Search this site

Are the gleaming Crest Whitestrip smiles genuine? When is the automatic response “I’m great, thanks!” sincere? Certainly, there are instances of actual contentedness on campus. As privileged teenagers, we have plenty to be grateful for and happy about. However, many Deerfield students are burdened by challenges they would never admit to. Yes, at one time or another, we complain about the stress of school work, nagging parents, or gossip. But people rarely discuss deeper, less apparent issues: conflicts in relationships, trouble at home, or the stigmatism and struggle of mental illness and eating disorders, to name a few. Indeed, Deerfield students frequently cloak their true feelings, hiding difficulties behind façades of confidence and good cheer. Few discuss the challenges they face, problems many only feel comfortable sharing anonymously. This “fakeness” promotes the pervasive, unrealistic impression that the majority of our students are flawless and imperturbable. No one feels comfortable mentioning anything less than perfection, because perfection is all that appears to surround us. If individuals decided, however, to confess a troubling concern instead of biting their lips to conceal their seeming “weaknesses,” they would benefit both themselves and the entire community. The student body might become more tolerant and accepting, as no one would judge harshly because he or she shared a similar problem. Instead of being intimidated by impeccable, unflappable, and most of all, unattainable images of the ideal Deerfield boy and girl, students need to recognize that these are but mirages that do not exist. Everyone struggles. If only we could admit our own individual shortcomings more openly, we might better empathize with and support one another. We all know we’re fortunate to be in a community such as this— to study and play on this beautiful, well-tended campus—but we shouldn’t pretend to be happy when we sometimes aren’t. So when an issue is too tough to hold in, no one should feel pressured to struggle alone, to put on that happy, dress-code face. He or she should be bolstered by a community of people who understand adversity because they themselves can admit to difficulty.

In April 28th, Deerfield hosted its second blood drive of the year. “This blood drive was much better than the fall,” said Francoise Ellis, who oversaw the event. “More people signed up this spring. We had about 50 people sign up, with a few walk-ons, but we were able to get 34 pints, which helps about 100 people.” The blood collected will be used to help people in Massachusetts. The blood drive was held in the East Gym, which was transformed into a hospital-like setting. Nurses from the Red Cross worked alongside Deerfield Students, passing out drinks and catering to the donors. In addition to the question and answer forms each participant filled out, the nurses conducted brief physicals before every donation. Participants were asked about their medical history, and even tested for aids. After that, the nurses drew a pint of blood. Many students gave blood for the first time. Klyn Jones ’16 felt that the process was relatively painless: “They gave you a stress ball. I felt a little dizzy but I drank some water, and they had some snacks there.” Others had a different experience. “It was the first time I gave blood and I actually stood up and remember feeling really dizzy and then I fainted,” said Jackie Dowling ’14. It is not uncommon for donors to faint, especially if it is their first time giving blood. While everyone was encouraged to donate, stringent requirements turned away a few hopeful donors. These requirements included height, weight and past travel experiences. “They wouldn’t let people from Asia donate blood because there is a risk you have some kind of contagious disease,” said Hattie Wang ’16, who was turned away from the event. “I feel like on one hand it ensures that the blood they get is really good quality, but on the other hand it discourages a lot of people who want to donate.” Many students wished they had known of these restrictions prior to the event. “It would have been way more helpful if they had let everyone know of the limitations and restrictions beforehand,” said Saoirse Kennedy-Hill ’16, who could not participate due to recent travels. Although not everyone was able to give blood, the event turned out to be a success, thanks in part to the new online sign-up forms. Francoise Ellis credits Izzy Tang for her hard work organizing the drive: “Izzy did an incredible job, especially putting the signing-in online, and getting it on the Bulletin.” Next year’s event is currently being planned: “We are already looking at the dates for the school year 2014-2015!” Izzy Tang exclaimed.

1. “West Coast” – Lana del Ray 2. “Goodness Gracious” – Ellie Goulding (The Chainsmokers Remix) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PEjUlrgdrw 3. “Its on Again” – Alicia Keys ft. Kendrick Lamar 4. “Here Comes The Sun” – The Beatles 5. “Summer” – Calvin Harris 6. “Knee Deep” – Zac Brown Band ft. Jimmy Buffet 7. “Summer Love” – Justin Timberlake 8. “Carried Away” – Passion Pit 9. “Play it Again” – Luke Bryan 10. “Red Lights” – Tiesto 11. “Summer of ’69” – Bryan Adams 12. “All The Way” – Timeflies (Milkman Remix) 13. “Surfin’ USA” – The Beach Boys https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s4slliAtQU 14. “Island In The Sun” – Weezer 15. “Cry For You” (The Live City Remix) – September https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ix5ZdTY-Qc

Dear Reader, First and foremost, I would like to extend my gratitude to Charlotte Allen and the entire 2013-14 Board. You have transformed into a platform for serious dialogue between students, alumni and the administration. Under your leadership, has addressed many important issues, some of which have not painted Deerfield in a perfect light. You published articles about alliances dividing the community, gay students being discriminated against, skewed gender dynamics, tobacco usage, and more. I applaud your bravery and journalistic integrity and have to believe that Deerfield is a better place because of this. Next, I would like to thank you, the reader. When you discuss one of our articles at a sit-down meal or amongst friends in your dormitory, you are both bringing light to issues that divide our community as well as celebrating those people who make it so special. Without your readership and interest, would serve no purpose. seeks to be a two-way conversation. We sincerely encourage all responses and feedback. In an effort to increase the readership over the next year, I plan to redevelop online presence and place distribution racks in various hubs on campus. Although no longer distributes to parents and alumni, I hope that these audiences will be able to keep up with the latest articles online. I am very thankful for the opportunity to lead the 2014- 15 Board and aspire to continue our paper’s tradition of honesty and transparency. Sincerely, Henry Cobbs Editor-in-Chief

“It has been an incremental creep,” Athletic Director and boys varsity lacrosse coach Charles Davis said of the college recruitment process. “Every other year, the cycle seems to move six months earlier.” Lacrosse recuiting often begins before players have adjusted to their high school routines. Indeed, several Deerfield student-athletes have committed to play lacrosse at Division I universities prior to the conclusion of their sophomore year. Mr. Davis said, “I’m not a fan of it but have accepted this new reality and think it is leveling out—colleges won’t recruit eighth graders.” But many wonder if the practice and pressure is too much, too soon. Attracting a college coach’s attention certainly requires exceptional talent, drive and a significant amount of time. Junior Harrison Lane, who committed to play at Dartmouth in tenth grade, explained, “The recruiting process revolves around summer showcases and camps. Each is about three days long, consisting of three games perday…If one plays well, the coach will take note and contact your summer team or high school coach, as colleges are prohibited from contacting freshmen and sophomores directly. Then, once notified of the interest, you call his cell phone to meet.” Sophomore Nigel Andrews, a Harvard University commit, echoed Lane’s sentiments and emphasized the time spent devoted to lacrosse each summer, recounting, “There was one stretch where my mom and I were on the road, stopping at hotels and friends’ houses for over three weeks.” Because the majority of interactions with college coaches occur over the summer, “the process is increasingly removed from schools,” Mr. Davis said. “It’s a separate entity that primarily takes place in third- party settings. I just do the best I can to support the student- athlete and Deerfield.” The college advising staff occupies a similar role when players arrive at their department already committed. Sometimes they help with standardized testing, as colleges require certain scores before officially granting admission. In addition, Lane and Andrews must maintain a specified grade average to meet their schools’ academic standards. The pressure of recruitment can be overwhelming for players of all skill levels. According to Mr. Davis, “kids often don’t know what they want out of college at this young age.” Also, if a player focuses solely on lacrosse and often leaves campus to play, he or she can miss out on other opportunities. Several advantages balance these negative aspects, however, for once a player has committed, he or she can enjoy school and activities without worrying about college admission. Davis recalls many who have tried an entirely new sport purely for fun, which Deerfield champions as part of its effort to reduce specialization. Lane and Andrews mentioned that both motivation—which keeps them working hard on the field and in the classroom—and relief from pressure result from early commitment. Lane said, “I feel closer to Deerfield ever since I committed. Without the college pressure, I can explore what Deerfield has to offer.” Andrews agreed, saying, “Although I am looking out into the future a lot, I try to live in the present as much as possible. Deerfield is an amazing place that I am privileged to go to. I wouldn’t want to miss out on it by focusing too much on the future.”

In one night, I make as many as 20 Oreo frappes. Between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturdays, I can make more than 40 bacon- egg bagels. I prepared all three of the soy iced coffees you drank just now with the coffee I brewed at the beginning of my shift. I am a Greer worker. I am, however, also a student: one of the many who spend time in the Greer throughout the day. I go to classes in the morning, and whatever co- curricular I’m doing that term in the afternoon. The only difference is that a couple times a week, at a pre-appointed time, I show up at the Greer, not to get a chai, but to make it. Being both a student and an employee of Deerfield affords me a different perspective on the whole system—a perspective that is not often found elsewhere on campus. Behind the gray speckled counter lies a whole other world: the real world. Though there are students who have argued that the Deerfield bubble is a myth we tell the freshmen, I find it to be more real than some would think. On one side of the Greer counter, I hear the campus gossip. Hoedown dates, DC specifics, and who was waitlisted at their parents’ alma mater (a scandal the underclassmen will soon understand). Standing on the other side is an employee is working through college to support her son, who is just barely in preschool. A blender sits in the sink, still dripping from the chef’s personal protein shake (our blenders are exponentially more powerful than the one he has at home). Having worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor for years before coming to Deerfield, I was used to having a job. At the Greer, I figured the working experience would be the same, except you’d substitute water with food. And it is similar. Mostly. Students come and order— sometimes making eye contact and chatting with the “white shirts” (non-student employees), sometimes silently grabbing their Gatorade and going on their way. To them, we just make the food, then call their names for it to be collected. Often someone asks for another ketchup bottle (despite the lone one sitting on the table just out of sight) or a to-go box (always surprised that they have to pay for it, no matter how many times they ask). The regular stuff, really. Students are either polite or not, as in any restaurant. Meanwhile the white shirts learn their names, their orders and their personalities. What’s different is the talk. Chat at my pool was the same on both sides—local interests, difficulty at school, gas prices. Deerfield students, however, have a whole other reality in their conversations. They are not rude: being rude goes against the tacit code of etiquette on campus. There is an implicit understanding: you always say hi to traffic on the pathways, smile at your teachers, say “thank you” after each action completed by another person. What Deerfield students are is oblivious. When some come up asking for the third time in five minutes if their food is done, it’s frustrating. No, your food is not done, probably because you ordered during a rush with the rest of your sports team in the ten minutes before the bus leaves, and we’re trying to cook twenty meals on one grill. We have no issue with students getting food in to-go boxes, so long as they say they would like it to go when they order. We love having you hang out with your friends for a few hours each night, as long as you clean up after yourselves and respect the space. Most times when people ask me, I say I love working at the Greer. I get to make friends with another group of adults and earn some money besides. The parts I don’t love are seeing why Deerfield students have a reputation for being spoiled and short-sighted. Of course, not all students here are, but such is the case with all reputations. It only takes a few temperamental students to ruin a shift, and only a few more to make a fun job turn into a contractual obligation.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR REGARDING THE PG LETTER PUBLISHED IN THE APRIL EDITION OF THE SCROLL: Dear Reader, Over the past few days, the the editorial piece about PGs at Deerfield has inspired heated debate on campus. The piece, which was published in the April edition of The Scroll, can be found at: http://bit.do/pgoped. I generally believe that when Scroll articles stimulate conversation, it is a force for good. When students, teachers, and the administration discuss the articles, people come together, positive changes are implemented, and progress is made. However, in this particular case, there have been many unforeseen consequences. There are a lot of common misconceptions circulating about the piece. First and foremost, letter was not written by a member of the Scroll Board. The piece, as indicated, was written by a current PG. By publishing the letter, The Scroll Board was in no way agreeing with any of the points it made. I believe that The Scroll is a unbiased platform for dialogue at Deerfield. It would be unethical for the editor of any newspaper to only publish pieces which align with his or her personal views. For that reason, I feel as though I would be abnegating my responsibilities as editor if I were to prevent a student or faculty member’s opinion from being voiced. However, it has become apparent that many PGs on campus feel targeted by the letter. Although I believe everyone has the right for their opinion to be heard, The Scroll is not a place for attacking other members of the community. When we made the decision to include the piece, we came to the consensus that it was not an attack on PGs. Closely read, it may be recognized as a constructive piece directed at Deerfield admissions. That being said, I apologize to any students who feel hurt by the piece. That was never our aim. Going forward, The Scroll will no longer publish anonymous letters under normal circumstances. That does not mean that we are no longer going to accept or publish feedback. It simply means that if you have an opinion you want to share, you must stand behind it with your name. We would love to include a letter in the next issue expressing the other side of the PG debate. As always, please send any feedback (for publication or otherwise) to hcobbs@deerfield.edu. Best, Henry Cobbs Editor-in-Chief

Click here to read the letter from the editor regarding publication of this piece. The incoming classes of freshmen, sophomores and juniors bring a mix of students that will contribute to Deerfield academically, socially, artistically and athletically, among many other ways. These incoming students will take advantage of everything Deerfield has to offer, ranging from demanding classes to top-notch art and athletic facilities. Through these opportunities, every student will excel at something, be it in the classroom, on the sports field or on any other stage that Deerfield provides. So why does admissions for postgraduates only revolve around bringing in the best athletes, instead of bringing in the best candidates from a variety of fields? Rather than looking for athletes who can fill vacant spots on athletic teams, Deerfield should look for students who will make the most of their limited, one-year experience at Deerfield. Clearly there is value to the current system of bringing in PGs who are predominantly athletes. However, it seems like the Deerfield community would benefit from a more diverse extension of the senior class. Simply put, the PGs lack the well- roundedness that the rest of the student body seem to possess. In order to truly apply Deerfield standards to all incoming students, a more diverse group of PG students should be chosen to help eradicate social barriers, reinforce the set of values that Deerfield is built on, and ensure that the individuals of this small group gain the most that any one can gain during just one year at DA. Sports teams play a large role in defining social groups at Deerfield. Lacrosse players typically spend time with lacrosse players, football players hang out with football players, etc. This seems natural, considering that being on the same team builds camaraderie. However, when the majority of the incoming PGs play for the same team, they immediately seek company in teammates rather than branching out. Though in some cases PGs’ social isolation is externally imposed, in more cases these new students socially isolate themselves by clinging to their teammates. They are choosing the easier, in some ways more cowardly, route because, in many ways, their teammates are obligated to accept them. Would it be such a bad thing to have a postgraduate whose focus is simply on having a year to mature, on spending a year on his or her own surrounded by a supportive community before heading off to college? Looking at the current composition of the PG class, I see a group of kids whose desire to grow socially and academically is eclipsed by the attractions of DA’s athletic opportunities. I’m not trying to condemn my fellow postgrads; I am simply suggesting the benefits that might be offered by a better- rounded group of incoming PGs. Yes, when I look at the PGs around me, I see a group of students that has been embraced by fellow students despite having been thrown into a tight-knit community. Imagine how much more of a tight-knit community we could be, however, if the PG class mirrored the diversity and well-roundedness of the incoming students in every other class.

The Scroll recently reached out to students from seven New England boarding schools to see what was being said on their campuses about the Big Green. The admissions page of the Deerfield website states, “Deerfield is a vibrant, diverse community of students and staff, and families who live and work at a school where the core values of courtesy and work ethic guide school life.” Deerfield students “live and learn in an atmosphere of warmth and support. There is a spirit of mutual respect and caring in virtually every activity at Deerfield.” Regardless of whether or not these statements are true, the reputation Deerfield has among its peers certainly paints an entirely different picture. A student from The Hotchkiss School started the conversation, when she was finally let out of her Saturday class, stating, “Deerfield has a beautiful campus and students. All the sports teams are pretty good,” she continued, “but the door mascot sucks. The typical week looks much easier than ours. Overall a great school.” A Suffield Academy student truly captured the essence of Deerfield in her analysis, “When I think of Deerfield, I think of Yankee Candle.” A student from The Groton School graciously offered a list of phrases to describe Deerfield, which included: “blond girls, squash, fake tans, and pearl earrings bigger than their eyes.” She also recalls fondly, “I know this one kid who I got in a fist fight with when I was nine.” A male student from Deerfield’s rival, Choate, also had some strong opinions to share, “Deerfield Academy is our friendly rival to the north. 85% of its females, who are known throughout New England for their good looks and blonde hair, rock Barbours, while the other 15% go with Canada Goose.” He kindly concluded, “Most Deerfield students are athletically challenged.” A Berkshire student commented, “Those who go to Deerfield are very proud about the fact that they go to Deerfield; and I also know there are some really great and motivated girls there.” Defying all stereotypes, the student added, “It’s Greenwich moved to Mass, with a lot of blonde people.” Taft added to the discussion, “Deerfield is a school for kids that are extremely academically qualified, good looking, and often times pretentious.” Finally, Phillips Academy Andover informed The Scroll, “Deerfield students give off the aura of being waspy, primarily blonde, wealthy, extremely tan and populated by Fairfield County. Deerfield does excel at athletics and has a very nice campus.” It is interesting to see how Deerfield is perceived by students from other prep schools. However, these comments hardly describe Deerfield’s 646 students, who represent 37 countries, 42 states, and the Deerfield values of diversity, leadership and opportunity.

In 2010, photographer Brandon Stanton began taking photographs of citizens of New York City, learning their stories and including quotes about his subjects alongside the portraits he posted on his blog, Humans of New York. Four years later, his Facebook page has over four million likes, with each photo he shares providing a glimpse into the lives of the people of New York City. Recently, Maddie Moon ’16 decided to bring the popular concept to Deerfield. Along with a group of friends, Moon takes pictures of students and has them share something about themselves, and then posts the story on the group’s Facebook page, Humans of Deerfield. The intent of the page is to provide insight into the diverse lives of the Deerfield community, and to share them with as many people as possible. Moon hopes to bring the community together through sharing these stories. “Four years is definitely not enough time to get to know all of the students at Deerfield,” Moon said. “That’s the main reason why I decided to start the page. My goal is to get as many stories as I can up on the page and to make sure that they aren’t all people from the same friend group.” Around the same time as Humans of Deerfield was created, another page was posted entitled Deerfield Compliments, with the aim of providing a way for students to anonymously send in compliments about their peers to be posted on the page. However, Moon wants to stress that the two pages are not connected. There has been a fair amount of controversy on campus surrounding some of the posts on the Deerfield Compliments page. On March 7th, Deerfield Compliments addressed the issues in a post, “It has come to my attention that some of you are taking advantage of this page to make fun of, joke around, or give backhanded compliments to each other. This page was not made for that purpose. As we were wrapping up winter term, I realized that the atmosphere at Deerfield was not always so cheerful. Especially with winter term exams coming up and all, I thought we needed a little boost to the atmosphere and made this page.” “A lot of kids have asked me if [I created] Deerfield Compliments. However, I want to make it absolutely clear that Humans of Deerfield is not related to Deerfield Compliments whatsoever,” Moon explained. In a matter of a few weeks, Humans of Deerfield has received hundreds of likes, with the page views well into the thousands. “When my friends and I first started this project, we didn’t expect it to become huge. We thought we would just contribute our love for photography to Deerfield by starting a page. We’re so excited that it’s gotten so huge, up to the point where we get thousands of views. We really hope to continue this project in the years to come,” Moon said. Click here to check out Humans of Deerfield

The Deerfield motto, “Be Worthy of Your Heritage,” reflects the value our school places on honoring the traditions of the past, while still upholding a certain set of principles for our community as we move toward the future. Although we have many traditions and aspects of life here that tie us to our history, one of the strongest links we have on campus is the large number of alumni faculty members. These teachers and community members are able to help us remember the ways Deerfield has been, as well as help guide us as we go forward. “I think there’s more school pride now,” philosophy and religion teacher Neil Jacobs ‘69 said. “I think the academic standards of the school and the quality of the student body is much higher than when I attended Deerfield, which is shown in some of the traditions that were not here when I attended, such as singing to students on their birthday in the dining hall. It seems to me there is much more expression of feeling generally, and school pride is one of those things.” Having attended Deerfield at a time when there was not a system of accountability points, Mr. Jacobs—who is also senior counsel at the Boston law film Wilmer Hale—explained his views on the school’s development: “I believe there was more clarity in what the school stood for. I think at that point we understood that what was expected of us was hard work, integrity and carrying out responsibilities as a community member. I think today the students still are expected to do hard work and have integrity and honesty, but I think there is far more leeway given about meeting requirements of the community. The accountability point system creates an overlay that is inconsistent with the school values. I think because we have moved in many directions that are to the school’s advantage, we’ve lost our relentless focus on character that was in place while I was here. I believe the school today focuses on and values character, but it is not as relentless as when I was here.” Despite his disagreement with APs, Mr. Jacobs believes that the school has vastly improved since his days as a student. “Deerfield’s values express many of the traditions we had,” he said, “but the school has now modernized them.This has made the school fit the culture of adolescents as they exist today. I also think DA has introduced new and better teaching methods; the teaching is far more sophisticated. This is a much better school.” David Thiel ’91 attended Deerfield for two years as an all-boys school, and for the first two years of the school being co-educational. “We thought girls would ruin the school,” he said. “But it turned out to be no big deal. That’s when the dorms got locks. The academics are dramatically better. It’s a lot more rigorous than when I was here, and I think the girls are a large part of that.” When girls began attending Deerfield, the number of many of the sports teams were cut down. “My freshman year, I had never really played any sports,” said Mr. Thiel. “I decided to play soccer, and there were 11 teams for the sport. The whole athletic program was really about participation, and now it’s about performance.” According to Drew Philie ’09, assistant athletic director, this change is also reflective of the push toward specialization in many New England boarding schools. Mr. Philie also noted the new perspective of Deerfield he has gained since becoming a faculty member. “One thing that remains constant is how great the teachers and people who have been here for many years now are,” he said. “They are just dedicated to making this place better for us as students. I didn’t realize how much work went on behind the scenes trying to making kids’ lives around here more fun and energetic. They work hard at keeping the spirit alive. We have teachers who are willing to make this place a better environment.” Mr. Philie also counts weekly school meeting and advisor lunches as important components in the community and the effort the school makes in having a connected faculty and student body. “You still feel the vibe that surrounds this place,” Mr. Philie said. “People still know who you are and say hello to you by name. It’s a place where kids are dedicated to everything they’re doing, and really enjoy being here.” Although many aspects of Deerfield continue to shift with time, many alumni agree that for the most part Deerfield continues to be the school that it always has been. “A lot is the same, and that’s a beautiful thing,” Mr. Thiel said. “Coming back to Deerfield, you feel like you’re coming home, from beef Wellington and turkey dinner in the dining hall, to the rhythm of going from class to class. It definitely feels like the same place—even the rules that are broken are the same rules broken.”