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Mr. Bakker: After a year off to pursue his own personal and professional aspirations, Science Teacher Ben Bakker has returned to campus. His sabbatical were filled with exciting news, including traveling, catching up with family, and even meeting refugees. Mr. Bakker has taught science and computer science at Deerfield since 1997. During his sabbatical, he did a myriad of activities including spending time with family, traveling to Greece to work with refugees, devoting more time to his Christian faith, and attending an artificial intelligence conference as a representative of Deerfield. Mr. Bakker said that his sons’ graduation from high school and his father’s passing two years ago both influenced his decision to take a sabbatical. Discussing how his sabbatical impacted his life, Mr. Bakker shared, “At Deerfield, we can feel trapped in an accomplish mindset, which can wear us out. Last year, given that both my sons were out of high school, I felt that it was a good time to take a break. Through my sabbatical, I was able to find restoration for my soul by spending time with my mom, visiting friends, and resting.” Even though he did take time off from his work, he still did some programming for his church and worked on the classes he is teaching this year. With his family, he went to the Canary Islands and hiked in Virginia and Montana. More importantly, he spent time with refugees in Greece, because, as he put it, “the refugee problem… is a growing issue … especially in Greece. I wanted to learn more about the issue on displaced people. By doing so, I hoped to try and find a way to bring real issues, like the refugee crisis in Greece, into the classroom.” One of the highlights of his sabbatical was representing Deerfield at a conference on spiritual life hosted by Columbia University. The main goal of this conference was to discuss what schools have implemented into their curriculum to help adolescents develop spiritual connections. Mr. Bakker explained, “Lisa Miller, a leading psychology professor and researcher at Columbia University, brought to light the research she conducted that showed how teenagers who had a better connection to their spiritual life are less likely to suffer from anxiety issues.” He also went to a conference about artificial intelligence, which discussed what role teachers have in preparing students for a world where artificial intelligence could be a very present reality. There were speakers from schools like Northfield Mount Hermon, Yale, MIT, and others. To him, both conferences focused on people not just living life with their heads, but also with their spirits. Since coming back, Mr. Bakker has been more ready to dive back into his life as a teacher. He compared his sabbatical to the baseball season— at the end of it, the players are tired of baseball and need the break, but when spring training comes around, the players get excited and are ready to come back. Ms. Koyama: Assistant Academic Dean, Study Skills Coordinator, and math teacher Sheryl Koyama has been working at Deerfield since 1989. She is back on campus after a year-long sabbatical she took last year. She used her sabbatical to achieve three main goals: looking at academics supported at other schools, improving her skills as a Spanish speaker, and enhancing her skills as a leader of international trips. She traveled in order to reach these goals. She flew to Mexico for six weeks, went to Peru on a professional development trip for about two weeks, attended a conference in Colorado about tripleading, and spent seven weeks in Europe for recreational purposes. When asked about the highlight of her sabbatical, she mentioned her recent marriage, stating, “Well, I got married. It wasn’t a goal, but it was a nice outcome.” Koyama elaborated on other personal goals she achieved as well. She worked on becoming a more confident Spanish speaker and better prepared to take students on international trips and be able to get students to think more deeply about the people they are with and where they are in contexts of the trips. On her sabbatical, she was able to set her own schedule every day, which was very nice for her. But when asked if she misses her sabbatical, she said, “We are at a great school. The students are great and I have wonderful colleagues. I am happy to be back at the place I really care about and to be working with students and adults whom I really admire.” When she was asked if she would take another sabbatical, given the opportunity, she said, “Absolutely, even though I’ll probably retire before that opportunity comes.”

The performance is spectacular. One by one, Deerfield students enter the stage immaculately dressed and shining with confidence. Their pieces, whether dance or song, are illuminated by colorful, bright lights and speakers that amplify their actions and showcase their talent. The audience smiles, cheers, and, finally, as the curtains come to a close for the last time, the whole auditorium stands on its feet in a roar of applause. Just a few days later, students peer into the same auditorium on their way to class. The stage is dark. The speakers and microphones have been safely put away, and the curtains have been carefully folded up for their next use. The transition is seamless, but behind the scenes Production Services Coordinator John Laprade is working hard for the next event. Born in central Massachusetts, Laprade has lived in the Pioneer Valley for the last 35 years, although he’s only been working at Deerfield for a little over three. The youngest of ten children, Laprade says, “We always had a lot of love and activity in our house…but we always felt that we shared an abundance of the essentials in life.” After a childhood spent playing in the woods and among the hills of the Valley, Laprade went to University of Massachusetts, Amherst to study Plant and Soil Sciences. However, he quickly shifted towards English and Education and began studying to be a high school English teacher. Mr. Laprade also began working in the theater department during college. This new interest led to being part of big touring acts in which Laprade built rock stages and continued to develop his technical skills in a range of areas including lighting, audio, production management, and stage rigging. After spending twenty years helping to build a community at Mount Holyoke College as Director of Student Programs, Laprade came to Deerfield to find a different atmosphere: “I found a wonderful community already built, healthy, and growing.” However, Laprade’s skills and wealth of knowledge would be vital in continuing to develop this growing community. Visual and Performing Arts teacher Jennifer Whitcomb expressed that she was excited for Mr. Laprade to be part of Deerfield Academy as soon as she saw his résumé. Having known Laprade previously, Whitcomb knew he would be an excellent addition to the school: “He’s an incredible kind, helpful, and empathetic person. He’s a really wonderful human being.” At Deerfield, Mr. Whitcomb has worked closely with Laprade on various projects, especially the many dance performances throughout the year. During an interview, Whitcomb stated that Mr. Laprade has “revolutionized” the dance showcases by tightening up transitions and putting in countless hours to prepare lighting cues and program the technical skeleton for each dance in advance so the dancers and choreographers experience less wear and tear. Not only is Mr. Laprade mindful of the performers, he also takes care of the students running tech, or “techies,” by empowering them with knowledge and skill while also letting them be independent, and even making sure that they’ve eaten dinner. “He’s a total wizard!” Ms. Whitcomb said. “One of the nicest perfectionists I have ever met in my life. He will go the extra distance to make any event perfect. It’s very rare we come across someone like him.” As a dancer who has performed and choreographed multiple numbers in previous dance showcases, Quinn Soucy ’19 has also experienced Laprade’s incredible worth ethic and his willingness to share his knowledge with students, particularly in the arts. In an interview, Mr. Laprade himself spoke about the exceptional caliber of performances at Deerfield, and his constant awe at the effort students put into their pieces. To showcase this talent, Mr. Laprade works to enhance the student’s vision, a mark of professionalism and understanding which Soucy greatly respects. “He understands artist and what they need in their relationship with him as far as the input that he can give without disrupting an artistic vision,” Soucy remarked. “He finds a way to give helpful input and be respectful of the arts.” But Mr. Laprade’s understanding of an artist’s vision goes well beyond being helpful. Soucy observes that he also has an incredible ability to make an abstract vision a reality. “I came into the dance department not knowing anything about lights, or curtains, or what a cyc was.” Soucy remembered, “So, for my very first piece, I just wrote things down, and somehow, I don’t know how he does it, he can just make anything you want come to life.” The secret to Mr. Laprade’s inspiration is simple: the people around him including the Deerfield students and faculty: “…their energy, earnestness, and brilliance…I’m moved by people of conviction everywhere, like the folks who sit in trees to stop old growth logging or take a stand against unjust politics, practices or policies. And by all those people who are portraits in courage as they triumph over adversity and challenges in their lives. There are so many sources of inspiration in the people all around us.” Production Services Technician Samuel Watson, who began working with Mr. Laprade in August of this year, also marveled at Laprade’s abilities saying, “He can do about anything…he built his own house! He’s incredibly capable.” Watson remarks that he has learned so much from Laprade, and, when listing some of the jobs they do on a daily basis, Watson also expressed how incredible it is that Laprade did it it all on his own: “He was one guy running the starship enterprise!” It’s obvious that Laprade has made a great mark on the Deerfield community and beyond. Whether it be a task like sorting out, moving equipment, communicating with people for events, organizing schedules, or even manning the confetti cannons at Cardi B and Skrillex concerts, Mr. Laprade does it all with sincerity, professionalism, and kindness. However, while these jobs encompass his title as Production Services Coordinator, Mr. Laprade’s additional abilities to understand students and faculty alike and turn dreams into realities seems more like a magical gift than anything else. “He’s running this school in a way that enhances all of our experiences here quietly behind the scenes with very little acknowledgement.” Ms. Whitcomb added. Mr. Laprade may be a “total wizard,” a superhero, and the commander of a spaceship working in the lighting booth which Soucy described as a “mysterious place.” But the only way to find out is to step behind the curtain and meet him in yourself! Artist or not, Mr. Laprade changes the way each and every student sees Deerfield. Remember, as Soucy remarked right at the beginning of her interview: “Not all heroes wear capes.”

“Meet at the Horse’s Head at 6:30 am!” The leaders of Shriv at the Riv make that announcement every Friday at sit-down lunch. New students may be wondering what “Shriv at the Riv” even means. Unlike some students who sleep in as long as they can, the participants of Shriv at the Riv look forward to waking up at 6:30 in the morning to start their day by taking a dip in the Deerfield River. Though it may seem like a long standing Deerfield tradition, surprisingly, Shriv at the Riv’s history only goes back as far as 2017 when Ollie Hollo ’18 and Jack Brown ’18 started the club. Austin Philie ’19 recalled that Hollo and Brown believed that the club would “bring people together ”to just have fun.” The club meets every Friday morning in front of the Horse’s Head. Rain or shine, students, wrapped around in towels or maybe a winter coat, will huddle in front of the Athletic center. From there, students, led by the leaders of Shriv by the Riv, will walk down to the Deerfield River to take a dip in the River or maybe even swim. After the morning refresher, students hurry back to their rooms to get ready for their classes. Some people may be baffled by the fact that some students would be willing to sacrifice their precious hours of sleep for an artic-cold morning swim. However, Philie reminds his peers to look at the “bigger picture.” “The purpose of the club is not about waking up and going in the water but it’s about the cool experience with some of your best friends, friends for life. It’s a great memory that you can make with your friends at Deerfield doing something crazy and fun,” said Philie. The Deerfield River holds a special place in every Deerfield student’s heart. Philie described the early morning scene as something one simply cannot see during broad daylight. Mimi Pastor ’19 reiterated these sentiments as she said, “It is amazing to see the fog rising on the clouds as the sun is rising. It’s extremely serene.” Philie explained that the name “Shriv at the Riv” was actually intended to be “Shiver at the River.” However, with time, students adoped the title “Shriv at the Riv,” because it was simply easier and quicker to say; it has stuck with the club ever since. There has been a lot of positive support from the faculty for Shriv at the Riv. Mr. Kelly along with the Deerfield Security officers make sure that the Deerfield River is not too high nor too cold for the students to take participate in “Shriving.” Mr. Kelly makes announcements at sit-down meals or sends emails to the student body to update them on security of the club. Aidan Philie ’20 encouraged new students to come join by mentioning, “If you want to have an experience, come out to the Shriv at the Riv. You will want to come again.” Although this club is fairly new, Shriv at the Riv has proven to establish itself as a prominent tradition at Deerfield Academy. This Friday, think about taking time off your morning to head down to the River for a morning dip!

It’s that time of the year in the Pioneer Valley. The arrival of Choate Day brings wild excitement, as well as the commitment to a rivalry that has held strong for decades. In fact, the tradition of traveling down to Walling- ford has been happening for al- most a century, even if it has not always been in Green Machines. The first football game was played in 1922, when Choate cordially invited Deerfield to Wallingford after the Big Green requested a match. Letters between Heads of Schools were written with typewriters, Choate’s Manager of Football Mr. F. R. Kellogg writing, “Our athletic association has been carefully considering the matter of the football game which you offered us for October 7, 1922, and we would be very glad to play you in Wallingford on that date.” An immediate competitive bond lead to the two teams competing annually, with soccer joining the fight in 1930 and cross country in 1948. The first record of fans traveling to Choate is from 1950, with a schedule describing the entire student body taking a train down to Wallingford. The Scroll followed the event and described the scene upon arrival: “When the train arrived in Wallingford shortly after the middle of the day, the Deerfield boys lined up behind the Band according to classes. The seniors came first, followed by the underclassmen in descending order. It is a number of blocks from the railway station to the Choate campus, and the Deerfield students marched 111 lines of four through town and onto the playing field. The band drummers rolled out a steady beat to keep the cadence.” Although there is no more marching, the commitment to the rivalry mirrors Choate week today, the article further describing that, “in preparation for the Cho- ate weekend there was march- ing practice on the previous Friday and the rally that evening. “Both activities gave the school a greater sense of unity and intensified the school spirit,” it concluded. In a rally in 1965, Frank Boyden spoke to the beauty of the Deerfield spirit coinciding with school’s intense rivalry with Choate, saying in an address to the student body “Well fellas, this is quite a sight…Now we’ve always been noted for our spirit and support of the teams, and this tonight is one phase of our support of the team. Tomorrow we meet a traditional rival and every fella here is representing Deerfield. I hope everybody makes sure that tomorrow we’ll carry on in the finest traditions of sportsman- ship, which everybody expects from us and from all others in the schools with which we are associated. We oughta have a great day tomorrow, the teams are ready, I think we’re ready, so let’s go!” This tradition and spirit in every way lives on. Echoing Mr. Boyden, this year’s Co-Captain Deerfield Bailey Cheetham ’19 says, “I’m excited for a day that we are expected to lose our voices, we are expected to get in Choate’s head, and we are expected to make Choate’s campus our house. Deerfield is ready to roll and Choate doesn’t know what’s coming to Wallingford.”

Ricardo Gonzales ‘19 can often be spotted as a front runner during both cross country practices and meets or hard at work in the studio making music. His dedication to whatever he sets his mind to clearly translates to his many achievements as a top runner for Deerfield’s boys cross-country team. As a four-year team member and current team captain, coaches and teammates alike have lauded his spirit, commitment, and unwavering leadership for the sport. Gonzales’ journey in the sport is unconventional. When asked why he started running he said, “I looked up to my sister who also happened to force me to run.” But ever since he started, he has enjoyed it and dedicated himself to it. His dedication stems from his passion for the sport. He commented on his passion saying, “I like running because it allows me to be free from all stress especially that of classes here at Deerfield.” His work ethic and talent truly shine through as he is one of three captains this season. His co-captain Tom Dillon ‘19 described being one of three captains, “It’s a lot of fun having three captains leading the team, there’s competition to improve, not only as an individual but as a team.” The bond that is exemplified by the captains carries throughout the whole team and strengthens their team spirit and ability to be competitive in a friendly way. New member of the team, Trey Souder ‘22 raved about this team dynamic and the way that Gonzales contributes to it saying, “Ricky’s position as a team captain brings us together and reminds us of our goals and our main objectives, whether those are short term or long term.” Aside from being an exceptional leader, Gonzales is also an accomplished athlete. He finished in ninth place at last year’s New England championships and is a key athlete in every race he runs. His coach, Michael Schloat, described his season so far saying, “On the course, Ricardo has been our number 1 runner during every race, doing battle each week with the rest of New England’s top runners. It is a grueling role to play, but he has hung in there gamely. His natural running capabilities and determination set him apart. “ Gonzales’ goals for the team going into New England’s are high, but he knows what this team has the capability to do. His other teammate, Charlie Lewis ‘21 describes Gonzales as a “smart, well-liked leader who helps focus the team.” Despite his many successes, he is still a humble leader who has gained the team’s respect. His fellow captain, JJ Siritantikorn ‘19, respects Ricardo for his “hard work in and out of practice.” He is a friend to all of his teammates and offers helpful advice and tips when they are needed. This compassion and unmatched passion for cross country inspires all of his peers and his coaches. Gonzales is also a dedicated athlete outside of practices and meets. He “eats, sleeps, and trains constantly which is a tough lifestyle that he’s willing to buy into,” according to Dillon ‘19. His devotedness to the improvement of his running is the essential factor in making him the outstanding athlete that he has become.

One of the most fundamental Deerfield traditions is the sit-down meal. Gathering together four times a week for lunch and three times for dinner is a custom that Deerfield has held onto significantly more than any other boarding school. “No one is as committed to sit-down as we are,” said Dean of Students Kevin Kelly. “We hold on to it because of the way it enhances our community.” Sit-down meals’ most obvious contribution to the community is the venue it provides for students to meet others who they may not encounter in their everyday lives. “I love sit-down because it gives me a chance to get to know people from other grades who I would not normally sit with,” said Katherine Hioe ’20. Sit-down allows students and faculty members with different experiences and stories to have the chance to get to know one another over the course of a three- or four-week rotation, at a total of seven sit-down tables over the course of just one year. Each table can have everyone from ninth-graders to post-graduates, as well as students and faculty members from all over the world. By having first and second waiters, dish and dessert crews, and a truly amazing kitchen staff, everyone in the community buys into the practice of the sit-down. “All of us make a contribution which allows the experience to work,” says Mr. Kelly. While sit-down is a staple of the community by itself, several other traditions have developed from it. One of these such traditions is singing the Evensong on Sunday nights. While the actual singing of the song has been around for decades, the swaying back and forth together can be traced back to the Class of 2016. These smaller traditions may evolve over time, shaped by the evolution of the campus. However, the essence of these traditions have embedded themselves deeply into Deerfield’s culture. According to Mr. Kelly, “They will never be dismissed from the fabric of who we are.” “Part of the energy [at Deerfield] is the community that comes from the sit-down meals here,” he expanded. New students appreciate the way sit-downs help them meet more people and acclimate to the community, and alums remember the significance of these meals long after they graduate. The importance of just this one tradition stays with Deerfield students long after their time on campus.

At one point in his testimony, the following dialogue between Brett Kavanaugh and Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Senator, occurred: WHITEHOUSE: Did it relate to alcohol? You haven’t answered that. KAVANAUGH: I like beer. I like beer. I don’t know if you do… WHITEHOUSE: OK. KAVANAUGH: … do you like beer, Senator, or not? WHITEHOUSE: Um, next… KAVANAUGH: What do you like to drink? Brett Kavanaugh’s rushed FBI investigation, uncleared sexual assault allegations, lies under oath, and intemperate nature points to the conclusion that he should not have been confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice. Even before considering the validity of the sexual assault allegations made against Kavanaugh, I see an immediate issue with the FBI investigation that took place. The Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee requested for President Trump to reopen its background investigation into the sexual assault allegations. President Trump agreed, but ordered strict limitations on the nature of the investigation. The White House gave the FBI only one week to complete its assigned task and review all claims. In addition, the White House set restrictions on who the FBI could interview. NBC News reported on September 29th that heavy limitations had been set on interviewing Mark Judge, who was allegedly also in the room the night of Ford’s sexual assault. Although President Trump denied the existence of such restrictions, it was confirmed by on September 30 that they were still indeed in effect, and the incredibly short span of time that was allotted inevitably led to a longer list of witnesses who interviewed than were. Thus, I believe the FBI investigation was inadequate, rushed and compromised, especially for the inspection of an issue as grave as sexual assault. More time should have been allotted and more attention given to the allegations. The hurried nature of the investigation and the entire confirmation process itself speaks to a deeper irresponsibility on the part of Congress. There was an alarming amount of secrecy surrounding Kavanaugh’s past record, and the fact that the final vote completely came down to partisan lines only heightens my fear that his confirmation process was influenced by partisans who simply wanted to see him on the Supreme Court, regardless of his integrity. This leads me to my next concern – the actual sexual assault allegations themselves. Three women stepped forward with accusations that Kavanaugh committed assault as a young high school and college student. I do not believe that they should automatically be believed without the presence of solid, undeniable evidence. Yet as a teenage girl incredibly passionate about the issue of sexual assault, I know that 1 in 3 women around the world are sexually assaulted according to the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network. And I know that it is unspeakably difficult for victims of sexual assault to even acknowledge that they have been sexually assaulted, let alone risk their own safety to come forward about it in front of the whole nation. Some people accused Ford of lying because she “conveniently forgot” to come forward about Kavanaugh until right before his confirmation. But they don’t understand how hard it is for women to admit that they have been assaulted, how much trauma and pain it can bring to relive those memories, especially in a world that threatens to kill Ford and defends Kavanaugh just because he is a federal judge. Despite the surge of movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp, rape culture still very much exists, and women all over the world, including Ford, are simply when they speak their truths. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, more than 90% of college girls don’t report to the authorities. Why? Because society asks the girls what they were wearing that night, how much they had to drink, whether they have any evidence. Society tells girls that it’s their own fault they were assaulted. Society lets the perpetrators walk free. During Ford’s moving, guttural address to Congress, I saw a strong, brave woman speaking her truth because she felt it was the right thing to do: not a left-wing, partisan liar trying to ruin Kavanaugh’s confirmation process. Congress’s decision to confirm Kavanaugh shows just how low its standard is for taking sexual assault claims seriously. Little girls and boys who watched him take the oath witnessed their own government hurriedly push aside the words of a possible assault victim within the span of a week. This sets the wrong precedent for our younger generation, for whom the President should be the highest role model of integrity and honor. I choose to believe Christine Blasey Ford. But even if you don’t believe her, the fact that the numerous sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh remain unresolved should be reason enough to concern you. He currently sits on the highest court of the United States, yet his honesty and character as a person is tarnished. I am not demanding the destruction of a man’s reputation based on unsubstantiated claims, but rather, asking that these allegations be treated with proper gravity. The last thing I want to consider is Kavanaugh’s judicial temperament. There is undeniable proof that he lied during his Senate hearing. For one, he claimed that he was a innocent, church-attending high school boy who never drank. Yet as Amy Klobuchar, a U.S. Senator, pointed out to him, “You have said, here and other places, that you never drank so much that you didn’t remember what happened. But yet, we have heard — not under oath, but we have heard your college roommate say that you did drink frequently. These are in news reports. Another classmate said it’s not credible for you to say you didn’t have memory lapses.” When Klobuchar later asked if he had ever drank so much he couldn’t remember what had happened, he replied, “It’s — you’re asking about, you know, blackout. I don’t know. Have you?” This unbelievably childish petulance was common throughout his testimony. There were many more small lies and details that can be inspected, and no matter how small, each one of them is significant because if he is willing to say even one false thing on oath, then everything else he says is undermined. Since Kavanaugh was caught lying multiple times, how can the nation place any belief at all in his tale of innocence? I believe that a judge should be even-handed, impartial, and courteous. But during his testimony, he was openly aggressive to his questioners, and even had to apologize to one of the Senators afterwards for his rude belligerence. Instead of acknowledging that the Senate needed to try to understand what had happened, he dismissed the entire process as “a calculated and orchestrated political hit.” His inflammatory responses and discourteous behavior displayed that he does not have the judicial temperament to be sitting on the highest court of the land. Brett Kavanaugh should not have been confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice.

People who chew loudly. Khaki. I know it’s more of a fabric, but I really absolutely loathe khaki. Because I have stretchy skin and long arms I’ve always dreamed of being Mr. Fantastic from The Fantastic Four. A greyhound. Ideally, on Broadway! Ben and Jerry’s Non-Dairy Coconut Seven Layer Bar. Specific, right? A piano, a blow dryer, and a copy of Celine Dion’s “All By Myself.” Bulgogi Tofu. Tea always. I actually wrote an autobiographical cabaret last year and it was called because I’m a bit of a gossip girl. Patti LuPone. When I was in high school, we had an evacuation drill. It was 1,300 kids standing in a single file line for two hours, and about five minutes in, I realized that I had to pee so badly. After basically crying for two hours because I was trying to hold it in, I finally apprached the superintndent of the school, who was surrounded by armed police officers, and I said, ”If I don’t go to the bathroom now, I am going to wet myself.” I had to be escorted by an armed guard to a bathroom, where the guard had to stand outside of the stall the entire time. They had to hold the buses for me because they finally evacutaed during the four minutes I was away.

For Alexia Baker ’19, dance has always been a part of her life. She was first introduced to dance at the age of three, beginning with ballet lessons. Throughout her childhood, Baker faced the challenge of frequently moving houses and being unable to consistently take classes. Despite these setbacks, she still found her own way to express her passion for her art by spending time in a dance studio, listening to music, or choreographing pieces with her sister and performing for her family. Throughout all these years, dancing for others has grown to be a significant part of Baker’s life. “I love the feeling during and after performances. Once I’m on stage, I just start dancing. I don’t think about who’s watching or what else is going on on stage,” described Baker. She added, “Performing, auditioning, even dancing in class – it’s a show, all the time.” In addition to the excitement of performing, dance also provides Baker with a certain calmness. “Dance really helps me clear my head. When I’m dancing, I don’t have to think about anything. It’s a stress reliever. There’s just so much freedom with what you can do. For me, dance is like meditating in a way,” said Baker. At Deerfield, Baker is one of the rare dancers to start in Dance I and pass through all of the levels into the highest level, Dance Tutorial, during her four years here. She is a well-rounded dancer in all genres, though she considers hip hop and jazz to be her favorites. Deerfield’s dance program and its open environment both played an important role in Baker’s decision to come to this school. “On my revisit day, I peeked into the studio and they were doing ballet. Ms. Whitcomb asked me if I wanted to join them even though I had no dance clothes and I wasn’t ready to dance. That was one of the things that made me come here. I didn’t come prepared to dance and she just let me join,” recalled Baker. Her time at this school has brought her numerous new experiences as both a dancer and a choreographer. Despite having choreographed pieces before, her freshman year winter showcase was the first time she put one of her self-choreographed pieces on stage. Deerfield has also introduced her to a unique choreographing process using the advanced technology on campus. “As a choreographer, you literally put the piece together from the choreo to the stage. You want lights, you want silhouettes, when the light changes. It’s really a process that I don’t get to do anywhere else,” explained Baker. I listen to the dynamics of the music and think about how I want the lighting to change and make the choreography look even cooler. Often times when we rehearse pieces in the studio, there are always some points of chores that don’t click for me until I do it on stage. It brings the choreography to life. “Overall, I’ve learned from the dancers and choreographers here. Being a part of this program has also helped me with musicality and knowing I don’t always have to count, as well as how to feel the music and make movements work when there are no counts,” added Baker. For the upcoming student choreography showcase, Baker will be choreographing the MLK day dance piece, to be performed by the Advanced Dance Ensemble. The piece will be set to the song “Glory” by John Legend and will be contemporary, posing the challenge for Baker of maintaining emotion even during the rap sections. “It’s about freedom, rising up through hardships, breaking social constructs, and being the race that you are made to be,” elaborated Baker. When asked what kind of dancer she is, Dance Program Director Jennifer Whitcomb simply states,“Fierce. She’s a strong dancer. Even though she’s a true leader and a role model, she never seeks the limelight. She’s very humble and unassuming about her abilities, which makes me appreciate her even more. If there’s something that’s better for the greater good than for her, she’ll always prefer that.” In the future, although Baker does not plan on majoring or minoring in dance, she wants to continue to find ways to participate in dance and continue doing what she has always loved to do.

The breadth of Deerfield’s course catalog is mind-boggling. Boasting 170 courses across eight academic departments, Deerfield offers just about any class students want to take. Particularly for math and science courses, students can choose a specific level, such as regular, honors, or AP, to find a desired level of rigor. A student who is serious about pursuing advanced chemistry may study AP Chemistry; others may enjoy a more relaxed class by taking Chemistry I. However, it is strange that the same breadth of levels is not available for English, social studies, and language classes. There are no official AP courses in any of these subjects, and though the language department offers honors options, there are only three honors history courses and no honors English classes at all. The Scroll Editorial Board believes in the value of consistent levels across all academic departments. Standardized levels will offer fair opportunities to every student who wants to take challenging courses; in addition, they will give credit to students who challenge themselves. During freshman and sophomore year, every student takes the same English class. As upperclassmen, students merely have more freedom to choose a more narrow set of themes to explore without having an option to have a more relaxed or demanding English class. Perhaps this is rooted in the idea that Deerfield upholds English, to some degree, as the one subject that grounds all students’ academic experiences at Deerfield. Declamations and Meditations are considered to be a “rite of passage” in the Deerfield experience, and English is the only subject with a 4-year graduation requirement. While these efforts to give every Deerfield student an equal English education is admirable, it divides students in reality. Students who do not enjoy English much or for whom English is not their strong suit have no choice but to dedicate 50 minutes to homework every night. Students who want to pursue English at a high level may choose to work harder in these standardized English classes, but they will not be rewarded for their work in the same way strong STEM students are through their “honors” or “AP” distinction. The same analogy can be extended to most social studies classes and some language classes. We realize that students who are passionate about humanities classes do not necessarily need higher level courses in order to feel challenged. However, these level distinctions are often beneficial for the college admissions process, when admissions officers need to quickly assess the breadth and rigor of students’ transcripts. Although Deerfield alone cannot change the college admissions process, preserving this disparity between different subjects is misleading for everyone involved. These issues can be solved by implementing a consistent system of levels across all departments. The Scroll Board is calling for one of three options: 1. Offering AP, honors, and regular levels for every core academic subject; 2. Offering honors and regular levels for every core academic subject; 3. No leveled classes at all. Deerfield sends ambiguous messages about its academic mission by only offering the choice of different levels to select subjects. We at the Scroll hope the school seeks consistency in this regard across all academic departments.

With the end of the semester quickly approaching, the ninth-graders have each had a taste of life at Deerfield and can reflect on the contrast between their expectations versus their realities. Overall, ninth-graders seem to generally agree that Deerfield is a place of community, noting how no one is afraid to talk to each other. “It’s great to be in a place where everyone says ‘hi,’ especially since it’s not like that in New York.” said Ella Mbanefo ’22. Realistically, Deerfield and its community are not perfect, because there will always be negative people, but Maria Vieira ‘22 reflected, “I know some people here aren’t going to be nice, because there are people like that everywhere. But that doesn’t make me question my decision to come here.” Some 9th graders also expressed surprise at the friendly closeness between under and upperclassmen. Aoife Bruce ‘22 commented, “I expected the upperclassmen to be intimidating, but they’re actually super nice.” She spoke about how she was initially hesitant about making friends with these older students, but she soon realized that there was nothing to be afraid of. In the academic sphere, the Deerfield workload is universally challenging, but some 9th graders have not been phased. Elena Lu ‘22, reflected, “In hindsight, I overestimated the workload a little bit. I figured I would have no time to spend with my friends, but luckily that was not the case.” Others, however, were taken aback by the hours of work needed at Deerfield. A few said that it’s not the quantity, but the quality of work the Deerfield standard calls for that surprised them. Isha Rao ’22 said, “It seems like a little work, but it takes time because you have to actually work hard and think about it.” Deerfield is a challenging school, as all of its students know. Many freshmen expected that challenge, but still need to work hard to thrive in such an environment. Vieira said, “I’m doing everything meticulously, because I want to do well here academically. That’s why I came here. But it takes a long time.” The workload is intense and time confusing, but the rule that students only have to work for fifty minutes on a subject also confused some of these new students, who felt like they had to finish their assignments no matter what. “I feel incomplete if I don’t finish the full thing, even though teachers say to only do fifty minutes of it,” said Mbanefo. Socially, many new students were not familiar with boarding, and did not know what to expect. Jasmine Decossard ’22 remarked, “I really like it. I was skeptical before I came here, but you’re with your friends and a ton of other people.” Upon being asked specific favorable aspects of boarding life, she stressed independence. “You get to experience being independent and find yourself at a different place,” she explained. “You can choose your own path.” Bruce, who lives on Johnson 1, said “I thought I would only be friends with my roommate, but I was surprised to see how close everyone in the same floor are, from hall feeds to other activities.” As the Fall Term comes to a close, the 9th graders are settling into life at Deerfield and starting to feel like they are a part of the community. Cooper DeMallie ’22, after being asked for a pivotal memory from 9th-grade fall, told this story: “There was one night me and my friends decided to go out and bring a speaker to the quad, and we just sat there and chilled talking about stuff,”he said. “It was just a bond. And I just thought ‘Man, this is where I belong.’”

For better or worse, off-campus athletics have become a fixture of the high school athletics landscape at Deerfield. Although there are many disadvantages to the demanding schedules of off-campus teams, they have become essential for high-performance. A frequent by-product of admirable factors such as an athlete’s authentic desire to simply do what they love, to maximize talent, performance and potential, or to continue team friendships and bonds that may have formed years prior to Deerfield, off-campus athletics undoubtedly require an extensive time commitment that each individual must set aside. As a result, time may be taken away from their moments on campus, as members of the Deerfield community. It is important for athletes to balance this time with the time they take to pursue their passions. However, there are other factors behind the rise of off-campus athletics that may or may not be so altruistic. The privatization of youth sports in which professional quality (presumably) coaching has become widely available to aspiring athletes from virtually the moment they can walk for a fee – sometimes as high as $10,000 per season – is one factor. The unceasingly competitive, all-or-nothing college admissions process in which athletic prowess can tip the scale like few other factors this side of GPA and test scores is undoubtedly another. Balancing off campus athletics as well as academics and co-curriculars is something trying for athletes. Deerfield Women’s Varsity Lacrosse player Hanna Deringer ’20, who hopes to play college lacrosse and plays for the Virginia Metro club team, offers sage advice, “The key is to be disciplined in balancing academic commitments and life at Deerfield as well. Do it if you are passionate about it, but also make sure you can manage it.” Hanna acknowledges the challenge of missing Deerfield activities on the weekend and the challenge of related travel. However, she also enjoys the breaks from campus and opportunity for additional practice. “I have to do a lot of work before I leave campus, otherwise there’s just not enough time…and (you have to be careful not to) spread yourself too thin as you can’t accomplish anything if you do that.” Alton Machen, a junior boys’ ice hockey player who plays for the Springfield Rifles during weekends in the Fall and who aspires to play Varsity Hockey at Deerfield this winter, feels that off-campus athletics requires discipline and time management, skills that are important throughout life. “Sometimes it’s difficult because we go to faraway places on weekends, but I try to get ahead on my work and do it when I am back on Sunday nights, but it’s difficult because I am a cheerleader and sometimes I miss games.” He adds that, “It depends on the sport, but for hockey, you have to be constantly skating and it’s good preparation for the season. But it’s important to get acquainted with the school if you are new and to do things outside of sports, so you have to manage it.” Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse Coach Allison DiNardo agrees that it is all about balance, “It takes the right kind of athlete with good time management skills.” Ms. DiNardo notes that many student-athletes participation in off-campus athletics focuses on summer showcases that are important for the college admissions process. Moreover, “Coaches don’t pressure students into off-campus athletics,” according to Ms. DiNardo. She also notes the importance of Deerfield’s multi-sport athlete model which emphasizes that students participate in two or more sports. In the end, like many decisions all Deerfield students must make for themselves, an off-campus athletics commitment is a process of weighing the pros and cons and making the best personal decision possible.