C N R H O N O R S T H E C O L L E G E O F N E W R O C H E L L E Spring 2013 Contents C O N T E N T S 3 From the Editor Femm d’ Espirit 4 What Has Honors Been Up To? 5 Honors Matters Dr. Amy Bass Co-Editors Alicia Müth, ʻ15 6 On Education Amelia Ellis, ʻ14 Amelia Ellis Layout Editor 7 The History of Christmas in the Castle Sr. Martha Counihan, OSU Amelia Ellis. ʻ14 8 CNR Honors Visits Sunnyside Advisor Mark Ramirez Dr. Amy Bass 9 “Christmas Eve” Excerpt Contributors Washington Irving Ramya Barathi, ʻ15 Dr. Amy Bass 10 Christmas in the Castle: An All Day Event Catherine Baudendistel, ʻ16 Lee-Anne Daley, ʻ15 Shacelles Bonner, ʻ15 Sr. Martha Counihan, OSU 11 “A Christmas Carol” Photo Recap Lee-Anne Daley, ʻ15 12 Christmas at Rockefeller Center Lena Fin, ʻ15 Lena Fin, ʻ15 Genevieve Fleckenstein, ʻ13 Amelia Ellis, ʻ14 13 My Honors Research Project Ashley Hernandez, ʻ16 Ramya Barathi, ʻ15 Rashaa Parker, ʻ15 Mark Ramirez 14 A (not so) Typical Halloween Sasha Schultz, ʻ16 Shacelles Bonner, ʻ15 Tazmin Uddin, ʻ13 Meagan Yoeono, ʻ16 17 What You Should Be Reading, Honors Rashaa Parker, ʻ15 Publication Coordinator 18 Welcome First-Years! Andrea Fagon 19 Thoughts on the Singer-Songwriter Genevieve Fleckenstein, ʻ13 20 Tazmin Uddin, 2013: Serviam Tazmin Uddin, ʻ13 ©CNR Honors Program, 2012-2013 Spring 2013 Letter from the Editor Dear Readers, It has been not only a busy year for Honors students, but also for Mother Nature herself. First there was a tornado warning, then there was a power outage, and then on October 2012, the East Coast witnessed the devestating effects of Superstorm Sandy. It is called “an act of God”; something that can- not be prevented, something that is out of our control. And though The College of New Rochelle made it through, we could not help but feel the effects of the sudden halt in activity on campus. Many students evacuated the campus to stay with family, very few stayed behind. On the ride over to visit my friends who decided to stick at CNR, I saw people walking the streets expressionless, lost because there was no television to entertain them, or because they did not buy a back- up generator when they should have. Cars formed lines for gas going back block after block. It was sad to see a population so confused, so unprepared to deal without modern conveniences. If this is how they acted when they lost electricity, how would they have acted if they had been one of people who lost their homes? Or a victim of the fire in Queens that followed shortly after Sandy had hit? Would they act with the same diligence and courage of those hit the hardest? The amount of emotional and physical energy it takes to keep going after disaster is incredible, and those who fought and continue to fight through the aftermath of Sandy keep moving forward and live their lives as they intend to. And that is an admirable feat. Those who camped out at CNR remained in good-humor, I am happy to say, during their week or so overnight in the SSC and Mooney Center. Cold showers, limited internet access, close quarters, and gymnastic mats for beds, students got along just fine. Once people were allowed to go back into their dorms—electricity, warm showers, etc.—there was a renewed sense of comradery for both those who stuck at CNR for the duration of Sandy, and for her victims. It is this comradery, one so giving, understanding, and supportive, that I wish upon Honors this semester; a comradery that I know we have within the Program, and I know that when utilized, can accomplish exciting achievements. As you read this issue you will be able to see many examples of these achievements. I now end my letter. Enjoy, and please forgive the editors of Femmes dʼ Espirit for not having this issue out to you sooner, but an “act of God” got in the way. Sincerely, Amelia Ellis, ʻ14 3 What Has Honors Been Up To? September November Continued... • Welcomed nine first-year students to the Across the Lifespan”. The talk worked Honors Program. in conjunction with the Honors • Welcomed junior Kayla Cummings as colloquium on memory, taught by the new Resident Advisor of the Honors Dr. Nereida Segura- Rico. Living and Learning Community in • Two Honors students submitted propos Ursula. als to the NRHC conference in Philadephia for next April. October • Renovations in the Honors Center continued with the installation of a Sharp Interactive system and a new mahogany • Opened new lounge space for the seminar table. Honors LLC in the lower-level of Ursula. • Honors Board held its second meeting • Honors students and faculty gave a two- of the year, and created a Sub-Committee hour presentation to the collegeʼs Board for a winter dinner. of Trustees at the invitation of President Judith Huntington. Dember • Attended a luncheon hosted by President Huntington in the Castle Parlors to discuss the Honors Program. • Students travelled to Washington • Voting for the Honors Board took place. Irvingʼs home “Sunnyside” in Tarrytown, • Honors Board held its first meeting. New York, and to see the Christmas Tree • Students Meagan Yoeno, Regina in Rockefeller Plaza as part of the Alvarado, and Amelia Ellis performed “December in America” seminar. chamber music at the Trustees Gala in • Amelia Ellis and Regina Alvarado, per honor of Sister Dorothy Ann. forming as the duo “Ivy”, played at the admissions event entitled “Christmas November at our Castle.” • President Huntington attends the research presentations of the Honors • Welcomed Sister Martha Counihan, seminar “December in America.” college archivist, to the seminar • Honors students and faculty took part in “December in America” to speak on a staged reading of “A Christmas Carol” traditions of Christmas in the collegeʼs in the Castle parlors. history. • Hosted Dr. Alisha Holland, Postdoctoral Researcher in Cognitive And weʼll keep on going! Neuroscience at New York University, the Honors LLC to present “How Our Present Shapes Our Past: Memory Spring 2013 Honors Matters HONORS MATTERS: It Takes A Community Dr. Amy Bass T for members of “December in America” – students o say the last year or so has been a hectic not in the class signed up and came with us. And time for Honors is, well, an understatement. Last year when CNR Drama staged a reading of “A Christmas the Program went through its quadrennial review period, Carol” in the Castle Parlors in conjunction with that which means we put together an enormous report, seminar, it was all hands— faculty and students—on submitted it to an external reviewer, hosted the reviewer deck. And it was really fun. here on campus, and then digested his feedback. Our Why? Why give up a Saturday to head to reviewer, Dr. Ross Wheeler, a member of the executive Tarrytown to learn about Washington Irving? board of the Northeast Regional Honors Council and One of the things I always find myself an English professor at Queens College, was, without saying – and most of you have undoubtedly heard question, impressed with us. His conclusion? “The “...Honors is not about honors program represents what CNR does best.” He has not been alone in recognizing this fact. making college This past fall, President Huntington invited the Honors Program to give a presentation to the collegeʼs harder, itʼs about Board of Trustees. A selection of Honors students and faculty lunched with members of the Board, engaging making it better.” them in intense conversations about what it is we do here on campus. The formal part of the meeting included me, at least once, say it to you – is that Honors is remarks from both students and faculty about things not about making college harder, itʼs about making it such as travel to Honors conferences, courses like Junior better. And all of these things do just that: they make Colloquium, and experiences from our various seminar college better. Field trips expose students to places offerings. The response was overwhelmingly positive: they have never been to before, speakers introduce the Board embraced the Program, its members, and its new perspectives and ideas, and gatherings like “A goals. Christmas Carol” brings us to together in new and Without question, one of the things that everyone important ways. – from Dr. Wheeler to the Board of Trustees – has been I mean really, did you know that Dean impressed with is the sense of identity and community Thompson was such a good actor? that saturates the Program. For example, when I asked It is an exciting time in Honors, and each students to volunteer to meet with Dr. Wheeler, too and every member of the Honors community makes many came forward for us to accommodate. When sure that it continues. With two new seminars in we hosted a speaker, Dr. Alisha Holland, Postdoctoral our roster this year, an enthusiastic new cohort of Researcher in Cognitive Neuroscience at New York first-year students, and the exciting projects that our University, in the Living and Learning community juniors are doing in colloquium, we will continue in Ursula as part of the junior colloquiumʼs project to be the vibrant community that our quadrennial on memory, students from all classes attended. The review confirmed. † same thing happened with the field trip to Sunnyside 5 Spring 2013 On Education On Education In order to reform, there must be reform first from the top down, and then the bottom up. By this I mean the rich must become poorer and the poor must A Winded Article From One of the Editors become richer. Why target the wealthier community? In a capitalistic society, it doesnʼt matter if it is a demo- Amelia Ellis, ʻ14 cratic society, those with money—congress, lobbyists, and their blackmailers; large corporations, banks, and advertising agencies—turn democracy into an oli- I garchy, and make the decisions for the country with- would like to propose a new education; an out knowing what it is the country really wants. The education that would produce the best and brightest of wealthy have the power. Therefore, it is up to the pow- citizens in a world that is increasingly becoming more erful to institute the change required. Already we see competitive; where our own country, once a most pres- that the wealthy donate their money for tax deductions tigious country, is not world power it once was. With to honorable foundations dedicated to cancer research, this education, those who have the drive to change may animal rights, and other social justice organizations, change, and be given the tools to do so. Those who have but I propose that the corporate wealthy are required the passion to create may create, and be given the tools to give-up a percentage of their annual income to edu- to do so. Those who have the motivation to write may cational institutions to improve school infrastructure. write, and be given the tools to do so. This education The corporate wealthy are those who are in charge of would not limit the minds and bodies of the people, but big business, prominent figures in the stock market, rather expand their horizons and actualized possibilities. and report a large annual salary. This education would assist in gaining a greater and The corporate wealthy must give up luxuries stronger individual freedom, and for the small cost of excess money may provide them in order to help sus- time and expense—which in this new education would tain the country they live in—as it is their duty as privi- be no greater than any other expense—for both teacher leged members of society to help create a more pros- and pupil, the results would have a lasting effect on the perous state in which their capitalistic profit can find economy and the future of science, mathematics, and stability, profitability, and honesty—by giving a por- arts. Although this proposal is similar to what is re- tion of their profits to update the facilities of schools quired of the government and state already, there are a that are not up to date with state of the art technology, few great changes that should be instated that will result sanitary bathroom facilities and plumbing, contempo- in the betterment of the attitudes of those teaching and rary printings of history, math, and science books, and attending school. One thing I propose is the dissolution enriching fine arts programs. And as education begins of state/federal standardized testing. The SATs—if kept from the moment a child is born—the child learning his as a required test— should be used as a monitoring tool surroundings and the Pavlovian response of the mother for the federal government to assess the effectiveness of to his cry—the opportunity to learn only in the best pre-college education, and not a sifter of prospective stu- facilities should be offered at an early age. Therefore, dents. The SATs is not a test of individual quality, but pre-school and kindergarten aside, when one begins el- of mnemonic skill. We all know that those who score ementary school, only the best equipment for explora- high enough on the SATs to make it into an Ivy League tion and expansion of the mind should be offered to the school can be poor decision makers, lack motivation to student. Let trickle-down economics show its face this learn, and even fail out of the Tier A school they applied way. to. Just because someone may retain more information However, there must be some way of creating than another does not make him the next great thinker, or solidarity of mind on the tax imposed as many wealthy Yale graduate. The effects of test taking shall be exam- may not agree to giving up their profits for education, ined further later on. Another change I propose is to al- and would want to control what is being purchased for low students to choose whether or not they attend school schools. This requires the humbling of egos, and pride. past middle school. This will also be discussed in more If enough of the corporate wealthy are on board and depth. continued on page 15... Spring 2013 The History of Christmas in the Castle The History of and a special supper with decorations in the student din- ing room (now Castle Gallery). When Maura Hall was completed in 1913, a large statue of Mary stood at the Christmas in the head of the stairs, and it became custom that all the resi- dent students would gather in front of the staircase in Maura, and the Student Body President would bring a Castle life size statue of the Christ child to place in the manger at her feet as the students sang Christmas carols. From there they went into Maura dining room—in their finest long gowns—for a festive dinner followed by entertain- ment in the Gymnasium (Chidwick Auditorium). Santa Sr. Martha Counihan, OSU would visit with gifts for all. As the student body grew, T a separate party for commuter students was held in the here is no doubt the original owner of the afternoon. The Archives collections of photographs and Castle, Simeon Leland, celebrated Christmas here with student publications give one an idea of how CNR cel- his family. Karal Ann Marlingʼs book reminds us that ebrated Christmas each year. Queen Victoriaʼs husband, Prince Albert, introduced the Music German custom of the Christmas tree to his large fam- A CHOIR OF STUDENTS SANG RELIGIOUS SONGS (IN ily. With so many newspapers and magazines reporting LATIN) FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS. All students had to take a about the royals, this custom and other customs were course in liturgical music, and a Glee Club was start- eagerly read in NYC newspapers and imitated. ed in the 1950s. There were frequent Christmas Glee In 1896, the Ursulines bought Leland Castle Club Concerts, sometimes with the menʼs college. The and opened a day and boarding school. Christmas was Gospel Choir begun around 1976, as well as the Chapel celebrated with a party for the children, a play, and prob- Choir now composed of faculty, friends, Ursulines, and ably a tree. The CNR Christmas continues more than a students. century later, blending with the Catholic customs of the Serviam past and present. PART OF THE COLLEGEʼS CATHOLIC HERITAGE IS TO EMPHASIZE CHRISTMAS AS A TIME OF GIVING AS WELL AS RE- Advent CEIVING. Each class, and many clubs organized fundrais- THE FOUR SUNDAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS ARE CALLED ing drives, or went to visit orphans or old people with “ADVENT.” Customs associated with Advent arrived in small gifts they had collected. A poor parochial school the form of “Advent Angels” when little secret gifts or in the Bronx or Harlem might have a Christmas party favors would be left—opened at the Christmas party— organized for the children. By the 1940s, this “Caritas in the residence hall. Greater emphasis on Advent came Weekend” was well organized by student leaders and in the 1950s and lasted until the time of Vatican II in the the custom continued into the late 1960s. Each of the 1960s when Christmas celebrations became subdued. Collegeʼs language clubs—French, Italian, Spanish, and For students, the change meant the annual Christmas German—and the Art club had Christmas parties for dinner to which faculty and their families were invited members where Christmas traditions were discussed. was switched to the feast of Epiphany on Jan. 6th which CNR had a Child Study Center nursery school commemorates the visit of the Magi. An advent wreath from 1942 until the 1970s where psychology majors had in the dining Hall was lit in the evening at dinner, one practical, hands-on experience. Briefly, the nun who ran candle for every week of Advent. This continues at the school tried to “do away “with Santa Claus, telling Mass in the Chapel. the children that it was the Baby Jesus who brought all Traditions those toys and gifts. The parents soon put an end to this, TATLER CAME INTO BEING IN 1921. THE QUARTER- and Santa Claus came each year! LY, A STUDENT MAGAZINE OF NEWS, poetry, short stories, More recently, Campus Ministry has spon dates to 1907. There are reports about the Christmas party, held in the Castle reception room (large parlors), continued on next page... 7 Spring 2013 History of Christmas in the Castle CNR Honors Visits Sunnyside continued from page 7... sored events to celebrate the Season of Christmas: days of reflection, cookie open house, opportunities for ser- vice projects, as well as actively planning and partici- pating in Catholic liturgical services of the season. All are now invited each year in early December to attend the blessing and lighting of the Christmas tree on the Chidwick mall, and to the midnight mass and mass of Christmas day in Holy Family Chapel. When the Ursulines sold the Castle, many of the old cloister rules ended, and the Castle became the place for an annual “Christmas in the Castle” supper. It became more than punch and cookies of earlier days. Alcohol was served and all admired the one and only real Christmas tree. The President would greet each Honors studentʼs Denise Dailey (left) and Tazmin Uddin (right) in front of employee in the entry hall of the Castle, and the par- one of the creches. ty would begin—many dressed “to the nines” in their holiday finery. Nowadays, the Castle is decorated with CNR Honors many artificial trees and greens, and numerous holiday events are hosted by the President. Frequently, a dra- matic reading of Dickensʼ “A Christmas Carol,” or some Vists Sunnyside other religious play is performed for those attending the annual faculty and staff “Christmas in the Castle.” A collection of Toys for Tots encourages party-goers to Mark Ramirez help the less fortunate. Christmas Crèche A AT THE TIME OF THE CENTENNIAL, AN ALUMNA AND FORMER FACULTY MEMBER, DR. EILEEN CANTY, and new Honors seminar at The Col- her husband, offered to the College their collection of lege of New Rochelle is bringing some in- crèches from all over the world. These depictions of the tellectual rigor to the holiday season, with a manger scene in Bethlehem were collected in memory dozen students learning how holidays, from Hal- of their teenage daughter, Kate, who died suddenly loween through New Yearʼs, originated and how when Dr. Canty was teaching here. Many are displayed they have been shaped by immigration, pop cul- in the Castle at Christmas and are a charming way to ture, consumerism, and numerous other factors. see how different cultures have imagined the birth of Dr. Amy Bass developed the seminar Jesus. † from an exercise in another Honors course she teaches called Race & Ethnicity, where students share what is on their table during Thanksgiving, if they celebrate it, as a way of beginning the pro- cess of tracing who they are. “Soon I put all of it In 2002, President Emeritus, Stephen J. Sweeny re- together, thinking a class on family and community introduced the celebration of the feast of the Epiphany rituals from Halloween to New Yearʼs would be a for the local congregation of Ursulines, friends, neigh- lot of fun, but also would have a lot of content.” bors and alumnae. The mass is followed by a brunch In addition to numerous readings and con- in Maura Hall. President Huntington has continued stant discussion, the class welcomed guests from many of these traditions. various traditions: Sister Martha Counihan discussed Christmas at The College of New Rochelle continued on next page... Spring 2013 CNR Honors Visits Sunnyside continued from page 8... and Rabbi Scott Weiner of Temple Israel discussed An excerpt from American Judaism during the holiday season. Students also learned outside the class- Christmas Eve room: They visited Washington Irvingʼs home, by Sunnyside, in Tarrytown; viewed the Collegeʼs Washington Irving collection of crèches from around the world; and took part in a reading of Charles Dickensʼ “A Christmas Carol.” That combination of class- room and experiential learning is a hallmark of Now Christmas is come, Honors classes, Dr. Bass says. The difference in Let us beat up the drum, this case is that the class is doing it in real time. And call all our neighbours together; “This will never be taught in the spring semester!” And when they appear, “Iʼve watched them go through an evo- Let us make them such cheer, lution that Iʼm familiar with: the breaking of a As will keep out the wind and the weather, etc. lot of the ʻtruthsʼ they thought were forever,” Dr. Bass says. One thing students have learned is that Christmas has been a “battleground holiday” ~ from the beginning. “The Puritans made it ille- gal in the 17th century and closed all churches on Christmas Day: thatʼs a battleground for beliefs.” As with all Honors classes, Dr. Bass says, M y chamber was in the old part of the the students understand that they are contributors ev- mansion, the ponderous furniture of which might have ery step of the way. “A few students did really inter- been fabricated in the days of the giants. The room esting research on their familyʼs traditions abroad for was panelled with cornices of heavy carved-work, in St. Nicholas Day,” she said. “Excellent contributions which flowers and grotesque faces were strangely in- to our conversations.” † termingled; and a row of black-looking portraits stared mournfully at me from the walls. The bed was of rich though faded damask, with a lofty tester, and stood in a niche opposite a bow-window. I had scarcely got into bed when a strain of music seemed to break forth in the air just below the window. I listened, and found it proceeded from a band, which I concluded to be the waits from some neighbouring village. They went round the house, playing under the windows. I drew aside the curtains, to hear them more distinctly. The moonbeams fell through the upper part of the casement, partially light- ing up the antiquated apartment. The sounds, as they receeded became more soft and aerial, and seemed to accord with quiet and moonlight. I listened and listened–they became more and more tender and remote, and, as they gradually died away, my head sank upon the pillow and I fell asleep. † CNR Honors at Sunnyside. 9 Spring 2013 “A Christmas Carol” Christmas in the Castle: An All Day Event Christmas in the Castle: “A Christmas Carol” An All Day Event Staged Reading Lee-Anne Daley, ʻ15 Christmas in the Castle at The College of On December 6th, 2012, the Honors Program New Rochelle is a wonderful experience. On De- in conjunction with Campus Ministry, The Office of cember 6th at approximately 4:45 pm, the event Mission and Identity, Student Development, and CNR started with the Blessing of the Crèche and Lighting Drama, put on a staged reading of Charles Dickensʼ of the Christmas tree. The event that followed was “A Christmas Carol.” The idea was called to atten- the staged reading of “A Christmas Carol.” The event tion when Dr. Amy Bass approached advisor to CNR was a collaboration of CNR Drama, the Honors pro- Drama, Laurie Castaldo, about coordinating a program gram, Campus Ministry, Student Development, and with her Fall 2012 class, December in America. CNR The Office of Mission and Identity, expanding on Drama agreed to produce and cast the show, even sug- the Honors seminar December in America. This col- gesting that it be held in the Castle Parlors. With a laboration was further improved by holding the read- large group of Honors students acting as well as help- ing in the Castle Parlors. The parlors were decorated ing out as ushers for the event, the enthusiasm of the for the Holiday season with classic red furniture and Honors Program was showcased. greens. The parlors were also the site of many crèches. Not only did the students involved play their The story of “A Christmas Carol” is a familiar parts with pride, they werenʼt afraid to sing along with one that has been adapted in many ways, many times. It Christmas carols led by Campus Ministry. Acting tells the story of Scrooge, a bitter old miser who does not alongside professors, Deans, and the president of The see the sense in celebrating the cheery holiday of Christ- College of New Rochelle is truly a wonderful experi- mas. Scrooge is then visited by his deceased business ence. It brings the college community, freshman and partner Jacob Marley. Scrooge is warned that his future senior, faculty and student, together in a collaborative looks bleak unless he changes his ways and learns to un- effort to provide Holiday cheer for one and all. Con- derstand the joy of helping people. He is visited by three gratulations to all of the Honors students involved; you ghosts that show him his past, the present, and his fu- should be very proud of yourselves. † ture to envoke feelings that cause Scrooge to change his ways and learn the true meaning of Christmas. The staged-reading of the Dickensʼ classic at- tracted many from the college community of all ages. The Honorable Players The cast of the reading was as equally diverse as the attendees. The cast was made up of various students Regina Alvarado, ʻ14 as Anne, Scroogeʼs bethrothed of different majors, and college faculty. Many students Shacelles Bonner, ʻ15 as Passerby #2 came to see their friends, professors, and co-workers Lee-Anne Daley, ʻ15 as Peter Cratchit play Dickensʼ memorable characters. The event was Amelia Ellis, ʻ14 as Mrs. Cratchit held together with the help of staff, caterers, and the Genevieve Fleckenstein, ʻ13 as Martha Cratchit director and ushers. The scenes were amplified with Molly McMurray, ʻ13 as Tiny Tim the amazing sounds courtesy of the sound technician, Rashaa Parker, ʻ15 as Belinda Cratchit Holly Bogardus. The actors were amazing and played Miranda Polat, ʻ15 as Boy Scrooge their roles, doing justice to Dickensʼ piece. This read- Dr. Stephen Oʼ Rourke as Bob Cratchit ing captivated audience members and put people in the Professor Daniel Smith as Jacob Marley spirit of Christmas. The lesson learned in this classic is Dr. Amy Bass as The Ghost of Christmas Past that giving is often more rewarding than receiving. † Laurie P. Castaldo, SNR ʻ94, Director/Producer