French troops out of Afghanistan by the end of the year. But talks with NATO allies including the US may discourage this idea. The only question on everyone’s mind is whether he will be as decisive a leader in times of crisis, as Nicolas Sarkozy was. This is something that only time will tell.
Special thanks must be given to Ms. McArdle for her continous support and assistance to the VA Voice in the form of significant help with Adobe InDesign (thanks also to Ms. McIntosh for InDesign assistance)
Murphy’s Musings: Summer is gonna be freaking awesome dude. Get a job this summer so you can make some dough. The end of year is hard for you but you will finish strong if you put the effort in! Summer is just starting so a love life may not be your main focus for now. Get finished with the school year then worry about love or relationships. Lucky Days: 11th and 12th for money
Taurus. April 20th- May 20th Tadlock’s Take: Taurus, you’re going to have a swell birthday month! It’s time to “follow your bliss” as they say. The planets are aligned in such a way that your dreams are bound to come true this month. However, don’t lose sight of the work at hand, as the fruits of your labor will be great. May will present you with a wonderful balance, dear Taurus, of feeling accomplished and fancy-free. Enjoy it! Murphy’s Musings: This month is awesome for you! The work you put in will double in the amount of awesome reward. So study more and you will not regret it. Balance your time with friends and work. Lucky Days: May 12th: very lucky. The Sun and Jupiter are in align in Taurus. They won’t be like this until 2023!
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The VA Voice
Presidential Race is Official
VA Tennis Round Robin
By: Matt Gendron Now that two more candidates have dropped out, there remain three people left running in the presidential race. Those three people are Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, and Barack Obama. With Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and many other republican candidates out of the race, the number of people running for President has dwindled. Out of the republican candidates Romney is clearly in the lead, and has won the majority of the states. Now that the majority of the republican candidates have dropped out of the race, Mitt Romeny seems most likely to run against Obama. Romney has won the majority of the delegates, and will now almost certainly be chosen as the republican nominee during the republican convention. Romney is a favorite amongst republicans and draws significant support from many moderate democrats. The inevitable race between the two candidates already shows signs of a very heated campaign. VA VOICE STAFF
By: Faith Smith Coach Frey, Vermont Academy’s very own girls varsity tennis coach, decided to present a new opportunity for a weekend activity in order to boost campus morale and get people active. A Student-Faculty Tennis Round Robin was held Sunday May 6, 2012. The optional event became a bustling success with a turnout of 11 doubles teams, both students and faculty members, showed up ready to compete for a delicious treat, despite the fact that some had little to no experience in playing tennis at all. “I was very pleased to see so many students and faculty enjoyed fun competition on a beautiful Sunday afternoon!” said Coach Frey, “I was impressed with all of the teams. Everyone played with a light-hearted spirit, but everyone played to WIN!” Mr. Jarcho one of the faculty members who played in the tournament, and had nothing but good things to say about the experience, “Mrs. Frey did an awesome job organizing everything and keeping everybody well-fed with snacks and drinks.
Mehmet Thoughts: The meaning of life: Life is like one Editor big game. The goal of the game is to Eamon O’Keefe be as happy as you can. Student Contributers Some people Faith Smith, Madison Cota, Matt measure hapGendron, Mehmet Eroglu, George piness with Atkins, Maggie Fenney, Charlotte money, while Murphy, Thomas Durnford others measure it with the love of the people Faculty Contributers around them. No matter how you Mr. Hearon, Mr. Tesar measure it, just remember that all games must come to an end so make Faculty Advisor sure you’re going to end this game Mr. Frey victorious.
May 14, 2012 Despite the sunburn, I thoroughly VA Tennis Round Robin continued enjoyed myself, and I can’t wait to do it again.” The teams worked long and hard and refused to go down without a solid fight. One day just wasn’t enough to bring about a victor. So, the tournament will be continuing Sunday, the thirteenth. The teams that made it to the finals are eagerly awaiting the chance to battle it out for a scrumptious ice cream cake and bragging rights on campus. Mr. Jarcho had but one thing to say about the continuation of the tournament, “By the time your article has been published, team Blonde Destruction will have defeated Team Greenwich, and there will be a lot of loud whining and excuses coming from coach Bopp, despite the fact that he’s been riding the coattails of his talented partner all along.” The Vermont Academy community will just have to wait and see who will emerge victorious in this epic tennis battle. Many thanks to Coach Frey for an amazing and successful idea and let’s continue to stay active and positive these final weeks before summer vacation!
Julian and Riley were not actually in the competition