Top 10 Most Influential Guys at DHS for 2010
NEIRAD enilno edition
These are the 10 guys in the school that just keep on giving, so what better time to present them than our December holiday issue. This month we decided to focus on the guys. Next month we will look at 10 of the girls who are also making a difference. We combed the campus to find all kinds of people that bring something special to DHS all year long. From a musical prodigy to a security guard who helps makes even the most tentative freshmen feel secure, here are the 10 Most Influential Guys of 2010. Happy Holidays!
Will Trautmann
Will Trautmann: Rocking the Drums
Playing the drums well is a hard skill to master, but sophomore Will Trautmann has found a way make it look easy. His ability to strike up a beat at any time seems effortless and has built him a reputation as one of the best percussionists in the school. Trautmann has spent lots of time perfecting his talents, but it has definitely paid off!
Will started playing the drums eight years ago and has taken private lessons ever since. Even with homework he still practices for at least one hour a day. “I wanted to play an instrument and I just chose the drums because they were fun,” Trautmann said. He would soon find out that he made the right choice by choosing this rhythmic instrument.
To expand his musical experience Will is in the school band and in a student band named Stealing Free Samples. The combination of these two groups allows him to play many different types of music, from classic rock to the traditional music selected by the school. Trautmann was recruited into Stealing Free Samples at the end of seventh grade by sophomore Joe Berkowitz for his talents and since then the band has gone on to play at many different events, including school dances. “He is a great drummer and a great person to have in my band,” Berkowitz said.
Trautmann likes to play music of many genres but he especially likes to follow his main influence Gavin Harrison, who has played with bands including Porcupine Tree, Renaissance, and King Crimson.
Trautmann has proved that practice makes perfect! With all the events Trautmann participates in, you are sure to see him perform at some time this year.
Top Five Favorite Songs to Play:
1. Sound of Muzak - Porcupine Tree
2. Spectrum - Billy Cobham
3. YYZ- Rush
4. Anesthetize - Porcupine Tree
5. Stratus - Billy Cobham
Case Matheis: Nothing Junior About Second Best in the Nation
Case Matheis may just be a junior. Yet, this status has not held back his lacrosse ranking. Matheis is the number two ranked lacrosse player in the nation. Matheis recently committed to Duke University. His final selection came down to five out of the top 17 teams in the nation. In the end, Matheis said his decision was based on the “chance to win a National Championship, academics, and the atmosphere surrounding each team.”
Matheis leads the Blue Wave into the 2010 season with high expectations as he returns from being the team’s leading scorer last spring. Case scored a record 9 goals in last year’s State Championship game against New Fairfield and only hopes to improve. “We want to defend our state title but we also want to bring back the FCIAC title,” Matheis said.
It is apparent that Matheis puts the team’s success before his individual accomplishments which is one of the qualities that makes him one of our most influential. Matheis is always working on his game whether it is from “improving my explosiveness” to “improving my shot on the run” as he knows how vital his success is towards the team’s overall achievements.
Coach Jeff Brameier agrees. “Case has been an integral part of our program for the past two years,” Coach Brameier said. “This year as a junior we would anticipate him taking an even larger role in quarterbacking our offense and continuing to mature into one of the most outstanding attackmen in the country.”
Case left his mark on DHS the first time he stepped on the lacrosse field back in his freshman year when he started on varsity. That mark is still here today and won’t be going anywhere for a long time.
The Neirad Guys: Dishing out Award-Winning News
pictured below from left to right: Seniors Kevin Cassidy, Ian Sullivan, Parker Lange, Darius Majd
The sources that provide DHS’s news, fashion, and features are an influential unit. Underneath it all there’s a singular story: seniors Kevin Cassidy, Parker Lange, Ian Sullivan and Darius Majd are behind the scenes of our award-winning school paper and website. “Neirad has been around for a long time, and it has a respectable reputation,” Lange said.Lange is the editor-in-chief; Cassidy is the business manager; Sullivan is the sports editor and Majd is a senior reporter.
This experience has taught them much. They have all learned about leadership, work environment, balance between work and play, and how to abide by deadlines. They are dedicated to finishing stories, helping each other out, and will go to new heights to get quotes and hand in their stories on time.
“While the deadlines are tough, they force us to work efficiently under time constraints,” Sullivan said. Two weeks before the issue comes out they each spend five to six hours on the paper, and that’s just outside school. “Neirad is a group working as a team to put out product to have big impact on DHS,” Lange said. At a recent journalism symposium at NCC they discovered that they have an advanced premiere paper compared to others in Fairfield County. Neirad won a Silver Crown Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and first place from New England Scholastic Press Association earlier this year.
Neirad is about winning; it is also about achieving in a fun environment thanks to these senior boys. As editor, Lange makes it an enjoyable experience. When something good happens, Majd and Sullivan sing. “We have a good time,” Lange adds.
The diverse personalities make the paper an interesting place to learn how to report and write better. Lange likes writing features; Sullivan enjoys sports and Cassidy enjoys helping with sports. Majd will write and says he “always gets it done.”
They all started journalism their sophomore year then stayed with the program. As for the future in college, all four of them want to be part of a school newspaper but none of them want to major in journalism. “It’s been a wild ride,” Lange sums up.
James Shanley: Preppy Farmer Boy Fires 
up School Spirit
Best known for his outrageous outfits and his raging red Mohawk, senior James Shanley has got to be one of the best known people to ever walk the halls of this school. Despite coming to DHS from Fairfield Prep last year, Shanley has already made himself “the man”. Besides his funky farmer spirit, Shanley also plays defensive end on varsity football and is one of the premier players on the rugby team.
As for his thoughts on his placement among the Top 10 Most Influential, well, bear with us, we’re all still recovering from the hilarity of the interview. “When I went to Fairfield Prep, I was the same person. I’ve always been like this”, Shanley said. If this is true, then it is expected of him to have worn tie dye footsies on Pajama Day over at Prep. “I like to look ‘good’, but it’s all about originality”, Shanley said. “I’m self confident and I could care less what people think of me.”
Of course, one of the most famous spirit days for Shanley is Farmer Friday, a day he tried to establish last year to have kids wear overalls to school. Shanley arrives on many Fridays wearing overalls and plaid shirts. “I need more overalls though,” Shanley commented.
But apart from looking like a clown (literally) on many days, Shanley makes an enormous athletic contribution to the school community. He is an all-star in both football and rugby. He is the starting defensive end on varsity football, helping make the number 1 defense in the state what it is. “It’s a great way to relieve stress,” Shanley said. “And I like to hit people too.” Lucky for Shanley, rugby comes up in the spring, and provides him with even more of an opportunity for a full-contact sport. Shanley also added that he wants to play rugby in college next year.
Shanley has a unique impact on Blue Wave Pride. He’s funny, and he’s athletic, and the school wouldn’t be the same without him.
James Shanley’s Views on Life
On Food: “When I go to the Stamford McDonald’s I get: Mushroom & Swiss Snack Wrap, Angus Deluxe Snack Wrap, small fries, a small Coke, and a Powerade.”
On Fashion: “I need new overalls for Farmer Friday.”
On Free Time: “I 'borrowed' my friend's Mustang the other day and went for a joyride.”
On Friends: “I hate everybody, I just hate some people less.
On Football: “It’s fun to hit people.”
On Movies: “I love ‘Madagascar.’”
Peter Traver: Modern Renaissance Man
As a new addition to our high school, freshman Peter Traver is already making a splash, getting involved in almost every possible way. He is a defensive and offensive guard on the freshman football team and a trombone player in the Blue Wave Band. “It’s a lot to do, but I manage to balance it all,” Traver said.
Unlike most kids who play an instrument, Traver picked it up all on his own. Without being bribed or forced by his parents, he decided to give trombone a shot. “My Dad played trombone and I thought it was cool,” Traver said.
With such an appreciation for music, one would not expect Traver to have a passion for football as well. He breaks the stereotype and excels in both areas. “He is a good defensive guard and he’s fast,” freshman Tyler Hill said. Traver also plans on joining Post 53. “It’s important to help people, and they're good skills to have,” Traver said. While balancing all these extra circular activities, Traver is still an active student in challenging classes. “My favorite class is definitely BSCS and Mrs. Ruegger is awesome,” Traver said. (he is pictured outside the BSCS room)
Mrs. Ruegger responded in kind: “Peter is one of my joys; he makes class so much fun! He is great to be around! Peter is a cooperative, fun, smart young man,” Mrs Ruegger said. His favorite teacher’s kind words reinforce Peter’s goal never to let his extracurriculars overshadow academics. “The workload has changed and you have to be a lot more independent, but I am not intimidated by it.”
Patrick Durkin: Sets Groundwork for Political Greatness
Sophomore Patrick Durkin has established himself as the guy everyone knows. Patrick may even be the guy that gives students the chance to say, “I went to high school with the President of the United States.”
Patrick is the Finance Committee Treasurer. He and Community Council Executive Treasurer senior Chris Weihs review funding requests from clubs to determine which should get money from the Community Council. “Patrick is a very dedicated member of the Community Council and hard worker,” Weihs said.
Patrick is an ardent Republican. That passion has led him to set a goal of becoming president in 2034. He established this intent with a Facebook page, “Patrick Durkin for President in 2034.”
“I created the Facebook page to get my message across, and show my views to the younger Americans because I believe that the youth should care what’s happening in Washington. If they don’t know, than our rights as Americans will be slowly diminished. “
Patrick started getting into politics during the 2008 Presidential election. The race between Barack Obama and John McCain fueled his political passion. The results ultimately left Patrick disappointed. Now he is waiting for change in 2012.
“Obama is failing to listen to the American people. People don’t agree with what he does. He’s not listening to people and if he doesn’t listen he’ll hear from them in November."
That Republican commitment does not mean Patrick is not discerning when it comes to the finer points of politics. In particular, in regards to former President George W. Bush.
“George W. Bush is hard to put a finger on. I supported his polices. I supported the initial invasion in Iraq because there was a possibility of weapons of mass destruction, and I also supported the tax cuts because it’s been proven to work - when Bush did that, job growth grew for 52 consecutive months."
It is an earlier Republican president that captures Patrick’s admiration: “Ronald Reagan didn’t have the best policies, but I believe he was the best president. Ronald Reagan was a president that Americans could relate to. He was a funny guy, and even though he wasn’t the smartest man for the job, he was the best leader for the job. “Ronald Reagan ended the Cold War, and was not just an American president, but an American patriot," Patrick said.
Another interesting fact about Patrick is his kind nature. Not only does he care about his generation’s future; he also cares about animals. Patrick is caring for 10 ducks he rescued from a lurking snake. He has spent $1,000 so far to buy food, shelter, and supplies. It is a commitment to help all kinds that makes Patrick Durkin one of the standouts in our school community.
Mr. Crowther: SNL Alum Creates DHS TV News Empire
Ivan Crowther, the beloved Blue Wave News advisor, has been selected as one of the 10 Most Influential Guys of 2010. But when asked why he was chosen, Mr. Crowther replied, “I have no idea, it is a real honor.” Although, the reasons for his choosing are unknown to him, the student and faculty know him as a local hero who has benefited the school in many ways.
To get to his modern-day Blue Wave News (BWN) success, we must back up a few years. After graduating from Syracuse University with a major in journalism and a minor in English, Mr. Crowther landed a job as production assistant on “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) in 1990.
“My main project was mostly in editing the videos, not writing or shooting” Mr. Crowther said. Although production assistant may seem small compared to the actors, Mr. Crowther’s job still had its perks. He was able to hang out with comedians Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Mike Myers, Chris Rock, and musician Elvis Costello. One of his favorite memories was when he was partying with the late comedian Chris Farley. While the party was going on, Mr. Crowther changed a Van Morrison CD to an Elvis Costello CD on the boombox. When Farley heard this CD, he screamed from across the room, hurling his body in Mr. Crowther’s direction. Farley then jokingly tackled Mr. Crowther, sending the boom box flying into an empty sink.
Mr. Crowther’s television adventures do not end with “SNL.” After one season with the show, Mr. Crowther worked for a PBS educational documentary program where he traveled across the country visiting schools. This job sparked his interest in a teaching career. He joined DHS in 2002.
Mr. Crowther also teaches 300-level ninth and tenth grade English. He is beloved by his students. “Mr. Crowther is a great teacher,” freshmen Brad Magnusson said. “He is able to teach the class in a fun and interesting way.”
More importantly, Mr. Crowther is responsible for creating Blue Wave News that we know today after assuming control of the video production class in 2005.
To this day, Mr. Crowther is still known as a hero, for creating an opportunity for students to learn video production and on-camera skills. He is also known as a role model and friend to many for his work not only on Blue Waves News, but also in the classroom.
Sam McCarthy Creates Rugby Craze
One of DHS’s most successful teams is lead by one of the school’s most influential guys, Sam McCarthy. This senior fly half is the captain of the DHS Rugby Team, which won last year’s Division II State Championship.
Sam first started playing when he was five years old at Maidenhead Rugby Club in England. “My dad played when he was little and growing up in England I didn't really have a choice, not that I didn't want to,” he said. McCarthy stayed with the club for eight years before coming to the United States and playing here.
The McCarthy family played a major part in founding the club at DHS in 2007. The team has since grown into a massive group. This year the team has 14 returning seniors, including Sam and fellow captain Michael Sawitsky. Sam’s older brother, Connor, who graduated last June and now plays at Miami University, also made a big impression on the sport at the school.
Rugby, McCarthy says, is played by “passing the ball backwards, running forwards, and trying to touch the ball down in the other team's try zone.” Teams can also kick forward and backward. As fly half, one of the central positions on the field, Sam is in charge of the majority of ball distribution and most of the kicking. “It is a continuous effort for 80 minutes,” McCarthy said.
Sam is not the type to take all the credit, however. “This year's team looks really promising. We are going to have a lot of returning seniors who have experience in the game,” he says. “The underclassman base is solid, and we have a lot of depth in most positions.” As for personalities, Sam feels that there is “a lot of camaraderie and we have some great characters coming out to play.”
Sam is more than just athletic and nice. He’s charismatic and friendly, and really makes everyone feel welcome on and off the field. Fellow senior and rugby player Andrew McGarey said, “Sam is a really important part of the team because he uses his knowledge and skill of the game to hold the team together and lead us on the field.” Sophomore Cameron Magida feels that “Sam is the type of captain that combines fun with the sport itself.”
Outside of rugby, Sam plays on varsity soccer and participates as a Safe Rides Officer. As of right now, however, he’s just looking for spring rugby to get underway. “I am very excited to get started,” McCarthy said. “Hopefully we can bring home the Division II State Cup again from the annual rugby tournament.”
This year’s rugby team has a good shot at doing just that with Sam McCarthy at the helm.
Collin Shay: More than Meets the Ear
By Savannah Blue Collins 
It’s often said that music expresses what words cannot. Senior Collin Shay is quite expressive in this regard. This multi-talented senior has played the piano for more than 12 years along with the cello, violin, and bassoon. The black and white keys of the piano aren’t the only outlet for his talent. The melodies that he can sing himself are the focus of his musical career.
Because of Shay’s voice talent, he was accepted into Juilliard’s Pre-College Program. It’s a prestigious program that trains musically advanced teens. They attend on Saturday throughout of the school year. Not only does he leave his mark at Juilliard, but Collin also leaves a footprint here at DHS. Collin participates in both band and orchestra and brings delight to those around him. "He influences my mojo because he's so outgoing and free willed. I feel the power, the force is strong with him" freshman orchestra member Adrienne Dean said.
One may not have guessed Collin’s musical interests since“no one in my family is musical” Shay said. Despite that, he has been taking voice lessons since he was 10 years old but “only really got into it the last three.” Collin said he has been “studying voice so I am ready to sing opera.” His voice type is called counter tenor. While males are able to sing tenor, baritone, and bass they also can learn to sing falsetto. This is the type of singing is of growing importance in opera today.
His passion for music does not halt at opera. Collin enjoys all types of music and encourages others to do the same. “Music is the best thing life has to offer and it’s ridiculous that people don’t take advantage of that,” Collin said. “Listening to music of different time periods… it’s so beyond what you think.”
Colin Shay's Go-To Playlist:
1. Little Fly - Esperanza
2. Sukie in the Graveyard - Belle and Sebastian
3. Lingering Still - She and Him
4. Failure - Laura Marling
5. Sort Of - Ingrid Michaelson
6. Touches You - MIKA
7. Le Colibri - Ernest Channson
8. Why Try to Change Me Now - Fiona Apple
9. November - Azure Ray
Click here to Read more about collin's Juilliard experience
Jim Smith: Keeping it Safe with a Smile
Jim Smith is known prominently as one of the school’s most respected security guards. Students may see him directing student traffic in front of the library in the morning or working at the main desk. Mr. Smith is always greeting kids with a good attitude and a friendly smile.
“He’s a lot more lenient and understanding with the students. He’s very personable,” junior Kelly Fahey said.
When asked what the best part of Mr. Smith’s job was he answered, “The interaction with the students. I intend to stay as long as I can,” he said. His dedication does not end when the clock strikes 2:17pm. Mr. Smith attends many sport and club events. “I like to see what everyone does,” Mr. Smith said. “He gets to know everyone,” junior Victoria Kominek agreed.
He maintains a great relationship with the students while also upholding the security at DHS. “He doesn’t automatically yell at you,” Fahey said. Mr. Smith is able to deal with students in an understanding way. He says the top five most common offenses are running in the hallway, putting feet on furniture, illegally parking, and noise in the library or hallways.
This job is just the latest chapter in his impressive professional resume. Mr Smith has an MBA and a certificate in finance and advanced study. He was previously an assistant treasurer at a major company. Before working as a security guard he was semi-retired working at USTA, or United States Tennis Association.
Mr. Smith was interested in doing something new and the job seemed ideal. Security guard Pat D’Agostino told him about the opening. “He’s a good guy…He has a good report with the kids,” Mr. D’Agostino said.
Mr. Smith has that rare ability to maintain the order of the school yet also make students feel welcome and safe. He brings his positive influence to work, making DHS just that much brighter.
Did one of your favorite guys not make the cut? Maybe it’s because they were named one of the 10 Most Influential Guys of 2009. Click here to read more.
