Ruth Engelman ’21 | Laura Null ’20 We get it. Chick-fil-A is good, the workers are nice, and it’s easy to order for a grade-wide event here at EA. We are not trying to ruin chicken for you, we promise. The issue with Chick-fil-A is not the chicken or the fries; the issue stems from several donations the company has made to anti-LGBTQ foundations. EA should not purchase Chick-fil-A for its events because, in doing so, EA is endorsing a company which holds homophobic views. When we first looked into these donations, we obviously saw some blatant homophobia, but nothing…
Author: TECHALERT
STAFF EDITORIAL According to the Upper School Student Handbook, “The dress code is an important part of Episcopal Academy’s life. The dress code contributes to a sense of campus decorum and simplicity, as well as reduces superficial comparisons between people while emphasizing the common experience that we share as members of this school community.” The document continues, “Abiding by the dress code guidelines conveys a respect for self and others that underlies the Episcopal philosophy. Students are required to live within both the spirit and letter of the dress code.” Overall, we think the dress code serves a vital purpose…
STAFF EDITORIAL According to the Upper School Student Handbook, “The dress code is an important part of Episcopal Academy’s life. The dress code contributes to a sense of campus decorum and simplicity, as well as reduces superficial comparisons between people while emphasizing the common experience that we share as members of this school community.” The document continues, “Abiding by the dress code guidelines conveys a respect for self and others that underlies the Episcopal philosophy. Students are required to live within both the spirit and letter of the dress code.” Overall, we think the dress code serves a vital purpose…
Mary Cipperman ’21 | Nicholas Christos ’20 Billionaire, founder of software company Bloomberg LP, former three term mayor of New York City, and Democratic candidate (in that order) Michael Bloomberg has been nothing short of unconventional. Not only has his campaign strategy differed from other Democratic candidates, but his polling data seems to indicate that it has been effective. This is not an endorsement of Bloomberg for the nomination, however, we see his “game theory” of a strategy beginning to work, making us view him as the dark horse in the 2020 election. We agree with a…
Gianna Cilluffo ‘22 | Amelia Cabral ‘22 | Abigail Gallo ‘22 Britain’s Brexit crisis and Boris Johnson’s unorthodox leadership are issues that students may be only vaguely aware of, given how the various crises in our own country dominate the news. Matthew Vegari ‘13 is uniquely positioned to offer insight on current issues in Britain because he is currently a student at the London School of Economics. While the United States’ economy is currently flourishing, the United Kingdom’s is struggling. This is due in part to the bold Brexit proposal. The UK still needs the EU despite their desire to…
Maiah Islam ‘21 EA is noted for its amazing teachers and faculty who work closely with students. Those who exceed the standard for EA teachers are sometimes rewarded. There are five different awards available to faculty. The Brian Edward Breskman Memorial Fund for Faculty Support encourages young teachers to stay dedicated to education. The Class of 1940 Award honors teachers who have dedicated themselves to all areas of the Academy, whether it be in the classroom or on the field. The Hirtle Innovation Prize commends a faculty member for unique and innovative teaching. The D’Ambrosio Fund for Extraordinary Faculty at…
Noble Brigham ‘20 In the grainy, silent color video shot by Bill Knowlton ‘73, the camera pans around an eerily empty and ivy-covered mansion. John Garrison ‘73, describes this video as “What galvanized the whole [fight to save it] …The stark differences between the art, the form, the experience of the old, and the lack of all that with the new.” It then cuts to its demolition. Construction equipment from Geppert Brothers rips at the gothic stone work, smashes through walls and floors, and snatches 19th century EA memorabilia, including team photos and memorial chairs from the Locust Street…
Lydia Nawrocki ’23 |Caroline Sewell ’23 This year, an Alumni 101 Committee of fifteen seniors was established in partnership with the class of 2020 and the Alumni Office to encourage 100% participation in giving to the senior fund. Despite this change, the group has not yet met their goals. The committee wants to clarify, however, that no matter what the outcome of giving, they will secure a lasting impact at EA. This year, the committee members, rather than the development office as in years past, will solicit funds. Michael Letts, Head of Upper School, explains that the new committee intends…
Mary Cipperman ’21 | Dhilan Lavu ’21 This year, five juniors were named Lilley Fellows rather than just one or two as had been the case in the past two years. Additionally, the Lilley Advanced Independent Study Program has been announced for the 2020-2021 school year. This program will allow students to develop a self-guided study program, alongside a teacher at EA, in order to explore an academic interest. The Lilley Fellowship is an opportunity for juniors to investigate a scholarly passion and to produce a final project. Students present their research to the Upper School in September, after a…
Margaret Lo ‘23 | Gianna Trala ‘23 *Candidates included are those who polled in the top five Democratic candidates, according to RealClearPolitics, as of January 25. National polling, from The Economist, represents percentages of Democrats who support a respective candidate. School polling represents percentages in support of a specific candidate out of EA students and faculty who support a Democratic candidate in the primary. Donations from FEC reports. JOE BIDEN: National Polling: 27% | EA Polling: 22.7% | Donations: $15.7 million Former Vice President of the United States Joe Biden has moderate views. Regarding gun control, Biden supports a ban…
Brianna Bellinghieri ’22 | Arjun Bhamra ’22 | Dhilan Lavu ’21 Ellen Hay Ellen Hay started out as a replacement history teacher just under 40 years ago. She was one of a few select women in the staff, and also saw the first co-ed class graduate. After teaching history, she became the Director of Admissions for 23 years before finally returning to her current position teaching Upper School History and Psychology. Over the course of her time here, Hay has mentored both Mock Trial and Model U.N., as well as a variety of other clubs. “With Mock Trial, I’ve learned…
Brianna Bellinghieri ’22 | Arjun Bhamra ’22 | Dhilan Lavu ’21 Ellen Hay Ellen Hay started out as a replacement history teacher just under 40 years ago. She was one of a few select women in the staff, and also saw the first co-ed class graduate. After teaching history, she became the Director of Admissions for 23 years before finally returning to her current position teaching Upper School History and Psychology. Over the course of her time here, Hay has mentored both Mock Trial and Model U.N., as well as a variety of other clubs. “With Mock Trial, I’ve learned…
Albert Chen ’23 After 33 years as athletic director, Gina Buggy is retiring and handing over the reins to Todd Fairlie, head football coach, and assistant athletic director. T.J. Locke, Greville Haslam Head of School, describes the search process that landed on Fairlie. “We got into a resume process and got about a hundred resumes. We did about two dozen interviews to get it down to twelve or fifteen. Did more interviews, got it down to seven. Then we did a third round of interviews and got it down to our one … After eleven hours in the board room…
Ava Hendrickson ‘22 Ashley Kennedy ‘22 Every aspect of the Episcopal experience is shaped by the layout of the school itself; the campus, from the buildings to the parking lots, makes it possible for EA to function the way that it does. To maintain this, elements of the campus are periodically reevaluated in order to create long term plans and ideas for renovations, a process called master planning. T.J. Locke, the Greville Haslam Head of School, describes the process as, “long term planning, for the facilities, and for the campus.” He explains that it helps to keep our school’s campus…
Trisha Tsundupalli ‘21 With this year’s faculty changes in the science department, a few reforms have been made for the 2019-2020 season of PJAS. Founded in 1934, the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, or PJAS, is a statewide competition for students starting in seventh grade. This program, which starts in Upper School at EA, allows for the individual exploration of a chosen scientific topic, performed throughout the winter season as a fitness option. Anya Kohli ‘21 states, “It is a really great opportunity to study something that you are really passionate about and that is what the future is- you…
Ava Hendrickson ‘22 Ashley Kennedy ‘22 Every aspect of the Episcopal experience is shaped by the layout of the school itself; the campus, from the buildings to the parking lots, makes it possible for EA to function the way that it does. To maintain this, elements of the campus are periodically reevaluated in order to create long term plans and ideas for renovations, a process called master planning. T.J. Locke, the Greville Haslam Head of School, describes the process as, “long term planning, for the facilities, and for the campus.” He explains that it helps to keep our school’s campus…
Abby Gallo ‘22 Kathryn Lynn ‘22 The holiday season is an important time to reunite with family, celebrate traditions, and give back to the community, and as the holidays approach, people are filled with holiday spirit and partake in charitable deeds to benefit their community and its members. With such emphasis placed on sharing and giving back during the holiday season, many become more involved in the community through service. Episcopal has multiple service traditions for the holiday season, beginning with the November Turkey Collection. The collected turkeys go to Great Valley Food Bank and Muslim Serve to provide a…
Veronica Garrubbo ’21 Talent exists in infinite forms: academic, athletic, artistic. Yet the Episcopal Academy as a community, in line with the rest of society, fails to recognize the artists of the school as equals of others. A brief disclaimer: I ask that the audience recognizes that I am calling out the community as a whole, not individuals within it. At Episcopal, most of the faculty and a number of students and parents are extremely supportive of the artists. They, however, are a small core of people whose value of the arts has yet to infiltrate…
Typically, letters to the editor are not anonymous. However, due to the sensitivity of this topic, the Scholium editorial staff has decided to allow this writer to remain anonymous. To the Editors: I am writing out of my sadness and frustration that despite EA’s recent efforts, cheating is still such a big issue at the school. I wish the administration would do more to crack down on academic dishonesty by setting examples and addressing the root of the problem. I want to start by saying that EA does do a lot to prevent students from cheating, such as installing the…
Typically, letters to the editor are not anonymous. However, due to the sensitivity of this topic, the Scholium editorial staff has decided to allow this writer to remain anonymous. To the Editors: I am writing out of my sadness and frustration that despite EA’s recent efforts, cheating is still such a big issue at the school. I wish the administration would do more to crack down on academic dishonesty by setting examples and addressing the root of the problem. I want to start by saying that EA does do a lot to prevent students from cheating, such as installing the…