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(09/14/06 12:00am)
Author: Jeff Klein The race for the National League wild card looks messier than an unshaven Johnny Damon. As of this Sunday, seven teams were within five games of the wild card lead. Call that parity, but it also reflects a lack of quality teams in the National League (NL), mockingly dubbed "Quadruple-A" by critics. As it currently stands, the Padres would win the NL wild card. If the Padres played in the American League, they wouldn't have a chance.So with only a few weeks left in the regular season, it's time to separate the contenders from the pretenders in the dogfight that is the NL wild card race:San Diego Padres: Despite their mediocre record, they seem to have the upper hand in this race. The pitching staff was greatly buoyed by the acquisition of David Wells, a savvy veteran who thrives under the spotlight. Wells brings both experience and a swagger that can become contagious in a clubhouse. Along with ace Jake Peavy, he gives the Padres a significant advantage. San Francisco Giants: The Giants have come on strong, charging back into the chase, as they recently took two out of three games from the Padres. Barry Bonds is hot, and with him in the lineup, anything is possible. Their final three games with the rival L.A. Dodgers, may determine their fate.Philadelphia Phillies: Boy, does the Phillies' front office look like a bunch of fools now. Management traded star slugger Bobby Abreu and veteran pitcher Cory Lidle to the Yankees thinking the team was out of the playoff race. Problem is, the other players didn't want to call it quits and they have started to win. It will take a heroic effort, but this team certainly has the resolve to come out on top. Florida Marlins: What potential for a storybook ending. The Marlins entered the season with a payroll of $14 million and fell to 11-31 record on May 21. To put that in perspective, A-Rod personally makes over $25 million and on Sept. 4 they became the first team in MLB history to climb above .500 after being 20 games under. Manager Joe Girardi has gotten his team to believe, but it still is a longshot.Cincinnati Reds: The Reds held the wild card lead for much of the season, but are quickly fading. They had a golden opportunity to run away with the wild card and even challenge the St. Louis Cardinals for the division, but the gas has run out of the tank. Count the Reds out.Prediction: I'm tempted to go with the underdog Marlins here, but the rational side of me says the Padres will come out as the winner. They will have a first-round matchup with the Mets and an early exit from the playoffs.
(09/14/06 12:00am)
Author: [no author name found] Men's SoccerAfter a strong season in 2005 where the men's soccer team ended with a record of 10-4-1 and a devastating 1-0 semifinal loss to Amherst in the NESCAC tournament, Coach David Saward's team appears to have the potential for another successful season. Twenty-two players return, including first-team All-NESCAC honorees John Sales '07 and goalkeeper co-captain Zack Toth '07. As the season progresses, both will be counted on for their strong play and leadership.The Panthers appear to have the potential for an even better finish than last year. Said Co-Captain David Lee '07, "With an extremely talented freshmen class and transfer student Casey Ftorek '08 from Union who scored a hat trick this weekend, I have very high hopes for the season." There were some losses from last year's team that may be difficult to fill. Third-team All-American and two time All-NESCAC selection Derek Cece '06 graduated. Also, Center midfielder Allen Bourdon '08.5 tore his ACL during preseason and will be forced to red shirt. According to Lee, "Allen is one of the emerging leaders of the team and he would have been a huge help in the midfield." Sales, Billy Brennan '07, Winston Rains '07, Brodie MacDearmid '07 and Vandy Shanholt '07 will look to tally the points Bourdon would have provided. With so many experienced players, the team is more than capable of going deep into the post-season. - Andrew SchlegelWomen's SoccerIf there is one thing the 2006 women's soccer team does not have to worry about this year, it's a lack of senior leadership. With an extremely talented group of nine returning seniors, the Panthers seem poised to avenge the disappointment of last year's first round loss to conference powerhouse Bowdoin in the NESCAC tournament. This plethora of experienced players, however, should not overshadow the importance of their young talent. Standout Ashley Pfaff '09, who earned second team all-NESCAC honors last year in her rookie season, hopes to add to her team-leading ten goals from the 2005 campaign. Ultimately, the hopes of the Panthers may rest on the emerging talent of goalkeeper Adele Plunkett '09. After earning her first career shutout last Saturday in a 1-0 win over Connecticut College, Plunkett may be the final piece to the championship puzzle. "Adele has gotten a lot more vocal and has really been owning her goalie box," says Christine Bolger '07. "She's hot." The Panthers hope to build on last weekend's success this Saturday as they host Tufts in the home-opener. With so many returning starters, it would appear that the Panthers cannot help but set their sights on the NESCAC championship that the team won in 2000. - David LeeWomen's TennisThe Middlebury women's tennis team kicks off their season with a brand new coach, a couple of new players and a new attitude. "It's [already] a tight-knit group of girls," said first year Coach Mike Morgan. "They're just as capable as anyone in the country, and they're working just as hard as anyone in the country."Morgan's enthusiasm is clear, and he's already made a positive impression on his players, even during his first few days on the job. "He's very enthusiastic and I really like him so far," said Clare Burke '09. Morgan's enthusiasm is also apparent in his coaching style. "I'd say I'm very hands-on," said Morgan. "Our team will be very fit, have lots of fun, play better tennis and hopefully become even closer."Morgan comes to Middlebury from Colby College, where he spent the past three years as coach of both the men's and women's teams. "Colby is a great place with a great program," he said, "but Middlebury presents the opportunity to spend more time with my family and still have a fantastic program."The team, led by Co-Captains Emily Holick '07 and Amy Roche '07, looks to improve upon their solid 11-7 record from last year. Roche, a first-team all-NESCAC selection won the league's "A" flight singles tournament last year. - Tory HayesMen's TennisThe Middlebury College men's tennis team is ready and excited to take to the courts again this fall. Making it to the Division III NCAA Championship finals last spring, the team fell to Emory University. The top three singles players from last season, Brian Waldron, Ari Beilin and Nate Edmunds, all graduated in 2006 and only four upperclassmen are returning. However, Head Coach Dave Schwarz has recruited another promising freshman class. Five talented first-year players are ready to join the team and continue the excellent record and reputation of Middlebury tennis. Sophomore standout Conrad Olsen, and George Mayer '07, Kevin Bergeson '07 and Alex Scott '07 will need to take on leadership roles and step up their performances on the court this season in order to defeat the favored Claremont and Emory teams.Mayer points out, "We're most certainly going to be underdogs this year, but finally we get to be the team that gets the chance to sneak up on some people and surprise them." He continues, "the funny thing about my three years of college tennis so far is the fact that each year, the best team on paper has never won the national championship." Coach Schwarz and company have the Cornell and Middlebury Invitationals coming up this September to gain valuable on-court experience and confidence heading into the important spring season. - Robbie de PicciottoGolfPracticing hard behind the scenes while the rest of campus whiffs and hacks away at that tiny white ball, the men and women of the Middlebury golf team are determined to show the College that they belong up there with the soccer and field hockey teams. Led by Captain Heather Gallagher '07, the Fabulous Five, rounded out by Karen Levin '08, the Ortega duo, Allison '07 and Kerry '07, and Julie Ellenberger '09, are out to prove that they belong as the number sixth ranked women's team in the country, sandwiched in between many southern schools. One would be hard pressed to find five better players on another team - last year they only played with four and still were the best team in the Northeast.Not to be forgotten, the men still have one of the most feared one-two punch in the NESCAC with Harrison Bane '08.5 and Chad Bellmare '07. Both look to continue their success and will gladly welcome back Jay Yonamine '07 who returned from a year abroad. Other men on Coach Bill Beaney's squad are equally capable of putting down scores in the low 70's. Unfortunately, the men's team was delivered an unfortunate blow when captain Mitch St. Peter '06.5 was declared ineligible because according to NCAA regulations he had already played four years of golf. Regardless, St. Peter will continue to be active as an assistant coach.- Geoff HomerCross CountryThe cross-country team has runners from all over the country - from Alaska to Maine - but they all share one thing in common: they're good at crossing the finish line. "We can take on any hill and we thrive in horrible conditions," said women's co-captain Alison Brown '07. "We have minds of steel that drive our legs and pump our hearts." It's no wonder the women's team has been NESCAC champs six out of the last eight years. "With last spring's track superstars Andi Giddings '07 and Alexandra Krieg '09 combined with seniors Makely Lyon and Erin Archard we have a very formidable foursome," said Brown.The first race of the year for both teams is this weekend's Panther Invitational, where the Blue and White have their sights set on repeating (the women's team has won the event four years in a row). When the gun goes off, look for Jimmy Butcher '08 to separate from the pack. In the two races held on the Middlebury course last year, Butcher won by an average of 18.25 seconds.With key returnees Will McDonough '07
and Chris Pelliccia '07 (the team's two captains), Butcher will not be completely alone at the front. "The New England Region will be extremely competitive this year," said Butcher. "If we work hard and stay healthy we can surprise a bunch of people on the course."- Jeff PattersonField HockeyExpectations are high as the Middlebury field hockey team embarks on their 2006 season. Already established as a perennial power, the team hopes that this season does not deviate from recent history and the three consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers opened their 2006 campaign on Saturday with a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Connecticut College. Leading the Panther attack was forward Reid Berrien '08, who tallied two goals, including the game-winner with just six minutes to play. Berrien, last year's leading scorer and a second-team All-American selection, is one of 15 returning players. Other returnees expected to contribute offensively include Nina Daugherty '08 and Lacey Farrell '08. In addition, the Panthers have added six first-years to the team and Berrien is excited about their prospects. "We graduated a lot of strong players, but we also gained a lot of strength in the freshman class." The team's veteran depth is strong at defense, where co-captains Michelle Archambault '07 and Meg McGillen '07 will anchor the unit. While Archambault believes that the team will be strong defensively, she is most excited about the Panther's overall balance. "Our team is both aggressive in the offensive circle and strong on the defensive line," said Archambault. "Most importantly, I think that we all communicate well and always work together as team." - Allison OrtegaVolleyballFour games into the season, the women's volleyball team has already squeaked out two matches in the fifth and deciding game. "We aren't going to be the most powerful team in the league, but we are quick and scrappy," said Lacee Patterson '07, the designated setter on the team. Her younger sister and teammate, Lindsey Patterson '08, agrees: "We might not have huge hitters, but we have the ability to dig whatever is hit our way." The team is somewhat of a family affair as the Patterson sisters play alongside the Heath sisters (Amy '07 and Kate '09). This family-based familiarity can only help out on the court. "Being the setter, [Lacee] assists every hit of mine and makes me a better player," said Lindsey. "I have so much confidence in every play just knowing that she's going to get the second ball no matter where the pass sends her." Said Lacee of the sister-sister combo: "We have a similar court sense and understanding of the game. It is pretty funny when I call out something he used to tell us and hear her calling the same."Also bound to contribute to the team's success is the rigorous preseason training the team went through in preparation for the season. "In pre-season we've been working a lot on ball control and smart play. It will be exciting to see what we can do together," said Lacee. Also bolstering the team's odds, appropriately named freshman Reisa Bloch has contributed from the start, as she's played in every game and averaged 3.82 digs.- Jeff PattersonFootballThe football team heads into this year with loads of optimism. After a disappointing 3-5 season last year, the Panthers are looking to finish over .500 for the first time in five years. Senior co-captains Scott Secor '07 and Jamie Staples '07 both stressed that the team's goal this season is to be 1-0 every week. "We need to find a way to win close games," said Secor. "If we can do that I think we're going to have a good year."Staples believes that the major difference makers on offense are quarterback Tiger Lyon '07 and running back Stefan Hrdina '07. The offensive question marks for the Panthers include the wide receiver and the offensive line, which is young and will need several first-year players to step-in.On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Eric Woodring '08 and lineman Kevin Ryan '07 should make their presence known. Ryan will likely be facing double teams all year since every NESCAC coach is aware of his dominance. "I think it might be physically impossible for just one person to block him," said Secor. Woodring, considered to be one of the most athletic players on the team, should take some of the pressure off Ryan by creating some plays himself. Meanwhile, Alex Buggy '07 will look to intimidate opposing quarterbacks at the linebacker position with a face full of war paint and an aggressive vocabulary.- George MayerRugbyThe Middlebury men's rugby team is in good spirits following a grueling week of preseason training. Logging almost twenty hours of practice, the upperclassmen are eager to set the tone for a season of hard work and commitment. After capturing the New England Championship title and sustaining only one loss last season, the team is looking for a repeat performance this fall. Last fall, the ruggers outscored their regular-season opponents 214-10. After losing only two starters, Caleb Constantine and Colby Hewitt to graduation, another New England Championship seems like an attainable reality.The upperclassmen form a strong foundation in hopes of a successful year. Co-captains Matt Volz '07 and Jimmy Manyuru '07 are both key players who intend to lead the team to a perfect season. According to Craig Wilson '07, the team is most looking forward to playing the Coast Guard Academy, traditionally a tough match-up. With Spencer Cox '08, Pascal Lasombe '07 and Chas Wirene '07 returning, these formidable forces will surely form a daunting challenge for opponents.This week's open tryouts should only add to the strength of the team. Following this week's tryouts, the team will play Boston University on Saturday. As the season progresses, the challenges will intensify, culminating with the New England Tournament and a potential National Championship bid.- Brett SwensonWater PoloThe men's water polo team looks to build on their successful 2005 campaign that included a North Atlantic Division Championship and a birth to the National Tournament. Coach Brian Goodwin, as well as senior co-captains Dekker Deacon and Andrew Herzik are optimistic about the team's chances to three-peat as the North Atlantic Division Champion. Last year's goalie graduated, leaving the position vacant, and the defense's ability to limit scoring chances and allow the goalie to develop will be an important ingredient of this year's success. Look for Matt Sullivan '08 and Toshi Kido '08 to have big years. "Sullivan has gotten better each year," said Goodwin, stressing that Sullivan will undoubtedly be a crucial player. Kido is coming off an injury that plagued him in 2005 but has already been "looking good at practice," according to Goodwin.Dartmouth College will host the first of three league tournaments this season beginning on Sept. 30. The following weekend, Middlebury will travel to the icy waters of the Polar Bears for a match at Bowdoin College. During the weekend of Oct. 28, the Natatorium will be filled with squads competing in the North Atlantic Division Championship.- James KerriganCrewIf you think 8 a.m. classes are tough, think twice before moaning and grunting your way out of bed. The crew team has been rowing on Lake Dunmore since 5:00 a.m., and both the men's and women's teams have been practicing twice per day in preparation for their first meet on Oct. 1. Despite the limited number of rowers coming out, the men's team looks to have a successful season with Eric Hoest '07.5 and Dave Wood '07 providing strong leadership to what looks to be a young and rebuilding season. Generally, the fall season is used to get the newcomers acclimated to the returning varsity rowers style, in preparati
on for the more important spring season. The women's squad also has a shortage. However, the small numbers have not stopped them from rowing extremely well, according to Coach Alex Machi. Noting that most rowers take a few years to get their form down, Machi is impressed with the progress the women have made in such a short time. Both the men and women have modest expectations for the fall. As the team is relatively full of novice rowers, Machi is looking for more experienced rowers to join both squads. The goal is to get the newcomers comfortable with their roles as they progress through the fall, culminating with the season-ending Head of the Fish regatta in Saratoga Springs. - Geoff Homer
(05/11/06 12:00am)
Author: [no author name found] We are dismayed to find out that Assistant Professor of Sociology Marc Garcelon was refused tenure. Max Weber said that a good teacher encourages the student to "give himself an account of the meaning of his own conduct." In the end, he fulfills "the duty of bringing about self-clarification and a sense of responsibility." Most students that have had Garcelon would agree that he has taken this advice to heart by attempting to shape critical thinkers and conscientious community members within this institution. Garcelon encourages students to link issues like independent media, globalization and social change through the lens of multiple perspectives, and with an eye to the complexities in the politics that impact every aspect of our lives. Garcelon puts students' critical thinking abilities to the test and inspires them to apply, and articulate, their knowledge outside of class. Being an excellent professor is clearly a priority for Garcelon and he consistently spends time and energy above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that his students are challenging themselves to think about new and difficult issues in a constructive and stimulating manner. Considering what we know of this situation, we are perplexed by the way the factors add (or don't add) up: he just published one of the most thorough studies that exists on the Russian Revolution; he was unanimously supported by his own department, on both Sociology and Anthropology sides and the student evaluations were largely glowing. Let's reconsider this. For the sake of knowledge and transparency, we would like to know more about the tenuring process regarding a professor we believe is whole-heartedly "dedicated to excellence and service to the educational needs of students" in the spirit of the mission statement . Garcelon is one of the few professors that continually come up in conversations that we have with our peers. His name surfaces at least once, even twice, a week, if not more, and always evokes a smile and general sentiment of delight. But our fellow classmates speak for themselves:"Marc Garcelon is a man who imbibes a passion into the material he both teaches and studies. His enthusiasm is infectious and his sense of humor precious. This is why I came to Middlebury - to be part of a small intellectual community of personable and caring professors with passion for sharing their time and knowledge."- Mark Little, '08 "I took Sociology 305 with Professor Garcelon in the fall of 2004. He is one of the kindest and most attentive professors I've had at Middlebury. His passion for sociology, his involvement in current social issues, and his ability to apply the theories we studied to current affairs made class discussions engaging, thought-provoking, and pertinent. I am stunned that such a dedicated and driven professor would not be awarded the tenure he so clearly deserves." - Melissa Clineburg, '06"I met Marc the summer after my first year at Middlebury. He was at a barbeque that some members of the Sociology/Anthropology department put together. I was a guest of a guest, and a typical first-year without a clue of what I wanted to do with my Middlebury career. I spent the entire afternoon just talking to Professor Garcelon, about sociology, about its relevance in the world, and about its place at Middlebury. It only took one afternoon and not a single class for me to realize that I wanted to be a Soc/Anthro major […] After Mark Southern's tragic loss, I can't help but feel that in denying Marc Garcelon tenure, Middlebury would be losing yet another brilliant, passionate human being, and the embodiment of what Middlebury's spirit should be."- Cynthia Hernandez"Professor Garcelon is an extremely enthusiastic professor who cares deeply about what he teaches. He consistently connects each idea in his classes to the real world - you can't take a class with Garcelon and not be better informed about some of the most crucial issues for our generation." - Khairani Barokka, '06"Marc Garcelon is the Reason I didn't transfer."- Charlie Parker, '07.5"I conducted my senior thesis with Professor Garcelon and have taken two courses and completed two 500 projects with him in the Sociology-Anthropology Department. He spent numerous hours each week this year meeting with me to discuss my thesis and editing my drafts with remarkable skill and thoroughness. He is an excellent writer and has helped me improve my own writing skills more than any other instructor I have had at Middlebury. Professor Garcelon has continually challenged me to think in new and creative ways and has given me confidence both in the world of academia and in my own ability to succeed in that world, if I so chose. I am seriously considering applying to Sociology graduate programs, largely because of his passion for the discipline."- Amber Trotter, '06We are afraid that if Garcelon is not reconsidered by the tenure committee, especially given the student response, there will be an unfortunate stain on our final days at Middlebury, our appreciation of which was shaped by people the sort of Garcelon. We feel sorry that coming generations of students might not have the privilege and the pleasure of learning from him. We feel fortunate that we have had the opportunity to do so and we hope that this can serve as a beginning to a productive dialogue on the behalf of Garcelon and the students that have yet to learn from him.MIKE IVES '06.5AMBER TROTTER '06SUSANNAH A. PATTY '06
(05/04/06 12:00am)
Author: Daniel L. J. Phillips Does it not seem decidedly contradictory for the College to expect the Class of 2006 to donate to the same alma mater that left such a bitter taste in its mouth after fining seniors $500 for not leaving campus quickly enough on the same day of their milestone commencement ceremony? Aside from the detrimental impact that such a policy would have on those seniors' contributions to the College endowment, this 11 p.m. deadline - recently reinforced in an class-wide e-mail on Tuesday by Dean of the College Tim Spears - is both a logistical and emotional inconvenience for members of the senior class and their families. The moments immediately following the ceremony allow students to say their final goodbyes to classmates and their college. And since very few graduates will want to spend the majority of Senior Week packing up their rooms in preparation for this moment, these goodbyes will have to take place with an armful of suitcases, rushing to catch rides to the airport on time.The College rightfully requests this hasty departure from the dorms so custodians can clean in preparation for Reunion Weekend. Yet it seems unfair that the College inflicts a three-day turnaround between accommodating its recent graduates and alumni, but allows for a 12-day period before the arrival of Language School students - most of whom only spend a maximum of nine weeks at the College as opposed to four devoted years.When Trinity tried to change its tradition in 2003 by having graduating seniors move out the same night of commencement, the administration met with immediate outcry from the entire class, so Trinity President Dick Hersh changed the move-out deadline to noon the next day, allowing students to enjoy the twilight hours on campus. Alternatively, Middlebury could take the same posture as Princeton or Wesleyan and combine its reunions with Senior Week or graduation weekend.It would be a shame for such an easily avoidable deadline to make our seniors' final college memory one to despise instead of one to savor.-Daniel L. J. Phillipsassociate editor
(04/27/06 12:00am)
Author: [no author name found] Author, Harvard student accused of plagiarismOn Wednesday, April 24, Harvard sophomore Kaavya Viswanathan responded to accusations that she had plagiarized selections of her newly released book, "How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild and Got a Life," by acknowledging that she had borrowed language from books written by author Megan McCafferty and claiming that her actions were "unintentional and unconscious." Little, Brown Publishing paid Viswanathan a reported $500,000 for a two book deal. In an e-mail message to The New York Times on Wednesday, Viswanathan explained that she was a "huge fan" of McCafferty's books "Sloppy Firsts" and "Second Helpings" and that they "spoke to me in a way few other books did." She added that "I wasn't aware of how much I may have internalized Ms. McCafferty's words." Both books follow adolescent girls in their quests to get into Ivy League colleges. There are several descriptive paragraphs and dialogues in "Opal" that share incredibly similar language and sentence structure. The Harvard Crimson cited 13 such instances but, in fact there are at least 29 passages that are of questionable parallel. It is unclear whether legal action will be taken against Viswanathan or whether Harvard will respond to this incident. Robert Mitchell, the director of communications for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard, said that "Our policies apply to work submitted to courses. Nevertheless, we expect Harvard students to conduct themselves with integrity and honesty at all times."Students set trends with racy nudey magazinesDid you think the swimsuit issue of Also magazine was racy? Try going to the University of Chicago, where the spring issue of the racy student magazine Vita Excolatur featured a spread entitled, "Hot Girls Reading Books." Scandalous magazines have become increasingly popular at such renowned schools as Harvard, Yale, Boston University, Vassar College and the University of Chicago. Squirm, at Vassar College, first featured someone in the nude in 1999. Yale hosts Sex Week and publishes a corresponding publication, Sex Week at Yale: The Magazine. H Bomb, at Harvard, is even sultrier than Vita Excolatur and Sex Week at Yale: The Magazine. Boink, at Boston University, began with the collaboration of a student and a professional photographer, who has said that creating a publication such as Boink celebrates sex, rather than having it be seen as something taboo.The one major difference in all the magazines is the role the school plays in the publication. Some schools, such as University of Chicago, support the magazine financially while taking precautions to ensure student privacy. At Vassar, Harvard and B.U., the administration and student government has taken a completely hands-off approach, offering no compensation or support.While the publications are controversial no matter where they are, they are becoming more and more popular as a new means of student expression. Middkids, get ready…
(04/27/06 12:00am)
Author: Shannon Gymrek Over-achieving is something Middlebury Students know a lot about. Even taking that into mind, however, Kevin Vélez '06 has got to impress. Velez's senior 700 work, a new original musical entitled "The Legend of Cofresí," debuted on the McCullough stage last Friday. Velez not only composed the music and wrote the lyrics for the show, but also played the role of the title character. The plot of the show follows young Nina (Sally Swallow '07, for whom this marked a music 500 project) who has grown up reading and dreaming about pirates and the thrill of adventure on the seas. Her world is shaken when her father (Starrett Berry '09) is injured and cannot work as a street-corner bookseller. Nina sees the mishap as an opportunity to break the monotony of her daily life and convinces her parents to let her dress as a man and take over the business while her father heals. They acquiesce, and Nina assumes the role of breadwinner for the family. During her work, the heroine meets a young military man, Don Pedro (Ian Fleishman '06) and the two form a friendship - though one overshadowed by an argument about the nature of right and wrong and whether it is possible to be both a thief and an honorable person. Nina soon finds that her concept of a hero - embodied in the Robin Hood-esque character of the pirate Cofresí - is flawed and that there is a difference between dream and reality. The cast of the show consisted of many newcomers to the Middlebury stage including a large crop of freshmen and members of numerous a Capella groups. It was exciting to see these performers take a stab at the often-complex performing art of musical theater with such gusto and obvious delight, though it was apparent that most had little acting experience. "Cofresí" was especially enjoyable to the audience thanks to the cast's unbridled enthusiasm for the show. This zeal was exemplified most spiritedly in the performance of Scotty Leighton '08.5 as Navy officer Flamboyán, who portrayed the character with a great sense of humor and just the right amount of camp. Velez commented that the cast "was the most talented, dedicated, and hard working group of people [he had] ever worked with at Middlebury." This is high praise from a student who has been involved with a Capella group D8 and several Musical Players productions.The cast worked with all-new material, a significant challenge considering they not only learned the original music, but also had to explore their characters and deal with constant workshopping of the show. Swallow commented that the process "pushed [her] musical abilities, as [she] had to be ever flexible and absorbent of new material." Her performance made clear that she rose to the challenge, forming a strong character supported by a lovely and expressive voice. Velez cites the production team as a major part of the show's success. Director Teddy Crecelius '08 was involved with the project since this past fall, leading the promotion and production of the show with producer Marissa Kraham '06 and Velez. Crecelius dealt with many obstacles on the way to a final production, including his, Swallow and costume designer Aleks Schoen's '08 involvement in the theater department's award-winning show "The Bewitched" that took them away from "Cofresí" for a large part of tech week. Also notable was conductor Dan Donnelly '06 who lead a talented pit orchestra in its beautiful execution of Vélez's score.In the end, it is the music of "Cofresí" that shines most brightly. This is not a surprise from Velez, a talented musician. Lyrically, some numbers seemed a bit hackneyed, but there were also examples in other songs of professional-grade work. The piece "Morning Serenade," a battle-of-words-and-song between three suitors (J. Brito '06, Leighton and Crecelius) over Nina's sister Pinta (Kraham) was especially impressive. The song unfolds not only in a catchy Latin-inspired tune, but also in the best example of lyrical writing in the show. As the three suitors sing, their respective parts cleverly overlap, so although the suitors sing of chaste love, the audience hears: "I like your coconuts." and "Please touch my banana." "Beyond This Porch," Nina's inspiring aria about leaving home and dreams of adventure, is scored beautifully. Many students commented that the score sounded like a contemporary Broadway musical - not surprising, as Velez openly draws inspiration from Stephen Schwartz, the composer of the hit show "Wicked." It is clear, then, that the score of "Cofresí" pushed the music of the production to a near-pro level.As a complete musical, however, there were still many faults. The book was rushed, making the play seem more like a musical revue only loosely connected by an overlying theme. The show seemed to move at a hurried, hasty pace, and more dialogue would have created greater character development and audience involvement. This is especially true of the secondary characters, such as Nina's sister Maria (Brianna Cullen '08) who insists her young age doesn't mean she's incapable…and then disappears for the rest of the show without having proved herself. Vélez admits that the show "is by no means a finished project," but an ongoing undertaking of which this is only the first step. Still, Velez concluded, "It was an incredible experience to create this show and see and hear it come alive right in front of me. I'll never forget it." Middlebury workshopping complete. Next stop, maybe Chicago…then who knows? If Broadway welcomes vampire musicals, why not one about pirates too?
(04/27/06 12:00am)
Author: Derek Schlickeisen Nepal democracyThousands of citizens rallied in Nepal's capitol to celebrate a Monday announcement by King Gyanendra that he will reinstate parliament. Gyanendra, under pressure to restore democracy after days of riots across the country, conceded in a televised address that his position as sole ruler had become untenable. While Gyanendra said he intended to share control of the government with the reinstated parliament, opposition leaders said that a violent crackdown by his security forces during the protests would ultimately doom his regime.-The Washington Post, Kathmandu, NepalA failed campaign?Thirteen international public health experts published a paper Tuesday accusing the World Bank of making false statements and wasting money in its global fight against malaria. The paper claims World Bank officials falsified statistics and invested in medicines that had been discredited by medical research. In addition, the experts slammed the World Bank for failing to follow through with a $300 - 500 million loan to African nations. World Bank spokesmen responded that the paper represented an overly-narrow and negative interpretation of events.-BBC, LondonThe face of terrorAbu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al-Qaeda forces in Iraq, released on the Internet Tuesday a videotape criticizing the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq. Zarqawi used the tape - his first unmasked appearance since emerging as a leader of the insurgency in Iraq - to call the recent selection of Jawad al-Maliki as Prime Minister a "silly play." Masked fighters later in the recording show off two missiles that they threaten to use against American tanks and armored personnel carriers. The video comes two days after al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden released a similar tape.-CNN, WashingtonThe pope on condomsPope Benedict XVI has suggested that studies be conducted on the effect of condom use on the spread of AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases. Cardinal Lozano Barragán, an aide to the Pope on health issues, echoed several other church officials who have said recently that condom use may represent the "lesser evil" when compared to allowing the spread of HIV/AIDS. Condom use has long been forbidden of strict Catholics by the Vatican, although spokesmen have trended toward leniency in recent years.-The New York Times, Vatican City
(04/27/06 12:00am)
Author: CAITLIN CONNOLLY '06 By the time seniors graduate, 40 percent have visited the counseling center. While not all suffer from mental illness, many do. Mental illness touches everyone. It affects one of four people, and one of seven have a severe mental illness. It does not discriminate on the basis of skin color, social status, education or religious affiliation. Rather, mental illness is an illness of the brain just like diabetes and multiple sclerosis are illnesses of the body. It does not go away with more rest like the flu. These illnesses range from anxiety and depression to ADHD and eating disorders, to name a few. While we have no control over who is affected by mental illness, we do have control over how we react to it. And by being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness, you can provide support for those around you who need it. At the panel discussion held by Active Minds last Wednesday, I was most impressed by the 1972 Middlebury College graduate whom we will call James. James was a JC his junior year at Middlebury and suddenly became very depressed. Everything he used to enjoy at Middlebury he no longer enjoyed, including going to the hockey games. He slowly cut off his social supports and isolated himself. By the time he reached his senior year, James had to use all the energy he had just to graduate. Shortly after, James was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. But his journey did not end there. A couple of years later, James was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a combination of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. To cope with his symptoms, he turned to alcohol and became alcoholic. Although he attended AA meetings, he did not remain sober. Instead, he was homeless on the streets of Washington, D.C., and merely went to the meetings to find people to stay with. It took James a tremendous amount of social support to realize he needed to seek help and practice sobriety for his medications to work. James is now sober and has also been a client of the Howard Center for Human Services. James is just like any of us, a very intelligent individual with a lot of enthusiasm, charisma and strength. His diagnosis with bipolar came at a time when mental illnesses could not be discussed and shared, so James did not have the support system he needed. The stigmas around mental illness have not changed much, even though the services on campus have improved dramatically. Our ability to help those in need will go unnoticed unless people feel they can talk about the issues. By sharing these stories, you can literally save a life. The medications have greatly improved and for an illness like schizophrenia in which the brain slowly deteriorates, if the signs and symptoms are recognized early, the medications available can stunt the deterioration. Most forms of mental illness appear during the college years, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and anxiety. Personally, James's story really hits close to home. Unfortunately, Vermont's state services today are not what they used to be due to the loss of federal funds. There used to be 1,500 beds available for adults in need of psychiatric treatment. Today, there are 50 beds for adults and only six for children. Vermont State Senator James Leddy, who was also a member of the panel and a past Executive Director of Howard Center for Human Services, made several good points about how to make changes regarding mental illness. He said the most important thing is to share our stories. Politicians are suckers for personal stories and if they notice that people are truly concerned about the issues, they will prioritize these. Frankly, I think it's wrong that there are so few beds available in the state of Vermont for psychiatric treatment. This is not an issue that pertains only to Vermont, it is a national issue, and looking at our current national government, we cannot rely on it to make these changes. It is in our hands to make these changes locally and in our hometowns so that we can be role models for how mental health should be dealt with. The first step to making these changes is to share our stories. It took James 35 years to share his - lets have the courage to reciprocate and share ours.
(04/20/06 12:00am)
Author: ELI BERMAN '07.5 While searching in vain for a vacant practice room the other night, it finally clicked. Overwhelmed by the sounds of Bach preludes, Mendelssohn trios, Beethoven and Brahms, I truly understood, perhaps for the first time, the true power of each individual student and of the Middlebury College student body as a whole. Where else - in the world - could so high a proportion of a single community be challenging themselves to master music so difficult and complex? And if this is what was happening in the CFA, I wondered, what were our fellow students doing at BiHall, in the library and on the playing field? Undoubtedly, developing skills and honing talents equally as impressive. "But, Eli," you ask, "how do these things transform into power?" Let me explain. A year ago today, as an idealistic, young(er), aspiring leader, I ran for SGA president on a campaign platform of "power." My thought was that 2,350 bright, involved, energetic (and, yes, attractive) people with diverse backgrounds and ambitions could combine their formidable energy to achieve definitive and durable change. A year later, that thought has transformed into an unshakeable conviction. After meeting with countless students, administrators and community members, I now know how respected Middlebury students are and how seriously we are taken by decision-makers, both on and off campus. A few examples:- By encouraging professors to submit requisition forms earlier, the SGA helped students earn three times as much money selling their books back to the bookstore.- With few transportation options provided by the College, the SGA subsidized a bus to Burlington that now shuttles members of the College and town communities to the "big city" at a more than reasonable price.- And my favorite-two years ago, the SGA successfully convinced the Administration to open Proctor for Sunday brunch after it had decided, with minimal student input, to close the dining hall on the weekends.These examples are not intended to be a laundry list of SGA's accomplishments. Rather, I want to remind all of us that positive change, when supported by an informed and involved student body, is not only possible but inevitable. The Middlebury student body simply has too many good ideas to be denied.The Student Activity Fee - the second of the two lines that appear on your tuition bill - helps make all of this possible. The fee, which next year will be about $235, is directly controlled and allocated by the SGA through the SGA Finance Committee. Though $235 may not seem like all that much, it totals over $500,000 when multiplied by Middlebury's 2,350 students. The money goes to MCAB, the commons and clubs in order to enhance student life on - and soon off - campus. It is especially useful when, as with the recently passed "SafeRides" bill, the Administration chooses not to financially support a student initiative, because the SGA has the ability to allocate funds (at least to a certain degree) as it deems appropriate."OK," you are now saying, "the SGA did a couple good things and we have a lot of money. What does that have to do with me?" Well, my fellow students, it has everything to do with all of us. The SGA, your student government, is only as powerful as you believe it can be (sort of sounds like Tinkerbelle). The government can only make change if you voice a need and you allow your elected representatives to fill that need.Today's elections for the SGA's two most powerful positions provide the first and easiest way to involve yourself. Read the candidates' statements of intent, which are available online, and vote. Bombard your new leaders with needs, wants, ideas and concerns, whether realistic or not. Criticize, criticize and then criticize some more. As someone who has been on the receiving end for the past year, I know it hurts a little but helps a lot. Above all, stay involved. Whether we are trying to open Proctor or, as Midd8 is now doing, focusing on Millenium Goals, the Student Government is the most accessible and effective way to amplify the voice of every student and group. With so much going on at Middlebury, and students challenging themselves in so many unique ways, Middlebury is a lot like those CFA practice rooms. Though we are all trying to make our own music, we can't help but be influenced by what we hear from other aspiring virtuosi, as long as we respect what they are doing, give a helping hand and remember to listen. And if we band together and support the objective of an active and powerful SGA, I am certain that next year will be filled with beautiful music all across our campus.
(04/20/06 12:00am)
Author: KATHRYN FLAGG ICICLE racks up energysavings for institution during April contestHalfway through the month of April, the Inter-Commons Initiative to Consume Less Energy (ICICLE) has saved the College over $1,000. The month-long event, organized by Bobby Levine '08 in conjunction with several on-campus organizations, encourages students to reduce energy consumption by facilitating inter-commons competition. Leading the way in conservation efforts, Atwater Commons has saved the College nearly $500. Close behind, Ross Commons has saved over $300, while Wonnacott and Brainerd Commons currently hover near the $100-savings mark. Trailing the pack, Cook Commons has actually increased energy spending for its dormitories, as compared to past April spending accounts, by $13. In order to facilitate energy conservation, ICICLE organizers recommend utilizing free compact fluorescent light bulbs, which are available in commons offices, as well as hibernating or turning off personal computers and laptops. ICICLE's Web site also stresses the importance of turning off lights when leaving the room, coining the popular and pithy phrase, "do it in the dark."The members of the winning commons will, at the end of the month, participate in a commons ice cream and pizza party, as well as a raffle event. Prizes include a Fusion messenger bag with an integrated solar panel, carbon offsets from TerraPass for to account for emissions from students' automobiles and a signature ICICLE jumpsuit.PSLA dinner recognizes student volunteer efforts at 13th annual dinnerMiddlebury College celebrated the public service efforts of its students on Tuesday, April 11, honoring 39 nominees for excellence in volunteerism and ultimately recognizing nine students with special commendation. The event, which marked the 13th annual Public Service Leadership Award dinner, included a keynote address from Carrie Williams '00, as well as remarks from Dean of the College Tim Spears.Following remarks from the speakers, as well as the announcement of all nominees, four awards were bestowed for exceptional service: the Public Service Leadership Award, the John M. McCardell, Jr. Award for Public Service, the Bonnie McCardell Award for Public Service and the newly-created Dana Morosini Reeve '84 Memorial Public Service Award. Each award was accompanied by a $300 donation made by the College on behalf of each award recipient to the organization of the recipient's choice. In the event's 13-year history, over $21,000 have been donated.The six recipients of the Public Service Leadership Award were seniors Ashley Calkins, Thomas Hand and Mary Mendoza, Katherine Hawkins '06.5 and sophomores Emily Peterson and Ashley Valle. Erica Goodman '06 received the third annual John M. McCardell, Jr. Award for Public Service, Jessica Cox '06 received the Bonnie McCardell Award for Public Service and Gillian May Boeve '06 received the first ever Dana Morosini Reeve '84 Memorial Public Service Award. All nine students were recognized for their outstanding volunteer work, which ranged from local endeavors with Addison County residents to national leadership in climate change awareness and environmentalism.In addition to these particular award recipients, all 39 student nominees were called forward, recognized for their particular service endeavors and presented with a commemorative achievement certificate.These annual awards were prompted in 1993 by Patrick Durkin '79, who continues to underwrite the program. Durkin was on hand in Vermont on April 11 to attend the awards dinner and congratulate and honor the students.
(04/20/06 12:00am)
Author: Sarah Luehrman To run a marathon in itself is a truly outstanding achievement, but Middlebury seniors Lacee Patterson and Georgia Jolink didn't choose just any marathon they chose the Boston Marathon. On Monday, April 17, Patterson and Jolink were two of 20,117 runners to line up in Hopkinton, Mass., at the starting line of the 110th Boston Marathon and two of 19,688 to cross the finish line 26.2 miles east at Copley Square in downtown Boston. Over 1 million spectators were estimated to have attended the event, which has become a Patriot's Day tradition in Boston as prestigious as any.Not only is the Boston Marathon the oldest and most exclusive in the world, requiring most runners to achieve a qualifying time in order to enter, it is hailed by many as one of the toughest, particularly notorious for its hills. Jolink finished in four hours, two minutes and 35 seconds, averaging 9:16/mile, and Patterson finished in 3 hours, 43 minutes and 29 seconds, averaging 8:32/mile. "I won't say the Boston Marathon is the hardest thing I've ever done," said Jolink, who was available for comment before and after the race, "just one of the hardest."Marathoners train for months for the big event, and many of those who wish to run Boston must run another marathon in the preceding year in order to establish a qualifying time. Jolink and Patterson, however, ran with the Multiple Sclerosis Society and were therefore entered without having to qualify. They applied to run with the team and were accepted along with 48 other runners with a connection to MS. Invitation to run with the team requires participants to raise at least $2,500 each. Patterson and Jolink ran on behalf of Patterson's mother, Susan Patterson, a veteran marathoner who was diagnosed with MS several years ago. Susan remains, in Jolink's words, "really healthy and just an inspiring woman." She ran the New York City marathon last fall and plans to run the Chicago marathon in October. For Jolink and Patterson, Boston 2006 was the first marathon, undertaken for an important cause and for a love of running.Jolink began running recreationally as a high school student and decided to join the cross-country team her senior year "in an attempt to stay in shape." She discovered, however, that she hated being forced to run, "especially to run fast," so she ran the bare minimum of cross-country meets necessary to get a letter. "I know, I was a slacker," she confessed. Upon her arrival at Middlebury, however, Jolink met other girls who ran recreationally, including Patterson, so she began running again, starting with three-mile runs and gradually increasing her mileage. Her sophomore year, she ran two half marathons, and "that's when I got the marathon bug," she recalled. "I thought, if I can do 13.1, I can do twice that. Admitting to that last statement puts me in a very small percentile of people that can only be classified as crazy running fanatics." To be more precise, Jolink's and Patterson's accomplishment in running Boston puts them in the .01 percent of Americans who have finished a marathon.Two days before the race, both women were "ready to run the damn thing," in Jolink's words. Indeed, they have been training since December and persisted through the elements of a Vermont winter to get those long training runs in. Amazingly enough, though she was running 30-50 miles a week during training, Jolink reports having been driven inside to the treadmill only twice. "I guess I took every road out of Middlebury at one point or another," she said, "and somehow ended up back at home." Finding a way to sustain oneself during a distance run is always a challenge, and one that the women addressed creatively. "I used the church in Weybridge as a water stop - lots of drinking from the faucet using my hand - and I would do loops around my house for another water stop," says Jolink. She also claims that "Gatorade and Powergels have saved my life," even though she once thought of Gatorade as "an excuse to drink sugar instead of water." Patterson and Jolink's training program provided by their MS team captain consisted of five runs a week. They acknowledge that the challenges of training in Vermont, particularly its hilly roads, prepared them well for Boston, providing a warm-up for the rapid changes in elevation that runners must endure throughout. Indeed, the physical and mental trial of the infamous hill section is one of the features that make Boston such a challenging marathon. But the prep work was done for Patterson and Jolink; they had logged the miles, they had been carbo-loading for two days, and they were as ready as they were going to be.The course begins in Hopkinton, Mass. with runners starting in waves, fighting to avoid being trampled at the start line. After four miles of downhills, runners experience a moderately flat section of about eight miles before another downhill stretch about two miles long. Said Jolink, "I would advise anyone running Boston to start out slower than you want to at the beginning....the downhill feels so good, and then you pay for it when your quads don't work at the end of the race."At the 16-mile mark, the course begins to climb, gradually at first, to a sharp increase in elevation between miles 19 and 21 in Newton, Mass. This is known as Heartbreak Hill, and it has earned its name from 110 years of runners struggling to conquer it, having already run 19 miles. Once they reach the top, as they cross from Newton into Brookline, the elevation drops again, and they are in the home stretch. Jolink, however, having trained through the rolling hills of Middlebury and its surrounding area, confesses that she didn't even know she had climbed Heartbreak Hill. "In fact, since your toes have been driving into your shoes from running downhill and braking constantly," she remarked, "that part feels really good on feet, butt and legs." The toughest part for Jolink was reaching mile 24, but once she was there, she knew she would make it. In those moments when she wasn't sure she could finish, "I thought how ridiculous I would feel if I dropped out after working so hard and running so far."After crossing the finish line, being wrapped in the traditional space blanket and enduring an hour of delirium, Jolink said she refreshed herself with Gatorade, food, a shower and a massage. "I realized that anyone can run a marathon if they really want to," said Jolink, looking back on the race. "It takes a tough body and an even tougher mentality, but it can be done."
(04/13/06 12:00am)
Author: Brooke Farquhar It's still winter for the Middlebury crew team. At least it was this past Monday morning at 4:30 a.m. when practice began with the temperature hovering around 28 degrees. These bitter practice conditions, however, have not hindered the start of the team's season. As Brooke Adams '07, coxswain of the men's varsity four, commented, "Despite only having a few days of practice on the water before our first regatta of the season, the weekend was an overall success." The regatta was held at Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Mass. The women's varsity four A boat finished in first place ahead of Bowdoin, Fairfield and Mass. Maritime in an exhilarating race. Bowdoin held first place for the initial 1000m, but Middlebury overtook them with less than 700 meters to go. Coxswain Stephanie Pritchard '06 described the race as "a fight all the way until the end of the race, but Bowdoin faded during the sprint." The women's four B boat finished in second place against Bowdoin after leading for the first 500 meters. The women's varsity eight also earned an impressive first place finish against a strong Clark team, winning by three boat lengths of open water. The success of the women's team at the regatta was fueled, according to Pritchard, by a "surprising silver medal during spring training at the Atlanta Olympic Rowing Center."The men's varsity four also competed strongly during spring training, pulling off a third place finish in the finals against several large southern schools including Vanderbuilt, Emory, Georgia Tech and LSU. The men's varsity four looks very similar to the boat that raced last spring, with the exception of Justin Scott '08 who Adams '07 describes as a "very promising sophomore bowman." The men's varsity four finished second versus Bowdoin and Clark. The men's novice four finished fourth against Bowdoin, Mass Maritime and Clark, although it was their first race and only the fourth day rowing for two of the novices. The women's novices raced two four boats. The A boat finished third against the Bowdoin and Middlebury varsity boats, and the B boat finished second against Bowdoin. Acting Women's Novice Coach Neil D'Astolfo commented that "overall, it was a very successful weekend for the novice women's team. Both boats looked extremely strong and both competed well against one of our biggest rivals, Bowdoin…[the regatta] was especially beneficial in that it gave us our first taste of New England competition." He continued, "These women are hungry for a New England title, and they are definitely hoping to take the first steps toward that title with a win this upcoming weekend against Amherst and Bowdoin." This sentiment applies to both men's and women's varsity teams.This upcoming weekend in Hadley, Middlebury will see Bowdoin for a rematch and Amherst for the first time this season. Adams noted in light of the upcoming regatta, "Next weekend, we face our toughest competitors…and hope to keep ourselves ahead of the other crews at the start to ensure a strong finish."Pritchard added "This 'Big Three' regatta is one of our most important during the regular season as Bowdoin and Amherst are always strong crews and there are trophies on the line." Assured of a few more practices on the water, the crews are confident going into the weekend.
(04/13/06 12:00am)
Author: Andrea Glaessner Recent demonstrations by illegal immigrants in response to crackdowns on U.S. border control and deportation have prompted legislators to once again examine an issue that has been the source of fiery debate since the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. In what The New York Times called "the largest effort by immigrants to influence public policy in history," thousands of illegal immigrants rallied against a radically stringent enforcement bill passed by the House of Representatives. Professor of Political Science Eric Davis explained some of the implications of the Congressional bill including a proposal to build a fence along the border of the United States and Mexico, giving local law enforcement the authority to inquire about citizenship status without probable cause and making illegal immigration a felony. The bill failed in the Senate last week, but legislators are still working to draft new legislation to address the revolutionary demand that illegal immigrants be granted citizenship and that their hardships and dignity as fellow human beings be acknowledged. The recent debates shine light on Vermont's own state of affairs involving illegal immigrants, who are indispensable to communities across the state - farming communities in particular - yet they remain largely hidden. Although Vermont has no where near the number of illegal immigrants as states that are situated on the Mexican border, the state does depend on hidden groups of Mexican workers economically. Perhaps the fact that Mexican immigrants residing in Vermont are so absent from public view is an indication of the great lengths people who depend on them will go in order to protect them from deportation. Unlike Mexican immigrants in other parts of the United States, those in Vermont are not explicitly demanding citizenship. Most are male farm workers who are here for a finite period of time and plan to return to Mexico to rejoin their families. An individual who works with some illegal immigrants in Vermont explained that these farm laborers "are only here to work as much as they possibly can. They take out what they need for food and send the rest back to their families, since they simply cannot support them in Mexico." Furthermore, the individual mused, "Why would you risk life and limb to cross a border where there are vigilantes with shotguns and you can die in the desert, if you didn't have another choice." Getting to the United States is hard enough, and having to go back and do it all over again is even harder, but apparently not insurmountable. In fact, New York Times op-ed contributor Douglas S. Massey noted that "although border militarization had little effect on the probability of Mexicans immigrating illegally, it did reduce the likelihood that they would return to their homeland. America's tougher line roughly tripled the average cost of getting across the border illegally; thus Mexicans who had run the gantlet at the border were more likely to hunker down and stay in the United States." Massey's estimates indicate that "in the early 1980s, about half of all undocumented Mexicans returned home within 12 months of entry, but by 2000 the rate of return migration stood at just 25 percent."In Vermont, a largely homogenous northern state, illegal Mexican immigrants are a low percentage of the population and "stick out like a sore thumb". Because it is such a taboo subject with so many interests at stake, it is difficult to gather accurate statistics on the number of illegal immigrants in Vermont. Estimates include between two and four hundred illegal immigrant farm workers in Addison County, and 1,500 total in the state of Vermont. On most farms, there exists a symbiotic relationship between Mexican illegal immigrants and their patron, or farm employer, on protection from deportation. An individual who works with immigrant farm laborers commented that "they're being somewhat exploited because they're not always paid entirely fair wages and they're not always housed appropriately, but the vast majority of farm employers here [treat them reasonably well]."Many other Vermonters are actively involved in protecting illegal immigrants in Vermont out of humanitarian concern. Social service organizations, especially those dealing with healthcare and education, have shown honorable respect and concern for the dignity and well-being of Mexican immigrants. A Vermont Health Care professional said, "It's just like going to the emergency room, you just take care of them, period. That's what medical professionals do. Citizenship and other legal issues are irrelevant. We have to ensure their safety and the safety of others who might be vulnerable to contagious illnesses."But all Vermonters involved with illegal immigrants, whether out of necessity or empathy, recognize the sensitive nature of discussion on the subject, and are hesitant to release information, no matter how objective or statistical, that may corrupt the extremely delicate relationship between local law enforcement and illegal immigrants. All have requested that their names not be released, concerned that anti-immigration activists will investigate and report any information to local law enforcement. Although local law enforcement is technically not allowed to inquire about an individual's citizenship status without reasonable suspicion, they have been known to engage in racial profiling. As one individual who has worked with local illegal immigrants noted, "They [law enforcers] may not go to the farms [in search of illegal immigrants], but that doesn't stop them from standing in the Walmart parking lot looking for broken taillights with a Mexican behind the wheel. It's wrong, but it's done." Another individual cited allegations that border patrol officers at a checkpoint along the northern border of Vermont and Canada near White River Junction on I-91 frequently engaged in "excessive and rigorous questioning and searching of individuals of both Hispanic and Middle Eastern descent." Some Vermonters, especially small farmers, disapprove of illegal immigration, because if one farm does it, the others must follow suit to compete. The farmers who fear the implications of the illegality claim they "don't like the direction farming is heading," since more and more farms are dependent on cheap labor to survive in a market increasingly dominated by massive agricultural conglomerates which are able to replace human labor with machines. One individual aptly noted, "If the farmers can't get cheap labor, they're going to sell their farm to a developer and I can't blame them. But if they do it's bad for all of us, not just for those in dairyland, but for those who care about the environment and the destruction large farms can cause. But on America's farms, illegal immigrants are not just attractive cheap labor, they are irreplaceable for their willingness to do the work that Americans are disinclined, and even loath, to do. Individuals in the United States who claim illegal immigrants are taking jobs from "honest, hardworking" Americans often do not recognize how difficult it is for farms to find laborers to do farm work that is physically and mentally taxing for such low wages. Furthermore, Americans are not always dependable farm laborers. Their acute awareness of the distinctly American opportunity for citizens to have upward mobility makes them more likely to walk away from the rough life of farm labor when a better opportunity presents itself. Mexican laborers, on the contrary, are incredibly hardworking and real assets to production according to their employers. Though essentially concealed, the invisible communities of Mexican immigrants are vital to Vermont livelihood. One advocate for the rights of illegal immigrants commented, "This is an issue beyond illegality. It's about economics, the environment, and humanity. Americans who argue for deportation and stringent illegal immigration laws would be well advised to "stop and
think," of one Vermonter's query, "the next time you go to a restaurant, do you want to pay $25 for a hamburger?"
(04/13/06 12:00am)
Author: Ian Schmertzler Driving while dirtyRussia has initiated a spring cleaning effort of sorts, denying dirty cars entrance to Moscow and levying a 50 ruble (~$1.80) fine on cars whose license plates are unwashed. Cars are required to be washed at designated car-washing stations, and violators are liable for a 500 to 1000 rubles fine. Said traffic police spokesman Vyacheslav Trubin, "It helps restore cleanliness standards after the winter… and it helps safety because a lot of cars' windows are dirty, and license plates are hard to read." The fine and banned entrance will remain enforced until May 10.-The Moscow Times, MoscowProdi wins electionRomano Prodi was declared the prime minister of Italy on Tuesday morning. Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who had altered the laws organizing parliament in an effort to strengthen his power, has refused to concede defeat. The margin of victory in both branches of government --the senate and the lower chamber - was by only a few thousand votes. Berlusconi has been charged with corruption numerous times, resulting in a large slip in his popularity. Voter turnout was 83.6%, compared to 81.4% when Berlusconi was elected. -New York Times:, RomeLabor law revokedPrime Minister Dominique de Villepin announced in a televised address Monday that France's government had revoked CPE, the contentious youth labor law signed into effect less than a week ago. The labor law, which would have allowed employers to terminate younger employees without cause during their first two years of work, sparked protests throughout France. Villepin called for immediate dialogue to try to find another solution to exceptionally high unemployment levels among the youth of France, particularly in those areas afflicted by serious poverty riots last year. Villepin later stated during an interview that he did not intend to run for president in 2007.-Le Monde, ParisPush for democracyDespite three confirmed deaths and over 800 arrests as of Monday, pro-democracy protests in Nepal continued into the week without any signs of ceasing. Images shown by Western media outlets over the weekend included police shooting into crowds and beating protesters with batons, steel pipes and butts of rifles. In some situations, authorities resorted to throwing rocks and firing tear gas. Although the demonstrators remained peaceful for the most part, some protesters responded to police by hurling stones and bricks.-New York Times:, Katmandu, Nepal
(04/06/06 12:00am)
Author: Lisie Mehlman Top-tier colleges increase aid for incoming studentsThere now exists a veritable competition among Ivy League colleges to attract low- and middle- income students by offering the most appealing and comprehensive financial aid packages. President of Harvard University, Lawrence H. Summers, explained in a public statement that "there is no more important mission for Harvard and higher education than promoting equality of opportunity for all." Toward this end, the University has recently amended its policy of refusing to ask parents who earned less than $40,000 a year to contribute funds for the cost of tuition. Now, that figure has been pushed back to $60,000. While students are expected to hold jobs and contribute money toward payments, this augmentation of financial aid is intended to show middle class families that providing their children with an Harvard education is in no way impossible. This change in policy has been preceded by similar efforts at other top-tier institutions to make their schools more accessible to a wider population of students. In 1998, Princeton began replacing loans with grants for students from families whose annual income fell below $46,500. In 2001, in the most radical move yet, it extended that policy to all undergraduates. In 2004, Brown followed suit and a $100 million donation allowed it, too, to replace loans with grants for 135 students. Within the last month, MIT, Yale and Stanford have all announced the implementation of financial aid plans quite similar to those already in place elsewhere. - The New York TimesMore international students apply to U.S. grad schoolsA recent study by the Council of Graduate Schools, a Washington D.C.-based group that seeks to advance graduate education issues, discovered that the number of graduate applications submitted by international students has increased by 11 percent from 2005 to 2006. This sharp increase is the first in two years. Following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, international student enrollment in graduate programs had significantly declined. After the terrorist attacks, the government tightened visa regulations and began to require that all students applying for visas be interviewed in person. This resulted in a great deal of back logs. Another reason for the lack of increase in applications submitted to U.S. graduate schools by international students is the increased competition that graduate programs at schools in New Zealand, Australia and England present. David Wilson, associate dean and director of the graduate school at Southern Illinois University explained that universities throughout the nation have increased their recruiting of international students to combat this trend. He also said that the high cost of living in places like England has once again made attending graduate school in the U.S. an appealing and affordable option. Perhaps more importantly, international students are reevaluating how they might be accepted at schools in America. - Daily Egyptian
(04/06/06 12:00am)
Author: Caitlyn Olson Washington has its apples, Wisconsin has its cheese and Vermont has, of course, its maple syrup. This state is the biggest source of maple syrup in the United States, home to approximately 2000 producers, all of whom have been hard at work during these first few weeks of warm weather.Sugaring is a relatively straightforward process: harvest the sap from maple trees and remove the water to concentrate it into syrup. Naturally, techniques have modernized over the years and vary from farm to farm, but collection basically involves a taphole drilled into the tree, through which the sap passes into either a bucket or enters a system of tubes. Farmers then transfer it to the sugarhouse and boil it down into syrup using heated metal pans called evaporators, while emitting the huge amounts of steam that inform passersby that the operation is up and running. The concentration is dramatic: for every 40 gallons of sap going in, only one gallon of syrup comes out.Before the product can be packaged, labeled and delivered, though, the manufacturer must carefully test it for taste, density and color. Vermont has a strict set of laws regarding its maple sugar production that include a prohibition on preservatives and detailed guidelines of the four different categories, or grades.Grades range from the lightly-colored and delicately-flavored "Vermont Fancy" to the dark and robust "Grade B." Which describe the point in the season from which the syrup comes (earlier for Fancy and later for B), preference for one over the other is purely personal.Sue Folino is a fan of Medium and Dark Amber, the two middle grades, and her opinion ought to count for something, since she and her husband, Dave Folino, run Vermont's largest certified organic maple farm. Located near the town of Starksboro, Hillsboro Sugarworks sits on 350 acres of land and comprises 14,400 tapholes. It is a young business - only two years old - although Dave has been sugaring since 1979. The couple decided to enter the industry full-time when the opportunity arose to purchase a substantial piece of land. Their customers are primarily whole-sale accounts, including natural food stores, restaurants and Middlebury College. Costs are minimized as the couple run the entire business themselves, with Sue taking care of marketing matters and Dave tromping around in the woods looking after tree health and wood maintenance.They work hard to make sugaring their primary source of income, but Sue reports satisfaction with the new routine: "The lifestyle, just being outdoors and having such flexibility in our schedules, is really great."Although the business occupies them year-round, the off-season production and upkeep cannot compare with the intensity of the harvest that takes place these first few warm weeks in spring. Sugaring in Vermont typically lasts around six weeks, beginning in early March when the alternation between freezing and thawing causes the sap to flow. This winter, however, was unusually warm, and some farmers made the decision to tap early and begin boiling in January. The Folinos opted to wait until the normal starting time and have been happy thus far with their results.Since a good-sized crop for Hillsboro Sugarworks is around 500 gallons, technology plays an important role in its sugaring process. The business is among the first in the state to use smaller, lower-impact spouts for collection and to switch to the energy-saving reverse osmosis technique within the sugarhouse. While innovations like these are more functional and environment-friendly than old practices, they do lack that certain earthiness."You don't get the steam, the smell, the old rustic building, the wood-stoking fire," said Sue."You miss out on the traditional feel of it, but as far as efficiency and reduced oil use, these [new methods] are a good thing."Fortunately, the Folinos have not yet been forced to turn to the harmful side of technology, pesticides. Invasions of the native forest tent caterpillar as well as the non-native Asian longhorn beetle currently represent severe threats to Vermont producers, and the only spray offered by the state is not organically certified.Perhaps an even greater issue facing farmers, though, came not from the environment but from syrup manufacturers. Until several weeks ago, the Vermont labeling laws had allowed for large packing companies to important syrup from Canada or out-of-state, sell it under names such as "Maple Groves of Vermont" and only mention the product's true source in fine print on the back of the container. New legislation now requires that the label clearly display the origin on its front.While industry issues like this one afflict actual sugaring businesses, they can be blissfully ignored by the countless Vermont families who engage in the tradition on a smaller scale.Haik Kavookjian '09.5, has been sugaring with his family since 1992. They started off tapping two trees, collecting the sap in plastic milk jugs and boiling it on the stove. They now produce around five or six gallons each season that they give to friends and keep for their own consumption. Kavookjian calls the spring his favorite time of year and says he always looks forward to the harvest."Although maple sugaring is quite a lot of work, it is one of the most relaxing and rewarding activities I've experienced. There is nothing as relaxing as sitting in our steamy sugarhouse, reading a book and watching the sap boil into syrup. The satisfaction that comes from filling a bottle with hot syrup, right off the stove and sealing the cap tight is incredible," he said.
(04/06/06 12:00am)
Author: James Kerrigan When Middlebury College sports teams have not been winning championships, they have been making their presence felt through contributions off the field, court and rink. To date, 10 teams are participating in this year's Relay For Life event on April 28-29.Relay For Life, a fundraising project for the American Cancer Society, defines itself through community contribution. The Web site describes the event's mission: "One day. One night. One community. Your Relay For Life is about celebration, remembrance and hope. By participating, you honor cancer survivors, pay tribute to the lives we've lost to the disease, and raise money to help fight it - all right here in your community." The fundraising event will conclude with an all-night walk-a-thon featuring new, thematic laps, including the BYOB (bring your own bubbles) lap and the electric slide lap. The athletes will make their way around the track in a variety of ways - but they are unified in their participation. There are 70 teams in all, and three of the top five fundraisers are Middlebury athletic teams. The appropriately named Middlebury Football Tackling Cancer team stands in third place, behind Ova Chicks to the Rescue and Survivors of the Fittest. The football team has raised $4,715, just shy of their ambitious $5,000 goal. Last year, the softball and football teams combined to raise $10,000. The two teams have already raised $9,500 with the biggest fundraising month forthcoming. But it's not just these two teams making a difference. Men's lacrosse has collected $2,460. The team has cracked the fundraising rankings - it currently occupies the fifth position. Several other squads have raised over $1,000 including the field hockey team ($1,985), women's squash team ($1,600), the men's soccer team ($1,345) and the swim team ($1,310). Ross Lieb-Lappen '07, the man in charge of registration, acknowledged the impact of the sports teams: "This year, the teams have gone well beyond everyone's wildest dreams. It seems as though just about every sports team also participates in Relay. With the biggest fundraising month still to come, Middlebury sports teams have already raised over $17,000 for the fight against cancer." But it's not just dollars that the athletes are contributing - they have personally swarmed to Relay For Life in large numbers. Lieb-Lappen said: "Our three biggest teams in terms of participants are football (43 people), swim team (25) and field hockey (25). That's close to 100 percent participation for each of those teams. It truly says something about the character of athletes here at Middlebury." Athletes and teams have turned personal experiences and stories into dollars in a truly meaningful manner. For example, second baseman for the softball team, Maura Casey '07 - the kickoff speaker for this year's event - translated a personal story into a team issue. Last year, her father was diagnosed with cancer so the cause became important to her, and ultimately, the team.Katelyn Cannella '08 has raised an impressive $1,690 and believes it is the team's closeness that inspired action. "[Maura] started up a Relay for Life team and asked us if we would all participate. The softball team is more like a family than a team, so we were all impacted by the news about Maura's father, and wanted to help in any way we could. Everybody knows somebody who has been impacted by cancer, and so on behalf of Maura's father and other family and friends affected, we wanted to try to make a difference."She continued, "I think that everybody knows somebody who has been affected by cancer, which is why it is a cause that so many people spend time working for." Whether it's an aunt, a classmate, a parent or a dog (Cannella's dog Yankee was recently diagnosed with cancer) the entire community has rallied around Relay For Life.The Relay For Life experience unites the participating teams. Last year, the softball team had a double header and went immediately from running the bases to walking the track. Cannella describes the chemistry-building event: "We thought that we would walk in shifts, or some would even go back to their rooms to sleep during the night. But we surprised ourselves when we stayed there all night and all morning together, walking the track arm in arm, resting for only about an hour around 5 a.m. These will be some of my favorite memories from Middlebury: spending an amazing night with my best friends for such a worthy cause. I can't imagine anything more important." Neither can the cancer patients and survivors that benefit from their contributions.
(03/30/06 12:00am)
Author: Rachel Durfee and CC Ragan In March of 1991 Lawrence Miller brewed his first batch of Otter Creek Ale. Fifteen years later the local brewery is celebrating its anniversary with a series of limited edition beers and a special anniversary ale. To learn more about the brewery, which locally develops, produces and bottles every Otter Creek beer and sells it as far west as California, we recently attended a brewery tour and tasting. Free tours are offered daily at 1, 3, and 5 p.m. and include complimentary sampling of up to six seasonal brews on tap for those of age. Visiting the facility also has its financial benefits - each day a different beer is featured at a discount price and all types are on sale on Monday.With our guide, we stood on the brewing platform above the bustling production line to hear about all that goes into producing fresh and flavorful beers. In addition to an inventive line of brews, Otter Creek has an equally inspiring history. Founder Miller began experimenting with beer brewing when he stumbled upon a left-behind home brewery kit in his dorm room at Reed College in Portland, Ore. Blessed with a trust fund, he went to Germany for further study and then returned home to open his own brewery. Once a young camper in Vermont, he was drawn back to the Middlebury area due to its pristine water - beer's key ingredient. In the spring of 1991, the brewery opened down the road from its current location. Four years later, Miller moved his small-time beer production center to its current location at 793 Exchange Street.The company blossomed, and in 1998 Miller entered into a partnership with Robert Wolaver and his west coast organic brewing company. In 2002 Miller retired from the brewing business and sold Otter Creek to Wolaver, who quickly began an expansion of the operation. Otter Creek/Wolaver now sells nine year-round beers plus a plethora of seasonal and special release brews.Though no brewing was taking place on the tour day, visitors did get to witness the bottling process, which included capping and labeling the commemorative fifteenth anniversary India Pale Ale (I.P.A.) on a recently purchased 22-ounce bottling machine. Brewmaster Steve Parkes, the brains behind every beer at Otter Creek, explained that the I.P.A. came about as sort of a misfit. This past fall, while Otter Creek employees were brainstorming a number of distinct beer types from around the world for the current, limited-time only World Tour line of brews, which includes labels such as Cerveza Cacao and Double Decker, the I.P.A. didn't seem to fit into any one category but was still a beer the company wanted to produce. It was chosen as the anniversary ale, made its debut in early March and will be sold throughout the coming year. True to all India Pale Ales, the Otter Creek I.P.A. boasts a large amount of hops and a high alcohol concentration, a tradition dating back to the 1700s, when the British hopped up their beer to survive the long journey from England to the mouths of thirsty expats in India. Hops are also added after the beer is finished brewing, creating the distinct taste I.P.A. originally gained from its oak holding barrels. Vermont, one of the last states to mandate alcohol content by state law, sets its cap at eight percent. Said Parkes proudly, "we wanted to go as high as we could and we got pretty close to our target: the I.P.A. is at 7.99 percent alcohol by volume." The beer is fairly light (second on the spectrum of tasting choices), but because of the hops it is also deeply flavorful. Parkes added that the I.P.A - "extravagantly and aggressively hopped" - is a step in a new direction for Otter Creek. "Previously Otter Creek has focused on drinkability," Parkes said. "But this new I.P.A. proves to the larger brewing community that East Coast micro-brewing companies can make sophisticated, envelope-pushing beers [just as much as the West coast]."While still in its nascent stages, the anniversary ale has proved popular, as has the special World Tour series, whose next stop is a traditional German lager available April 1. Employees would not divulge information on other forthcoming types, but assured us that each would have a unique flavor and traditional character. Each of these beers is also being produced in a 22-oz. size, almost twice as large as the standard 12-oz. beer bottle but smaller than the 64-oz. growler.Amidst the anniversary festivities, Otter Creek continues business as usual, producing 250 barrels (or 500 kegs) of beer a day and 28,000 barrels (56,000 kegs) per year. Its primary business areas are concentrated in New England, though this too is starting to change as Otter Creek has expanded to new markets in the West (California, Oregon and Washington) and New Jersey (where sales nearly tripled last year). Look for the fifteenth anniversary I.P.A. on sale at stores near you and for other specialty brews to appear in the coming months. Production is in limited quantities, so grab them while you can.
(03/30/06 12:00am)
Author: Zamir Ahmed, sports editor The Campus: When did you first play baseball?Ryan Armstrong: I started playing probably when I was about five or six, tee-ball like everyone else, then I just played through my town and then through high school and now here.TC: So, do you play any other sports?RA: I play football here and I've been doing that just as long as I've been playing baseball.TC: Which one do you like better?RA: I'm going to have to say baseball, simply because we go to Arizona or Florida, so it has a little bit of an advantage, I suppose, over football and Vermont.TC: Is it hard to balance two sports?RA: It's tough, it's definitely demanding. You have to try to balance your academics and your sports and find time to read, study and write papers and all that good stuff. But I think I would be better off playing two sports with my academics than not doing any sports and doing academics because it keeps me focused on school and all that good stuff too.TC: How does it feel to be a Middlebury record holder? RA: [Laughs] Um, flattering, I guess. This college has a very long history and it's an honor to be at the top of the charts in some categories, but I don't know how long it's going to stay. We've got some good underclassmen who are ready to break a lot more records. It's an honor. TC: Any superstitions? RA: I would like to say I'm not superstitious, but I guess I am. Uh, I usually wear like, sort of a, like a little piece of string on my left wrist. But, uh, after last season when I was in a slump, I took it off and then I got out of the slump so I haven't worn it since playing baseball, I don't wear it anymore. So I guess a little superstitious. [Laughs] I have some habits, some routines before I get up to bat but it's nothing as OCD as, uh, my batting gloves or anything like Nomar. TC: If you could have one song played when you are stepping up to bat, what would it be? RA: Blue Oyster Cult - "Godzilla." I don't know if you've heard it but it's a pretty bad-ass song. I like it, it's a good intro. TC: What are your responsibilities as a captain?RA: Just making sure we stay focused. I think a lot of the time, in any spring sport, it can be difficult to keep your focus because seniors have graduation, the weather gets nice, people are interested in going outside and having fun and all that stuff. But it's important for us to keep our focus and make sure we can advance to the playoffs. But definitely keep everyone focused and having fun, making sure everyone has fun because that's what playing Division III baseball is for - because we love it and, you know, we enjoy playing it. Those are the two most important things, I'd say.TC: What is your best moment as a player?RA: I'm going to say a couple days ago, beating Williams in extra innings. It was a nine inning game and we were down by five throughout most of the game. We came back, tied it up 5-5, and then they got another five runs so we're down 10-5 going into the eighth inning. We get five runs in the eighth inning, tie it up so it's 10-10 going into the final inning. They get two runs, which killed me personally but thankfully the team was there to pick me up and we got two runs in the ninth to tie it back up so it goes into extra innings. Gary Roosa, a senior pitcher, did an unbelievable job and pitched a scoreless inning against Williams for the tenth. They walk the bases loaded. John Lanahan '08 hits a fly ball to right field. Kid catches it and Joe Ramoin '06 tags from third. He gets thrown out so it's a double play, two outs, tenth inning, runners on first and third. Nick Lefeber, a sophomore, who was huge for us all throughout the Florida trip - he hit over .500, the kid was just a stud - he hits a game-winning hit up the middle. So we came back from five runs on two separate occasions throughout the game and beat Williams. I think it was morale boosting and it just changed our mentality. It really showed that we have a lot of character on the team and I was really proud to be a part of it.TC: Who's the biggest clown on the team?RA: [Laughs] I would give that honor to either myself just to avoid embarrassing anyone else. I'm a big goofball. I like to keep it loose in there. But all those guys keep the fun around in their own ways. But I'm definitely the loudest and most obnoxious in the locker room and practice and stuff like that. I guess maybe myself.TC: Have you given any interesting nicknames?RA: Giving other people nicknames, I like doing that if something happens where a particular event or something is linked to someone else, I like to maybe bring it up as a joke and see if it spreads. It's happened a couple of times on the baseball team. Nick Lefeber, we call him DJ Kid Nicky, for whatever reason. Alex Casnocha '06, we call him Casanova, Nacho. Stuff like that sticks.TC: What do you think of the designated hitter?RA: I know I'm probably going to get yelled at by some professors who follow baseball because I know a lot of guys are against the designated hitter. I personally like it. I'm a big Red Sox fan [Laughs] and if David Ortiz wasn't the designated hitter for the Red Sox, we wouldn't be half as good as we are. But in terms of NESCAC play too, I think it's great because you get another hitter in the game and especially….We have a great lineup so it's good to get as many guys as you can in the game. So I'm for it, though I can see why people are against it. It doesn't bug me.TC: What are your plans after graduation?RA: Oh man, you sound like my mom. [Laughs] I get this question asked all the time by relatives and stuff like that and I still have no idea. I'm thinking about grad school somewhere, maybe going to a bigger school out west and studying education. If not, I'd like to work somewhere in the New England area, maybe stay close to home for a couple of years then eventually move out to somewhere in California just to get away from the cold weather for a little bit.TC: Finally, who's going to win the World Series?RA: I gotta say Red Sox. I mean, if I don't say Red Sox, I'm not a fan. But that's me being a typical Red Sox fan. I have the - I did like a whole bracket by myself. [Laughs] I was bored one day in class. I think I have the Angels winning the World Series in six games against the Cardinals. - Zamir Ahmed, sports editor
(03/30/06 12:00am)
Author: Geoff Homer While all of us enjoyed the sun and sand, the men's lacrosse team was hard at work competing in three games. The Panthers won the first game at home before going south for their annual spring break trip, during which they compiled a .500 record on the road. On Saturday, March 18, Middlebury played host to 11th ranked Stevens Institute on Kohn Field. In a hard-fought battle, the Panthers prevailed 13-12. The first half was evenly scored, with the Panthers ending it with a 5-4 advantage. Both squads came out firing to begin the third quarter, with each team trading goals before the Panthers went up by a score of 12-8. Not conceding defeat, the Stevens Ducks scored the next three to bring the game down to the wire with Middlebury holding a 12-11 advantage. Aaron Herter '06, who earlier scored two goals, netted the game-winner with seven minutes to play. Stevens seemed poised to tie the game but time ran out. Henry Sheehan '06 led all scorers with four points, while Jim Cabrera '08 and Jon Sisto '06 each contributed two goals. The following Wednesday, the Panthers played their first road game of the season at Gettysburg, in what now is an annual match-up between two of the top three teams in the nation. Despite a strong effort by the defense led by Gabe Wood '06, the Panthers were on the wrong side of the contest, losing 7-4. According to Co-Captain J.P. Coviello '06, "We played well, but they managed to keep the ball out of our offense's hands for the majority of the game. When we had the ball, our possessions were often short-lived, which didn't help the situation." Gettysburg opened the game scoring the first few goals before the Panthers rallied with goals by Captain Travis Meyer '06, Jeff Pello '06 and Frank Granara '08, who received a rare feed from Wood. The Panthers entered the second half down 4-3 before Gettysburg struck again to go up two goals. Middlebury responded immediately as Cabrera rifled a shot to the back of the net, but that would be the end of the day for the Panthers as the Bullets played a possession game, denying Middlebury more scoring opportunities. Hoping to end the trip on a positive note and pick up their first road victory, the team regrouped and traveled to Connecticut to take on the Camels of Connecticut College. As is the norm for any Middlebury opponent, the Camels showed up with their A game, and left nothing on the field in their battle with Middlebury. "Once again, this team's goal from the first whistle was to possess the ball and keep it out of the hands of our offense," said Coviello. "They realized their goal for the most part, giving us limited possession time throughout the game. When our offense had the ball, we seemed fairly impatient initially, with hopes to put the ball in the net immediately rather than being patient and waiting for beneficial match-ups to develop." Led by Meyer, who had a strong first half and ended the day with two goals and two assists, the Panthers were able to leave New London with an 8-6 victory. As was customary throughout the trip, the defense played great as Wood, Scott Atkinson '06 and Ben Raymond '07 all made key stops and takeaways. Alex Palmisano '07 was stellar in goal with 13 saves while Cabrera continued his scoring streak, tallying two goals. Nick Bastis '07 and Sisto each contributed two goals as well. The Panthers currently sit in second place in the NESCAC standings, half a game behind Bates College. The team must continue their high level of play to ensure success as they enter the month of April, playing arguably the toughest schedule in all of Division III. The Panthers look to continue their success as they host Wesleyan, a contest that features a rematch of last year's NESCAC championship.
