The Haverford Index: June 2014

Shortly after I decided to come to Haverford, I was speaking with some family friends whose son was a Haverford student at that time. I heard about how the class I was about to join, the Class of 2014, was the “troublemaker class.” They had rampaged through three years of middle school, leaving behind stories of expulsions, suspensions, and general mischief. Was I really about to spend my next four years with this class of delinquents? Flash forward four years and that class, our class, will walk across the stage, receive their diplomas, and be sent off into the world. Excitement, sadness, anticipation. These are all feelings that we will feel come Friday. Perhaps the most appropriate feeling, however, will be a sense of accomplishment, because in those four years, that alleged immature class of miscreants somehow managed to become the class of successful and compassionate young men who will take the stage on June 6th. We have had multiple opportunities to

prove our maturity during our time. The most recent such trial was the revelation that Haverford alumni and students had been involved in the Main Line Takeover Project drug ring. The administration worked hard to maintain morale, but the senior class needed to step up as well to help guide the school through the aftermath of the announcement. To do this, we needed to be present instead of completely checking out in the last two weeks of school. From then on, whatever skip days or senior pranks we had wanted to do were abandoned.We collectively decided to not do what senior classes have traditionally done in their last two weeks: water balloons, beach days, senior skips. At a time when the school was under so much scrutiny, the last thing it needed was for the seniors to be a pain in the ass, and we, for the most part, did our best to not be, and instead, to set an example for the underclassmen for how to behave in both this tumultuous time and in their future senior second-semesters.

Continued on Page 7

The 2013-2014 has come and gone, the 129th year in our school’s history, and it was filled with many great moments on the athletic fields. In Headmaster John Nagl’s first year as the head of school, many Fords athletes put on great performances to leave Dr. Nagl with lasting memories of his first nine months at Haverford. Here are just five of the greatest moments from this past year’s athletic calendar:

5. Barlow Is the Beast of the East Haverford wrestling has always prided itself on having a team-first mentality. Although they wrestle individually, the members of the team always have each other’s back. Sometimes, however, the individual performances are worth taking a look at. This year, Fifth Former LJ Barlow, Delaware County Wrestler of the Year, had quite a season, compiling a 40-4 record in dual meets. His most impressive

showing of the year, however, came in late December when he became the first wrestler in Haverford history to win Beast of the East. Barlow won six straight matches on his way to the 195-pound title, just a couple weeks after a disappointing 7th-place showing at the Walsh Ironman showing. Barlow told Main Line Media News, “[Walsh] was crucial for my success down at the Beast because it was a wakeup call to get in better shape and train harder.”

Continued on Back Page

Opening Day The entire student body gathered together with faculty and staff, over 1100 people, on McBride Court for Haverford’s Opening Ceremony. It would be the first one without Dr. Joseph Cox giving the head of school’s opening remarks since 1997, with former Army Lieutenant Colonel and counter-insurgency expert Headmaster John Nagl taking the reigns in 2013. After having not seen each for three months, students hugged and chatted about summer while faculty did their fair share of catching up as well. New students found their place among the old, feeling

welcomed into the Haverford community. Then, all hushed suddenly as Dr. Nagl took his place in front of the podium, dressed in blue and red robes that looked nothing like what Haverford students had ever seen. As he continued to speak, it became clear that he had big hopes for his tenure as Headmaster. He himself remarks, “There was a sense of beginning, of a new beginning. There was a palpable feeling of excitement.” Plus, after a few weeks working in his office in August, Dr. Nagl was just “delighted to have you all back. A school without boys is a dreary place.”That day, however, was certainly was not

Continued on Page 7

Manav Khandelwal ‘15

The IndexVolume LXXV, No. 10 June 2014 Haverford, Pennsylvania - haverfordindex.com

Eutαxiα Swzein Dokei

Also inside

this Issue...

Letter fron the EditorsCollege MatriculationTeacher FarewellsAdvice from Sixth FormLacrosseRacism in SportsGoogle GlassFords Focus, cont.

23

4-6, 86

8-9111112

Article PageTo see a list of each Sixth Former and the college he will be attending next fall, turn to page 3 for the Index’s annual College Matriculation list.

Nagl’s Highlights: Important Events from His Rookie Year

For his monthly Career Column, Jack Henderson ‘15 profiles the engineering career on Page 3. Haverford offers opportunities to try this career out with the Advanced Lab Cooperative program.

Farewell to the Class of 2014

Haverford’s 2013-2014Extracurricular Roundup

Fords Focus: Top 5 Haverford Sports Moments of 2013-2014Editor-in-Chief Manav Khandelwal looks back at one of the most successful athletic campaigns in Haverford history and recalls five of the most memorable triumphs of the past season.


Manav Khandelwal ‘15 recaps Headmaster John Nagl’s inaugural year at Haverford, highlighting some of the most impactful moments and lasting memories of the 2013-2014 school year.

The Index’s incoming Opinions Editor discusses each club’s highlights from the past year and its leadership picture moving forward.

R.I.P. Kip Taviano #10ve

Dr. Nagl gives his Opening Day address to the assembled student body. Ms. Dawn Blake

Barlow wrestles against Malvern in February. Mr. Jim Roese

Will Tackett ‘14

Sixth Former and Outgoing Editor-in-Chief Will Tackett offers a heartfelt adieu to this year’s graduating class.

Another successful athletic year in the Inter-Academic League reflects Haverford’s increasing prominence in regional, and in some cases, national competition. In addition to this success, the various extracurricular activities offered in addition to athletics enjoyed tremendous success across the board, demonstrating the high level of dedication and commitment by all students and faculty involved. Haverford’s Stage Crew is perhaps the most undervalued organization in the school. In addition to creating the phenomenal sets seen on stage during the fall and spring shows – A Few Good Men and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat – Stage Crew members, lead by Sixth Formers Chris Wong and Paul Addonizio, were constantly active throughout the year, assisting concerts and shows for organizations not affiliated with the school. Stage Crew members often devote more time and energy to the show than the actors, and during the final weeks leading up to the performances, Stage Crew members are working in Centennial for almost six hours

each night. The long hours put in by the Stage Crew reflect the intense dedication each member has to his craft, and their hard work certainly pays off as audiences were amazed by both of the sensational sets on display during the October and March productions. The success of this organization is set to continue next year as rising Fifth Formers Matt Paolino and Matt Mahoney take command. Continuing its tradition of international excellence, Haverford DECA, led by Sixth Former Graham Gaddes and Fifth Former Manav Khandelwal, brought home dozens of trophies and medallions from the district, state, and international competitions. Due to membership restrictions, the club selected its top forty applicants, which ensured that each member involved was fully committed to continuing the success of the chapter.

continued on page 5

Alex Sanfilippo ‘16

Also, for a list of athletic records that were broken during the 2013-2014 School Year, see page 10.

Mr. Jim Roese

Page 2 The Index June 2014

Editorials NewsWhere will the Class of 2014 Be Headed this Fall? Letter from the Editors

The Index2014-2015 Staff

Manav Khandelwal ‘15, Editor-in-Chief Brendan Burns ‘15, Editor-in-Chief Jack Henderson ‘15, News and Features Editor Alex Sanfilippo ‘15, Opinions Editor Jackson Simon ‘15, Sports Editor Ethan DeLehman ‘16, Arts Editor Eric Petersen ‘15, Politics Editor Otis Baker ‘15, Outdex Editor Drew Sterman ‘16, Web Editor Kenny Fitzpatrick ‘16, Web Editor Mr. Kellen Graham, Faculty Advisor

The Index is a student-run publication of the Haverford School that does more than bring news: it provides the diverse perspectives of the Haverford student body. It is an outlet for student writers to take stands on issues they deem important. It chronicles the daily struggles and accomplishments of the Haverford community. The Index also provides a forum for discussion of pertinent issues, such as student culture, academic policy, and Haverford’s place in world affairs.

All opinions and viewpoints expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of The Index or the school. The Index is designed and produced digitally. Photographs may be retouched. Submissions and letters to the editors regarding any and all articles are welcomed at [email protected].

The Index, a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, is composed on Mac OS X, using Adobe InDesign CS5.5. Its surveys are conducted via SurveyMonkey and are advertised on Facebook to current Haverford students. Southern Dutchess News prints 200-400 copies of each issue, and its editorial staff distributes them in the Upper School on the day of release. The Index serves the needs of a total school population of 1091 community members, consisting of 975 students and 116 faculty members.

Contact The Index:450 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA [email protected]://www.haverfordindex.com/(610) 642-3020 x. 1222Volume LXXV, No. 1 - September 6, 2013


College Matriculation - The Haverford School Class of 2014. (As of June 3, 2014. Compiled by the Editors-in-Chief.)

Editors-in-Chief for the 2014-2015 School Year Brendan Burns and Manav Khandelwal. Index Staff

Letter from the PresidentNick Greco ‘15

Incoming Student Body President Nick Greco delivers his first letter to the Haverford community.

Gentlemen, As the school year comes to a close, I’m beginning to look back at everything that happened this year. From controversial events to triumphs in academics, athletics, and the arts, we have stayed strong together as a community. Five or six years ago I walked into Haverford for the second time. The first time I came here I was hosted by Otis Baker. Now, even though Haverford has no religious affiliation, I had no idea what was going on and just rolled with it. When I walked out of that class, I pondered how I came to Haverford. What brought me here? What brought us here? Life is an enigma in itself. Everything that we do is followed by a “what if” or a “should have, could have, would have.” Everyday I ask myself, “What if I never came to Haverford?” It’s time for us as a community to start living in the present and stop harping on the “what if” moments. We should want to leave a mark for our brothers who succeed us. The decisions we

make in life are what make us who we are. To this day, I am not able to tell you why I made the choice to switch to Haverford. I have had a vast amount of questionable reasons, such as blackjack chicken, the Illuminati, and/or Marc Johnson, but I am still contemplating the real reason why. Senior year is creeping up rapidly for me. I regret every moment I opened up a Facebook tab, or turned to a classmate to talk about basketball while I was in my teachers’ presence. Our time here at Haverford is precious, and sadly, this trite saying never reached my larger-than-life head until now. Rising Fourth Formers, there is no better time than right now to get started on what you love. Join a club, have your voice heard, and make your presence felt. You are no longer the “little kids” in the Upper School anymore. Rising Fifth Formers, you men have a big year ahead of you. As I said earlier, take all of your time here seriously and don’t let a second pass you by. You are all upperclassmen now, so lead by example.

To my Sixth Form brothers, it’s time for us to leave our mark on Haverford. Not too long from now, we will be trying on our maroon blazers and wonder where all the time has gone. As Kendrick Lamar puts it so eloquently, “A fool if I take it all for granted / A smart man if I keep my feet planted.” Next year is going to be fantastic. With the help of Paul Harryhill and Will Solmssen, I will try to debunk the notion that Student Council does nothing. We are going to connect the Student Council with the students more than ever, and the chocolate fondue fountain will hopefully make a comeback. As my first letter to my brothers concludes, I wish everyone a safe and healthy summer. Next year is going to be a big year for all of us. Be great, be passionate, and be yourself. Sincerely, Nick Greco ‘15 Student Body President

playersoftomorrow.orgStudent Body President Nick Greco.

Dear reader, 2013-2014 was a very interesting year at The Haverford School, and an even more interesting one for the staff of The Index. Given all of the incidents, both positive and negative, that occurred at school this year, we were put in the unique position to report monthly on issues with long-term repercussions, from the formation of the drug task force, to the integration of Robotics into the curriculum, to the one-to-one computer policy. It was our goal to inform the student body about such events and provide meaningful commentary on school-wide issues, as evidenced by pieces like the May Honor Council feature, and we feel that we accomplished that goal. Enough, however, about the past. It is June, and with school letting out and Haverford saying goodbye to yet another great class, we would like to look to the future. With incumbent editor-in-chief Manav Khandelwal ‘15 being joined by Brendan Burns ‘15, we are excited for what will hopefully be a productive and even revolutionary year for the paper. There are three goals that The Index

hopes to fulfill during the 2014-2015 school year. The first is providing a voice for the common student more than ever. While we feel that The Index offers various and differing opinions on school issues in every issue, there is room for improvement in providing an outlet for the everyday student, not necessarily a staff member or even staff writer. This will be accomplished using a more free open submission tab on our website, haverfordindex.com; if students feel passionate about a particular subject, we hope they will articulate this in a written response of any length and submit it to The Index so we can provide a forum for their voice. An increase in open submissions will serve to bridge the gap between administrator and student, something that will be vital in what is certain to be a year of change at The Haverford School. To the Haverford student: The Index is a student-run newspaper that exists to give student opinion an elevated platform. Use that platform to your advantage. The second major goal of The Index in 2014-2015 is to be the bearer of news

in all aspects of school life. This year, The Index broke several major stories in our print issue to the student body, including the possibility of an alternate schedule, the new campus master plan, and planned changes to the STEM curriculum. The upcoming year promises to be similarly eventful, as sophomore headmaster John Nagl continues to push Haverford forward. As was evidenced at the end of this year by the disqualification of two student council candidates, and by the discussion of drug testing that will occur among administrators and Board Members this summer, the nature of the relationship between students and the School has never been more relevant. The Index will seek to remain at the forefront of this discussion in the upcoming year. The third and final key goal for this upcoming year is the revamping of the website. As a staff, we have unsuccessfully tried several times to gain momentum. But with committed Web Editors, rising Fifth Formers Kenny Fitzpatrick and Drew Sterman, however, we are confident that The Index’s website will be a hub for

Haverford students’ web traffic next year. With an increased following on social media, especially Twitter and Facebook, however, The Index hopes to be updating students on all facets of school life, from athletic results to administrative decisions to something as simple as a snow day announcement. To make sure you are able to keep up with school news, you can follow us on Twitter @Haverford_Index and on our Facebook page. With that in mind, we would like you, the reader, for staying with us this entire year and for your continued commitment to The Index. A newspaper is nothing without its readership, and we hope you stay along for the ride as we attempt to fulfill these goals starting in September.

Manav Khandelwal ‘15 and Brendan Burns ‘15 Editors-in-Chief

Adams, Colin Bucknell University

Adams, Gavin Bucknell University

Addonizio, Paul Brown University

Anderson, Will Johns Hopkins University

Anderson, Eric Yale University

Appicciafuoco, Jack Lafayette College

Avetian, George Georgetown University

Avis, Elliot Denison University

Bagnell, Benny Wake Forest University

Battersby, Charlie New York University

Berman, Cole Georgetown University

Bey, Ibrahim New York University

Bickhart, Chet Lehigh University

Black, Connor Penn State University

Block, Jon Georgetown University

Blynn, Peter Harvard University

Boerner, Christopher Elon University

Bonini, Frank University of Pittsburgh - Swanson School of Engineering

Boyd, Stephen Syracuse University

Boyek, Gregory University of Pennsylvania

Bradley, Christopher University of Wisconsin

Broderick, Mark Southern Methodist University

Brutico, Angelo Dickinson College

Burke, Connor Texas Christian University

Burke, Brendan Bentley University

Carrillo, AJ Philadelphia University

Chermol, Justin Wake Forest University

Ciardi, Albert Drexel University

Cirelli, Anthony Drexel University

Cohen, Jake Boston University

Colburn, Kyle Trinity College

Cole, TJ Duke University

Crochiere, Henry University of Virginia

Cutler, Noah Tufts University

Dennis, Leith Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Ekhator, James Penn State University

Fader, Corey University of Pennsylvania

Gaddes, Graham Washington University (Saint Louis)

Gallo, Nick College of New Jersey

Getlin, Garrett University of Maryland

Glavin, Eamon Duke University

Goins, Toney The Juilliard School

Gold, Max University of Delaware

Harmon, John Southern Methodist University

Helber, Nick University of Connecticut

Heldring, Alexander Georgetown University

Henderer, Christman Colby College

Henderson, Dylan University of Pennsylvania

Hepburn, Austin Washington College

Holeman, Evan University of Virginia

Holston, James Wheaton College

Hughes, Ryan Northeastern University

Keating, Connor University of Pennsylvania

Kendall, Sam Franklin and Marshall University

Klein, Josh University of Michigan

Lankford, Aaron University of Delaware

Largoza, Garrett Franklin and Marshall UniversityLarson, Matthew Georgetown University

Lee, Haram Denison University

McManus, Nate Guilford College

Meiers, RJ George Washington University

Miller, Rudy Cornell University

Morrison, Hasan Philadelphia University

Naryanan, Sanjay Carnegie Mellon University

Odiorne, Jeffrey Bowdoin College

Ortmeyer, Henry Swarthmore College

Panarese, Will Vanderbilt University

Paras, Jonathan Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Pierce, Will Wake Forest University

Pond, Dylan University of Southern California

Radico, Joe Saint Joseph’s University

Raymond, Joseph University of Wisconsin

Rodriguez, Bryan University of Pennsylvania

Rossi, Terry Princeton University

Rothweiler, Ian Cornell University

Rustgi, Naryan University of Pennsylvania

Ruth, Jonathan Hamilton College

Scaricamazza, Scotty The Catholic University of America

Scornajenghi, Steve Penn State University

Solomon, Michael University of Pennsylvania

Spencer, Max University of Florida

Sukonik, Chris Penn State University

Tackett, William Dartmouth College

Tellez, Stephen Boise State University

Tetrault, Ross University of Richmond

Tetrault, Ryan Wake Forest University

Trauger, Troy Fairfield University

Van Arkel, Jake University of Pennsylvania

Walker, Thomas Brown University

Walker, Joshua Penn State University

Warden, Gray Bucknell University

Warden, Sawyer Northeastern University

Wong, Christopher Northeastern University

Ye, William Case Western Reserve University

Yu, Sander Drexel University

Zaki, Youssef Tulane University

Zhang, Alexander University of Pennsylvania

Zipf, John Duke University

Zirnkilton, Beauchamp Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Admissions Statistics for the Class of 2014

According to the College Counseling Department, 65% of Seniors were admitted to their first-choice school; 80% were admitted to one of their top two choices, and a full 90% were ad-mitted to one of their top three choices.

Continued from Front Page

Of the 21 members that advanced to the State competition, 16 qualified for Internationals, a previously unheard-of success rate. Of the fifteen students who traveled to the competition, five were international finalists, meaning the individual or pair was in the top 16-20 of all competitors in his event. Henderson, Khandelwal, and possibly a third student will lead Haverford’s DECA chapter next year and hopefully continue its tradition of success. Debating is a skill employed daily by many Haverford students, and the Debate team, captained by Sixth Formers Terry Rossi and RJ Meiers, had one of its most successful seasons in the club’s history. The gifted team of Rossi and Jon Paras advanced to the elimination stage at the Princeton University tournament and in the best showing in team history, three Public Forum teams—Paras and Rossi, Khandelwal and Brendan Burns, and Jackson Simon and Jack Henderson—qualified for the double octafinals at the Liberty Bell Classic held at the University of Pennsylvania. New captains Burns, Khandelwal and Simon, and faculty advisor Ms. Rachel Jennings will look to lead the Debate and Speech team to even more success during the 2014-2015 campaign. The Index continued its long-standing reputation of providing faculty and students with in-depth and articulate publications detailing a variety of engaging topics. Editors-in-Chief Will Tackett ‘14 and Khandelwal guided the Index writers to another CSPA Gold Circle award, which is given to premier high

school newspapers. The growing rise of journalism and news through social media prompted the Editors-in-Chief to establish a Twitter page (@Haverford_Index). Some of the most important topics discussed in Index pieces include integration of robotics into the curriculum, proposed changes to Haverford’s campus, the one-to-one computer initiative, the possibility of drug testing, and new scheduling rotations that could be implemented in the future. Readers can expect the same quality next year from Khandelwal and Tackett’s successor, Brendan Burns. Haverford’s other prominent literary publication, Pegasus, produced two magazines containing original prose,

poetry, and photography composed by faculty and students, with a never-before-seen level of production quality. Pegasus was led by the editorial team of Fifth Formers Robbie Klein and Sam Denious, with Mr. Dan Keefe and Ms. Rachael Jennings serving as faculty advisors. Always eager for submissions, the Pegasus team will be led next year by rising Sixth Formers Logan Atkins and Alex Kim. The Mock Trial team allows students to perform the daily tasks of a lawyer, making the club unique from most other organizations as far as real-world applicability. Captains John Zipf and TJ Cole, both Sixth Formers, guided their team to the Montgomery County

championship, beating two-time defending champions Mount Saint Joseph’s. The team was presented with a golden gavel by Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman for their success. The team has a talented core of rising Sixth Formers in Jake Pechet, Jack Henderson, and Jackson Simon, who will lead the club to future success in the courtroom. Dr. Nagl has expressed his keen interest in the Robotics team, and as discussed previously in the Index, the ninth Headmaster wishes to expand the program and integrate it into the Upper School curriculum. After annihilating competition in local tournaments, the Robotics team competed in the VEX Robotics World Championships held in Anaheim, California.

The program qualified the most teams (seven) of any one program in the entire tournament. Enjoying great success in Anaheim, Team 169E, led by Fifth Former Mason Hall, placed fourth in the world in its respective division. The quartet of Hughes, McCloskey, Shaw, and Sixth Former Jonathan Paras, which comprised Team 169A, earned the Engineering Team Build Award. Hughes also brought home the Arts Division Think Award for programming. The Robotics team graduates only two members (Paras and Hughes) and will likely continue to dominate competition, even with the departure of valuable mentor Chuck Glick.

Mr. Zachary Bleckner is not your run-of-the-mill high school Spanish teacher. He is a Brown graduate who concentrated in comparative literature, he attended an arts-focused high school in New York City, and he had no formal training in education before coming to Haverford. All of those things translate into a type of person that Haverford students are not used to, and may even be uncomfortable with. Going from a high school, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music, Art

& Performing Art (LaGuardia for short), that valued artistic expression even more than intellectual prowess to a college that reduced the emphasis on letter and number grades, Mr. Bleckner’s outlook on what high school is all about is very different than that of your average Haverford student. When I interviewed Mr. Bleckner for his teacher profile last Spring, he told me, “Students are led to believe that their grade (like a salary) is a reflection of their worth as individuals,” something he abhors. Instead of teaching language in a traditional way, Mr. Bleckner has modeled

his classes based off of his own experiences and his relationship with the recently-departed Chinese teacher, Lao Shi. What “experiences” am I referring to? After being accepted into Brown, his dream school, he studied comparative literature as I mentioned earlier. In addition to those concentration classes, however, he studied three languages in college: Spanish, Portuguese, and German. He is fluent in Spanish, highly proficient in Portuguese, and conversational in German. For his senior thesis, which took 18 months to complete, Mr. Bleckner translated two plays by Cuban playwright Virgilio Pinera. Pinera’s works were censored during the revolution in Cuba, and only recently have they been un-suppressed. At the time of Mr. Bleckner’s thesis, however, there was

an international celebration of Pinera’s work, so he traveled to Cuba to meet with people and participate in the experience. This immersion in Spanish culture and literature has clearly influenced how Mr. Bleckner teaches the Spanish language. As Fifth Form Spanish III* student Cole Smith puts it, “Instead of taking the more common “textbook” approach, [Mr. Bleckner] really tries to immerse students in the culture. He wants each student to have an understanding of the people rather than just memorizing words, conjugations and grammatical rules that they will mostly forget come exams or summertime.”

Continued on Page 6

Current Haverford students may not fully appreciate the fact that the Upper School, despite its rigorous academics,

cannot be described as a veritable “sink-or-swim” environment. There are many support systems in place at Haverford to help students succeed, and perhaps the most important of these is the Enrichment

and Learning Center, or ELC. However, the ELC has not always occupied the prominent space in the Haverford Community that it does today. Before the new Wilson Hall was constructed, the Enrichment Center was ensconced in a corner of the library, and not too long before that, the entire ELC was composed of one woman, who

will be retiring from Haverford after a 16-year tenure: Ms. Barbara Baroody. When Ms. Baroody first arrived at Haverford, there was virtually no dedicated support available for struggling students. Continued on Page 5

Mr. Zack Murtha’s departure is saddening to all those who were lucky enough to have him as a teacher, yet perhaps less relatable for those who, unfortunately, did not get the opportunity to take a class with him. So, who is he? While his title may read “Head of the Math Department,” Mr. Murtha is far more well-known for his permeating humor and charisma. Accompanying Mr. Murtha’s one-of-a-kind personality is a man that often starts class with non-math-related topics, such as recounting his latest trifles in his Fantasy Football league, or more serious and informative topics such as informing students to follow their passion. This interesting class dynamic of segments non-related to math are only possible due to Mr. Murtha’s unrivaled ability to present complex topics “quick like a bunny.” Even the most complex of math problems become simple with Mr. Murtha’s ability to break down and make difficult subjects easy. Mr. Murtha’s talents and personality can be summed up by the comments of Fifth Former Logan Atkins: “He’s one of the

most engaging and interesting teachers that I ever had, and makes learning seem easy.” Mr. Murtha not only excels in teaching, but also in relationships with students. As previously mentioned, his engaging

tangents that seem as though they detract from class time end up being some of the most valuable time spent within the Haverford walls. The stories and advice coupled with brilliant teaching lead students of Mr. Murtha into an entire separate realm of schooling. Students who have the fortune of having Mr. Murtha as a teacher experience a class content and classroom environment like none other. The truly unique time spent in Mr. Murtha’s classroom are expressed well by Fifth Former Will Solmssen: “Mr. Murtha taught us all so much more than calculus. Whether it was the true meaning of daylight savings time, how to read a binary clock, or how to lower your cable bill every year, Mr. Murtha truly prepared boys for life and the AP exam. Every time I stepped into his classroom I knew I was going to step out wiser, smarter, and just a little bit more mature. As he always says, “We’re nice to people in my classroom,” and while it’s a shame that next year I won’t be able to call him my teacher and ask him what a real math teacher would teach us instead, I feel comfort in knowing that I can always call him “my friend.” While we are sad to see him leave, Mr. Murtha has high hopes for the future. When asked about potential future professions, he answered, “I guess I would like to own a major league sports

franchise—NHL or MLB preferred. Since high school, I’ve saved $100 per year a government bond, so the first team that sells for less than $5000 . . . I’m so there.” Although he may be leaving the community Mr. Murtha noted that “I invite you all to Vermont! Even you, [Dr.] Ehrhart.” Mr. Murtha’s compassion and love for the community are so strong that I wouldn’t be surprised if many teachers considered this proposition. While Mr. Murtha is excited about upcoming negotiations for purchase of the Philadelphia Eagles, he believes there is a solid chance he will return to teaching in the future. It is hard to put into words exactly the experience a student gets with Mr. Murtha. Similarly, not even an entire novel could capture the person that is Mr. Murtha. The closest representation to Mr. Murtha’s humor and personality can be summarized with his response to the question, “Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized horses, or 1 horse-sized duck?” He replied, “I once fought a horse-sized duck in a basement fight club in Vegas. There were feathers and pocket protectors everywhere. It was brutal, but cathartic. True story. I would totally do that again.” Farewell Mr. Murtha, and good luck in your future endeavors, my friend.

Fifth Former Jamie Leyden says farewell to a uniquely gifted teacher, beloved advisor, recipient of the Rafael Laserna Award, and all-around gentleman.

Dan Slack, known to most as Mr. Slack, is the definition of a Haverford gentleman. He is not only a model teacher, but also a model citizen of the Haverford community. He teaches English, but on top of that, he prepares boys for life and has been doing so for the past 26 years. Having been at Haverford for such a long time, it is hard to imagine a Haverford without Mr. Slack. He is known for his jokes in class, known by all of his students as “Slack Humor,” but most of all, Mr. Slack will be remembered as a teacher who genuinely cared about each and every student he taught. When asking people to describe him in one word, I was given many suitable words such as “humble,” “friendly,” “encouraging,” and “enlightened,” but one thing that Mrs. Davis, a lifelong friend and colleague of Mr. Slack said, stood out. “There is not one word that can do him justice.” The fact is that words cannot describe the impact Mr. Slack has on everyone he meets. In the words of Mr. Graham, “Mr. Slack is about as gracious and accommodating as any teacher.” Mr. Graham added that, on a personal level, “[Mr. Slack] is a wonderful human being.” Mr. Slack did not only affect his colleagues positively; he also affected every student that went through his class over the many years that he taught here at Haverford. My personal experience with Mr. Slack was different from most people that had

him as a teacher. As his advisee, I still felt a connection with him from the first day I met him; he made me feel comfortable in what was at first, a foreign and new surrounding as a freshman. I did not know what to expect of the Upper School, and Mr. Slack immediately made me feel welcome and safe in the environment. I may not have seen him everyday in class, but every advisory, I would always come in hoping to hear something funny or inspiring that Mr. Slack had to say. I always knew that Mr. Slack cared about me and if I ever walked by him in the hallways, he would stop me, and ask me how I am doing. When I was writing my speech for student council, Mr. Slack took time out of his day to help me, even while he had essays to grade. Mr. Slack was always there for me – I always knew that if I had a problem I could talk to him and he would hear me out. I do not think that the impression that Mr. Slack has made on me is any different from anyone else’s experience with him, either. When asked what he plans on doing after Haverford, Mr. Slack said, “All I know is that I am definitely not going to retire. I am probably going to take a gap year and then work on some curriculum design.” This seems like a perfectly normal pursuit after leaving Haverford, but I believe that this statement embodies Mr. Slack’s attitude. Mr. Slack is the type of person that legitimately wants to help people learn new material and become not just better scholars, but better individuals.

When thinking of one word that I could use to describe Mr. Slack, I became frustrated because I could not come up with just one suitable word. Yes, Mr. Slack is friendly, caring, and wise, but those words do not give the whole picture. After a lot of thinking, the word that I eventually came up with to describe him is an optimist. Mr. Slack believes in the good in people and his only goal is to help. However, he is more than just an optimist. When I was pondering descriptions that could possibly match the person that Mr. Slack is, I repeatedly thought, “What is a word for a person that just wants to make the world a better place?” There is one thing about Mr. Slack that no one can question, and that is that he is a great man. Mr. Slack has dedicated a large portion of his life to Haverford; he has worked

almost ten jobs and was even able to see both of his sons graduate, which he said was his proudest moment. When asked for what he wanted to be remember for, it was hard at first for him to respond. He first answered, “for my good looks,” with a great smile and his signature laugh. But after that, he added – “for being someone who is excited about learning.” I had Mr. Graham for English this past year, and whenever there was an argument over what was right and what was wrong, Mr. Graham always said that he would go ask Mr. Slack. Without even having to see Mr. Slack teach a class, I knew that he was someone that was excited to learn and to teach. This impression could be felt throughout the school because of the enthusiasm that Mr. Slack brought to the English department. It was not just an excitement to learn, but a day-in, day-out excitement for wanting to make every person in his class that walked into the main doors of Haverford at 8:00 twice the man by 3:15. If there is one thing that should be taken away from having the privilege to know Mr. Slack, I believe that it is that kindness and an enthusiasm for what you do can take you very far in life. Mr. Slack showed this every single day that he walked these halls and I have no doubt that after he retires from Haverford, he will continue to sport the same smile and enthusiasm. Mr. Slack has impacted both his colleagues and 26 years’ worth of Haverford students for the better, and for that the entire Haverford community is in his debt.


News

Jack McKnight ‘17

Haverford Says Farewell To A 26-year Legend


NewsContinued From Page 4

“You were on your own,” she says – “and if you couldn’t figure it out on your own, sometimes you were out the door.” When Ms. Baroody arrived at Haverford, the ELC had only been in existence for three years, was a “one-man band,” and was not a socially acceptable learning tool for students: “people didn’t know about us, they didn’t want to come see us, and they didn’t want to be perceived as less-than-capable students.” Under Ms. Baroody’s guidance, everything has changed. The ELC now works “with anybody and everyone on time management, organization, study skills, test prep, reading comprehension, and writing,” and sees “a broader range of learners – not just kids who are struggling.” Haverford students have Ms. Baroody to thank for transforming the culture of the

school from the near-academic Darwinism of the 1990s to a place where an extra-help center is front and center, both in its physical location and its role in many students’ lives. “I don’t feel like we’re perceived as the place where you go when you’re having trouble,” she says. Ms. Baroody also believes that one of the ELC’s key functions is to facilitate the transition from Middle School to Upper School and teaching students to cope with the longer school day, estimating that, “over the years I’ve worked here, over 50 percent of 9th grade boys pass through the learning center at some point.” Since Ms. Baroody arrived at Haverford, the ELC has added a second learning specialist in Mr. Steven Cloran and a math/science specialist, Ms. Katharine Hudson, to helps students with a broader range of subjects. When asked about the

future of the ELC, Ms. Baroody believes in “increased collaboration between the Learning Center and teachers” that will integrate it with the curriculum. What has been the best part of working at Haverford for the better part of two decades? “Definitely the boys…when you can have a boy who doesn’t want to reveal to you that he’s having any trouble and you can work with him and get to the point where he trusts what you tell him to do, step out of his comfort zone, try a different approach, and be successful – that’s the best thing.” The impact that Ms. Baroody’s guidance of the Enrichment and Learning Center has had for the past 16 years will continue to be felt, and hundreds of Haverford students and graduates are in her debt for the guidance she has given them, as well. The Index wishes her the best moving forward.

Third Former Jack McKnight thanks one of Haverford’s longest-tenured teachers for his record of teaching, ser-vice, and betterment of his community.

Haverford Thanks Mr. Zack Murtha

The Haverford School

Jamie Leyden ‘15


Brendan Burns ‘15

Farewell to Ms. Barbara BaroodyThe Index remembers the woman who transformed the ELC into what it is today over 16-years at Haverford.

Farewell to Ms. Baroody (cont.)


Adieu to Mr. Zachary Bleckner

End-of-year Extracurricular Roundup (cont.)

Robotics Team 169E (L to R: Alex Karlson, Mason Hall, Stevie Boerner) with their fourth-place trophy.


Haverford DECA’s trophy haul after the States Competition. Bill Wu

Mock Trial members with District Attorney Risa Ferman.The Haverford School

Spanish teacher, coach, chess master, thinker, and mentor – Manav Khandelwal discusses Mr. Bleckner’s impact on Haverford.


At the end of their high school career, the Sixth Formers are able to reflect on their time at Haverford. Regardless of how long one has been at the school, Haverford has a lasting impact on all of its graduates. Coming from another top-notch school (Episcopal), it is amazing to see how different the two institutions are, and how impressive the Fords’ community really is compared to other Inter-Ac schools. Although it may seem like a cliché, the camaraderie among all students, fantastic learning environment and preparation for years to come is truly unrivaled. However, in order to gain the most from your high school experience, you need to immerse yourself and take risks. Justin Chermol, head of the Gentlemen’s Club, agrees: “High school goes by really fast, one

moment you are looking at colleges, excited for the future, and in the blink of the eye, you are a senior graduating. Cherish every moment at Haverford, whether that may be with your friends or talking with teachers, you will learn something new every day. This four years will be the best of your life so far. Take risks, join a club you wouldn’t normally do, try out for the crew team, audition for a play! At Haverford, you are given so many opportunities, try some because you will regret not doing so later. Enjoy high school, don’t always be so stressed with work and college. Start learning to love the little things like hanging with your friends at lunch or playing bench ball, because one day you are going to look back and be proud to be a FORD!”. Chermol’s advice is something that we should all strive for, as four years may seem like a long time but it will fly by. Be

sure to make the most of the opportunities you have. This may be even the smallest of things, like making sure to branch out so both upper and lower classmen, developing a friendly relationship with teachers outside of the academic world, or just being friendly to all of your peers. Thomas Walker adds, “My most important piece of advice is to take the opportunity of Haverford to make friendships that will last a lifetime.” With Haverford having one of the best academic programs in the country, it would be foolish to think that your years here would be without its challenges. Senior Peter Blynn knows first hand the intensity of school life. Managing time between academics, school president and athletics is a very difficult task. However, there is a way to keep focused and not give up even through the hardest times. “Don’t allow your everyday pressures and stresses to cloud your attitude towards everyday school life and your relationships. No problem is too big or too small to talk about, and rely on your friends to get you

through rather than dealing with it alone,” Blynn writes. Time management as a Ford is an invaluable skill to have, but with the aid of reaching out to others and proper organization no task is insuperable. Finding the right balance between academics, extracurriculars and social life seems to be a key component of reaching your full potential here at Haverford. Dylan Henderson writes about finding harmony between those three main aspects. “I would advise upcoming high schoolers to just get involved, whether that be something as big as class president or as small as the karaoke club. Academics can be very stressful and it’s important to have something that isn’t dictated by grades to focus on. The parting advice given by the seniors leaves valuable lessons which we can all learn from. Be sure to keep their advice in mind for years to come, and make the best out of your time at the school we have all come to love.

Justin Shah ‘16

Attention Underclassmen: Advice from the Sixth Form


NewsPage 6 The Index June 2014

News

Justin Shah ‘16 speaks to Sixth Formers, asking several members of the departing Class of 2014 to offer recom-mendations and wisdom.

Dr. Nagl addressing the audience at his Installation ceremony. Ms. Dawn Blake

Continued from Front Page

Another recent example of how our class as come into its own was at the recent lacrosse game against Malvern. Not only did the Malvern fan section embark on their infamous premature charging of the field, but they also took to social media, making tasteless jokes about the Main Line Takeover Project and arrogantly gloating about their victory. Meanwhile, the Haverford fans and lacrosse team took the loss with dignity, neglecting to retaliate or respond. As Malvern fans stormed the field, captain Connor Black quietly scored, showing that we were above that kind of behavior. Of course, our accomplishments extend beyond just the past few weeks. It is often mentioned that the school largely remains the same after the graduating class leaves, but it cannot be denied that it is significantly different from when our class first

arrived, especially in the last four years. For instance, the Robotics team has taken enormous strides of late, and that is due in no small part to one man, the Class of 2014’s very own Jonathan Paras. While it has not gone unnoticed, Paras definitely poured his heart and soul into the team, known as The Calvary, making it almost as high profile or attention-worthy as a major sport. And speaking of sports, who could forget the Class of 2014’s impact on the ball field? Whether it was Ryan Tetrault, Jake Van Arkel, and Cole Berman leading the Golf team to a PAISSA championship or Josh Klein and friends winning the Inter-Ac title for the soccer team, Haverford athletics excelled under the guidance of ‘14s. The fall sports teams eventually secured the EA Day sweater until 2014, accomplishing the remarkable feat of keeping the sweater for the entire duration of the Class of 2014’s time in the Upper School. The day ended with the heartwarming victory by

the football team led by Brendan Burke, Nick Helber and others, over the favored Episcopal team, winning the ‘Chip for Kip,’ the Inter-Ac Championship. The Class of 2014 was also a key force in the arts at Haverford. Theatre at Haverford thrived under theatre stars such as Jake Cohen and Toney Goins, who remarkably choreographed many of the musicals during his time in the Upper School. Music was another talent of the class, which dominated at Open Mics and seasonal concerts with musicians like Haram Lee. And when speaking of the arts, who could forget the ultimate artist, Renaissance man Henry Ortmeyer--Notable, guitarist, painter, 3-D artist, and naturalist? Finally, the Class of 2014 categorically succeeded in academia, not only earning admission to top-notch colleges around the country, but also in leading the academic clubs of Haverford. T.J. Cole and John Zipf led the Mock Trial team

to a victory at the Montgomery County Championship and earned a top ten spot in the State-Championships. Terry Rossi and RJ Meiers guided the debate team to unprecedented success, seeing three teams make it to the playoff rounds at the Penn Liberty Bell classic for the first time. Although it did not start its final four years with the best reputation, the Class of 2014 showed character by working hard to succeed in all aspects of school life and to improve as people. We survived some tough times and helped the school become a better place in the aftermaths. Perhaps that will be our legacy, more than any championship or prestigious award. No matter what we are known for in the coming years, I can definitively say that I have the utmost pride to have spent the last four years living, learning, growing, mourning and celebrating with this group of guys, the Class of 2014.

Farewell, Class of 2014 (cont.)

Continued from Front Pageperfect, as evidenced by Dr. Nagl’s gong whiff on the first attempt, or “foul tip” as he puts it. He even went out of his way to show me the practice gong he keeps in office as a constant reminder of the Day One mishap. The gong whiff notwithstanding, the ceremony certainly left many students, including myself, curious about the future of the school. Dr. Nagl, as evidenced by the fact that he keeps “Joe’s big shoes” on a shelf behind his desk, is not interested in forgetting the past, but that day marked a right turn for Haverford, hopefully one that takes us in the right direction.

Installation Ceremony From Senor Javier Lluch and Mr. Thomas Stambaugh holding down the fort as part of the Haligoluks band to Lou the security guy’s stellar acting performance in “A Hidden Nagl,” this was definitely a night to remember. “Lou’s acting was probably the single high point of that ceremony, although I was in the box, so I couldn’t really tell,” says Dr. Nagl.

Dr. Nagl says that he fashioned the Haligoluks from inspiration he received from the movie “The Commitments,” starting in his own backyard with Head of Lower School Dr. Ron Duska. Within a month, Dr. Nagl and Dr. Duska were able to pull a band together, even recruiting Senor Lluch, a new faculty member, to be the lead vocalist. “Every summer, the new faculty come through a new faculty bootcamp where they learn about the school,” says Dr. Nagl. “I just asked if anyone had any talent to be a part of the rock band, and [Senor Lluch] said, ‘Yeah, I sang in a heavy metal band,’ so I responded, ‘sold.’” Dr. Nagl touts the work of the faculty band members and outgoing Board Chairman Mr. John Stoviak, who helped

put the evening together. While Mr. Stoviak was “terrified the thing was going to be a flop,” Dr. Nagl is confident they “stuck the landing.” The evening was far more than just a night of entertainment, however. In addition to hearing speeches from Student Body President, Sixth Former Peter Blynn, and Mr. Stoviak, the audience was finally introduced in full to the Ninth Headmaster. Dr. Nagl believes he was “presented as a guy with big ideas who is not afraid to have some fun, so I felt good about that.”

EA Day Victory This day was special for a number reasons. The most obvious reason is the complete rout of Episcopal Academy on the biggest athletic stage of the year, with water polo and football both winning fairly convincingly. In addition, the football team won an emotional Inter-Ac title, their “Chip for Kip” (for more on that, check out my Fords Focus piece in the sports section). Most importantly, however, this day was so important for Dr. Nagl because of “the way we won. The extraordinary character the boys showed, and the fans showed. It was a great celebration of not only the athletic

prowess of the students but of the spirit that in my eyes has imbued the school with sportsmanship and fair play and the desire to test yourself.” Plus, it was probably rather nice to beat EA in his first go-round as Headmaster.

Achieve Board Consensus for Campus Master Plan

Although only in his first year as Headmaster, Dr. Nagl has laid the foundation for a number of changes for the next few years, including possible drug testing, changes to the Upper School schedule, and incorporation of robotics into the curriculum, as The Index has reported on over the past few months. The most ambitious thing on his to-

do list, however, is the planned facelift of Crosman Hall, Centennial Hall, and the dining hall that Brendan Burns ‘15 wrote about in this February’s Index, which Dr. Nagl and the Board of Trustees finalized this Winter. The unattractive “hump” of Centennial Hall will replaced by a four-story edifice used for Middle School classes, which will sit next to the current arts and theater building. The space currently occupied by Crosman Hall will be used to expand the dining facility and allow A and B lunch to be a thing of the past. While this new construction will serve many benefits, including allowing increased middle school enrollment, it will also cost anywhere between $25 million and $30 million, as Dr. Nagl noted in Burns’ February article. To help raise the necessary funds for this project, Dr. Nagl has created a new Campaign Committee, headed by Mr. John Middleton, majority owner of the Phillies and Haverford Class of 1973. He is flanked by three co-chairs, all Class of 2015 parents, Mr. Mike Selverian, Mr. Peter Rohr, and Ms. Jen Pechet. Their collective goal is to help “build a brighter future” for every Haverford boy, which will include increasing the endowment once the project costs are taken care of.

Hephaestus Society Induction Ceremony

When Dr. Nagl came to Haverford, he saw a school that honored academic, artistic, and especially athletic excellence through formal ceremonies, but felt that perhaps that they did honor achievement in extra-curricular activities as much as they should. So, he created the Hephaestus Society. As he puts it, the Hephaestus Society Induction Ceremony “was the first opportunity in Haverford to shine bright line of craze on geekiest among us.” This new honor rewards achievement and involvement in Haverford’s top extra-curricular activities, including Robotics, Debate, Mock Trial, The Index, Model UN, and Pegasus. Dr. Nagl also created the title of “Hephaestus Magistos,” which goes to what he calls the member of the Sixth Form class who embodies the “pillar of geekiness;” Jon Paras, a Varsity debater and captain of the Robotics team, earned that distinction for the Class of 2014. Dr. Nagl notes that he has now “inaugurated a battle to the death for that coveted title among members of the Class of 2015.” Who will win? No one knows, but we do know that from now on, thanks to Dr. Nagl’s appreciation for a diverse range of talents, the students who stay up until 2am on a school night to finish a mock trial speech or format a newspaper or magazine will be put in the spotlight annually.

Memorial Day Dedication In what he refers to as the “emotional high point of the second semester,” Dr. Nagl feels particularly strongly about the Wall of Honor dedication ceremony held in May. This involved bagpipe-playing, three speeches about Haverford boys who fell in combat, and the addition of plaques commemorating the names of Haverford graduates KIA in World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam to the newly-created “Wall of Honor” of Wilson Hall. It was Mr. Selverian, the aforementioned co-chair of the new Campaign Committee, who noted the existence of those plaques. Dr. Nagl, a former service member in the United States Army, thought it right to place them on the Wall of Honor, “flanked by the Star Spangled Banner and the Haverford School flag.” Honoring the memory of those fallen Haverford graduates is not Dr. Nagl’s only hope for the Wall of Honor. “I hope I have created a lasting point of education,” he says. “My hope is that history classes will look at those names and examine the careers of those boys, and will be inspired and awed and saddened. Hopefully history will become more real to them because previous generations of boys, who were just like them, fell in those wars.”

Graduation Day The final high point of Dr. Nagl’s first year as Ninth Headmaster of the Haverford School is one he has not experienced yet, but looks forward to immensely. Not only will he get the opportunity to finally redeem his earlier struggles with the gong, but he is excited to “see the culmination of not just this year’s work, but of well over a decade’s work for many boys who have been successfully prepared for life.” In fact, at the final Board meeting of the year, two kids graduating from each division, 5th, 8th, and 12th graders, will talk about how they have been prepared for life.Dr. Nagl is also looking forward to the culmination of his rookie year; he finds it significant, because “at that point I will have seen everything once and will have some idea of the ebb and flow of the school year and the way everything ties together.” He adds, “One of the wonderful things about being at a school is the way the school year follows the progression of the seasons. We start at a high point in the Fall, everyone is excited to be be back, go through the tough slog of fighting through the Winter, and the Spring comes, and we launch a new class onto a new trajectory.” Commencement will be Dr. Nagl’s opportunity to see off his first class of Sixth Formers, men ready to take life by the horns and take their Haverford diplomas wherever they may lead them.

Nagl’s Top Moments (cont.) Continued from Page 5

Fourth Former Drew Sterman adds, “He emphasizes learning to speak the language rather than just passing the test. Through the use of documentaries and television shows, his students learn to speak and understand Spanish as it is naturally spoken. Although this is unorthodox, it has significantly improved my Spanish speaking ability.” In and out of the classroom, Mr. Bleckner is always looking to help his students mature and develop as adolescents the same way he had to do not so long ago. If you are ever on the third floor, you will see him wrestling with Fifth and Sixth Formers, playing chess with anyone brave enough to challenge him, and teaching himself how to play the piano in the Big Room. Most importantly, however, he is always willing to have a thoughtful and philosophical conversation about any

topic, which can often prove to be far more important than anything that can be taught in the classroom. Mr. Bleckner came to Haverford for several reasons, some noble, some practical. First, he says, he was not interested in attending graduate school directly after college. In addition, he “was looking for something where I could work in a community and help make the world a better place. Teaching was on my mind because of that.” He notes that finding a job after college is as difficult as people make it out to be, and that when someone “set Haverford and I up on a blind date” in the winter of 2012-2013, he jumped at the chance to teach high school boys. What is next for Mr. Bleckner? He recently earned a Fulbright US Scholarship from the State Department; this scholars program sends Americans to foreign places, foster transnational relationships between

US scholars and scholars around the world. Mr. Bleckner’s scholarship will pay for a one-year stay in Brazil where he will be teaching English at a public Brazilian

university. In addition, Mr. Bleckner hopes to to do volunteer work in Brazil and learn about the political relationship between Brazil and the United States. Overall, Mr. Bleckner has been happy with the opportunity to teach Haverford School boys. Of the thing that has encouraged him the most, he remarks, “The Haverford brotherhood has exceeded my expectations, and how much I like and admire the students here when they are at their best.” He does, however, wish that change at Haverford did not have to come so slowly, so little of which he was able to enact in only 18 months at the school. It has also been an extremely rewarding experience; Mr. Bleckner notes, “The other cool thing about teaching boys is that I am one. In teaching you guys, every day is a trip down memory lane.”

Anyone who has ever had a class with Mr. Brad Becker knows that although the schedule might say class is over, there is still five minutes of “Becker time” left before you can pack up to go. On top of that, no student will ever forget any of his famous analogies. Whether he is explaining how to remember how transport proteins carry vesicles along microtubules or that thymine always pairs with adenine, Mr. Becker always does everything in his power to make sure all his students are able to learn the material. Mr. Becker understands what it is like

being in high school and knows how to infuse humor into his class to keep the class alive and every student on his toes. However, Mr. Becker will be missed in more places and activities than just the classroom. Mr. Becker fully invested himself in the Haverford community, being a coach for the baseball program and also one of the founding faculty advisors of the Character Mentorship Program. When asked what he will remember most about his time at Haverford, Mr. Becker brought up the passing of sixth former, Kip Tavino, and said, “Being here, and seeing the way our students, and all the members of our community, collectively embraced each other - that’s definitely the part I will want to remember the most.” However, Mr. Becker truly believes that he will miss

the people in the Haverford community the most. He stated, “There isn’t enough space in this paper for me to list, by name, all of the people at this school that I’m going to miss. There are some really special people here, people that I’ll always carry with me wherever I go.” All of Mr. Becker’s students know that he gives them every opportunity possible in order to succeed in his class. Whether it is staying after class to go over a difficult topic or creating an extra set of problems before a test, Mr. Becker is always there for his students. Although the community is deeply sad that we will not have Mr. Becker apart of the staff next year, we wish him and his family the best of luck in the future and hope he can come back and visit in the near future.

Adieu to Mr. Bleckner (cont.)


Haverford Bids Farewell to Mr. Bradley BeckerFifth Former Connor Atkins speaks with the departing Science teacher and baseball coach, Mr. Bradley Becker, who is leaving the Main Line for Beantown.

Haverford Thanks Mr. Rory Hart Ethan DeLehman ‘16 says goodbye to History teacher Rory Hart and celebrates his impact in the classroom, on the field, and on the Diplomacy and Model UN clubs.

Ethan DeLehman ‘16 The atmosphere in Mr. Rory Hart’s classroom is unlike any other history class, or any class in general, that I have ever been a part of. From the moment you pass

through the doorway there is an immediate shift towards calm, supportive, often humorous learning that allows for even the most dense subjects to be explored with ease. Mr. Hart’s approach to teaching is a

unique vision that places an unparalleled emphasis on growth not just as a learner but as an individual. The pressure and the stress so often found within the classrooms of Haverford seem to almost dissipate as the focus of every class becomes not what the students have to concern themselves with on an upcoming assessment, but rather on the importance of the material itself. It is for this reason, this openness and

this passion for educating, that Mr. Hart will be dearly missed in the coming years. It is a rarity for a teacher to make the type of undeniable impact on the student body that Mr. Hart has made during his brief time at The Haverford School. Each and every student that has had the opportunity to be a part of one of Mr. Hart’s history classes Continued on Page 8


Connor Atkins ‘15

As we say our goodbyes for the summer, the student body collectively knows that some faces will not return for the fall. While most are the seniors moving on to college life, some teachers also leave and deserve recognition, especially Mr. Chris Avery. A teacher at The Haverford School for many years, he has made a huge impact on the student body through his actions as a teacher, administrator, advisor, and coach. His teaching has also yielded excellence. He put together his own textbook that covered historical topics from several different cultures. Containing primary sources and factual accounts of events, these were widely thought of as more interesting and direct than the usual history textbooks students would otherwise use. Mr. Avery’s textbook was unique to his class, which gave Haverford eighth graders an advantage in disseminating the histories of important and influential societies. When

asked what he will miss most of Haverford, he responded, “I will most miss the many young men I have been able to impact over my time at Haverford.” Many teachers are only involved with their subject matter, but certainly not Mr. Avery. His coaching of the Haverford Winter Track and Spring Track teams have yielded stellar results in the Inter-Ac over his tenure. Besides his dedication to athletics at Haverford, he has also been heavily involved in diversity programs at our school. Besides actively forming a more diverse student body, Mr. Avery has organized several conferences for both the Middle and High Schools. Since his arrival at Haverford, he helped Haverford students attend the Student Diversity Leadership Conference, which connects unique private school students from around the country to celebrate their school’s diversity. Many have benefitted from this life-changing experience, and it could not have happened without Mr. Avery’s organization and will

to help students experience the conference. Not only has he just connected diversity conferences to Haverford students, he has also brought diversity conferences to Haverford. Now past its second year, the Diversity Leadership Conference, sponsored by the Multicultural Resource Center and facilitated by high schoolers lucky enough to attend SDLC, has attracted over 30 schools from several states. Mr. Avery has been so committed to the cause of Haverford’s inclusiveness that he was recently appointed as our school’s Director of Diversity, and was given even more influence to give a wider range of students the chance to take classes at Haverford. He says that he is most proud “of my work to help faculty, staff, and parents reflect on their own bias and work to understand the perspective of others.” Mr. Avery will be leaving Haverford to run Steppingstone Scholars, which gives students from a larger array of economic backgrounds an opportunity to compete and succeed at private schools in preparation for college. This job suits

him perfectly, as it gives Mr. Avery yet another chance to teach people about their own bias and about different perspectives. Mr. Avery will be sorely missed by his students, but will certainly be able to help even more aspiring Haverfordians through

Steppingstone Scholars.

Continued from Page 8

Sixth Former Connor Keating led the defense and contributed efficiently on the offense with two goals. Fifth Form midfielder Phil Poquie impressed the crowd with his ability to slide through the defense and finished the day with four goals and one assist. Poquie’s performance also earned him YBH Audi Volkswagen Player of the Game honors. The Fords celebrated, but also knew that they had a mere one practice

to prepare for their opponent in the championship, the Malvern Friars. About 3,000 fans made the trip to the game on the Monday night at Cabrini. The field, lit up by lights and cameras, was being filmed by Comcast Sports Network was aired live on television. For most Fords, this was the biggest game of their young lives. Coach Nostrant told the Fords, “Don’t

let the nerves get to you. You’ve been playing this game your whole lives. Just play,” and with that, the Fords took the field ready to go. The student sections packed into their respective ends of the stands and the starting lineups were announced over the loudspeaker. The teams settled in on their benches and the game began. The Friars scored early, but that did not get in the heads of the Haverford defense who

stood stout throughout the entire game. Immediately, Grant Ament and Drew Supinski went to work, each netting a goal to put the Fords up 2-1. The Friars fought back to make it 3-3 with a couple seconds left in the half, but Haverford midfielder Drew Supinski wanted to show that the Fords were here and ready to play

and ripped a goal with .7 seconds left in the half to go ahead of Malvern and swing the momentum back to the Fords’ side. The second half started and the Fords kept their energy levels high and stayed on pace with Malvern throughout the third quarter. Kyle Anderson, a sophomore attackman for the Friars, led them to a lead in the fourth quarter with his third goal of

the game. The Fords remained hopeful, and played hard in the last minutes, trailing 10-8. As the Fords’ double team worked and the Malvern attackmen lost possession with about ten seconds left, the Malvern student section rushed the field. Connor Black continued to play and made a play that could have saved the Fords’ day. He scooped the ball, sprinted to half-field, and fired a shot. The ball crossed the plain of the goal with 2.7 seconds left, but the Friars were mid-celebration. The officials talked it over and sent the student section back into the stands, awarded Haverford the goal, and put 2.7 seconds back on the clock. It was 10-9 and Jake Hervada, Fifth Form faceoff-specialist, lined up at the faceoff-X. He timed his face-off perfectly and won it cleanly, but there was just too little time. The clock hit zero and the Friars rushed onto the field yet again. Coach Nostrant was proud of the effort and stated, “Having twenty wins with our schedule is something to be proud of.” The Friars completed their perfect season with a clean sweep of wins over Haverford. With the Gentlemen’s Club at their back, the Fords gave Malvern their biggest scare of the season in a championship-worthy battle. To culminate the season, senior captain, Connor Keating, was named to the prestigious Under Armour All-American game. The Fords lacrosse team is sending seven players to play at the collegiate level. The Fords finished their season with twenty wins and only six losses—three of which came to Malvern, who finished the season ranked fourth in the country by Inside Lacrosse.

After a tremendous season filled with both highs and lows, the Fords lacrosse team finished the season with a respectable record of 20-6, and proved to spectators that the team always fights hard to the end regardless of whether it is leading or trailing. The Fords finished the season strong with a seven game winning streak after the double overtime loss to Malvern back in April. These wins included a big victory over Inter-Ac rival Episcopal, where the Fords started slow, but surged back and won 8-4. Two

other wins in that stretch included public league foe Central Bucks, and East and Catholic League rival La Salle. One of the more impressive wins during the run was a big 17-11 win over Lawrenceville, where former Ford Reilly Hupfeldt was taking a postgraduate year before heading to the University of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, to cap off the regular season, the Fords lost a tough one to Malvern. The game certainly did not lack intensity, but Malvern clearly deserved it more on that day. Led by Greg Pelton, an All-American defenseman headed to Duke, Malvern topped your Fords

14-9 and claimed the Inter-Ac causing a disappointing end to the regular season. This was not, however, the last time the Fords would get a crack at the Friars. The annual Inter-Ac Invitational tournament seedings were given out, and Haverford was given the two seed behind none other than Malvern. The tournament is comprised of four rounds with all Inter-Ac schools and many other independent schools such as the Hill School, Hun School, Shipley, Lawrenceville, Academy of the New Church, and Westtown School. The Fords received a first round bye so they enjoyed a week of relaxation and

preparation. The Fords’ first game in the invitational came in the second round against Inter-Ac opponent SCHA. The Fords won easily, claiming a 12-6 victory. The next round, the semifinals, would be held at Cabrini College. The Fords were prepped to take on Episcopal Academy, but in the back of their heads they knew the real test would be the championship against Malvern. The Fords rolled into Cabrini excited and ready to play. From the jump, the Fords showed their dominance.

Continued On Page 9


News/Sports

Despite Tough Losses, Lacrosse Finishes Strong Jack Doran ‘15


Sports Continued From Page 6

can attest not only to this but also to the fact that being in one of his classes is an entirely unique experience. When asked why this is, students always mention Mr. Hart’s commitment to education, passion for teaching, and ability to help develop an understanding of the material in his students. Beyond just that though, they go on to say that it is his willingness to go the extra mile, whether it be in forming a relationship with a student or taking the steps necessary to assure that every student would find success in his class.

Perhaps Mr. Hart’s greatest quality as both a teacher and as a member of the faculty is the way he balances taking on the role of a mentor to students willing to put

in the additional effort both in his class as well as different aspects of the community. At no point does there appear to be a divide between Mr. Hart and his students. Instead he embraces his role within the community providing assistance to anyone and everyone. In that same vein, when talking about his first year of teaching at Haverford, Mr. Hart said, “In many ways the students challenged me and kind of tested to see what I was made of. I think in the end, even though it took some getting used to, it also meant that I was embraced by the students fairly early on and in some strange way it gave me a campus profile with some students I didn’t even teach that helped me to expand my role in the community.” It is a role that may have gone unnoticed to some, but with Mr. Hart it instead helped to even further his stance as helper by every definition of the word. When asked what role Mr. Hart had played in his past two years at Haverford, Fourth Former Andrew Lengel responded, “Mr. Hart has been one of the most caring, funniest, kindest teachers I’ve had at Haverford and he’s really helped in shaping my high school path.” This statement and many other like it populated just about every current and previous student of Mr. Hart’s response to what it was that made him excel as a teacher. This is not a belief held only by students either, as Mr. Hart’s ability to connect with his students in a more profound way is evident to his co-workers as well. Current

co-worker and long time friend of Mr. Hart, Mr. Gaudreau, stated that Mr. Hart’s greatest quality as an educator is “[his] ability to get through the boys and come up with alternative assignments than just straight forward reading and note-taking.” Beyond just that, he then went on to say that “the best part of working with Mr. Hart is the way we can bounce ideas off of each other. The way we can work through problems in the classroom.” Of course, Mr. Hart’s presence in the Haverford Community stretches beyond just the classroom. His role as the adviser to Haverford’s Model U.N. Club has helped allow for a multitude of interested students to experience Model U.N. Conferences in both Philadelphia and Baltimore the past three years. All while helping to put into place the foundation of potential future conferences held at Haverford itself. Additionally, Mr. Hart has acted as a coach with both the wrestling and baseball programs during his time at Haverford. Unfortunately for the rising Third and Fourth Formers, Mr. Hart’s brand of humorous brand of immersive education will find it’s way to Hotchkiss for the coming years. When reflecting on his time here, Mr. Hart seemed to recognize the bittersweet nature of his departure, as his presence within the school as an educator, a leader, and an advocate for any student in need will be missed. I feel the best words to conclude Mr. Hart’s time here are his own. When asked what parting message he wished to instill in his current and former

students, he had this to say: “It’s the same message I give at the end of every year, and it’s not even mine. I plagiarize from Dr. Seuss every year and read ‘Oh, the Places You’ll go’, but the overall message of the book resonates so well over time and space that I would be inadequate to try and phrase and say the message in my own words. The idea is just that you’re all going to find your own success in whatever avenue or direction that may be. But in finding that success, you’re going to go on a journey and along that journey you’re going to make mistakes, you’re going to have failures, and that those mistakes and failures in a lot of ways define the journey and define the arrival point, the destination. So don’t concern yourselves too strongly with the destination, instead concern yourselves with the process. How you achieve your goals. What your mistakes and your failures mean. How you adapt from that over the course of the rest of your journey. You all have a long life ahead of you, and so you shouldn’t be in a rush to get anywhere quickly. Instead take time to enjoy the process and don’t expect good things to happen to you. You have to make them happen.” Both in and out of the classroom, Mr. Hart has truly made his mark on The Haverford School community. The loss of his presence will no doubt be felt in the coming school year, and he will undoubtedly make a lasting mark once again in his new position at Hotchkiss.

Farewell to Mr. Rory Hart (cont.)


Farewell to Mr. Christopher AveryThe Index celebrates Mr. Chris Avery, who has served as History Department Chair, Director of Community, and Track coach during his tenure at Haverford.

Eric Petersen ‘15


The Fords’ faceoff against Malvern at home (left); Attackman Brandon Shima with the ball (right). Both photos courtesy of Mr. Jim Roese

Despite Tough Losses, Lacrosse Finishes Strong (cont.)

Player Profile: Varsity Doubles Team Zipf & RustgiFifth Form Sports Editor Jackson Simon analyzes the partnership between two graduating Sixth Formers that the Varsity Tennis Team has relied on for the past four years.

Jackson Simon ‘15

Under the leadership of Sixth Form Captains Naryan Rustgi and John Zipf, the Fords have won their fifth straight Inter-Ac Championship and for the first time received an invitation to a National Championship holding the top 16 teams in the nation. Although Captains Rustgi and Zipf will be at Upenn and Duke next year while we compete in Newport Beach, California, their contributions to the success that got us invited to the tournament cannot be forgotten. Zipf started playing at the age of five but it was not until Middle School that he began tournaments. Similarly, Rustgi first picked up a racket when he was six and began playing competitively in Middle School. On the Middle School team, ironically, they were both singles players competing for the number one position. Every other week, they would trade off sets and rotate in and out of the number one singles position. In Upper School, however, they have combined their strengths and weaknesses to form a formidable doubles team, one that has gone undefeated the last two seasons. With regards to how they complement each other on the court, Rustgi comments, “He’s good at ground strokes and sets me up for volleys, and when I serve I set him up for a lot of poaches.” Rustgi has an especially strong and versatile serve that continually gives John opportunities to poach and finish off the point immediately. Not only can Rustgi slice the ball out wide on the deuce side, forcing his opponent outside the normal bounds of the court, but he can

also surprise his opponents with deep flat serves to which there is no response but to block it back crosscourt. It is at this point that Zipf typically charges the net and slams the ball with all his force. Moreover, Zipf is considered one of the strongest finishers on the teams. He himself admits, “My biggest strength as a doubles player is my aggressiveness. Being a natural lefty playing tennis right-handed, I don’t prefer hitting ground strokes. Instead, I like to attack the net and finish the point quickly.” Especially in doubles, the ability to finish points off quickly puts an inordinate amount of pressure on opponents to hit away from the net player and in doing so, they tend to overhit lobs or hit balls at extreme angles, causing them to go out wide. With regards to how he and Rustgi mesh during a match, Zipf comments, “We have really good chemistry on the court together and we both know what the other is going to do before we do it.” This seemingly “telepathic” ability to anticipate each other’s actions is a rare strategic advantage that make the team/sum of Zipf and Rustgi better than the individual parts. Rustgi is known as one of the smoothest volleyers. His motions are effortless and unlike Zipf, his power comes from his forward momentum and technique rather than pure strength and aggressiveness. With regards to his strength as a doubles players, Rustgi comments, “My strengths are volleying, serving and volleying, half volleys. Pretty much everything that includes volleying.” The fluidity of his volleys makes him one of the best, if not the best , volleyers on the team. His

groundstrokes are equally impressive, but he prefers close points out at net where he has more angle and control. With Zipf’s overpowering backhand on the Ad side and Rustgi’s precise forehand on the Deuce side, they have a high tendency to break opponent’s serves. More often than not, they will hit aggressive returns and rush the net

which has a dual effect: not only does it put more pressure on their opponents, likely causing them to take irrational risks and make unforced errors, but it allows them dominate play with their volleys. On what he will remember of his tennis career at Haverford, Zipf comments,

“The highlights of my tennis career include our 49-match win streak and winning the Inter-Ac championship all four years.” Likewise, Rustgi states, “My highlights have been being undefeated my sophomore and junior seasons, never losing to EA personally, winning NEMA my junior year, and clinching the Inter-Ac this year at the Inter-Ac tournament.” The

Zipf-Rustgi doubles team will be missed next year, but their influence on the team’s legacy be remembered, especially in the scorching sun of Newport Beach when the Fords look to capitalize on their first ever opportunity for a National Ranking.

Sixth Formers John Zipf (left) and Naryan Rustgi. Both photos courtesy of Mr. Jim Roese

The 2014 Fords baseball season was nothing short of miraculous and surprising. Entering the year, the Fords found themselves with a squad that, for the majority, was made up of young talent. This being said, the Fords never once doubted themselves and the end goal was always the same, a state championship. It was a year of challenge for this team. To start, the long and hard winter kept the

team cooped up in the gym which in the long run put the players back a few strides. However, the team overcame this challenge and worked that much harder inside in preparation for the day they would be able to hit the turf. Once that opportunity came, the Fords seized it and rather than stop the engine, the team kept the wheels churning. When I asked Sixth Former, Connor Burke on the team’s start to the season and their progress he responded, “We started off the season without an identity but as the season progressed it was evident that timely hitting and some clutch pitching was how we would win games”. While the prolonged off-season set the Fords back, no one on the staff could have expected the real hardship that the team would have to endure: injuries. Going into the year, the Fords had already been missing their starting shortstop, Sixth Former Chris Sukonik. Sukonik’s torn ACL kept him out for almost all of the season. On top of this, the pitching staff started going down like flies, forcing the team to reach

far down into the depth chart for arms. However, once again the team kept fighting. Finally, the team was subject to a rough, onerous, patch in April and early May. Right around the end of the season, however, the team found a way to turn the year around. The squad ended the regular season on a high note, heading into the playoffs, winning their last six of seven games. The Fords’ strong end to the regular season included a 3-2 walk off win against rival, Malvern Prep, a 6-1 beating on Chestnut Hill, and finally a 7-5 victory

against Episcopal. When I caught up with Connor Burke to ask about how he thought the team ended on such a high note he replied, “We were easily the closest team in the Inter-ac and that camaraderie and trust translated to wins.” At the end of the regular season

the Fords ended with a 17-6 record. To open the playoffs, the hot Fords

got set to play Westtown, a team that the Fords had defeated earlier in the season, 8-6. Long story short: the Fords cruised, routing Westtown 12-2 and moving into the quarterfinals to face their next opponent, Shipley. Once again the Fords had faced the Shipley squad previously and despite a rain delay, put a beating on their opponent, winning out 12-0. The Fords’ semifinal

opponent was none other than the Malvern Prep Friars. The two teams had split during the regular season and the game was highly anticipated. The game was a hard fought, gritty battle. After 7 hard innings, however, it was the Friars who would move on due to a highly controversial call during the game. While the Fords did fall short of their ultimate goal, much was accomplished. The team took what was given to it, overcame adversity, and fought hard until the end. When I asked Fifth Former Nick Greco on his view of the season as a whole, he had the following to say, “This season turned out to be something greater than we thought it would be. I mean, walking into it in the beginning of the year, I had no idea what to expect. Needless to say we met expectations and we could have gone further than we ended up. I believe something that was amazing with this season was it was practically a brand new team than last years’ and yet we kept the same camaraderie as last year. Our whole left side of the infield was comprised of freshmen and they really came up huge. Third baseman Tommy Toal was named to first team all Inter-Ac and Dave Hogarth was a staple for us at shortstop. Missing Chris Sukonik going into the season was a low point, but Hogarth filled his shoes

pretty well. Diamond Fords will no doubt be back next year and we’ll be better than ever. We will miss the seniors this year, however, and I know everyone appreciates their commitment to this school and team.” Based on this year’s season, the baseball team should stand as an example for future teams to come. The Fords squad this year proved to all that it’s

not about who or what you have but rather the heart and bonds that the team possesses and creates throughout the season. The Fords have a long offseason ahead of them. The rest of the Inter-Ac had better keep one eye open or else the Fords might just sneak up on them.


SportsPage 11 The Index June 2014

OpinionsRacism in Sports: Not So SterlingVarsity Baseball: Season in Review

Kenny Fitzpatrick ‘16

Fourth Former Kenny Fitzpatrick recaps the Diamond Fords’ wild 2014 season.

Google Glass: Good or Evil?

Athletic Records set During 2013-2014

School YearCompiled by Cameron Miller ‘16

Swimming

200 Meter Medley Relay Alex Boratto, Dan McGrath, Ben Nelligan, Alex Heldring 1.49.46200 Meter FreestyleMatt Haigh 1.56.26400 Meter FreestyleMatt Haigh 4.07.91 200 Yard Medley Relay Alex Boratto, Dan McGrath, Ben Nelligan, Alex Heldring 1.34.12200 Yard FreestyleMatt Haigh 1.42.2650 Yard FreestyleDan McGrath 21.46500 Yard FreestyleMatt Haigh 4.35.65100 Yard BackstrokeAlex Boratto 51.14

Spring Track

1600 MetersAlex Kim - 4:26.63200 MetersAlex Kim - 9:52.51Triple JumpReggie Harris- 45-9.5

Winter Track

Triple JumpReggie Harris - 45-1.5

Wrestling

L.J. Barlow became Haverford’s first Beast of the East champion. Barlow was also the School’s first two-time Delco Times Wrestler of the Year of the Year.

Tennis

Managed to obtain a Top 16 ranking and will be heading to the National Championships invitational in California. The invitation to the National Championship is the first ever in school history.

Ben Lieb has won all 68 of his matches (regular season and tournaments) since freshman year.

Track and Field Season RecapAlex Kim ‘15

The Haverford Track and Field team has had one of its most outstanding seasons. The track crew this year was a young one, led by Sixth Form captains Josh Walker and Dylan Pond, who were the only two Sixth Formers on the team. Despite this supposed disadvantage, the team competed successfully. The team, under the tutelage of coaches Bryan Skelly, Luqman Kolade, Christina Meier-Fernandez, Christopher Fox, and head coach, Mr. Christopher Avery, emerged victorious repeating as Delco champions in the American Division. The team also proudly claimed 2nd in the PAISAA State Championship. It ended the season with a 1-1-1 record for dual meets. Unfortunately, the team will be saying its goodbyes to Coach Avery this year. Reflecting on the strong season, Avery concluded, “This has been an incredible journey. During my time as head coach, I have seen countless athletes reach personal bests and push themselves further than they knew possible. As a staff we have helped them realize that they must not be afraid to be great.” Despite this loss, the team will be gearing up for another great season next spring with heads held high. The individual team members racked

up a number of accomplishments and personal bests. Fifth Former Reggie Harris triple jumped 46’9, shattering Haverford’s previous record. Fellow Fifth Form triple jumper Brandon Walker jumped 41’11, winning 3rd in the state. He also won 6th in the state for the 200m dash.

Fifth Formers Alex McCutcheon and Paul Harryhill and Fourth Former Henry Scales all broke into the 4-minute range in the 1600m, crushing previous personal records. Fifth Former Chauncey Simmons took first in shot put at the state meet with 45’5, one of the first in Haverford history to do so. Fourth Former Micah Sims had quite an impressive season, quickly approaching the 150 point club in only his second year. Fifth Formers James Greytok and Alex Keszeli and Fourth Formers Nick Biden and Max Arias competed against teams nationwide in the Penn Relays. As an individual, Greytok was proud to have broken person records in the 300m hurdles and the 400m dash at states. The 4x800m team of Keszeli, Arias, Biden, and Fifth Former Alex Kim won gold at the state championships, coming just fractions of a second away

from breaking the previous school record. Fifth Former Spencer Rappaport landed first at the state meet in pole vault and ended the season with a person record of 12’3. Third Formers Anthony Calvelli and Aaron Hudson are also showing potential to be team leaders in the coming years.

Fifth Former Spencer Rappaport prepares his pole vault.

Mr. Jim Roese

Mr. Jim RoeseThe Varsity Baseball Squad in the Dugout.

Over the years, the computer has become inextricably linked to all parts of our lives. People rarely venture outside without either their laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Not only are these technologies important for work, but they also play a significant role in the new social culture where interaction through technology has almost replaced human interaction. Technology is continuing to evolve and the next “tech frontier” seems to be wearable technology. Telecommunications giant Samsung’s new smart watch acts as an extension of the smartphone on the wrist. In addition to this, Google is also experimenting with a new product called Google Glass. Recently released to the public for a fee of $1,500, its release is referred to as an “explorer edition”, so it is not practical yet for the average citizen. The product consists of a frame containing either prescription lenses or shades, and the actual monitor, which is a small piece of glass protruding from a computer which spans from the right ear to the right eye. Along with its unconventional look and hefty price tag, which will make mass consumption difficult, Google Glass also has a psychological problem to overcome. It is directly impacting our most important sense, our sight. When wearing these glasses provides the user a different perspective of the world around him or her. This product could be the bridge to a new age of technology that enhances and changes our senses, either for good or bad. If it changes the information that is taken in by our brain, that means it also directly impacts our decisions and learning processes. For example, there is an app for Google Glass called “Name Tag”, which has facial recognition software that recognizes someone’s face and matches it with one in the database, giving the user a profile of him or her. Fitbit, a technology that has recently partnered with Google Glass, gives you goals, and if you achieve

them, rewards. As these apps become more advanced and accessible, it is easy to see how something like Google Glass could affect almost every decision we make. For some people, technology becoming an integral part of the way we experience the world is not a negative, but a positive. For example, Neil Harbisson has an instrument that looks like a small reading light with a bendable neck and attached to his head that is used on a camping trip. His journey into the cyborg realm began when, as a young child, he was diagnosed with achromatopsia, a condition that prevented him from seeing color. He grew up only being able to see the world in black and white. Inspired by this aspect of life he could never understand, he developed a device he calls an eyeborg, which transfers color into sound. Soon, he was able to interpret 360 different colors and hear electromagnetic frequencies that we are unable to see in the infrared and ultraviolet spectrum. He knew the eyeborg had become part of him when

he started hearing color in his dreams. He started the Cyborg Foundation as a results of the incredible experiences technology provided him, which researches, creates, and promotes the extension and creation of new senses through technology. Despite the fact that this is a growing aspect of the technology industry, consisting of mainly prototypes and ideas, there is already fierce opposition to all facets of this technology. The group

with the most followers so far is called Stop the Cyborgs, which specifically attempts to combat Google Glass. The organization has three primary concerns with the development and production of this product. The first concern is that non-users cannot tell what a user is doing on his device. It can be compared to someone holding his or her smartphone in front of another person’s face throughout the entire day with the other person having no knowledge of what the smartphone user is doing. The Google Glass user could say the device is off when he or she is actually videoing someone. People may think they are having a conversation with someone, when in reality their partner is concentrated on his Google Glass. Smartphone users can be instructed to turn off their devices, but Google Glass users are able to continue operating the device at almost any given time. The second issue Stop the Cyborgs has with Google Glass is that users feel the

device is part of their extended body, especially since Google has enabled people to put prescription lenses into the frames of the glass. If someone is asked to remove their Google Glasses, but taking them off prevents him or her from seeing clearly, this could easily cause confrontation. Also, by asking someone to take off their Google Glass, it introduces an element of mistrust which can cause irritation and hostility. In fact, the glasses have

already caused conflict in many situations. One incident occurred in a San Francisco bar that has been described by some of the patrons as a “punk rock” bar called Mandarins. A technology writer walked in with the Google Glass and began showing some interested strangers how it worked. Some patrons were angered when she started videoing and proceeded to verbally abuse her in front of a jeering crowd, ripping the glasses off her face, stealing her purse

and phone, and running away. The glasses were later recovered along with the video of the incident which she sent to police. Another situation occurred at a movie theater in Columbus, Ohio, where a man wearing the glasses was escorted out of the theater in the middle of a movie by federal officers. The officers proceeded to interview him for an hour and then plugged his glass into a computer to find that the glasses were off and he did not record any of the movie. He informed reporters that he only wore the glasses into the theater because they had his prescription lenses. These situations show that the mistrust between the Glass user and the people around them can easily cause confrontation. The third problem that Stop the Cyborgs seeks to educate people about is that Google Glass opens up a whole other realm of surveillance. Google already monitors emails for advertising purposes, and Google Glass can give them location data, and if they really want it, video of what people are seeing. So the question persists: Do we want to put Google in control of our thoughts, decisions, and privacy? We need to think about how we, and our children, want to live our lives. Do we want to distract ourselves from the important interactions we have every day. West Virginia state legislature has already proposed an amendment that would ban the use of Google Glass or what they define as, “a wearable computer with a head mounted display,” while driving. If glass is going to distract us while driving then it will distract us from other parts of our lives. Do we value interaction with technology more than human interactions? Also, do we want to go down the path of experiencing the world in a different, less interactively based way? No matter what we think, there is no way to stop the progression of technology, so the best thing for us to do now is discuss and debate what we think about this technological bridge and remember the discussions we have now when this technology becomes available to the masses.

A few weeks ago, soon-to-be-former Clippers owner Donald Sterling was exposed as a blatant racist with his remarks regarding African-American fans. His comments shook the American sports industry, affecting owners, players, fans, and countless others. Sterling’s comments left such a profound impact that the Golden State Warriors allegedly threatened to walk off of the court unless he was banned from any affiliation with the National Basketball Association for life. Due in part to the sensationalism of the media, namely ESPN and TMZ’s highly cumbersome coverage of the events, a rather dark theme has been overshadowed. Racism still exists, and it is extremely prevalent in sports. This was not the first, and nor will it be the last instance of twenty-first century racism in professional sports. There is a similar controversy regarding the name of the professional football franchise in Washington D.C., the Redskins. Many people, including 50

United States senators, consider the name “Redskin” as a derogatory or racially insensitive term. Factor this into the statistic that .4 percent of Washington D.C’s population is native American and you get a national stir. Although this is not as

obvious as Donald Sterling, it has created a significant divide between NFL supporters and has garnered national media attention.

Ignorance plays a big factor into the enormity of the Sterling scandal in the United States. European and Brazilian racism in sports makes the Sterling debacle look petty. One case, which provides some comic relief, involves FC Barcelona player Dani Alves . In a match against the Spanish League side Villareal, a fan threw a banana at Alves, while he was on the field. He promptly picked up the fruit and ate it in the middle of the match before proceeding to cross the ball in for a goal. The Brazilian star later thanked the fan, who was banned for life as a result of his actions. Alves stated, “I don’t know who it was, but thanks to whoever threw the banana, the potassium gave me the energy for the two crosses which led to a goal.” Unfortunately, most of the cases of racism in international soccer are not as affable. Italian super striker Mario Balotelli has been the target for racist fans, which includes supporters of his own club, AC Milan. Balotelli even heard racist chants from spectators at an Italian national team practice before the World Cup. In one case, the insults of the fans were so brutal that “Super Mario” came off of the field enraged and in tears. Balotelli’s teammate, Kevin Prince-Boateng, was subject to the

same racist chants so frequently that he decided to leave the club. A friendly match between AC Milan, with Boateng and Balotelli both playing, and the Italian lower division club Pro Patria was suspended after players walked off due to an unremitting barrage racist chants. Boateng sparked the walk-off by picking up the match ball midway through the first half, kicking it into the crowd in a burst of rage. Liverpool’s Luis Suarez, who is as infamous for his anger, was banned for eight matches in December 2011 after he was found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United’s defender Patrice Evra. Suarez bit Evra in the middle of the match, and according to Evra’s testimony in the ensuing trial, Suárez said in Spanish that he had earlier kicked Evra “because you are black”, said “I don’t speak to blacks” using the word “negro” five times in total as they argued. To counteract the ever-present issue of racism in international soccer, FIFA and other soccer organizations have launched a campaigns to stop racism by putting “Say No to Racism” on the armbands of captains and on screens and banners throughout stadiums. As it may surprise some, racism in sports goes much further than Donald Sterling. It is an international issue, oppressing many athletes and fans around the world, regardless of the sport.

In the wake of Donald Sterling’s ill-advised comments, Fourth Former Drew Sterman examines the greater problem that is racism in sports.

Drew Sterman ‘16

George Rubin ‘17

The Google Glass headset. cnet.com

usatoday.comDisgraced Clipper Owner Donald Sterling.

Page 12

SportsFords Focus: Top 5 Moments of 2013-2014 Season (cont.) continued from Front Page

In order to win at Beast, Barlow had to dig deep for some crucial victories. In the quarterfinals, he demolished nationally-ranked Hunter Ritter, 20th in the nation, 13-3 by decision. After that, however, it was tough going to the end. He then went on to edge out rival Dan Hawkins of Mount Saint Joseph’s High School, who had beaten Barlow in three previous encounters, in the semifinals, 6-5. He won by the same margin in the finals against Burlington County’s Wrestler of the Year, Matt Correnti of Holy Cross. Up on the podium, Barlow stood proud and tall, knowing that history was in the making.

4. Track Wins Delcos The 2014 Fords Track and Field team had some hardware to defend at the Delaware County championships, and defend it they did. Thanks to some incredible individual performances and one strong relay, the Fords were able to win the American Division by a wide margin, 13 points, over second-place Strath Haven. First and foremost, Fifth Former Alex Kim put on a show in his distance events. He set the school record with a 4:26 mile on his way to second place in that event, and then won the 3200-meter race outright, earning 18 points for the Fords. On breaking the school record in the mile, Kim remarked, “I haven’t had a better feeling all season.” Fourth Former Micah Sims tripled up,

running twice and competing in one field event. He finished third in the 100-meter dash, second in the 200-meter dash, and first in the long jump, securing 24 points for the Fords. Those two guys combined for 42 of the team’s 96 total points. Fifth Former Reggie Harris also competed well in field events, finishing first in the triple jump, his main event, and third in the long jump for a total of 16 points. Furthermore, Haverford got second-place finishes from Fourth Former Max Arias in the 400-meter race and the 4-by-800 meter relay team of Fifth Formers Alex Keszeli and Alex McCutcheon and Fourth Formers Arias and Nick Biden. Fifth Formers Avery Callahan (high jump) and Spencer Rappaport (pole vault) secured third-place finishes in their respective events.

3. Tennis Wins Nail-biter, Earns Fifth Straight

League Title 49 matches in a row. That was Fords Tennis’ winning streak until Episcopal Academy somehow broke it on April 4. Suddenly, three weeks later, Haverford’s dreams of a fifth straight Inter-Ac title were on the verge of collapsing right in front of their eyes; EA had gone 9-0 in league play to that point, and the Fords needed to win to tie the Churchmen for the league’s regular season title. “To beat EA the second time was probably the most important match for each of us in our high school careers,” says Sixth Form co-captain Naryan Rustgi. “Losing that match wasn’t an option and we all knew it and prepared for the match in the days before like the season was on the line.”

That victory was not guaranteed, and seemed on the brink of being lost at several points throughout the match. Through the first four matches, Haverford and EA were tied at two. Haverford had won at second singles thanks to the exploits of Fifth Former Ben Lieb and second doubles thanks to Rustgi and Third Former Will McDevitt. Then first doubles, made up of Fifth Formers Nathan Kidambi and Andrew Gushner, staged an impressive comeback in the third set to put Haverford up 3-2. At that point, Haverford needed just one win out of fourth doubles and first singles to claim the overall victory. This where things began to get dicey. After dominating their match early on, the fourth doubles pair of Fifth Formers Jackson Simon and Gage Bowsers lost five match points on their way to a stunning second set collapse, ultimately losing the match in three sets. It all came down to Fifth Former Zach Lieb, ranked second in the state of Pennsylvania. Lieb cruised to an early 6-3, 5-2 lead and seemed to be on the verge of closing out EA in routine fashion. The momentum, however, began to swing in his opponent’s favor, and Lieb lost the next five games en route to a 5-7 second set defeat. He then went down a break early in the third set, and the season’s outcome seemed to be in serious peril. Darkness, however, blessed the Fords, and postponed the match. A few days later, with the Gentlemen’s Club cheering him on at Haverford’s own tennis courts, not Baldwin’s, Lieb found his stroke again and systematically dismantled his opponent, saving the Fords’ season. On the match, Lieb remarks, “There is nothing like playing in front of your peers and teachers, especially when the whole season is in your hands. So when I started the match I was a little tight and flustered. As the match

progressed, however, I began to feed off the energy of the crowd and loosened up.”

2. Soccer’s Epic Win over SCHA in PAISAA Semis

Fifth Form goalie Quinn Letter shifted his weight as the SCHA player walked up to the ball. As he reflects on that day, he says, “In practice the days leading up to our playoff games, we had practiced penalty kicks in the event that we would go into PKs, so I was confident from our preparation in practices.” Despite that practice, the nervousness that comes with any sudden-death playoff situation began to kick in. His opponent began his run-up to the ball, making sharp moves to throw Letter off, finally reaching and striking the ball with the inside of his left foot. Letter lunged to his right . . . the wrong way. And then with a thud, Letter heard the ball strike the right goalpost and bounce away harmlessly to the side. The massive crowd of supporters and his fellow teammates rushed at him at the same time, joyously celebrating a third straight berth in the PAISAA state championship game. Letter remarks, “When the ball hit off the post, I looked back one more time to make sure that it missed and then I was just so relieved and excited for our team.” It was the dramatic conclusion to an incredibly dramatic game. SCHA had been the only team to beat Haverford at Memorial Field the entire season, 1-0 earlier in the year, so the Fords were eyeing revenge. After SCHA took a 1-0 lead in the 43rd minute to the delight of the impressive road crowd, Coach Bill Brady rallied his team at halftime and the Fords came out swinging. Fourth Former Jerry Karalis took advantage of a beautiful play by Conor Bradley to tie things at 1 with under ten minutes to go. Less than a minute later, however, SCHA broke the hearts of the swelling home crowd, re-taking a 2-1 lead. With under three minutes left in the game, desperation kicked in for the Fords. This desperation, however, translated to better, sharper play, and eventually led to Sixth Former Sander Yu converting a penalty shot to tie things up with seconds to spare. Of the penalty shot, Yu remembers, “I was nervous because I was deciding my team’s fate, but I was confident that I was going to score because I made all of my PKs earlier in the season.” After an uneventful overtime period,

Letter took over in penalty kicks, making two key saves before watching the third and final SCHA shot glance off the post. With a jubilant Fords crowd celebrating and a defeated SCHA crowd sulking, it is easy to peg this as one of the best moments of the year.

1. Football Wins on EA Day, Gets ‘Chip for Kip’

Winning for the sake of winning is nice, and all accomplishments deserve recognition. But for this year’s football team, winning on EA Day to secure the Inter-Ac regular season title was about much more than earning an accolade. It was about honoring the memory of the late Kip Taviano ‘13, who passed away in a tragic car accident last Spring, around this time. Just a few months later, all that stood between the Fords and the promised Inter-Ac championship were the Churchmen of EA. Nothing, however, would stand in the Fords’ way, as Sixth Former Michael Solomon puts it: “Above all, beating EA was exciting because we won for Kip and all of the seniors from last year who left our home field in tears after losing. We as a team promised we would never lose to EA again, so winning the Inter-Ac championship was fantastic, but it was not nearly as good of a feeling as avenging the seniors from the class of 2013.” The entire team came together and performed at its highest level of the season, clicking like a well-oiled machine. From the linebackers staying in their gaps to the offensive linemen following through on blocking assignments, the Fords had EA’s number all afternoon long. Sixth Form quarterback Brendan Burke had himself quite the afternoon, rushing for a touchdown to get the fun started and then throwing for three more in the 27-7 rout. Solomon was instrumental in limiting EA’s high-powered offense, intercepting two passes and catching a touchdown of his own. Of scoring a TD on EA Day, Solomon says, “Once I was in, I remember looking up and seeing the referee with his hands up and the EA fan section sitting there in silence. I’ve always wanted to score a touchdown on EA Day, so it was like a dream come true.” The celebration began midway

through the fourth quarter, when the Fords capitalized off of a Solomon interception with a long touchdown pass from Burke to Fourth Former Dox Aitken. Burke reminisces, saying, “The first time I really [about winning the championship] that was when I was running down the field towards the end where the Episcopal bleachers were right after Dox ran about 50 yards off of a little bubble screen to score the final touchdown. The EA students were completely silent and there was nothing more than I love than seeing that. When I got to about the 20 yard line, Nick Helber picked me up as he always does after a touchdown and I said to him ‘we did it.’ It was one of the best feelings of my life.” As Fords Nation rushed the field to celebrate the victory when the clock read 0:00, the team got together with Coach Michael Murphy to relish their accomplishment and remember a fallen brother, for whom they had made this successful journey.

Fifth Former Reggie Harris competes in the Triple Jump at the PAISAA Track and Field Championships.

Mr. Jim Roese

Fifth Former and No. 3 Singles player Nathan Kidambi. Mr. Jim Roese

Goalkeeper Quinn Letter celebrates with teammates Connor Black and Dylan Henderson after defeating SCHA.

Ms. Dawn Blake Sixth Former Michael Solomon scores against EA.

Mr. Jim Roese

Documents

The Haverford Index: June 2014