Paw Print March 2013
Volume 13, Issue 5
Payton Slam returns to the craft
Pulling “Persepolis” By Julia Huebner
On February 16, the annual Louder Than a Bomb youth poetry slam commenced. Louder Than a Bomb invites students from Chicago and its surrounding areas to take part in a three-week competition in which the winning team and individual poet goes on to represent Chicago in the Brave New Voices poetry slam. LTAB, founded in 2001 by Anna West and Kevin Coval, is the largest youth poetry competition in the world. This year, the competition boasted over 100 teams and 750 youth poets from over 100 zip codes, showing that poetry has the power to unite. Though the Walter Payton Slam Team did not advance to the semi-finals, they had a fantastic year. With new coach, seasoned poet and teaching artist Fatimah Asghar, the students were able to live up to this year’s LTAB theme: “return to the craft.” Kamaria Woods ‘14 said, “We were a group of strong writers to start off with, but we weren’t really great with performing. Fatimah helped us with that.” Fatimah even brought in an actor from Steppenwolf Theater to help the young poets with improving their stage presence. The excellence in writing became clear when WBEZ invited the team in to record their group piece, “Found Letters to My Granddaughter.” The piece, based on the life of Kamaria’s grandfather, explores the effects of memory loss and its impact on those surrounding a person. Henry Nash ‘13 said, “It was this recognition that you had made something worthwhile and that people wanted to hear that experience.” For the team, it seems as though that was a truly humbling and once in a lifetime experience. With two senior members graduating, Max Bougvanet ‘13 and Henry Nash ‘13, the team is looking forward to next year and the welcoming of new poets to the team. The team is sure to grow even stronger as Morgan Aranda ‘14 and Kamaria Woods ‘14 prepare for their final year as high school LTAB participants, and Dylan Moore ‘16 prepares for his second year.
After initial backlash resulting from the recalling of the graphic novel “Persepolis” from seventh grade classrooms by CPS last week, this topic continues to attract area-wide attention. Published in 2003 and made into an Oscar-nominated film, this controversial autobiography reveals author Marjane Satrapi’s shocking childhood during the Iranian Revolution in 1979. Confusion arose last Thursday night when Barbara ByrdBennett, Chief Executive Officer of CPS, instructed principals to remove copies of the novel from classrooms and libraries, an order that is now disregarded. Although initially deemed suitable for seventh grade curriculum, the novel has recently been regarded as inappropriate for this age group based on its “graphic language and images.” “If your seventh grade teachers have not yet taught this book,
By Stephanie Greene Editor-in-Chief
Welcome Freddy Botti!
Staff Writer
please ask them not to do so and to remove any copies of the book from their classrooms,” writes Bennett in a statement last Friday. This debate caught media attention when over 100 Lane Tech students held a protest against CPS’ provocative decision. On March 5, students and faculty paraded signs displaying “Free Persepolis” and “Homework for CPS: Read the First Amendment.” These protests have created a ripple effect that is expected to spread to other CPS schools. Payton is not without its own viewpoints: “It is just as important that this book be taught in our curriculum as the ‘Diary of Anne Frank,’” said Grace Vargas ‘15. Drew Richardson ‘14 faults CPS for “making decisions without benefiting their students.” How will this dispute affect us at Payton? Currently the eligibility of “Persepolis” to be taught in the classroom varies per grade lev-
Payton students have already read the controversial text “Persepolis” in World Literature and in seminar. Photo by Justin Vargas el. The graphic novel is allowed age/grade restrictions on certain for classroom use by upperclass- curricula. “To call the classroom censormen and students in AP classes. For now, however, “Persepolis” ship a violation of the first amendwill not be returning to the seventh ment is blasphemous since our nation’s highest court has already to tenth grade curriculum. The narrative will still be al- deemed it just,” said Juan Aguirre lowed in the school library for stu- ‘14. “It’s shameful,” Satrapi redents to check out, as legally CPS has no jurisdiction over the con- marks in a Chicago Tribune intertent allowed in school libraries. view. “I cannot believe something However, based on the Hazelwood like this can happen in the United School District v. Kuhlmeier case, States of America.” CPS does have the power to set
Incoming class is the cream of the crop By Stephanie Greene Editor-in-Chief This year’s graduating class will be the last Payton class admitted under what now seems to be the antiquated 1000 point system for selective enrollment schools. All juniors, sophomores, and freshmen were admitted under a 900 point system, which is void of the 100 points for attendance. Under the newer system, applicants are no longer asked for their race or ethnicity, and are put into a socioeconomic “tier” based off of their geographic location in the city. Tier one areas have the lowest median income, while tier four has the highest. Tier boundaries are drawn according to census tract information, and are supposed to capture the diversity of the city. In the selective enrollment schools, 30 percent of the class are admitted based off of raw score alone; so, the highest scores, regardless of tier, are admitted. The remaining 70 percent is divided among the four tiers; the highest scores from each tier get a seat. Last year, Payton made headlines as the most desirable school to attend and the most difficult school to be admitted to. With an acceptance rate of 1.7 percent in 2012, according to Chicago Magazine, Payton was harder to get into than Harvard. Most of the criticism was focused on the tier system as it was much harder to be admitted to a school like Payton if one were in the highest income level. In November, The Chicago Sun Times reported that twelve percent of Chicago’s census tracts were as-
The Payton football team welcomes the incoming class of 2017 on March 5 at incoming student information night. Photo by M. Mowery signed a higher tier, meaning that those students would now have to score higher than just a year before. This spring as acceptance letters were mailed home, a similar sentiment of system criticism rang true. The lowest score admitted to Payton for tier one was an 801, for tier two, an 845, for tier three, an 871, for tier 4, an 892, and based on raw score, an 898. As expected, the average scores admitted for each tier hangs rather high; tier one has an average score of 841.51, tier two of 871.36, tier three of 886.31, tier four of 895.32, and a raw score average of 899.27. 249 students were selected for acceptance to Payton; 235 students have accepted, 14 students have declined, and 2 students have yet to respond. This gives Payton a yield rate right around 94 percent. Beyond these students that were accepted through the tradi-
tional application, the administration is expecting to receive about 100 applications to be reviewed under principal’s discretion. This allows students to appeal directly to their selective enrollment school of choice for a seat. Students appealing are asked to write essays that share with the administration their unique skills, commitment to social responsibility, an explanation of extenuating circumstances that might have been detrimental to their initial applications, and their ability to overcome hardship. Assistant Principal Mr. Adamji said, “Through this process, we want to make sure we are setting up kids for success.” This fall, ten students admitted under principal’s discretion will join the Payton community. This fall will also mark the second year in a row that Payton boasts the most academically outstanding freshmen class in the city.
While students are relieved upon receiving their admittance to their schools of choice, the process is not always the best. Izzi Einhorn ‘16 said, “Everybody else in my grade school did test prep, and it was really stressful; too much stress for someone to have to go through at that age.” Some have said that the application process in the Chicago Public School system has begun to resemble that of the most elite colleges, mirroring Einhorn’s comment. Priscilla Lavagnolli ‘13 said, “The application system when [the senior class was admitted] ensured diversity, and it was fair.” In an announcement last summer on WBEZ’s “Schools on the Line” program, former CPS Chief Executive Officer, Jean Claude Brizard, said, “There is a need and there is a want, and there is a demand for that kind of school.” “That kind of school” being a selective enrollment school. More selective enrollment schools would help alleviate the stress associated with attending an exceptional high school. According to the CPS website, 2013 marked the year in which the highest number of Chicago students received admittance letters as there were 335 more seats to be offered this year. With CPS committed to offering more high-quality options for high school, there is a chance, and hope, that more schools like Payton will be available to the masses.
2 l What’s Happening?!
PAW PRINT March 2013
Paw Print
Walter Payton College Preparatory High School 1034 North Wells Street Chicago IL 60610 phone: (773) 534-0034 fax: (773) 534-0035 www.wpcp.org Principal: Tim Devine Assistant Principals: Michele Washington David Adamji
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Stephanie Greene Mia Vitale
LAYOUT EDITOR Mia Johnson
PHOTO EDITOR Alyssa Estrada
SPORTS EDITOR Matt Cullen
SECTION EDITORS
Peter Bied, Ariel Colon, Leah Steans-Gail, Distribution/Exchange Lucas Binion, Op/Ed Edis Gradjan,Entertainment Patrick Hurd, News Briefs Sam Kelly, Features Natalia Soler, News
PAW PRINT STAFF Edward Bresnahan Clare Calkins Alexander Chong Naomi Frankel Trystan Gilbert Sela Gordon Julia Huebner Theodore Mason Natalie Mendenhall Esmé Naumes-Givens Jacqueline Orloff Josh Ortiz Nora Rombalski Eric Santos Emily Shepherd Negatwa Tewodros Natalie Torres Jessica Zou
Best Buddies Ball is a blast By Sam Kelly Staff Writer
The Best Buddies started the New Year smashingly by hosting the Best Buddies Ball here at Payton on Friday, February 15. Our Buddies invited Best Buddies programs from all over Chicago, including Whitney Young, Lindblom, and Esperanza, to share in the night full of music, dancing, and good fun. The night was for the Buddies, but that didn’t mean that other Payton students could not have a good time. “It was a lot of fun,” said John Finan ’14. “I thought it was better than a regular school dance.” Buddies and other Payton students mingled with each other, as well as Buddies from other schools. “It was great,” said resident Pay-
ton Buddy Johnny Brown. “There was pizza, and I got to dance with a lot of people. I got to dance with my sidekick Daniel Asplin. I had a good time.” Leah Steans-Gail ’14 did a great job working the turntables as the DJ for the dance, playing everyone’s favorite songs. “My favorite song was Beauty and the Beat, by Nicki Minaj and Justin Bieber,” says Brown. Steans-Gail was able to withstand the pressure of deejaying a dance: “It was stressful, but fun,” she said. Though the Ball fell on the same day as the Winter Formal, it managed to be a huge success, and a fun time for everyone who went.
FACULTY ADVISOR
Oz ,the not so great and powerful By Clare Calkins Staff Writer
The new movie does not live up to this original masterpiece. Photo courtesy of flickr.com “The Wizard of Oz” is one of the greatest family films ever made, and the new “Oz The Great and Powerful” does not live up to it. “Oz the Great and Powerful” tells the pre-story behind the Wizard who gets sucked up by a tornado from his black and white world to save Oz from wicked witches. The plot was weak, and the movie was more for children than something that all ages can enjoy. The special effects were enjoy-
able, but there was way too much focus on them. James Franco doesn’t seem like the correct choice to play the womanizing selfish con-man/Wizard, and was probably a casting used to get more viewers. The three witches are good but don’t bring enough to help the general movie. The magic of the movie does not live up to the musical original even with the GCI advancements.
Michelle Mowery
PNN at the Scholastic Press Association of Chicago and McCormick Foundation High School Journalism Awards with seven wins:
Payton hosted the CPS Best Buddies Ball just prior to Winter Formal. Photo by Leah Steans-Gail
Lucas Binion - Newspaper Editorial On-Site Write-Off Contest Esme Naumes-Givens - Humorous Newspaper Article Sam Kelly - News Story in Newspaper Alex Girovich, Juan Garza, and Naomi Lazar Broadcast Feature Story Negatwa Tewodros - Non-Sports Photo Isaly Palacios and Bar Kolodny - Broadcast PSA Paw Print - Overall Newspaper
PAW PRINT March 2013 Hot Seat with ed; you’re really trying to figure out right from wrong; you make Dr. Tolias By Isabel Cornelio Staff Writer
PawPrint: How long have you been teaching at Payton? Dr. Georgia Tolias: “This is my eighth year.” PP: What’s your favorite thing about teaching at Payton? DGT: “Just the fact that you get to have contact with students for an entire year. Most people know that I used to teach at a university level, so I would get to know my students for only ten weeks or a quarter, not even a semester. In this setting you get to really know your students over an entire year. And it’s really interesting to see what you find out about them, their personalities and things.” PP: My parents used to say that high school would be one of the best experiences of my life. So for you, what were the best and worst parts of high school? DGT: “I went to Lane Tech, a very large school, but I thought the best part was just the interactions with my friends and with my teachers. I had a great collection of teachers; they were wonderful mentors. Several of them actually were: a French and a math and an English teacher were definitely mentors for me, and role models. The whole collection of activities that I was involved in, I mean I was a very involved kid at Lane. I was in every imaginable club and event and things. That’s sort of what I got out of it. What I didn’t like, I guess, about Lane or high school was maybe the sheer size of it, sometimes; it was just far too big. High school in general is simply a challenging period in any adolescent’s life. You’re conflict-
PP: If you had to give three pieces of studying advice to students who are struggling in any math class, what would your suggested approach be? DGT: “For studying, obviously, get some tutoring. I really find value in peer or group studying. I know that it was very valuable for me as a high school student. I didn’t do any math and science important projects without my peer friends. We were sort of equal
move to Greece, with my husband permanently, we plan to come mistakes and you learn.” back to the states three to four PP: So, you’re going to Greece times a year. You know, for visits and when you go there and menand for family or of course acquirtion that you’re from Chicago, ing certain goods that are cheaper what would you say is the best in the U.S. than they are in Greece. place to get a sandwich here in the That means usually making our city? way back to Chicago, and we’ll DGT: “I actually like Nookie’s, actually leave one of our cars here. and especially the one that’s by my I think what we’re going to miss is house on Bryn Mawr. I know the the international flavor of the U.S. man who owns all the Nookie’s in and Chicago. The fact that you can pick a Chinese restaurant or a Thai restaurant within like one mile of your home and go eat like that without being robbed blind. The international flavor, we’re definitely going to miss that.” PP: What’s your guilty pleasure? DGT: “Definitely dark chocolate; really good European dark chocolate.” PP: Any hidden talents? DGT: “So, a lot of people don’t know that I was a competitive ballroom dancer and a competitive cyclist. Long time ago, competitive cyclist in college and competitive ballDr. Tolias’ favorite mathematician is Einstein. room dancer like in my Photo by Isabel Cornelio graduate school years, in Texas.” Chicago. It’s a great place for lots in ability so that was good. And PP: Did you stop because you got of different sandwiches. I’m not then there’s also simply: know bored of it? really a sandwich kind of gal any- what you’re studying for. Are you DGT: “[When I came to Chicago] way. But the other place is up in studying for the right content? I continued dancing, just not comthe suburbs. It’s a little Jewish deli Topics? Are you way off? Just petitively because I never found called Max and Benny’s. It’s not some really basic things. Also the a partner here to dance with, so I a chain; it’s not Max and Irma’s. big thing for high school is don’t just kind of dropped it at a comIt’s Max and Benny’s, just a single procrastinate, don’t wait till the petitive level. I continued dancing and going to competitions and Jewish deli in Northbrook, and it’s last minute.” amazing. If I go there on a Satur- PP: What will you miss the most watching them.” day morning or at brunch time, I about Chicago and do you plan on PP: Would that be something none of your colleagues or stujust like their bagel and lox, with visiting? cream cheese; it’s just amazing.” DGT: “Actually, yes. When we dents know about you?
School News l 3 DGT: “Certainly [unknown], from a student point of view, unless it’s slipped or something, that I used to ballroom dance or cycle competitively.” PP: One thing, also, no one else knows? DGT: “When I was in high school I sewed all of my own clothes. I just loved sewing; my mom taught me how to sew, knit, crochet, everything. I used to show off what I used to make. So I sewed a lot of my clothes.” PP: Any terrible student memories, a particularly bad student? DGT: “Not a particularly bad student, but I had two interesting situations. I was really young when I became a professor and I looked even younger than my age so I had a student at Purdue who was being particularly annoying and sitting in the back and just really being a nuisance, trying to challenge me; I asked him once to try to keep his comments to himself. Then I asked him a second time and the third time I said, ‘I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to leave the class.’ At the college level you can actually tell the students to leave the class, and they have to leave; it’s not a problem. I’m not responsible for them. He wouldn’t, though. He wouldn’t leave. So I went out in the hallway and pushed the security button and security came and removed him. He never appeared in class again. He dropped it.” PP: What’s your favorite thing about teaching?” DGT: “Teaching is all about the students. Especially here at Payton, it’s the wide range of amazing talents that students have and getting to know them over a whole year; getting to know their personalities and quirks.”
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4 l Features
PAW PRINT March 2013
What is your pet peeve? By Jacqueline Orloff Staff Writer
What are the little things that bother Payton? Photos by Jacqueline Orloff
“Picky eaters.” -Mr. Lyn
“When people don’t laugh at my jokes.” -Ashton Hampton ‘13
“The slapping sound of cards.” -Peter Williamson ‘15
“Genocide.” -Jacob McCarthy ‘14
“Lack of appreciation for older music.” -Jacob Turner ‘13
“Slow walkers.” -Billy Lynn ‘16
“Those socks that are labeled for your left and right foot.” -Brooke Gardner ‘16
“When people wear sweatpants to school.” -Max McMahon ‘14
“People that chew gum loudly.” -Jenny Tallering ‘16
“The number 13.” - Brandon Lopez ‘13
“My phone, because I feel weird without it.” - Kennedi Stephens ‘15
“My hair, I can never lose it.” -Savannah Brown ‘13
with shamrocks and the 26 county flags of Ireland, the South Side Irish Parade was born. The theme created by Hendry and Coakley was their way of wanting to bring back the South Side parade that they had enjoyed as children. They had delivered notices along the original parade route to encourage people to participate in the parade by standing and waving from their porches. Popularity continued to grow, and in 1980 it was moved to Kennedy Park with an increased 300 participants, including children, dogs, and a bagpiper. It has grown since then and was moved to its current route, down Western Avenue from 103rd Street to 115th Street through the Beverly and Morgan Park neighborhoods in 1981. The parade led by the Chicago Stockyard Kilty Band and held on either the Sunday before or the Sunday of St. Patrick’s Day every year, it was considered to be one of the largest St. Patrick’s
Day community celebrations outside of Dublin. This is known as more of a celebration by those of Irish heritage rather than a popular activity attended by people of all heritages. This parade features traditional Irish dancers, as well as various businesses and organizations from around the city. The 2008 parade was the 30th annual parade, which was held on Sunday, March 9, 2008. Of the two Chicago parades, the other being in downtown, the South Side Irish Parade was the more raucous occasion. The 2009 parade was presumably the last parade. On March 25, 2009, the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee announced that they were not planning to stage a parade in its present form in March 2010. They noted that the event had become too large for the community to accommodate and the difficulty in policing such a large crowd while maintaining the dig-
nity of the event. However the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee outlined a security plan, saying they “feel will bring this great neighborhood tradition back as the family friendly event it was meant to be.” The parade returned on Sunday, March 11, 2012. On March 10, 2013, the parade began at Noon on Western Avenue from 103rd to 115th street.
What’s your good luck charm? By Negatwa Tewodros Staff Writer
In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, we asked everyone what brought him/her good luck.
“There’s a key that was my grandpa’s.” -Jakarri Adell ‘16
“A little arrow necklace, the guy who sold it to me told me it was lucky. ” -Jinjin Tang ‘14
St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago By Eddie Bresnahan Staff Writer The Irish comprise one of the largest ethnic groups in the city of Chicago. Although the Irish are present throughout the city, it is widely known that they are most concentrated on the south side of the city. People on the south side of Irish heritage are known as the “South Side Irish,” and have long had an influential role in the political and economic scene of the city. They even have their own song with lines pronouncing pride in Irish-American heritage. The city has many different St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, the most famous being the dyeing of the Chicago River. Each year, the city hosts a parade downtown, which involves thousands of people lining the banks of the river and watching as a boat releases dye into the river and turning it a Kelly Green color. Another famous celebration is the South Side Irish parade, one of two annual St. Patrick’s Day
parades in Chicago. The South Side Irish Parade originally started in 1979. The other South Side parade called the Southtown Parade started in the early 1950s. The original Southtown Parade route was on 79th Street from Ashland Avenue to Halsted Avenue in the St. Sabina Parish in Auburn Gresham neighborhood. The year after Richard J. Daley was elected mayor in 1955; he moved the Southtown Parade downtown and changed the name to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. On Saturday, March 17, 1979, best friends and original creators George Hendry and Pat Coakley, along with their wives, assembled 17 children (known forever in parade lore as the “Wee Folks of Washtenaw and Talman”) from the West Morgan Park area. The parade route began from the 109th block of S. Washtenaw and Talman streets. Marching to the parade theme of “Bring Back St. Pat,” and an original parade float of a baby buggy covered
Try a Shamrock shake at McDonald’s while it’s still here. Photo by Eddie Bresnahan
PAW PRINT March 2013
School News l 5
Sweetness Day celebrates service By Natalia Soler Staff Writer
We’ve all heard it many times before, not just as a student here but as a Chicagoan, how Walter Payton was a teammate on and off the field. His generosity was in his everyday interactions and Sweetness Day is the time when we honor Walter Payton’s character by going out and serving the community. While every CPS student has to fulfill a certain number of community service hours and projects, Sweetness Day is yet another thing that makes our school unique. The entire school body goes all over the city completing various types of service work. Ms. Barge’s advisory worked in the classroom, teaching the kindergarten through second grade students of Ebinger Elementary School about the wonders of astronomy. “The students were so excited, it was fantastic!” Amelia Kassa 13’ said, showing how service feels just as good for the giver as
it does for the receiver. Advisory 403 helped and cleaned up at a Hyde Park Community Center while Ms. Catlin’s advisory spent the day helping out at Gilda’s Club. Advisory 308 spent their second Sweetness Day in a row at Inspiration Cafe, centered around helping the homeless and community outreach. Some cleaned, others created cute crafts, and there was office and manual work completed as well. Despite the various types of work, it still proved to be an equally enriching experience for them all. “It was nice to see my advisory all together at a place we all enjoyed so much last year one last time,” Denisha Reynovales ‘13 said when reflecting back on her last Sweetness Day. And this is just a mere glance at the type of service work completed on 34 day. There are so many traditions Sweetness Day
brings along. When completing community work we come together as a school community in the process. It is a time for giving back to the city and making memories with our advisory classmates. It is a time when people may discover what type of community service they are passionate about. Most of all, it proves time and again to be a fun day where we put others before ourselves in honor of Walter Payton.
Illustration courtesy of deviantart.net
Sweetness Day: 3/4/13 photos by Brian Tam ‘14 and photos courtesy of Ms. Catlin
Advisory 403 lends a helping hand in the kitchen. Photo by Brian Tam ‘14
Lev Gray ‘13 of Ms. Barge’s advisory works with the young students of Ebinger Elementary School. Photo by Amelia Kassa ‘13
6 l Features
Prom-paration: Don’t stress By Trystan Gilbert Staff Writer
With 80 days until prom, girls and guys are freaking out with worries like who they are going with, what they are going to wear, and the before and after of prom. I am here to ease those worries and give you simple solutions to your problems and advice to calm those nerves. Prom only happens for one day of your life, and it is crazy to stress so much over one day. The number one worry for girls and guys seems to be finding the perfect date. Girls are trying to find the tallest and most attractive guy that will look good in pictures before the dance, and guys want that hot arm candy that they can look best with when they walk in. Your prom date doesn’t have to be your boyfriend or girlfriend or someone you have a crush on and want to hang out with after prom. You always have the option of going with one of your close friends or that person you always have fun with in that one class. You have over two months to find someone to go with, and if you can’t, you have other options.
The Payton Prom will take place on May 31, 2013 at the Drake Hotel in Chicago. Photo courtesy of farm4.staticflickr.com. If it happens to be weeks before prom and you don’t have a date, you still don’t need to worry. Get a party bus and go with a group of friends; you are guaranteed to have a good time when you’re surrounded by people you love. While for some this might be the most important part of prom, if you don’t have a date, it’s not the end of the world. The second biggest worry of prom is most definitely what to wear. Guys, no need to worry, there are plenty of options out there
when it comes to suits, whether you want to go simple with an all black tux and tie, spice it up with an all red Kanye suit, or be bold with an all white look. You don’t want to wait until the day before, but do not stress if you haven’t gotten your tux yet. Girls, your dress is probably the most important part of prom because you can’t go without it. However, you do not need to stress when it comes to choosing one. You can look online at thecelebritydress.com, shop. nordstorm.com, or bloomingdales.
PAW PRINT March 2013 com, or you can check out stores downtown if you want to try some on and get an idea of what’s right for you. There is plenty of time to find a dress, try it on, and make sure it’s right for you, so you can take a chill pill and relax. While this issue may not be on everyone’s mind, I have heard from many girls and guys that they are worried about what they are doing before and after prom. Before prom, the biggest part is deciding where and whom you’re going to take pictures with, whether it is at your date’s house or your own and with your group of friends or his. When choosing a place, choose one that looks most flattering for your outfit choices. When choosing whom to take pictures with, the constant whining of “No, she’s coming with us because we hang with her more” or “ No, she’s closer to us, so she’s coming with us” is incredibly annoying. If the situation of deciding who to take pictures with is becoming stressfull, and you can’t decide, then don’t. You are the only one who sees and chooses who sees these pictures for the rest of your life, and you and your date are the only one who needs to be in them. Don’t let
Which would you do? Stay with Facebook or take the money and run? Photo by Mia Johnson reactions, many parents were in favor of the idea. One anonymous blogger commented, “When I grew up there was no such thing as social media so us kids played
outside with each other and gained valuable life skills. I think that's missing from today's younger generations, and it's necessary for good and proper development.”
Payton students, too, agreed that the father’s contract was a good idea. Many even agreed that, if given the opportunity, they would leave Facebook in hopes of getting the $200. When asked if she would quit Facebook for $200, Nadia Ayala ‘13 said, “Sure. I’ll still have a cell phone with all my friends’ numbers and picturemail if I want to share something." Other students agreed that if they were to leave Facebook, they could still interact with their friends by other means. Regardless of how Baier’s daughter will spend her time during her Facebook hiatus, come June, she has written on the contract that she plans to use her big paycheck to buy “stuff.”
Life of a song
By Natalie Mendenhall Staff Writer
How long can you say “turn it up; that’s my jam”? Photo by Natalie Mendenhall
These seniors had a few things to say about the preparation for prom: “If you're a guy, try not to worry about anything, leave it to the girls and their prom dress Facebook group.”- James Robinson ‘13 “I gotta find a juicy dress for these thick curves. This is key.” -Lele Nelson ‘13 “I stress about fitting into a 29 by prom, slim fit of course. Sparkling water and light snacks are my go to.”-Ashton Hampton ‘13 “Just thinking about prom is stressful. I don’t even want to think about it until the day before.”-Kari Gray ‘13
Spring into Springtime
Would you leave Facebook?
By Mia Johnson Staff Writer What would you do with $200? Would it be worth leaving Facebook for $200? A father from Boston, Paul Baier, confirmed that it just may be worth it. According to his blog “Practical Sustainability,” he offered his 14-year-old daughter a grand total of $200 to deactivate her Facebook account for four months. On his blog, he posted a picture of the contract he and his daughter signed. On February 4, they agreed that when she deactivated her account, he will pay her $50 in April and $150 in mid-June. To avoid any tricks, the contract also states that he will have access to her Facebook account and could change the password. His blog post received worldwide attention and over 100 comments. Though there were mixed
something so simple cause stress because you can take pictures with friends when you get there. Keep in mind there are over 80 days until prom and with most of the stresses of college being over, you can focus your time and efforts on prom to make sure the day is one you’ll remember.
I’m sure we all wonder, what takes a song from “Turn it up, that’s my jam” to “Again.” How long can we really stand a song? First let’s look into what makes a song popular, then what decreases a song's popularity, and finally what makes a song reemerge. A song's popularity depends on various factors. According to evolverfm.com, the top things that make a song popular include: key, mode (major, minor, etc.), tempo, loudness, “dance ability level,” and “energy level.” These are the things that drag us in, but what makes us keep listening? Much like a new car, a song depreciates in value as soon as you drive it out of the lot. With so many sources to listen to, from music to radio, TV, sites like Pandora, and smart phones, we can
in theory hear a song 24/7. A song can be overplayed quickly. Truly, there is no formula for a song's popularity. Adele’s album can hold on for 79 weeks, but other songs can’t even make it a week before a nose drop in popularity; bottom line, it just depends. A lot of factors go into making a hit. Paw Print asks: What is the life of a song? “ A month “ -Dejah Little ’13 “ There are popular songs from the 60s and 70s, so fifty years.” -Zach Bernard ‘13 “A week” -Adriana Alvarez ‘15 “A month” -Marley Nork ‘15 “If it’s one of those songs the radio plays all the time, three minutes.” -Anetta Clepetela ‘15
By Eric Santos Staff Writer
Always make piles for organization. Photo by Eric Santos With winter coming to an end, it will soon be time to pack up your thick coats, scarves, and gloves, and time for cool spring weather. Unless you are a cleaning fanatic, you probably are a little disorganized and need to spruce up. Spring cleaning may not sound fun and can be a daunting task, but taking it step-by-step will make the process easier. One of the first steps you should take is to make a list of tasks you would like to get done. Making a list is a great way to manage time and organize your efforts. Its also useful for those who tend to stray away from tasks or procrastinate. The next step is to start making separate piles of things you want to keep, get rid of, and store away. Get rid of all the clutter and undesirables and make room for new spring gear to simply stay organized. Once you get your piles sorted out, start packing away the things you want to keep and throw away or donate the stuff you want to get rid of. After you have cleared up the clutter, it’s time to begin putting on the finishing touches. Start by dusting your area and doing a little sweeping and mopping then sit back and enjoy your work.
PAW PRINT March 2013 Chicago Staycation: Make it eventful Chief Keef released by Emily Shepherd Staff Writer
Regardless of how you personally feel about how early Spring break is this year, it is coming. Due to rescheduling after the strike, our first day off for spring break is March 25 and our first day back is April 1. If you are not planning on any family trips or school trips, this is your guide to an eventful staycation here in our beautiful hometown. First off, the average temperatures in Chicago from March 25 to April 1 fall between 30 and 50 degrees, not exactly bikini weather, but it will have to do. With that in mind, here are some ideas for what you can do with your family or friends: Bulls home games: 3/27/13 vs Miami Heat at the United Center at 7PM 3/31/13 vs Detroit Pistons at the United Center at 6PM Blackhawks home games: 3/25/13 vs Los Angeles Kings at United Center at 7PM 3/26/13 vs Calgary Flames at United Center at 7:30PM
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by Matt Cullen and Sela Gordon Staff Writers
3/29/13 vs Anaheim Ducks at United Center at 7:30PM Go to a concert: 3/28/13 Greenday at the Allstate Arena at 7:30PM 3/29/13 Kid Cudi at the NIU Convocation Center in Dekalb at 7:30PM 3/29/13 Flux Pavillion, Carnage, and Torro Torro at the Congress Theater at 7PM (show is 18+) 3/30/13 Bone Thugs-N-Harmony at The Metro at 9PM Go to the theater: 3/23/2013 “The Book of Mormon” at The Bank of America Theater at 2PM 3/23/2013 Blue Man group at Briar Street Theater at 2PM 3/23/2013 “I Love Lucy Live” on Stage at Broadway Playhouse at 2PM 3/23/2013 “Fiddler on the Roof” at Paramount Theater at 4PM 3/23/2013 “Short Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier at 11AM 3/23/2013 “Sunset Boulevard” at Drury Lane Theater at 5PM
If you aren’t familiar with Chicago’s rap scene, maybe you’ve heard Chief Keef’s music and wondered, “‘O block,’ ‘3hunna,’ what does that mean?” Or “Chief Keef: who’s that?” Chief Keef, born Keith Cozart, gained fame when Kanye West decided to remix his song, “I Don’t Like.” Unlike many other indisputably catchy songs like “Call Me Maybe,” Chief Keef’s music has depth due in large part to his life story. Chief Keef, like the majority of Payton’s senior class, was born in 1995. After free styling with a karaoke machine during his childhood, Chief Keef made his first connection when his uncle introduced him to DJ Kenn. The personal relationships that Chief Keef built as a young man on the southside of Chicago were not left behind with his claim to fame. He went to Dulles Elementary School and later to Banner High school, and the close friends he made from his childhood are featured in his music videos today. Chief Keef put in work to get the results: he found Duan Gainz, also known as DGainz, on Facebook, and asked him to shoot his first music video, “Bang.” Shown in the video are Chief Keef’s friends, “Glory Boyz Entertainment,” or GBE. These friends include, but are not limited to, Lil’ Reese, Lil’ Durk, Fredo, and
Chief Keef’s music remains popular among Payton students. Photo by Sela Gordon Tadoe. Chief Keef has never lost Keith Cozart with his fame: he has the same friends, and even stayed with his grandmother, who resides just south of Washington Park in Chicago, when he was on house arrest in December, 2012. Not everyone loves Chief Keef, for many reasons. Chief Keef’s lyrics tend to be extremely violent and reference many different types of guns. He has run into the law when he allegedly pointed a gun at a Chicago Police officer in November, 2012. The lyrics from Kanye’s mix of Chief Keef’s song “go hard all night, cause I ain’t going back to my own life,” speak to the idea that Chief Keef is the product of an environment where guns are extremely common. The debate over gun control has been in the media more often since the mass shooting in Connecticut, but Chief Keef’s story reminds us that the demographic that he might fall into is often for-
gotten in the debate on gun control. Chicago’s youth is left to fend for themselves in communities ridden with gun violence, and that is why Chief Keef’s music has such a wide audience. Many young people in Chicago can relate to guns playing a very prominent role in their lives. Jerrod Castleberry ‘13, who was introduced to Chief Keef by his cousin, “dislikes what [he] stands for and thinks he promotes all the negatives about Chicago instead of sending a positive message to teens.” Castleberry doesn’t believe Chief Keef causes violence, but “think[s] he brought the violence into the public eye because [the violence] has been going on [in] Chicago before he got famous.” March 14, Chief Keef was released from jail, and has quickly jumped back into the media both with a music video, “Now It’s Over,” and an inflammatory Facebook post.
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SUMMER SESSION ’13 The Chicago Blackhawks have several home games during spring break. Photo by Emily Shepherd
Celebrate women’s history month by Nora Rombalski Staff Writer
If you’re a standout, you’ll fit right in. Payton’s Organization for Women discusses women’s issues in today’s society. Photo by Nora Rombalski It all started back in 1978 in Sonoma County, California during the beginning of March when the city of Sonoma would celebrate “Women’s History Week,” which included International Women’s Day on March 8. In 1987 this was expanded to the entire month of March and has grown ever since. This year the theme is “Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination: Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics.” Many women are being honored this year. Among them are Elizabeth Blackwell, the first fully accredited doctor in the U.S., and Helen Greiner, the cofounder and former chairman of iRobot Corporation. In Chicago different museums and the Chicago Public Library are putting on special events including book readings and exhibits. So come out in March to celebrate women’s history.
Don’t just communicate ideas—experience them. Don’t memorize a foreign language—think in one. Don’t study the ruins—excavate them. Don’t analyze dreams—live them. This is the very essence of the University of Chicago Summer Session. Where students are engaged at every level—intellectually, socially, personally, and professionally. Where you can benefit from the value of taking university courses in an accelerated, intensive format. Join us this summer for an extraordinary learning experience at the academic home to 85 Nobel laureates. For students in high school, college, and beyond. June 24–August 30, 2013, 3, 4, 5, and 6-week sessions. Apply today: summer.uchicago.edu/HSFUEL 773.834.3792 summerhs@uchicago.edu
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PAW PRINT March 2013
Point/Counterpoint: Which Franco brother is better? Dave
By Jaqueline Orloff Staff Writer Dave Franco: the name that sort-of sounds familiar. You probably would remember his name if his older brother, James Franco, was mentioned. Although there is no doubt James Franco is a great actor, he is not what the industry needs right now. Dave has a fresh (not to mention very sexy) face including killer eyebrows and a swoon-worthy grin. Not only is Dave equally, if not more, attractive than James, but he is also every bit as talented. Dave is the new “it” Franco brother. At age twenty-seven, Dave has already covered more ground in Hollywood than most could ever dream of. Although James has paved the road preceding him, giving him a recognizable name and family reputation, Dave began with small cameos in television series such as “7th Heaven,” “Greek,” and “Scrubs.” After spending almost six years building his own life and career, he landed a starring role in “‘21-Jumpstreet” (2012), which launched him on the path to success. Dave was also cast as a lead role in the new movie “Warm Bodies,” a more dry-humored film, which suits him well. Roles like these are a better fit for Dave; James doesn’t have the persona to pull them off as well. Dave is now cast in two additional movies coming out in 2013; talk about impressive. Dave is too young to have to
By Ariel Colon and Natalie Torres Staff Writers Do you favor Miley Cyrus’s new edgy look? Do you still wish Emma Watson had her long curls? Did Charlize Theron pull off the pixie hairdo at the Oscars? Has short hair become the new “black”? These questions have all been on our minds since celebs have consistently put their hair on the chopping block. The new pixie haircut has seemingly taken over. What do you fancy? Are you as courageous as Bruce Willis in “Die Hard,” or into Brad Pitt’s foxy mane? The debate on short vs. long hair is never ending. Pro short hair: Short hair is not for the faint of heart: it is a bold and risky move that can prove to be disastrous. People usually cringe at the thought of chopping off most of their hair to the point of hard-
make a split decision between being a comedic, dramatic, or even sci-fi actor. Although Dave has so far collectively taken on more comedic roles than his brother has, he is not tied to that single genre. Speaking of Dave’s more comical roles, his and Christopher MintzPlasse’s guest appearances in not one, but two “Funny or Die” videos portray a quirkier side to Dave. The videos are definitely risque, and warrant an uncomfortable squirm in your computer chair (not recommended to watch with parents), but they definitely humanize Dave in the most comedic way possible. He’s funny, weird, ambitious, talented, and extremely good looking. What’s not to love? A fantastic-looking Franco brother is someone the world has been lacking, until Dave came into the picture. Dave is a prime specimen: he has a defined jawline; thick, wavy locks with beautiful natural highlights; a piercing gaze (could mention the smile here as well); washboard abs; full eyebrows and facial hair; and just an overall perfectly symmetrical facial structure. Who could have a problem staring at him for a couple hours in a movie, or even
all day on a poster in your room? Dave has, and is pursuing his potential to spread like wildfire more effectively than James ever did. In due time, audiences will be referring to James as Dave Franco’s brother, not the other way around. Dave will be the better one. Dave will be the remembered one. Dave has the talent, the potential, the looks, and the drive -- what else does he need? If you are not Google-ing him ferociously after reading, this article has failed to do Dave justice. Dave Franco has got it all, my friends. Keep a lookout for him in the near future. Dave is taking over Hollywood like a tidal wave.
James Franco will always be the first and foremost Franco brother. Try as he might, Dave Franco lacks the carefree, offbeat, and unassuming charm that James Franco mastered long ago. He first captured the hearts of Americans everywhere as Daniel, the handsome, lovable burnout in Judd Apatow’s coming-of-age show “Freaks and Geeks.” He continues to intrigue viewers today with his varied movie choices, constant stream of self-effacing video shorts, and unpredictable private life. “Saturday Night Live” once joked that he must decide what roles to take by picking out of a hat, and, honestly, it would not
James
By Leah Steans-Gail Staff Writer surprise me if that were true. Actually, it would explain a lot (mainly his recent stint on the soap opera, “General Hospital”). Either way, it is clear that James Franco does not play by Hollywood’s rules. To be honest, I doubt he even knows or cares what the rules are. He has taken periodic hiatus from Hollywood to pursue degrees at Yale, New York University, Columbia, and other universities; written, directed, and produced multiple shorts, as well as a few movies set to come out over the next few years; all the while remaining one of Hollywood’s undisputed A-list actors. He is nothing if not a wild card--he has managed to capture the “rebel without a cause” spirit that catapulted James Dean (who James Franco coincidentally portrayed in the TV movie “James Dean”) to godlike-status in the 1950s. If that is any indicator, James Franco will be around for a while. He also participates in many shorts that grace the website “Funny or Die” (founded by Will Ferrell). In the majority of these shorts, he plays a caricatured version of himself, proving that, unlike the majority of Hollywood’s supercilious stars, James Franco subscribes to a more self-deprecating kind of humor. You can check him out in FOD videos like “Acting With James Franco” episodes 1, 2, and 3, and “The Hills Parody” with Mila Kunis. He also
starred alongside Pretty Little Liars actress, Ashlee Benson, in a homemade parody of the Justin Beiber song and video “Girlfriend.” If you want proof of his true acting skill, you can find it in his tour de force, Oscar-nominated performance in “127 Hours.” If you’re looking for his humorous side, look no further than the hilarious stoner comedy, “Pineapple Express.” In this movie, Franco plays drug dealer, Saul Silver, alongside Seth Rogen, and rocks long, stringy hair and the same striped pajamas for the entirety of the movie. Him and Mila Kunis also stepped in with a scene-stealing cameo in Tina Fey and Steve Carrell’s “Date Night.” And, despite mixed reviews, I, personally, loved watching him get his quest on alongside Danny McBride in “Your Highness.” In short, James Franco is, and will always be, the number one Franco brother. Sure, Dave’s easy on the eyes as well, but come on, let’s go for the whole package. James has got the looks, the brains, the A-list status, and the humor. Photos by Alyssa Estrada
Do you like it long or short? ly having any. That’s what I did. When I recently cut my hair, I was in physical pain as I heard each snip and snap of the scissors work its way around as I watched my locks fall to the ground. However, it needed to be done. Although short hair isn’t for everyone, it has its benefits. 1. Less is less. Those with thick hair, like myself, might find short hair to be particularly manageable. There is less to do with shorter hair, but think about it: you will spend less time in the morning fixing shoulder-length hair that is a fashion statement in itself. A few girls have clearly stated short hair is ideal for school because of its manageability. It’ll take off time and stress from your lazy mornings so you can ease into the day. 2. A fashionable accessory. It
“I’ve had long hair and short hair. Long hair is better I guess.” - Martha Muller ‘16
can be cute and bounce, like Ashley Benson, or fierce and edgy, like Miley Cyrus. Just like long hair, there are several possible styles to aim for with shorter hair: black betty, the bob, pixie, or geometric hair. 3. Easy, breezy, beautiful. As winter comes to an end, spring comes to a beginning. With the warm weather fast approaching, not having long hair down your back may pay off in the long run. Shorter hair is undeniably breezier in the hot sun. Long hair and don’t care: Everyone can appreciate a person with long locks of hair. Little do people know the amount of dedication and time commitment necessary. There are various reasons why long hair is better than short hair.
“My hair is a real extension and expression of myself.” -David Julaq ‘14
1. More options. Variety can be a person’s best friend. No one likes the same old hairstyle day after day. With long hair it’s easier to spice up your style with braids. There’s the fishtail, 5 strands, or even the complex waterfall braid. There are also tons of options for putting your hair up. Well-liked styles are classy ponytails, top knots, sock buns or even a plain messy bun. Bouncy curls will also always be in style. The possibilities are endless. 2. PROM. When asked about their preference about two-thirds of a group of senior girls chose long hair over short hair. My guess is that most girls around this time are trying to grow their hair out for prom. Prom is a critical time when everything must be perfect to a tee; surely hair is a major worry
“It’s the most stylish way I can have my hair. “ -Ashton Hampton ‘13
on the big day. Long hair inevitably comes with more style options. Senior girls want to be able to put their hair up whichever way they want and not be limited because of the length. 3. The famous hair flips. Imagine the shampoo commercials where women flip their gloriously shiny hair in slow motion. Secretly, most girls want to do that too (even guys). 4.Celebs and Models. Let’s face it, we all want to look like Beyonce with her gorgeous long hair that she whips around flawlessly. All Victoria’s Secret models have hair falling down their backs and who wouldn’t want to look beautiful like them? Guys also look more mature with grown hair. Ashton Kutcher and Johnny Depp pull off long hair well.
“Freedom and it’s easier in the morning, and I like it”-Kari Gray ‘13
PAW PRINT March 2013
To E.D. or not to E.D.? By Lucas Binion Editorialist
Application season is arguably the most important, stressful, and seemingly never-ending process that we – as young high school students – will have experienced in our lives thus far. We subject ourselves to months of toil over various essays, dozens of supplemental prompts, legal forms, and scholarship opportunities; all of this culminating in the form of the tortuous purgatory that is the period of wait time between sending your application in and receiving your decision. The feeling is akin to being slowly dragged through a desert by a partially disabled donkey while being forced to watch the cruel, leisurely tick of time gradually go by before your very eyes. Well, it might not be quite that terrible. But it sure feels that way sometimes. Now, there are options available that can make this dreadful delay feel a bit more bearable. Terrific programs such as POSSE and QuestBridge exist to help take some of the pressure off of our tired selves (and the minds of our parents as well). These two foundations not only promise an early date at which your college of choice reveals its decision to you (anywhere from late October to December), but also provide tremendous financial aid packages upon admittance that have soothed many a monetary qualm. Since programs like the ones I mentioned have a limited, finite number of spots available, unfortunately not everyone can hit the jackpot with this sort of wonder scholarship. Even so, there are al-
The school’s lunchroom houses a large number of pennants representing various schools from across the country. Photo by Lucas Binion ternate routes for those who still want to get matters out of the way as quickly and as efficiently as they can. These two routes are Early Decision (which will hereby be referred to as E.D.) and Early Action (which I will call E.A.). The prime difference between the two is the fact that E.D. is a binding agreement, and E.A. is not. When one applies E.A., one will simply have the privilege of finding out about whether or not one is admitted at an earlier date than they would have if they had applied regular decision. In addition, you can apply E.A. to as many schools as you want to as long as they offer the service -and some don’t. The same is true about E.D., except for the fact that you will need to sign and submit an additional form that ensures your enrollment to the university of choice upon acceptance. In other words, you have to go there. Because of this, you are only allowed to apply E.D. to one school and only one school, no questions asked. It is possible to rescind your E.D. application from a school, but only if you are
in dire need of financial support that the school you applied to just is not supplying. This is a rather shaky situation to find oneself in, so it is advised that you only apply E.D. if you know you will more or less be able to afford the full cost of the school. So, the question remains: should you apply E.D. and potentially seal your destiny, or do you apply regular and leave your choices wide open? Well, it really depends on your personal situation and attitudes toward your selected schools. I had a word with school counselor Mr. Paulsen who had this to say: “If a student applies (E.D.) to a selective university, they must be a competitive applicant at the institution -- that is, they must fit the kind of academic/personality profile that the college looks for.” Applying E.D. is a great choice if you have one place -- a “dream school” -- that has been haunting your thoughts for as long as you can remember. Sending an E.D. application in to such a school shows that you are determined, decisive, and dedicated to go to that one place, which is something that prestigious institutions love to see in their prospective students.
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If there is a college that you are really interested in, but don’t know enough about to apply E.D. to, campus visits can help more than anything as they can give you an idea of the school’s student body, facilities, and overall atmosphere. Many universities also have virtual campus tours on their websites if you don’t possess the means to get there yourself. Not only does applying early show initiative, but it also increases your statistical chances of getting in to where you want. Since the E.D. pool of students is much smaller than that of the regular deadline, your probability of acceptance is significantly higher than it would be normally. “I applied early because I knew that my chances would be better. I also knew exactly where I wanted to go,” said Matt Webb ‘13, a student who was admitted E.D. into his first choice school. Later, he looked up the application data for his prospective school -- Harvard University -- and we found out that 895 out of 4,856 E.D. applicants were accepted, an astonishing percentage considering the school’s typical acceptance rate of 5.9%. Another important note is the existence of the E.D. II deadline. It comes approximately ten days before the deadline for normal decision, and allows those who were not 100% positive at the time of the first E.D. deadline to submit an application to the institution that now tops their list. Alternatively, there are situations where applying E.D. would not be advised. If your sole purpose for applying is to get everything out of the way, stop right there. That is what E.A. is for. The added level of commitment that accompanies an E.D. application should not be taken lightly, and should be reserved for those who know exactly where they want to
go. I would also like to reiterate the fact that you should only apply E.D. if you know for a fact that you will be able to more or less afford the entire cost of tuition; do not bank on financial aid you believe you deserve that may or may not end up coming your way. Tea Garibovic ‘13 was confident in her choice to not apply E.D.: “I wasn’t totally sure that if I got accepted anywhere early that my family would be able to make the necessary financial commitment.” Mr. Paulsen also urges students to check out the “Net Price Calculator” that many schools have on their websites. All you need to do is input some of your family’s financial information and it will help you gauge the amount of money you will have to pay out of your pocket, in addition to the amount that you will receive from the school in the form of financial aid. Despite all the negative feelings and stressors surrounding your applications, it is also a time of excitement and rapture. The sense of fulfillment that comes with completing your applications is, in some ways, as satisfying as actually receiving your acceptance letter. It is a time to commend your friends for what they have done, and where they are going. It is a time of renaissance; your exhilarating rebirth into the “real” word that lies ahead of you, now within reach. But above all, it is a time to celebrate your successful completion at one of the nation’s premier high schools and your many achievements along the way. Go forth and prosper, young Paytonites. You deserve it.
Gold. Ayers was never convicted for his actions due to the illegal tactics used by the FBI to investigate him, and is now a widely-respected education theorist and professor at University of Illinois-Chicago. His name was brought back to the spotlight during President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, when opposing candidates used Obama’s friendship with Ayers as a way to paint a bad picture of Obama. Ayers has been demonized by conservatives and by the media for his part in the Weather Underground. But Ayers doesn’t agree: “I don’t think what we did was terrorism. It was excessive vandalism. We didn’t kill anyone, except for some of our members.” Ayers did not want to seem to want to talk about his actions in the Weather Underground though. No matter what our question was, the answer always seemed to come back to “you need to stand up for what you believe in.” It seemed like Ayers came to
Payton to educate us on how to really make a difference in the world. He was not trying to convince us that we should bomb government buildings. He was just trying to get us to care about the world: “You have to vote…you have to do more though. We have a job, and that is to build a fuller, more participatory democracy.” He encouraged us to try to make a difference in ways that are not the most popular, saying, “We don’t always have access to the White House, or to Congress, or to the Pentagon. But we have absolute access to the classroom, to the street, to the community. Why don’t we use that power? Participate there and see where it leads us.” Ayers left us with a step-bystep guide on how to be a good citizen, and it was very simple: “Pay attention. Be astonished. Do something.”
Bill Ayers clears the air By Sam Kelly Editorialist
My first thought when Bill Ayers walked into Room 320 was, “This man looks nothing like I expected.” I was expecting a slow old man with a shirt and tie. What I got was a brisk-walking man dressed in baggy jeans with black running shoes, a blue sweater, a huge red vest, and two gold hoop earrings.
He had various interesting tattoos on his arms, all of them forming colorful bands around his forearm. I was still in awe that the Alternative Politics Group, headed by Anna Christiansen ‘14 and Rebecca Stover ‘14, was able to bring him in, when he sat down and greeted the room of 15 people with a smile.
For those of you who do not know who Bill Ayers is, he grew up in Glen Ellyn, a Chicago suburb. When the Vietnam War became a serious issue, he founded the “domestic terrorist group,” the Weather Underground. The Weather Underground was responsible for several bombings of government buildings in the 1970s, including the Pentagon, the United States Capitol Building, and the United States Department of State.
“Pay attention. Be astonished. Do something.”
Bill Ayers adressed the room full of interested students at the APG meeting. Photo by Sam Kelly
Ayers was never a murderer, though his group bombed empty offices in all of those buildings. The only people to die from the bombings were three members of his own group, including his girlfriend, Diana Oughton, and friends Terry Robbins and Ted
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PAW PRINT March 2013
March Book Reviews: Female Heroines By Jessica Zou Reviewer “The Elegance of the Hedgehog” By Muriel Barbery “The Elegance of the Hedgehog” is a beautiful coming-of-age book that features a pair of unlikely heroes from both spectrums of society who discover each other as intellectual soul mates. Smothered by the oblivious and condescending members of her family, Paloma decides to plan her escape by setting the building on fire and committing suicide if she does not find life worth living by her twelfth birthday. While the concierge, Renee, has worked at the Left Bank apartment building for twenty seven years, she has been careful to hide her own intelligence and taste in high quality food by eating “concierge type” food and watching television because she believes that society condemns people who are poor and ugly but intelligent. This is a story about accepting friendship, beginning anew and discovering something different in the mundane routine of life.
“The Girl of Thorns and Fire” By Rae Carson Elisa, the second born princess, was chosen at birth to bear the Godstone, a jewel that is attached to her navel. It warns her of danger by spreading cold into her body and spreads warmth into her veins when her prayers are considered sincere. The story begins with her marriage to a king to ensure allies in the war that looms ahead. Seen as lazy and fat, Elisa finds herself unwillingly attracted to her new husband but discovers only disappointment when her new royal status and marriage is kept a secret. Court intrigue and the people’s disdain become the least of Elisa’s worries when she is kidnapped by rebels and made to travel across the desert. As an underdog heroine who is insecure, discover how Elisa has to distinguish between friends who need her strength and enemies who want only to kill her for the Godstone that she bears.
“Daughter of the Forest” By Juliet Marillier A masterful retelling of the six swans, you will find yourself immersed in the lives of Sorcha and her six brothers (Liam, Diarmid, Cormack, Connor, Finbar and Padriac) as they grow up to face their own destinies. While she was not born as the desired seventh son, Sorcha has a task that decides the fate of her family; she must fashion six shirts out of nettles which will render her hands gnarled and deformed. Only when these six shirts are finished and worn by all the brothers will the spell, that turned them into swans, break. One deal that Sorcha had to agree to was that while sewing these shirts together and until her brother wears the shirts, she must not speak and if she makes any sound at all then the shirts will be useless and the spell will remain forever unbroken. Under the protection of the forest she grew up in, Sorcha spends
years of solitude trying to finish her seemingly impossible task; however, a tragic turn of events brings her to the lands of an enemy that her people have been warring with for years. Shunned for being mute and accused of being a witch, Sorcha must persevere to finish her task, overcome treacherous royal plots and choose between two worlds: her love for her family and a love that comes only once in a lifetime. “Graceling” By Kristin Cashore Those who are born with a skill and have two different colored eyes are called Gracelings. In the Middluns kingdom, families are required by law to send any Graceling to the royal palace for evaluation of how useful their Grace is to the king. King Randa’s niece, Katsa, has been the royal assassin and ambassador for as long as she can remember. Sent to punish the people who displease Randa, Katsa be-
lieves, like everyone else, that because her Grace is killing, she has become the bloodthirsty monster that King Randa wants. During a secret Council mission to rescue a Lienid prince, Katsa meets Po, someone who can match her combat skills, but she ultimately knocks him out in order to complete her mission. They meet again at court where it is revealed that Po is a prince from Lienid and the grandson of the man who was rescued. Through training in combat together, Po and Katsa become fast friends but when Po’s true Grace is revealed, Katsa turns away feeling betrayed. While they have not settled their problems, Po and Katsa embark on a journey to the Monsean Kingdom to meet up with the queen, Po’s aunt. Dangerous truths and a decade long plot unravel as Katsa discovers who she really is and contends with the enemies who wish to control her Grace and rule the seven kingdoms.
In a world where being a whiny heroine is celebrated (Bella Swan from “Twilight”), it is refreshing to read about a strong female character. Photos courtesy of amazon.com, readiacs.com, houghtonmifflinbooks.com
March Video Review: Mists of Pandaria Revisited By Alex Chong Reviewer Six months ago, the Paw Print reviewed the brand-new World of Warcraft expansion, Mists of Pandaria (MoP). How is the game faring on the brink of its second major content patch? Mists of Pandaria is quickly being recognized as what could grow to be the best expansion of all time-an astonishing feat, as most serious players previously gave that title to the first expansion, “The Burning Crusade.” WoW players are not quick to hand off titles to the latest fad, so something really good must be happening. What is it? First of all, Pandaria is a truly beautiful continent. From the lush Jade Forest, to the rolling golden hills of the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, to the snow-capped peaks of Kun-Lai summit, Pandaria is a land filled with wonders. As veteran gamer Gordon Chong said, “Mists of Pandaria takes place in a beautiful landscape that, even 6 months into the expansion, never fails to awe.” In MoP, players can run through interesting regular dungeons and the brand-new short, 3-player “Scenarios,” then moderately difficult heroic mode dungeons until their “item level” (rough measure of stats on gear) reaches the relatively easy threshold to enter segments of Raid Finder. Once a
week, a player can use the Raid Finder tool to match them with other players in a cross-server queue for a tuned-down raid (Mogushan Vaults) with slightly more forgiving mechanics. The gear, though not as good as that dropped by normal mode bosses, provides a helpful stepping-stone to queue for other Raid Finder segments, such as Heart of Fear and Terrace of Endless Springs, and with a bit of work, run normal-mode raids. With this more linear approach to gearing, heroic-mode raids are less of a test of time spent grinding gear as a chance to demonstrate individual skill and excellent coordination between players. Talented, dedicated players can even move on to heroic mode raids as a true test of their abilities. Should one long for more difficult dungeons, they can attempt timed challengemode dungeons to earn gear with unique animations. An epic tale The Pandaren race is not turning out to be the fluffy, comedic race players feared would ruin the franchise. (Well, not most of the time.) These are a people who have spent millennia fighting off periodic invasions by the vicious insectoid Mantid, banded together with other native races to overthrow the tyrannical rule of the stony, cold-hearted Mogu, all
while keeping their hearts free of Doubt, Fear, Anger, Hatred, Despair and Violence – for the shadows of the slain Old God Y'Shaarj, known as Sha, feed off of and embody negative emotions. With the arrival of the warring Alliance and Horde, the Sha roam Pandaria once more, stirring up the Mantid and Mogu. Players must help a race besieged by enemies on all sides. Meanwhile, Faction Leaders long delegated to the sidelines have stepped up and taken on prominent roles. Nor is the story focused solely on old characters; we can watch Prince Anduin Wrynn continue to mature into a hero, aid the only uncorrupted black dragon Wrathion protect the world as atonement for his father Deathwing’s deeds, or see what happens to Archbishop Voss’s daughter Lillian Voss as she comes to terms with her own horrifying undeath and takes on necromancers. Mists is truly an epic experience for players interested in storyline. The expansion of choices Perhaps for the first time in the game’s history, complaints have been streaming in about there being TOO MANY THINGS TO DO. Maintaining your farm, raising your cloud serpent from adorable hatchling to majestic adult,
running scenarios, normal, Heroic, and Challenge mode dungeons, Raid Finder, Normal raids, Heroic raids, and pet battles… to name a few. When asked for comment, Gordon said, “As a casual player going through dungeons and Raid Finder or a raider like me pushing upwards of 18 hours a week of raid time, it is impossible to run out of things to do.” Content release Mists was released almost a full year after the last patch of Cataclysm, during which many became bored of the single new raid.
Mists of Pandaria is doing much to fix this problem. As mentioned before, the second patch is almost out now. Furthermore, the three starting raids were “gated” meaning that they were opened one at a time. In this way, players are not rushed through 16 bosses then left with nothing to do for several months, but have frequent mini-patches. Mists has the potential to be the greatest expansion of all time -- so why not join?
The lush Jade Forest is home to many races, some peaceful and some rather warlike. Notice the Pandaren monastery halfway up a mountain. Photo courtesy of Alex Chong from World of Warcraft
PAW PRINT March 2013 A new Girls Soccer age is dawning Mad decent bracket party By Naomi Frankel Staff Writer
By Patrick Hurd Staff Writer
The girls are beginning to gather their equipment in anticipation of their upcoming games. Photo by Naomi Frankel This spring season rings in not only new sports, but in the case of soccer, a new coaching staff. The biggest change to the program came at the beginning of the year with the decision by Mr. Kuchii and Mr. Escobar to not reclaim the mantle of girls varsity soccer coaches. They will instead be taking over the freshman team. This will mark a change for them from five practices a week to two or three. When asked how she felt about their decision, Sophie Goethals ‘15 said, “I am devastated that they have chosen to abandon me in my time of greatest need, in this crucial hour of development as a
soccer player.” Ante Cop, assisted by his wife, will be taking over Payton’s varsity team. Originally from Croatia, he is currently the men’s coach at Robert Morris University. Ante is familiar with Payton, because he led the junior varsity girls to a city victory last year. One of his players from Robert Morris, Gordy, will be taking over the JV team with hopes of continuing their impressive record from last year. Taylor Mott ‘13 said, “The sentiment on the team is everyone is excited for the oncoming season.”
Sailing Club spring training update By Edis Gradjan Staff Writer
Well, it’s March again, and the college basketball season is coming to a close. As teams conclude their conference tournaments, all eyes turn to the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament. This is always an exciting time of year for both basketball fanatics and the casual viewer, and one reason for this is the very popular bracket process in which the viewer fills out their guesses of the winners of all ninety (ninety two including the new “First Four” round) games, often in competition with family or friends. Even if you do not know much about college basketball, I would still recommend that you at least fill out a bracket, because it often adds to the excitement of the games you are watching. Not that you will need any extra excitement this year, because this year’s tournament is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling in a long
time. Unlike in years past, this year there is no clear front runner, and there have already been more upsets than I can count. This year, the number one ranked team in the nation was upset four weeks in a row, and a team without a conference win took down the fourth ranked team in the country. With all of these upsets, you might be wondering if there will be any surprises in the tournament. If you’re looking for the Cinderella story of the year, you don’t have to go far. Located just 138 miles away, the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana could possibly shock the nation. Coming into the tournament at around a ninth seed, this Illinois team, led by sharpshooting seniors D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul, has the ability to get hot quick, and if they are hitting their shots, there is no team in the country that can stop them. Another team to watch out for
The sailing club lost a key member in Payton graduate Allison Rendon ‘12, and the team is looking for replacements. Any individuals who have been near or in water should try out for the team. Yusuf Mallick, who is the crew for the team, jokingly said, “If you’ve ever drank water, you can come try out, we’re very welcoming and patient.” It is going to be a tough season for the club, as they are a part of the Midwest Inter Scholastic Sailing Association varsity division, but most members are optimistic for the upcoming season.
is North Carolina State. They have struggled recently, losing six games in a row at one point, and will most likely go into the tournament ranked worse than they should be. This means that they have a good chance at breaking quite a few brackets this year.
By Peter Bied Staff Writer
This year’s Payton-Jones water polo team is on the hunt for some wins. They started grueling strength and conditioning training mid- February, right after the boys swim season ended. It would seem that all that hard work paid off: for the first time in Payton-Jones history, the girls deftly defeated Latin, our main rival. Rebecca Sudworth ‘15 scored a whopping five points, and Marlee Nork ‘15, Priscilla Lavagnolli ‘13, and Jones senior Samantha Blumenthal scored one goal each. Goalkeeper Maisie Anrod ‘15 made an impressive 10 saves, and blocked a key penalty shot. Latin was kept at bay by defenders Anna Miller ‘14, Samantha Kosloske ‘14 (Jones), and Skylnn Gamino ’14 (Jones). The boys defeated Von Steuben 9-6 at Northeastern Illinois Uni-
Water polo is a team sport that mixes the best aspects of soccer, basketball, and hockey. Photo courtesy of fotopedia.com versity. Joe Spadoro ‘13 claimed 5 of the 9 goals. Michael Kelly ‘13 and Alex Girovich ‘13 both scored in style with impressive backhand and spin moves, respectively. Mason Randle ‘13 guarded the goal, putting himself between the ball and the back of the net. The water polo team needs
PP: What first sparked your interest in volleyball? AB: “My freshman year I tried to get on the track team, but according to their coach, there weren’t enough spots, so I tried out for volleyball instead.” PP: What is the highlight about being a captain? AB: “Getting to lead the team both on the court and in practice.” PP: What is your personal approach on leading the team? AB: “I try to keep everyone motivated and focus on the team’s short term and long term goals.” PP: Do you plan on playing the sport next year in college? AB: “Possibly, it depends on where I go to school.”
students to help ensure the homegames at Roberto Clemente run smoothly. They are looking for students to be statisticians, score keepers, managers, or media specialists. Service hours are available. Contact Mrs.Bertoni, Michael Kelly, Joe Spadoro, or Anna Miller for more information.
2013 NBA All-Star Game Recap By Theodore Mason Staff Writer
By Clare Calkins Staff Writer Man the sailboats; sailing season is in full swing. Photo courtesy of Peter Bied
Mad hops for March Madness: Sam Kelly ’13 soars to the hoop. Photo by Patrick Hurd
A revealing look at Payton water polo
Talking to the Captain: Alex Bresler
Walter Payton’s Sailing Club is starting its spring training program. The team is meeting on a regular basis to discuss tactics, and go over club commitments. Veteran players Peter Bied, Wade Wagner, and Yusuf Mallick have all been working out to get back in shape for the upcoming season. Most members are doing a lot of cardiovascular workouts like running, swimming, and cycling to prepare for the rigors that come with sailing. The club is encouraging younger players to come to the Chicago Yacht Club after school on Tuesdays if they are interested in joining the club.
Sports
Alex Bresler ‘13 practices his setting in the gym. Photo by Clare Calkins
The 2013 NBA All Star game spotlighted the Western Conference Team as they defeated the Eastern Conference 143-138. Kevin Durant led the west in scoring with 30 points, but Chris Paul was the most valuable player. His unselfishness and unique player traits got him 20 points, 15 assists, and 4 steals. He set up nice dunks for his partner Blake Griffin and they made the LA Clippers look good as Blake put up 19 points. With Chris Paul and the West’s other All-Stars, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, James Harden, Tony Parker, Russell Westbrook, Dwight Howard and Lee working together as a unit, almost every player was involved and able to get on the board. Illustration courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org
12 l Fun Stuff
Student hot seat: an interview with Leo Pelligrini By Alyssa Estrada Staff Writer
Paw Print: What’s the most bizarre dream you’ve ever had? Leo Pelligrini: “I once had this dream where this golf ball floated and took people’s faces away.” PP: If you could be on a reality show which would it be and why? LP: “I think Survivor because that seems really fun.” PP: Who’s your teacher crush? LP: “My teacher crush is Mr. Barge. All the way. He’s cute.” PP: What’s your favorite thing about riding the CTA? LP: “The weird people.” PP: What do you look for in a girl or guy? LP: “A good personality…I don’t know. Good music taste. Someone that is very timely because if they show up late then I’ll get angry.” PP: Would you rather be on the cover of People Magazine for being the Most Influential Man in the World or Sexiest Man in the World? And why? LP: “I’d pick sexiest because I feel like influential would be going down the wrong path. I would say maybe most influential. I don’t know. I just gave you both answers. Undecided.” PP: What’s your interpretation of the Harlem Shake?
This new column will answer the social questions of the Payton student body. If you have a question for me, there is a shoe box in the lunchroom to which you can anonymously submit it. Keyword “anonymously.” Ask away. Q 1. “Spring break is coming up and I know that all of my friends are going to have really fun parties, especially on Friday and Saturday nights, but my parents don’t allow me to go out on weekends because I go to Greek school. How can I stay relevant in the social scene without letting people
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LP: “It’s like a tribal mating dance.” PP: What’s the most unique experience you’ve had? LP: “I flew on an airplane with Vince Vaughn and the movie [playing on board] was Dodgeball and we were all like ‘WOOO’. I walked past him once. It was crazy.” PP: What do you do in your free time? LP: “I sleep a lot. I’m not a very interesting person. I ride my bike, and I sleep. But, not at the same time.” PP: Do you have any weird quirks? LP: “I Photoshop my friends’ faces onto weird things.”
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Leo Pellegrini recounts his favorite things. Photo by Alyssa Estrada
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By Josh Ortiz Staff Writer
Ask Grizabella Q. Wells
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The Dude, a decade and a half later It has been 15 years since the Coen brother’s cult classic hit, “The Big Lebowski” arrived in American theaters. Yet there is something about this movie that distinguishes it from others in the same category -- “The Big Lebowski,” along with the Dude, has developed into a real cult, one that has taken various forms. In these 15 years, “The Big Lebowski” has helped define the differences between a cult following and being an actual cult. Upon its initial release on March 6, 1998, the movie was not deemed a large success. It did poorly in sales and failed to garner consistently positive reviews. Jeff Bridges -- who worked with John Goodman and Steve Buscemi in exceptional supporting roles -- played the film’s anti-hero protagonist, the Dude.
PAW PRINT March 2013
2 Not fooled by 3 Dough 4 Wing it 5 Modern day country home to many a pirate's cove 6 Suffixes with consul 7 Branch of Islam 8 Son of William the Conqueror 9 Sierpinski triangle et al. 10 Zelda's savior 11 Spanish bear 12 ___ alert 13 Suffix with hex21 ___ Rio, Tex. 22 Library refs. 25 Val d'___ (French ski resort) 26 Hell of a guy? 27 "This is only ___" 29 Ice cream amts. 30 Wombs 31 Part of a baseball 32 Alpha's counterpart 33 "M*A*S*H" clerk
34 Like an August wind 35 Former jets to J.F.K. 39 Big trouble 41 "___ bad!" 44 Absorbed 46 Neither here nor there? 49 Image that stays with you 50 UV ray-blocking stat 54 Computing unit that cost $1.1 billion in 1961 but only $1 in 2000 55 Hot spot 56 Button on the original iPod 57 Israel's Olmert 58 Carmen (1984) director 59 James of "The Godfather" 60 ___ out (ignore) 61 Dolt 62 Cavaliers, on a scoreboard 63 ___ & Jerry
Crossword courtesy of Joe Lothan ‘12 Despite its slow start, the Dude eventually began to take over. The shaggy hair, the dark sunglasses, the bathrobe over a plain t shirt and boxers, his sandals and of course, the bowling ball infiltrated not only Halloween shops around the world, but media in all forms. Soon, not only teenagers with the munchies were taking notes on the Dude. After revisiting the movie, reviews became more positive and interest in the movie increased exponentially. Starting from “consumption” games whenever “dude” was spoken aloud, to annual Lebowski festivals in major cities across the world -- Chicago’s reportedly being among the most ridiculous -- Lebowski has evolved from its humble beginnings as a late night movie into a social-cultural powerhouse… But it doesn’t stop
there. These festivals make sense given the large-scale influence the movie has enjoyed; but what proves to be more interesting is the religion —yes, a legitimate religion — that the Dude has inspired. The Church of the Latter-Day Dude, founded in 2005, has as-
know I’m too lame to go to parties?”
GQW. Drink non-alcoholic beer, non-alcoholic vodka, or any nonalcoholic alcohol. High school students are always saying “But you don’t understand, if I don’t drink, I won’t be cool.” You know what I say to that? Maybe if you don’t drink, you will be cool.
GQW. If there’s one thing that people like more than a party animal, it’s someone who is too dark and mysterious to party with his or her classmates. The most effective solution is to make up cool, above-it-all friends. Q 2. “What activities can I do on St. Patty’s Day that don’t involve alcohol? I live right next to a bar, and everyone looks like they’re having fun, but, as I’m sure you know, underage drinking is a selfish and illegal act.”
similated all of the carefree, easy going, flow-abiding characteristics that Jeff Bridges injected into the Dude back in his 1998 portrayal. Suddenly, “The Big Lebowski” became a source of theological study and intellectual fervor. Diverse scholars have unearthed
Q 3. “Everyone has predicted my boyfriend and I won’t last through spring break. How can I avoid this? Is it just meant to be??” GQW. More than likely, yes. If it’s meant to be, it will be. It’s destiny. Namaste.
the parallels to Jesus Christ and Buddhism and the intricate connections to other religions are evident throughout. Perhaps the most encompassing, the Dude takes inspiration from Lao-Tzu, taking the Taoist philosophy and updating it for modern times. Finding happiness in simple actions, appreciating a small circle of close friends, and doing one’s best to maintain the positive vibes with nature and society aren’t by any means new. Yet many tend to pass over the Dude’s legitimacy as a prophet of sorts due to his “bum” appearance and “loser” like lifestyle. Whether he is a “lamedvavnik” — one of 36 souls who, according to Kabbalistic tradition, encompass purity and righteousness at any given moment — or simply another victim of the post counterculture revolution, the Q 4. “If I get new clothes over spring break, should I wait until the second day back to wear them? Is it hype to wear them the first day back?” GQW. Absolutely not. If I were you, I would wear all of my new clothes, in layered form, the first day back. It’s a great way to show people that you’re hip and with it, and shop at all the right places. Maybe even leave the tags on, so everyone knows exactly how much money you spent. It will really add to your personal style. You’ll be the best dressed in no time.
Dude continues to inspire both the physical and the metaphysical. One might ultimately think that March 6 being dedicated as “The Day of the Dude” is a bit extreme. Or one might believe that thousands of Dude look-alikes spending the day mixing bowling and effortless debauchery holds no symbolic significance. One might even be inclined to assume that the Dude disciples -known as Dudeists -- cannot possibly produce a resurgence of Taoist beliefs and teachings. And in the end, one might consider “The Big Lebowski” to be blasphemous, an impossible source for any theology or scholarly material… “but yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, [their] opinion, man.”