Ivy Miller – Page 60 – The Opinator

Con-comitants

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Ivy Miller

By Ms. Miller’s Journalism Class

Concomitant courses are rigid, schedule-binding classes that impede students to take the courses they actually feel passionate about. While some people may be interested in courses such as Art or Music History, the truth is that the vast majority have no particular attraction to them. This creates a lack of interest in class. These classes teach to the test and students are not focused on retaining the information.

Students dislike classes that get in the way of classes they want to take. Supporters of the concomitant schedule say that these required courses help to create a more well-rounded student. Students are coerced into taking these classes. These classes could be revamped to reflect student interest.

Paige Allen 17’ is a “con-comitants” student. She spent her summer before sophomore year taking health and public speaking, and now has to take the last three concomitants her senior year. Allen admitted that the classes were pointless and, with how expensive they are, should not have been required.

Because of the great number of concomitants, these required courses impact everyone’s schedule, especially in the senior year – when students should be able to choose their classes based on interest and to look competitive on college applications. Schedules can be overwhelming with intense AP classes and it can be difficult to plan around classes such as creative spirit, which is only offered one bell.

What about new students? The student body grows every year – in all grade levels, not only freshman. Students who come to Sem in their sophomore, junior, or even senior year are still required to take concomitants that do not transfer over from their previous schools. Justine Marseille 17’, a transfer student, stated that, in coming to Sem, she was “clueless” and did not know which classes she had to or wanted to take. She ended up fitting in art history, music history, and public speaking in one school year. For new students especially, the concomitants do more harm than good.

Making concomitants graduation requirements just adds more stress to students, mentally and financially. Each course over the summer is an extra $700 that is not included in the school year tuition. Boarding for the classes is even more – $3,200. If these classes are required to graduate, why should students have to pay so much extra when their busy schedules during the year don’t permit them to take as many concomitants?

Other schools have similar required courses, such as Scranton Prep, which has a four-year requirement of Religious Education. Although, according to its website, this Catholic school reasons that the courses are designed to help students to “recognize, discuss, and fulfill their spiritual and religious needs,” many students dislike being forced to take them. “The main thing though is that everyone is required to take four years of theology no matter what. Most people don’t have a problem with it[,] but there are a few atheists or people of a different religion that would prefer not to take them.” Wyoming Seminary students feel similarly about our required Bible course: that instead of taking it, a study of world religions and beliefs would be more practical at a school that boasts its diverse population.

Instead of being required classes, concomitants should be fit into other classes. For example; health could be incorporated into biology, public speaking into English classes, art and music history into history classes. Ms. Ellen Hughes, a teacher as well as Sem alumna, shared these ideas with us in an interview. She hated concomitants during her time in school and could attest to the fact that they were not very useful after graduation.

Jeff Rickey, the vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid at St. Lawrence University, stated in an interview with the New York Times, colleges are more drawn to students choosing schedules based around their interest. The required courses do not prove Wyoming Seminary students to be as competitive or passionate about subjects as they could be by challenging themselves with electives that they can choose based on their interests.

“Concomitants? Oh I hate them! I basically didn’t use any of them…” (Photo courtesy of Angel Xu)

Sem Builds Community Through Service

Posted on September 19, 2016 by Ivy Miller

By Roy Phillips ’17
Last Friday, September 9, Wyoming Seminary Upper School students enjoyed a day free from school but not from hard work. Students were sent to volunteer in small groups to help give back to their community. Organized by Sem’s administration, Community Service Day is a new event that helps communicate and apply the school’s motto: “The True, The Beautiful, and The Good.”

Community Service Day also contributed volunteer hours towards each student’s requirement of forty hours. Service is required in order to graduate because, in the words of Mrs. Jane Slaff, “our core values are learning, leading, and serving.” She also says that the day of service is important to “appreciate giving back and to jump start making the community better.”

Community Service Day consisted of twenty-six different projects including ones dealing with animals, such as the trips to Blue Chip Animal Shelter, the SPCA, and Hillside Farms. Other outdoor trips were led to Camp Kresge, Camp Orchard Hill, the Wilkes Barre City Cemetery, and the JCC Camp.

Sem students unloading the van at JCC camp filled with wood after working hard all morning to collect it. (Photo courtesy of Jimmy Reilly ‘17)

Students helped out in a range of other activities, from assisting with projects at the Sem Lower School and visiting the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital in Danville, to writing letters to deployed troops and making posters for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Elizabeth DePhillips, Associate Director of College Guidance, was a leader in organizing the events of the day. She said, “[community service] is part of our essential core values, so [the day allowed] for new students to experience options for how they can get involved in the community, but also for returning students who have been a part of the community to really highlight all the great things they are doing in the community and how they are learning outside the classroom.” Students also enjoyed the day, as Sam Sweitzer ‘18 stated: “It brought everyone together and gave us a chance to have an impact on others.”

Wyoming Seminary students at Blue Chip Farms where they helped to take care of animals looking for a permanent home. (Photo courtesy of Rachel Bartron)

Being able to choose from twenty-six different projects allowed individuals to give their time and effort to causes they feel passionate about. Nina Magnotta ‘17 told us about her choice: “I picked Hillside Farms because I wanted to give back to a nonprofit that gives so much to the community.

Wyoming Seminary students at Blue Chip Farms where they helped to take care of animals looking for a permanent home. (Photo courtesy of Rachel Bartron)

Upon returning back on campus students enjoyed lunch with their advisors and an assembly about the volunteer work done by members of our Sem community. Mr. Chris Pons, Wyoming Seminary math teacher, spoke about his time in the Peace Corps, encouraging the audience to also get involved in international service. Mr. Jay Harvey ‘80, Upper School Dean, spoke of a recent alumna, Emily Bruno ‘92, who chose a life of service and gave back to people all over the world from all walks of life. Alan Stout, a representative from the local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters, also spoke how volunteering can help make a lasting impact on less fortunate children from around the area.

Jake Rosner ‘17 holds a poster for the group helping Operation Gratitude where students made cards and bracelets for our nation’s military. (Photo courtesy of Patty Deviva)

Students on the Community Service Board spoke as well, including Rose Zheng ‘18 who believes that the activities of the day were “cultivating the habit of community service.”

The excitement of the day will hopefully encourage students to get involved with volunteering more often. Ariana Buffalino ‘18 enjoyed her day at the Lower School and said that it “absolutely makes [her] want to do more community service.”
With so much going on, it is good to take a day and reflect on the school’s mission. At Sem, the students strive for the True, the Beautiful, and the Good. After a day of helping out, making others happy, and simply improving the community, the Sem student body and faculty look forward to the next opportunity to bring that mission to life.

Travis Manion Foundation Holds Annual 9/11 Run

Posted on September 19, 2016 by Ivy Miller

by Jimmy Lee ’20

Runners begin the 5k run in Allentown to honor those fallen on September 11th.

Fifteen years ago, the September 11th terrorist attacks marked one of the most horrific tragedies faced by the United States, one that forever changed the nation. On the anniversary each year, events are held throughout the country to honor those heroes who lost their lives on 9/11, including a 5K run held by Travis Manion Foundation. Held in 54 different communities across the globe, the “9/11 Heroes Run” event totaled 30,000 participants worldwide.

The Travis Manion Foundation was founded by the family of Travis Manion, a soldier who lost his life while serving in Iraq in 2007. In regards to his voluntary deployment, Manion said the following words, “If not me, then who?” This question is now the foundation of the organization.

“The tragic events of September 11th tore through our families and communities, but it did not break our spirit. It only fortified our national bonds and strengthened our resolve. We recognize the strength of character,” says Ryan Manion Borek, the president of the Travis Manion Foundation.

Locally, Parkland High School hosted the Heroes Run, where one hundred fifty people, including twelve participants from Wyoming Seminary, gathered to honor those fallen heroes. At this race, it didn’t matter how fast each participant ran; they finished the run to thank those who entered the Twin Towers to help while others escaped, those who put others’ lives before their own, those who brought freedom to this nation, and others who make this country great.

Running a 5K may seem insignificant when compared to what our military members, first responders, and volunteers do. These people spend hundreds and thousands of hours or even their entire life to serve their country. But at least once a year, participants can gather in remembrance of these heroes’ actions, and to thank them for ensuring the liberties we have today.

“We remember, and we will never forget. We honor the courage of those who put themselves in harm’s way to save people they never knew,” said Barack Obama in his speech on the 15th anniversary of 9/11. “We come together in prayer and in gratitude for the strength that has fortified us across these 15 years. And we renew the love and the faith that binds us together as one American family. ”