the meteor - fall 2015

The Meteor Volume II Fall 2015

A NEW LEAF by Hallie Feinman ’18

“Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year,” J.K. Rowling wrote in Harry Potter and the

Deathly Hallows. “The morning of the first September was crisp and golden as an apple.”

VES is a lot like Harry Potter’s world if you think about it. You have your “houses” (the dorms and the DSL). You have your “thestral-drawn carriages” (the VES buses and

minibuses). You have your eccentric professors (hopefully none of which are like Severus

Snape) teaching you magical, mysterious, mind-bending courses. We’re already a third of

the way into the year, and I feel like it’s flying by. College acceptances are already being

declared in Chapel, the PSAT has been administered to the Sophomores and Juniors, and fall break is here!

As much as we want to rush ahead, sometimes it's important to take a step back and

just...breathe. In this wise words of Hagrid, “What’s coming will come, and we’ll meet it

when it does.” Thankfully, we have no “Dark Lord” to fight and no impending doom on our

doorsteps to outsmart. We instead have the gift of a long weekend to relax and gather ourselves.

So grab a blanket, a microwaveable fall drink, and kick back for a few days. You’ve earned

it.

Virginia Episcopal School �1

THE METEOR Student Newspaper written by VES Students


HO'OLAULE’A by Hallie Feinman '18

Earlier this semester, students celebrated a successful end to the first week of classes with an end of summer luau and dance. The RAs and student council worked tirelessly to transform the Harrison Dining Room into a tropical paradise. Lindeman Edgar ‘16 said that she and three others on her committee "spent [what seemed like] an hour blowing up each inflatable palm tree” to add to the dance’s tropical aesthetic.

Students had been instructed to wear "tropical, casual attire," which most students interpreted to mean Lilly Pulitzeresque dresses for the girls and Hawaiian shirts and Bermuda shorts for the boys. The evening's festivities began with mingling and music and punch in Hight Library. An intense game of beach volleyball broke out just outside on the Class of '53 balcony. Later, an authentic tropical dinner was served, including "Huli Huli chicken" topped with mango salsa and fresh tropical fruit for dessert. Every detail, from the decorations to the menu, built excitement for the evening's main event--the dance.

The inflatable palm trees, leis, and live music courtesy of the House Band combined to create the perfect setting for students to dance and hula the night away. By the end of the evening, everyone acquired a few new dance skills, several funny stories and many great memories to keep the spirit of summer alive for the rest of the year!

SCOOTING TOWARD FULL STATURE

BY Caroline Taylor ’17

It’s 8:29 a.m., and you’re just pulling into the day student parking lot, hundreds of feet from

Mr. Smith’s AP European History class. Is it worth it to feign illness and turn back home?

Perhaps if you sprint, you can make it by 8:32 and get just a glare and a snarky comment. Your heart races, and Box Plaza suddenly seems as far away from your Honda Civic as

Ithaca from the island of Ogygia.

One VES senior has found the answer. Recently, a common sight on campus has been

William Lupton, Student Director and Chief Executive of Scooter Club Operations,



scooting on his silver Razor to and from the parking lot behind Van Every. Several students

have quickly followed suit, digging through the garage for the tool that will save them from

the cold grasp of fall mornings and the even colder glare of Mr. Button at 8:34. “I just can’t

wait to see where it takes us,” Hannah Montgomery, junior, says, mentioning her plans to

bring her scooter the next morning.

William says that scooting to and from classes can even boost students’ self confidence,

telling how he’s learned to ignore any sense of self-consciousness when cars pass by--all

heads turned toward the innovative student “scooting to success.” However, he also warns

that it is not a venture to be taken lightly. Though the scooter market is generally directed

toward children ages 6-11, they can be extremely dangerous, especially in the winter when thin layers of ice coat the sidewalks. “I had a friend lose an arm and a leg when he scooted

over a Snickers wrapper,” William says, shaking his head regretfully. If the movement grows,

he warns that the pathways will need to be kept clear of possibly hazardous trash.

Though the population of scooting students is still relatively small, it is rapidly growing.

Plans for a school-sponsored Target trip to buy scooters, and even a scooter rack on Box,

are on the horizon. The club expects boarders to soon join the crusade, scooting from

dorm, or Modern World History in Jett to Studio Art in the Wilson Art Studio. Mr. Button

and Mr. Knebel have long been riding their bikes in and around campus, but the age of

scooters is now upon us. Scoot up, Bishops.



BISHOP CHIC: ROCK YOUR SOCKS! BY April N. Paris*

‘Tis the season for pumpkin spice, sweaters and flannels. That’s right, it’s autumn, which

can only mean one thing: it’s finally boots season! Riding boots, rain boots, duck boots--if

the shoe extends above the ankle, you better believe it’s going to be worn on our campus

over the next couple of months.

Most any type of closed-toe shoe, boots included, always looks and feels better with a pair

of socks. Should you wear specialty boot socks designed to keep you as warm and as cute

as possible? Or should you wear an ordinary pair and call it a day? Boot socks are, of

course, seen as the more stylish choice. With many different designs and styles, there’s

something for everybody! Guys and gals alike can wear boot socks for comfort, fun and fashion.

Boot socks are specially designed to make taller, stiffer boots more comfortable and have

the added benefit of keeping you warm on even the coldest of days. Magazines tout them

as fashion necessities and multiple boards are even dedicated to them on Pinterest.

Whether your look is a colorful fair isle knit or you prefer comical patterns, a pair of boot

socks will look great with hiking boots, biker boots and, of course, traditional riding boots.

Some people roll their trousers and let a glimpse of the boot sock peek out while others

like to show a full cuff. You can rock different looks with your boot socks, depending on

the style of boot you wear with them. Your boot socks can become a one-of-a-kind

extension of both your style and your personality. Stay warm and don't let winter's chill

sock it to you!



If you haven't checked out our VES Pinterest page yet, what are you waiting for?

Pinterest.com/VESBishops. Tell us what you'd like to see added - Styling Your Dorm

Room? Discover Lynchburg?

A KILLER WEEKEND by Logan Anderson ‘18

The Assassins game is an advanced form of tag. Everyone played tag when they were little but this, I feel, is a good twist on the popular childhood game.

Assassins happens to be a popular game in boarding schools, and VES is no exception. Last spring there was a game, and the Chinese II class wrote and directed a film based around it. The school where my parents previously worked had a week-long game of Assassins with more than two-thirds of the student population playing.

Assassins is a game of skill and, in some ways, practice. You must know when to go on the offensive and when to go on the defensive. It all depends on the situation and the layout of the game. People team up with each other to kill a player they feel is good or because it’s more fun to play with friends.

Allying with each other can also be dangerous, as seen in the Assassins trailer made by Chan Jang '18. Jimmy Zhang '18 trusted Chan but, in the end, Chan assassinated him. Another example is how Jimmy believed Kordell Smith '18 was the one after him.

Tactics like that are what progress the game and is how the game becomes interesting to people. Logan Anderson won the weekend-long game after all 24 other players were eliminated.

Rules

Safe Zones:

• Zimmer during meal times

• Your room and your friend’s room

• Mr. Johnson’s house

Tagging:

• No physicality (hitting, grabbing, etc)

• Pins must be open on the shoulder

• No blocking with the hands

Participation:

• Staying in Safe Zones for too long can mean “Terminators” sent after you

• Terminators are people allowed to follow and kill you in Safe Zones

• Killed players can block other attacking players with doors or distract them from another player

• Non-players are only allowed to give information


http://Pinterest.com/VESBishops


DORM ROOM RECIPES by Kimberly Pums*

Are you more pumpkin spice or apple cider?

PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE

You’re on top of the latest trends weeks before everyone else. You have the most friends on social media and post the best pictures (Valencia filter, duh!). You’re the go-to person for the latest news because you’ve been reading TheSkimm religiously every morning since the day it launched. “High maintenance” doesn’t begin to cover it, but honestly, you’re very down to earth and never like to inconvenience others. Maybe that’s why you’re so universally well liked!

3 tablespoons strong coffee

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

2 teaspoons honey or agave nectar

Glass bowl and whisk – chill both before using

2/3 cup milk

Directions:

1. Brew the coffee.

2. While the coffee brews, stir the pumpkin pie spice in the honey or agave nectar until completely blended. Set aside.

3. Pour the cold milk into a chilled microwave-safe glass bowl, the edges of which should reach higher than the milk.

4. Keep the bowl slightly tilted to the side so that the milk is gathered more towards one side. Using a wire whisk, vigorously whisk the milk in the bowl for 2-3 minutes.

5. Microwave the milk in the bowl on high for 8-10 seconds. It should puff into a high foam immediately.

6. To serve, pour the hot coffee into a mug and stir in the honey/agave-spice mixture until completely dissolved. Top with the hot milk, spooning the thick foam on top. A dash of additional pumpkin pie spice or some ground cinnamon on top is a nice touch. Serve immediately.



CARAMEL APPLE CIDER

You epitomize comfort and are likely to pursue a career of helping others, whether that means going into the field of medicine, massage therapy or being a philanthropist of some kind. Your bag can double as a survival pack, stuffed with everything you or your friends could possibly need. With thoughtful comments and witty remarks up your sleeve, you can make most any situation better with your words alone! People are naturally drawn to your comforting and welcoming attitude.

4-INGREDIENT CARAMEL APPLE CIDER

Apple cider (not apple juice)

Lightly sweetened whipped cream

Caramel sauce (i.e., Smucker’s ice cream topping)

Pumpkin pie spice mix blend

Fill each mug 2/3 full with apple cider and heat in microwave until desired drinking temperature. Top each beverage with a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce and a sprinkle of the

spice mix. Enjoy!

*This could be your name, here! Contact Hallie Feinman if you’re interested in writing for The Meteor in the future.

REFLECTIONS ON FINE ARTS FRIDAY with Hallie, William and Zach

1. Why did you choose your particular Fine Arts Friday piece?

Zach Baugher '17: Every once in awhile, there's a

bit of music that I just find fascinating. I'll listen to something and think, "Wow, that's beautiful."

Logically, the next step in the process (after

listening to it for a couple hours on repeat) is

learning that tune. That's what happened when I

played “Portrait of Tracy” my freshman year--the piece floored me, and I wanted to be able to

convey that magic myself. Whether I succeeded is

another question entirely!



William Liang ‘17: [I chose Vittorio Monti’s “Czardas”] Because it is one of my favorite

pieces to show off my skills to an audience. It is not too hard but requires some amount of

practice.

Hallie Feinman ‘18: My music repertoire isn’t as large as some people's because I only like working on one or two songs at a time. I won’t start on a new song until I feel like the

current one I’m working on is as solid as I can make it. I try to choose the song I feel is my

strongest at any given time. So, one time I might sing an Italian operatic piece and the next

I might choose a Streisand power ballad. It all just depends on what I’ve been working on.

2. Is it easier to perform in an open setting like Fine Arts Friday or on a stage?

ZB: I think of Fine Arts Friday as a formal stage, honestly. It's no Sydney Opera House, but

for me the dedication to doing a good job is the same no matter where I'm playing. I guess

it's kind of like show-and-tell (yes, the pre-school activity): If you don't have anything to

show, or you obviously lowballed your choice of item, people won't be that excited about

what you have to tell. Performance is sharing: if you bring something great to perform, your audience will be eager to hear your playing.

WL: Formal stage! Because in Fine Arts Friday, you know everyone and you can see the

faces of your audience clearly since you are so close to them. On a formal stage, you only

need to focus on your music and the bright stage light can literally blind you, so no

pressure.

HF: I agree with William, I find performing on a formal stage to be a lot easier. The fact that

I can clearly see everybody on all sides of me, with no stage lights or darkened seats to act

as a barrier between my 'performance world' and the 'real world,' makes it a lot more

intimidating. But at the same time, Fine Arts Friday is a great way for me to practice

getting rid of those nerves and it helps me be a better performer overall.

3. What would your dream Fine Arts Friday be?

ZB: Nice try, but it's a secret.

WL: I want to do a piece from "Pirates of Caribbean" that I could play while walking from

the door to the altar.

HF: I’d love to perform “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from Funny Girl. It’s such a fun song with lots of different elements, I think it’d be a real challenge.



MOUNTAIN BIKING? WAIT, WHAT? by Charlie Knight '17

Sure, there are tons of sports on offer at VES: JV and Varsity soccer, football, girls field

hockey, lacrosse, track, wrestling, basketball, tennis, baseball, you name it. Everyone knows

about these sports. They are pretty popular and most high schools offer these sports. Well

let me ask you this: Did you know that VES offers mountain biking as a sport? Yeah, it’s real.

To start off, the mountain bike team isn’t very large. It consists of 11 members and Mr.

Button (our coach). Where do we ride, you might ask? Mountain biking is conducted on

the trails around VES campus--which most students are probably unaware of--as well as

local parks and greenways in Lynchburg such as Blackwater Creek Parkway, Peaks View Park, Candlers, and Blue Ridge Parkway. Each location offers up different and unique ways

to challenge the mountain bike team, whether it be steep, rocky inclines, narrow paths

following a fast-moving river, or open stretches of grass and rock. We switch up the

activities every day, moving between different sections of VES trail, parks off campus, as

well as maintaining the trails we ride on around campus.

Most people might think you have to have

professional experience to be a member of

the mountain biking team and the simple

answer is “no.” You don’t. Some members

are completely new to mountain biking, having never veered their bike from the

tarmac. Others have more experience,

having pursued it as a more common source

of athleticism. As we bike together as a

group, everyone gains new skill sets and a better handle on what to do when encountering certain situations: whether it be getting

lost in the middle of the woods, puncturing a tire, or possibly getting eaten by a bear. The

mountain biking team encounters it all.

At the end of each day, Mr. Button’s words of “make sure to check for ticks, even in your

private areas,” still rings in our ears. We put our bikes away, walk awkwardly in our padded shorts and clumsy mountain biking shoes back toward civilization, covered in sweat, dirt,

and spider webs, and look forward to the warm shower waiting for us. We are the VES

Mountain Biking Team.



A Smashing Good Time A letter from our "Gaming Guru"

Let it be known that the term “gamer” does not strictly refer to someone who spends all

their time playing League of Legends. Indeed, ask a group of 420 YouTube commenters

whether such a person deserves that title and you will likely receive 1,337 different answers.

These will range from a polite “Yes,” to a mildly offensive “of cors not,” to a positively scathing (verbally and grammatically) “g0e du uR Mumm lol le3g pl4yurz cn d!e in a fYre.”

Give a random VES student on Box the same query, and chances are the response will be

either an apathetic “Sure…” or the classic “What the hell are you talking about?” face,

complete with moderate to severe frown and raised eyebrow. Only occasionally will you

catch someone electronically educated enjoying a sunny day out on the rocking chairs. In light of this seeming absence of nerds, the questions beg themselves: Where are the

gamers at VES? What are they doing that could possibly be better than slowly baking to a

crisp in the great outdoors?

Yes, we do have a good number of League players--and that is all the better. Having had

some (read: more than a couple hours’ worth) experience with the game, I rest assured that were VES to offer a course on League, it would be the single toughest class in the

school. Heterogeneous equilibria and partial derivatives would stand in awe at gimping

routes and item builds. The sheer mastery even a mediocre Summoner has achieved over

this material commands respect from all but the most '90s-kid-esque Pokémon trainers.

That is, until you direct their attention toward the other virtual big dogs on campus: Smash Bros. and FIFA.

Imagine a library. Actually, imagine a media

center, for by now the volume of the

adolescent “OOOHHHH!!!”-ing has long

blazed past the book room’s two-decibel limit. Little Mac has just slammed his fist

straight into Yoshi’s super-sized nose for

the first KO of the match. Enter Super

Smash Brothers. Trained since the turn of

the millennium, each Smasher believes they are the best until they meet another

who is at least as first-rate. Multiply this by twenty and you have the Smash scene at VES.

Armed with only a 3DS and their characters of choice (in the industry, “mains”), Smashers

duke it out relentlessly until only one remains. Unlike League, learning Smash is not as

difficult as multivariable calculus, but there is still quite a bit of fun to be had there.



The FIFA atmosphere is similar: confident varsity soccer players team up to force

Manchester United and FC Barcelona to bend to their wills. Trash talk goes back and forth

constantly, perhaps to make up for the game’s lack of physical violence. What is most

amusing is the strange sense of time: only when playing FIFA do ninety minutes feel like

five every single game. Surely Chronos feels cheated. The players, however, do not--the truest sign of fun being had.

If any of that sounds appealing, take this pro tip to heart: the next time someone asks you

to come out to play when the sun is up and the sky is blue, tell them to pound sand--after

all, there’s always one more Nexus to destroy.

DEBATING OVER FASHION AT VES by Kane McLaughlin '16

The chatter in the library subsided as chairman Kane

McLaughlin introduced the inaugural debate of the VES

Debate Club on the 28th of September with the motion:

"This House believes that the dress is preferential to girls."

The debate was heated yet jovial, with Ivy Drew and

Doug Hogan proposing the motion and Chase Mooney

and Tayloe Hunter opposing it.

Despite it being the first-ever debate the speakers had taken part in, the debate remained professional and

focused. Following the main speeches, the floor chimed

in with questions and statements to challenge the

teams, and we saw the teams become much more

relaxed, enjoying the cut and thrust of debating.

Ultimately, as is the American way, the people decided

and voted--defeating the motion on the strength of the

Opposition's argument. The respectful quiet ended with

a loud applause and heavy chatter as the audience and

speakers left the auditorium, intellectually challenged and satisfactorily confident of the future of VES debate.



BISHOP ASTROLOGY by Zeke and Yishall Fein*

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18)

Slightly Eccentric, Retro, Stubborn,

Humanitarian, Inventive, Independent, Shy

Since mid-September, you might have

experienced trouble grasping essential material and you might have decided to

retake a course or hire a tutor. Now, you'll

see that it was all worth it. In fact, after

October 12 you might begin a new course

of study that is only possible because you took the time to master the topic you

recently spent time reviewing.

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) Dreamy, Gullible, Introverted, Nurturing,

Imaginative, Open-minded, Procrastination

Be sure to make it a priority to spend time

outdoors. Time spent in nature at month's

end will renew your spirit in the most

wonderful way. If you're a writer, it's

possible that an important project will reach completion at the end of this month.

You'll be so proud of your work!

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19) Sense of Humor, Bores Easily, Leaps Before

Looking, Impatient, Outgoing, Optimistic, Believes in Love-at-First-Sight

You might begin the month struggling with

a decision about whether or not you and

your partner or roommate are actually

suited for each other. Do your best to

remain patient while continuing with open,

honest discussions.

Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) Tolerant, Kind, Routines, Stubborn, Endlessly Patient, Appreciative, Possessive

A project with incredible potential really

takes off after October 12, so don't allow any of the delays, miscommunication, or

frustration aggravate you too much early

this month. In fact, see it as a blessing in

disguise. There's likely to be something

connected to this assignment that needs to be reworked before it can truly shine.

Gemini (May 21-Jun 21) Witty, Charming, Scatter-Brained,

Outgoing, Adventurous, Talkative, Nervous

If you’ve been feeling like you need extra time alone to nurture your spirit, be sure to

take that "time out.” You'll feel recharged

afterward. You'll finish up a major project

that you've been working on. If you've

been worrying too much about reaching the finish line with this endeavor, take a

step back and gently remind yourself to

enjoy the process.

Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 22) Never Gives Up, Popular, Opinionated, Romantic, Counsels Everyone if They Like

It or Not, Passionate, Moody



A short trip that you take any time after

October 9 will bring you great joy.

Consider scheduling at least one long

weekend getaway this month! Your social

life might be quite fulfilling near the end of the month. Plan to be out and about!

Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22) Romantic, Creative, Artistic, Strong Willed,

Self-indulgent, Fun-loving, Opinionated

You'll certainly be in the spotlight, one way or another, at the end of this month. If

you’ve felt confused about a major

decision you have to make, by the end of

October, everything will finally gel. Soon,

you’ll be ready to move forward in a positive new direction.

Virgo (Aug 23-Sept 22) Efficient, Healthy, Charitable, Perfectionist,

Worrywart, Modest, Neat freak

This is your month! Everything in your life

will seem to pick up and begin to move

forward precisely in the direction you want

it to. Get ready to feel better about

yourself than you have in quite some time!

Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22) Sophisticated, Refined, Over-thinker,

Snazzy Dresser, Never Complain, Grudge

Holder, Flirty

Although you may have started the month feeling a bit out of sorts, you'll soon notice

that the tide is changing in your favor!

You'll soon feel as

if you can finally communicate to others in the way you intend, without any confusion or inhibition.

Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) Leader, Loyal, Self-confident, Stubborn,

Secret Keeper, Protector, Non-conforming

Your social life continues to be a source of

joy this month. In fact, if you're single, it's possible that one of your pals might set

you up with someone you share an

immediate connection with. Accept any

invitations that might lead to romantic

encounters—you won’t regret it!

Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) Optimistic, Generous, Sunny Disposition,

Flashy, Idealistic, Happy, Fun-over-Work

If you've felt like something major was on the horizon for you, be patient—things are finally about to take off! Confusion about how to execute your plans or a misunderstanding between you and a pal will thankfully soon be sorted out. So get busy! The actions you take now will have tremendous long-term rewards.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19)

Active, Methodical, Loyal, Creature of Habit, Stable, Trustworthy, Overly Critical

Your love life and friendships are picking

up! You'll feel a strong spiritual connection

to anyone you're with. In fact, if you're

dating someone new, it's possible that you'll be certain how you feel about this

person by the end of the month. Let him

or her know.

Source: Astrology.com


http://Astrology.com

the meteor - fall 2015

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