CatlinSpeak

From the Beginning School to the Upper School Catlin Gabel upholds its image as a tightly knit community with many traditions that bring people together.

One of the Beginning School’s greatest traditions is Friday Sing, where every Friday, family members come to sing with the preschoolers and kindergarteners. The songs have remained the same for decades, so at every Lifers ceremony, Upper School students are able to sing along with the Beginning School students, because they remember singing those same songs when they were young. Another Beginning School traditional event is the Mini Olympics. Beginning School students become mini Olympians for the day and participate in events ranging from water balloon tossing to races with several outfit changes.

First Graders perform the Maypole dance at spring festival. (Photo: Karen Katz)

The Middle School has many great traditions as well. In the cake roll, a cake is rolled to determine whether it will be a long or a short winter. There’s also the legendary revels performance, in which Lower School music teacher Peggy McDonnell directs a musical performance consisting of hundreds of children. Another annual performance is the eighth grade musical in which students are expected to audition in front of their entire class.

One of the best traditions, however, that the Beginnings School, Middle School, and Upper School students participate in is Spring Festival. Spring Festival is a family-friendly event with bouncy houses, face painting, miniature pony rides, toy fishing, musical performances and food. The musical performances range from a rendition of “Hit the Road Jack” with hats and canes to Indonesian bamboo stick dances. There is also the adorable Maypole dance in which first graders skip around holding hands and waving ribbons. There are endless other activities such as henna and human dunking stations. This year Catlin Gabel’s Spring Festival will be on Sunday, May 5.

Although Catlin traditions have been around for ages, new ones are being made to bring the community even closer.

When I first saw Ian this September I was struck by his uncanny resemblance to comic book hero Tintin, and I was curious if his personality matched up to my high expectations of someone who looks so similar to my favorite childhood adventure character.

So one afternoon I pulled Ian away from his tennis practice to see if he would like to be the next BOTM. Eagerly he accepted and agreed to come to meet me before school.

He arrived at our meeting early; I was immediately impressed by his organization and commitment, something rare for freshman boys. In addition his sunny demeanor and bright smile at 7:30 in the morning are a testament to his positive and fun attitude.

(Photo: Siobhan Furnary)

What is one thing that girls should know about you?

I am actually old for my grade, so I am the age of most sophomores. A lot of girls don’t know that about me because I am a freshman but in my preschool they started all the boys when they were six and I have a summer birthday. (A call out to freshman girls looking for an “older man”?)

Do you have any secret talents?

Maybe its not so secret, but I play guitar, and I was in a band over the summer.

Have you ever wooed any girls with your guitar skills?

(Smirking) I’d be lying if I say that I haven’t.

Do you prefer spontaneous or perfectly planned dates?

I am really open to anything, I usually like a rough plan but after the date starts I see where it goes.

What is the ideal date to you?

I think probably going to get dinner at sushi and then going to a Blazers game and then take her home.

What do you look for in a girl?

I look for girls that are really comfortable in their own skin, girls that are really comfortable talking to me about themselves and don’t feel they have to be shy around me. Really nice girls.

(Photo: Siobhan Furnary)

Any deal breakers?

When girls are on their phone they whole time you are trying to talk to them.

What do you do to get a girl’s attention?

I’m usually pretty up-front. Usually I just start a conversation and see where it takes me.

Sometimes it doesn’t go too well but… (He looks out the window of the study room uncomfortably, perhaps reminiscing about a time when his direct approach wasn’t as successful)

Any embarrassing love stories?

The first time I put my arm around a girl I tried to tell a story about two turtles getting separated which ends with me reaching my arm across the girl, but she didn’t hear and it didn’t work.

What was her reaction?

She just laughed, giggled a bit and kept watching the movie.

What are three words that best describe you?

(After much thought) Caring, athletic, and nice.

Do you have your eyes on anyone now?

No I’m pretty open. Especially those older girls who aren’t tied down by prom dates (he adds jokingly).

Well ladies, if you are looking for a nice guy who is sure to take you on adventures, approach Ian and perhaps try some suave move to get your arm around him. Just watch out because Tintin tends to get himself in trouble.

With seniors leaving campus this May and graduating soon after, many have begun to reflect on their experience in the Catlin Gabel Upper School and pass on their wisdom.

Much of what the seniors wished to change occurred during their freshman and sophomore years, including building better connections with their teachers and taking classes that inspired them.

Advice the seniors had for underclassmen consisted of working hard and trying to find a balance between social life and studies, and to not be afraid to be outgoing with peers and teachers.

Hannah as a freshman. (Photo: Hannah Rotwein)

Hannah Rotwein ’13 says “I wish I had been more outgoing from the beginning, both with my peers and teachers. There are a lot of quite interesting people here to talk to, and I didn’t take advantage of that at the beginning of high school.” Tucker Gordon ’13 says “I think as a freshman I struggled a lot balancing school and social life, but really figured it all out as a junior and a senior. You really just have to train yourself to not care what people think and just be yourself. Be the kid that you want to be, and you’ll be so much happier and more confident”.

Reflecting on each of his years, Gordon says: “Freshmen: work hard and go to the library instead of the lounge. Sophomores: try out new classes: a different art, computer science, a cool history elective, you name it! Now is the time. Juniors: just keep your head down and work through it. It sucks, but it will all pay off I promise you. And for all boys: become good friends with girls. They have the best studying habits. I’m a guy, and no offense to other males out there, but in general we’re not too great at managing school and social life. The girls though, they have it down. Befriend them, study with them, and learn from them. It will help you so much in life.”

Many of the seniors agreed that students should take classes that interested them rather than ones they think they would get a good grade in or will make you look better on college apps. Koby Yudkin ’13 says “It’s much better to take a class that you are genuinely interested in and get a bad grade than to take a class that you aren’t interested in and get an A.”

Tucker freshman year. (Photo: Laura Gordon)

The seniors also agreed that the most important thing to do while at the Upper School is to form strong relationships with teachers and to realize how lucky one is to be surrounded by the people around them. Fiona Noonan ’13 reflects that “I wish it were easier to step back from the Catlin bubble and realize how lucky we all are, and realize how privileged I am to be here with such driven, engaged people. Sometimes it’s easy to get dragged into drama and forget about that piece, since we’re all so focused on our own stuff and on being inside the Catlin community.”

Although the seniors may be leaving soon, they have learned a lot about how the Upper School works and how to be the most successful here. Start up a conversation with one of them or ask them a question about forecasting and you may be surprised with what you learn.

Kanaiza is a gorgeous senior known for her sassy attitude, flowing braids, and being part of the infamous doubles team “Flonaiza” (with Flora Field ’13). Underclassmen may not have seen her before this year, because she spent her junior year abroad in Spain. But now she’s back at Catlin, better than ever, and ready to talk about romance, pick-up lines, and the merits of “Jerseylicious.”

(Photo: Siobhan Furnary)

First, the basic questions. What’s your favorite movie?

(Looking slightly caught off-guard). Oh! Um, probably Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, or Hairspray.

Favorite color?

Purple.

Favorite food?

Ice cream. Mint chocolate chip is solid. You can’t go wrong.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?

Um, (shocked that the question even had to be asked) television!

(Photo: Siobhan Furnary)

If you could be in any reality show, which one would it be?

Oh! Any reality show…I watch many, many. Which one do I want to be in, or which one fits me the best? (Either way, I answer. She considers for a while). “Jerseylicious.” I love “Jerseylicious.”

Why “Jerseylicious”?

This is so hard for me. First of all, they dress AMAZINGLY. They dress so outrageously in their fashions every day and they’re just going to work. They wear like eight-inch heels and dress head to toe in animal print, and they have like 10 inch nails. And all they do is wash hair and get in fights and go clubbing. They’re just…it’s really dramatic. It’s really fun. (Whispering) I love “Jerseylicious”…so much.

Moving on to romance, what do you want in a significant other?

I like gentlemen who are respectful and just genuine people. You don’t have to be intelligent, you don’t have to be smart, but just a nice person who’s easy to talk to and relatable. Also, gotta have an attractive face––I should enjoy looking at him.

(Photo: Siobhan Furnary)

Buff or skinny?

I don’t like too buff. I’m not really attracted to huge muscles. But also, I don’t want to see your bones.

Describe your perfect date.

(Laughing). I guess just like go for ice cream or something and then go hang out in a park or something. Really low key. Somewhere we can talk, I guess.

What’s the biggest turn-off for you?

Just disrespect to women, or being racist, or…being rude.

What would a guy have to do to sweep you off your feet?

I really like just guys showing general gentleman qualities. Like opening a door for me. I love that. Saying hello. Acknowledgeing me when I walk in a room by standing up. Not looking me in the eye when I speak to them. Bowing their heads. Yeah. And I just like to see a guy being nice, generally, to people around him.

Celebrity crush?

Chace Crawford without the man-bangs. Him, or Flava Flav.

Who was your first love?

Ok, when I was in preschool––this is at Kindercare––there was this one kindergartener, and I don’t remember his name, and he had black hair. He was so amazing, and I was so in love with him, and he was just so hot. I would ask to go to the bathroom like four times in one hour and I would peer into the kindergarten room so I could see him. That kid. Definitely never learned his name. That’s good. That was a year.

(Photo: Siobhan Furnary)

What’s your best romantic moment?

Well once I was going on a date with this guy I guess, just in the middle of the day, and we were meeting in a park, and he brought me a really pretty flower, and just told me I looked beautiful that day. It was super cute (smiling, reflecting).

Best pick-up line?

Pick up lines…uh…well first of all I don’t really like pick-up lines. But I guess, “Are you wearing space pants?” That gets me every time. I don’t like pickup lines, but this one, it always does it for me.

What are three things that potential suitors should know about you that they might not know already?

(Counting out on fingers) I’m not as scary as I seem. I have a sense of humor that makes it so some people can’t distinguish when I’m kidding and when I’m being serious. And…I like live music.

(Photo: Siobhan Furnary)

Any specific band/group you’d like to see?

I’m down for whatever. I’m flexible. Winky face.

Do you have your eye on anyone at the moment?

Are you allowed to say no? No.

Any message for the men out there?

(Leans forward, getting serious). It’s ok to be nice to girls.

So, gentlemen, it’s time to up your game, turn on the charm, and bow deeply if you hope to catch Kanaiza before she’s off to college. If that doesn’t work, you could always ask her about her space pants.

1. G (Tony Stocks)

2. C (George Zaninovich)

3. E (Kate Grant)

4. A (C. Glenn Burnett)

5. D (Ginia King)

6. B (Dave Whitson)

7. F (Peter Green)

To solve the puzzle online or check your answers click here.

Catlin Gabel freshman Hayle Meyerhoff creates art and clothing from what she calls unconventional materials, day-to-day objects, and found items. Her enthusiasm for giving these items life was obvious when I interviewed her about her work.

When did you begin to make unconventional art?
I have been making art since I was in preschool, but I started making clothes and using found materials in middle school.

The front of the dress that Hayle won an award for in a competition at George Fox University. (Photo: Hayle Meyerhoff)

What do you enjoy about making it?
I love to create something individual and artistic that has layers of meaning, and I think that when the material is unique, it adds an additional layer of significance to the piece. There is also something special about taking what seems to be junk and creating something beautiful from it.

Who or what inspires you?
Depending on the project, I sometimes get an idea and then brainstorm a material that would represent the concept. Other times I find a material I want to use and base my idea around the material.

What is your favorite piece of art you have made?
I think my favorite piece is a dress made out of plastic bags, paper, and a mesh fruit bag. I entered this piece in a contest at George Fox University, and it was put in an art show there!

What are you looking forward to doing in the future?
I am currently saving up yogurt lids, and I am very excited to collect enough to make something out of them! I also would like to eventually make more wearable clothes out of recycled materials.

Details from the bust of the dress (Photo: Hayle Meyerhoff)

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a jacket that is made out of broken pencils with an asymmetrical zipper [regarding the jacket].

Hayle is still a freshman, so it will be interesting to see how her art develops throughout her years in high school. The only thing for certain is that her creativity and unique ideas will not be lost in the community.

The first time I ever spoke with Evan was last year when we were freshman-junior buddies. At the time, Evan did not have much to say about his freshman year, like the rest. However, when I sat down with Evan for this interview, I learned that this sophomore has a few things that set him apart from the rest of the class of 2015.

Fit for club soccer, he wears a blue Catlin varsity hoodie sweatshirt. Evan’s gold-brown eyes are patient, and kindly welcome both humorous and serious questions.

For starters, tell us a little about yourself…what are your main hobbies?
Ooo, umm I mean I play soccer. Call that a hobby if you will (flashes a half-smile). I used to play violin, and I stopped, and…now I have this renewed appreciation for music—and so I kinda stopped listening to rap.

What kind of music do you like now?
Good music.

Back to the hobbies question:
Haha um, yeah I like creating music. I’m not really good at it though. Violin stuff—I used to play, but now I just pick it up for fun. And… sleeping’s not a hobby, is it?

It can be!
(He accepts my acceptance.) I like the outdoors. I like to sign up for outdoorsy Winterims and outdoor trips when I can, but I never can because I have soccer.

If you could be in any Disney movie, which one would you be in?
Oh jeez, I don’t remember any Disney movies! I used to love The Incredibles. I could watch it over and over and over. Yeah I guess I could be like Dash or something: really fast, and an annoying little brother.

What do you look for in a person?
First of all you gotta be a good person! Decency, um, honesty…compassion (giggles). Being considerate is probably the most important thing. Because I hate inconsiderate people. Not to be mean! But, if you’re going to do something, it’s almost always the thought that counts. So, you know, people who consider other people and yeah.

Describe your ideal first date.
Oh. Ideal first date? Well it’d have to be with the ideal person…whoever that may be!

What would you do?

(Photo: Siobhan Furnary)

Um, first I need my driver’s license, and then…beaches!
Like a picnic?
Yeah, that’d be cool.

Do you consider yourself a romantic then?
As opposed to what?…um, sure? I don’t know!

I saw on your schedule that you’re taking Experimental Chem. Got any chemistry pickup lines?
Are you made of Copper Tellurium? ‘Cause you’re Cu-Te.  I’m sure there’s more…
Ooo, as far as math pickup lines go: If I were cosine then you’d be sine, ‘cause then you’d be on top and we’re tangent. I don’t know.

Best pickup line?
Ooo, no such thing.

Who was your first crush?
Oh! In kindergarten I think—I think her name was Lizanne or something—(jogs memory) this was a long time ago…and she was kind of like one of those perfect people—as in, the teacher loved her kind of thing: smart and sweet and all of that. And it was always really embarrassing and everything because I’d always get put in timeout in the four-square box during recess, and she wasn’t, so it didn’t work out. …I was a bad kindergartener.

Is there anyone in particular who you have your eye on?
(Pauses) Maybe. We’re not talking about that…!

Any tattoos we don’t know about?
Oh god…I could make up so much [expletive] about that. Um, nooo, I would never be able to have a tattoo. Because it—you can’t get rid of it! Once you do it it’s done. No. No tattoos.

A song to set the mood?
Hmmm…ewww. No. I don’t know; I don’t listen to too many seductive songs, to be honest. Nor am I capable of creating such music (maybe with his violin).

List three things people at Catlin don’t know about you.
(Rests hand on jaw) I mean, I’m an open person. But I was born in Florida (shrugs). And I’m apparently a descendant of a family line of Samurai, on my mom’s side.

What TV shows do you watch?
I don’t really watch TV. But I used to really like “Avatar: the Last Air Bender,” one of the best shows ever. Last summer my brother started watching “Psych,” so we kinda had this thing: pretty much every night—12 o’clock, 1—we’d just start watching “Psych.” It was cool, and entertaining, but other than that I don’t watch too much TV.tt

A long walk on the beach or an illegal street race?
What!? A walk on the beach. I don’t have my driver’s license, remember? (Laughs)

What do you want to be when you grow up? What did you used to want to be?
Umm, my mom always told me that I should be a doctor, and I’m…considering that. Engineering, something on the science-y side, not language arts.

Do you have any embarrassing childhood stories about love?
Not that I can think of. I’m just such a smooth guy…(Sarcasm? Witty fo sho.)
I mean it was pretty embarrassing to be in that four-square box.

What should someone do to get your attention?
Ummm, talk––to me. That’s about it. Talk to me, and…I will talk to you, or vice versa. (Smiles)

Do you have a celebrity crush?
No, I don’t. I don’t know. It’s just really superficial. I just I can’t have a crush on someone I don’t know.

You’re a real person.
Yeah! I mean, most people are.

Ladies, you might not be able to convince Evan to tattoo your name across his shoulder blade, but you can expect some romantic time at the beach, where Evan might play you a tune or two on his violin—not to set the mood though. Evan is a pensive, kind, considerate young man with a genuine smile to share––and some stories, too––so just talk to him.

At first glance, Maddy, a junior at Catlin Gabel, seems like a confident teenage girl. At second glance, that’s still very true. Her striped shirt and grey jacket give off an air of casual friendliness that is hard to top. Her smile is calming and particularly nice on this cold February day.

First off, how does it feel to be chosen as Bachelorette of the Month?
Well, it feels like an honor. Basically it means I have to let on about some things but I’m excited! It’s gonna be fun.

What is your ideal first date, or date in general?
I like something fun. I like to go out of the box, push your comfort zone. I actually have a cousin who went to Columbia and did free diving with Great White Sharks. That sounded cool so I think that would be a good way to get to know someone.

(Photo: Siobhan Furnary)

Would you say you’re outgoing or shy on a date?
I’m pretty shy if I don’t know someone and I’m not very vocal, but when I get to know someone I can be pretty outgoing. So it really depends on how long I’ve known them.

I’m going to assume you have been on dates, so what do you think is the best date you have been on?
Probably the dates that have involved no plan, when you just kind of have ended up at a random place. Some sort of adventure that is just unexpected.

Who was your first crush?
I think it was probably in kindergarten. I went to the French-American School and there was this one kid there who was really good at French so I had this huge crush on him because he would always speak to me in French.

What is your ideal guy?
Someone who is funny and someone who just enjoys having a good time by sitting down and watching a movie and relaxing or going out and trying something new. I don’t really like someone who gets stuck in the same routine. Taller than me preferably. (Laughs)

What is your favorite date movie?
I think my favorite date movie would probably be…(pauses). Trying to think here what my go-to movie is…I think it’s probably going to have to be either one of the Lord of the Rings.

Are you into that kind of movie, like fantasy stuff?
I really like adventures. I’m really influenced by my dad because he would always take me to movies when he got stuck with me, so I have a pretty wide range I’m willing to see and enjoy, so all the way from like fantasy adventure to shoot ’em up Die Hard movies.

(Photo: Siobhan Furnary)

I know you’re an equestrian. When looking for a guy, I assume they can’t hate horses. Does being an equestrian ever influence dating?
I don’t think it’s ever affected anything. I mean that part of my life is so separate from everything else it’s never really influenced it. I mean, people have asked me about it and I think it’s a conversation starter. But other than that I don’t think…There aren’t a lot a guy riders so I can’t really go to a show and scope out a guy.

When looking for someone do you try to initiate anything? Like do you say, “Hey, do you want to go on a date?” or do you usually wait for a guy to ask?
I think I tend to wait. I can be pretty oblivious to people wanting me to ask so I generally let the guy do that. If there was a certain situation where I want to go out with a guy and I think he won’t make a move, I might but it would have to be a certain situation.

There you have it, folks, Maddy, Bachelorette of the Moment for March 2013. If you can step out of your comfort zone and be adventurous, you might just have a shot!

Throughout the campus students’ artwork is displayed, but often overlooked. This guide will point out some of the exciting new art installations around campus.  

A variety of animal water colors from the 2D class. (Photo: Mary Whitsell)

Dant House

Chris Mateer’s 2D art class created the animals and landscape paintings in the lower hallways of the Dant house. For many students in the class it was their first time working in this medium. They began painting watercolor landscapes and did a rough one-hour preliminary painting before spending a couple weeks on the paintings displayed. The watercolors are based on their own photographs while the animal paintings are mostly created from published photos.

Library

In the library foyer the 2D art class’s “hot” acrylic paintings are presented on the wall. Blown up pictures of kitchen utensils made in a warm color pallet (red and yellow based colors) were made in a couple of weeks.

SpaceShip by Jules Renaud. (Photo: Mary Whitsell)

Upper School art teacher Chris Mateer states that: “to sharpen our sense of color theory, students were asked to compose ‘Hot’ acrylic paintings, depicting kitchen utensils, using only the warmest colors of the spectrum: Red, Yellow, Orange (and White).  My hope for the installation was to “heat up” a tight public space on campus. The 2-D classes are currently working on “Cold” acrylic paintings (Blue, Purple, Black, and White) and “Full Color Paintings” (which will include the hot/ cold extremes with the addition of the mid ranges). The objective of the third painting of the series is for each artist to focus on using a range of color to direct viewers through an the entire composition”.

For the black foam sculptures Chris says, “each student was asked to sculpt an animal out of clay. Once the clay animal was finished, it was then sliced into cross-sections. The cross-section pieces were traced onto sheets of black foamcore and then cut out and glued together to recompose a simplified, abstract form.”

“Students were asked to create a sculpture made out of a repeated form. They were given a budget of $10 for their materials. What was really exciting about this project was that the students had to really think about how their repeated forms would connect to/and express the sculpture’s overall concept. So for example, Max Luu (10th gr) used Gummy Bears to model a bear, Brendan Edelson (10th gr) used almonds to make a heart (because “almonds are good for your heart”), Emma Ronai-Durning (12th gr) built an oil rig out of toy cars, Willa Holmes (11th gr) built a tricycle out of crayons and crayon boxes (referencing early childhood), and Claudia Bueerman (9th gr) built a trash can out of non-recyclable Starbucks cups (since these cups that the company distributes go into landfills).”

From foam sculptures to watercolor paintings the art around campus is impressive and should be enjoyed by all the students and faculty.