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Wilmington Friends School's Community Newspaper Wilmington, DE Since 1884

hittierMiscellanyHOLIDAY

2014

Sia Willie Talks Liberia and EbolaSadie Proud '17News Writer

Wilmington Friends School prioritizes the creation of global connections. Through exchange programs, service trips, and clubs, Friends students strive to become exceptional global citizens. We also embrace opportunities to view world events through the prism of these connections. A recent interview with Pre-K teacher, Sia Willie, casts perspective on the news of the Ebola crisis in Africa by sharing her insights as a Liberian-born member of the Friends community.

Q: What prompted your family’s hasty escape from Liberia?

Sia Willie: “There was a war that started in Liberia, and my parents worked for the government. It really became unsafe. We went to school with the president’s kids, and the president was the target, so it was definitely time for us to leave.”

At twelve years old, Willie was faced with the plan for the children to travel ahead to Guinea to stay with their grandmother. Willie added, “it was very scary, because I had been to other parts of Africa, and my grandmother lived with us when we were younger. So we were very close, but leaving and knowing I was leaving my parents in a war zone and going to a country that spoke French when I didn’t know as much French as I’d like . . . I just wanted to be able to survive, especially traveling with my two younger brothers who were eight and four at the time.”

Q: How did your parents get out of Liberia and meet up with you?

Sia Willie: “I remember being in Guinea, behind the house, and the security guard saying, ‘Your mother’s here.’ We went out to see her, and we all asked, ‘Where’s Daddy?’ and she said, ‘We couldn’t find him’. We said, ‘What do you mean you didn’t find him? You need to find him and bring him back here,’ but she just replied, ‘I couldn’t find

In early November, the last two American detainees in North Korea were freed and brought back by James Clapper, the director of National Intelligence. Clapper was sent after North Korea stated that they would only set the two men free if a high-ranking official came to pick them up. Kenneth Bae, forty-six years old, and Matthew Todd Miller, twenty-five years old, landed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State.

Bae returned home to his family after his arrest in North Korea two years ago. In November, 2012, he was sentenced to fifteen years hard labor for unspecified hostile actions. He was originally in the country as a tour guide and a missionary. His arrest was particularly disconcerting due to his bad health. His family said that he suffered from diabetes, an enlarged heart, liver problems, and back pain.

North Korea is famous for their human rights violations, and no one knew what Bae would have to suffer through. However, when he returned he showed a surprising amount of spirit for what he had gone through. Bae took a horrible experience and made himself stronger. He was arrested without cause over seas in a hostile country and separated from his family, but he came back wiser than ever. He describes his ordeal as a learning experience,and

Leah Johnson '18News Writer

American Detainees Return Homebecause he was very disciplined he was able to survive and overcome his health problems.

Matthew Todd Miller was also arrested for hostile actions against North Korea. The North Korean government accused him of trying to be arrested so that he could experience prison life and then report back to the U.S. According to Pyongyang, he was arrested in April after tearing up his tourist visa and demanding asylum. He was sentenced to six years hard labor, but, like Bae, was freed.

It is not, however, only North Korea whose motives are questionable. Miller’s actions in North Korea

were very similar to Edward Snowden’s in Russia. Some people were wondering if he was trying to replicate Snowden. Fortunately, this time crucial and embarrassing American secrets were not leaked into the wrong hands.

President Obama and many high ranking officials congratulated Bae and Miller on their

return. Clapper was also giving many congratulations on the success of the mission. The Swedish government also deserves recognition because of their hard work alongside the U.S. to get the men their freedom. Myla Brilliant, ‘17, remarked, “It is refreshing to hear that these two Americans made it safely back home.”

him.’ I remember thinking, ‘What does that mean?’ We had heard stories of people being killed, so I was wondering if something happened to him. Where we lived there were soldiers’ barracks not too far, so I was wondering what in the world happened to my father.” Eventually, they received word that her father was bound for Guyana by boat when the boat sank, and soon after her father had found his way to his relatives’ home in Minnesota.

What she remembers most of their family reunion after the year of separation was the extreme cold of her first day in New York. “I was wearing white and purple polka dot shorts and a shirt, and it was in the middle of winter. I just remember thinking, ‘it is so cold’, and my uncle - we met him in New York - put his jacket over me and I kept thinking ‘it’s just so cold.’ No one told me it would be so cold!”

Q: What inspired you to become a teacher?

Sia Willie: “ I just feel like teaching is running through my veins. I even think of my grandmother right now in Liberia, and she is looking for French books to teach kids French because they can’t go to school amidst all the craziness that is going on.”

Q: What is it like to see your relatives who still live in Liberia, especially amidst the ebola crisis?

Sia Willie: “First, we’re very social people who love to embrace each other, so instead of the hugs and five thousand kisses we usually give each other, now we do foot taps. I have some family members that are within the quarantined area, so they don’t have access to food. Some marketplaces are closed, so it’s hard to get the supplies that they need. There are grocery stories which are few and far between and those prices are high, so bleach may not be the typical few dollars, instead it may be ten or twenty dollars. So everyone’s being affected. Schools are closed throughout Libera right now.”

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Protests Sparked In Mexico CityMiles Katzen ‘16Quinn Kirkpatrick ‘16News Writers

The Mexican Government recently discovered the bodies of forty-three students from a Mexican teaching college who were gruesomely murdered. It was reported that the abduction of the students was ordered by the Mayor of Iguala, Jose Luis Abarca. Abarca thought the students planned to disrupt an event led by his wife, Maria de los Angeles Pineda. He asked the local police to remove the students before there was a disruption. The police handed the students over to a gang known as the “Guerreros Unidos,” who were responsible for the brutal murders of these students. After taking over a month to find the bodies of the students, Mexican police members discovered their remains scattered and burned. Nathan Dorn, ‘16, said, “This news is depressing, and I hope those responsible are brought to justice.”

The abduction occurred on September 26 after 100 students, from a radical teacher training college, went to Iguala to hold a protest for what they considered discriminatory hiring and funding practices from the government. The students believed the government funding programs favored urban colleges over rural ones, and preferred hiring teachers from the inner city. Their plan was to interrupt a conference hosted by the mayor’s wife. After hearing the plans, the mayor ordered the police of Iguala to arrest them. The police tried to intercept the student filled busses, but a police chase ensued that killed six and injured 25 people. It is believed that once the police captured the 43 students, they handed them over to the gang Guerreros Unidos. The Guerreros Unidos killed the students, burned their bodies, and disposed of other DNA evidence by throwing it packed in bags into a local river. 74 people, linked to the case were arrested, including many members of the gang.

The Guerreros Unidos, which translates to United Warriors, is a gang in Mexico who is responsible for the deaths of 43 Mexican students. The Guerreros Unidos started only four years ago and are led by drug trafficker Mario Casarrubias. They broke off from the gang “Los Rojos” and established themselves in Iguala. The gang has ties with the mayor’s wife’s brother, Salomon Pineda Villa, nicknamed “El Molon”. He was in federal prison and just released last year. It is believed that this is the mayor’s connection with the gang.

During the several week period in between the abduction and the discovery of the bodies, Mexican citizens protested throughout the country demanding for the students to be found. After the evidence was discovered, the national protest shifted to a focus on the rise of gang related violence throughout the country over the past year. Mexican citizens have recently been exposed to increased gang violence and are calling for a change. These protests also centered around police corruption and violence in Mexican society.

While this terrible act happened in Mexico over a month ago, the brutal murders of these students will have long-term consequences. Because of the national protests, there is pressure on Mexican authorities to bring those responsible for the murders to justice. On October 5, they discovered a grave full of 28 bodies only to later learn that none of the bodies were any of the students. However, later that day the police found additional graves with what they believed to contain some of the remains of the students. This event has not only affected the families involved, but also sparked a nationwide protest against the influence of the drug cartels in the country. With much anger and frustration boiling over throughout the country, Mexico may see some major changes in the near future.

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Community The Whittier MiscellanyHoliday 2014

02

Founded 1884Volume CXXXI, Number II

Holiday, 2014

TheWhittierMiscellanyispublishedsixtimesduringtheschoolyearbytheupperschooljournalismstaffofWilmingtonFriendsSchool,101 School Road,Wilmington, DE 19803.To access theWhittierMiscellanyonline,gotowww.wfswhittier.com.

Editor-in-ChiefShannonSkibicki’15

Assistant Editor-in-ChiefJodiLessner’16

AdvisorDanielScott

News EditorJacobGagliano’15

Entertainment EditorMaddieIreland’16MeeraKholi’15

Freelance ColumnistsBrianZittlau’15EmilioErgueta’16

Sports EditorMarthaO’Brien’15

Features EditorsAlexdelTufo’16

ChrisStanborough’16

Copy EditorGraceGannon’15

StaffBlairAtkins’17KatieBodycot’17MattByer’18

RobertBaldwin’18AllieFulginiti’17LeahJohnson’18MerrittGates’16

SarahGooderham’17ThomasHilder’17

QuinnKirkpatrick’16CarolineMcGinnis’17

SadieProud’17KatrinaSkibicki’17EvelynWakeley’17JuliaDelzingaro’16CharlotteDonoho’16EmilioErgueta’16MeganFlanagan’17HareenaHouston’18MayaJohnson’16MaggieMartelli-

Raben’18

MilesKatzen’16JenniferKielhorn’17MarleyMorton’18NatalieSzumel’16MattTornek’17LindsayWeber’17NolanDelaney’16

AbbyKleman’18ChloeHudson’16AliceIrwin’18

TheWhittieriscellanyM

Shannon Skibicki ‘15Editor-in-Chief

Tomanyofus,Britishactress,EmmaWatsonwillalwaysbeknownforhericonicroleasHermioneGrangerinthebelovedHarryPotterseries,notforherworkasagender equality activist.This past July,Watson earnedanewhonorquitedifferentfromhervariousaccoladesasanactress.Shortlyafterhergraduation fromBrownUniversity,WatsonwasnamedtheU.N.WomenGoodwillAmbassador for the “HeForShe” campaign.This pastSeptember,Watson gave an impassioned speech ongenderequalityandfeminismattheUNheadquartersinNewYorktolaunchthe“HeForShe”campaign,aglobalcampaign that aims to galvanize one billionmen andboystoadvocategenderequality,addressingissuessuchasviolenceagainstwomenand theirdiminishedsocio-economicempowermentinmanysocieties.

WhilemanymayfeelthatWatson’sfamewilldistractfrom themovement,MaconSheppard ’15 expressed adifferentview:“IappreciateEmmaWatson’seffortsattheU.N.forgenderequality,andIthinksheissheddinglight on someof the central issues that have impededprogresstowardsgenderequality.Ithinkit’sunfortunatethatfeminismhasbeenconflatedwith“man-hating,”butIdothinkthatsomefeministscouldbemorewelcomingtowardsthementryingtojointheirpushforequality.”

The“HeForShe”campaignaimstoendthesilencethat has lasted for too long about gender inequalities.Females have a traditionally subservient role inmanyAfrican andAsian societies, andmanymen in thesecountriesexpecttheirwomentobehaveaccordingly.InIranthispastOctoberassailantsonmotorcycles,suspectedtobeIslamicvigilantes,threwacidinthefacesofatleasteight youngwomen.Many Iranians believe that thesewomenweretargetedbecausetheattackersdeemedthemtobeimproperlyveiled.Thisisoneofthemanyexamplesofgenderinequalitythatwilltakeyearstofixbecauseof

many communities’ intense commitment to traditionalcustomsandbehavior.

In her speech,Watson touched on some of theconnotations with the “feminism” that derail themovementforwoman’srights.Watsonhasattemptedtodispelthemisconceptionthatthemovementforwomen’srightsattemptstoderidemen:“ThemoreIhavespokenaboutfeminism,themoreIhaverealizedthatfightingforwomen’srightshastoooftenbecomesynonymouswithman-hating.IfthereisonethingIknowforcertain,itisthatthishastostop,”shesaidinherspeech.

Men,too,havebeenvictimsofgenderinequalities.PresentWesternsocietyfavorsmenwhofosterasenseofbravadoormachismo.Whenmalesdonotfallintothiscategory, forwhatever reason, theyhavea tendency toloseasenseofpurposeintheirlives.Forexample,from1981-2012malesuicideratesintheU.S.werequadruplethoseoffemales.

Watsonemphasizedthatthe“HeForShe”campaigncallsformaleadvocatesofgenderequalitybecauseinordertoresolvethisissue,thereneedstobeequalparticipationfrombothsexes.JoslynGardner’16expressedasimilarcalltoattentionforthecampaign:“Thefeministmovementneeds tobeaunitedeffort fromallgenders,not just aone-sidedone.Feminismhasbecomesynonymouswith“man-hating”becausethefeministmovementisseenasblamingmenfortreatingwomenunequally.Thefirststeptogenderequalityisrealizingthatbothgendersareatsomepointsfacedwithinequality,andmenandwomenneedtocometogetherandconfrontbothsidesofthisissue.”

Certain professions in theUnited States, suchasmedicine and engineering, have been labeled asmale-dominated fields.This had led to awidespreadmisconceptionthatwomenareinherentlyworseattheseprofessions.To the contrary,women have succeededwhentheyhavehadtheabilitytoestablishthemselvesasintellectualpeerstomen.Thisequalityisbeingachievedthrough higher education and the gradual acceptance

Hogwarts Hero Takes On United Nations

ofwomenasequalsintheseprofessions.However,thishastakenaverylongtime.MomMD reports that in 1949, 5.5% ofenteringU.S.medicalstudentswerefemale.AccordingtotheAmericanAssociationofMedicalColleges(AAMC)48.3%(16,838)ofmedicaldegreesawardedintheUSin2009-10wereearnedbywomen.

Itmay seem that EmmaWatson istoo young or inexperienced to be theambassadorofacampaignagainstgenderinequality.Butherspeechhighlightedthetruth that gender inequality can only bebeatenbygradually raisingawareness insociety.Genderinequalitywillbedifficultto achieve across various continents duetothemanydisparatetraditionsthathaveincubated for centuries, but if bothmenandwomenbecomeadvocatesforgenderequality,thisissuecanmakeheadway.

Andrew Conces ‘16Guest Columnist

Thispastelectionwasahugesuccessforthe future of this country. PresidentObama’spolicies, especiallywithin thepast twoyears,have set our country on a course for failure.PresidentObama’s foreign policy, his policyon immigration and economic reform, andhis negative stance toward big business isdetrimental to maintaining our country’sfounding ideals. The Republican landslidein both houses ofCongress, state legislativebodies,andstateleadershippositionsshowthattheAmericanpublic agreewith this position.Republicans promise a tripartite legislativeagendaofloweringtaxes,supportingeconomicgrowth through encouragement of largecorporations, and tightening of immigrationintoourgreatnation.Thesethreeitemsarethekeytothiscountry’sfuturesuccess.

Republicansnowcontrolboth theSenateand theHouse ofRepresentatives--therefore,they controlwhat gets passed into law.ThiswillensurethatCongresswillissuelegislationtocounterPresidentObama’srecentexecutive

Republican Takeover Poses Immense Obstacles for U.S. Brian Zittlau ‘15Freelance Columnist

OnNovember4th,PresidentObama’snightmarecametrue.TheRepublicansgainedcompletecontrolofCongress.TheRepublicanshadsevensenatorselectedinkeybattlegroundstates,gainingenoughseatsintheHouseforthemtohavetheirlargestmajoritysincetheSecondWorldWar.TheRepublicansnowhavefifty-twoseatsinthesenate;thisessentiallymeansthatabsolutelynothingwillbedoneinthenexttwoyears,andPresidentObamaisnowofficiallya“lameduck”presidentwithnothingtolose.

ThismidtermelectionshowsthebiggerpictureincontemporaryAmericanpolitics--thatAmericanscannotdeterminethereasonbehindallofthedysfunctioninCongress.TheRepublicansareundoubtedlythereasonbehindthehorrendouspublicopinionofCongress.Itis not themoderateRepublicans, per se, likeHouseSpeakerJohnBoehnerofOhio; insteadthe issue lieswithextremistRepublicans,likeSenatorTedCruzofTexasorSenatorRandPaulofKentucky.Americansrefuse to identify themas the keyblock to having acooperativeandnormalCongress.

ThiselectionessentiallymeansthatthenexttwoyearswillbefilledwithnothingbutdemagogicrantingfromSenatorRubio of Florida and chain smokingfromSpeakerBoehnerinorderforhimtodealwiththeconstantstressoflivingwiththeconstantthreatofaTeaPartycoupofhisleadership.PresidentObama’sgoalsofpassingmeaningfulimmigrationandtaxreformsarelong-shotsatbest.

TheonlywayObamawillbeabletodoanythingis through executive action.The only problemwiththisisthathewillbesettingaprecedentforinstitutingexecutive orderswith the force of lawwithout theapprovalofcongress.Although this is legal, it setsadangerousandunnervingexampleforfuturepresidentstoinstituteexecutiveactionswithouttheapprovalofthediverseanddemocraticcongress.

Our contemporary political scene has become anationalsatire.Congressrefusestomakelaws,thereforerefusingtodotheironlyjob.OverabilliondollarswerespentoncampaignexpendituresacrossAmericaforthispastelection(whichliterallychangednothing;Congressisstillinastalemate).

TheAmericanpeoplemust identifyRepublicansas the key problem and replace themwith eithermoderateRepublicansorDemocratsinordertobecomearespectablecountryagain,orelsethiscountrywillbestuckinperpetualdeadlock.

The expressed opinions of the writer are not affiliated with this publication.

Republican Takeover Gears U.S. Towards Success orderonimmigration,whichprovidedlegalstatustomanyimmigrants.Thiswilldiscouragemoreillegalimmigrationandridourcountryofpeoplewhodonotresideherelegally.Republicancontrolofbothhousesalso guarantees no raised taxes for thewealthierAmericans and large businesses.Thiswill benefitAmericabecauseitwillallowoureconomytoexpand,anditwillcreatemorejobs,therebyincreasingourcountry’soverallhappinessandlivingstandards.

Thiselectionisanindicationthat2016willbeayearinwhichtheGOPhaveahighchanceofwinning,whichwillbeagreatservicetothiscountry.OurtopcandidatesareJebBush,formergovernorofFlorida;SusanaMartinez,governorofNewMexico;andPaulRyan,USrepresentativefromWisconsin.GovernorBushisthemostqualifiedandvalueseducationreformandispro-business.Inaddition,heisamemberofthemoderateRepublicanestablishment,whichwillhelpchangetheparty’sperceptionasbeingonefor“wildpeople.”PresidentBushwillenabletheU.S.tomaintainitsgreatidealssuchaslaissezfairefreetrade,freedom,democracy,andjustice.The2014electionhasshownme thatourcountry isbackon track tomaintainingourstatusastheworld’sbestcountry.

The expressed opinions of the writer are not affiliated with this publication.

News

03The Whittier MiscellanyHoliday 2014

On October 22, 2014, a series of shootings occurred in Ottawa, Canada. This attack is the most serious security breach at Parliament Hill since the Parliament Bombing in 1966. The shooting was also the second attack on a Canadian soldier that week. These events were perceived differently by both the American and Canadian media. Historically, while Canada focuses on the heroes and victims of the crime, America focuses on the murderers and attempts to find suspects.

The members of the Parliament of Canada were attending caucuses when the shooter l a u n c h e d t h e a t tack. American news outlets have focussed mainly on the gunman, who was later identified as thirty-two-year-old Michael Zehaf-Bibeau . He sho t and killed Corporal Nathan Ciril lo at the War Memorial in Ottawa. Later, Zehaf-Bibeau was shot and killed in the gunfight with security personnel.

Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, of Libyan descent, was born as Michael Joseph Hall and changed his name when he converted to Islam. Police obtained information that Zehaf-Bibeau had a criminal record in Quebec, dating back ten years ago on drug related charges. Police also found his criminal record in British Columbia, where he was convicted of threatening and served one day in jail in 2012. However, Canadian media centered around coverage of the shooting victims and heroes. The first victim of the

shooting was Corporal Nathan Cirillo who was shot in the back, unable to defend himself. He is portrayed as a smiling, friendly, soldier who enjoyed spending time with his family and dog. Cirillo’s death has been mourned by both the Canadian and American media as a tragic event. The hero in the tragedy,Kevin Vickers, has also been brought to the media forefront. Vickers is credited with taking down the gunman, Zehaf-Bibeau. Ty Moyer, ‘16, stated, “I think the news outlets should focus on the heroic actions of Kevin Vickers rather than the gunman.”

In the town of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Martin Couture-Rouleau rammed his car into two Canadian soldiers, killing one in the aftermath. Like Zehaf-Bibeau,

Couture-Rouleau was also shot by soldiers f o l l o w i n g t h e incident. Although both Zehaf-Bibeau a n d C o u t u r e -Rouleau had recently converted to Islam, no group claimed responsibility for the attack on Ottawa o r t he one nea r Montreal.

Although both countries are very different in terms of media coverage, many comparisons

were made following the Parliament Hill shooting. While the comparison is understandable to the average citizen, Canada and America function within different contexts. The U.S. has been facing a systemic issue of gun control for some time, while the Parliament Hill shooting is not an everyday occurrence for Canada. In these tragedies, both Canadian and American media played a significant role in determining the reaction and public outcry to the events. The news media should not be underestimated. Just look at Ferguson as an example.

Varying Media Coverage on OttawaMarley Morton ‘18News Writer

SpaceX Continues to Make History

Throughout history, humanity has gazed up to the stars, pondering the limitless possibilities they possess. In the past 60 years alone, mankind has begun making those dreams a reality, sending men into orbit and the moon. The numerous space programs that achieved these great accomplishments have one thing in common: they have all been funded and backed by the program’s country of origin. Until recently, the possibility of a privately owned space program was thought impossible. The privately funded company, SpaceX is committed to developing space-exploration projects and other space programs .

SpaceX was founded in 2002 by the South-African born, Canadian-American inventor, Elon Musk. Elon Musk has successfully founded and co-founded numerous companies, including Zip2, Paypal and Tesla Motors. Musk took an interest in space-exploration technologies and founded SpaceX. The company’s purpose was to improve and innovate space exploration technologies and bring the prospect of space travel to the masses.

SpaceX has accomplished many historic achievements, including the first privately funded, liquid fueled rocket to reach orbit, the Falcon 1. On July 14, 2009, Falcon 1 successfully delivered the Malaysian RazakSat satellite into orbit in SpaceX’s first commercial launch.

Other achievements of SpaceX include the first privately funded mission to retrieve a spacecraft in space and transportation to the international space station.

SpaceX plans to reduce space-travel costs and enable the colonization of Mars.

SpaceX has successfully collaborated with other famous space programs like NASA in the past. On August 18, 2006 NASA announced that SpaceX had won a Commercial Orbital Transportation Services

(COTS) contract from NASA. This enables the SpaceX program to send cargo goods to the International Space Station and with the possibility of crew transport.

On August 3, 2012, NASA announced that they were collaborating with SpaceX to develop the next generation of manned space shuttle vehicles, enabling a launch of astronauts from U.S soil in the next five years.

Even after Virgin Galactic’s disastrous mission that killed one pilot and injured another, Wilmington Friends School students seemed upbeat about the future of SpaceX. Jake Nolen, ‘17, said, “I think SpaceX is a step in the right direction because it will help our astronauts get into space from the U.S. instead of foreign countries.” Andrew Slomski, ‘17, stated, “ they seem to be doing good things because

they want to bring privatization to the space industry, which would help move it forward.” SpaceX seems to be an intriguing step forward in the history of space exploration. The impressive achievements, and goals for the future will mark SpaceX’s place in the history of space exploration and travel.

Sia Willie Talks Liberia and Ebola Thomas Hilder '17

News Writer

Continued from page 1

We then discussed the precautions that her relatives take to protect themselves from the disease. “The first thing is just making sure everyone stays sanitary. My aunt mentioned that she does not greet her family members. She goes straight to the bathroom and takes her clothes off in the shower. She sanitizes herself, takes a bath, they stay away from each other for a few hours, then she rejoins. So those are a few precautions they are trying to take. If they do have a gathering, my cousin was actually saying they will wipe down their drink bottles with sanitizer. A lot of people aren’t shopping at market places, so they are getting their food from supermarkets which is a little on the expensive side, so that is affecting things too.”

Q: In what ways do people in Liberia view the ebola crisis differently than the international community?

Sia Willie: “It’s tricky, because when Ebola first broke out, people were wondering if Liberia was just crying because they wanted financial help. ‘Is this real?’ And then there were people who were thinking ‘you are poisoning us so you can get assistance.’ So you had all these people with their conspiracy theories. My uncle was telling me that they heard about it really early on but they thought, ‘Oh, it’s all the way in the villages right now so it will never reach us in the city.’ So it was devastating when they realized how much and how rapidly it was spreading. My cousin who is actually leaving today to go back, he’s been here for three months, said it hit him when our uncle, Samuel Brisbane, who was the chief medical doctor at JFK Hospital, died. His friend said, ‘listen, you’ve got the means to go to America. You’ve got to go and tell our story. Somebody’s gotta survive.’ So he came and he’s been here for three months and he wants to go back and help. . . . I can’t even wrap my head around it. Even though we’ve been hearing stories about it and talking to family members and sending money to them to make sure they’re getting care, it’s still really hard for me to wrap my head around it.”

Q: What are ways you think Wilmington Friends students should understand Liberia as we continue our efforts to be good global citizens?

Sia Willie: “The first thing you need in order to be an effective global citizen is to know yourself, so when you reach out to join or explore the rest of the world and engage in different things, you are grounded in who you are and you know where you stand. Know the lens that you see the world through, so you’re ready to receive it back. My grandmother worked with the World Health Organization, so we traveled a lot around Africa and by being grounded in ‘I’m Liberian, and this is who I am!’, going around to other people, I didn’t feel ashamed, and even though my country has struggled so much, I am proud of who I am. Even here it’s like, ‘Yeah, I’m a Liberian living in America’, but I’m excited about me, and I’m not going to deny who I am, but I want to learn about other people, and I want my own children to learn about other people, and I want them to celebrate other people. It’s important to explore other cultures by finding the similarities, the things that brings us together, because the bottom line is that we are people. We all have our needs and our wants. We all have our things that guide us and our things that inspire us. I think the last part is just being open and respecting. Even if you don’t understand why people do certain things, being open to other cultures and beliefs is the most important.”

Update on the Girls Count Act: Proud day for Delaware! Senator Coons signed on as a cosponsor of the Girls Count Act, on November 13, 2014. Senator Coons affirmed that he and his colleagues are making every effort to pass the Senate version of the Bill before Congress finishes for the year. Thank you, Senator Coons!

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Sadie Proud '17News Writer

Features

04The Whittier MiscellanyHoliday 2014

Rosko and the Lawyer SquadEvelyn Wakely ’17Features Writer

As students in Mock Trial gear up for the big event on February 27th and 28th of 2015, each member works hard to succeed in their big trial. As members gather at night, eat pizza, and discuss ways to minimize witnesses, Joslyn Gardner ’16, a passionate three-year member discussed the ups, downs, challenges, and rewards that come with being in Mock Trial.

“The purpose of mock trial is to provide a platform for passionate debaters and actors who want to present a side of a case the best way they can within the laws of mock trial;” Gardner explains, “it is supposed to encourage and enlighten students about the court of law, and what happens during a real trial.” She continues by talking about the audition process. “My first year, I was pretty stressed out about my audition. I decided to memorize a monologue from the OJ Simpson trial,” said Gardner, “but after I had that audition under my belt, the other auditions were really chill and I am very comfortable with our coaches.” This year, she talked about doing an interesting and abstract piece about a woman, a chair and a gun. Not all things about Mock Trial get easier; members are required to memorize five-minute-long monologues, and arguments must be tweaked as the case progresses. There are many rewards to joining this club. Gardner explains that the most rewarding part of the club is at the end of the trial when members can look back at all the work that they have

accomplished and say, “I can’t believe I did that!” Mock Trial is a challenge, but ultimately rewarding and relieving.

John Roskovensky, math teacher and Mock Trial proctor was interviewed to find out more about Mock Trial. Mr. Rosko, as most people refer to him as, joined the faculty last year and when he found out there was a vacancy for the position of proctor of Mock Trial, he jumped at the opportunity. “It seemed like an interesting club, even though I had no previous experience with Mock Trial,” said Roskovensky. When asked what was the most challenging part, he replied that there wasn’t much. The club is very much student-run, and they have

two great lawyers to help the students. Roskovensky mainly handles the logistics of the club while showing up to every meeting and occasionally giving advice. In the end, Mr. Rosko enjoys being the sponsor of such a special club and hopes to continue being in charge.

Overall, both Gardner and Roskovensky enjoy being part of the Mock Trial community which consists of twenty hardworking members. When asked what she would say to people considering joining, Gardner replied, “Mock trial is

a great experience, and you never know until you try, so for those who like acting or debating, you should really look into joining the team next year.” The club also does not have cuts. Mr. Rosko added, “Mock Trial requires a special blend of intelligence, logical thought, writing, and performance. We have a strong group of students at WFS who are creating a tremendous club core for many years to come.” Mock Trial looks forward to new members next year and love what they are doing now.

Musical Ends Up as Huge SuccessSarah Gooderham ’17Features Writer

Every year, the musical brings in crowds of students, alumni, parents, and other friends of the students to come see them act. This year, the fall musical, Once Upon a Mattress, was a successful first performance in the new theatre. With a cast of sixty-three students this year, Margaret Anne Butterfield, the co-director and conductor of the musical, worked with Lauren Gutstein and many others to create the wonderful performance enjoyed by students, family, and alumni alike.

“ T h i s w i l l b e a n a m a z i n g p e r f o r m a n c e , ” B u t t e r f i e l d proclaimed before the show premiered t o s t u d e n t s o n Friday, November 15th. “How can you fail with spectacular music, hilarious dialogue, and enthusiastic actors?” Considering the cast of sixty-three -- over triple what the cast was in 2007, the last time Wilmington Friends put on Once Upon a Mattress -- Butterfield admitted that “...some things that would normally be very easy to do, such as costumes, [become] difficult. A show this big has many moving parts, and it’s a bit like putting together a big machine.” Butterfield was quick to add that “one of the reasons why the cast is so big this year is because we have people who need their credits, but we also have many who have filled their credit requirements and are doing the musical simply because they enjoy the process of acting.” Many students who graduate from Wilmington Friends have earned more credits in the performing arts than necessary.

The musical performance in the new theatre provided an enhanced experience to all those involved. Compared to

the old auditorium, the new theatre house has a much larger capacity for seating, and stage space to act in. The sound and light department was completely updated, allowing more advanced features for the performances. “It’s as if we were riding a bicycle before, and now we’ve just been handed the keys to a Ferrari,” said Butterfield. However, Ferraris hardly come with detailed instruction manuals, and this musical was a learning experience as everyone learned how to use all of the exciting new features.

“There were some last-minute complications to work around, but overall, the new space is just wonderful.”

A f t e r a l l t h e pe r fo rmances were complete, Emily Rossi ’17, one of the female leads of the musical, added that she “thought everything went very well. I really enjoyed working with everyone.” Scott Rhodewalt, Upper School History teacher and a member of the

pit band, commended Ms. Butterfield for both directing the students and conducting the pit: “Everyone worked together to do the best they could, both pit band and students.” Butterfield agreed, saying that the musical came together well. “All three performances went very well. Sunday afternoon’s performance was the most polished of the three, but the Friday morning performance had the best energy. There is something about performing in front of their peers that inspires the students on stage.”

“One thing that was wonderful to see was how receptive and supportive every audience was, even when mistakes were made and glitches came up,” Butterfield noted. She brings up an excellent point: the great support from the school community is an aspect unique to Friends School. Whether performing on stage or sitting in the audience, everyone knows that they have friends and family around to support them.

Spotlight on MOAS: Leadership and DiplomacyLindsay Weber ’17Features Writer

According to its website, MOAS, or Model Organization of the American States, is designed to “promote democratic values among the youth of the Hemisphere by familiarizing students, faculty and academic institutions of the Americas with the work of the OAS.” Javier Ergueta, the faculty sponsor of MOAS at Friends, calls the club the “crowning jewel of the history department.” MOAS is a club at WFS that prepares students for a three-day trip (December 3rd to 5th) in Washington D.C. to participate in a simulated conference of representatives from the entire continent of America. Each year, around 1500 students and 100 teachers participate, including 20 of our own Wilmington Friends students. Participants from the U.S. as well as Central and South America will gather to discuss the major issues that affect the American countries, and come up with solutions to these issues. The students will be briefed by the real representatives of these states and or countries.

MOAS meets on Day 7 in Mr. Ergueta’s room and offers a unique opportunity for students to develop their leadership and public speaking skills. Clerk Tommy Rhodes works to advise and lead club discussions in preparation for the upcoming conference. At a regular club meeting, students prepare by sharing information about the countries in the hemisphere and topics that will be covered at the conference. By participating, students are able to simulate what real politicians at the highest level do in their jobs. For example, they learn what it means to represent a country and develop proposals from people who come from diverse backgrounds and who represent different interests. More importantly, they learn what it means to work with others who they may not always agree with. In Javier Ergueta’s words, the experience calls on participants to “use all the skills we seek to develop in students: public speaking, group work, and activism.” Nothing could better prepare

a student who is interested in politics, nationwide and international affairs, and public speaking and or leadership roles. It requires a lot of preparation, however, for students who express interest. In order to qualify, members must take and pass a series of seventeen quizzes on the Quia class website. The quizzes concern key aspects of the countries we will represent this year: Brazil and St. Kitts & Nevis. Also, students need to research and write a position paper that states the assigned country’s situation and approach to one of the conference topics. This preparation ensures that students are ready for this exciting but challenging experience. According to Ergueta, there is “nothing pretend about it.” Almost everything is conducted in the same way as the real thing. Twenty students have already been selected to participate, so unfortunately it is too late to join at this point. This opportunity is one of a kind for high school students, and for anyone interested in what this experience has to offer, it is worth looking into for next year.

Last year’s MOAS team, including many of this year’s members

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The 2013-2014 Mock Trial team

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The leading cast of “Once Upon a Mattress”

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05The Whittier MiscellanyHoliday 2014

Get Ready to Dance and B PositiveMaya Johnson ’16Julia Delzingaro ’16Features Writers

After last year’s successful B+ dance-a-thon, raising about $20,000, the B+ committee plans to make the dance an even bigger hit this year. The previous dance was a great success, reaching the fundraising goal of twenty thousand dollars. The committee is working hard to promote the dance, hosting events such as the successful tennis match between

T e n n i s S t a t e C h a m p i o n A n n i e J a sku l sk i ’ 15 and E n g l i s h Te a c h e r Jake Rashkind. The committee plans on continuing to fundraise f o r t h e e v e n t i n January.

The B+ committee plans on going further with school fundraisers on the weekend to promote the event, as well as fundraising challenges between other schools. The B+ Foundation first started after the death of fourteen-year-old, Andrew McDonough, who died from leukemia on July 14th, 2007. Soon after Andrew’s tragic death, Joe McDonough, his father, was determined to help other families going through the same experience he had with Andrew. Joe began raising money for children struggling with cancer, and it soon became such a big hit that it became an increasingly popular foundation known as B+.

Andrew’s family named the foundation using Andrew’s blood type, and to inspire Andrew to ‘be positive’ throughout his battle with cancer. B+ has inspired many schools to raise money and help the foundation make a difference by hosting dances and fundraisers.

The B Positive committee has various activities planned. This year, the committee has activated a Twitter account that is used for updates and reminders about what the committee has going on. Grace Gannon ’15 commented, “Meera [Kohli] did a great job of encouraging people to come and raise money, and I’m sure we’ll do even better this year!”

Under Meera’s leadership, the committee has been able to accomplish so much more than just a fun dance, but emphasize the importance of why we do it.

Since Andrew w e n t t o s c h o o l right up the road from Friends, at Sallesianum School, many people in our own communi ty knew him and his family personally. People are even more inclined to help and change the lives of children that are in a situation similar to his.

A member of the B Positive committee, Brendan Wren ’16 said, “Watching Mr. McDonough speak last year, I realized that I could impact someone’s life by doing very little.” Brendan looks forward to promote and continue fundraising for the dance and B Positive Foundation as a whole.

Many students express excitement for the upcoming dance, and the committee encourages new members to join and provide whatever new ideas they may have. Hannah Feldmann ’16, who attended the dance last year, said, “I’m really looking forward to all the great music and fun that we are going to have this year, and at the same time helping to cure childhood cancer!” B Positive club members hope all WFS students will help contribute towards Andrew McDonough’s legacy.

The Library: For Books or Hanging Out?Hareena Houston ’18Features Writer

The school library at Wilmington Friends has always been a large part of our community. It has provided space for meetings, a quiet place to study, and a hangout area for students. Wilmington Friends has two librarians currently working in the library: Mary Woodward, the Upper School librarian, and Kate Hendrix, Middle School librarian and Information Technology Literacy (ITL) teacher. Also working in the library are the school’s technology geniuses: Greg Miller, the Director of Technology, and Todd Tyler. In addition to studying, the library has become a space for students to meet up and chat post-lunch or after school.

S tudents were a l l very willing to speak about the library and their viewpoints on the matter. When asked about the library being a hangout for students to meet up, an anonymous student replied, stating that he or she thinks that he or she is speaking for the whole Wilmington Friends community, “I think that the library is pretty good as it is. I haven’t been disturbed so far when I am in there working, and I enjoy being able to catch up with my friends as well.”

Many students say that so far in the library while working they have not been disturbed by friends’ rendezvous. The same student as before also commented, “All of the students are very respectful and conscious of all the teachers and students working.” Many people comment that students are all very respectful with the tone and volume of their voices in the library especially when they are aware that others are working.

There are definitely some students who have a more extreme point of view on the library. Some students believe that the library should primarily be more of a hangout. They say that students need a place to relax and have a chance to catch up with friends more than a place for studying because that is what they do all day during classes. Katie Houston ’20, says, “The library should definitely be more of a place to hang out than a place to study because already not many students use it to study and not many want to.” The student body feels strongly that their space to hangout should not be taken away from them. Some students do use the library as a place to study, but they also use it as a place to hangout and catch up with friends. When asked, Meryl Gatti ’15 says in regards to the

library being a hangout and a place to study, “I like how it allows me to get my homework done and catch up with friends I don’t have any classes with.” Gatti’s comment speaks for many of the student body because while some do try and get work done while in the library, they also use it as a time to chat and catch up with friends.

The library is also a huge part of the

schools resource center. The tone of the student body is that the library, while always useful as a place to study, should continue to be a place for people to hangout with their friends. The WFS student body believes the library is a necessary aspect of the school because it is a wonderful space for studying, social gatherings, parent meetings, class meetings, artwork, musical performances, and various alumni events, which creates a unique sense of community at Friends.

WFS Welcomes Ken AldrigeMerritt Gates ’16Features Writer

With Mr. Garman heading off to Sidwell Friends at the end of the semester, the school board was faced with the challenge of finding someone to fill his shoes as Head of Wilmington Friends School. After a long, meticulous process, the school board found that the best person for the job was right in the building: Ken Aldridge, the school’s current Assistant Head of School for Academics.

New to WFS this fall, Aldridge has been working in a variety of areas within the school. As the International Baccalaureate (IB) Coordinator, he works with outside sources, faculty members, and students with matters relating to the program.

He is the Quest Director and the one in charge of both professional development and overlooking the curriculum across all three divisions (Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools). Needless to say, Aldridge is ready to successfully take on another challenge: “I’m excited... to build off of Mr. Garman’s leadership and work for the school,” he says. He will begin his journey as Headmaster on July 1st, 2015.

Although new to the Wilmington area, Aldridge is no stranger to the Quaker life; he has twenty-five years of experience working in Quaker schools, and has long since been a Quaker himself, regularly attending Germantown Meeting. For six years he worked at the George School in Newtown, Pennsylvania, where he taught physics and chemistry, an ethics course, and also coached swimming and tennis.

Aldridge’s friendly charisma came in handy, as he was a dorm parent at the boarding school for five out of his six years there. For one year, he served as the Assistant Dean for Students. Following his time at the George School, Mr. Aldridge transitioned to Germantown Friends School. Over the course of eighteen years, he was the Science Department Chair, and taught an assortment of science courses, including; physics, chemistry, and environmental studies. On top of this, he instructed a seventh grade Quakerism class and was the Middle School Principal for his last seven years there.

While having lived in Philadelphia for twenty-four years, Aldridge says that he has had friendly connections with WFS faculty members for years prior to today. He and Mr. Garman got to know each other through the Friends Council, and he met both Rebecca Zug, Head of Upper School, and Scott Rhodewalt, Upper School History Teacher, through the George School.

Zug and Aldrige were both teachers there at the same time, and kept close ties since. She provided an inside perspective on the choosing process; what it was about Aldridge that stood out among the other contestants:

“Ken is a great listener. He interviewed as someone with impressive administrative experience, who understands Friends schools and combined what he heard from us with innovative ideas of his own. He believes in the IB program, in global education and the value of the Friends school community.” She adds that past students loved taking his chemistry classes, and that he has always offered spectacular leadership.

The students and faculty here at Wilmington Friends are more than happy to welcome Aldridge, just as he is ready and looking forward to taking on the challenge. He says he is most excited about the opportunity to serve at and learn about another Quaker school, and to build off of Mr. Garman’s strong leadership.

Also hinting at his plans for the future of Friends, Aldridge remarks that he is “really excited about what we say about global education... [I] want to consider international exchanges with other schools.” There is no doubt that Aldridge will bring a new, fresh perspective to the WFS community, as well as conserving and executing the school’s core, time-honored values.

Last year’s B+ Dance-A-Thon raised nearly $20,000

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Annie Jaskulski ’15 studying in the library during her free period

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Sports The Whittier Miscellany

Holiday 2014

06

Matt Tornek ’17Sports Columnist

Since the creation of the game, football has always gone by the motto, “Offense sells tickets, defense wins championships.” This motto implies that fans go to games just to watch the offense score. Over the years, football has evolved, scoring more and more every year, raising the question, How much scoring is too much? One thing many people love about football is all of the touchdowns, but too many of them could easily ruin the integrity of the game.

Professional football teams have been scoring the most points in the history of American football. This is mainly because of a relatively new style of offense that is starting to become more popular. It’s called the west coast offense, or the “hurry up” offense. It originated in colleges like the University of Oregon, and other west coast powerhouses. Instead of the usual huddle, jog up to the line, and then snap, players go immediately to the snap.

The Philadelphia Eagles are now famous for this style of offense, with Chip Kelly, the old Oregon coach, heading the operation. The Eagles average about twenty seconds a play, the fastest in the NFL.

Many other teams are starting to use this type of offense as well, with fourteen percent of all snaps coming out of a no huddle offense. That is up 56% from last season and up 100% from 2007.

Many teams see the benefit from this type of offense. More snaps means more plays, and more plays means more chances for a touchdown. This is a good thing because higher scores create more excitement around the league and drive up ticket sales.

Many fear the integrity of the game could be compromised with these increasingly high scores. NFL fans appreciate a good defense, because it makes that one touchdown all the more exciting. Defensive battles were what made the NFL distinct from all other levels of football, and many fans appreciate the nature of a low scoring football game.

ESPN writer Greg Easterbrook highlights many of these concerns in his ESPN article about the topic, “Most audiences would rather watch a 38-35 game than a 10-7 contest. But if scoring keeps rising, and football becomes perceived as basketball on grass, will the dramatic tension of the sport be reduced?” Maybe too much scoring, a good thing, is bad in this case.

Faster paced games do not only affect scoring. In the first two weeks of the season, there were ninety players who were injured on the field and did not return. There are an absurd amount of injuries this year, and it could be a result of this new style of play.

Easterbrook explains, “Higher scores derive in part from quick-snap, no-huddle tactics that increase the number of scrimmage downs. The more snaps, the more chance of injury. Quick-tempo football hasn’t existed long enough to determine whether more snaps increase the degree of long-term neurological harm. But there’s a worry here.”

Fast-paced games are not a step in the right direction for the NFL. It causes more injuries for the athletes playing the game. If increased scoring becomes the norm, there will be less suspense and intensity overall surrounding the league. These rising scores are not healthy for the league as a whole, but fans can only watch and see how the trend develops.

The most appreciated games in the league are not the 52-14 blowouts, or even the tight 56-52 games. It is the 20-17 games that people appreciate the most. The gritty, electric games where teams fight and grind for every yard and the fans can feel the intensity from their couches on a Sunday afternoon. Those games define the NFL, and the fans hope to return to those roots.

Too Much Time in the End Zone: Good or Bad for NFL Teams?

Blair Atkins ’17Sports Writer

Today, December 19th, shares importance with many events in sports history. Ice hockey became a major sport, one of the world’s best defensive ends was born, the original FIFA World Cup trophy was stolen, and the Philadelphia Eagles shutout the Chicago Cards 7-0 in the NFL Championship game. There are many important days in our history that we celebrate like Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Day, and the Fourth of July. Although these may not be celebrated like a major holiday, they are still relevant in history.

Ice Hockey 1917:On December 19th, 1917,

the first National Hockey League game was played on artificial ice in Toronto, Canada. The game was played the same year the United States entered World War I. During that game, Dave Ritchie, center for the Montreal Wanderers, scored the first goal ever scored in the NHL. Dave Ritchie finished seventh in league scoring and scored seventeen goals between 1916-1917. In the December 19th game, the Wanderers faced off against Toronto. Although professional hockey was played in Canada before 1917, the formation of the NHL and its organization would create a professional sports league that would have long lasting impact and increased popularity of the sport. There are thirty teams in the NHL in 2014-15 season split over four divisions. Last year, six million people watched game five of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Football 1948 and 1961:In 1948 the Philadelphia Eagles played the Chicago

Cards in the National Football League Championship. December 19th, 1948 marked the first time the Eagles ever won the NFL Championship. For non-Eagles fans, thirteen years later in 1961, Reggie White was born on December 19th. He was awarded NFL Player of the Year twice, and holds second place all-time among career sack leaders (198.5 sacks). When White’s team, the Green Bay

This Day in Sports History: December 19th

Megan Flanagan ’17Sports Writer

Girls Basketball: Coming off their 9-10 record, the Quaker Girls Basketball team hopes to have a stronger season. The team participated in a summer league at the HAC so that they could start playing with the new freshmen and bond as a team. Before the season started the members on the team hoped for a great season and were anxious to start playing. Meryl Gatti ‘15, a four-year varsity starter said, “I have really high hopes for the upcoming season. We have a lot of new faces and talent coming up from the freshmen class and I think this year our team will be extremely bonded as well as determined for a successful season.” Be sure to support the Lady Quakers as they strive to achieve their goal of conference champs for the first time since 1986!

Boys Basketball: The Quaker Boys Basketball team hopes they can have a better season than last year. Chris Loeffler has been appointed the new head coach after Brian Fahey left WFS to accept the Head of School position at West Chester Friends. Coach Loeffler held open gym times throughout the summer and fall for the boys to improve their ball skills. Although the boys had a losing season last year, finishing 4-16, the team hopes to improve and remain competitive in the Independent Conference. Jake Erskine ‘15, a returning varsity starter for the team said, “I think our team could do fairly well due to the large amount of returning players from last year. We only lost Gil Connolly so we have experience together. We have good chemistry on the court, and I think it will lead us to some big wins.” The team plans on having a great season and hopes to have fans come out and support them.

Wrestling: The Quaker wrestling team expects to have another winning season like last year’s 7-4 record, despite losing key varsity wrestlers. The team graduated

Quaker Winter Sports Underway

Packers, went to the Super Bowl in 1996 they played the New England Patriots and won 35-21. Reggie White set a Super Bowl record with three sacks, including back-to-back take-downs in the third quarter.

Soccer 1983:The FIFA World Cup is the biggest soccer competition

and one of the biggest sporting events in the world. In 1983, after Brazil won the World Cup, the trophy known as the Jules Rimet Trophy, was taken to the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation in Rio de Janeiro. On December 19th, the Rimet Trophy was stolen, but unlike the other times, it was never recovered. In response, FIFA had to make a replica of the original. Sérgio Peralta, banker and soccer agent, was the mastermind behind this theft and

his sidekicks were two men named Francisco Rivera and José Luiz Vieira. They snuck inside the building and stole three trophies including the Jules Rimet Trophy. After the scandal, the confederation realized that the World Cup trophy is a highly sought after and recognized prize. Nowadays, sports trophies are put behind bulletproof cases, making them almost impossible to steal.

Every day something happens, big or small, that

could be recorded in sports history. Winning the NFL Championship on December 19, 1948, gave the Philadelphia Eagles organization and fans a sense of pride and boosted their expectations for years to come. The Greenbay Packers had a tradition of football excellence. They won the inaugural Superbowl in 1967 and followed that up with a world championship in 1968. Reggie White, born on December 19th, a member of the Greenbay Packers, was the key player that led the Packers back to Superbowl greatness in 1996. The World Cup Fifa trophy scandal in 1983 increased the importance of international soccer. Today the World Cup Fifa trophy is one of the most sought after trophies in all of international sports. 1917 was the beginning of the modern NHL. By exploring sports history, we can gain an understanding of how sports have progressed over time.

six seniors last year, including Conner Armstrong, Jesse Miller, and Zac Hinderhofer, all who helped lead the team to multiple victories. Not only did they lose their seniors, but they also lost their coach Gregg Miller. Donald Morton, Upper School History Teacher and assistant coach last year, was appointed the new head coach position. Matt Denney ‘17, conference champion for his weight class last year, said, “It should be a good year. We almost fill out a whole lineup. I’m just excited to see how far the team will go this year after losing a few good wrestlers.” If anyone is ever free on a Saturday, check out the 2014-2015 Wrestling team.

Winter Track: We all know how tough it can be to deal with the cold winters in Delaware. Well imagine running in it! That is what the Boys and Girls Winter Track team does. They run outside during the whole winter season and participate in variety of competitions that are mostly held at Haverford College that many teams from all over the state come to and run in. These running competitions are very long and competitive, which is why we are lucky to have a team that does so well. Throughout the hallways, there is talk that the team, will be very good. Jordan Carter ‘17, the 55 and 200 yard sprint runner on the boys team, said, “I’m excited to run with this great group of people and we are all hoping to set records.”

Swimming: Coach Robin Lebauer, will once again lead both the Boys and Girls Swimming teams for the 2014-15 season. Last year, the girls had a phenomenal season, ending 10-1, and the boys ended with a respectable 6-5. It will be interesting to see how the team handles the loss of a few key swimmers, Luke Morgan ‘14, Ryann Schutt ‘17 and Ellie Anderson ‘14. Amanda Kielhorn ‘15, a varsity swimmer for the past three years, said, “Although we lost some great athletes last season, I still have high hopes for the season. I’m hoping the new additions to the team will really help the team.”

Philadelphia Eagles play the Chicago Cards in the NFL Championship game on December 19th,

1948 in the midst of a snowstorm

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07The Whittier MiscellanyHoliday 2014

Nolan Delaney ’16Sports Writer

The Philadelphia Eagles have unquestionably risen as one of the most exciting teams in the National Football League. The Eagles are now drawing more media and fan-based attention than since their last appearance in the NFC Championship game in 2005.

Their current success can be attributed to second year coach Chip Kelly, the most talented backfield with superstars LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles, and one of the strongest opening season records in the 2014 season. The team has been such a hot topic due to their controversial off-season decisions that have sparked strong reactions within their fan base.

One of the most surprising and unexpected moves of the entire off-season was Chip Kelly’s decision to release all-star wide receiver Desean Jackson. Jackson was a valuable part of Chip Kelly’s offense due to his blazing speed that allows him not only make great plays, but also spread out the field to make it easier for teammates to create big plays. Although analysts around the country have been idolizing Chip Kelly’s dominant leadership traits and coaching ability, the reasoning behind his decision remains unclear.

The press believes Kelly released Jackson due to gang member affiliations, however Kelly responded to these accusations saying that DeSean Jackson was released for football reasons. Jackson has been known to throw out gang signs during games which was commonly attributed to his big-shot personality.

“If I score a touchdown or make a play and my boys at home can see me throwing up the area we’re from, that’s me showing them love. They weren’t fortunate enough to make it where I’m at. All my friends wanted

to be in the NFL growing up, but they weren’t able to do that, and I was. That doesn’t mean I forgot about them. They’re my boys, I grew up with them, and I’m going to give them love.” So despite the Eagle’s 10-6 record last year, Kelly’s decision to release Jackson shattered the confidence of many Eagles fans around the country and sparked controversy.

Perhaps the most media-grabbing event in all of football is a quarterback competition. Fans have loved seeing superstars battle it out to win the glorious position of starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. Philly fans have been known for rooting for the underdog and having a notorious distrust in their starters in addition to being “the land of the second string quarterback.”

The constant quarterback competition has continued ever since the end of Donovan Mcnabb’s career with the Eagles in 2009. Trades and draft picks have brought in names such as Michael Vick, Mark Sanchez, Kevin Kolb, and current starter Nick Foles, who is coming off an explosive and historic debut season. Despite Foles’ record-setting season, there are still many fans that believe he is not the quarterback of the future.

Daniel Shahbazian ’16 does not trust Foles’ decision making and athleticism (mostly due to his high touchdown-to-turnover ratio), but also is not convinced that Mark Sanchez has any more to add.

The Eagles are soaring in the beginning of their 2014 season with a 9-3 record, making them the first in the NFC Eastern Conference. Philadelphia fans are sitting on the edge of their seats as the 2014 season continues to unfolds in hopes of a successful season. With the exciting quarterback controversy, and Coach Chip Kelly’s unconventional decisions to rebuild the team, the Eagles will undoubtedly grab the attention of the media and the fans for the duration of the season.

Sports by the

STATSMartha O’Brien ’15Sports Editor

Yards ran by Steven Maguire ’16 in regular season football.615

Place won by both the Girls and Boys Cross Country teams at the state meet at White Clay.

Field Hockey players who were awarded All-State and All-Disc honors

New coaches in the 2014-2015 Winter Season.

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Matt Byer ’18Alice Irwin ’18Sports Writers

This year’s football team made it through their regular season undefeated leaving the coaches and players more than satisfied with their performance as they became the first undefeated football team since 2008. Assistant Coach and Upper School History Teacher, Donald Morton, commented, “We are absolutely proud of this team. They have met every challenge that they have faced this year.” The coaches and players have expressed excitement due to the great results from this season.

The regular season concluded with a 42-6 victory over arch rival Tower Hill on November 8t. The game was much sought after by the WFS community and football team alike. “The Tower Hill win was one for the ages,” said Assistant Coach Morton. “This group has dreamed a little more, reached a little farther, and has only worked harder and harder since the start of preseason our freshmen year,” said Ian Furman ‘15.

When asked about the expectations of this year’s team, Mark Burke, Athletic Director, remarked, “This season went exactly as expected. When it comes to any team sport nothing beats actual game experience, solid senior leadership -especially when it is playoff time- and individuals who are playing for something bigger than themselves- the team.”

Looking back at the 2008 team’s regular season,WFS scored 316 points, and 98 points were scored against us in arguably a very difficult schedule. In the first round of the 2008 DIAA tournament, WFS football played Howard and came from behind to win 26-20. In the second round, WFS played at Milford High School and lost, 14-45, ending their season. In 2014, the Quakers scored 331 points, and only 46 points were scored against us. In the first round of the

DIAA tournament, WFS played Archmere Academy and dominated with a win of 41-27, extending their undefeated season. In the semi-finals, the team was defeated by Laurel High School 14-0 at Caravel Academy.

One of the main factors in the football team’s success was this season’s captains: Tommy Rhodes, Ian Furman, and Jimmy Carney along with the whole senior class. “The most amazing thing about this senior class is that it is a class full of captains. Each and every senior is a leader. Being one of three guys, really more like brothers, that has led this team into battle each week has been one of the most amazing experiences that I have had while here

at Friends, and I can patiently wait for it to end,” said Furman ‘15.

An integral part of the team is Coach Bob “T” Tattersall. Tattersall has been a teacher and coach at WFS for 44 years, coaching over 460 football players. In his time at WFS, Tattersall has become one of the most successful high school coaches in the state. “Coach T,” as players refer to him, holds the respect and

admiration of all football athletes at WFS.“This team has solid leadership from Coach Tattersall and the entire staff. You can be certain that when our team steps on the field they will never be out coached or out prepared. This staff spends a lot of extra time scouting, practice planning, and game planning. They also have fifteen seniors who they know very well and know exactly the right position to place them in to ensure player success, which leads to team success,” stated Burke.

Led by their coaches and captains, the WFS football team has managed to overcome many obstacles and emerge as the best in the conference. The devotion demonstrated by the team has paid off and serves as a model for all future teams to follow. With a strong foundation built by hard work and team chemistry, the 2014 football exceeded all expectations.

Quaker Football Makes It To Semis

Class of 2015 pose after their last regular season win against rival Tower Hill

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Philadelphia Eagles Fly to Success

Katie Bodycot ’17Sports Writer

The start of the winter season brings a new selection of competitive sports teams, and the boys basketball team is beginning to show its potential. Brian Fahey, previous Head Coach, has taken the position as the Head of School at West Chester Friends School in Pennsylvania and will not be with the team this season. Fahey lead the team to many victories and was a favorite to many players and students. Although the team is sad to see him leave, they are excited to see what Coach Loeffler will bring to the 2014-2015 season.

When asked about his thoughts about the upcoming season, Jordan Perkins ‘17, returning varsity player, explained, “We are definitely excited about Coach Loeffler becoming the Head Coach this 2014-2015 basketball season. We are familiar with his coaching style because he was our assistant coach last year,” and later added, “I feel we can be a competitive team coming this year.”

While the team finished with a record or 4-16 last season, they fought hard up until the last game. They were able to play competitively with some of the best teams in the state. In of their best efforts, the Quakers were only down four points to last years state champions, Salesianum, at halftime. This season, they have their sights set on one goal: to increase their wins. Coach Loeffler expects to have a successful season, “I’m excited to help this group of players keep improving. They play incredibly hard and, by the end of last year, we were playing well together. Our main goal is to keep improving and learn how to finish games.” Coach Loeffler is a WFS alumni and Lower School teacher, who played basketball at Swarthmore College.

The team look forward to The Quaker Classic, an annual tournament played at the Quaker’s home court. With almost the entire varsity team returning this year, they are sure to improve. Best of luck to Quaker basketball and their pursuit for success.

Loeffler Dribbles into Head Coach Position for 2014 Season

08The Whittier MiscellanyHoliday 2014

Allie Fulginiti’17Chloe Hudson’16Entertainment Writers

Along with the excitement and hope for the future that comes with the beginning of a new year, there is also an opportunity to work on creating a “new you,” and turn over a new leaf. The opportunity to do so arises on January 1st of every year, with the chance to make a New Year’s resolution, or multiple, to do something that will benefit either ourself or others. However, making a long term resolution is easier said than done. The most common resolutions range from various diets in an attempt to lose weight or get fit, to helping those in need. The first few weeks of starting anything new are often easy, refreshing, and make one wonder why he or she never lived a certain way before. However, as time goes on excuses start to form and the thought, “one day won’t hurt!” comes more frequently. Unfortunately, in most cases, one day will turn into multiple days, then a week, sometimes even a month, and before long, another New Year has come around, and we are thinking of another resolution that will not be kept .

The irony of New Year ’s resolutions is that many of us know the unlikeliness of maintaining long-term commitments, and yet we still make the far-fetched promises to ourselves. “When I think of New Year’s resolutions, I think of people only sticking to them for the first week,” said Caroline Wren ’16. Kalyn Nix ’17, cannot help but agree, “I think most people make New Year’s resolutions, but it is a lot harder to keep the resolutions than to make them. I think many people struggle with following through with their resolutions after about the first month of trying it out”. Based on a recent study on New Year’s resolutions by the University of Scranton, statistics show that approximately 46% of

Forming Realistic New Year’s ResolutionsAmericans make New Year’s resolutions on the strike of midnight on December 31, but only a fraction accomplish them, a surprising 8% making it successfully to the end of the year. However, the collection of data from a vast range of different genders, races, and ages, shows that those under the age of 50 are more likely to achieve their resolution each year.

Despite the fact that many people are not always successful with keeping a New Year’s resolution, the resolutions do help many people change themselves for the better. There are ways to shape resolutions so that they are more achievable. For instance, before making a resolution, have a set plan or routine to follow through with the resolution, so there are no last minute excuses. It is a good way to start with a fresh slate in terms of mind-set and rejuvenates a personal sense of determination when goals are set. Brendan Wren ’16, explained his ambitions for the New Year, “My New Year’s Resolution is to try my best to have the Friend’s basketball team have a winning record.”

An admirable 47% of New Year’s resolutions are targeted on self-improvement or are education related. Before setting goals, many have to take a step back and think, “this is what I want to do, and this is how I will get there.” Charlotte Donoho ‘16 shared, “New Year’s is a time to change yourself for the better.” Though not always effective, New Year’s resolutions present a useful opportunity for everyone to start over.

W h e t h e r N e w Ye a r ’s resolutions were established since January 2nd of 2014, or will still be percolating up until New Year’s eve, there is a never a bad time to set goals. Whether resolutions will be focused on self improvement, relationships, or service, any step forward is one in the right direction, and it is up to each and every one of us to make the next year better than the last.

Holiday Dishes to Try This SeasonNatalie Szumel’16Entertainment Writer

As the holiday season approaches,watching Christmas movies on TV curled up by a warm fire sounds very inviting. What better way to complete that cozy environment than with a batch of freshly baked sugar cookies or warm chocolate cake. After all, the holiday treats happen area large part of what makes the holidays such an exciting time.

Sugar cookies seem like one of the most popular holiday desserts. Whether the cookies are made at home or bought in a store, they are found almost everywhere around the holidays. A fun holiday tradition for some families include these festive desserts. Emilio Ergueta ’16 shared, “Every year my family makes German sugar cookies in all different shapes and sizes. We decorate them with sprinkles and glaze and eat them Sunday after church.” As Emilio explained, the cookies usually come in various shapes whether they be reindeer, ornaments, snowflakes, or Santa heads. Cookie cutters can be found at most grocery stores around this time of year, so be sure to pick some up to test out this tasty holiday treat.

While many people enjoy sugar cookies during this season, people also make many more desserts in celebration of the holidays. For example, Sarah Balick ’17 describes her family’s holiday tradition, which also happens to be her favorite holiday dessert. “A chocolate cake that my grandmother makes every year. The recipe has been in my family for years.” Like Sarah’s family, many families have traditional holiday recipes.

Another crowd favorite is peppermint bark: chocolate with bits of crushed up candy cane inside. There tends to be a ton of variation in the different styles of peppermint bark. Depending on the baker, the dessert may include white, milk, or dark chocolate. Sometimes there is even a combination of all three in different artistic ways. Either in the center or around the chocolate there are pieces of crushed-up candy cane. Ranging from flakes to solid chunks of candy cane, the size of the bits depend, again, on the baker. Grace Para ’18 voiced her opinion, “Peppermint bark is my favorite! White chocolate is the best! I think the smaller pieces of candy cane is better.”

Looking for a Christmas specific snack? There are a load of popular recipes circulating. Pop a freshly cooked ham with a side of lasagna for entrees down on the table. Not only are they tasty, but they’ll warm you from inside out on a cold winter evening. To enliven your dessert table this Christmas, try the tres leches cake. This Spanish recipe is considered one of the tastiest. Take one bite of the cake, and it will become clear. Christmas is not the only holiday with delicious looking sets of food for dinner. A glimpse of a typical dinner table during Hanukkah might include brisket or chicken, served with various sides of either potato latkes, spinach tidbit, grilled salmon, and sugared pecan salad. Looking for a sweet dessert for your Hanukkah table? Be sure to test out the traditional Hanukkah donut (or Sufganiot) recipes which can be deep-fried, jelly-filled, or honey-filled.

Last but certainly not least, what might a traditional Kwanzaa dinner table look like? A popular meal is a large bowl of chicken or sausage gumbo, a thick stew-like dish consisting of meat, stock, and vegetables. It is often accompanied by different sides like mashed sweet potatoes, biscuits, and crusty cornbread. For dessert, a delicious sweet such as potato pie, topped with whipped cream is often prefered.

Each culture and religion has its own subset of recipes that are special to the holiday season. Trying foods from different cultures can be another way to make the holidays interesting and unique. So before sitting by the fire this coming holiday season, stop by the grocery store to pick up any ingredients needed for these delicious holiday dishes. Remember, festive treats or delicious entrees will bring the holiday feel to the dinner table.

Abby Kleman ’18Maggie Martelli-Raben’18Entertainment Writers

In the days leading up to Christmas, people are often glued to their televisions. Since 1969, ABC Family has hosted a 25 day special of Christmas programs that lead up until Christmas Day. ABC Family has a wide variety of cartoon Christmas specials. Their programs keep people eager for the holidays, such as How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Miser Brothers’ Christmas, and other cartoon classics that are great for families to watch together. However, they are not the only station that shows famous Christmas movies. The Hallmark Channel does a 12 day Christmas countdown where they show 12 different movies, while TBS shows the highly anticipated and acclaimed movie, A Christmas Story, which plays for 24 hours every year starting at eight p.m. on Christmas Eve. Samantha Conner ‘18 shared, “I love how ABC Family has a wide variety of Christmas movies playing every year, because all Christmas movies make me so happy.” There is a high chance that when channel surfing in December, A Charlie Brown Christmas to The Polar Express might flash up on the television.

Some people prefer Christmas comedies, like Elf or National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, while others would opt for older and more heartwarming movies, such as It’s a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street. Disney Channel provides their viewers films including Disney’s: A Christmas Carol and Santa Clause I,II and III, starring Tim Allen. However, not everyone gets in the spirit with movies and programs. Some adults prefer to just watch Christmas in Rockefeller Center or SNL Christmas, hosted by NBC. Many people have a specific Christmas special that they most enjoy for the holidays. When asked what program she looks most forward to, Izzy Martelli-Raben ’15 said, “Honestly the greatest of them all is A Christmas Story.” Everybody

has their own opinion on which Christmas movie is the best one.

There is no doubt that people who do not celebrate Christmas also tune in for a nice Christmas classic here and there. Celebrating a different holiday should not prevent anyone from watching nice Christmas film during the holidays. Eric Pincus ‘18, who is Jewish, remarked, “I love Christmas movies and think that they are great to watch with family during the holidays.” However, there are a few alternative movies, such as 8 Crazy Nights and Rugrats Chanukah, which are based around the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah. No matter what religion and type of holiday celebrated, great movies can bond families together during the holidays.

While channels like ION, CBS, ABC and The CW might play a special here and there, it is undoubtedly ABC Family that takes the Christmas special crown. ABC Family covers all types of Christmas movies and will often play two or three a night. Sydney Gardner ’16 says “I can always count on ABC Family to have some Christmas special on during the holidays.” And the ratings show! In 2007 when ABC Family decided to actually countdown, their first program aired attracted over 4 million viewers. They have continued this annually since then with start dates varying from November 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.

In the words of Anna Erskine ’18,“There is nothing like watching a good Christmas special during the holidays.” Watching Christmas specials is something one would not want to miss during the holidays, because it is not the same in the spring or summer. Watching these movies is a great way to spend time with family by the warm fireplace. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, many of these timeless films will always put a smile on your face. You can only watch so many different Christmas movies before they start repeating. However, no matter how many times we’ve seen A Christmas Story or Elf , we can all admit, the holidays would not quite be the same without these Christmas classics.

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Times Square on New Years

09The Whittier MiscellanyHoliday 2014

Katrina Skibicki’17Entertainment Writer

From Harry Potter to The Fault in Our Stars, filmmakers have continued to undertake the daunting task of adapting bestselling novels into successful movies. The responses to these film counterparts vary, especially among the Wilmington Friends School community. Either anxiously awaiting their favorite books to become cinema sensations, or worried that the new films will serve as poor reflections of the stories held close to their hearts, audiences scrutinize the films when they are released in theatres. Their reactions include admiration for the film’s true correspondence to the original novel or exasperation due to their alterations and omissions of the novel’s memorable details.

Directors Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell, and David Yates have all stepped up to face the unthinkable challenge of translating the Harry Potter books into film. Needless to say, they were carrying precious cargo. How could a movie ever do J.K. Rowling’s beloved novels justice? As each film was released, potter fans picked apart the production, complimenting its loyalty to Rowling’s words or criticizing its elimination of some specific details in the story. Annette Wannamaker, a literature professor from Eastern Michigan University who created a course dedicated solely to the Potter books, boldly deemed the films superior to Rowling’s original novels for several reasons. “Rowling needed better editors to keep her from being long-winded… And the movies don’t have that problem,” argued Wannamaker, particularly questioning the length necessary for the seventh and final Potter book. Margaret Kane ’16, however, remained faithful to Rowling’s series, her opinion firmly contradicting the arguments of Wannamaker. Margaret felt disappointed by the film’s inadequate inclusion of Rowling’s creative details that Wannamaker might denounce as “long-winded” or “tedious”. She argued: “The Harry Potter movies tend to focus on the major events in the story, so I missed out on seeing a lot of my favorite little details come to life on the big screen. It’s always going to be hard to meet the expectations set by the books because you can’t fit in all these details in a movie.”

Veronica Roth’s Divergent, a science-fiction novel in which a post-apocalyptic society divides people into four distinct factions based upon human virtues, was also adapted into a much anticipated film. Released by

Fan Favorite Novels Released as MoviesSummit Entertainment last march, Divergent received particular laudatory responses for the performances of Shailene Woodley and Theo James. Todd Gilchrist of The Playlist praises Woodley for her portrayal of protagonist Beatrice, Or Trice, Prior: “Woodley makes for more than uncertain enough of a hero to add detail and meaning to the implosion of this world...There’s little artifice to her performance, and the mundane honesty of her reactions create a believability that the world would otherwise lack.” Several differences between the Divergent film and book jumped out at Jimmy Carney ’15, who, interestingly, chose to dive into Roth’s trilogy after seeing the movie in theatres. Jimmy explained, “I felt that the movie left out some key elements that turn out to be important in the second and third book, so it’ll be interesting to see how the next two movies make up for that.” Jayna Jones ’17 whose enthusiasm for the story wavered after her viewing of the film, argued, “If you either watched the book or saw the movie you’d probably be happy,” later adding, “I found that the movie made the book look ten times better. It was definitely a disappointment.” On the other hand, critics noted major motion pictures The Hunger Games and Catching Fire for their success in matching up with the intent of Suzanne Collins, author of the renowned Hunger Games trilogy, by capturing the dramatic violence and raw emotion present in her novels. Of course, as an English teacher, Lauren Gutstein, passionately defended her predilection for The Hunger Games novels over the films. She insisted it was impossible for the movie counterpart to top her experience reading Collins’s novel. “I spent my entire fall break in grad school reading The Hunger Games. I was so engrossed by the novel that I refused to leave the house until I finished. I believe there is something special about experiencing a story through the printed page.” Hunger Games fans have set their hopes high for MockingJay Part 1, the first of the two films concluding the story made famous by Collins.

Many readers, appreciating both the privilege of utilizing their own powerful imagination and the author’s use of various literary techniques, will denounce the blockbuster competitors of their favorite novels. After all, how often is “it just wasn’t what I pictured” among the initial reactions to these films? However, films can just as easily bring novel enthusiasts to, in a sense, the “dark side” through their impressive casting choices and productive use of stunning visual effects, proving that sometimes the movie can be just as good as the book.

Charlotte Donoho ’16Entertainment Writer

Many people consider winter the greatest time of year because it is a time filled with celebrations and making memories with family and friends. With all of the winter sports and activities, there is always some way for Friends families to make the most out of the winter break. Although there are various ways to enjoy the season, some Wilmington Friends families have special winter traditions that they perform every year.

The winter holidays evoke a strong sense of giving, so it should be no surprise that a common favorite tradition among students is giving and receiving gifts. Cat Clark ’16, a student with a unique family tradition explained, “Every winter we make ornaments by covering styrofoam balls in sequins and putting our school pictures on them. It’s fun because we get to see how we have grown up over the years. They also make great gifts, and we give them to our grandparents.”

Looking for another creative gift idea? Make snow globes, knit outerwear, or decorate mugs. Similar to Cat, Nathaniel Ruhl ’18 and his family have a tradition of giving a particular gift each year. Nathaniel says, “We give pajamas to each other on Christmas Eve and we visit the ‘Marsh Road House’ which is decorated

with lights.” Even though winter is the coldest time of year,

families enjoy the frosty weather with their outdoor winter traditions. For some students, there is nothing more exciting than playing around in the snow by making snow angels, going ice skating, or having a snowball fight with friends. Nimalah Baaith-Ducharme ’16 is one student who loves to be out in the snow, she stated, “On the day before Christmas, my family goes sledding and then we come home to drink hot chocolate and watch A Christmas Story, which is my family’s favorite holiday movie.” Sledding is always a popular activity for Friends students to do during snow days.

Although there are many people who love spending time outside during the winter, there are others who would rather spend their time inside buried under a pile of blankets with a warm drink. When asked if she had any winter traditions, Lizzie Kane ’18 responded “My family always makes ‘no no’ cookies during the winter. When my mom was younger, my grandmother made them every year around Christmas. Whenever my mom and her sisters would try to steal the cookies, my grandmother would say ‘no no’, and the name eventually stuck.”

When asked the same question, Sarah Balik ’17 answered, “There is a cookie exchange every year at my dad’s office and every year my sister and I make cookies together for the party.” Other indoor winter activities include watching your favorite holiday movies, reading, playing board games, or making festive treats.

Winter is called “the most wonderful time of the year” because it brings families and friends together, but it also has something to offer to everyone. WFS families make the most out of the holiday season by celebrating with their special winter traditions. Whether it’s baking an old family cookie recipe, watching a favorite holiday movie, or making unique homemade ornaments, nothing makes the holidays more special for Friends students than family traditions.

Java Nook Orchestrated by Amy FerrisMaddie Ireland’16Meera Kohli’15Entertainment Editors

The WFS student body was introduced to the Java Nook in early September. It was an idea for the students by the students, having taken form in business meeting and flourishing from there. However, who is the real backbone behind the Java Nook?

Amy Ferris, the director of food services for Wilmington Friends School, had been working on the Java Nook since day one, even taking time over the summer to make sure that it was ready to open for students the first week of school. The Java Nook was no easy feat to accomplish. Finding a coffee and food supplier, enlisting employees to work during the school day, and setting prices were just some of the tricky jobs that Ferris had to face in the weeks predating the Java Nook’s opening. Despite the difficulties getting and keeping the Java Nook up and running, Ferris’s work paid off. Impressed with Ferris’s workmanship with the Java Nook, Eli Akerfedlt-Howard ’16 said, “Amy’s very patient with the new employees. At the same time, everything runs very smoothly, enough so that you can go during five minute breaks.” On the same note, John Blackwell ’18 noted, “She’s a great person to take on an extra responsibility with keeping the students happy. She must be very busy with the cafe and the Java Nook!”

Since the opening of the Java Nook, it has proven

to be a huge success amongst students. Because it is open from the start of the school day until just before lunch, students can get snacks and drinks during their early morning frees or study halls, and even in between doubles, ensuring that students and teachers can get their coffee and muffin fixes almost anytime during the morning. Demetria Ruhl ’16 said, “It’s a great place to meet up with friends and have something good to drink or eat.” When a open forum topic was brought to business meeting in October most students were voicing praise for the coffee shop. In fact, the shop is so popular,

many students were asking for the Java Nook’s hours to be extended. However, some students did voice conern over the prices of the drinks saying that not all drinks should be priced the same. The response to this has generally been that the prices are based on other schools’ prices and local shops’ prices. Generally speaking most students were pleased with the Java Nook and look forward to seeing how it develops and flourishes.

Although the idea for the Java Nook began in business meeting, the small student space could not have been made possible without the hard work of Amy Ferris. So, next time you are taking a bite into your delicious chocolate chip muffin or taking a long sip of your warm cider

this winter, make sure to think about the behind the scenes brains of the Java Nook. Also, whether she’s at typing in your cafeteria code during lunch, serving up drinks at the Java Nook, or just chatting with students, make sure to say your thank you’s to Amy Ferris.

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Creative sign display’s Java Nook’s drinks for the day

Community

10The Whittier MiscellanyHoliday 2014

Whittier’s Holiday 2014 Wishlist

Christmas on Another ContinentEmilio ErguetaFreelance Columnist

For most Americans there are some things that are synonymous with Christmas. Everyone knows that gift shopping starts on Black Friday, big red Santas begin to appear on the lawns as soon as Halloween ends, and by early November every store plays the same holiday music. It is easy to think that these traditions are present everywhere else in the world, but this is far from the case. Europeans, some of the earliest to celebrate the holiday, have a very different view of Christmas, with many European countries having their own traditions. Thanks to my family background and my years abroad, I have a very different idea of what celebrating Christmas is like.

I cannot bring up Christmas without mentioning the Germans. With its regular snowfall and cozy little villages, the country lends itself to Christmas. Continuing traditions that have been carried on for generations are at the heart of the German holiday season. Every year, towns will set up their own “Weihnachtsmarkt” or “Christmas market.” I have seen small towns that only set up a few huts and stands, but last year, when visiting Düsseldorf, I was amazed to see the whole riverfront turned into one giant, medieval Christmas village. The sweet smell of roasted chestnuts and little donut balls called “Schmaltz Kuchen” greet visitors of these villages. Vendors and artisans sell a variety of handmade ornaments, nutcrackers, and toys, while old-fashioned smithies make metal sculptures, feudal weapons, and nifty tools. The Weihnachtsmarkt is the perfect place to gather and enjoy a frosty winter afternoon with a glass of “Glühwein” or mulled wine.

Another tradition that has long been upheld is that of the “Adventskranz” or “advent wreath.” These wreaths are richly decorated and placed in the center of the table, and one candle is lit for every advent Sunday that passes until all four are illuminated. Like many others, my family will come together during this season and spend an afternoon baking “Plätzchen” or little sugar cookies cut out in all different shapes. We make the dough from scratch, following instructions that have been passed down for generations and have a great time cutting the cookies out with little metal cutters. By the end of a hard day’s work we have boxes full of snowmen, shooting stars, church

bells, and all sorts of fun, shaped cookies to enjoy by the fire throughout the advent season.

Over to the west, the French have a very different perspective of how Christmas should be celebrated. They have chosen to retain many of the religious ideas of the holiday, with churches filled to capacity on advent Sundays, and church bells chiming every hour. My second host family, who hardly went to church all year, would make sure to dress up in their finest, and get up early to be there during the Christmas season.

Much like American Thanksgiving, French people have a big Christmas dinner. In France, Christmas Eve is a time where the whole family gathers and eats the “Dinde de Noël” or Christmas Turkey often served with boiled potatoes and ratatouille. In the South, where I stayed, the Christmas dinner always begins with a first course of Foie Gras and some Champagne.

Most families also set up a nativity scene or “crèche” in their homes. Setting up the crèche is not a light affair. I remember the process that my host dad took to set up theirs. I recall my host dad coming out of the garage with an electric drill and several wooden boards under his arm. He proceeded to take me through the process of building the family crèche, which occupied an entire corner of the living room. With a wooden structure, a foam base, and a decorative outer layer (including a water feature), this crèche was as complex as the set of a play. Nativity scenes are also filled with little figurines (often hand carved from wood). These figurines can range from traditional angels and shepherds to more modern interpretations. My host family’s “Italian” crèche prominently featured a “Pizzaiolo” or a pizza maker with a little Santa Claus looking down from the mountains. Every day they are moved slightly closer to the Christ figure, only arriving several weeks later (as described in the bible). They bring the Christmas story into the home.

It really fascinates me that we can have such different concepts of the holiday we call Christmas, but at its core, we all celebrate the same thing. Whether we are baking cookies together in the kitchen, or singing carols in church, we are all still coming together with our family and friends at the same time of the year. And although we may be saying “Fröhliche Weihnachten” or “Joyeux Noël” to each other, it all still translates to “Merry Christmas.”

1. Fuzzy socks2. Snow3. Snow days4. More snow days than last year5. Cookies6. Peppermint bark7. To go skiing8. Pine trees9. Sleep10. Hot chocolate11. Bonfires12. Christmas music13. Gingerbread houses14. Sledding15. College acceptance letters16. Spencer Hall’s watches17. 198918. Fuzzy footie pajamas19. A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles onesie20. Katniss to finally make a decision

21. Winter wonderland22. Christmas carolers 23. Christmas carolers in a rock band24. A sense of purpose25. Less homework26. No more homework

27. A snow apocalypse28. A snowball fight like in Elf29. Ugly sweaters30. A Superman cape31. Pajama jeans32. Snuggie33. Ice skating34. Mrs. Miller’s Super Math Club

35. For the wifi to be fixed36. Cats in snow37. A bunny38. A hedgehog39. A turtle or a turtleneck40. Good grades41. A brand new microscope42. Cards Against Humanity43. For it to be warm44. The beach45. A snowmobile46. A zamboni47. Winter Olympics 201848. Success49. Security50. A friend51. Happiness52. Mrs. Kenney’s shoes 53. COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES (seriously)54. A very merry holiday season!

On September 30, 2014, Nicholas Kristof came to speak at the Philadelphia Free Library about his new book, A Path Appears, co-written with his wife Sheryl WuDunn. Nicholas Kristof is an American journalist who currently writes for the New York Times as an Op-Ed writer. He won two Pullitzer prizes in his career. Kristof and WuDunn are known for “shining a spotlight on neglected conflicts”, and wrote multiple books such as Thunder From the East, China Wakes, and Half the Sky. Bill Clinton describes their work by saying; “Nobody clarifies the social challenges of our time, or the moral imperative to help meet them, better than Nick Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.” A Path Appears, published in mid September, provides an interesting narrative about making a difference in the world through stories of people and organizations. The book also supplies guidance on becoming a conscientious global citizen, and ideas and instructions on approaches to giving back.

I attended Nicholas Kristof’s speech at the Philadelphia Free Library. The basis of this new book focuses on the idea that talent is universal, but opportunity is not. So many people fail to reach their full potential because they lost the lottery of birth. In an astonishingly depressing statistic, Kristof stated that a child of professionals hears thirty million more words by the age of four than a child on welfare. A person goes through a tremendous amount of development within their first few years of life. The introduction of words leads to a greater vocabulary, which leads to an increased aptitude and ability to read at an earlier age. This gives a child an incredible advantage and boost in academics, leading to a more successful future and career. The fact that a large percentage of children are not receiving the same advantages that middle class children are receiving just because of their status at birth is outrageous, yet a harsh reality. These are the types of problems that Kristof and WuDunn shed light on in their book.

Another topic he touched on was what makes people give, or the psychology behind giving. People are more likely to give if a story is attached to the problem because it connects a face to where their donations are going to go, and appeals to a person’s emotions. Kristof and WuDunn take this into account when they write. Every topic that they present in their book is accompanied by a story on that subject. Their focus on storytelling instills a sense of empathy and compassion in readers.

Nearly all of the stories that they tell have a positive arc, another unique element to Kristof and WuDunn’s storytelling approach. This positive arc creates a sense that the problems presented, whether educational disadvantages, or lack of access to resources, can get better, something that both authors are adamant about spreading. Kristof defines himself as an optimist despite the harshness of the world that he has reported on because of the chances and opportunities that he has seen in spite of adversity.

A Path Appears’ name came from a quote from famous Chinese essayist, Lu Xun, written in 1921. Xun wrote, “Hope is like a path in the countryside. Originally, there is nothing – but as people walk this way again and again, a path appears.” How, as a Friends community, can we make a difference and make ‘a path appear’? Volunteering, advocacy, and money can all create change. To become involved in an issue does not necessarily mean that we can solve it completely. Instead, we have the ability to make a significant impact on other people, which can be equally beneficial. The next time an opportunity is presented to you to help others and create change, do not shy away from the problem because it seems too big to tackle. Take the words of Kristof and WuDunn to heart, and look at the problem in terms of the impact you can make for individuals because you can make a world of a difference for that one person who you do help.

A Path Appears on How to Change the WorldJodi LessnerAssistant Editor-in-Chief

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