Search this site

Campbell Johnson ’11 knows what it’s like to win a championship. His sophomore year, he celebrated with his teammates as they won their second straight New England water polo title. That year, although Johnson saw little action as the backup goalie, he remained positive, knowing he had two years ahead to prove himself in the pool and play a larger role in reclaiming the championship. “It was great to win the championship, but it would be even greater to finish my career by captaining another championship team,” said Johnson. Two years later and no longer in goal, and with New England’s just around the corner, Johnson has positioned himself and his team back in the driver’s seat. Entering this weekend and the New England tournament, the boys’ water polo team carries with them an eleven-game winning streak and the first-place seed in New England. But, according to Coach Mark Scandling, the team hasn’t shown its full potential just yet. “We’ve played well and gained confidence throughout the season, but we haven’t played up to our full potential just yet,” said Mr. Scandling. This confidence has come from wins in every way possible. “We avenged our first and only loss of the season when we beat Choate 9-3, and we came from behind in the second half to beat Exeter 10-6, and it seems like no matter how well or poorly we’ve played, we’ve found a way to win,” said goalie Richie Beaumont ’11. These victories, according to Johnson, “have been hard-fought, but we’ve learned a lot about ourselves and what kind of a team we are.” This team, he explained, works well off of each other and is gritty when it matters most. Like Johnson, seniors Beaumont, co-captain Justin Kwok, and Jamie Pielock have all served their time as substitutes, and are excited that their time has finally come. “We know that now it is finally up to us to bring home the championship once more,” said Beaumont, “and although that causes some pressure, it is the pressure we’ve all looked forward to.” As the season comes to a close and only the tournament remains, the team knows that everything that has happened during the season will be irrelevant in Hotchkiss’ pool. “Undoubtedly, this season has been a great one with lots of accomplishments, but that all changes this weekend,” said Johnson. “We know that Exeter, Choate, and Andover will all bring their A-games, and we have to, too.” Only two games, a semi-final, and final remain between the team and the title. The team will turn to Johnson’s leadership and playmaking ability to propel them to the championship. Leading the league in points, Johnson has been no stranger to success and has proved himself a top player in all regards. But Johnson and his teammates have their sights on one thing: a third New England championship in four years. And, with the motivation and personnel to do it, nothing should stop them.

This winter, a different kind of theater production will take the Deerfield stage. Voices In Conflict is a play about the Iraq war and the soldiers fighting in it. A series of monologues work together to give a glimpse of the sacrifices these men and women make every day, but how this play came to be is a story all its own. The students at Wilton High School in Wilton, Connecticut, were used to putting on classic performances like West Side Story or The Crucible . However, in 2007 the advanced theater class decided to write their own play and were interested in pursuing something special: a play focused on the Iraq war. Together, they collected reflections from actual soldiers fighting in the Middle East. Through diary entries, letters to home, essays, and correspondences with the soldiers themselves, the student gathered information to model each character after a specific soldier. The play focuses, in part, on a letter from a 2005 Wilton High School graduate, a casualty of the Iraq war who was well known and loved on campus. The news of his death devastated the student body. The students worked tirelessly for months, attempting to be unbiased and true to the soldiers’ experiences. However, when opening night finally arrived, the school principal cancelled the show. While he had initially consented, he said the show had become too politically imbalanced and sensational. Though disheartening, the show’s cancellation turned out to be a hidden blessing. Citing issues of censorship and calling for free speech, the story of Voices in Conflict and its cancellation appeared in The New York Times. Subsequently, a few theaters in New York and Connecticut offered to house the show. Deerfield will perform the show in the winter term. For sources, please contact the writer.

Students are not pleased with Dr. Curtis’ decision to discontinue winter dress down Fridays. Not only are the days a part of a “stress free” winter initiated by the peer counselors, but the days are one of the few times students are permitted to dress casually for class.We should explore other options before dress down days disappear for the winter. Why don’t we agree to wear jeans/khakis instead of sweats, and T-shirts for sweaters. Typically, before Academy Events, students are required to wear “business casual attire.” This dress code still allows students to look presentable. It is obvious we can keep dress down days without forfeiting the reputation of the Academy, in both the eyes of prospective students and the school’s traditions. Here’s why winter dress down days are important: #1. The peer counseling program started dress down days as a “stress reliever.” Everyone is aware that winters at Deerfield can be difficult with the combination of frigid weather, academics, and long months. Avoiding class dress for just one day a week brightens spirits. It promotes healthier and happier students, which ultimately makes a more pleasant community. Dress down days= fun. #2. Deerfield places responsibility on students like rocks in a wheelbarrow. Sometimes it is important to remember that we are still kids and that it is okay to not dress like a professional adult. The stresses of “the real world” are apparent enough.

My current sit-down table is made up of wonderful students and an amusing faculty member who engages us in conversation, and I enjoy meals enormously. At the same time, I have already been assigned to this table once this year with two of the same people. The online rotation declared our first waiter to be a male day student with a broken collarbone. Last time around, I was one of two girls at my table. Other tables have similar gender imbalances, first- and second-waiting confusion, including back-to-back (and sometimes, back-to-back-to-back) waiting assignments, and student table heads. What has happened to the dining hall? The answer is simple. Mr. Morsman doesn’t do the rotations anymore, a fact that single-handedly defeats the point of sit-down, confuses almost the entire school, and kills a wonderful tradition. I have a great table, but I also have managed this when sitting with students whom I have never met before. I enjoy meeting new faculty whom I don’t get a chance to meet in the classroom. As I see it, one of the major aims of sit-down is to get to know other students you otherwise would not interact with, and to have a diverse experience. Without these original tables, we are losing a vital part of sit-down meals. Mr. Morsman was a personal Deerfield link in the system of assigning tables, making sure rotations were fair to waiters, boys, girls, day students, and boarders. Mr. Morsman-controlled rotations also gave sit-down meals flavor, instead of a random assignment. Tales of exes assigned to the same table, along with other memorable things such as a table composed entirely of redheads, dubbed “the ginger table,” were all Mr. Morsman’s handiwork. We pride ourselves on our tight-knit, well-acquainted community. Sit-down meals, Mr. Morsman-style, are undoubtedly vital to these school traits of tradition and community. As Audrey Cho ’11 put it, “Deerfield is a school that values tradition, and Mr. Morsman himself embodies tradition.” Ms. Futter has undeniably done a great job so far coordinating tables with the computer. But she has the added stress of assigning APs, dealing with weekend slips, and much more. How about we give her a break? Mr. Morsman added wit and panache to the table rotations. He still makes the announcements during meals; why not make the rotations, too?

As the seasons transitioned from summer to fall, the Mello-Ds and the Rhapso-Ds, Deerfield’s two acapella groups, transitioned as well when they selected their newest members. After ten Rhapso-D members graduated in 2010, the Rhapso-Ds sought singers with not only incredible voices, but also a tremendous amount of confidence, indicating that personality is as important as skill in the decision-making process. Co-head of the Rhapso-Ds Becca Cooley ’12 stated, “Our incredible new members are holding their own with their individual voices and energies.” Sarah Hemaida ’11, Rachel Fletcher-Slater ’12, Sha Li ’12, and Kristy Hong ’13 showcased their confidence, energy, and talent as they assumed their coveted positions as Rhapso-Ds. “Even though acapella is something new to me, I have been singing in the shower since I could talk,” joked Hemaida. The Mello-Ds approached the audition process less concerned about replacing former members and more concerned about compensating for future losses. The Mello-Ds chose Thomas Earle ’12, Tim O’Brien ’12, Charlie Wilson ’12, and Hyun Yang ’13 for their unique voices that would complement to the group. Yang ’11 commented, “We needed voices that could keep the Mello-Ds strong next year when the eight seniors of the class of 2011 have graduated.” “Trying out was so nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time,” said Earle. “I always want to perform with premium quality.” The new members made their debut at the Performing Arts Showcased during Fall Parents’ Weekend. Said Freddy Rockwood ’11, who enjoyed their singing at the showcase, “By the sound of things, both a acapella made great selections.”

Roommates Alfonso Velasco ’11 and Maksat Kalymgazinov ’12 make decisions together and finish each other’s sentences. Together, they have created a comic-book-themed paradise in their room on Doubleday 1. Last spring, Velasco and Kalymgazinov entered the housing lottery together. They got a lucky draw and their first choice room. When they returned to school this year, they were ready to deck out their new abode with everything they could think of. The walls are adorned with Marvel Comics wallpaper, donated at the end of last year by Paul Pascuicco ’10. This decoration is the highlight of the space. “The wallpaper is fireproof and laminated, and features Captain America, the Fantastic Four, and anyone else you could think of,” said Kalymgazinov. “It’s just missing us two!” added Velasco. Velasco and Kalymgazinov set up this room to utilize as much floor space as possible. Dark, straw-colored carpets over the installed carpet make the room feel homey. Their bedding reveals important aspects of their personalities—Velasco, ever the joker, chose white bedding with chickens on the bottom. Kalymgazinov, on the other hand, shows his more serious side with a geometrically patterned comforter in beige, grey, and white. The beds, desks, and a special green table line the edges of the room. The table has an Xbox set up with an accompanying monitor. “We ended up deciding on green over pink for the table. It’s going to be pink for Valentine’s Day though. Spring will be yellow, of course,” confided Kalymgazinov. This attention to detail is a definite mark of the pair’s commitment to the double and of their strong friendship. These two friends are perfect for the doubling lifestyle. “We have a very similar routine: do work, relax, and then sleep. Maksat does take a lot of naps though,” joked Velasco. “We dress the same, sleep at the same time, and pretty much do everything similarly,” said Kalymgazinov. Velasco and Kalymgazinov expressed their dismay over the lack of visitors in their “parietal-friendly” room. “Our room looks great. We made tons of floor space, and there is so much to do,” said Kalymgazinov. As Velasco put it, “Great room, great guys. What more can you ask for?”

Dear Editor, I read with interest the front page article “Struggle for the LEED” in the most recent edition of The Scroll (October 13, 2010). The article posed some questions about why the LEED Gold plaque was taken down and, I suspect, there are more questions since the plaque is once again on display in the Koch Center. To set the record straight, the Koch Center is a LEED Gold facility. So why was the plaque taken down?While we have done some modest work to the facility that is visible, we have also done additional work “behind the walls” on the building’s lighting, heating, and air distribution systems. The performance of these systems is a prerequisite to earning and maintaining our LEED status and, since there was some risk to the outcome, we were not comfortable displaying the plaque until we were sure we got the desired results.When we received the consulting engineer’s report that these systems were performing to standard and as expected, our LEED Gold plaque was again put on display for all to see. Joseph P. Manory ’80 Chief Financial Officer Deerfield Academy

Thanksgiving means turkey dinners, relaxation after exams, parades, Black Friday shopping sales, family time, and an opportunity to explore the arts. This Thanksgiving vacation, between shows and movies, we will all have something to which we can look forward. If you happen to be in New York City, go to The Public Theatre to catch the highly anticipated six-hour marathon event entitled Gatz , in which thirteen actors read The Great Gatsby word-for-word. The actors play office workers who are inexplicably inspired to reenact Fitzgerald’s masterpiece during a typical work day. Critics call it “brilliantly conceived and executed” and “one of the most exciting and improbable accomplishments in theater in recent years.” According to the Chicago Sun-Times , the reading is “strangely seductive, often revelatory.” Most of us will read The Great Gatsby as part of our Deerfield experience, and what better way to complement our studies than through this fresh and creative rendition. Also in the Big Apple is the Broadway play Driving Miss Daisy , based on the 1987 movie starring Morgan Freeman and Dana Ivey. Set in the South during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, the play explores the relationship between an elderly white woman named Daisy (Vanessa Redgrave) and her black chauffeur named Hoke (James Earl Jones). Some wonder how Broadway’s version can match the thrill of the original movie, yet critics assert the “starry” lead actors “bring plenty of their own horsepower to the event.” Fans will regard the dream team, as the critics call Redgrave and Jones, as “the second coming.” Perhaps most exciting is the production that begins at 12 a.m. on the day of our last exam: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows , Part 1. Harry, Ron, and Hermione set out on their mission to destroy the weapons of “he who shall not be named,” while circumventing death eaters that try to stop them. What sounds more exciting than that? Be sure to wear your Hogwarts garb to the showing, too. Judging from the popularity of the books and the last six movies, it is safe to say that the release of this movie alone is enough to make this Thanksgiving a much-awaited holiday for everyone. Sources: http://www.publictheater.org http://bronx.ny1.com

The beginning of each new school year brings with it a unique set of changes. These changes can seem awkward and unfamiliar at first, but more often than not, come mid-October, that which felt so foreign to us in early September is woven seamlessly into the fabric of our everyday lives, and we can hardly remember a time when things were different. For example, the flashy makeover of the Greer Store and Fitness Center has certainly touched most, if not all, of our daily lives. With new equipment, machines, training rooms, and experienced staff, students reap the benefits of the new facility; it would be difficult to deny that the upgrade has changed the face of Deerfield athletics for the better. Despite these obvious changes, along with their benefits, a more subtle change to the culture of Deerfield athletics has caught the attention and concern of members of our community. As in the past, many students have been allowed to train for their respective “main sport” in their “off-season.” Swimmers, squash players, and hockey players, to name a few, sign up for community service or Special Exercise and are permitted to train with external coaches either on or off campus. For upperclassmen who can choose Recreational Tennis or Special Exercise, such co-curricular exceptions do not change much. However, there are a number of underclassmen students who have now also been allowed to participate in this off-season training. Though we strive to achieve excellence on the playing field at the varsity level in particular, I believe that the school has also fostered a strong tradition of athletics at the sub-varsity level. Time and time again tour guides tell prospective students that everyone, no matter his/her athletic abilities, can (and will be required to!) play on a team. Many believe that, for underclassmen in particular, the community bonding that athletic teams foster is an intrinsic piece of our tradition and a defining factor of our sense of community. For new students in particular, a teammate can act as a fast friend, someone to sit with at a walk-through meal or walk with between classes, easing the awkwardness or loneliness of those first couple of weeks at a new school. Of course I believe that athletic excellence is an important goal to pursue. Deerfield’s numerous successes in interscholastic athletics have helped to define us as the prestigious institution that we are. However, I think it is important to consider and discuss carefully whether allowing students to focus on just one sport for the majority of the year, and foregoing the experience of new teammates and new athletic experiences, reflects Deerfield’s community values. If we fail to reflect on the small changes that often alter our community dynamic in significant ways, it won’t be long before they themselves become woven into the fabric of our daily lives and we forget the old traditions that make Deerfield a place we cherish.

In the wake of Paul Loeb’s speech, students have been asking a lot of difficult questions. Does accepting donations from Lifetime Trustee David Koch create a potential conflict of interest with the school’s stance on issues such as global warming? Have we, as a school, compromised our values by accepting financial support from individuals whose personal views clash with views of the Academy? This school does not inherently associate itself with a donor’s beliefs and principles by accepting donations. In fact, the school receives numerous donations from all across the political spectrum, as pointed out by Dr. Curtis. Deerfield prides itself on its tolerance and coexistence of differing viewpoints. The school fosters students’ intellectual and cultural growth by encouraging us to have open minds. In the classroom, we defend our opinions, but also respect the arguments of peers that may differ from our own. So then why were the flyers where a student expressed his views taken away by Security? If the administration is free from donor-influences, why did the flyers need to be taken away? Is this not a restriction of free speech? Perhaps there was a legitimate reason to remove the flyers. But then we wonder, if this were so, why was this incident not addressed during school meeting? Doesn’t the student body deserve to know why? A clarification at dinner or school meeting would suffice and quiet the all the rumors and speculations swirling around campus. AYC, ES, TL, JB, CB, AS, GM, FR, AG, SW, WEK

The debate over the girls’ dress code consumes too much of our time. As APs pile up and students and faculty alike become increasingly aggravated with the ambiguous, hard-to-follow dress code, the need for a solution becomes more and more pressing. So how do we find a resolution suitable to all parties involved? Well, one popular yet controversial option is a uniform. Important arguments have been raised for and against in conversations across campus. One of the most obvious benefits of a uniform would be to level the “playing field”; if we had a uniform, everyone would dress in the exact same clothing, no matter a student’s socio-economic standing. A uniform would also make getting ready in the morning much easier. A uniform could cut some of the daily time required to create a fashionable, dress-code-appropriate outfit. Head of School Margarita Curtis explained, “I do not want everyone here to look the same everyday because I do not believe Deerfield is about conformity but rather freedom and individuality. “However, I do feel that making the girls’ dress code more comparable to the boys’ could be very helpful, and even fun. Getting the girls to wear blazers of any fabric, shape, or color, with pants or skirts of reasonable length, would be a step in the right direction.” Even so, a uniform may not solve the appropriateness issue. “We had a uniform with plaid skirts and oxfords at my old school and everyone would just roll or hem their skirts, and unbutton their shirts low,” said Hope Walker ’11. “There are always ways to cheat the system, so a uniform wouldn’t even solve the problem, it would just take away our dressing freedom.” A uniform might also dissuade prospective students. “Deerfield already has a really strict dress code compared to a lot of other boarding schools, and I honestly don’t think I would have come if the school had a uniform,” Caitlin Cook ’12 commented. Perhaps a compromise between a uniform and our current dress code would be the most effective solution. “We had a uniform at my old school in Princeton, New Jersey, but it wasn’t just one outfit that everyone had to wear everyday, but rather an array of different articles of clothing that we could combine to create different outfits,” Yuna Ko ’12 said. Dr. Curtis agreed, “I think companies like L.L. Bean and J. Crew would love to help us come up with an affordable, attractive array of blazers, skirts, and pants. We have also a group of talented artists here who could collaborate with a company to design a selection of attractive yet appropriate clothes that would satisfy everyone.” Five parents, three faculty members, two seniors, and one freshman comprise a voluntary committee assembled last spring and this fall with the purpose of discussing the problems with the current dress code and potential solutions in order to bring suggestions to a final meeting at the beginning of this winter term. So far, the group has decided that what the school needs to accomplish is a uniformity in the boys’ and girls’ dress codes, because the essence of Deerfield will not permit a true uniform. The real question is: Would a uniform put the debate to rest or only shift its focus?

Every family has its ups and downs, and the families in Modern Family , the 2010 Primetime Emmy Award Winner for Outstanding Comedy Series, are no exceptions. The sitcom by Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan premiered last year and has since been a great success. Tim Goodman said in The San Francisco Chronicle , “In a fall season surprisingly flush with good sitcoms, the best new comedy by far—and it’s not that close of a race—is Modern Family on ABC.” Winner of BuddyTV’s Top Ten Best Comedy Shows of 2009-2010 and second place winner of Time Magazine ’s Top Ten Best shows of 2009, the show enjoys unparalleled popularity. What caused its success? How did its ratings surpass those of Glee , Ryan Murphy’s hit musical and dramatic comedy? Casey Butler ’13 appreciates its realistic humor: “It has become so popular because it is funny and relatable. I like it because it’s my kind of humor,” she said. The show incorporates something for everyone according to Devinne Cullinane ’14, who said, “The humor of three diverse families in their day-to-day lives is easy to relate to.” Caitlin Murphy ’11 agreed: “Aspects of the families remind me of my own family!” The humanity and individuality of each family reflects various cultures and truths within our society. For example, one character is married to a Colombian woman about half his age, and together they raise her son. Another part of the family is a gay couple who adopts a Vietnamese baby, reflecting the “trendiness” of adoption today. The third family includes a husband, wife, and three teen/preteen children. The series explores humor, family, teenage stereotypes, diversity, and acceptance, depicting universal aspects of family life while maintaining uniqueness. Entertainment Weekly ’s Ken Tucker summed it up by stating, “ Modern Family works because it does something the network sitcom hasn’t managed in years: It offers a comic equation for almost every audience segment, while never blanding out the characters for mass consumption.”