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Captain Connor Scott ’10 is the only returning starter on this year’s roster. Head Coach Michael Silipo will be working overtime with coaches Nicholas Albertson, Chip Davis, and Mark Ott to rebuild the team and prepare them for the tough season ahead. “Injuries have plagued the team a little bit during preseason,” Scott said, “so I cannot say anything for sure, but we did some good things during our scrimmages against Andover and Cushing.” With a new roster comes a new strategy to winning. This year, according to Scott, Coach Silipo plans to “air it out.” This means using new offensive game plans, such as four wide receivers instead of the I-formation the team ran last year. No matter what the strategy may be, Coach Silipo preaches one motto: “The biggest game is the next one.” The team will focus on their opponent of each week and nothing else. Despite a very new group of varsity players, many of them have formed good relationships from previous years on the jv team. When asked about the team’s chemistry, Nic Mahaney ’12 replied, “It won’t be a big deal. Every team goes through the process of getting to know each other; it’s just one of the things a team has to do.” One potential new contributor, Mac Roy Jackson ’11, dominated the competition at the jv level last year as the team’s starting running back. “I am looking forward to seeing how he does. He will be making a huge difference for the team this season,” said Scott of the junior. The team picked up a behemoth post graduate, left tackle Ted Barett who “will be beating up opponents,” according to Scott. Along with Barett, the team will need players like Drew Patenaude ’10 and Jeff Van Oot ’12 to dominate on the offensive line. “Our game plan this year will revolve around throwing the ball, and so much of that depends on the play of our offensive line,” said Cyrus Wittig ’10. “With Conner and Trevor Wheeler ’10 on the outside, I have no doubt we can throw the ball; it’s just a matter of whether the line is able to provide protection.” On the defensive side, post-graduates Harley Brown ’10, Charlie Bueneman ’10, and Brendan Gallagher ’10, will all have a huge impact. “Harley is a very physical defensive end who has a nose for the ball,” said Wittig when discussing the playmakers on defense. “Charlie and Brendan both have a natural feel for the game. Once they fully understand our defensive scheme, they will be hard to stop,” Wittig continued. In reference to returning varsity player John Zurlo ’10, “He is going to be a factor on the offensive line, and I think he is definitely capable of filling the big shoes Jim Forrey ’09 left behind at defensive end,” Scott enthused. The team is chomping at the bit to start the season. Only time will tell which players step up. “We have the bodies to compete, it is just a matter of developing the toughness it takes to play football,” said Coach Silipo in a recent speech to the team. According to Scott, “Our biggest challenge coming into the year was getting a team together as fast as possible, and I have no doubt we have done that. We’re ready. I cannot wait for the season to get underway.”

“I’m going to Hotchkiss,” “I’ve been accepted at Andover,” or “I can’t wait to leave in September for Kent”—are all snatches of conversation I have heard over summers while working at KIPP Reach, my former middle school, whenever recent, successful graduates come by to see their favorite teachers. If they say “Hi” and ask me about Massachusetts, Deerfield, or my college plans, I smile. I recognize in them the pride and achievement (and fear) that was once, and probably still is, in me. But for every kid who goes from KIPP Reach’s eighth grade class to the freshman class of Exeter, there are at least twenty classmates who will never get the opportunity. With speculation, I would say that also goes for most students in the greater Oklahoma City area, the state of Oklahoma, the southwest region, and the United States. I wonder if the kids headed to prep schools realize what that means. I am not talking solely about the problem of boarding high schools being seen as elite or reformative in public thought, but a closely-tied predicament. Boarding-school students often have such overflowing pride for their institutions and personal achievements (or prefer to speak only with students in similar situations) that it, by accident, borders on snobbery and insensitivity towards others of different circles (read: less-privileged high schools). These issues stem from conversations and actions. As prep-school students, we need to be sensitive to how we portray and talk to others about Deerfield, this way of life, and our thoughts on different paths. How we live our lives may be the only hint that outsiders ever get as to what institutions like Deerfield are truly like. If the kids leaving KIPP and Oklahoma ever want advice from me, I would tell them that the real beginning of their high school career is when they learn to be respectful of those they are soon to encounter at school, as well as to those whom they are leaving at home.

Water polo recruit Borko Kovacev ’10 had never travelled far from his home in Becej, Serbia—that was until his 12-hour journey that ended with his arrival in the United States, and more specifically, Deerfield Academy, a school that is looking for its 3rd consecutive New England Championship in water polo. However, despite disruptions that come with such a change, Kovacev has already made quite a splash at Deerfield. Like any new student, Kovacev has had to adjust to an unfamiliar environment. However, unlike most, he has the added burden of an extreme culture change and language that is not his own. In spite of this extra hurdle, his transition has been quite smooth thus far. The pool is one of the places that Kovacev has had to make an adjustment, and according to water polo coach Mark Scandling, he has done a fine job. “Everything is coming in a second language,” said Mr. Scandling. “The water polo terminology might be a little different, but he’s been great about making the adjustment in communication.” As an athletic recruit, Kovacev has faced some additional pressure of performing as an athlete. Something which Mr. Scandling believes Kovacev has also handled maturely. “Kovacev hasn’t felt the need to come in and prove himself and [say] ‘I’m going to be a star’—instead he has said, ‘I’m going to be a teammate,’” said Mr. Scandling. The ease of Kovacev’s transition is not exclusive to his athletics—something that he credits to the school community. “There is a nice team, nice school spirit, and the guys in the school are great,” said Kovacev. “I feel like I’ve been here for a while.” Captain Randwulf Singleton ’10 added that “the squad has welcomed the addition of Kovacev.” Although Kovacev has been under a constant state of change, it doesn’t seem to be affecting his play. In the team’s first two games against Andover and NMH, Kovacev totaled four goals and seven steals, helping the team to 10-7 and 17-2 victories respectively. “He can score almost at free will,” said Singleton. “His knowledge of the sport and feel for the game are wonderful.” Mr. Scandling said, “Kovacev knows what he wants to do, where he wants to do it, and doesn’t force things.” Even though he posted some impressive numbers in his first big game, Kovacev does feel that there are some challenges ahead. There are significant differences between water polo in New England and in Serbia. Kovacev has found that the New England game is based on speed and power rather than individual skill and technique. He admits that he needs to “improve [his] physical shape” because of this. Water polo is a team sport. That is why Mr. Scandling believes that what Kovacev brings to the team is just as, if not more, important as what he brings as an individual player. “He’s been wonderful at explaining to his teammates things that they can improve on, without yelling at them or scorning them,” said Mr. Scandling. “He’s a skilled player who’s also a good teacher of the game.” Kovacev brings a different outlook on the sport, and on the world. Just as he is learning to live in a new culture, his teammates and peers are learning from him. “I think we’re all going to benefit from having a person from a different country who has been through different experiences,” Mr. Scandling said. “What he shares about his life in Serbia will be just as much an important part of our year as his performance in the pool.”

Fall in the Pioneer Valley represents a lively time for the arts. From October 10th through 12th, Paradise City Arts and Crafts Festival, located at the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton, MA, is flooded with people from all over the valley who have come to buy (or just to admire) the stunning artwork. Exploring Paradise City in past years, I have discovered it to be an oasis of fine arts and crafts, produced by artists from all over this country and Canada. The wide array of arts showcased at Paradise City is part of what makes this festival unique. Studio furniture, art glass, large-scale sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, and painting comprise the art categories. The festival also consists of 2-D mixed media, photography, works on paper, decorative fiber, metal, wood, leather, and wearable art. All the art created by the festivals’ 260 exhibitors is displayed indoors and under tents. In addition, a unique sculpture garden contains some pieces involved in the annual silent auction to benefit Hospice. When visiting Paradise City, you are sure to discover that the festival’s variety is matched by the level of quality in each artist’s work. Considering that founding directors Geoffrey and Linda Post are both artists with 30 years of experience, it is not surprising that they know how to recognize such expertise. If you tire out from all the shopping, Paradise City also provides visitors with a wonderful choice of food stands set up by local chefs. Under the food tent you can buy pakoras from India House, pizza from Spoleto, or peanut noodles from Amber Waves. While you’re enjoying the delicious food, you will also have the opportunity to listen to one of the jazz bands that play at Paradise City throughout the three-day weekend. Just like the art, the food and music at Paradise City exemplify the idea that there is something for everyone. Another striking feature at Paradise City is the exhibitors’ willingness to talk to visitors about their work and their methods of creating it. I remember having an intriguing conversation with a potter there three years ago about the process of Raku firings in ceramics; this inspired me to go on to do Raku at an art camp both this summer and last. Even if you do not consider yourself artistic, Paradise City is mind-opening in the sense that it gives you an idea of the beautiful things people are capable of creating. Whether or not you are seeking it, you will find inspiration at this paradise of the arts. Because of the amount of work put into the art at Paradise City, the prices can sometimes run a bit expensive. Scarves, hats, and gloves usually range from $15 to $40 and small photographic prints and paintings can also be purchased at a reasonable price. Jewelry has a range of prices, but some of it can certainly be bought at a price which will not put a dent in your wallet. Most of the furniture, wood, art glass, and sculptural pieces sell at a higher price. Paradise City is open between 10am and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday and from 10am to 4pm on Monday. Student admission fees are $8, adults are $10. Children under 12 are free and three day passes are available for $15. Free $2 off admission coupons are available on the website: www.paradisecityarts.com. The website also has photos of many of the exhibitors’ works.

If they are not at sports camps, at work, or traveling abroad, where do some Deerfield students spend their summers? The answer: art programs. Through multi-week programs, Deerfield artists practiced their talents, learned from respected professionals, and left with new-found inspirations and motives which they have brought back with them to school. DANCE: Nina Shevzov-Zebrun ’12 attended a six-week ballet program in New York City at the American Ballet Theater. At ABT, Shevzov-Zebrun danced from nine in the morning until five in the evening, in classes ranging from ballet technique to pointe variations to jazz dance. “My favorite part of the program,” shared Shevzov-Zebrun “was that we were able to watch the ABT professional dancers who were rehearsing in the studios.” Ilse Kapteyn ’12 attended a seven-week-long ballet program with the Chautauqua School of Dance in New York. Kapteyn danced for seven to eight hours a day with about 20 other girls. For Kapteyn, one of the most exciting parts of the program was the opportunity to perform in a huge outdoor amphitheater. VISUAL ART: Hannah Flato ’10 attended a two-week program at the Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation. The program accepts about 10% of applicants, and all 60 students get full scholarships. The students at the camp drew and painted for a total of seven hours a day, guided by critically acclaimed artists, who Flato described as “terrifying but wonderful.” Jacque Hulburd ’10 attended a one-month summer intensive at The Parsons New School of Design in New York. In the digital photography department of the program, Hulburd was in classes for six hours every day. The classes were either taught by guest speakers, or art history lessons about other photographers. “I learned a lot about placement, lighting and detail,” she said, “and about the importance of a picture.” MUSIC: Nick Whittredge ’10, accompanied by his violin, went to the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music for 20 days. At Apple Hill, in Nelson, New Hampshire, students attended chamber music rehearsals for three to four hours every day. One unique thing that the program does is “take people from conflicted places of the world and put them in a chamber group together,” as Whittredge described. “By the end of the session, they will play a piece of music together. I took away the message of tolerance of others’ music ability and ideology.” Emlyn Van Eps ’12 attended a four-week musical program at the Luzerne Music Center in New York. Van Eps’s daily schedule consisted of six hours of rehearsals, both private and group. She also was able to attend performances by professional musicians. “I left the camp motivated to continue playing violin and improve myself,” Van Eps said. Andy Kang ’10 spent two weeks at a music intensive camp at Tanglewood, in Lenox, Massachusetts. Kang spent hours in rehearsals during the day, and was able to attend some professional performances at night. Kang felt that his greatest improvement from the camp was “new confidence and boldness” in his playing. THEATER: Camille Coppola ’10 went to a five-week acting institution at the National High School Institute Theater Division at Northwestern University. Her daily schedule included movement, text analysis, theater history, set design, and screen writing classes along with rehearsals at night. The group performed ten plays including Columbinus, seen on the Deerfield stage in 2007. Looking back at her experience, Coppola reflected, “I’ve learned there are so many ways of doing one art form.”

The Bookstore has served as a landmark on campus—a symbol of the school’s academic atmosphere, enthusiasm for literature, and everything else that the notion of “book” represents. The building’s name has changed from simply “The Bookstore” to “Hitchcock House,” and now, this center of our campus has replaced the book with the Vineyard Vines bag. We do not need an entire room of fancy Deerfield paraphernalia available year-round when we were fine with them available in their old location on Parents’ Weekend and at the start of school. We would much rather have a variety of books accessible to us in an inviting house whenever the need for a fresh read comes along. Students have always regarded the bookstore as a place that embodies the spirit of Deerfield. This change compromises the meaning behind this comforting icon. We urge the administration to reestablish the values that the building, in the heart of campus, represents and put books back in a prominent position in the bookstore.

Sports teams in the New England prep school league traditionally travel to neighboring schools on Wednesdays and Saturdays to compete in athletic events. While Saturdays seem to be committed solely to sports, students are required to strike a balance between their workload and their sports commitments on Wednesdays. When a Deerfield team’s Wednesday away game is hosted at Brunswick or Exeter, for example, students leave directly after classes and may not arrive back to campus until near the end of study hall. Students often have just 30 minutes after classes to eat lunch, change and get on the bus. With an already rigorous academic schedule, some students begin to feel overwhelmed with balancing their responsibilities. While the game itself already has a designated time slot, the distance to travel on the bus, sometimes up to six hours, seems to take up every moment of that student’s opportunity to manage homework and sleep as well. Serena Ainslie ’16, the number-one seed on the Girls Varsity Tennis team, mentioned she finds it difficult to stay focused on work on the bus, and pointed out that “after games, I’m too tired to do homework.” While some students may be traveling on Wednesdays, others may be hosting a home game, giving them upwards of three times as much extra time. Lucy Baldwin ’15, a member of the girls varsity lacrosse team, mentions the difficulty that other students assigned the same amount of work as she could “get more time to work on the assignment” if they remain on campus that day. Another concern is the trouble certain athletes face changing their mindset from school to sports. Teddy Donnelly ’17, JV lacrosse player, said, “the hardest part about weekday games is transitioning into a sports mood and then back to school work after the game.” While travelling abroad for games can pose challenges for Deerfield athletes, the experiences that accompanies these challenges are memorable. Boys varsity lacrosse member Philip Goss ’16 said that “having not applied to many schools, it’s a nice way to see other prep schools and compare them to Deerfield.”

This June, Dean of Faculty John Taylor, Spanish teacher Stephen Taft, faculty spouse John Friends and a friend of Mr. Friends will travel to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The group of four has played on an indoor soccer team for multiple years, and they decided that this summer it would be fun to explore the “rich soccer history” as well as the fascinating culture of Brazil. There has been some speculation as to whether Brazil is prepared for the World Cup, however, with unfinished stadiums and poor living conditions for many of the nation’s citizens. Brazilian Deerfield student Lucas Tupinamba ’16 commented, “Brazil isn’t ready: the government has been spending millions of dollars on stadiums and infrastructure in the cities, and that has lead to enormous controversy. When you have a government that is spending all its money on stadiums and not on public health it creates an issue. People have been going out on the streets and advocating a boycott of the World Cup.” Mr. Friends, who studied as an exchange student in Brazil in high school, has kept in close touch with his host family and other friends, who will all provide support and guidance for the four footballers throughout their travels in Brazil. Mr. Friends was able to invite his host brother, now a 25-year old, to stay with him and his family in McAlister Dormitory eight years ago, during the time that FIFA announced the 2014 World Cup would be held in Rio. The announcement sparked the idea for the four soccer fans to make the trip this June. They will spend almost two weeks in Brazil, attending one or two games of “football” as well as travelling to Belo Horizonte, the capital city in Mina Gerais. In Belo Horizonte, they will cycle down the Estrada Real, or “Royal Road,” which is a colonial road made famous by its estimated 10% of the most valuable minerals in the world (before extensive extraction), and continues to be an important mining region. When gold was discovered in Brazil, the road was built connecting to Rio in order to transport the gold, and now remains public for citizens and tourists. “Our goal is to follow the Royal Road and to hang out with some locals in towns,” Mr. Taylor said. Mr. Friends added that his favorite place is an underground waterfall in Brazil, and he promises, as he knows the region well, that he will lead the group to see it. Mr. Taylor admitted that he has a biased prediction for the winner of the World Cup: he has promised to buy the last dinner for the group because, “Argentina will win!” Mr. Taylor also mentioned that the group plans to ostracize him because he will be sporting his national Argentine shirt throughout the trip, despite the fact that Brazil’s biggest rival is Argentina. Mr. Taft, on the other hand, predicted the four semi-finalists in the team pool last World Cup, and claimed, “So I will obviously be the right one again.”

Summer break is around the corner and excitement is building on campus for the upcoming three months where students will disperse from campus and integrate back into their respective communities. From one small Massachusetts town, Deerfield’s student body will sprawl into 42 states and 37 countries, as the school’s diverse community heads home. However, for many students, summer means the re-immersion into one’s hometown and family. Finding one’s place amongst old friends, parents, and siblings after spending several months at school can prove difficult for many. “I’m excited to see my family, but it will take some time getting used to them.,” Nick Leone ‘17 said. “I’ve been living without them for about a year now and being separated has made me more comfortable being without my family.” “Although I miss my parents at school, when I’m with them during breaks they get annoying,” Rachel Yao ’16 commented. “After a year of independence, I have to get used to them being protective of me all the time and wanting to know what I’m up to every second.” “Being at Deerfield, you’re making decisions for yourself but when you go back home, you have to consider everyone else as well,” Yasmine Deswandhy ’16, a student from Indonesia, added. “At school, I take care and think for myself but at home, I think about what my parents and siblings want to do. My actions are influenced by what my family does.” One of the greatest challenges for some students is preserving friendships back home. Madison Lyford ’15 expressed, “It’s hard to reconnect with old friends and just as I re-establish the bond with them during the summer, I have to leave all over again.” “I feel like I’ve been replaced, and [my friends’] lives are moving on without me,” Alexandra Hrabchak ’15 agreed. “Every summer since leaving my old school has become more difficult because time passes and it’s easier to grow apart from people back home. I have two sets of friends now: those from school, and those from home.” At Deerfield, students are consistently surrounded by friends and peers; boarding students, especially, have to readjust to a quieter, calmer lifestyle over the summer. “Over the summer I try my best to stay in touch with all my friends. It can be hard, however, because many of my friends from Deerfield live in different states and countries,” Catherine Fleming ’15 added. “Most of my friends from school are really busy over the summer, either abroad or working. I spend most of my summer at camp with no phone or internet,which makes it hard to stay in touch,” Eileen Russell ’15 commented. “Back at home, I’m not very interactive. I wake up a lot later than usual and don’t really talk to people other than my family,” Libby Wenners ’17 said. Faculty kids struggle to adapt to the empty campus after months of being surrounded by over 600 peers. “Usually the faculty students are around during the beginning of summer break and around August,” Sarah Dancer ’16 explained. “The first week after school ends, when the Greer and dining hall aren’t open anymore, you get the sense that Deerfield is like a ghost town.” Deerfield is known for its fast-paced lifestyle, with its constant load of assessments, assignments, co-curricular and extracurricular activities; free time is very limited while at school. However, many students agree that the long summer break elicits a drastic break from this and offers time to rest and be at ease. “I will have a lot more free time while I’m at home this summer as well as more room to decide my schedule,” Bri’ana Odom ’15 commented. “I’m not going to be as busy and frantic in Hong Kong as I was during the school year at Deerfield. The weekends will feel longer than normal,” Valeria Ma ’17 mentioned. “I won’t have to worry about exams and think about any essays or projects due.” “Everything will feel slower regardless of any summer plans because Deerfield is so fast paced. That’s something that I’ll have to get used to when I go back home,” Perry Hamm ’17 replied. For Deerfield’s 137 international students, the change is more than that of place, but also one of culture and sometimes language. “I will need to switch from English to Chinese. The difficulty not only lies in language but also cultural differences,” Robin Tu ’16 commented. “There are cultural differences everywhere in every aspect, most importantly, how people think and talk. In America, people are straightforward but in China, people are more indirect and polite.” “Many students in China spend their summers attending preparatory school to get ready for the next school year. When I go back home and my friends see that I’m not attending any summer camps, they start to question me,” Botao Chen ’14 added. “The hardest part about being an international student is that I haven’t seen my family for months. It will be weird to see my siblings suddenly so much bigger. There are many cultural differences between Hong Kong and America; food, race, population, language, etc. It’s nice to go back to this culture, since it’s home for me,” Ma ’17 expressed. Although social media allows students to stay in touch with each other, it doesn’t create the same effect as being able to see them face to face. “Behind the computer, there isn’t really any connection. Technology can never replace direct conversations. Messages don’t really show what you feel and mean to say so it forms a kind of a barrier in the conversation as well as in our friendship. I generally feel more distant with people online” Tu ’16 concluded.

This spring, freshman Dani Michelson introduced a new club to DA’s campus: Career Club. Twice a month, the club meets after sit-down dinner in the Caswell library, where a chosen faculty/staff member shares insight on careers with which they have been affiliated. Each speaker offers explanations of these professions as well as pieces of advice and memories from their own experiences. The faculty members chosen to speak at these meetings are from a variety of backgrounds, providing students a glimpse into a wide range of professional careers that they might not have been willing to explore or exposed to before. Michelson decided to start the club because of the endless “pestering” from his family about what profession he wants to pursue when gets older. He also mentioned that the motive behind this new club is to enable students “to decide on future professional careers from the information provided in meetings.” For the first meeting, Dr. Hills, who worked at a pharmaceutical company prior to Deerfield, spoke to students about his experiences with chemistry graduate school life. Hills sees potential in the club, stating that once a format is determined “that will be optimal for good student-adult interaction,” the club will have a positive impact on students at Deerfield. Hills also mentioned that he felt a “strong disconnect” between doing well in the classroom and performing well in a job setting, explaining that the club would positively benefit students by offering a “more accurate picture of what the real world is like.” For the most recent meeting, Mr. Kelly spoke to the group about his experience in this business world. Kelly spoke about commitment—expressing that “if you are fully committed to your idea, you’ll never fail.” He also talked about the ups and downs that he experienced when owning a business. Like Dr. Hills, Mr. Kelly expressed his enthusiasm for the club, sharing his hopes that the Career Club is able to integrate itself within the “Deerfield experience” for the coming years.

Recently, acclaimed documentary filmmakers Ken Burns and Peter Davis visited Deerfield to discuss the artistry and history behind their films chronicling the Vietnam War. The two shared information and scenes from Davis’s 1974 classic, Hearts and Minds, and Burns’ newest project on the Vietnam War, which is scheduled to premiere in several years. Although this is Burns’ third year coming to visit Deerfield, this was Davis’ first trip. Both offered insight and wisdom into the film industry. History Department Chair Mr. Joseph Lyons, who coordinates Burns’ trips to Deerfield, said, “We have an opportunity, through a relationship with an alum, to host one of the most preeminent documentary filmmakers of our time.” Burns, who has also created renowned series about baseball, the Civil War, the Jazz Age, and the Dust Bowl, answered some additional questions, regarding his profession and his ability to distill complex topics into works of instruction and entertainment, for The Scroll. When asked how he strikes the right balance when creating a film to make it both accessible and informative for a wide variety of Americans with different investments in history, Burns responded that he considers himself to be a “curious fly on the wall,” whose job is to “recount good stories.” Burns takes his place among a long line of storytellers who have “kept the universe sane” for millennia by fostering communication and shared memory. As a result, he believes many naturally gravitate toward film as a new way to share an old tradition, passing down lessons and accounts to posterity. Lyons commented on this concept of storytelling: “Stories about the past give us a sense of meaning, telling us who we are. As a filmmaker, Burns chooses to tell stories about this nation’s past, and thus plays a significant role in shaping how we understand and define this country. He has a powerful voice in shaping our collective understanding of who we are.” When Burns shapes the knowledge and opinions of many Americans, he trusts his audience’s vested interest and intelligence, “aiming high,” while ensuring that anyone who has passed the eighth grade can comprehend his work. A wide variety of historical topics could harness such interest –- how does Burns choose? “I don’t,” Burns answered, “stories pick me.” He compared the scenario to making a friend, and the excitement each time you find chemistry with a new individual. Lyons further explained, “[Burns] shows us the power of curiosity — he chooses his topics because he wants to learn about them.” Finally, when asked to provide advice to future filmmakers, Burns responded, “Know who you are, but also admit to not knowing. Work hard, be serious, and persevere.”

This piece is in response to this anonymous letter published in the last issue of The Scroll . Editor-in-Chief Henry Cobbs ’15 responded to the piece in his own letter as well. From the PGs: A few weeks have passed since The Scroll published the opinion piece by an anonymous PG about postgraduates. Since then, everyone seems to be asking the same question: are PGs worthy of their heritage? The article suggested that “a more diverse group be chosen,” saying “PGs lack the well-roundedness that the rest of the student body seem to possess.” We as “new seniors” need to respond. This article suggested that the new seniors’ admission revolved solely around “bringing the best athletes,” completely ignoring many of our hard-earned accomplishments. We come from all over America, as well as many foreign countries, and each of us brings something unique to the student body. We are actors, artists, athletes, scholars. Reading the piece, even now, hurts. Just like each and every one of you, we were selected from a strong pool of applicants for what each of us has to offer; and it is wrong to think that the Admissions Office didn’t see something worthy of Deerfield’s heritage in us. At our previous schools, we were leaders— not just on the court or field, but in the classroom and in the halls. We could rattle off impressive leadership roles that we played at our previous schools, but our goal is not to brag. Our goal is to emphasize that no one should judge a book by its cover. The anonymous writer ignored the fact that it would be impossible for us to partake in activities that require previous experience at the school. For instance, even if well-qualified, we could not become editor-in-chief of The Scroll or school president (even if some of us held similar positions at our old schools), simply because many leadership positions were filled before we stepped onto campus this fall. Many longtime students at Deerfield have expressly praised our new senior class for meshing with the current seniors better than other PGs in recent history—in the classroom as well as on the fields, in dorms and all around campus. We have tried our best to integrate fully into a brand-new life as seniors at Deerfield. But after this scathing article, it doesn’t seem as if some in the community are as accepting as we believed. We have loved our time here, and have made great and lasting friendships with many members of different classes. We will all remember this year fondly. It has been disheartening to hear that not all in this community share that fondness. We’d like to end this response with a request. We know it is late in the year, with just a short time left—but if you have wondered who we are, made assumptions about our personalities or simply haven’t taken the time to introduce yourself—whether you are a freshman or a member of the faculty—we would love to meet you and soak up as much of this boarding-school experience as possible. We’re not older, intimidating people, but people who have already completed high school once, and have help to offer and advice to share, with lots of leadership to provide. So whether you want to stop and talk to us in the halls or the Greer, or just say hi across campus, we urge you to take a minute and get to know us, not just as PGs, but as peers. We know you all have something unique to offer, and we might just surprise you with what we have to offer as well.