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Wednesday, December 4, marked the annual Fall Co-curricular Award Ceremony at School Meeting. Mr. Davis, the Academy’s Athletic Director, and Head of School Dr. Curtis made their way to the front of the West Gym to address the school. After a brief introduction, Mr. Davis began reading the names of the award winners. There were a few awkward seconds after the first name was read during which no one stood up. Uncomfortable laughter escaped from the bleachers to mask the awkwardness. As the second, third and fourth recipients were also discovered to be absent, Dr. Curtis’s facial expressions slowly morphed from those of amusement to embarrassment as the number of students skipping School Meeting became apparent. For the past several months, student leaders have advocated the introduction of an honor system that would replace the current Accountability Point system. Many argue that students should attend sit-down meals, classes and meetings not to avoid punishment, but because they feel a sense of responsibility as members of the Deerfield community. Others have complained that the administration treats us like children. But if we take into account our track record this fall, how can we expect the administration to grant us greater freedoms? If we aren’t attending Academy events when there are immediate consequences for such rule-breaking, why would we suddenly start attending as soon as they stop taking attendance? Perhaps we overestimate ourselves and our moral compasses; perhaps we wouldn’t. We say we want more responsibility, to be treated like adults. But what is our behavior saying to the administration? Are we staying true to the ideals on which Deerfield was founded? Have we lost sight of the bigger picture? We are here for such a short, blissful period in our lives. Let’s not waste these rare opportunities that bring 800 incredibly diverse people together for a mere 45 minutes.

Though Deerfield is prominent for its integrated and diverse community, students at DA have recently been voicing feelings of exclusion and separation within the community due to student alliances on campus. Among the most well- known alliances on campus are the ASA (Asian Student Alliance), DBSA (Deerfield Academy Black Student Alliance), JSA (Jewish Student Alliance) and the LASA (Latin American Student Alliance). It has become habitual for presidents of these alliances, when announcing meetings, to assure the community that all are welcome whether or not they identify themselves with the given religion or race. But many feel uncomfortable attending these meetings unless they do in fact identify themselves with the alliance. Claire Petrus ’16 said, “They always say that others are included…but when you slap a name on it, like Black Student Alliance or Asian Student Alliance, it doesn’t feel very inclusive.” Petrus continued to explain the result of this sense of exclusion, saying, “If I went to one of those meetings, I would just feel awkward.” On the other hand, rather than feeling unwelcome at meetings, other students expressed that they feel the alliances are creating separate groups among the student body—that the notion of an “alliance” feels disconnected from the community as a whole. Caroline Wagner ’14 said of the alliances, “If they want to feel welcome and included, then categorizing themselves makes them separate from everyone else.” Additionally, Riker Bixby ’15 added, “If I didn’t belong to the alliance, I wouldn’t feel the need to go, because I don’t think that they address the needs of the campus as a whole.” Members of certain alliances on campus expressed understanding of the feelings from their fellow peers on campus while also expressing their hopes to break the divide. ASA member Samantha Kuo said, “It does create division; people say ‘I can’t go to ASA cause I’m not Asian,’ and I hear that constantly.” Kuo then added, “I don’t think it should create division…Anyone can come— it’s cooler if people do!” Furthermore, president of the DBSA Kayla Ali ’14 agreed with other students on campus that the alliances can create division, but emphasized the goal of the alliances. Ali began by saying, “It creates boundaries in the sense that people who are not within that specific race, or whatever the case may be, don’t feel welcome to these groups. So it separates everyone into their own groups.” Ali then went on to explain the principal aim of the alliances, saying, “The purpose of the alliances is to educate people on different cultures and what not, so having them provides that entryway, but people aren’t really willing to take advantage of it.” Though the alliances on campus have not quite figured out a way to weaken the divide created by their groups, different club members proposed solutions to fix this problem. Ali suggested, “I think there should be more joint meetings. ASA, DBSA, and JSA could have an event, so it’s not specific to any particular culture.” Similarly, Zahra Rawji ’14, member of the International Student Alliance suggested, “All the alliances should come together in one large cultural event to share with the school, so that the entire student body, faculty and staff can get immersed in and be exposed to the different cultures that our school embodies.”

“School spirit is something that completely distinguishes Deerfield from peer schools and even colleges. There are not many institutions that have as much prominent school pride as Deerfield. However, there has been a visible decline in this spirit. Students aren’t getting rowdy at school meetings, people skip dances, and there are a lot of teams that go unsupported. This poses the question, are we really the rowdy Deerfield we say we are?” – Maggie Shilling ’14. In recent years, many have noted a shift in the importance placed on school spirit. Although we continue to uphold school traditions such as Choate Day, more and more it seems that pride for Deerfield does not serve as a unifying force in our community, but as a topic of apathy, confusion and conflict. Instead of coming together with pride for the Academy, some students choose to opt out of engaging in school spirit. Consequently, this has led to events such as pep rallies and social gatherings seeming burdensome. Rather, these should be viewed as an opportunity for community unification over a shared love for Deerfield. Leslie Francois ’12, former Head Cheerleader, reflected on his experience: “I think school spirit is important because it helps bring together groups that are separated on campus. That being said, I realized there was a drop in school spirit as I got older there, which made me sad. That meant we were losing a form of unity.” The continuation of upholding Deerfield’s honor has a direct effect on the school’s future. Underclassmen frequently look to their older peers for guidance, and will reflect the sentiments they see in them. If younger students sense an upperclassman feeling of satire and boredom, they will act accordingly, creating a domino effect in the general attitude toward school spirit. Former Captain Deerfield William Hess ’12 said, “Deerfield is an amazing school within itself, but the way the students view the institution as a whole really boils down to how every member of the student body loves supporting Deerfield above all else and how each individual member truly feels loyal to their school and wholeheartedly loves being a member of its community,” In order to truly embody the passionate, enthusiastic community Deerfield strives to be, it is necessary for every student to step up and accept his or her role. The time we are given at Deerfield empowers us to represent the people who have come before us, as well as continue to help Deerfield develop and grow into an even better place than it already is. Thiscanonlybedoneifweasa student body sustain and defend the spirit and pride of our school, and the values of our heritage.

Deerfield students now have the opportunity to spend a year at King’s Academy in Manja, Jordan. King Abdullah II ’80 designed this boarding school after spending three years of his high school career at Deerfield. In its second year as a foreign studies option, the Arabic Year program allows students to perfect their Arabic and broaden their perspectives abroad. The admissions process is similar to applying to typical boarding schools, and 20-25 students are accepted each year. Students can spend their sophomore, junior, senior or PG year at King’s. Like Deerfield, King’s is set in an area that is farmland with few residential neighborhoods. “There’s no Target down the street,” said Joseph Silvestri, the Director of Admissions at King’s, “and you’re not surrounded by mostly American kids.” Although King’s is in the Middle East, “we call ourselves an American-styled school with an American curriculum,” explained Mr. Silvestri. “Still, we are certainly aware of Muslim sensibilities and are sensitive to that.” Half of the teachers at King’s are American, and all of the classes are taught in English, except for Arabic and Islamic Theology. King’s students attend Arabic classes twice a day, but Arabic Year students are not required to have taken any Arabic prior to arriving in Jordan. “The program is designed to deal with various levels,” Mr. Silvestri said, “and half of our kids come in having never learned Arabic. Some [who know Arabic] arrive with [academic] backgrounds or [have it] in their family if they immigrated from the Arab world.” The average day is modeled after Deerfield’s schedule, with a few exceptions. Students have a major and a minor co-curricular that they alternate from day to day. Major co-curriculars include sports and arts, and minor co-curriculars include the newspaper and Model UN. Arabic Year Students go off campus every week to visit restaurants, historical sites and everything else that the area has to offer as part of their minor co- curriculars. In addition, King’s has only sit-down lunches, two of which are spent with advisory groups. To Mr. Silvestri and the King’s staff, sit-down meals are very important. “When the original plans for King’s were on the board and designs were in place, the King of Jordan saw there were rectangular tables for the dining hall [and] he had that changed to round tables because he spent three years [at Deerfield] and he wanted that experience for King’s kids,” Mr. Silvestri elaborated. So, who should take an Arabic Year? “For students who really want to pursue Arabic language studies, it’s a great opportunity because it is intense and they are surrounded by adults and peers who speak Arabic as their first language,” said Mr. Silvestri. However, he added, it is also “for kids who are just interested in learning about a different culture. Maybe the language is not that important, but they are curious about the Middle East.

This year four multi-talented postgraduates are taking high-level arts courses as well as playing varsity sports. Jess Hom ’14 will play basketball in the winter and is taking Topics: Post AP Art , as is Liz Forelle ’14, who plays soccer this fall. Eric Senior ’14 is on the boys’ varsity soccer team and takes AP Studio Art , and Jack Barkowski ’14 is playing football this fall and also taking AP Studio Art . Senior became interested in art through classes he took during his freshman year of high school. “It was another method for me to express myself,” Senior said, ”and it was similar to playing soccer. The more I worked at it, the better I became, and there was always a sense of accomplishment.” Barkowski began art at a young age, but was not able to continue it during the later years of elementary school and throughout high school. “I loved drawing and doodling, and this progressed into more formal art,” said Barkowski. “I took private art lessons from third to fifth grade and then had no more time for it,” he said. When these postgraduates arrived at Deerfield, time was a challenge. Forelle said she had a freer schedule at her old school. “I could take home my artwork every single night and work on it in my house,” she said. “It’s kind of hard to go to the art building and it closes at 9:45… I’m used to working on all my art from midnight until 2 a.m..” But they said they have adjusted to life at Deerfield. “The key is time management and knowing when you can hang out and have fun and knowing when you need to work,” Senior said. Barkowski explained his reasoning for taking art despite the additional time and energy it takes. “Definitely the freedom,” he said. “You can express yourself in unlimited amounts of ways, and you can never really be told you are interpreting it wrong.” For Hom, art is a stress reliever. “I don’t do it to get a good grade, I do it because I like it,” she said. The postgraduates have found some differences between their art classes at Deerfield and at home. “At my old school we would just walk in and produce three major pieces a marking period without ever having to talk to the teacher,“ Barkowski said. “Here there is a lot more structure and a lot more teaching.” Forelle agreed, saying, “What I think Mr. Dickinson does really well is he pushes you out of your comfort zone. He tells us what projects to do rather than to go draw something.” Looking forward, all four postgraduates want to continue art in some way. While Senior hopes to continue art as a hobby outside of school, Hom, Forelle and Barkowski want to take art courses in college. “You don’t need to take an art class to do art, though, which is one of my favorite parts about it,” Barkowski said. “You can just buy some paints, a brush and a canvas and create something great.”

Adolescence is a tricky business. Children crave comfort and adults strive for independence, but where do teenagers fit in? We long to be thought of as self-governing individuals, but at the same time we pine for our carefree days on the playground, when parents packed our lunches with little heart-shaped notes inside and teachers handed out glowing praise like a politician hands out false smiles. Even though many of us are boarding students living outside the cocoon of our families, we are not expected to participate in society (or the Deerfield community) as adults. Handbooks, rulebooks, guidelines, restrictions, provisions, limitations and censure dictate the way we live our Deerfield lives. Free will and individual judgement collapse when faced with that all-powerful doctrine, “DA to Z.” As many of us here at The Scroll arrive at the final stages of our Deerfield careers, we grow more and more anxious to throw off the constraints that have fettered us since the age of 14. While we understand the necessity of the majority of the rules here on campus, it is frustrating to be forced to return to the dorm at 9:45 in the middle of a passionate debate in a library study room or a thought-provoking conversation with one of our wonderful teachers (with whom bonding time is running out). If Deerfield prides itself on being a college-preparatory school, why does our senior year of high school feel so mollycoddling? Can the administration let our leash out a little bit and recognize that in just under a year, the word “curfew” will be but a distant memory? The Scroll realizes that the abolition of a senior curfew is but a remote fantasy, but hey, a newspaper can dream.

Since she arrived as a new sophomore, Lilah Lutes ’14 has actively participated in Deerfield’s art program. Lutes’ passion for art extends beyond the school year, and she has continued to pursue her talent outside of school. This past summer Lutes had a job painting murals in Boston. Along with 10 other artists, she used house paint to install a variety of designs in different locations such as on the interior of a bus stop and on the wall of a Mexican restaurant called Purple Cactus. Lutes enjoys all types of visual arts, including pastel, charcoal and watercolor, but her favorite is black-and-white sketching. She began drawing when she was young and hopes to pursue her passion through college and make it a life-long hobby. Her ideal career would be something that requires artistic skill, such as a graphic designer or an architect. Lutes does not have a particular preference for the subject of her pieces; instead she views art as a constant yet welcome challenge. “I don’t like to draw just one type of thing, because I like to challenge myself all the time,” she said. Each year at Deerfield, art students in Topics undertake a self-portrait project in imitation of a piece of work by artist Chuck Close. “I’m most proud of the piece that I did after Chuck Close last year,” Lutes recalled. “It’s the only piece that I’ve ever seriously considered giving up on.” Art teacher David Dickinson has influenced Lutes’ art over her years at Deerfield. “Mr. D is different from most art teachers,” she said. “He cares about basic art techniques, and he emphasizes how important it is to learn these techniques before exploring one’s own style.” Art continues to be a positive influence in Lutes’ life. “I love art, because I can break the rules and not get in trouble. It makes me more open-minded and just a happier person.”

There could never be a shooting here. Our green campus is nestled between rolling ridges, a charming historic town, and bucolic farm fields. The idea of danger on our hallowed campus seems laughable. This same belief was shared by the residents of the town of Newtown, Connecticut. Their illusion of safety was shattered on December 16, 2012, when 20 schoolchildren and 6 teachers lost their lives. Since the Newtown massacre, there have been 16 mass shootings in the United States. Although we are no longer discussing mass shootings on a daily basis, gun control remains one of the biggest threats to not only national security but also our security here at Deerfield. Many would argue that introducing new security measures on campus would serve no purpose. Among Deerfield’s defining qualities is a sense of community, hospitality and tradition. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, droves of parents and visitors descend upon campus to watch games. Students at Deerfield leave their rooms unlocked, have unrestricted access to dorms and Academy buildings, and leave their belongings strewn about the Dining Hall lobby during meals. The Deerfield community is very trusting, but we have to remember that our school is not a realistic replica of the real world. We cannot assume that everyone who comes through Deerfield will not take advantage of our open doors. Just as Newtown once was, Deerfield seems a safe haven. Since we are lulled into this false sense of security, some might argue that we are in more danger than urban dwellers. We must recognize that the Deerfield Bubble does not give us immunity from real world violence. We can and should do anything in our power to protect ourselves against the uncertain future; for unless Congress passes sweeping gun reform, or even a law requiring common-sense background checks, the lives of the entire Deerfield community are in jeopardy.

Strolling down Albany Road or wandering the halls of the Koch, I find it impossible not to overhear a dramatic narrative or two that meticulously chronicles a student’s exhaustion, stress levels and overwhelming schedule. My question for these students is: Why are you here? Deerfield is renowned for its academics, athletics and state-of-the-art facilities. The education offered to each student at Deerfield is arguably unparalleled anywhere else in the world. Deerfield’s model is massively unsustainable on a global or even national scale. The amount of time, money and care that is invested in each student is exorbitant. So if you are looking for a relaxing four years of high school, there are plenty of other options out there. Deerfield’s acceptance rate is currently around thirteen percent. That means for every student at Deerfield, there were nearly nine others clambering for that same position. Therefore, I believe that each student at Deerfield has a unique responsibility to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the Academy. Join clubs on campus, try a new sport, challenge yourself academically. The Academy’s reputation and admission materials do not attempt to conceal Deerfield’s relentless pace of life. Before enrolling, students are made well aware of the commitment and discipline required to thrive. I understand that we are all just human. I, too, am guilty of complaining from time to time. And I am not asking that everyone be perfect 24/7. It’s inevitable that we let our sleep deprivation and stress get the best of us every once in a while. I am merely asking that, within reason, we do our best. I understand that complaining is fun, and oftentimes those guilty of it care much more about the school than they let on. But occasionally complaining and seriously expecting the Academy to change are two very different things. Before you join the movement to slow the Academy’s pace of life, I would ask you to consider why you chose Deerfield.

Dear Reader, Let me begin by clarifying a few very important things. First, The Scroll seeks to provoke conversation, not people. Second, we here at The Scroll are not trying to push an agenda of our own, but rather attempting to shed light on issues that no one wants to talk about. If controversies are consistently swept under a rug of silence, Deerfield will lose a vital piece of the puzzle that is necessary to solve in order to make the school a better place. Discourse becomes increasingly less effective each time we ignore subjects of conversation out of fear of repurcussions from the administration or simply because they are uncomfortable. Yet the more difficult it is to talk about something, the more important it is to discuss. As we wrap up the fall term, think about what you observed in these first few months; the good, the bad and the ugly. Take a moment to catch a well-deserved breath, but also to consider what kind of a school you wish to come back to after Thanksgiving break. If you take anything away from this issue, it is that you should never be afraid to share constructive criticism in any form. The administration cannot telepathically guess our opinions; we must take the initiative to share them in order to have any sort of lasting impact on this institution. I urge you to think about what rights and privileges you gave up when you chose to come to Deerfield. To what extent are our lives altered? Do you believe the Academy rules are justified? How far should the “Arm of Deerfield” reach? There is no single right answer to these questions, and the more people talk about them, the more likely we are to find solutions. Change is never easy, and the hypothetical is always simpler than the reality, but I guarantee that saying what you think will make a difference. Sincerely, Charlotte Allen Editor-in-Chief

“Consensual sexual intimacy, while a normal and healthy aspect of adult life, is not appropriate for adolescents and is not permitted for students at Deerfield.” Wow, Deerfield approaches the issue of sex like an uncomfortable parent. A parent who’s, like, 69 years old and never had a childhood. Being “sheltered” is an endearing euphemism, and of course, that’s what we students would like to think is the reason the administration is against young, hormonal teens touching. I mean, they DO want us to speak…once a month…from maybe 9:45 to 10:15…with a faculty chaperone and conversation cards. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy a good Connect4 session, but I’ve got to say I don’t truly understand the aversion to sexual contact at The Academy. We all know what teenagers—oh, wait, and ALL humans during and after adolescence—do. They touch and kiss, and at some point, I assume everyone has sex. We talk about it in health class; we even have condoms in a basket in the Peer Counselors office. So, when are students allowed to use those condoms? It’s against Academy rules to use them in a bed, and evidently we’re not authorized to use them in the Arms Building, so, basically, Deerfield is telling us to find a more secretive, sketchy way to use them. Maybe quickly do so right after the faculty resident in charge checks on you. Don’t close the door, but do make sure to put the bed on the side of your room where your door doesn’t open, so no one can see, because we want it to seem as if this isn’t weird. But it is weird. It’s weird that in my room, my supposed home, I can’t watch the newest episode of New Girl —or even, God forbid, make out—with a boy before 8 p.m. (Also, parietals only at night is basically forcing intimate behavior. It’s universally known that nighttime ambiance fosters sexual tension, you guys.) We apparently have gender issues at this school, and I’m willing to guess it’s because I’m not allowed to walk into most boys’ dorms without the fanfare of announcing my intentions to a resident. Parietals are riddled with subtext, and that’s most likely from the sexual-tension-at-night theory. Friendly, platonic parietals are suspicious, because the faculty assumes that if there’s a boy and a girl together in a room they’re gonna try to have sex. The school sends mixed messages. WE EXPECT YOU TO BE MATURE ADULTS…but you cannot kiss, because you are immature children. INTIMACY IS NOT APPROPRIATE…but here are condoms on the DL (down low), because it’s probably going to happen. BE FRIENDS WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX! …but I’m going to check on you every 30 minutes, because boys and girls can’t actually be friends, silly. This isn’t okay, y’all. Preparing students for college shouldn’t just be an academic thing. The difference between a 14-year-old freshman and an 18-year-old senior shouldn’t just be the difference between a trash can and a shoe in the door.

The real problem with the Deerfield dress code lies in the inability of students to follow the dress code. If girls would follow the dress code fully, there would be more mutual respect between students and faculty, rather than teachers placed in an awkward position where they either have to let it slide or make the student go back to her dorm and change. A common violation by girls is ignoring the second-layer rule. That means that the tank-top under your flowy sheer tunic does not count as a second layer.Your V-neck sweater that shows an inch of cleavage when you lean over to take notes isn’t dress code either. Following the dress code would also place girls at the standard set by female faculty members, who are also expected to dress in dress code, and who manage to do so with more consistency than students do. Faculty would then not have to belittle students for not following dress code. Being called out on dress code isn’t the faculty’s way of chiding us, but is rather trying to have us follow the rules and allow for a mutually respectful community. What kind of message are we really sending by not following the dress code? Girls are basically implying that they may feel too good for the dress code, and that looking attractive is more important than looking respectful. So, next time you are going to wear that super short skirt or a shirt without a second layer, think again. It’s not just affecting your comfort in class, but it’s potentially damaging the bond between faculty and students.