Alec Austin ’19 Michael Zeng ’19 The Boys Athlete of the Month for September is DeeWil Barlee ‘19. A Villanova University commit, Barlee is a tri-captain along with Jack Purcell ‘19 and Ryan Rockenback ‘19. By playing both sides of the field as a running back and small safety, Barlee’s defensive stops and touchdowns have made him one of the top football player in the area. “One of the main things that makes DeeWil so great is the little things that he does,” says CJ Yespelkis, coach of the varsity football team. “He sets an excellent example for his…
Author: TECHALERT
Alec Austin ’19 Michael Zeng ’19 The Boys Athlete of the Month for September is DeeWil Barlee ‘19. A Villanova University commit, Barlee is a tri-captain along with Jack Purcell ‘19 and Ryan Rockenback ‘19. By playing both sides of the field as a running back and small safety, Barlee’s defensive stops and touchdowns have made him one of the top football player in the area. “One of the main things that makes DeeWil so great is the little things that he does,” says CJ Yespelkis, coach of the varsity football team. “He sets an excellent example for his…
Aarushi Singh ‘20 This year, Episcopal offers two new science courses outside of the conventional biology, chemistry, and physics students are required to take. Cognitive Neuroscience and Principles of Engineering have made their debut as semester-long additions to the four previous science electives at EA. The two courses, each worth one-half of a science credit, will run during the fall and spring semesters. Cognitive Neuroscience focuses on “[linking] the biology of the brain to the cognitive psychological processes that allow us to think and learn,” according to the Upper School Program of Studies. The course is taught by Upper School…
Noble Brigham ‘20 For over 70 years, the abuses of Catholic priests in Pennsylvania were systematically hidden. This fact came to light in August when a grand jury released its 887 page report about the issue. The report was shockingly widespread, including more than 300 priests and 1,000 victims throughout the Commonwealth. And these numbers do not even include Philadelphia, which has been the subject of prior investigations. According to numerous published reports, for decades, apparently Church policy was to hide abuse to uphold a public image. Church leaders abruptly transferred priests who had abused children without telling the congregations;…
Glay Yang ‘20 This summer, Upper School Art Teacher Hilary Hutchison had her art featured at the Cahoon Museum of American Art in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Hutchison created and displayed a large-scale sculpture of a cod for the museum’s “Streetside” exhibit, which is open from the beginning of May to the end of October. Hutchison goes to Cape Cod every summer to teach and attend fundraisers at the Cahoon Museum, where she and other artists are invited to create work to be sold in a live auction, the benefits of which go to the museum. It was through these fundraisers…
Anjali Bose ‘20 Cerena Robertson ‘19 is September’s Artist of the Month for her exemplary skills in both performing and visual arts. “I was really interested in theater before I came to EA,” Robertson explained, “but at my old school I didn’t really have the opportunity to perform in theater, but when I came to EA I started.” Her first role was as a freshman as one of the Dynamites in Hairspray. “I actually decided to audition for Hairspray after some diversity people and Mr. Clay asked me if I wanted to play a black teen in it. For…
Anjali Bose ‘20 Cerena Robertson ‘19 is September’s Artist of the Month for her exemplary skills in both performing and visual arts. “I was really interested in theater before I came to EA,” Robertson explained, “but at my old school I didn’t really have the opportunity to perform in theater, but when I came to EA I started.” Her first role was as a freshman as one of the Dynamites in Hairspray. “I actually decided to audition for Hairspray after some diversity people and Mr. Clay asked me if I wanted to play a black teen in it. For…
Olivia Cipperman ‘19 This year, the Episcopal Academy has gained a student organization in support of community and ecological health: the Bee Club. Founded by Alexander Peters ’19 and Camilla Stapleton ’19, the club aims to teach students about the merits of bees and beekeeping and to connect the EA community at all levels. Along with such environmentally-minded clubs as GYLI and EcoAction, Bee Club hopes to make a difference in the environment and enrich the EA community as a whole. As part of their initiative, the Bee Club wants to explore the possibility of placing beehives on campus. Its…
Olivia Cipperman ‘19 This year, the Episcopal Academy has gained a student organization in support of community and ecological health: the Bee Club. Founded by Alexander Peters ’19 and Camilla Stapleton ’19, the club aims to teach students about the merits of bees and beekeeping and to connect the EA community at all levels. Along with such environmentally-minded clubs as GYLI and EcoAction, Bee Club hopes to make a difference in the environment and enrich the EA community as a whole. As part of their initiative, the Bee Club wants to explore the possibility of placing beehives on campus. Its…
Annie Rau ‘19 On September 22, Vocal Ensemble member Mackenzie Lee ‘19 sang with Broadway stars for the children of Honduras at the charity’s event titled “Broadway Sings – Amigos de Jesús.” Hamilton musical stars Mandy Gonzalez and Chris Jackson performed at the benefit concert, and Mackenzie Lee had the opportunity to not only watch the world-renowned singers perform but also sing alongside them. “I sang in ‘Vivir Mi Vida’ by Marc Anthony with the whole crew as well as ‘Breathe’ from In the Heights with Mandy Gonzalez,” Lee said. Amigos de Jesús is a home for abandoned, abused and…
Tom Hogan ‘20 The theatre department of the Episcopal Academy will perform Les Misérables as the spring musical from May 2nd to May 4th. Based on the 1962 novel by Victor Hugo, the musical tells of the redemption of French peasant Jean Valjean against the backdrop of the French Revolution. The previous two musicals, Chicago in 2016-17 and Grease in 2017-18, received widespread acclaim among the Episcopal community. Les Misérables is considered to be one of the most difficult musicals to learn and perform. Daniel Clay, theatre department chair and musical director, explained, “There’s a lot of challenges in terms…
Mary Cipperman ’21 The National Alliance on Mental Health Illness (NAMI) reports that mental illness affects one in five teens. An influx of college dropouts, school shootings, and teen suicides have brought these issues to the forefront of educational reform. Mental illnesses, including eating disorders, anxiety, depression, bipolarism, ADHD, and others, pose a risk. While the Episcopal Academy is an elite institution, it is also, at its core, a community. These matters threaten EA as they do the wider nation. The administration has responded accordingly, providing increased accommodations, counseling, and education for mental illness. Still, many students agree that further…
The number of disciplinary actions has soared over the last few years and more students are getting in trouble for a variety of issues. Whether it’s cheating, vaping, or lying, students seem to be repeating the same mistakes despite administrative announcements and consequently harsh disciplinary actions. This rising trend in punishments and disciplinary actions shows that our current disciplinary system may not be the most effective way to eradicate these issues. This, perhaps, is most evident in cases involving academic dishonesty. Often times after a student is punished for cheating they just find a better way to cheat. Grace Smith…
Mary Cipperman’21 On May 6, Episcopal Academy’s girls’ novice 8+ boat won City Championships for the first time in 23 years. They are now petitioning to participate in the Scholastic Rowing Association of America (SRAA) Championships, a national competition. Run by the Philadelphia Scholastic Rowing Association, the City Championships Regatta hosts teams from throughout the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware areas. David Mercante, history teacher and novice girls’ coach, explains, “I knew it was going to be a tough race with good competition. Programs like Mount St. Joseph’s and St. Joe’s Prep have national reputations, so I knew about them…
Hannah Pang ‘19 Shaam Gambhir ‘23 is a humble, well-spoken eighth-grader, who happens to be an elite squash player. This year, Gambhir played number two on EA’s varsity team. His passion for squash is evident in his on-court work ethic and his determined mental attitude. Gambhir puts himself through a rigorous practice schedule, performing a variety of on-court and off court training exercises, practicing six days a week for three to four hours a day. Gambhir began playing squash at the age of five and has developed a true love for the sport. He was first introduced to squash…
Michael Bai ‘20 Cappies Nominations: LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY Jacob Viscusi ‘19 SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY Adelynn Anderson ‘18 FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY Cerena Robertson ‘19 OUTSTANDING 11TH GRADE CRITIC Phoebe Barr ‘19 Independence Awards Nominations: BEST LEAD ACTOR Jacob Viscusi ‘19 BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Mackenzie Lee ‘19 BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Jack Franklin ‘19 and Dominic Minicozzi ‘20 BEST FEATURED ACTRESS Brooke Kelly ‘18 BEST FEATURED ACTOR Hank Aldridge ‘18 BEST FEMALE VOCALIST Mackenzie Lee ‘19 BEST DANCE ENSEMBLE The T-Birds BEST SMALL ENSEMBLE The Pink Ladies and The T-Birds BEST ENSEMBLE GREASE Ensemble, The Episcopal Academy…
Anjali Bose ‘20 Sejin Park ‘20 is May’s Artist of the Month for his exemplary skill and commitment to both the Upper School Orchestra and the Chamber Ensemble. Park said that “I play the viola in the Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Ensemble. I used to play the violin from second to sixth grade, and I’ve played the viola now from sixth grade to present.” Park has committed to the viola since middle school. “I really like playing the viola, it’s kind of stress relieving just to sometimes play some songs. Basically it’s just really fun and sounds nice.” Park said,…
Theodore Vadot ‘19 As the school year comes to a close, Episcopal’s artists are finishing their final pieces of art and taking all their art home. However, the gallery is not quite done yet; the seniors might already be done with their art classes, but their talent has not yet been celebrated. Usually, the Dora Khayatt competition is the last show of the year in the gallery. That particular show is meant to honor those who participated and those who won and to celebrate the outstanding art that is made by all students. However, this year, the Art Department is organizing…
Michael Bai ‘20 The Dora Khayatt Art Prize recognizes students’ achievements in the visual arts. Nine Upper School students have been awarded this prestigious prize for their pieces in three possible categories: 3-D Design, 2-D Design, and Photography. Members of the art department praise the students’ initiative in entering the contest. Hilary Hutchison, Upper School 3-D art teacher, said, “It takes a lot of bravery for students to put themselves out there to enter a contest that is blind jury. I’m proud of the students who took a chance.” Hutchison also notes that the contestants were responsible for the quality…
Michael Bai ‘20 The Dora Khayatt Art Prize recognizes students’ achievements in the visual arts. Nine Upper School students have been awarded this prestigious prize for their pieces in three possible categories: 3-D Design, 2-D Design, and Photography. Members of the art department praise the students’ initiative in entering the contest. Hilary Hutchison, Upper School 3-D art teacher, said, “It takes a lot of bravery for students to put themselves out there to enter a contest that is blind jury. I’m proud of the students who took a chance.” Hutchison also notes that the contestants were responsible for the quality…