Search this site

Mary Edmonds ’19 and Deirdre Mullowney ’19 have both started their collegiate careers with a bang, playing for Holy Cross and Boston College Women’s Ice Hockey, respectively. The two faced off on October 3. While BC went away with the win, both Edmonds and Mullowney entered the game and were able to make impacts for their teams. Edmonds has made a splash at forward for the Crusaders while Mullowney holds down the fort on the defensive end for the Eagles. We cannot wait to see all of their accomplishments in the future! We asked them both to describe how their athletic experiences at Deerfield prepared them for starting their college careers. They reflected with nostalgia and gratitude for the Deerfield girls hockey program.

After much anticipation from the student body, Deerfield alumnus King Abdullah II ’80 paid a surprise visit to a school meeting on September 18. His Majesty has been an especially committed alumnus, having founded King’s Academy, a boarding school modeled on Deerfield, in Madaba, Jordan to provide opportunities similar to those afforded by his own education here. Newly appointed Head of School Dr. John Austin came to know His Majesty over the course of his nine-year tenure as King’s Academy head of school. Dr. Austin praised Abdullah for his community and education-oriented accomplishments. Dr. Austin talked about His Majesty’s years in Deerfield saying, “It was an important and formative experience for him, and it broadened his perspective of the world, giving him the essential skills of leadership, judgment, and careful critical thought, that have served him so well as the King of Jordan.” These formative experiences are ultimately what inspired His Majesty to found King’s Academy, Dr. Austin explained. The main purpose was not only to provide quality preparatory education but also to ensure the accessibility of education to a diverse population of Jordanians. “Jordan needed a school…that took kids from every walk of life in the country, from every geographical region, regardless of their family’s income, and allowed them to grow into a young leader,” he said. King’s Academy, inspired by His Majesty’s experience at Deerfield, has always been connected with Deerfield through the mutual relationship with His Majesty. Assistant Dean of Faculty and English Teach Anna Steim-Miller, having taught at King’s Academy from 2010 to 2012, said, “It was lovely to see the way in which His Majesty evidently considers Deerfield a kind of home. I have seen His Majesty speak maybe three or four times, both at King’s and, now, here at Deerfield. I am, each time, impressed by the way in which he engages his audience – his humility belies the profound role he plays as a leader in Jordan, the Middle East, and the world.” His Majesty’s presentation focused primarily on current events in the Middle East, including a drone attack on Saudi Arabian oil refineries that garnered international attention and the continuing rise of Syrian refugees entering Jordan’s borders. He specifically emphasized that in order to understand politics in Jordan, we must understand the Middle East as a whole. His Majesty also actively interacted with the Deerfield students in the audience by designating much of his brief time on stage to answer the multitude of questions students had for his work as a prominent political figure, his experience at Deerfield, and his stance on current social issues that his country faces. Unafraid to discuss highly controversial topics, His Majesty answered students’ questions regardless of the topic asked. Sharing her thoughts on His Majesty’s visit, Maya Laur ’20, who asked a question about global politics, said, “I thought his open-door policy to Syrian refugees is really relevant to the United States’ immigration policy. It was really inspiring when he encouraged us to recognize people’s humanity before nationality and help those in need both within our borders and outside them.” For many students, King Abdullah’s opinions on both politics and international relations between countries were some of the most meaningful aspects of his visit. Kareena Bhakta said, “For me, my biggest take-away was his message about how everything is interconnected and [how] understanding requires peeling back the layers to reveal the underlying truth.” When King Abdullah II returned to the valley in 2000 as a commencement speaker to mark the beginning of a new school year, he asserted the importance of Deerfield’s honor code and sticking to the core values that we hold close to ourselves. Abdullah said, “We need to face that new reality. We need to rely on the patience, wisdom, and justice instilled in us.” King Abdullah mentioned that the skills he acquired during his years at Deerfield helped him to become the leader that he is now. As a former student himself, His Majesty has always had a strong connection with Deerfield, its values, and its mission to educate the youth. In an interview conducted by Deerfield Academy in the 2011 to 2012 academic year, while reminiscing on his Deerfield days, His Majesty said, “The relationships I had with my teachers defined my Deerfield experience. They taught me more than Algebra and English. They instilled in me the desire to do service.” In a mutual strive to progress in education for the youth, His Majesty said when discussing a way for Deerfield to prepare its students for the interconnected world, “We [must] invest in our teachers. We provide them with the time and the tools to understand new ideas even while they continue to model Deerfield’s enduring ideals.” King Abdullah held Deerfield’s Mission Statement close to him throughout his life and political career. Recalling His Majesty’s words and response to his question, Chijioke Achebe ’21 said, “I asked him if he thought the bombing of the Saudi Aramco refinery was a new front in the war in the Middle East, and he gave me a fascinating answer. He said that he thought that it was an obvious point of attack, and he also mentioned the development of far more advanced drones that could wreak far me havoc than we’ve seen.” Sharing her thoughts on His Majesty’s visit, Mariachiara Giudici ’20 said, “I found it surprising how casual yet composed he was. He also seemed like a highly intelligent, extremely eloquent man, explaining complex situations in the Middle East in a manner that was extremely easy for under-informed high school students like us to understand.” Regarding what he hoped students would gain from King Abdullah’s visit, Dr. Austin said, “I hope the students were able to see how accessible and authentic he was in person.” Dr. Austin emphasized the effect of Deerfield experience on King Abdullah’s career, continuing, “I know that he feels that the things he learned at Deerfield as a student and an athlete prepared him for the challenge of kingship. For me, he’s a great example of what Deerfield can do for young people.” The Deerfield community was honored and grateful to have had the opportunity to hear His Majesty speak and respond to curious, inquisitive students. As Mrs. Steim-Miller said, “His Majesty also clearly believes in empowering young people and in fostering a new generation of leaders. We are so lucky that he made the trip back to Deerfield, and that he took the time to speak with us.”

Where are you from? What’s your spirit animal? What’s your favorite and least favorite part about America? Pineapple on pizza. Yes or no? Favorite fast food joint? . What’s your most embarrassing memory? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Is there anyone you’re grateful for? What are three things you’d bring with you on a deserted island? Do you have any words of advice for your peers and younger students here at Deerfield?

Over the summer, Bruce MacConnell retired from the Dining Hall dish crew. Previously scheduled to resign on Jan. 20th, Bruce is now living in South Carolina with his family. During his time at Deerfield, he built a reputation of warmth, enthusiasm, and fun-loving banter with students while they cleared their plates or simply dropped by to say hello. Izzy Hamlen ‘20 said, “Bruce would always recommend a song for me to listen to. They would always be from the 70s with really good guitar.” “Bruce and I were able to bond over our childhood memories of Florida,” said Jasmine Baldwin ‘20. “He would describe the white flowers that would surround the yard, and I would tell him about the palm tree my family used to decorate for Christmas.” Baldwin also expressed her gratitude for his ability to get her through each busy week at Deerfield with motivational reminders such as Thursday being ‘Friday-Eve’ and also ‘paycheck days’. “Early in the morning, Bruce would draw the curtains open and comment on the sunrise. Once, he asked me if I looked up to the sky. He was one of those people who remembered to appreciate our beautiful and nature-filled campus,” said Helen Mak ’20. Morgan Moriarty ‘22 also described her relationship with Bruce to be extremely meaninfgul, marked by inside jokes and high spirits no matter how early in the morning. “We had a daily routine where Bruce would say, ‘Guten Morgen, Morgan,’ meaning ‘Good morning, Morgan,’ in German,” she said. “It made me so happy.” The impact that Bruce has had on Deerfield students is evident. His legacy has remained strong since his departure. “His resilience and joy are truly contagious,” said Mak. “I will surely miss laughing at his dad jokes.” Bruce: a friend, jester, musician, and even avid reader of the . “You will be missed dearly by the Deerfield community,” said Mak.

Are eyes really windows to the soul, or is room decor a better way to get to know someone’s personality? On move-in day, when you unlock your door and look into your room, it can be quite underwhelming to see only wooden structures and a bare mattress. Yet, while you might feel disappointed by its blandness, how often do you get a whole room totally to yourself that you can mold to your individual interests? Whatever your style is, here are three simple tips if you’re having some decorating troubles, from two residential Deerfield artists. First, choose your favorite color or combination of colors and center your room around that color scheme. After choosing a color scheme, you can contrast it with complementary colors for some splashes of variance: for example, pairing green and pink, bright colors, with white, grey, or black, more neutral colors. Add a fun pillow or patterned blanket to your bed. Maybe some LED lights that change colors. Or, if your taste is more chaotic, throw any colors you want in there! It’s easy to find colorful decorations to accessorize your room. A quick skim through amazon.com will result in a myriad of options. Try a quick DIY on a lazy Saturday to add a pop of homemade pizzaz! Find ways to fill up all the white space. Some ideas include hanging up a flag of your home country or a banner of your favorite sports team. String lights work great, too! Maybe it’s a collage with pictures of friends and family or one scenic landscape from your favorite place. Collect souvenirs to remind you of your favorite aspects of each year. What do you want to be reminded of every time you roll out of bed or in the moments before you drift off to sleep? But, if you actually enjoy all the white space because it rids you of any distractions while studying, that’s okay, too! Whatever it is, make use of those Command Strips and hang things up on your wall. People often underestimate the power of rearranging your room. While you might have gotten the smallest room on the hall, it might just need some reorganization to trick the eye. Try raising your bed to use the space below you or moving a desk to a different corner of the room. If you have an afternoon free with a couple of friends, try reorganizing! It is amazing how a few changes can completely change your perception of the space around you. There are so many other small decisions involved in room decor. Do you want your walls filled up with polaroids of friends or paintings of natural landscapes? Do you want a whiteboard to stay organized or posters of your favorite bands? Do you want a couch? A stash of food? And finally, do you want to keep your belongings neatly tucked away or sprawled around your room? At the end of the day, how you choose to decorate is completely up to you; there’s no wrong way to do it. But, just as the eyes are the windows to the soul, your dorm rooms are an expression of your character, your style, and your outlook on everyday life at Deerfield. Consider your room as a piece of art; choose wisely with what you decide to do with it!

“Stories are for joining the past to the future,” said writer Tim O’Brien in his book . “Stories are for those late hours in the night when you can’t remember how you got from where you were to where you are.” We tell stories everyday. Whether sharing homework in class, talking about your favorite meal during sit down, or hanging out with your hallmates in your dorm, sharing stories is an integral part of Deerfield life. What O’Brien claims to be the power of stories — that they can join the past and future — holds true to those moments in Deerfield life when you share an aspect of your identity beyond Deerfield. Whether you are sharing your background, special memories, or even funny anecdotes, people relate to stories. The Deerfield Stories program creates the opportunity for any member of the community to share a story with the rest of the school. The program started in 2015 as a response to interest in sharing senior meditations to a larger audience. A handful of English teachers believed that this expansion would allow the community to connect with each other more and encourage individuals to share their experiences and ideas. “One thing that distinguishes [the program] is that the stories are not gathered in any publication,” English Teacher and Head of the Deerfield Stories program Andy Stallings remarked.“To hear them, you must be present at school meeting. In that sense, they are oral literature.” In regards to the significance of this program, Stallings continued, “By hearing stories which we might not otherwise hear, we learn more about what the stories are, and thus what the lives are, that make up our community.” By sharing a story, anyone can enhance the dialogue of the Deerfield community. This prompts people to have more productive, respectful conversations. Good stories can change perspectives, give good reminders, or lift people’s moods. English Teacher Anna Steim-Miller, who also helps run the Deerfield Stories program, said, “Sharing a story is an act of courage and of vulnerability, and… this act is contagious — the more we hear others’ stories, the more we are inspired to be vulnerable ourselves.” Stallings elaborated, “People often mention Meditations such as those of Duncan McKay ‘17 and Miles Menafee ‘17, which revealed at greater depth the struggles that those two students undertook in order to become the members of the community that they were by the time they graduated.” Steim-Miller and Stallings agree that the most memorable stories are ones that have a powerful voice rather than just good writing. Last spring, Nikita Pelletier ‘20 shared a Deerfield Story about her delineated thoughts during a long car ride, an aspect similar to O’ Brien’s storytelling. Pelletier said, “When we choose to tell a story, we choose the worst and best aspects of them, which allows us to keep at least part of the truth and the spirit alive.” If any community member is interested in sharing a story during school meeting, they should contact Mr. Stallings. Slots are given on a first-come, first-served basis (except for seniors, who are given preference). Besides this opportunity to share a story aloud, there are many other ways to share stories in Deerfield: The allows anyone to write an op-ed in their Opinions section, shares stories through the visual arts and literature, publishes student works from English class, and everyday interactions with your peers. Go on and share.

Deerfield Academy prides itself on traditions, both new and old. In past years, it was a tradition for the former Head of School, Dr. Margarita Curtis (2006-2018), to dismiss seniors from Academy gatherings first, before all other students. She adopted the phrase “seniors, lead the way” to cue the seniors’ departure. However, the Academy is always ready to embrace new traditions, and, with the induction of 56th Head of School Dr. John Austin, we hope to see a whole slew of them. Though he has continued the tradition of setting the seniors free first, he has only recently begun using Dr. Curtis’s phrase. To be entirely honest, we’re excited to see him find his own expression. Here are the Top 10 ways Dr. Austin can avoid saying, “Seniors, lead the way:” 1. “I believe that it’s a tradition for seniors to leave first… ” 2. “Everyone, please wait for the seniors to trample each other before exiting.” 3. “If you’re not a senior, don’t even think about it.” 4. “You know, Deerfield, everyone has to leave in their own way, at their own time, begin their own journey, start a new adventure. That’s just life. Right now, the seniors need to start their journey…” 5. “Seniors, let’s make like a banana and split. You know, make like Tom and Cruise. Make like a French loaf of bread and bag-get.” 6. “Seniors, you are now permitted to go get Sun-Chips before everyone else.” 7. “Underclassmen! Thou shall not pass! (Until the seniors have left).” 8. “Seniors you know that we as community love and cherish you. We value your presence so very much at these events. However, I will have to request that you please vacate the premises.” 9. “Long live the seniors!” 10. Dismiss the seniors, one at a time, alphabetical by last-name: “Akande, Lara; Alexos, Angélique; Antongiovanni, Luca…”

On September 20th, 2019, Deerfield Academy students joined dozens in Greenfield and over 4 million others around the world to be a part of a youth-led global climate strike. In what has been called one of the largest youth-led demonstrations in history, students from around the world skipped school and took to the streets armed with signs and speeches in an effort to fight for climate justice. The strike in Greenfield, organized by the Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution group and sponsored by a number of local organizations, was held on the town common and was attended by people of all ages and backgrounds. The rally consisted of songs, art, storytelling, and speeches, all of which addressed the urgency of climate change efforts. Following the events, the students lined the Main Street of Greenfield donning printed T-shirts and holding protest signs. The signs displayed at the march were mostly homemade, each showing a variety of colors and containing a variety of texts such as, “Science not silence” and “There is no planet B.” As the cars rushed by on the street, some honked as the students yelled protest slogans. Students on one side of the street asking “Whose planet?” and students on the other side responding loudly “Our planet!” The Greenfield strike was just one rally among hundreds of thousands held across the world, all of which were inspired by the efforts of 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. The strike came days before the United Nations Climate Summit in New York City, which Thunberg attended and spoke at. The main goals of the strike, as listed on its official website, were achieving environmental justice, implementing sustainable agriculture, protecting and restoring biodiversity, respecting indigenous land and sovereignty, and passing legislation of the Green New Deal. Thomas Lyons ‘21, an organizer of the Deerfield group that went to Greenfield, inspired by the work of youth across the country, contacted the Center of Service and Global Citizenship office in order to receive guidance on how to go about getting Deerfield students involved in the movement. He aimed to provide transportation to the Greenfield Common for students who wished to actively participate in the march. Though the CSGC could not provide a bus for safety and liability reasons, he organized students to utilize the Friday Greenfield Shuttle as a way to attend the demonstrations. Lyons, who is passionate about issues relating to climate justice and activism, elaborated on the importance of issues relating to climate change. He stated, “This issue impacts much more than just our generation here; really the future of humanity is at stake. So if we fail to take action now, we are condemning the rest of humanity to failure.” Abby Persons ‘21, another student who attended the strike, also believes that advocating against climate change is an important responsibility. She said, “I think that climate change is one of the biggest issues, if not the biggest issue, we’re facing today. Nothing else is really going to matter if the planet is uninhabitable in 10, 20, 50 years. I think that standing up for what is right is always important. Even if it’s as small as going to something in Greenfield.” While the protests were led by students, whose futures are most directly affected by the effects of climate change, many adults supported the cause as well. The rally in Greenfield was attended by several local adults and a Deerfield teacher. Though he did not attend the strike, English teacher Mr. Joel Thomas-Adams echoed the importance of youth fighting for their futures. Mr. Thomas-Adams shared his sentiment by stating, “The real question for us is: why is it taking so long for educational institutions to grasp the enormity and the necessity of this challenge and to put it at the center of everything we do, every day? If this doesn’t define what it means to teach ‘leadership in a rapidly changing world,’ then the phrase has little or no meaning. These students are showing the rest of us the way, and we need to listen.” As far as what Deerfield can do as an institution, Lyons suggested that the school implement a self-applied carbon tax — in which a small sum of money is invested by the school in a climate charity or solar panels — for each pound of carbon emitted in the atmosphere resulting from plane rides taken by members of the community on CSGC trips. “I think, most importantly, we need to step outside of the Deerfield bubble and realize that our actions affect more than just this community,” Mr. Thomas-Adams said, “We, as a school with lots of money, have the means to do a lot more than just these individuals.” In the days following the protest, the official Deerfield Academy Instagram account, run by Communications, posted pictures of the students striking. The post was captioned: “Deerfield students gathered on the Greenfield town common on Friday as apart of the global climate strike spearheaded by youth worldwide”. While some have interpreted it as Deerfield endorsing political views given the protest’s goal of establishing a Green New Deal, Social Media Manager Jessica Wissemann cites a different motivation. “We like to show a broad view of student life at Deerfield. It’s a touchstone for current students to see themselves here and, although we may be on an insulated campus, it’s good to showcase a variety of student views.” Lyons elaborated, saying, “Climate change is not a political view. It’s backed by hard science. To be fair, a lot of the protests are for a Green New Deal, which is very much a democratically aligned view. So while the protests overall were apolitical, part of the hope of the goals that would come out of this protest were political.” Whether political or not, the September 20th demonstrations showcased the concern of students around the world and in Deerfield. They raised concerns about the consequences of climate change. Truly, as Lyons put it in his speech to students: “The time is now.”

1. If you want to rep your country, you can always follow in the footsteps of Sammy St. Jean ‘18 and Austin Philie ’19 with Freedom Friday. Get a blazer embroidered with the flag of your country, or of any country for that matter, and watch heads turn as you make your way down the path to class. 2. To be completely honest, I don’t have a clue what the practical use for elbow patches is… but what I do know is that they make you look wiser. Paired with a pair of small, thin-rimmed, tortoise-shell glasses and a copy of Hemingway’s , a nice soft brown blazer with elbow patches is sure to enhance your perceived IQ by at least a few points. Perfect for impressing your teachers. 3. Purchase a big red nose and size 25 polka-dot shoes. Then, wear your most ostentatious blazer, and tape a giant “CollegeBoard” logo to the front. This is fitting because the CollegeBoard is absolutely ridiculous. Also, much like the Joker, they may seem harmless at first but have the capability to drive entire societies completely insane. Just ask your local senior. 4. Blazer tank top. Have you ever cut the sleeves off your favorite T-shirt to make it a tank top? Why not do the same thing with your blazers? Cut those sleeves off to get a casual, about-to-hit-the-gym look, even when you’re wearing class dress. 5. Have you ever thought that your parents’ curtains looked super fly up on the windows? You can look just as fly! All you need to do is steal the drapes and fashion them into the most eye-catching blazer in the dining hall lobby. 6. Iron-on patches or crests. If think your blazer looks a bit drab, you can always add some color with a patch or two. They’re a great way for you to draw attention to anything from your hometown, your favorite sports team, or even the Academy itself! Also, it’s a great way to hide a stain. 7. Step 1: Join the crew team. Step 2: Make at least 3rd boat. Step 3: Go to Henley. Step 4: acquire Deerfield crew blazer. Step 5: Quit crew. Step 6: Wear said blazer every single day.

August, 2019. As summer break came to a close and the school year approached ever-so-forebodingly, I sat myself down with my copy of My local coffee shop, bustling with passersby searching for relief from the heat, provided less than ideal conditions for my already-short attention span. Yet, with a flip of the cover, the voices dissolved into a faint background rumble, drowned out by O’Brien’s voice speaking to me, telling a story. O’Brien’s straightforward yet captivating narrative serves a candid purpose: to recount his own experiences and allow his story and those of others to come to life. But even a simple read of his novel pulls you into his world, into the war, with all its triumphs and tragedies. War forces you to leave your whole life behind. War forces you to carry the weight of others: your infantry, your family, your society. But I continued to be left with questions. As a South Korean, my life has been shaped by war and national identity. Bordered by one of the greatest international threats of our generation, a looming sense of anxiety is always present, the kind that makes my stomach drop whenever North Korea makes headlines. Korea suffers from a chronic state of paranoia, one plagued by waves of missile tests and nuclear threats. Reading , I couldn’t help but think about the stories of battles and separation that continue to affect individuals today. I couldn’t help but think about how a war could change my life completely. Koreans have found their own remedy for this constant fear: nationalism. Despite being a hub of technological development and cosmopolitanism, Koreans continue to hold onto their traditionalist practices, rooted in community and pride. Families gather annually to make dishes, the recipes of which go back generations. Mandatory military service has grown to become a rite of passage, one that reminds individuals of their duties as citizens. Our national anthem begins with the line, “‘Till the day mountains erode and seas dry, God will protect our nation.” For its facade as a rapidly developing nation, South Korea has remained extremely socially and culturally bound. I looked up from my book and out the window beside me. Recent relations with North Korea, trade conflicts with Japan, and the Hong Kong crisis had all made this summer one of resurgence and blind patriotism. The flags that hung from sidewalks in celebration of our Independence Day now carried a new meaning, one that reminded passersby that country came first, that the only way to stay together was to protest. It was simply the right thing to do. The term “blind patriotism” has a connotation of being rooted in discrimination and hatred, akin to fascism and extreme nationalism. But once you shed the layers of cultural overtones, it’s evident that blind patriotism affects societies in times of conflict and recovery. Blind patriotism fosters support for acts such as war and sacrifice, driving society to look down upon those who turn away from their country. taught me that patriotism is a broken relationship between an individual and their nation. This exposes nationalism’s greatest weakness: it is blind to the individual’s story, leaving a husk of bravery and pride as its mark on history. Narratives like O’Brien’s are all too often lost to the wars themselves -— in giving into blind patriotism, one forfeits their identity as an individual beyond their nation. taught me that the story of a nation is separate from the story of an individual and should be treated as such. “Stories can save us… In a story, which is a kind of dreaming, the dead sometimes smile and sit up and return to the world,” said O’Brien. In writing his book, O’Brien does not ask his audience to reach any conclusion or moral. All he asks for is to bring his stories to life, to allow his experiences to impact a new generation of readers, moving forward in time. The modern American climate is one dictated by politics and widespread media, one where it seems that patriotism is the only common thread between us. Thus, nationalism has once again gained steam, branching off into xenophobia and support for the U.S.’s role in active conflict. Blind patriotism is a political weapon that can divide societies and drive them to create a facade of morality or “rightness.” Constructive patriotism is a tool that can bring communities together under a common flag without erasing their individuality. shows us that blind patriotism leads to a blind society. In reflecting upon O’Brien’s message to his readers, I ask the Deerfield community to consider the extent to which nationalism has played a role in our interpretations of history, narratives, as well as mainstream media. And, in doing so, allow the voices of the oppressed to breathe.

5:00 a.m. 7:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:05 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. 10:15 p.m. 10:30 p.m.

For the 2019 to 2020 academic year, students at Deerfield have organized over 80 student-run clubs and alliances. While each of these groups receive funding from the school, their means vary. Clubs and alliances obtain their annual budgets from two different sources: alliances go through the Office of Inclusion and Community Life (OICL) while the Student Life Office takes responsibility for clubs. Coordinator of Student Activities Brian Barbato said, “A portion of the budget goes towards supporting clubs, groups, weekend activities… [which] we have tightened down in the past two years with the communication of how we are supporting our clubs.” He further explained that the office is hoping this will lead to more conversations between students and their faculty advisors on how to best spend their funding. The process is similar for alliances, as Director of Inclusion and Community Life Marjorie Young described. She said, “This is as much a bottom-up, student-driven process as possible, [though] sometimes faculty advisors may need to work with students to adjust qualitative components of a project to ensure that it fits into the rules and expectations of the Academy.” All clubs and alliances are given a certain amount of base funding, though students can request more money if need be. Ms. Young clarified, “The opportunities and initiatives for any alliance in any given year vary, and so approved spending levels also vary. Keeping in mind alliance size, level of engagement, and various opportunities that come up within a given year, we aim to ensure equity across alliance resources.” Mr. Barbato shared this sentiment, saying , “The 200 dollar baseline is kind of a really good way of saying ‘we’re all equal in this’.” He added that his office is trying to encourage participation between different clubs in order to reach more students on campus. He elaborated, “[With] the clubs that come in that want to talk to me about ideas, I want to ask them how they can connect with other clubs and weekend activities … how can [they] share [their initiatives] with everybody else?” The OICL has a similar goal. Ms. Young said that she hopes to “encourage and support student ideas and initiatives that advance the work of awareness and inclusion on our campus.” With such a strong focus on providing the financial means for student-run clubs and alliances to actively create new initiatives, attend competitions, or hold events, many groups have not found any trouble getting the necessary funds. As Trisha Boonpongmanee ’20, one of the leaders of Math Club, explained, “We hold the Deerfield math competition and we have to spend money to host… We not only get funding from the Student Life Office but also from the Math Department since Math Club is also an academic club.” She added that the club has never had any problem with obtaining funding. Leader of the Magic the Gathering and Dungeon & Dragons clubs Sam Thiel ’19 agreed that he has not had an issue with the clubs’ budgets, saying “I think it’s great that Deerfield provides funds for clubs to do what they like. I know at other schools I’ve had friends who have tried to start clubs like this, but haven’t been able to because of lack of funding.” However, a few groups on campus have encountered issues with funding. As Benny Yang ‘21, the treasurer of the Asian Student Alliance (ASA), shared, “The ASA did not receive any allotment this year other than the remaining 1,000 dollars that rolled over from last year.” “This is problematic because the alliance today was actually two separate alliances that got joined together, resulting in a high membership. We spent around 2,000 dollars last year on various in-school and away events, and we are worried about how effectively ASA will operate this year with less than half the budget we had previously,” Yang continued. Nonetheless, issues with funding can be addressed to the OICL or Student Life Office. Clubs and alliances have the chance to receive extra funding if found necessary. Overall, the process of allocating funding for the many clubs and alliances currently active on campus is a multi-step affair involving the collaboration of club and alliance leaders with the school.