The Vigornia October 31, 2012

THE VIGORNIA Volume 134 Issue 3 Student Newspaper October 31, 2012 Since 1878

By Kyle O’Rourke ’13

WarnerTheaterwasfilledwithpeopleonOctober28thinanticipationofthefirstUpperSchoolMusicperfor-manceoftheyear.Theconcertwasafirstformanynewadditionstothemusicprogramsoncampus.AsMr.Irvingputit,theconcertwasa“stretchingoflimbsforthenewen-sembles.”TheFallConcertfeaturedperformancesfromtheAcademySingers,theHillpoppas,JazzCombo,theWindEnsemble,Orchestra,andChorusandAdvancedChorus.TheAcademysingersbegantheconcertonaspiritednotewiththeschoolsong,“OskeeWow-Wow,”andaperfor-manceofafolksong,“BlowtheCandlesOut.”TheHillpop-paskeptthingscurrentwithaperformanceofCarlyRaeJepsen’s“CallMeMaybe.”ThegroupfeaturedmanynewfacesincludingCoraCurtis’15whohadthesolo.Cur-tisdemonstratedhersingingtalentsbyhittinghighnotesthroughoutthesong.Alsoanewadditiontothegroupisadvisor,Ms.Callis,whosaidthattheirperformancewas“averyproudmoment”forher.Despitelosingmanygreatsing-ers,theHillpoppasstillsoundastalentedasever.TheJazzCombo,ledbyMr.Vaudreuil,followedwith“FilthyMcNasty”showcasingthegroup’smusicalskill.

Sports Columnist

Fine Dining?Turn to Fall Concert on Page 5

Cora Curtis ’15 and the Hillpoppas performing at the Fall ConcertPhoto Courtesy of Marco Duan ’14

AsthesunsetoverWorcesterAcademy’sMorseField,theVarsityFootballteamwaswellunderwayintheir“OskeeWeekend”game.Unfortu-natelybythatpoint,theHilltoppersdidnotlooktobethemselves.Theywerealreadydown6-0totheiropponent,theChoateRosemaryHallWildBoarsandhadlosttheintensitythattheystartedthegamewith.ThehometeamwasexhibitingthesameproblemsthathinderedthemintheirprevioushomegameagainstExeter.Therewasquiteabitofmissedtackling,sloppypenalties,andweakblocking;theywereunabletopreventtheChoaterunningbacksfromgettingtotheoutsidesofthefieldandturningthecorners.Theteamwentintohalftimehavingnotscoredasinglepoint,andtheydesperatelyneededaspark. Thatsparkwasprovidedbypost-graduateMarioStereti’13,ashere-ceivedakick-offonhisown5yardlineandtookitallthewaytoChoate’s25.Thisrunrejuvenatedthelargecrowd,alldressedinwhite,andgavewhatev-

eryonehopedwasnewlifetothehometeam.This,however,wasnotthecase.Asonthenextthreeplays,theHilltop-persmanagedtolose15yardsandwereforcedtopunt,astheyhadmovedthemselvesoutoffieldgoalrange. ItwasthatkindofgamefortheHilltoppersastheyfinishedthegamescoringjustonetouchdown.JustwhenitseemedWorcesterhadsomethinggoing,therewouldbeamajorsetbackoraturnover.Asmuchastheytried,theHilltopperssimplycouldnotputasoliddrivetogether,asidefromtheonethatresultedinatouchdown. TheonemajorconcepttotakeawayfromthisgamewasthesameasintheExetergame.TheHilltopperslackedexecution.ItwassomethingCoachTonyJohnsonandcaptainsDominicCasamassima’13andD.J.Crook’13eludedto.Inorderforthisteamtogetawinovertheirnextop-ponent,PhillipsAndover,theyneedtoeliminatethelittlebutcostlymistakesandhavesolidexecutionoftheirgameplanonbothsidesoftheball.

Music Department Kicks Off Year with Fall Concert By Alexandra DelloStritto ’14Editor-in Chief

Hilltoppers vs. Choate Wild BoarsPhoto Courtesy of Connor Gleason ’13

On Campus

“WhatisQuidditch?”onemightask.Succinctly,itissportinvolvingmagicalfly-ingbroomsfromthefamousbookseries,HarryPotter.Beingmuggles(non-magicfolk)andunabletoclimbatopbroomsandsoarintothesky,WAstudentshavetogoaboutthisgameinadiffer-entmanner.ThealternativeisMuggleQuidditch.Thebroomisstillpresentalongwithallofthepositions:eachofthetwoteamshasoneSeeker,threeChas-ers,twoBeaters,andoneKeeper.SurelythenextquestionaHarryPotterfanwillposeis,“Whataboutthesnitch?”Thissmall,flying,goldenballfromWizardsQuidditchisreplacedbytheSnitchRunnerinMuggleQuidditch.TheSnitchRun-nerisaplayerdressedentirelyinyellowwithatubesockcontainingatennisball–thesnitch–attachedtothebackoftheirpants.BecausenoteveryoneisfamiliarwiththewizardingworldofMr.Potter,anexplanationofeachpositionisnecessary.Theseeker’sjobissimplyto

catchthesnitch.Onceoneoftheseekershascaughtthesnitch,theirteamwinsthegame.Unfortunatelyforthem,theSnitchRunnerhasfreereignonwhereitdecidestorun.WhiletheSeekersfromeachteamareoffgallivantingaftertheSnitchRun-

ner,theChasersaretryingtoscorepointswiththeQuaffleballbythrowingitthroughtheopposingteam’shoop.TheKeeperis

responsiblefortheprotectionofthehoop.WorkingwiththeKeeperaretheBeaters.TheBeatershelptodefendthehoopbythrowingBludgers(anothersetofballs)attheopposingteam’splayers.Onceaplayerontheoppositeteamishittheymustdrop

anygameballtheyholdandreturntotheirgoalzone.Thegamecon-tinuesuntiltheSnitchiscaught,butifClubsIIperiodbeginstonearitsend,theSnitchRun-nerwillreturntothefieldandremainwithinthoseboundariesuntilitsballiscaptured.Withallofthosepositionaloptions,almostanyonecanfindaniche.How-ever,proceedwithcau-tion;Quidditchisnotforthefaintofheart.Itrequiresdedicationtothegame,house,andamotherwholovestosendherchildtoschoolwithfreshlybakedcook-

ieseveryFridaytobeeatenbythefellowmembersoftheQuidditchClub.

2

By Delaney Randor ’13

Quidditch: A Muggle’s Explanation

From left: Club leaders Delaney Randor and Nick St. Laurent Photo Courtesy of Emily Isakson ’15

TylerGrahamwasformallyrecognizedasamemberoftheBoardofMonitorsonMonday,October15,2012.TheallschoolassemblynotonlybroughtWorces-terAcademystudentsandfacultytogether;italsocelebratedthetraditionalBOMtappingceremonythathasbeenapartofschoolcultureforgenerations.Asthepostgraduaterepresentative,Tylerpromisedto“ensurethatmyclassmateshaveanawesomeexperiencethisyear”inhisopeningaddress,andmadetheaudiencelaughbyintroducinghimselfas“thekidwholovescats.”RepresentingWorcesterAcademy,theClassof2013,andthecurrentpostgraduatesisabigresponsibility,butTyleris“veryexcitedaboutbeingonBOM.Itisaprivilegeandanhonor,andIamveryexcitedaboutbeingapartofthat.” TheceremonybeganwithabriefintroductionbyheadmonitorGabrielleDiBenedetto’13,followedbyTyler’sopeningaddress.Thiswashisfirstopportunitytospeakinfrontoftheentireschool,andheadmitted,“Iwasnervous;Iwantedittogowell.Ithinkthatnervousexcitementwouldbethebestwaytodescribemyfeelings.”Fortunately,TylerreceivedamplesupportfromtheWorcesterAcademycommunityandfromtheBOM.Hesays,“theyhavebeenmorethanaccommodat-ingandhavemademefeelathome.” ThestudentrunBOMhasbigplansfortheupcomingyear,andTylerispreparedtohelpachievetheprimarygoalofbringing“schoolspirittoWA.Wefeelthatschoolspiritislacking,andwehavemadethatournumberonepriorityfortheyear.”TylerhasembracedhisroleasaleaderatWorcesterAcademy,andinvolveshimselfasmuchaspossiblethroughparticipatinginvariousclubs,playingvarsitysoccerandexcellingacademically.Whenaskedtodescribehimselfinafewwordshelaughsandsays“justakidtryingtolivelifewithasmileonmyface.Youraver-agekidtryingtobepositiveandhappy.”ItisclearthatTylerfillstheroleofstudentleaderandWorcesterAcademyrepresentativeperfectly,andisagreatadditiontotheBoardofMonitors.

2012 BOM Tapping - Sergeant at ArmsBy Christina Belforti ‘13

Sergeant at Arms, Tyler Graham ’13Photo courtesy of Shona Allen ’13

3 News

Coffee,hottea,hotchocolate:ourdailyes-

sentials.InadditiontoSperry’sandaNorthfaceatell-talesignofaWorces-terAcademystudentisastyrafoamorpaperhotcupinhand,winter,spring,orfall.Butalas,itseemsallgoodthingsmustcometoanend.Hotcupsareathingofthepast,andit’sleftsomepeoplesteaming(punintended)!AsannouncedbyMs.Ahaltatoneofthefirstassembliesoftheyear,theschoolwillnolongerbeprovidinghotcupsinthedininghallastheywidentheschool’scarbonfootprint.Wellnowtheschoolisconservingtrees,keepinglandfillsalittlelessfilled,andsavingafewdollars.Studentsareen-couragedtobringtheirownmugs(ormasonjars)fromhometodrinkfromasamoresustainablealternative.TheBringYourOwnMuginitiativehasleftabadtasteinafewofourmouthsthough.Inanattempttosneakaroundthesystem,Ibroughtawholesleeveofhotcupstoschoolforthefirstfewdaysthemuginitiativewasineffect.Itwasglorious.Soconvenient,souse-

ful,andsopopular!Thesecondmyclassmatessawmetakingacupofcoffeeatlunchthey’dhoveraroundandbegtoknowwhereIgotmycupfrom.BeingthegenerousgentlemanIam,Igladlygaveouttocupstoany-onewhoaskedandIranoutprettydarnquickly(inhindsightIshouldachargedforthem!Nowwouldn’tthatmakeagoodfundraiser?).Iunder-standwhytheschoolwouldimple-mentsuchapolicy,butit’sreallyruffledafewfeathers.Alotofusmissourhotcups!Mugsareokay,butceramicmugsarefragileandcouldshatterinouralreadyveryheavybackpacks.Soplastictravelmugsseemlikeavalidalternativeright?Asapersonwhohatesdoingdishes,Idon’tthinkso.Theproblemwithplasticmugsisthatifyoudon’ttakethemhomeeverydayandwashthem,they’llmold.Perhapsarevivalofthehotcupswouldn’tbesobad.AfterallIknowatsomelunchesit’sallbutacupofcoffeethathelpsmestayfocusedandfinishtheday.Andthat’sthe(cold)tea!

And That’s The Tea: Ban on Hot Beverage Cups Leaves Students Cold

By Andrew Reiter ’13 Columnist

OnOctober19th,WorcesterAcademystudentsandfacultygatheredinthepittheatertoviewtheperformanceofForBetter...OrWorse,thefallplay.Thisproduction,directedbyMr.Addiswascom-posedoffourshortcomediesabouttheupsanddownsofmarriage.Eachsmallplayrepresentedadifferentstageinthemaritalprocess,emphasizinghowhumorousitcouldbe. Allfourshortplayswereentertainingandappealingtotheaudi-ence,aswellastheactors.OliviaLucas’15,astarringroleinthefirstofthefourcomedies,calleditoneofher“bestexperiences”andis“sosadthatitisover.”SheislookingforwardtoparticipatinginfutureWorcesterAcademyproductions.ThephysicalhumorexpressedbyAndrewReiter’13,hadtheaudiencelaughingoutloudatvarioustimes.Alllinesweresaidwithouthesitationandtherewasnotonepartwhereitwascleartotheaudiencethatanymistakesweremade. Allthreeperformanceshadagreatturnoutwithmanyteach-ers,parents,andstudentsofallages.OnFridaynight,thereweresomanypeopletherewasbarelyenoughroomtoaccommodateeveryonewhowantedtoseetheplayinthepit.Becausethecomedieswerenotaimedtowardaparticularcrowditwasagreatexperienceforeveryone.ForBetter…OrWorsewentverywellandsmoothly,ajobwelldonetocastandcrew.

The Ups and Downs of Marital Life; A Review of the Fall

PlayBy Suzannah Ranzo ’15

Editors-in-ChiefShona Allen ’13Kara Banson ’13

Alexandra DelloStritto ’14

WritersChristina Belforti ’13Kyle O’ Rourke ’13Delaney Randor ’13Gianna Anderson ’14

Jason Lu ’14Abrielle Peltier ’14Andrew Reiter ’13

Suzannah Ranzo ’15Lucy Ulfelder ’15

PhotographersConnor Gleason ’13

Marco Duan ’14Emily Isakson ’15

Katherine Johnson ’15 Julia Washabaugh ’15

Advisor Christina Webb

Lan Crofton ’13 uses her resuseable mug in the Dining Hall

Photo Courtesy of Alexandra DelloStritto ’14

Vigornia StaffOctober 31, 2012

4 Features

Spirit Week Beholds the Best Pep Rally in Years & Class Competitions Return

DuringthefallseasonpeprallyonFriday,October19th,therewere16studentsand15chairssetinthecenterofthegym.Severalsongsanddefeatedoutcrieslater,aseniorboyandafreshmangirlwereleftcompetingforthelastchair.Withmu-sicblasting,theybothcircledthechair,wonderingwhowouldbeproclaimedthewinnerofmusicalchairs.Thedeafeningcheerfromthefreshmansideofthegymgaveawaythatthefreshmanhadindeedbeattheseniorinmusicalchairs,afavoritemomentformanyoftheninthgraders. Eachyearafacultymember,BOM,andtheVarsityfallsportsteamshostthefirstpeprally.ThisyearMr.Gafurhosted,andheknewhowtogetthecrowdexcited.Mr.Ga-fursaidhelovedtheexperience“becauseoftheenthusiasmduringthepeprally.”Healsoenjoyedhostingbecauseheisanaturallyloudandenergeticperson.Althoughthiswashisfirsttime,hehostedwithease.Mr.Gafursays“[he]woulddoitagaininaheartbeat.” Thepepralliesareslightlydifferenteachyear,withtheteamsdoingdifferentskitsandhostingdifferentgames,butthemaingoalremainsthesame:togeteveryonehypedupabouttheupcomingOskeeWeekend.Thisyear,thevolleyballteamcalledupdifferentmembersofthestaffandstudentsfromtheaudiencetoplayagamewhereamemberofthevol-leyballteamservedtheballandthemembersofthefacultyorstudentbodywouldhavetohititbacktothemasbestastheycould.Itwasveryfunnytowatchfellowclassmatesandteach-ersshowofftheirvolleyballskills.Thefootballteamplayed“AreYouSmarterthanaLinebacker?”Avarsitycaptainfromeachteamwascalledupandpairedwithalinebackertotesttheirknowledge.Oneofthequestionswas“whatisthecapitalofBurma?”andthelinebacker,ConradGeenty’14,answereditwithease.Aseachlinebackeransweredtheirtoughquestioncor-rectly,thestudentbodygrewmoreandmoresuspiciousthatitwasrigged.Asthegamewenton,criesof“rigged!”and“thisisn’ttrue”keptcomingfromtheaudience.Thelasteventoftherallywasapie-eatingcontest.Avarsitycaptainfromeachteamhadtogodowntothefrontofthegymandattempttoeattwosmallpiesasfastastheycould.Competingagainstafewlinebackersandsurprisingtheentireschool,DelaneyRandor’13,co-captainoftheVarsityFieldHockeyteam,wonthepie-eatingcontest. Asophomoreinattendancesaidthatherfavoriteaspectaboutthepeprallywasthatitkeptherandherfriendsbusyatalltimesandthatitwasinteractive.Manyoftheeventsrequiredtheparticipationofpeoplefromseveraldifferentgradestoplaythegame.Shealsosaidthatshewouldlikeanotherpeprallyandspiritweekinthefuture.Afresh-maninattendancesaidthatherfavoritepartwastheboys’varsitysoccerteamvideo.Shewassurprisedattheamountofspiritherclasshad.Ms.Tiradoalsosaidthatherfavoritepartofthepeprallywasthenoiselevelandexcitementfromthestudentsandfaculty. Classcompetitionswerealargelyanticipatedpartofspiritweekandthepeprally.ManypeopleintheWAcommunitywereinfavorofreinstallingclasscompetitionsaspart

ofWAtradition.Aftertwoyearswithouttheclasscompetitions,theexcitementofthereturnwasoverwhelming.Torepresenteachclass,everygradehadadiffer-entt-shirtthatwasdesignedbyamemberoftheirclass.Thet-shirtswerecolorcodedbythe“classcolors.”Freshmenaregrey,sophomoresaregreen,juniorsareblack,andseniorsandPGsaremaroon. Ithasbeenconcludedthatthisyear’sfirstpeprallyhadalotmorespiritthanthepreviousyears.Thiswasobviousbythetremendousnoiseinthegymcausedbyacombinationofnoisemakersandpeoples’voices.Thepeprallyreallymadeeveryonegetexcitedfortheupcomingsportsgamesandotherfunfestivities.Therewerealotofsurprisingandmemorablemoments.Hopefully,theenthusiasmandspiritwillbepassedontothenextpeprallies.

By Lucy Ulfelder ’15

Photo courtesy of Julia Washabaugh ’15

Megan Li ’15 and Meaghan Barry ’15 on Twin Day

Photo courtesy of Katherine Johnson ’15

Photo courtesy of Julia Washabaugh ’15

On Campus 5

AnewerahasbegunfortheBoys’VarsitySoccerteam,astalentednewcomersandteamveteranstogetherformthe(al-most)undefeatedsoccerteameveryoneistalkingabout.Theykickedofftheseasonwithasplen-didrallyattheirfirsthomegameatNewBalanceagainstChoate,winning2-1.Theteam’ssuccess-esthisseasontakealotofsacri-fice,especiallywiththeenervatinghoursofpractice,rainorshine.CoachProctorisknownforpush-ingtheteamtoitsverylimit. Theteam’sdefenseisstellar.Goalie,JakeStewart’13,isbeyondimpeccable.Eachmemberoftheteamisskilledattheirpositions.Proctorcommendsthe“goodteamwork,[theboys’]understanding...aboutsoccer,[useof]simpletechniquestowingames,andoverallaveryimpres-siveteameffort.”Basedontheir10-1-2record,itisclearthatthisgroupofyoungmenareplayingatanelitelevel.TylerGraham’13commentsthat,“Wearegoodenoughtowineverygame,andthat’showIwantittobe.” Eachgameisalearning

experience.Theteamhasdealtwithmanychallengesbutasare-sulthavenotonlybecomeastron-gerunitbutalsoisthreattoalloftheiropponents..DespitetheirlosstoHotchkiss,AlexSanchez’14maintainsapositiveattitude,andhedeclaresthat“thepast2yearswehaveneverliveduptoourhype.Hopefully,thisyearwecanstayhealthyandcontinuetowingames.Winningeverysea-sonalgameisn’tourtoppriority;ourmaingoaliswinningtheClassAChampionship.” CoachProctorandAs-sistantCoachHealyhavedoneaphenomenaljobmoldingthesoc-certeamintoawinningdynasty.CameronClouse’15,voiceshisopinionabouttheamazingrun,“Winsarefun.Ifeellikeweshoulddothiseveryday,ontheturforonthefield.”Clearly,theBoyshavebeenworkinghard,andplayingthrougheachgame.WABVSisrankednumbertwobytheWest-ernNewEnglandPreparatorySchoolSoccerAssociationandareheadedtoplayoffs.

By Jason Lu ’14

WABVS: Working Hard for Champion Title

Josh Ocel ’13 fights for the ballPhoto courtesy of Alexandra DelloStritto ’14

A Successful Fall ConcertContinued from Fall Concert/ Page 1

A.J.Malkani’14impressedtheaudiencewithanenergeticdrumsoloandAnitaAlur’13broughtanewandwel-comedvocalaspecttotheCombo.TheAcademySing-ersandWindEnsemblealsoperformedtwosongseach. LaterintheconcerttheAdvancedChorusandChoruscombinedtoperformthreesongs:“Havhivenu,”“Nonnovisdomine,”and“ThisOldFreedomTrain.”Thesingerswerestationedaroundtheroomallowingtheaudiencetobesurroundedbythesoundsoftheirvoices.HelenKang’12saidthattheirperformancewas,“[her]favoritebecausetheyhadgreatharmony.”Followingtheirperformance,APeriodChorussang“ShoshoneLoveSong”accompaniedbyKittyChen’15onpiano. Thechorusgroupscombinedonce

againforoneofthebestperformancesofthenight,arenditionof“ThisisHallow-

een”byDannyElfman.LaurenSullivan’15andSusieShepardson’15startedthe

sinisterperformancewithengagingvocals.Theperformancecontinuedwithsolos

fromseveralmembersofbothchorusgroups,eachoneasenergeticastheothers.TheHalloweenthemecontinuedinthefinalperformancebytheOrchestra.Theyplayed“TheEvilEyeandHideousHeart,”basedonEdgarAllanPoe’s“TheTell-TaleHeart.”ItwasthefavoriteperformanceofmanyincludingMr.LaRosewholikedthat“thereweresomanypeopleinvolved.” Allinall,theFallConcertshowcasedthetal-entoftheUpperSchool’smusicalgroups.Mr.Irving,Mr.Vaudreuil,andMs.Callisdidawonderfuljobpreparingtheevent,andthestudentswereequallygreatintheirperfor-mances.Thenextconcertwill

betheannualHolidayConcertonDecem-ber14th.

Mr. Vaudreuil leading the Jazz Combo Photo Courtesy of Alexandra DelloStritto ’14

Features 6

OnOctober5th,Mr.Baillie,Ms.SchlesingerandItraveledtoDenmarkwithagroupoftwenty-sevenWorcesterAcademystudents,forwhatwouldbeanincredibleweekoflivingandlearning.OurfinaldestinationwasthesmallcityofHaderslev,thehomeofoursisterschoolandofagroupofstu-dentsandfacultymembers,mostofwhomwedidnotknowwellyet,whoweretobecomeveryimportanttousoverthenextfewdays.Ispoketoanum-berofWAstudentsbeforeboardingtheplaneinBos-tonandthoughallwereexcited(andmostacom-binationofsillyandgiddy),theirnerveswerealsopal-pable.Wewereabouttoboardatransatlanticflighttotheunknown.Thereweresomanyvariables—whatwillthehostfamiliesbelike?Willtheylaughatourjokes?Willwelikethefoodtheyserve?Willwehaveourownroomstosleepin?ManyofourstudentshadneverbeentoWesternEurope;somehadneverlefttheUnitedStates.DespiteFacebookandemailconnectionsthatthekidshadmadewiththeirhosts,thereweremanyunknownsasweleftthetarmacatLo-gantohurdletowardaplacenoneofusbutMs.Schlesingerhadevervisitedbefore. Manyhoursofflying(andthreehoursofhangingoutintheairportinFrankfurt,Germanysleeping,stretching,orwatch-ingCecilrunaroundexcitedlyspeakingGermanandeatingpretzels)wearrivedandourfearswerealmostimmediatelydis-pelled.TheDanishstudentsandfacultymemberswerewaitinganxiouslyforuswithwelcomesigns,tonsofenergy,andhugesmiles.WeboardedabustoHaderslevinthetypicallymedio-creandchangeableDanishweather,andtheforgingofbondsbegan.Wearrivedattheirschool,theHaderslevKatedralskole,toalunchthattheDanishstudentshadplannedandpreparedthemselves,withoutoversightfromtheirteachers.MattLavelle’s’13particulareaseamongstourhosts(andhisexhaustion)wasevidencedbyhisabilitytotakeanaponthelunchtablesur-roundedbyournewfriends.Despiteourexhaustion,wethentouredthetownandmetthemayor,afterwhichtheWAstudentswerecutloosetogototheirhostfamilies’homesandtomuch-neededsleep! Thenextmorningwemetforadayofbiking,kayak-ing,andgameplaying,andmostofthestudentsfeltlikethey’dknowntheirDanishhostsformuchmorethanaday.Aswegatheredintheparkinglotwewerealllaughing—theDanishstu-dentsreveledincallingtheAmerican(andCanadian…)teach-ersbyourfirstnames,somethingthatweletthemdobecauseit’stheircustomtorefertoallteachersandadministratorsbytheirgivennames;theAmericanstudentswereawedbyhowtalltheDaneswereandwerenervousaboutthesizeofsomeoftheloanedbikesthattheyweretopedal.TheDanishstudents

helpednavigateasometimesharrowingrideandpaddle,andwehadsimplefuninthewoods,eatingfoodthatthekidspackedathome,anddrinkinghotchocolatethatwaswarmedinalargepotoverthefire.Everymomentoffunandphysicalandmentalchal-lengeincreasedourunderstandingofeachotherandhelpedustofeellikeonebigmotleyfamily. Overthenextfewdays,ourstudentsgottoexperienceall

aspectsoftheirhosts’lives.TheyjoinedtheirhostsinclasseswheretheyworkedtogetheronassignmentsandwheretheAmericanspresentedlessonsthatthey’dbeenplanningforweeks;MichaelSchermerhorn’14,PeterDykeman-Berm-ingham’14,andMattLavellenearlybroketheschool’srecordforthe4x100relay(alongwithaDanishstudentnamedCasper);theywatchedmoviesinDanishlivingrooms,enjoyedmealsmadeentirelyfromfoodgrownintheirhosts’gardens,andateDan-ishdanishatcafes.Welearnedabouteachothers’politicalandsocialsystems,therelative

freedom(anditsmeritsandchallenges)thatDanishstudentsexperienceatschool,thatonereasoneveryonewalksandridesbikesinDenmarkisthefactthatcarsaretaxedat180%(!),thattheirschool’slibraryhousesbooksthatareolderthanourcoun-try! Bytheendofthetripwe’dspentanightinCopenhagenandhadexperiencedabroadrangeofthecultural,academic,culinary,andgeographicelementsofDenmark,butthemostrewardingpartofthetripformostofthestudents(andformeaswell)wasthepersonalconnectionsmade.Despitealloftheinterestingdifferencesbetweenourcultures,wewerebroughttogetherbyourmuchmorecompellingsimilarities(cheesybuttrue)asevidencedbyourlastnightfulloflaughterandtears,whenwelearnedthatPeterD-Bhaspotentialasagameshowhost,andMattisaninternationalcharadeschampion. BeforeIwalkedthroughsecuritytoboardourflighthome,PederGasbjerg,theDanishteacherwhoinitiallycontactedusaboutfosteringaconnectionbetweenWorcesterAcademyandtheHaderslevKatedralskole,tearfullypulledmeaside.Hesaidthathewassohappythatthekidsweresad(manyWAstudentscriedwhentheyweretornawayfromtheirhosts),andthatthecreationofthisloveandculturalconnectionwashisdream.Hesaidhewassohappythatwewerenowapartofthatdream. Alltwenty-sevenofusaresoluckytohavebeenpartofthiscontinuingDanish-AmericanfriendshipthatisPeder’sdream,andwecannotwaittocontinuetomakethisrelationshipmorebeautifulandenrichingwhenourDanishfriendscometovisitusnextFall(andhopefullyformanymoreyearstocome!).

Trip to Denmark: a Cultural Exchange, an Opportunity for New Friendships, a Dream Realized

By Ms. Getchell

WA and Danish students being sillyPhoto courtesy of Ms. Getchell

Features 7

PicturetheimagesofHalloween,whatwouldbethefirstthingtopopupinyourmind?Spiders?Pumpkins?Ghost?Skulls?QuitealotofthingscanbesymbolsofHalloween.Doyouknowallofthem?

Pillar Talk: Questions About Halloween Explored By The Pilllars

What are some of the symbols of Halloween?

Bats:Theyeatmosquitoesandcauselittleharm,butthesesmallnocturnalmammalshaveabadreputationbecauseoftheirinfamouscousin,thevampirebat.Theonlymammalthatfeedsonblood,thisnativeofCentralandSouthAmericausessharpincisorteethtocuttheholesneededtosuckbloodfromitsvictim.Nowonderbatshavebeenlinkedtodeath,vampiresandoccultritualsintheWest.ButintheEast,theyoftenrepresentgoodluck.

Broomsticks: BroomsticksarenowmoreexcitingthaneverbecauseofHarryPotterandhishigh-flyingFirebolt.Theyhavebeenlinkedtowitchcraftandmagicforcenturies.

Fire:Firehassymbolizedwarmthandprotectionaswellasdeathanddestructiontoculturesaroundtheworld.DuringSamhain,theDruidsuseditforprotectionagainstbadspiritsandforritualsacrifices(bothanimalorhuman)totheirgods.ThisMagictheGatheringcardstates:“Conjuredfromthebowelsofhell,thefierywallformsanimpassablebarrier,searingthesoulofanycreatureattemptingtopass....”Notaverynicethought!

Speaking of Harry Potter, turn to Page 2 for a look at Quidditch Club!

Peoplehavebeenmakingjack-o’-lanternsatHalloweenforcenturies.ThepracticeoriginatedfromanIrishmythaboutamannicknamed“StingyJack.”Accordingtothestory,StingyJackinvitedtheDeviltohaveadrinkwithhim.Truetohisname,StingyJackdidn’twanttopayforhisdrink,sohecon-vincedtheDeviltoturnhimselfintoacointhatJackcouldusetobuytheirdrinks.OncetheDevildidso,Jackdecidedtokeepthemoneyandputitintohispocketnexttoasilvercross,whichpreventedtheDevilfromchangingbackintohisoriginalform.Jackeventu-allyfreedtheDevil,undertheconditionthathewouldnotbotherJackforoneyearandthat,shouldJackdie,hewouldnotclaimhissoul.Thenextyear,JackagaintrickedtheDevilintoclimbingintoatreetopickapieceoffruit.Whilehewas

upinthetree,Jackcarvedasignofthecrossintothetree’sbarksothattheDevilcouldnotcomedownuntiltheDevilpromised

Jacknottobotherhimfortenmoreyears.Soonafter,Jackdied.Asthelegendgoes,Godwouldnotallowsuchanunsavoryfigureintoheaven.TheDevil,upsetbythetrickJackhadplayedonhimandkeepinghiswordnottoclaimhissoul,wouldnotallowJackintohell.HesentJackoffintothedarknightwithonlyaburningcoaltolighthisway.Jackputthecoalintoacarved-outturnipandhasbeenroamingtheEarthwithiteversince.TheIrishbegantorefertothisghostlyfigureas“JackoftheLantern,”andthen,simply“JackO’Lantern.”

What is the story behind the most famous Halloween symbol, the jack -o’-lantern?

What do some WA students think the story behind Halloween is?

I think that the history behind Halloween is that children dress up as best they can to be spooky and get candy according to how scary they are. -Mario Steriti ‘13

All of the evil spirits come out and have a festival. -Anthony Chung ‘13

What is the actual history of Halloween?

Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. The theme of Halloween dates back to the Celtic festival of Samhain. The festival of Samhain is where people would light candles in-side pumpkins to emit strange faces and dress up to scare away spirits.

Students turn Davol Hall into “Devil Hell” using jack-o’-laterns and other Halloween decorations.Photo Courtesy of Mr. Healy

8 On Campus

By Gianna Anderson ’14 and Abrielle Peltier ’14

Word on the Street: What is the difference between sprinkles and

jimmies?

Sprinkles can go on anything, but jimmes are exclusive to ice cream. You can put sprinkles on a cupcake, but you can’t put jim-mies on a cupcake. -Tyler Graham ’13

Sprinkles is cor-rect and jimmies is just stupid. Jimmies is what you call a group of people named James. -Mr. Baillie

Sprinkles are rainbow and jimmies are brown. Obviously. - Charles Watkins ’14

Sprinkles are colorful and jimmies are chocolate.-Meaghan Barry ’15

I’m pretty sure sprinkles are multi-colored and jimmies are just one color.-Ryan McDermott ’16

Photos Courtesy of Gianna Anderson ’14 and Abrielle Peltier ’14