Tarmac Online

By Aidan McGirr ’28

The Social Studies Club, throughout the year, has hosted exceptional after-school events that go beyond simple weekly meetings. Guest speakers, debates, movie nights, and the famous Conflict game are all ways the SSC elevates itself beyond typical meetings. This year alone, there have been six Conflicts and seven guest speakers. Now, for those who do not know what Conflict is, or why close to 30 people come to every game, attention must be given to the vast history of Conflict.

For instance, Bro. Lawrence was the one who ignited the club’s ambition for the Conflict game, and to this day, he still comes to almost all games. In fact, he was at the most recent one. The person who has taken over Bro. Lawrence’s role is Mr. DeMarco ’12. Mr. DeMarco has done a remarkable job leading the SSC and coordinating all the Conflict games, which is quite a task, as there are up to six teams that all face various situations. He must also grade all answers while reviewing other materials, all within the span of only four hours. Aside from the game’s history, there also needs to be an explanation of what Conflict actually is.

Conflict, at its core, is a game of geopolitical manipulation where teams earn points by capturing countries, identifying capitals, conquering capitals, holding strategic points, attempting limited-time events, and, of course, answering questions that Mr. DeMarco prepares beforehand. All of these factors are precisely why the game lasts as long as it does, but players find the timing well thought out, as it provides just enough time to solve problems while also adding extra pressure that simulates real-life situations. Another way this sense of realism is reinforced is through a collaboration with ETV, in which the studio airs a mock broadcast to each room’s TVs, presenting the problems that teams must face.

Moving on to the last Conflict of the year, the specifics of this game followed a familiar structure; however, it was special because the seniors returned after their last day of school—a testament to the quality of the game. Not only did seniors show up, but all divisions were represented, particularly the freshmen. Unfortunately for the freshmen, they were somewhat lackadaisical in their approach, forgetting to submit key papers to Mr. DeMarco, which cost them crucial points. Meanwhile, both junior groups did their due diligence, especially the seniors, who were determined to secure one final win in their Chaminade careers.

The overall point distribution was defined by tight margins. The freshmen saw the consequences of their mistakes, finishing with 78 and 79 points, respectively, while one junior group earned 98 points. Finally, the seniors, despite their efforts, were edged out by the Beijing Alliance by a single point (109–108), a junior-led team with a mix of sophomores. Captain Finnegan Trentacoste explained, “It was a tremendous effort, especially for a team with so many new players.” Being on the team myself, it was evident that the captain took on the role of teaching much of the team how to play. This is another testament to how easy Conflict is to understand, while also showing the complexity of staying on top of constantly changing scenarios.

Furthermore, the final Conflict game brought excitement and joy to many. The seniors, however, ultimately conceded the championship to the Beijing Alliance, while the freshmen enjoyed the game without the pressure of competition. Hopefully, there will be many more games to come in the upcoming year, with new champions to be crowned.