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Steps away from the silence of carrels and group study rooms, a symphony of sounds waits to be discovered. Michael Bois, a beloved faculty member from 1965-1994, bequeathed his six thousand CD collection of classical and international music to the library. Sifting through the CDs, we easily spot works of Beethoven, Brahms, and Yo-Yo Ma. These CDs could provide the perfect variety of study- accompanying music. Rethink just pop and dubstep pulsing during study hours. Try Mozart for math, Bach for bio, or Sousa for Spanish. The library provides not only books, but also music for people of all tastes.

As the girls at DA begin the transition from their flowery shorts to apparel more befitting the oncoming autumn weather, denim outerwear has slowly appeared all over campus. When asked why she loves denim as a top, Clara Galperin ’13 responded, “Because I think it looks different!” The easiness of denim jeans and shorts lures wearers into translating this to their tops and outerwear. Galperin, a fan of alternative rock, shrugs on a denim shirt over a graphic tee and some jeans. Her long hair and many bracelets add to her “alternative underground look.” Asked what it is about her denim shirt that she likes, she explained, “It’s just a chill look.” A denim jacket or shirt is a simple way of self-expression. This item has the ability to complement many different styles. Veronica Houk ’12, who sports a bohemian, dressy look, commented, “If I’m feeling too girly, I can just throw [the jacket] on. It’s effortless.” Fashionista Delaney Berman ’12 explained why she bought her dark denim outerwear: “This just seemed like the classic American jacket.” The denim recognition, however, is still tentative. Sidney Cech ’12 admitted, “At first I was embarrassed about wearing it because I never saw anyone else wearing jean jackets. But then I decided, who cares, because if I like it, then I’ll rock it!”

This fall, a new face appeared among the familiar ranks of the cross-country team. The Scroll sat down with runner and hockey player Alanna McDonough ’12 to find out more about the PG behind the player. Scroll: Is it weird shifting your loyalty to Deerfield after playing for a completely different school for so long? Alanna: Not really, because Governor’s Academy never played against Deerfield, so I don’t have any burning hatred. It’s hard to be against Deerfield when everyone is around you cheering and singing songs. Scroll: Do you find Deerfield to be more restrictive than your old school? Alanna: It’s restrictive in the opposite ways that Gov’s was restrictive. Deerfield is a lot more lenient about curfews and weekends and when you can leave, but it’s much more restrictive about dress code and stuff like that. I was a day student my freshman and sophomore years at Gov’s and then I started boarding as a junior. I think being a boarder, you feel much more connected. Scroll: How do Deerfield’s traditions compare to those of your old school? Alanna: [Deerfield] blew [Governor’s Academy] out of the water! I’ve never been to a school with so much spirit! I went to that meeting and all of the sudden people started standing up and clapping and chanting and stomping their feet. And I was like, if we could get the entire Gov’s community to do this that would be an amazing feat. It just demolishes the spirit of any other school I’ve been to. Scroll: How did Deerfield surprise you? Alanna: I’m surprised that people already said “hi” to me when I got here. I kind of expected to be that quiet new kid, but it was easy to get into that place.

Ever wondered what members of Deerfield’s athletic elite do before the big game? A few of our talented competitors revealed their routines. Cross-country and rowing legend and rising rapper Ryan Heffernan ’12 said, “Two words: massage train.” Victoria Serra ’12 , who captains the varsity cross-country and track teams, has a distinct pre-game ritual for XC. “To prepare for the emotional battle that is cross country, I put up my hood and jam to 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, and Eminem… my boys.” Mettler Growney ’13 confessed her typical field hockey, hockey, or lacrosse warm-up. “Before huge games in any sport, I make sure to get myself as angry as possible before the first whistle blows. I put on my headphones, listen to music like T-Swift…and envision myself absolutely destroying a girl on the opposing team.”

When taking a stroll around campus, students may notice many new additions. The sights of sports teams practicing on the quad and of underclassmen girls exiting Scaife may be a shock to the system, but the most surprising spectacle of all is the five new puppies that now call Deerfield home. However, it is not only the canine influx that has people talking, but the fact that three share the same parents. Ellie, Riggins, and Quito are four-month-old Golden Retrievers from a litter that came from a breeder in South Deerfield. Ellie found a home with Assistant Director of Admissions Dave Irwin and science teacher Mandy Irwin, while Riggins belongs to history teacher Tim McVaugh and Quito to Spanish teacher Sam Bicknell. The new puppies are certainly taking Deerfield by storm. Mr. Bicknell admitted that although Quito “adds to an already busy life, he loves people,” and has become the “mascot” of Doubleday 3. Also according to Mr. Bicknell, Quito and Riggins spend a few hours each day playing together as well as with the other dogs on campus. Sister Ellie’s owner Mr. Irwin added, “It’s been a lot of fun to be able to raise Ellie on such a beautiful, dog-friendly campus like Deerfield. She is a lucky pup and we’re thankful she has so many playmates in the neighborhood—two and four-legged!” The canine craze raged on when, as an early birthday present for their son Declan, biology teacher Dennis Cullinane and his wife Karen purchased 11-week-old Golden Retriever Snowy. “Living on a hall is great for the puppy!” Mrs. Cullinane exclaimed, and seeing the white ball of fluff tear up and down Harold Smith 1 is certainly a testament to her declaration. Not the least of these newcomers is the puppy born on a Friday in February and given to his new owner at the Friday night dinner of the class of 1961’s 50th reunion. This seven-month-old yellow lab named Friday can be seen roaming the campus, either on the leash of Head of School Margarita Curtis herself or a student—to relieve stress or just for fun—taking him for a stroll during a free period or after a sit-down meal. “Friday loves the other puppies,” Dr. Curtis said. “Next to food, playing with his fellow puppies is his favorite thing.” Jamie Haddad ’12 added, “The dogs bring a whole new energy to the campus, as well as relieve stress.” There is one feature, however, that the faculty failed to anticipate in unleashing this flood of puppies upon the campus. In the following months, the number of excuses involving canines chewing up assignments is sure to escalate.

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks ended the lives of close to three-thousand civilians, and so began the war that spans these past ten years and defines the decade. Three years later, Hurricane Katrina killed another two-thousand Americans, and caused more damage, in monetary terms, than any other hurricane in U.S. history. The introduction of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter has forever changed the way people communicate. Our environment is undergoing a change in climate that we do not fully understand. We are embroiled in the greatest economic recession since the Great Depression of the 1930s. The twenty-first century has been an era of great uncertainty and unrest for America. In the past, during such times as those we face today, Americans have sought out men who can transform themselves from ordinary to extraordinary and save the day at a mere moment’s notice. Before the 1940s, these men were political candidates, FBI agents, soldiers, and local policemen,along with firefighters. Of course, we still regard men and women in these positions as American heroes, but the surge of fear and patriotism during WWII inspired the creation of “a new breed of super soldiers,” or really a new breed of super heroes. Superman stepped into action in 1938, just before WWII began. Three years later, Captain America starred in his first comic book, redefining what it meant to be patriotic and heroic. Ten years later, Superman was the first superhero to star in an entire movie. From 1951 through the end of the twentieth century, thirty-two superhero live-action movies followed. In the first twelve years of the twenty-first century, nearly fifty superhero movies were released, with five more scheduled to come out in the next two years. Add animated films to that list, and an additional thirty-two superhero stories comes to a grand total of eighty films. Of those fifty live-action films, only three superheroes hit the silver screen before the terrorist attacks of September 11. Most recently, Captain America arrived on the screen once again to captivate summer theatergoers. Is the culture, whether knowingly or not, looking for someone to rescue America? Noticing that these are the trends of the past, it seems important to ask: did we need someone to reassure us that safety and American ideals persist despite troubling and chaotic world wars in the past?

Nearly ten years after the catastrophe which killed over 3,000 Americans, the subsequent “War on Terror” continues to claim innocent lives. On October 7, 2001, United States armed forces stormed Afghanistan in order to oust the Taliban regime, believed to be protecting the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda. Since the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, nearly 8,000 civilians have been killed in the unavoidable carnage of war. Despite President Obama’s declaration ending the “War on Terror,” civilian casualties continue to mount, with an increasing amount in the neighboring country of Pakistan. Since 2001, without American public knowledge, Pakistan has borne the brunt of the “noble” crusade to end terrorism. Amnesty International reports estimates of nearly 22,000 civilian casualties. In the years following 9/11, the United States has conducted bombings in the tribal areas in the northwest of Pakistan, in direct violation of international law. America is not at war with Pakistan, and therefore violates the country’s sovereignty each time a bombing is conducted. Every day, unmanned aerial bombers enter foreign airspace, armed to the teeth with U.S. Hellfire missiles. These “drones” conduct targeted killings of militants in the FATA region of Pakistan, all while controlled by CIA operatives thousands of miles away. Estimates of civilian casualties in the thousands reveal a U.S. mentality without regard to the extent of collateral damage. A recent strike in North Waziristan targeted a militant funeral procession, killing nearly 80 people. Of those attending the funeral, only seven were reported militants, and none were high-level targets. These bombings show an utter disregard for human life, and represent a common mentality in the U.S. military. John Brennan, United States counterterrorism advisor, has maintained that drone strikes have had “zero civilian casualties” in the past several years. This is a lie. The actions of the CIA and U.S. military reflect directly upon the American people. There is a worldwide acceptance of American exceptionalism that needs to end. America’s military might should not excuse blatant human rights violations and careless disregard for international law. September 11th was a wound cut deeply into the heart of America, one which will never heal. However, America cannot forget human rights and discard innocent lives in its pursuit of an end of terrorism. Al-Qaeda’s attacks claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 innocents. In response, America has allowed the combined civilian death toll to reach a confirmed 30,000. If this continues, can America really call itself much better than those who carried out those terrible attacks ten years ago?

During their last meetings of the year, faculty members voted to hold school meeting on Wednesday and add 10 more minutes to Faculty Break. In addition, school meeting will now occur between second period and third period on Wednesdays, no longer replacing fourth period on Tuesdays. “Fourth period ran according to its own unique rhythm, one that teachers perceived less effective for teaching and learning,” Academic Dean Peter Warsaw explained. Now three of the five school days will follow the same schedule. “Personally, I liked that School Meeting was on Tuesday because it broke up the week a bit,” said Willa Gustavson ’12. “Mondays and Fridays were always rough because we had every class, and now we have all seven periods three days a week.” But Spanish teacher Cheri Karbon insisted this is huge from a teacher’s perspective, as the change will clear the “confusion and unfair advantages” for fourth period sections. Faculty Meetings will run longer to supply time for both Faculty and Departments within the slot. Though the Curriculum Committee proposed starting the day at 8:15 a.m. to keep the final bell at 3:20 p.m., “the faculty felt that we should hold onto the later start, as it has proven health and performance benefits for our students,” Mr. Warsaw said. Some students noted the benefits of extending Faculty Break. “A longer Faculty Break allows more time for rest in between a study-heavy Thursday schedule,” said James Yang ’12. Classes will end at 3:30 p.m. on Thursdays, and cocurriculars will begin at 3:45 as usual. “A later day has a cascade effect on sports, dinner and, ultimately, the evening,” said English teacher Joel Thomas-Adams. “Does anyone at Deerfield not already feel as if he or she is rushing from activity to activity?”

As a result of students’ collective action through a petition, and emails from both parents and students to the Deans’ Office, controversial changes to the dress code were retracted on Monday, August 22. In the days before, an email went out from Dean of Students Toby Emerson notifying students about the new dress code, and Facebook exploded with outraged statuses and wallposts. “Since there isn’t much of a difference now, I’m bringing a load of my old uniforms back with me. Kilts for everyone!” Georgina Hutchins ’12 wrote. “The problem isn’t girls falling out of their shirts, it’s skirt length. It always has been the problem and the administration is completely ignoring it,” commented Zatio Kone ’12. “Sue me for liking my v-neck dresses!” half-joked Betsy Alexandre ’13. Within two days, the first draft of a petition began making the rounds of first the senior class and then the younger students. The main objections outlined by this petition were its late timing, which left little room for new wardrobe shopping, the financial issue of paying for many new staple items, unnecessary strictness in the new rules, and an overriding feeling of exclusion and secrecy that surrounded the committee and its decision. “I don’t find the new code itself that bad,” explained Eliza Mott ’12. “But I am impassioned by the fact that there seem to have been a covert committee making these decisions, with no regard to cooperation or negotiation, which was mentioned last year.” The petition then proposed a plan of action that involved a transition period when the old dress code would stay in effect while a new, more public committee with a larger portion of student representatives determined a compromise by a reasonable deadline. In an email to the school, Dean of Students Amie Creagh explained that a group of students, faculty, parents, and alumni was formed a year ago in order to “address concerns with our dress code.” The group met with trustees and presented to the faculty twice, and, “after a careful revision process…presented the Deans’ Office with a final product, the updated dress code.” Ms. Creagh closed her email with a warning for students: “This morning, the Senior Staff met with Dr. Curtis and revisited this topic. An agreement was reached to return to the “old” dress code. This likely comes as quite a relief to many of you. I hasten to add, however, that, should students fail to adhere strictly to those guidelines, we will enact the revisions of earlier this month. This matter now lies in your hands.”

The Class of 2012 now begins its senior year. Many seniors assumed leadership positions last April, and have already experienced the exhilaration and stress that accompany a significant increase in responsibilities. All seniors, regardless of title or position, are seen as leaders in the eyes of the school. We even proudly and officially occupy Senior Grass. At the same time, we know that our Deerfield days are numbered, and we must ask ourselves how the Class of 2012 will be remembered in its final and most crucial year. We respect and admire last year’s senior class for their individual accomplishments, but we believe that collectively they displayed a lack of good judgment on more than one occasion. We can learn from this and use our newfound leadership, both on and off campus, to reflect the best of Deerfield.

The majority of staff members spend time working on campus not only during the academic year, but also between June and September. In order to ensure that the campus is ready for this coming year, the following construction and maintenance projects have taken place while we were out: 1. Construction of the temporary modular Chapin Dormitory on Chapin Field, which accompanied the demolition of aging Ashley Dormitory. 2. Renovation of the first floor of the Main School Building and the Arms Building basement to create further classroom space. 3. Replacement of all windows in Barton Dormitory. 4. Work and relocation of numerous faculty houses and apartments.

Some might say there are clear pairings in this world: ketchup and mustard, salt and pepper, Deerfield and beating Choate, and, perhaps less obviously, ballet and Russia. During the first two weeks of August, Ilse Kapteyn ’12 and I discovered the logic behind this classic combination. Taking daily classes at the school with which the renowned Bolshoi Ballet is associated, we learned from teachers who showed remarkable passion, zeal, and devotion in the classroom-an enthusiasm different from what I have known in America, a unique fire and love that stems only from Russian culture. The Russian ballet studio acted for us as a window into Russian society at large, a society that eagerly blends Westernized technological advancements with old, long-treasured religious and artistic traditions. In class, our teachers taught us to incorporate classical Russian nuances into our more Americanized technique and showed us century-old Russian choreography with a modern twist. The Russian streets, too, featured a blend of old and new. I became aware of this “blending” after just one excursion through the boulevards and squares of Moscow. A sign near the subway entrance advertised the opening of the latest Harry Potter movie (which sounds more like “Garry Pottier” in Russian). Behind the sign rose the domes of one of Moscow’s six hundred Russian Orthodox churches, their gold, squint-inducing gleam contrasting the mossy greens and blues of the advertisement. Such everyday meldings of tried-and-true tradition and experimentation not only allowed for a unique classroom experience, but gave me an inimitable, almost double sense of pride. I felt proud that the Western ways with which I grew up are now becoming more and more accepted in Russian culture and valued as beneficial for the country. But I also felt proud that Russia-the home of my ancestors-is still able to keep the domes of her churches visible, soaring above the Nestle billboards and “Gucci Guilty” flyers that all too often clutter the windows of Russian shops.