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In conjunction with the celebration of Black History Month, Deerfield screened the movie BlacKkKlansman on Feb 8. Directed by world-renowned Spike Lee and starring several well-known actors, including John David Washington and Adam Driver, this powerhouse of a movie was released on Aug 10, 2018, and remains in theaters today. With reviews of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 7.5/10 on IMDb, and 4/5 on Common Sense Media, this movie is a popular hit that contains a serious message. Critics describing it as a “must watch” and “thought-provoking.” The film tells the story of a black police officer in 1970s Colorado Springs, Colorado, named Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), who is new to the force. Ron teams up with a white Jewish officer, Filip Zimmerman (Adam Driver), to investigate a local Ku Klux Klan branch, which goes under the pseudonym “The Organization.” Ron talks with the administration of this “organization” over the phone, pretending to be a white supremacist; simultaneously, Filip, undercover, visits the members’ houses in person, pretending to be Ron. Filip is eventually welcomed into the KKK’s inner circle. The two men infiltrate and learn about the organization, whose main objective is to re-institute white-supremacy in America. Spike Lee’s storytelling contains humor and humanity. The film’s synopsis from Focus Features states, “BlacKkKlansman offers an unflinching, true-life examination of race relations in 1970s America that is just as bracingly relevant in today’s tumultuous world.” At the Deerfield viewing of the film, students could be seen watching intently, laughing, and grieving as the movie progressed. I enjoyed watching this movie; the plot twists and turns kept me interested and wondering. It was also cool to see the general reaction from the Deerfield populace who watched this movie. The mood of the crowd shifted from what was happening in the movie, progressing from intrigued to surprised to grief to shock. It helped the movie create a more sound image in my mind because I was able to vibe off other people and feel what the watchers were feeling. It was a great experience. BlacKkKlansman was released on the one-year anniversary of the white supremacist hate march in Charlottesville, Virginia. At the end of the movie, viewers were left with clips of this hateful event. The videos from Charlottesville connected the movie to the present day, forcing me to think a lot about what our country values, and what I could do to stop another hate march from happening again. It both humbled and inspired me to enact change. It was a powerful ending to a powerful movie. So, would I recommend BlacKkKlansman? Absolutely. BlacKkKlansman explores the subject of racial injustice with love and empathy and highlights the history of discrimination in America. You are guaranteed to be moved and informed.

Ever since the adoption of “Environmental Stewardship” into the school mission in 2008, Deerfield has taken up many environmentally-focused projects and initiatives, such as Think 80/20 and Back to Tap Water, that have made immense progress in improving the school and community. Sustainability at the academy is not just limited to projects to preserve energy and natural resources, but also the involvement and promotion of the educational component where students are taught “leadership in a rapidly changing world that requires global understanding, environmental stewardship, and dedication to service.” Ivory Hills, the former Director of Sustainability and current Academic Dean, spoke about the considerations and challenges the team has to keep in mind while planning and implementing initiatives: “One [challenge] is to figure out how we answer the question of are we primarily interested in being a sustainable organization, or are we primarily interested in educating students about sustainability.” An example and a current practice well known to students is the weekly Sunday dorm clean ups. “It doesn’t always happen perfectly well when students do it,” Dr. Hills said, “and we do get contaminated recycling waste streams.” Although an alternative is to hire an outside company to streamline and perfect the task, Dr. Hills recognizes that in doing so students would lose the education and practice in the process. “Students should learn how to do dorm clean up, and students should learn how to recycle,” he explains. Mr. Purington, the current Environmental Management Coordinator, explained another challenge he often faces in the planning and the implementation process. “I can sit in my office and design a plan that can work,” he explained, “but the challenge is finding an effective way to explain it to the students and faculty so that they are understood and implemented in the way it’s been designed.” In his experience working on the 80/20 program, there has been many changes and adaptations on an ongoing basis to not only improve and develop the plan but also make it better for the people and the facility team participating in it. “When we first rolled out 80/20, composting wasn’t part of it. And then composting became a little piece of it, and since then composting has expanded to become a major part of the program,” he said. Mr. Purington recognized that the Deerfield community is generally very accepting of the idea of recycling, though the sheer amount of people affected by the smallest decisions made by the team leads to questions like where to put the waste materials, what vehicles to use transport them, where to take them and how much does that process costs. Mr. Purington is currently working on a detailed study of how solar may be extended to more places on campus. In mid-January 2018, the brand new Physical Plant Trades Shop implemented a new system with 222 solar panels, almost five times as big as the system on New Dorm. During 2018, it produced 83,843 kWh/year,” according to Mr. Purington. To provide some context, the average use of electricity in each of 40-plus single and two family houses on campus is about 610 kWh per month. Thus, the electricity produced by the solar system at the Trades Shop is equivalent to the usage at 11 to 12 typical households. From solar panels to recycling during Sunday clean-ups, there are numerous areas in which the academy promotes sustainability. Student and faculty involvements and participations has drastically increased over the years along with the integration of Sustainability with Global Studies and Community Services. The Dining Services team have also been leading efforts from promoting healthier diets such as the Live Clean, Eat Dirty campaign to local purchasings of organic products to promote sustainability. “There’s so, so many personal decisions people can make, one decision at a time,” Mr. Purington relates, “and each of those decisions has a small impact, and each person’s impact can add up to things.”

The role of Peer Counselor is an esteemed leadership position at Deerfield, and for good reason. The Peer Counselors are composed of sixteen upperclassmen who act as liaisons between the Health Center and the student body and provide support to students in the community. Each applicant for the position goes through a rigorous application process made up of a thorough written application, a group interview, and a peer evaluation, among other aspects of the application. Those selected then go through eight weeks of training during the spring term of their sophomore year to learn the best ways to support the community, and continue to meet frequently throughout the year. Health Teacher Margaret Brown said she looks for “people who are really committed to doing the work, are empathetic, and have some experience navigating situations either with friends or family that would apply.” She also mentioned that peer counselors should be good listeners, facilitators, and should be able to withhold judgment. “Peer counseling is a larger task than many people think it is,” said Peer Counselor Jasmine Baldwin ’20. Being a Peer Counselor entails being available to meet with students in the evenings, to respond to anonymous questions asked via their website, and to hold ninth-grade groups where they help facilitate discussion about difficult topics. They also live dispersed throughout the upperclassmen dorms. Dr. Brown is hoping to add to the sessions, focusing on important topics like body image, nutrition, stress, fitness, healthy relationships, and consent. The core aspect of their jobs, however, revolves around supporting the community and the student body, in general. “[Peer counseling] requires a person who is able to have conversations with anyone on campus and is willing to help others,” said Baldwin. Hunter Keller ’20 agreed, adding that she thinks a peer counselor is “someone who understands the value of listening, not just being heard.” She continued, “I think if someone is really listening to you, then life becomes a lot easier to handle.” Another important part of peer counseling is the total confidentiality needed in such a position. “A peer counselor…highly values confidentiality, and doesn’t take it lightly,” explained Baldwin. Dr. Brown also urges students to trust in the confidentiality of the Peer Counselors. She explained that, like the other healthcare professionals and counselors in the Health Center, all the peer counselors are required to keep meetings with students completely confidential, unless they are concerned that a person may harm themselves or others. “I think that people should rely on them as much as they need,” said Dr. Brown. Everyone interviewed agreed that peer counseling is a crucial aspect of Deerfield life and an important resource for the student body. The counselors’ primary duty is figuring out the best way to support every member of the Deerfield community. Baldwin said, “Peer counseling isn’t something to take lightly, but it is quite a service you can do for your community, and I believe that it is truly worth it.”

Everyone knows of the cliché scheme culture at Deerfield: Snapchat before in-person chat and visitation before dates. I will, in this piece, attempt to define the so called “scheme” culture at Deerfield and possibly offer a solution to fix the ineffective “scheming” tactics. It is important to define some simple terms about scheming at Deerfield Academy. “Scheming” is essentially equivalent to having a crush on a potential significant other and trying to flirt with them, but also doing so without risking too much. Social media is crucial as many students prefer cyber conversations over face-to-face conversations. In general, unlike modern-day flirting, “scheming” is a more passive form of flirtation; students avoid confrontation as many are shy to openly express their true emotions. Most schemes start with Snapchat. After successfully obtaining your crush’s Snapchat, you must initiate “conversation.” According to “scheming” guidelines, first and foremost, the mood of your Snapchats is essential in starting your relationship on the right foot. With the option of revealing your full-face, half-face, or shoulder, Snapchatting at Deerfield has evolved into a form of art. Your Snapchat should not show that you are completely head over heels for someone, yet it must also imply that there is definitely some potential romance budding between you and your crush. A very important thing to note is that responses must be within 2 to 8 hours, no earlier and no later. You don’t want to seem like you are waiting for their Snap, but, at the same time, you want them to know that you are somewhat interested. When it seems like you have established a stable “friendship” with your scheme, how about asking about his or her interests? Maybe even how their game went? But always remember, hold your temptation to open the Snap too early, and make sure to vary the chats. After the stage of asking questions that you already know the answer to, the most important step in the scheme process happens. You, finally ask your “special someone” whether they want to hang out. This is the determining step in the scheming process because he or she will finally reveal their thoughts about you – you will either fall into the dark hole of the friendzone or blossom together into something bigger. In the best case scenario, your scheme will answer with a “Sure” or “I’ll see you at the Greer.” Now is your chance to finally make a lasting impression on the person. However, in some other unfortunate occasions, you encounter one of the sadder moments of your life: an outline of a red arrow. This empty arrow, on Snapchat, implies that the person, on the other end of your conversation, has opened your Snap and chosen not to respond. In this case, try not to fall into despair. You must remember that your crush is only one of the eight billion people on this planet, and there are many, many, many fish in the sea. Just because your scheme did not succeed one time does not mean that your next scheme has to know about it or that another new scheme will not be successful! So, now that I have told you the way that scheming works here at Deerfield. I will propose a mind-breaking alternative. Something more applicable to real-life society. Something that most Deerfield students have never done: partaking in face-to-face, real-life romantic courting. I know that this may seem daunting and insurmountable, but this is how most relationships beyond our Deerfield bubble form. Here are some tips and tricks to get a head start on this innovative flirting method. Face to face interactions: Deerfield Academy’s website reads, “Today, the Academy captures this notion in a set of core values: face-to-face interactions characterized by joy and generosity of spirit.” One of the most important values that the Academy enforces on its students is the value of face-to-face communication. Yet, in the scheme culture, face-to-face interaction is unheard of. I adamantly believe that this value should remain consistent in scheme culture as well. Instead of constantly asking “Wyd” or “How was your co-curric?” what about simply going up to them in the Greer and saying “Hi.” Something as simple as that could be the start of a special something. If you simply cannot accept the fact that people are allowed to introduce themselves in person, what about simply starting to smileat them on the path? The greatest part about this tactic is that there is no worst case scenario because all they will do is simply say “hi” back. See? Win-win! Get to Know Your Scheme (Not on DAInfo): Schemes are people too! Often times, Deerfield students think that their scheme only exist in the cyber realm and in their math class. However, that is not how human beings work. Your scheme wants to make friends. Your scheme wants to talk to people. Your scheme is human! If you can get over the fact that you can talk to them in person, next step is to try to find commo ground. Talk about your hobbies, favorite music, Netflix shows, and embarrassing stories. The list is endless.What is important is that your scheme knows who you are, and you are no longer just someone that is referred to as “the guy on SnapChat.” Go on a date: The Deerfield bubble can seem suffocating at times. With the same Greer nights and sports events, occasoinally you need a breather from the Deerfield masses. With a great selection of attractions just around this campus, take your crush to see a movie or go eat Froyo instead of a night stuck at school. Getting off campus can help remind you that you are not simply “scheming” but that you are looking at a possible significant other. This may even get you extra brownie points as your crush may view your preparation as a sign of thoughtfulness. Now, with my last words of wisdom, I wish you well with your schemes. Finding a significant other is about honesty and courage. Don’t be afraid to actually, in-person, express how much you like someone. One of my favorite quotes that inspires this is, “You miss 100% of the shots that you do not take.” So, why hesitate and miss that shot? Go, scheme (the healthy way).

What does it take to turn our little Reid Black Box into a spinning, whirling shape-shifting set? The answer is helping hands, elbow grease, and someone who has mastered the art of theatrical building. Enter Deerfield Theater’s Technical Director, Paul Yager. Mr. Yager has been at Deerfield Academy for thirty school years, meaning Mr. Yager has been bringing sets to life since December of 1989. When asked to describe his job, Mr. Yager said, “I am the Technical Director for the Theatre Department… I’m also the scenic designer, lighting designer, and sound designer for all the theatre productions at Deerfield Academy.” Without the hard work of Mr. Yager and the tech team, the audience, as observers of the hard work and theatrical expression of the actors, would not be able to see, hear, or engage with the play as seamlessly. He truly loves doing set work at Deerfield, and found it hard to choose just one favorite set, considering he has worked on close to ninety, but he remembered , produced twice in his time here, as one of his favorite productions. He then listed some of the most substantial Black Box transformations. “ where we built a house and put a real grass lawn in the theater,” he said, showing a photo of a life-size home in the middle of the Reid theatre. “ where we built a pool in the middle of the Black Box,” he continued, pointing to another photo. Other highlights mentioned include a beautiful sun piece suspended from the ceiling along with a sand box covering the entire Black Box floor to elevate the presentation in a production of . The Yagers are a Deerfield family. Sandra Yager, Mr. Yager’s wife, is the Campus Stores Manager—the mastermind behind the logistics of the Hitchcock and Athletic stores, as well as the Deerfield online store. Mrs. Yager is also responsible for the many exciting games and events that we enjoy via the Hitchcock house. The Yagers have two sons, one of whom attended Deerfield and one who did not. Their son, Kyle Yager, graduated from Deerfield in 2005 and was a four-year student as well as a committed member of the theater program, and he went on to be a theater major in college. Later, he worked as a prop manager for the Blue Man group. Mr. Yager loves his job, but also has plenty of hobbies that are a bit different from his day-to-day work. “I have a new Jeep that I’m working on restoring. I enjoy beer-making and hard-cider making. And, I enjoy my new grandson,” he said. He also has a dog named Bella. He said that her full name was “Belle of the Ball,” and was quick to express gratitude for having her for the past eleven years. He finished the interview with a smile, saying, “I love working at Deerfield Academy.”

The Farm Table ($$$) This restaurant is located about 20 minutes off campus at 219 South St, Bernardston. With connections to approximately sixteen farms, the sustainable farm to table movement is an important part of this restaurant’s menu. So, next Friday or Saturday night, try the classic Farm Table Burger, Mushroom & Spinach Brick Oven Pizza, House Cornbread, or Small Plate Baked Stuffed Shrimp. GoBerry ($) No matter what anyone says, the cold weather can’t stop you from getting the best, fresh frozen yogurt made from local farm dairy. This chain franchise has shops in Northampton and Amherst. Boasting a variety of flavors such as Mango, Blueberry, Wildberry Lavender, and Chocolate, you are sure to find yourself the perfect dessert. LimeRed Teahouse ($) Having shops in Northampton and Amherst, this café serves eight-different natural flavored bubble teas that are to die for. If a hot drink is more your style, the Espresso Bar serves unique, fresh flavors such as Coconut Latte or Thai Tea. To top it off, you can even treat yourself to desserts imported from Japan and New York City. North Hadley Sugar Shack ($-$$) Scrumptious cider donuts and pancakes or waffles with fresh maple syrup awaits you at this delicious institution. Once you watch the friendly staff make syrup in front of you, buy maple products, or venture to their Farm Market, you will never be able to brunch anywhere else. The People’s Pint ($$) With a variety of foods, this restaurant is sure to have something to satisfy our hunger. Holding a spot at the heart of Greenfield, the People’s Pint boasts delicious American cuisine. When you visit the restaurant make sure to try their delicious burgers. Magpie ($$$) This is a Deerfield student favorite. With a comfortable atmosphere, Magpie provides some of the best woodfired pizzas in the Pioneer Valley. Appetizers such as the mussels, roasted cauliflower, and freshly-baked bread are definitely worth giving a try. For entreés, all-times classics are the Cubano and the Margherita pizzas and the Ricotta Mac and Cheese. And to finish off, the desserts vary by season, but there is always something delish to finish the night off with. UMASS Fine Arts Center ($-$$) When Deerfield Academy students aren’t rocking the stage at a dance showcase, theater production, or musical performance, the UMASS Fine Arts Center could be the perfect place to enjoy art forms outside the Academy. Whether you are roaming the Gallery and Museum, or watching the latest dance, play, or musical piece, there is always something new to do at UMASS FAC. Shelburne Falls ($-$$$) If you have a free afternoon one weekend, Shelburne Falls is the place to go. With so much to do, you cannot possibly be bored in this town. You can stroll down the world-famous Bridge of Flowers, examine the incredible Glacial Potholes, participate in thrilling water rafting ($$-$$$), or go on an exciting zip lining tour ($$-$$$). Berkshire East ($$-$$$) You don’t have to be on the varsity ski team to enjoy some time on the snow. Berkshire East has ski courses for every level. The next time Deerfield is hit with a winter blizzard, grab some skis, a snowboard, or a sleigh, and head over to Berkshire East for some fun! MassMoca ($$) If you ever want to experience world-class art, go visit MASS MoCA. Although the trip may take a little longer, as the museum is located right near Williams College, with more than 20 exhibitions to view, your time in the car will be well spent. With world-class artists, such as James Turrell and Sol LeWitt (and many more) on display, there is not a minute to waste at this museum.

If you have never had the privilege of being injured or filling out a program inquiry form in the Athletic Center, than maybe these interview will compel you to do one or the other. Although maybe not the injury one. The “Sports Performance Team” as they have dubbed themselves consists of five of the funniest, coolest, and most caring people on this campus. Mrs. Parker, or Kate as she is commonly called by her proteges, has been with Deerfield for, “too long,” as she would say. Mrs. Parker may be found staring down students caught running on her treadmill or “pew, pewing” students with a crutch. Mr. Graves, or Mr. Graves as he is referred to, runs the training room and is known around campus for his cunning humor. Ms. Biscottini (said no one ever), or Gabi, is excited to be featured in the Scroll for a fourth time during her four years at DA. Gabi can be found interviewing for the , her favorite pastime, or teaching spin class. Mr. Tamburro (said no one ever), or Ronnie, struggled to find the time for this interview as he was far too busy designing instagram posts on how to gain weight. Ronnie, along with 78% of the student body, prefers Reese’s over Peanut Butter M&M’s and is ardently opposed to Taylor Swift, except for Blank Space, which is, “a banger.” Ms. Theriault, or Emma, is often overshadowed by the far cuter, mini version of herself and can be found giving Fitness Center orientations to nervous ninth-grade boys. For the first time in Scroll history, 90 Seconds With has been conducted in 90 seconds. Yes, we timed them. Yes, they will attest. Enjoy! If you could meet one athlete dead or alive who would it be? Steph Curry What do you eat for breakfast? Fruit and yogurt, but sometimes I don’t eat breakfast. Don’t put that in there. What would you tell yourself at age 16? Don’t get hurt again. What famous people have you met? Chris Farley at rehab when I was 10. But I wasn’t in rehab. Least favorite sport? Badminton What movie makes you cry? Remember the Titans What is the score of your game of life? Kate – 1 Life – 1. It’s a tie Would you rather have a golden voice or a silver tongue? Golden voice Favorite Hannah Montana song? I don’t know any Spinach or celery Spinach Favorite team on campus? Thirds girls squash On a scale of 1-10 how intolerable do you find baby photos on FaceBook? 5 Who would you let punch you directly in the face? Mike Tyson Favorite spice girl? Pepper, thyme, oregano, parsley, sage What’s your favorite thing to order from Olive Garden? Chicken parm What’s the most amount of money you have spent at McDonalds? $30 How many days have you gone without showering? A week. Favorite Taylor Swift song? That’s tough. The one with boyfriend that’s not nice. Peanut Butter M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces? Peanut M&Ms What would your autobiography be called? A six year-old asks you if Santa is real, what do you say? No. Grow Up. Lying is wrong. Favorite team on campus? I can’t say it violates my confidentiality agreement. Would you rather always be ten minutes late or twenty minutes early? Twenty minutes early What would your last meal be? Pizza from Baked Jims in Jersey Barbies or American Girl Dolls? Barbies If you were a flavor, what would you be? Caramel Favorite Ariana Grande song? Into You If life were a video game, what would your cheat codes be? What does that even mean. I’m not a gamer Would you rather eat a box of dry spaghetti noodles or a cup of uncooked rice? Noodles What’s your spirit animal? My dog Friends or How I Met Your Mother? Friends Favorite team on campus? Rehab Squad Best type of cheese? Mozzarella What’s the absolute worst name you could give your child? Carol for a girl. Guy for a guy. Pre-Game Song? John Denver: Take Me Home, Country Roads What would the world be like if it was filled with copies of you? Legendary. How much can you bench? More than you. Favorite Kids Movie? Peter Pan Toilet paper: over or under? Under Favorite chocolate bar? Snickers Nick or Disney? Disney Channel Weirdest exercise name? Sumo deadlift high pull thruster Reeses or Peanut Butter M&M’s? Ha, that’s a good one. Nice try though. Favorite team on campus? If I tell you I’d have to kill you. Is a hotdog a sandwich? I guess technically although I wouldn’t call it that Favorite Justin Bieber song? I do like Justin Bieber. Beauty and Beat What body part would you not mind losing? I think about this one a lot. I’d have to say nose. How do you feel about working with Ronnie? I love working with Ronnie. He’s actually like the coolest person to share an office with. Cats or dogs? Dogs Reeses: Sees or Ces? Reeses for the pieces. Reeces for the cup. Hannah Montana or Victorious? Hannah Montana, I don’t know that other one Would you rather never be stuck in traffic again or never get another cold? Never get another cold. Favorite team on campus? I can’t pick favorites.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given? What is your most embarrassing childhood memory? Did you have a high school nickname? What is the weirdest thing you have ever ordered on the internet? If you could trade lives with someone for a day who would it be? If you were in Harry Potter what house would you be in? What are three things you would bring to a deserted island? What is your go-to breakfast? Have you ever met anyone famous? What is the most unique place you have traveled to? If you won the lottery what would you do first? If you could have any superpower, what would it be? If you could invent anything, what would it be? What is your spirit animal? What is your favorite memory at Deerfield?

is a beloved dating reality show. The TV series is currently airing its 23rd season, and there is no end in sight. The show, with its long standing history, is so popular that ABC Network has expanded the franchise to make spin-offs shows such as , , and the . The goal of is for one lucky man to find his “true love,” and then propose to her by the end of the season. A gentleman begins with 30 potential suitors. From here, the bachelor’s laborious job is to weed through all thirty girls and eliminate those whom he doesn’t feel a “genuine connection” with. He has the liberty to take these women on all sorts of dates. As in most reality shows, there is a “villain” of the group. On the 21st season of , the infamous Corinne Olympios caught America’s eye with her audacious comments such as “Michael Jordan took naps. Abraham Lincoln took naps. And I’m in trouble for napping?” This season, the new “troublemakers” have been shaping up to be Demi Burnett, Onyeka Ehie, and Catherine Agro. Along with inconsiderately “taking too much time with Colton,” these ladies have constantly fallen into arguments with others. Currently, the new bachelor is former professional football player Colton Underwood. Colton, a veteran of franchise, appeared on and . Colton has taken the women on several dates, some even extending across international waters as the women traveled to Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand. This season, strong contenders are Cassie Randolph, Tayshia Adams, and Hannah Godwin. Cassie, a graduate student studying to be a Speech Pathologist, continues to progress her relationship with Colton as she scored a one-on-one date with Colton on a private island. Tayshia, a divorced phlebotomist, has captivated Colton with her honesty and confidence. And, Hannah G., a 23 year-old content creator, caught Colton’s eye from the first night as he handed her the first impression Rose. My prediction for the winner of this season is Cassie as she and Colton have “undeniable chemistry.” However, after Colton’s heart-break by Becca Kufrin, it is unclear if Colton is ready to give away his heart again.

When I first found out I was in contention for the position of Captain Deerfield, I didn’t know what to think. I felt incredibly intimidated at the thought of being the first girl in this position. While I knew there would be a day when a female student took on the role, I never thought that student would be me. Finally, the day came when Mikey Holland and I stepped to the front of the stage to take on our roles as Co-Captains Deerfield. As confusion and excitement spread throughout the crowd, the position that I had always respected and revered was offered to both of us. I have always felt incredible pressure to live up to the expectations of past Captains Deerfield and to prove that I am deserving of the role. Traditionally, Captain Deerfield has towered above students, yelling at crowds with a deep voice. However, I am a 5’ 4” girl with a high-pitched voice and uncontrollable energy, and my presence marks a departure from the traditional Captains Deerfield before me. That being said, I have learned from my experience that it is possible for someone like me to receive the same attention and respect that has traditionally been awarded to the previous Captains. Captain Deerfield is and has always been responsible for pushing boundaries and fueling the energy that feeds our athletes and artists. This is what makes Deerfield special. With my role as the first female Captain Deerfield, I knew I was stepping into a whole new realm of pushing boundaries. A week before Choate Day, shortly after a massive downpour, the boys varsity football team beat Cheshire Academy 34-14 in a huge upset. Post-game, the football players went racing into practice fields that had flooded with four feet of water. From the hilltop, I watched the boys celebrate their victory as they dunked themselves in mucky water. One of my friends challenged me, “What are the odds you would jump in with them?” I responded with, “Heck, let’s do it.” I hit it down the hill and jumped head first into the brown water. The Captain Deerfield costume was drenched, with the white now a light shade of brown and the green several shades darker, but it was 100% worth it. Captain Deerfield isn’t just about watching our teams compete; it is about being a part of celebrating our teams’ victories. At our Pep Rally the night before Choate Day, I was in charge of leading our “Hail Deerfield” chant. The crowd’s response was more than what I could have asked for. After hearing “Hell No” to hailing Choate, I finally felt like I was a part of something bigger than my role as Co-Captain Deerfield. I felt a new sense of family. I was humbled by the outpouring of support and respect that this small but pivotal moment offered. Captain Deerfield is a position that can’t be successful alone; it is a position that needs the heart of the whole Deerfield student body. The morning of Choate Day, I woke up to a rush of encouragement. The support from alumni and students empowered me to believe that I was capable of being Captain Deerfield. I vividly remember the girls varsity volleyball game. Energy was high, kids were engaged, and the Choate cheers were ready to roll. Although the girls didn’t get the win, it was a hard-fought game, and it was a time that I won’t forget as the peak of my Choate Day experience. Captain Deerfield should always go in seeking victories, but accepting the losses with dignity. Our traditional post-game Fight Song is the epitome of this mentality. That is something special. No experience in life will be perfect. Holding the position as a female Captain Deerfield has not been easy—I won’t sugarcoat it. At times I’ve doubted myself, been intimidated by my classmates, and felt hesitant about whether or not I could live up to the standard to which I believe Captain Deerfield should be held. But more importantly, I have experienced so much encouragement, love and support. Thus far, this year as Co-Captain Deerfield has been incredibly enriching. I recognize that I have improvements to make, and I won’t be perfect. I want to thank Mikey for navigating this journey with me and supporting me when I needed it the most. For the younger and future students of Deerfield, Captain Deerfield should be a role that embodies the true spirit of Deerfield. Regardless of your height, the pitch of your voice, or any other aspect that characterizes you, what really matters is your love for this place and the overwhelming joy you get from supporting Deerfield talent.

Like most girls who’ve read it, I felt a mix of emotions after reading the Boston Globe article. I agreed with some aspects of the article, but disagreed with others. Regardless, it left out one important detail that truly sets Deerfield girls apart from the boys. Although I wear my school colors with pride, and although I respect the institution, the body image culture at this school has become so toxic that even ninth-graders have to face the harsh standards that girls subject themselves to on campus. These standards are part of a culture that is woven into sit-down and walk-through meals and extends into social media through photoshopped pictures; it’s a silent ideology that affects far too many girls at Deerfield. I can say this because I’ve experienced it. I’ve been to the counseling office, spoken to eating disorder specialists, and healed enough to the point where I can openly talk about it. Every time the school sent me to the doctor, therapist, or counselor, they would all say something along the lines of, “Don’t worry, you’re not the first person who’s struggled with this issue. There are a lot of girls at Deerfield who are going through this too.” At first, this seems like a reassuring statement—that I’m not alone and I’m going to get through this, which I’m sure is why they said it. But after hearing it so many times, I started to wonder why so many girls were going to see these people. I remember watching an older girl at my sit-down table politely decline every meal for a whole rotation; she assured her table head that she was going to eat at the Deerfield Inn instead. Two rotations later, I was doing the same thing without even realizing that I had copied her. Some of my friends started to notice the empty plate in front of me during meals and the growing number of nights I spent at the Health Center. I guess this behavior was familiar to them because soon enough, I received kind messages, one by one, asking me if I was alright and assuring me that if I ever needed someone to speak to, they were there because they had gone through it too. Ever since those conversations, we’ve made sure that we look after each other – we worry about each other even though it’s been weeks since our last skipped meal. Although we’ve created a strong community that cares for one another, it’s a community that’s built off of a culture that should not have a place at Deerfield. Although we are told to love our bodies, the pressure we put on ourselves to look a certain way fuels unhealthy habits which younger students pick up on. It’s common for girls to restrict themselves from eating during sit-down and walk-through meals. It’s normal for girls to starve for days or, in some cases, weeks before a school dance, only to find themselves binging afterward to make up for all the food they’ve deprived themselves of – which only encourages the behavior. Everyone notices it, but we don’t do much to change it. In Health class, we learn about eating disorders and body dysmorphia, and we agree that it’s not a good thing, yet this is still an issue that doesn’t get enough attention. The body image culture at Deerfield has flown under the radar for too long. It’s not just a one-case problem. I can guarantee you every girl on campus has either experienced or knows someone who’s experienced this awful culture. The worst part, however, is that we wait until the very last minute to do anything. We wait until the girl is at the Health Center already five pounds lighter than last week to then educate her and assure her that she’s not alone – let her know that there are others like her. We should be taking action now. The school, teachers, and students should shine a light on this subject, talk about it and denormalize restricted eating. Let girls know that they’re not alone, and don’t ever let them get to the point where they’re putting their health at risk.

For seven years, TEDxDeerfield has provided residents of the Pioneer Valley with the chance to share topics they are passionate about with the community. This year’s event is in the works, as organizers and speakers prepare to present on their topics under the theme of “entanglement.” This year’s event was organized by a committee of ten students and advisors including English Teacher Elizabeth Mott and Spanish Teacher Jaime Correa, as well as Assistant Head of School for Strategy and Planning David Thiel, who helped organize the first TEDxDeerfield event in 2012. To prepare for the event, the committee is working with the speakers, communicating with the community, and coordinating the technicalities of the event. The event allows communities to understand complicated, relevant ideas, and develop their perspectives by listening to the experiences and opinions of others. In the past, Deerfield community members have broadened their horizons, listening to discussions ranging from “The Risk of a Dying Cosmopolitan Ethic” to “The Power of Kindness.” All talks are in-depth discussions on specific topics, presented in under 18 minutes. Speaker Angelique Alexos ’20, who will discuss the intricacies of journalism, commented, “Limiting [talks] to under 18 minutes really allows an audience to focus in on a certain topic… then glean a lot from listening.” This year, the organizers are anticipating a high turnout that will exceed last year’s. They’re hoping to attract at least 600 listeners. According to organizer Mr. Thiel, “The Academy sponsors the event and provides a lot of resources, but it’s designed to be by and for the entire local community.” For this year’s event, TEDxDeerfield is welcoming twelve speakers: four members of the surrounding community and eight students from Deerfield Academy. In addition to the talks, TEDxDeerfield will also host four hands-on workshops led by career professionals and other engaging leaders. The diverse lineup of topics includes clandestine online trading in Cuba and the process of talking about suicide. After the speakers were selected from a diverse pool, with an all-time high of 71 applicants, they began submitting a series of documents leading to the final script, including a researched outline, and several rounds of drafts. Valerie Hetherington ’19, who delivered a talk about the Blockchain and Bitcoin under last year’s theme “re:define,” said, “I think it’s important for people to understand exactly what they’re talking about when it comes to new and exciting technology like that.” She continued, saying that there is also value in learning how to express what you’ve learned: “There is a large difference between writing about a subject and communicating [it] verbally, facing an audience.” As soon as the final scripts are submitted, students will begin to memorize and rehearse in preparation for the real event. The final presentations are similar to speeches, with slides permitted as visual aids. TEDxDeerfield offers audience members and speakers an unparalleled opportunity for development of knowledge and growth. The event encourages members of the community to share ideas they are passionate about with the public, brings together diverse groups of captivated audience members from the Academy and the surrounding community, and enriches the community with varying perspectives and ideas.