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This year, King’s Academy in Madaba, Jordan celebrates its ten-year anniversary. His Majesty King Abdullah II, Deerfield Class of 1980, founded King’s Academy alongside Deerfield former headmaster Eric Widmer. Head of School Margarita Curtis stated, “From [King’s] inception, the relationship to Deerfield was extremely tight.” Dr. Widmer brought two Deerfield teachers to begin teaching at King’s in hopes to “create a culture” similar to Deerfield. King’s now includes 670 students from grades seven to twelve, and 40 countries are represented within the student body. These figures are not dissimilar to Deerfield’s. Throughout the years, there have been several exchange opportunities for both teachers  and students. Bakir Mohammad, a King’s teacher currently at Deerfield on exchange with Philosophy and Religion teacher Jan Flaska, explained that King’s adopted many of Deerfield’s traditions and features, such as sit-down meals, weekly school meetings, and promoting “critical thinking and looking at issues from a different lens” in and out of the classroom. “King’s reflects the Western world and the Arab world,” said Mr. Mohammad. He was also amazed by how sincerely the King connected with the students upon his visits to campus: “He was speaking to them as if they were world leaders. He knows his vision and how he wants to implement it. Deerfield Academy played a pivotal role in the King’s life and will always have an impact on King’s Academy’s vision.” Deerfield and King’s also keep their connection strong through many exchange opportunities for students. Two students from King’s joined the group of Deerfield students who traveled to Colombia in the summer of 2017. Dr. Curtis remarked that “having their perspective in this group was really enriching.” King’s Academy holds a special place in the heart of Jada Howard ’19. She studies Arabic at Deerfield and wanted to further her understanding of the language and culture at King’s. She attended King’s for ten days during her freshman year as a part of a Deerfield Global Studies trip. Howard said, “[King’s] has shaped my perspective of the world in the way that I feel that no matter where I am from, I share the same interests and dislikes as someone that lives on the other side of the world.” To this day, Howard still keeps in touch with several friends she met at King’s. She gained a powerful new understanding: “Just because we live in different countries, with different time zones, or different perspectives on various topics shouldn’t prohibit us from being friends.” In a congratulatory letter to Dr. John Austin, the current Head of School at King’s, Dr. Curtis wrote: “Deerfield is deeply proud to be the alma mater of His Majesty King Abdullah II. Among his many accomplishments, his focus on education is particularly meaningful to us because we share his mission of sending agents of hope and optimism into our untidy and conflicted world. King’s Academy is preparing global citizens for lives of engagement and leadership, acknowledging the importance of embracing complexity and nuance in world affairs.” His Majesty King Abdullah II himself commented on his hopes for the future of King’s Academy, stating, “There is nothing more important than creating tomorrow’s good citizens. The need for young leaders will be even more important as the region goes forward from current conflicts and crises. Jordan has a central role in providing stability, strong values, and new ideas. Ten years from now, we will be looking back on seeds planted here at King’s Academy right now. All this is just the beginning.” The whole Deerfield community congratulated King’s on ten years in a video taken at School Meeting. The school shouted “congratulations” in Arabic right before a banner was unfurled and Deerfield’s Arabic language students said a few more words. Both Deerfield and King’s are schools with “a global perspective,” Dr. Curtis added. “Very few schools in the States have tight relationships to schools in that part of the world. I think that is unique to us.” Moving forward, Dr. Curtis hopes Deerfield will ensure that it keeps “the relationship very much alive and growing.” , King’s Academy!

Choate Weekend is a beloved tradition at Deerfield. On Friday night, the past year’s alumni return to campus to reconnect with their peers and esteemed faculty before spending Saturday cheering for Deerfield’s sports teams. The alumni display their love for Deerfield through their enthusiasm at the bonfire and pep rally, and especially through the many miles they travel for the short weekend excursion. However, in recent years, the administration has dealt with various instances of inappropriate conduct from some alumni, leading it to declare a change in the way the graduated students could participate in this year’s Choate weekend activities. Without a true dialogue with the student body and the Class of 2017, the administration severed the Friday night tradition. Mr. Kelly provided thoughtful insight on the initial decision for the seniors not to come back for Friday night. He noted that last year’s Friday night sequence was only “a straw that broke the camel’s back.” The administration has, for the past ten years, dealt with the fact that many students choose to come back for the bonfire and pep rally intoxicated, which presents the administration with legality and liability issues that must be resolved. The love Mr. Kelly feels for the Class of 2017 was clear as he noted, “For us, this was not a reflection on the Class of 2017. For every class, and especially for the Class of 2017, we were thrilled to have them back on campus. The change of that Friday night was in no way driven or directed at this class.” My only wish is that this conversation occurred before letters were drafted and emails were sent, in order to save the anger, distress, and confusion that circulated among students and alumni when the initial solution to the issue was announced. Our mission statement says, “Deerfield Academy is an independent secondary school committed to high standards of scholarship, citizenship, and personal responsibility… Deerfield encourages each student to develop an inquisitive and creative mind, sound body, and strong moral character.” A key part of this statement is the evolution of students’ “strong moral character” throughout their time at the Academy. If we market ourselves to prospective families as a place where strong moral values are instilled in our students, then why were we ashamed of inviting back our recently graduated Class of 2017 the night before Choate Day? Aside from the dismay I felt at the revocation of the chance to see some of my best friends on the Friday before Choate Day, what disconcerted me most was that I, as well as the rest of the student body and the recently graduated class, had had no voice in the decision. As Lily Louis ’18 stated fervently, “I feel as though students were exasperated by the way in which the Class of 2017 was blindsided. We felt that a proper conversation had not been had with these students, given that there was abundant time for discussion throughout their senior year at Deerfield, for the administration to come together with this class and find a compromise for their Choate Day experience.” Had the administration proposed this change as a discussion, instead of informing us that they had already made the decision, I believe that we could have come to the conclusion that now stands in a much healthier manner. As Louis noted, “Not only was this a fight for the Class of 2017, but also a fight for our own future Choate Day and that of generations to come.” The alumni, understandably, felt betrayed by the administration’s settlement. As the journey was too long for a day trip, many of them decided that they wouldn’t return at all for Choate Day when they received the administration’s letter. In my conversation with students from the Class of 2017, Reid Shilling ’17 pointed out, “It is called ‘Choate Weekend’ for a reason. It’s also referenced as ‘Homecoming’ for a reason. Who are we as a community if we cannot welcome back our alumni?” Many members of the Class of 2017 felt devalued by the administration’s decision to not have them back for the bonfire and pep rally. They didn’t have a chance to fight to come back and behave respectfully on their old stomping grounds. Although the administration did reverse the decision and the Class of 2017 will return for all of Choate Weekend, I think it is important to acknowledge the fact that for a period of time, our administration was planning to keep them from returning to campus. Deerfield students grow so much throughout our time at the Academy. We develop our interests and find our talents; we become unique individuals. Deerfield produces a group of extremely skilled, driven, kind, and passionate young adults. As students, we realize that we have the duty to act in a way that reflects good character and respect for Deerfield, as well as our community beyond. Therefore, we would like to feel as though the school holds its alumni in high regard as members of the global community, especially as a result of their time at the Academy. With propositions as controversial as disallowing the alumni to return the Friday of Choate Weekend, it is important that the administration lends the students the true opportunity to participate. “If Deerfield is changing and becoming the progressive place it projects itself to be, major changes to student life should include bodies of student leadership in the decision-making process,” declared former Chair of the Student Council Daniel Finnegan ’17. With regard to the meeting Dr. Curtis and Mr. Kelly held, Captain Deerfield Ollie Hollo ’18 remarked, “Dr. Curtis and Mr. Kelly were both moved after the Caswell meeting over the original Choate Weekend decision. The key component in swaying them was that everyone at the meeting was honest, while maintaining a polite tone.” Upon realizing how much this tradition meant not only to the Class of 2017, but also to the current Deerfield student body, they listened, and the new decision was shaped by the students’ input. Hollo summed up the overarching sentiment that “a Deerfield where students are discouraged from coming back to campus and reuniting with classmates is not the welcoming community on which we pride ourselves. There is only one way to celebrate Choate Day: with pride, family, and tradition.” As a student body, we took matters into our own hands and brought back the Choate Weekend that we know and love. Even as a freshman, not knowing any of the alumni returning to campus, I remember feeling the excitement that vibrated through the Kravis, down at the bonfire, and in the Greer on the night before Choate Day. Words cannot express the value of embracing old friends, of seeing each other after long periods of time apart, of coming together in the place that shaped them into the successful young adults they now are. Traditions are an integral part of our school; without them, we wouldn’t be Deerfield Academy. Dr. Curtis constantly reiterates that what sets Deerfield apart from other New England boarding schools is our exceptionally strong sense of community, and I couldn’t agree more. Going forward, I hope that the student body and administration will be able to work together to create healthier dialogue surrounding future issues and decisions.

“Do better.” These are the words Ms. Creagh repeated in an announcement at lunch recently, referring to the influx of racial slurs and prejudiced remarks that have been repeated by some students across campus in past weeks. Out of faculty members’ earshot, some students made intolerant and hateful comments, explicitly targeting other students on the basis of their race, ethnicity, or culture. We, the editorial board, stand strongly behind Ms. Creagh’s assertion that there is no place for hatred, disrespect, or intentional insensitivity on this campus. It is worth noting that, as a newspaper, we hold the freedom of expression in the highest regard. We believe that the freedom of expression was conceived to give everyone a voice, and through candid and thoughtful discussion, to ensure that we bring the truth to light. However, to target others is to silence them, and to succumb to ignorant stereotypes is to impede thoughtful discussion. Thus, we see making hateful comments about members of our, or any, community as fundamental abuses of the freedom of expression and antithetical to its goals of equality and truth. We recognize that sometimes, we may unknowingly say something offensive, and in those cases, we only need to politely educate or remind each other about what is offensive and what is not. However, in cases where comments are made with clearly hateful intention, it is our responsibility to speak up. While letting one intolerant comment slip past may not seem like a big deal, by choosing not to act, we send the message that such comments are permissible in our community, and over time, they may even become normalized. By choosing not to act, we undermine the very foundations of our community. We, the student body, must hold each other accountable and act against hatred and intolerance whenever we see it. There is good news, though: we who believe in compassion and community outnumber those who stand for hatred and division. And if we all work together to create an inclusive culture where hate is simply not tolerated, the freedom of expression will truly ring.

Not everybody has loved the mindfulness initiatives this year. This is particularly evident during the mindful minutes at School Meeting, which have been characterized by excessive coughing and token participation. We are required to partake in mindfulness regularly, whether we like it or not. We can do it willingly and best take advantage of these opportunities or we can sit and be unhappy. There are choices to be made and our choice matters. Mindfulness can benefit us all in meaningful, tangible ways. It is a path to a better understanding of the self, which I believe to be essential in finding a settled, calm spirit. It allows you to develop a mindset with which you can overcome obstacles and move forward purposefully and more happily through life. Mindfulness is more than meditation; it is the practice or state of being conscious. Very few people on this campus will hesitate to tell you how busy they are. Feeling busy is a state of mind and not a good one. If we allow the demands on our time to weigh us down, they will—at the expense of our happiness. I will not argue that we do not have a lot of work—this is true. However, 24 hours is a lot of time. How many hours do you spend watching Netflix or browsing Instagram? How long are you actually working for? When you say you studied forever for that test, was it focused studying? Asking these questions and answering them is hard. I firmly believe that if we understand ourselves and the obligations we take on well, any amount of work is manageable, and we will never consider ourselves to be “busy.” To me, these realizations are worth the struggle because they will allow us to more consciously consider the things that are most important to us. The administration clearly believes in the benefits of mindfulness, and their confidence is grounded in research. Mindfulness has been scientifically proven to improve health; it can reduce anxiety, depression, and stress levels. In fact, researchers at Harvard University found that participants who meditated for 15 minutes a day during an 8-week program used 43% fewer medical services than they did the previous year. Mindfulness can also improve memory, attention, and cognition. Finding the motivation to do work can be hard sometimes. Mindfulness can help with this. When you truly understand your goals, intrinsic motivation is the result. Intrinsic motivation is stronger than any other kind of motivation, and it will allow you to be focused and targeted in your actions. By finding these personal truths, we can eliminate suffering when faced by seemingly overwhelming amounts of work. There is a lot of unnecessary suffering in the world: suffering that is self-inflicted or unintentional, suffering that can be understood and overcome. If you have a negative experience, what kind of emotions do you feel and why? Coming to these realizations is a consequence of being conscious. I firmly believe that the benefits of mindfulness — a peaceful spirit and mind — fully outweigh the costs: the time spent. Mindfulness is something that must be committed to fully and wholeheartedly. The most effective motivation and thorough understanding comes from a place deep within. To reap the benefits, you must embrace the experience and keep an open, unreactive, thoughtful mind. Perhaps these things are not for you. I think that is fine, but I ask you to deliberately consider where the decision to dismiss mindfulness came from, and why you made it. At least try it out before rejecting it. I appreciate the school’s efforts to better the quality of life on campus. To fully take advantage of these initiatives, we as individuals must make the decision to commit to becoming more than we are. I urge you to buy in and try it out. You and you only have the capacity to transform yourself into a happier, more thoughtful, and more successful version of yourself.

As Deerfield students returned to campus this fall, a buzz of annoyance rang through the Greer Store and Louis Cafe. Although the changes were largely insignificant, some students noted that prices had increased on smoothies, cookies, and candy. Assistant Head of Dining Services Bradley Woodward attested to modest increases: “[These changes] are the first times we’ve raised prices since I’ve been here, and I’ve been here for five years.” Mr. Woodward explained that the primary cause of these rises result from either the cost of prepackaged food from a vendor, or the labor invested by staff members to make the items. “Those are the main factors: labor and cost,” said Mr. Woodward. Vendor prices must be met, so the item prices must rise. Products like cookies or muffins “are made in-house, in our bakery,” as Mr. Woodward explained, and those costs have risen to reflect the time dedicated by staff to providing them homemade. The menus themselves have also changed for the new school year; some price increases mirror these changes. Mr. Woodward explained that a few years ago, smoothies at the Greer were made from a processed mix that was “90% sugar and 10% fruit, if you were lucky.” Now, the smoothies are 100% fruit and fruit juice. “The cost on the smoothies is considerably higher than it used to be, because the mix was cheap, and buying fruit is not cheap,” said Mr. Woodward. “But I thought it was worth it, in terms of the quality of the product, and how well it would be received, and the overall healthfulness of the item.” As the menu evolves with student requests and the increase of healthy options, the prices must change to reflect those shifts. To minimize confusion about the recent changes, it is important to understand the goal of Deerfield’s on-campus cafes. The cafes are run as break-even operations, and, as such, the prices are manipulated to ensure that the Greer and the Louis Cafe can pay for themselves. There is a small amount of cushion room to maintain the facility and the equipment, but the cafes have never been operated to generate a profit. Rather, they strive to provide delicious food and drinks to the Deerfield community at the lowest prices possible. With the increased amount of healthy options and the increased quality of items, both in prepackaged food from vendors and house-made products, prices are bound to rise. Mr. Woodward hopes that the price increase is moderate enough to not be an inconvenience. Nicholas Ortega ’19 said, “I didn’t notice [the changes] until someone brought it up, but the cookies only went up a dime, so it’s not a big deal.” However, other students worry that a dime a day can stack up to a much larger cost overall. “The Greer is very convenient and it is very common for people to miss a meal,” said Valentina Saldarriaga ’20. “With prices rising, a good percentage of campus might not be able to afford it as often.” Although these changes may pose a slight inconvenience to students, the Academy dining staff hopes that having more healthy and delicious items on the menu will be an overall positive change for the Deerfield community.

Andrew Penner ’18 is a two-sport varsity athlete, competing for the boys’ water polo and swim teams. As one of the co-captains along with fellow classmate Nolen Rockefeller ’18, Penner has led the boys’ varsity water polo team, which is currently on a four-game winning streak, to a strong start. Next year, Penner will continue his water polo career at Brown University. The first time Penner ever saw a water polo game when he was in Italy on a trip and saw a national team match. Given that he has always been comfortable in the water, he decided to try it out. Growing up in the Bay Area, Penner began playing water polo seriously at the Stanford Water Polo Club, one of the most elite clubs in the nation, when he was just eight years old. Penner attributes a lot of his success to his coach from this club, Clarke Weatherspoon. Penner explained, “between ages 12 and 14, he saw a lot of potential in me that I didn’t see in myself, and subsequently furthered my drive to improve.” As a result, when he arrived at Deerfield as new sophomore, Penner’s experience allowed him to have an immediate impact on the water polo team by becoming the team’s leading scorer. Building off of his stellar sophomore campaign, Penner once again led the team in scoring his junior year and secured a spot on the All-New England Water Polo First Team. He continues to be the leading scorer of the team, with 56 goals in just ten games. Now, Penner is focused on doing something “B18” this season. “Under Coach Scandling’s guidance, we hope to do some amazing things,” he stated. “Right now we are 6-2 and at this time last year we were 0-8, so we have really improved.” While Penner is focused on the continued success of the team, he recognizes that to get better, no one can be left behind. After coaching him for three seasons, Coach Mark Scandling said, “All the while Andrew was improving his polo skills, he was also patiently helping his teammates work together well at both ends of the pool. Now, when opposing teams focus on him, he can confidently make the extra pass to a player ready to make the right play.” “All three years have been really great, and everyone is striving to be at the top of their game,” stated Penner. With the season already halfway over, and the NE Championship just a month away, the team, lead by Penner, is gearing up for a deep playoff run.

In mid-August of 2016, Colin Kapernick, then a backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, decided to sit on the bench at Levi Stadium during a routine performance of “The Star Spangled Banner” prior to the team’s first preseason game. For two weeks, his actions went almost unnoticed, and nobody really seemed to care that he was sitting instead of standing. His decision to kneel during the national anthem at the third preseason game, however, sparked a massive news story that has continued to be a topic of conversation deep into the 2017 season. In a news conference after the game, Kapernick stated that he was kneeling to “bring awareness and make people realize what’s really going on in this country,” alluding to the oppression of minority groups, an issue clearly important to him. Conservatives criticize him. Liberals praise him. The conservatives argue that his actions disrespect the flag and the men and women who risked or gave their lives to defend it. Liberals are persistent saying that he is an American hero for making a statement to bring peace to the nation. One argument against the protests is that Kapernick, as well as the players who followed his actions, are breaking the United States Flag Code, which was put forth by Congress in 1923. It describes everything from proper attention during the performance of the National Anthem to proper disposal of the flag. According to the Flag Code, during the playing of “The Star Spangled Banner,” all present “should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart” and any headdress must be removed. Clearly, the players who kneel during the national anthem break the Flag Code. However, the code also has other rules that are not as well known and are broken quite often. The American flag is not allowed to be turned into or pictured on clothing, even athletic uniforms. I am guilty of breaking this rule myself. I wear an American flag belt to class almost every day. I have several American flag T-shirts, an American flag tie, and I even have the American flag embroidered into the thumb on my baseball glove. Am I disrespecting the flag by wearing it so often? Is Michael Phelps disrespecting the flag when he receives his Olympic gold medal after swimming with the American flag on his cap? I don’t believe anyone thinks so, but according to the Flag Code, he is. For Phelps, the flag on his cap is a reason for him to beat the swimmer in the next lane. However, for Kapernick and many other NFL players, the American flag represents oppression and injustice. Interpretation of the flag is personal; everybody is entitled to their own opinion, and there may not necessarily be a right or wrong. According to Colin Kapernick, the American flag does not represent opportunity. Apparently, it is not the symbol of the country that presented him with the gift of football, or the country that allowed him to play the game and to work and work until he reached the NFL and started as quarterback in the Super Bowl. Kapernick sees the flag as a symbol of a country that promotes hate and oppression. He does not seem to look at the situation from both sides. While America has the flaws that Kapernick pointed out, and others as well, it also allowed him to grow from a fatherless child in poverty to a conference-champion NFL quarterback, earning $43 million in his five-year career. In my mind, the Stars and Stripes represent freedom, which is what the Bill of Rights and the other seventeen amendments present. The First Amendment grants freedom of expression, and Kapernick exercises that right. This one liberty tucked into the First Amendment is the single most important aspect of this nation, and I support everyone’s right to exercise it, even if I may disagree with the specific action involved. The Constitution is the law. The Flag Code is not even backed up by law. Nobody can be punished for breaking the Flag Code, just as no one can take away the freedom of expression that allows players to protest the national anthem. People can criticize as much as they want to, but they can’t force it to stop. Although I do not agree with NFL players’ choices to kneel during our national anthem in the slightest, their actions do not anger me. They are simply taking advantage of their First Amendment right in order to raise awareness on an issue that they feel needs to be addressed. I am not qualified to judge whether or not their actions disrespect the flag, but the Constitution gives me the right to disagree with them on their interpretation of the flag, just as it allows the players to protest.

This fall, a new student initiative called the One Love club is heightening awareness of relationship abuse on the Deerfield campus. The club is modeled after the One Love Foundation, an organization founded in memory of Yeardley Love, a senior at the University of Virginia who was brutally beaten to death by her boyfriend in 2010. The One Love Foundation promotes awareness about the warning signs of relationship abuse, teaches preventative steps, and uses videos to educate students on both high school and college campuses. Club officers Hollin Hanau ’18, Helen Hicks ’18, Kevin Hendrick ’18, and Mary Mack Brown ’18 led the effort to bring One Love’s message to campus. According to the club leaders, a significant percentage of college students who had completed the One Love program wished they had learned about the signs of relationship abuse in high school. “We’re not saying that Deerfield has a problem with relationship abuse … It’s about educating [students] for the future when we’re not in such a safe place,” said Hicks. The club played one of the foundation’s educational videos at school meeting this September, which raised awareness of the fact that relationship abuse may not always be obvious. Nate Baker ’19, an active member of the club, noticed how the community “connected with [the video] and saw the importance of it.” Hicks also commented that Yeardley’s story “hit home to a lot of people.” The entire One Love club collectively hopes that their plans to take action against relationship abuse will be beneficial to all students regardless of whether they are currently in a relationship or not. Hendrick ’18 stated that this year, the club’s goal is to “plant the seeds for the years to come at Deerfield … The change comes from us … Look out for each other, and if something is going on, don’t be scared to just ask. Sometimes that can make a world of a difference.” The One Love club urges all who are interested in how they can get involved, to contact any of the aforementioned members.

October may signal that it is time to start pulling out your thick sweaters and boots, but don’t miss out on everything that fall at Deerfield has to offer! Soon, it will be cold enough that even the walk from the dorm to the dining hall will be unimaginable, so remember to squeeze out every last drop of the season. You can start bracing yourself for the winter by spending as much time outside as possible: go on a day trip to Clarkdale Farms. You definitely won’t regret it. Everyone can agree there is nothing better to get you in the fall ~mood~ than apple picking with a cider doughnut in hand. If you can’t make it that far off campus, make sure to take a hike to the Rock. Fall weather is perfect for hiking, and if there’s one thing we should appreciate more about the location of our school, it’s the leaves in fall. The best spot to see them in all of their glory is the Rock. Speaking of getting in the fall mood, some of the best holidays such as Halloween are right around the corner, and Deerfield makes sure to do them right. If you haven’t ordered a costume yet, take a few minutes to make one! If you don’t have time, go ahead and utilize the absolute lifesaver that is Amazon Prime two-day shipping, but don’t take the risk and added stress of ordering on October 29. While Scream on the Green was last weekend, to keep up with the October spirit, grab some popcorn and candy from the Greer and settle in for a Halloween themed movie-night with friends this weekend. Netflix has countless horror movies (or , if that’s more your speed) to watch before Halloween. Yes, you may regret your movie choice trying to fall asleep that night, but rest assured that Poc is the only dorm where there have been confirmed ghost sightings. Make sure to check certain things off your fall to-do list before it’s too late. Swim in the river, walk the small loop, or go watch a fall game as the season draws to a close. Of course, the best thing to accompany you on the sideline of said game is a warm pumpkin muffin and a hot drink from the Greer. It’s officially the time of year when everything is seasonally themed, but trust me, the best way to handle the overload of pumpkin spice is simple: embrace it. You can get apple cider and doughnuts from the farm stand across the street, mini pumpkins to decorate your room, and fall-themed candy from Richardson’s; the possibilities are endless! Possibly the most anticipated event of fall, Choate Day is coming up on November 11, and brings the fall to a close at Deerfield. Break out your green and white gear and buy into school spirit throughout the whole week. Make sure to practice your battle cry in the mirror, and new students especially should all make sure they know how to spell victory. On Saturday, head down to the courts, the pool, and the fields and enjoy the food trucks, the games, and the tradition that brings together everyone who bleeds green!

The Deerfield arts program has inspired many students to explore new genres of art. Despite beginning as complete novices, many students progress to and beyond AP-level courses. These students have demonstrated a natural ability in art forms and have been able to flourish in Deerfield’s art program. Commenting on the uniqueness of Deerfield’s art program, Art Teacher Mr. David Dickinson explained, “We’re one of a few schools who teach foundational drawing and skills so students can make an intelligent choice whether to continue in this discipline or choose another path.” Cameron Snow ’18 recalled, “I took a very limited amount of art classes before coming to DA. I mainly doodled in my free time.” As a sophomore, he decided to take Intro to Studio Art to fulfill his art requirement, but also seized the opportunity to further explore a hobby. He stated, “I figured that I should take something that was interesting to me.” Snow continued taking art beyond the requirements and is now taking Topics: Post-AP Studio Art. He spoke highly of Mr. Dickinson, his teacher for both AP and Post-AP Studio Art: “Mr. Dickinson always reminds us to leave our mistakes on paper. [I have learned] to look beyond what I initially see. Mr. D taught us that art is essential to life.” Snow is confident that he’ll continue engaging in studio art classes in college, where he aims to improve upon his technical skills, as well as explore other mediums of art. Mim Pomerantz ’18 also reflected on how she began her artistic journey: “One of the biggest things for me was seeing all the amazing drawings of Deerfield students displayed.” Both Snow and Pomerantz are excited to see the program continue and to develop their own skills as artists. Nicholas Ortega ’19 experienced a similar learning experience in dance. Ortega joined the dance program with virtually no technical or classical training, a daunting challenge for a new student. Ortega recounted: “I wanted to join the dance program after seeing Lori [Ms. Clark]’s jazz piece to ‘You Don’t Own Me.’ I loved the dynamic of the piece and how everything was able to come together. I just wanted to be able to dance like that.” Ortega began co-curricular dance as a sophomore, setting a strong foundation for his current position as a member of the Intermediate Dance Ensemble. Ortega met dance teacher Ms. Stephanie Shumway through the dance co-curricular and is now taking private lessons with her. “I love Steph as a dancer and a teacher,” Ortega affirmed. “She’s a contemporary dancer; that’s what I strive to be.” The dance program, specifically designed for students to move through the ranks as they improve, will welcome Ortega to Dance III, the higher level of the intermediate ensemble, next year. Ortega said, “Ms. Whitcomb [the Director of Dance] is very patient with new dancers and encouraging to all of her her students. She’s one of the reasons I felt safe and supported when I first began [dancing at Deerfield].” As Pomerantz remarked, “Don’t be afraid to try something new. Just go for it, you’ll be surprised by what happens.”

Besides assigning homework, coaching athletic teams, and providing late-night feeds, several faculty members also possess musical and artistic talents. Though she works in the admissions office, Ms. Allison DiNardo has had experience in the arts. “I explored both visual and performing arts in college and was an AP visual arts student in high school. I developed a passion for oil paintings in my free time and sang in an a capella group in college,” Mrs. DiNardo said. She explained that she has continued to create art in her free time at Deerfield: “I have found that painting is a wonderful outlet and is a very calming part of my day.” In addition to visual arts, several faculty members are also active in the performing arts. Mr. Peter Nilsson, an English teacher, has been playing piano for several years. “When I was in college I was a double major: music composition and English. When I graduated, I came here as a teaching fellow in English, but I decided that if I never went to New York to play music I would regret it. So I moved to New York for four years and had a wonderful time playing in jazz bands, funk trios, and recording. I even helped write a one-woman play,” Mr. Nilsson said. Like all members of the Deerfield community, balancing something as time consuming as an instrument can be stressful; yet, Mr. Nilsson added with a smile, “I am definitely a happier and better person on any day that I can play some music.” One group that brings together many faculty members is known as the Faculty Band, who rehearse together weekly and perform for students occasionally. Though the member list changes depending on the teachers, the most recent members are Dr. Dennis Cullinane, Mr. John Van Eps, Mr. Darnel Barnes, Ms. Cheri Karbon, Ms. Amy Lareau, Mr. David Dickinson, and Mr. Harcourt, who plays lead guitar. “I played music when I was in junior high and high school; I played rock and roll,” Mr. Harcourt said. “It’s always been an interest of mine, and when I got here, I found a number of faculty members who had also played in bands when they were kids, and so we got together in 1980. I love having fun with my colleagues, and though we teach in different departments, when we get together to play music it is pure fun for us.” He also agrees how powerful and important music is: “There’s no pressure, it’s not a competition.” All of the faculty who were interviewed encouraged Deerfield students to try and become part of the program regardless of experience. “I hope Deerfield students are never afraid to explore the visual or performing arts, even if it hasn’t been a passion in the past; this is a great time to give it a shot,” concluded Mr. Nilsson.

On October 2nd, 2017, a lone wolf shooter killed at least 59 people and injured 512 at an outdoor concert in Las Vegas. He had stockpiled 20 guns, some procured illegally. Many observers took a somber, mournful point of view and wanted to focus on the tragedy and its victims, making offerings of thoughts and prayers. Some believed that then was not the time to speak about gun control, that that would be considered twisting tragedies for political gain. Calls were made for unity, and the debate for gun control was hushed. The disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH 370 struck deep within me. I had no personal connection to the plane nor the victims, but there was a deep national connection, as we united in the face of national tragedy. However, that did not stop us from questioning its cause, possible motives, and how to prevent such tragedies from occurring again. We trawled through information regarding the pilot, the flight crew, the airplane’s own safety features, and the lack of communication. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) worked on implementing new measures to track aircraft. We were astounded that, in our day and age, a large passenger aircraft could just disappear. When Germanwings flight 9525 crashed in March 2015, we debated pilot psychology. To prevent further tragedies from occurring, measures were taken to ensure that two authorized personnel are always in the cockpit of a commercial flight. We analyzed the tragedy and sought to prevent it. We were astounded that a pilot was allowed to fly a passenger plane having been diagnosed with “suicidal tendencies.” Over the summer, the Grenfell tower tragedy dominated headlines. Fires, a tragedy that seemed to belong in the past suddenly came back into view. We debated building safety codes, building management irresponsibility and the government’s inaction in ensuring that all buildings fulfilled the city’s fire codes. The structural integrity of urban tower blocks was immediately called into question. The claddings on Grenfell were investigated for being a possible safety hazard. We worked to prevent it from occurring again. We were astounded that in London, one of the most developed cities in the world, there were still instances of blatant disregard for building safety. I am in similar disbelief that mass shootings in America can occur on such a regular basis, but never stir up enough debate on gun laws to be at least discussed rigorously in Congress. I accept that it is the right of every American citizen, as given by the Constitution, to own and carry firearms; however, I believe the extent to which that law can be stretched has to be limited. The Vegas shooting has to be a wakeup call. It exposes the inadequacies of the current legislation that a man was able to procure such a large number of firearms so easily. Law is organic, no matter how sacred. I understand that the Constitution is the bedrock of the American legal system, but it should be, like any other law, subject to change. A law introduced in 1791 is not as applicable now as it may have been then. Although a full repeal of this right is extreme, I believe additional measures can be taken to find a compromise between fundamental American rights and an ever changing and developing society.