The Devon Dialogueproudly publishing for five decadesDevon Preparatory Schoolvolume iii, issue ii | december 2011

Fighting for the TitleVarsity soccer team finishes season tied for first in league, battles in epic tiebreaker at home.

Pulling ThroughMiddle School Spirit Day proves to be a contest for the ages.page 4

Gentlemen, ScholarsNew members are inducted into the Quill and Scroll International Honor Society for High School Journalists. page 2

Musical MayhemDevon’s music aficionados entertain friends and family alike at Fall Concert, Grandparents’ Day. page 3

Varsity Soccer’s Spectacular Season

Matt Kramer ’12, Associate Editor for Editorials & Entertainment

As promised at the beginning of the season, the Varsity soccer team proved to be one of the best squads to play for Devon in recent history. The Tide were among the league’s best in the newly created conference of the Bicentennial Athletic League. By the end of October, the Tide’s transformation from last-season’s worst to first was complete.

The team relied heavily on the returning seniors, who were well aware of the dedication and teamwork necessary to be successful. As freshmen, the Class of 2012 players were winless. As seniors, they improved to a 10-7-2 record, the first double-digit-wins season in nearly ten years. By the end of the season, the team found itself in a race for first place.

In one of the last games of the regular season, the Tide faced Calvary Christian Academy in a crucial game for division ranking. The Tide was the only team to have defeated Calvary Christian at that time. In front of the largest Pit ever assembled for a soccer game, the Tide defeated Calvary Christian 3-2. Paul Kubat ’12 sacrificed himself in a collision to score the first equalizer. He suffered a concussion on the play, and unfortunately, the season ended abruptly for the captain and third-year varsity player. D.J. Walz ’12 and Luka Zacharczuk ’13 also scored goals in the victory.

At the end of the regular season, there was a three-way tie for first place among Devon Prep, Calvary Christian Academy, and Plumstead Christian School. The decision of the Bicentennial League was to hold a tiebreaker to decide the conference league champion. After a lottery draw, it was decided that the games would be held at Devon, and Devon would play Calvary Christian first. Plumstead Christian had a bye in the first round and was automatically in the championship match. The Tide beat Calvary Christian for the third time this season and advanced into the championship game. There, the Tide fell to Plumstead Christian in overtime, after an unlucky goal. Despite the tough loss, the team prepared for its district playoff game against rival New Hope-Solebury High School.

Political Scholars Speak with Robert GatesMatt Swatski ’12

Eight Devon Prep seniors recently had the opportunity to meet former United States Secretary of Defense, Dr. Robert Gates. For the members of the AP United States Government and Politics class of Mr. Michael Collins ’68, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Devon was one of the only high schools invited by the National Constitution Center to attend a question-and-answer session with the former Secretary, only hours before he was to receive the prestigious Liberty Medal. When they arrived at the Constitution Center, five Devon seniors were asked to sit on-stage with Dr. Gates and Director David Eisner. These seniors were the only high school students on the stage. For the next ninety minutes, audience members asked Gates questions ranging from strategies in Iraq and Afghanistan to the trials of running immense bureaucracies. “This was a very candid atmosphere,” Conrad Damstra ’12 said. “Robert Gates was a key figure in the United States government, and his insights on various issues were both entertaining and enlightening.”

The dialogue began with Mr. Eisner asking Dr. Gates about his experiences serving Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Dr. Gates remarked upon how little the military philosophies differed between the two. This shocked many members of the audience who remembered the significant differences in political rhetoric between Presidents Bush and Obama. The conversation then continued onto the topic of the future of the military. Dr. Gates suggested that the United States military should not expend all its energies on expensive, high-technology projects such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, but instead focus on the preparation for a “range of conflicts.”

Later in the session, the theme shifted toward the relationship among the people, the press and the military. Dr. Gates believed that most embedded reporters present an inaccurate view of the war and the military: “The problem, though, with an embedded reporter is that it’s like watching the war through a soda straw. They get a very limited perspective.” However, he later remarked, “Congress and the press are the surest

guarantees of American liberty; don’t think of them as the enemy. To do so is self-defeating.” Dr. Gates concluded the segment with an opinion on the upcoming United Nations vote on the statehood of Palestine. He theorized that the vote only deters the cause of peace because the Palestinian National Authority cannot control its own territory.

After Dr. Gates finished speaking, all the Devon students had the privilege to shake his hand and pose for a picture with the former Defense Secretary. For these students who have studied American history, it was exhilarating to meet such a significant political figure. John Damstra ’12 remarked, “We had an incredible opportunity to engage in a discussion with one of the most influential policy makers of the past decade. This was great experience that not many high school students can claim to have had.” Hopefully, these future leaders and generals of this great country can take the knowledge they gained from this experience and use it to follow in the Secretary’s footsteps.

The AP US Government and Politics class with former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates

continued on page 6

2 Dialogue NewsSeniors Receive National

Recognition for Academic Prowess

Nate Stauffer ’12, Associate Editor for News

Following in the footsteps of previous

graduating classes, members of the Class

of 2012 were honored by the National Merit

Scholarship Corporation and the College Board

for their performances on the PSAT and AP

exams. Six seniors—Ryan Fulmer, Ryan O’Shea,

Hugh Phelan, Nate Stauffer, Adam Swift, and

Alex Teplyakov—were named National Merit

Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship

Corporation and four—John Damstra, Sean

Gillin, Mac Lockard, and Nick Ragsdale—were

named Commended Students. Meanwhile,

more than a third of the seniors were named AP

Scholars by the College Board. Eleven of them—

Conrad Damstra, John Damstra, Joe Geiger, Dan

Lewis, Mac Lockard, Ryan O’Shea, Hugh Phelan,

Matt Swatski, Adam Swift, Alex Teplyakov, and

Chase Weber—were given the high honor of being

named AP Scholars with Distinction. Four—Ryan

Fulmer, Roshan Patel, Nick Ragsdale, and Nate

Stauffer—were named AP Scholars with Honor;

three others—Matt Bonner, Nick van Schaijik,

and Connell White—were named AP Scholars.

Congratulations to all of the honored seniors;

as Headmaster Fr. James Shea ’66 would say, they

are all truly gentlemen and scholars.

gentlemen and scholars Six seniors were named Semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship; four additional were Commended.

Fighting Sleep, Helping OthersKevin Fulmer ’13

From the night of October 14 into the morning after, students of Devon Prep valiantly staved off the urge to sleep. Why, one might ask? The 122 boys were participating in Devon’s annual Up For A Cause. Over the course of the night, they were able to raise $23,280 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This admirable event was made possible by members of the Christian Action Program and their moderator, Mrs. Elizabeth Eshleman.

As the students filed into the gym, they brought with them high spirits and mounds of food, more than enough to last them the entire night. They instantly took to basketball and board games. Some of the excited participants were careful to ration their energy sparingly over the twelve hours. However, it proved to be a challenge doing so, especially with all the competitive tournaments taking place. Such tournaments included three-on-three basketball, soccer, handball, and the

much anticipated grade-versus-grade dodgeball. During the games, speakers pumped upbeat music into the gym to keep up the adrenaline levels.

The night would not have been complete without special visits from various guests. Fr. James Shea ’66, Fr. Javier Renteria, Mr. Steven Lukens, Mrs. Laura Mondon and even some returning graduates stopped by, joining chaperones Mr. Larry Iezzi and Ms. Barbara Medina. To top the night—now morning—off, a variety of gift cards were raffled away to the sleepy students. With the money raised and a large number of students giving up their time and sleep, it was a good night spent for a better cause. Mrs. Eshleman stated, “It’s great that a majority of the kids participate each year and help others. I’m really proud of them for doing it every year.” Overall, Up For A Cause was, as usual, a grand success.

Devon Journalists Honored

in Candlelight CeremonyConrad Damstra ’12

Promising members of the Devon Prep

newspaper staff attended the induction to the

Devon Preparatory School Chapter of the Quill

and Scroll International Honor Society for High

School Journalists on November 17, 2011. This is

the second year that the Devon Prep Chapter

recognized the achievements of the exemplary

journalists of The Devon Dialogue.

The Quill and Scroll Society was founded in 1926

at the University of Iowa and currently has chapters

in all fifty states and in forty-five countries around

the globe. To qualify for the Devon Chapter of

the Quill and Scroll Society, students must have

at least a 3.50 grade point average for the last two

semesters and must have contributed a minimum

of two articles to The Devon Dialogue over the past

year.

The induction included a candle-lighting

ceremony which illuminated the core values

of The Quill and Scroll Society: truth, learning,

leadership, loyalty, initiative, integrity, judgment,

and friendship. Senior inductees were given honor

cords that they will wear during Commencement

on June 2, 2012.

John Damstra ’12 said, “I am glad to be part of

Quill and Scroll. It means a lot to be included in

this echelon of student journalists.” The society

is an important young chapter in the Devon Prep

community, and the induction was a huge success.

The Dialogue congratulates all of the inductees.

Tidal Waveof Generosity

Landon Farnsworth ’15Joe Bilotti ’14

Every year, Devon Prep holds its long-standing

Harvest Tide Food Drive before Thanksgiving,

and this year was no exception. Devon collected

food for St. Elizabeth’s Community Center in

North Philadelphia. Devon’s own Christian

Action Program ran the drive, collecting canned

goods, other non-perishable food, and frozen

turkeys. The whole school worked tirelessly to

ensure that the families in North Philadelphia

would be able to enjoy a wholesome Thanksgiving

dinner with their families.

In past years, the drive has been extremely

successful. This year, the school was able to

donate more than fifty-six hundred canned goods

and twenty-five turkeys to St. Elizabeth’s. In

these difficult economic times, it is increasingly

challenging for needy families to enjoy traditional

Thanksgiving dinners. It is a testament to the

generosity of the entire Devon family that the

school has donated so charitably for so many

years.

above: CAP Leaders deliver canned goods to St. Elizabeth’s.

3Adding Green to the

Blue and GoldAlex Teplyakov ’12

Matt Swatski ’12

Weather may have damaged Devon’s campus,

but Devon is still becoming greener. This can be

credited to the Devon Prep Environmental Society

(DPES), which was founded last February. Despite a

sluggish start, DPES, led by President Matt Swatski,

began to make its mark on the community. DPES

quickly gained momentum and now has ambitious

goals for preserving the environment. Mr. R. Roger

Mecouch, the DPES moderator, has been actively

participating in the group’s development. DPES

Vice President Nate Stauffer ’12 summarized his

high hopes for the club by declaring, “My hope

is that future Devon students can carry on with

the program and continue making significant

eco-friendly improvements in our school, our

community, and our environment.” To improve

environmental awareness at Devon, DPES also

plans to celebrate Earth Day this year.

For most Devon students, Saturday morning is

a sacred time to catch up on lost hours of sleep.

For seven of the members of the Environmental

Society, the morning of Saturday, November 19

was full of dirt, water, roots, and mulch. With the

help of the Marple Tree Commission, these eager

volunteers planted twelve trees at New Ardmore

Park in Broomall, PA. Working in small groups, the

volunteers unloaded the trees, dug holes for them,

and stabilized the plants with wooden stakes

which they hammered into the ground. After

filling in the holes, volunteers tied the trees to the

stakes as others poured mulch around the base of

the tree.

Although the three-hour project was

exhausting, the students were extremely satisfied

with their accomplishments, proud to help the

environment. Alex Teplyakov remarked, “It was a

great experience, and it was amazing to know that

our actions will have a long-lasting and positive

effect on the community and its environment.”

This most recent tree-planting event is the second

in six months, as another group of students

planted eight trees last May at the same park. The

Environmental Society hopes to continue its tree-

planting efforts, possibly even them bringing them

to the Devon campus in the spring.

Besides contacting nearby arboretums for tree

donations and looking for areas to plant more

trees, DPES has also taken bold steps to improve

recycling at Devon. The Christian Action Program

(CAP), which had managed and funded the paper-

recycling program at Devon for years, transferred

control of the program to DPES. Look for the blue

paper-recycling bins in classrooms around the

school.

Even though the paper-recycling program puts a

great deal on the plate of the fledgling organization,

DPES still isn’t satisfied with the status quo,

and is looking to expand the school’s recycling

programs to include other types of materials. The

main consideration is recycling Styrofoam® and

plastics—two materials widely used at Devon. The

club will have to overcome numerous difficulties

including costs, logistics, and low membership as

it pursues its ambitious agenda.

Devon Music Society Rocks the House at ‘Doctoberfest’ and

Grandparents’ Day ConcertsNate Stauffer ’12, Associate Editor for News

Each autumn, an elite group of Devon’s most

melodically gifted and harmoniously oriented

students gathers in the hallowed gymnasium for

a tradition that some have described as “moving”

and “inspiring.” Those compliments have never

been truer than for this year’s fall concerts. Under

the careful direction of Devon’s resident musical

extraordinaire, Sir Dr. Maestro Valentin Radu,

the annual Oktoberfest and Grandparents’ Day

concerts went off without a hitch. Many praised

it as the best concert the Devon Music Society has

seen in years.

Choral Tide enchanted the audiences with

delightful performances of such staple classics as

“Puttin’ on the Ritz” and “42nd Street.” Through

their music, they journeyed from a lively, colorful

choral reef in “Under the Sea” to the home of a

western rancher in “Thank God I’m a Country

Boy.” Rip Tide took their five-part harmonies to

new heights by tackling a number of rock-and-

roll hits like “A Teenager in Love” and Lynyrd

Skynyrd’s “Gimme Three Steps.” Nate Stauffer

and Matt Bonner ’12 brought the house down

with their heartwarming solos in “Duke of Earl,”

while Brian Kozak ’13 and Mike Varricchio ’12 led

a foot-tapping interpretation of the Swahili hymn

“Bonse Aba.” The Jazz Band knocked everyone’s

socks off with their renditions of “New York, New

York” and “Limbo Rock.”

The true standouts of the show, however,

were the soloists. Several skilled piano players,

including Drew Brekus ’14, Josh Lieberman ’15,

and Kyle Mooney ’16, weaved magical tunes as

their fingers danced across the keys. Nate Stauffer

performed original songs entitled “Horizon” and

“The Glass Half Full” that left several audience

members in tears. Accompanied by C.J. Nave ’15

on piano, Mike Varricchio ’12 performed a head-

turning rendition of the KISS classic “Beth.” It was

Andrew Loper ’15 whose jaw-dropping version

of the Bill Withers song “Lean On Me” and Etta

James’ “At Last” had the whole audience clapping

and singing along.

Overall, the fall concerts were unquestionably

a huge success, and now the pressure is on the

Choral Tide, Rip Tide, and Jazz Band to step up

their game and perform similarly at the Christmas

Concert on Thursday, December 15.

Nate Stauffer performs his original song “The Glass Half Full” on Grandparents and Special Others Day.

Rip Tide entertains the audience with adapted rock-n-roll hits.

Open Arms,Open House

John Damstra ’12

Each year, around the first week of October,

Devon has its annual Open House. During

this event, many of Devon’s finest give tours to

prospective students and their families. This

year’s event was highly successful for many

reasons. More than one hundred prospective

students attended the Open House and took

tours. As Devon’s Director of Admissions, Mr.

Patrick Parsons, said, “One positive aspect was

that many of the prospective students were

either fifth or eighth graders, which is important

because these students are the ones most likely

to enroll.”

Among the many highlights of the Open

House were two spirited information sessions

with speakers such as faculty members Mr.

Mark Aquilante ’94, Mr. Barry Brazunas, our

headmaster Fr. James Shea ’66 and assistant

headmaster Mr. Larry Iezzi, Mrs. Kathryn

Kampman and alumnus Mr. Michael Dokas ’08.

All of the speakers passionately and succinctly

summarized the reasons why a Devon Prep

education is so special, such as small class sizes,

the Catholic environment, and a supportive

network of peers. Another exciting aspect of the

event was the activity tables in the gymnasium.

Students were impressed by the scope of the

extracurricular activities offered at Devon

on display, from the new Solar Car Club and

Environmental Society to mainstays such as the

Devon Theater Society and The Devon Dialogue.

Another first this year was the inclusion of an

activities fair the following day, where current

Devon students had the ability to explore the

clubs the same way prospective students did.

Ultimately, the Open House is more than just

a simple sales pitch. Every year many students

and graduates volunteer, not because they have

to, but because they really are excited about

the unique community and experience Devon

has to offer. This enthusiasm, coupled with

informative and lively presentations by the

faculty, always leads to an impressive event, and

this year’s was no exception.

4 Back in ACTionAdam Swift ’12

In what has recently become business as usual,

Devon Prep’s Academic Challenge Team has

contenders in JV and Varsity levels. The typical fall

tryouts brought a hefty portion of the sophomore,

junior, and senior classes to compete for a coveted

spot on the team.

The Varsity battled in the first match of the

Chester County Academic Competition season

against Great Valley High School and Collegium

Charter School. Varsity returned key contributors

from the previous year’s loss in the county

semifinals. Every starter had Varsity experience,

which certainly helped Devon keep its cool when

they trailed after the first round. For the second

round, Devon brought in Conrad Damstra ’12,

who led JV to last year’s semifinals. The change

propelled Devon into the lead. Devon’s slim lead

going into the third round would be expanded by

Adam Swift, who made the All-Chesco Team last

year. Swift correctly answered eight questions in

that final round, leading Devon to victory with

135 points, enough to take first place after the first

month of matches. The team showed strength in

the fanfare round, correctly answering 16 of the 18

questions asked of them.

The JV team took the stage next. Relatively

untested compared to the very experienced Varsity,

the JV relied on a plethora of newcomers. Ryan

O’Shea ’12 led the JV team, correctly answering

nine questions over the match. O’Shea’s talent on

the buzzers led the JV team to 95 points, enough

for third place in the standings.

Following the October match, the team

practiced in preparation for their home match,

which would bring a Conestoga High School

team that was just behind both Devon teams in

the standings. Having the match the day after the

seniors returned from Florida led to Devon teams

that looked fatigued and a bit ill, but they had to

fight on.

The Varsity team began the match looking very

sloppy. The tossup round provided almost nothing,

but another dominant fanfare round gave Devon

the lead after one round. The next two rounds

exposed the general fatigue, with top scorer Swift

seeming invisible during tossup rounds. No Varsity

player for Devon got multiple tossups right in the

same round. Mac Lockard ’12 proved to be a key

contributor for Varsity, answering five questions

correctly, helping the team earn 95 points in a

loss. The JV team provided a more thrilling game

that was close throughout. Matt Bonner ’12 led

JV with six correct answers, and Tom Seykora ’13

contributed three more. The final score was a tie

for the lead, with Devon and Conestoga scoring 75

points.

Overall, the teams both look like contenders.

Varsity has the combination of Swift, Lockard,

and the Damstra twins ready to power them to the

playoffs. JV’s captain combo of Bonner and O’Shea

will only get better in their championship quest.

The teams competed December 12 at home against

West Chester East High School and Avon Grove

Charter School, before heading to West Chester

in January to face Bayard Rustin High School and

Downingtown High School East.

Big Fun inthe Big AppleAntonio Muscarella ’13

On Monday, December 5, 2011, students from the

Devon Prep Class of 2016 took the annual eighth

grade music field trip to New York City. Students left

for New York via coach bus in the morning before

school even started. They were accompanied by

world-famous conductor and musician, Devon

Prep’s own Sir Dr. Maestro Valentin Radu, who led

a music-related tour of the city.

Students were able to enjoy a performance of the

annual Christmas Spectacular at the Radio City

Music Hall. The Spectacular features performances

by the Rockettes as well as other Christmas-

themed skits and musical performances. A new

act for this year involved a mother and daughter

searching for the perfect Christmas gift. The

eighth graders capped off the trip with a music-

themed dining experience.

The eighth-graders cannot stop singing praises

about the memories they made on the trip. “It was

a fun and interesting experience.” said Shyamal

Patel ’16. His classmate Bobby Pickell ’16 said, “Dr.

Radu made the trip awesome. I’ll never forget it.”

It sounds like the trip was a smash hit once again!

Students Sit Down with Veterans, Gain New PerspectivesRoshan Patel ’12

For the more than 100 people in attendance,

the annual Communion Breakfast at Devon Prep

on November 20 was yet another example of the

“Devon Difference.” The event commenced with

a Mass celebrated by Fr. Shea, who spoke about

the significance of the Feast of Christ the King in

our relationship to God. Following Mass, students,

parents, and siblings stormed the tables, which

were laden with delicious food. After the dust had

settled, the keynote speaker for the event, Mr.

Christopher Nicolas ’04, was introduced.

Chris spoke to the group about his experiences

at Devon Prep and lessons he learned after

graduating. He took nine AP classes, participated

in cross-country, winter track, and tennis, co-

founded the Chess Club, and engaged in a myriad

of the extracurricular activities that Devon has to

offer. Following his graduation from Devon, he

attended Loyola University Maryland, receiving

a full scholarship. He went on to receive his

Master’s Degree in Student Affairs in Higher

Education at Colorado State University. After

graduate school, he served with AmeriCorps, the

domestic equivalent of the Peace Corps, in Oregon

and California. Chris eventually returned to

Loyola where he is now employed as the Assistant

Director of Sophomore Initiatives. Throughout his

story, he repeated the amazing value of a Devon

Prep education and the choices it gives a student.

Having taken AP classes at Devon, he became

the first student to double-major in Psychology

and Physics at Loyola in its 159-year history. He

is just one of thousands of examples of Devon

Prep alumni who have continued on to great

personal and professional success. Devon helped

him achieve tremendous success, and the entire

Devon Prep family is tremendously proud of his

many accomplishments. Overall, the Communion

Breakfast was yet again very successful—a

refreshing and inspirational way for the Devon

community to gather and celebrate their faith.

Alumnus Speaks at Communion Breakfast

Matt Swatski ’12

As the nation honored those who served in

the U.S. military this past Veterans Day, students

from Devon Prep joined in commemoration

in a unique way. This year, thirteen students

helped conduct interviews with World War II

veterans at Devon Senior Living. They received

the opportunity to meet and interview veterans

of different branches of the military, from the Air

Force and Marine Corps to the Army. “It was a

very eye-opening experience,” said Roshan Patel.

“That period of history seems so distant, but

learning about the personal accounts of the war

really helped us all connect.”

Afterwards, Director of Marketing Sue

Seanor collected interviews from the students

and published them in a booklet which was

distributed during a special Veterans Day dinner

at the retirement home.

To watch NBC 10’s coverage of the

event visit the “News and Events” page on

http://newseasonsdevon.com.

Fighting for Bragging RightsMax van Schaijik ’16

Finally, after three postponements, the day

that the whole Middle School had been looking

forward to had come. Devon Prep’s Middle School

Spirit Day was an action-packed event with some

very surprising outcomes. Spirit Day has always

been one of the highlights of the Devon Middle

School experience, but this year’s event proved

exceptional even by those lofty standards. It had

it all: suspense, disappointment, jubilation, and

the overcoming of class rivalries between the

competing teams.

Notable performances included Josh Lee ’16,

who valiantly stuffed his face with doughnuts

until he’d clinched the doughnut-eating victory

for the second year in a row, and 6A, which

achieved first place in football for the first time

in Devon’s history, and another eighth grader,

who courageously continued playing kickball,

winning four points for his homeroom, even after

suffering a severe injury to his arm. These were

the stand-outs, but they were by no means the

only people who deserve praise.

The most heart-warming story of the day came

during the tug-of-war matches. The score was set

in such a way that in the final round between 8B

and 7B, 8B had no hope of winning overall, but

their tug-of-war victory would actually secure

the overall victory for 8A. There is a deep-rooted

and long lasting rivalry between the two eighth

grade homerooms, so most people assumed that

8B would lose on purpose, so that the 7B would

win the Field Day trophy. Instead, they pulled

through—literally—and ended up running the

victory lap with 8A. All grudges were forgotten

in the glow of Devon sports glory. The entire

Middle School thanks Mr. Barry Brazunas and

Mr. Mark Aquilante ’94 for their monumental

organizational efforts.

5The Value of a Second Language: An Interview

with Dr. DeGradoSean Melvin ’13

In the third and final part of our series welcoming new Devon faculty members, Sean Melvin sat down with Dr. Christine DeGrado to find out more about the newest addition to the Devon family.

Devon Dialogue: Where did you teach before Devon?

Dr. DeGrado: I taught at Westtown School.

DD: How long have you been teaching?DG: I have been teaching since 1981.

DD: How did you hear about Devon Prep?DG: Colleagues at Westtown told me about

Devon, and a boy in my neighborhood was taking the entrance exam.

DD: What has your experience at Devon been like so far?

DG: It was hard at first because I had to start the term late.

DD: What hobbies do you have outside of school?DG: I am an avid gardener, and I sew. I like to

make shirts for my husband, my son, my brothers, and my friends.

DD: What type of books do you like to read?DG: It depends. I like fiction, non-fiction, and

poetry.

DD: What types of music do you listen to?DG: I like classical and folk, but I don’t like

anything too heavy.

DD: What are you teaching this year?DG: I teach Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III,

and 6th grade health.

DD: Why did you want to become a teacher?DG: I’ve always been a teacher. I was always

the kid who helped other kids with their homework.

DD: What are your goals for the coming year?DG: I want to convince students who think that

that they can’t learn a language that they really can

Environmental Scholars Tackle the WetlandsNate Stauffer ’12, Associate Editor for News

The frigid late-October air swept over the

Northeast like an avalanche as ten brave seniors,

three reliable chaperones, and one valiant teacher

trekked into New Jersey. Armed with only a box of

garbage bags, fourteen field guides, video games,

and a trusty pair of suspenders, the students of

Devon’s AP Environmental Science class, led

by the incomparable Mr. R. Roger Mecouch,

journeyed deep into the heart of the Pine Barrens

to learn about the ecosystems, landscapes, and

natural succession in the area. Over the course of

thirty-six hours, these students visited two bogs,

several swamps, a salt marsh, a pygmy forest, and a

beach dune community, in the process observing

hundreds of different plants and many animals.

The trip began as the students toured Whitesbog,

an area with five different habitats: a cranberry

bog, a red maple swamp, a cedar swamp, a

forest, and a pond. Using the field guides, the

group identified a plethora of species of plant life

in the area. They observed the water-retention

capabilities of sphagnum moss, tasted teaberry

leaves, and even tested the bounce capacity of

fresh cranberries. They then went to Webb’s Mill

Bog where they competed in a nature scavenger

hunt to find as many species from a given list as

possible. From there, the group went to the Pygmy

Pine Plains, an area where the trees do not grow

over three feet tall. In addition, they visited a salt

marsh which they were able to walk through and

search for different types of wildlife. Afterwards,

they went back to Mr. Mecouch’s house for a home-

cooked meal, a virtual FIFA soccer competition,

and some shuteye.

Early the next morning, they awoke and went to

the beach dunes at Cape May, where Mr. Mecouch

explained beach dune succession and the students

were allowed to explore. From there, they went to

the Wetlands Institute’s Terrapin Research Center

where they were introduced to several turtles.

One of the employees explained to the students

the conservation efforts that are being taken each

year to ensure the survival of the terrapins. He also

allowed them to help install a microchip into one

of the turtles. Afterwards, the students explored

the aquarium at the facility before heading back to

Devon.

Months later, the students of the class are still

discussing what they learned. “It was a tremendous

success,” Nick van Schaijik ’12 said of the trip. “We

experienced a lot of things that couldn’t have

been learned in the classroom, and had a great

time doing it.” As a result of these experiences,

the members of the AP Environmental Science

class have a newfound appreciation for their

environment. As one student eloquently put it, “I’ll

never look at a beach dune the same way again.”

Mr. Mecouch and his AP Environmental Science students pose in front of the New Jersey coastline during their trip to the Pine Barrens.

Once in Devon, Always in Devon: Alumni HappeningsAlumnus Contributor

Who are Devon Prep alumni? Some are

doctors and lawyers, CEOs and accountants.

Others are world travelers and missionaries. But,

“deep down, fame and fortune aside, all Devon

grads are regular guys who do regular things.”

That famous quote by Mike Dokas ’08 has been

noticed thus far in the year, as a myriad of events

have brought alumni from all walks of life back

home for some friends, networking, world-

famous Kalivas food, and even some delicious

beverages.

Recently, several alumni made the trek down

to Annapolis for a reception at the home of a 1987

graduate. Only a few alumni attended, but the

conversations were plentiful, the reminiscing

was engaging, and the company left nothing to

be desired. The never-ending successes of Devon

and Devon students were shared, and more

events are already being planned.

As all alumni know, once a member of the

Devon Prep family, always a member. True to

that and thanks to the leadership of Mike Dokas

seven recent alumni made the trip back to Devon

for the Fall Open House. They talked to and

answered questions from future parents, talked

about their Devon experiences, and some even

gave tours to prospective families even though

they hadn’t been on campus in a few years. The

alumni agreed that it was a great event that will

lead to the future success of the school and hope

to be invited back by the school for future Open

Houses.

In what has now become an annual tradition,

Devon grads again teed up to support their alma

mater at the Devon Prep Alumni Golf Outing

at Bellewood Golf Club. This sunny day that

ended with a night of reminiscing was enjoyed

by all. Golfers were even given golf balls and a

hat to thank them for coming and supporting

the school. A young foursome ended the Curran

streak as Andrew Fox ’05, Dan Heavey ’05, Mr.

Ryan Shanley ’05, and Tim Gola ’07 came away

with the victory. The top sponsors of the event

were Nick Meter ’88, Ed Curran ’88, Skip Genuardi

’66, Tom Toole ’00, and the entire Class of 2008.

All are grateful for their generosity.

The annual alumni beef and beer was the most

recent event, held on Friday, November 25. This

too was a great gathering of former Devonites, who

exchanged tales of their lives after Devon over

some hearty food. The Devon alumni network

enthusiastically awaits its newest additions this

June, whose arrival will continue to enrich an

already vibrant community.

6 Dialogue Sports

In one of the best games played in Devon history, the Tide fell short to New Hope 1-2. A goal scored by captain Rich Gallo ’12 equalized the game at 1–1. Devon put pressure on the heavily favored New Hope Lions but failed to prevent another goal in the match’s final minutes. Despite the loss, the team walked off the field with their heads held high. Many, including Head Coach Jeff Jewitt, saw this game as a stepping stone for the future of the Devon Prep soccer program. The district game between Devon Prep and New Hope was one of the closest throughout the district and state playoffs this year. Many were surprised at the resilience of the the Tide against the now state champion New Hope team.

This successful season has shown the strength in the Devon Prep program for the years to come. As the leadership is passed from the seniors to the juniors, one can only hope for a season just as exciting and eventful as this year’s.

Varsity Soccercontinued from page 1

above: The Varsity soccer team huddles before a home game.

right: The Pit came out in full force during the Senior Day showdown

against Calvary Christian.

Basketball Season AwaitsSteve Kohlbrenner ’12

As the 2011-12 Varsity Basketball season gets off to a running start, the team has very high expectations. It emerges from a banner year in which the Tide were the District 1 AA Champions and reached the Bicentennial League Championship. Players, coaches, and fans alike are anticipating a big year from the Tide. Three of last season’s five starters return to the court this year. Senior captains Matt Burke, Kyle Koehler, and Steve Kohlbrenner will lead a team that seeks to find yet another banner to cover the walls of the Devon gymnasium. The team will look for production from fellow seniors Nick Weiss, Sam Nardi, Andy Walsh, Tom Frawley and Paul Kubat, as well as juniors Mike Giampietro ’13 and John Kane ’13. The coaching staff remains the same from a year ago minus the loss of Mr. Al Santos, who will be replaced by Mr. Pete Hughes.

The season tips off December 3 for the Tide in the Radnor tournament where the defending champs will play Avon Grove High School in the first round. They also will be participating in the West Chester East Tournament as well as the Primetime Shootout, which is an invitation-only tournament. As in recent years, the schedule will prove to be much tougher against non-league opponents. The Tide will face teams such as Church Farm School and Octorara Area High School in away games, while they will host The Episcopal Academy and Downingtown High School West. Within the league, Holy Ghost Preparatory School will prove to be the toughest obstacle in the way of the team’s quest for a league championship.

The team expects success this year. In turn, they hope that fan support will be at a new high. The Pit, under the command of Rich Gallo ’12 and Dave Welsh ’12, has big plans for the student section. They too hope that many students will attend home games and cheer on the team. Devon Prep basketball is ready to rise up and make a name for itself. The team needs its fans to stand behind it in its quest for another banner.

Devon Ultimate Continues to ImpressAdam Swift ’12

The Ultimate Frisbee® team is continuing its quest to return to the State Championship. This fall, the team taught its younger members the basics, and began to put them into matches. The team put up a winning record throughout the season.

Team captain Adam Swift has been impressed with the performance of the newcomers. The team added ten freshmen, the largest amount in team history. A lack of handlers for the fall has put C.J. Nave ’15 in a starting spot, and he shows clear promise at the position. Dan Kennedy ’15 has used his lefty backhand to confuse many defenders. Overall, Swift and Roshan Patel ’12 have noticed great enthusiasm from the younger players.

Devon Prep opened the season with a home game against Radnor High School. The game started with what has become the signature offense of Devon’s team. Coming off the pull, the handlers made a few short passes, and then launched a strong huck, sending a flick to the waiting arms of Dan McGarry ’12 to put Devon up 1–0. The Tide never looked back, with their quick-strike style powering their offense. Connell White ’12 showed why he is Devon’s premier deep threat, sometimes seeming to jump over the defenders that Radnor put on him. The handling line of Swift, Patel, and Nave also made many opportunities for Pat Robbins ’12 to make acrobatic catches in

the end zone. When Radnor had possession, they often tried to throw past Devon’s many freshmen. That met with failure fairly often, as Steve Lewis ’15 and Michael Knudson ’15 played excellent defense. This led to smooth sailing for Devon up to the final day of the season.

Devon had scheduled their last game against Methacton High School, a team which finished fifth at last year’s State Championships and is considered a contender for this year’s title. They figured that they could shock an inexperienced-looking Devon team by playing a zone defense, which worked at first. But Devon did not give up when facing a 4–0 deficit. White attempted to draw the deep zone away from Ben Jonik ’13, who was making runs down the sideline. Jonik scored four times in that game. On defense, Swift gave Methacton handlers trouble, entirely thwarting hucks with his strong marks. Kevin Fulmer ’13 was all over the field on defense, knocking down many passes. In the end, however, Devon had to settle for a tough loss in a close game.

Overall, the team looks strong, with a veteran core of Swift, Patel, and White, who all have the potential to play in college. Fulmer, Jonik, and the freshmen provide hope for the future, after what will hopefully become a strong finish at states this year.

above: Senior Varsity soccer players and parents at Senior Daysoccer photos courtesy of mrs. linda kramer

7PKs and Rain Delays: JV SoccerJustin Barker ’13

This fall, the JV soccer team’s record was respectable, ending at five wins, five losses, and one tie. The record doesn’t give the JV Soccer team the credit they deserve, though. Many games were cancelled due to excessive amounts of rain this fall. Some games that were not played looked to be probable wins for the team but we will never know for sure.

There were many ups and downs over the course of the season. The team began its season relatively strong with a couple of wins. Leading scorer Luka Zacharczuk ’13 had four goals in the first couple of games but later moved up to Varsity. The team managed without him and had an amazing comeback victory against their rival, Malvern Preparatory School. With the help of some students’ and the Varsity soccer team’s cheers, Michael McCarthy ’13 and Cole Hassett ’13 both scored in the final minutes of the game to beat Malvern 2–1. After that, the team entered

a downward spiral, losing their rhythm due to the endless rain. When asked about his thoughts on all of the rain, Connor Carson ’13 said, “It was disappointing because we played fewer games, and we had less time to learn and grow as a team.” Lightning also affected the team’s record, bringing a close match with The Shipley School to an end prematurely. The score was 0–0, but the game was cut short and marked as a tie. Thanks to the great pep talks of the Coach, Mr. Joe Neilson, the team managed to pull through at the end. They ended their losing streak and beat The Shipley School in the last game of the season. Jason Sadek ’14 had a beautiful goal through the legs of Shipley’s keeper, which served as the game-winner in a 1–0 victory.

There are many ways to look at the JV soccer team’s season. Some may see it as a good effort and some as an unlucky outcome. Cole Hassett summed it up the best when he said, “We had the most heart, and we were awesome.”

Winter Track Battles Through the Cold

Sam Nardi ’12, Associate Editor for Sports

Through ice, snow, and freezing temperatures, the Devon Prep winter track team stays tough and beats the painful conditions for training. With a burn in their lungs and fire in their legs, the men ignite a fire of their own with a passion to win. The team faces the challenge of quite a small squad and is always open to new members who are willing to run hard and try their best at all times. Led by Justin McNabb ’12, Spencer Latran ’12, and Tom Seykora ’13, they will train and race hard in all of their events. For more information about joining the winter or spring track teams, see Justin McNabb or Mr. Paul Sanborn ’64. But runner, beware; do not show up unprepared, because this team runs hard.

John LaPrise Signs with UVASam Nardi ’12, Associate Editor for Sports

On November 14, 2011 senior John LaPrise ’12 officially signed his letter of intent to play baseball at The University of Virginia. With his father and mother by his side, John signed to play for one of the nation’s collegiate baseball powerhouses. As one of the premier athletes in Devon’s history, it was no surprise to his teammates and coaches that John would play at the next level. John has dedicated much of his time to the game of baseball, perfecting each part of his very versatile playing style. In addition to his intense offseason workouts in the gym, John brings the field to the basement of his Exton home, where he is constantly hitting off a tee and fielding ground balls.

John has always pushed himself harder than anyone else, but he says, “I couldn’t have done any of this without the coaching of Mr. Mark and Mr. Con Aquilante.” In addition, John extended a special thanks to Mr. Pat Nattle, Fr. Richard Wyzykiewicz, and most of all, his parents. “Without all of these people I would not be where I am now. My parents have always supported me in my decisions and have dedicated a ton of time for me and the game of baseball. Pat and Fr. Rich have always been there for me whenever I had any doubts or had a need for talking. Thank you to my friends and teammates; I could not have done this without you.”

John says his decision was influenced mainly by “Virginia’s great coaching staff, the balance of top-tier baseball with great academics, and the warm and hospitable southern atmosphere.” All in all, congratulations to John LaPrise, and may your success at UVA and beyond be plentiful.

Devon’s Two-Man Swim TeamTim Crowe ’13

The Devon Prep swim team is unusual, to say the least. Devon has a long history of a one-man swim team: Matt Claudy ’92, Gaetan Sgro ’00, Michael Hay ’04, and Pat Mannion ’09. Over the past few years, the swim team’s size has more than doubled. It has involved some work, but the Devon Prep swim program is growing quickly.

It is a non-traditional team that swims representing Devon. Mrs. Katriona Knaus coaches her son Michael ’14, and Mr. Brian Crowe stepped up as the on-deck coach for Bailey Gaul ’14, Michael McCarthy ’13, and Tim Crowe. Devon Prep is not in a league, and there is no published list of meets that the team competes in—Devon swims thanks to the good will of the other local high schools. Last year Bailey Gaul, Michael McCarthy, and Tim Crowe joined four Conestoga High School and Great Valley High School dual meets. In some meets, the Tide would be given its own “Devon heat” and frequently, swimmers from other schools would fill empty lanes. Either way, all times counted towards PIAA district qualification. Crowe said, “It was a lot of fun, but my favorite part was when you would hear swimmers from the other teams cheering on Devon.”

Most Devon Prep swimmers are already part of club teams and practice daily with their clubs. Tim Crowe was able to organize twice-per-week DP practices last year at the Upper Main Line YMCA. Swimming practices brought the team closer together. Unfortunately, William Culbertson ’14 broke his collarbone and missed most of the swim season, but he was able to join McCarthy and Crowe for the “Last Chance” meet at Radnor High School in February.

McCarthy qualified for and swam in the fifty-meter freestyle and hundred-meter butterfly at district championships; he finished twenty-fourth and eighteenth, respectively. Knaus qualified and swam the two-hundred-meter freestyle and the hundred-meter backstroke at the district championship; he finished ninth in the freestyle and second in the backstroke. Knaus had a tremendous season, as he qualified for states and was only the second swimmer from Devon to do so. He finished eleventh in the hundred-meter backstroke at the Pennsylvania state meet.

Everyone had fun at the meets, swam proudly as a team, and went for personal best times. The swim team is the perfect way to be an individual, but also part of a team. This year the team hopes to increase in size and continue the legacy that is Devon swimming.

Students and Teachers Alike Accept Devon 5K ChallengeMac Lockard ’12, Photography Editor

This year the annual Devon Prep 5K Challenge returned for the twenty-first time, albeit with a new twist. The 5K this year was held in a new location, Wilson Farm Park. The change of venue, however, did nothing to dampen the spirits of the hardy runners, helped by the absence of the infamous Devon hills. The race was organized Dan Mulhern ’02 and Rusty Davison ’01. Dave Evans ’08 and Dennis Young ’08, past wolf pack members, crossed the finish line hand in hand,

first out of 139 finishers. Coming third was current student Tom Seykora ’13, a consistent wolf pack runner. Devon’s faculty was also represented among the top runners by Mr. Jeffrey Jewitt with an awe-inspiring time of 23:42. Wolf Six Actual, a.k.a. Mr. Paul Sanborn ’64, ran once again this year, but this time with his trusty canine companion, Wendy. Heartfelt thanks go out to this year’s sponsors: Percheron Group, Brandywine Radio, and Mini of the Mainline.

8

America’s Perestroika

Ryan O’Shea ’12, Editor-in-Chief

On October 19, Mr. Mikhail Gorbachev, Nobel Peace Prize winner and

former head of the USSR, visited Lafayette College. He came to deliver a

major address, entitled “Perspectives on Global Change,” to commemorate

the opening of the new Oechsle Center for Global Education at Lafayette. The

college invited a select number of high schools to send one student to cover

the event for their schools’ newspapers. I was honored and ecstatic to be able

to hear this titan of international politics and leadership speak. So, note pad

and press pass in hand, I headed up to Easton.

After a brief introduction by Lafayette College President Daniel H. Weiss,

Mr. Gorbachev took the stage before an audience of 3,600. He began the

lecture recalling the waning years of the Cold War, amidst an endless struggle

for nuclear superiority. What really prompted the Soviet Union to seek peace

with the United States, he explained, was the arms race. The Soviet people

were forced by their government’s choice of priorities to sacrifice in order to

preserve nuclear parity. As standards of living fell and the costs of armament

rose, cooperating with the United States became an increasingly appealing

option. When President Gorbachev met with President Reagan in 1985, the

atmosphere was far from relaxed, but the Geneva Summit made great strides

in bringing the Cold War rivalry to an end. Agreements were forged to prohibit

nuclear war and to begin disarmament. “The summit was an amazing event

that is still engraved in my memory. In less than three days at that summit, we

made enormous progress and started to build initial trust,” Mr. Gorbachev

reflected. “It was madness to continue the arms race. Only through terrible

mistrust was it allowed to come about.”

These new developments faced serious opposition from within the USSR.

Nuclear weapons were at the core of Russia’s global stature, and their loss

would have meant bowing to the military superiority of the United States.

Nonetheless, President Gorbachev and his government pressed on. The

movement toward a post-Cold War world required substantial reforms in

the Soviet Union. President Gorbachev began a process called perestroika,

which sought to restructure and democratize the Soviet Union and liberate

its people. At a pivotal Communist Party convention in 1988, Mr. Gorbachev

recounted, leaders proclaimed freedom of religion and speech and set up a

constitutional framework for democracy. The final—and most vital—aspect

of perestroika was glasnost, transparency within government coupled with

political freedom. Later elections did not favor the reformers as they had in

the past, but by that point, perestroika had taken hold in the USSR.

“Russia today is a country that is in the process of transition. We are moving

toward democracy. This democratic transition is only halfway down the road,

perhaps a little more,” the former president remarked. “Above all, you need to

understand that Russia will not go back, but Russia is facing a lot of problems.”

Mr. Gorbachev expressed deep regret for the breakup of the Soviet Union, but

not merely for Russia’s sake. He noted that after the USSR fell, much of the

progress that had been made through American-Soviet cooperation was lost.

Opportunities created by relations after the Malta Conference—opportunities

to change the world through coordinated efforts by both superpowers—were

squandered as Americans reveled in their “victory” in the Cold War. A new

attitude prospered in the United States, brought on by its new status as the

world’s only superpower, that America should continue in the same way,

toward more “triumphs” as a “special kind of empire.” Mr. Gorbachev added,

“Instead, I think the kind of vision that existed at this time was pushing us

back rather than forward.” Even modern-day America has been influenced

greatly by the policies of the Cold War, long after they ceased to be necessary.

The military-industrial complex still holds great sway in the American

economy. “It looks like [the United States] need[s] the military-industrial

sector, the defense sector, for [its] economy to prosper.” Mr. Gorbachev, who

spent years fighting the burden of the military-industrial complex, added, “If

that is so, that is a sick economy.”

Mr. Gorbachev, however, recognized recent changes in these attitudes.

“I think that people in America are now giving serious thought to the future

of their own country, and giving this priority. I believe this is an important

change.” He recollected a previous lecture, in which he was asked for any

advice he had for the United States. Giving advice to America, he joked,

would “not be safe and, secondly, is useless.” “America,” Mr. Gorbachev

declared, “needs its own perestroika.” For this, the audience rose in ovation.

“What we saw during the last [American] presidential election was, I believe,

unprecedented, certainly in my lifetime. The entire nation was involved, and

all the issues were discussed thoroughly. It was a fascinating experience and

ended in a result that maybe surprised America itself. I believe it was the right

result. I believe it was the choice of the people, who expressed in this way their

expectations and their hopes.”

His epic struggles, in the end,

are former President Gorbachev’s

greatest legacy. He led the charge

to grant the people of one of

the largest nations in history

democratic freedom. He made

monumental efforts to bring

about a new world order, as Pope

John Paul II said, “…one that is

more stable, more humane, and

more just.” Mr. Gorbachev also

did more, perhaps, than any

other person to prevent future

wars and the spread of nuclear weapons. He is the best embodiment of the

message he now teaches: “A new generation is coming. I see these people

sitting here.... Young people must think about their country and its future.

They must prepare for life and prepare to become the generation that will

transform the country and the world.” The atmosphere in the auditorium as

Mr. Gorbachev’s translator uttered those words was gripping. The audience,

composed mainly of Lafayette College students, was riveted—eyes fixed on

the former statesman—taken, it seemed, by a sense of pride and hope rarely

experienced so universally.

Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief: Ryan O’Shea ’12Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Joe Geiger ’12Photography Editor: Mac Lockard ’12

Faculty Moderators: Mr. Larry Theuer Mrs. Elizabeth Eshleman

Assistant Photography Editor: Roshan Patel ’12 Associate Editor for News: Nate Stauffer ’12 Associate Editor for Editorials & Entertainment: Matt Kramer ’12 Associate Editor for Sports: Sam Nardi ’12 Associate Editor for Interviews & Polls: Nick van Schaijik ’12

All photos, unless otherwise noted, taken by newspaper staff or Mrs. Rose Lombardo, for Devon Preparatory School.

Special thanks to Fr. Shea for his tireless assistance and guidance

Dialogue Editorials

© 2011 Devon Prep

Mikhail Gorbachev’s retrospective on the Cold War, the fall of the Soviet Union, and the fate of freedom in the modern world

Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev delivering his October 19 address at Lafayette College

Mr. Gorbachev (left) with Lafayette College President Daniel H. Weiss