Whittier March 2014

The March 2014

iscellany

Wilmington Friends School's Community Newspaper

Wilmington, DE Bevyn Mannke

Since 1884

WM

hittier

Emma Hilder, Mitchell Juers, Rachel MacKelcan, Julia Rhodes, Kenji Endo, Thomas Connelly, Greg Szumel, and Ellie McGinnis, our 2013-2014 graduating Whittier seniors.

Thai Gov. Given New Emergency Authority CVS Execs Choose to Jodi Lessner '16 the country to replace the current government, which they call corrupt, until Thailand’s political system is changed.

The government’s decision to continue with the election A sixty-day state of emergency decree was given on angered protesters and inflamed tension in Bangkok, where January 15, 2014 by the Thai government for Bangkok demonstrators were in their third week of an occupation and the surrounding provinces. This decree was given to of several main intersections of the city. cope with the unrest induced by large anti-government Since November 2013, at least ten people have died, protests around the capital that aim to force Prime Minister and over 600 have been injured due to politically motivated Yingluck Shinawatra to resign. The protesters accuse the violent protests, according to the Erawan Medical Centre, government of being run by the former prime minister, which monitors Bangkok hospitals. In Lak Si, a district Thaksin Shinawatra, brother to the current prime minister. in northern Bangkok of mixed pro and anti-government This state of emergency gives the government wide- supporters, gunfire and violence occurred between masked ranging authority to deal with the disorder. These new men after government supporters marched on a polling powers include the power to censor the media, ban public station occupied by anti-government groups. At least eight gatherings, and detain suspects without charge. It also people were wounded. Both sides fired their weapons, allows for curfews and for parts of Bangkok to be declared and it is still not clear whether those wounded were the off-limits. “The cabinet decided to invoke the emergency government’s supporters or its opponents. decree to take care of the situation and to enforce the law,” The leader of the anti-government protests, Suthep said Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul.

Thaugsuban, wants to distance the movement from The protests have been going on since November the rising violence. He believes very strongly in due to frustration with the government after a mishandled peaceful protests and tells his supporters to not resort to attempt by Prime violence. “We need to Minister Yingluck to keep our principles. We pass an amnesty bill that fight in peace, with no would have opened the weapons and violence door for Thaksin’s return … We have the right to to Thailand. Thaksin was a peaceful protest,” said ousted in a military coup Suthep. There were an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 in 2006 and remains demonstrators on the city in self-exile in Dubai streets in late January to avoid corruption 2014. charges that he claims are Due to the protests “politically motivated.” and the state of emergency, If he were to return, he the Thai stock market has would risk a two-year fallen ten percent since prison sentence on a Some protests in Thailand have turned violent. A man throws a tear gas canister back at the police.

November due to the lack corruption conviction. of companies willing to The protesters claim that Prime Minister Yingluck is a pawn of Thaksin, a man be located in Bangkok, meaning that infrastructure projects who allegedly built his support on “populist policies that will also be delayed. There are also concerns that growing pleased residents of the North and Northeast.” Yingluck tourism will fall.

Sutthawe Jitjingjai, also known as Par, a Thai has repeatedly denied these assertions.

Prime Minister Yingluck has refused to resign and university student from Bangkok, spent the 2010-2011 instead called an election on February 2 in an effort to quell school year as an AFS student at Wilmington Friends the rising protests and protesters. The state of emergency School. Her opinions match those of the protesters, but carried through the date of the general election. Yingluck’s she is not part of the movement. “I personally support the party won easily because of the opposition party’s refusal protesters, and I think that the majority of Thai people to participate. Only 45.8 percent of voters participated do. The protesters do not mainly cause the violence, but in this election according to the Election Commission of outsiders instead cause it. For me, the protest has caused Thailand, a far lower turnout than the 75 percent in the 2011 bad transportation and has made some universities to election that placed Yingluck in power. Prime Minister close temporarily for safety. I believe that the protest will Yingluck’s support comes mainly from regions north absolutely settle down when there is a reform for a new and east of the capital. These regions are less affluent but government.”

The Thai government has been ordered not to use have a larger populace. The anti-government movement receives its support from southern Thailand, Bangkok’s force against protesters because of clashes between antigovernment protesters and riot police that left many dead middle class, and the established elites.

The protesters were calling for reforms before and many more injured. If both sides are truly willing to voting took place, demanding that an unelected caretaker use a peaceful approach, then peaceful compromises in administration, or a “people’s council,” takes control of Thailand are likely to be expedited. america.aljazeera.com

News Writer

Stop Selling Cigarettes

Sadie Proud '17 News Writer On February 5, 2014, CVS announced their decision to stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products. “We have about 26,000 pharmacists and nurse practitioners helping patients manage chronic problems like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease, all of which are linked to smoking. We came to the decision that cigarettes and providing health care just don’t go together in the same setting,” declared Larry J. Merlo, president and chief executive of CVS. All tobacco products will be removed from CVS’s 7,600 pharmacies by October 1, 2014.

CVS estimates that they will lose approximately $2 billion from their annual revenue. However, this is only a small fraction of the $123 billion yearly revenue recorded in 2012. The company also climbed five places to number thirteen on the Fortune 500 in the past year. In addition, company stocks have risen approximately 5.21 percent from the original announcement made on February 14, 2014. CVS looks forward to increasing success in the new year. Executive Vice President Helena Foulkes explained, "We are seeing this tobacco decision as an opportunity to connect even more with consumers as an expert in health and beauty and to build our loyalty with them."

CVS executives are also hopeful for a “ripple effect” to spread over the pharmaceutical community. Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of Health and Human Services, believes CVS’s decision is “an unprecedented step in the retail industry” and predicts it will have “considerable impact.”

Major competitors of CVS, such as Walgreens and Rite-Aid, released statements following the announcement. Walgreens claims that it has been assessing its tobacco sale for “some time now,” and that it has still not reached a final decision. Rite-Aid presented a more ambiguous response, saying that it is continually evaluating whether it is meeting “the needs and interests of customers."

As of now, Walgreens interprets “interest” to mean customers are more concerned with purchasing cigarettes than with prioritizing their health. Statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that over 293 million cigarettes were sold in 2011. Kathleen Selebius goes on to explain that, because of these statistics, 5.6 million children alive today will die prematurely because of smoking-related diseases such as lung cancer and diabetes.

Continued on Page 3...

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The Whittier Miscellany March 2014

Class of 2014 Memories

Editorial Staff Class of 2014 Lower School Memories As one of the last graduating classes to be able to say it took computer classes in a trailer, it seems appropriate to highlight some of the greatest parts of lower school life. We reminisce fondly about the times when the Goody Cart was still a thing. When not eagerly learning our times tables, Japanese, and about George Washington and the Revolutionary War, we took to the Big Toy, blacktop, and pavilion for recess. Recess was a thirty-minute staple of every day,with an extra ten minutes taken at the end and in the beginning during the winter months to get everyone out of snow pants and puffy coats. Commonplace recess activities included classics such as shadow tag, don’t touch the ground, moat building, and snickering while spelling out “H-E-double hockey sticks.”

Construction While we at WFS may look like a typical amalgamation of high schoolers, we have cultivated a bond forged in fire. Literally. Nowadays, we can see our resilience in face of disaster through quotidian reminders, such as the mysterious auditorium wall, the forbidden Owl’s Nest, and the perpetually packed parking lot. While students may grumble about losing half the school, the fire itself will not punctuate our high school memories. If anything, it served to highlight the cohesion of our little community.

Friends Traditions From the senior and first grade buddy-led Halloween parade to the Holiday Celebration, traditions have made our time at WFS truly special. In the near future, this

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graduating class looks forward to the copious tears of the Senior Farewell, Noise Parade, and Commencement (!!!). Some of these traditions may not necessarily be unique to Friends, but who cares? They are special to us. In particular, Homecoming, with themed spirit days, pep rallies, and sports events, has been a week we have looked forward to every year. We can’t wait to come back as alumni next year to join in with the festivities.

Business Meeting No true WFS student can deny the unmitigated joy that comes with the first Thursday of the month, when students and faculty can engage in meaningful discourse about the direction and policies of our school. But perhaps more frequently, students revel in heated debates (such as the necessity of patrolling cats to get rid of the mouse problem), and innovative suggestions (such as Joey Woodward taking on the role of Town Crier). We engage in hard-hitting conversations of the school’s infrastructure, primarily the pros and cons of bathroom shelves for our computers. For forty-five minutes once a month, we can experience the sort of political satire that tops The Daily Show.

Our Best Friends in the World (Macs) The seniors can fondly remember the Middle Ages, when we took notes with pencils on paper and physically handed in assignments. Truly, these were dark and twisted times. For us, our silver machines of technological magic aren’t just boxes for playing solitaire or watching the stock market; they give us comfort in trying times, provide moral support, show us images of baby animals, and also help us with our homework from time to time. While other grades may take for granted these trusty bots, the senior class now looks forlornly at the admittedly “well-loved” keyboard, and wonders what life will be like after we give up our two-year long friendship.

Founded 1884 Volume CXXXIII, Number IV March, 2014 Editors-in-Chief Kenji Endo ’14 Julia Rhodes ’14

News Editor Thomas Connelly ’14

Sports Editor Shannon Skibicki ’15

Entertainment Editor Luyolo Matyumza ’15

Features Editors Greg Szumel ’14 Jacob Gagliano ’15

Freelance Columnist Ellie McGinnis ’14

Copy Editor Ellie McGinnis ’14

Photo Editor Mitchell Juers ’14 Staff Blair Atkins ’17 Martha O’Brien ’15 Merrit Gates ’16 Katy Bodycot ’17 Sarah Gooderham ’17 Jordan Perkins ’17 Andrew Conces ’17 Sadie Proud ’17 Emma Hilder ’14 Alex Del Tufo ’16 Monika Rodiqi ‘15 Thomas Hilder ’17 Eliza Durham ’14 Katrina Skibicki ’17 Maddie Ireland ’16 Allie Fulginiti ’17 Quinn Kirkpatrick ’16 Chris Stanborough ’16 Grace Gannon ’15 Margaret Sullivan ’17 Meera Kohli ’15 Olivia Garber ’16 Evelyn Wakeley ’17 Jodi Lessner ’16 Sydney Gardner ’16 Rachel MacKelcan ’14 Brian Zittlau ’15 Caroline McGinnis ’17 Advisor Peter Wenigmann

The Whittier Miscellany is published six times during the school year by the upper school journalism staff of Wilmington Friends School, 101 School Road, Wilmington, DE 19803. Visit The Whittier Online at wfswhittier.com.

02

Snow Days, Fire Days, Water Days, Heat Days All the elements have unleashed their fury at some point of our time at Friends. With our auditorium casually catching on fire (on Kenji’s birthday!), we have had fire days off from school. We have had heat days in lower school, when the heater decided it just wasn’t feeling like coming into work that day. We’ve had a water day, when the water main also felt like playing hookie. And of course, the stream of snow days and two-hour delays that Elsa, the Snow Queen of Arrendell, has graced us with this year. Whatever the reason, it is always glorious to wake up and see that red text on the Friends School website and going back to bed, knowing your only obligation for the day is to drink copious amounts of hot chocolate and watch more Netflix than is advisable for your physical and mental health.

The College Guidance Room After four years, each WFS student receives a sacred rite: a seat in the College Guidance Room. Surrounded by luscious, leather chairs, picturesque images of universities, and a bounty of snacks, the seniors feel a muchneeded sense of serenity amidst a year of confusion and stress. Most importantly, of course, Kathleen Martin’s infectious optimism and sagacious advice restores the tenuous sanity that the seniors wish

to have. The College Guidance Room offers the perfect capstone to four years of high school and a rare emotional oasis. We are especially grateful for Kathleen, Ms. Smith, and Ms. Satterfield’s endless support throughout the stressful college process.

Quacker-ness Despite lame smack talk at sporting events of WFS being “Home of the Quackers,” and poor jokes of people asking if we’re all “friends at Friends,” we are proud to be the Quakers, and the quirkiness of going to a Quaker school (What other school has courses such as “Global Peace, Justice, and Social Change” or “Quakerism and Thee?”)

Although maybe unwilling to openly admit it, most of us have benefited from the values, global outlook, and ethos of a Quaker education, which has taught us to celebrate diversity, help others, and value community. Some other benefits of a Quaker education include being able to recite the Quaker “S.P.I.C.E.S” in our sleep (simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, stewardship), ironic sports chants (“Fight, fight, inner light, kill, Quakers, kill!”), and special talents learned from Meeting for Worship like knowing the exact number of light fixtures in the meeting room or how to get adequately comfortable on a friend’s shoulder and the wooden armrest.

International Baccalaureate The IB may not be the greatest memory, but it has definitely been a major presence in our lives. Students pursuing the infamous IB Programme have a genuine sense of solidarity towards each other. From proofreading TOK essays and understanding not a single sentence, to writing extended essays the night before a due date, these students may complain (frequently). However, they can commiserate with students from all across the globe. These scholars also have the pleasure of not only pursuing higher academia, but also using an arsenal of acronyms (TOK, EE, CAS, IB, IOC, EHEM, etc.) and a title like “International Baccalaureate Programme” to sound deceivingly smart in conversations.

Teachers Although it sometimes seems like every teacher in the school telepathically decides to schedule a test or project in each subject on the same day, our teachers are pretty great. Some are stricter than others, some seem downright crazy at times, but they all share the same passions for the subject they teach and for us, the students. It is evident, from the time they put into lessons, extra help, sponsoring clubs and committees, writing college letters of recommendation, and chatting during downtime, that they truly care about their students and want us to succeed.

For that, we are so grateful.

The Seniors (i.e. Us) Following in line with all the strict rules and regulations of journalistic integrity, The Whittier strongly maintains that the seniors of 2014 will go down in history as the most talented and majestic grade in Delaware, if not in the world. The seniors reigned victorious in every spiritweek competition, donning the most outlandish outfits and bleeding more blue than anyone else. Yet, the seniors are not just mythic creatures high on the clouds of Mount Olympus, they offer penetrating wisdom to underclassmen and exemplify leadership on and off the fields. How will the WFS community survive when these pioneers begin the next big adventure of their lives?

Honorable Mentions - The English department as the most fashionable group of teachers in Delaware - Watching J-Pop with Akiko and Mariko in lower school Japanese class - Mr. Ergueta’s jokes, laugh, and smile - Nanky-Poo the guinea pig peeing on Marshall Dugan’s math textbook in second grade - The 5th grade Chesapeake Bay trip - Lunch and Learns - Jumbo cookies from the cafeteria - Mysterious disappearances of just-as-mysterious classmates - Julia Rhodes rapping the entirety of Nelly’s Grillz

...continued from Page 1.

Sadie Proud ’17 News Writer Smoking can also lead to other conditions, including heart disease, colorectal and liver cancers, and ectopic pregnancy. Smoking is also linked to an increased risk of stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.

One of the best ways to prevent smokingrelated deaths is to stop the addiction before it begins. Recently, freshmen attended the “Drug and Alcohol Seminar,” where they talked about the danger of addiction to many drugs, including nicotine. “The seminar definitely made me more aware of the effects smoking has on your body,” said Lena Urick ’17. Sebelius of Health and Human Services states that approximately 3,200 children under the age of eighteen will try a cigarette each day. Of that 3,200, 700 will go on to become daily smokers. In keeping with these figures, 225,500 children high school age and younger will become addicted to smoking each year. Because many people become addicted at such young ages, raising awareness of the risks associated with smoking and addiction is key. Simone Veale ’17, explained, “It [the seminar] really helped us understand how dangerous it is for us and our future.”

CVS hopes that their decision to limit customers’ access to cigarettes will help to stop the consumption of products that are harmful to consumers’ health.

However, customers will not completely lose their outlet for purchasing cigarettes. According to consumer research firm EuroMonitor International, only 3.6 percent of all cigarette sales in the United States are made in drug stores. Almost half occur at gas stations, with the remaining sixteen percent made in convenience stores such as 7-Eleven. The question now lies in whether these competitive companies will follow CVS’s example or will instead continue down the road of dangerous yet lucrative sales they maintain today.

Iran and USA Sign Nuclear Agreement In Geneva

In November 2013, the Geneva interim agreement was signed. The agreement will only last six months, until July 2014. The agreement states that by the first day On November 24, 2013, Iran and the United States of implementation, January 20, 2014, Iran was beginning made their first formal agreement in 34 years. The Geneva to halt the production of near-twenty-percent-enriched interim agreement, officially titled the Joint Plan of uranium. Iran was also to start diluting half of the nearAction, was signed between Iran and the P5+1 countries in twenty-percent-enriched uranium stockpile in hexafluoride Geneva, Switzerland. The agreement calls for a short-term form and converting the rest to oxide form, which cannot freeze of portions of Iran’s nuclear program in exchange be further enriched. The P5+1 and the EU will provide for decreased economic sanctions on Iran. “limited, temporary, and targeted relief to Iran.” The Iran’s nuclear program was made public in 2002 White House has estimated that the total value of the relief after an opposing group in the country revealed the secret lies between six and seven billion dollars. Many of the construction of a uranium enrichment plant in Natanz and sanctions placed on Iran will continue, including ones that a heavy water reactor in Arak. target oil and banking.

Once this was discovered, President Barack Obama the Iranian government said the deal would “cut off agreed to inspections by the Iran’s most likely paths to International Atomic Energy a [nuclear] bomb,” while Agency (IAEA). The country President Rouhani of Iran insisted that it had the right said, “No matter what to nuclear energy and that it interpretations are given, was being used for peaceful Iran’s right to enrichment purposes only. Major world has been recognized.” Iran’s powers, however, believed Supreme Leader, Ayatollah that Iran was being dishonest Khamenei, who has final say about their nuclear program in nuclear matters, called the and was attempting to build a President of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, was present at agreement an “achievement” nuclear bomb. The IAEA was and a “success.” The the Geneva Interim Agreement in November unable to confirm Iran’s claim agreement has been criticized that their program was for

by Israel, a country that sees peaceful purposes only, and the US and several European Iran’s nuclear program as a threat to its existence. Israel’s countries urged Iran to stop enriching uranium. Enriched prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, called the deal “a uranium can be used for nuclear civilian purposes, but if historical mistake.” the uranium is enriched to ninety percent purity, nuclear Implementation of the agreement began on January weapons can be made.

20, 2014, and senior officials of the P5+1 and Iran met Talks were halted in 2005, after the election of on February 18 through 20 in Vienna to discuss a plan for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Since then, the Security future negotiations. The six countries made “a good start,” Council has adopted six resolutions that imposed sanctions and the European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine on Iran and required the country to stop enriching uranium. Ashton told reporters, “We have had three very productive Despite the resolutions, Iran continued to enrich uranium. days during which we have identified all of the issues we Therefore, in 2012, the United States and European Union need to address in reaching a comprehensive and final attempted to cripple Iran’s economy by imposing more agreement.” The next senior-level talks take place on sanctions on Iranian oil exports and banks.

March 17, 2014 in Vienna.

Emma Hilder ’14 News Writer

atlanticsentinel.com

CVS Cigarettes (cont.)

News

Hillary Rodham Clinton Sets Sights for 2016 Presidential Elections Even though it is still 2014, the rumor mills for the 2016 presidential election are already cranking out speculative stories about who will run and what their chances of getting the nomination are. Right now, Hillary Clinton is without a doubt the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination. Her political network is one of, if not the, strongest in recent memory for a potential presidential candidate. Despite all of this, there are still some lingering questions about who she is. The public is also still deciding exactly what they think of her. It is important to take a look at the real Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Anyone who follows the general news or has any interest in history will be able to recognize the Clinton name. That is because of her husband, William Jefferson Clinton, who was the 42nd president of the United States, in office from 1993-2001. His administration oversaw the greatest peacetime expansion of the US economy; however, his administration also oversaw quite a bit of scandal that ranged from his sexual scandal with a White House secretary, Monica Lewinsky. Throughout Clinton’s presidency, Hillary was an integral part of the administration, sometimes even grappling with Vice President Albert Gore for power over the administration’s policy.

Her public profile saw both negative and positive reactions to the Lewinsky scandal. Some saw it as a disgrace to women all over the United States. Macon Sheppard ’15, said, “I was not personally around during the scandal, but I know that if I was, I think that the fact that Hillary did not leave Bill makes it seem okay for men to cheat on women, and that would go against my views of ardent gender equality in a world where men have always gotten the better of women.” Of course the other side of this argument is that Hillary Clinton’s loyalty to Bill during such a tumultuous time was admirable.

Right after Bill Clinton’s second term ended, Hillary The Whittier Miscellany March 2014

immediately campaigned for and won a seat in the United States Senate for the Empire State. During this time, there was more criticism directed her way as political opponents declared her a “carpetbagger,” a reference to the northern Republican politicians that flocked down to the South and filled up their governmental seats right after the Civil War, because of the fact that Hillary had lived in Arkansas before, and her family just bought a house in New York so she could fulfill the residency requirement to run for Senate. After the initial criticism, she became an extremely experienced and stately politician in the

Reason.com

Brian Zittlau ’15 News Writer

Hillary Clinton is a potential candidate for the 2016 presidential elections US Senate. Her time spent actually forming legislation hardened her already glowing résumé.

Hillary had always had her eye on the presidency. She decided to run for the Democratic nomination in 2008, and initially, she was seen as the runaway favorite in a field that included the 2004 VP nominee and current national embarrassment, North Carolina senator John Edwards, a little known first-term senator from Illinois who had delivered a tremendous speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention; and the seven-term senator from Delaware, Joe Biden. The primary turned out to be the

most interesting and exciting election in memory, as the first-term senator Barack Obama somehow used a message of hope and change to usurp the nomination from the seasoned and experienced Hillary Clinton.

President Obama had read all 800 plus pages of Doris Kearns Goodwin’s acclaimed book, Team of Rivals, and he knew that to have a successful administration, he would need to enlist all of his enemies from the primary to fill out cabinet spots to make sure his administration would be filled with the most qualified politicians. On the tarmac of a runway after winning the election, he made a call to Hillary Clinton to offer her the most prestigious position in the US government after Vice President. Clinton hesitantly accepted and became the Secretary of State for the administration. Her performance as Secretary of State has been both applauded and booed.

Terrence Dai ’15 said, “Benghazi was the biggest disgrace this country has seen since Pearl Harbor. I still cannot believe that one American died in a town in a country that literally had an anarchist government. Believe me, I like anarchy, but I can’t support it if Americans are harmed.” Dai’s views match those of many other Americans, especially Republicans, who say that Clinton botched the Benghazi scandal, in which the American diplomat to Libya was killed by terrorists who attacked the American embassy there.

Other students, like Ian Furman ’15, support her performance. Furman said, “Hillary’s condemnation of Azerbaijan’s human rights abuses really inspired me because it shows that the world still cares about the common Azerbaijani.” Furman described a view more consistent with liberals who see Hillary as a champion of women’s and also human rights around the world.

Overall, Hillary Clinton is a very polarizing figure.

Some like her and some do not. As Jake Erkskine ’15 said, “Americans have the right to decide.”

Other possible 2016 Democratic candidates include Delaware’s Joe Biden and New York’s Andrew Coumo.

Republican candidates include Maryland’s John R. Bolton and New Jersey’s Chris Christie.

03

Monika Rodiqi ’15 Features Writer

This is the first year that a team from Wilmington Friends has participated in the FIRST Tech Challenge, and it has been a successful one. The team, consisting of seniors Chase Conley, Matt Schmittle, Dan Shaw, and Joey Woodward; juniors Jimmy Carney, Jacob Gagliano, and Spencer Hall; sophomores Jack Bulk, Michael Ly, Owen Tolton, and Drew Pittenger; and freshmen Hannah Kushner, Andrew Slomski, Margaret Sullivan, and Chris Wallace, competed against 27 other teams from Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and North Carolina. The WFS “Bad News Bots” qualified for the semi-finals, holding an overall rank of five out of the 28 teams. By winning five out their six matches, Friends ensured the second highest score of all the participating schools in Delaware.

Physics teacher Matt Cauchy and computer science teacher Jenks Whittenburg are the faculty advisors for the Robotics Club. They played more of a mentor role, as the challenge advises that the teams have professionals in engineering and programming available to help them.

Besides that, Cauchy and Whittenburg organized meetings, scheduled tournaments, and ordered the materials that the team needed.

The team scrimmaged one other team before going to the actual FIRST Tech Challenge competition for the Delaware region.

While the positions of the team were divided into programming, mechanical or electrical work, documentation, and spirit, the areas with most of the work were mechanical work and programming. Hannah Kushner ’17 was a key contributor in the programming branch of the team.

The team consisted of twelve students. Freshmen Hannah Kushner and Margaret Sullivan were the only girls on the team, but both played important roles on it.

While Kushner dealt with the programming of the robot, Sullivan was one of the two drivers, the other one being freshman Andrew Slomski. “The drivers, who used game controllers to lead the robots into completing the tasks assigned by the organizers, did extremely well since they did not have a lot of experience in driving, and once, Sullivan’s robot controller’s commands got switched, but she figured it out in a matter of seconds, showing real talent in that,” commented Cauchy on the work of the drivers.

“Even though the female-to-male ratio in our team leaves something to be desired, there were teams with more representation of girls, even an all-girls team,” he added.

Cauchy encouraged more girls to join robotics, especially if they are interested in going to an engineering school.

However, robotics is not limited to students focused on engineering or science. For example, a team member who is especially talented in art could improve the visual representation of the robot and the entire project.

Furthermore, the “spirit branch” of the team decided on using pink as the team color. The students and faculty advisors wore pink shirts, and the robot had pink accessories. As senior Matt Schmittle said, “Pink is awesome!”

Schmittle ’14, leader of the Friends team said, “Besides teaching all the students valuable skills about teamwork, leadership, hands-on skills like design and the use of tools, the FIRST Tech Challenge taught us how to persevere with difficulties that come up along the way and how to be open to failure.”

The FIRST Tech Challenge seems to be a solid addition to the list of competitions and activities Friends is involved with. Slomski expressed the team’s change of heart during the challenge, “Leading up to it, not a lot of people had any idea of what was going to happen, but the challenge was so fast-paced that it drew people in, and by the end of the competition, I, amongst others, decided to come back for more next year.”

Dalby Receives Presidential Award

evaluate them based on a rubric. With this method, there are some states that don’t have a winner because their finalists didn’t meet the criteria. As in, there could’ve been two winners from Delaware, or there could’ve been none.”

Everyone knows him, the man This award is the highest award a with a million pairs of Converse science teacher can win.

All-Stars, one for every day of Dalby recalled the the month. For those who were announcement of his award. One lucky enough to have him, thinking Monday morning during Monday about Timothy Dalby, the lower Gathering, the head of the lower school science teacher, brings back school, Teacher Annette, announced happy memories of working with his accomplishment, and everyone electricity, growing plants, and even stood up and clapped for him. “It dissecting owl pellets. Recently, made me feel special. Even the Dalby was awarded the Presidential little children realize that this is Award for Science Teaching, a important to me, and they tell me prestigious award that recognizes good job. They ask me when I’m him as one of the top science going to the White House and, teachers in the country. Dalby will most importantly, what I’m going be venturing to Washington D.C. to wear.” But the way that Dalby in early March to meet President found out initially was on the night Obama, assuming the president is of December 20, 2013. He had available. Dalby is very excited to shut down his email for the day, meet the president, but he doesn’t anticipating a relaxing first night let it distract him from doing what of winter break. “I figured that I Lower school science teacher, he loves: being an excellent teacher. wouldn’t hear anything until after Tim Dalby When asked whether or not he the holidays. Even still, I decided knew that he would be receiving the to check my email one more time award Dalby answered, “Yes and no.” He explained the before going to bed, and there it was. In my inbox was nomination process and what he had to do in order to be an email from the White House congratulating me for chosen. “I had to videotape a lesson of mine and send it to a winning.” What a way to start winter break! committee, along with some other paperwork. In addition, “To me, this award means a lot. It’s experts saying that they have the teachers do a reflection on their lesson and I’m doing what I should be doing as a science teacher; that their teaching styles. I found out I was nominated for the the methods and things that I’m doing are what experts award in April of 2012, along with another teacher from believe should be done, but it’s also a huge honor. It’s Delaware.” Dalby recalled explaining to his class why he actually still sinking in just how big of a deal this is,” was recording them, “When I recorded the video in 2012, Dalby said. “I’ve been very fortunate to be teaching here I recorded current fourth graders, and now I get to explain at Friends because I get support from everyone- parents, to them, ‘Remember that video I took with you guys? teachers, and students. I get to do more things, things that I That’s what it was for; it’s the same thing!’” wouldn’t be able to do at any other school. I get to do what “The information is then sent to a national selection I think is best for my students, and I feel very fortunate to committee made up of experts,” Dalby described. The be surrounded by such a wonderful community.” Well, it award is given by the White House Office of Science shouldn’t come as any surprise that everyone feels very and Technology. “This committee is made up of all types fortunate to have Tim Dalby as part of the Friends School of scientists. They look at everyone’s submissions and community.

WFS Communications

Evelyn Wakeley ’17 Sarah Gooderham ’17 Features Writers

The Whittier Miscellany March 2014

Students Bring Haiti Experiences, Cause to Friends Martha O’Brien ’15 Features Writer As the sun set over Haiti on January 12, 2010, an earthquake of magnitude seven on the Richter scale shook the streets and created havoc that left 159,000 dead and countless families sleeping on the street. Four years later, many organizations still actively help the Haitians. Attempts to raise money, such as the cellular text to donate campaign that many students took part in, are still seeing progress years later.

Kuller

Bad News Bots Make the Semi-Finals

Features

Danielle Kuller ’14 and Izzy Martelli-Raben ’15 with some young Haitian friends.

Today 180 miles of new roads have been built, ninety percent of the population has returned to safe homes, seven new hospitals and 46 new health centers have opened, crime has significantly decreased, and the GDP has grown by four percent.

Although some progress is being made, many Haitians are still living in tent cities where health clinics and running water are scarce, and education is hard to find for youth. Statistics and data, however, show a very two-dimensional depiction of what is actually happening in Haiti. The only way to truly learn is to experience firsthand.

Two summers ago, WFS students Jamie Martelli-Raben ’14, Danielle Kuller ’14, Matt O’Brien ’14, and Izzy Martelli-Raben ’15, ventured to Haiti with the Haiti Family Initiative organization.

Along with other volunteers, including medical students and professionals, they ran a summer camp for a week in the city of Jacmel, about fifty miles south of the capital city Port-au-Prince. They spent their days playing soccer, working the health clinic, and having fun with the local kids. At the end of their week, the four of them had grown closer together through some pretty tough experiences and some very eye opening moments while working with young kids who really needed their help and attention.

At the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year, the Martelli-Rabens, Kuller, and O’Brien decided to create a club referred to simply as “Haiti Club.”

The purpose of this club is to spread awareness and open up students’ minds to the possibility of journeying to Haiti.

Izzy Martelli-Raben emphasizes the importance this organization has on the development of children and Haiti as a whole. “We want people to realize how much help Haiti still needs and to not be scared based on things they hear on the news.”

The reports of crime, kidnapping, and rape often manifest unfavorable feelings regarding a trip to the Caribbean island, but with the organization, the group felt safe at all times. During their week in Haiti, they spent many days on the beach, explored rain forests, and toured local villages along with their work at the camp.

“It was a really enriching experience, and I hope I can go back again this summer,” O’Brien shares.

Haiti Club is always accepting new members, so swing by the QUEST Center on Day 7 to learn more about the amazing opportunities this experience offers. Learn through experience, not statistics. Join the Haiti Club!

04

Features Varamini Reflects on Service Work Club Spotlight: Soweto Kliptown Youth (SKY) Project provides critical healthcare to children in places where treatments are unavailable or too expensive. In addition to other ways of helping, it transports kids in Service work plays a major role in the lives of need of particularly complex care to places in the U.S students at Wilmington Friends School. From working where they can get those specific services. Varamini said, on individual projects to participating in service-oriented “The most meaningful experience during that time was committees, students at Wilmington Friends constantly when I had to translate the doctor’s updates to a mother benefit from their involvement in service work; however, whose one-year-old daughter was undergoing open heart none of this would be possible without surgery. I stayed with the mother before, Behnaz Varamini. In addition to being during, and after the surgery since she had a Spanish teacher, Varamini is also the no other family who had traveled with her. service program coordinator. She does I’ll never forget that experience.” many different things to make our service The experiences that are most lifeprogram as great as it is, such as planning changing are the ones that are connected our September Service Day and Martin to something important to us. For some Luther King Jr. Day. In addition, she tracks students, it can be hard to know where all student service projects. On top of all to start looking for a local project that is that, she oversees the service committee, significant to them. Varamini said, “I would which meets on Day 7 in her room, and suggest to students who don’t know where helps them plan activities like the penny to start to think about an issue they have drive that they held in the fall. She chooses some feelings about. Then, look into local recipients of the Starkweather Service organizations that might work with this Award that is presented at final assembly. issue or try to improve it.” People who have Upper school Spanish Varamini has a lot of personal an idea about a service project can go to teacher and Service experience with service in the past. She Varamini or email her about it. There are Coordinator, Behnaz volunteered at her local Boys and Girls opportunities for students to participate in Varamini Club every Friday for three years of high service within school, such as participating school and was a mentor there during in clubs like Charity:Water or B+ that can college. The Boys and Girls Club of America is an go towards creativity, action, or service (CAS) hours for organization that helps young people, especially those students in the IB Programme. The school also provides in need, achieve their full potential as productive and students with the option to go on service trips. This year, responsible members of society. They help kids through in addition to the Dominican Republic trip that was different programs on education, leadership, life skills, held last year, there will be a trip to Costa Rica. On last arts, fitness, and specialized programs based on the year’s Dominican Republic trip, the students who went needs of specific kids. Volunteers like Varamini helped helped out kids at the local school by painting a mural by coaching or teaching the kids in these programs. Our and spending some time reading and playing with them. current initiative to send students to our local Boys and Service is an important part of a Friends School Girls Club is especially meaningful to Varamini because of education, and Varamini’s work plays a huge role in the experience she had there in high school and in college. making that experience meaningful for students. As a As a college student, she worked as a summer intern word of advice, Varamini said, “Remember that sometimes and volunteered during the school year for an organization service is just providing someone else with your time. Just called the World Pediatric Project. The World Pediatric being there is all they might need.”

Varamini

Caroline McGinnis ’17 Features Writer

So You Want to Be a Quaker Leader?

Alex del Tufo ’16 Features Writer

their school’s Quaker status. QYLC attendee Ty Moyer ’17 said, “My favorite part was enjoying the community aspect of the conference and making lots of new connections.”

The attendees spoke about current events, service opportunities, and numerous other significant topics. The weekend focused mainly on the subject of integrity. This influenced the students to think about how they can better their communities by bringing it back to life at school.

They discussed the reasoning as to why students should be partaking in service opportunities, other than just the usual obligation of it. They acquired massive amounts of information to bring back to the WFS community.

Wilmington Friends School sent four capable students on the QYLC trip. They all filled out application forms

Christian Stanborough ’16 Features Writer SKY is an organization dedicated to improving the well-being of many of the children in need in South Africa. The acronym stands for Soweto Kliptown Youth. The people of Soweto, Kliptown have a high unemployment rate, a low life expectancy due to limited access to medical care, and live without electricity or plumbing.

Bob Nameng, a neglected street child native to Kliptown, founded SKY in 1987 in an effort to reverse the town’s extreme poverty. After visiting SKY with People to People in 2011, Roth Johnson ’14, Caleb Aerenson ’14, and Greg Szumel ’14 decided to start a club focused on aiding the community from here at Friends.

When asked about SKY, Aerenson ’14 said, “SKY’s primary goal is to raise awareness for the organization and to do whatever it can to help the kids achieve their goals to the best of their ability.”

The clerks of SKY continue to maintain contact with Bob Nameng and others in the organization through email. After two active years in the club, the clerks and other members helped the community in Kliptown greatly. Last year, SKY raised around 150 dollars to supply more than forty children with uniforms, allowing them to go to school. This year, SKY helped pay for the kids’ school lunches. Each year, the club assists the community in a different way.

SKY continues to make an impact on the South African community, but it needs help! The more people that are aware of this organization, the more help can be sent to the children in need. Many of the children are orphans due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Most adults lack education and a source of income. Undeterred by all of these hardships, the people of Kliptown are a hopeful and caring community.

When asked about new members joining SKY, Caleb responded, “I would say that every student at Friends should join at least one service club. SKY is a club that really allows you to connect with another community on a closely personal level.” For those interested in joining the club, SKY meets in Mrs. Kenney’s room on Day 1.

The Whittier Miscellany March 2014

Ellen Johnson

Ellen Johnson

Exciting activities and opportunities crowded the schedules of a group of lucky students from Quaker schools around the country on February 6, 2014. Our neighboring school, Westtown School, hosted this year’s Quaker Youth Leadership Conference (QYLC). Wilmington Friends School chose four of our students, Evelyn Wakely ’17, Steven Ly ’15, Jack Bulk ’16, and Ty Moyer’16, who attended the QYLC took part in a service project to attend this educational weekend getaway. With their called “Cradles to Crayons.” The students all brought in already present leadership abilities, the students eagerly donations for the homeless children “Cradles to Crayons” learned more of the Quaker take on leadership and the six aimed to help. They collected all of the donations core values. They spoke about the extremely significant and bagged them up for Quaker testimonies, or the organization. Faculty SPICES, over their member Ellen Johnson three-day adventure. said that throughout the Simplicity, peace, integrity, weekend, the students community, equality, and developed an idea of “what stewardship all became a Quaker school should focus points of their look like.” discussions; although, the The topic of personal weekend focused mainly integrity seemed to be an on the “I” in SPICES, extremely difficult topic integrity. for the students to tackle The QYLC has been a in just a few days. The significant element of the students who attended Quaker educational system the QYLC just skimmed for years. The student Steven Ly works collaboratively with students The Wilmington Friends QYLC representatives the surface of the many voice has always been from other schools. gather at Westtown Friends School possible discussions highly important in Quaker Quaker students could have schooling; therefore, QYLC has been extremely important in expanding in order to attend the conference. They had to prove to in the future. The students developed amazing leadership students’ voices. The program’s main aim involves talking the faculty that they would take advantage of the QYLC abilities they could never find anywhere else and had the to students about the core goals of a Quaker education and opportunity to make a difference and bring back the chance to bring their knowledge back to their community. how the way of learning can be embellished or changed information they would acquire for the community. The The QYLC not only benefits the kids that attended, but will through the involvement of students rather than simply weekend took place at Westtown School along with affect the students and daily life of all the Quaker students adults or faculty. The students who attended the conference students from other Quaker schools. The weekend at around the country. Bulk, Moyer, Wakely, and Ly have had group discussions, listened to speakers, went to Westtown not only helped the students learn how to take had the opportunity of a lifetime. They now are capable workshops, and worshipped. The many discussions gave on strong leadership roles in their communities, but also of bettering their Quaker communities with confidence them the chance to voice their opinion on the importance of gave them a great service opportunity. All of the students and integrity.

05

Sports Grayton Downing, Haverford-Bound Lacrosse Athlete Merritt Gates ’17 Sports Writer

Larry Kuhn

Many athletes learn the basics and love for a sport at a very early age from a parent, sibling, or mentor.

Tiger Woods played golf with his father; Nancy Kerrigan skated with her mother; and Venus Williams played tennis with her sister Serena Williams. All of these athletes were inspired and challenged early on, which helped them develop into individual champions later in their lives. Student athlete Grayton Downing ’14 is on the road to success, having grown up playing lacrosse with her dad and sister, and is progressing to become a strong, individual athlete.

Like many young girls in Wilmington, Downing started playing lacrosse for Varsity lacrosse captain Wilmington Wings Grayton Downing ’14 in fourth grade.

Unlike many of her teammates, however, she had the advantage of getting to live and practice with a couple of her own mentors.

Her father had played lacrosse in college, and her older sister was already into the game as well.

Downing played for Wilmington Wings until middle school, where she continued to play for the school team. She joined her first club team, SEPA, her freshman year in high school, on top of playing for Friends, and then moved on to the Lenape Premier club team. This fall, she completed her final season with Lenape very successfully. Her team competed in eight big tournaments in the summer and fall and ended the season with a winning record.

Not only is Downing a dedicated lacrosse player, she also is a very committed student, challenging herself everyday with managing homework on top of going to practice and games. “I think managing school and sports was hardest my junior year when you are under the most stress, especially with the IB Programme and playing three sports,” Downing reflects. In the fall she plays field hockey, and in the winter she runs track. She says that she tried to stay as organized as possible and use her time wisely, which allowed her to successfully manage her busy day-today schedule. Nevertheless, Downing enjoyed being busy and claims that staying active and getting work done go hand-in-hand for her. “As time-consuming as sports are, especially when there are multiple games a week, I think sports help keep me focused. That’s a major reason why I want to play in college.”

And so, Downing is planning on pursuing her dream of playing lacrosse at Haverford next spring, just as her sister did. She says that she always knew she wanted do this when she went to college so that she could keep focused as well as be a part of the team experience that she loves so much. “I wanted to be able to play lacrosse and still focus on school, which is perfect to do at Haverford.” Downing has already met the team, as well as the other incoming players, and she is very excited.

Before she goes off to Haverford however, there is still one more season of Quaker lacrosse for Downing. As the only senior and one of the captains, she is hoping and looking forward to leading the young team to the Delaware state tournament. “We got super close my freshman year, but ending my high school [lacrosse] season going to states would be amazing,” she says, confident in the potential of this year’s team.

Be sure to attend the women’s lacrosse games this spring to cheer on Grayton Downing and her team! Go Quakers!

06

The Whittier Miscellany March 2014

Empowered Yoga, a Popular New Workout Spot Katie Bodycott ’17 Sports Writer This generation is constantly trying to get healthier by eating well or by trying the latest and best exercise.

With all the possible exercise classes and the wide range of healthy food, it isn’t hard to get lost in the vast possibilities available However, there is a way to stay healthy and on top of your game, and the best part of all is that it can be reached just right around the corner.

Empowered Yoga’s main goal is to ensure that people maintain healthy bodies and, most importantly, a healthy mind. Empowered Yoga says, “Your body, mind, and spirit will begin to align, creating a more passionate and fulfilling life.” Not only does yoga give you these great health benefits, but Empowered Yoga also helps athletes who have been recently injured by getting them back on the road to recovery. Empowered Yoga claims that athletes who participate in the program will see better performance, and they will also reduce the risk of getting injured while practicing their sport.

Devon Adams, the athletic trainer at Wilmington Friends says, “I love yoga! I primarily practice hatha (non heated) yoga and vinyasa, a style of yoga where asanas [poses] are linked together with your breath.

Many times, athletes have a preconceived notion that yoga is easy and just intense stretching. That couldn’t be farther from the truth! Although yoga is accessible to people of all athletic abilities, it requires strength, balance, endurance, and focus. I love connecting with my mat at least once a week to improve both my mental and

physical wellbeing.” As you can see, if you are interested in not only improving your body’s physical wellness but also your mental wellness, then Empowered Yoga is the place for you!

There are several different classes available at Empowered Yoga, each of them offering a different experience. Emily Freilich ’14, who attends Empowered Yoga classes says, “I really enjoy hot yoga. It feels surprisingly great in the room, especially in the winter; and the other people at Empowered are an inspiration to be flexible and centered. The teachers are helpful and understanding to new people. It really is something all levels can do. Just come early to get a good spot and avoid being judged by the other people in the class.”

For example, beginners can start out in a class where they teach all the necessary things you need to know in eight sessions in order to move on, so there is no need to worry that you will be behind everyone in the class. There is also a class for athletes called the “Balanced Athlete,” which consists of strength and conditioning methodology and applying it to movement commonly found in a sport.

Athletes thirteen or older can attend this class. Another class available at Empowered Yoga is “Essentials.” This class incorporates movements to promote healing. This is a slower class, so it is accessible to any level of yoga.

For more information on Empowered Yoga’s classes visit www.empoweredyoga.com Empowered Yoga has three different locations in Wilmington, Newark, and Glen Mills. Find the one that is closest to you and head over there today to enter into a whole new world of fitness!

Quaker Swimmers Reflect on 2013-14 Season Sydney Gardner ’16 Sports Writer Swimming is a sport that requires a lot of practice, focus, and the ability to believe in oneself. Demetria Ruhl, a sophomore at Wilmington Friends School, has been swimming for Friends since the eighth grade.

Demetria says that one of her favorite parts of swimming is that it offers both a team aspect and an individual aspect. “ I have a really close team of people who train together and swim in relays in meets, but you also get to experience individual success in the events you swim.”

One of sophomore Charlotte Donoho’s favorite memories from swimming this year was, “The cheers that Chase Conley, Luke Morgan, and Bron Todd make up on the spot at the meets.”

Unlike most sports teams at WFS, the swim team travels to a facility called the William Hicks Anderson Community Center for practice. Like all sports, swimming practices five times a week for about two hours. Charlotte Donoho describes a daily routine for swim practices: “We get to the pool and complain about how cold the water is, do a warm up and then do a piece, which is usually long distances, but sometimes we do shorter pieces. Then, we do drills for the rest of practice if we have time.” Donoho remarked that the fan base for swim meets can be limited: “I’ve seen a few people but I think it’s difficult for people to come see our meets, because they start pretty early and end a little after people end their practices. Also I don’t think it really matters if people don’t show up because it’s a large team and we cheer each other on.”

Scoring for swimming, just like for any other sport, can seem complicated. In the individual events, the first five people that place get points. First gets six points, second gets four, third gets three, and so on. Relays are a little bit different in that only the first three teams that place get points. First gets eight, second gets four, and third gets two.

For swimming, like many other WFS sports, the biggest rival is Tower Hill. Ellie Anderson ’14, captain of the swim team, described the rivalry, saying, “Tower Hill is obviously one of our biggest rivals and they have a very strong team.” Charlotte Donoho added, “The rivalry between Friends and Tower Hill has been a rivalry that has been carried on for years. It is always an exciting experience to swim against them. They are also one of our biggest competitors because our meets are always close. Westtown was also a hard competition this season because it came down to the last race, but we won the event so we ended up winning the meet!” When asked about conference competition, Donoho stated,

“There were some pretty good teams like Archmere and Westtown and Tower Hill, but we did really well against them because we had a strong team this year and a larger team.”

Bron Todd ’14, Luke Morgan ’14, and Demetria Ruhl ’16 made first team All-Conference for Delaware’s Independent School Conference. Blair Atkins ’17 and Ryan Beneck ’14 made second team All-Conference.

Todd received a first place medal and a third place medal for individual events. He also received a third and second place medal for relays. Todd also qualified for states in three individual events. Todd mentions one of his best memories of swimming this season was having the opportunity to swim at the state championships. Although the state meet was his hardest test, Todd added that the opportunity to compete against other talented athletes was exciting.

When Morgan was asked about his performance thus far in states, he said, “Well to be fair, it was only prelims, we’re still waiting for some nice work to be done in finals.

But in general, we did pretty well. We had two relays the 400 free and the 200 free qualify for finals. Bron and James swam pretty well - but Ryan actually dropped a full second in his fifty free, which is incredible!”

When asked whether or not going to states was an exciting experience, Luke interjected, “To be honest, I think it really depends. As the average high school swimmer, it’s not the most exciting thing ever. It’s just another meet, except more crowded. Personally, I think it’s always an exciting experience. I get to see a lot of people who I don’t see as often as well as see a lot of my club swimming friends. It’s half social and half the fact that there’s some really fast racing going on. The real racing gets up and going on Saturday, though, for finals.

That’s when records get broken, the cheers roar across the pool deck, and the real stories are made.”

State qualifier Maddie Fruchtman ’15 described her experience: “Going to states and representing our school was a lot of fun. We worked really hard this year as a team and it was a great was a great way to end the season.” In the 200 relay Blair Atkins, Maddie Fruchtman, Demetria Ruhl, and Pierra Biggs placed fifteenth.

States and finals can be a very exciting experience for both teams, but when it really comes down to it training as one unit makes their team stronger. Swimming offers the aspect of success for the individual and for the team. Ruhl described her swimming experience: “It can be relaxing at times and it helps me take my mind off things for a little, but in the middle of a hard practice it’s really challenging. I have had a really good experience on the swim team, and I love how everyone is so encouraging.”

Girls’ Lacrosse Welcomes New Coaches

Franklin can give a refreshing perspective to the game that complements Kittle’s vast range of experience. Franklin is looking forward to leading a strong-willed and dedicated

This year’s women’s lacrosse program has two new group of athletes and is interested in seeing how the team coaches, Dick Kittle and Jessica Franklin. Kittle, an eighth will progress throughout the season. Franklin mentioned, grade history teacher, has great experience with coaching “I’m eager to work with these girls to build the foundation a variety of sports. Franklin, lower and middle school for a lasting lacrosse program that emphasizes hard work, physical education teacher, is a recent graduate of Wesley fun, skill development, and teamwork.” Since Franklin College in Dover, DE. Franklin served as the assistant no longer plays the sport competitively, she is excited to coach for the high school field hockey share her experience with developing team this past fall. These two coaches athletes and to provide the team with are excited about taking on the team a strong skill set that will be effective and aim to win as many games as they against the tough competition in the can. conference.

Dick Kittle has been at

Since there are two new Wilmington Friends School for 39 lacrosse coaches, this year will be a years and has coached multiple sports huge transition period for the team. in the past. Kittle has an impressive However, the team is optimistic array of coaching experience, and any about the change. Meryl Gatti athletic department would be lucky ’15, returning for her third year, to have him. He coached football for mentioned, “I think although they 35 years, wrestling for twenty years, both have different coaching styles baseball for four years, soccer for five and different experience levels, they years, and women’s lacrosse for about will complement each other and be Last year’s varsity girls’ lacrosse six years. Kittle expressed his hope for able to bring out the best in the team. team, at a win against Tatnall the lacrosse season, “I think that Jess I’m hoping we have a winning season School in overtime, Apr. 2013. and I can work well together. She is and can make it to the tournament very enthusiastic and at the same time with their guidance.” Another player brings her recent college playing experience.” Although on the team, Jane Yeatman ’15 said, “I think Jess will be a he does not have experience playing lacrosse, Kittle’s good coach because of her experience in college and good three children all played for Friends. He even had the understanding of the game, and I don’t actually know Mr. opportunity to coach his two daughters during their senior Kittle that well, but from what I’ve heard, I think he will years. He coached his daughter Jenny in the goal, and his be a good coach because of his ability to keep a positive other daughter Mindy was a defensive wing. Mindy went atmosphere, and I think his past coaching experiences will on to play lacrosse at the collegiate level for Ohio State help to lead the team.” The only senior, captain Grayton University. With such a great range of depth in coaching Downing ’14 added, “Jess and Mr. Kittle will work great and his previous experience in coaching lacrosse, we are together.” very optimistic that Kittle can apply his knowledge of Overall, the new coaches are looking forward to the game well and provide the Quakers with a solid skill leading this team to many victories this season. The set as they compete in the very competitive Independent team and coaches also hope to see the team grow and Conference. work together throughout the season. Since Franklin is On the other hand, Jessica Franklin has only coached fresh out of college and working with Kittle, who has a the girls’ field hockey team, but she has lots of experience lot of experience in coaching, they will add a refreshing in playing the sport. She played lacrosse at the collegiate dynamic to the Wilmington Friends School athletic staff. level and has played since elementary school. In college We commend them for stepping up to coach lacrosse this she played midfield a lot but was more of an attacker. season and hope they can lead the team to many victories.

Larry Kuhn

Blair Atkins ’17 Sports Writer

Sports

Sports by the

STATS Shannon Skibicki ’15 Sports Editor

3 2 12 161

The number of wrestlers in school history to reach 100 wins. Jesse Miller ’14 reached this milestone in the 2013-14 season, joining Jesse Paul ’10, and Ben Altman ’06.

The number of bronze medal finishes at the DIAA swimming and diving championship meet, with Luke Morgan-Scott ’14 in the 100 fly and Noah Landis ’16 in diving.

The place Quinn McNeil ’14 earned in the long jump event at DIAA Indoor Track states.

The number of points Meryl Gatti ’14 scored this basketball season.

John Wallace, Weight Lifting Legend and Role Model has always had a certain charisma about him that started at a young age. In asking John why he started competing in powerlifting competitions, he said, “As the years went by, my bench got stronger and stronger, so, during my

Wilmington Friends School consistently offers freshman year, that’s when I decided that, at some point, competitive sports programs for both boys and girls. Most I was going to start competing in the bench press.” people do not see all of the hard work that these athletes put In the past few months, John has started on a in after school, over the summer, and in off seasons. This journey to get back in powerlifting shape and join the hard work and support happens mainly natural powerlifting world again. When because of the big man in the weight asked about his plans for coming out of room. Everybody has seen him before, retirement, John replied, “If and when I but not everyone knows who this man get my bench and curl back up to where is. Those who do know him appreciate they were when I retired ten years ago, everything that he does to help athletes and if and when I can get back down become stronger and more prepared for to my competition weight class, under sports seasons. This man’s name is John 220 pounds, then I’ll strongly consider Wallace. making a return. If I feel that I’m able to

John, a member of the World National compete, then I’ll go for another world Powerlifting Federation Hall of Fame, championship in the bench press and won 25 individual natural powerlifting John Wallace, strength and power curl.” John is a very determined world titles, with two in the power curl and outgoing individual, and there is no conditioning coach in the and 23 in the bench press, as well as six doubt that he can achieve whatever he Friends workout room. team powerlifting titles, and was also puts his mind to, including that 26th world named the World Natural Powerlifter of title. John is not the kind of person to do the Year six years in a row. There is no better qualified something at fifty percent. For John, it must be 100 percent man to be working in the weight room than John Wallace. effort or nothing at all. John always creates a comfortable John started weightlifting when he was only nine years environment in the weight room and is always motivating old. He started out with a small set of weights, but he kids to work their hardest and become the best that they was quickly able to master them and move on to bigger can be. Whether it be training for football, training for weights. As a senior in high school, John could out-lift soccer, training for cross-country or for any other sport, almost everyone in the entire school of William Penn, John is supportive of everyone. When asked about how including most of the linemen on the football team, when John Wallace has affected him over the years, Patrick weighing only about 145 pounds. All throughout high Pearce ’15 said, “He is one of my biggest inspirations. His school, John attracted a large audience in the weight room dedication to his students and his love of powerlifting is when he worked out. They all wanted to see him bench something that I really admire. Ever since the first day I weights that were more than double what he weighed. John walked into the weight room my freshman year, John has Wallace

Andrew Conces ‘16 Quinn Kirkpatrick ‘16 Sports Writers

The Whittier Miscellany March 2014

been nothing but supportive. He has always been there for me and helps me get bigger and better every year. I’m not sure where I would be without having John in the weight room.” Jesse Miller ’14 said, “John has been a huge help to me throughout high school. Whether he is teaching me correct form or giving me a spot, he’s always there to motivate me.”

John Wallace has impacted thousands of people, not only at Wilmington Friends, but in everything else he has done in his life. John has never backed down from any challenge that he has faced, including the passing of his mother. On his comeback and retirement, John said, “If and when it happens, it’s going to be a very emotional and tough moment for me because my late mother saw my last competition, that’s very important to me. Knowing that she won’t be there this go around is going to make me feel empty and uneasy. I just want to retire on my own terms. Whether I get to do that or not remains to be seen.” While the passing of his mother was very tough for him and also took him away from powerlifting for a little while, it has given him the strength to work even harder to get back to where he was and to reach places he has yet to go. In asking John about his greatest motivators and supporters during his career and his comeback, he said, “My family and friends have been my biggest inspirations.

My doubters, haters, and wanting to make history were my biggest motivations. Everyone’s been very supportive, saying all of the right things, giving me positive energy.”

There were many times when John could easily just lie down and give up, but he is not that type of person. He passes this same mindset on to his students at WFS through the motivation he gives to the people in the weight room and also through just being who he is. John hopes to hop back into the Natural World Powerlifting spotlight once again and shock the world by winning his 26th individual natural powerlifting world title. Go get’em, John!

07

Entertainment

The Whittier Miscellany March 2014

John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars is a tear-jerking, thought-provoking book about a sixteen-year-old girl named Hazel who is diagnosed with cancer. Hazel’s parents force her to attend a support group with other teens living with cancer. While Hazel attends these support groups, all she wants is to attain a normal life.

However, this task becomes nearly impossible as she struggles with the idea of her parents’ lives after she dies. At the support group, Hazel meets a boy named Augustus who later becomes her love interest. From the moment Hazel meets Augustus, the two become inseparable. The foundation of their relationship is based on Hazel’s favorite book, An Imperial Affliction. From then on, Hazel’s life story is not so much sad, but rather inspirational.

For all of the fans that have read this book, get excited for perhaps the greatest love story to grace the big screen.

For those who have yet to read this amazing novel, you are highly suggested to do so before the movie comes out. As some fans may know, The Fault in Our Stars trailer was leaked, and the movie is planned to release this summer. The moments of profundity throughout the novel make the movie so highly anticipated. The mixture of the coming of age angst and the ever-approaching closeness of mortality creates a robust connection between the reader and the characters throughout the story. One can only hope that the movie version of the novel will do the book some justice.

Josh Boone, the director of the film, also directed Stuck in Love. This movie was particularly important to him after losing his own friend to cancer during filming.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Boone said, “John’s book came along just when I needed it. It pierced my heart and helped me deal with my grief.

I laughed and cried and was left with an overwhelming feeling of hope that our lives matter, that love and

kindness we share with others reverberates long after we are gone. I feel the weight and responsibility to get this [the movie] right and give his readers and devoted fans as pure a translation as possible.” Boone is very dedicated to producing this movie in the best way possible, and he hopes the cast can fulfill his vision.

The upcoming cast includes Shailene Woodley as Hazel, Ansel Elgort as Augustus Waters, and Natt Wolf as Isaac, a friend of both Hazel and Augustus in the story.

Shailene Woodley is a Golden Globe nominated actress who starred in ABC’s The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Woodley will shine in the role of powerful, witty, and humorous Hazel based on her experience in drama from the past. Wolf is also an extremely talented actor who played smaller roles in movies such as Admission and Stuck In Love. Elgort is a fairly new actor who has not played any roles in films until now.

When asked how he would prepare for the movie in a recent interview, Elgort said, “We are going to visit some cancer hospitals. We are planning to see some patients and talk with real people with our diseases. I’ll meet with people who have prosthetic legs, and learn how to use them for filming.”

Even though there are new actors, if The Fault in Our Stars is anything like the trailer, the world has every right to be optimistic about this upcoming film. The only reason to be a skeptic about this debut is the risk of being let down. Everyone knows the book is always far superior to its movie counterpart, but there is something about this particular film that is different. Perhaps it is the writing, the story, or the human connection, but the world is ready to see this highly awaited movie this summer.

This movie just might be the film of a generation, and the book certainly is.

In the words of John Green, this quote from the novel perfectly describes how the world fell in love with his writing, “I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.” Let us all hope to get the same experience from the movie!

Seth Meyers Says Goodnight to SNL

Maddie Ireland ’16 Entertainment Writer

In his ten years working as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, Seth Meyers has become a household name, making audiences melt with his irresistible charm, witty jokes, and his signature signoff every week. On February 1, 2014, Seth Meyers performed his last show on Saturday Night Live. His last segment included alumni such as Amy Poehler, Fred Armisen, Andy Samberg, and Bill Hader audience favorite, Stefon.

Before SNL, Meyers attended Northwestern University where he was a part of the improvisation group Mee-Ow. He later moved on to become a part of the improvisation group Boom Chicago in Amsterdam.

Although Meyers has made an appearance in certain movies such as Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist and Journey To The Center Of The Earth, audiences know him primarily for his time as a writer and anchor on the “Weekend Update” segment of the comedy show Saturday Night Live. Meyers joined the cast of SNL in 2001. He was promoted to writing supervisor, co-head writer with Tina Fey, co-anchor of “Weekend Update” with Amy Poehler, and eventually solo anchor until cast member Cecily Strong joined him as a co-anchor.

On “Weekend Update,” where Meyers acted as co-anchor, he imitates a news anchor, usually poking fun at modern day politics or reporting ridiculous news.

The interviewees on “The Weekend Update” are cast members of the show, frequently mocking politicians, historians, and specialists. Some of Meyers’s famous interviewees include Kat and Garth, two goofy musicians who never remember the words to their songs; Stefon, a partier who tends to go to ridiculous and unheard of clubs around New York; and Jacob, a young boy who has just celebrated his bar mitzvah and talks in a scripted manner. Caroline Wren ’16 said, “My favorite is Stefondefinitely Stefon, and I liked it when he interviewed Olya Pavlatsky.” Olya Pavlatsky, played by Kate McKinnon, is an older Russian woman who often discusses current events in Russia and some of the cruel and harsh conditions from her homeland.

Meyers recently announced that he will take over Late Night, previously hosted by Jimmy Fallon. Fallon,

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who is also a previous cast member of Saturday Night Live, is taking over The Tonight Show for a retiring Jay Leno. Saturday Night Live co-head writer Colin Jost will take over Meyers’s anchoring duties along with current co-anchor and cast member, Cecily Strong. Julia Blumberg ’15 said, “I’m surprised by it. He [Meyers] was hilarious, and he changed everyone he worked with in a positive way, but he’s moving on to better and greater things. It’s not the last we will see of Seth Meyers. I am okay with it because he is going to be hosting other shows.”

In an interview with John Jurgensen, Meyers said, “Likability. That’s what Lorne stresses the most in a job like this.” Michael Lorne, the creator of SNL, is also the creator of Late Night and provides a similarly comic feel to his shows. As to why Meyers decided to leave SNL, most SNL viewers will say that it is just part of the process, and like Tina Fey, Jimmy Fallon, Amy Poehler and many before them, Seth Meyers is just moving forward in his career as an actor and writer. In an interview about his upcoming show, Meyers said, “The nice thing about having a nightly show at 12:30 PM is the previous hosts have all shown that it’s a piece of real estate where you can try to be as creative as possible and take some risks that you probably can’t take in prime time, and to some degrees maybe can’t take at 11:30.”

In an interview about Meyers’s first months on SNL, Meyers said, “When I first got that job, I spent a lot of time, probably too much time, spinning out how I’d make it different than everyone before me. Then you realize that just happens, because you are genetically different from those people.” During his time as a cast member, Seth Meyers did just that. Meyers brought heart to the show many have known and loved since the first episode aired in 1975.

Sujuylee Alvarez ’16 said, “It’s sad because Saturday Night Live is funny, and I watch it during my free time, but even though he is leaving, he’ll still be a part of the show in viewers’ minds.”

Meyers’s first show as the host of Late Night aired on February 24, 2014. His first guests included former cast member Amy Poehler and vice president of the United States, Joe Biden.The world will await how the funnyman will entertain audiences with new puns and skits.

Doable Day Trips for a Fun Spring Break Meera Kohli ’15 Entertainment Writer After a series of extended weekends and snowy weather, everyone is beyond ready for a break when the weather permits for outdoor activity without fear of losing toes to frostbite. Spring break might finally provide that opportunity. With two weeks off school and comparatively warm weather in sight, spring break begs outdoor adventure. With spring sports’ preseasons also vying for possession over these two weeks, it is simply the perfect time for day excursions.

Only a short drive away, Philadelphia is always a popular destination for eating, shopping, and socializing. Philadelphia boasts a wide range of activities, making it impossible to run out of places to go and things to do. Maddie Fruchtman ’15 said, “I like being able to walk freely around the city and going to art museums and stores!” As most destinations in Philly can be reached in a short walk, the best choice is to find a parking lot to leave your car and to travel by foot or subway. wikimedia.com

Okay? Okay? TFIOS Film Slotted to be Faultless

Olivia Garber ’16 Entertainment Writer

The Philadelphia Art Museum To begin a possible day trip itinerary, head over to the popular Philadelphia Museum of Art, which opens at 10 AM and is only fourteen dollars for students in high school or with a college ID. During spring break, this museum will be presenting its highly appraised exhibit, “Marc Newson: At Home.”

This exhibit contains some of the most fascinatingly designed household appliances, and as odd as it sounds, it truly is more interesting than Renaissance paintings! After exploring there, the next practical thing to do would be to grab lunch. Only a few blocks and a short walk outside Center City is an interesting little restaurant called Cheu Noodle Bar. Behnaz Varamini, upper school Spanish teacher, explained, “It is not an authentic Asian noodle place and doesn’t claim to be, but it’s delicious and has a great vibe inside!” Then, another short walk away is the underground Reading Terminal Market for shopping enthusiasts. It also hosts plenty of charming stores that sell unique products such as Amazulu, which sells handmade jewelry and Terralyn, which sells high quality handmade skincare products. Finally, a day in the beautiful city of Philadelphia can conclude with a trip to the Comcast Center, located in Center City. Not only does it provide the best view of the city, the Comcast Center brags an amazing eightstory “Winter Garden” and a 2,000 square foot LED wall with extraordinarily realistic images! With all these attractions located within the same general vicinity, these activities can all be done within a day, and the proximity of Philadelphia makes it possible to be home by the end of the same day.

There is more than one opportunity for adventure during spring break, so after a trip to Philadelphia, there is still time to visit the incredibly popular New York City. One of the most favored vacation destinations, New York City is the prime location for shopping, dining, and exploring! Bill Gordon ’14 agreed, “New York City always has a lot going on and so much to do!” Travel by foot and by Subway are also the optimal modes of transportation, so leave your car in a car park at the start of the day! Spring break should provide relief from the freezing snow and ice, so it is a perfect time to enjoy the warm temperatures in the friendly atmosphere of Central Park!

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Entertainment

Wizarding World Expansion Set to Charm

as The Leaky Cauldron, Quality Quidditch Supplies, and Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes. Fans can also visit Knockturn Alley, which consists of several stores dedicated to the Three years ago, one of the most popular series dark arts of magic. One of the most anticipated attractions of novels and films came to an epic conclusion: J.K. of the new park is the multi-dimensional roller coaster, Rowling’s Harry Potter. However, with the help of the located inside Gringotts bank at the end of Diagon Alley.

Wizarding World, the phenomenon continues to thrive. To make the visitor’s adventure even more realistic, they Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure theme park, will be able to transfer from one park to the another aboard which opened in the summer of 2010, captures the essence the Hogwarts Express. “We are bringing the same drive, of the wizarding world that Rowling and the Potter film commitment, enthusiasm, and innovation to this project producers created. Fans can finally explore the streets of as we did to the first,” said Chairman of Universal Parks and Resorts Tom Williams to Hogsmeade and Hogwarts the Orlando Informer. As for School of Witchcraft and J.K. Rowling, the novelist Wizardry. Potter fanatic is thrilled that the world she Hannah Kushner, who got has shaped will continue to a sneak preview of the grow. “I’m so pleased that The Wizarding World before Wizarding World of Harry it was open to the general Potter has proved so popular public, was very impressed. “I to date, and I’m sure that the was amazed by the attention attention to detail in creating to detail and its unswerving the new Diagon Alley area honesty to the books and Artist’s rendering of Diagon Alley, part of the will make this an even better films,” raved Kushner ’17. experience,” said Rowling.

She also noticed the effort to Wizarding World expansion opening this summer.

The only opposition towards cram in as much “magic” into the space as possible. The only time she experienced the the expansion are fans of the iconic Jaws attraction, which illusion of the magical world being broken was when the was forced to close down in order to make room for the “muggle” fire alarm went off during her tour of Hogwarts. new Potter park.

Simone Veale ’17, who visited in 2011, is not considered a Potter fans throughout the WFS community were devoted Harry Potter fan, yet she still spoke highly of her asked for their opinions on the expansion of the park. experiences at the park. As well as the attractions, Simone Sonia Kumar ’14, who deems herself a strong supporter especially enjoyed the authentic foods and candies she of Diagon Alley, explained, “I think the expansion could remembered from the films, such as Bertie Bott’s Every probably make things more entertaining and interactive, Flavor Beans, chocolate frogs, and butterbeer. “Butterbeer especially for kids. The bigger the park becomes, the more is delicious in the summer, especially because you can realistic it seems, since we’re all still a little disappointed drink it frozen,” said Veale. The park features authentic we didn’t get a Hogwarts letter when we were eleven!” dining and shops right out of the Potter books, along Christina Aleman ’17, who will be visiting the Wizarding with three magnificent attractions, Harry Potter and the World over spring break also expressed her excitement Forbidden Journey, Dragon Challenge, and Flight of the about the park. “Because I’ve heard a lot about it, and it Hippogriff. was still being built the last time I was visiting Universal, In May of 2013, rumors about the expansion of the I’m very anxious to see how they bring the magic to Wizarding World of Harry Potter were confirmed. “Our life and really make you feel like you are at Hogwarts; vision is to create two amazing theme park experiences although I am disappointed that Diagon Alley won’t be that combine into one complete, magical journey,” said open for when I visit,” she said. On the other hand, William Alice Norsworthy, Executive Vice President of Marketing Stanborough ’16, a true Slytherin and Quaker Quidditch and Sales for Universal Orlando Resort to the Orlando member, gives a suspicious “no comment” regarding Informer. The new park, designed to include Diagon the expansion. Anxious fans await the grand opening of Alley, Knockturn Alley, and King’s Cross Station, will Diagon Alley, which is scheduled for this summer. Thanks offer even more magic for Potter fans to enjoy. Similar to to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, fans can now be a Hogsmeade in the original park, visitors will be sure to part of the world that they have yet to experience beyond recognize many shops and locations in the expansion, such the printed page or television screen. mugglenet.com

Katrina Skibicki ’17 Entertainment Writer

Google Glass Brings Form and Function

Allie Fulginiti ’17 Entertainment Writer

The technology in our world seems to get better and better by the day! A new phenomenon in America is a piece of technology called the Google Glass. Known primarily for its search engine, Google has broadened its horizons with this concept, introduced in April 2012.

These glasses are not just any regular glasses. They have a multi-purpose camera that can take and send pictures and videos, along with a feature similar to the Apple iPhone’s Siri that allows you to ask questions and search the web. In addition, the glasses can be prescribed as normal glasses. The device that allows you to do things such as take a video and pictures is not the glasses themselves, but rather a smaller device that can be attached to any of the regular Google frames you choose. There are also specially-made lenses that have a built-in space for the device.

This new technology has potential benefit for many activities, such as snowboarding. Matt Tornek ’17 reflected on these possible benefits: “It would make snowboarding much easier because I wouldn’t have to mount the camera on my helmet. I would just be able to wear the glasses under my goggles. Also, I could share the pictures and videos that I take much more easily.” Although the Glasses could be useful in sports such as snowboarding and skiing, others expressed concerns about how the Glasses would work with other sports. Andrew Jaworski ’17 explained how it could be difficult to use in some sports. “I do think it would be good for action sports because you could get good quality pictures. However, in the heat of the game, I would not want them in the way.”

The Google Glasses are seemingly simple, yet some people believe that they could be more of a hassle than how they appear to be, especially if Glass was activated by accident in conversation. If you are in a loud place like a concert, and you want to take a video, you may be unable to control it in a loud environment. Another possible concern for some is the durability of the device.

How can you ensure that the camera won’t disconnect or break if you fall?

Although there are questions about the use of the glasses in sports, that is not their only use. Matt Denney ’17 further considered the positive side of having the Google Glass technology in everyday life: “I really like the concept of the Google Glasses and would love to try them out. It would be helpful, for instance, if I were on vacation and I was wearing my glasses, instead of having to get out my phone or my camera, I could just tell the Glasses to take a picture. It would also be helpful if I was walking somewhere or in the car to be able to pull up directions right there, so that I wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of a navigation system or Mapquest.”

For people that wear glasses everyday, this could really be a useful device. In one of the introduction videos to the Google Glasses, Timothy Jordan, Developer Advocate for Project Glass, shared the vision for the device saying, “We want you to be able to access to the technology that you love, without taking you out of the moment.”

Although Google wants you to be able to do this as soon as possible, for right now the Glasses are only available by invite with a $1,500 price tag, not including tax.

Although the glasses have their ups and their downs, they are still a major progression and a creative invention in technology today.

The Whittier Miscellany March 2014

Students Look Forward to a Spring Day at the Races Grace Gannon ’15 Entertainment Writer The inches of snow that once coated the streets of Alapocas have melted, and temperatures are beginning to rise, evidential signs that spring is fastapproaching. Flowers are beginning to bloom, the green grass of the soccer field is visible once again, and vibrant colors have returned to the Alapocas neighborhood. Students can abandon their winter jackets and gloves, as snowstorms and sub-thirty degree weather should not be a concern for the rest of the school year.

The majority of the Wilmington Friends School community welcomes the warmer weather, as many upper school students are excited for the spring sports season to begin: “Spring is by far my favorite time of year. I love being able to run outside after a long day inside at school,” said Hannah CasparJohnson ’15. Many students are in agreement and believe that the sunny weather is a welcome break from the frigid, bleak winter that the East Coast has experienced. Besides the highly anticipated commencement of spring sports, excitement continues to grow for other outdoor activities and events, especially for the annual steeplechase horse race, Point-to-Point, a popular event to attend among high school students from both Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Point-to-Point is an annual springtime event featuring steeplechase horse racing. The event is held at Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library in Winterthur, Delaware. Point-to-Point attracts people of all ages and is a great way to kick off the warm, sunny season. The 36th annual Point-to-Point will be held at Winterthur on Sunday, May 4.

Many Wilmington Friends upper school students are looking forward to attending this year, as they recall memorable past experiences: “It’s so much fun, and the weather is always great. I love being able to wear bright spring colors and hang out with my friends,” said Cassidy Martin ’15. While horse racing might not be the most entertaining for everyone, there are many more attractions that are sure to please people of all ages. Younger children can enjoy face painting, pony rides, and various other family-friendly activities. Anyone is welcome to tailgate and enjoy lunch on the fields, watching the horse races from the comfort of their car or lawn chairs. There are also a variety of food vendors and shops located in tents on the fields. Local boutiques arrive to reveal spring clothing and elaborate sun hats for sale. Needless to say, there are numerous entertaining activities and features of Point-to-Point, as there is something of interest for nearly everyone.

Many Friends students and alumni will attend Point-to-Point this year, as it is evidently a popular event in Delaware. While the event is relatively formal, many people are often excited to use it to showcase their new spring fashion items. Many women dress extravagantly, with elaborate hats and bright floral dresses. While dressing in an extravagant manner may seem like a good idea, some students caution against it: “Make sure to bring sunglasses and wear comfortable shoes for walking up and down the hills,” said Julia Russ ’15.

Lots of walking is required in order to see the horse races up close and to return to the tailgate area, so comfortable shoes are a necessity. Several other students also recommend sunscreen, as last year a majority of the Upper School students who attended Point-to-Point suffered sunburn from spending all day at the races, with the sun beating down through the clouds.

With these tips in mind, many Wilmington Friends Upper School students believe that the event will be even better this year than it was last year. Point-to-Point is ultimately a fun and festive way to kick off a new season and celebrate a nearly complete school year.

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Community

The Whittier Miscellany March 2014

On Wetsuit-ed Summers, Bovinophobia, and Childhood Individuality

...continued from Page 8.

Meera Kohli ’15 Entertainment Writer The Great Lawn is a perfect space in Central Park for a brunch picnic, so pack some sandwiches and Oreo cookies for a warm and pleasant meal.

After brunch take one of the final opportunities of the winter season to go ice-skating in the iconic Wollman Rink, which closes on April 7, or explore the many beautiful trails and lakes!

Brooke Winfield ’15 said, “I love ice skating, and ice skating here with a warm cup of hot chocolate is a great experience!”.After the Central Park visit, get on a subway and head to SoHo in downtown New York City to find an abundance of name brand stores. SoHo is the one stop location for all kinds of shopping, ranging from American Apparel to Versace. Caroline Wren ’16 said, “I like shopping in SoHo because there is a very interesting assortment of places to shop, and last time, I saw Mindy Kaling!” Once all the shops have been scoured, head to the famous Bosie Tea Parlor, about a fifteen-minute walk away, to relax with warm tea in a cozy atmosphere to end the day.

Spring break presents the time and weather to enjoy these outdoor excursions, so it is only practical to take the opportunity! Visiting Philadelphia and New York City for the day can be inexpensive and worry free because there is no need to book hotels, and their proximity makes it possible to be there and back in the span of one day. This spring break, plan an early morning and head out to one of these cities for a day adventure!

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Ellie McGinnis has been a member of The Whittier Miscellany staff for four years and currently serves as the publication’s copy editor. This is her first year as an independent columnist. She made a cameo-appearance on a 1999 episode of Sesame Street.

Student Scientists Step Up to the Challenge Endo

Kenji Endo ’14 Julia Rhodes ’14 Editors-in-Chief

The Wilmington Friends Science Olympiad club traveled to Delaware State University on Mar. 1, 2014 for a full day of competition at the 2014 Delaware Science Olympiad tournament. Clerked by seniors Sonia Kumar and Grayton Downing, the club included seniors Chase Conley, Thomas Connelly, Kenji Endo, Jamie Harper, Graham Haubert, Jesse Miller, Jamie Martelli-Raben, Tate Muratori-Levit, Matt Schmittle, Greg Szumel, Dan Shaw, Joey Woodward, and freshmen Jayna Jones and Margaret Sullivan. Upper school biology teacher Ellen Johnson and upper school physics teacher Matt Cauchy sponsored the club.

Friends student scientists participated in events exploring areas including life science, geology, astronomy, chemistry, physics, technology and engineering, and the nature of science. Events ranged from mechanical and structural build events, lab activities, and partner written exams.

Out of over fifty Delaware teams competing, freshmen Margaret Sullivan and Jayna Jones received the eighth place medal in Boomilever, seniors Matt Schmittle and Thomas Connelly medaled tenth in Circuit Lab, and seniors Jesse Miller and Dan Shaw received the tenth place medal in Adventures in Ag. In addition, Friends placed top twenty in Anatomy and Physiology, Designer Genes, Experimental Design, Technical Problem Solving, and Write It Do It. The following are pictures from the event.

Haubert ’14, Martelli-Raben’14, and Muratori-Levit ’14 review for their events.

Endo

Doable Day Trips for a Fun Spring Break (cont.)

origin. Caroline Grover ’14, who views herself as a calm, sedentary creature, can trace those qualities back to infancy, “I pretty much just sat on the floor and didn’t move or make any noise, so much that my mother took me to the doctor to see if something was wrong with me.”

Gray Flanagan ’14 also identified a lifelong characteristic.

“I’ve always been outspoken. I don’t really have a filter.”

For Flanagan, this trait began to develop soon after he learned how to talk. He recalled, “When I was in preschool, I screamed at the audience during our Christmas pageant for laughing at our dance.” For some, childhood characteristics formed lasting dreams and goals. Upper School Chinese teacher Xiaohong Xu remembers how her imaginative and creative personality sparked her lasting dreams for her future. “When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a teacher. I set up desks and chairs in the backyard of my home in Shanghai, writing Chinese characters on the wall, starting to teach a Chinese class to no one!” Personally, my dream careers ranged from veterinarian to writer to “farmer-ballerina,” but I guess that’s just a reflection of my characteristic spontaneity. For all of us though, our early childhood characteristics seem to continue to shape our paths today.

As my high school career comes to a close, and I look towards the next phase of my life, it’s comforting to know that a piece of that wetsuit-sporting toddler who converses with apes will always be a part of who I am.

Seniors Szumel and Woodward review some notes for Designer Genes.

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As a senior, I’m kind of obligated to reflect on my time at Wilmington Friends, to nostalgically look through old yearbooks, to think about how much I’ve grown and changed since I joined the class of 2014 in second grade. It’s entertaining to compare my fourth grade shy stage or my seventh grade attempt at being rebellious or my freshman year naivety to my current personality and perspective. Although digging up photo evidence of sixth grade reminds us of how far we’ve come, I think it’s just as important to remember that in many ways, we haven’t changed at all. There’s no denying that high school experiences affect the way we see the world and expand our understanding of it; however, when I think about the fact that the vibrant mixture of personalities and perspectives in the WFS student body takes many of the same classes, learns from the same teachers, and even eats the same cafeteria lunches, it’s clear that our uniqueness comes from a foundation of individuality laid down long before high school. As I look back on my Wilmington Friends School career, I realize that most of the defining aspects of my personality are traits I’ve had for as long as I can remember.

Some of the lasting aspects of my identity have a logical origin in a memory or a specific event. When I think of all the random quirks from my childhood that created a lasting impact, I don’t think of my father dropping me from his shoulders or of missing my front teeth for four years (although I’m sure those events play out in my character some how); I think of wetsuits.

As a toddler living in Australia, I didn’t know the long-term damage that wearing a wetsuit would cause. I didn’t realize that, in her effort to protect my skin from the sun radiating through a hole in the ozone layer, my mother had inadvertently doomed me to a lifetime of extreme susceptibility to sunburn (as demonstrated by the freshman year incident when my feet turned green after a sunburn) as well as a general dislike for beaches and pools, probably stemming from a series of lonely, wetsuit-

clad summers at the pool once we returned to the US. My Irish-English-Polish heritage might also be a factor, but I think the sunless wetsuit years of my childhood are the main reason I require an umbrella and SPF 70 to feel safe at the beach, which I generally avoid if possible.

The wetsuit years and my resulting sun sensitivity and beach-induced self-consciousness exemplify the kind of cause-and-effect relationship between a childhood experience or memory and the result: a characteristic or belief that we carry throughout our lives. It makes sense that the early events of our lives make a lasting impact.

Jack Kempner ’14, for example, slipped on his kitchen floor when he was two while running in socks and split his chin open. The result? “Now I don’t run in socks.”

Similarly, Jamie Martelli-Raben ’14 traces his competitive drive back to early exposure to competition through the intensity of family games and peewee soccer.

While some aspects of our personality make sense or are based on a logical origin, other characteristics have absolutely no rationale but remain key in our characters throughout our lives. My early psychological fear of cows, for example, makes absolutely no sense. Although cows only make me mildly uncomfortable now, I suffered from severe bovinophobia as a toddler, convinced that “The Cows” were looming in the darkness of my bedroom at night. Other traits play a more prominent role in my personality, like my talkativeness. My dad continuously recalls the time when a two-year-old Ellie casually addressed an orangutan at the Singapore Zoo to say, “So, what’s your name?” I have since learned that zoo animals don’t usually respond to questions, but that outgoing tendency remains a part of my personality.

Other members of the WFS community identified their own lasting characteristics that had no definite

Endo

Ellie McGinnis ’14 Freelance Columnist

Thomas Connelly ’14 serenades Jayna Jones ’17, Margaret Sullivan ’17, and Sonia Kumar ’14 during a break.

The team enjoys the spring weather at DSU.