Author: lily roberti

Model UN at CMUNC

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By Dino Perusko ’24

From Thursday, April 20 to Sunday, April 23, 13 delegates from Sem’s Model UN Club got a chance to attend CMUNC, Cornell Model United Nations Conference in Ithaca, New York. Through the course of four days, students worked together in their committees to bring resolutions regarding real-world problems like the problem of maternal healthcare and reproductive rights at the World Conference on Women, and some not-so-real-world ones, like who killed the Queen, not the British one (may she rest in peace), but the one in the playing card deck.

For his performance in the above mentioned committee, one of our delegates, Robert Beletsky ‘23 was awarded a verbal commendation by his chair. Students thoroughly enjoyed their four days in Ithaca, outside and inside the conferences and in between – riding on the Big D’s Limousine. Although unable to attend the famous hike, they got a chance to tour the Cornell campus, do some sightseeing of its famous bridges,  explore Ithaca Commons, and even see Napoleon walking around during the conferences. Many new friendships were also formed with students from all across the world, from a student from an upscale school in Rochester, New York to one of our student’s look-alike.

For many of this club’s members, this was their last Model UN conference in high school. With bittersweet feelings about leaving this activity behind, they gladly recalled on all the fun experiences, resolutions, and friendships that they have made, inside or outside of the committee rooms at various conferences that they have attended, but also all the diplomatic and public speaking skills that they have earned throughout their years of Model UN.

The conference at Cornell was the perfect reminder that maybe it is not all about the awards that they have earned, but the friendships that they have made along the way.

Revenge is Best Served Legally

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By Erica Zhu ’23

This year, Sem Mock Trial’s varsity team decisively debated their way into the Pennsylvania State Semifinals for the first time since 2018– placing 3rd out of the 14 competing teams– where the team was able to fulfill their aspiration to perfect the art of debate, performance, and fun. As the honorable practicing Attorney Michael Kowalski says, “Mock Trial is the ultimate extreme obstacle course.”

Each year, a case is written for students to compete with from the regional to state level. The provided material this year centered around a racing competitor’s death on an extreme obstacle course, in which it is the team’s job to discern whether it was the fault of the participant or whether the company behind the course was “grossly negligent” in the creation and facilitation of their course. On one hand, the racer was reckless, irresponsible, and possibly intoxicated. On the other hand, the company did not enforce crowd control, lacked training for their staff, and did not install any form of safety measures– such as guard rails, visible signs, lines– to aid their contestants. The complexity behind the term “grossly negligent” was certainly a challenge regardless of whether the team served as the Plaintiff or Defense counsel(representing the company or the racer that died, respectively). From making objections to thwarting opposing counsels with carefully crafted responses, each member was integral to the success of a trial. Dr. Froehlich the Wise, club supervisor, sums up this year from his perspective: “I’m proud of the hard work that our team put in. So excited to have seen Sem return to the state tournament!”

There were scrimmages with the entirety of the Sem Mock Trial team, late night study sessions, and plenty of case materials printed. The team certainly could not have done it alone, though. With the help of coaches Dr. Peter Froehlich, Mrs. Kristie Stevenson, and Atty. Michael Kowalski, there was plenty of feedback for the team both in practice and in trial. Not only was the team able to hone presentation skills, they were able to learn in-depth understandings of legal terminology. In Mrs. Stevenson’s message to the team this year, she states, “Mock trial is the most intense academic sport I have ever witnessed. From public speaking, to courtroom presence, to teamwork, to thinking on their feet, these students are among the most talented I’ve met. Thank you all for allowing me to help with the team, and Pennsylvania better be ready for Sem Mock Trial next year.”

A big thank you goes out from the team to all the parents, staff, and peers who made this possible. As the next year dawns, it is important to remember that one can take the team out of a trial, but they’ll never take the mock trial out of Sem– and, well, this team is just getting started.

MEET THE TEAM:

Paige Kenewell ‘24 as Tori Damon and Chris Tempesto 

Christian DeBellis ‘24 as Issie Cameron

McKayla Williams ‘24 as DJ Hatchet

Abby Chong ‘24 as Dr. Rogers and Devin Cody

Grace Kowalski ‘24 as Opening Attorney

Erica Zhu ‘23 as Attorney

Paul Stevenson ‘24 as Pretrial and Closing Attorney

Wyoming Seminary Presents: “Dance Creations”

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By Lily Roberti ’24

Wyoming Seminary’s Dance Company finally brought the show of the year, “Dance Creations,” to life on the stage of the Kirby Center for Creative Arts. With pirouettes, tour jetés, and smiling faces, the second weekend in May revealed the hard work they’ve been putting in all year long. Sem’s forty-second annual dance show was a huge success, bringing boarders, day students, and parents together to celebrate dance.

With a significantly smaller dance company than last year, Sem Dance Company had very large shoes to fill. Twenty-nine dancers made up the company this year. This included four lower-school students, one alumnus (Robert Zaloga ‘20), and six other male dancers who volunteered their time to accompany us. Que Riggins ‘24, one of those generous male dancers, says, “Dance has given me the opportunity to see the arts from a different point of view. I’m able to be an onstage performer rather than just being behind the scenes.” The show was also graced by two faculty dancers, Brennan Twardowski and Charles Carrick.

Sem’s dancers had been preparing for this show since before winter break. They rehearsed through months of difficult choreography, juggling other extracurriculars and schoolwork, and multiple injuries within the company. It all turned out to be worth it, as the exhilaration of being on stage and showcasing their talent brought many spectators. Lauren Urosevich ‘23 says, “The show this year is our first show that is 100% back to normal since 2019, which is super exciting! The dance company has been working very hard to bring this show to the stage for everyone to enjoy. This time of the year is super exciting for the dance company as a whole, but as a senior it is very bittersweet.”

This year, six students were chosen for the honor of choreographing their own piece for the show. Seniors Lauren Urosevich, Holly Egbert, Sasha Roumyantseva, Allison Luo, and juniors Lucy Lew and Molly Kopetchny were the lucky group. From beautiful, flowing lyrical pieces to loud, sassy jazz, these student choreographers brought great variety and talent to the stage. Holly Egbert, a dedicated member of the dance company for four years, shares, “Getting the opportunity to choreograph my own piece for this year’s dance show has been an amazing experience. I was able to work with so many talented dancers to craft a dance that we all loved.”

Of course, the dance show could not have been possible without Bernadine Vojkto and Brennan Twardowski. Mrs. Vojkto’s commitment has been crucial in the formation of this wonderful performance, and Ms. T’s assistance and creativity helped get the show up and running. This year, Ms. T took it a step further and became a choreographer, creating an upbeat and fun piece called “She Can Dance.” Mrs. Vojtko’s experience helped set up most of the choreography that hit the stage, including a  jazzy theater piece, “Too Darn Hot,” and the finale of the show: a series of Western-inspired dances concluding with the entire company onstage for “Hoedown.” Raphael Cooper was the final talented pro involved in choreographing, putting together a bold tap sequence to “Fireball.” With the collaboration of these phenomenal professionals and the dedicated dancers, Sem’s 2023 Dance Show was a huge success!