2013-14; Volume 50; Issue 1; October 2013

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Fort Worth Country Day October 2013 Volume 50 Issue 1

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

Administration plans for new athletic facility

In todays rap-

idly changing world,

private schools

are forced to change

with the times or beleft behind. Fort Worth

Country Days new

Capital Campaign will

be benecial in keeping

the school relevant and

updated by allowing

for renovation and con-

struction to take place

throughout campus, as

well as bolstering the

schools endowment for

nancial aid and faculty

salaries.

In order to ensure that

the students have access

to the best facilities pos-

sible, FWCD is planning

to construct a new eld

house, although no datefor construction has

been set. But according

to Head of School Evan

D. Peterson, the facilitys

location has already

been conrmed.

The eld house will

be where the tennis

courts are currently, and

the tennis courts will

move across the street

to where the apartment

buildings used to be,

Peterson said.

This move would

likely involve the school ling

with the city of Fort Worth

to close Bryan Henderson

Road to public access, making it a private drive.More parking for athletic events would also likely

be added in this space.

The new athletic facility will contain a new

basketball arena with permanent seats as op -

posed to the pull-out bleachers currently in use.

Additional amentiies will include new locker

rooms, a new weight room, and two competi-

tion courts, one practice court, and training

rooms. According to Assistant Head of School

Steve Stackhouse, the new athletic facility will be

similar to facilities at Brewer High School, with

a team room and coaches ofces similar to the

ones at Brewer. However, the school is still in the

quiet phase of the campaign.

The quiet phase of fundraising is the stage

Connall Mccormack

copy editor

NEWS BRIEFS

in which the school has approved a new project,

but is still gauging support and nancial options.As the administration moves forward, the goal

is to raise $21-25 mllion to fund the new eld

house and focus on the Schools endowment.

While the new athletic building will be the next

construction project the school undertakes, many

more are in the works. According to Peterson,

the school willl look very different in the years

to come. While none of these projects will begin

in the immediate future and are not conrmed,

they are options that have been discussed.

One of the hypothetical options for campus

development is the demolition of the Round

Gym. If the Round Gym was removed, a facade

could be constructed in its place, leaving a grassy

area between the Lou and Nick Martin Cam-

New Falcon Portal Coming Homecoming Festivities Tonight Financial Aid at $2 Million SPC Championships Nov. 89

Homecoming week is nally here! Be sure

to make it out to the 50th anniversary

football game at 7:00 p.m. on Friday

night. This game is huge. Not only is it the last

game of the season, but it is also the Battle of

Bryant Irvin, a longstanding rivalry. Come watch

the varsity football team defeat the Trojans and

enjoy food trucks, a jumbotron, and reworks

at the game. See p. 8-9 for more information.

The Homecoming dance is 8:30-10:30 p.m. on

Saturday night in the Upper School Commons.

Go Falcons!

Although Friday night is the last regular

season football game of the year, the

rest of the fall sports teams will still

be competing throughout the next week. On

Nov. 8 and 9, the fall sports teams from all over

Texas and Oklahoma will be heading to Fort

Worth to compete for the rst place title in

SPC. The Upper School students will be out

of school that Friday, Nov. 8 so be sure to come

support your peers as they battle for rst place

in eld hockey, volleyball, football, and cross

country.

For the current school year, one in every ve

students is receiving need-based nancial

aid, with more than $2 million awarded.

FWCDs nancial aid guidelines state that each

year our returning students are served rst. After

spring enrollment of new students K-12, the

nancial aid committee meets a second time to

distribute remaining funds as available to new

students. Understandably, the returning students

make up the larger of the two groups. The nan-

cial aid budget comes from the FWCD restricted

endowment.

pus Center and the Square Gym. A multi-oor

Lower School could be constructed that wouldencompass Lower Schoolers as well as kindergar-

teners. The structure of the building would likely

parallel that of the Middle School renovation, with

lower grades on the lower oor and higher grades

upstairs. The Lower School could be connected

to the Square Gym, which would be used for P.E.

and recreational purposes since the new gyms in

the eld house would be so far away.

In the space vacated by the Lower School and

the Kindergarten, a new theater and perfoming

arts center may be constructed.

We need a theater that can seat all our stu-

dents, not just 400, Peterson said.

A new facility would likely have a capacity

of close to 1,000, making it far larger and more

usable than the current 500-seat theater. While

the visual arts facilities received an impressivemakeover when the Sid W. Richardson Visual

Arts Center opened, the performing arts class-

rooms as well as the Upper School remain some

of the most outdated buildings on campus.

Although it has been years since the Upper

School has been updated, there are no current

plans to make any changes.

Were waiting to see what happens with the

online classes, Peterson said.

By waiting to see how technology and educa-

tion as a whole develop, the administration will

be able to renovate the Upper School in a man-

ner that maximizes its efciencey aud suits the

needs of both students and faculty.

Sometime in the next few weeks, the tech

department will unveil the new Falcon Por-

tal. Although students have not been given

direct information how the portal will change,

teachers have been testing it out recently. The

new site will boast a fresh new look that mirrors

the Facebook home page and an easier naviga-

tion system.

I didnt have much experience with the

former Falcon Portal, but I like the updates. It is

much easier to deal with, US math teacher Ravi

Pillalamari said.

The architects rendering of the proposed field house is planned to be constructed where the current tennis courts are. It will provide locker rooms for thesports teams, among many other amenities, which will in turn give the student-athletes a more oonvenient walk to their respective fields. Photo courtesy ofSteve Stackhouse


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The fall of 2013 at Country Day has been one

of rsts. We have celebrated FWCDs 50thbirthday, we have witnessed the boys varsity

cross country team win its rst meet, and we have ac-

cepted six students who previously lived in a foreign coun-

try who have brought their experiences into the Country

Day family. Keeping with the theme, this year FWCD is

offering a new set of classes. But theyre different: theyre

not only online, but they also include students from other

schools across the country.

The online program is associated with Stanford Univer-

sity and Stanford Online High School, and is called the

Malone Schools Online Network, or MSON.

The program is comprised of approximately 88 students

Taking AP Spanish Language wasnt enough for

Sawyer Stratton 15. He wanted something more,

something more exotic. This year, he is taking Arabic

I, a vastly different language from Spanish, French, or Latin,

the three languages FWCD offers.

The alphabet is nothing like English, Stratton said.

The language consists of random-looking shapes with dots.

However, theyre not characters, theyre letters. This is one of

the few similarities between Arabic and the English language.They are both phonetic.

Taking a language course online is a little different from

taking something concrete, such as a science or a math class.

The class meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30 to

5:30 p.m., which makes i t convenient for those students who

arent playing a fall sport. For Stratton, though, taking this

particular class sometimes gets in the way of cross-country

practice. Luckily, his personality allows him to always look at

the bright side.

With such positive attitude towards learning, I dont nd it

annoying in the slightest, Stratton said.

Even though the class interferes with athletics, the timing

of Arabic I can be be considered convenient in relation to

academic classes.

Because the class is after school, it doesnt interfere with

my other classes, Stratton said. It just adds more work.

Since most of the work is done at home, Stratton is able to

focus as much as possible on learning the language at home.

This enables him to speak with the teacher during class,so the professor can monitor his progress and ne tune his

speaking skills. The class is what Stratton calls an interactive

lecture, in which the teacher presents the material online,

where the students can see his every move, while speaking in

the language.

Right now, we are still learning the letters, the phonetics,

This story offers five different perspectives on this years new virtual-classroom option, each with uniquemson offers students

February 2013 - survey (140 students said they

were interested in taking an MSON course)

Initial course request form - courses placed on

Whipple Hill (25 students signed up)Final course request form (12 students continued

their interest in taking a course)

Robbie Stackhouse 14, a Freedom, Democracy, and Rule of Law student, flips through a physical notes packet

while listening and watching his teacher on the screen at the front of the old Technology Office.Photo by AlexDoswell

from 8 schools all over the U.S. By now, you may be

wondering how these students connect with each other.The answer is a virtual discussion seminar setting made

possible by HD equipment from a company called Lifesize.

The physical classroom in which FWCD students take all

of their MSON courses is located in the old Tech Ofce;

now, the Tech Ofce is located in Seminar AB, which hugs

the round gym.

Director of Technology Steve Uhr serves as the technical

liaison between Fort Worth Country Day and Stanford

University, oversees the connection between the two

schools, and ensures that the system is reliable and func-

tioning.

I work with the tech liaison at Stanford University and

make sure that the tech at Country Day works for both

the students and the school, Uhr said. I make sure thatthe equipment turns on correctly, that it connects on time

and correctly, and that there are no problems with the

computers or software.

With all these high-tech gadgets, students are able to

learn in a different way, in whats called a ipped class-

room. This teaching style emphasizes the personalized as-

pect of education, and requires students to learn at home

or on their own. The courses utilize two new softwares

that make this possible: SABA and eCollege.

SABA is more of an interactive software, while eCol-

lege is simpler to use, Uhr said.

SABA was described to be a software that the students

how to write, and reciting the alphabet, Stratton said. He

lectures us the whole time, and we can see what hes doing.

One unique thing about the MSON program is that it is

wireless. Professors may be pulled from all over the coun-

try to teach the students of all the schools offering MSON

courses. This means that top-notch teachers are accessible to

FWCD students.

My class is taught by a professor out of Egypt who also

teaches at Stanford University, Stratton said. Since the MSON courses are different from classes offered

on the FWCD campus in a physical classroom, missing class

could prove to be a dilemma for some students; however, not

so for for Stratton.

Im too perfect to miss class, Stratton said.

The difference between an MSON course and one that

has a physical classroom and a physical teacher is the way in

which homework is given and completed.

Work for that night could range anywhere from a packet to

a simple handout. Most of the time, the students of the class

will ll out the worksheet, bring it the next day, and discuss

any questions they had over the material.

Grading is also an obviously critical part of taking a course.

Doing well in a class can be reected in a number of ways:

tests, quizzes, labs. In a language class, however, there is more

variability in what is considered a correct answer.

I suppose we have completion grades, Stratton. Usually,

we will be given a handout and well ll it out that night and

then bring it to class to show the teacher we did the home-work.

Regardless of how the class functions, Stratton has shown

genuine enthusiasm about the opportunity that has been

given to him thanks to the MSON program and FWCD.

+

=

Zane Lincoln

editor in chief


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unique opportunitiesinsight into the five different classes FWCD represents within the Malone Schools Online Network program

August 5, 2013: parent-student meeting; walkthrough of

the virtual classroom and possible schedule conflicts

Aug. 19-23: Mr. Uhr and Ms.. Wakeland train students

with the profiles; equipment; and new softwares. Saba

and eCollege

September 3, 2013: Five classes begin

soon as the student created an account.

With the help of the online-classroom environment

and these two softwares, students enable themselves tocomplete homework in class as well as allow themselves

to receive the most effective instruction with the teacher

during actual class time. Because the learning is done at

home and the homework done in class, the teacher and

the students are able to discuss any misunderstandings

they have.

The new teaching method has been embraced by all

the participating students at Country Day, and many of

them appreciate a different way of learning. Although this

is nothing new to FWCD, the program also boasts small

class sizes and emphasizes the importance of building a

Uhr said. The courses require a lot of bandwidth.

Although scheduling proved to be the hardest goal to ac-

complish in Uhrs eyes, he believes the hard work FWCDput into making these c lasses possible for the student body

paid off. MSON course-takers were given a survey, which

yielded positive results. The feedback Uhr got from the

surveys helped him better understand the many advan-

tages of offering courses like these: they are rigorous, they

require a lot of work, and they allow FWCD students to

engage with other students all over the United States. As

many universities today have online programs, taking an

online class as a high schooler only reinforces the fact that

FWCD is a college preparatory school.

comfortable teacher-student relationship.

It took a lot from FWCD faculty to make these classes

available to the student body. Uhr sits in on every classeach day, there for students whether they need his as-

sistance or not.

Hopefully, by second semester, they will be completely

self-sufcient, Uhr said. I have had to adjust my calen-

dar a little bit this year., but I like to watch the different

courses, see how the different teachers teach.

Fortunately, there havent many problems with the daily

process of taking an MSON course. However, there are

some difculties that come along with providing such an

opportunity.

Its gone smoothly, but there have been a few issues,

12/88

FWCD boasts 12 students takingfive different classes: Democracy,Freedom, and the Rule of Law; Chi-nese Five; Arabic One; Advanced

Abstract Math; and Introductionto Organic Chemistry. A total of

88 students across the country areinvolved in the MSON program forthe fall semester.

Organo chem. Organic chemistry. Some call it the

hardest class theyve ever taken in college, but for

Malcolm McDonald 14, its just another class hes

taking in high school.

The class focuses on exactly what a regulars or honors

chemistry class at FWCD doesnt cover in depth. It studies

the chemistry of carbon bonds and how they relate to our ev-

eryday lives, incorporating chemistrys practical applicationsto medicine, various industries, and the environment.

Right now, we are learning all of the prerequisites for the

course, McDonald said. So that includes understanding

how bonds form, hybridization, and orbits. Weve also gone

over functional groups, which has helped a lot in my Biology

class as well.

For him, there is a small price to pay for taking an MSON

course.

I miss a lot of class, McDonald said. But, I usually dont

have a lot of makeup work because I have a free period, and

the class lines up pretty nicely with my schedule. Most of the

classes I miss are taught by teachers with whom I share free

periods with.

McDonalds love for chemistry is denitely evident, as he

took the AP Chemistry course last year as a junior, and is

now taking AP Biology as a senior. Now, hes taking the next

step into the world of medicine.

Its nice because FWCD doesnt offer Organic Chemis-

try, McDonald said. With this years new course offerings through MSON, stu-

dents like McDonald are exposed to subjects they wouldve

had to wait until college to study; now, they can take them in

the comfort of their own high school.

Also a BC Calculus student, junior Coleman Walker

15 is enrolled in Advanced Abstract Math; and the

class covers just that.

We are currently talking about proving set equality and

countability and introducing fractals, Walker said.

Although some students may have heard of terms similar

to these, like fraction instead of fractal or solution set instead

of set equality, they most likely have never covered anything

like this. Even Walker states that the course is meant to teach

exactly what a student hasnt covered in traditional math

classes like geometry or algebra II.

Considering its a class that is based on math concepts

not covered in high school, I was unprepared, but that was

expected, Walker said.

However, unprepared may be a bit of a misnomer, consid-

ering the feedback Mrs. Wakeland, Assistant Division Head

of the Upper School, is receiving from the coordinators of

the MSON program. Wakeland boasts that FWCD stu-

dents are almost always the rst to log into the system, earn

exceptional grades, and seem to be very comfortable in the

new setting.

Getting accustomed to a new way of learning may prove

difcult for some, but Walker is thriving.

I denitely like the relaxed attitude toward grades,

Walker said. Because its a new concept and technology andhas a few kinks, the focus of my class tends to lie more heav-

ily on understanding the concepts than the grades.

By placing more of an emphasis on comprehension rather

than tangible rewards such as a good grade on a test, the

math class creates a comfortable environment for its students,

one in which they can explore mathematics without fear.

Like many other MSON courses, the Advanced Abstract

Math class utilizes the ipped classroom.

We present homework problems to the class and go

Coleman Walker 15 works on his math homework during his Advanced Abstract Math class. Photo by AlexDoswell 16

over the solutions, Walker said. After that [the instructor]

teaches everything we need to know to watch the homework

lecture and do the problems.

The actual class is something that Walker really enjoys;

however, there are some things that could be changed in

order to make his junior year a little easier. As we all very

well know, junior year i s denitely a stressful one, as you

begin your college search, begin taking APs, and hopefully

start acquiring positions of leadership in ne arts or sports.

With all of the added weight, taking an MSON course can

be challenging in terms of scheduling.

I miss a class every time [the MSON course is in session],

Walker said. It can be a little much at times, but Im able to

make up the work. Id prefer more even spacing [in between

MSON gatherings].

Despite minor inconveniences, Walker thoroughly enjoys

the new environment offered by the Malone Schools Online

Network and believes it is a valuable experience. It has

proved to be a very encouraging, goal-oriented, and reward-

ing way of learning.

I really want to improve my problem solving abilities and

rational thought process, and its denitely helping, Walker

said.

Expanding on the helpfulness of the program in his math

abilities, Walker invites and encourages other students to goout on a limb and try something new or continue studying

something they already have a passion for.

If a student is interested in the subject being taught, I

highly recommend they take the class, Walker said.

FWCD students have all expressed their satisfaction with

the MSON course offerings, something that i s manifested

in their praise from other teachers all over the country, their

grades, and their success in getting used to the innovational

virtual classroom.


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For years, students at Fort Worth

Country Day have attended classes

in the same rotating schedule format.

However, the FWCD school day could look

different in the upcoming school year.

Although nothing has been conrmed, the

expectation is that there will be a differentbell schedule in the fall of next year, Assis-

tant Head of Upper School Peggy Wakeland

said.

While no schedule has been approved, ru-

mors have been ying for some time. Many

of these discussions are the result of the

ISAS report and a consultant who met with

faculty, students and parents last spring. One

main purpose of these changes is to synchro-

nize the schedules of the Middle and Upper

Schools in order to allow for more interdivi-

sional activities and optimize the schools use

of both faculty and facilities.

The goal is to dedicate the faculty that

teach in both the Middle and Upper Schools

to one division or the other, Wakeland said.

This designation of teachers in the math,

foreign language and ne arts divisions

would open up new scheduling options. Theschool could potentially change to a fully

rotating schedule in which A and B periods

rotate as well if cross-divisional teaching was

no longer in play. However, this is not the

only option being considered.

Another option thats being looked at is

a 6-day rotation where students still take 6

courses with a free period, Wakeland said.

Administration is also looking to maintain

the culture of the Upper School that brings

students together on a day-to-day basis for

announcements. With respect to block sched-

uling, extended class times of varying lengths

are also being considered.

If we were to make the change to ex-

tended class times of 75 or 90 minutes the

school would offer inservices and workshops

to give teachers the opportunity to alter their

presentations for a longer class, Wakeland

said.

While these changes would be a departure

from the normal routine of FWCD students,

athletic practices will remain unchanged.

According to Wakeland, the issue of sharing

athletic facilities with the whole school takes

altering practice times off the table.All of these options are considered on a

weekly basis, as Assistant MS Divison Head

Chaka Cummings, MS Division Head John

Stephens, US Division Head Rob Hereford

and Wakeland present ideas and discuss

courses of action. While no rm deadline is

in place, the administration hopes to have a

plan in place by spring break, so faculty can

plan accordingly in the spring and early sum-

mer. No matter what is decided, the odds are

in favor of a slightly different experience

at FWCD for the 2014-2015 school

year.

CHANGE ON THE WAY

Administration Considers New Schedules for 2014-2015connall mccormack

copy editor

This rotating schedule is one of several options being consid-ered by the administration. Courtesy of Peggy Wakeland

The schedule banners that hang in the UScommons will have a different look nextschool year. Photo by Ross Biggs 17

The Falcon Quill Online is the Upper School student website supplement for the Falcon Quill.The staff includes 14 students in the journalism class, which produces ve print issues a year and

maintains the Online Quill. Our former Yearbook DVD staff has merged with journalism, creating a video c lass which produces original stories for the Online Quill. The Quill newspaper

staff writes stories for online that are topical and current because the newspaper only comes out with ve issues a year. See more at: www.falconquill.org.

VISIT THE FALCON QUILL ONLINE!


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mimi RyANsection editor

Country Day welcomes new falcons

William Boon Teegarden

US History teacher Sara

and Blake Teegarden

August 16, 2013 at 1:25am

7 lbs, 3 ounces

19.5 inches

Teegarden will be returning

on November 18

Misha Jane Augusta Farda

Marisol and US History

teacher Brian Farda

August 15, 2013 at 9:05pm

7lbs, 13 ounces

18.5 inches

Gabriella Ilona Vecino

US English teacher Catherine

Collins and Mauricio Vecino

September 25, 2013 at 4:42am

6 lbs, 4 ounces

Collins will be returning on

December 9

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz


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Room 213 has an exciting new air to it, and

students will feel it immediately when they walkin to see Jordan Hampton, US math teacher.

Hampton is an FWCD alum and graduated in 2001.

Hampton never had a class in Mr. Hoovers room, but has

enjoyed seeing some familiar faces from his high school

days, like Mrs. Robinson, Mr. Arnold, Dr. Aldridge, Mrs.

Hamilton, and Ms. Wakeland. Although Hampton and

Colin Douglas 06, US history teacher, both graduated

from FWCD, they never knew each other. Hampton is

married with a two-year-old daughter.

Taking her to school today [for the rst time] was so

hard. As a student, Hampton had no intention of return-

ing to FWCD, especially as a high school math teacher,

but while studying architecture and engineering at Texas

Tech University, he decided that sitting behind a cubicle

for the rest of his life would not be as fun as returning to

his alma mater. In high school, Hampton was a go-getter,

living a double life as the football jock and the band geek.

He showed his passion for football when he taught and

coached at Joshua High School for ve years, Brewer HighSchool for one year, and now at Fort Worth Country Day.

Hampton loves coming back to Country Day to teach and

coach the students. He has always loved watching and

playing sports and is a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys.

Between Maryland and Virginia lies the capital of

the United States: Washington, D.C. This i s where

Andrew Thomas, US history teacher, met his wife,

as well as where he was hired for his rst job. He met his wife

while interning at Capitol Hill during his nal semester of

college. His rst job was at the White House, working as an

assistant to the Chief of Staff of the Ofce of National Drug

Control.

Since then, Thomas has taught history for ten years, and he

and his family (his wife and three children) have moved to Fort

Worth. Now, he can be found in Upper School room 211.

Besides his obvious interest in history and government,

Thomas also has a strong interest in Superman and baseball.

He proudly displays the well-known superman logo on his

coffee mug, and he has multiple pictures of his favorite comic

book hero on his classroom wall. His love for the sport of

baseball, on the other hand, is much more personal to him.

It keeps me closer to my dad, Thomas said.

Along with the multiple references to superman and baseball

found around his classroom, there is also a long line of col-

lege pennants hanging down the top of his walls. It is one of

Thomas goals to extend that line of pennants across his entire

classroom.

These college banners represent opportunities in life...

especially outside of Texas, Thomas said.

In one of the back classrooms of the Visual Arts

building is Lauren Cunningham, US art teacher.

For the students rst project there is a tower of

cardboard boxes in the middle of the room, surrounded by

easels and desks. At the front of the room is a small living

room like area, with a few chairs and a carpet, topped off

with a coffee table and books. Its cozy, and she offers tea

to all of her students.

Relocating to Fort Worth from the Peach State, Cun-

ningham is Georgia-born, has a B.A. in Studio Art which

covers a wide range of the different visual arts from David-

son College in North Carolina and an M.F.A. in Sculpture

from the University of Georgia in Athens. She worked at

the High Museum in Atlanta, Georgia and the Georgia

Museum of Art on the University of Georgia campus

in Athens. There she worked as a preparator, someonewho prepares the art in the exhibits to be shown. Her art

has also been shown in juried shows, a show where work

is submitted to a panel and work is selected to be shown

in the exhibit, in major cities including New York and

Philadelphia.

Cunningham says there is a misconception of art teach-

ers and artists being messy.

Let the art be messy and the room be clean, Cunning-

ham said.

A good rule of thumb for high school students. She is

excited to be teaching at FWCD.

Lauren Cunningham instructs NicoleJohnson 17 on a sketching activity.

Cunninghams humorous personalitymakes being in her class a un experi-ences. . Photo by Alex Doswell 16

Jordan Hampton 01 plays the trumpet during hissenior year at Fort Wourth Country Day. Luckily, hechose to come back and teach at his alma mater.Photo courtesy of FWCD

abby steinsieck

reporter

An expressive Andrew Thomas gives a lecture to an economicsclass. Its no surprise that Thomas teaches AP United States History,AP Government and Politics, and Economics with his backgroundworking in Washington D.C. His enthusiasm or history shows in hisinteractive teaching style, as shown above. Photo by Alex Doswell16

William Newton

reporter

Natalie Rosenthal

reporter

FWCD WELCOMESSix New Teachers Start Their First Year at FWCD During our Fifieth Year


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Today the FWCD Upper Schools English depart-

ment has a very special new member, Daniel

Lancaster. Before coming to teach at Country

Day, Lancaster taught as an English teacher at Paschal High

School. He said that there was a difference in professional-

ism between the students at Paschal compared to those at

FWCD. Not only did Lancaster teach at Paschal but he also

taught at Western Hills and Tarrant County College.

When asked why he chose to major in English and later

teach he said, I believe that English is everything, it can con-

nect to everything.

He continued saying that English had always been his

strong suit and he could never teach math. Lancaster shows

the characteristics of a very dedicated teacher and someone

who loves what they do, being enthusiastic and ready to teach

every day. He has quickly captured the hearts of his students

and fellow co-workers.

Delaney Fleming, a sophomore, described him as one

of the best new teachers FWCD has had. He has different

thoughts that make his class entertaining.

Lancaster is currently attending The University of Texas at

Arlington studying for his Ph.D. in English.

After 23 years of living in Maui, Hawaii,

Sherri Reed, US Biology and AP Environ-

mental Science teacher, has moved back to

her home state of Texas. She taught at a private col-

lege preparatory school named Seabury Hall before

making the decision to move back to the mainland

to teach at FWCD.

For the most part, FWCD and Seabury Hall are

similar except for the fact that the campus is much

more open in Hawaii. How awesome would it be go

to school in Hawaii? At FWCD, most Upper School

students can be found socializing or working onhomework in the Commons, and in Hawaii all of

the students sit outside on the grass surrounded by

the ocean and colorful, tropical plants, both things

that Texas doesnt have a lot of.

Reed has taught high school students for a total of

28 years.

I teach because it keeps me young, Reed said

with a smile. Being with kids all day is so reward-

ing, and I learn a lot from them.

Unsurprisingly, she misses the island life, the

beach, snorkeling, and being outside all day. Un-

fortunately, Texas weather isnt always as pleasant

as Hawaii weather. Reed is also glad to be back in

Texas because she and her husband are much closer

to her parents, siblings, and daughter.

From the moment I found out that Ravi Pillalamarri,

US math teacher, was from Maryland, I knew we had

a connection. Even though we were from different

parts of the state and I was only born there and lived there

for 7 months, I lived there long enough to recognize our birth-

place bond.

Pillalamarri went on a nationwide search for a new job last

year and felt that FWCD would be the best t for him. He

teaches Accelerated Algebra 2, Calculus AB, and Modeling

Calculus. Pillalamarri says that teaching here is a totally dif-

ferent experience, but likes it a lot and says everybody is very

nice. He claims that it is totally different being able to rely

on the majority of the students to actually complete all their

homework, and also do it well.

It is not an uphill battle every day discipline and academic

wise, Pillalamarri said.

Pillalamarri said. With more persistent students, it makes

for a tougher teaching job as well.

It is important that you keep up with your students because

they are moving at the same pace you are, Pillalamarri said.

Having the luxury of being able to plan ahead is very nice.

He says that at his old school, even if you tried to plan ahead,

so many people wouldnt do their work that i t was often just a

game of catch up. Pillalamarris dry, hilarious sense of humor

make for a great FWCD teacher.

NEW FACES

Daniel Lancasters sophomore English class gathers around their beloved teacherfor a picture. Lancaster teaches sophomores and seniors in his English 10 and APLanguage and Composition classes. Photo by Alex Doswell 16

BriAnna Ordoez & Kate Nolanreporters

ROss biggsreporter

Olivia lincolnreporter

Sherri Reed expands on a topic in her freshman biology class. Sheteaches freshman regular biologyand AP Environmental Science. Photo

by Alex Doswell 16

Ravi Pillalamarri uses his smartboard to demostrate the lesson to the class. Heteaches Accelerated Algebra II, Modeling and Calculus, and AP AB Calculus.Pillalamarri, although a serious and effective teacher, is also talented in that heincorporates huumor into the lessons he teaches. Photo by Alex Doswell 16


8/16

CENTER

SPREAD

8

FALCONQ

UILL

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OCT.

2013

Fifieth Annivers

Katie Anderson

ads editor

Fort Worth Country Day cele

20

1981

198

Activities for Friday, Oct. 25 at Rosacker Stadium

Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m.

Falcon Alley

- Photo Buttons

- Bounce Houses

- Prizes and Giveaways

Jumbrotron featuring photos videos and photos

from the last 50 years

-North End of the Stadium DJ

-Michael Wittman 14

National Anthem

-James Chilcoat 12

Halftime- Homecoming King & Queen revealed

- Athlete Wall of Fame

- Alumni Cheer

Food Trucks

- Gepettos (pizza), Salsa Limn, Good Karma (vegan),Kona Ice, Sauzys (burgers), and The Lunch Box

Fireworks and Pizza after the

game in the South End Zone


9/16

CENTERSPREAD

9

FALCON

QUILL

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OCT.

2013

Best Homecoming Asks of 2013

Best friends Margot Berry 16 and Mary Catherine Bishop 16 were asked together by another best friend

duo, James Ferguson 16 and Aaron Lax 16, with J Raes cookies.

John Fredian 16 used his red hair to his advantage when asking Savannah Norman 16. He presented a

pot of gold to her and said he would be the luckiest of them all if she went to Homecoming with him.

Carlyle Rascoe 15 was asked by boyfriend Campbell Boswell 14 during announcements by a bunch of

freshman boys holding up signs saying, Homecoming, Carlyle?

Robert Arnold 14 recited a sweet love poem for Samantha Hughes 14 during announcements.

Graham Pergande 15 asked Eliza Wagner 14 in a different way than most people. He secretly rode in the

trunk of her car on the way to school one morning, and jumped out of the trunk when she opened it yell-

ing, Homecoming?

Braquece Smith 14 asked Adele Elkind 16 by serenading her with the hit song, Someone Like You dur-ing announcements and having Tyler Steele 14 throw a bouquet of roses down from the balcony for her.

Brodie Hyde 17 ripped his shirt open Superman style to reveal Homecoming, Anna? written on his

chest when he asked Anna Puff 17.

Ben Sankary 14 asked childhood best friend Claudia Boyd 14 by putting a picture of the two as babies on

a poster with the caption, Lets create this TBT, CKB will you go to hoco with me?

Turner MacLean 15 gave Lauren Wagner 14 a bottle of Gatorade with a note saying, I hope it wouldnt

cramp your style if you went to Homecoming with me! Go win yalls counter today! on the day of Falcon

Field Hockeys rst counter.

Isaac Klein 15 asked his g irlfriend Ellee Conway 15 with a sweet proposal with owers saying, Nothing

would make me happier than taking my ONE in a MILLION to Homecoming with me!

Childhood best friends, Ben Sankary 14and Claudia Boyd 14, are spending theirlast Homecoming together. Photo by Lau-ren Wagner 14

Mary Catherine Bishop 16 and Margot Berry16 pose with their respected dates, Aaron Lax16 and James Ferguson 16. Photo courtesy ofMary Catherine Bishop 16

ry Homecoming

Alex doswell

photo editor

rates 50 years of Falcon Spirit

3 1978

1987


10/16

FE

ATURES

10

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OCT.

2013

All ARound

For the Avila sisters, this isnt their rst

time living in the United States. Through-

out their lives, theyve had the opportu-

nity to live in places ranging from Mexico City,

Mexico; Doylestown, Pennsylvania; Chicago;

the Philippines; and Fort Worth multiple times.

The reason for their constant moving around

is because of their fathers job. However, when

their father nished his business in Manila,

Philippines, the Avila family moved back to Fort

Worth for good.

This is the place that feel the most likehome, Natalia said.

Theres a lot of good food in America that

we didnt have in the Philippines, but I really

miss the food there, Rebeca said, It was so

good.

Both sisters agree that now that theyre older,

they have a lot more freedom to explore new

things to do in America. Rebeca plans on

going to college in the States and majoring in

lm, and Natalia is also planning on staying in

America for college, but is just living in the mo-

ment for right now.

Right now, Im just exploring it and seeing

all that this city has to offer now that I have the

ability to do so, Natalia said.

Manila, Philippines; Montreal, Canada; Hong Kong, China; and Zhengzhou, China. These are the four cities in which six new FWCD students, (Rebeca Avila 15, Natalia Avila 17,

Vincent Marquis-Cartier 15, Philippe Roberge 14, Ava Chen 16, and Carleen Wenner 15) previously lived before the 2013-2014 school year. These students all moved to Fort

Worth for various reasons: parents jobs, an overseas experience, or returning home. Although they all miss their former home, FWCD hopes to make these students feel as if this is

their home by the end of the year.

Born in Florida, Carleen Wenner 15 has

spent the last nine years in Hong Kong,

China with her family for her fathers job.

However, Wenner is not in Florida at the mo-

ment because her family decided to move to Fort

Worth, where her grandparents live. Wenner 15

is uent in Mandarin Chinese, loves history, and

plays softball. When asked what she misses the

most about Hong Kong, Wenner had no hesita-

tion in saying her friends. During summer and

winter break, she used to travel from China to

America, but now hopes to do the opposite and

visit her friends in Hong Kong in the near future.

However, Wenner is excited about some of the

perks that America has to offer.

I love the malls here, but the best part about

moving back here is denitely being able to

drive, Wenner said.

She plans to graduate from FWCD, but isnt

sure what country she wants to attend college in

since she is bilingual. For now, America is happy

to have her back.

Downtown Hong Kong, Carleen Wenners home for nine years. Photo courtesy of CarleenWenner 15

Carleen Wenner 15 took this picture of a serene view inChina. Photo courtesy of Carleen Wenner 15

Rebeca Avila 15 is shown here with a friend from thePhillippines. Photo courtesy of Natalia Avila 15

Natalia Avila 17 smiles with a friend n the Philippines. Photocourtesy of Natalia Avila 17

A scenic water view of the Philippines. Photo courtesy of Natalia Avila 17

Alex doswell

photo editor

For six FWCD students, Fort Worth is a new city for them. But thats not all thats new; living in the USA is as well.


11/16

FEATUR

ES

11

FALCON

QUILL

THE

OCT.

2013

W RLDTHE

Dentistry, like Falconry,depends upon skill.

Your smile, like the Falcons Quill,needs tendering.

Hulen Family

Dentistry

4900 Overton Ridge

817.370.0065FEATURING

Zoom In-Office

Whitening System

JESSICA H. BRIGATI, D.D.S

Ava Chen 16 is unique from the other

ve students that have previously lived

internationally. Instead of moving to

America with her family, she came by herself as

an exchange student and is currently living withthe Parker family until she graduates in 2016

(Michael, MS Science Teacher; Lisa, Athletic

Ofce Administrative Assistant; Erin 12, Rea-

gan 16, and Sawyer 22.) A question many ask

Chen is why move to a different continent where

you know no one without your family.

I decided it would be cool to have a new

experience to raise self-independence by living

in a new environment, Chen said.

Initially, Chen looked at boarding schools on

the East Coast to attend, but found them too

competitive. She thinks the day school approach

is more typical of American society than board-

ing. Chens favorite parts about FWCD are the

athletic program and the interaction provided

by smaller classrooms. Chen loves living with the

Parker family and thinks the people at FWCD

are extremely nice and welcoming. However, she

does miss her friends and family, with whom shechats online when she can. Next summer, Chen

plans to go back to Zhengzhou to spend time

with them.

Ava Chen 16 meets up with friends, out on the town inZhengzhou, China. Photo courtesy of Ava Chen 16

Ava Chen 16 takes a selfie with girlfriends beforeclass. Photo courtesy of Ava Chen 16

Stepbrothers Philippe Roberge 14 and

Vincent Marquis-Cartier 15 moved

to Fort Worth, Texas over the summer

so their father would be able to have better

access to his job with the Van Cliburn Foun-

dation. The two are from Montreal, Quebec,

a place that is a polar opposite compared

to Fort Worth. Both brothers love to play

ice hockey in the winter, but are currently

excelling on the FWCD football team with

Vincent taking the position of running back

and Philippe at defensive end. Vincent is also

particularly fond of Texas weather, some-

thing that may come as a shock to those who

have lived here all of their lives. Philippe, a

senior, is looking in both Canada and Amer-

ica for colleges next fall, but Vincent thinks

hell return home come time for him to go

to college. During winter break, both boys

hope to see their family that stayed behind in

Montreal, but for the time being, they plan

to work on the English language and enjoy

being on the varsity football team.

Its really different in Texas than it is in

Montreal, but FWCD has a school spirit

thats unlike any school in Canada, Roberge

said.

Vincent Marquis-Cartier 15 and Philippe Roberge 14

post-win at a home game earlier in the season. Photocourtesy of Philippe Roberge 14

Philippe Roberge 14 joins his soccer teammates in Quebec. Photo courtesy of PhilippeRoberge 14

Vincent Marquis-Cartier 15 misses his mother, who stayed in Que-bec with his other siblings. Photo courtesy of Philippe Roberge 14


12/16

FE

ATURES

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OCT.

2013

Whiz Quiz

Garrett Podellonline edior

Whiz Quiz sponsor Spencer Smih and William Newon 16 enjoy a momen o lighheared-

ness afer Newon successully answers a quesion. Photo by Alex Doswell 16

Seniors Mathew Leonard, Ryan Hun, andMalcolm McDonald share a laugh during oneo Whiz Quizs meeings. Photo by Alex Do-swell 16

All are Welcome

In the past 15 years, the Whiz Quiz team has been passed

around like a hot potato, according to current sponsor,

US English teacher Spencer Smith, but he is now happy

to build a new team. The team met with much success while

Science Department Chair Sharon Hamilton was the spon-

sor, so Smith is hoping to recreate some of that success.

When building a team, the ideal way to go about it is to

build it around people who have an area of expertise in

which they excel. For example, a team could have someone

who balances chemical equations in their sleep; someone

who knows everything about America dating back to the

year 1764; someone who eats, lives, and breathes sports; and

someone who performs ballet because four people go up in a

match at a time.

Anything that could be considered an academic subject is

fair game as well as pop culture, Smith said.

Schools can have alternates and multiple teams. At a com-

petition, FWCD can take one team of six to seven students,

or two teams of 10-12 total.

Its like coaching anything else because you have to put

in your best teams with your most knowledgeable players,

Smith said.

Substitutions come into play more than people would think

in a Quiz match.

We lost only one match last year, and the coach subbed

a guy in at the end, Smith said.

Veteran Quiz team member, William Nober 14, shed

some light on a common misconception about the Whiz

Quiz team.

They never ask us about dates. Its usually like obscure

history, current events, sports, really anything, so anyonecan make the team because every person has a different

area of knowledge, Nober said.

One time in a Whiz Quiz competition, Kenzie Knox 15

was part of a team that was asked a question about ballet.

I was so excited because it was me and a bunch of guys

up there, and I was the only one in ballet, Knox said.

It was so fun because I was the only person who had a

remote idea what the answer was, and I happened to get

the question right.

So, whether you are fascinated with sports, music,

literature, history, or ballet, step right up and give Whiz

Quiz a try.

They never ask us

about dates. Its usu-

ally like obscure history,current events, sports,

really anything, so any-

one can make the team

because every person

has a different area of

knowledge.

-William Nober 14


13/16

ADS

13

FALCON

QUILL

THE

OCT.

2013

817-336-HANG www.hangmans.com

Travel through

Hangmans in

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armed with only one

small fashlight

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Flashlight Night

Sun, Oct. 27th!

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See Mrs. Wallace for discounted passes, $10 each.


14/16

PERSPECTIVES

14

FALCONQ

UILL

THE

OCT.

2013

In honor of the 50th anniversary, Home-

coming, and Battle of Bryant Irvin, Jr. Torres

15 drew a series of comics for the Falcon

Quill. In past years, Torres has contributed

other drawings; however this year, he was

easily inspired by the history of the school, the

long-time rivalry between Fort Worth Country

Day and Trinity Valley School, and the iconic

atmosphere of Homecoming.

Tylers TeepeeCollegiate athletes deserve to be paid

Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel (2)smiles as he walks to the bench afer throwing aninterception during the first hal against Alabama atKyle Field in College Station on Sepember 14, 2013.Alabama would go on to win 49-42. Photo by G.J. Mc-

Carthy/MCT Campus

Tyler Steele

managing editor

Electronic Arts Sports and Collegiate Licensing Com-

pany have settled all claims brought aga inst them by

plaintiffs in the joint Sam Keller and Ed OBannon

lawsuit over the use of college athletes names, images and

likeness on September 26. More than 100,000 athletes will be

eligible for compensation at varying amounts depending on

each class members claims, said Rob Carey, an attorney forKeller, the former Nebraska and Arizona State quarterback.

EA, which announced it wont produce its 2014 college foot-

ball video game, reached similar settlements in cases brought

by former Rutgers football player Ryan Hart and former

West Virginia football player Shawne Alston.

This is as profoundly disappointing to the people who

make this game as I expect it will be for the millions who en-

joy playing it, Cam Weber, the general manager of Ameri-

can football for EA Sports, wrote on the companys website.

There has been a never-ending debate concerning the

legal rights of collegiate athletes to receive payment for their

services to the college. These athletes rake in millions and

millions of dollars for the universities and dont see a cent of

it. Many will argue that a free education is more than enough

to compensate for their athletic commitment to the school.

I, on the other hand, think that is blasphemy and extremely

simple minded. While I believe this lawsuit against EA was

unnecessary and quite devastating to millions of people,

including myself, who love the college football video game, itwas a small step towards players getting paid for their work.

The most recent story about player prot is regarding Tex-

as A&M quarterback, Johnny Manziel, and his alleged sale

of autographed footballs at the BCS National Championship

between the University of Alabama and the University of

Notre Dame on January 7, 2013. Manziel is one of the most

immature and polarized gures in recent college football

history, but why should he not be allowed to prot off of

himself? It was reported he earned over 7,500 dollars selling

the autographed footballs. It was proven to be a false accusa-

tion, but even if it were true should it matter? Its absurd that

the players cant benet from their athletic success.

The NCAA seems to try their hardest to make the lives

of the athletes difcult. Players arent allowed jobs because

the NCAA fears theyll make more than others will because

theyre football players, but its ok for the university to prot

off of every aspect of the player. The removal of these

ridiculous rules and regulations would be a huge step towards

progression. The least the NCAA could do is allow its moreproductive athletes to benet from a few of the principles

that have helped coaches, athletic directors, media compa-

nies and the NCAA president get rich. One way the NCAA

could accomplish this is that every time an athletes jersey is

sold, take a small percent of the cost and place it in a trust.

Schools wouldnt use the plan to offer improper incentives to

recruits, make a rule that the school cant sell a players jersey

number until the player has spent a non-redshirt year in the

program. No one will buy the jersey of a player who doesnt

produce. Then, when a star athlete exhausts his elig ibility

after a career spent racking up stats and selling jerseys for his

school, pay him the money in the trust. The NCAA needs

to closely re-evaluate their rules and regulations, and allow

player to see some prots from their success.


15/16

ADVERT

ISING

15

FALCON

QUILL

THE

OCT.

2013

GO FALCONS!


16/16

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