Matt RublinManaging Editor

For seemingly the longest 45 minutes of my life, I squirmed in my seat. Foot tapping. Stomach churn-ing. Señora Betegh was shouting out in Spanish (or so I thought), while 20 other students and I looked at each other bewildered and, yes, petrified.

Today, I can chuckle at my still-vivid memory of the first day of high school. I smile not only at the absurdity of the situation, but also because it reminds me of how much things have changed- aca-demically, socially, and personally.

Despite sometimes seeing each other only sporadically during the three years at LM that we shared before her retirement, Señora and I developed a special friendship. We would talk about her new grand-daughter and how Spanish was go-

ing for me. All of this was unimagi-nable that September day four years ago when I first sat in her class.

As I reflect upon the last four years here, similar threads of change emerge. A new sched-ule. A new building. A new principal and ad-ministration. Yet, de-spite a Lower Merion High School in tran-sition, our Class has bonded with one an-other and has achieved great successes.

Beyond coining the term “superlunch” (yes, underclassmen: we created that), we have left an indel-ible mark on LM- a mark that will be seen and felt long after we drive out of the Ar-nold Field parking

lot for the last time. Whether it was discussing our life experiences in Dr. Hobbs’ English class or scream-ing our lungs out for our Aces, a

strong sense of camaraderie and respect for our fellow classmates characterized the Class of 2011. I’m thankful to have been a part of that.

Since winter, I’ve been asked countless times whether I’m looking forward to college beginning already. Although I am very much looking forward to college, I will also look back and cherish the experiences that I know will never happen again: the study sessions with friends during A lunch for an APUSH quiz; those intense Badminton games; even the casual conversations about current events with Mr. Henneberry. And, of course, those “one minute” stop-ins to Señora Betegh’s classroom merely to say “hola” that turned into ten-minute shmoozefests.

Each of us has our own spe-cial memories from these last four years. They have drawn us closer: to each other, to our teach-ers, to Lower Merion High School.

Whether we’re in Happy Valley or the Delaware Valley next year, whether we root for the Big Green or the Big Red, we will always be Aces. Some things don’t change.

Conor FergusonEditor-in-chief

I’ve thought about writing this since my fresh-man year. When I was in middle school, my sisters would bring home The Merionite and I would read the newspaper front to back, the second it appeared on the kitchen table. The Main Line Times was cool but The Merionite was hip. The paper was run by the students in every sense of the word—they wrote the articles, snapped the pictures, and designed the pages. It was a newspaper made by the students for the students…and boy, was it good! I’m sure the majority of avid Merionite readers would agree with me when I say that this matriculation issue is always the best. Last year when I became one of the Editors-in-Chief, I assumed the responsibility of soliciting seniors for their reflections. We set a deadline and of course only a handful met the date. I didn’t understand what was taking people so long. They had been in high school for four years, memorable events had to have happened. Why couldn’t they just write about it? Now, I completely understand.

I think the problem is that I never had to reflect on anything like this before. It’s difficult to think about the past four years and to condense all of my memories into a final summary—it just doesn’t feel right. For me, every day was special in it’s own way. All of the hours spent learning in the classrooms, the cherished few minutes used to talk with a friend in the hall, and the countless seconds waiting for the bell on a Friday were all part of my Lower Merion experience. Those hours, minutes, and seconds that I spent at Lower Merion are what I will always remember. Something I can’t stress enough to underclassmen at Lower Merion is that they need to spend as much time at school as pos-sible. It’s important to become an athlete on a sports team, run for a Student Government position, or to become an active member in one of the school’s clubs—just whatever you do, get involved…and stay involved.

Once you get involved, you’ll feel like a part of something much bigger than yourself. The sense of school spirit and school unity at Lower Merion is truly amazing. We wear our maroon and white to all basketball games with pride for the name that we represent. We passionately cheer for our team while simultaneously harassing the players on the opposing team. The Dawg Pound unites the student body at our most hopeless moments and rallies for our support during the most jubilant wins. When at Lower Merion, allow yourself to be overwhelmed by the Dawg Pound. Jump on the bleachers, cheer

on your friends, and yell at the referees…you won’t regret it the next morning when you can’t speak in Spanish class.

I have found that if you get involved and become an active member of the student body, that your time at school will be well spent. When you’re active in the school community, it’s easy to make friends—and friends were the most important part of my high school experience. I’m not just talking about the kids that you caravan to the Plat with on the weekend, but I’m also talking about the friends that you have

made in class. Sure, those Plat-bound friends are the ones that I look forward to hanging out with outside of school, but the friends that I’ve made in school are the ones that have gotten me through each part of the day. They’re the ones that I’ve stayed up past midnight with studying the Weiner Notes. Or the friends that I have made while attempting to diagram the muscular system. These friends, though I didn’t see them much out of school, have completed my high school experience. It’s the random interactions that we shared that made me realize how many great people there are at Lower Merion.

Though these past four years were amazing, it’s time to move on with my life. I couldn’t have asked for a better high school experience. I can’t thank my teachers enough for preparing me with the necessary tools to succeed. I’ve spent so much of my life over the past four years here that it’s going to feel weird to leave. Change is a good thing though and I’m ready to embark on my next adventure. Plus, the reunion will be here in no time! To the class of 2011, goodbye until we meet again!

Reflections from our editors in chargeLeah RosenbloomEditor-in-chief

There are many fantastic things about Lower Merion, but one is by far the best. Before I reveal to you the one secret it has taken me four years to learn, let’s back it up.

For argument’s sake, let’s say we all

have some bricks (because what would a senior reflection be without a couple of metaphors?). Bricks represent all of the obligations we have—so, in other words, everything we complain about: classes, practice, homework, Merionite dead-lines. We generally like these things, but at least once during the year we have resented signing ourselves up for them. Brick is what set a foundation, but it’s only one of two essentials. The other?

Mortar! Mortar represents everything we don’t have to complain about—our many freedoms. Mortar allows us to join all of our bricks together and so-lidify the four years we have here. Each brick is similar to another, but mortar is what makes each and every student at LM unique, and it is also what sets LM apart from other schools. Not to say classes and afterschool activities aren’t fantastic, but there is something

special about getting to know LM off the record, and being free to explore.

But you might say, Leah, freedom is a vague word. I say: freedom is whatever you make of it. I chose to spend my free time at LM doing any number of things, from holding conversations with teach-ers to doodling in the art rooms to wan-dering around aimlessly with a friend. Sometimes I did absolutely nothing.

And freedom isn’t confined to free periods, either. The five minutes in between classes are all yours to enjoy. Keep your head up in the hallways you’d be surprised at how many people you know. Smile or say good morning to someone random. Catch up with a friend you haven’t spoken to in a long time. Poke your head into a class-room and say hi to a former teacher. Give a friend a hug. Those little hall-way interactions have turned my day around more times than I can count.

These connections aren’t some-thing you can put on a transcript. Sometimes, they aren’t even some-thing you can put into words. But they’re definitely there, among the most important things you will take away from high school. These mo-ments, where you are in complete control, are constantly weaving the bricks you are gathering together.

What I’m trying to say, under-neath all of this crap, is that there is an increasingly limited amount of unsched-uled time in life. Luckily, LM is very generous. We are given free time, and teachers always allow breaks in sched-uled teaching for students to question. If I were to give one piece of advice before I go, it would be this: try not to think it’s necessary to turn free time into an ob-ligation. Don’t fill up your afternoons with countless activities, and don’t be afraid to think about what you’re learn-ing before you do your homework. Take time to get to know your friends, and to get to know yourself. If you go to LM, I already know you work hard to earn your bricks. Just don’t forget you also need time to glue those bricks to-gether. So, next time you’re in the hall-way, keep your chin up. Find something pleasant to do during your free. Enjoy the time you have here, because it goes by faster than you could ever imagine.

Photo by Chris Conwell/Staff

Photo by Chris Conwell/Staff

Seniors 2011June 10, 20112

The Merionite

A middle-schooler’s anxiety. Embarrassing freshman year story. A troubled sophomore. SATs suck. Growth, maturity. Identity found. Nostalgic yet uplifting conclusion. “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

That felt unsatisfactory, but so would just about anything else I might write…including the follow-ing. The last four years haven’t been about the big pictures, the general concepts, the life lessons, or the quotable truisms. It’s the little things that matter. It is easier to grow attached to something small, because you can know it so well. You can feel the tiny bumps and pores on a pebble with your hand until you can draw a picture of it with your eyes closed, but you can’t do that with something as big as the Earth.

My tiny moments are unique, and they are

mine. Of course I share some of them with some of you, but two people cannot experience the same moment in the same way. It doesn’t suffice to tell you that I discovered my passion for math on a napkin with Patricia in Peace of Pizza after our midterm on a winter Thursday. It doesn’t suffice to tell you about the hours I spent at Mr. Kaczmar’s blackboards, and eventually his whiteboards, forg-ing unlikely friendships and solving increasingly difficult problems with increasingly interesting people. It doesn’t suffice to count the Frisbees I threw during Spanish, the orders of General Tso’s chicken and Chipotle burritos I ate during Merion-ite late nights, or the pieces of chalk I broke drawing capital sigmas on the board.

Ironically, the only truism I can leave you with is the fact that truisms don’t apply to high school. It can’t really be wrapped up nicely in a way that makes sense. We’re kids – we change so rapidly that the whole picture of high school rarely makes much sense. I can only make sense of the moments, and those I can hold onto and study. It’s particular lines in particular dialogues with particular people; it’s a problem on a problem set, a wave in the hallway, a bus ride - the most mundane aspects of the most mundane routines. I think we often underestimate the intensity of the nostalgia we will feel for our routines. I sort of regret that I did not study each moment more intensely as it happened, so that my memories could better withstand the years of neglect. I suppose that’s just the nature of time – the present doesn’t exist, the future is quickly receding and the past is growing in size but growing more distant as well. I will miss it, like I will miss anything that’s over. I guess what I’m trying to say is not to cry because it’s over, but rather to smile because it happened. Damn it.

June 10, 2011

Seniors 20113

Closing remarks from this year’s valedictorian

Words of contemplation from your school presidentDo I have any regrets? No. Did

I make any mistakes? At least once a day. If I did not that day would be unsuccessful. As I sit here attempting to write a half decent reflection I gaze up on my wall, and right above my desk is a piece of paper taped to the wall that has the quote, “to dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily not to dare is to lose oneself” written on it. My best friend, Em-ily, gave me that piece of paper sophomore year when I told her I wanted to put a bunch of inspi-rational quotes on my wall. That never happened. But that lone quote that Emily gave me shines bright on my wall.

This quote is especially signifi-cant today as I think about what my high school experience because to me it embodies the lifestyle that I tried to embody during these past four years. High school for me was about experience. High school was about trying new things, pushing myself beyond my comfort level, meeting new people, and living l i fe to the ab-so lu te fu l l e s t . High school was a roller coaster. There were a lot of ups, and a lot of downs. Both of which taught me extremely valuable lessons that have landed me where I am today. My high

school experience has been another building block on the never ending, constantly changing, construction project to create the constant work in progress that is myself. My high school experiences taught me to be who I want to be and express my-self how I want to express myself.

I know that is all may sound cliché, but i t is t rue. High school helped t o t e a c h m e

more than geometry or American history; it taught me about being me.

The last four years have been my most inconsistent to date. What I mean is that I’ve never experienced so many highs and lows, and so many changes in attitude, interests, and friends. I remember first walking into the old building in the middle of August for my first preseason. It was one of the scariest moments of my life. Seniors were big, inside jokes were only fun when you knew what they meant, and there was a scary man as the coach. I went about my freshman year with the same attitude. I was shy and insecure.

The next year was a big turn-around, and each year has been ever since. At points I obsessed over run-ning, and at others, I could care less.

I saw myself getting carried away with appearances, and then not caring at all. I hope that the last two years have

changed me for the better, but I know that I’ll soon be able to look back upon them with a critical eye.

I r ea l i zed tha t t he r eason I ’ve changed so much and so often is that I experienced situations where a fun-damental part of me was questioned. I learned the most about myself not in the moments when I was comfort-able, but in the instances where I was waiting for a starting gun to sound, or even just waiting for the answer to a problem in physics class. Anxiety and excitement have brought out the best and worst in me, and if it had not been for the people I met, the places I went, and the things that I did at Lower Merion, I may have never come to such honest realizations about myself.

I know now that I value being in small groups, that spending a night alone is relaxing, that learning about

electric fields is fun. I’ve met people with whom I could have a five-minute conversation, and people who I could talk to into the late hours of the night. I’ll laugh at a dumb math pun, and I’ll cry when I imagine losing a best friendship. Not only has my experi-ence here taught me my preferences. It’s showed me the breadth and depth of my emotions.

It’s hard to believe that I’ll never have another Senior Seminar prob-lem set (thank goodness!) and that may never have to lace up my spikes again. I am already troubled with how to spend my free time. Then I think about how I’m not alone, and that I have the best graduating class EVER behind me. I can’t imagine four years being any more fulfilling than these last ones, and that’s why the future is so exciting.

Reflecting on the highs and lows of high school

The Merionite

Jake Wellens Shira Barlas

High school was aroller coaster.

Patricia Neckowicz

All my l ife I’ve thought that as soon as I graduated high school, I would be cata-pulted into this scary, danger-ous, unknown place known as the “real world.” I thought I would have to live on my own, make new friends, keep track of my money, and fend for myself. Well let me tell you, now four days away from graduation, I can confidently say that I see no “real world” in my immediate future. May-be when I graduate college or graduate school, I’ll stop living in this fake protected

utopia I’ve apparently been residing in for the past 18 yea r s . Fo r now though , i t feels as though I am just be-ing gently nudged along into the next stage of my future.

Yes, I’ll be “living on my own” …along with 700 other students living in my dorm at Tulane. And yes, I’ll have to make new friends… with 1 ,630 o the r F reshmen , a l l desperate to make friends as well . And yes, I’ l l have to be mindful of how much of my pre-paid meal plan I am spending, but all in all, I will

certainly not be fending for myself . For every possible obstacle , solut ions wil l be provided within easy reach. If you ask me, this is BS! I was all prepared to pull an Alexander Super t ramp and venture forth into the wild. Instead, all I’m going to be doing is the exact same thing I’ve been doing for the past four years, except in a new location.

My teachers, family, and friends have done too good a job of preparing me for this next “big” step in my l ife.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m just as excited as the next senior (soon to be college Frosh), but I just wish some-one had warned me. So, let me be the one t o t e l l Y O U : d o n ’ t you worry your little S AT- t a k i n g , g r a d e -grubbing, homework-d o i n g , h i g h s c h o o l selves. When it’s your time to graduate and head off into “the real world”, take it from me, you’ll be ready.

The real world is not as large a step as it appears to be

Sydney Ehrman

Two years and three months ago, I stepped into Lower Merion High School for the first time. I can-not say it was one of those love at first sight mo-ments in Disney movies where light shines on you and music plays in the background. I knew it was high school. I knew it would take some time get-ting used to the new surroundings. I was prepared for what came my way. And yes, I was the new kid.

Picture this, a timid little Asian girl with a New Zealand accent entering a community that grows stronger by the second. One cannot understand how it must feel to be new to a school until he or she has experienced it for him or herself. While it is not nearly as bad as the show “Recess” por-trays it to be, it is still a challenge. But I am not about whine about having to make friends as

a sixteen year old. Rather, I would like to thank everyone for your open arms. Ever since my first day at Lower Merion, I’ve only been showered with smiles, kindness, and welcoming circles of friends. The warmth and acceptance from all of you has really touched my heart and made my transition from a kiwi to a bulldog effortless.

The school spirit at LM is captivating. I had never been to such a rousing and lively pep rally before. I had never seen four buses head out an hour away for a school basketball game. I had nev-er seen a principle adorned in maroon and white at a football match cheering at the top of his lungs.

Next fall, many of you will be in the same situ-ation that I was in, surrounded by people you have never met before in your life. I have three words of advice for you. Firstly, speak up. Talk to your class-mates, your professors, even strangers on the street. Don’t be afraid to raise your voice, because chances are, they want to hear all about you. Secondly, make the most of your options. Take risks and be daring to try new things. After all, college is that time to be adventurous, to explore all possibilities, and to find your passions. And lastly—you knew this one was coming—always be yourself, because only then will you make friendships that last a lifetime.

There will undoubtedly be many tears in the upcoming days. But I cry with happiness know-ing that these tears are tears of joy, of laughter, of excitement. We are not just graduating from high school, but also from the first part of our lives. We are adults now, and going forth, we must make wise decisions for our future. But we can only be serious for so long. Let’s just have fun right now. We deserve a little slack. After all, we did it. We survived high school.

This is my senior re-flection. I get to write one of these suckers cause I’m a Merionite editor but I should probably begin with the admission that I’m hardly in any position to be giving anybody advice. Just ask my teachers. So I’m going to avoid pretend-ing like I haven’t totally screwed up in high school, or pretending like I can explain how to maneuver this place. I’m just going to share something that I’ve come to realize this year.

Here is a fun way to pass time in boring classes. Look around at everyone in your classroom. Imagine

that you and these individuals are on a plane, and that the plane crashes on a deserted island in the middle of the ocean. Decide who will assume each of the archetypal desert island personalities. Who’s gonna be the guy hoarding food? Who’s gonna be the loud-mouth jerk pretending to take charge cause it makes him feel less afraid? Who will be the quietly con-fident leader who wants to establish democracy on the island, and who is going to be the anarchist cannibal? Which of your classmates will be crafty enough to devise a contraption to distill seawater, and who’s going to be absolutely useless dead weight? Who will you be?

Sometimes I play another version of this game; its less exciting but arguably more interesting. Imagine your classmates 20 years from today, at your high school reunion. Has the girl with the fake tan wised up, or is she still rocking the oompa loompa look? And if it’s the latter, who in the room will be the skin care specialist who’s going to treat her? Who’s in trouble with the law, and who’s their lawyer? Who found themselves in a tough situation, and who is the social worker helping them out? Who’s representing you in Congress, and who’s indirectly living off your tax dollars via the welfare system?

You know, much as I’ve spent most of the year cursing it, there’s something to be said for this new building. It lends itself pretty well to a little metaphor. You can’t escape this building. It might as well be an island in the middle of the ocean. I think that’s how the future is going to work too. There’s no escaping it. Today we are foolish high schoolers populating this little mini-society called highschool; 20 years from today we’re going to be adults populating society – possibly shipwrecked and maybe hating one another’s guts but absolutely forced to work together for survival on this deserted little island called America. Sure, you can distance yourself from your high school classmates, but just as long as they are alive and impacting the world you live in, there’s really no escap-ing them. There’s no way out. Well, there is one way out, but despite the number of times I’ve wished that on various teachers, cafeteria bouncers, and slow-hallway-walkers, I wouldn’t really wish that on any of you.

If you’re graduating LM with an extreme distaste for 95% of your classmates, absolute contempt for every teacher you’ve ever had, swear-ing up and down that this school didn’t teach you a damn thing, and with every intention of walking out and never looking back – well, I certainly don’t blame you. But I want you to know that there’s no escape. Obnox-ious jerks and sniveling rule-followers exist out there, too. The day will come when you need one of them, or when one of them needs you. So buy into it. Invest in the island. Don’t delude yourself; see all of the faults of this stupid system and the sometimes hateful people who belong to it, and if you can’t help it, really, really hate this place – this whole damn country and world. And then remember that you’re stuck here, and ask yourself what you can do to make it better. Don’t disengage; don’t lose hope in your generation. Hopefully you’re not the oompa-loompa need-ing a doctor or the con needing a lawyer, but nonetheless realize that you have every reason in the world to be invested in the success of your class-mates. You are very much invested in the success of your classmates; you don’t really get to choose. So go to a freaking Players show and applaud the kids who worked on it. Always check out the art show because it is always mind blowing. Send your notes to the kid who slept through class. Go to a soccer game, even if you haven’t before. Ask the kid who always has headphones on what he’s listening to. Make friends with the lunch ladies and with the campus aides and the meanest teacher in the school and with the losers and the d-bags and the nerds and with the freakishly school-spirited girls. Usually, if you’re disinclined to make friends with somebody, it’s cause you’re scared that they’re judging you or that they won’t like you. So remember that you are special and awesome and have unique skills to offer the island. Then, get over being scared and strike up a conversation. Smile and be a decent human being. And when that jerk kid is an ass to you when all you were trying to was be friendly, make a mental note to be friendly to him again, ‘cause if he really feels the need to act that way, he almost definitely isn’t very good friends with himself. Remember that everyone is secretly weird as ish. Remember that the is-land needs you, so stay hungry for success, and for whatever else. Stay foolish, stay hopeful, stay beautiful!

Let’s face it: high school is really just a blip on the horizon. It’s (hopefully) only four years long. Putting that into perspective, the average life expectancy in the United States is 79 years. That means that high school only compromises around a measly 5 percent of our lives. With that in mind, it’s mind-bog-gling that people put so much emphasis on “the high school ex-perience” (and yes, I am fully aware that I should have taken my own advice).

I am not saying to entirely disregard high school and slack off. What I mean to say is that all of us should use these four years as an opportunity for growth, self-discovery, and fun (assuming none of this fun conflicts with our health or legal standing). In the end, it

won’t really matter how many tests you aced, how many hours you put into extracurricu-lar activities, or how you wore your hair. It’s also unlikely that what you do in high school will have a tremendous impact on where you end up thirty years from now. What will mat-ter most are the memories that you’ll take with you from high school. In the end I think we’d all rather be able to say that we spent high school having a blast over saying that we slaved laboriously over assignments.

So use high school as an opportunity to act like a kid while you still can! I know that this may sound intuitive and demotivational, but life gets harder as you get older. Soon you may actually find yourself missing the time when you only had homework and exams to worry about. With so much freedom, it only makes sense to use high school as a chance to discover yourself and learn who you really are. Try out a new club, make new friends, learn a new instrument, try a new hobby, etc.

If you fall flat on your face, don’t fret too much. Just pick yourself up, learn whatev-er lesson there is to be learned, and move on. At the very least you’ll be able to say that you won’t have to wonder what would have hap-

pened if you tried something new. Perhaps high school is just a measly and

meaningless four years. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t make the most of this time.

June 10, 2011

Seniors 20114

Lisa Li

Imagine this... No longer the new kid, and my head held high, I say goodbye

Forget about all the worrying, start living

The Merionite

I think we’d all rather be able to say that we spent

high school having a blast over saying that we slaved laboriously over assign-

ments.

Han Tran

Emily Shepard

Thank you, Lower Merion High School, for the academic, athletic, and so-cial experiences that have helped shape my person-ality, perception, and goals. A les-son can be de-rived from every encounter, and to appreciate LMHS is to recognize and remember these encounters while analyzing them in search of moral meaning. While I consider the aca-demic knowledge that I accumulated

at LM to be important, its value cannot contend with the social lessons that I have learned from great teachers.

Learning about Mao and the Cultural Revolution was interesting, but the appropriately intimate teacher-student relationship that Mrs. Chung was able to develop with so many different students allowed for freer expression of individuality in a classroom setting; creativity, humor, and camaraderie thrived among intense intellectual debates and learning. Unfortunately, not every class has had that attitude, but to best learn about and retain information it is imperative to inject some fun into the assignment.

The Catcher in the Rye and The Lord of the Flies were fun to read, but Mr. Murray taught me a lesson about compassion that has made me empathetic towards first time offenders, but stringent regarding second time offenders. After most of my research paper mimicked several Wikipedia pages, with turnitin.com as the revealing investigator, Mr. Murray recognized my regret and gave me a second chance. Elitism was disproven, as was invincibility.

I may be the only person that Mr. Grace has kicked out of class, and when I tried to forge a nurse’s note because of my lateness to class one day, I found myself sitting in Mr. Ar-nold’s office explaining my dishonest actions with inevitable detention hovering over my head. This is an extreme case,

but almost everything that we did in Mr. Grace’s class was supported by a research project that was loosely monitored by Mr. Grace. With basic guidelines, we would explore the works of famous Enlightenment authors. Honesty was critical to success during these projects: honestly doing our work and presenting our findings.

As a cocky, frantic LMHS junior, I ran into Mrs. Shusta-Brown advisory and loudly interrupted her conversation with another student by asking if she could sign one of the old, yellow advisory passes for me. Not surprisingly, I was kicked out of her classroom and asked to come back tomor-row with my manners intact. During classroom debates, there was no interrupting and everyone was given a fair voice in an argument, where often in Mrs. Chung’s classroom the loudest person was given the privilege of speaking. Consider everyone’s voice, and respect your peers’ ideas.

Here are four short examples of the guidance that LMHS has provided from its spectacular faculty. Coaches Severini, Fadely, Cronin, Moyer, and Haglund have taught me more than how to run quickly or kick a ball. I will do my best to remember my mistakes and lessons in the next stage of my life, never thinking that my character is done developing.

June 10, 2011

Seniors 20115

The Merionite

With lessons learned, I thank you, Lower Merion

If you had told me 2-3 years ago that I would be writing a senior reflection for the Merionite, I would have thought you had confused me with someone else.

You see, a year and a half ago, I was something of an intro-verted, antisocial cipher, not always certain where to sit during lunch. My extracurriculars were basically moribund, and I was feeling devoid of purpose. My sometimes overbearing –yet beloved- mother would constantly advise me to do some extra-curricular activity. “You’ll need it for college,” she would say. Yes, I would need it for college. But what’s more, I would need it for some spunk in my life.

On a brisk day in February of 2010, an old friend urged me to audition for Players’ spring comedy, Twelfth Night. I thought to myself, “Yeah, I think I’d like that.” I picked up an audition monologue, hoping not too many people would see me doing so. I cared too much about what others thought. After earning a part in that play, I was excited about a new opportunity. I went into the rehearsal process open to new people and feeling comfortable putting all the energy I had into my role. For the first time I felt appreciated by people I had not known before. I made several new friends and restored older friendships. My confidence soared. So, too, did my crushes on many of the then-senior girls involved in the production.

From there I developed a willingness to try other opportuni-ties Lower Merion had to offer. I ran for Vice President of my

class and tried out for Voice of the Aces. This process of ventur-ing out of my comfort zone was new and exciting for me.

Freshman year I had dabbled with sports such as Freshman Soccer. I tried Baseball for one final season, earning the label of “liability” from a teammate. Athletics was not my calling –there is plenty of talent elsewhere to fill that role- but rather speech, humor, performance, discussion, and debate were. I found my-self in Mock Trial, World Affairs Club, Players, and behind the overhead to read the announcements each morning and recite the pledge (or attempt to, anyway). I know far more about who I am at high school’s end than I did at its beginning.

Lower Merion is an enterprise of opportunities. It is a com-munity of citizens from many backgrounds, possessing different strengths. There are those with special social savvy and those with astute academic abilities. There are earnestly passionate educators and intense yet approachable administrators.

LM offers fun, difficulty, success, and yes, failure. This past year, I auditioned for another play, and did not earn a role. At first, I was upset. I felt that I had performed well in the first two plays I had been part of. However, reflecting on that occurrence, I conclude that there must be someone casted in that play that was uplifted by the experience, as I had been a short year before. Further, having seen the cast’s performance, I can attest that they had put it together right. I had other activities to focus on anyway, activities that would not have existed had it not been for the

confidence boost I had received a year before.

The results of my increased confidence and participation were overwhelmingly positive. I was able to be my-self, and there-fore meet many wonderful friends, with whom I will stay in touch for years. This year you have probably found me prancing around the school from person to per-son, teacher to teacher, talking it up. I am now comfortable with all sorts of different peers. Thank god, for the class of 2011 is one hell of a bunch, all of whom I will collectively miss. I mused with a friend the other day that I wish I could marry everyone in my grade. Too bad such a feat is impossible!

Dave Huppert

Sitting in English class during sophomore year, Mrs. Roy had us do-ing a Socratic seminar. Literally all you had to do to get an A was speak up and say something moderately thoughtful. I sat in disbelief as students had to be coaxed out of silence to give an opin-ion about Holden Caulfield. I think it was so hard for me to understand their silence because what they were missing in not speaking was something so vital to my high school career: spontaneity. Speaking in class may be a very small example of spontaneity, but it is one that we can all relate to. To me, spon-taneity is one of the biggest reasons that I loved Lower Merion to an almost fa-natical degree. Something spontaneous,

as defined by the dictionary on these fine 1:1 laptops, is “performed or occurring as

a result of a sudden inner impulse or inclination and without premeditation or external stimulus.” It is the “why not?” impulse, and the decision to submit to it or not is one that every high school student toys with. During the fall pep rally this year, I was ecstatic to see the majority of the senior class (and much of the junior class) stand up and shake it to “Dynamite” during the teacher dance. At one moment, dozens of students had the same thought, “am I really going to do this?” and at the same time these students answered “why the hell not!” So as I recall times when I left class to Tecktonik in the bathroom, or sat in on rehearsals for plays I wasn’t in, or model walked down the annex hallway when no one was looking (yea, it happened), I invite each one of you reading this to do something weird and unexpected today. If someone half-jokingly invites you to sit in on their class during your free; go! Break the monotony for god’s sake, because we all know the block schedule will be there when you get back.

Maggie Walker

Acting on impulse

Finding my own voice amongst the rest

Aging is often thought to be a linear process. Inevitable, interminable, we cannot stop the passage of time, nor stop celebrating birthdays. This may be true, but I see high school as circular: more specifically, as an upward spiral.

I remember my first day of freshman year as if it were yesterday—5’1”, metal-mouthed, and bushy-haired. Sure, my physical appearance has changed: I got my braces off and my hair issues worked out, or so I like

to think. The majority of the differences between freshman and senior Sarah, however, are purely bodily. I am still the same person. The same butterflies beat their wings in my stomach on the first day of freshman year as the last day of senior year.

At the end of it all, I can see that it’s remarkably like the beginning. High school started with a bang, and ended with a bang. There will always be intermittent bangs, surrounded by long periods of tedium characterized by restlessness, complaints, and Sporcle. The only fix for these down times is to wait it out, and excitement invariably comes knocking again. Thus, the circle repeats itself.

That is not to say that I leave Lower Merion with the same quantity of knowledge as I had upon matriculation. As a green 14 year old I had never heard of Taylor Series, nor Immanuel Kant, nor molecular orbital theory. I have learned much, this is undeniable—and also not the most important thing. Progress should not be measured in quantity of knowledge, but rather in quality of character. Mr. Hughes’ constant reminders of respon-sibility and compassion, examples of diligence and curiosity set by teachers: these are the most significant lessons learned. In this

way, I think that Lower Merion helped me progress, and shaped me into a mature young adult. It will serve us well to remember: the person who walked into LM for the first time four years ago is the

same person who will walk across the stage to accept a diploma next week. We may know a bit more about the Great Awakening, or how to conjugate Spanish irregulars, but what’s most important—our character—has only improved. We must always allow ourselves to be molded by our surroundings, and to soak up the best that our environments have to offer. It is only then that we can look back and say honestly—it’s been a good four years.

Coming full circle

Michael Lemonick

Sarah Zimmerman

LM Matriculation 2011: Go Forth To Serve...Margeaux AbramsRichard AdgerErnest AhwezaStephen AllenMaija Aro-BaileyGarrett BakerMark BakerErika Bar-DavidShira BarlasHarrison BarthTalia BaurerJustin BenderMadeline BergerTalia BergerBryan BermanLauren BermanMyles BernbaumMatthew BernsteinAndrea BingNicholas BlattLenna BlisteinMichael BlumenthalPauline BogadChloe BollentinHelen BraunsteinNathaniel BressiMolly BroscoeBenjamin BrownAbigail BrymanMichael BuchwaldJason BuckmanKathryn CallahanDaniel CallawayMichael CapkinLucas ChambersAvi ChatterjeeScott ChelohaJames ChimekasMaria ChinwallaLeeAnn ChoiSamuel ChristianMarc Ciamaichelo Jr. Andrew CichewiczThomas. ClarkAlyssa ClinkscalesKevin ClobesClaire CochraneAnne CoglianeseJesse CohenCayla ConoverMonica CoranLeanna CrutchfieldNorbert CsordasAdam DaiSeverine DalembertMadeline DavidJulian DavisHelen DeHavenJake DelmanJohn Nathaniel DiehlJennarose DiGiacomoJoaneah DixsonRachel DolezalCasey DornItai Doron Brandon DownsDavid DranoffJoseph DubrowJake DulitzkiElizabeth DunoffEmily DuranteJeremy EcksteinBenjamin EdelmanSydney EhrmanZachary EikovSarah EisenlohrColin EisenstaedtElliot ElbaumNaava Feingold

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Neumann UniversityHampshire CollegeDartmouth CollegeUniversity of California, BerkelyUndecidedPhiladelphia CC (Class of 2014)University of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania State UniversityUniversity of PittsburghFairleigh Dickinson University-MarylandYear OffUniversity of PittsburghVirginia TechPennsylvania State UniversityUniversity of VermontWashington University in St. LouisContinuing Studies at LMHSUndecidedWest Chester University of PennsylvaniaManhattan CollegeUniversity of MichiganWake Forest UniversityWake Forest UniversityNew York UniversityArcadia UniversityBinghamton UniversityTemple UniversityLehigh UniversityConnecticut CollegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaSchool of Visual ArtsFort Lewis CollegeDelaware County Community CollegeVillanova UniversityTufts UniversityUniversity of DelawareCase Western Reserve UniversityVassar CollegeUniversity of DelawareUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstFranklin & Marshall CollegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaYear OffUniversity of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania State UniversityBinghamton UniversityUniversity of MarylandWesleyan UniversityGeorgetown UniversityIndiana University of PennsylvaniaUniversity at Albany, SUNYYear OffUniversity of ArizonaYear OffUniversity of ChicagoLoyola University of New OrleansTulane UniversityLehigh UniversityIndiana UniversityUniversity of PennsylvaniaMaryland Institute College of ArtPennsylvania State UniversityUniversity of MarylandUniversity of Massachusetts, AmherstFranklin & Marshall CollegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaColumbia UniversityUniversity of Colorado at BoulderBoston UniversityWest Virginia UniversityVassar CollegePennsylvania State UniversityPhiladelphia UniversityAmherst CollegeUnavailableVassar CollegeSkidmore CollegeUnavailableUniversity of Delaware

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Tulane UniversityLebanon Valley CollegeUniversity of California, Los AngelesPennsylvania State UniversityTemple UniversityJacksonville UniversityUnavailablePennsylvania State UniversityUndecidedUniversity of Massachusetts, AmherstUniversity of the SciencesPrinceton UniversityUnavailablePenn State University, BrandywineSyracuse UniversityKutztown UniversityWashington University in St. LouisDrexel UniversityGeorgetown UniversityUnavailableCabrini CollegeMontgomery County Community CollegeUniversity of Colorado at BoulderWork/Year OffUniversity of North CarolinaUnavailablePennsylvania State UniversityUnavailableTulane UniversityPennsylvania State UniversityVanderbilt University (Class of 2016)Vanderbilt UniversityCalifornia Institute of TechnologyUnavailableUndecidedUndecidedUniversity of British ColumbiaColorado CollegeUniversity of MarylandTemple UniversityUnavailableNew York UniversityUnavailableBoston UniversityUniversity of PennsylvaniaBrandeis UniversityBrandeis UniversityUniversity of VermontUniversity of VermontUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of PennsylvaniaElizabethtown CollegeColumbia University

The editors of The Merionite offer our sincere regrets to anyone not mentioned in this year’s Matriculation list. We wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors.

High school has taught me a lot of stuff. Not just gov, chem, or physics. Not just topics and facts, but how to think critically, analytically, and lovingly, about the world in which we all live. It taught me how to pick something apart to its absolute small-est parts in order to understand its worth on the absolute grand-est scale. How to derive artful and beautiful value—of history, or mathematics, or French—from a learning process, that, as a fresh-man, seemed to me so technical, monotonous, and daunting.

Beyond that, high school taught the difference between those with whom I’m “friendly” and my best friends. The ones I sit with at lunch, and whom I can rely on for help with homework, even if it’s at the very last minute and it’s something I could or should do myself. And of course, who’s going to ask me.

And high school has taught me the difference between being sincerely and being politely nice, and that there’s a time and place for both. And it has taught me what I like learning, and what I don’t, and that school’s not the biggest thing in the world, that it doesn’t determine or dictate or encompass your life, unless you allow it to.

Yet despite my trying to not let it do just that, high school has also taught me plenty about frus-tration and procrastination. Countless things that I thought of as stupid, pointless, and stressful. And painful. And blah. And it’s taught me cynicism, and how to determine if a teacher is playing favorites or

if I’m just being bitter because I don’t feel like I’m one of them.

But ultimately, high school is one of the things I’ll miss most about my youth. Because high school has taught me about how I learn, about how to ap-

preciate my friends and my home, and how to appreciate snow days or just hope for them, and high school has taught me how lucky I am to actually have a high school like the one I do. Because to be blunt, Lower Merion is just awesome, and don’t forget it.

Friends, frustration, pro-crastination, who to sit with at lunch, how to think critically versus cramming for the lat-est French test. High school has taught me what it means

to be alive. While every-one else is congratulating me and wishing me luck

for the “real world” to come, I keep thinking that high school, at least for me, has been a true world of its own. And I’m really excited to see what comes next, to move forward and upwards and onwards into who-knows-what, but I am going to miss high school a whole hell of a lot at the same time.

I certainly did not live any kind of charmed life high school career, so you can take it from me. It is so worth it. Please enjoy the ideas, experiences, and memories of it as much as, if not a million times more than, I did. It’ll make you happy, and proud, and who wouldn’t want that?

Stay hungry. Stay foolish.

Ms. Mastriano would always remind our class that she preferred to teach only sophomores. Sophomore year, Unlike freshman year where you’re new to the

school, extracurricular life, and work-load, junior year where you’re taking AP classes and studying for SATs, and senior year where you’re applying to and preparing for college, your job as a sophomore is simply to be in high school. I advise that you try to make other years like sophomore year – join clubs and sports teams early freshman year to get acclimated, take SATs or ACTs in Sep-tember or October to get them over with, and apply early to your top choice to try to get that process over with. When you’re always looking forward to the next step, taking four years to prepare for the next

four, you miss the steps on the way – so enjoy sophomore year and take time ev-ery other year to be in high school!

As students, I think it’s safe to say that many of us work best when we face adversity. The best way to take advantage of this is not through procrastination, but by pushing yourself with a tough schedule. Tough classes will motivate you to try harder. Though I don’t consider English to be my strong point academi-cally, I challenged myself by taking AP Language and AP Literature and enjoyed both classes. Take classes that sound interesting or out of your comfort zone – you never know what will pique your interest. My last piece of advice for cur-rent and future LM students is to join clubs and sports teams to meet students

from other grades and social circles. Who knows, you might also enjoy it. I

learned this lesson after joining the cross-country team after thinking I could never enjoy distance running: Needless to say, I did. My friends could lovingly make fun of each other for missing hangouts for cross country meets, mock trial meet-ings, and Improv open sessions. We got involved and expanded from our own social group, giving us multiple eyes into the social atmosphere at LM. Get involved and work hard. Go to sports games – go aces. And don’t forget to relax and be a sophomore every once in a while – the next four years will come soon enough.

June 10, 2011

The Merionite

8

Seniors 2011

I looked down at my schedule to triple-check, then up at the room number. My nervousness subsided for a second. I located the right classroom and I wasn’t even late. A moment later, though, upon entering Spanish 2, my anxiety resurged. Scan-ning the room I recognized one or two faces peppered among the freshmen. I felt alone. I had attended Welsh Valley, and the vast majority of my classmates split off to Harriton. At my time of vulnerability they were probably eagerly recounting exciting summer tales and misadventures. What was I to do?

My response was to befriend everyone; everyone was a potential friend. And while I made friends fairly quickly, even to this day I don’t identify with one group of people. I have friends I hang out with consistently, but often times they span the social spectrum.

No doubt there have been downsides to this reality as many circles of friends existed long before and continued through high school. It’s very difficult to join a group like this when you simply don’t share the same experiences with them. But in the end, my social endeavors at Lower Merion define who I am today.

I am proud. At Lower Merion I was forced to explore each

and every social scene. At some point or another I tried to befriend people from every group. And by spreading myself everywhere, I found out exactly who I was. When I approached someone new I had to gauge my own interests with his. Differ-ent social groups acted as a barometer for me. I compared and contrasted and found out who I was comfortable with and who I wasn’t. I learned where I belong and who I am by matching myself against others.

I’ve come to realize now that I may never be able to discover myself again this way. Most students attending Columbia al-ready share certain qualities, and in two years I will have even more in common with those who I will share a major with. In the professional world I will be surrounded by people who have the same passion as well. As it turns out, my time at Lower Merion may end up being my most diverse years.

My advice goes to the underclassmen. Sophomores and especially freshmen still have shifting groups of friends. Much will still change in the next two or three years. You will probably lose some friends, and gain others, and based on my experience I recommend you embrace rather than fight that. There is so much and are so many people to learn from in our microcosm of the

world. Don’t try to befriend everyone, but at least try and un-derstand them, be-cause then you’ll better understand yourself. Don’t let suburban stereo-types blind you from seeing how different each and every one of your classmates are, and how much you can learn from them. It may be easy to play it safe, to stick with the tried and true, but you’ll never know what could have been until you try.

Senior year… I heard that it would be “easy” and “a piece of cake” but time would tell that these were false predictions. Before February, senioritis was nothing but a comical myth to me. However, the day my acceptance letter came from Syracuse, that myth had become a reality. Homework was a thing of the past, studying was on occasion if there was nothing good on television and test and quizzes were taken as if I had learned the material that day (Usually because that was the case). Sleeping in class became a ritual in which I would play a game with myself to see how long it would take for my teacher to notice I was actually asleep. After a while, I began to find creative ways to hide my sleeping from my teachers. I found myself sitting at a desk counting down the number of days until we

got out for vacation (senior project). They say, “you never know what you have until it’s gone” and this has proven itself to be true. During the days leading up to

graduation, I realize that the moment when we wave goodbye to each other is quickly approaching. We tell each other we’ll visit one another in college but that’s as false of a statement as “detention if you don’t sign up for academic recovery” is. Truthfully, there’s a new world beyond high school

that presents many challenges along the way. You learn a lot about yourself in high school but you truly start to determine the type of person you are in college (so they say). It has been a memorable four years with peers that I will never forget. And what better to top off a great four years than a messy food fight in the cafeteria (not funny!). To the seniors, I wish you all the best of luck, and may your college years be plentiful of many things that will not be said in this newspaper. To the underclassmen, appreciate your youth because when you get older you have to start paying for gas and it adds up. To the teachers, well yeah you guys have to pay for gas too so you know what I’m talking about! But honestly, I thank my teachers for pushing me and not settling for the bare minimum. Lower Merion has been real! I love you all!

They say, ‘you never know what you have until

it’s gone’, and this has proven itself to be true.

Immerse Yourself Lessons Learned

Don’t appreciate your experiences too late

Value the friends you make and the places you go

Dan Sansweet

Colton Jones

David Silberthau

Benjamin Edelman

I’m often frustrated with my inability to recall many of the events I’ve experienced over the years. I’m sure many of you will speculate about the reasons why I have poor recall, but I just don’t think my brain is wired for that. Nonetheless, I’m amazed at how vivid my memories are from the summer I graduated high school in June 1987. A large group of fellow

Council Rockers

spent a week after graduation

in glorious Wildwood, NJ. The best thing I can say about the house we stayed in is that they tore it down a year or two after we were there. I did all the typical things one would do without parental supervi-

sion, like getting my ear pierced (only to take it out three days later when my Dad “promised” to come down and rip it out…along with my ear). I also got to the front door of a tattoo place all geared up to get a “Fred Flintstone” on my calf, but had a moment of clarity and walked away. Later that summer, I took a couple of road trips – one to Myrtle Beach with some friends to golf and another down to Florida, where we mooched couch space from a friend who had already started college classes there. Each trip contained its own memo-ries, from the red ant invasion I encoun-tered while rolling around on the dunes in Myrtle getting to know a new friend to the endless laughter of our group when one of us had “nitro” sauce and chicken pieces gushing from his nose and mouth after failing to finish, on a dare, a plate of wings. Looking back, I realize that a huge change was taking place. I was mak-ing probably the biggest transition in my life. I was in the process of trying on my independence as I headed off to Penn State and continued to create so many more memories…a few that I can recall. I am so glad that I took advantage of that time in my life and have such lasting memories of my world opening up and expanding right before my eyes. If I could condense all my experiences from that summer into

one piece of advice, it would be to embrace the changes that you

encounter. Embrace

the chal-lenges that college and work and

life bring, embrace the friendships you make along the way. Go ahead and be a “hugger” and embrace your future!! Con-gratulations seniors!!

June 10, 2011

Seniors 20119

Brian Feeney Mathematics

The Merionite

“Have a great w e e k e n d . B e safe. Do nothing foolish. I want to see you on Mon-day.” Although I won’t be seeing you on Monday, perhaps this sen-timent has added significance now that you’re leav-ing for the next s t a g e o f y o u r journey.

I cou ld have reflected on why you a r e such a specia l c lass to me personally and to the school com-

munity as a whole. I could have culled toge the r a s e r i e s of sweet and funny memories spanning

from when you were freshmen until now. I could have written a Letterman Top Ten list of my favorite moments from when I had you in class. Instead you’re going to get the mom ver-sion of Shusta.

Let’s reflect on balance. “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” is a ridiculous

way to live life. If you cheat or do something extraordinarily reckless, you will get caught. You might not get caught the first time you do it, but it will happen. You may even get thrown out of college. Good luck going home and telling your parents that news.

“My coach says I don’t have to attend class” is a sure way for your brain to remain perpetually 18 years old. Plus, the statistics are against you turning pro.

“My roommate says I don’t have to attend class.” Unless your roommate is going to provide for you for the rest of your life, get up when your alarm goes off, grab some breakfast and go learn something from someone wiser than you.

“I can’t go to class because the love of my life broke up with me.” Go to class and meet the next love of your life.

“I want all of my classes to be on Tuesdays and Thursdays.” Since “Basic Oil Painting,” “Advanced Astrophysics” and the “Ethics Plaguing Local Fisheries” are not part of your major, you’ll be in school for at least two extra years.

Now the flip side…“I can’t go to the party with you because I have to go to

the library for the 232nd night in a row” might be why you feel disconnected and detached from the rest of the entire student body.

“I can’t go to the cafeteria, commissary, student union because I don’t know anyone” will guarantee you’ll be eat-ing dry cereal for every meal. Being uncomfortable leads to growth. Just think, you may be thrown together in line for a

slice of pizza with your future partner.“I’m going to bed every night at 8:00 so my GPA will remain

perfect” will ensure your roommate runs to the housing office to ensure you will no longer be roommates.

“I’m taking 21 credits each semester so that I can get out early.” If that is for financial, medical or some other logical reason, okay. Otherwise, 15 credits per semester, 30 per year, 120 by the time you graduate in four is fast enough.

“My real education will begin in graduate school.” Your real education begins the moment mom and dad pull away with you in their rearview mirror.

So…be safe. Do nothing foolish. And most importantly, know that you have many people in your life, some you haven’t even met yet, who want to see you on Monday.

Dana Shusta-BrownEnglish

Reflecting on balance, a “mom version” of Shusta

Embrace life’s challenges,understand its changes

Class of 2011—first of all, congratulations on your accomplishments! In front of you are some of the most special years of your life. George Bernard Shaw opined that youth is wasted on the young—but I trust that it won’t be wasted on you.

If you are headed to college...embrace the chal-

lenge. The grades are important, the friends you make are more important, and what you learn is most important. Reach out to people who are unlike you. Indulge your interests but choose a goal early and keep your eyes on it. Stretch outside yourself; this is

the end of the part of your life when it is easy to sing in a group, to play your violin in an orchestra, to row a shell, to dance on a stage. To those headed to the military and the workforce... continue striving. Be the best version of yourself. When given the oppor-tunity, do a little extra. Try to leave every situation better than you found it.And most importantly...Come back and visit us! Best of luck.

Nora ChristmanPhysics

Embrace the chal lenges that c o l l e g e a n d w o r k a n d l i f e bring, embrace the friendships tha t you make a long the way

... embrace your future!

When given the opportunity, do a little extra. Try to leave every situation better than you

found it.

Your real education begins the moment mom and dad pull away with you in their

rearview mirror.

Reach out and indulge your interests, be your best

On my desk is a quote from a late folk-singer named Utah Phillips: “In your life, sooner or later, you’ve got to say what you are going to authentically inherit and what you are going to put into the world.” I am struck by how many of you have already put your wisdom and your kindness into the world. Your presence is palpable; in the frenzy of the school year, your earnestness, your friendships,

your sense of humor, and your curiosity commands attention simply by its decency and integrity. It is true that as ninth grad-ers some of you were kind of frisky but you still definitely made yourself known and heard!! I am grate-ful that so many of you—frisky or not—know that true learn-ing is as noble and pleasurable as an end in itself; that you have the tenacity to think through a problem; that everyone deserves respect; that you are patient and forgiving with your family, your teachers and each oth-er. I am confident that

many of you will put extraordi-nary talents into the world, that

many of you will of-fer your com-passion in care for oth-ers, that you will offer your

friendship to others and form communities. I am proud that you will make sure that your statements and questions and character will be known in your next chapter.

June 10, 2011

Seniors 201110

The Merionite

To all of the graduates, these are some of the things that I’ve learned since graduating from high school:• College is the best four years of your life if you “play your cards right.”• Karma is real, both good and bad.• People don’t think about you nearly as much as you think they do.• Treat others the way you would want someone to treat your grandmother, mother or favorite aunt.• The good friendships that you form in college, if you’re lucky, will most likely be friendships that you will have for life.

Once you go to college you will, more likely than not, lose contact with most or all of your high school friends. So, in the grand scheme of things, your high school friends will only have been a small part of your life.

• Life is not a game. Life is not about “getting over” on adults, your parents, your teachers, or whoever else you think you may be “getting over” on at the moment. What you choose to do or choose not to do will ALWAYS have consequences for you and others around you. Some of those consequences will be immediate, some not so much and other consequences will be long term.

• Don’t take life personally when things go wrong or don’t go the way you planned. Sometime things just happen. And when people you know or strangers treat you unkindly it’s probably NOT about you. People basically do the best that they can “in the moment” given their particular life experiences.

• College is the best four years of your life for those of you choosing that route. ENJOY it! But not too much. And rec-ognize how lucky you are to have the opportunity to attend – it is a gift.

Your life has begun! And remember it is YOUR life to do with what you wish. Get on a path and see where it takes you. Don’t worry - it won’t be a right or wrong path it will simply be your path and hopefully it will have many curves a few twists and a couple of turns.

Good luck to all the graduates of the class 2011 as you leave the “harbor of safety” and enter into “the sea of chance.” It was my pleasure to have been able to be a part of many of your lives. Best Wishes to all of you!

Diane SweeneyMathematics

Impressions of an influential class

In your life, sooner or later, you’ve got to say what you

are going to authentically inherit and what you are going

to put into thie world.

Wynne Stovall-Johnson

Mathematics

All Around the World:Where Seniors Will Be Next Year

Most Popular Schools for the Class of 2011

By t

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All graphics in this issue were created by Meep Zhou

Seniors 2011June 10, 2011 11

The Merionite

Congratulations Class of 2011!

Good luck to all graduating seniors in the years to come. You have entered to

learn; now go forth to serve!