The Horace Mann Record

HORACE MANN SCHOOL | WEEKLY SINCE 1913 November 11, 2011 http://record.horacemann.org Volume 109, Issue 9

SMART Teams Up with Scientists

Thomas Eng Staff Writer
The SMART team is working with scientists and a 3-D modeling program to design and study proteins used to oppose Bubonic Plague. The team takes apart the protein and closely analyzes each part, looking at how and why the receptors bond or fold in certain ways. The team aims not only to learn more about proteins, but also about the scientific experimentation process, said team members. SMART Team stands for Students Modeling a Research Topic and is a program run by the Center for BioMolecular Modeling. Students will work with professors throughout the year to examine a protein and then investigate how it bonds to other substances, including drugs and bacteria. I think its a great opportunity to work with professional scientists to do hands on research while exploring a relevant topic in modern biology, said Jay Palekar (11), a member of the team. Dr. Ted Scovell, the Director of Science Outreach at Rockefeller University, is scientist helping the SMART team by giving them an in depth tutorial of the program JMol. JMol is a protein-modeling program, which club members have been playing around with for weeks and are starting to get the hang of, Dr. Rosenblum, Upper Division science teacher and co-advisor of the club said. After the students study the binding sites and other important parts of the protein, they will use JMol to help create a color-coded model that will then be printed into a physical 3-D one, Jay Moon said. (11). I think its cool because we really go into depth with this one protein that counters the bacterium yersinia pestis. Were taking an existing protein model and making it accessible by marking sites of interest. Towards the end of the year, when their protein studies have been finalized, the students will be able to present their work orally and through a poster session at a scientific conference with other SMART Teams in the spring. I want to learn the way in which organic compounds work beyond the conceptual information we learned in Biology, said Kieran Birch-Desai (10). With the SMART Team, we really analyze our given protein. The cool thing about the project is that we apply what we learned about our compound to Bubonic plague and how it affected the world.

Model Congress Hosts First Conference

Molly Wharton Staff Writer
This weekend, the school will host its first Model Congress conference in which around 120 debaters from four other schools will join students in debating a host of topics, ranging from stem cell research to homeland security. As hosts of the conference, upperclassmen will be moderating committee sessions rather than debating. We need to make sure that its a good, fair debating environment for everybody, Stephen Paduano (11) said. For many of the students, this will be their first experience as moderators. Ive always been a delegate and have never experienced Model Congress from the other side, Roya Moussapour (11) said. Because the more experienced debaters will not be debating, other schools will have a greater advantage with their older delegates, Bernheim said. The goal of the conference is to introduce the newer students to Model Congress and let them become acclimated to the environment, she said. Some older Model Congress members will be observing the younger delegates in order to help determine who will be chosen to attend the upcoming conference at Yale in addition to the the afterschool mock debates. Delegates have been researching their topic and writing bills in preparation for the conference. The club has held bill-writing workshops throughout the past two months to help new delegates understand the structure of bills, Maddie Penn (11) said. Ive never done Model Congress, so Im excited to see how

ABSURDITY Seniors parade across Clark Field on Senior Absurdity Day this Monday. Continued on Page 3.

Victoria Mckaba/Staff Photographer

it works and get the experience to debate, Charlotte Frankel (10) said. Model Congress began to prepare for this conference last year by inviting other schools by email. This year, the club was responsible for purchasing all of the supplies for the conference, including placards, notebooks, and gavels. Students additionally met with Brenda Cohen from Flik to organize breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the guests. The most difficult aspect was forging relationships with the schools and getting them to come, Bernheim (12) said. This proved to be especially difficult because of the conference at Princeton that is taking place the following weekend, where many schools will be attending, Bernheim said.

CC Examines State of the Community

Vivien Ikwuazom Staff Writer
Community Council members discussed responses to last weeks assembly ranging from a statement by the council to programs to address micro-aggressions. Mohit Mookim suggested that the CC organize and publish a statement saying, we will be the people to stand against intolerance, Mookim said. A published statement is a fantastic place to start, Diversity Associate Markell Parker said. A collective statement from this body would earn some mileage within the community. Dean of Student Life Susan Delanty discussed the issues of microaggressions that could be racist or offensive and how micro-aggressions can become macro-aggressions, as seen in last Tuesdays assembly, she said. She suggested a program where faculty would be trained how to react and respond when such phrases from the assembly are heard. Once they are trained, they will feel more confident and comfortable about stopping it, Delanty said. We as teachers have less perspective on what happens outside of classrooms, math teacher Huon Murray said. But we want more feedback about what the appropriate response should be. Students and faculty also discussed the issue of language and to what extent we can call any statement a joke. The biggest problem I heard was that the assembly wasnt so bad because it was just a joke, Chairman Max Moran (12) said. The big problem that I see with that is anyone could see it as a joke and finds it funny. We have the invaluable insight as students. It was not the teachers that wrote hurtful things. Dr. Barbara L. Tischler, spoke about upcoming LCC projects created to build community ties between organizations, and focus on the use of positive language. Our uses of words needs to be more constructive, Tischler said. Many faculty members also discussed diversity and the honor code at school. While the meeting focused mainly on discussions about the aftermath of the assembly, representatives discuessed other ideas as well, such as allowing students to ask for equipment in the gym as well as a cooking competition, said Moohit. We hope to regain the trust of the community and successfully implementing some small tangible changes that will immediately impact students, Secretary Zander Daniel (12) said.

Dr. Ted Scovell, the Director of Science Outreach at Rockefeller University, explained JMol, a protein-modeling program, to the SMART team, Thursday.

Laurence Ge/Photography Editor

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Editorial Board

The Horace Mann Record

Volume 109
Editor in Chief Sarah Pyun Managing Editor Christine Kim Features Ambika Acharya Arts & Entertainment Hillary Winnick Middle Division Olivia El-Sadr Davis

Opinions & Editorials

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Production Manager Baci Weiler

News Jenna Spitzer Elizabeth Weingold Lions Den Matthew Cott Thomas Kim Opinions & Editorials Courtney Hodrick

Letters Policy: The Record welcomes letters from its readers as part of its commitment to an open forum. Letters can be submitted by mail (Letters to the Editor, The Record, Horace Mann School, 231 West 246 Street, Bronx, NY 10471), e-mail (record@horacemann.org), or can be left in the Record mailbox in the Deans office. All decisions regarding libel, anonymity, length, and clarity are subject to editorial discretion. All submissions must contain the writers name to verify authenticity and should be limited to 250 words. All letters will be printed on a first-come, first serve basis, space permitting. To be considered for publication in the next issue, letters should be submitted by 4:00 on Wednesday afternoon.

11/11/11: Make A Wish!

Many of us may be familiar with the superstition of making wishes when the clock strikes 11:11. We could all use a little luck, so the luckiest day of the year (or maybe the century) as determined by our board is the perfect time to get our hopes up. Without further ado, here are our 11 Wishes for 11:11 on 11/11/11: 1) Infinite wishes, of course. 2) 11 snow days before spring break. 3) The New York Times to credit our paper properly. 4) Real tissues, especially with the winter months ahead of us. While were at it, give us paper towels, please. 5) Everyone to get through the last week of the trimester in one piece. 6) People to actually read our editorials (email record@ horacemann.org if you have come this far). 7) Tierneys delivery service. 8) Everyone to attend Life Is A Dream. 9) Another Lions Football WIN this Saturday. 10) Our community to come together and support each other as we move forward. 11) Every student in our school to feel comfortable, and be safe, expressing who they are.

Photography Editors Rachel Essner, Laurence Ge, Justin Gilston, Kimberley Sarnoff Senior Editor Eden Sung

Online Editor Aramael Pea-Alcntara

Faculty Advisor Dr. Glenn Wallach

The Record is published weekly by the students of the Horace Mann School during the academic year. As a student publication, its contents are the views and work of the students and do not necessarily represent those of the faculty or administration of the Horace Mann School. The Horace Mann School is not responsible for the accuracy and contents of The Record, and is not liable for any claims based on the contents or view expressed therein. The opinions represented in the Op-Ed section are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial board. The editorial represents the opinion of the majority of the Editorial Board. All editorial decisions regarding grammar, content, and layout are made by the Editorial Board. All queries and complaints should be directed to the editor in chief. Please address these comments by e-mail, to record@horacemann.org. For information about subscribing to The Record, please visit record.horacemann.org/subscribe.

Letters to the Editor: Responses to the Assembly

To the Editor, system of oppression and toward those who embody or In the aftermath of the poetry assembly, many of us enforce it. It is also the articulation of those feelings. Hate could accompany rage, but they arent synonymous. have participated in discussions and used various terms. In the service of clarity, as we continue our healing Man Hating: A political term that traditionally has been used within process as a community, I would like to offer some concepts for our contemplation. These definitions are patriarchal systems to dismiss the insights of women, based on the usage of communities that I have known over feminists and lesbians who are critical of patriarchal values and those who embody or enforce them. The term has the years. been used to threaten women into silence. At times it has Patriarchy or patriarchal culture: Although technically the supremacy of the father, been part of the verbal barrage that has accompanied other forms of abuse and physical attacks. the term has evolved to reflect a social system that has been characterized by hierarchical relationships and I ask that we be careful of the terms we use as we assumptions of superiority and inferiority on the basis continue our discussions. Respectfully Submitted, of gender, race, sexual orientation, age, religion, wealth, physical ability and other characteristics that can be used Karen E. Johnson to divide humans. Although sometimes attributed Where Do We Go From Here? to men only, some women support patriarchal values and some men oppose them. It is a cultural construct, not a biological destiny. Rage: A political term used to describe the feelings of anger and pain that oppressed people feel toward the

Corrections
In Issue #8: Students, Faculty Reflect On Poetry Assembly, the community forum Thursday was organized and hosted by the Union, not the Womens Issues Club or Mens Issues Club. In Issue 8: Assembly Goes Awry reported that Mr. Bauld had organized the assembly with the English Department. Although Mr. Bauld and Dr. Casdin are members of that department, it was not a departmentallysponsored assembly. In Issue #7: Alumni Come Home to Something New, incorrectly reported that the class of 1946 had its 75th reunion, not its 65th. In Issue #6: Seniors Come Together for Second Movie Night reported Those who did not play capture the flag worked in Dr. Kellys kitchen to make apple pies. No student was ever in Dr. Kellys house. They put the pies together in the lobby and baked them somewhere else on campus. To the Editor, In light of the painful and shocking events that occurred at the UD Student Assembly on November 1, a group of concerned parents representing various racial, ethnic, religious, socio-economic and sexual orientations of the HM community came together on a conference call to brainstorm a response and begin to think about an action plan for the soul-searching work that is incumbent upon the entire HM community. Our concern and desire to help come from a profound love and respect for the institution that is Horace Mann and the wonderful people who make up our community. With this as the starting point for our group we felt that, whatever the reasons for the ensuing events at the assembly, one thing became clear: there is an undercurrent of racism, bigotry, homophobia and hatred of the other that exists in a segment of our community, as echoed by the personal narratives of some of our students. To blame the students would be too simplistic, as we know that many of these ideas are formed and influenced by sources outside the school. This idea notwithstanding, we send our children to HM to provide every student the values, judgment and life skills necessary to navigate in our ever-increasing globalized and diverse world. With these ideas in mind, our group enthusiastically hopes to open a dialogue that will work toward a plan of action. The current N-12 curriculum review, where it pertains to diversity and sensitivity training, would be a natural starting place for this work. Classes that lend themselves to diversity training such as ethics, history, and literature may couple with life skills, arts and team building to strengthen the understanding of and respect for one another. Success in these endeavors could be measured via a timeline of goals to insure that the benchmarks are being met into the future. A further focus on the hiring of faculty who represent a wide diversity of our society must also be a priority so that students in all divisions are exposed to the importance of positive role modeling in our community. These ideas are in their infancy but opening the dialogue is our first step. We applaud the tremendous creativity, intelligence and strength of the numerous students in the HM community who already know how to do the right thing. Horace Mann students, on the whole, are an exemplary group of young people who deserve the chance to express their feelings, opinions and questions in a safe, respectful environment that meets the Core Values of Life of the Mind, Mature Behavior, and Mutual Respect in a Secure and Healthful Environment. We offer one final thought in regard to the Balance between Individual Achievement and a Caring Community by extending an invitation to the students who have been most severely affected by the events of the UD Assembly. As a group, we aim to augment the fine work being done by the Office of Diversity and offer any students extra support, encouragement or simply a sympathetic ear to hear your pain and concern. As a group representing a wide array of our larger society we have in fact walked the path that you are taking today so please feel free to reach out to any of us via the directory for help. Respectfully Submitted, Flavia Ades, Elizabeth Perez Azerad, Maria Mostajo, Domingo Neris, Grace Peak, Mark Schein, Shadi Sheybani, and Danielle Stennett

To the Editor, Horace Mann is the same as it was 30 years ago. The music, clothes and haircuts were a little different and there was no email, but we were reading and talking and probably even thinking about precisely the same things you are. On one of those same bright crisp fall days, we had an upperschool assembly. Allen Ginsberg, the famous Beat poet, was going to read. His best friend, the late Jack Kerouac, had attended HM, before he wrote On The Road. Op-Art by Staff Artist Ethan Yaro Mr. Bauld was my 10th- grade English teacher. It was his first year on the faculty. Somehow, and screamed out, F-CK HORACE MANN! We Mr. Bauld had managed to get Ginsburg to accept an erupted in a standing ovation. invitation from Horace Mann. That was a virtual miracle For Ginsberg, that was not gratuitous and it was not because in 1981, Horace Mann was every bit as hard-core about intolerance. It was the opposite. He knew that achievement-oriented as it is today. And Ginsburg was as there was something about hearing that poem, and not Anti-Everything-HM-Stands-For as, well, some poets you just those three words, that would push the boundaries just heard from. The event promised some risk. of expression and thought and cultural niceties, in ways We packed into the auditorium, as-always a little that, agree or not with the content, would be new to us. sweaty, glad to be out of class. Ginsberg, alone on the Some of the faculty and administration regretted stage, wearing a white dress-shirt and a black beret, sat part of what Ginsberg said because it was too much. on a metal folding chair, no podium, microphone on a They regretted our reaction. Some people regretted that stand, with a one-note squeeze box between his knees. Mr. Bauld had even invited Allen Ginsberg. A miniHe started to rock back and forth, repeatedly pumping controversy swirled for a week or so, apologies and one note out of the squeeze box, and tilting his head from homages to literature were pled. Then it blew over. side to side like a man unhinged. In a loud high- pitched Howl and Ginsberg, however, stayed with us. Not voice, he recited Howl, from memory. It was odd. the poem as much as the challenge of that event. This Howl is a poem about the breakdown of society. Its weekend, 30 years later, my best friends from HM and I about drugs and race and sexuality and revolutions emailed The Records coverage to each other, comparing of many varieties. But Howls words are themselves the Ginsberg assembly with yours, grateful that someone so powerful and shocking that the poem itself breaks had taken that risk for us. down boundaries. Although Ginsberg had written Respectfully Submitted, it almost 30 years before he read it to us, it was still Michael Tein, 84 fresh. About halfway through the poem, Ginsberg Editors Note: Mr. Bauld tells us that he did not, in fact, started extemporizing about current events and sex and invite Ginsberg. The Records coverage in March, 1982 of AIDS (which was breaking news back then). We were Ginsbergs assembly, reported that a different line, from the captivated. Finally, at the end of a long chant, he paused, poem Birdbrain, caused the audience reaction.

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News

Friday, November 11, 2011

Students Recall Chaotic Scene on Stage

Colin Mark Staff Writer
Students recollections of their experience on stage during last weeks poetry assembly and an analysis of the cards used in the exercise by administrators have revealed additional perspectives about the event. Students like Dan Froot (12) who were onstage described the scene as total craziness. There was no order, he said. There were differing opinions about how well those on stage could hear what was being read. Poet Denise Duhamel, in an email to The Record sent last Thursday said, When Maureen and I were on stage we could not hear the poems that the students made on the spot as we were behind them. Several students, including Grant Rosen (11), who was onstage waiting to read, said, I could hear everything everybody said. Froot, though, said that he was speaking to others on stage as were the poets. I heard some of what people were reading, he said, but did not hear others. Duhamel and Seaton were unavailable to answer follow-up questions by Record staff. While Theater and Dance Department Chair Woody Howard, who teaches all of his classes and has directed productions in Gross Theater, said, theres no place in the auditorium unless youre deaf or asleep that you cant hear, he added that when the stage is full of students, and the sound system is behind the curtains, probably the hardest place to hear could be on the stage itself. The involvement of poets and students in the selection of cards has been a subject of student discussion this past week. Some who read cards, like Jackie Goodman (10), said that she talked with the visiting poets and they were really encouraging. They said, Great job! Good reading! The cards Goodman read did not contain any of the offensive language read during the assembly. Several said they saw students more active than the poets in choosing particular cards and urging others to read the cards they had selected. The content read from some cards was so disturbing to the community that Head of School Tom Kelly and Director of Diversity Initiatives Patricia Zuroski both went through about 1700 of the notecards written at the assembly. We pulled out any card that we felt should not have been written or certainly should not have been read out loud, Zuroski said. We pulled 151 cards, or about 9% of the total. Zuroskis office is using knowledge gleaned from the assembly to guide future projects, she said. Were always listening for what it is that people in the community imagine would be a good response to a situation like this, she said. Zuroski wants the office to help people to make connections to other people who are concerned about the same things. Maybe they would want to work together. The assembly has shown the diversity office that it needs to turn its focus toward aiding the community, she added. I think the natural progression of diversity work is to support individuals so they can gain the tools and the understanding for their own personal growth, and then its to support the community so that it can flourish and thrive and benefit the community. So in many ways, the work we have done now has been very helpful to individuals. I think were meeting some needs, but they might not be the priority anymore, she said.

Absurdity: Penguins, Circus, Swans

Chloe Tsang Staff Writer
Seniors occupied Clark Field, launched smoke bombs, and arrived clad in penguin outfits in a delayed celebration of Senior Absurdity Day this Monday. The postponing of Senior Absurdity Day as well as the guidelines for the event were reasons that some seniors said made the event less exciting than it had been in previous years. In an email sent to seniors the week before the originally scheduled date of Senior Absurdity Day, October 31, Dean of Student Life Dr. Student Delanty said, While we love your creativity, enthusiasm and energy we MUST keep Senior Absurdity Day safe and not overly disruptive to our campus. Students participating were told there would be No rented equipment and No live animals. The administration was a little too restrictive, Student Body VicePresident Antonio Irizarry (12) said. Theyve had things in the past that have gone wrong and its understandable that they want to put restrictions, but I think were responsible enough to do things not too ridiculous. The guidelines that were set this year were for both safety and practical purposes, Delanty said. It is impractical and unfair to think that our maintenance staff can or should clean up the mess that has been left on the field in past years. In recent years, seniors have begun throwing things at each other and at the spectators, Delanty said. As far as I know, Senior Absurdity Day was never intended to be a day when students spend large amounts of money buying costumes, renting equipment and trashing the field. Juniors were given A period free to watch the event; some students said that the event lacked both a strong senior and spectator presence. A poll of 252 students conducted by The Record, found that, the majority of students in all did not find the event that absurd. Chloe Albanese (12) said that participating seniors still had a good

Photographs by Victoria McKaba, Carly Amon/Staff Photographers; Design by Rachel Essner/Photography Editor

time. I thought it wasnt really absurd, but I definitely had fun, she said.

was Senior Absurdity Day absurd?

yes! no.
9 10 11 12

24%
17%

0%

23%

252 students polled

76% 83% 100% 77%

Community Members Occupied by Wall Street Protests

Melissa Rodman Staff Writer
While school responsibilities prevent members of the high school from occupying Wall Street full time, a few students and faculty have participated through weekend visits and discussions in their classrooms. In a world where very few people have all the resourcesmedical care, proper nutrition, adequately paying jobsthe Occupy Wall Street participants strive to turn this situation around, William Jeffe, an officer from the Public Relations Working Group of the Occupy Wall Street movement, said in an interview with The Record. People who are in power are making decisions that are based upon who has the most money, he said. Even the people who votewho dont necessarily have much moneyare having less and less of a say in the governance of our country. A lot of people first got involved with the Occupy Wall Street encampment at Zuccotti Park because of a shared frustration and anger towards economic inequality and corporate personhood, librarian Rachael Myers, who participated in the movement, said in an e-mail to The Record. But the amazing thing is how it has transformed into a hopeful and optimistic collective voice for change. Cyryl Ryzak (11) has visited the protests on the weekends and plan sfuture trips as well. Ryzak was browsing the web when he first saw the call for the Occupation, which began on September 17th, he said. I saw the way these protesters were clashing with the police, arousing the progressive sentiments, and it really lifted my spirits as to the possibility for radical change in this country. Much like a diverse high school, each person offers something individual to the movement, and since we can only make decisions when everyone agrees, a sense of consensus, camaraderie, and community has definitely been established, Jeffe said. In addition to nightly meeting and the daily events in each of the boroughs for adults, high school students can get involved too, Jeffe said. Students should start talking and learning about wealth inequality and what we can do about it. Although you are only students now, youre going to get older and have to deal with all of these problems in the future, he said. Judging by the number of e-mails he receives daily, Jeffe said that students, primarily from New York, have taken that first step. I answer a lot of similar questions kids want to know what the values of the protests are and how they can help make a positive difference, he said. Sam Torres (12) checks on the progress of the movement every day and has discussed the issues of the unequal distribution of wealth and necessity for allowing the majority to share its voice in his Religion class, he said. I think at our age its important to be aware of the messages of the protests and not to be ignorant of the events going on in our world. The Life of the Mind core value and rigorous classroom discussions link the school and the Occupy Wall Street movement, Ryzak said. I particularly identified with the fact that the protesters had set up a library, so to speaka designated area filled with a variety of books, he said. Its not purely a movement of action; theres also a lot of ideas and thoughtful discussions going on about all of the social, economic, and political problems in our country, he said. As we saw during Tuesdays H period assembly, discussion groups and dialogue seem to be one of the best ways of confronting issues, Ryzak said. Just by talking about the

Sarah H eintz/ S taff Art ist

sexist, racist, and homophobic slurs that made kids feel victimized, our community became more aware as a whole, and perhaps this strategy of open conversation could be used to help our student body understand better Occupy Wall Street and its importance, he said. Most discussions about the protests, however, have been occurring informally in the hallways and in the cafeteria, Rebecca Segall (12) said. Right now, I think our student body is engaged in a more important dialogue on diversity and social justice in our own community, rather than being preoccupied with Occupy Wall Street, Segall said. Its always a great thing for students to explore current events

with their peers, as it allows them to understand better problems facing our world, she said. The issues that the protests are addressing will ultimately affect our generation, because the call for change in the United States is unavoidable and growing, Torres said. Not everything people read online, hear from friends, or see on television about the protests is truly accurate, Torres said. A lot of media outlets have been casting the protests in a negative way. Students should practice the skills we use at school every daythey should think critically and analyze the issues themselves, not just accept what theyre told, regardless of the opinions they may form, he said.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Middle Division

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8th Grade Volleyball Wraps Up Winning Season

Alex Fine Staff Writer
The 8th grade Girls Volleyball Team ended their season with a 1-2 loss to Dalton last Tuesday, having achieved an overall record of 7-2. Lead by Coach Karla Ward, the team had expected one final match last Wednesday, but the game was canceled earlier in the day. Our match last week was one of the few times we couldnt come up with results, Sara Santiago (8) said. We played well, but Dalton was one of the few teams who are as competitive as we are in our league. At HM, our philosophy on the middle school level is very different than other teams, Ward said. Ward values in-game experience and playing time over a winning record on the middle school level, she said. Ward designed the teams practice routines to eliminate the concept of individual alternate players. Two squads of players, over the course of the season, each group switches off play during matches, with one set of players in the first and third quarter and the other in the other two. There is no substitution, said Ward. By using this strategy, every player is ensured equal playing time, and as a result, all have the ability to improve themselves. As a team weve grown far closer since the beginning of the season, Santiago said. Most players played on the 7th grade team. One new member on the team, returning players focused on welcoming her. By the end of the season, it was as if weve always played with her. We tried to be very welcoming, Santiago said. In response to the teams loss last week, Coach Ward explained how their opponents at Dalton modeled their playing strategy after that of a Varsity squad. Dalton uses traditional methods of substituting players based on their strengths and weaknesses, Ward said. However, Ward emphasized equal playing time. I could have substituted a better server or player at any time and perhaps that could have won the game, Ward said. However, for me, it sends the wrong message. I want the girls to know that I trust them and that each of them adds value to the team. With the season over, the team looks towards the next year, and plans to rebuild the team with a new batch of players. Im very proud of this years team, Ward said. They played with passion for the game, and showed great poise in their commitment to the team. At few of the current eighth graders are planning to try out for the high school JV and Varsity teams, Santiago said, herself included. Their season done, the team has achieved their two goals: to have fun and play competitively, Ward said. 8th grade Girls Volleyball loses 1-2 to The Dalton School last Tuesday, but ended the season with a 7-2 win.
Rachel Essner/Photography Editor

Students Experience Novel Through Theater

Philip Deutsch Staff Writer
8th grade students engaged in critical discussions of a performance of Harper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird after a trip last week. The trip, organized by Middle Division English Department Chair Ira Brodsky, was to the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, one of the most prominent Shakespeare theaters in the country. To Kill a Mockingbird, a classic American novel detailing the hardships of racism in the depressionera South, is a staple of the 8th grade curriculum. The story chronicles the adventures of six year-old Scout Finch and life with her brother Jem and father Atticus, a lawyer. Atticus takes on a case defending Tom Robinson, a black man, accused of raping a white woman. To Kill a Mockingbird is centered on the trial of Tom Robinson and his eventual murder, but seen through the innocent eyes of a six year-old girl. Students enjoyed the play, although the play did not capture all the detail of the book, students said. In a lively discussion after the performance, students spoke about how they did not like how certain scenes were interpreted. The day after the performance, in analytical discussions that took place on parent visiting day, students spoke about their favorite parts of the play, along with numerous critiques. Some students said that the actors greatly exaggerated the Southern accents. Others didnt like that there were two versions of Scout, a main character and narrator of the story. I feel like there was a strange disconnect between the acting Scout and the narrating Scout, Josh Zakharov (8) said. Many students said that they did not like the way that the director rearranged parts of the timeline. The director also chose to center the entire story on the trial, and left out much of the beautiful imagery and character building that is portrayed in the book, as well as leaving out characters altogether. However, students appreciated that the actors quoted the book directly, letting the students relate to the order of the book. Harper Lee chose her words very carefully, almost always with additional, below the surface, meanings, so some students said that the direct quotes imparted Harper Lees voice. Adding to reading the book in a classroom setting, the trip to see To Kill a Mockingbird brought the book alive for students and added to their fuller understanding of Harper Lees message.

UD Student Proposes Diversity Curriculum

Chloe Tsang Staff Writer
For his independent study project, Elliott Weinstein (12) proposed a diversity-based curriculum change for the MD to counteract the issues he feels manifest themselves during those years. Weinsteins curriculum includes a series of activities that can be done in classes or in advisory, he said. Im also giving the teachers some resources to use so that they dont feel as helpless when it comes to issues that maybe they dont feel so comfortable talking about. In his presentation to his Independent Study class, Weinstein introduced the curriculum he hopes to install in the Middle Division. To simulate an activity that homerooms would do in the Middle Division, Weinstein had the class discuss the cultural community norms. We discussed why each one was important and how explaining the community norms would make people feel more comfortable, he said. Under Weinsteins curriculum, one of the first activities advisors could do with their mentees is to go over the community norms and explain how [homeroom] is a space where you can discuss issues that are tough and that honesty and being engaged are really important, he said. That would lead into dealing with specific identifiers like classicism, racism, sexism, which would get kids thinking about how they can make an impact. Weinstein then engaged the class in activities such as reciting the community norms, looking at and analyzing the dictionary definition of the word diversity, and discussing why issues like sexual orientation and classicism were important to discuss in the middle school, he said. Weinstein also conducted a survey among the Middle Division faculty, high school freshmen, and students in his seminar class about which identifiers need more coverage in the middle school, which had been under-discussed, and which had been talked about sufficiently. While the majority of freshmen and faculty thought that racism and classism needed the most focus in middle school, the seminar class voted sexual orientation as the identifier that needs the most coverage, according to Weinsteins survey. At a younger age, most kids who may or may not be gay probably dont know, so sexual orientation is as not much of a pressing issue in sixth or seventh grade, independent study classmate Olivia Chigas (12) said. As you reach high school, more kids are coming out and are coming to terms with their orientation, so its an issue that youre faced with a lot more, she said. Its a good idea to be prepared and be exposed to it when youre in the middle school. Weinstein hopes that his curriculum will help establish a safe space in homerooms by opening up the class to discussion, he said. If we can talk about issues regarding diversity when they start happening and prevent prejudices from forming from the get-go, it would be way more beneficial than just waiting until they get to the high school.

Book cover of Harper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird.

robertwilliamsofbrooklyn.blogspot.com

The horace Mann record

Lions Den

Friday, November 11, 2011

JV Sports Season REview

Articles by Andrew Schwartz, Michael Reiss, & Evan Reinsverg Illustrations by Sarah Heintz, Maddie Penn, Amy Hood & Diana Li
This season, for the first time in at least the last four years, there is a Junior Varsity football team at Horace Mann. More than 20 freshmen decided to play football this year, creating the need for the first JV football team, and 48 total players on the roster. The Junior Varsity practices along with the Varsity team and dresses for most Varsity games as some JV players are also backups on varsity. These numbers and the JV program allowed the team to build for the future and give younger players valuable experience with the pressure of the varsity level. The teams own schedule included some early season wins in scrimmages, but tailed off in their games as Michael Lighten (9) was called up to varsity and injuries sidelined Steve Boland (9) for the season. The Lions faced a formidable opponent, Hackley, early in the season,

football

On the hard courts of Horace Mann, JV tennis went 9-1, only losing to a tough Trinity team. We performed very well throughout the season, defeating skilled tennis teams Horace Greeley and Scarsdale, along with Ivy League rivals Fieldston and Riverdale, Head Coach Chris Lacopo said. The Lions are a young team, featuring number one singles player, Rebecca Okin (9), and sophomores Michelle Kim, Lena Woo, Shivani Goyal, and Caroline Lee. Horace Mann Tennis is known to be a dominant team and this year was no exception. Horace Mann Varsity and JV tennis combined for an astonishing 20-1 record. The JV program should continue Varsitys success in recent years with their strong underclassmen in both the singles and the doubles

tennis

ranks. Although Horace Manns one loss was to Trinity, they also beat them earlier in the year in their other match. We knew that Trinity was going to be a close match, but we were disappointed with the outcome because we knew we had the ability to beat them, Shivani Goyal (10) said. The team had several matches challenge, but was still able to piece together a successful and productive season. Some of our goals for the year were to learn and improve doubles movement and strategy, to improve both our first and second serves, and just to have a good team experience. I think we definitely accomplished all of our goals this season and really improved, Lacopo said.

where the inexperienced Lions were soundly defeated, but still learned from the experience. Preston Lee (10) said. Even though I played on Varsity as a freshman last year, I decided to play JV this year so I could get more playing time and continue to learn the game. The Bruins got off to a fast start and took an early lead, whilethe inexperienced Lions struggled executing against a skilled Brunswick team, whos varsity plays in the highly competitive Erickson League. Conor Stewart (10) said, Brunswick is a very skilled and well coached team, and they didnt make any mental errors. A blowout loss to Brunswick lowered the JVs official record to 0-3 for the season but this team was not a complete failure. Conor Stewart (10) said, even though we didnt win, it was a good start for the new JV team and it created a foundation for the future.

The JV water polo, coached by Michael Duffy and Oleg Zvezdin, finished the season 2-8. Even though our record did not imply a successful season, we played quality water polo and progressed throughout the season. Our team was very young and I was glad to see the major improvement from the beginning of the year, Duffy said. The Lions two wins were impressive; defeating both Staples High School and St. Peters Prep by over five goals, Treshauxn Dennis-Brown (11) said. Because of the lack of water polo teams in the Ivy League, we travel to Connecticut and New Jersey in search of the highest competition, and that is why we dont pay much attention to the record, said Duffy. Not only do we play other high schools, but we also play club teams around the New York area

water polo

that play throughout the year. Throughout the year, the Lions worked on conditioning drills to become better and stronger swimmers. They also practiced strengthening their legs to improve on the defensive end of the pool. The Lions had players who greatly improved during the season and some of these players even got called up to Varsity. Goalie Bennet Heller (11) who was strong all year in net, progressed through the season and was eventually called up to start for varsity. And Treshauxn was a great mentor and leader for the young lions, Duffy said. Bennett improved a lot over the season. It showed in our Homecoming game against Trinity. He allowed 7 goals but his outlet passing improved, Varsity Captain Thomas Kim (12) said.

The Boys Junior Varsity soccer team had another superb season after going 8-2-4. Trained by legendary Coach Gregg Quilty, the perennially dominant Lions played stellar soccer both offensively and defensively, and had quality wins over competitive Collegiate, Poly Prep, and Hackley squads. We had a fantastic season both on and off the field, Graham Spurrier (10) said. Everyone worked hard, and we were able to translate the skills we leaned from Coach Quilty into our games. The Lions greatest strength this season was their potent offense: Michael Byfield (9), Jackson Najjar (9), and Faris Nathoo (9) tied for the most goals on the team with 5 each. We were a very balanced team with a lot of depth, Nathoo said. We had many different play-makers who

boys soccer

girls soccer
The Girls Junior Varsity soccer team had a very successful season with a record of 7-4-2. Led by veteran Coach Ray Barile, the Lions played physical, intense soccer, and had trademark wins over tough Poly Prep and Hackley squads. Our winning season can be partially attributed to the great chemistry and camaraderie on the team. goalkeeper Jenny Heon (10) said. We are a super-close and tightknit team. The Lions were anchored up-front by leading goal-scorer Kathryne Robinson (10). Kathryne is a terrific scorer who knows how to get the job done, said Heon. At certain points this season she carried the team. While Robinson had a profound impact of the success of the team many of the girls desire to win also helped the team. Even though we might not have been the most technically sound team, the girls determination helped them to win games, Barile said. Our sheer intensity and desire to win showed in that we won almost every 50/50 ball. The teams season became more enjoyable as many of the Lions fostered new friendships and had a lot of fun together, players said. Barile promised the girls a pizza party at the end of the year to celebrate the spectacular season. One of the primary reasons we were so successful this season was because of the teams closeness, Barile said. Things are looking bright next season for the Girls Varsity Soccer Team, as some of their current JV players step up to the Varsity level.

had the ability to step up and control the game. Other players echoed their teammates sentiments. If one player was player was performing poorly during a game, their teammates picked them and got the job done. Spurrier said. In my opinion, this is one of the marks of a great team. Many Junior Varsity players are expected to make the leap to the Varsity level next year, and should have the opportunity to make a positive impact. After the JVs fabulous season, I expect many players to make a smooth transition to Varsity next year. threeyear Varsity team member Michael Chon (11) said. This is one of the more talented JV teams I have seen in recent years, and expect many of the players to continue improving.

November 11, 2011

LionsDen
The Horace Mann Record
Alex Fine Staff Writer
Having ended their season undefeated as Ivy League Champions, the Girls Varsity Tennis team celebrated their victory at the Fall Varsity Banquet Dinner last night, cheering loudly as Coach Rawlins Troop summarized the season to an observing crowd of athletes and coaches. Although there was no championship match during the season, the team claimed the league championship with their flawless record of 12-0. Captains Maddy Gordon (12) and Lizzy Weingold (12) led the tennis team to tremendous success during the last two and a half months. The play of Gordon, Lizzy Rosenblatt (11), and Simone Aisiks (11) as the top three single players contributed to the teams success. Lizzy and Simone are fantastic, Gordon said. I can really see them leading the team somewhere special next year. Regardless of records and standings, many on the team feel that they can attribute their success to a bond between players. We always supported each other and, as a team, remained confident, Rosenblatt said. A big part of our success was the commitment of our captains, Coach Troop, and all the girls. Gordon was proud of the poise and dignity that the team carried within themselves during their matches and the season as a whole. Were such a close knit team, and its so helpful and inspiring to hear your teammates cheer for you during a match, she said. Although largely an upperclassman team, freshmen Sofia Aisiks (9) and Jennifer Reiss (9) displayed the amount of skill and tenacity necessary to make the varsity team. Its great to have younger players on the team, Allyson Kim (11) said, because it allows them to gain the experience needed to lead the team when they are upperclassmen. Kim felt that one of the key components to the

Volume 109, Issue 9

Girls Tennis Aces Ivy League

teams success this year was their ability to get people the experience they need on a Varsity level. During the Varsity Banquet, Gordon unanimously won the vote for Most Valuable Player, having not lost a match for as long as I can remember, Coach Troop said to her in his speech. Additionally, Hillary Winnick (12) won the Coachs Award for her dedication and contributions to the team. Troop felt that without Winnick, the team and its chances of winning would not have been the same. Despite leading the team to victory at Ivies for the past three years in a row, Gordon is not afraid for the teams continual success in years to come. Im not concerned for next years team. We have a lot of upperclassmen willing to take control, Gordon said, and while the seniors will certainly be missed, I dont think theyll need us too much.

Frances Kronenberg (11) smacks a forehand in her most recent match.

Rachel Essner//Photography Editor

Sarah Heintz Staff Writer

Cross Country Strides out for Championships

harder for states and perform to the best of their abilities. A lot of the injuries the team has every season come from not training during the offseason. They cant come into the fall expecting to run six or seven miles a day and not get hurt if they havent kept in shape during the winter, spring, and summer, Bartels said. The 2011 season was a rebuilding year for the girls team. Everyone has a stronger base as a runner after this season, Sam Rahmin (11) said. This season really helped establish and mold our team, so I think we will be much more competitive in the Ivy League next season. The team spent a weekend up at Dorr in October. Ali Futter (9) said, We all became a lot closer after Dorr. The team was so welcoming to begin with, but it was a really great bonding experience, and made practicing and racing for the rest of the season much more fun. Rahmin agrees. She said, We dont leave anyone behind, we dont give up, and our team dynamic is excellent. Its that mentality which

After hours of training and miles of running, the Boys and Girls Varsity Cross Country teams are prepared for their final race of the season, the NYSAISAA championship. The 5K course winds through the back hills of Van Cortlandt Park, and is scheduled to take place on Saturday. Due to shin splints, runners knee, and tight muscles, may runners have had to be in the training room, and off the trails the past two weeks. The girls have been doing short runs this week, Assistant Coach Caroline Bartels said. We have to be careful not to push them to hard, and risk injuries, before Saturdays race. On Tuesday, Lauren Uhler, a professional runner, joined the girls team for a practice. Uhler spoke about her experience as a runner, and also tips on runners health: how she manages a full time job while running sixty to eighty miles a week, how to prevent and recover from injuries, what proper nutrition consists of, and the importance of training during the offseason. Team members used this as a motivation to continue to push

Varsity Girls XC competes in the Ivy League Championships at Van Cortlandt Park.

Rachel Essner/Photography Editor

always keeps us going. The boys team finished sixth at the Ivy Championship last Saturday. Charles Scherr (11), co-captain of the boys team, said, As a unit, the results were disappointing. Weve fallen in the rankings since last year with the loss of seven seniors, and this season was really a rebuilding one; however, some individuals showed great improvement. The results have shown; for example, first year runer Justin Gilston (12) dropped his time by 30 seconds, and Scherr by 25 seconds. Looking forward to Saturday, Scherr said, Weve been trying to stay fresh the past week, doing some speed work, but making sure not to overwork anyone. Co-captain Henry Warder (11) said, Since this is our last meet, we expect everyone will go all out. Its a little bit longer than our usual race, 4k, but everyone is going to give it his all until he crosses the finish line. Weve all given our best effort for sure, Warder said, and we all look forward to a great 2012 season, Rahmin said. It was a building season for both the boys and girls teams worked very hard this season, and will show off their hard work at NYSAIS.

Girls XC Boys XC

MVP: Audrey Miller Coaches: Deepti Raghavan

Boys Soccer Girls Soccer

Fall Sports Banquet Awards

Field Hockey Water Polo
MVP: Veronica Williamson Coaches: Sarah Santana

MVP: Andrew Silberstein Coaches: Toby Lee

Football Tennis

MVP: Charles Scherr Coaches: Cory Taibleson

MVP: Sarah Heintz Coaches: Gillian Miller- Lewis

MVP: Justin Bleuel Coaches: Thomas Kim

MVP: Joe Cooper MVP: Coaches: Eddy Grafstein Ashley Reid Buzzel: Malcolm Thompson Coaches: Amanda Appelson Dunn Award: MVP: Maddy Gordon September West Coaches: Hillary Winnick

Volleyball