Horace Mann Magazine - Fall/Winter 2010-11 - (Page 31)

news of the school Constitutional Questions Challenge Langfan Competitors Horace Mann Head of School Dr. Tom Kelly, Dayna Langfan ’79, Mark Langfan ’78, Director of Curriculum and Professional Development Dr. Barbara Tischler, with Langfan finalists Andre Manuel ’12, Eden Sung ’12, winner Katie Birenboim ’12, Emily Fieldstein ’12, and Harrison Manin ’12 onstitutional questions students addressed at a dinner at Horace Mann School on April 19, 2010 capped a season of scholarship for tenth graders who participated in the School’s annual William K. and Marion Langfan American Constitutional Oratorical Competition. This year’s competition engaged students with the question of whether the health reform plan developed by President Barack Obama was constitutional. Five finalists—Harrison Manin, Andre Manuel, Eden Sung, Emily Fieldstein and Katie Birenboim, Class of 2012—effectively argued both sides of the question. Katie Birenboim, whose approach was counter-intuitive to her own beliefs, was named the winner. Declaring herself “an advocate of health care for all,” she nevertheless strongly outlined Constitutional contradictions of the proposed plan. The 2010 Langfan Competition was introduced to the tenth grade at an assembly C at which Horace Mann School Theater Arts Director Woody Howard and English teacher Gerri Woods discussed the nature of oratory. Students then had the opportunity to meet with members of the History Department to discuss possible topics. Those who chose to participate received further training in oratorical skills, and reviewed their research with their history teachers. One semi-final round of oratory resulted in five finalists being selected to deliver their arguments at the dinner in the Rotunda of Fisher Hall, before guests, including their parents and Dayna ’79 and Mark ’78 Langfan, who established the competition at Horace Mann School in memory of their mother, Marion Langfan, and in honor of their father William K. Langfan. Acknowledging the seriousness with which the participants prepared for the competition, the Langfans both noted that the depth of understanding each student expressed, and the mastery with which they delivered their thoughts, fulfilled their family’s goal of enhancing the learning experience for HMers through two disciplines their parents valued deeply—study of the Constitution, and oratory. Head of School Dr. Tom Kelly thanked the Langfan family for making this opportunity for advanced study possible. Coordinated by Dr. Barbara Tischler, Director of Curriculum and Professional Development, The Langfan Competition has become an honored tradition at Horace Mann School, and one that has continuing significance for participants, who remain involved even after their year of competition has ended. Annually, the speeches are judged by finalists from the previous year. In 2010 the judges were Danielle Ellison, Josh Goodstein, Deependra Mookim, Eric Singerman and Arynne Wexler, all of the Class of 2011. They were guided in their deliberations by history teacher Pasquale DeVito. $ Horace Mann Magazine Fall/Winter 2010-11 31 photo by Ruth Seligman

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Horace Mann Magazine - Fall/Winter 2010-11

Horace Mann Magazine - Fall/Winter 2010-11
Contents
Letters
Greetings from Dr. Tom Kelly, Horace Mann School Head of School
Greetings From Melissa Parento, Horace Mann School Director of Development
Horace Mann School Today
Dr. Tom Kelly Looks Back, and Forward, with Appreciation
Patricia Zuroski Launches New Diversity Initiative
Marcia Levy is New Head of Nursery Division
News of the School
Alumni Council Corner
Bookshelf
Class Notes
Memorials
Philanthropy and You

Horace Mann Magazine - Fall/Winter 2010-11