The Horace Mann Record

HORACE MANN SCHOOL | WEEKLY SINCE 1913 October 21, 2011 http://record.horacemann.org Volume 109, Issue 6

Diversity Seminars Plant Seeds of Change

Grant Ackerman Staff Writer
Faculty will be exploring diversity by exploring themselves, said the organizers of a series of eight seminars that began yesterday. The seminars, called S.E.E.D. (Seeking Educational Equality and Diversity) are an opportunity for faculty members to learn about themselves to be better equipped to create more inclusive classrooms and school communities, Diversity Associate Markell Parker said. The seminars offer a balance between the scholarship on the shelves and the scholarship of the selves, according to the organizations brochure. The holistic approach to diversity, she said, is what made me want to do it at Horace Mann. The concept of mirrors and windows used in the last two assemblies comes directly from the S.E.E.D. philosophy she added. I am interested in seeing the direction diversity is headed at HM, participant and Middle Division science teacher Yancey Quiones said. I want to lean the perspectives and the discussions and contribute my own. There isnt one specific outcome that we will accomplish, he said. However, the discussions lead to the school making even more conscientious decisions about diversity and fine tuning the discussions in the future. Before the meeting, the faculty had a homework assignment; read a piece about one familys experience with money, and they then write about their awareness and experience of their familys relationship with money. The point of this seminar was to experience something, and then to reflect on it in one of several ways, which included discussing with a partner, group discussions, and brief written responses, Parker said. During the seminar, the faculty members will participate in a variety of activities and experiences such as watching excerpts from a documentary called People Like Us: Social Class in America, the organizers said. S.E.E.D. helps teachers to develop curriculums that are more meaningful and inclusive to all of their students, Director of Diversity Initiatives Patricia Zuroski said. The more you can diversify the material, the more likely students will be able to have a deep connection with the course, which will in turn, make them like the course more. The optimal group size for a S.E.E.D. seminar is 14-17 faculty members including the trained facilitators, which in this case were Ms. Zuroski and Mr. Parker. Faculty applied to partcipate in the seminar. Participants include faculty from the Lower Division, Middle Division, Upper Division, and Dorr, Zuroski said. Our hope is that the seminar will be engaging enough so that it will spread by the word of mouth, Parker said. We really hope that S.E.E.D. will grow overtime to be a popular seminar here on campus.

Members of the HMTC perform exerpts from the Laramie Project, a play about Matthew Shepards death.

Will Ellison Staff Writer

Stories Call for Acceptance

an email asking students to describe their experiences with LBGTQ issues formed the basis for presentations Tuesday. About a dozen of these anecdotes were read by Emma Laurences Intermediate Acting and Directing classes throughout the assembly. The stories revealed that one student thinks that being gay is taboo, another is scared to come out because of suicide stereotypes, and a third looks at her friend differently now that she knows shes bisexual. Thirteen members of the Theatre Company presented dramatic readings of four moments from the Laramie Project, a play written about the brutal 1998 murder of gay college student Matthew Shephard, based on recorded interviews from people in his hometown of Laramie, Wyoming. The moments depicted details about Shephards life, a bike rider finding his maimed body, his funeral and an epilogue regarding how Matt affected his community. Throughout the moments, Fred Phelps, a pastor from

Spencer Bistricer / Staff Photographer

A lot of people regularly dont consider how many LGBTQ kids there are in our school, and there are actually really a lot, and a lot of them are very uncomfortable and feel like nobody notices that theyre there, GSA co-president Avital Morris (12) said about this weeks assembly. The purpose of the assembly is to show what it is like to be LGBTQ or an ally at HM, since we think that a lot of people are very comfortable with that in theory but that in practice it can actually be really hard for people, Morris and GSA co-president Katie Bartel (12) said they wanted this assembly to be like the mirrors and windows diversity assembly, noting that for most students a gay identity is seen through a window but some see it in a mirror. The best student assemblies are really honest, Bartels said. About twenty five responses to

Kansas curses and denounces gays. Students and faculty reflected on the connections between events nationally and at school. Max Moran (12) talked about how it is a frightening travesty that Shephards two accused murderers claimed insanity because of their fear of homosexuality-they used the term gay panic defense, which he argued shouldnt exist. Moran urged support for LGBTQ people, and acknowledged that hatred toward this community is wrong, while photography teacher Karen Johnson talked about a 1996 GSA assembly and how she appreciated students who stood for fairness by not judging homosexuality. Horace Mann is a pretty accepting community, and we want to push that even further, Bartel said. People dont realize that there are a lot of kids who arent straight at our school. As a result of that, people arent as careful with what they say and how they act. Kids just dont realize that not everybodys straight.

Last Friday fifty-six seniors remained at school after the late buses departed for a night of capture the flag, freshly baked apple pie, and Aladdin at the second senior movie night of the year. The goal was to provide an opportunity to blow off steam during this stressful time for seniors, and to come together and bond as a grade, co-president of the class Chloe Albanese (12) said. It was enjoyable to just be able to see your friends and not get caught up in the academic pressures of Horace Mann for a night, Gurbani Suri (12) said. After a buffet of pizza, garlic knots, and an array of candy in Oshlan Lobby, many seniors went up to Four Acres for two games of capture the flag despite a steady rain. Capture the flag really got everyone involved, everyone was having a good time, Albanese said. It was dark and difficult to see which made the game even more

Seniors Come Together for Second Movie Night

exciting, Meredith Ruskin (12) said. The lack of light allowed many people to pretend that they were on the opposing team, allowing them to sneak around to the other side and grab the opposing flag, without arousing any suspicion from the team whos flag they had taken, attendees said. Those who did not play capture the flag worked in Dr. Kellys kitchen to make apple pies for the all of the attending seniors for the showing of Aladdin in the black box. The event was successful because it gave people a chance to come together and to have fun, Ruskin said, It really helped to unite the grade, she said. It gave kids a chance to just have some downtime away from work, faculty advisor to the Senior Activities Committee Caroline Bartels, who played a major role in organizing the event, said. ~James Megibow

Faculty members explore personal dimensions of identity at a diversity seminar.

Florence Ngala/ Staff Photographer

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Friday, October 21, 2011

Opinions & Editorials

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The Horace Mann Record

Editorial Board
Production Manager Baci Weiler Editor in Chief Sarah Pyun Managing Editor Christine Kim News Jenna Spitzer Elizabeth Weingold Lions Den Matthew Cott Thomas Kim Features Ambika Acharya Middle Division Olivia El-Sadr Davis Senior Editor Eden Sung Arts & Entertainment Hillary Winnick Opinions & Editorials Courtney Hodrick Photography Rachel Essner Laurence Ge Justin Gilston Kimberley Sarnoff Online Editor Aramael PeaAlcntara

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

A Small Price to Pay for an Honest School

Admit it: youve made yourself coffee or hot chocolate in the library and walked away without paying your 50 cents. Its understandable, as no one actively enforces the rule and though you know it is not an optional fee, the price is sufficiently low that it doesnt seem like a big deal. The librarys email beseeching students to pay for the drinks supplied was a wake-up call from the dream of an honor system that students follow universally, and incited our reconsidering the social contracts on which we rely. When we leave our laptop-laden bags unattended without a thought, we usually find our trust in our fellow students confirmed. The prevalent failure to simply pay for French Roast, though, suggests that students honesty often falls short of our expectations. These twin virtues of honor and honesty intertwine in situations where students face no repercussions for cutting corners; but when such thinking is carried to its logical extremes, the gap between saving 50 cents and taking money from the jar is discouragingly narrow. Academic integrity begins with everyday principle. Its not just about right and wrong, though: this is a matter of common courtesy, and the actions that bring our community together. Often, we are too caught up in our own lives to realize that everyone else in this school has a test next period or a paper due tomorrow. We need to see ourselves as part of a larger entity, and to play our part in keeping the school running, from cleaning up the cafeteria to keeping tables free of gum. If one person tries to make this a bad community, it hurts everyone. Dont be that person.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Glenn Wallach

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

Vacate Wall Street

They are cheating the system! They are stealing all our money! They are capitalistic pigs! Stop Wall Street from bankrupting our future! While I completely support those who purposefully express the right to assembly and freedom of speech, we should step back and Maddie Penn analyze whether Occupy Wall Street is actually achieving its goals and has justification for its claims. One of my biggest problems with Occupy Wall Street is the notion of the privileged bankers who lazily steal up the countrys money, as not all investors were born privileged. My dad, for example, was born to two teachers in a family that wasnt the wealthiest. They caught fish for weekend dinners and my grandfather bought 35-cent apples that my father describes as squishy and brown. He studied hard enough to earn a full scholarship to University of Pennsylvania, where he proceeded to work three jobs to afford further education. He wakes up at 5 am each morning and gets home at 10 pm each night. My father was not born fortunate;

rather, he has worked his entire life to be where he is today and loves his job more than anything. On behalf of men like my father, I am upset by some of the claims made by the protesters. The bankers are not just black suits, but people who have worked their entire lives to further themselves. Everyone has a choice between working hard to succeed or slacking off and suffering the consequences. People say that they did not have the opportunity to go to college, but with commitment, everyone does. Many cannot pay for college, but I believe that effort in youth pays off. Another student mentioned how her father was hounded by a stampede of people shouting We are the other 99%, although he personally had no responsibility for the crash of 2008. It seems that protesters are so focused on the wrong that some bankers have done that they group all investors into a greedy, rich stereotype and forget that they are yelling at a real person. Besides, protesting now will not change the past. The protesters are not even arguing about the previous blunders made by the bankers or any current attribute of Wall Street, but rather the idea of Wall Street itself. Though there are clearly problems with financial distribution in the United States, I do not see how

protesting at Wall Street will help. The protesters should confront the problem directly, but after four weeks of protesting, no one has expressed a concrete complaint. While the protesters now claim to rally on behalf of economic justice, what does that term even truly mean? Until someone comes up with a specific aspect of the industry that should be changed, the Wall Street bankers will never be able to please the protesters. Furthermore, Wall Street is not even in control of economic justice, a term that covers anything from redistribution of wealth to equal opportunities, changes that could only be made by the government. Even with the spread of protests around the country to Chicago, Boston, etc., no protesters have brought claims to Congress or asked our government for help. All they are doing is creating uproar for businessmen trying to do their jobs instead of pinpointing and figuring out what the problem truly is.

Two Freshmen, Two Views on The First Weeks of School

When I was admitted last spring, my friends and family c o n g r at u l at e d me; however, Diane Lee with every pat on the back came warnings. They spoke of the scarcity of sleep during the school year, the overly competitive students who were unkind to each other, and the strict teachers who seemed distant from the students. Despite my excitement at my admission, fear spread through my mind. Stories of how students had to give up sports, music, or their social lives made me question my choice in schools. On the first day, as I stepped out of the bus and made my way toward the school, the road ahead seemed unclear; however, a day here disproved my fears. Im overjoyed to be a part of our community, because a welcoming spirit pervades HM. The older students made me feel very comfortable as a new student, while the rumored seriousness and competitiveness were absent. During lunch or on the way to class, students were dancing, singing, and goofing off as teenagers should be. The liberal glee in the air put me at ease. I was also surprised how supportive the teachers and students were. After class, teachers would say, Please feel free to come to my office if you have questions about anything or Email me anytime and Id be more than happy to help you. They truly care, which reassured me that there are encouraging mentors to help me improve as a student, rather than the strict teachers that were described to me. In addition, my friends and classmates always suggest ideas for papers and help me to study for tests. Watching everyone encourage and help each other truly inspires me. There is school pride embedded in each student. During the first week of school, I was confused when I saw the athletes crazy outfits, from button-down shirts and ties to pajama pants. When I learned that they were for team spirit, I realized how excited the students are for the school. Students mature respect for the facilities also greatly impressed me. The other day, while I was finishing some homework in the library, I noticed the clean desks. In a building that houses hundreds of teenagers, I expected Sharpie doodles and names carved into the sides of the desk. Seeing how well the students preserved the desks condition inspired to me do the same. The past month and a half has amazed me in ways I hadnt anticipated. Horace Mann students always have a reason to stay at school, whether it is clubs, sports, or after-school help. The school is always bustling and the life and energy never end. The balance of academics, clubs, arts, and athletics is my ideal high school experience. I have actually gotten more sleep than during middle school thanks to my free periods, the whole student body is lively and exuberant, and the teachers are always offering me full support. Horace Mann School is an amazing school because it shapes each and every one of us into talented, mature young adults. Every good little Horace Mann student knows that when you enter freshman year, college Elizabeth Maghakian should be your main concern. From clubs to courses, there are plenty of opportunities to load up your college application with activities that are sure to impress and land you in your parents prestigious alma mater. At least, thats what it first felt like to me. I was shocked to see so many of my fellow freshmen begin the year already wondering which clubs would look best to colleges. My friends frantically joined time-intensive legacy clubs and publications in order to distinguish themselves from Ethan Yaro/Staff Artist others, they admitted. I preferred to join the clubs that interested me, because I did not believe freshman year was exactly the time to be thinking about college applications. Ive observed that the obsession with our future educations permeates every aspect of our school experience. People take harder classes that dont interest them to show a rigorous course load on college applications; they make an effort in classes that they otherwise wouldnt have prioritized just to protect their GPAs. On the other hand, is the college obsession so bad if motivates us to put more effort into school? It may seem a bit absurd that the one of the major things pushing students to join clubs and to take hard courses is the thought that doing so will bring them one step closer to their dream school. Yes, college is important, but freshmen appear concerned with something that, for them, should be more of a distant goal. However, Im starting to understand the preoccupation that Horace Mann students have with college; after a month and a half in the Upper Division, Ive unconsciously started slipping into that mindset. When I receive grades that disappoint me, my frustration with myself starts to build up, and I jump to the conclusion that, because I didnt ace one quiz, Im going to end up at a horrible college. The college obsession may just be an example of the competitiveness that motivates students here to do better in class. Were not just trying to do better than our peers- were trying to do our personal best, while the prospect of getting into a dream college is just a nice bonus. In fact, this value is not as strange as an outsider may find it; after all, if students start focusing on their classes because of college as early as freshman year, is this obsession necessarily a problem? The college process motivates students to figure out how to work efficiently and to do well in classes early on in their high school career- and I cant see how this could be a bad thing. So is the so-called college obsession really that crazy? Is it an example of students being overachievers from a young age, or is it perhaps something as rational as students taking an interest in their grades and future? Im starting to believe its not as strange an obsession as I originally perceived it to be.

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News

Friday, October 21, 2011

Amy Hood Staff Writer

Student Drivers Have Senior Moments

to loud music and racing with other kids who go to school on the Hudson Parkway. Students described a range of accidents that have occurred recently in the school area. Despite these incidents, seniors interviewed were less concerned with their own driving safety and pointed instead to dangers caused by other drivers. Only the bad drivers pose safety risks, Levine said. Having to worry about the people around you more than yourself, is the hardest thing about driving Sheth said. The Institute for Highway Safety found that the crash rate per mile driven for 16- to 19-year-olds was four times the risk for drivers 20 and older, the New York Times reported. Theyre new drivers, no matter what theyre new drivers, Dean of Student Life Dr. Susan Delanty said. Were privileged to have many student drivers who take the added responsibility quite seriously, said Head of School Dr. Tom Kelly. That said, we do find ourselves occasionally reminding a student driver to slow down. Snow and rain can pose additional challenges. A new driver in bad weather is just not experienced enough to deal with the many things that happen on the road, Delanty said. Parents should know whether their kids are ready to drive, Grafstein said. Accidents happen to everyone, especially new drivers, so theres always some risk but you have to start at some point.

The freedom; being able to wake up when I need to and go home as soon as Im done for the day, is the best thing, Edward Grafstein (12) said, about driving to school. The seniors who drive pointed to advantages ranging from flexibility to raw horsepower but also recognized potential safety hazards. If I didnt drive to school, Id have to pay Supertrans, Dorin Azerad (12) said, Its inconvenient and youre bound to their schedule. Seniors said that driving helps them accommodate their many commitments. Danielle Boris (12) drives to gymnastics practice in New Jersey after her tennis practice at school. As a three-season athlete Grafstein (12) said he can take a little bit more time in the locker room without worrying about missing the bus. Another opportunity driving to school provides is the ability to leave campus during the day. Upperclassmen flock to Tierneys Fine Foods, the sandwich shop just out of reach by foot. Amay Sheth (12) said he goes off campus most days for lunch and that Tierneys is the best part about having a car at school. The thrill of the driving itself is the primary appeal for other students. Josh Levine (12) said that when choosing a car, rather than focusing on safety features, he was interested in just engine power. His favorite part about driving is speeding, listening

Justin Gilston (12) parks his car after a run to Tierneys during his D period lunch.

Larry Ge/ Photography Editor

wHat Do You aSSociate witH StuDent DrivinG? SeniorS:How Do You Get to ScHool?
Driven by Parent Students Drive/Get Driven

55 Students Polled

Other
79 Seniors Polled Infographic by Aramael Pea-Alcntara/Online Editor

Walks Supertrans Bus Public Transportation

WIC Plans Work With Domestic Violence Victims

Jonathan Bleiberg Staff Writer
Sanctuary for Families volunteer coordinator addressed new members of the Womens Issues Club (WIC) last Thursday, engaging in an active discussion with students on the issue of domestic violence. Jessica Fabians visit served as the clubs orientation to an organization WIC members volunteer with every month. The Sanctuary for Families provides immediate safety and housing for women and children leaving domestic violence situations, and helps these victims to become economically self sufficient, according to its website. Faculty members, interested In addition, Fabian discussed the security concerns of the organization, the location of which is undisclosed. English teacher Geraldine Woods, the clubs faculty advisor, said that this is for the safety of the workers and the people who live there, and remarked that the organizations building looks like a normal apartment building. Head of the English Department Dr. Adam Casdin, a longtime participant in the program, said there is a very basic delight in working with young children and a special pride in watching our students transform these childrens day. However, it is not solely the children who benefit from the experience, Casdin said. The mothers enjoy the interactions and projects as much as the children.

MUN Prepares for HoMMUNC

Melissa Rodman Staff Writer
With more than 700 delegates from 35 schools scheduled to arrive on campus this Saturday, Horace Mann Model United Nations Conference (HoMMUNC)s participants will address current events issues ranging from international security to education reforms. This year, the hosts are presenting a special committee, replicating the UNs General Assembly that ratified the Partition Plan for Palestine in 1947, SG Zander Daniel (12) said. Its going to be interesting for the delegates to look at the issue of Palestinian statehood from a historical perspective, he said. New committees like this one allow Model UN to be an incredible educational tool, through which students can study the past to discuss problems that are still relevant for us today. By simulating an actual UN meeting where global representatives discuss world-wide disputes, this largest single-day high school conference on the East Coast and Model UNs first conference of the year will divide the delegates into eleven different committees, in which they will debate their assigned countries beliefs to come up with solutionsin the form of resolutionsto these real-world problems, Secretary General Sarah Gertler (12) said. James Rubin, executive editor at Bloomberg News and former Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs under President Clinton, will deliver the keynote speech to talk about current events issues that he believes are important and relevant, Daniel said. A new partnership with the Alexander Capelluto Humanitarian Initiativea foundation which funds students pursuits to spread awareness, to aid those less fortunate, and to make a positive difference in hard-pressed communitieswill raise money for the UNs World Food Programme to combat hunger in Eastern Africa, Daniel said. We want all participants to

Matthew Meltzer (11) explains the process of writing resolutions to new Model UN members competing at HoMMUNC.

Emma Maltby/ Staff Photographer

realize that they have a stake in the worlds issues, through globalization and connections fostered between nations, he added. At HoMMUNC almost all of our delegates are underclassmen or students new to HM, Gertler said. HoMMUNC is more like a training conference. Our goal as a club is to give as many delegates as possible the opportunity to try out Model UN. To James Megibow (9), who first participated in the organization during an after-school introductory MD program, Model UN is oneof-a-kind, and Ive never done anything like it before. To prepare for the conference, Megibow and other newcomers to Model UN, like Michael Scherr (9), began researching their countries standpoints on a variety of topics not just the subjects pertaining to their own committees. Im interested in actually using my research to do something special; being able to compete for HM against other schools is an honor, Scherr said.

There is a special pride in watching our students transform these childrens day.
students, and WIC members, travel to the shelter and interact with the children while leading entertaining activities, which are often seasonally inspired, such as Thanksgiving related arts and crafts. Fabian gave advice on how to approach the abused women and children at her shelter and what to expect from the residents, including tips like dont stand over them, as this could intimidate the children. Though the club organizes these visits to the shelter, they also welcome people not in the club to participate, Woods said. In fact, this year, a few males have said that they are interested in volunteering, Deborah Lefell (11), one of the clubs leaders, said.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Arts & Entertainment

The horace Mann record

Social Artistry Faculty Forum: Discovering Inner Energy

other faculty members and asked him or her to describe various scenarios using the five traditional sense, sight, sound, smell, taste and touch, Timko said. The whole point is to create a space where people can be carefree and feel comfortable rather than intimidated. Howard and Johnson attended a social artistry conference in the summer of 2006. The retreat lasted nine days. While the two had many ideas that they wanted to share with the faculty, their one-hour time constraint limited them to only sample their own experiences at the workshop, Howard said. Johnson said that student programs such as Photo Dorr and other experiences that students share there are quite influenced by social artistry. The same people that facilitated our program are thinking of implementing a new program, Youth Lead the Way, a summer camp-type retreat in which students are provided with similar social artistry training to the training that faculty receive, she added. Middle Division history teacher Isaac Brooks said the forum was highly important because it reorients us as teachers to how we can bring students and make them aware and make them alert of the environment and to look at abstract problems. I never thought that bringing awareness to your senses could be so energized or reinvigorating. Faculty forums have been part of Horace Manns tradition for many years. These forums were originally designed for faculty members in all divisions to share with other faculty members something that they have learned, often over the summer, Timko said. The duo said that they are looking forward to having another sample in February or March and hopes to have both more time more people attend. Teachers rarely get time to share with each other what they learn during the summer, and it is wonderful to learn from each other, Head of the Middle School Robin Ingram said. It refreshes and energizes our teaching.

Karen Johnson and Woody Howard lead faculty in social artistry excersises in effort to create a carefee, rather than didactic, environment on Tuesday.

Allison Chang / Contributing Photographer

Vivien Ikwuazom Staff Writer

Faculty members explored their senses and inner energies at forum on Wednesday. Exploring the idea of social artistry, the meeting worked to unlock some sort of creative energy that for whatever reason we have in us, but do not tend to use in our everyday work at school, theatre arts teacher Joseph Timko said. The forum was designed to use deeper connections, structures, and exercises to unlock this energy. Social artistry is the art of enhancing human capacities in the light of social complexity. It seeks to bring new ways of thinking, being

and doing to social challenges in the world, according to the Jean Houston Foundation, the organization that sponsors the idea. As members of Horace Mann, we are constantly busy and preoccupied in our work and duties, Director of Theater Arts Woody Howard, who facilitated the meeting with photography teacher Karen Johnson, said. Howard and Johnson wanted faculty to rediscover their inner resources if they have forgotten some of them, especially within a group of friendly people, provides energy, and in a school youre always looking to be in some sort of pattern of change because time changes, needs change and methodology changes, he added. w We could have simply presented our

colleagues with a PowerPoint and talk to them about social artistry, but that is not a suitable approach for us because we want them to experience what we experienced during our social artistry training, Howard said. We have done projects and have involved people within them, but we have not really tried to teach, or expose our colleagues to social artistry. We are intentionally doing this as an experiential experience rather than being didactic. Following traditional social artistry custom, the event began and ended with a simple folk dance. Dance frees the individuals energy, sense of aliveness and helps to build a bond in the community, Johnson said. Faculty also participated in other activities using their senses. We partnered up with

India through the Lens

Catherine Lee Staff Writer
Photographer and documentarian Ben Lenzner (98) returned to his alma mater to showcase some of his work in the Fisher Hall Art Gallery this week, sharing the creative spark that was ignited in him on a recent trip to India. As a storyteller, Lenzner has learned to express himself through various types of media including photography, music, and film. He had taken photography classes every year of high school and established a close friendship with photography teacher Karen Johnson along the way, he said. His involvement with photography didnt stop in the classroom though; during his senior year, Lenzner became editor-in-chief of the photography publication, Insight. Photography was his escape from A grades and Ivy League School madness, he said. The exhibit features a myriad of different projects, including the Van Gujjar Community Photo Project, an exploration Lenzner had in northern India. Lenzner the information he learned to share his experiences and the Indian way of life with others because a lot of people dont know what its truly like, Lenzner said. Lenzner spoke to different history classes throughout the day, sharing his personal experiences in India as well as the struggles of the populace

Students Bend Over Backwards for Yoga Workshop

Rebecca Shaw Staff Writer
Ive never seen a pigeon do this, Giulia Alvarez (10) said as students around her struggled to adopt the pigeon pose: thrusting one leg backward while crossing the other over, and twisting the torso. Such sights were common in a yoga workshop led by dance teacher Denise DiRenzo yesterday. Students twisted their bodies into positions and repeated a series of yoga positions known as Sun Salutations. The class also practiced headstands, kicking their legs up against the wall. Dance Club President Kiki Heinz (11), who got the chance to try yoga out in DiRenzos Dance Three class, attended the workshop because she always leaves feeling awesome whenever she participates, she said. The activity was so soothing that Heinz has started to use it as cross training for ballet. Dancing is a wonderful experience, as is yoga. While Im doing it, I dont even feel like Im working out, Alvarez said. Sara Hirade (9), who attended to

experience yoga for the first time, said the workshop was so hard, especially balancing! But I liked the Savasana pose, where you just relax. Students often turn to yoga as a form of relaxation in times of stress, DiRenzo said. When I know my students are having difficult times during the year, Ill do a nice relaxing yoga class because I know they will leave feeling relaxed and energized. And we know that things can get a little stressful at Horace Mann. DiRenzo, who also teaches a unit of yoga to her dance students each year, said that she loves to share that passion with as many people as possible. She has been practicing yoga for over 13 years, but still does not consider herself an expert. Its a practice; its not something that you ever master because theres always another level to it, no matter how advanced you get. Similar to traditional yoga classes, the workshop ended with the students bowing to the teacher, saying, Namaste. Roughly translated, it means, the light in me recognizes the light in you, DiRenzo said.

Kimberley Sarnoff / Photography Editor

Students gather in the Fisher Hall Art Gallery to view alumnus Ben Lenzners photos of his experience in India. with the government as not only an illiterate group of people, but also as one that did not have complete ownership over their land. The class also went into an interesting and in-depth discussion about the people in India being improperly accommodated by the government and how they were trying to push them into signing contracts that they could not read, Anika Tripathi (11), one of the students in the Advanced Placement Human Geography class that attended, said. The photos gave me insight on a new future. Lenzer also included The Backwards Rider, a short documentary about a cyclist he met in India that is currently touring worldwide in the Bicycle Film

Rachel Essner / Photography Editor

Festival. The film serves as an outlet into Indias lifestyle and the cyclists unique way of riding backwards. Another component to the exhibit is a series of work based on the theme of human footprints on the environment. The exhibit will be on display in the gallery until the end of the month. Lenzner said that he hopes that students will learn to live by the same philosophy he did: just do what you love. Having just received his MFA in documentary media at Ryerson University in Canada, Lenzner will be moving to New Zealand to study for his PhD in screen and media studies.

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Lions Den

Friday, October 21, 2011

XC Sprints Towards End of Season

Michael Chon Contributing Writer
Since the beginning of the season, the Horace Mann Cross Country team has been practicing with vigor and heart as they continue their rebuilding season after losing numerous seniors last year. With more than half of the season gone, both the boys and girls varsity team have bonded immensely as a unit. Last meet the team had a couple runners beat their personal best including Gabby Reid (11), CoCaptain Courtney Hodrick (12), and Rahmin. Deepti Raghavan (10) also beat her personal best, scratching off two seconds in the process. This season has been a rebuilding season since we graduated a lot of our top runners last year. However, we have been able to work together and pull each other up the hills in order to improve our times, said girls CoCaptain Samantha Rahmin (11). The key to making the team click has been the hard work each member put in during practice. With the leadership of Head Coach Emily Dutton and coach Caroline Bartels the girls team have been breaking down the race and focusing on specific parts of their game to improve as a whole. To improve our times, we do speed work out emphasizing different parts of the race, such as the final stretch, uphill section, or beginning of the race, Rahmin said. The last couple of days we have been working on the beginning of the race because we want to start out well in order to build a solid lead, Bartels said. The Ivy Championship is a toss-up. By this point we usually have an idea of the top teams in the league but this years title can be anyones. Not one team has clearly dominated this season. The boys team has had some successes thus far. In the last meet, two boys were in the top three finishers of the race. Charles Scherr (11) came in second while Henry Warder (11) finished in third just mere seconds behind him. The hard work in practice has really paid off. I have dropped 45 seconds since the beginning of the year and this is all because of the practice the team has been doing everyday after school, Scherr said. We emphasize speed workouts such as the 800 meter repeats and spend a lot of time getting faster through drills, Scherr said. The boys team also has a shot at the title. The squad has greatly improved from last season and they believe that they are serious contenders for the Ivy title with their strong performances in recent weeks. Collegiate is our main competitor but they also lost a lot of seniors so I think we have a shot at the title. We can definitely make the top 3 this season, said Warder. Both teams will be competing in the Collegiate Invitational next Friday, which is the last meet before the Ivy League Championship and two weeks before the NYSAIS Tournament.

Quentin Montgomery (10) shoots to score in the hole against Trinity in the 19-16 win.

Kim Sarnoff/Photography Editor

Lions Drown Tigers in 19-16 Win

a little disappointed in the lack of defense, giving up 16 goals, Head Coach Michael Duffy said. 19 goals scored and 16 goals against were both season highs for the Lions, who came out firing from the first whistle. Our players were really looking forward to this game and I think we were prepared. We stepped up to the challenge and displayed resilience throughout the entire game, Duffy said. Top goal scorers, Justin Bleuel (11) and Quentin Montgomery (10), both made key goals for Horace Mann against Trinity, while Thomas Kim (12) and Harley Pasternak (12) played well defensively for the Lions. Trinity is always a key game for us because they are the only team in the Ivy League that we play in Water Polo, Kim said. The Lions had played Staples earlier in the season and lost in a close contest. We knew we had to improve and aimed towards defeating them the next time we met. Unfortunately, after a physical fight till the end, we came up short, Duffy said. After three quarters of extremely even water polo, Staples drilled a shot on a fast break to take the lead 4-3. In the fourth quarter, we got tired and our bench was thin, Kim said. We just didnt have enough in the tank to come out on top on Wednesday. We Played solid defense throughout the contest but we werent able to put the ball in the net. All year long, the Lions have been working on conditioning and becoming better and stronger swimmers. We want to be in better shape and tougher then every team we face, Duffy said. The Lions perform several treading and quadbuilding exercises during practice to try and be the best conditioned team out there. The Lions have stressed intensity on defense and that defense will create offense. I am a big believer in tough defense that creates good scoring opportunities and fast breaks, Duffy said. After a 1-1 week, Horace Mann is faces Saint Benedicts tomorrow. A win would be huge against Saint Benedicts. After a mentally draining loss to Staples, we want to redeem ourselves and finish the week with a 2-1 mark, Kim said.

Michael Reiss Staff Writer

In a busy week for the Varsity Water Polo Team, the Lions finished the week 1-1 and have their final game of the week today against Newark rival St. Benedicts High School. On Monday, the team defeated Ivy League rival Trinity for their third win of the season but lost to Staples High School on Wednesday. Their record dropped to 3-6 but they have three winnable games left in the season, said Alex Fine (11). In a physical back and forth game against Trinity, the Lions never stopped fighting and pulled out the high scoring 19-16 victory. I was excited to see our hard work in practice pay dividends but I was

Andrew Schwartz Staff Writer

Girls Tennis Dominates League

our net game and doubles. The Lions have been led by their strong singles players this year, as Maddy Gordon (12) and Elizabeth Rosenblatt (11) have won almost every one of their matches. Our singles players have been playing very well for us and are the backbone of our team, Boris said. Although tennis is mainly an individual sport, the team has great team unity, which helps motivate the players to win, players said. We are a tight knit team and its great to have our teammates cheer us on when we play, Weingold said. While the Lions have been dominant against their competition this season, there is always room for improvement, Boris said. The Lions are, looking to shore up their net play and could also work on the strategic aspect of their game, said Weingold. We also need to work on maintaining our lead, Senior Meredith Ruskin (12) said. The Lions face Columbia Prep squad in an out-of league match Monday. We are a very confident team, and look to coming out aggressive, and playing some quality tennis, Ruskin said. Even though our main goal is to win the Ivy League Title, we still take this match very seriously.

The Girls Tennis team cruised to another convincing win over Hackley on Thursday, keeping their undefeated season alive. The Lions grabbed all three singles matches, and dropped only one doubles match. Weve been playing some of our best tennis this season, and it showed against a tough Hackley team, Dani Boris (12) said. The Lions have now won both head- to-head match-ups against Hackley this year, and have dismantled all of their other opponents. There are a lot of very talented players at this school, and we have been able take advantage of that, Boris said. The win propelled the Lions to a record of 8-0, and the team hopes to maintain their perfect record for the rest of the year. The Lions success can also be partially attributed to Assistant Coach Patric Westoo. Westoo, who also works closely with the equally successful Boys Tennis Team. He has brought his vast knowledge of the game to the Girls team this year. Patric has been a great asset to our team this year, Captain Elizabeth Weingold (12) said. He has helped everyone on the team, especially on

Maddy Gordon (12) practices a forehand on Thursday.

Kim Sarnoff/Photography Editor

October 21, 2011

LionsDen
The Horace Mann Record

Volume 109, Issue 6

Football Beats Harvey, Gets to 2-2

Field Hockey Falls to Hilltop Rivals

Andrew Arnaboldi Staff Writer
Playing through slick and rainy conditions on Wednesday, the Girls Field Hockey team was defeated by their hilltop rivals Riverdale 4-0. The Falcons scored two goals in the opening minutes of the game and never looked back. I dont really think that our heads were in the game from the very start and we were out-hustled, Captain Emily Feldstein (12) said. The wet and slippery turf also gave the Lions some problems, as the ball skidded and players had trouble adjusting to and judging passes, Feldstein said. By the end of the game we started to pick it up, but it was a little too late. The loss comes in the middle of an otherwise successful season, and is the first loss the Lions have suffered by a deficit of more than 1 goal. We have been able to play every team close and we have fought hard until the final whistle of every game, Coach Keri Hall said. The team just has so much heart. The Lions beat Riverdale 2-1 earlier in the year, but werent able to repeat their success this time around. Riverdale is a really skilled team and you have to be on top of your game when you play them, Hall said. One of the strengths of the team this year has been their dedication to winning and improving. Even when we are losing the team always gives 100 percent effort and it shows how much everyone wants to win, Captain Rachel Scheinfeld (12) said. From preseason to now, everyones skills and understanding of the game have improved so much. The teams chemistry has been extremely important to the Lions success this year. Our communication is really strong and it helps us play a lot better as a team, Gabi Lustig (11) said. Another one of the Lions strengths has been transitioning the ball through the midfield to the forwards. The team has struggled with this aspect of the game in recent years, so Coach Hall decided to change her formation this year by adding two extra midfielders. These two players are called the links, which have helped the team, move the ball up the field a lot faster and create more scoring opportunities, Hall said. However, having the two extra midfielders forces the Lions to sacrifice one defender and one forward. The links make it a lot easier for the midfielders to transition, but it also means we are a little short-handed at other positions compared to most other teams, Scheinfeld said. The Lions are still in contention to qualify for the postseason NYSAISAA Tournament, but the team will have to win most of their remaining games to reach the playoffs, including a big tilt against Hackley at Homecoming. The team has been able to create lots of scoring chances this year, but putting the ball in the net has been a major issue for the Lions. We need to be able to finish our chances when the ball is in front of the net, Scheinfeld said. The Lions next game is Friday against Horace Greeley in Westchester, who beat the Lions 2-1 last year. We want to capitalize on the rest our opportunities to get wins and finish on a strong note, Hall said.

The Lions huddle up after their 28-20 victory against Harvey as the coaches address the players.

Courtesy of Sharon Cott

Evan Reinsberg Staff Writer

After a 28-20 win over the Harvey School on Saturday, the Varsity Football team is sitting at a 2-2 record for the first time since 2007. Where they struggled in their matchup the week before, the Lions were successful on the ground early in the game, overpowering the Cavalier defense to move out to a key first quarter lead. With 15 seconds left in the first half Harvey was driving, but Adam Mansfield (11) intercepted their pass and returned it to the Harvey 25 yard line. On the very next play as time ran out, Quarterback Braxton Brewton threw to Mike Lighten (9) on a post; he broke a tackle and scored a touchdown as time expired. Players said this quick change of events was the turning point of the game to give the Lions a 22-12 halftime lead. This game was huge for us

because it really boosted our confidence as a team, and showed we can compete with some of the better teams in our league, Mansfield said. In the second half, the team hung tough against the running offense of Harvey and tacked on a late touchdown thanks to a Lighten run to win 28-20. The team proved to themselves with this victory that if they stay focused and confidence and compete for four quarters, we can take on anyone and have a good chance, Coach Matt Russo said. The teams confidence is growing as they now have more wins than in the previous two seasons combined. Running back Matt Cott (12) said, Part of winning on the football field is about having that mentality every play that you can, and will, beat the guys across from you. With each win and game were playing, we as a team are developing that mentality to go out there and beat anybody we play. One of the major keys to the

victory and our early success has been the senior leadership this season. The captains have led by example and made sure the team came out focused, Russo said. The Lions schedule gets tougher as they face Dalton this week, then Riverdale and Fieldston, its two hilltop rivals and probably the two toughest teams the Lions will play, the following two weeks. Fieldston has won the Hudson Valley league each of the past 4 seasons, and in the Lions second year, they are already aiming for the top. Fieldston isnt as good as they have been in some years past, and with Coach Hoggle coming over from their program we have an edge we didnt last year, so were definitely looking at that game as a tough, but winnable, battle. Cott said. We need to stay focused, we cant let this win get to our heads because we have some very tough competition ahead of us, Cornerback Matt Meltzer (11) said. The Lions lost to Dalton twice

last year, in their regular season matchup and then the league playoffs. The Lions will have to play tough and some of their best ball of the season to defeat Dalton. Dalton has a very athletic and talented quarterback who can destroy teams with his arm and his legs. We need to take care of the ball on offense and limit turnovers. If we can keep the Dalton offense on the sideline, it should be a close game, Russo said. The new-look Lions have surprised many already this season, and another victory would set up a huge game against 6-0 Riverdale on Homecoming weekend. While we have to focus on every game equally, its hard not to get really hyped up for your senior homecoming, Cott said. The Lions spread offense has accounted for many big plays this season, and they are looking to make some more against Dalton on Clark Field at 3pm Saturday.

HM vs. Dalton Clark Field Saturday, 3 P.M.

Courtesy of Sharon Cott