Editorial: Put fun in its place

At LM, we have a place that is both exciting and eclectic, where students go to work together in groups, share the latest gossip, and just relax and have fun. Unfortunately, this place is the library, which was designed to be a quiet work and study space for students who wanted to get serious amounts of work done. While we do have a space that is designed to fulfill our social needs, the Aces Atrium is reminiscent of a Siberian dungeon, with people seated far away from one another and all the hustle-and-bustle of a Bingo tournament. In order to improve the educational experience of the students and the sanity of the faculty and staff who must chase students around the halls, this problem must be rectified immediately.

When our current building was designed, the idea was that there would be a place for students to hangout, relax and communicate with one another. Sadly, the Atrium was set up in a manner that runs completely to the contrary of this vision. Currently, the tables in both the lower and upper portions of the Atrium are very small and sparsely populated. So, not only is there only room for four or five students to fit comfortably at one of these tables, but they are far enough apart that inter-table conversation is either non-existent or loud enough that the whole complex hears it. The good news is that this flawed setup is very easily fixable. Tables could be added to the Atrium to increase capacity and insure closeness between multiple groups of people. Couches and lounge chairs, present at Harriton’s equivalent to the Atrium, could greatly enhance this space. Perhaps even adding some amusement objects, such as a foosball or ping pong table, would liven up the Atrium and make it what it should be: the heart of LM.

Imagine a day where LM students could all flock to the Atrium to relax, hangout with friends, or work together in groups. Many students at LM would look forward to their frees so they could take part in these proceedings. Our school would finally have an area that truly belongs to the students and is conducive to relaxation. Meanwhile, for those students who need to get serious work done, the library would finally become a mecca for them, a quiet work and study space for people to zone in and do whatever it is that they need to get done. If we can make the Atrium what it should be, it would be a huge step in the right direction for LM.

Question of the Month

Should teachers and students form friendships that extend outside academics? Why or why not?

Sure—sometimes, especially as students mature, they form friendships with teachers that extend beyond the classroom. I think this can be a really valuable relationship. That being said, there are definite boundaries that should be maintained.
--Natalie Plick ‘12Believe it or not, teachers do have interests and hobbies outside of teaching and grading papers. People love to talk about their interests—like sports, television, music—and whether the conversation is between two students, two teachers or a student and a teacher, it is completely normal. Otherwise why would teachers choose to be sponsors of clubs? Students spend 7+ hours a day in school and one thing I’ve learned in college is that friendships are often based on proximity. I know some of you are stuck in the elementary school mindset where you think teachers live at school and do nothing else but teach, but remember that teachers are people too.
--Rachel Maniloff, LM AlumnaBecause I coached various students outside of school in youth sports for a few years, I have a different type of relationship with them than I would with kids I have out of class. For instance, one student I’ve known over the years still calls me “Dave” when he sees me in the halls. I wouldn’t totally call it a friendship...[but] it’s okay.
--Dave Moyer, Chemistry TeacherYes, but only to an extent. As long as the boundary remains obvious, a friendship between a teacher and student can be great. --Maddie McComb ‘13Yes; it helps them understand each other. If they can understand each other on a more personal level rather than a simply academic level, the students can learn better and the teachers can better help the students learn.
--Martin Segall, ‘13It’s a slippery slope. Ideally it would be alright, but given this day and age, with multiple sources of media, such relationships between a student and teacher could be deemed inappropriate.
--Nicholas Dimwell, Substitute Teacher

Yes, teachers and students should form such friendships. Since teachers often coach school sports it is obvious that the relationship extends outside of the classroom. However, the teacher-student relationships should not go further than that, being friendly is one thing but getting romantically involved is another thing. A romantic involvement should be where the line is drawn on teacher-student friendships. —Sara Martone ‘14

Letter to the editor

Dear Merionite,

In the last issue, a fellow senior and classmate, Matt Siegelman, comically exposed the second semester phenomenon of senioritis. Both funny and witty, Matt’s article captures the laughs we get from our newly acquired condition. When all is said and done, however, humor prevails as but one lens from which senioritis can be seen. For many seniors, the second semester experience represents something unique; to laugh at our lack of motivation and then brush this chapter aside is to ignore an extraordinary opportunity to learn some of the lessons you won’t find in books. When something different stops by your life, it is likely your reaction to the new phenomenon will also be different. Whether your reaction stands as virtuous or depraved, self-knowledge persists as a potential byproduct if you but take the time to reflect. Within the second semester experience lies a variety of such unique opportunities.

First and foremost, you cannot talk about second semester without any reference to motivation and schoolwork. As many seniors begin to spend less time on their studies, there arises a gap in our schedules, a vacuum to be filled. Historically speaking, free time persists as a potential merit. The extra time can prove an opportunity to see friends and family or try something radically new. Trying new things, often leads to an increasing amount of self-knowledge. However, not everybody capitalizes on his or her free time. Some seniors may spend increasing amounts of hours on Facebook, and some seniors may not even have the vacuum of free time of which I speak. No matter what path you take, however, if you stop and look at your reaction and ask questions you are likely to learn something new about yourself. If you find yourself inside on nice day during the weekend, studying for that calculus test, you may stop and realize that all those years of hard work were not a product of parental or societal pressure, but pressure exerted on yourself for the yearning of learning and challenge. If you were a straight-A student and find yourself emotionally crashing multiple grade levels, and realize it was the parental pressure that kept you going, maybe it’s time to rethink your strategy to academic success because Mom and Dad won’t be at your dorm making sure you are studying. Ultimately, the world outside high school demands proficiency in multiple respects, not just being able to get a grade, and the second semester of senior year is valuable to this.

Not worrying about college can have variety of impacts depending on each individual, but universally at some point as a second semester senior we must ask ourselves: What’s next? If we do not worry about college, then what do we think about? Personally, the empty space reminded me I was human. Not worrying about college reminded me about the other sectors of life needing time and energy. My new goal then became to see if I could better balance my life, a skill which no doubt would come in handy for college and the years following college.

It was a kind of risk. Many seniors pursue a variety of risks. One day during advisory, Dr. Pratt marveled at the boldness seniors exhibit in the classroom. “I deeply enjoy teaching second semester seniors. For many of them this marks one of the first moments since middle school where students can wrestle with interesting ideas in ways that are personally meaningful without being overly concerned for how it will impact their grade.” As our grades become more available to such gambling, seniors begin to pursue risks across the board, inheriting new approaches and seeing the impact.

In giving advice, Socrates always said, “Know thyself.” While the topics we learn in school are of important significance, self-knowledge has the ability to give us a reality check, whether we enjoy it or not. As we know more about ourselves and the world we live in, we do not only develop confidence but we develop a more clear cut path for our purposes.

—Stelio Monos, Class of 2012

NHS: National Honor Society or No High Standards?

Josh Niemtzow

“I pledge myself to uphold the highest purposes of the National Honor Society  to which I have been selected.” These three lines that juniors recite at the National Honor Society induction are part of a larger NHS constitution. Much like the U.S Constitution, the purposes of the National Honor Society are a source of perplexity. This same confusion fills the faces of the newly appointed inductees: What are these purposes, and what are members pledging to do? Nobody seems to know.

Community Serve-less

Duranya Freeman

It’s here. It’s the middle of the year and time to make summer plans. Your ideal three months probably conjure up visions of camp and long, lazy days spent by the shore. You excitedly surf the internet trying to find a beach rental that won’t break the bank. Then, a dreaded knock comes on your door, and there stand your parents, looking grim. Your heart sinks. After a long talk and heated arguments, they leave, having declared that this summer is going to be different. They’ve finally cracked down and all hopes of sleep away camp have gone up in flames like a smoldering beachside bonfire. It’s time to “do something with your life!” Unbeknownst to you, brochures have been pouring in, full of leadership opportunities, community service programs, all expensive, and almost always abroad. They sit now in a depressing pile on your desk. You gloomily post the bad news on Facebook, watch all your friends say they’ll miss you. It’s decision time.

PAC City Rich, PAC PAC City Rich

Andrew Gehlot

In 2010, the US Supreme Court overruled two precedents prohibiting political spending by corporations on the basis of the First Amendment, meaning that corporations are now allowed to use unlimited funds to support candidates. While the corporations are not allowed to contribute money directly to candidates, they are allowed to give money to organizations called Political Action Committees (PACs) that can use that money to create ads for or against candidates to influence the public. This decision has negative implications in the political race. Each candidate now has a PAC supporting them, and generally, the more money a PAC has, the more well-known the candidate it’s supporting is, which is a problem.

Enter to Learn or Enter to Earn?

Ilana Nathans

You’ve all seen it: a dog trained to sit, lie down, and roll over on command. And you’ve also probably noticed the trainer using treats to lure the dog to perform. The results are dramatic. Would incentives like these work on humans? It is known that some kids at LM receive money from their parents for good grades. The parents are “training” their children to perform well academically, and the kids are learning to do whatever they can to make money at the end of the quarter. Does it work? And regardless of whether it works, is it a good idea?

You can handle the truth

Josh Hoffman

If you live on this planet, no matter what your native tongue or culture is, chances are that you’ve been encouraged to tell the truth at some point in your life. With this in mind, I still want your attention because not everyone defines honesty and sincerity the same way, and I want to give you perspective on my definitions, personal policies, and pragmatic reasons behind them.

Redefining being respectful

Andy Scolnic

Dear Reader: This is not another article about “shmacking.” No, it’s not about lawsuits, nor is it about a student/teacher relationship that went too far. I’m not making an example out of anyone, and I’m certainly not singling anyone out. On the contrary, I’m speaking to the whole school when I say that I’ve been disappointed in the manner with which LM students have represented themselves lately. Despite the basketball team’s resounding success, the overwhelming amount of food brought in for the can drive, and the always charming Mr. Lower Merion Pageant, as individuals, LM students should act more kindly to each other.