Devon Dialogue - Devon Preparatory School

The Devon Dialogue
volume vii, issue i | october 2015
proudly publishing for five decades
Devon Preparatory School
New Faces, Same Place
The Devon Dialogue welcomes four
new staff members to the Devon
Prep family.
See Pages 6-7
Devonites in Deutschland
Thirteen Devonites enjoy the
wonders of Germany cruising
down the River Rhine.
See Page 2
Run for a Cure
CAP members assist in St. Jude’s
fight against childhood cancer.
See Page 4
Solar Surge
The Solar Car Team wins 2nd place at the Texas Motor Speedway! See Page 3.
Science Success
A Devilishly Deluxe Drama
Mike Love ’16
Tommy Brower ’18
S eptember 30, it w a s a c old,
d a rk , a nd r a i ny n ig ht w hen
t h i r te en of De von’s f i ne s t s t udent s
w ere i nduc te d i nto t he S c ienc e
Nat ion a l Honor S oc iet y. T he y
to ok t hei r pl ac e ne x t to E i n s tei n,
A r i s tot le, a nd a l l g re at s c ient i s t s
b efore t hem . T he e vent to ok pl ac e
i n C a l a s a nc t iu s Ha l l at 7 pm . Fr.
A i s a, Fr. Renter i a, M r. Aqu i l a nte
’9 4 , a nd of c ou r s e a l l De von’s
s c ienc e te ac her s, M r. Me c ouc h,
M r s. L out rel, a nd M s. P ic a rd w ere
i n at tend a nc e. T he s t udent s s at at
t he f ront of t he ro om, f i l le d w it h
e x c itement , a s t hei r m i nd s r a n
w i ld w it h for mu l a s a nd ter m s,
rem i n i s c i ng about pa s t c l a s s e s
a nd e x per i ment s.
Fr. A i s a opene d t he n ig ht w it h
a pr ayer fol low e d b y M r s. L out rel
g i v i ng a br ief bac k g rou nd of t he
s o c iet y a nd it s re qu i rement s. T hen
t he i nduc t ion s be g a n . M r s. L out rel
re ad of f e ac h s en ior ’s n a me: C h r i s
Ca r penter, Ha r preet C heem a, Br ia n
Da mer au,
A le x a nd r u
Da m i a n,
S e a n F u l mer, Ju s t i n Hen ne s s y,
Mat t Kel l y, M ic h ael L ove, Gr a nt
McK n ig ht , Ky le Mo one y, Shy a m a l
Patel, Ma x Ver n a, a nd A nd re w
Wel s h . T he y c a me up, re c ei ve d
t hei r c er t i f ic ate s, a nd l it a c a nd le
f rom one m a i n c ent r a l c a nd le. A l l
t he ne w i nduc te e s took a n oat h
a nd t he c eremony c onc lude d w it h
a c los i ng spe e c h g i ven b y M r.
Me c ouc h . He s pok e about how
s c ienc e i s not ju s t a s ubje c t , it i s
a w ay of t h i n k i ng. T he n ig ht w a s
one to remember for e ver yone.
Let us travel back over three
hundred years to a time when naught
but bustling farming villages dotted
the gentle rolling hills of Salem,
Massachusetts.
Men and women
clothed in simple garbs of waistcoats,
petticoats, and breeches went about
their daily chores with a prayer on their
lips. Cattle grazed in rolling pastures
and golden wheat stood tall, gently
waving in the wind. This picturesque
scene serves as the setting for our fall
drama, The Crucible. This play about
the tragedies of the Witch Trials that
rocked Seventeenth Century Salem
was conceived by Arthur Miller
and gives its audience a firsthand
depiction of this great tragedy.
For the past few weeks, the Old
Library in Calasanctius Hall has
been filled with accusatory cries of
witchcraft and feverous pleading to
escape the rope. Fortunately for the
school, this is merely the product
of talented actors and actresses
preparing for the upcoming play.
However for the people involved, time
seemingly f lies by as the play unfolds
before them.
Now, let us take this opportunity
to attach some names to the plot.
Everything
starts
with
Abigail
Williams, played by Mallory Avnet.
Eleven Devonites pose with their
new pins, cords, and certificates
ready to pursue their interests
in the sciences in college and
beyond.
Reverend Parris, played by John
Parkinson ’16, discovers Abigail
dancing in the forest around a cauldron
with numerous other girls. Suddenly
the Reverend’s daughter Betty, played
by Brigitte Lubker, falls into a state of
paralysis along with another young girl
in the village. Rumors of witchcraft
begin spreading like disease through
Salem; and Reverend Parris seeks
out the help of the professional witch
investigator Reverend Hale, played by
Alex Bygrave ’16.
Jack Wagner ’17 as John Proctor
is soon revealed to have had prior
dealings
with
Reverend
Parris
including a scandalous affair with
his niece Abigail. Soon he, his wife
Elizabeth Proctor, portrayed by Lucy
Connell, and their servant Mary
Warren played by Grace Black are
drawn into the plot. In the swirl of
events that follow the town is torn
apart by accusations of witchcraft
and the town descends into a barbaric
nightmare. Trial after trial led by
Judge Danforth, portrayed by Ben
Lubker ’17, divides the town further
and acquaint numerous people with
the rope. These bewitching trials
convene on November 6th-8th in the
Devon Auditorium.
2
Dialogue News
Merit and More
Steve Duffy ’17
T he Nat ion a l Mer it S c hol a r s h ip s er ve s to re c og n i z e
a nd honor ac adem ic a l l y g i f te d t a lente d h ig h
s c hool s t udent s i n t he Un ite d St ate s. T he prog r a m,
e s t abl i s he d i n 195 5, helps s t udent s ac ros s t he c ou nt r y
g a i n f i n a nc i a l s uppor t for t he c ol le ge of t hei r c hoic e
b y prov id i ng t u it ion a s s i s t a nc e t h roug h s c hol a r s h ip
f u nd s. T h i s ye a r, De von proud l y produc e d f i ve
s en ior s w ho a re s em i f i n a l i s t s w it h a n add it ion a l s i x
w ho re c ei ve d c om mend at ion .
St udent s en rol le d mu s t be a U. S . c it i z en, i n h ig h
s c hool, a nd t a k e t he P S ATs i n 1 1t h g r ade. O f about t he
1 .5 m i l l ion ju n ior s w ho t a k e t he P S ATs, on l y about
50,0 0 0 w i l l be c on s idere d for s em i f i n a l i s t s. O f t hos e
50,0 0 0 about 16,0 0 0 ac t u a l l y be c ome s em i f i n a l i s t s.
1 5,0 0 0 f i n a l i s t s a re c hos en a nd t he f i n a l c ut i s to
roug h l y 8,20 0 s t udent s w ho a re s ele c te d for one of
t he t h re e s c hol a r s h ips av a i l able.
T he Nat ion a l Mer it S c hol a r s h ip prog r a m of fer s
t h re e d i f ferent s c hol a r s h ips, t he f i r s t bei ng a
$2 50 0 s c hol a r s h ip w h ic h i s g i ven w it hout f i n a nc i a l
c i rc u m s t a nc e or c ol le ge c hoic e. T he s e c ond k i nd i s a
c or por ate-spon s ore d s c hol a r s h ip; w h ic h i s aw a rde d
to s t udent s w ho h ave pa rent s or g u a rd i a n s w ho
a re employe e s for t he c ompa ny (N M SC). T he f i n a l
s c hol a r s h ip, t he c ol le ge-s pon s ore d s c hol a r s h ip, i s
s ele c te d b y of f ic i a l s of eac h s pon s ore d c ol le ge f rom
f i n a l i s t s w ho h ave be en ac c epte d a nd h ave not i f ie d
N M SC t h at t h i s c ol le ge w a s t hei r f i r s t c hoic e. A l l
toget her t he s e approx i m atel y 8,0 0 0 s c hol a r s h ips w i l l
prov ide over $3 2 m i l l ion of f i n a nc i a l a id to s t udent s.
T h i s ye a r De von i s proud to h ave f i ve s t udent s
qu a l i f ie d a s s em i f i n a l i s t s. C ong r at u l at ion s to t he
fol low i ng s en ior s on be c om i ng s em i f i n a l i s t s: Holden
Ba r ne s, Br i a n Da mer au, A le x a nd r u Da m i a n, Gr a nt
McK n ig ht , a nd Shy a m a l Patel . A l s o, c ong r at u l at ion s
to t he fol low i ng s en ior s on ac h ie v i ng c om mend at ion :
C h r i s C a r penter, S e a n F u l mer, Jos hu a L e e, Ky le
Moone y, R ic h a rd O’F l y n n, a nd Aug u s t P i ro.
Senior National Merit Semi-Finalists from left to
right: Grant McKnight, Holden Barnes, Shyamal
Patel, Alexandru Damian, and Brian Damerau
Devonites in Deutschland
Dan O’Connor ’17
O n Tue s d ay, Ju ne 9t h, 201 5, t h i r te en ju n ior s a nd
s en ior s pa r t ic ipat i ng i n De von’s G er m a n E x c h a nge
P rog r a m, le d b y M r. Lu ken s a nd h i s nephe w C h r i s
Me eh a n,
depa r te d
Ph i l adelph i a
I nter n at ion a l
A i r por t for St ut t g a r t , G er m a ny. A f ter a br ief s t a y
i n L ondon’s Heat h row a i r por t , t he s t udent s a r r i ve d
e a rl y We d ne s d ay mor n i ng a nd re c on ne c te d w it h
t hei r G er m a n c ou nter pa r t s w ho v i s ite d A mer ic a over
E a s ter f rom A lber t u s Ma g nu s G y m n a s iu m .
T he ne x t d ay, t he De von ite s re c ei ve d t hei r f i r s t
t a s te of a G er m a n s c ho ol a nd publ ic t r a n spor t at ion
s y s tem . O n t he f i r s t w e ek end, t he s t udent s jou r ne ye d
to t he Boden s e e, or L a k e C on s t a nc e, ac c ompa n ie d
b y t he G er m a n hos t s. T here t he y v i s ite d a Stone A ge
s et t lement , Ma i n au I s l a nd, a nd Me er sbu r g C a s t le.
T he n ig ht w a s s pent at a yout h hos tel i n L i nd au . O n
S at u rd ay, e ver yone vent u re d to t he Au s t r i a n A lps to
c l i mb Wa l mend i nger Hor n, ret u r n i ng to St ut t g a r t t h at
n ig ht . Su nd ay w a s s pent w it h t he s t udent s’ re spe c t i ve
hos t f a m i l ie s. T he s c ho ol w e ek w a s s t a r te d of f w it h
a h a l f- d ay of s c ho ol a nd a t r ip to Lud w ig sbu r g w it h
it s Maerc heng a r ten, or f a i r y t a le g a rden . T he g a rden
w a s f i l le d w it h t r ad it ion a l Gr i m m s tor ie s s uc h a s
Ha n s el a nd Gretel, R apu n z el, a nd C i nderel l a . O t her
f a i r y t a le s s uc h a s Ma x a nd Mor it z , P i noc c h io, a nd
Snow W h ite w ere a l s o por t r aye d .
O n Tue s d ay, t he De von ite s jou r ne ye d to t he R i ver
R h i ne for a c r u i s e. Nu merou s c a s t le s were s e en a s
t he y t r avele d dow n G er m a ny ’s s e c ond longe s t r i ver.
T he y m ade s tops at Rue de s hei m, Boppa rd, a nd
Koblen z . O n We d ne s d ay, t he s t udent s were welc ome d
i nto St ut t g a r t ’s c it y h a l l or R at h au s. T he y re c ei ve d
a tou r of t he c it y a nd le a r ne d about it s e x ten s i ve
h i s tor y. A f ter w a rd s, t he y tou re d t he Merc e de s-Ben z
Mu s eu m, one of St ut t g a r t ’s t w o c a r m a nu f ac t u rer s,
t he ot her b ei ng Por s c he. T he ne x t d ay, t he g roup
v i s ite d Hohen z ol ler n C a s t le, t he home of t he
le gend a r y r u ler s of P r u s s i a . T he f i n a l e x c u r s ion w a s
to t he me d ie v a l tow n of E s s l i ngen w here t he s t udent s
enjoye d t he c l a s s ic G er m a n s c ener y a nd one of t hei r
f i n a l d a y s i n Eu rope. T he f i n a l w e ek end w a s s pent
w it h t he hos t f a m i l ie s a nd at A lber t u s Ma g nu s. O n
Tue s d a y mor n i ng , te a r s w ere s he d a s t he s t udent s
s a id t hei r f i n a l go odb ye s to t hei r t re a s u re d hos t
f a m i l ie s, a nd a s t he y w ent t h roug h s e c u r it y t he y
s houte d : “Au f W ie der s ehen !” (G er m a n for “ Unt i l ne x t
t i me!”). T he g roup a r r i ve d home i n Ph i l adelph i a t he
e ven i ng of Tue s d ay, Ju ne 2 3 rd w it h plent y of pic t u re s
to s h a re a nd s tor ie s to tel l .
A picturesque view of Germany from the
heights of the Austrian Alps captured by senior
Brian Damerau
Back and Better Than Ever
3
This year’s Devon Prep Back to
School Picnic had a big turnout of
over 600 people, including students,
families, and faculty. This annual
picnic is always a fun time with food,
music, and plenty of fun activities,
such as volleyball and football. The
picnic is the perfect opportunity for
incoming freshmen to get to know
their classmates, while also having
a good time. However, it is not only
Andrew Welsh ’16
for freshmen. Sean Fulmer said: “The
Devon Back to School Picnic is an
opportunity for everyone to see their
friends again after a long summer
break. It is also a good way to start
preparing for school before the school
year actually begins.”
While the event may seem to
magically come together every year, it
would not be possible without the help
of everyone who sets it up, especially
the parents. Every year, all the food
is brought by Devon families, and the
grills are manned by parents. With so
many high school boys, the plethora
of food is very important. This year’s
picnic lived up to the expectations of
those of past years, and if the trend
continues, there will be many more
great picnics to come.
Harmony in Sound
Summer School
Chris Rufo ’18
Matthew Kelly ’16
S e ver a l w e ek s a go, t he De von
P rep Ja z z Ba nd h ad it s f i r s t
rehea r s a l of t he 201 5-2016 s c hool
ye a r. Ne w a nd ret u r n i ng member s
g at here d
toget her
u nder
t he
g u id a nc e of ou r f avor ite mu s ic
d i re c tor, D r. Va lent i n R adu .
Ma ny a re not f a m i l i a r w it h t he
Ja z z Ba nd, but it i s a n e s s ent i a l
element of t he De von P rep mu s ic
s o c iet y. T he Ja z z Ba nd me et s e ver y
Mond ay n ig ht at 7:30 for rehe a r s a l .
T he Ja z z Ba nd c on s i s t s of v a r iou s
i n s t r u ment s
like
t r u mpet s,
t romb one s, s a x ophone s, c l a r i net s,
g u it a r s, d r u m s, a nd more. But , of
c ou r s e, D r. R adu on t he pi a no i s
w h at c omplete s t he Ja z z Ba nd .
D r. R adu or, a s t he member s of
t he Ja z z Ba nd c a l l s h i m, “Do c ,”
h a s be en De von’s h ig h l y re s pe c te d
mu s ic d i re c tor for t w ent y ye a r s.
He le ad s t he Ja z z Ba nd w it h h i s
a m a z i ng pi a no s k i l l s. Bor n i n
Rom a n i a, D r. R adu be g a n s t ud y i ng
mu s ic at t he a ge of fou r a nd b e g a n
per for m i ng pi a no at t he a ge of s i x .
A f ter he a r i ng h i m per for m for t he
f i r s t t i me, one e a s i l y re c og n i z e
t h at he i s a t r ue mu s ic a l gen iu s.
He i s f a mou s t h roug hout Eu rope
a nd t he Un ite d St ate s, a nd he e ven
c onduc t s h i s ow n orc he s t r a, Vox
Am a D eu s. He per for m s w it h t he
orc he s t r a re g u l a rl y at t he K i m mel
C enter. Doc i s t r u l y a m a z i ng , a nd
t he De v on P rep Ja z z Ba nd i s more
t h a n proud to h ave h i m a s it s
mu s ic d i re c tor. T he Ja z z Ba nd i s
look i ng for w a rd to t he upc om i ng
c onc er t on O c tober 2 2 nd, w h ic h
c on s i s t s of g re at enter t a i n ment
w it h a re c ept ion fol low i ng. It w i l l
b e a g re at s t a r t to a not her awe s ome
ye a r i n t he Ja z z Ba nd .
Solar Surge
Shyamal Patel ’16, Associate Editor for News
W hile most k ids during t his past
summer were on vacat ion a nd in
rela xat ion mode, Devon Prep’s
Sola r Car Team was ha rd at work.
In June, t he tea m gat hered, r ushing
to prepare t he ca r for t he upcoming
race, which wou ld beg in in Ju ly.
Upon t heir a rriva l at Da llas,
t he Solar Car Tea m bega n its f irst
cha llenge, scr ut inizing. Dur ing
t his arduous process, t he judges, to
ensure t he safet y of t he drivers, test
each par t and aspect of t he ca r. W hi le
t he team hoped to f inish t he process
ef for t lessly, t his drea m never ca me
to f r uit ion, as t he t urning radius
proved to be too la rge. Never t heless,
af ter a few t wea k s a nd a couple of
hours in t he sun, t he tea m f ina lly
brought t he car up to sta nda rds a nd
was ready to race.
The f irst race day began on Monday,
Ju ly 20, and ut ter chaos ensued in
t r y ing to deter mine w it h whom
Devon Prep was compet ing for t he
f irst place t rophy. Throughout t he
day, clouds covered t he racet rack,
whi le
passionate
screa ms
of
suggested speeds for drivers f i lled
t he pit. By t he end of t he day, Devon
had moved f rom nint h to f if t h place.
Dur ing t he t hird day of racing,
t he sola r ca r tea m met w it h a ra re
sit uat ion: ra in. This f ur t her slowed
t he ca rs as well as delayed t he race
by a n hour. As t he ot her ca rs slowed
dow n, t he Sol Tide ca r cont inued
relent lessly, establishing a lead over
Devon’s a rchriva l By ron Nelson for
t he number of laps t hat day. However,
as t he sun bega n to come out, By ron
Nelson t ripled t heir speed, quick ly
recla iming t he sma ll lead we had
ga ined. Deter mining t he w inner for
t he day ca me dow n to t he f ina l lap.
Wit h t heir sights on t heir f irst dayt rophy in f ive yea rs, t he Devon Prep
Sola r Ca r Tea m proved unstoppable.
On t he f ina l race day, t he sun
was act ua lly out t he ent ire day,
somet hing t he tea m ex pected to
happen more of ten in Texas. The
a im of t he last day is to dra in t he
bat teries completely, leading to a n
a ll-out race. Tra i ling By ron Nelson
by on ly a few laps, Devon Prep set
its eyes on t he t rophy a nd hit a
rema rkable t hir t y-f ive mi les a n
hour. W hi le t he Devon Prep Sola r
Ca r Tea m lost by si x laps in t he end,
t he ef for ts of t he Sol Tide crew st i ll
brought a huge second place t rophy.
T h i s pa s t Aug u s t , f i ve member s
of De von P rep’s C h r i s t i a n Ac t ion
P rog r a m c los e d out t h i s s u m mer ’s
s c ho ol
s uppl ie s
d r i ve.
5,0 0 0
d i f ferent s c hool s uppl ie s w ere
c ol le c te d b y t he De von P rep
f a m i l y for t he le s s for t u n ate. T he
s t udent s loade d t he s uppl ie s i nto
a v a n a nd d rove to St . E l i z abet h’s
C om mu n it y C enter i n Nor t h
Ph i l adelph i a, s o e x c ite d t h at e ven
t he u nbe a r able t r a f f ic w a s u n able
to deter t he s t udent s’ s pi r it s.
A f ter t he t r a f f ic pa s s e d, t he v a n
vent u re d t h roug h t he c rowde d
Temple C a mpu s, dow n n a r row
a l le y s, a nd f i n a l l y i nto t he s m a l l
d r i ve w ay of St . E l i z abet h’s. T he y
w ere g re ete d at t he g ate s b y one of
t he volu nte er s t here, w ho g l ad l y
helpe d t hem c a r r y t he s uppl ie s
i nto t he C om mu n it y C enter. T he y
w a l ke d up a r a mp a nd t h roug h a
bac k do or, a nd t hen t u r ne d lef t
i nto a pa nt r y, f i l le d w it h a f re e z er
a nd m a ny s hel ve s s t ac k e d to t he
c ei l i ng , f i l le d w it h a v a r iet y of
don at ion s, a plet hor a of pe a s, a nd
a c a s c ade of c a n s. T he s t udent s
f i n i s he d u n load i ng t he go o d s a nd
prepa re d to le ave, t he pa r a mou nt
pa r t of t he t r ip s t i l l yet to c ome.
T he
mos t
i mpor t a nt
a nd
re w a rd i ng pa r t of t he t r ip c a me
f rom a nd teac h i ng of fere d f rom
t he volu nte er s at t he c enter. T he y
e x pl a i ne d w ho t he fo o d w ou ld go
to a nd w ho it w ou ld help. But mos t
i mpor t a nt l y, t he y t a l k e d about
t hei r d r u m l i ne. T he d r u m l i ne,
w h ic h w i l l be per for m i ng at t h i s
ye a r ’s Up for a C au s e, i s a g roup
c ompos e d of pe ople of v a r iou s a ge s
f rom t he lo c a l Nor t h Ph i l adelph i a
a rea . It g i ve s oppor t u n it y to t hos e
w ho w ou ld not h ave ot her w i s e
h ad it , a l low i ng t hem to e x c el i n
t he a r t s, a nd t r avel t he c ou nt r y to
s pot s l i k e W i ld w o o d, Ne w Jer s e y
a nd At l a nt a, G e or g i a . L i k e m a ny
ot her s, De von P rep s t udent s w i l l
a l s o get to fe el a nd c ome to re s pe c t
t he d r u m l i ne’s t r ue t a lent w hen
t he y e x per ienc e it l i ve at Up for a
C au s e.
4
Dialogue News (Continued)
Enriching Endeavors
Run for a Cure
Dan Brace ’16 and Matt Bevilacqua ’16
Sean McGeehan ’16 and Luke Farnsworth ’17
Joe Orsatti ’17
For many grade school students,
the two-week Devon Prep Summer
Enrichment Camp was the highlight
of their summer. Led by Mr. Dan
Massimini, the Camp has grown in
popularity among students in the area,
and they cannot wait for summertime
to arrive. The campers’ days are always
filled with many activities from the time
the kids arrive to when they leave. The
Camp offers a wide range of activities.
From sports such as baseball, basketball
or golf to drama, video production,
or history explorations, the campers
always have something interesting to
do, and there is never a dull moment
during those two weeks.
Many Devon students helped out at the
Summer Enrichment Camp including
Matt Bevilacqua ’16, Dan Brace ’16,
Daniel Shannon ’17, and Tyler Wright
’18. In addition, many alumni returned
to their old stomping grounds. These
alumni consisted of Justin Wright ’12,
CJ Kohlbrenner ’14, Andrew Shannon
’15, and Andrew Kramer ’15. Every staff
member made sure that the summer of
2015 was the most fun for the over fifty
students in attendance.
On Saturday, September 19th, eight
members of Devon Prep’s Christian
Action Program (CAP) went to the
Philadelphia Zoo to volunteer for St
Jude’s walk/run to end childhood
cancer. The team was comprised of
Keane White ’16, Matt Kelly ‘16, Sean
McGeehan ‘16, Harpreet Cheema ‘16,
Joe Conroy ‘16, Thomas Hang ‘17, Luke
Farnsworth ‘17, and Jack Marquis ‘17, who
met early at 6:00 am to volunteer for the
race. The event raised nearly $130,000,
and had around 1,400 participants. The
distinguished members of CAP helped
distribute water to runners, set up
signs before the event, and cheered the
participants on as they passed by the
station.
Devon Prep’s Christian Action
Program has been a major contributor
to St Jude’s Research throughout the
years. Their next and largest annual
event, Up For a Cause, taking place on
October 23rd, has a goal of $25,000 for
childhood cancer research. CAP hopes
that everyone will take the time to raise
money and help end childhood cancer.
Every Friday, the entire school
community gathers together in the
g ym to celebrate Mass. It is a Devon
Prep tradition to end each week on a
positive note. Each one of our Piarist
Fathers takes his turn to celebrate Mass
with us, along with a group of talented
musicians and the middle school altar
servers. However, there is a group
of students who are instrumental in
setting up before each Mass that you
may never knew existed. That group,
led by headmaster Fr. Francisco Aisa,
is called Campus Ministry. Along with
our custodial staff, Campus Ministry
arrives in the g ym at 7:50 A.M., forty
minutes before the beginning of Mass,
and proceeds to carry over equipment
such as the piano, the amplifier, the
bread and wine for the Eucharist,
and other essential elements for the
celebration, as well as the important
task of selecting students to read.
After the Mass, these students assist
returning all of the materials brought
over from the chapel.
Working
behind the scenes, these young men
are taught hard work, teamwork, and
faith. It is a fantastic program and it
is always looking for new members.
Ministry for More
A Mission in Maryland
Tyler Keough ’17
O ver t he s u m mer, f i f te en De von
st udent s pa r t ic ipated i n t he m ission
t r ip i n Cu mberl a nd, Ma r y l a nd
ac c ompa n ie d b y M r. Jos eph L e w i s,
M r. M ic h ael No on a n, a nd M r. S a m
You ng. T he De von ite s w ho to ok
pa r t i n t h i s w onder f u l a nd e x c it i ng
v olu nte er i ng oppor t u n it y w ere
M ic h ael Noon a n ‘17, W i l l s on C a mp
‘17, Pau l Yoo ‘17, Z ac h a r y E id m a n
‘17, M itc hel l You ng ‘17, W i l l i a m
S c hu lt hei s ‘17, Jac k Wa g ner ‘17,
Ty ler Ke oug h ‘17, Ke v i n Hol me s ‘17,
Jac ob K l ic k ‘17, D y l a n Smo ot ‘20,
C h r i s topher Mc A le e ‘17, Br a ndon
Smoot ‘17, Ja me s C os tel lo ‘18, a nd
A nd re w Ba rel l a ‘16. E ver y yea r,
C at hol ic Hea r t Workc a mp (C H WC)
h a s a t heme, a nd t h i s ye a r ’s w a s
“A mpl i f y.”
A fe w of t he s t udent s s pok e about
t hei r e x per ienc e s on t he t r ip. Jac k
Wa g ner w ork e d at a Word Wa r I I
veter a n’s hou s e du r i ng t he w e ek
a nd s a id, “ T he w ork def i n itel y
m ade t he w hole t r ip w or t h it .” Pau l
Yo o, w ho helpe d out at a s m a l l,
non-prof it z oo a nd a reh ab c enter
i n t he a rea du r i ng t he w e ek , s a id,
“I re a l l y l i ke d t he W h ite T iger at
t he z oo.” W i l l i a m S c hu lt hei s, w ho
s pent t he we ek repa i r i ng a de c k
a nd doi ng s ome g a rden i ng at a
lo c a l Y MC A a s w el l a s w ork i ng at
t he s c hool, s a id, “A l l i n a l l, I h ad
a re a l l y good t i me. I helpe d out
pe ople i n ne e d a nd m ade a fe w
f r iend s a long t he w a y.” A lt houg h
it w a s s en ior A nd re w Ba rel l a’s l a s t
ye a r at C H WC , he w a s h app y w it h
h i s e x per ienc e s over t he ye a r s
a nd g l ad t h at he h ad t he c h a nc e
to pa r t ic ipate i n s uc h a g re at
prog r a m .
E ac h d a y, t he s t udent s w ok e up
e a rl y a nd he ade d to t he c a feter i a
for bre a k f a s t . T he y h ad s ome f re e
t i me to get re ad y for t he d ay, a nd
t hen he ade d to t he aud itor iu m for
Mor n i ng P rog r a m . A f ter P rog r a m,
e ver yone m ade t hei r w a y to t he
g y m to me et up w it h t hei r w ork
g roups, w h ic h were s m a l l g roups
m ade up of 4-5 s t udent s f rom a l l
d i f ferent s c ho ol s w ho w ork e d
toget her t h roug hout t he we ek . T he
d a y c on s i s te d of a fe w hou r s a d ay
of v olu nte er w ork at v a r iou s s ite s.
T here were g roups t h at w ork e d
at a z oo, a fe w w h ic h w ork e d at
s ome re s ident s’ hou s e s, s ome at
a reh ab c enter, a nd t here w a s
e ven a g roup t h at w ork e d w it h
t he Ma yor of Cu mb erl a nd a nd
helpe d w it h v a r iou s t a s k s a rou nd
t he c om mu n it y. Upon ret u r n i ng
to t he “ home ba s e,” a s c hool i n
Cu mberl a nd t h at C H WC w a s
a l low e d to u s e for t he w e ek , t he
s t udent s h ad a fe w hou r s of f re e
t i me to s how er, h a ng out w it h
ne w l y-m ade f r iend s, a nd e ven
s le ep. L ater, t he s t udent s he ade d
to E ven i ng P rog r a m to s pend s ome
t i me ref le c t i ng on t hei r f a it h a nd
pr ay i ng. A f ter E ven i ng P rog r a m,
t he y h ad a not her hou r or s o of f re e
t i me before l ig ht s out .
W hen t he w e ek w a s over, t he
De von ite s pac ke d up a nd prepa re d
for t he ret u r n t r ip bac k to De von .
T he y s ad l y lef t a l l t he ne w f r iend s
t he y m ade a nd hope d to pos s ibl y
s e e t hem at ne x t yea r ’s m i s s ion
t r ip. T he C H WC e x per ienc e w a s
one t he y w ou ld ne ver for get a nd
one t he y h ave to lo ok for w a rd to
ne x t s u m mer.
The Devonites stand together to help those in
need.
Dialogue Sports
5
Victorious Varsity
Wilson Camp ‘17 and Frank Byrd ’18
T h i s ye a r, t he De von P rep v a r s it y
s o c c er tea m lo ok s to me et a nd
e x c e e d e x pe c t at ion s s et b y te a m s
of pre v iou s ye a r s. Under ne w he ad
c oac h T i m Mc Na l l y, t he pl a yer s
lo ok to rei nvent t hei r s t y le of pl ay
a nd g a r ner bet ter re s u lt s.
W hen a s k e d about w h at s et s t h i s
ye a r ’s g roup apa r t f rom t hos e of
pa s t s e a s on s, c oac h T i m Mc Na l l y
h ad t h i s to s ay : “ T h i s ye a r ’s te a m
c ol le c t i vel y h a s a h ig h ‘s o c c er IQ.’
B y t h at I mea n a s a g roup t h i s ye a r ’s
te a m h a s a go o d u nder s t a nd i ng
Goalkeeper Jimmy Loftus ’17 lunges to clear the
ball into the opponent’s half.
of w h at t ac t ic s a re ne e de d ba s e d
on t he t ac t ic s t he opponent s a re
u s i ng.” T h i s u nder s t a nd i ng h a s
b enef ite d t he T ide, a s t he y b oa s t a
5-3 re c ord t h roug h t hei r f i r s t eig ht
g a me s.
T he te a m i s r u n n i ng a d i f ferent
f ield for m at ion t h i s ye a r. W it h a
f l at fou r i n t he bac k , t he defender s
i n it i a l l y h ad a h a rd t i me ad apt i ng ,
but w it h t i me, t he y b e c a me u s e d
to t he ne w for m at ion . It i s not
on l y t he defen s e t h at i s m a k i ng
monu ment a l c h a nge s t h i s ye a r ;
t he of fen s e h a s c h a nge d a s wel l .
T he of fen s e t h i s ye a r pr i m a r i l y
oper ate s w it h t h re e m id f ielder s
a nd t h re e for w a rd s. T h i s ye a r,
s i m i l a r to l a s t , t he te a m h a s s en ior
A nd re w Bet t s a nd ju n ior Ji m my
L of t u s i n t he goa l ie pos it ion .
C oac h McNa l l y h a s a l s o i n s t it ute d
a ne w pol ic y : “Spr i n k le s a re for
w i n ner s.” T h i s i s ba s e d on a
P rog re s s i ve I n s u r a nc e c om merc i a l
a nd me a n s t h at t he w hole te a m
get s spr i n k le s a f ter a w i n .
C oac h McNa l l y a l s o rem a rk e d
t h at t he te a m h a s s t a r te d out wel l
i n pu r s u it of t hei r goa l s of w i n n i ng
t he Bic enten n i a l L e a g ue a nd
re ac h i ng t he f i n a l s of t he D i s t r ic t
Pl ayof f s. “O u r defen s e i s s te ad i l y
i mprov i ng , a nd ou r goa l k e epi ng
has
be en
out s t a nd i ng ,”
s a id
McNa l l y about t he te a m’s re c ent
pl ay. “O u r of fen s e i s c re at i ng
plent y of oppor t u n it ie s, w e ne e d
for t hem to get bet ter at f i n i s h i ng
t hem . T he mos t enc ou r a g i ng
a s pe c t of t he s e a s on s o f a r, for
me, i s t he w ay t he tea m i s w ork i ng
toget her.”
C oac h McNa l l y, w ho f i l le d i n for
a t i me l a s t ye a r a s v a r s it y c oac h,
i s a s s i s te d b y C oac h Ma rk L e ac h,
l a s t yea r ’s t h i rd tea m c oac h . T he
te a m c ont i nue s to m a k e s t r ide s
i n t hei r qu a l it y of pl ay a nd s e ek s
to e ver i mprove t hei r s k i l l s a nd
f it ne s s. W it h t he te a m’s c u r rent
re c ord, upc om i ng s c he du le, a nd
e x c el lenc e of pl ay a l l t a k en i nto
ac c ou nt , t he s e a s on lo ok s ver y
prom i s i ng for t he T ide.
Devon Prep: Field of Dreams?
Zach Delphais ’16
I n t he pa s t fe w ye a r s, De von P rep h a s s ol id i f ie d it s
pos it ion a mong t he g re at ba s eba l l powerhou s e s i n
t he Ph i l adelph i a a re a . A nd i f t he 201 5 s e a s on w a s a ny
i nd ic at ion, t he y a re t here to s t a y. T he T ide pos te d a n
18-5 re c ord, s te a l i ng t he D i s t r ic t 1 A A c row n f rom
Spr i ng f ield Monto a nd end i ng t hei r fou r-ye a r reig n a s
c h a mps. I n t he s t ate pl a yof f s, De v on P rep s u f fere d a
he a r t bre a k i ng los s to Neu m a n n G oret t i, a peren n i a l
s t ate c h a mpion s h ip c ontender. But t h i s of f s e a s on,
w h i le t he c le at s a re hu ng up a nd mos t e ver yone’s
at tent ion i s on t he g r id i ron, t he T ide i s s t i l l m a k i ng
w ave s t h roug hout t he ba s eba l l w orld .
Si nc e 20 0 8, t he T ide h a s s ent at le a s t one of it s
g r adu at i ng s en ior s on to t he w orld of c ol le g i ate
ba s eba l l, s o t he f ac t t h at t he 201 5 c l a s s w a s no
d i f ferent m ay not be s uc h a s u r pr i s e. But w h at i s
ne a rl y u n hea rd of i s s end i ng a l l of you r g r adu at i ng
s en ior s on to pl a y at t he ne x t le vel . A nd t h at i s
e x ac t l y w h at t he y d id . 201 5 g r adu ate s E r ic D i P iet ro,
Dom Ha rd aw a y, Ty ler K l ic k a, S e a n Phel a n, a nd Pat
Roh r w i l l a l l be c ont i nu i ng t hei r ba s eba l l c a re er s
at t he c ol le ge le vel t h i s s pr i ng. W h i le Ha rd aw a y
w i l l be br i ng i ng h i s t a lent s to Bos ton C ol le ge t h i s
s e a s on, Phel a n w i l l be pl a y i ng c los er to home, at t he
Un i ver s it y of Pen n s y l v a n i a . D i P iet ro, K l ic k a, a nd
Roh r, w ho a re at tend i ng D re w Un i ver s it y, Ju n i at a
C ol le ge, a nd t he Un i ver s it y of S c r a nton, re s pe c t i vel y,
w i l l h ave a n i ntere s t i ng t i me c ome ba s eba l l s e a s on,
a s t he t h re e for mer te a m m ate s w i l l be c ome r i v a l s,
a l l c ompet i ng i n L a nd m a rk C on ferenc e.
A l s o t h i s of f s e a s on, for t he f i r s t t i me e ver, a De von
a lu m nu s w a s s ele c te d to pa r t ic ipate at a n e ven
h ig her le vel t h a n t he NC A A . I n t he 19t h rou nd, w it h
t he 57 2 nd over a l l pic k , Joh n L a P r i s e ’1 2 w a s s ele c te d
b y t he Toronto Blue Jay s i n t he 201 5 M L B Fi r s t Ye a r
Pl a yer D r a f t . O nc e one of t he mos t h ig h l y c ovete d
prospe c t s i n t he Ph i l adelph i a a rea, a nd to t h i s d ay
holder of ne a rl y e ver y De von P rep h it t i ng re c ord,
t he t a lente d i n f ielder at tende d t he Un i ver s it y of
V i r g i n i a for t h re e ye a r s before h i s n a me w a s c a l le d
b y t he Blue Ja y s. A l s o a s t a r on t he s o c c er f ield a nd
t he ba s k et ba l l c ou r t , L a P r i s e c hos e to s t ic k w it h
ba s eba l l, le ad i ng h i m to a n oppor t u n it y of w h ic h
mos t c a n on l y d re a m . Hopef u l l y, L a P r i s e’s s uc c e s s
w i l l c ont i nue t h roug h t he m i nor le a g ue s, e vent u a l l y
le ad i ng h i m to t he big s how.
Good Times on the Green
Joe Conroy ’16 and Vince Finley ’16
The 2015 Devon Prep Golf Team, led
by head coach Frank Casey and senior
captains Joe Conroy, Vince Finley,
and Danny Brace, has broken many of
the team’s previous records. The team
currently stands with a record of 5-2
and is approaching the playoffs. The
league match was held at Makefield
Highlands Golf Course on the 29th of
September where the eight members
of the varsity golf team competed
with golfers from a wide range of
other schools. Golfers Matt Torchiana
’17 and Brian Donato ’18 have led
with consistent low scores averaging
around 37-39. The school team record
of 187 has been tied twice this season
alone and will hopefully be broken
before the season’s end. The success
of the golf team can be attributed to
the hard work of Coach Frank Casey
and the help of Mrs. Joan Aquilante.
6
Dialogue Profiles
In the following profiles, The Devon Dialogue interviews Devon Prep’s headmaster, Father Francisco Aisa, and four new members of the Devon Prep family: Dr. Joseph Oechsle, Mr. Greg Sauer, Mr. Jason Fisher, and Mrs. Kathleen Barbour.
Father Aisa
De von D i a log ue: Fat her A i s a,
w here a re you f rom?
Fat her Fr a nc i s c o A i s a : I a m f rom
Spa i n, f rom t he tow n of Z a r a goz a
w h ic h i s h a l f w ay bet w e en Mad r id
a nd Ba rc elon a .
DD: W hen d id you be c ome a
P i a r i s t f at her?
FA : I f i r s t be c a me i nvol ve d w hen
I w a s eig hte en, a nd I be c a me a
pr ie s t w hen I w a s t w ent y-t h re e
ye a r s old .
DD: W h at w a s you r re ac t ion w hen
you were n a me d He ad m a s ter?
FA : My f i r s t re ac t ion w a s to s a y,
“No, t h at i s not pos s ible” be c au s e
I k now t h at De von i s a pre s t ig iou s
i n s t it ut ion, a nd I w a s w or r ie d
w het her or not I c ou ld do it . S o
w hen t he Fat her P rov i nc i a l told
me about it for t he f i r s t t i me, I
s a id t h at it w a s not a go o d ide a .
But i n t he end, I s a id, “Ok ay, I w i l l
do w h at you w a nt .”
DD: Obv iou s l y, you h ave m ade
s ig n i f ic a nt
c h a nge s
a rou nd
t he s c hool l i k e t he ne w s y s tem
of ad m i n i s t r at ion . Ha s it be en
Justin Hennessy ‘16, Co-Deputy Editor-in-Chief
d i f f ic u lt m a k i ng t he s e c h a nge s?
FA : Not re a l l y. I t h i n k t h at t he
big ge s t d i f f ic u lt y t h at we fou nd
w a s t he pe ople t h at fou nd t he
t r ad it ion a l i n s t it ut ion a s t he good
one. Howe ver, I t houg ht we ne e de d
to look out s ide of De v on at w h at
s i m i l a r s c hool s were doi ng t h at
were s uc c e s s f u l . I t h i n k t he model
we adopte d i s not a re v olut ion
b e c au s e it i s ver y c om mon i n s o
m a ny ot her pl ac e s, but I t h i n k it i s
goi ng to w ork wel l .
DD: I’ve s e en a lot of v a r iou s
w ork er s a rou nd t he s c hool s uc h
a s a rc h ite c t s a nd c on s t r uc t ion
w ork er s. W h at a re s ome pl a n s you
h ave for t he f ut u re?
FA : Wel l, I t h i n k t here w i l l b e
a moment w hen I w i l l be able to
t a l k ab out t h i s more, but one
of t he t h i ng s we a re w ork i ng
on i s e x pa nd i ng ou r e duc at ion
e x per ienc e a nd a l s o ou r c a mpu s.
T h at me a n s we a re t h i n k i ng ab out
br i ng i ng more pos s ibi l it ie s to
De v on .
DD: D id you h ave a ny t rouble
w it h t he s c he du le t h i s ye a r?
FA : Not re a l l y. T he s c he du le i s
mos t l y t he re s u lt of t he ef for t s of
Fr. Ja me s She a ’66. He s pend s hou r s
w it h it a nd w ork s a lot , s omet i me s
e ven du r i ng h i s v ac at ion s, w h ic h i s
re a l l y s omet h i ng. I n t he f ut u re w e
a re lo ok i ng for a ne w s y s tem for t he
s c he du le for ot her pos s ibi l it ie s.
DD: L a s t ye a r you t aug ht a
fe w c l a s s e s for t he f i r s t t i me at
De von . A re you s t i l l te ac h i ng a s
he ad m a s ter?
FA : I a m teac h i ng more c l a s s e s
t h a n l a s t ye a r. T h i s ye a r I te ac h
Spa n i s h I, Spa n i s h I I, a nd Rel ig ion .
At t he end of t he d ay, it i s not to o
h a rd but I t h i n k it i s i mpor t a nt a s
a n ad m i n i s t r ator to be c los e to t he
s t udent s a nd t he f a m i l ie s of t he
s c ho ol .
DD: Ha s it be en s t re s s f u l s o f a r
w it h t he ne w s c ho ol ye a r?
FA : I t h i n k w e a re mov i ng for w a rd
a nd w e s t i l l h ave a long w ay to go.
We ne e d t he ef for t s of a l l of t he
De von P rep c om mu n it y, pa rent s,
a lu m n i, a nd s t udent s.
Dr. Oechsle
Andrew Welsh ’16 and Sean Fulmer ’16, Co-Deputy Editor-in-Chief
Devon Dia log ue: Dr. Oechsle, how
long have you been work i ng as a n
educator?
Dr. Joseph Oechsle: 4 4 yea rs. I
was at Ma lver n Prep for 37 yea rs
a nd Bishop Kend r ick for 6 yea rs.
DD: W hat k i nd of cou rses have
you taug ht t h roug hout you r l i fe?
JO:
I
have
taug ht
honors
geomet r y, honors a lgebra, A P A B
a nd BC Ca lcu lus, a g raduate Stat
a nd Eng i neer i ng class at Vi l la nova
Un iversit y, a nd adva nced a lgebra
a nd f i n ite mat h at Montgomer y
Cou nt y Com mu n it y Col lege. I have
never taug ht geomet r y before t h is
yea r, but I ca n def i n itely ha nd le it.
DD: I u ndersta nd t hat you at tended
t he sem i na r y. W hat prompted you r
choice?
JO: I a lways wa nted to be a
pr iest. I got my bachelor’s deg ree
i n Ph i losophy a nd a Masters i n
T heolog y at Sa i nt Cha rles Bor romeo
Sem i na r y a nd I got a Masters i n Mat h
a nd Computer Science at Vi l la nova.
I later got a Ph.D. i n Mat h Educat ion
f rom Nova Sout heaster n Un iversit y.
DD: W hat about Devon Prep
at t racted you to come here a nd
teach?
JO: Act ua l ly, Mr. Hol lowel l was
i n my A P Stat ist ics teacher class at
Pen n State. W hen he lef t, he told
me t hat Devon was look i ng for a
Ca lcu lus teacher a nd one t h i ng led
to a not her a nd here I a m!
DD: W hat do you do outside of
school i n you r spa re t i me?
JO: I work for t he Col lege Boa rd. I
w r ite quest ions for t he A P Ca lcu lus
a nd Stat ist ics ex a ms. I a m a tea m
leader for A P Stat ist ics test read i ng.
I prepa re t he r ubr ic a nd I t ra i n a l l
800 readers. It is toug h to ma ke su re
t hat ever yone g rades t he sa me way.
I a lso have been a member of t he
Nor r iton Fi re Compa ny for 39 yea rs.
I a m Ch ief Sa fet y Of f icer, wh ich is
not a lways easy.
DD: A s st udents i n you r classes a re
wel l awa re of by now, you a re f rom
Nor r istow n. W hy does Nor r istow n
mea n so much to you?
JO: People have a jau nd iced
opi n ion of Nor r istow n. People
bel ieve t hat it is t he home of cr i me,
but we a re not as bad as people
t h i n k we a re. Nor r istow n is rea l ly
t he “Mecca of Mat hemat ics.;”
DD: W hat spa rked you r i nterest i n
mat hemat ics?
JO: I’ve a lways been good at mat h
so you fol low what you a re good at.
DD: W hat has su r pr ised you t he
most about Devon Prep so fa r?
JO: Wel l, t here is a lot of
col leg ia l it y a mong t he facu lt y. T hey
a re ver y suppor t ive of each ot her. I
a m i mpressed by t he fact t hat Devon
st udents a re ver y wel l-behaved.
DD: If you cou ld say one t h i ng to
t he Devon Prep st udent body, what
wou ld it be?
JO: St udy ha rd!
Student Council president Eddie McGinley ’16
welcomes Dr. Oechsle at the first Mass of the
new school year.
7
Coach Sauer
Sean Fulmer ’16, Co-Deputy Editor-in-Chief and
Chris Carpenter ’16, Associate Editor for Entertainment
De von D i a log ue: How h a s you r
e x per ienc e be en at De von s o f a r?
M r. Gre g S auer : It ’s be en g re at .
Pe ople here a re ver y helpf u l a nd
pat ient w it h me i n my t r a n s it ion .
DD: I s t here a ny t h i ng you h ave
not l i k e d?
GS: No, e ver y t h i ng h a s be en
g re at .
DD: W h at h a s be en you r f avor ite
c l a s s to te ac h?
GS: St at i s t ic a l re a s on i ng i n
spor t s. I’m re a l l y e x c ite d about it ;
to d ay i s my f i r s t d a y te ac h i ng it .
DD: A re t here a ny ot her c l a s s e s
you w a nt to te ac h i n pa r t ic u l a r?
GS: A ny t h i ng i n t he m at h
depa r t ment re a l l y.
DD: W h at s por t s a re you mos t
e x c ite d to c oac h t h i s ye a r?
GS: I do not re a l l y h ave one
pa r t ic u l a r spor t I a m e x c ite d for.
I lo ok for w a rd to t a k i ng over t he
ten n i s tea m, w e a re doi ng g re at
i n s oc c er r ig ht now, a nd I a m a l s o
e x c ite d to bu i ld on l a s t ye a r ’s g reat
s e a s on w it h t he m idd le s c ho ol A
te a m .
DD: Do you t h i n k you w ou ld
h ave l i k e d to at tend De von for
h ig h s c hool?
GS: Ye s, t he s et up here i s g re at .
T here a re g reat oppor t u n it ie s to
t a k e c h a l leng i ng c ou r s e s.
DD: I f you h ad to pic k , w h at g r ade
le vel w ou ld you l i k e to te ac h?
GS: P robabl y ju n ior s or s en ior s
b e c au s e you c a n hold de eper
c onver s at ion s w it h t hem a nd help
t hem w it h c ol le ge de c i s ion s. I c a n
help a ton be c au s e I a m you ng , a nd
I went t h roug h a s i m i l a r c ol le ge
e x per ienc e.
Mr. Sauer experiences his first Mass as a Devon
Prep faculty member.
Mr. Fisher
Mrs. Barbour
Sean McGeehan ’16
Mike Love ’16
De v on D i a log ue: W here d id you
get you r de g re e f rom a nd w h at w a s
you r m ajor?
Ja s on Fi s her : I h ave t w o de g re e s.
O ne f rom t he Un i ver s it y of
S c r a nton i n e duc at ion, a nd h i s tor y,
a nd a m i nor i n c oac h i ng , a nd my
m a s ter ’s de g re e w a s f rom L a S a l le
Un i ver s it y i n e duc at ion a s wel l .
DD: D id you te ac h a ny w here
b efore c om i ng to De v on P rep?
J F: I d id, I t aug ht at Hol y Ghos t
P rep for 1 5 ye a r s
DD: Have you t aug ht a ny ot her
c ou r s e s ot her t h a n t he one s you
c u r rent l y te ac h at De v on?
J F: Ye s, I t aug ht A P E c onom ic s,
A P G over n ment , a nd A P Eu rope a n
H i s tor y, a l s o I t aug ht World
Cu lt u re s a long t i me a go
DD: C le a rl y you a re rel at i vel y
ne w to De v on, but how long h ave
you be en te ac h i ng for?
J F: T h i s i s my 16t h I’ve b e en
te ac h i ng
DD: W hen you a ren’t bu s y doi ng
ac t i v it ie s for t he s c hool w h at do
you l i k e to do i n you r f re e t i me?
J F: Spend i ng t i me w it h my f a m i l y
DD: Do you h ave a ny ad v ic e for
t he s t udent s at De v on
J F: To c ont i nue to w ork h a rd .
T he y ’ve b e en ver y i mpre s s i ve s o
f a r i n my 3 or 4 we ek s t h at I’ve
b e en i nter ac t i ng w it h t hem .
DD: A s wel l a s b ei ng a te ac her,
you a re a l s o t he v a r s it y ba s k et ba l l
c oac h . How i s t he te a m look i ng
t h i s ye a r?
J F: Too ea rly to tel l. A lot of t he g uys
pl a y f a l l spor t s, s o I don’t re a l l y get
to s e e a lot of t he upperc l a s s men .
T he u nderc l a s s men look re a l l y
good s o f a r.
DD: Fa n s c a n c le a rl y s e e you r
ener g y w hen c oac h i ng. W h at a re
c er t a i n t h i ng s ab out c oac h i ng t h at
m a k e you enjoy it s o muc h?
J F: Gre at que s t ion . Helpi ng t he
at h lete s re a l i z e t h at t here i s more
to l i fe t h a n ju s t t he spor t . T h at
t he y c a n t a k e le s s on s t he y le a r n
f rom t he spor t a nd appl y it to l i fe.
DD: Si nc e you c oac h ba s k et ba l l
I a s s u me t h at you a re a spor t s f a n .
W h at a re s ome of you r f av or ite
te a m s?
J F: A l l Ph i l adelph i a te a m s.
De von D i a log ue: How do you l i k e
De von?
M r s. K at h le en Ba rbou r : I l i ke it
a lot . E ver yone i s ver y n ic e a nd
helpf u l . T he s t udent s here a re a l l
h a rd w ork i ng a nd s t ud iou s. I l i k e
t he ple a s a nt at mos phere, n ic e
c a mpu s a nd how e ver y t h i ng i s
ver y f a m i l y- or iente d .
DD: W h at w a s you r old s c ho ol?
K B: It w a s t he Moyer Ac adem ic
I n s t it ute i n W i l m i ng ton
DD: How do e s De von c ompa re to
you r old s c ho ol?
K B: It ’s c ompletel y d i f ferent .
My old s c ho ol w a s u rba n, a nd
t here w ere a lot of c h a l lenge s
w it h at tend a nc e, te c h nolog y a nd
pa rent pa r t ic ipat ion . T he big ge s t
d i f ferenc e i s t he at mos phere;
s t udent s w a nt to le a r n at De von .
DD: W h at h a s be en you r f avor ite
t h i ng s o f a r about De von?
K B: It w ou ld h ave to be k now i ng
t h at t he k id s I a m teac h i ng a re
i ntere s te d i n d i f ferent s ubje c t
m at ter s a nd w a nt to ac h ie ve bet ter
for t hem s el ve s.
DD: W here d id you go to c ol le ge
a nd w h at d id you s t ud y ?
K B: I w ent to I m m ac u l at a
Un i ver s it y w here I s t ud ie d biolog y
w it h a m i nor i n e duc at ion . I
t houg ht I w a s goi ng to end up doi ng
re s e a rc h but I be c a me i ntere s te d
i n e duc at ion onc e i n c ol le ge. I
t houg ht I w a s goi ng to c u re c a nc er
but now I te ac h t he pe ople w ho
w ill.
DD: How long h ave you be en
te ac h i ng ?
K B: Fi f te en ye a r s. I t aug ht at
St . Norber t for s e ven yea r s a nd
i n Ga r net Va l le y, L a nc a s ter, Avon
Grove, a nd We s t C he s ter s c ho ol
d i s t r ic t s for t he rem a i nder.
DD: W hy d id you w a nt to be c ome
a teac her?
K B: A lot of pe ople told me I
w a s go o d at e x pl a i n i ng t h i ng s to
pe ople s o I e vent u a l l y c a me to t he
c onc lu s ion t h at te ac h i ng w a s t he
w ay to go.
DD: W h at do you l i k e to do i n
you r f re e t i me?
K B: I enjoy s pend i ng t i me w it h
my f a m i l y, w atc h i ng s por t s, bei ng
outdo or s, a nd I love t he be ac h .
DD: I s t here a ny t h i ng el s e you
w ou ld l i k e De von to k now about
you?
K B: I w ork e d w it h C he s ter C ou nt y
I U a nd NA S A to de velop d i f ferent
met ho d s of how to te ac h m at h a nd
s c ienc e.
8
“What About You?”
Ben Rufo ’17
A f ter S eptember 26, 201 5, t he C it y of Brot herl y L ove
w ou ld ne ver be t he s a me. T h at d ay, t he le ader of t he
ent i re C at hol ic C hu rc h a r r i ve d for t he World Me et i ng
of Fa m i l ie s. I n a m at ter of t w o d ay s, t he Pope lef t
a n i mpac t on Ph i l adelph i a t h at t he c it y w i l l ne ver
for get .
Pope Fr a nc i s a r r i ve d v i a a n a i rc r a f t c a l le d Sh e ph e rd
On e on t he mor n i ng of S eptemb er 2 5 t h . He e x ite d
t he pl a ne a s a ba nd pl a ye d t he Ro c k y t heme, a nd t he
c rowd roa re d . T hen t he go o d de e d s b e g a n .
Pope Fr a nc i s w a s depa r t i ng t he a i r por t i n h i s Fi at
w hen he not ic e d a boy i n a w he elc h a i r. T he Pope
s toppe d t he c a r, got out , a nd approac he d t he b oy.
He k i s s e d h i m, ble s s e d h i m, a nd held h i s h a nd . T he
b oy h ad c erebr a l pa l s y. W it h i n m i nute s of a r r i v i ng
i n Ph i l adelph i a, t he Pope s how e d u s h i s c ompa s s ion .
A t 10:30, Fr a nc i s t hen be g a n Ma s s at t he C at he d r a l
Ba s i l ic a of S a i nt s Peter a nd Pau l . T h i s w a s a huge
e vent for t he c it y. S e ver a l t hou s a nd pe ople g at here d
for Ma s s w it h t he Hol y Fat her. Fr a nc i s s t ate d t h at ,
a lt houg h t he Ba s i l ic a w a s bu i lt w it h h ig h w a l l s, t he
C at hol ic m i s s ion s hou ld be about “ bre a k i ng dow n
w a l l s.” Here he w a s s pe a k i ng ab out m i n i s ter i ng to
t he spi r it u a l ne e d s of t hos e out s ide t he w a l l s of t he
c hu rc h : t he po or, t he i m m ig r a nt s, t he s ic k , a nd t hos e
i n pr i s on .
Pope Fr a nc i s ment ione d t he s tor y of St . K at h a r i ne
D re x el, a Ph i l adelph i a n, i n h i s hom i l y. St . K at h a r i ne,
du r i ng a n aud ienc e w it h Pope L e o X I I I, w a s a s k e d
“ W h at about you, w h at a re you goi ng to do? ” T hos e
w ord s c h a nge d K at her i ne’s l i fe fore ver. Pope Fr a nc i s
a s k s a l l pe ople t he s a me que s t ion, “ W h at ab out you? ”
a nd hope s t h at t h i s que s t ion w i l l do t he s a me. He
t hen spok e of t he i m men s e v a lue t h at b ot h l a y a nd
rel ig iou s w omen c ont r ibute to t he C hu rc h . He a s k e d
C at hol ic s to t u r n to Ma r y t he Ble s s e d Mot her : “ W it h
a mot her ’s love m a y s he i nterc e de w it h joy, hope
a nd s t reng t h i nto ou r w orld .” He c los e d b y s ay i ng he
w ou ld pr ay for e ver yone, a nd hu mbl y a s k e d e ver yone
to pr ay for h i m .
A f ter s uc h a n enor mou s c elebr at ion, Pope Fr a nc i s
to ok t i me to re s t at St . C h a rle s S em i n a r y. He w ou ld
re appe a r a g a i n t h at n ig ht for t he World Me et i ng of
Fa m i l ie s Fe s t i v a l .
Pope Fr a nc i s a r r i ve d at t he Benja m i n Fr a n k l i n
Pa rk w ay i n t he e ven i ng a nd w a s welc ome d b y hos t
Ma rk Wa h lber g , w hos e t rouble d pa s t w a s c h a nge d b y
h i s C at hol ic f a it h . T here w ere s e ver a l per for m a nc e s
to enter t a i n t he Hol y Fat her. St a r s s uc h a s A ret h a
Fr a n k l i n, A nd re a Bo c el l i, T he Fr a y, a nd t he
Ph i l adelph i a O rc he s t r a h ad t he oppor t u n it y to a m a z e
b ot h t he Pope a nd a l l of t hos e w ho w atc he d .
Si x f a m i l ie s f rom a rou nd t he w orld c a me to
spe a k to Fr a nc i s. T he y h a i le d f rom t he Un ite d
St ate s, Au s t r a l i a, U k r a i ne, Jord a n, Niger i a, a nd h i s
homel a nd of A r gent i n a . E ac h f a m i l y w a s d i f ferent i n
it s ow n w ay, a nd Fr a nc i s touc he d a l l b y c a l l i ng t he s e
e x c h a nge s a “f ac tor y of hope.”
Editorial Board
© 2015 Devon Prep
Editor-in-Chief: Grant McKnight ’16
Co-Deputy Editors-in-Chief: Sean Fulmer ’16 and Justin Hennessy ’16
Associate Editor for Entertainment: Chris Carpenter ’16
Associate Editor for News: Shyamal Patel ’16
Faculty Moderator: Mr. Lawrence Theuer
All photos, unless otherwise noted, were taken by newspaper staff
or Ms. Rose Lombardo, for Devon Preparatory School.
Special thanks to Fr. Shea for his tireless assistance and guidance.
Pope Fr a nc i s ende d h i s f i r s t (a nd ver y produc t i ve)
d a y i n Ph i l adelph i a w it h a n i mprompt u s pe e c h about
t he i mpor t a nc e of f a m i l y. He s pok e ent hu s i a s t ic a l l y
a nd f rom h i s he a r t , w it h no w r it ten w ord s or
prepa r at ion . He ac k now le dge d t he s t r ug g le s t h at a l l
f a m i l ie s e x per ienc e. H i s w ord s s pok e of hope. He lef t
e ver yone w it h t h i s me s s a ge: “P r ay for me.”
Su nd ay mor n i ng be g a n w it h Pope Fr a nc i s v i s it i ng
t he s em i n a r i a n s at St . C h a rle s. He s a id t h at w it hout
f a m i l y “t he c hu rc h w ou ld not e x i s t , nor w ou ld
s he b e w h at s he i s c a l le d to be.” He s pok e of t he
re spon s ibi l it ie s of pre ac h i ng t he G os pel to a l l .
T hen he i n s t r uc te d t he s em i n a r i a n s to “pr ay before
you pre ac h .” Fr a nc i s a l s o w a r ne d of t he d a nger s of
c on s u mer i s m a nd s o c i a l me d i a . Spe c i f ic a l l y he s pok e
ab out how t he s e t w o t h i ng s c re ate lonel i ne s s a nd a
fe a r of c om m it ment a nd, i n t he me a nt i me, how l i fe
goe s on . He jok e d t h at t h i s c au s e s one’s l i fe to get
out of c ont rol, l i k e a n A r gent i n i a n Ta ngo. T he c rowd
l aug he d . He u r ge d t he pa s tor s to i nve s t t hei r ener g y
not “i n t he problem s of t he w orld or t he mer it s of
C h r i s t i a n it y ” but to fo c u s on you ng pe ople, to help
t hem b e br ave a nd to h ave f a m i l ie s. He a g a i n jok e d
t h at a mot her i n Buenos A i re s a s k e d h i m w hy her
s on, w ho w a s t h i r t y, w a s not m a r r ie d . Pope Fr a nc i s
re sponde d, “Don’t i ron h i s s h i r t s a ny more.” T he
c rowd a g a i n roa re d .
Pope Fr a nc i s’ ne x t s top w a s t he Cu r r a nFrom hold C or re c t ion a l Fac i l it y. T he pr i s oner s h ad
m a nu f ac t u re d a b e aut i f u l l y c r a f te d c h a i r for Fr a nc i s.
T he Pope w a s i nt ro duc e d to t he pr i s oner s a s “s ome one
w ho love s you .” He emph a s i z e d t h at e ver yone s h a re s
re spon s ibi l it y for one a not her a nd t h at “c on f i nement
doe s not me a n e x c lu s ion .” He s a id, “ We a l l ne e d to be
c le a n s e d . Me f i r s t .” He g ave e ac h pr i s oner a g i f t—a
ros a r y—a nd t hen ble s s e d a l l . He c los e d h i s v i s it b y
s a y i ng to t he pr i s oner s: “P r ay for me.”
Pope Fr a nc i s m ade a n u n s c he du le d s top at St .
Jos eph’s Un i ver s it y before s ay i ng Su nd ay Ma s s on t he
Benja m i n Fr a n k l i n Pa rk w ay. Hu nd re d s of t hou s a nd s
of pe ople at tende d h i s Ma s s. W it h De von g r adu ate
a nd s em i n a r i a n A nt hony R ay mu ndo ’10 hold i ng t he
c ros ier t h roug hout t he Ma s s, t he Pope a s k e d for t he
t r u s t of t he Hol y Spi r it i n h i s hom i l y. He c a l le d on
e ver yone to b e a l l-i nc lu s i ve. Add it ion a l l y, he s a id
t he Hol y Spi r it c h a l lenge s pe ople to prote c t t he
home a s a l l of t he hu m a n f a m i l y toget her, to be a
model of c om mu n ion, not d i v i s ion . He s pok e of t he
m i r ac le of love for a l l f a m i l y member s, f rom c h i ld ren
to g r a ndpa rent s. He a s k e d G o d to g r a nt t h at a l l
C at hol ic s b e prophet s of t he joy of t he G os pel of
f a m i l y. He a g a i n f i n i s he d w it h : “P r ay for me, don’t
for get !”
T he Pope lef t ju s t before 8 pm Su nd ay to a f a re w el l
f rom t he bi s hops, t he m ayor, a nd t he V ic e P re s ident .
H i s pre s enc e i n Ph i l adelph i a w i l l h ave a l a s t i ng
i mpac t on a l l, C at hol ic a nd ot her w i s e. Hopef u l l y
e ver yone w i l l c ont i nue to a s k , “ W h at about you? ”