Dialogue 2014-15, Issue 1 - Devon Preparatory School

The Devon Dialogue
volume vi, issue i | october 2014
Devon Preparatory School
proudly publishing for five decades
Reading with a Purpose
The Book Club embraces its new
moderator, Mr. George Sheehan.
See Page 2
CAP Summer Drive
CAP donates school supplies to
those in need.
See Page 3
Mr. George Sheehan and Mrs.
Tara McKenna
The Devon Dialogue interviews
the two newest members of our
Devon faculty.
See Page 7
State Champs!
The Baseball team brings home a state championship to Devon! See below.
The Tide Rolls In
Field of Dreams
Graham Alabdulla ’15
Zach Delphais ’16 and Joe Orsatti ’17
O n Aug u s t 2 8, t he De von P rep
Pa rent s
A s s o c i at ion
(DPPA)
prepa re d a d ay of f u n, ba rbe c u i ng ,
a nd a n oppor t u n it y to s o c i a l i z e
w it h bot h old a nd ne w f r iend s.
It w a s a w a r m s u m mer d a y, t he
per fe c t s et t i ng for t he Welc ome
Bac k to S c hool P ic n ic . It w a s f i l le d
w it h dele c t able h a mbu r ger s a nd
hot dog s, g r i l le d b y t he pa rent s
of De von P rep, a s w el l a s mout hw ater i ng de s s er t s broug ht b y
t he s e vent h a nd n i nt h g r ade s. It
w a s a g re at w a y to w elc ome ne w
f a m i l ie s a nd s t udent s i nto t he
De v on P rep f a m i l y. St udent s h ad
t he oppor t u n it y to me et t hei r ne w
te ac her s a nd c atc h up w it h t hei r
old one s. It w a s a memor able e vent
b e c au s e of t he memor ie s m ade a nd
t he e x per ienc e s h ad t here. It w a s
u ndoubte d l y a f u n, memor able
e vent
w h ic h
c re ate d
l a s t i ng
memor ie s for ne w a nd ret u r n i ng
s t udent s a l i k e.
As you arrive on campus, there is no doubt
where the PIAA Class A state championship
resides for 2014.
While many people consider Friday
the 13th a day of misfortune, this
past June it brought nothing but good
fortune to Devon Prep’s baseball
team. After an hour-long rain delay
and nearly nine complete innings
the game was still tied, but that all
changed in a single moment. After
stealing third base, Chris Bauers ’14
immediately saw his opportunity and
took it. The ball had been thrown over
the third baseman’s head and into
left field. He sprinted towards glory,
securing Devon Prep’s first state
championship in its fifty-eight year
history as he dove in to home.
After losing the team’s top two
pitchers to injury in Zach Schellenger
’14 and Sean Phelan ’15, many people
doubted that the team could go back
to the state playoffs for a second
straight season.
They couldn’t
have been more wrong. With strong
performances on the mound by Pat
Rohr ’15, John McSurdy ’16, and CJ
Kohlbrenner ’14 and a lineup that
could hit from top to bottom, the Tide
certainly did start rolling. They rolled
right past some of the area’s top teams,
such as Conestoga. They rolled right
past Calvary Christian in a rematch
of last year’s district championship
to win their first district title in four
years. Finally, they rolled right past
the previously undefeated Elk County
Catholic in the state final at Penn
State University and succeeded in
bringing a hard-earned state title
back to Devon.
Last year was truly a year to
remember. Now, we are looking at
what could be the most anticipated
season of Devon Prep baseball in the
history of the school. The players
and coaches who gave us that great
memory will take the field next spring
under that beautiful banner that reads,
“Home of the 2014 PIA A Class A State
Champions.” With fourteen returning
players from the championship squad,
things look promising for back-to-back
state titles. The Tide is led by seniors
Pat Rohr (pitcher), Dominic Hardaway
(catcher), Eric DiPietro (third base),
Sean Phelan (first base), and Tyler
Klicka (left field) in addition to a
strong supporting cast of sophomores
and juniors. With many positions left
open by the departing of the Class of
2014, coaches Mark Aquilante ’94, Pat
Kane, and Tom Graham will look to
field the best team that they possibly
can and attempt to form another
championship team and make sure
that the presence of the Tide will be
forever felt in Nittany Lion territory.
But what was it that set last year’s
team apart? Was it the solid pitching
performances? Or perhaps it was
the near f lawless defense? Or maybe
the top-notch first base coaching, or
the luck brought by Devon’s secret
weapon, Mr. Pat Nattle? Whatever
it was, the tight-knit baseball team
looks to change Devon’s history books
once again. We can look back at last
year’s Cinderella story and see the
emergence of an everlasting dynasty
of dominance over PIA A baseball for
years to come. Let’s put our faith in
the coaching staff and the team that
has already produced a championship
win for the record books at Devon
Prep.
2
Dialogue News
Young Men on a Mission
James Lucas ’15
L a s t s u m mer, s t udent s f rom De v on P rep joi ne d
toget her w it h pa r i s he s a nd yout h g roups f rom a l l
over A mer ic a for a f i ve d a y m i s s ion t r ip i n Ma g nol i a,
Del aw a re. T h i s w a s t he s e c ond ye a r t h at De v on
P rep pa r t ic ipate d i n t he C at hol ic He a r t Work C a mp
prog r a m, a nd t he e x per ienc e w a s ju s t a s re w a rd i ng a s
t he pre v iou s one. St udent s f rom ac ros s t he c ou nt r y
c ombi ne d t hei r t a lent s to a id f a m i l ie s i n ne e d i n t he
Ma g nol i a a re a . From pa i nt i ng to c le a n i ng to y a rd
w ork , s t udent s s pent t hei r t i me a nd ef for t on m a k i ng
l i fe bet ter for t he f a m i l ie s. De v on s t udent A nd re w
St au f fer ’1 5 re c ou nte d h i s e x per ienc e: “My g roup
helpe d a w om a n w ho c ou ld no longer t a k e c a re of her
l a r ge hou s e. I n prepa r at ion for her move, we helpe d
her c le a n out her at t ic a nd w e d id s ome muc h ne e de d
y a rd w ork .” How e ver, t h i s w e ek w a s not s olel y
de d ic ate d to w ork . T he c re w of t he C at hol ic He a r t
Work C a mp g u ide d t he s t udent s on a jou r ne y of f a it h,
b e g i n n i ng w it h Ma s s i n t he mor n i ng , a nd c u mu l at i ng
e ac h d a y w it h a n e ven i ng prog r a m, w h ic h i nc lude d
s k it s, s i ng-a long s, a nd a per io d of me d it at ion a nd
ref le c t ion . T h roug h bot h prog r a m s a nd w ork , t he
s t udent s were broug ht not on l y c los er to Je s u s, but
c los er to e ac h ot her a s w el l . De von ju n ior M ic h ael
Nic ol a s ’16 ent hu s i a s t ic a l l y s t ate d, “C at hol ic He a r t
Work C a mp w a s a n a m a z i ng e x per ienc e. I met ton s of
i ntere s t i ng pe ople a nd h ad a n aw e s ome t i me.” A f ter
t he we ek , t he s t udent s ret u r ne d to t hei r home s to
c a r r y out s er v ic e i n t hei r ow n c om mu n it ie s, w het her
t h roug h s er v ic e or g a n i z at ion s s uc h a s G o o d Work s,
or t h roug h s c hool g roups l i k e t he C h r i s t i a n Ac t ion
P rog r a m . T he v i r t ue of s er v ic e l i ve s on t h roug h
t he s e s t udent s, a nd hopef u l l y ne x t ye a r, t he y w i l l s e e
t he ret u r n of m a ny of t hem to C at hol ic Hea r t Work
C a mp.
Passing the Torch
Rieve Bule ’15, Co-Deputy Editor-in-Chief
T he ne w s c ho ol ye a r h a s broug ht about m a ny
c h a nge s w it h i n t he w a l l s of De von P rep. O ne of t he s e
c h a nge s w a s t he i nt roduc t ion of t he ne w St udent
C ou nc i l . T he ye a rl y s pr i ng ele c t ion y ielde d prom i s i ng
re s u lt s, w it h Pat Roh r ’1 5 ele c te d a s pre s ident , Gabe
Pa l l a nte ’1 5 a s v ic e pre s ident , a nd A nd re w Daw s on
’1 5 a s t re a s u rer.
Pat Roh r h a s be en one of t he mos t i nv ol ve d s t udent s
at De von P rep s i nc e f re s h m a n ye a r. W het her it b e
le ad i ng t he C h r i s t i a n Ac t ion P rog r a m on ret re at s or
or g a n i z i ng De von’s for m a l d a nc e s, he a l w a y s pl ay s a
pa r t i n ju s t about e ver y t h i ng. He i s b ou nd to m a k e a n
ef fe c t i ve s t udent bo d y pre s ident . Gabe Pa l l a nte h a s
t a k en it upon h i m s el f to be c ome t he mos t ver s at i le
v ic e pre s ident De von P rep h a s e ver h ad . Hav i ng
be en a s oc c er te a m c apt a i n a nd homeroom pre s ident
mu lt iple t i me s over t he ye a r s, he i s t he def i n it ion
of a te a m pl ayer. A nd re w Daw s on i s a s de d ic ate d a s
t he y c ome a nd he’l l c er t a i n l y be able to c h a nge t he
g a me a s he t a k e s over a s t re a s u rer. He h a s be en a
f u nd a ment a l pa r t of t he s t a ge c re w for a l l of De von’s
mu s ic a l produc t ion s over t he pa s t fou r ye a r s a nd he
w i l l s u rel y put t h at k i nd of le ader s h ip abi l it y i nto
h i s ne w pos it ion .
E ac h h a s s teppe d up to t he c h a l lenge of repre s ent i ng
ou r s t udent b od y of De von P rep. A l re ad y t he t h re e
h ave b e g u n to m a k e a l a s t i ng i mpre s s ion w it h f re s h
ide a s a nd a more h a nd s- on approac h to t he s c ho ol’s
pol it ic s. We c a n a l l lo ok for w a rd to s e ei ng t hei r
i n nov at i ve pl a n s u n fold i n t he c om i ng s c ho ol yea r.
Bibliophiles Bond Over Books
Will Moreno ’15
A f ter a br ief s u m mer h i at u s, Book C lub ret u r ne d
t h i s S eptember deter m i ne d to c ont i nue c h a l leng i ng
it s member s. T he u n for t u n ate depa r t u re of t he
b elove d M s. Pat r ic i a T iehel br ief l y d i s he a r tene d
m a ny s t udent s, i nc lud i ng t he s en ior s of t he Book
C lub, but t he member s w ere more t h a n h app y to
a s k M r. G e or ge She eh a n to over s e e t he d i s c u s s ion s
of t he you ng s c hol a r s. W hen pre s ente d w it h t he
oppor t u n it y to t a k e t he pro c tor s h ip, M r. She eh a n
ent hu s i a s t ic a l l y ac c epte d . Ne w to t he De v on f a m i l y,
M r. She eh a n h a s be en w hole-hea r te d l y welc ome d b y
t he c om mu n it y, e s pe c i a l l y b y t he Book C lub. A f ter
t he s e e a rl y w or r ie s, t he fou nder s, Jos h L ieb er m a n
‘1 5 a nd Nic k Ippol it i ‘1 5, c om menc e d Book C lub
ac t i v it ie s on t he s e c ond Tue s d a y of S eptember. T h i s
a l l-s en ior c lub boa s t s it s l a r ge s t pa r t ic ipat ion i n
t he l a s t t h re e yea r s w it h a rou nd f i f te en de d ic ate d
re ader s. Av id re ader s l i k e D re w Ha yden ’1 5 a nd Joe
Tet i ’1 5 a re proud to h ave c ont i nue d t h i s c lub for a
t h i rd s t r a ig ht ye a r.
Howe ver, before s t a r t i ng d i s c u s s ion, t he c lub h ad
to f i r s t c hoos e a bo ok . Hav i ng t ac k le d T h e Shining
b y Stephen K i ng a nd T h e Met am or ph osi s b y Fr a n z
K a f k a, t he Bo ok C lub w a s bou nd to h ave a w ide
v a r iet y to c hoos e f rom . T he s ele c t ion of b ook s w a s
c re ate d b y i nput s f rom e ac h Bo ok C lub member a nd
f rom M r. She eh a n . A f ter muc h del iber at ion, t he
you ng l iter a r y c r it ic s c hos e He ar t of D ark n e s s b y
Jos eph C on r ad . T he f i n a l l i s t i nc lude d Unit e d St at e s
of B an an a b y Gi a n n i n a Br a s c h i, Fath e rs an d S on s b y
Iv a n Tu r gene v, Kok oro b y Nat s u me S os ek i, a nd T h e
Pl ag u e b y A lb er t C a mu s. Gi ven le s s t h a n t w o w e ek s
to c omplete t hei r f i r s t w ork , t he Bo ok C lub l au nc he d
it s f i r s t rou nd of l iter a r y d i s c u s s ion s at it s s e c ond
me et i ng on S eptember 18 t h .
A home for i ntel le c t u a l c onver s at ion, t he Bo ok
C lub i s deter m i ne d to hold it s s t rong c om m it ment
to re ad i ng a nd i nter pret at ion du r i ng a r igorou s
t i me for t he s en ior s, w ho mu s t de a l w it h om i nou s
appl ic at ion de ad l i ne s a nd A P c l a s s e s. T h at bei ng
s a id, t he love for me a n i ng f u l bo ok s h a s not s toppe d
i n w a k e of t he s e d i f f ic u lt ie s. D re w Hayden elo quent l y
s u m m a r i z e s t he c lub i n s ay i ng t h at “Bo ok C lub i s
w here t r ue en l ig hten ment c ome s upon t he d i s c iple s
of l iter at u re t h roug h t he enjoy ment a nd d i s c u s s ion of
t houg ht provok i ng bo ok s.” T h i s pa s s ion a nd love for
re ad i ng a long w it h t he v a lue d i nput of M r. She eh a n
w i l l en s u re t he s u r v i v a l a nd pros per it y of Book C lub
i n t he f ut u re.
The Election
3
Drew Hayden ’15
E very year, Devon Prep puts on a Christy Martin, who has no friends, Mark Davenport, Rieve Bule ’15 as
consistently entertaining Fall Drama
which showcases the numerous
talented actors who attend the
school. This year’s show will be no
different. The show is The Election,
a comical representation of a high
school student body election. The
play wright describes his play as:
“After an embattled student body
president resigns in disgrace, Mark
Davenport figures he will cruise
to victory in the special election.
After all, his only opponent is nerdy
and is proposing eliminating football.
But that’s before she gets an extreme
makeover, raises millions of dollars
through a mysterious SuperPAC, and
starts running vicious attack ads on
local television. Now Mark is in for the
fight of his life, and it’s either face total
annihilation or accept the services
of a slick professional campaign
manager with questionable ethics and
his own SuperPAC. A hilarious and
timely satire on the contemporary
political scene.” With CJ Nave ’15 as
Jesuit College Fair
Sean Fulmer ’16
O n T hu r s d ay, S eptember 2 5, t he
ju n ior a nd sen ior cla sses a ssembled
i n t he g y m for t he Je s u it C ol le ge
Fa i r. T here w ere 16 Je s u it s c hool s i n
at tend a nc e: Ma rquet te Un i ver s it y,
L oyol a
Un i ver s it y
Ma r y l a nd,
L oyol a Un i ver s it y C h ic a go, L oyol a
Un i ver s it y Ne w O rle a n s, S a i nt
Peter ’s
Un i ver s it y,
S c r a nton
Un i ver s it y,
Re g i s
Un i ver s it y,
W he el i ng
Je s u it
Un i ver s it y,
Fa i r f ield
Un i ver s it y,
X av ier
Un i ver s it y, St . L ou i s Un i ver s it y,
C a n i s iu s
C ol le ge,
Le
Moy ne
C ol le ge, Spr i ng H i l l C ol le ge, Joh n
C a r rol l Un i ver s it y, a nd St . Jos eph’s
Un i ver s it y. T he C ol le ge Fa i r w a s
ver y i n for m at i ve a nd helpe d
m a ny ju n ior s a nd s en ior s get i n
touc h w it h repre s ent at i ve s f rom
t hos e c ol le ge s. Ma ny s t udent s i n
at tend a nc e w ere ver y i ntere s te d i n
goi ng to a Je s u it c ol le ge a nd t hos e
s t udent s t h at w ere not c onv i nc e d
b efore t he C ol le ge Fa i r bet ter
u nder s tood a nd appre c i ate d t he
b enef it s of goi ng to a Je s u it c ol le ge
a f ter t he C ol le ge Fa i r.
For m a ny of t he s e ju n ior s, t h i s
w a s t hei r f i r s t enc ou nter w it h
t he c ol le ge proc e s s. Ju n ior E dd ie
Mc Gi n le y ’16 s a id, “Per s on a l l y,
I w a s re a l l y g l ad to h ave t he
oppor t u n it y to le a r n more ab out
d i f ferent C at hol ic u n i ver s it ie s.
T here i s s o muc h to le a r n w hen
look i ng at a c ol le ge s o it w a s g re at
to s e e it l i ve a nd i n per s on .” T he
C ol le ge Fa i r helpe d t he s en ior s
n a r row dow n t hei r s c hool s t h at
t he y w i l l appl y to a nd helpe d t he
ju n ior s u nder s t a nd w h at e x ac t l y
t he y w a nt i n a c ol le ge. T here w a s
a l s o t he oppor t u n it y to c ompa re
s c hool s be c au s e t he y were a l l
toget her i n t he s a me room at t he
s a me t i me. T he ju n ior a nd s en ior
c l a s s e s w ou ld l i k e to t h a n k t he
D i re c tor of C ol le ge Pl a n n i ng
a nd Pl ac ement , M r s. E l i z ab et h
E s h lem a n, for put t i ng a l l of t h i s
toget her.
CAP Summer Drive
Eddie McGinley ’16
One of t he chief priorit ies here
at Devon Prep has a lways been to
g ive back to t he communit y a nd
to t hose less for t unate t ha n we.
This was cer ta in ly t r ue t his past
summer, when t he Christ ia n Act ion
Prog ram (CA P) held yet a not her
dr ive in order to ea rn supplies for
t hose in need. This specif ic drive’s
goa l was to collect va rious school
supplies and have t hem delivered
to
St.
Elizabet h’s
Communit y
Center in Nor t h Phi ladelphia.
Nearly 3000 items were gat hered
and
subsequent ly
dist r ibuted,
consist ing of ever y t hing f rom pens
and pencils to ca lcu lators a nd
back pack s. Senior CA P Presidents
Pat Rohr ’15 and A ndrew K ra mer ’15,
as well as junior CA P Vice Presidents
Eddie McGin ley ’16 a nd Kea ne W hite
’16, headed t he orga nizat ion a nd
dist ribut ion of t he items. Fa mi lies
of Nor t h Philadelphia received t hese
supplies at St. Elizabet h’s a nnua l
Communit y Block Pa r t y, where t he
items were dist ributed direct ly to
t he chi ldren at tending school. CA P
Pictured, from left to right: CAP Vice Presidents
Eddie McGinley ’16 and Keane White ’16 and
Presidents Pat Rohr ’15 and Andrew Kramer ’15
w i ll a lso tea m up w it h St. Elizabet h’s
Communit y Center in t he upcoming
Tha n k sg iv ing Food Drive t hat w i ll
direct ly benef it t heir food pa nt r y
a nd t he fa mi lies of t he surrounding
a rea.
Karl Merriweather, and Jack Wagner
’17 as Gary McMaster, and under the
strong direction of director Mr. Paul
Recupero, this show is guaranteed to
be a good time for the whole family.
The Election takes place on November
7,8, and 9, right in the middle of
election season, and after all the hard
work and time the director, actors,
actresses, and volunteers have put
forth—and considering how funny the
show is—this play should be attended
by everyone!
Fresh Princes of Devon
Michael Knudson ’15, Co-Deputy Editor-in-Chief
Fre s h m a n or ient at ion i s a n
e x c it i ng t i me for ne w a nd ret u r n i ng
s t udent s
a l i k e.
W ide- e ye d
f re s h men h ave t he oppor t u n it y
to e x plore t hei r ne w s c ho ol w h i le
e x per ienc e d s en ior s proud l y s how
of f t he i n s t it ut ion t h at h a s be en
t hei r home for t he l a s t t h re e ye a r s.
T he ne w n i nt h g r ader s were f i r st led
to t he c a feter i a w here t he y m a ke
ner vou s c onver s at ion w it h one
a not her. It i s a n u nder s t a nd abl y
u nc om for t able e x per ienc e: a ne w
pl ac e, ne w pe ople, a nd c on f u s i ng
ide a s a s to w h at t he h ig h-s c ho ol
e x per ienc e w i l l ac t u a l l y ent a i l .
Fr. R ic h a rd W y z y k ie w ic z ’61 c lea r s
h i s t h roat to c apt u re t he s t udent s’
at tent ion before open i ng t he e vent
w it h a pr ayer. H i s s uppl ic at ion i s
fol low e d b y a br ief s pe e c h f rom
A s s i s t a nt Head m a s ter M r. L a r r y
Ie z z i, w ho t hen h a nd s t he rei n s
over to t hos e member s of t he s en ior
c l a s s i n at tend a nc e. S en ior s Pat
Roh r, Luc a s Wat s on, E r ic D i P iet ro,
M ic h ael K nud s on, Ty ler K l ic k a,
A nd re w Daw s on, Gabe Pa l l a nte,
a nd Jac k He g a r t y a re eac h a s s ig ne d
to a g roup of f re s h men .
E ac h
s en ior le ad s h i s g roup on a br ief
tou r of t he f ac i l it ie s, prov id i ng
i n for m at ion about te ac her s a nd
c l a s s e s a s w el l a s a n s w er i ng a ny
que s t ion s. Fol low i ng t he tou r s,
s t udent s a re le d to t he g y m w here
t he y eng a ge i n c l ic hé ic ebre a k er s
a nd h ave a not her oppor t u n it y to
eng a ge w it h one a not her, now t h at
s ome of t he i n it i a l ner vou s ne s s
h a s abate d .
W h i le it m ay not
s e em l i k e a l i fe- c h a ng i ng e vent
on t he s u r f ac e, t he i mpor t a nc e
of f re s h m a n or ient at ion c a n not
be over s t ate d . It i s t he ver y f i r s t
e x per ienc e t h at t he s e you ng men
w i l l h ave w it h t he member s of t he
De von P rep c om mu n it y : pe ople
w it h w hom t he y w i l l be w ork i ng ,
c ompet i ng , a nd jok i ng for t he ne x t
fou r ye a r s of t hei r l i ve s.
4
Dialogue News (Continued)
ACTing Smart
No CAP on Charity
It’s All German to Me
Josh Lieberman ’15
Andrew Kramer ’15
Sean Fulmer ’16
One aspect of Devon Prep that makes
it such a unique school is the academic
achievement of its students, which is
clearly personified through Devon’s
Academic Challenge Team. This team
of information hungry students is a
manifestation of Devon’s intellectual
power. The team has ambition and wits,
both of which make it a formidable
opponent in regional competitions.
Mr. Mecouch, the activity’s proctor and
head, alongside captains CJ Nave ’15,
Soham Bharne ’15, and Josh Lieberman
’15, helps prepare these students at
least three times per week to sharpen
their memories and reflexes, seeing as
buzzing in and answering is a task not
only reliant on brain power but also on
hand-eye coordination. The necessity
of these skills is what prompts Devon
to begin practicing early, during lunch
and recreation periods throughout the
week, with the intention of giving Devon
an edge over other schools. Will this
year’s Academic Challenge Team pull
through and deliver on their positive
prospects? Only time will tell, but rest
assured that ACT will no doubt try its
best to represent Devon as the academic
powerhouse it is known to be.
The 2013-2014 school year was a
great year in many regards. A long list
of achievements and accolades can be
tallied, among them a Baseball State
Championship title. The charitable
works of the Christian Action Program
certainly reside atop that list. Each
year it is truly remarkable the impact a
relatively small group of students can
have on our surrounding communities.
Turkeys were donated, gifts were
wrapped, sleepless hours ticked by,
and peanut butter did in fact meet
jelly. Through these well-known and
loved events, CAP members made a
difference. Whether it was opening a
gift on Christmas morning or sharing a
meal with loved ones on Thanksgiving,
lives were changed. At this early point
in the school year, Devonites have a
chance to consider the question “How
can we improve upon our charitable
capacities?” Led by Presidents Pat Rohr
’15 and Andrew Kramer ’15, Devon
Prep students will once again work
tirelessly to make a difference. With
the help of junior Vice Presidents Eddie
McGinley ’16 and Keane White ’16, it will
be a very successful year. Hopefully,
throughout the 2014-2015 school year,
the CAP leaders will continue to outdo
themselves, just like they have in
previous years.
The German Club kicked off a new
school year with its annual election.
The results were as follows: Jack
Wagner ’17 won the presidency, August
Piro ’16 became vice president, and
Sean Fulmer ’16 was elected secretary.
The German Club immediately
began to plan its annual Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest occurs every year in early
October and is eagerly anticipated by
the student body. There is bratwurst
and
sauerkraut
in
abundance.
Everyone can come out and enjoy
some great food as well as a taste of
German culture. The German Club
is open to anyone interested. You do
not even have to be taking German
to join. The German club would also
like to thank Mr. Steve Lukens for his
great leadership and dedication. In
the words of Vice President August
Piro, “German Club is a great way
to learn about the cultures of other
countries. As vice president, I’d
encourage anyone to come out and
learn more about the wonderful
German culture.” The German Club
meets on Tuesdays immediately after
school in Mr. Lukens’ room.
Speak Up and Be Heard
Eddie McGinley ’16 and Matt Kelly ’16
T he pre s s u re on te en s t he s e d a y s
i s e x c r uc i at i ng. T hou s a nd s of te en s
c onc ea l t hei r problem s w it h i n; t he
t houg ht of bei ng judge d b y t hei r
pa rent s a nd t hei r pe er s pet r i f ie s
t hem . Luc k i l y, Spe a k Up i s a s a fe
h aven for a ny te en s w ho w a nt to
t a k e t he bu rden of e ver yd a y l i fe
of f of t hei r s hou lder s.
Spe a k Up i s a n i ntere s t i ng
a nd u n ique e x per ienc e for a l l i n
at tend a nc e. S ome s t udent s w ho
at tend repre s ent t hei r s c ho ol s.
T he y a re h a ndpic k e d b y t hei r
g u id a nc e c ou n s elor to be a
c ont r ibut i ng member of t he Spea k
Up le ader s h ip c om m it te e. T he s e
te a m le ader s h ave a k n ac k for
c re at i ng a n i m me d i ate c on ne c t ion
w it h te en s f rom m a ny loc a l
s c hool s.
Upon a r r i v a l at S eptember ’s
e d it ion of Spea k Up, a l l t he st udent s
were i m me d i atel y d i re c te d i nto
Ma l ver n P rep’s t he at re bu i ld i ng ,
w here t he y were enc ou r a ge d to s tep
out of t hei r c om for t z one a nd s it
w it h s t udent s f rom ot her s c ho ol s.
A f ter t he i nt ro duc t ion s w ere
c omplete d, t hos e i n at tend a nc e
le a r ne d ab out t he or ig i n of Spe a k
Up f rom it s fou nder, M r s. Ma r t ie
Gi l l i n . M r s. Gi l l i n’s e x per ienc e s
w it h her f a m i l y a nd her c h i ld ren
le d her to e s t abl i s h Spe a k Up
a s a pl ac e w here te en s c ou ld
c om mu n ic ate w it h t hei r pa rent s
a nd t hei r pe er s. A f ter M r s. Gi l l i n’s
i nt r ig u i ng a nd emot ion a l t a le,
e ver yone w a s spl it i nto g roups to
d i s c u s s pos s ible topic s for t h i s
ye a r ’s a n nu a l Spe a k Up bre a kout
e vent . S ome of t he topic s d i s c u s s e d
i nc lude: S oc i a l Me d i a, S e x a nd
P re s s u re, D r ug s a nd A lc ohol, a nd
C om mu n ic at ion
w it h
Pa rent s.
De spite f ierc e debate s ab out t he
topic s at h a nd, it ende d a s it b e g u n
w it h a s t udent-le d pr a yer.
Spe a k Up t r u l y w a s a c om for t able
a nd pe ac ef u l w a y to de a l w it h
te en a ge
problem s.
St udent s
felt r ig ht at home i n t he open
env i ron ment i n w h ic h Spe a k Up
w a s c onduc te d . E ver yone w a s
reluc t a nt to le ave, w it h s o m a ny
w ord s a nd ide a s s t i l l h a ng i ng on
t hei r tong ue s. Howe ver, t he y w i l l
h ave to w a it for t he ne x t Spea k
Up me et i ng i n O c tober to f u r t her
del ve i nto t he problem s a l l te en s
i ne v it abl y f ac e.
Spe a k Up prov ide s a fou nd at ion
for
a
l i fet i me
of
pos it i ve
c om mu n ic at ion .
All
De von
P rep s t udent s a re i nv ite d a nd
enc ou r a ge d to pa r t ic ipate i n t he
Spe a k Up Brea kout E x t r av a g a n z a
on Ja nu a r y 2 7, 201 5 at 6:30 pm . T he
Spe a k Up le ader s h ip c om m it te e
w i l l be e x pe c t i ng you !
Dialogue Sports
5
Victory for Varsity
ReLAXing in Summer
Sam Young ‘15
Anthony Walker ’16
T he end of s u m mer me a n s
t he s t a r t of a ne w s o c c er s ea s on .
T h i s ye a r ’s v a r s it y s o c c er te a m
ret u r n s w it h f i ve s en ior s on t he
s qu ad . A nd re w Sh a n non ’1 5 a nd
Gab e Pa l l a nte ’1 5 a re t he c apt a i n s
of t he te a m . T he re s t of t he s en ior s
i nclude A nd re w K ra mer at m id f ield,
Dave R a nd a l l at defen s e, a nd S a m
You ng i n goa l . T he ju n ior s a re w el l
repre s ente d b y Ha r pre et C he em a,
Ta n ner Da g get t , Tony Ga l lo, Mat t
Kel l y, M i k e L ove, Gr a nt McK n ig ht ,
A nd re w Wel s h, a nd Ke a ne W h ite.
T he s ophomore s s t a nd s t rong w it h
W i l l s on C a mp, De v on L aut , Ji m my
L of t u s, a nd Da n Sh a n non . I n
add it ion, D re w Ma s l a n k a ’18 a nd
Ty ler Wr ig ht ’18 t a k e on t hei r role s
a s ne wc omer s a nd c omplete t he
T ide’s ros ter for t h i s ye a r.
T he season has st a r ted of f slow
a nd s te ad y a s t he te a m prepa re s
to r a mp t h i ng s up w it h s e ver a l
le a g ue g a me s approac h i ng. T he
v a r s it y te a m s how s prom i s e a nd
potent i a l a s t he pl a yer s c ont i nue
to t we a k t hei r per for m a nc e for t he
b et ter. Joh n Hood h a s a s s u me d t he
he ad c oac h i ng dut ie s due to C oac h
Je w it t ’s f a m i l y c om m it ment s. T he
J V he ad c oac h, T i m McNa l l y, i s
s teppi ng up a nd f i l l i ng i n a s a
v a r s it y a s s i s t a nt c oac h . T he te a m—
a long w it h e ver yone at De v on—
w i s he s M r. Je w it t a nd h i s f a m i l y
wel l . T he te a m look s to m a k e M r.
Je w it t a nd a l l t he memb er s of
t he De v on c om mu n it y h app y b y
re c re at i ng a not her g re at s e a s on of
v a r s it y s oc c er !
The soccer team in a last-minute huddle
O ver t he cou rse of t he su m mer,
f ive
Devon
P rep
st udent s
pa r t ic ipated i n t he a n nua l B.E . L a x
su m mer lac rosse leag ue. I n 201 3,
Devon P rep a nd Delco Ch r ist ia n
for med a combi ned tea m k now n
as Tea m 2 1. However, t h is su m mer,
Met hac ton joi ned t he m i x . T he
leag ue lasted f rom Ju ne 18 t h roug h
Aug u st 7. Su m mer leag ue is a f u n
w ay to keep one’s sk i l ls sha r p i n t he
su m mer, w h i le a lso encou rag i ng
t he adopt ion of new posit ions.
Ta k i ng r isk s t hat a player nor ma l ly
wou ld not t a ke is a lso a component
of t he su m mer season. T he
tea m played aga i nst Spr i ng ford,
Boyer tow n, Pope Joh n Pau l I I, a nd
Da n iel Boone h ig h schools. Of ten
h i ndered by lack of at tenda nce, t he
Tea m 2 1/Met hac ton tea m w as able
to f ig ht for a 4-4 record u nder t he
leadersh ip of coach Ma rk Consolo.
Tea m 2 1 look s for w a rd to a not her
g reat su m mer lac rosse season nex t
yea r.
Goal-Oriented
Out Running the Flash
Grant McKnight ’16
Michael Nicolas ’16
Under t he g u id a nc e of he ad
c oac h T i m McNa l l y, t he J V S o c c er
te a m i s of f to a n e x c el lent s t a r t .
W it h k e y v ic tor ie s over Fa it h
C h r i s t i a n Ac ademy, Ac ademy of
t he Ne w C hu rc h, a nd Del aw a re
C ou nt y C h r i s t i a n S c ho ol, t he
rem a i nder of t he 201 4 s ea s on
appe a r s br ig ht . T he J V te a m h a s
held t he oppos it ion s c orele s s i n
t w o w i n s t h i s ye a r t h a n k s to s tel l a r
per for m a nc e s f rom goa l k e eper
A nd re w Bet t s ’16 a nd t he or g a n i z e d
defen s e i n f ront of h i m . T he tea m
a l s o boa s t s a potent of fen s i ve
t h re at spe a rhe ade d b y ne wc omer
AJ Ga rd i ner ’18. C o - c apt a i n E dd ie
Mc Gi n le y
’16,
w ho
c er t a i n l y
fe el s t h at t h i s ye a r w i l l c ont i nue
s t rong l y, s ay s, “ T he te a m i s f i l le d
w it h s ol id pl ayer s w ho h ave load s
of t a lent a nd potent i a l . I re a l l y
t h i n k we c a n s uc c e e d t h i s s ea s on .”
It is a new school year and a new season
for Devon Prep’s Cross Country team.
Training nonstop since mid-summer,
the runners have been hard at work for
some time. Of course, their training has
been augmented by the expertise and
guidance of head coach Paul Sanborn ’64
and assistant coach David Evans ’08. With
the aid of these two coaches, our runners
have gotten faster, stronger, and broken
barrier after barrier.
From the trails of Wilson Farm Park to
the roads of Devon, our runners have been
working hard, running far, and seeing
the sights. These Devonites have braved
heat, hills, and intimidating talks by Mr.
Sanborn and Mr. Evans. The team has run
time trials on Radnor Trail, a converted
railroad track, has jogged through the
rolling hills of Valley Forge National Park,
and has traveled almost every road within
three miles of Devon Prep.
Aside from training, the team has
competed in several meets, invitationals,
and scrimmages. Most recently, on
September 30, the team raced at Rose Tree
Park. On this hilly course in the bright
sun, the Devon runners faced off against
schools such as New Hope, Church
Farm School, and Valley Forge Military
Academy. Leading the team was one of the
captains of the team, senior Lucas Watson
’15, with a second place finish. The other
captains are James Enderle ’15, Daniel
Azarian ’15, and Andrew Stauffer ’15.
The Devon Prep Cross Country team
has been and is still running hard and
pushing onward to the finish line. Its
members have all been persevering,
improving, and growing. They have been
pushed by Mr. Sanborn and Mr. Evans to
be the very best they can. Cross Country
is a tough sport. It just is. Nonetheless,
our runners have accepted that fact and
thrived. Even though the season is nearly
over, the Devon Prep “Cross Countrymen” are still working as hard as ever.
Blue and Gold Succeed on the Green
Dan Crowe ’15
This fall, the varsity golf team has
shown a strong sense of spirit and
determination on the golf course.
Under the superb guidance of coach
Frank Casey, the team has improved its
performance in each individual match
as well as the skills of each player.
W hether it be a practice or a match,
the team has continued to rise to the
occasion. Significant improvement in
scores can be seen across the board.
Eric DiPietro ’15 and Bryan Donato ’18
have both made it to districts and Eric
set the school record for the lowest
score during a match with a 32. In a
recent interview, Dan McCallister ’15
was quoted as saying, “If I had to pick
what defines the team, I would say it
would be our strong work ethic and
that we’re all having fun out there. I
think if you can have fun in the match,
and as a byproduct play your game
well, then that’s a beautiful thing.”
6
Dialogue Profiles
In the following profiles, the Devon Dialogue interviews the two newest members of the Devon Prep community: Mr. George Sheehan and Mrs. Tara
McKenna. Mr. Sheehan teaches tenth grade English, AP Language and Composition, and AP Literature and Composition, and Mrs. McKenna teaches ninth
grade Geometry, eleventh grade Precalculus, eleventh grade Physics, AP Statistics, and AP Physics Labs.
Out of the Courtroom and Into the Classroom
Pat Blumenthal ‘15, Digital Editor
De von D i a log ue: Bei ng a teac her
w a s not you r f i r s t c a re er c hoic e.
W h at w a s you r c a re er before you
be c a me a teac her?
M r. G e or ge She eh a n : I pr ac t ic e d
l aw for over t went y ye a r s, pr i m a r i l y
c ou r t room a nd c i v i l l aw.
DD: W h at m ade you w a nt to
s w itc h c a re er s?
GS: I enjoye d t he pr ac t ic e of
l aw for a long t i me. A nd t hen, I
d id n’t . T he bu s i ne s s c h a nge d,
t he profe s s ion c h a nge d, a nd it no
longer prov ide d me t he emot ion a l
s at i s f ac t ion t h at it h ad . I enjoye d
bei ng i n a c ou r t room t remendou sl y,
but a s oppor t u n it ie s to be i n a
c ou r t room be c a me le s s a nd le s s, I
s pent more t i me s s it t i ng beh i nd a
de s k — t a l k i ng on t he phone a nd
ne got i at i ng. Paper w ork w a s not
t he re a s on I be c a me a l aw yer i n
t he f i r s t pl ac e.
DD: W h at spa rk e d you r i ntere s t
i n E ng l i s h?
GS: I w a nte d to be a n E ng l i s h
te ac her s i nc e t he t i me I w a s i n h ig h
s c hool . I s uppos e my g re at i ntere s t
i s t h at it i s a ver y ac c e s s ible avenue
i nto how pe ople t houg ht a nd felt i n
t he pa s t — a l it t le more ac c e s s ible
t h a n h i s tor y b e c au s e pe ople
re ve a l how t he y fe el a nd how t he y
t h i n k b e s t t h roug h s tor ie s. T he y
a l w a y s h ave, for t hou s a nd s of
ye a r s, a nd E ng l i s h prov ide s you
w it h t he oppor t u n it y to re ad t hos e
s tor ie s a nd to le a r n f rom t hem,
a nd to s e e how, de spite a n aw f u l
lot of c h a nge s a nd a n aw f u l lot
of prog re s s, a s m a n h a s e v ol ve d,
t here a re s ome t h i ng s t h at m a n
s t i l l w re s t le s w it h, t h at he h a s
w re s t le d w it h s i nc e t he e a rl ie s t
d a y s of w r it i ng.
DD: W here d id you get you r
de g re e f rom?
GS: I got my u nder g r adu ate
de g re e a nd my l aw de g re e f rom
V i l l a nov a .
DD: W hen you a ren’t re ad i ng
or w r it i ng , w h at a re you doi ng i n
you r f re e t i me?
GS: I c ou ld tel l you w h at I w ou ld
l i k e to be able to do. I’d love to
h ave more oppor t u n it ie s to w r ite,
w h ic h perh aps I w i l l h ave i n t he
ne a r f ut u re, but it i s ver y d i f f ic u lt
bei ng a te ac her to h ave a g re at
de a l of e x t r a t i me. Be c au s e, to do
it r ig ht , it t a ke s a lot of t i me —
prepa r i ng , g r ad i ng paper s —but
mos t l y to prov ide you r s t udent s
w it h t he be s t , a nd t h at t a k e s a s
muc h t i me a s get t i ng re ad y for a
trial.
DD: How long h ave you be en
te ac h i ng for?
GS: E le ven ye a r s. T h i s w i l l be my
t w el f t h ye a r.
DD: I s t here a ny t h i ng el s e you
w ou ld l i k e to add?
GS: It ’s w onder f u l to be at De von .
I h ave be en w elc ome d b y e ver y bod y
i n t he De von c om mu n it y i n a n
e x t remel y w a r m w ay a nd I look
for w a rd to g row i ng old here, i f I
h ave t he oppor t u n it y. S o, it h a s
be en a w onder f u l c h a nge for me
a nd h a s bre at he d ne w l i fe a nd ne w
ener g y i nto my t i re d bone s, w h ic h
i s g re at .
Out of the Fire and Into the Frying Pan
Michael Knudson ’15, Co-Deputy Editor-in-Chief
De von D i a log ue: Obv iou s l y you
a re ne w here at De von, but how
long h ave you be en w ork i ng a s a n
e duc ator?
M r s. Ta r a McKen n a : Ten ye a r s.
DD: W h at k i nd s of c ou r s e s h ave
you t aug ht over t hos e ten ye a r s?
T M: I’ve t aug ht a ton of d i f ferent
t h i ng s. It ’s mos t l y be en m at h a nd
s c ienc e, w h ic h i s w h at I te ac h here,
but I’ve t aug ht s ome pret t y ne at
c l a s s e s on t y pi ng a nd ele c t r ic it y.
DD: W here d id you go to c ol le ge?
T M: I w ent to V i l l a nov a .
DD: A lot of s t udent s r ig ht now
a re w or r ie d about c ol le ge a nd
t hei r f ut u re s.
Wou ld you s a y
t h at you r e duc at ion at V i l l a nov a
prepa re d you w el l for a c a re er a s
a n e duc ator?
T M: Ye s, I t houg ht it w a s a g re at
s c hool . I got my m a s ter ’s t here a nd
I t houg ht it prepa re d me e x t remel y
w el l .
But u lt i m atel y h a nd s- on
e x per ienc e i s t he be s t te ac her.
DD: W h at h ave you le a r ne d f rom
s w itc h i ng per s pe c t i ve s?
W h at
do you t r y a nd k e ep i n m i nd a s a
te ac her, t h i n k i ng bac k to you r ow n
d ay s a s a s t udent?
T M:
W h at I a l w ay s t r y to
rememb er i s t h at my c l a s s i s n’t t he
on l y c l a s s. It ’s i mpor t a nt to k e ep
i n m i nd a s a te ac her t h at you r k id s
h ave lot s of ot her w ork for lot s
of ot her s ubje c t s, a nd t h at you r
pa r t ic u l a r c l a s s m ig ht not b e t he
mos t i mpor t a nt to t hem . T h at ’s
w h at I a l w a y s w i s he d my te ac her s
w ou ld c on s ider bac k w hen I w a s a
s t udent , a nd now t h at I’m a te ac her
I a l w a y s k e ep t h at i n m i nd .
DD: I u nder s t a nd t h at you h ave
t w o you ng c h i ld ren . W h at i s it
l i k e ba l a nc i ng a c a re er a s a f u l l
t i me te ac her w it h t he s t re s s e s of
mot herhood?
T M: It c a n b e a l it t le t i r i ng. But
I love w h at I do a s a te ac her a nd I
love spend i ng t i me w it h my k id s,
s o my d a y i s u s u a l l y f i l le d w it h
ac t i v it ie s I enjoy. You ju s t h ave to
rol l w it h t he pu nc he s.
DD:
W h at
a re
you r
f irst
i mpre s s ion s of De v on a s a br a nd
ne w memb er of t he f ac u lt y ?
T M: I’ve be en ple a s a nt l y
s u r pr i s e d
w it h
how
f r iend l y
e ver yone i s to tel l you t he t r ut h .
I w a s n’t e x pe c t i ng e ver yone to
be s o w elc om i ng. T he te ac her s,
s t udent s, a nd pa rent s h ave a l l
be en g re at .
DD: Do you h ave a ny pa s s ion s or
hobbie s out s ide of te ac h i ng ?
T M: Wel l I’m re a l l y pa s s ion ate
about f i ref ig ht i ng ac t u a l l y. My
f a m i l y h a s a l w ay s be en f u l l of
f i remen . I ac t u a l l y ju s t at tende d a
f i remen’s c onvent ion i n W i ld w oo d,
N J t h i s mont h . But I a m a l s o a big
s por t s f a n .
DD:
Fi ref ig ht i ng i s a ver y
ad m i r able t h i ng to be pa s s ion ate
about . W h at a re you r f avor ite
s por t s te a m s?
T M: I love t he Ne w York Met s
a nd t he Gre en Bay Pac k er s. But I
a l s o l i k e t he E a g le s.
DD: W h at ad v ic e do you h ave for
t he s t udent s here at De von P rep?
T M: St ud y, s t ud y, s t ud y ! But
it ’s i mpor t a nt not to s t re s s. I f you
s t re s s a nd get ner vou s a nd t h i n k
you’re goi ng to f a i l, you’re more
l i k el y to. It ’s s o i mpor t a nt to k e ep
a pos it i ve at t it ude. I f you t h i n k
you’re goi ng to do w el l t hen you
w ill.
Dialogue Editorials
7
Mock Trials and Real Results
Michael Knudson ’15, Co-Deputy Editor-in-Chief
T he A mer ic a n le g a l s y s tem i s a
c omple x one. It i s u n i m a g i n abl y
i nt r ic ate a nd it s s ubt let ie s of ten
e s c ape e ven t he mos t s e a s one d
l aw yer s. To s uc c e e d a s a c ou r t ro om
at tor ne y, one mu s t h ave a f i r m
g r a sp of t he s e i nt r ic ac ie s. Ru le s
of e v idenc e mu s t be memor i z e d,
le g a l pre c e dent mu s t be ver i f ie d,
a nd t he c a s e it s el f mu s t b e
a n a l y z e d . But k now le dge a lone
i s n’t enoug h to s uc c e e d, not b y a
long s hot . Add to t h at k now le dge
a l it t le poi s e, a lot of c on f idenc e,
a nd s ome wel l c r a f te d ac t i ng a nd
t hen, a nd on l y t hen, w i l l you h ave
a s uc c e s s f u l l aw yer. T he s e s k i l l s
a re e x ac t l y t hos e t h at a re i mpa r te d
t h roug h pa r t ic ipat ion i n h ig h
s c hool moc k t r i a l - s k i l l s ne e de d
not on l y to be c ome s uc c e s s f u l
i n t he le g a l f ield, but s k i l l s t h at
c a n be t r a n s l ate d a nd appl ie d to
v i r t u a l l y a ny c a re er.
“Moc k Tr i a l” m ay s ou nd l i ke a
d au nt i ng ac t i v it y to t he v i r g i n e a r,
a nd to s ome de g re e it i s, yet it c a n
be brok en dow n a nd e x pl a i ne d
qu ite s i mpl y. It i s e x ac t l y w h at
it c l a i m s to be: a “mo c k t r i a l .”
Te a m s c on s i s t of t h re e at tor ne y s
a nd t h re e w it ne s s e s w ho a re g i ven
a pre w r it ten, f ic t ion a l c a s e a nd
a s k e d to a r g ue for a pa r t ic u l a r
s ide.
T he y mu s t prepa re t h i s
a r g u ment a nd pre s ent it i n t he
for m of a t r i a l . T he t r i a l it s el f
fol low s t he s a me for m at a s t h at
of one you m ig ht s e e at you r lo c a l
c ou r t hou s e. T he t w o s ide s be g i n b y
del i ver i ng open i ng s t atement s to
t he ju r y, prov id i ng a br ief over v ie w
of t he a r g u ment s t he y w i l l b e
pre s ent i ng. T hen, w it ne s s e s a re
c a l le d to t he s t a nd . E ac h w it ne s s
i s s ubje c t to t w o “e x a m i n at ion s”:
a d i re c t e x a m i n at ion a nd a
c ros s e x a m i n at ion .
T he d i re c t
e x a m i n at ion i s t he w it ne s s’s
c h a nc e to tel l h i s or her s tor y. T he
quest ion s a re a s ke d b y a suppor t i ng
at tor ne y a nd a re s t r uc t u re d to
bol s ter t h at at tor ne y ’s s ide of
t he c a s e. T h i s n a r r at i ve d i re c t
e x a m i n at ion i s fol low e d b y a n of ten
t i me s g r uel i ng c ros s e x a m i n at ion .
T he “c ros s” i s a c h a nc e for t he
oppos i ng at tor ne y to u nder m i ne
t he w it ne s s’s c re d ibi l it y, a nd
make
h i s/ her
n a r r at i ve
le s s
bel ie v able. It i s du r i ng t h i s pa r t
of t he que s t ion i ng t h at you w i l l
he a r t he d r a m at ic , c ont rover s i a l
que s t ion s s o c h a r ac ter i s t ic of L aw
& O rd e r. Fol low i ng t he d i re c t a nd
c ros s
e x a m i n at ion s,
at tor ne y s
a re per m it te d to del i ver c los i ng
a r g u ment s. T h i s i s a n oppor t u n it y
to t a k e a l l of t he i n for m at ion t h at
w a s re ve a le d t h roug h que s t ion i ng ,
eloquent l y c on s ol id ate it , a nd
del i ver it to t he ju r y i n t he for m
of a c onc i s e s u m m at ion of you r
a r g u ment .
W h i le t h i s i s on l y a br ief
over v ie w of t he proc e e d i ng s,
t he w hole pic t u re of moc k t r i a l
i s u n i m a g i n abl y more c omple x .
Mont h s of c a ref u l prepa r at ion go
i nto c a ref u l l y c r a f t i ng e ac h a spe c t
of t he c a s e to mos t ef fe c t i vel y
a r t ic u l ate a pa r t ic u l a r s t a nc e.
E ac h que s t ion a s k e d of a w it ne s s i s
wel l t houg ht out , a f it te d pie c e i n
t he pu z z le of t he c a s e. E ver y h a nd
ge s t u re a nd i n f le x ion of t he v oic e
i s pre c i s el y t i me d to eng a ge t he
ju r y ’s at tent ion . E ver y si ng le det a i l
of t he c a s e i s a n a l y z e d, e v a lu ate d,
a nd u s e d to b e s t ef fe c t . A t le a s t
t h at ’s how it w ork s at De v on . It
re qu i re s a l a r ge a mou nt of t i me
a nd a n a r g u abl y l a r ger a mou nt of
ef for t , a nd t h i s of ten d i s c ou r a ge s
i ntere s te d s t udent s. But t he w ork
i s u nden i abl y over s h adowe d b y
t he re w a rd s.
Moc k t r i a l, pa r t ic u l a rl y De v on
P rep moc k t r i a l, h a s a nu mber of
b enef it s t h at m a k e it w or t h a l l
t he t i me a nd s t re s s. T he nu mb erone fe a r A mer ic a n s h ave i s t he
fe a r of spe a k i ng publ ic l y. T h i s
e x c e e d s t hei r fe a r of ter ror i s t s,
i n s e c t s,
de at h,
or
a ny t h i ng
el s e.
Moc k t r i a l i s a n ac t i v it y
t h at , i f it doe s not c ompletel y
el i m i n ate it , w i l l at le a s t a l le v i ate
t h at fe a r.
Del i ver i ng eloquent
spe e c he s, a s k i ng que s t ion s, a nd
re c it i ng le g a l def i n it ion s i n f ront
of a g roup of s t r a nger s i s a t r u l y
ef fe c t i ve w a y to i mprove one’s
publ ic spe a k i ng abi l it y. W it h
s ome proper c oac h i ng a nd a lot of
pr ac t ic e, a l l pa r t ic ipa nt s i n moc k
t r i a l e vent u a l l y re ac h a s t a ge of
s el f- c on f idenc e t h at a l low s t hem
to a r t ic u l atel y e x pre s s t hem s el ve s.
T h i s i s a n i nv a lu able s k i l l t h at
c a n b e appl ie d to a ny d i s c ipl i ne.
Do c tor s, bu s i ne s s men, re a ltor s,
a nd e ven c ler g y men ne e d to be
able to ef fe c t i vel y a r t ic u l ate t hei r
b el ief s a nd pos it ion s i n order to
s uc c e e d, a nd t h i s abi l it y i s le a r ne d,
s t reng t hene d,
a nd
pol i s he d
t h roug h moc k t r i a l . Add it ion a l l y,
t h i s ac t i v it y c a n b e a me d iu m for
c r it ic a l t h i n k i ng a nd a n a l y s i s.
T here a re t w o m a i n element s to
t he mo c k t r i a l c ompet it ion : t he
per for m a nc e (w h ic h prov ide s t he
s pe a k i ng s k i l l s a nd c on f idenc e
ment ione d
above)
a nd
t he
prepa r at ion . T he prepa r at ion of
a mo c k t r i a l c a s e, e s pe c i a l l y at
De von P rep, prov ide s s uc h a w ide
r a nge of f a r re ac h i ng , i ntel le c t u a l,
a nd appl ic able ad v a nt a ge s t h at
it w ou ld be a l mos t i mpos s ible to
c over t hem a l l i n a s i ng le a r t ic le.
I nten s el y e v a lu at i ng pa ge a f ter
pa ge
of
w it ne s s
s t atement s,
e x h ibit s, a nd s t ipu l at ion s te ac he s
a member of t he mo c k t r i a l te a m
to re ad w it h a c r it ic a l e ye. O ne
s e em i ng l y i n s ig n i f ic a nt det a i l
c ou ld m a k e or bre a k a n ent i re c a s e,
s o t he i mpor t a nc e of t horoug h a nd
a n a l y t ic a l e v a lu at ion i s s t re s s e d
a nd i mpa r te d w it h g re at d i l igenc e.
T h i s s k i l l, a g a i n, c a n be appl ie d to
v i r t u a l l y a ny d i s c ipl i ne, w het her
t he m ater i a l t a k e t he for m of
a s c ient i f ic paper, a bu s i ne s s
repor t , or a ne w s paper a r t ic le.
P repa r at ion for a mo c k t r i a l a l s o
c onve y s a hol i s t ic s t y le of t h i n k i ng.
I n order to for mu l ate a s uc c e s s f u l
c a s e t he or y, a l l a s pe c t s of t he c a s e
mu s t be t a k en i nto c on s ider at ion
at a l l t i me s.
E ac h i nd i v idu a l
ad v a nc ement , e ac h ne w ide a or
per s pe c t i ve, mu s t k e ep i n m i nd
t he g r a nder pic t u re of t he c a s e a s a
w hole. It i s to o e a s y s omet i me s to
get c aug ht i n t he t r ap of m i nut i a .
A hol i s t ic s t y le of t h i n k i ng , a
c on s ider at ion for s omet h i ng l a r ger
t h a n t he i m me d i ate i s ju s t a not her
of t he m a ny a nd v a r ie d benef it s of
mo c k t r i a l .
Ta k e s ome t i me to ref le c t on
w h at you hopef u l l y re c og n i z e now
a s a n i ndubit abl y ad v a nt a ge ou s
ac t i v it y. I n w h at ot her c lub c a n
you le a r n t he i n s a nd out s of one
of t he mos t h i s tor ic a l l y s t able a nd
i n f i n it i vel y i nt r ic ate le g a l s y s tem s
i n t he w orld? I n w h at ot her ac t i v it y
c a n you s u r mou nt hu m a n it y ’s
g reate s t fe a r w h i le s i mu lt a ne ou s l y
aug ment i ng
you r
c on f idenc e?
W h at ot her e x t r ac u r r ic u l a r add s
to you r a r s en a l t he s k i l l s of
publ ic s pe a k i ng , c r it ic a l a n a l y s i s,
hol i s t ic t h i n k i ng , a nd te a mw ork i n
a n i ntel le c t u a l l y s t i mu l at i ng a nd
d i ver t i ng m a n ner? Mo c k t r i a l i s a
de c ide d l y u n ique e x per ienc e a nd
a n e x per ienc e t h at c a n a nd s hou ld
be pu r s ue d at De von P rep.
Long Live Rock
8
CJ Nave ’15, Editor-in-Chief
Summer is supposed to be a time for relaxation and fun. Going
down to 40th Street in Ocean City, New Jersey was both of those
things. Lying on the beach for five hours, playing washers and bocce
in the sand, and getting Manco and Manco’s pizza and Aunt Betty’s
ice cream is practically my dream day. However, this summer, I
experienced something more fun and, at times, more stressful than I
ever have before: going on tour to play music.
I first went on tour with a group from the Main Line School of Rock
known as the Delta Squad. This is a collection of the best students
from that school. The itinerary included stops in Cleveland, Chicago,
and Milwaukee. But first, an eight-hour bus ride to Cleveland was
required, and due to a magnificent tour bus breakdown in exotic
Canfield, Ohio, that ride stretched out to twelve-hours. However, as
a severe thunderstorm rolled through with the band on the side of a
highway in a sweaty, gross bus, everyone realized that this was the true
meaning of rock-and-roll. Well, not really. After finally getting to our
hotel in Cleveland, we spent the night and woke up the next morning
ready to go. That day, we went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and
performed right in the main lobby, a venue played by countless rock
legends. We were able to walk around for a few hours beforehand,
and seeing all the rock history in that museum was something truly
special. The gig had four bands alternating sets: Cleveland School of
Rock, Toronto School of Rock, Fort Washington School of Rock, and
of course, Main Line School of Rock, right down the road from Devon
Prep. After this gig and yet another rainstorm in the city of Cleveland,
we returned to the hotel to get some rest. The next day, we were off
to Chicago. The band played two shows in the Windy City. The first
show took place at another School of Rock, namely the new Oak Park
location. Main Line, along with Fort Washington, Oak Park, and
Chicago, gave a great show to all those in attendance. The following
day, we played at a very nice venue called Lincoln Hall. We were able to
walk around in the city before the gig, and all of us were able to absorb
the beauty of the city of Chicago. The Lincoln Hall show turned out
to be a show with about twenty other School of Rock house bands, so
one can only imagine how long and how loud that performance was.
That being said, hearing Rage Against the Machine and seeing the
crowd’s reaction was simply great. After the Chicago stop, it was time
for our final destination: Milwaukee. The first show in Milwaukee was
at an outside venue directly adjacent to a bar and brewing company.
That show was quite possibly the loudest performance ever put on by
humans, on record. Even Father Shea would not have been able to
measure how many decibels of sound were created with the intensity
formula because the numbers would be so huge. After that destruction
of everyone’s ears, the next two days were what we had been waiting for.
We were competing with over fifty other house bands in the GEMBA
competition at Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival. We had
the privilege of playing for judges including Jimmy Chamberlain, the
drummer for the Smashing Pumpkins, Earl Slick, the guitarist for
David Bowie, James Williamson, a member of the Stooges, Damon
Ranger, an Emmy-award winning composer, and many, many more.
We also played at the same festival as Dave Matthews, Lady Gaga,
Bruno Mars, Outkast, Luke Bryan, Usher, Arctic Monkeys, and just
about every other well known living musician. It was an absolutely
tremendous experience, meeting fellow School of Rock members and
legendary musicians (getting a selfie with Earl Slick was unreal to
me) and getting to play with some of my best friends. We eventually
Editorial Board
© 2014 Devon Prep
Editor-in-Chief: CJ Nave ’15
Co-Deputy Editors-in-Chief: Rieve Bule ’15 and Michael Knudson ’15
Digital Editor: Patrick Blumenthal ’15
Photography Editor: Andrew Loper ’15
Faculty Moderator: Mr. Lawrence Theuer
Associate Editor for Entertainment: Graham Alabdulla ’15
Associate Editor for News: Soham Bharne ’15
Associate Editor for Editorials: Josh Lieberman ’15
All photos, unless otherwise noted, were taken by newspaper staff
or Ms. Rose Lombardo, for Devon Preparatory School.
Special thanks to Fr. Shea for his tireless assistance and guidance.
made it to the finals of the GEMBA competition and came very close
to winning. After GEMBA, it was time to head home with a stop in
Sandusky, Ohio to stay at the Great Wolf Lodge. Our third tour bus,
however, had other ideas, and decided to break down in the middle of
Indiana. Despite this, all was good, because it broke down right near
a rest-stop with a Starbucks in it. After almost five hours of waiting,
we were on the road again. Finally, after logging what felt like 10,000
hours on the bus, we arrived home after one of the best weeks of my
life. That was only half of my touring last summer.
The rest of the time I spent touring was with the School of Rock
Allstar program, an audition-based program that accepts the top
2.5% students of all Schools of Rock internationally. Amazingly
enough, and as a testament to the level of the Main Line School of
Rock, six Allstars were chosen from my school, including myself.
The first three days were, in a word, brutal. Each day was filled with
hours and hours of rehearsals and tens of thousands of water bottles.
Seemingly, every meal we had was pizza, which I was thrilled with,
frankly. After rehearsals, we played our first gig at the World Café
Live in Philadelphia with the Main Line Delta Squad and one other
house band. It was an unbelievably fun experience, because both the
Allstars team and our house band were fantastic. It was a blast playing
with new friends and old. After this show, we went back to our hotel
and all hung out and got to know each other just a bit more. There were
kids from Downingtown, Fort Washington, Philadelphia, Princeton,
Long Island, and Baltimore, and each and every one of them was a
great person and a great musician. Following our concert in Philly, we
played a very relaxed show on the Wildwood Boardwalk and went on
the greatest wooden rollercoaster known to man. The next day was a
long one, just like every other day. We played a show at the Knitting
Factory in Brooklyn, and by the time the five hour show was over,
people were falling asleep while carrying the gear out to load up the
bus. Our last stop was a three day stay at Gathering of the Vibes in
Bridgeport, Connecticut, where I was honored to play saxophone with
the horn players from jam band Deep Banana Blackout. Gathering
of the Vibes was such a great experience and it really did live up to
its name(with a very interesting smell, I might add). John Fogerty,
Widespread Panic, and just about every Grateful Dead cover band in
existence played at Vibes, and by the time it was over, everyone was
heartbroken. Everyone on our team had become such good friends in
such a short amount of time, but it was time to go. After two week-long
tours of playing music with great people, I can unequivocally say that
without music, life would be far less interesting, emotional, and fun.
Music makes life worth living.
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