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Deerfield Academy's student run newspaper
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Vol. LXXXVI, No. 2 DEERFIELD ACADEMY, DEERFIELD, MA 01342 May 25, 2011
New LeadershipTakes OfficeBy NOLAN BISHOP
Staff Writer
TheoLipsky ’12 andCharlesJones ’12will step up next yearas student body president andstudentcouncilchair,respectively.Bothareeagertostartworking
immediately. “We already havesome ideas in the works,” saidJones of the council’s activitynow, after the transition of leadership.The two are beginning their
time in office with a proposalto donate the remainder of thecouncil’s annual budget to theRelayforLife.“It’sareallyworthycause,and
weareveryproudtosupportit,”saidJones.The decision to donate the
moneyhasyettobevotedupon.However, according to Lipsky,“at this late a stage in the term,noonehasanotherplanfor themoney. The vote has no realoppositiontoit.”Becausebudgetfundsdonot
carry over between academicyears, any money that has notbeenspentbytheendof theyeardoes not go to the council thefollowingyear.Another initiative is the
“orderingwindow,”whichwouldallow students to receive fooddeliveriesattheendof studyhall. “It’s still in its early stages,
butCharleswasveryenthusiasticabout the idea,” said Lipsky of theproposal.Aside from new legislation,
the new council also intends totake greater advantage of thetechnologyavailabletoit.“We saw how successful the
onlineelectionwasthisyear,andwewant tocontinue touse thattool,” said Jones. “One of thechanges we hope to implementis the use of email to keep thecommunityinformed.”Lipsky agreed and added,
“Every time a major piece of legislaturecomesinfrontof thecouncil, anemailwillbe sent totheentirestudentbodytonotifythem. We hope that this willprovokemorediscussion.”Head of School Margarita
Curtis looks forward to thecomingyearaswell.“Ithinkthestudent council is a good wayformetocommunicatewiththestudent body as a whole,” saidDr. Curtis. “My hope is that Iwillalsohavetheopportunitytoenhance my relationships withstudentsasindividuals.“Through increased accessi-
bility,” Dr. Curtis continued, “Ihope the council and I can in-volveeveryone in the importantdecisionsmade on campus in ameaningfulway.”
To learn more, go to: http://danet.deerfield.edu/studentcouncil/
TradingSpaces:DormAffiliations
By EMILY NGStaff Writer
Nextyear,ScaifeandBewkeswill house underclassmangirls, Pocumtuck will switch toupperclassman girls, andDeweyand Chapin, a dormitory yetto be built, will be home tounderclassmanboys.The plan to build a new
dormitorywasrecentlyapprovedbytheBoardof Trustees.Itdoesnotyethaveaname,but itwill,according tocurrentplans,havespace for 30 individual roomsand3facultyresidents,aswellascommonrooms.Its construction requires
that Ashley, a single-entryresidence that currently houseseight underclassman girls, twoproctors,andonefacultyfamily,beleveled.Also,teachersDavidDickinson and Claudia Lyons’housewillbemoved.This summer, a temporary
dormitory,which is tobe calledChapin Hall, will be erected toreplaceAshley.“It will be very similar to
the structure of thePocumtuck
dormitory,” explained Directorof Facilities Chuck Williams,“exceptthedeskswillbesimilartotheonesinLouisMarx.”Inchangingdormassignments,
the administration hoped toaccommodate the large numberof girls in the class of 2013,the result of an unexpectedlyhigh yield and subsequent over-enrollment, without forcingstudents into unwanted doublesortriples.Social considerations were
taken into account aswell. “Wefelt like younger girls weren’tthriving in smaller dorms asthey would in bigger dorms,”commented Dean of StudentTobyEmerson.“Converting Pocumtuck into
anupperclassmengirlsdormitoryis a really great opportunity forthe girls to get to know eachother better,” commented WahiDiome’12.Tabata Viso ’14 disagreed.
“I don’t think it is fair forupperclassmen girls to live inPocumtuck, because the roomsare smaller than on the otherupperclassmenhalls,”sheargued.
Mr.KingforCommencement
By RAJA ATLURIStaff Writer
Deerfield’s School YearAbroadprogramwillsendatotalof ninestudentsoverseasforthe2011-2012schoolyear.According to Associate
Academic Dean and SYAcoordinator Lydia Hemphill, itwas “an unprecedented year forapplications.”Victoria Buckman ’13, Abby
Cacho ’13, and Flora Donovan’12willspendtheyearinFrance;AshleyCortez’13,ChrisHamlin’12, Elizabeth Perez ’13, LazelPineda ’13,andSabrinaZaldana’13 are going to live in Spain;KatyaYudin ’12will experiencehersenioryearinChina.Atotal-immersionexperience,
SYA sends students to foreigncountries and enrolls them ina local high school while theylive with a host family for thedurationof theschoolyear.Ms. Hemphill believes
By NINA SHEVZOV-ZEBRUN
Staff Writer
MatthewH.King’77,adeputyassistant director of HomelandSecurityInvestigations,willspeakatcommencementthisyear.Directorof AlumniRelations
Mimi Morsman said that Mr.King, who already met withseniors via Pathways 2011, willexplain “why his line of work,whiletough,issomeaningful.”After graduating from
Wesleyan University and theColumbia School of Law, Mr.KingservedintheMarineCorpsfor sevenyears.Duringhis latertenure under the Special AgentinCharge in SanFrancisco,Mr.King played a key role in “an
undercover investigation thatresultedinthelargestseizureof foreignautomaticweaponsinU.S.history.”Lastyear,hedirectedarestorationcrewinHaitiaftertheJanuaryearthquake.Insearchingfor the 2011 commencementspeaker, Ms. Morsman wantedsomebody“withaconnectiontoDeerfield, either as an alumnusorasaparent.”“Thecommencementspeaker
provides students with theopportunity toconnectwith theworld beyond the hills,” saidHeadof SchoolMargaritaCurtis.“It reminds graduates that ourdiplomas are not just tools forself-promotion—they signify aguarantee of a commitment toserviceandpreparationforalifebeyondcollege.”
SYA: Learners Without Bordersthat students are interestedin participating in the SYAprogram because they “havemore independence than atDeerfield and achieve variousdegrees of fluency by the timetheycomehome.”Shealsofeelsthat creatingSYAalumni allowsfor“amoreinternationalstudentbodyatDeerfield.”The language department
supportstheSYAprogramforthesame reasons. The opportunityfor practical application of alanguageenhancesbothoralskillsandgeneralcomprehension.Cacho explained, “I wanted
to go to SYA because it wouldgivemeaglobalperspective.Bygoing to France, I’m allowingmyself to experience life fromanotherpointof view.“Taking a year away from
everything is a big risk and ascary one,” she continued, “butitallowsmetolearna lotaboutmyself as a person and growsignificantly.”
Ben Bolotin
Ben Bolotin
Daniel Han
Adding candles to the annual Spring Weekend All-School Sing blended a new tradition in with an old one.
Professional musician Eric Stepanian, from Boston, MA, performed at the Greer for the second time this year on April 30.
Student body president Theo Lipsky ’12 (left) and student council chair Charles Jones ’12 (right) are ready to take on their new jobs.
page7
Widdies:TooSoon?
page8
AthleticMemories
page6
WalkingforaCure
2 The Deerfield Scroll OPINION/EDITORIAL May 25, 2011
VOL.LXXXVI,NO.2 MAY25,2011
Editor-in-ChiefANNA GONZALES
AdvisorsSUZANNE HANNAY & JOHN PALMER
The Deerfield Scroll, established in 1925, is the official student newspaper of Deerfield Academy. The Scroll encourages informed discussion of pertinent issues that concern the Academy and the world. Signed letters to the editor that express legitimate opinions are welcomed. We hold the right to edit for brevity. The Scroll is published eight times yearly. Advertising rates provided upon request.
Opinion articles with contributors’ names attached represent the views of the respective writers. Opinion articles without names represent the consensus views of the editorial staff.
STAFF REPORTERS:Charlotte Allen, Delaney Berman, Nolan Bishop, Caitlin Cleary, Charlie Cory, Mae
Flato, Ross Gordon, Ritchey Howe, Joshua Kim, Caroline Kjorlien, Stefani Kuo, Maddie Lane, Henry
Lewis, Sha Li, Ryan Logie, Mac McDonald, Miranda McEvoy, Jade Moon, Eliza Mott, Tara Murty, Emily
Ng, Anna Pettee, Nicky Rault, Carly Reilly, Justin Schlacks, Nina Shevzov-Zebrun, Andrew Slade, Sarah
Sutphin, Sharon Tam, Jon Victor, Tabata Viso, Kyle Wellner, Elisabeth Yancey, Hyun Yang, Nicholle Yu
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS:Sarah Cox, William Fox, Lena Mazel, Louisa Schiefflin, Ashley So
STAFF VIDEOGRAPHERS: Georgina Hutchins, Anna Lu
Icommendyoufor theeditorialon therecentgraffiti incident,“Graffition theKoch: ShameandRespect,” and for your call to “re-examine our commitment to respecting the beautiful campus andcommunityinwhichwelive.”Atyourrequest,IamsummarizingmyremarkstothecommunityattheApril26schoolmeetingandexplainingmyrationalefordismissingthetwostudentsinvolvedinthisincident.This is thefirst time inmyfiveyearsatDeerfieldwhenIhavefeltcompelledtoexplainadisciplinarydecision and to highlight the lessonswe can learn from these serious infractions. It is important torememberthattheDisciplinaryCommitteeperformstwoimportantrolesattheAcademy:onapragmatic,transactionallevel,thisgroupof facultyandstudentsdecidesontheappropriatedisciplinaryresponsetoaspecifictransgression,butonamoreprofound,significantlevel,theyconsiderhowamistakeoralapsein judgmentcanbeturnedintoa learningopportunityforthewholecommunity. This ispreciselythereasonweannounce theoutcomesof DisciplinaryCommitteeproceedingsatschoolmeetings. Theseannouncementsareintendedtoaffirmourschoolvaluesandtoremindusof theexpectationswemusthonor asmembers of this community. I view these hearings and the subsequent announcements asaninvitationtoreflectonthepurposeof aDeerfieldeducationandasre-centering,morally-groundingopportunities.Twodaysaftertheincident,wewereabletogatherasacommunityinthedininghallatSundaysit-
downdinner.IwasduetolaunchthereaccreditationprocessforLoomisChaffee,butIdrovebacktoourcampussoIcouldaddresstheschoolinperson.Asanoffense,thegraffitiincidentrepresentstheveryantithesisof whatDeerfieldstandsfor,andassuch,Ifeltitwasimportanttosendaclear,unequivocalmessage:thistypeof behaviorcannotandwillnotbetoleratedattheschool.Thedefacementof theKochCenterwasapremeditatedactwith theexplicitpurposeof discrediting theschoolonaSecondVisitDay and questioning the integrity of the community inwhichwe live, study, andwork. Unlikemostotherstudenttransgressions,thisincidenthadrepercussionsfortheentirecommunity,notonlyfortheindividualsinvolved.Personalangerandfrustrationshouldnottakeprecedenceoverthewelfareorreputationof thecommunity.Itwasthisbroaderimpactthat,inmyview,placedthisincidentinthemostseriousdisciplinarycategory.SinceMr.Boyden’sdays,theprimarypurposeof aDeerfieldeducationhasfocusedonthedevelopment
of character,theaffirmationof valuesthatbuildandsustaincommunity.Trustandhonestyrankhighonour list. While theenhancementof students’academicskillsandtheacquisitionof knowledgeacrossawidearrayof disciplinesareparamountinanyeducational institution, intheend,allof this learningamountstonothingif wehavenottaughtyouhowtobegood,honorablepeople.Asa learningcommunity,webelieveincivildiscourse, inthefreeandopenexchangeof ideas. We
welcome spirited debate in our classrooms, our dormitories, and every place in between. There areappropriatevenuestoexpressouropinionsandconvictions.Graffitiisnotoneof them.Theanonymousquestioningof theschool’sintegrity,andtheaccusationswithoutevidence,constituteadirectaffronttoourinstitutionalidentityandourmission.Theoffensivelanguageagainstoneof ourdeansalsoviolatedoneof ourcoreprinciples:respect.Whilethedeansmustmakeunpopulardecisionsfromtimetotime,theirintentisnottohumiliatebuttoteach,andtoupholdourcommunityvalues.Lookingahead,Idothinkitiscriticaltorememberthatgoodpeoplecanmakeseriousmistakes.My
hope,asIsaidtothetwostudentsinvolved,isthattheywillviewtheirdismissalasanopportunitytogrowandstrengthentheircharacter.Oneof thestudentshasindicatedthathewouldliketosharehisreflectionsonthisincidentwiththecommunity,andIhaveencouragedhimtosendthemtoThe Scroll.
-MargaritaCurtisHeadof School
Finding Value in Tradition
Thank You, Seniors!Here’s to our seniors, the oneswho refused to give up the ba-
ba-ba in thecheeringsong, spokeoutagainst thegraffiti, andwhoperpetratedanexhilaratingwaterballoonambush.Theseniorswereuniqueindiversityandacceptance.Theyprovidedaguidinghandfornewstudentsfromthebeginningthroughtheendof theiryearsatDeerfield.Whetheritwasinakindsmileorawaveacrossthequad,theirwarmpresencewasalwaysfelt.We’llremembertheirleadershipinthedorms,onthefields,andatsit-downtables.The seniors’ hard work and positive attitudes inspired those
around themtodo theirbestandcarryon theDeerfield traditionswithhumilityandlight-heartedness.Theywerethefaceof thestudentbody.Asenior’sresponsibilityinanyacademiccommunityistoleadthestudents,actingasrolemodelstothoseingradesbelow.Wearethankful to have learned, played, and grownwith their unfalteringsupport.Theclassof 2011wasonefullof friendlyfacesthatmadeDeerfieldproud.Theywerecertainlyworthy.
Amherst, MA: Utopian Impulse
Letter to the Editor
SpringParents’Weekendwas filledwith traditional events, suchas classes, athletic games, and a variety of artistic performances.Noteverythingremainedthesame,however,andperhapsthemostnoticeable change to the weekend’s events was the InvestitureCeremony that replaced the All-School Sing. With students andalumniholdinglitcandlesastheysangandspeechesbeingmadebynumerousindividuals,theInvestitureCeremonybroughtformalitytotheevent,makingitresembletheformaleventthattookplaceduringMr.Boyden’stime.YetduringtheBoydenera,studentsgatheredona regularbasis to sing all of the school songs,making the songs aregularpartof Deerfieldlife,insteadof justanannualevent.Today,studentsarenotnearlyasconnectedtothesongsasarethealumniwhoreturneachyeartoparticipateintheevent.Whilewemaywanttorevivetheevent,addingsolemnityandcandlesisnotnecessarilytheanswer.Perhapsweshouldstartwiththesongsthemselves.Alternatethe songs sung at school meeting so that when spring Parents’Weekendrollsaround,thereisnoneedtohostrehearsalstolearnandinstillmeaningintothesongs.Then,thesongswilltrulybeapartof Deerfield’straditionalculture.
Bin Laden Dead: No Discussion?OnMonday,May 2, students gathered around television sets in
commonroomsandresidents’apartmentstowitnesshistory.Osamabin Laden, long-time head of al-Qaeda, was killed by USmilitaryforces. Students on college campuses everywhere paraded in thestreets,wavingAmericanflagsandcelebratingthedeathof themanwhowasbehindthe9/11attacksof 2001.StudentsatDeerfieldhaveremainedlowkeyintheirreactions.Exceptforafewfeebleroundsof “USA,USA,USA”inthedininghall,theeventwaslargelyoverlooked.Whileitisimportanttoremainrespectfulinourreactiontocurrentevents,itisimperativethatwe,asDeerfieldstudents,takenoticeof thechangesintheworldaroundus.
THANK YOU, GROUNDS CREW
By BECCA COOLEYContributing Writer
The light changes and thebirdchirpingbegins.This“call”was introduced in large cities tohelp the blind safely cross thestreet. I’mon the sidewalkof asmall college town in westernMassachusetts, where I couldprobably count the number of blind people on one hand. Butthat doesn’t matter here. Themost important thing is thateveryonefeelsincluded.Cars in the parking lot sport
a variety of bumper stickers:“Hockey Mama for Obama,”“Be a Local Hero, Buy LocallyGrown.” Across the street theregular weekend protestersimplorepassing cars tohonk tostopthewar.I pass the locally-owned
penny-candystore.Inthewindowisat-shirtwhichreads“Amherst,whereonlythe‘h’issilent.”Here,everyone is encouraged to haveanopinion.Utopian societies throughout
Americanhistorypursuedabetterlifethroughsocial,economic,andpoliticalexperimentsoutsidethemainstream. Utopian impulseand desire for a better way of livingisprofoundlyAmerican.Amherst never planned to
formautopiansociety.However,this righteous town, with itscommitment to social justice,individual liberty, and politicalactivism, is a current, thrivingexample of American utopian
villageculture.To many non-residents,
Amherst appears crazy andextreme.The town spends timeandenergyonidealisticinitiativesout of step with mainstreamAmerica. Last year, the townvoted to send the federalgovernmenta letter, stating thatthey would willingly accept anycleared, released prisoners fromGuantanamo Bay as Amherstresidents, despite the fact thatnoprisoners fromGuantanamoare allowed to enter theUnitedStates.Repeatedly,thetownhasvoted to authorize local votingrightsfornon-citizenimmigrantsresiding in Amherst. Recently,Amherst amended its humanrights bylaw to specificallyprotect transgender peoplefromdiscrimination.Apparentlythe existing bylaw outlawingdiscrimination by sex, race,ethnicity or sexual preferencewasnotenough.Thearchivesof theAmherst
townmeetings are a catalog of well-intentioned if impracticalmotions. Many see theseinitiativesasawasteof timefora town meeting that should befocusedexclusivelyonimmediateconcerns.Butthereissomethingquintessentially American inbothAmherst’sutopian impulseandinthebylawsthemselves.Accepting cleared, and
therefore wrongly accused,prisoners from GuantanamoBay exemplifies presumptionof innocence. Proposing
voting rights for non-citizensdemonstrates an absolutecommitment to the 14thamendment and no taxationwithoutrepresentation.Includingtransgenders in the humanrights law shows a fundamentalreading of the Declaration of Independencewhichassertseachcitizen’srightto“life,liberty,andthepursuitof happiness.”Unlikeotherutopias,Amherst
is not an attempt to pursue“Edenonearth”oranindustrialparadise. Its utopian impulse isinsteadthebackboneof America:the belief that governmentshould protect each person’srighttopursuetheirowndestiny.BrookFarm,theShakers,and
theOneida community were allutopian societies that eventuallyfellapart.Thetownof Amherstis not likely to fall apart anddisappear, although it couldoneday adopt more mainstreamvalues.However, Amherst’s utopian
beliefs have survived formany decades, absorbing andconverting new residents likeme. Itbecomesawayof life toprioritize inclusion, freedom of expression and individual rights.Maybe Amherst is a little nutty,butmaybeitistrulythat“cityonahill”:asocietycommittedtothepersonal freedom and inclusionthat were a part of the originalAmericandream.
This is Becca Cooley’s junior declamation.
Front PageSARAH WOOLF
Opinion/EditorialELIZABETH WHITTON
FeaturesDANIELLE DALTON
Arts & EntertainmentHADLEY NEWTON
SportsCLAIRE HUTCHINS
Photo EditorBEN BOLOTIN
Video EditorKEVIN TANG
Layout EditorDANIEL HAN
Online Editors
JAKE BARNWELLMARLY MORGUS
Online AssociateJOHN LEE
Editorial AssociatesCASEY BUTLER
SAMMY HIRSHLANDKRISTY HONG
Business ManagerSIDNEY HULBURD
The Deerfield Scroll OPINION/EDITORIAL May 25, 2011 3
TOP TEN OF THE YEAR
By MEG ELLINGWOODContributing Writer
“Just smile and be friendly.”I cannot even count howmanytimesIheardthesewordsinmymother’s calm voice during thehour-longdriveoverthehill.Forall she tried, though, her advicedid nothing to still the franticbutterfliesinmystomach.Itwasmyfirstdayof boardingschool,and only twoweeks before,myfamilyhadmoved600milesawayfrom the only home I had everknown. I was overwhelmed bythechanges.Ihadnot evenunpackedmy
things in Williamstown beforeschool started. When mostfreshmenhadhomestogobackto during breaks andweekends,I skipped overWilliamstown asa “home” entirely. My cubiclein Mac is more a home to methanmycoldroomonMoorlandStreet,with its yellowwalls thatdo little to brighten the space.Here,Ihavetwelveotherpeopleonmyhallwhoarealldoingthesame things as I am: workinghardandhavingfunduringwhatsomesaywillbethebestyearsof ourlives.Thatfirstday,Iwasabsolutely
terrified. I had never been thenewkidbefore,atleastnotsinceIwas twoyearsold. Ihadgonetothesameall-girls’schoolwithessentiallythesamefortykidsfortwelveyears.Ihadlivedwithinamile from thehouse inwhich Iwasborn.Ihadno ideahowtomakenewfriends.Thechallengehad just never been presentedto me before. I was terrified
USA! USA! USA?By JAN FLASKAContributing Writer
Several weeks ago, throngsof Americans in New YorkCity and Washington, D.C.,came together to celebrate thecalculated assassination of amass-murdering,self-proclaimedjihadist.Immediately, the thought
cametomethatwearejustlikethem:thoseinAfghanistanandIraq, publicly exhibiting limbsand souvenir weapons of killedAmericansoldiers; those inIranand Pakistan, burning flags andpresidentialeffigiesinacollectivefervor; and those ethniccitizens rallyingoutsideof theirrespective countries’ AmericanandBritishembassies,callingforan end to thewar crimes beingperpetratedbyU.S.officials andforces.Formuchof thetimeIhave
been occupied in following thewar journeysonwhichwehaveembarked,Ihaveoftenfeltproudof thefactthatU.S.citizenshaveseemingly embraced victory,albeit at great cost, throughhumility, and in the fleetingexpectation that we have onlyactedwithdeadlyforcewhennootheroptionswereavailable.As these wars have dragged
on,somanyimageshavebroughtmetorealizeinsteadthatwearejustlikethem.Wasthekillingof BinLaden
necessary and justified? Is theworldsaferinhisabsencethanitwas inhispresence? These arerhetorical and simple questions.The real quandary that we,adults and adolescents, tuckedsafely away in this academic,impenetrable kingdom, face isthis:Shouldwepubliclycelebratethedeathof OsamabinLaden?Should we cheer “USA! USA!USA!”inthedininghallandopenspaces? Should we pump ourfistsbecausewegothim?Bringitfurther,anddescribeitasitis:Dowe love to see our enemiessuffer?Thehardreality,itseems,is that we Americans, projectedon that day to theworld in thevideos of the joyful chaos wedemonstrated, take genuine joyinBinLaden’sdeath.Rather than be critical of
that fact, letus accept it at face
at the thought of being one of over a hundred new membersof a six-hundred-fifty studentcommunity.My graduating classatmyoldschoolwouldhavebeenaboutfiftygirls.Plus,abouthalf of thestudentsherewereboys.AsfarasIwasconcerned,the
male speciesmight aswell havebeenMartians.Ihadgonetoanall-girls’ school for twelve years,played girls’ hockey for six, andapartfromtwelveschooldances,theonly contact Ihadhadwithboyswaswithmybrothers,whichobviously doesn’t count. Goingtoschoolwithboysfor thefirsttimewasdefinitelyaninterestingexperience: the excitement of clapping for couples leaving theGreer juxtaposed with listeningto their sometimes-strangeopinionsinclass.I triedmy very best tomeet
people. Imade an effort to askpeople’s names in the dininghall and Greer, but I know Icould have done better. Mosttimes Ibarely spokeoutside theclassroom. I was the paradigm“awkward freshman” and, let’sfaceit,Idefinitelystillam.What I’ve learned from this,
though, is that that is just whoI am; I am more comfortablein school than in social settings,andIguessIamokaywiththat.However,myhopeisthat,duringmyyearsatDeerfield,Iwillbegintoshiftinmyways.Beingfriendlyneverhurtanyone.I have to say, one of the
most defining moments in myDeerfield career came right atthe beginning. That first day,whenIwassecretlyterrifiedoutof my wits, everyone was just
value and additionally ask thisquestion:IsthereanyreasontoresistthetemptationtocelebrateBin Laden’s death? Downwhat roadareweheaded if BinLaden’sdeathissuchanintrinsic,patriotic aphrodisiac? Hey–that felt good! I gotta get me some more of that stuff! If killing him wasimportant enough to hear a callfor a national holiday honoringAmerican pride, then are wenotmoving toward a nationalistposition that ismorecarnal andlesshuman?Let’snotforgetthatevenNazismhadhumbleroots.Mostoften,thesuddendeath
of someone influential–-suchas Princess Diana, PresidentKennedy, or Reverend King–-invitesustotherealizationof themagnitude of human potentialthat has been lost in death.The more recent joyful andpublic responses we saw in BinLaden’s death flip the paradigmcompletelyandseeminglypresenthis death as something gainedin our collective humanity. Askyourfriend,yourparents,oryourgod:Cananythingbegainedbyannihilatinghumanlife?Take care not to answer this
question quickly: situationalethics are always biased. If thedestructionof liferesults inourpersonaljoy,weneedtobewaryof what lies ahead for us onour social and spiritual horizon,especially when we recognizethatourowncountry’sweaponsof mass destruction are but animpulsive moment away fromlaunch. We need to be wary tonotbecomelikethem. It is both critical and natural
tofearourdescentinthisregard;if BinLaden’slifemeantnothingto us, and further yet his deathmeant everything, then weshould make sure to tread withcaution in our newfound rolesof judge and executioner. Inthis regard, humility and self-reflectionshouldprevail,lestthethrillof the soundof ourgavelandtheswingof ouraxeemergeas actions that give happiness,sustenance… and a desire formore.
Jan Flaska is the assistant Dean of Students and the Dean of Spiritual and Ethical Life. Congratulations to his family on the birth of Emma Day!
“Just Smile and Be Friendly”:Freshman Reflection
By AUDREY CHOContributing Writer
When someone asks you towrite a reflection on the pastfour years atDeerfield, you canonlylaugh.WhatcouldIpossiblywrite that’s meaningful, that’s atestimony to the four years I’vespent here?Where do I start—with another truth yet clichéaboutmyeye-openingclassesorlife-longfriendships?No, instead, this is for
those who want the truth, thatunintelligible truth beneath the intelligible lie.Thisisforthosewhohave felt misplaced, humiliated,miserable, and simply unhappy—whatwearenotsupposedtofeelatournew“home.”I wish I could say I loved
Deerfield. But as the previousOp/Ed editor who sought anddemanded truth, it’smy turn topresentmytruth.Let’sstartfromthebeginning.
It’s hard to remember smalldetails from freshman year,except the funniest ones suchas the time when Rose handle-barredme into the rose bushesin front of the MSB, or whenMrs. Heise called Ted’s voice“sultry,” and we burst intolaughter after he looked up thedefinition in Webster’s. Funnymoments intertwine and upliftmymemoriesof freshmanyear,but frankly it was a time whenI felt awkward, estranged, andmiserable.My parents taught me to
lovemyself, thatIwasspecial. Ibelievedinthis,butIwasn’tfromGreenwich,CT.Iwasn’twhite,Iwasadaystudent,andIcouldn’tdaretostrayfromJ.CreworRalph
Lauren.Ibelievedinmyself,butIneededtoconform.IpretendedI loved the Greer nightlife(because clearly everyone elsedid), and I pretended I lovedspending all hours in Ashleyinstead of cooking dinner withmyfamily.AllbecauseIneededtofitin,becauseIneededtobelong.What was wrong with me?
Everyone around me waspraisingusforbeingthesmartestkids, and everyone around meseemedtouniteundertheirlovefor Deerfield and the motto,“Beworthyof yourheritage.”Itseemedasif everyonewashappy;whycouldn’tIbethesame?WhydidIneedtopretendhappiness?But it wasn’t just me. I saw
myfriends, too, franticallyorderJack Rogers online, complainabouttheGreer,andfearwalkingalone,lesttheylooklikeloners.My wake-up call came from
the strangest source. My sister,thenasenior,toldmean“absurd”commentthathermusicteacher,Mr. Pandolfi, had made. ShesaidhewasworriedthatI,athislunch table, rarely ate. I laughedwithmysister(becauseeveryonein my family knows how muchI adore food), but I realizedthen that the twisting feeling inmy stomach during study hallwas hunger—hunger for food,hungerforacceptance,butmostof all,hungerforhappiness.The stress of not being, but
trying my hardest to be, thewhite,preppy,beautifulDeerfieldGirlwasstoppingmefrombeinghappy.But sophomore, then junior
year came. Little by little, I washappy, not because I fit in, butbecauseIrelishedthe45minutes
when The Awakening’s relevancyto today’s double standard hitme, or because I genuinelylaughed and sang songs fromGlee during Scroll layout. It wasthe little moments, interspersedthroughout the day—whetherclassdiscussionsorasmilefroma stranger—thatexcitedmeandinspired me. It was time to letgo of that desire to fit in, forperfection,andtoenjoythebrief yetblissfulmoments.So this is for all those
who’vefeltscared,outof place,unappreciated, awkward, or anyother tumultuous emotion youcan feel here atDeerfield. Let’sface the truth: it’s hard to feelas if you always belong here.But what I’ve learned, what Icanpassdown, is that it’sabouteachmoment,thesefew,fleetingseconds and minutes whenyou’re really happy: makingfriendswith that shy boy at thelibrary, gossiping on theway tosixth periodwith a girl on yourcrewteam,orsharingfro-yowiththeboyfromEuroclass.ThewaytoenjoyDeerfieldistoletgoof thatarduoustaskof tryingtofitin,of tryingtoalwayswearpearlsand Lilly, or trying to sport the“flow” or high socks. The wayto live is to enjoy little bits of laughtereachday,andcherishit.Accordingtoallof thealumni
I have talked to, I will missDeerfield by the time collegerollsaround.Well,I’llbehonest:Idon’tmissDeerfieldyet.ButIhaveafeelingthey’regoingtoberight.
Audrey Cho was the 2010-2011 Opinion/Editorial editor of TheDeerfieldScroll.
so welcoming that I could nothelpbutfeelasthoughthejitterswould pass. I met my proctorsand Green Key, hallmates andthose atmy sit-down table, andeveryone there just seemed sohappy. Names went in one earandouttheother,butwhatstuckwerethestoriesandthesmiles.Students exchanged summer
tales and laughed, but itimmediately became clear thateveryonewantedtobeatschoolmorethananyplacetheyvisitedoverthevacation.Notonlythat,buteveryonein
thenextfewdayswasconstantlyaskingmehowI liked theplaceso far or whether or not I wassettlinginokay.Everyone was so welcoming
that my worries just startedto slip away. I was able to giveattentiontoclassesaswellastrytogetsituatedinthesocialsceneof Friday Greer nights and theneon-cladDisco.Though I got lost many
times in that first week–-I hadto ask about five times whichbuilding was theKendall–-therewas always a smiling, returningmember of the Deerfieldcommunity, a veteran whohad gone through the same,sometimes-stressful changesthatIwasgoingthrough,willingtogivedirectionsand theirownwarmwelcome.Thatfriendlyhappinessnever
wentaway.Ihopenextyeartobeone of those helpful smiles ontheway to Spanish or thewaveacrossthedininghall.Just smile and be friendly.
Thebutterfliesfade,andIfeelathome.
“The Wake Up Call: Facing the Truth”:Senior Reflection
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February 11, 2011: Mass protests in Egypt lead to ouster of Hosni Mubarak
January 8, 2011: Jared Loughner opens fire at an Arizona grocery store
April 8, 2011: Deerfield students protest on wall of Koch Center
April 29, 2011: Kate Middleton and Prince William marry at Westminster Abbey
May 2, 2011: US forces kill Osama bin Laden
February 15, 2011: Deerfield presentsVoices in Conflict theater production
February, 2011: Budget crisis almost shuts down federal government
October 18, 2010 : Deerfield reacts to fall weekend scandal in New York
September 9, 2010: Opening of new Greer Store and fitness center
October 28, 2010: Deerfield hosts speaker Paul Loeb
Enjoy a half hour carriage ride along the lovely street Friday-Sunday starting at 5pm and return to the inn for dinner.
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AMERICAN UNIVERSITY Kyle Kager
Ana Turco-Rivas
AMHERST COLLEGEW. Emmett Knowlton
Samuel Tingley
BATES COLLEGEMary BanalagayCharlotte Blais
Matthew DeNunzioMac Jackson
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Robin Lauw
BOWDOIN COLLEGEMatthew AlmarioKendall Carpenter
Charlotte McLaughryMary RockettMolly Rose
Elisabeth StrayerEliot Taft
BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
Kyle Brenner
BROWN UNIVERSITYTara Avril-Tucker
Tanner LarsonWilliam Swindell
BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY
Shannon FuentesRachel GibsonPaul Kapinos
Olivia KoufakisGeorge Trees
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY
Jerome FroelichGunn HerabatJustin Wong
COLBY COLLEGE
Alexander BernerKayla Erf
Gabe SalzerJacqueline Tavella
COLGATE UNIVERSITY
Campbell JohnsonSusanna Kvam
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTONGeorge Wheatley
COLORADO COLLEGE
Miles Griffis
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITYNastassia Adkins
CONNECTICUT COLLEGE
Blake AlessandroniStephen SousaSteven Victor
Blake Wieczorek
CORNELL UNIVERSITYSamuel Belcher
Donnelly CarrollJulia DolanJohn Hogan
Alexandre LangloisRose Pember
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
Margaret AllynJulien BlanchetAlexandra Gray
Adam HullNash LarmoyeuxMichael Muller
Yu Jin NamRobert Osgood
DAVIDSON COLLEGE
Lucille BoswellMarston Morte
DUKE UNIVERSITY
Carly FieldMollie Laverack
Courtney MurrayCurtis Oh
EMORY UNIVERSITYAlfonso Velasco
FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITYBrian Browne
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Rebecca Gallaway
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
Hannah BroadhurstCharles Giannini
Phillip HahCharlotte Kirsten
Daniel LitkeDylan McDermottJohn O’DonnellPalmer Quamme
Lindsey SheaJong Won Yang
GETTYSBURG COLLEGE
Phoebe Burr
GRINNELL COLLEGEVernon Jackson
HAMILTON COLLEGE Casey Collins
Matthew McDonaldMalcolm PhelanWilliam RobbinsGabriella Sanes
HARVARD UNIVERSITYSergio MoralesEleanor ParkerLatoya Stewart
HOBART & WILLIAM SMITH COLLEGES
Mia FowlerTatiana Soto
INDIANA UNIVERSITY
Sarah Hemaida LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Elizabeth Barry
MIDDLEBURY COLLEGEStephen Alexandre
Noah BakkerKatlyn Casey
Alexander ChapinLeanne ConwayCharlotte DeweyKatherine DeweyYianni Grupen
Michael HuebschLogan Mobley
Jamal PiperSamuel Redmond
MOREHOUSE COLLEGE
Gaelen LeMelle-Brown
MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGETyannis Carter
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Sean BarnettJulian GonzalezMorgan SlottjeHae Ri Yoon
4 The Deerfield Scroll CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2011!
CLASS OF 2011 MATRICULATIONS
MIDDLEBURY COLLEGEStephen Alexandre
Noah BakkerKatlyn Casey
Alexander ChapinLeanne ConwayCharlotte DeweyKatherine DeweyYianni Grupen
Michael HuebschLogan Mobley
Jamal PiperSamuel Redmond
MOREHOUSE COLLEGE
Gaelen LeMelle-Brown
MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGETyannis Carter
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Sean BarnettJulian GonzalezMorgan SlottjeHae Ri Yoon
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITYRichard Beaumont
POMONA COLLEGE
Aaron Cyr-Mutty
PRINCETON UNIVERSITYCasilda Aresti
Alexandra DeweyEdward Fashole-Luke
Sarah KasoffGrace Murphy
PROVIDENCE COLLEGE
Devin Joyce
PURDUE UNIVERSITYMiles Evans
RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN
Elizabeth Gregory
SIENA COLLEGEBlake Burkhart
SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Lucas Smith
ST. ANSELM COLLEGE
Alexa Napolitan
ST. LAWRENCE UNIVERSITYJacqueline Colt
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Megan CaiElvis Ikwa
Nap Hong LeungCaitlin MurphyBryant SeamanGustav Wellin
SWARTHMORE COLLEGE
Hayat Abu SamraPeera Songkunnatham
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
Hannah Dancer
TRINITY COLLEGE Cole CarpenterWilliam HenryTimothy Shea
TUFTS UNIVERSITYSonja Holmberg (SMFA)
Tahlib OwensJem Wilner
UNION COLLEGE
Shenae Lundberg
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-BERKELEYJennifer ChuJustin Kwok
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Frederica Rockwood
UNIVERSITY OF DELAWAREClare Malfitano
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Virginia Gray
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPIZachary Boynton
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA-
CHAPEL HILLJames Bitter
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
Anne Wenzel UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Ariel Beauregard-BretonWoo Sung Kim
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND
Kelsey JanikRaul Tavares
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
Jonathan Tam
UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGOChandler Cain
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIABrandon ChangRebecca Levy
Deidre Yiu
UNIVERSITY OF ST. ANDREWS-SCOTLANDVictoria HolloHope Walker
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONTDavid Haviland
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Keeling BrownEmory BuckAnne Eldred
David FleishmanEdward GrowneyAlannah Nisbet
William Wall
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYKatherine Fitzsimons
Robert LongMackenzie Swirbul
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY
Blair ScottSeth Stegelmann
WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY
Rosemary Straut
WELLESLEY COLLEGEEstelle Kim
Seayoung KimEunice Lee
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
Katherine BinswangerAlida Blundon
Karon Hawkins
WILLIAMS COLLEGELani Wilson
YALE UNIVERSITY
Kathryn KaelinNina Kempner
Jez MarstonAnne Mosley
Andrew SutphinAlexander Ward
4 The Deerfield Scroll CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2011! May 25, 2011 5
CLASS OF 2011 MATRICULATIONS
6 The Deerfield Scroll FEATURES May 25, 2011
By CASEY BUTLEREditorial Associate
As the class of 2011 graduates, it is easy to see how they are all happily looking forward to college. Yet this fall many of these same seniors were filled with anxiety and stress because of the college admissions process. Looking back, what do they wish they had known about the college admissions process?
“I wish that, as a freshman, I knew that those grades count as much as they do,” said Kendall Carpenter ’11, who will go to Bowdoin College in the fall. “They count just as much as your grades sophomore, junior and senior year, since we don’t use weighted GPAs at DA.”
Future Princeton student Hallie Dewey ’11 said, “Start early. Try to get a lot done before your senior year so you can focus on choosing which schools you like best. It is a ton of work, so try to spread it out.”
Latoya Stewart ’11 agreed, and had some simple advice for everyone. “Don’t bother applying to schools you don’t like, and get things done during the summer: I wish I had done more during the summer, like my essays. I
wish I knew where I was going to apply before senior year started.”
Charlotte Blais ’11, who will attend Bates College, exclaimed, “No one prepared me for this, but senior fall is even harder than junior year! You are needed often for meetings and unexpected responsibilities, so stay organized and do not over-commit yourself.”
The seniors had specific advice for juniors in terms of stress management. Dewey said, “You don’t need to freak out about it! Underclassmen think that everything is about getting into college, but it’s not! No matter what, you will end up somewhere great!”
Sidney Cech ’12, as a junior just entering the college process, added, “Be sure to take advantage of your free time freshman and sophomore year. You don’t realize how valuable it is until it’s gone! Thinking about it now, my grades could have been better, and I wish I’d gone out for The Scroll, or debate or another club. I wish I had used the time to try new things instead of just going back to my room to work.”
As a senior looking back, Dewey said, “Don’t forget to make the most of your time at DA, because it goes so fast!”
College Admissions: Keep Calm & Carry On
By NICHOLLE YUStaff Writer
Every year faculty members leave to further their academic studies, pursue other interests, or retire. This year Deerfield bids farewell to some great teachers and staff, among them science teachers Mark Acton and Steve Anderson, Associate Director of Admissions Benjamin Hamilton, math teacher Joel Jacob, fine arts teacher and theater director John Reese, and science teacher Lauren Veit.
Deerfield marks not only some of the greatest years in a student’s life, but it also has a profound impact on the adults who live and work here. Mr. Reese, who came here when Deerfield was still an all-boys’ school, was inspired by the number of boys who opened up to theater. He reflected, “I had the expectation that boys would be reserved, but it was just the opposite. I learned that your expectation could be completely misguided. I was taken back by the willingness of students to take risks in their work.”
Mr. Jacob came here to teach and, along the way, became ensconced in the community. He
commented, “The friendships I developed make me a better teacher. I’ll miss hanging out in the math department, whether it’s doing a crossword puzzle with Mr. Keller and Mr. Dancer or discussing my classes with Mrs. Latham and Mr. Barnes.”
Deerfield has also helped some teachers find their direction in life. Mr. Hamilton explained he “gained a little humility living here amongst so many talented people. Deerfield helped me find my professional path. I started off on Wall Street, but once I landed here I realized my professional calling was the school world.” Other than his admissions expertise, Mr. Hamilton admitted that “Deerfield has taught me how to bake a mean cookie. My first batch was like eating salt cakes. Now the boys rave about them.”
Students say that there is more to Deerfield than what happens in the classroom. Mr. Anderson, or Steve, as he is affectionately known, agreed: “Deerfield has taught me the importance of every aspect of the community. It’s not just the teachers and the students, but a really happy and vibrant place like Deerfield has so many staff
and townspeople. There’s just connectivity here.”
Ms. Veit lived in the Pocumtuck Valley for only a year, but said that “this place has taught me a lot about what a genuine community really is. In all the communities I’ve ever been a part of, this has been the best in terms of people helping each other and people watching out for each other.”
Looking ahead, everyone hopes to bring some part of Deerfield with him or her in the future. Head of School Margarita Curtis remarked, “What I hope they take away from Deerfield are the relationships they have developed here with fellow faculty members and students whose lives they have affected in a pretty special way. I thank them for what they have done here.”
Reflecting on his past few years, Dr. Acton commented, “I’ve really enjoyed getting to see all sides of my students, whether it’s in the dorm, out in the athletic fields or during sit down meal. I’ve seen the hidden parts of students that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. I’ll miss the easy and close relationships with students because we spend so much time together.”
Not Only the Seniors Say Goodbye
By MIRANDA McEVOYStaff Writer
Draping fabrics sweep across the grass as light laughter and murmurs echo over the quad while people begin to make their way into the dining hall. The night has finally arrived: it’s senior prom.
Prom is a highly -anticipated event, and at the heart of the planning and excitement is the search for the “perfect” prom dress. Dress shopping is both an exciting and hectic period of time. Searching for a dress can be stressful; it can, however, also be highly rewarding.
While most girls bought their dresses from stores, some chose to don the vintage and used dresses. Lydie Blundon ’11 bought her dress from eBay.
Blundon explained, “I didn’t want to wear a standard dress
that everyone else would have. It’s from last season, and I’m into recycling. I just think it’s better to buy things second hand. It really seemed unique to me.” With a multitude of sequins arranged in a colorful pattern on a cocktail length dress, Blundon’s is not the typical prom gown.
When asked through an anonymous poll, more senior girls preferred a long dress to a shorter one. The more “classic-prom” style of dress was certainly in favor this year. Long trains, no straps, and soothing shades of blue were the most popular among senior girls.
Ellie Parker ’11 chose a dress that was both timeless as well as one-of-a-kind. She said, “I was helping my grandmother clean out her closet and jokingly tried a couple [dresses] on, and this one fit shockingly well, considering I’m four inches taller
than she is. It’s 65-years-old, hand-made Italian linen.” Floor length, vintage, and delicate straps completed with minimal accessories are her preference. While traditional, Parker’s choice certainly stands out; a dress that is hand-made in Italy is not something you normally see worn to prom.
Some might see finding a dress as trivial, even inconsequential. But, as Courtney Murray ’11 explained, “Besides junior prom, you wouldn’t have had a chance to get such an elaborate dress for such an important occasion, and I think your choice in dress separates you from other people.” Sometimes, dressing up and wearing the perfect dress is what makes all the difference on prom night.
Murray reflected, “Your dress defines your style in terms of who you are.”
Prom Dresses: A Statement of Self
By CARLY REILLYStaff Writer
The United States has seen a slow but steady increase in cancer victims, the number of mortalities rising annually until 2010’s peak of over 1,500,000 deaths.1 As the numbers mount, researchers push harder to find the much sought-after cure—the elusive remedy that seems to make its way into every conversation about what America’s future generation must accomplish.
As the nation’s youth gear up for the challenge, many kids are starting the awareness-raising process early—young children joining parents and friends in the popular Relay for Life fundraiser. On Friday, May 20, Deerfield Academy hosted its own Mini-Relay for Life from 4 to 9 p.m. out on the track.
Prior to the event, Claire Hutchins ’12 planned ways to aid the affair. “It’s such a great cause,” said Hutchins, who, alongside co-captain Andrew Slade ’12, formed the team “Chutch and Slade Fight Cancer.”
Their group of about 16 students hoped to raise $1,000 by the advent of the relay. Their fundraising method included helping curb the 10 p.m.
1 American Cancer Society :: Information and Resources for Cancer: Breast, Colon, Pros-tate, Lung and Other Forms. Web. 15 May 2011. <http://www.cancer.org>.
hunger pangs by selling baked goods at curfew to halls across campus. Only a few nights of vending took place, but the group got off to a great start, raising $240 in a single week.
“It’s cool to see people so happy to give money to charity,” noted Hutchins. “We’ve had lots of kids telling us to ‘keep the change.’”
But Hutchins’ role extended beyond that of fundraiser and race participator. Having experienced the tragedy of losing her mother to breast cancer when she was seven years old, Hutchins was asked to speak at the race about her experiences. “I’m not bitter about it,” she assured. “It’s just something that has been a part of my life for a while now, and it means I take special pride in this cause.”
Slade too spoke at the event, describing his father’s continuing battle with cancer. From someone who was previously uninvolved in the cause, Slade noted the turn-around in his participation. “Last year I wasn’t even involved in the Relay for Life, but this year I’m on a committee, starting a team, and really feel like I’m contributing.”
For those who took little part in this year’s Relay, or wish to continue helping with the cause, there’s still hope for next year. To learn more about how to get involved in the larger campaign against cancer, visit the American Cancer Society’s website at www.cancer.org and be sure to stay tuned for announcements about future opportunities on campus.
Visit Scroll Online to see how Grounds Crew maintains campus!
S t u d e n t s R e l ay F o r A C a u s eLouisa Schiefflin
Visit Scroll Online for facts about ITS and the library. Facts compiled by Caroline Kjorlien.
2010-2011 By the Numbers
The Deerfield Scroll ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT May 25, 2011 7
By ELIZA MOTTBook Reviewer
W. S. Merwin, in his most recent collection of poetry, The Shadow of Sirius, admits, “I have only what I remember.”
The 2010 Poet Laureate of the United States and winner of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize weaves moments and memories to create a series of luminous poems.
Merwin’s style is succinct. He abandons all punctuation and superfluous details in order to create a crisp, intimate image in each poem.
A master of light and darkness, Merwin details both “the unbroken sound of pure darkness / that went on all the time under everything,” and “the light / in the unspoken morning.”
He creates smoldering bronze sunlight and lengthening shadows, as well as “leaves…taking to themselves / the colors of sunlight / to keep them” and “a window kindl[ing] like a first star.”
He contemplates the meaning and beauty of remembering, remarking that “what we see comes again to us in secret” and calling on the reader to “see how the past is not finished / here in
the present / it is awake the whole time / never waiting.” His lucid writing illustrates past events in the present tense, emphasizing the continuity of time. Merwin cherishes memory, saying: “I touch the day / I taste the light / I remember.”
Merwin also approaches aging and death with a clear-headed wisdom. He admits to his own “black dog” which leads him “carefully up the blind stairs” into loss of memory and the end of life. And he describes how “age seems to be without substance at any time.” He recognizes how his past composes him as a person, but how this person is the same for all time, recalling “the lucent days / from which now I am made.”
Next October, Merwin will be featured as an Academy Event speaker. Thanks to the Academy Events Committee, Merwin will arrive at Deerfield on Wednesday, October 12.
There will be a dinner that evening, followed by an hour-long reading of his poetry. On Thursday, from 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m., an informal question and answer session will take place with interested students, faculty and staff.
Anticipating Merwin:The Shadow of Sirius
Review
By STEFANI KUOand JADE MOON
Staff Writers
Despite their busy schedules, several members of the Deerfield community miraculously find the time not merely to read literature, but to write and translate novels.
New member of the English department Gina Apostol is the author of three novels, including The Revolution According to Raymundo Mata, winner of the 2010 Philippine National Book Award. Ms. Apostol has found herself a new mystery. Her current book is “a story about a filmmaker and a mystery writer.” She explained that these characters are placed in the context of a 1901 massacre in the Philippines.
In addition to her creativity,
time management is also crucial. “I had a deadline for novel revisions once, and I ended up actually doing some revisions when on duty at the Greer store,” Ms. Apostol confessed.
As a self-described novelist rather than a poet, Ms. Apostol says that she doesn’t rely on inspiration for her ideas. “I’m doomed to keep writing it. I’m stuck with the topic I choose for five to ten years. Inspiration is not for novelists.”
Another writer on campus, Laird Ellis, husband of French teacher Francoise Ellis, describes his latest work as “a vision that creates itself.”
Mr. Ellis first imagined his novel many years ago and is still developing it.
“A book about an adopted orphan, my novel is separated into four movements, each
By DELANEY BERMANStaff Writer
This spring’s play She Stoops to Conquer unfolds in a country manor in late eighteenth-century England, a setting that demands luxury to the point of frivolity. The cast satisfies that demand with exquisite execution of language and action, but the lavish costumes selected by Emily Dunn, the talented designer who creates costumes for productions at Smith College, capture the spotlight.
“The women are really in charge in this play,” Director of Theater John Reese explained. Anyone seeing the costumes knows this statement makes quite a bit of sense. The popular fashions of the eighteenth century emphasize the power of the feminine physique.
Ms. Dunn made sure that the ladies of the play follow such trends, dressing in lots of layers despite the springtime heat.
The layering begins with a lacy corset, strung tightly in the back to create a flattering small waist. Next comes the bustle: tie-on padding around the hips to help support the train of the gown and add that fashionable period curviness. After these undergarments have created the sought-after silhouette, each
character slips into a petticoat, and then an outer jewel-toned lacy gown.
The male costumes are almost as lacy, and just as fabulous. On the bottom, the men will sport classic eighteenth-century britches: cropped pants made of rich velvets and corduroys embellished with pleats and shiny buttons.
On top, they layer flouncy shirts with intricate lacy collars and sleeves under vests and coats made of opulent jacquard fabrics.
These incredible ensembles will then be topped off with the dramatic style of make-up used by actors in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
All of the characters will decorate their faces with playing card symbols pertinent to their
circumstances. For example, the young lovers will sport hearts.
The older characters will also create milky complexions with white powder and define wrinkles with black charcoal.
Then, of course, come the wigs. The men and women will all wear different variations of stacked curls and dramatic cuts appropriate to their individual social statuses.
Twenty-seven years ago, Mr. Reese began his Deerfield career with a production of She Stoops to Conquer, ushering in an era of splendor, elegance, and success for Deerfield’s theater department.
If the costumes prove anything, She Stoops to Conquer seems like a fitting way to bid farewell to Mr. Reese.
having its own tempo or tempos: Adagio, Allegro, Vivacé, and Presto and Gravé respectively,” explained Mr. Ellis. The novel revolves around humanity and the unknowable nature of the universe and of divinity.
Meanwhile, French teacher and advisor to the campus literary magazine Albany Road Andrea Moorhead just finished translating Elise Turcotte’s Sombre Menagerie for Guernica Editions. She commented, “Writing builds on writing, not on mental musings.”
Ms. Moorhead works on her own writing but also focuses on translations, as “translation is a way to keep my mind sharp, to re-examine language closely.”
As these authors “re-examine language,” they bring literature to the forefront of faculty life and activity on campus.
By SHARON TAMStaff Writer
The annual student film
festival and awards ceremony, the Widdies, was hosted by Mary Cherna ’12 and Nolan Doyle ’12 on the evening of May 14.
Antonio Andreas ’11 blew viewers away with his video Welcome to the Machine, a film that included “nasty betrayal” and “brutal murder.”
Andreas won the “Best Director” award, and Welcome to the Machine won the awards for Best Cinematography and Best Picture.
Aaron Cyr-Mutty ’11 played an intense role in this film and won the Best Actor award.
Another popular video of the night was D.A. Punk’d, made by four students, David Buoymaster ’13, Adam Ellison ’13, Madyn Field ’13, and Dave Keith ’13.
In the video, Ted Growney ’11, Alex Ward ’11, Dashiell Schulte ’13, Ben Turner ’13, Teddy Wackerman ’13, and Sidney Hulburd ’14 were invited to take part in a phony admissions video and asked rather unorthodox questions.
The resulting film captured the award for Best Comedy.
Ted Growney ’11 won the award for Most Angry During an Interview, and Teddy Wackerman won the Best Quote of the
night: “There is no one best memory. Every memory is just remembered.”
The award for Best Short went to Dave Keith ’13, for his production of The Most Interesting Man, starring history teacher Michael Silipo in a beer commercial.
The award for Best Action Film went to 007 Boyden Lane directed by Nicky Rault ’13.
“There was a wide variety of films, but Rault’s action adventure was my favorite,” said Josh Reed ’13.
“It was a really fun experience making a video with so many of my friends,” Rault said, commenting on the success of his video. “So many people dedicated so much time into the making of this video —not for a grade or for any credit—but just to be great friends.”
In addition, Maksat Kalymgazinov ’12 won the award for Best Villain in 007 Boyden Lane.
When asked about his favorite film, Woodson Miles commented, “Definitely 007. Maksat certainly deserved the Best Villain award that he received.”
“I really enjoyed that night,” said Ashley So ’13. “There was a great variety of videos, with the perfect mixture of intensity, comedy, and artistic creativity.”
Lights, Camera, Action! Widdies 2011
Grace Murphy ’11 leapt at the Spring Dance Showcase. Murphy choreographed Jai Ho after dance teacher Stephanie Shumway introduced her to the song from the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack. Murphy researched traditional Indian dance, hoping to “accurately reflect the music,” she explained. “The Indian influences appeared in recurring details and small gestures, but the meat of the dance was jazz and hip-hop.” Murphy also performed a piece entitled Vienna with her twin sister Cait-lin Murphy ’11. Caitlin explained, “We picked the song ‘Vienna’ by Billy Joel together, because we always used to listen to the song in my dad’s car. It reminds us of childhood.”
To read the full article by Tabata Viso, go to The Scroll online.
Envisioned Words:Authors on Campus
A Glimpse at the Costumes of the Upcoming Spring Play:She Strives for the Sumptuous
Mary Cherna ’12 looked on as her co-host Nolan Doyle ’12 cracked a joke at the Widdies on May 14.
Ben Bolotin
Gabriela Espinosa ’12 tried on her corset during a rehearsal with fellow actors Meghana Vunnamadala ’12 and Sean Barnett ’11.
Lena Mazel
William Fox
8 The Deerfield Scroll SPORTS May 25, 2010
Girls’ 4x400 Strides Forth
By SARAH SUTPHIN Staff Writer
This spring, thanks to a
handful of exceptional long-distance runners and sprinters, the girls’ varsity track and field team expects to place unprecedentedly high at the New England Championship meet, as a record-breaking 4x400 relay team should add to the collective victories of the program.
A consistently triumphant aspect of the Deerfield track program is its 4x400 relay. During the track and field season of 2010, team members Elizabeth Tubridy ’10, Shelbi Kilcollins ’12, Carley Porter ’12, and Tatum McInerney ’13 not only broke Deerfield’s record in the 4x400, but also dominated their competition. Their success qualified this year’s incredible team (Kerry Krause ’12, Carley Porter ’12, Connie Rhodes ’12, and Tatum McInerney ’13) for the distinguished Penn Relays, held on April 28.
“It’s supposed to be the biggest track meet in the world. Olympic, college, and high school athletes all compete,” explained McInerney.
The Deerfield girls attended only the first day of events. When asked about their results, McInerney provided a fervent response: “It was an amazing experience. Obviously it was really nerve-wracking, but also so much fun. We placed third, but the time we got at our following meet would have made us win. However, we did our best.”
The time from their following meet broke the Deerfield school record (a record set by the 2010 team). When summarizing the performance of this year’s girls’ track team as a whole, McInerney stated, “We’ve come a long way. I think we’re getting better and better.”
As for the championship meet, captain Victoria Serra ’12 predicted: “Ariel [Beauregard-Breton ’11] will obviously get first in something, Rose [Fisher ’13] will do really well in the 3000 meter, Devinne [Cullinane ’14] will do really well, and Tatum will definitely place in the 800 meter.”
By SAMMY HIRSHLAND Editorial Associate
It isn’t often that a varsity sport at Deerfield can be summarized with a single name, one that epitomizes the drive, speed, and intensity true to its definition. As a new sophomore last year, Rhys Louis ’12 set astronomical standards for the spring’s varsity cycling team.
Although Louis captained the mountain biking team at Eaglebrook School for two years, he didn’t start road biking until the summer before he came to Deerfield.
The transition from dirt to pavement was no problem for him. “It’s a natural progression, and things just sort of clicked for me,” Louis commented.
“The first race I entered, I won,” he remembered. “It was fun, it was awesome… I remember looking at the speedometer on my bike and
breaking the speed limit across the finish line.”
Only a junior, Louis is already the captain of Deerfield’s varsity team, and although winning and captaining may look easy for him, a deeper look reveals that hard work has been a huge part of his success.
He does most of his riding during the summer, in addition to attending a bike mechanic school in order to help his teammates keep their bikes in working condition.
His work during the summer proves to be a challenge, yet Louis maintains a positive attitude that allows him to stay motivated and ready to compete.
“When I’m at home I typically race against people who ride all year round… It’s fun to go and get destroyed because it gives you motivation to [train]. [At Deerfield], it’s really me and two other guys from the opposing teams in competition,” Louis admitted.
During the season, his work as captain is just as challenging, if not more so than his off-season training.
“He works hard,” said head coach Rich Calhoun. “His responsibility during practice, essentially, is almost equal to that of an assistant coach.”
Not only does he fix bikes in the summer and help his teammates with their technique, but he also leads by example and is, by his accumulated points, the
SENIOR ATHLETE MEMORIESProfiles complied by Charlie Cory, Sammy Hirshland, and Claire Hutchins
Photographs by Ben Bolotin, Lena Mazel, and Daniel Han
champion of the league. So, after all of this success
with cycling, what’s next? Louis expressed his desire to get an exemption with two of his teammates next fall for a sport called “cyclo-cross” in order to continue their training in an entirely different milieu.
“It’s basically a bunch of idiots riding around in the woods with [mountain bike tires] on road bikes. It’s fun, it’s crazy.”
Just like Louis!
R hy s L o u i s : t h e M a n , t h e M y t h , t h e C yc l i s t
A Leader In Our Midst By ANDREW SLADE
Staff Writer
Although no longer playing on the 3rds lacrosse field, Cole Carpenter ’11 has had the incredible opportunity to make a greater impact on Deerfield’s athletics. The Scroll sat down with Carpenter to discuss his role as a student coach on his former team, and how he gives back to the community.
Scroll: What role do you play on the 3rds lacrosse team?Carpenter: I’m the assistant coach and I focus heavily on helping out the defense, but really I just try to do whatever is needed.Scroll: How did you get to be an assistant coach? Carpenter: Well, I helped out the team last year while going through rehab on my knee and this year Coach Davis needed an extra coach. He asked me and I couldn’t turn down the opportunity. Scroll: What have you learned?Carpenter: Coaching doesn’t take a great depth of knowledge but more an attention to detail and ability to connect to your players. I know how to
communicate with them and I think that’s indeterminately valuable. Working with other people and being a leader translates to everything. Scroll: What was it like to transition from being an athlete to being a coach?Carpenter: It was a new feeling, kind of strange at first. I try to make sure I’m as trustworthy as possible and helpful wherever the other coaches need it. Scroll: What unique aspect do you contribute to the team? Carpenter: I’m very focused on details and I like to do my coaching mostly through one- on-one situations. I like to go up to a player and tell them where I think they need to make an adjustment. I get a little time to focus on them individually because I think that sticks more.
According to Carpenter, it makes a difference when students see their peer coaches in the hallway, in the Greer, or at the river.
The ancient Greeks had a meaning for the word arete, or excellence, which was the act of living up to one’s fullest potential. Carpenter believes that’s what sports here are teaching us.
Louis destroyed the final climb on Kill Mountain Road at the New England Road Cycling Championships on May 11, 2011.
Yianni Grupen Middlebury College
Football and Basketball “My favorite DA sports memory was when our students rushed onto the varsity field after we beat Avon 27-6 in the seniors’ last football game on Jim Smith Field.”
Jimmy BitterUniversity of North Carolina
Lacrosse“When we defeated the favored Choate team in basketball. The entire school was packed in the gym, and at the final buzzer, all the fans stormed the court.”
Ellie ParkerHarvard University
Crew “Rowing from the finish at New England’s last spring after a nail-biter finish and hearing confirmation that our undefeated boat had beaten Groton for gold.”
Hallie Dewey Princeton University
Squash “When we beat Greenwich Academy to win New England’s. It was the most exciting series of matches, and I couldn’t have asked for a better team to be a part of.”
Shenae Lundberg Union College
Ice Hockey“Tying Choate and then hearing from some girls on their team that they had an 8 a.m. skating practice the next morning with sprints.”
Hunter Huebsch Middlebury College
Soccer“When we came back from 3-1 down against Andover my junior year. Then we beat them 4-3 with 20 seconds left in the game.”
Ariel Beauregard-BretonUniversity of Pennsylvania Cross Country and Track
“I will forever remember how awesome the cross-country team was. They made every practice enjoyable, through rain or shine!”
Andrew SutphinYale University
Football “Beating Hotchkiss in football during overtime for the first time in years. It was nice to go out on top. I teared up after the game.”
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