The Devon Dialogue
volume
VIII, issue III | March 2017
proudly publishing for five decades
Devon Preparatory School
A M.U.Nderful Weekend
Devonites travel to the Hershey
Lodge for the Annual Model United
Nations competition, in which
several received recognition.
See Below
Bowl Tide
Three players on the Varsity
Bowling team represent Devon in
the States tournament
See Page 2
Defending Life in D.C.
Devonites head to Washington,
D.C. to stand up for the right to life.
A Sentimental Season for Seniors
See Page 7
Devon’s Varsity Basketball team finishes up another successful season, saying goodbye to some seniors. See Page 3
A M.U.Nderful Weekend
Tommy Brower ‘18, Deputy Editor-in-Chief
A light dusting of snow lay on the ground and trees as
Nature spread her thin, timeworn blanket across the wintry
Earth. Cars sluggishly plodded along the icy roads, salt
grinding beneath their tires, as they drove onwards to Devon
Prep. Students sleepily quit the warm interior of their cars
to trundle into the lobby of the school, suitcases and garment
bags in tow. An array of students stood in the lobby smartly
dressed in steely-grey and black suits, ties knotted in perfect
triangles, and polished dress shoes pressing against the tile
f loor. Frenzied snippets of conversation f litted about the
room alighting upon the ears of passersby and producing a
growing roar in the room.
Clutching their phones and tablets, the students boarded
the coach bus and settled into the blue padded seats awaiting
the drive to Hershey. Meanwhile, at the Hershey Lodge and
Hotel, the staff and Officer Corps, were preparing to host the
2017 Model United Nations Conference. Committee Chairs
readied themselves to moderate their respective committees
and preside over Country Caucus as the staff of the facility
wheeled in carts of food into the Great American Hall for
the orientation brunch.
The drive to Hershey proved to be rather moderate in
terms of its duration, and soon the students filed off the
bus and crowded into the lobby of the Hershey Lodge
grasping their luggage. Folders were distributed among the
delegation and luggage transported up into the appropriate
hotel rooms, and soon everyone was down in the Great
American Hall, plates laden with food, listening intently
to the presentation. Anjali Ravichandran, the Secretary
General, spoke animatedly about the weekend ahead and
the wonderful experience the Model UN would undoubtedly
provide. As she retired from the podium, applause filled
the room to a thunderous volume as delegates filled with
excitement and anticipation. Delegates were then dismissed
from the hall for the commencement of activities with the
first Country Caucus.
The hallways teemed with delegates briskly walking to his
or her Country Caucus like an anthill in full throttle. Country
Caucus provides delegates representing the same country to
meet and discuss some of the issues and stances that their
country has while also hearing presentations from other
delegates representing neighboring countries. Delegates
can use this time to cement their knowledge of his or her
country’s views and to determine which other country’s
views most closely align with their own; this process can be
extremely helpful when looking for sponsors and drafting
CONTINUED on Page 7.
2017-2018 Editorial Staff Elected
Editors-in-Chief:
Frank Byrd ‘18
Chris Rufo ‘18
Deputy Editor-in-Chief:
Tommy Brower ‘18
Associate Editors:
Austin Cozzone ‘18
Jacob Pabia ‘18
2
A Season for Giving
Dialogue News
Bowl Tide
Tyler Gazda ’18
John Curran ’18 and Chris Perullo ‘18
C h r ist m a s is t he se a son of g iv i ng,
so Devon got i nt o t he C h r ist m a s
spi r it by h av i ng a g iv i ng t re e r u n
by t he C h r ist ia n Act ion P rog r a m
(CA P). T he CA P g iv i ng t re e wa s
a wel l- orga n i ze d eve nt r u n by M r.
G av i n , M r. Con solo, a nd t he e nt i re
C h r ist ia n Act ion P rog r a m. T he club
orga n i ze d a nd promot e d t he eve nt
w it h i n t he school t h roug h m a ny
det ai le d p ost e r s about t he eve nt.
T he it e m s f rom t he eve nt we re goi ng
t o fa m i l ie s i n t he Ph i la delph ia
a re a t h at ca n not af ford t o buy
t he se it e m s, a nd t he it e m s we re
t o be h a nde d i n a rou nd De ce mbe r
16, w r ap p e d w it h t he t ag, t o M r.
G av i n’s room i n Cala sa nct iu s Hal l
. T he m ai n g iv i ng t re e wa s lo cat e d
i n t he m ai n lobby, a nd wa s n icely
de cor at e d w it h or n a me nt s, be a d s,
a nd ca rd s, wh ich h a d it e m s on t he m
wh ich t he st ude nt s wou ld br i ng i n.
T he it e m s we re m ai n ly g i f t ca rd s,
swe at sh i r t s, sca r ve s, g love s, a nd
ot he r a r t icle s of clot h i ng. T he eve nt
wa s a succe ss w it h m a ny g i f t s g ive n
t o help fa m i l ie s t h at m ay not h ave
re ceive d pre se nt s on C h r ist m a s
w it hout t he ge ne rou s don at ion s of
st ude nt s a nd t hei r fa m i l ie s.
T he bowl i ng t e a m ha s ha d a
g re at se a son t h is ye a r, f i n ish i ng
i n se cond pla ce. T h is ha s e a r ne d
some of t he t e a m me mbe r s a
cha nce t o play
in
t he
st at e
championship.
T he
st a r t i ng
me mbe r s of t he
t e a m a re Joh n
Lion I I I ’19, Rya n
M i l l iga n
’18,
Kev i n
Hol me s
’17, Mat t Si r a cu sa
’18,
a nd
Mat t
Sz kol n ick i
’17.
T he bowl i ng t e a m
re ce ntly
playe d
i n a t ou r n a me nt ,
w h e r e M a t t
Si r a cu sa won 3rd
pla ce. T he t e a m
said t hat t hey
e njoye d play i ng
at t he t ou r n a me nt.
T he excit e me nt level wa s h ig h
at t h is t ou r n a me nt w it h a la rge
c rowd supp or t i ng t he playe r s
a nd t e a m s. T h re e me mbe r s of
t he bowl i ng t e a m qu al if ie d for
t he st at e t ou r n a me nt , a nd a re
ve r y excit e d t o play t he re. T he
capt ai n of t he bowl i ng t e a m , Mat t
Sz kol n ick i, gave t he se i n spi r i ng
word s t o al l st ude nt s i nt e re st e d
Matt Szkolnicki ‘17, Kevin Holmes ‘17, and
Matt Siracusa ‘18 stand ready for a
match.
i n t he bowl i ng t e a m: “ Rol l on
ove r t o t he la ne s.”
The Beginning of a New Regime
Austin Cozzone ‘18
Wit h i n t he f i r st mont h of
P re side nt Don ald Tr u mp’s t i me i n
of f ice, qu it e a lot h a s h ap p e ne d .
T he 2016 pre side nt ial ca mpaig n
wa s r at he r p ola r i z i ng, a nd t he se
p ol it ical d iv ision s cont i nue t o
i n f lue nce bot h t he me d ia a nd ou r
p e r son al l ive s. T he pre side nt’s
f i r st mont h h a s be e n ve r y
eve nt f u l, a s cabi net se c ret a r ie s
have be e n ap p oi nt e d , ot he r s h ave
st e p p e d dow n , a nd Tr u mp h i m sel f
ha s sig ne d a nu mbe r of exe cut ive
orde r s.
Pe rh aps t he most cont rove r sial of
t he se orde r s wa s t he i m m ig r at ion
ba n , h alt i ng i m m ig r at ion f rom
seve n
pre dom i n a ntly
Isla m ic
cou nt r ie s i n t he M idd le E a st a nd
A f r ica . A f t e r bei ng sig ne d by t he
pre side nt , howeve r, t h is orde r
re ceive d much c r it icism f rom some
A me r ica n s. A s a re su lt , it h a s be e n
ove r t u r ne d by t he cou r t s. De spit e
t h is, t he Tr u mp a d m i n ist r at ion
ha s put a new exe cut ive orde r i nt o
pla ce t h at w i l l st op i m m ig r at ion
f rom
ce r t ai n
cou nt r ie s.
Dome st ical ly, he cont i nue s t o be
a m ajor prop one nt for st ronge r
borde r cont rol - e sp e cial ly t he
now-fa mou s wal l t h at is t o be
bu i lt along t he Mex ica n-A me r ica n
borde r. O t he r exe cut ive orde r s
t hat P re side nt Tr u mp ha s sig ne d
i nclude one t hat re op e n s Da kot a
pip el i ne con st r uct ion a nd a not he r
t itle d “ M i n i m i z i ng t he E conom ic
Bu rde n of t he Pat ie nt P rot e ct ion
a nd A f ford able Ca re Act Pe nd i ng
Re p e al.” T he lat t e r of t he t wo,
a s is cle a r by t he n a me, is t he
beg i n n i ng of Tr u mp’s longprom ise d ca mpaig n ple dge t o
re p e al a nd re pla ce Oba m a ca re.
Me a nwh i le, Tr u mp’s cabi net
cont i nue s t o g row a s more a nd more
app oi nt e e s a re approve d by vot e s
i n t he Se n at e. Some of t he cabi net
app oi nt e e s al re a dy app oi nt e d a re
Se c ret a r y of St at e Rex Ti l le r son ,
Se c ret a r y of t he Tre a su r y St eve n
M nuch i n , Se c ret a r y of Defe n se
Ja me s
Mat t is,
Se c ret a r y
of
Tr a n sp or t at ion
Elai ne
C h a o,
At t or ney Ge ne r al Jef f Se ssion s,
a nd Se c ret a r y of E ducat ion Bet sy
DeVos - t he la st t wo of wh ich have
re ceive d m ajor ba ck la sh du r i ng
t hei r con f i r m at ion he a r i ngs. I n
fa ct , DeVos’ con f i r m at ion vot e
re su lt e d i n a 50 -50 spl it a mong
se n at or s, me a n i ng t h at Vice
P re side nt M i ke Pe nce exe rcise d
h is t ie -bre a k i ng vot e i n favor
of DeVos. T h is wa s a h ist or ic
o cca sion , a s it wa s t he f i r st t i me
a v ice pre side nt broke a t ie on a
cabi net se c ret a r y vot e.
Fol low i ng t he de at h of Ju st ice
A nt on i n Scal ia i n e a rly 2016, t he
Supre me Cou r t ha s ha d a va ca ncy
t o f i l l. Unde r t he prev iou s
a d m i n ist r at ion , P re side nt Oba m a
nom i n at e d
Me r r ick
G a rla nd .
A f t e r al most a ye a r, t houg h ,
G a rla nd’s nom i n at ion ha s expi re d .
P re side nt Tr u mp’s new nom i ne e
Nei l Gor such bega n i n lat e Ma rch.
Add it ion al ly, M icha el Fly n n ,
for me r Nat ion al Se cu r it y Adv isor
t o Tr u mp, re sig ne d e a rl ie r t h is
mont h
fol low i ng
a
sca nd al
i nvolv i ng com mu n icat ion s w it h
Ru ssia . Keit h Kel log g a ct e d a s t he
i nt e r i m a dv isor for a t i me u nt i l it
wa s de cide d t hat He rbe r t R ay mond
McMa st e r wou ld succe e d Fly n n
a s Nat ion al Se cu r it y Adv isor.
O ve r al l,
it
ha s
be e n
an
i nt e n sive f i r st mont h for t he
Tr u mp a d m i n ist r at ion. It w i l l
be i nt e re st i ng t o se e how t he
a d m i n ist r at ion cont i nue s for wa rd
for t he du r at ion of Tr u mp’s
pre side ncy, pa r t icu la rly w it h i n
t he next t wo mont h s a s t he “ f i r st
10 0 d ays” come t o a close.
Dialogue Sports
3
Brady Bowl
Soccer in the Middle
Akul Naik ‘18
Ian McKnight ’21
T he score is 28 -20 Atla nt a . T he re
is 3:56 lef t i n t he fou r t h qu a r t e r.
T he Falcon s h ave it , se cond dow n
w it h eleve n ya rd s t o go at t he New
Engla nd 25 ya rd l i ne. A f ield goal
w i l l al l but se al Sup e r Bowl LI, a nd
t he Falcon s a re wel l w it h i n k icke r
Mat t Br ya nt’s r a nge. Ce nt e r A lex
Ma ck sn aps it t o Mat t Rya n i n t he
shotg u n , he d rops ba ck , t he r u sh is
com i ng, Trey Flowe r s blows pa st t he
ce nt e r, Rya n t r ie s t o eva de, he is
w r app e d up, sa ck! T he Falcon s lose
12 ya rd s, a nd t he ve r y next play, t he
Falcon s a re cal le d for hold i ng a nd
force d t o pu nt. Tom Br a dy get s t he
bal l; he ha s 3:30 t o go 91 ya rd s for a
t ouchdow n a nd t wo p oi nt conve r sion
t o t ie t he ga me. He do e s it i n 2:33,
complet i ng si x pa sse s for 9 0 ya rd s.
A ga me t h at Atla nt a once le d 28 -3
is now t ie d , t he la rge st comeba ck i n
Sup e r Bowl h ist or y com m a nde e re d
by Pat r iot s qu a r t e rba ck Tom Br a dy,
who h a s ove rcome a pick- si x i n t he
f i r st h al f. T he Falcon s get t he bal l
but fa i l t o do a ny t h i ng w it h it , a nd
t h is ga me is goi ng t o ove r t i me. T he
f i r st ove r t i me i n Sup e r Bowl h ist or y
b eg i n s w it h a coi n t oss. T he Pat r iot s
w i n a nd ele ct t o re ceive t he footbal l.
T he k ickof f go e s for a t ouchba ck , so
t he Pat r iot s now h ave 75 ya rd s t o
go for a ga me -w i n n i ng t ouchdow n.
Wit h si x st r aig ht complet ion s f rom
Br a dy a nd a pa ss i nt e r fe re nce cal l
on Atla nt a , t he Pat r iot s h ave it at t he
Atla nt a one ya rd l i ne. T hey t oss it t o
Ja me s W h it e who rou nd s t he cor ne r
a nd mu scle s t h roug h seve r al t a ck le s
t o bre a k t he pla ne. Touchdow n!
T he Pat r iot s w i n Sup e r Bowl LI.
Br a dy e nd s t he ga me 43 - 62 for 466
ya rd s, a Sup e r Bowl re cord ; he is
t he u nd is put e d M V P. T he Pat r iot s
h ave score d 31 u n a n swe re d p oi nt s t o
w i n t hei r f i f t h Sup e r Bowl. G re at e st
Sup e r
Bowl
eve r?
Debat e able.
G re at e st qu a r t e r ba ck eve r? Fa ct.
A Sentimental Season for Seniors
Frank Byrd ‘18, Deptuy Editor-in-Chief
For a t h i rd st r a ig ht se a son , t he p e r for me d b e st whe n t hey shot
Tide h a s cont i nue d t o bu i ld a cu lt u re wel l, a s ev ide nce d by not able w i n s
aga i n st L owe r Morela nd a nd C hu rch
Fa r m School, wh i le t hey st r ug g le d
most whe n t hei r shot s d id not fal l.
T he Tide’s reg u la r se a son re cord
prove d st rong e noug h t o e a r n
t he m t he #13 se at i n t he d ist r ict
playof fs, whe re t hey we nt on t o
fa ce Holy Ghost P re p. Devon playe d
a close ga me aga i n st t he p e re n n ial
cont e nde r s, but eve nt u al ly su f fe re d
a loss wh ich e nde d t hei r se a son. T h is
t u r ne d out t o b e t he f i n al va r sit y
ba sketbal l ga me for t he t e a m’s si x
se n ior s: Lu ke Fa r n swor t h , T hom a s
Ha ng , Ji m my L of t u s, Ja ck Ma rqu is,
Da n iel Sh a n non , Pau l Yoo, a nd G r a nt
Kowalewsk i. Da n Sh a n non cap p e d a
succe ssf u l Devon ca re e r by e a r n i ng
Fi r st Te a m A l l-Bice nt e n n ial L e ag ue
Honor s for a se cond st r aig ht se a son.
Senior Daniel Shannon earned his second First
T he f ut u re is br ig ht for Tide
Team All-Bicentennial League Honors.
ba sketbal l, w it h seve n playe r s f rom
of succe ss a rou nd t he Devon P re p t h is ye a r’s va r sit y t e a m ex p e ct e d
ba sketbal l prog r a m by qu al if y i ng t o ret u r n next se a son. Nichola s
for t he d ist r ict playof fs. Com i ng Crowe ’20 saw sig n i f ica nt ga me
of f a h ist or ic se a son a nd a d ist r ict a ct ion t h roug hout h is f i r st ye a r
ch a mpion sh ip r u n , t he Tide once w it h t he t e a m , a s d id Aa ron Nuble
aga i n m a n age d t o re a ch t he d ist r ict ’19 i n h is se cond . Add it ion al ly,
t ou r n a me nt , de s pit e t he loss of f ive ju n ior s w i l l look t o bu i ld up on
seve r al key se n ior s.
t hei r ex p e r ie nce t h is se a son a nd
Wit h t he loss of big-m a n Da n iel le a d a st rong squ a d i nt o t he next:
Br a ce ’16 t o g r a du at ion , he a d Mat t hew Fe r r ie, Et h a n G i l l i n , Br ia n
coa ch Ja son Fishe r wa s force d t o O’Mal ley, C h r ist ophe r Pe r u l lo, a nd
a d apt t he t e a m’s st r at eg y t o su it a Lu ke Wolt e r. Hav i ng e st abl ishe d a
sm al le r l i neup. T he Tide – boa st i ng fou nd at ion of succe ss t h roug h t h is
a rost e r t h at i nclude d si x se n ior s ye a r’s playof f ca mpaig n , t he school
– fo cu se d on p e r i met e r shoot i ng shou ld ex p e ct m a ny more f r u it f u l
a nd bal l move me nt t o comple me nt se a son s t o come.
t hei r e ne rget ic defe n se. T he t e a m
Devon’ s m idd le school va r sit y
so cce r t e a m , le d by he a d coa ch
Jef f rey Jew it t , ha d one of it s
be st se a son s eve r, h ig h l ig ht e d by
i nc re d ible w i n s agai n st seve r al
t oug h t e a m s. Some of t he most
excit i ng w i n s we re a 2-1 v ict or y
ove r Nor wood Fontbon ne, a 4 -1
w i n agai n st Wald ron Aca de my,
a nd a 1-1 t ie w it h Nor wood
Fontbon ne, wh ich ca me fol low i ng
a n a ct ion-f i l le d M idd le School
Field Day. T he Tide be at O u r
L a dy of Fat i m a 3 - 0 a nd Ss. Ph i l ip
a nd Ja me s 2-1 du r i ng t he Devon
P re p M idd le School Tou r n a me nt ,
n ick n a me d “ T he Tu rkey Ja m.” I n
t he ch a mpion sh ip ga me, Devon
prevai le d i n a 3 - 0 shut- out
agai n st Ss. Ph i l ip a nd Ja me s. T he
se a son wou ld not have be e n such
a succe ss w it hout t he de d icat e d
ef for t of al l t he playe r s. Top
score r s for m idd le school va r sit y
we re A nt hony De or ia ’21 w it h 10
goals, Ja ck Esh le m a n ’21 w it h 7
goals, Pau l G r ycew icz ’21 w it h
7 goals, a nd Bre nd a n T hompson
’21 w it h 6 goals. Rya n McCabe
’21 playe d a n i mpre ssive se a son
a s goal ke e p e r. T he Tide’s se a son
e nde d w it h a se cond pla ce f i n ish
fol low i ng a loss i n t he Cat hol ic
Aca de my L e ag ue se m if i n als t o
Nor wood Fontbon ne. T he m idd le
school va r sit y t e a m’s reg u la r
se a son re cord wa s 6 -3 -1, w it h a n
ove r al l re cord of 9 - 6 -1. Rol l Tide!
Serving up a New Season
Jacob Pabia ‘18
T he r etur n of w ar m spr ing w eather
and the emergence of blossoming
f low er s can only mean one thing:
the star t of the highly anticipated
D evon P r ep tennis season. L ed by
Coach G r eg S auer, the team looks to
impr ove on its impr essive 10- 4 r ecor d last season, w hich ear ned them
a spot in the distr ict playoff s f or the
f ir st time in many year s. T hough
the team lost key member s such as
Conor D eF aber- S chumacher ’ 16,
D ean Br ekus ’ 16, Chr is Car penter
’ 16, and Matt K elly ’ 16, it still maintains a str ong cor e led by senior s
Matt Tor chiana ’ 17 and H aydn L udt
’ 17. T he Tide tennis team competes
in the Bicentennial A thletic L eague,
w hich is composed of schools in the
Chester and Montgomer y Counties.
A f ter tr youts, the team hopes to begin its season w ith a victor y at the
f ir st match. Roll Tide!
4
Dialogue Profile
Dialogue journalists interview several members of the Devon Prep faculty. See below to get to know more
about math teacher Mrs. Andraka, soccer coach Mr. McKinney, counselor Ms. Garnett, and psychology
teacher Mrs. Laprise.
Mrs. Andraka
Steve Smith ‘18
Devon Dialogue: What jobs did you have before teaching at
Devon?
like that it is sixth to
twelfth grade because
it provides a unique
experience for all of
the students, and it
distinguishes Devon
from other schools.
Mrs. Diane Andraka: I was a service engineer, electrical engineer,
and then I was an analytical chemist for a pharmaceutical
company.
DD: Where did you go to college, and what did you study?
DA: I went to Syracuse University, and I studied biomedical
engineering.
DD: What do you enjoy about the maths and sciences?
DA: I like math and science because I like that you can think of
math in different ways and still get to the same answer, and
I love the logic behind both math and science.
DD: Do you have a favorite hobby, and what is it?
Mrs. Diane Andraka teaches math and
Science here at Devon.
DD: Why do you think
that math is essential
in education?
DA: It is essential
because it trains your
brain to think about things in a logical and analytical
sequence. It also helps in other subjects like philosophy
because it allows you to put things in steps.
DA:I like to ski, and I enjoy sports. My children participate in DD: What made you want to begin teaching?
high school sports so I like to go to their games. I also enjoy
DA: I decided to go into teaching when my children began to
the beach, gardening, and reading.
go to school. I would help them with math, and really began
DD: What is your favorite aspect of Devon?
to enjoy it. That is when I began to look into becoming a
teacher.
DA:I like that it is a small and close-knit community. I also
Coach McKinney
Luke Grycewicz ‘19 and Matt Drauschak ‘19
Devon Dialogue: For those who may not know, what are you
doing for Devon?
Coach McKinney: Coaching the varsity soccer program.
DD: What interested you in coaching?
CM: Playing the game for so long, sometimes you just naturally
follow that trajectory into coaching. Once you do it though,
it’s hard to look back.
DD: Outside of coaching, what do you enjoy doing?
CM: Spending time with my wife, Erin, and 3 sons, Jack, Alex
and Nate, traveling, fishing, going to Ocean City . . . playing
soccer.
DD: As a Devon graduate, what advice would you give to
students today?
CM: Continue to value the education you receive at Devon; it
will prepare you for life.
DD: What was your college experience like?
Mr. Brian McKinney ’95 will be coaching Varsity Soccer at Devon
starting fall 2017.
chance on me 20 years ago. I came here as a junior; wish I
had arrived earlier.
DD: What do you envision for the future of Devon soccer?
CM: I want the program to compete at a high level while
CM: It was rewarding playing for Elizabethtown College, a
developing players with strong character.
program that had such history and high expectations. It was
often difficult, but it showed me what it takes to compete at DD: As members of last year’s Varsity team, we would like to
know what you will do to get to know the team better.
a high level.
CM: We’ll work together to build a team that will compete for
each other. We’ve already begun with indoor soccer and
CM: Taught and coached at Malvern Prep, Marple Newtown
spring league to come soon.
High School and Ridley High School. I currently teach
DD: Is there anything else you would like the readers to know
English at Ridley Middle School.
about yourself?
DD: What made you come back to Devon?
CM: I’m very happy to be back and look forward to being part
CM: The chance to give back to a school that took a
of the Devon family once again.
DD: After you graduated from college, what did you do?
5
Dialogue Profile
Ms. Garnett
Colin Fulmer ‘20
Devon Dialogue: What made you want to become a guidance KG: Well, I was an intern at Downingtown East High School,
counselor?
worked at Shamona Creek Elementary, and I provided
counseling services for a church in West Chester.
Ms. Kelly Garnett: My nickname in high school was Dr. Phil.
My peers would come to me for advice or to talk about DD: What is your teaching philosophy?
anything going on in their lives. I quickly realized that this
was my passion and therefore, I pursued a counseling career. KG: I want to always be a support for students academically,
emotionally, and socially.
DD: Where did you go for high school, college, and what did
DD: If you wanted Devon to know one
you major in at college?
thing that we don’t already know about
KG: I went to Bishop Shanahan for high school. My undergraduate
you, what would it be?
degree is from West Chester University where I majored in
KG: Two things. I am terrified of spiders
psychology. I then went to Villanova University for graduate
and I am very passionate about my career.
school to obtain my certification and masters in school
counseling.
DD: If you could bring a new club to
Devon, what would it be?
DD: Who is your role model?
KG: My mom is my role model because she taught me everything
I need to know in life and was a great example of the person
I wanted to be. She is truly amazing.
DD: What hobbies do you like to do for fun and to relax?
KG: I enjoy being active such as playing softball, working out,
playing tennis, spending time with family, and reading
books.
DD: What is your favorite part about working at Devon?
KG: A Stressbusters Club.
DD: What is your favorite book?
Ms. Kelly Garnett is Devon’s KG: The Five People You Meet in
guidance counselor, as well Heaven by Mitch Albom. Such an
as Assistant Coach for the interesting book, it really makes you
Ultimate Frisbee Team. think of things you haven’t thought
of before.
DD: What is your favorite type of music?
KG: I love working with the students and helping them with their KG: I love country music and I love artists such as Jason Aldean
and Florida Georgia Line.
success here. Getting to know the Devon Prep community
has truly been an honor.
DD: If you could change one thing about Devon, what would it
be?
DD: What is your favorite food?
KG: I love King Crab legs because I have always been a big KG: Devon is so great and it is hard trying to find something to
change, but Devon should allow teachers to dress down on
seafood fan.
the first Thursday of the month, too!
DD: What previous jobs have you had before coming to Devon?
Mrs. LaPrise
Luke Grycewicz ‘19
Devon Dialogue: What schools did you previously attend to
pursue your teaching career?
Mrs. Marie LaPrise: I went to Gwynedd Mercy for college
and then went to Villanova for graduate school.
DD: What previous jobs did you have?
ML: I have had many jobs, but my teaching started at LaSalle
University teaching public presentation. I then taught
psychology at Gwynedd for a couple of years. When my
kids came along, I stepped back from teaching and went
into adoption. I helped people adopt Russian children
through the Catholic parishes.
ML: Well, as I said before, it’s a great atmosphere, and I love
everything about it. I am truly lucky to work somewhere
that I love.
DD: Finally, what do you like to do in your free time?
ML: I am a typical person, I enjoy gardening, reading, and
watching old movies.
DD: What subjects do you teach here at Devon?
ML: I currently teach psychology and public presentation,
and I enjoy both, like a favorite child.
DD: How did you learn about Devon Prep?
ML: Well my son, John, went here for high school, and I loved
everything about it, including the future of the school.
The atmosphere is positive; that benefits the students and
the staff, and that drew me here.
DD: Why did you chose to teach here?
Mrs. Marie LaPrise teaches Psychology and Public
Presentation here at Devon.
6
Dialogue Editorials
Bye Bye Birdie: Behind the Scenes
Chris Rufo ‘18
If you attended this year’s Spring
Musical, Bye Bye Birdie, held March 2-4,
you know that the show was certainly a
success. All of the actors and actresses
practiced hard and worked tirelessly
to put on an entertaining production,
demonstrating their skill and talent on
stage. However, there would be no Birdie
to say goodbye to if it were not for a
certain group of people: the Devon Prep
Stage Crew.
This year, we were fortunate enough
to have some major improvements in
our Stage Crew. Mr. David Barnes, a
professional stage set designer and builder,
worked for several weeks in advance
to prepare for the show. Starting with
his work on improving the cottage, Mr.
Barnes helped create a more organized and
more professional workspace for building
props and designing sets. Although this
is still a work in progress, the upgrades
in tools and space proved to be a big help
for the Stage Crew in Bye Bye Birdie. Mr.
Barnes also used his cleverness and skill
to help design a versatile and efficient set.
The set consisted of four massive boxes
with two chambers in each, used in every
scene and rotated into different positions
for each. Other props were then added to
the set for each scene.
Aside from design and construction,
the Stage Crew was also very grateful to
have another new professional, Mr. Evan
McElhinney. Evan coordinated aspects
of the actual performance, from sound
to lighting to props. He assigned jobs to
individual students, helping them and
teaching them how to succeed and run a
smooth-operating production.
After several weeks and many long
nights fueled by caffeine, the Stage
Crew excelled in providing a healthy
medium for actors and actresses to
thrive and perform outstandingly. This
would not have been possible without the
Professional set designer Mr. Dave Barnes
shows the Crew a model of the set for
Bye Bye Birdie.
extraordinary help of Mr. Barnes and Mr.
McElhinney. We look forward to doing
the same in next year’s production, and
many more to come.
Defending Life in D.C.
Liam Stevenson ‘18
O n Fr id ay, Ja nu a r y 20, hu nd re d s
of t hou sa nd s of p e ople joi ne d i n
t he Ma rch for Li fe i n Wa sh i ng t on
D.C. T he eve nt t ook pla ce on ly
a we ek af t e r t he i n aug u r at ion of
P re side nt Tr u mp w it h t he Wome n’s
Ma rch slat e d for t he fol low i ng
d ay. Si nce t he Wome n’s Ma rch wa s
la rgely a pro - choice move me nt ,
t he Ma rch for Li fe se nt a me ssage
t o t he n at ion t h at t he P ro -Li fe
cau se h a s la rge sup p or t a nd is
st i l l ch al le ng i ng t he i n fa mou s
Roe v. Wa de de cision. P r ior t o t he
m a rch , m a ny sp e a ke r s a dd re sse d
t he c rowd on t he cont rove r sial
issue of abor t ion , a rg u i ng t h at
it shou ld be outlawe d i n t he
Un it e d St at e s. Of t he sp e a ke r s,
Kel lya n ne Conway a nd M i ke
Pe nce we re t he most not able. I n
fa ct , Vice P re side nt Pe nce is t he
h ig he st gove r n me nt of f icial t o
have sp oke n at t he a n nu al eve nt.
A lt houg h t he re wa s no school
at Devon P re p t h at d ay, ove r
hal f t he st ude nt body wa s st i l l
pre se nt at school. A g roup of
al most 150 st ude nt s along w it h 11
chap e rone s t ook a d ay t r ip by bu s
t o Wa sh i ng t on D.C. t o pa r t icipat e
i n t he h ist or ic r al ly. Devon ha s ha d
st ude nt s t a ke pa r t i n t he a n nu al
Ma rch for Life for
ove r t we nt y ye a r s.
Before le av i ng for
t he n at ion’s capit al,
a Ma ss wa s held i n
t he g y m whe re t he
don at ion s
g ive n
i n t he baby d r ive
we re
ble sse d .
After
complet i ng
t he
t h re e -hou r
t r ip,
st ude nt s
d i s e m b a r k e d
f rom
t he
bu se s
a nd
m a rche d
up
Con st it ut ion
Ave nue.
T hey
pro ce sse d pa st t he
Capit ol
Bu i ld i ng
t o t he Supre me Cou r t whe re t he
cou r t r u le d for t y ye a r s ago t hat
t he r ig ht for a wom a n t o have a n
abor t ion is prot e ct e d by t he 14t h
A me nd me nt. A f t e r hav i ng
at Un ion St at ion , t he
st ude nt s he a de d home a nd
a r r ive d ba ck on ca mpu s
9:0 0 pm.
d i n ne r
Devon
f i n al ly
a rou nd
Father Shea blesses the many donations
received during the annual Baby Drive
as Devon prepares to leave for the
March for Life.
CONTINUED from Page 1.
7
A M.U.Nderful Weekend
Tommy Brower ’18, Deputy Editor-in-Chief
resolutions. After the admittedly brief
session, delegates quit the chambers
of their Country Caucus and rushed to
their committee sessions.
Each delegate represents a country
in a given committee; this can be
in one of the blocs like the Arab
League, the General Assembly, a GA
Subcommittee, or any number of other
committees like the Security Council
or International Court of Justice. All
of these committees, depending on
the format of debate in each, have
a number of topics for debate. For
example, the Legal A Committee had
three topics: rights of the individual,
democratic governance, and planetary
and celestial accountability, but these
topics can occupy an extreme diversity
of content ranging from the availability
of healthcare in developing nations
to cybersecurity and cyberterrorism.
Delegates are tasked beforehand with
researching their assigned country’s
position on these topics so that they
can argue for said position at the
Conference.
Debate in these committee sessions
manifests three primary forms:
moderated
caucus,
unmoderated
caucus, and resolution debate.
Committee sessions automatically
open in moderated caucus, one of the
more formal debate settings where
the committee cycles through a list of
delegates as designated by the chair.
Delegates raise their placards for
acknowledgement by the committee
chair which allows them to secure a
spot on the speakers list; the chair then
recognizes the first delegate on the
list to speak for two minutes about the
topics. Upon the proper reservation,
delegates can motion to move into
the other debate formats – typically
delegates first motion to move into
unmoderated caucus.
Delegates gathered around for the Orientation
brunch before the debates begin.
Unmoderated
caucus
affords
delegates an opportunity to leave
their seats and travel around the
room, looking for countries to sponsor
resolutions with. During this time,
delegates can physically write their
resolutions and obtain signatories for
support. In order for a resolution to be
entertained by the chair it must acquire
the proper number of signatories,
a number equivalent to 20% of the
committee.
When the resolution
reaches this number of signatories,
it can be submitted to the chair for
resolution debate. Resolution debate
occurs when a delegate motions to hear
one of the resolutions on the f loor;
the college advisor then distributes
the resolution as the chair reads it
aloud. The resolution sponsors are
then called to the front of the room
and present opening arguments for
their resolution. Debate can then
ensue regarding the resolution and
delegates can simultaneously author
and propose amendments to the
resolutions. Once debate has ended,
the sponsors give their closing remarks
and the committee votes
on whether or not to pass
the resolution.
Throughout
the
weekend,
passionate
debate and argument
filled the Hershey Lodge
to the rafters as delegates
delivered
rousing
speeches,
expounding
the
principles
their
country embodies. One
could almost hear the
firm voice of Winston
Churchill
speaking
vehemently
against
the threat of terror, the
eloquent voice of Margaret Thatcher
defending economic freedom and the
virtue of the common man, and the
impassioned pleas of Mandela for
greater preservation of human rights.
Resolutions crowded the inboxes of
college advisors faster than they could
be printed as printers spat out papers
by the hundreds to be rushed to eager
committee chambers
from whence they
originated. Feverish
debate
surrounded
the resolutions with
some
subject
to
intense scrutiny and
others passed through
unanimously. Rumors
circulated throughout
the Conference of
resolutions proposing
ideas as radical as
using
state-money
and
NGO
funds
to build immense skyscraper-like
housing facilities for the homeless in
underdeveloped countries, merging
a number of Middle Eastern states
into a new Persian Empire with a
Pan-Islamic identity, and evacuating
refugees and the poverty-stricken to a
city to be built underwater.
Committees even broke out into
heated hysteria as crises erupted
across the globe for nations to tackle.
Anjali burst into committee sessions,
hurling papers across the room as
she decried the political emergencies
unfolding across the globe. A coalition
of South American, North American,
European, and Asian nations even
formed in response to ISIS kidnapping
anumber of Western journalists. These
so-called “crises” represent realistic
diplomatic challenges that member
states of the UN may be faced with, and
delegates are tasked with responding
to the situation within a given time
frame at the risk of potential conf lict.
The weekend itself f lew by with
great rapidity and soon the delegates
all faced their last Committee Sessions
on Sunday with somber expressions
and melancholy demeanors. Delegates
bid each other farewell until the next
From left to right, Liam Stevenson ‘18, Frank
Byrd ‘18, and Tommy Brower ‘18, the
three students who received individual
distinction at this year’s Model UN.
Conference and vowed to remain
in touch, exchanging social media
information and cell phone numbers.
Devon
was
well-represented
throughout the weekend and accrued
several distinctions in the Closing
Ceremony. Not only did the delegation
as a whole receive the Outstanding
Delegation Award, three delegates
merited individual distinction. Liam
Stevenson ’18 who represented
Belize in the General Assembly A
Committeereceived the Outstanding
First Year Delegate Award. Frank Byrd
’18, representing Chile in the Legal B
Committee was elected as Chair for
the next Conference. Thomas Brower
’18 who represented Argentina in
the Legal A Committee received the
Outstanding Country Research Paper
Award. From the fiery debate in the
committee sessions to the budding
friendships between delegates, Model
UN provided a truly unique and
enjoyable experience unlike any other.
8
Prime Time in Britain
Tommy Brower ‘18 Deputy Editor-in-Chief
Tod ay w it h t he Br it ish Empi re con f i ne d t o t he
Br it ish Isle s a nd on ly fou r t e e n ove r se a s t e r r it or ie s,
m a ny p ol it ical f ig u re s i n t he Un it e d K i ngdom
capit al i ze up on t he ove r whel m i ng pr ide of t he
for me r Br it ish Empi re. Accord i ng t o a su r vey of
ove r 1,70 0 p e r son s i n G re at Br it ai n conduct e d by
YouGov, 59% of re sp onde nt s fe el t hat t he Br it ish
Empi re is somet h i ng t o be proud of. T he Un it e d
K i ngdom I nde p e nde nce Pa r t y, or U K I P, bu i ld s on
t h is rhet or ic a nd h a s al lowe d Nigel Fa r age a nd
Bor is Joh n son t o orche st r at e t he Brex it move me nt
t hat sho cke d t he n at ion w it h it s refe re ndu m t o le ave
t he Eu rop e a n Un ion. I n al l t he t u mu lt cau se d by
t he Brex it vot e a nd refe re ndu m a nd w it h Dav id
Ca me ron’s re sig n at ion a s P r i me M i n ist e r, T he re sa
May a ssu me d t he pre m ie r sh ip a nd ha s be come
t he new fa ce of t he Con se r vat ive Pa r t y. T he re sa
May cu r re ntly f i nd s he r sel f i n a p osit ion of h ig h
rega rd a s t he Con se r vat ive Pa r t y r al l ie s a rou nd he r
du r i ng a t i me of such p ol it ical u npre d ict abi l it y.
T he re sa May’s me ssage of u n it y, he r p ol it ical
de p e nd abi l it y, t oug h ne ss, a s wel l a s he r a mbit iou s
n at u re rek i nd le s fe el i ngs of nost alg ia . She rose f rom
hu mble or ig i n s i n t he work i ng cla ss w it h la rgely
sel f-bu i lt succe ss.
T he re sa May o cca sion al ly
e mploys a pr ag m at ic ap proa ch t o p ol it ics, forgoi ng
p e r son al conv ict ion s for more u n it ive p ol icie s. T he
new p ol icie s pu r sue d by T he re sa May con st it ut e d a
new d i re ct ion bre a k i ng w it h t he age nd a of for me r
P r i me M i n ist e r Dav id Ca me ron a nd t he f iscal
p ol icy pr a ct ice d by G e orge
O sbor ne. T he re sa
May a nd he r C h a ncel lor of t he Exche que r Ph i l ip
Ha m mond a n nou nce d a n age nd a of t ig ht e r cont rol
ove r t he Tre a su r y’s t a x a nd sp e nd i ng de cision s. I n
h is Aut u m n Add re ss, Ha m mond f u r t he r outl i ne d
T he re sa May’s e conom ic p ol icy prom isi ng t o ret u r n
publ ic f i n a nce s t o bala nce a nd re duce gove r n me nt
bor row i ng, cut wel fa re sp e nd i ng, e st abl ish a cap for
f ut u re sp e nd i ng, a nd re duce publ ic se ct or debt a s
a p e rce nt age of GDP. Goi ng along w it h t he t ig ht e r
monet a r y p ol icy, T he re sa May ha s ba ck-t r ai le d on
O sbor ne’s pla n for a su r plu s by 2020, a dopt i ng a
pla n of le ss au st e r it y i n t he wa ke of t he Brex it vot e.
A m ajor t e net of T he re sa May’s e conom ic p ol icy
de r ive s it s pu r p ose f rom he r ca mpaig n sloga n “A
cou nt r y t h at work s for eve r yone.” I n ke e pi ng w it h
t h is t he me, t he Br it ish gove r n me nt ha s a n nou nce d
it s i nt e nt ion t o supp or t a m a rket syst e m , but
i nt e r ve ne i n ca se s of m a rket fai lu re. T h is i nt e nt ion
work s i n t a nde m w it h he r de si re t o c re at e a “ prop e r
i ndu st r ial st r at eg y ” t o rei nv igor at e a re a s w it h t he
lowe st d isp osable i ncome s i n t he Un it e d K i ngdom.
T he Br it ish gove r n me nt pla n s t o cut cor p or at e
t a x r at e s t o 17% wh i le also c r a ck i ng dow n on t a x
eva sion. A sig n if ica nt p or t ion of T he re sa May’s
app e al t o t he Br it ish p e ople a nd t he Con se r vat ive
Pa r t y a r ise s f rom he r t oug h st a nce on i m m ig r at ion.
T he re sa May ha s t hu s expre sse d he r com m it me nt
t o t he se supp or t e r s of he r plat for m t o re duce net
m ig r at ion t o below 10 0,0 0 0 a ye a r. He r pla n t o
re duce net m ig r at ion fo cu se s on prov id i ng e conom ic
aid a nd a ssist a nce t o ref uge e s i n t he af fe ct e d a re a s.
Newly elected British Prime Minister Theresa May deals with
issues such as GDP, Brexit, taxes, and immigration, during a
rather politcally tumultuous time in Britain.
A not he r of T he re sa May’s st r at eg ie s t o re duce net
m ig r at ion d r aws up on f i x i ng t he a sylu m syst e m
i n Br it ai n. Wit h le ss t ha n 20% of a sylu m se eke r s
f rom Sy r ia , a nd a sylu m con st it ut i ng ove r 49% of
Br it ish net m ig r at ion a s of 20 02 , T he re sa May pla n s
t o refor m t he syst e m t o be nef it t he t r ue v ict i m s
of v iole nce a nd oppre ssion. I n t he t i me si nce she
be ca me P r i me M i n ist e r of t he Un it e d K i ngdom ,
T he re sa May ha s outl i ne d a cle a r pat h t owa rd s
e conom ic i mprove me nt a nd i m m ig r at ion refor m
– t wo of t he most i mp or t a nt issue s t he Br it ish
p opu la ce conce r n s it sel f w it h.
Editorial Board
© 2017 Devon Prep
Editor-in-Chief: Ben Rufo ’17
Co-Deputy Editors-in-Chief: Michael Bonfiglio ’17
Frank Byrd ’18
Tommy Brower ’18
Faculty Moderator: Mr. Lawrence Theuer
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.