One afternoon in late July, I decided to visit the highly-publicized Rain Room exhibit at MoMa, and see what all the fuss was about. On the MoMa website, I had read that the Rain Room was “a field of falling water that pauses wherever a human

body is detected”. The exhibit was created by Random International, a company of artists based in London, which creates exhibitions meant to explore human behavior. The artists hoped that visitors would use Rain Room as space to perform and reflect on the effects of human innovations, science, and technology on our environment. It was exhibited in a lot next door to MoMa. I approached the information desk to inquire about obtaining a ticket, and a staff member informed me that, although it was only 2 pm, the line was already at capacity

for the day—because the artists insisted that there not be a time limit for viewers once inside, there was an average wait of five hours for each viewer to get in. There was, however, a separate line for those interested in observing Rain Room but not actually walking under the sensors. As I knew I would not have the patience to return the next day and wait 5 hours to get in, I opted for this line.

During my wait, I observed those in the other l i n e , w h o h a d already waited for h o u r s i n t h e summer heat, and were now sprawled on the sidewalk. I sped past them, and within half an

hour was inside the room itself.Rain Room was a large, dark, space

that resembled a warehouse. The exhibit took up most of the room, leaving a narrow perimeter along the edges for those in the viewing line to witness others enjoy the “rain”. It was quite curious to watch those

THE ZEPHYRTHE BREARLEY SCHOOLVOLUME LII, NUMBER 2 September 2013

Bill de Blasio Wins Democratic Primary, but at What Cost?

On Tuesday, September 10th, New Y o rk C i t y h e l d t h e Democratic and Repub-lican mayoral primaries. On the Democratic side, the field was packed, with seven candidates: Speaker of the City

Council Christine Quinn, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, former Comptroller Bill Thompson, former Congressman Anthony W e i n e r , c u r r e n t N e w Y o r k C i t y Comptroller John Liu, Pastor Erick Salgado, and former New York City Councilman Sal Albanese. Meanwhile, former MTA chairman Joe Lhota, Gristedes CEO John Catsimatidis, and The Doe Fund founder George McDonald were the candidates on the Republican ticket. On Elec t ion Day , New York Ci ty Republicans made their choice clear; Lhota

beat his nearest rival, Catsimatidis, by 12 percentage points, winning 52.5% of his party’s vote.

The Democratic election was much more tumultuous. Initially, Speaker Christine Quinn was the frontrunner of the race, polling consistently above 30%, but as summer came along her lead began to dwindle. Anthony Weiner pushed Quinn to second place with his unexpected entrance to the race in late May. In July, amidst a second round of revelations regarding Weiner’s illicit online affairs, Bill de Blasio, the underdog of the race, became the new frontrunner--a position which he managed to maintain throughout the rest of the primary campaign. On Election Day, Bill de Blasio crept past the 40% needed to avoid a runoff between the top two performing candidates by a mere .3%; Thompson and Quinn were far behind him with 26.2% and 15.5%, respectively.

In This Issue: The Glass Menageriep.5

Katie Fittinghoff

A Brearley Girl vs. Wisconsinp. 7

Claire Kozak

Summer Readingp.3

Isabella Altherr

The Rain Room at MoMA

BY SARA FARUQI, XISTAFF WRITER

BY JULIA PRESS, XICONTRIBUTING

WRITER

Most modern teenagers know about the health risks of cigarettes, but what about t h e i r s l e e k , e l e c t r o n i c counter-parts? Appearing around the world in 2006 and 2007, electronic cigarettes have recently spiked in popularity, with approximately 50,000

users in 2006, but 3.5 million in 2012. Earlier this month, Sabrina Tavernise reported for The New York Times that the ever increasing number of e-cigarette users includes a significant percentage of teenagers. As the number of users multiplies, the e-cigarette becomes ever more controversial; some praise it as a safe alternative to tobacco products, and others denounce it as a harmful drug-delivery product that entices non-smokers and young adults. Electronic cigarettes are not cigarettes, but they deliver the same addictive chemical,

E-Cigarettes: Harmless Gadget or Sinister Trend?

BY JULIA

SAKOWITZ, XINEWS EDITOR

Photo by Julia Press, XI

Visitors experience the Rain Room firsthand.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

editorial2!

The Zephyr Staff

Tom MarchFaculty Advisor

Printed by Jupiter Communications, INC. Bridgeport, Connecticut

September Letter from the Editor

THE ZEPHYR

Chloe LacourEditor In Chief

Katie FittinghoffManaging Editor

Section Editors

Julia SakowitzNews Editor

Isabella AltherrFeatures Editor

Nina ZweigSports Editor

Staff Writers

Sara Faruqi

Rebecca Magid

Katherine Mann

Saskia Pedersen

Tessa Pelzman

Sara Sakowtiz

Contributing Writers

Ruby Doyle

Claire Kozak

Julia Press

This summer seems to have sped by in a whirlwind of headlines and news stories, and it’s hard to find myself back in a classroom after witnessing just how big the world can be. Sitting in the comfort of my own home I witnessed the entire world seemingly transform over the past few months with new and exciting reports popping up nearly constantly. I celebrated the Supreme Court’s rejection of DOMA, stayed up until 2 in the

morning watching Wendy Davis filibuster Texas’s abortion bill, fervently followed the revolutions that seemed to be happening all across the Middle East, guessed for weeks at the name of the royal baby (Philip was a personal favorite) and tracked Snowden around the globe. Thanks to online news sources like The New York Times and The Huffington Post-- and some less official but still entirely culturally relevant news sources such as Twitter and YouTube--I was able to follow new stories up to the second and watch as my view of the world expanded to encompass the onslaught of new headlines.

Being back in the everyday routine of school can seem a little lackluster after watching what seems to be the entire world change in a few months, but I know that Brearley, a little world in its own right, has just as much intrigue and excitement. I can’t wait to see what this year has in store for the Brearley community and the world as a whole.

I hope you all enjoy this issue as much as Chloe and I do; it’s been so much fun to put together. Our writers and editors have shown a fantastic diversity in interests, including everything from politics to sports to fashion, and I think there’s something here for everyone.

Sincerely,Katie Fittinghoff, XIManaging Editor

under the “rain”, who used the rare opportunity to its fullest. A woman in the center of the room was doing a dramatic yoga pose with her arms over her head, while a man she was with documented it with a photo. Two other men stood with their eyes closed and their arms raised skyward, as if they were trying to absorb the experience, or perhaps praying. Even stranger to see were those who stood normally, chatting with their friends under a veil of water.

I admit it was mesmerizing to see people using cameras, posing, and walking around in the “rain”, and remaining

completely dry. However, by speaking to some people in the room, I found out that they did, in fact, get a little wet. “I stayed mostly dry,” one girl told me. “I think it just takes the sensors a minute to recognize you and turn off the water.”

In the end, while I did not have the experience of being surrounded by the “rain”, I did experience the other aspect of Rain Room that the artists intended—watching complete strangers perform and interact with each other and their environment—a captivating sight.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The Rain Room at MoMA

THE ZEPHYR 3Introducing The 2013-2014 Zephyr Staff:

Summer ReadingThe summer months are great for relaxing, working, connecting with friends and meeting new people. But one of the great joys of the free summer months for many of Brearley’s students, including those on the Zephyr staff, is the opportunity to read

voraciously. For this summer each staff writer sent in a short recommendation of a book they read over the summer; we received all different genres of books. The list of reading materials compiled here will appeal to a very diverse community of people; there is bound to be a book, whether fantasy or biography, to please everyone. Our goal in writing this list is to inspire the entire Brearley community to continue reading into the winter months, a

task that can be hard given heavy courseloads, but that is vital to any student’s sanity and grounding. While reading about college track stars, dystopian cities, and real-life Iranian teenagers experiencing unimaginable hardships, you will find yourself in a different world, and with any luck you will leave it for the better. And after all, is that not the real beauty of reading?

BY ISABELLA ALTHERR, XIFEATURES EDITOR

A dystopian novel set in a desolate Chicago, in which people are sorted into five Factions that define their personality and choices, Divergent follows Tris Prior as she chooses which Faction she wants to belong to. The twist: Tris is one of the small group of persecuted people, known as the Divergent, who have an aptitude for more than one faction. A compelling story about finding inner strength to fight for one’s beliefs, featuring a girl so imperfect that she seems truly human.

Claire Kozak, X, Staff WriterDivergent, Veronica Roth

Nina Zweig, XI, Sports EditorOnce a Runner, John L. Parker Jr.

The novel tells the inspiring story of a college track star's quest to become a champion.  If you are any sort of athlete, you will enjoy this book about one person’s dedication and love for a sport.

Rebecca Magid, XI, Staff WriterFried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, Fanny FlagThe book follows the story of two women who live in Alabama; one, an unfulfilled and unhappy housewife in the 1980s and the other, an adventurous young girl in the 1920s. The book is filled with wonderful humor, heartwarming friendship and exciting adventures. I was so enthralled with the book that I could not bring myself to put it down until I had finished it completely. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who wants to read something fun that will lift their spirits.

This book is set in early 20th century Nova Scotia and follows a young woman named Dora Rare. She is apprentice to the midwife Miss Babineau, an elderly w o m a n w h o i s i s o l a t e d b y t h e community, yet valued immensely by the women to whom she lends her care. The introduction of Western medical care, embodied by imposing and often brutal Dr. Thomas, uproots the practical need for Miss Babineau’s services. I admired Dora, a fiercely strong-willed young woman, and the loving care she gives the women of her community. McKay’s language is as lovely and complex as she describes her protagonist.

Tessa Pelzman, X, Staff WriterThe Birth House, Ami McKay

This book tells the story of A, a teenager who wakes up in a different person’s body every day and has to live their life for 24 hours. It made me think about the idea of self and personal identity from a whole new perspective, and it was so engaging I finished it in two days. It's definitely one of my favorite books of the summer.

Katie Fittinghoff, XI, Managing EditorEvery Day, David Levithan

My favorite summer read was Ayad Akthar's American Dervish. The book follows a first-generation Muslim boy growing up in the Midwest during the 1980s. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in reading about the struggles of Muslims attempting to assimilate into American culture while retaining a sense of identity.

Sara Faruqi, XI, Staff WriterAmerican Dervish, Ayad Akthar

This is a thrilling, heartbreaking, and beautiful true account of the author's c h i l d h o o d d u r i n g t h e I r a n i a n Revolution, told in the form of a graphic novel. Marjane sees momentous change in her surroundings, as the Islamic government invades every aspect of Iranian life and poses strict controls on clothing, entertainment, and conduct. Her story of growing up as an ordinary girl in extraordinary times is a saga of loss, danger, and fear, but also of kindness and love; the book is enjoyable and genuinely funny, and I could not recommend it more.

Julia Sakowitz, XI, News EditorPersepolis, Marjane Satrapi

This Pulitzer Prize-winning play tells the story of sweet, intelligent Tillie, her embittered mother Beatrice, and her epileptic teenaged sister Ruth. Tillie completes a science experiment in which she exposes marigolds to gamma radiation; though some of her marigolds die, Tillie finds that sometimes radiation actually leads them to become even more b e a u t i f u l a n d u n i q u e . L i k e t h e marigolds, Tillie faces obstacles (her mother’s abuse, her sister’s instability) that attempt to stop her from growing, but ultimately rises above her grim surroundings.

Sara Sakowitz, XII, Staff Writer The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds, Paul Zindel

The title of this book about a small Illinois town comes from the Spaulding family's tradition of steeping wine from dandelions; this, along with many other time-honored traditions, is what makes up the summer for the twelve-year-old Doug Spaulding. Through the course of the summer of 1928 he experiences these traditions as well as completely new experiences, turned into small miracles through his eyes. This is the epitome of the summer book, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to relive the summer over the winter months.

Isabella Altherr, XI, Features EditorDandelion Wine, Ray Bradbury

news4 THE ZEPHYR

nicotine, through water vapor. The different types of E-cigarettes vary, but

they consist of the same basic components: a cartridge, sometimes including a separate mouthpiece, which holds the nicotine liquid and

serves as the mouthpiece for the device, the atomizer, which heats and vaporizes the nicotine liquid, and the battery, which powers the heating device. E-cigarette liquid, called e-juice or e-liquid, is sold in the disposable cartridges, which come in various flavors and concentrations of nicotine, some liquids nicotine- free. E-Cigarettes are used just like cigarettes, by inhaling through the mouthpiece, and are thus easy to use for smokers or anyone familiar with classic cigarettes. Many e-cigarettes are also designed to look like regular cigarettes. Proponents of e-cigarettes argue that they provide an invaluable tool for nicotine addicts to break their lethal habit by transitioning to inhaling nicotine vapor. It is undeniable that nicotine vapor is less harmful than the tar and chemicals of regular cigarettes, but electronic cigarettes are not being marketed to or used solely by current smokers.

According to a CDC poll of 20,000 American middle and high school students conducted in 2011 and 2012, one in ten students said they had tried an electronic cigarette last year, while only one and twenty reported use in 2011. Seven percent of these high school users said they had never used a traditional cigarette, as did one in five middle school students who tried e-cigarettes. Many states have quickly put restrictions on minors’ use of e-cigarettes, but some argue that e-cigarettes are designed to appeal

to the young. First, electronic cigarettes are interesting gadgets, with an attraction similar to that of smartphones or iPods. The nicotine liquid comes in flavors that appeal to young users, such as chocolate, mint, and peach. Electronic cigarette companies have also employed aggressive advertising tactics, including commercials featuring celebrities. Finally, electronic cigarette companies insist that their product is completely harmless.

The electronic cigarette may not be as harmful as tobacco cigarettes, but it is far from harmless. E-cigarettes, which are made to look and act like tobacco cigarettes in order to attract tobacco users, might encourage teens to try traditional cigarettes. The e-cigarette itself seems to be damaging to one’s lung. In a 2012 study presented the same year at the European Respiratory Society’s Annual Congress in Vienna, scientists at the University of Athens asked smokers and nonsmokers to use an e-cigarette for ten minutes. When screened using spirometry tests to test their breathing, both groups had increased airway resistance for ten minutes after using the e-cigarette.

Nicotine’s extreme addictiveness makes it hard to quit, even when smokers know the health risks of smoking. Electronic cigarettes are just as addictive as regular cigarettes, in fact, smokers who switch to e-cigarettes can end up using them for prolonged periods of time.

The studies mentioned in this article suggest that electronic cigarettes may be far less harmful than other nicotine products, such as cigarettes or cigars. However, as a product that delivers a powerfully addictive drug, they should be regulated in advertising and sale similar to the way tobacco products are regulated.

BY JULIA SAKOWITZ, XINEWS EDITOR

E-Cigarettes: Harmless Gadget or Sinister Trend?CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

W h e n t h e lights come up on the stage of the Booth Theater’s revival of

Tennessee Williams’s classic, The Glass Menagerie, the entire audience looks up. And up, and up. While the whole play takes place within the small apartment of the Wingfield family, the focal point of the set is the fire escape tethered to the right of the apartment, which seems to extend upwards infinitely, growing smaller and smaller until it disappears into the darkness of the rafters. The symbolic resonance of this never-ending staircase is clear, as the main character, Tom, struggles throughout the play with his desire to go and search for a better future in the great unknown.

Cherie Jones and Zachary Quinto star in this masterful interpretation of the 1944 drama, bringing a thoughtful new interpretation to a well-loved

classic. Quinto entrances the audience with his portrayal of Tom, the moody, poetic warehouse worker with high aspirations of a writing career, as he takes care of his disabled sister, Laura, played by Celia Keenan-Bolger. With his lilting southern accent and wry smile, it is easy for the audience to see something promising in Tom, even as they watch his family life fracture around him.

Cherie Jones, who plays Amanda, a faded Southern Belle and the nagging mother of Tom and Laura, adds dimension to a character who could easily be portrayed as one-sided. Jones confronts every turn of the play head-on and takes them in stride as her character transforms from a giddy, micromanaging mother awaiting the arrival of a “gentleman caller” to an emotionally scarred widow with no vision for the future and a difficult past brought to the forefront all too quickly.

Celia Keenan-Bolger delivers an equally enthralling performance as

L a u r a , A m a n d a ’ s a g o r a p h o b i c daughter, who is characterized by her fascination with her “glass menagerie” and her innocent disposition. Laura is the glue that keeps the family together as they try to get by during the trying times of the Great Depression. Keenan-Bolger brings clarity and compassion to Laura’s character, and brings clarity to the Wingfield family’s confusing dynamic.

Supplemented by great staging, expert lighting, and score adding emotion and pace to the already wonderful production, I was in tears by the end of the first act. This is most definitely not a play to be taken lightly, and, be forewarned, you may see some parts of yourself reflected even in its most unsightly scenes. But in the play’s darkest moments there shines a glimmer of hope as Tom looks back on the defining period in his family’s history. As the staircase pushes up, and up, and up, we can see just how far we’ve come, and continue moving forward.

The Glass Menagerie Shines in Its Broadway RevivalBY KATIE FITTINGHOFF, XIMANAGING EDITOR

newsTHE ZEPHYR 5

However, Bill de Blasio’s victory came with a hefty price tag. Throughout the last month of the campaign, Bill de Blasio’s new position as the frontrunner made him the prime target of his opponents’ attacks. Christ-ine Quinn labeled de Blasio

as a “flip-flopper” on the issue of term limits as de Blasio opposed them during his tenure as a city councilman, but then vehemently advocated for limits in 2008 when Bloomberg sought a third term. During the televised debate hosted by New York 1, Bill Thompson also poked fun at de Blasio’s flops, quipping, “Will the real Bill de Blasio please stand up?”

Both Thompson and Quinn criticized de Blasio for being a lobbyist for the real estate industry. As Public Advocate, Blasio reportedly took large campaign contributions from landlords that he had originally placed on his “Worst Slumlords List.” Subsequent to receiving the donations, de Blasio allegedly moved these landlords to the list designated for improving buildings. Christine Quinn used the incident as an opportunity to accuse “Bill de Blasio [of] talk[ing] from both sides of his mouth.”

De Blasio decided to come out in support of the plan to build a dump next to Asphalt Green. The Republican mayoral nominee Joe Lhota has already begun to pit himself against de Blasio by recently signing a pledge to “dump the dump.”

In short, the competitive Democratic primary could adversely affect Democrats in the general election. As November approaches, Bill de Blasio and his campaign staff will have to work harder to not only reverse the damage done by the primary, but also adjust to running against Joe Lhota.

BY SARA FARUQI, XISTAFF WRITER

Bill de Blasio Wins Democratic Primary,

The competitive Democratic primary could

adversely affect Democrats in the general

election.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

President Obama delivers his speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Photo copyright Associated Press, 2013

It has been fifty years since thousands of

Americans participated in what President Bill Clinton, in his speech at this year’s anniversary march, called “one of the most important days in American history”: the March on Washington. Taylor Branch, author of the 2,912 page trilogy America in the King Years, said that the march gave the final push necessary to “open the stubborn gates of freedom” and precipitated the Civil Rights Act of 1963, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Medicare, Medicaid, and many other initiatives the government took to bring justice to African Americans and other American minorities subject to discrimination. On August 28, 2013, Americans gathered for the fiftieth anniversary of the march. But the march was not only a time to remember the civil rights movement and its leaders and to celebrate their extraordinary progress, but also an opportunity to reflect on h o w m u c h m o r e n e e d s t o b e accomplished before there is equal opportunity in America. A little over a year ago, Americans of all skin colors expressed shock and outrage at Travyon Martin’s murder.

Today, African Americans are incarcerated at nearly six times the rate of white Americans. According to the NAACP criminal justice fact sheet, “one in six black men had been incarcerated as of 2001. If current trends continue, one in three black males born today can expect to spend time in prison during his lifetime.” Speaking at the march anniversary, President Obama observed that “inequality has steadily risen over the decades; upward mobility has become harder.” The speech focused more on what is ahead for Americans searching for equal opportunity rather than glorifying the heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. Obama advised people to escape poverty by uniting together as Americans did fifty years ago and making America change both socially and politically rather than looking to the government to find a solution. Americans classify the Civil Rights Era as a period that extends from the Brown v. Board decision of 1954 to the early seventies. But as the Fiftieth A n n i v e r s a r y M a r c h c e r e m o n y demonstrates, the fight for equal opportunity in America is far from over.

BY REBECCA MAGID, XISTAFF WRITER

50th Anniversary of the March on Washington

6newsTHE ZEPHYR

On February 21, 2012, five members of a Russian feminist performance art group, Pussy Riot, mounted the altar of the priests-only section of the

Orthodox Cathedral in Moscow, a place where women are prohibited and sang. Pussy Riot’s one-minute song, called “Mother of God, Drive Putin Out,” was about the relationship between the Church and Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin. Since then, two of the five women who performed have been arrested, put on trial, and now face up to seven years in one of Russia’s harshest jails. These young women are part of Pussy Riot, which was founded in October 2011, and has

around 10 anonymous members. These women, known for wearing balaclavas and colorful clothing, hold peaceful performances at various public locations in Russia. They perform their own songs, voicing how basic rights are under threat in Russia today. They also express the values of gender equality, democracy, and freedom of expression. The two arrested women, Nadezhda “Nadya” Tolokonnikova, 23, and Maria “Masha” Alyokhina, 25, who both have young children, were convicted of “hooliganism driven by religious hatred.” Both were refused bail. A third member of Pussy Riot, Yekaterina Samusevich, was also arrested, but was released on appeal and is now on probation and “restriction of movement.”

After their arrest, the women were sent to remote prison camps. Masha Alyokhina was sent to a women’s prison camp in Perm, a Siberian region notorious for hosting some of the harshest camps. Nadya Tolokonnikova was sent to Mordovia, a region that also holds a high number of prisons. Both have inadequate medicine and no hot water despite freezing cold winter temperatures. In an interview conducted by Reuters in December of 2012, Masha Alyokhina described the prison: “Prison rules are learned...in a special room where a security camera ensures inmates do not fall

asleep. There is a workshop where women sew for 12 hours a day in the hope of earning a maximum wage of 1,000 roubles [$30] a month.” She also referred to the camp as a “dead world” and an “anti-life” where prisoners feel “discarded”. In her closing statement of the trial, she said, “I've been locked up for almost half a year and I realized that prison is Russia in miniature.”Despite the unjust trial and harsh conditions that the women have been facing, public reaction has been astonishing. “Free Pussy Riot” is a worldwide movement that was started when the women were arrested—undertaking protests, marches, benefits and other public performances. Artists like Madonna, Sting, and Yoko Ono have stood in solidarity with Pussy Riot.

Pussy Riot has become a symbol of the

country’s opposition movement, as Russia continues to act unjustly towards its people. On June 30 this year, President Putin issued a law banning “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors”. In short, this law banned any mention of non-heterosexual relations of any form. Russia’s effort to suppress the LGBT community has increased dramatically and frighteningly over the last few months. In August, Russian police actually issued raids on gay people’s homes. A notice from the government states: “Any person who suspects that a neighbor has exhibited homosexual propaganda should contact the police immediately.”

The Russian government’s reaction to Pussy Riot and these two women demonstrates the lack of democracy, equality, and justice in Russia today. Despite the frequent protests for freedom, the Russian government continues to oppose their people. However, Pussy Riot is one of the many groups who have fought back and continue to make a difference in Russia today. As Tolokonnikova said in her closing statement, quoting a Pussy Riot song “Death to Prison, Freedom to Protest,” “‘Open the doors, off with the uniforms, join us in a taste of freedom.’”

BY RUBY DOYLE, IXCONTRBUTING WRITER

Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer

Pussy Riot performs at the altar of the Orthodox Cathedral in Moscow.

Photo copyright Associated Press, 2013

W e e k s a f t e r t h e d e a d l y c h e m i c a l weapons attack in

Syria, an agreement was finally reached between the United States and Russia on Saturday, September 14th, calling for the removal or destruction of the Syrian chemical weapons arsenal.

Ever since August 21st, when the Syrian government allegedly used lethal gasses to kill more than a thousand of i ts own cit izens, including innocent civilians and children, the international comm-unity has debated whether or not to intervene militarily in Syria. The British Parliament voted against intervention, while France’s Pres-ident Hollande advocated it, Russia’s President Putin opposed, and Germany took no firm position. P r e s i d e n t O b a m a , w h o h a d announced in a news conference on August 20th recorded by the White House Office of the Press Secretary that a “red line” would be drawn at the use of chemical weapons in Syria—as he put it, “[t]hat would change my equation”—deliberated at great lengths before asking Congress to authorize a targeted military attack in Syria.

In a speech to the American people on September 10th, Obama called the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons in Syria “a crime against humanity, and a violation of the laws of war.” Yet the deal Obama reached with President Putin seems to respond only to the “violation of the laws of war” and the “danger to our security”, as he put it later in the speech. The Syrian rebel forces, many of whom pleaded for a military strike in response to the massacre, denounce the initiative. As reported by The New York Times’ Michael R. Gordon on September 14th, General Salim Idris, head of the Syrian rebels’ military command, said in response to the deal, “[a] crime against humanity has been committed, and t h e r e i s n o t a n y m e n t i o n o f accountability.”

Syria: The “Equation”

ChangesBY CHLOE LACOUR, XIEDITOR IN CHIEF

THE ZEPHYR 7culture

What’s it going to be? Maple syrup and bacon ice cream slushies, a double fried bacon wrapped corn dog, or just plain old cheese curds? This is not a normal question. However, it is one I encounter every summer I spend in Wisconsin, where my family has owned a lake house for over four generations. The town of West Bend, Wisconsin,

is a great place. The people are friendly; the sidewalks are clean; and quaint old Mainstreet looks like a town that time forgot. But they do have some traditions that are truly unique.

Take Germanfest for example. You’d never guess it, but everyone in West Bend s e e m s t o b e c o m e a s G e r m a n a s a Midwesterner can get for one weekend a year in late August. I myself discover my German roots and indulge in a polka or two on a dance floor where the average age is 87. During Germanfest the venders are lined up in a never-ending stream of fried food, a string of indulgence ending with a waiting ambulance, doors wide open.

The county fair is another sight to see. From animal judging and cow prizes to crate after crate of bunnies, it is certainly an experience that cannot be found in New York City. And for all of the unusual sights one might encounter in the West Village, nothing could top the Llama Dress-up contest, an event that speaks for itself.

And then there is the food. Only in Wisconsin could you order a pizza and receive a twelve-inch circle of crust with hot peppers, chicken, chili, sesame seeds, goat cheese, mayonnaise, bacon, and peanut sauce. As an appetizer. The food at a fair is an adventure in itself. Nowhere else can you find such an abundance of fried everything. Not just your regular old fried-bacon-wrapped-double-cheese burgers. Oh no. Their specialty is fried butter on a stick. I have never tried this delicacy, but the smell is enough to make me think of heart disease.

Most important of all, Wisconsin is a dairy state. When the state government considered changing the license plate slogan, the most innova-tive phrase sug-gested was “Eat cheese or die .” Needless to say, they stuck with America’s Dairy-land. But we can-n o t f o r g e t t h e cheese. My father, a native, raised me to believe that it was illegal to serve pie in restaurants there without a slice of cheddar. I’m still not sure if this was a joke.

When I was

seven, we stopped at a diner, and I mistakenly ordered macaroni and cheese without asking for a quarter of the famed topping. I counted about four noodles in the bowl of liquid cheddar I received.

The state takes its reputation seriously – you can find cheese heads available in any self-respecting store, and there are four booths selling fresh cheeses at the weekly farmer’s market in West Bend.

And I can vouch for the classic Wisconsin cheeses. A Brearley girl knows her food. And theirs is pretty good.

Just don’t ask me about the fried cheese curds. I’m not touching those.

BY CLAIRE

KOZAK, XCONTRIBUTING

WRITER

A pair of contestants competing in the Llama Dress-up contest.

Photo by Claire K

ozak, X

It's very difficult to define "art" in a way that will please everyone.

Some believe that the only "real" art is an aesthetically pleasing, traditional representation of some thing. Others are moved by something more surreal and abstract because it speaks to their emotions . "Art" i s ent ire ly personal. Despite such a range of opinions, The International Center of Photography's current exhibit, A Different Kind of Order: The ICP Triennial, has such a wide variety of art ists , subjects , mediums and messages that it is bound to entice anyone willing to consider every layer of a visual image. The exhibit, which opened at the beginning of the summer, displays artworks created now, in the present chaos of our world. The concepts evoked by the collection range from the satirical

to the evocative. In one display of five televisions, a faceless person performs seemingly random act ivi t ies—crushing carrots with the sole of a shoe; stepping out of a mucky swamp in a pair of rain boots; putting on and t a k i n g o f f a r u b b e r g l o v e . Protected by anonymity, the artist stoically mocks sexual fetishes. Another installation is silently disturbing: massive photographs in gradients of color. Is it a sunset? Upon further inspect ion, a miniscule blip emerges from the smooth expanse: a drone. "Proof", Jim Goldberg's collage of over 600 tiny pictures of people serves as proof of their existence—without his exposition, these migrants, refugees, would be invisible to the world. Sohei Nishino, a Japanese art ist , constructed a similar collage. His subject is not people, but places—hundreds of miniature images of one city, organized in the shape of

a civilization. His "Diorama Map" of New York is not geographically correct, but its winding curves give an explicit sense of New York's constant movement. Several installations are "primary sources," so to speak. Inspired by a friend's comment that, as the violence in Syria escalated, Syrians determined to expose their horrific experiences were indeed filming their own deaths, Rabih Mroué created Pixelated Revolution. A blurry video of a soldier raising a gun. A bang. The camera twists and falls to the ground. One experiences a death from the standpoint of the victim. One of the most evocative and original pieces in A Different Kind of Order was a set of three light boxes, each the rectangular shape of a large apartment bui lding. Mikhael Subotsky photographed every television, door and window in one apart-

ment building in Johannesburg a n d i m p o s e d e a c h o n t h e lightboxes, creating a unique perspective of the often anon-ymous organization of urban life. One can see how system-atically the building is organized: each family has one television, one central window, one door each; yet within the rigid confines of this organization the starkly con-trasting characters of each family stand out. As Frida Kahlo said, "I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality." An artist, creating a piece of work, displays their reality, their truth, to the world. No one's realities are the same. By this logic, is someone else's art a lie? Perhaps someone else's art might just change your reality. With brutal honesty, A Different Kind of Order did just that.

A Different Kind of OrderBY TESSA PELZMAN, XSTAFF WRITER

“Eat Cheese or Die”

features8 THE ZEPHYR

Athlete of the Month: Eve Galen, XIIt’s no secret that every Brearley girl looks forward to summer because it provides a res-pite from school-w o r k . F o r E v e

Galen, XI, how-e v e r , s u m m e r vacation also gives

her the chance to do the sport she loves. Right after school ends, she heads to the small town of Castine, Maine, with her parents, where she sails on the Atlantic.

Eve continues the sailing tradition in her family. Her father, who was born and raised in Maine, grew up sailing t h e r e . H e passed on his love for sailing to his daughter at an early age—Eve began to sail when she was only five or six years old. Eve has fond memories of sailing with him when she was young. “My mother and father rented an old sail boat for the week, and took me out in it,” she recalls. “My father was the only one who knew how to sail, and the boat ended up having a hole in it…but it is definitely one of my fond memories of sailing at an early age.”

Eve regularly participates in sailing competitions, called regattas. She races in a league called the Down East Junior Sailing Association and has competed locally in their Junior Championships. Her team has also participated in the Maine State Junior Olympics for the past few years, and last summer they qualified

for two larger regional regattas. She also enjoys racing in her town’s weekly regatta, called the “Castine Class.” In these competitions, Eve normally races on small dinghies called 420s but has also sailed on a variety of larger boats. Her most exciting race is the annual Egge-moggin Reach Regatta, a three-day-long event that includes boats from as far away as Nova Scotia, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

Although large competitions can be nerve-wracking, Eve still has an intense love for her sport: “There’s a feeling that I get when I am controlling a vessel. When I move the tiller [the device that steers the

boat] even a few millimeters I can feel the boat sailing differently with every movement. It’s an amazing and e m p o w e r i n g moment, yet I am st i l l completely powerless to the

wind and the weather. Sailing brings you closer to nature, which is part of what makes it such a beautiful and invigorating experience.” Part of Eve’s passion for sailing stems from all of the close friends she has made through the sport. Many of her closest friends sail with her during the summer in Maine, and she also went to sailing camp this past summer in France, where she made friends from all over the world who love to sail as much as she does.

Eve hopes to sail in college if she has the opportunity, and she looks forward to sailing for the rest of her life. After all, “[she] wouldn’t want to do anything else.”

BY NINA ZWEIG, XISPORTS EDITOR

While the fashion world has just delved into the spring of 2014 through a slew of runway shows in Milan, Paris and our own New York, we Brearley girls are only now embracing the colder temperatures, stronger wind and lower humidity. September is the beginning of the new year in fashion. We too have finally settled into the new year and have

reached the time to pack away our crop tops and hot pants and rediscover our jeans and jackets. As the leaves change color and even 610 gets a little frostier, there is one important item that cannot be missing: the sweater. Sweaters are wonderful things: they are soft and comfortable, cute and cuddly, though unfortunately this loveliness also often comes at a mighty price. Fear not fellow beavers, I have a plan!

As the new school year begins, it is also the time when my mother, and I’m sure many of yours too, decides that the whole family must go through their closets and sort out all clothing that is either: a) too small, b) moth-eaten, filled with holes, or torn and c) too hideous to be borne – this includes Christmas sweaters, airbrushed bat-mitzvah t-shirts and some old PE shirts. As this occurs, it is important to follow my life motto: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure! So sneak into the piles of all family members, paying special attention to things discarded by any male members of the household. Snatch up your father’s sweater, the likes of which costs 80 dollars at Urban Outfitters, and those tiny sweaters that are too small for your younger brother. Why, you might ask, are we saving these leftovers, these discarded items, some might even say trash? Because, my friend, everything (or almost everything) can be combined with something else, and end up looking fantabulous! I encourage you to ask your fathers and brothers if you can borrow one of their sweaters for a day.

I can assure you that these oversized and mini sweaters can look fashionable. If you act like these sweaters are “cool” and “edgy” and strut your stuff, no one will question--they will stare in awe (in the best possible way). I will to disclose my styling tips but feel no need to follow them. The most important thing is that you like what your wearing and are having fun with it. Over-sized sweaters I would pair with short pleated skirts --your old Brearley skirts will work very well with this-- some over the knee socks (or bare legs if it is warmer that day), a pair of combat boots, maybe a beanie or a necklace, et voila--you are the most stylish girl in town. For the mini or cropped sweaters I would recommend rolling the sleeves up to about your elbow and pairing with something high-waisted, as they probably do not go past your belly button. I would use a short skirt that goes to your waist, a briefcase (or tote bag), a pair of sneakers, and a beanie for the cold.

Hidden Treasures of the Family Closet: Sweaters

BY SASKIA

PEDERSEN, XISTAFF WRITER

“Sailing brings you closer to nature, which is part of

what makes it such a beautiful and invigorating

experience.”

Photo courtesy of Eve G

alen, XI

Eve scales the mast of her sailboat to fix a problem during a race.