The Devon Dialogueproudly publishing for five decadesDevon Preparatory Schoolvolume iv, issue i | october 2012

A Day of Devon DelightDevon Prep’s annual Homecoming event was a big success. See page 3.

Let There be Peace on EarthThe Devon Prep Community unveils its new Peace Pole.See Below

Giving BackDevon Prep students help a Kentucky community over the summer. See Page 3

Soaking up the SunThe Devon Prep Solar Car Team wins second place at the 2012 Solar Car Challenge. See Page 3

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Michael Tolvaisa ‘13, Deputy Editor-in-ChiefAfter the celebration of the Living Rosary on

Tuesday, September 25, students and faculty moved outside to the Devon driveway, where Fr. James Shea ’66 blessed Devon Prep’s new Peace Pole.

The first Peace Pole was erected in Japan in 1955 by Masahisa Goi, who dedicated his life to spreading this message of peace. Since this time, tens of thousands of Peace Poles have been erected worldwide. The Peace Pole Project website states “a Peace Pole is a hand-crafted monument that displays the message and prayer ‘May Peace Prevail on Earth’ on each of its four or six sides, usually in different languages. There are tens of thousands of Peace Poles in 180 countries all over the world dedicated as monuments to peace. They serve as constant reminders for us to visualize and pray for world peace.”

The Devon Peace Pole has the phrase “May Peace Prevail on Earth” written on it in eight languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Italian, Latin, and Hungarian. At the blessing, this message in all eight of its languages was read by Mr. Roger Mecouch, Ms. Barbara Medina, Mrs. Laura Mondon, Mr. Steven Lukens, Fr. Richard Wyzykiewicz ’61, Mr. Larry Iezzi, Ms. Melissa Browne, and Mr. George Beothy ’68. Standing tall every morning as the students drive into school, the Peace Pole will serve as a constant reminder of this year’s theme, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

Food, Family, and FunAndrew Bright ‘14

In between the laid-back attitude of summer and the rigor of schoolwork, sports, and other activities, the annual Devon Prep Back-to-School Family Picnic provided the perfect transition to the new school year. On August 26, new and returning families gathered behind Calasanctius Hall for an evening of camaraderie.

As at past Devon picnics, savory burgers and exquisite hot dogs were complemented by a plethora of side dishes and desserts. The evening was filled with

laughter and conversation as students told stories of their summer and parents entertained faculty and other parents. Next to St. Anthony Hall, students played sports and wandered around the grounds of Devon’s campus. Returning students struck up conversations with teachers regarding what the coming year will have to offer and new students began to adjust to the Devon atmosphere. Old

and new students alike strolled through Calasanctius Hall to see the pictures of Devon alumni that hang upon the walls and to be inspired by the interior of the classic, picturesque building.

As the evening progressed, new families began to learn what is so unique about Devon: the feeling of family among the teachers, parents, and students. Mr. Dave Evans ’08, a Devon alumnus and new teacher, summed the evening up as “a great way to meet families and students in a fun and relaxed environment.” For

the Devon seniors, this picnic was a bittersweet moment as it was the last Devon picnic they will attend as students.

Ultimately, the Back-to-School Picnic was a huge success. It demonstrated the strong sense of family that is inherent to all Devon Prep events and was an excellent start to the 2012-2013 school year.

Devon Prep Students enjoying their last few days before the start of school. From left to right: Ryan Shannon ‘13, Matt DiDonato ‘13, Mike Labella ‘13, Justin Hayden ‘13, and Michael Knaus ‘14

2 Dialogue NewsNo CAP on Charity

Maguire Bowie ’13

In the past four years, Devon Prep’s Christian Action Program has collected over twenty thousand cans, has raised over one hundred thousand dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, has donated countless presents and supplies to shelters, and has made more than a few good impressions on Mrs. Elizabeth Eshleman.

Meetings are held every Wednesday for sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and every Thursday for middle school students and freshmen. The Christian Action Program is dedicated to serving the needs of the school and of the surrounding area. Students should bring their lunch to Mrs. Eshleman’s room in the college guidance office during lunch and recreation and to learn about what special events CAP is hosting this fall. The largest club in the school, it is also the most active.

Under the leadership of Co-Presidents Kevin Fulmer ’13 and Maguire Bowie, as well as the leadership of Co- Vice Presidents Michael McKenna ’14 and James O’Shea ’14, CAP will be putting on several fundraisers in the near future. On October 26, the upper school is invited to participate in Up For A Cause, a twelve-hour fundraiser in the gym for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

In November, help us reach our goal of five thousand cans in the Thanksgiving Can Drive. In lieu of cans, students may bring in a check and let CAP members do the shopping. Bins are located in homerooms and the class that brings in the most cans receives a prize.

This December, buy and wrap a gift for the less fortunate in time for Christmas. Other events include the Red Cross blood drive, middle school Up For A Cause, and Speak Up. More information is available on the CAP bulletin board or in the college guidance office.

We the StudentsRyan Shannon ’13, Associate Editor for Sports

The 2012-2013 Student Council wasted no time in getting to work. Revisions to the Student Council Constitution began immediately in June. The constitution was read through and reviewed numerous times by the Student Council before changes were made. In addition to minor changes in wording and correction of some grammatical errors, the Student Council added a new article; Article III of the 2012 revision of the Constitution is now titled “Secretary Positions.” When asked about the new article, Student Council President Kevin Fulmer ’13 stated, “We added assigned secretary positions to the constitution to give the secretaries more specific job descriptions so as to prevent them from simply being titles.”

The 2012-2013 Student Council secretaries are as follows: Head Secretary – Ryan Shannon, Secretary of Clubs – Justin Barker ’13, Secretary of Athletics – Michael McCarthy ‘13, Secretary of Miscellaneous Events– Michael Giampietro ’13, Secretary of Community Service – Patrick Kinsella ’13. Copies of the new Constitution are available through the Class Presidents as well as through Ryan Shannon.

On September 23, the Class of 2016 took part in Adventure Education Day. The students went to a ropes course where they participated in all kinds of team building activities. They did everything from wall climbing to tire jumping. However, in order to accomplish these events they needed to communicate with each other and trust one another. The teams made plans on how they were going to approach the challenges, and each person did his part to help the team effort. These events helped the students to take another step forward in building trust, leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and communicational skills.

All of the students loved it. They went from being strangers and distant classmates to one big family, which will only grow with time and all of the experiences that Devon Prep has to offer.

Fresh AdventuresShyamal Patel ‘16

Students participated in many activities on Ninth Grade Adventure Education Day.

Students proudly display the supplies they col-lected at this year’s School Supplies Drive.

From left to right: James O’Shea ‘14, Kevin Fulmer ‘13, Michael McKenna ‘14

There is a variety of wonderful clubs here at Devon Prep. Whether you prefer acting, academics, or art, you will certainly find a club that is just right for you.

• If youknowaprodigiousamountofinformation, join the Academic Challenge Team.

• If you’re good with math and youlove solving equations, join the Math Circle.

• Can you predict the success ofdifferent businesses? If so, the Stock Market Club is the club for you.

• If you’re always on the lookout forcurrent events, join The Devon Dialogue.

• Tohelpwiththecreationoftheschoolyearbook, join the Yearbook Committee.

• Do you like acting without therehearsals and time investment that a big production demands? If so, join the Shakespeare Club.

• One of the biggest events here at

Devon is our Spring Musical. If you don’t feel like singing, then become a part of the Stage Crew.

• If you want to play an instrumentor sing at Mass on Fridays, join the Music Ministry Club.

• You can always help the CampusMinistry with the setup for Mass on Fridays.

• If you love to serve the community,or if you simply need service hours, check out the Christian Action Program.

• Ifworld politics ismore your thing,join Model United Nations.

• Areyougoodwithacomputer?TheComputer Club works with hardware and software on both Macs and PCs.

• For the young artists, Devon offersits own Art Club.

• Ifyouhavegreatyo-yoskills,jointheYo-Yo Club.

• TheUltimateFrisbeeTeamisalways

fun, participating in several exciting matches throughout the year.

• Save the planet, plant some trees,and join the Environmental Society.

• TheSolarCarClubtooksecondplacelast year in an epic race in Texas. Help them build an even better car and take first place this year in the Solar Car Challenge, a cross country race from Dallas, Texas to Los Angeles, California.

Some favorite clubs from past years are also making a comeback, including the Ballroom Dance Club and the ever-popular Ping Pong Club. Devon Prep has twenty-five official extracurricular activities, and the number is growing. If you want to join a club, but don’t know whom to talk to, ask Justin Barker for more details. All students will also get a chance to sign up for and join these clubs at the club fair taking place on October 15.

Justin Barker ‘13

October 14 - Open House 1-4 p.m.October 17 - PSAT TestingOctober 25 - CAP Dress Down DayOctober 26 - First Quarter Ends; Upper School Up for a CauseOctober 29 - Winter dress code beginsNovember 1 - All Saints’ Day (No classes)November 18 - Family Communion Breakfast November 21 - Grandparents’ Day

Upcoming Events

Clubstravaganza

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A Homecoming to RememberWilliam Moreno ’15

The second annual Homecoming activities—dance, tailgate, and soccer games—started early on Saturday, September 22. At 11:00 a.m., both the varsity and junior varsity soccer teams kicked off their games against Friends Central School. The junior varsity won an epic game, 3-2 over Friends Central. After initial goals were scored by Sean Bevan ’14 and Mike Love ’16, aggressive play caused friction between the two teams. Through tough calls and determination, Devon pushed on. Jonathan Liu ’14 scored the winning goal late in the second half, making it two wins in a row for the junior varsity team. Unfortunately, varsity lost their game, with a score of 3-2. The entire team fought hard, and Justin Barker ’13 and Luka Zacharczuk ’13 scored

varsity’s two goals against Friends Central. Following the games came the tailgate.

Students, fans, and players were invited to participate. There were a variety of options for food including hot dogs, hamburgers, freshly made cotton candy, and popcorn. The tailgate and soccer games were finished by around 3:00 p.m., and the directors of Homecoming rushed over to Calasanctius Hall to set up for the semi-formal dance.

Ms. Barbara Medina and the Student Council led the preparation of Calasanctius Hall for the highly anticipated dance. Their hard work created a nearly f lawless setting within the mansion. The highlight of the day for many people was the semi-formal. People began arriving for the dance at around 7:15 p.m. The semi-formal proved

to be extremely popular, with more than ninety couples in attendance.

With the largest class in the school, the freshmen contributed more people than any other class, with around forty freshman couples. The numbers for this Homecoming were the highest ever for any semi-formal at Devon Prep. With this amazing amount of students, Devon Prep opened the student dining room, the teachers’ dining area, and the old library in addition to the main entrance hall in the mansion. Everyone enjoyed the experience. Since Winter Formal is traditionally the best-attended event out of all the formals, we look forward with high hopes for another highly successful dance in less than three months.

Driving on SunshineSoham Bharne ’15

While many Devon Prep students were still sleeping in the middle of summer, the Solar Car Club was hard at work in Dallas, Texas competing in the annual Solar Car Challenge at the Texas Motor Speedway. The team consisted of team captain Jacob Riedel ’13, Chris Clayton ’13, Rich Gargano ’13, Ben Conser ’14, and Soham Bharne, accompanied by chaperones Mr. Eric Riedel, Mr. Scott Conser, Mr. Raj Bharne, and Mr. Richard Gargano. The club also encompasses a myriad of people whose help was vital in the completion of this car.

The intricate process of “scrutineering” began on a sweltering, semi-windy Saturday morning. The car was prepped for scrutineering the prior day by putting the solar panels on it and tightening a few bolts and screws. Scrutineering was a process in

which the judges inspected the safety of the car, including the car’s ability to stop in less than three seconds, the car’s ability to weave through cones, and the visibility from the driver’s seat. This continued the next day on the track. The driver, Jacob, had to simulate a crash and recover. He also had to prove that the car was capable of driving a lap without breaking down.

That same afternoon, the car was racing on the track for the first time! Each race session lasted for three hours, with two sessions each day, excluding Monday.

The team adopted a new routine: waking up at 6:30 a.m., going to the track to race at 9:00 a.m., having a break from racing from noon to 2:00 p.m., and finally spending another 3 hours racing from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Racing Monday to Friday, the team earned second place for driving 270 laps, the equivalent of 405 miles. The car was able to maintain a steady speed of twenty-five miles per hour, with peak speeds reaching as high as forty-five miles per hour.

After a week of hard work and dedication, the team placed second in the competition. Next year, the 2013 Solar Car Challenge will be a cross-country race from Dallas, Texas to Los Angeles, California. The team hopes to win first place this time.

Whose Town?Andrew Loper’15

Love, scandal, and people speaking from beyond the grave? These are just some of the exciting things you can witness this year in Devon Prep’s esteemed Fall Drama, Our Town, written by Thornton Wilder. The drama is a tale following the little northeastern town of Grover’s Corners, as narrated by Brian Kozak ’13. The story follows the lives of Dr. Gibbs, played by Kevin Fulmer ’13, and his family, including young George Gibbs, played by CJ Nave ’15, Mr. Webb, played by Ryan Mattox ’13, and his family; as well as other townsfolk.

The audience will see the ordinary, relatable characters though small town life in the early Twentieth Century. The characters will be seen in love, happiness, and hardships and unto their dying day. This show has many lessons to teach,

portrays lovable characters that you can’t help but feel for, and is rich in profound meanings and hilarious levity. “I’m excited to direct a show as complex and enjoyable as this one,” said the show’s fantastic director, Mr. Paul Recupero, during my brief interview with him. Mr. Recupero is new to the Devon drama scene; his only previous Devon experience has been directing our most recent school musical, The Phantom of the Opera. He continued on to say, “This show is great for a large ensemble, which we have this year, and to be able to showcase our individual actors and actresses by challenging them with these complex characters. It’s just amazing that these kids show such enthusiasm and talent even on the first rehearsal.” After all the preparation and practice that is

being done in order to produce this great play, please support your classmates and make it a point to come see Our Town this year on November 2, 3, and 4. It will be an experience to remember.

This past August, Devon students gave up five days of their summer vacation to take a mission trip to Prestonsburg, Kentucky to help Saint Martha’s Church and its parishioners. The students helped in various ways: landscaping the parish grounds, cleaning up a local school to prepare it for the start of classes, and disposing of old wood and trash from behind Saint Martha’s church.

Additionally, the students were able to help an elderly couple in the community, the Goebels, by painting the interior and exterior of their house. The Devon Prep seniors proved they were fit to take on the new responsibilities of their title by completing a new deck and ramp for the house. The Goebels were truly touched by the work the seniors did.

Long days of work were balanced out by fun afternoons and evenings relaxing in the local lake and winding down beside bonfires at the campground.

Mr. Goebel summed up the impact of the Devon Prep Kentucky Mission Trip: “If all the churches did what you guys have done, the world would have no more problems.” It was both a fun and eye-opening experience for all who attended.

On a MissionJake Kampman ‘13

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Middle school elections took place on Monday, September 17, 2012. Students ran for the offices of executive board president, eighth grade class president, treasurer, and vice president. Ben Lubker ’17 was elected executive board president, Connor Ryan ’17 was elected class president, Kevin Holmes ’17 was elected treasurer, and Daniel Shannon ’17 was elected vice president.

All of the candidates had fantastic campaign advertisements. Several colorful and creative campaign posters could be seen throughout Calasanctius Hall. Candidates also handed out a variety of stickers with clever campaign slogans. After the first vote, there was a tie between the candidates for executive board president and eighth grade class president. Ryan and Lubker were elected after a second vote for each.

Ben Lubker revealed in an interview that he had some issues that he wished to address to help improve student life. He said that he would like to have the middle school mixers more often, have more girls in attendance, and have a lower admission charge. Another interesting idea was to have cabinets in classrooms in which students could keep their textbooks to lighten the load of their backpacks.

The middle school elections were very exciting. There is no doubt that this school year will be a great one.

A Little Big DealPaul Malikkal ‘17

A Superhero SummerJames Stanish ‘14

This summer was the summer of the superhero, with DC’s The Dark Knight Rises and Marvel’s The Avengers duking it out for box office supremacy, shattering a multitude of records along the way. With each pulling in well over one billion dollars, audiences showed that popularity for superhero films is at an all-time high, and this trend shows no sign of fading anytime soon.

Just how dominant these two films were is almost unbelievable: before this year, no superhero film had ever grossed over one billion dollars, the closest being 2007’s Spiderman 3 with a mere $890,871,626. Upon its release, The Dark Knight Rises set an opening-weekend record for a 2D film, an IMAX opening-weekend record with $19.0 million, and an IMAX midnight-gross record with $2.3 million. The Avengers was even more impressive, setting new records for both opening week and opening weekend.

Until 2005, the superhero film genre was a f lagging industry, with outstanding productions far and few between. This all changed with the 2005 release of DC’s Batman Begins, which would not only serve as the base for the Batman Trilogy but also revitalize the superhero genre

as a whole. DC’s lead did not last long, however, with Marvel releasing Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, and Captain America, all leading up to The Avengers in 2012.

While both movies are about superheroes, the way they are portrayed is very different. The Dark Knight Rises was a somber and harsh story, with betrayal, anarchy, and hopelessness as core themes. This was not the case with The Avengers, which favored a lighter plot focusing more on teamwork and not being afraid to throw in the occasional comic relief.

The future is strong but uncertain. DC, whose hero Batman led to the revival of the blockbuster superhero film, is left without an active franchise now that the Batman Trilogy is complete. However, with DC’s Man of Steel, a retake on the origin of Superman, scheduled for release in 2013, they hope to keep their place in the box office. Even if Man of Steel falters, Marvel still carries the torch, with a plethora of sequels arriving in theaters in the next few years. With box office numbers in the billions, fans are unlikely to see a shortage of superhero films anytime soon.

An intrepid squad of Devon students gathered at the gates of their beloved school before setting off on their new journey. Father James Shea ’66 said a quick prayer before the students got on the bus with their luggage. And so the students and Mr. Steven Lukens set off on their grand adventure to Germany.

After a long trip to the JFK Airport, the group got off of the bus and readied themselves for the long trip ahead. As the team boarded the Singapore Airlines plane, the shock set in: they were actually going to Germany. There

was much excited talk during the takeoff, both from experienced and novice travelers. After dinner was served, most of the students tried to obtain some amount of sleep with varying degrees of success. After a very long trip, the group finally arrived at the Frankfurt airport. Everyone was a bit tired and cranky at that

point. The group cleared customs without a problem and recovered their luggage.

The team then boarded a train to Stuttgart. But it’s never that easy. After switching trains at three different places, they finally arrived at the Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof, the main train station in Stuttgart. There, everyone was nervous, anxious, and a bit relieved, but mostly sleep-deprived. As everyone met with their host families, the group dwindled down until everyone was gone. That night, all gathered with their hosts at a local restaurant in the center of the city. This was the first taste of German food that the group would have. After dinner, the group took a small tour of central Stuttgart and became fast friends.

The next time the group met as a whole was Friday, for a welcome party at the house of one of the hosts. There were many festivities and much fun was had. The group did not meet again until Monday, this at school. The German school system is quite different than the one in the United States. After a certain age, German students are allowed to come and go to school just for classes. The train station just outside of the school made this incredibly convenient, as one could go to the city to eat, or spend time with friends. After school, a number of local excursions were taken with the hosts to see the sights of Stuttgart.

After spending two weeks in school, the group went on a week-long excursion to the south of Germany. On the trip, the second chaperone, Dr. Jean-Francois Mondon ‘00, the son of Madame Mondon, joined the group. Some of the more remarkable places visited

include the Zugspitze, the tallest mountain in Germany, measuring 2962 meters, where the group jumped the border between Germany and Austria a number of times; the Hofbräuhaus in Munich, the Königsee, also known as the Sea of Kings; Neuschwanstein castle; and the Eagle’s Nest.

After the group returned to Stuttgart, they were received with the open arms of their hosts. After two more days of staying with their hosts, the students finally had to leave. The group met back at the Hauptbahnhof, where they said their goodbyes to the hosts. There were mixed emotions, with happiness from going back home, and a deep sadness from having to leave their newly met friends; there were even tears. Though it’s more likely that was from being at the station at 4:45 a.m. The group finally departed, and without incident made it to the airport. After another long plane ride to JFK airport, the team again got on the bus to head back home. The group was greeted by their parents back at Devon, where they disbanded and all returned home.

Nach Deutschland Rafael Suero ‘13, Assistant Photography Editor

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Veni, Vidi, Docui

Kane You Dig It?

Devon Dialogue: What is your official position here at Devon Prep?

Mr. Kane: I am the Director of Admissions for the both the high school and middle school.

DD: Where did you go to college and what did you study?

PK: I went to Villanova University, and studied history. I did get a baseball scholarship there, though, so I really concentrated more on baseball than history.

DD: Where are you originally from?

PK: I grew up in Springfield, Delaware County, but I was born in Media.

DD: What position did you play in baseball?

PK: I played shortstop all throughout college, but when I got to the minor leagues I was converted into a second basemen.

DD: What team were you affiliated with?

PK: The Houston Astros.

DD: For how long did you play minor league baseball?

PK: I played for only about two years before I was released after spring training. I really did not want to play independent league ball, which was my only other option. I decided that it was best that I tried to get a job, considering I already had my degree.

DD: Who was your favorite baseball player growing up and why?

PK: My favorites would have to be Pete Rose and Ricky Henderson. I really liked Rose because he would always give a one-hundred percent effort. I always appreciated when athletes gave their best effort no matter what sport.

DD: Did you play any other sports growing up?

PK: Yes. I played baseball, of course, but I played basketball and football as well.

Dialogue ProfilesThis year, Devon Prep welcomes new faculty members Mr. Patrick Kane, Ms. Melissa Browne, Mr. Dave Evans ‘08, and Ms. Michelle Tedeschi.

Look for our interview with Ms. Tedeschi in our next issue of The Dialogue.

Kevin Fulmer ‘13, Associate Editor for Interviews & Polls

Brian Koskinen ‘13

Student Council Vice President Justin Wright ‘13 welcomes Mr. Evans on the first day of school.

Devon Dialogue: What was your favorite subject in high school?

Ms. Browne: Latin. I think it has always been Latin.

DD: Do you have a favorite quote from Latin?

MB: “Look with favor upon a bold beginning,” from Virgil’s Georgics. It is very fitting to this new adventure of mine—it was actually my senior quote in Merion Mercy’s yearbook. I was embarking on a similar new adventure then: college.

DD: I understand you are a Charles A. Dana Scholar for Leadership and Excellence. What does that entail?

MB: Basically, you need to have above a certain GPA, but you also need to be in some leadership positions. I was involved in the Advisory Committee at Holy Cross, and that counted for my leadership requirements.

DD: While attending Mansfield College in Oxford, you played netball. What is that? Is it similar to basketball?

MB: It’s very similar to basketball, almost identical except for a few weird rules. First of all, you can’t dribble the ball, it’s all passing. Also, there’s no backboard. But other than that, it is very close to basketball.

DD: What’s something most people don’t know about you?

MB: My life’s dream would be to live in France and own a vineyard where I could grow grapes.

DD: Do you have a favorite genre of music or favorite song?

MB: I like folk music, and really enjoy Mumford and Sons.

Back for MoreRyan Mattox ‘13, Associate Editor for Entertainment

Devon Dialogue: What’s your history here at Devon Prep?

Mr. Evans: I started at Devon Prep in 2001 and graduated in 2008 as a member of the Seven-Year Club. While I was here I got really involved with the track and cross country teams. I also served as Student Council Vice President in my senior year.

DD: Where did you go after Devon Prep?

DE: I attended college at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.

DD: What is your job here at Devon Prep?

DE: I’m Assistant Director of alumni relations. But I also teach sixth grade Religion, physical education, and history. Besides that I’m also the assistant cross country coach and the head of indoor/outdoor track.

DD: Have you had any jobs before Devon Prep?

DE: No actually. I graduated in May and this is my first real job out of college.

DD: Why pursue a position in Alumni Relations?

DE: Because of my own status as a Devon Prep alumnus. I have a real bond with the alumni of the school, the ones from my class, the newer ones, and the older alumni.

DD: What’s it like coming back to Devon Prep as a faculty member?

DE: It was surreal at first, first-name basis with the teachers and especially going to faculty meetings. But I love it. It’s great that the people who taught me in high school can help me learn about teaching.

DD: Was there any special reason you chose to come back to Devon Prep?

DE: It’s really that I just love the school. I realized in college just how unique Devon Prep is. It really is a place where you make friends for a lifetime.

DD: In what free time you have, what do you do?

DE: I meet up with friends from college and the Class of 2008.

DD: Do you have a favorite book?

DE: It would have to be Once A Runner.

DD: Do you have any final thoughts about Devon Prep?

DE: I’m excited to be back.

6 Dialogue SportsCross Country

Tom Seykora ‘13

To outsiders, the Wolf Pack may seem like a bunch of uncoordinated, skinny people mindlessly running about in their undergarments. But to the select few who embrace the sport of distance running, the Wolf Pack is a way of life. While the Wolf Pack may lack strength in numbers, the fourteen-man squad coached by Mr. Paul Sanborn ’64 and Wolf Pack alumnus Mr. Dave Evans ’08 makes up for this deficiency with their dedication. Captains Tom Seykora ’13 and Jake Kampman ’13 provide leadership and guidance to the developing harriers on the team. Lucas Watson ’15, James O’Shea ’14, Jack

Roth ’14, and James Enderle ’15 round out the top five for the Wolf Pack. All members of the Pack had strong performances at the Twin Valley Invitational, some cutting multiple minutes off their personal records. The team is 3-1 in league action, falling to New Hope by just a few points while lacking their third man. However, Coach Evans is particularly confident that, with hard work and preparation in the next month, the Pack will be ready to upset New Hope and Jenkintown at the district meet. The Wolf Pack hopes to bring home a district championship that Devon Cross Country was renowned for in the mid-2000’s. Coach Sanborn gave only one word of advice to the Wolf Pack: “Win.”

The Wolf Pack at one of its many meets.

Varsity SoccerAndrew Bright ‘14

The fall sports season is here again, and with it comes the toil, the sweat, and the vigor that characterize varsity soccer. Led by Coach Jeffery Jewitt, the varsity team has great aspirations for this year. Coach Jewitt has been busy building a champion team, instilling a sense of team play and purpose in his players while focusing on winning the Bicentennial Athletic League championships. The team’s hard work and tenacity, coupled with a general sense of optimism and positive team chemistry, have left many knowing that the Tide are a formidable, devastating force. The Tide are very optimistic about this season due to the presence of returning players, including team captains Ryan Shannon’13, Justin Wright ’13, and Luka Zacharczuk ’13.

The new season started with a match against Haverford High School. This was the first opportunity for the team’s hard

work to show, its practice to pay off, and its new strategies to succeed. Despite brilliant play, Devon fell to Haverford, with a final score of 3-1. One game later, however, the team’s hard work finally paid off. The soccer team carried the intensity of the Devon spirit to the battleground against Calvary Christian Academy. Drew Brekus ’14 scored a stunning goal in the first half, enabling the team to ride to a 1-0 victory. Later, the burning Devon spirit was once again used to defeat MaST Community Charter School with a 4-0 win, with goals scored by Andrew Shannon ’15, Ryan Shannon, Drew Brekus, and Justin Wright.

With an exciting future, the varsity soccer team is ready and willing to show its determination and tenacity. Time will tell if the team’s abilities, spirit, and unbreakable resolve will pay off.

GolfMatthew McDevitt ‘14

T he gol f tea m has had g reat success t h is yea r w it h nu merous v ic tor ies. L ed by ever suppor t ive coach M r. Casey, t he tea m has overcome st i f f compet it ion i n t he Bicenten n ia l L eag ue i n matches aga i nst tea ms such as Jen k i ntow n a nd Holy Ghost P rep. You ng players a re on t he r ise a f ter t he tea m su f fered t he loss of si x st a r t i ng gol fers.

T he i mpressive nu mber of f resh ma n gol fers has been able to f i l l a l l of t he holes i n order to create a successf u l tea m. T he gol f tea m is c u r rent ly composed of one sen ior, t wo ju n iors, t h ree sophomores a nd fou r f resh men. T he top players a re E r ic Di P iet ro ’14 a nd Mat t hew Di Donato ’1 3. W it h t he a r r iva l of aut u m n, t he season is w i nd i ng dow n as f rost beg i ns to coat t he g reens a nd fa i r way s.

Let the Games Begin Pat Shields ’14, Associate Editor for News

This summer, while being a much-needed break from school for students, involved a great deal of hard work for a select group of American athletes. Those who went across the pond to participate in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in July and August had been training most of their lives to earn their time in the spotlight in London.

As happens every year, the Games had their share of highlights, for both the American olympians and those of other countries. The United States brought home 104 medals (forty-six gold, twenty-nine silver, twenty-nine bronze). American swimmer Michael Phelps became the most decorated olympian of all time, with twenty-two medals overall. The United States men’s basketball team, the defending gold medal champions, once again won the gold. It was a similar situation for the women’s beach volleyball duo, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings, who have now won the gold medal for the United

States three times in a row.Of course, the United Sates wasn’t the

only country that won medals. The Chinese dominated in such events as diving, table tennis, and badminton, finishing second in the medal count with eighty-eight. The Russians performed well in synchronized swimming, boxing, and rhythmic gymnastics, winning eighty-two medals. For the countries of Bahrain, Botswana, Cyprus, Gabon, Grenada, Guatemala, and Montenegro, this was an important Olympics for a different reason: it was the first year that they had medaled in the Games.

All in all, the Olympic Games this year were, as always, a celebration both of national pride and global unity. As Americans, we are able to celebrate the triumph of our own olympians in particular. We are able also to enjoy the competitive spirit of the Olympic Games with a respect for all countries of the world.

Goalie Daniel Fletcher ‘13 prepares to save the ball.

7Dialogue EditorialsRace to the White House

James Stanish ‘14The Democratic and Republican

conventions typically serve as the point in an election year when each party focuses on pressing needs in preparation for the final few months of campaigning. This year, the Republican party’s goal was to lay out a clear policy and refine Governor Mitt Romney’s image amid scathing attacks by the Obama campaign which derided him as

out of touch with everyday Americans. The Democratic party’s goal was to reenergize a base that was much less enthusiastic about their ticket headliner, Barack Obama, than they were in 2008. More than anything else, both Republicans and Democrats needed to answer one question: “Are we better off than we were four years ago?”

The Republican National Convention was held from August 27 to 30 in Tampa, Florida. With the theme of “A Better Future,” the Republicans came out of the gate swinging, with speaker after speaker making the case that America is far worse off now than it was before Obama was elected in 2008. Ann Romney was an early headline speaker, delivering an impassioned and personal speech meant to help the audience to relate better to her husband on an individual level. Following Ann Romney was Chris Christie, the governor of New Jersey, with the keynote address. The next day, the vice-presidential nominee Paul Ryan took the stage; however, his speech was widely criticized by various media outlets for numerous inaccuracies, including facts that were “misleading” and “dishonest,” according to The Washington Post. The convention also saw the appearances of Marco Rubio, rumored to have been on the vice-president shortlist, and the mystery speaker for the convention, Clint Eastwood. Mitt Romney concluded that night by delivering his acceptance speech, criticizing the president and offering hope for the future. Surprisingly, it was Eastwood, not Romney, who generated the

most buzz with his improvised speech that involved addressing an empty chair as if he were talking to President Obama. Though some found this to be inappropriate, the speech was well-received and widely acknowledged to be the highlight of the convention.

Held from September 4 to 6 in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Democratic National Convention was all about Barack Obama. Much like at the Republican National Convention, day one saw the wife of the presidential candidate, Michelle Obama, give a more personal description of her spouse. Similarly to Ann Romney’s speech, Michelle Obama’s address was praised for adding another dimension to the candidate. Day one’s main speaker, however, was Julián Castro, the mayor of San Antonio and a rising star in the Democratic Party. Castro became the first Hispanic to deliver the keynote address at a Democratic National Convention. On day two, Bill Clinton officially nominated Obama for reelection, a nomination that was approved later by all 5,556 delegates in attendance. The day was not without controversy, however, after questions arose over the Democrats excluding references to God and not explicitly referring to Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in the party platform. Though these

issues were eventually resolved thanks to an amendment, even more controversy arose when it was unclear if the proposed amendment had received the necessary two-thirds majority. On September 6, Barack Obama formally accepted the nomination as the Democratic Party candidate for the office of President of the United States.

Both conventions appeared to energize their respective electoral bases, giving both candidates temporary boosts in the polls. However, there is still a ways to go until the election on November 6, and any missteps could greatly influence the outcome.

The Republican Presidential Candidate,Governor Mitt Romney

The Democratic Presidential Candidate, President Barack Obama

Tolvaisa’s CornerMichael Tolvaisa ‘13, Deputy Editor-in-ChiefIn the year 331 BC, Darius III of Persia

was defeated by Alexander the Great at the Battle of Gaugamela. This happened on October 1, over 2300 years ago. Since then, we have advanced so far, creating such technological innovations as the automobile, the space shuttle, the cordless drill, and the Internet. We continue to create, each day moving further forward, trumping the inventions of the past.

October is, in a way, a month of progress: many of mankind’s greatest inventions and achievements came to fruition during the month of October. Among these achievements are: the reunification of East and West Germany following the Cold War; the appointment of Thurgood Marshall as the first African American Supreme Court Justice; the implementation of the Gregorian calendar; the creation of the United States Nav y; and the key victory at the Battle of Saratoga during the American Revolution.

October 1 especially is a day of progress. On October 1, 1811, the first steamboat to sail the Mississippi began its voyage in New Orleans; on October 1, 1847, German inventor Werner von Siemens founded his still bustling company, Siemens AG & Halske; on October 1, 1880, the first electric lamp factory was opened by Thomas Edison; on October 1, 1908, the Ford Model T was placed on the market, forever changing the automobile industry; on October 1, 1940, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the first superhighway in the United States, was opened to traffic; on October 1, 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, was formed; and on October 1, 1971, Walt Disney World opened its gates in Orlando, Florida.

We have come a long way, making progress at a breathtaking pace. Only two hundred years ago we were awestruck by the power of the steam engine; but now infinitely more power is available through a simple electrical outlet, taken for granted every day. Back then, to think that we would make such progress would, for many, unbelievable! Indeed, we advance so quickly that what is one day unbelievable quickly becomes routine.

Perhaps on October 1, 2013, man will discover life in other parts of the universe; or perhaps on October 1, 2054, mankind will definitively prove the existence of dark energ y; or perhaps on October 1, 2145, man will f inally be able to utilize wormholes to effectively move faster than the speed of light, and Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity will have to be reconsidered. However, regardless of any advancement, one thing is certain: man’s thirst for knowledge will never be quenched; we will always strive to improve upon the accomplishments of the past.

8

Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief: Antonio Muscarella ’13Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Michael Tolvaisa ’13Photography Editor: Timothy Crowe ’13Faculty Moderator: Mr. Lawrence Theuer

Assistant Photography Editor: Rafael Suero ’13Associate Editor for Entertainment: Ryan Mattox ’13Associate Editor for News: Patrick Shields ’14 Associate Editor for Editorials: Sean Melvin ’13 Associate Editor for Sports: Ryan Shannon ’13 Associate Editor for Interviews & Polls: Kevin Fulmer ’13

All photos, unless otherwise noted, taken by newspaper staff or Ms. Rose Lombardo, for Devon Preparatory School.Special thanks to Fr. Shea for his tireless assistance and guidance.

© 2012 Devon Prep

War and PeaceAntonio Muscarella ‘13, Editor-in-Chief

9/11 was a tragedy that profoundly impacted America forever.

Devon Prep’s newly unveiled Peace Pole

On a seemingly ordinary morning, at 8:46 a.m. on September 11, 2001, a deafening crash reverberated through New York City. A Boeing 767 had just impacted the North Tower of the World Trade Center, sending a shockwave down the building and setting the great skyscraper ablaze. The events that followed forever changed the country and the world. This event is so embedded in the minds of Americans, that they will never forget

where they were on that sorrowful day nor will they forget those that perished. Like the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, September 11, 2001 will be remembered in its own way as a “day which will live in infamy.”

This past September 11, as usual, Americans across the country were commemorating and remembering those who had fallen in the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Meanwhile, a storm of protestors in Egypt descended on the United States Embassy in Cairo, tearing down the American f lag and replacing it with an Islamic one. That same day, 125 armed men attacked the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, killing U.S. Ambassador to Libya J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans. Protestors in Israel, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and many other nations broke out in riots against the United States. What could be the cause of such senseless violence?

The answer is ignorance. Ignorance triggered by a hateful video produced by California filmmaker Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, titled Innocence of Muslims, mocking Mohammed and the fundamental beliefs of Islam. The Islamic peoples of the world were outraged and falsely assumed that all Americans felt this way about Islamic peoples. This sparked a series of violent reactions against Americans across the Islamic world.

Here in the United States, Americans marked with sorrow the passing of Ambassador Stevens and the three other Americans killed in the attacks. Even some Libyans mourned the death of Ambassador Stevens, who had done much to improve communities there. The world is truly saddened that such senseless violence could bring about the deaths of innocent people.

Violence has been a fundamental force in human history, and an evil that accompanies almost any society. Wars, riots, and murders have all rocked societies, destroyed communities, and even laid waste to empires and nations. The assassination of Franz Ferdinand in 1914 escalated into World War I and immersed Europe in a century of turmoil and conf lict dubbed the “Second Hundred Years’ War.” The Holocaust saw the killing of almost six million Jews. The terrorist attacks of 9/11 saw the death of 2,753 people in New York alone. All of these events have shown that violence is akin to an inexorable tide, inevitably ebbing and f lowing upon society time and time again.

Many cite revenge, punishment, and other words as justification for their violence. They inevitably twist the evils of war and violence to make them look right and just. There is nothing inherently just about revenge. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”

The truth of the matter is that violence never solves anything. It just exacerbates wounds, sows hatred and dissent, and wreaks havoc on communities. Throughout history, violence has shown

to have a negative impact on humanity, from Cain and Abel to the riots in the Middle East on September 11, 2012.

In light of the recent violence in the Middle East, many will ask how future violence can be prevented. The answer lies in a single word: tolerance. If the peoples of the world learn to tolerate instead of fear each other, violent outbursts like the attacks on U.S. embassies in the Middle East will never happen. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “I destroy my enemy when I make him my friend.”

Some cultures, such as those of the Islamic world and the United States, are radically different from one another and do not understand the customs and beliefs of each other. These differences may seem irreconcilable and conf lict between the cultures inevitable. On the contrary, education about other cultures of the world will help foster tolerance and prevent senseless violence from happening in the future.

On Tuesday, September 25, 2012, the Devon Prep community blessed and unveiled its new Peace Pole with a moving ceremony. The timing could not have been better. Peace Poles are an attempt to sow peace across the world, and world peace is something the world desperately needs. Devon Prep’s theme this year is “Blessed are the Peacemakers,” and peace cannot come soon enough in this tumultuous world.