Anatomy of a Course: Getting LOST
Anatomy of a Course: Getting LOST
By John Camp, English Department Head
mrcamp@stmarksschool.org
Twitter: @gettinglostcamp
In September of 2004, commercials ran for a new fall show on ABC called LOST. As a self-ascribed t.v. critic (and an acerbically judgmental one at that), I remember distinctly and succinctly saying to my wife Tara, “That looks stupid.” Interestingly, when Lloyd Braun, then the head of ABC, pitched the idea at a
network retreat, virtually all ABC execs had the same reaction that I had. Senior vice president Thom Sherman, however, was intrigued and pursued the idea with Braun and the writer Jeffrey Lieber. Through a few stages of scripting, Braun’s original idea became LOST–driven by J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof, and eventually Lindelof and Carleton Cuse. In the summer of 2006, friends of mine implored me to watch the show, saying that they knew I, specifically, would love it. So, I borrowed the Season 1 box set, and Tara and I sat down to watch at least the pilot episode. From the initial moment of protagonist Jack’s eye-opening and its inherent symbolism (Eye of Horus, the Mind’s I, gateway to the soul), the mythology intrigued me, and binge-watching, of course, ensued. From those origins, LOST became a literal religion for me as well as the inspiration for what I consider to be the magnus opus of my teaching career, my course “Getting LOST.” (more…)
Getting My Hands Dirtier Than Expected
Getting My Hands Dirtier Than Expected
By Jeanna Cook, Classics Faculty
{Figure 1: Trench 1, 2014 Excavation Season at Binchester (Vinovium), Bishop Auckland, County Durham, UK}
“What will your students think when you tell them that you spent the summer in the toilet!” Quivering with hoarse laughter, Tony slapped his knee and grinned from underneath the visor of his white construction worker’s helmet. He posed, one foot planted up against the trench wall, one hand on his hip. In his other hand he gingerly twirled his “specialty tool,” the head of an archaeological pick superimposed on the longer handle of a garden tool. He and a fellow volunteer archaeologist at Binchester had designed this tool in the off-season, the perfect instrument for this dirty job.
Getting Back Up on the Horse…Literally
Getting Back Up on the Horse…Literally
By Paige Crotty, VI Form
For years I have been traveling the same roads, going to the same place. I have the 
twists and turns of the route memorized in my muscles. However, I never tire of the feeling when I hop out of my car–the combination of hay and horses filling my nose as I look out to the barn. I walk through the aisle of the barn and make my way to the back door where I can see my horses. They nicker at me affectionately, reminding me why I love my horses and riding; I put so much commitment into the sport, even if it means sacrificing time with my friends. Horseback riding is comprised of both accomplishments and disappointments, but over the last eight years, I have learned those failures serve as the best life teachers. (more…)
The Duality of Science and Religion
The Duality of Science and Religion
By Nia Quinones, VI Form
Science and religion are often times considered to be far apart on the spectrum of academia. Nevertheless, the efforts of Pope Benedict XVI, also known as the “Green Pope,” have effectively linked the Catholic faith with working towards a more energy efficient world.
In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI installed over 1,000 solar panels in the Vatican. Solar (more…)
The Reaction Attraction: The Chorus in Antigone
The Reaction Attraction: The Chorus in Antigone
By Samantha Sarafin, IV Form
Speak up. Move to stage left. Don’t turn your back to the audience. Annunciate and enunciate your diction. When the lights come up, you need to be onstage. Don’t miss your cue. Never forget – the most important part of acting is reacting.
A number of stage directions and phrases are repeated over and over that remain in an actor’s head. In the performance of Antigone, a play written by Sophocles, actors may regard “reacting” as the most important instruction, especially the (more…)
A Portrait of This Artist as a Young Woman
A Portrait of This Artist as a Young Woman
By Lucy Cao, IV Form
During this past fall, I dedicated my time after school to studio art, and I designed my own studio art ACE. After taking Studio II last year, I decided to spend the fall season further improving my drawing skills and experimenting new mediums and subjects.
LEO 