2012 January - The Miami Valley School

PAGE 2 Phloem & Xylem September January 2012011Horns upWinter Formal askingFusianMVS College Prep ClassicWarm weatherFrench trip to QuébecTemple RunEDITORS-IN-CHIEFMitch CentersLauren YuAdvisorDr. Barbara ClearyPhloem & XylemThe Miami Valley School5151 Denise DriveDayton, Ohio 45429Horns downHomework over breakLow bandwidthSenior tardinessWarm weatherSleep deprivationTests(937) 434-4444 www.mvschool.comVolume 41, No. 4Member Columbia Scholastic Press AssociationSTAFF WRITERSDaisy BrownArianna YanesLiana SalehAri VandersluisChristine AdibIshan ParanjpeManish ParanjpeCora CeipekMollie GreenbergBen JohnPhloem & Xylem is a student-run publication of The Miami ValleySchool and is intended to be an open forum for the discussion of ideasamong students and the entire community. It is distributed free ofcharge to students, faculty, and staff. Students who wish to become apart of the Phloem & Xylem staff are welcome to attend meetings heldTuesday during lunch.Letters to the editors, both critical and supportive, are encouraged, andwill be published at the discretion of the editors, who reserve the rightto edit for both length and clarity. Letters must be signed. The signedarticles on the editorial page represent the opinion only of the writer, notof the staff or advisor.Phloem & Xylem is printed on 35% recycledpaper with soy ink.Op-edWelcoming the new yearWhen it comes to New Year’sresolutions, it seems almost out of placefor students to be setting goals in themiddle of the school year. Not that goalsshould not be set, but most students at thispoint in the year should have learned tosuccessfully balance homework with sleep,and extracurriculars with hanging out withfriends.But in the spirit of this time of year,we have formed our own resolutions. It isimportant to us, the editors, to connect withyou, the school community, by providingnews in a timely fashion. Thus we havemade it a goal to publish more issues tobetter inform you.It is not just the quantity, however, thatmatters. Our resolution is to not simplycontinue the excellence in writing that thispublication has aimed for, but to realizethat there is always room for improvementwhen it comes to writing. Even as we workto release issues more quickly, we want thequality of what you read to grow as well.We also welcome your suggestions in our“Letters” section.Even when looking forward, do notforget to look back as well. Nobody isperfect, but mistakes can be the bestteachers sometimes. Take those learningopportunites, and run with them. Welcometo the new year.

Op-ed Phloem & & Xylem September January 2012 2011 PAGE 3 3Point:Who is better with The Ask? Clearly, the boys.Ari Vandersluis ‘13With winter break over andImmersion not for a couple months,most students have begun to preparethemselves for the two extremelytedious months that they dread eachwinter. This year, however, StudentGovernment has decided to put a littlespice into January.For the first time, the schoolplans to hold a winter formal danceon January 21. Unlike most schooldances, however, this one has a twist.This time, it is the girls who have thechance to do the asking.Since the announcement of thecandy-themed dance, the femalecommunity has been nothing less thanexcited. They feel that they can thriveCounterpoint:Arianna Yanes ‘12While the boys may think thatthere is no way we could top theirannouncements and elaborate askingsfor homecoming and prom, I have nodoubt in my mind that the girls can doit better.After years of giving the boys thepower to ask whomever they want inwhatever way they want, the tableshave now turned. What makes thewinter formal so great is that we havethe freedom to go with whomeverwe want. Some of us may decide togo with our best male friends whileothers may decide to finally act on thatcrush they have had throughout highschool. A little variation makes thingsinteresting.The upper school has not had awinter formal for years, so this eventis a new opportunity for all of thestudents. It is supposed to be as dressywith this creative opportunity.If the idea of being more creativethan the boys is not incentive enough,Student Government is holdinga contest. The girl with the mostinnovative and outstanding way ofasking someone to the dance will becrowned the Lollipop Princess. Sheand her date will receive free ticketsto the dance. While this contest isimportant, we all know where the realcompetition is.For years, the school has had thetradition of inviting all the boys inthe upper school to ask fortunate girlsto one of the formal dances. Whilesome boys create extremely creativeideas that deserve nothing less than aas homecoming and a little less dressythan prom, which is exciting for usgirls who love dress shopping.Taking the boys out for dinner maybe a new experience for some girls,but after all, they do pay for all of theother dinners. Just make sure the boysdon’t get to pick the restaurant becausewe all know they would choose aplace like Carver’s or Fleming’s.The turnabout dance is a winwinsituation for both girls and boys.We are given the opportunity to becreative and challenge ourselves tocome up with better ways to ask thanthe boys. At the same time, the boyshave a chance to relax without havingto worry about being too cheesy orcliché when they ask.For me, one of the best parts ofwatching the girls ask the boys isseeing them work the theme of theround of applause, many end up withthe sheer look of embarrassment. Androutinely, whether the glow-in-thedarkpaint doesn’t glow, or the stereodecides to malfunction, the malecommunity is criticized by the femalestudents. However, our metaphoricalstereo will malfunction no longer.It is time for the girls to share theembarrassment.For months the school femalecommunity has been saying that ifthey had the chance, they would beway more creative than the boys. Ispeak for all the upper school menwhen I say, “Bring it on, ladies, bringit on.”The girls needed only one chance to show creativity.dance into it.From choreographed dancenumbers to candy scavenger hunts, thegirls have made the “Sweet Escape”more than just a name for a dance.They have really made the themecome alive, which bodes well for anincredible dance experience.The dance really will be a sweetescape for most of us. The stress ofupcoming finals, the chaos of winterterm, and everything else will beforgotten for just one night.This dance is all about havingfun and letting go of the inhibitionswe may have. It’s about eating tonsof sugar and working it all off on thedance floor. Lastly, it’s about showingthe boys who the bosses at this schoolreally are. I’m speaking for all theupper school ladies when I say “Webrought it.”

Features Phloem && Xylem September January 2012 2011 PAGE 5 5Faculty match-up: baby editionAri Vandersluis ‘131. ___________________ 2. ___________________3. ___________________4. ___________________a. Mr. Peter Benedictb. Dr. Ashwi Birdic. Ms. Sarah Brewerd. Dr. Barb Clearye. Ms. Shea Davisf. Mr. Jon Graetzg. Mr. LaMotteh. Mr. Blair Munhofeni. Ms. Debbie Spiegel5. __________________6. ___________________7. __________ 8. __________ 9. __________________

PAGE 10 Phloem & Xylem September January 2012 2011SportsSwim team continues its success with winter meetsBen John ‘15The varsity swim team competedin two meets this month, whereStuart Lane (’14) and Kyle Hembree(’12) each placed first in their ownevents with times of 0:58 and 1:03respectively. Together, they consist ofentire boy’s swim team.The girls’ team also seems to beKyle Hembree (‘12) competes in the 100-yardbutterfly. Photo credit: Trey Adams, III.Athlete profile: On the court with Corri JohnsonManish Paranjpe ‘14When Corri Johnson (’12) joinsthe Amherst College squash teamnext fall, she will certainly be nobeginner to the sport. While her storyis definitely one of a great athlete, itis also of a person well balanced inacademics and sports. A combinationof hard work, dedication, and practicehas set this athlete apart from the rest.Johnson’s exposure to squashcomes from an early age; her father isboth a squash teaching professionaland the owner of a squash equipmentbusiness. While squash was neverforced upon her, she started to playcompetitively out of her own interestby freshman year.Though the image of a collegeathlete brings images of the athletestarting to play from a very young age,Johnson says that her interest mayhave waned if she had chosen thispath.In her relatively short competitivecareer, Johnson has garnered a longlist of accolades. In addition toshowing progress, as many talentednewcomers join the sport.“There is a lot of new, naturaltalent on the team, and I am reallyimpressed with all the girls thathave come out and swum,” saidAudrey Lane (‘12).New swimmers also seem toenjoy the aquatic sport.“It’s a lot of fun, and a greatway to stay in shape!” MollieGreenburg (‘15) commented.Though it is small whencompared to other teams across Ohio,the swim team has still found success.“Our swim team works extremelyhard,” athletic director Ken Laakesaid. “It’s a very closely-knit team,the girls try especially hard, andbreaking the Top 50 rankings last year,Corri also placed eighth at the Under19 Silver Nationals atWilliams College.Theseachievements are evenmore astounding whenone considers theregion in which Daytonfalls. While squash mayhave a big followinginternationally, it isrelatively less popularin the United Statesand therefore harderfor athletes to gainrecognition. Thecountry has only begunto better its supportfor squash in recentdecades, says Johnson.Squash opened a door when shewas offered a spot on the AmherstCollege team. After discussingher squash ranking, skills, andweaknesses as well as academics withAnisa Kastle (‘14) competes in the 50-yard freestyle.Photo credit: Trey Adams, III.Johnson delivers a powerful backhand.Photo credit: Charlie Johnsonthe entire team is working to win theMetro Buckeye Competition and holdthat title.”Having already won last year, theteam can be found in the weight room,training as hard as ever, to make surenothing happens to that title.the college squash coach, Johnsonfelt that Amherst was a good fit.What particularlyattracted her to theschool was the opencurriculum policy,the hospitality of theentire squash team,and the academicrigor at Amherst, shesays.The collegeranks 14th out of 30teams nationally insquash; while nota powerhouse, it isstill the kind of teamwhere Johnson cangrow as an athlete,she says.Whether on the squash courts or inthe classroom, Johnson has created aname for herself. She is a testament tothe benefits one can accrue from hardwork, dedication, and passion.