May 17, 2012
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Spr ing Pag Sport e3 s
Spring, 2012
Civil Rights Activists Galore at PHS
The diverse student body of PHS has recently hosted two prominent international civil rights activists, Unity Dow and Wael Nawara.
By HANNAH CARLSON (‘13) Unity Dow, the first female judge of Botswana’s High Court, came to Portland on March 27th to speak at USM. In the afternoon, she stopped at the PHS library and gave students the chance to talk to her. Mayor Michael Brennan presented Dow with his first key to the city. He described her as, “a leader to her country and a leader around the world.” At the conclusion of the ceremony Ms. Shmitt gave Dow a Portland Bulldogs t-shirt. In addition to being a judge of Botswana’s High Court, Unity Dow is a mother, author, member of the International Women’s Rights Watch, and a co-founder of the AIDS Action Trust and the Woman and Law in Southern Africa Research Project. She has published five books, including Saturday Is for Funerals, which addresses the AIDS problem in Botswana. The World Health Organization in 2000 estimated that 85% of fifteen-year-olds in Botswana would die of AIDS, but with medication this number has greatly decreased today. Botswana, a country that is only fortyfive years old and the size of France, also has an economy on the rise. In 1966 the
Botswana is located in the heart of the southern half of Africa (above). Mayor Brennan hands Dow here key to the city (right) (Quinn Lavigne).
Dow speaks with PHS students in the library on March 27th (Bangor Daily News). country was one of the poorest in the world, with no running water or electricity. The country Dow grew up in has changed Egyptian drastically in comparison with the one it is today. Now there are more educational opActivist portunities, including government scholarWael Nawara ships that send students to study out of the Page 2 country. Dow went to school in Botswana, Swaziland, and Edinburgh, England. Spring Sports Preview, Dow’s accomplishments are varied, but Page 3 she cites, besides the birth of her daughter, Along with “Gone” Review, Page 4 Please see DOW, page 2 Maine State Academic Decathlon Coverage, Page 5 PHS Faculty Advice, Page 6 Photo Club President: Quinn Lavigne, Page 7 PHS Environmental Club, Page 8 PHS/DHS Anatomy of Leadership Coverage, Page 9 Computer Solutions, Page 10 PHS Talent Show Review, Page 11 Drama Club’s One Act: The Other Room, Page 12 “Four Danes and A Set of Twins”, Page 13 “The Curious Savage”, Page 14
In This Edition
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DOW
being most proud of peace-building and “making people stay together. I like people, and working with people,” she said. Her ultimate goal is to become the president of Botswana. Dow says her greatest obstacle has been “attitude, attitude, attitude... The view of women [of women in her country] is that they should be quieter, nicer, and not ask too many questions.” Ms. Dow has certainly broken boundaries and set precedents for others to follow. After becoming the first judge of the High Court, more women have followed her lead, indeed. Dow wrote a decision in 2006 upholding the right of Bushmen of Botswana to keep their land and hunt game in a nature preserve. When asked how she has had time to accomplish so much, Dow responded, “I’ve had time. My whole life there has been support and role models around me. I could do anything. No job is beneath me; if it could feed me...believe in
Safe to say, Ms. Dow enjoyed conversing with the students of PHS (Bangor Daily News). you, nothing is impossible.”
Egyptian Renaissance Man: Wael Nawara Wael Nawara is an educator, an economist, a protester, a politician, and most of all a human rights activist.
By CHARLIE GAUVIN (‘14) On Friday, March 9th in room 304, Mr. Wael Nawara delivered an outstanding lecture to Portland’s Global Studies Certificate Program, several social studies classes, and teachers. It was a privilege to have been in Mr. Nawara’s presence. PHS graduate Mikhaila Fogel, organized the event. Mr. Nawara is an Egyptian politician and human rights activist, who played an important organizational role in Egypt’s revolution against Dictator Hosni Mubarak. Mr. Nawara appeared to be very enthusiastic in his address to the students, discussing mat-
Egypt is located in the northeast corner of Africa (above). Mr. Nawara was a passionate speaker (right) (Andrew Cullen).
ters involving the political status of Middle Eastern countries following the Arab Spring, his own professional background, his part in the uprising against Mubarak, and the revolution itself – particularly the role that social networking and the internet played in it. The students and teachers paid rapt attention as Mr. Nawara touched on issues that transcended Egypt, or even the Arab Spring. He spoke about the challenges that Egypt’s educational system faced, and how
it was affected by the momentous governmental and social shift in Egypt and how it would cope and move forward. He also addressed the transition from a dictatorship to democracy, and how the Egyptian party leaders, military, and citizens would each play a role in this change, and whether it was even possible. He even broadened his focus from Egypt, pointing out that the functioning of the United States’ government was not entirely smooth sailing, and Please see Nawara, page 3
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wisely drew the conclusion, “Democracy is not a destination; it is a journey in and of itself.” After his lecture, Mr. Nawara seemed impressed by the thoughtfulness and rel-
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2012, Page 3 evance in each of the questions that he was asked by his audience. He gave equally thoughtful and insightful answers and even stayed afterwards to converse with the Arabic-speaking students in their native tongue. The fact that such an internationally recognized figure not only would agree to come to Portland High School, but would be impressed by and engaged with the students with whom he spoke to (in two dif-
Spring Sports Preview
ferent languages, no less) says much about the diversity and intelligence of PHS’s student body. One of the major points of his address to the students was that the power to change our world rests within each and every one of us as he witnessed in his country’s great accomplishment over the last year. One can be sure that such an inspirational and knowledgeable figure would not be mistaken about such an assertion.
Ryan is not the only senior that will have a major impact on the Bulldogs playoff chances. Anthony Bowden, Seamus Kilbride, and Jason Webster will try to lead the team to a state championship in their final year of their high school lacrosse careers. Drew Barry will return for her junior season as the star of the girls’ lacrosse team that will try to contend for a playoff spot, thanks to a lot of depth and young talent.
As always, the majority of sports teams at PHS have postseason expectations and this spring season is sure to not disappoint. By OWEN PENCE (‘14) 2011 was what some may have considered a rebuilding year for Portland High School spring sports, but in 2012, the Bulldogs are looking to do some major damage in the playoffs of numerous sports. On the baseball diamond, the Bulldogs will field a team with seven returning starters from last year. Caleb Fraser will enjoy his second season as Portland’s number one pitcher, with Nate Smart, coming off a season shortening arm injury last year, as the number two hurler. Nick Volger will also return to try and top his impressive sophomore season in which he was named one of the best utility players in the state. With a balanced lineup top to bottom, and a strong freshman class, a deep playoff run is not out of the question for the Bulldogs.
Junior Drew Barry will provide the girls’ lax team with fantastic speed (Quinn Lavigne). On the tennis courts, a strong influx of freshman talent, led by King Middle School standout Curran Clere, as well as a bundle of upperclassman, will be very dangerous as they try to top Deering and Cheverus to become the strongest tennis team in Portland. Isaac Jaegerman will return as the number one singles player. Portland also boasts some very talented Rugby players under the coaching of our own Mr. Frenzilli. Nate Porter and John Toohey lead a very strong class of seniors as some of the best rugby Please see SPORTS, page 4
Junior Captain Nick Volger makes a swiping tag (PPH). Meanwhile, Portland’s Boys Lacrosse Team should be a favorite to win the Western Class A championships after a devastating loss in the first round of the 2011 playoffs. Ryan Jergelevich will try to build on his impressive junior season as the Bulldogs goalie.
Senior Isaac Jaegerman rockets a serve (PPH).
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players in the city. After struggling last season, the future looks bright for Portland High School’s Girls’ Softball Team. Sophomores Cassandra Kennie and Kelly Walsh, among others, already have a year of
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2012, Page 4 experience and should be ready to make the team into a contender in the next few years. Here in 2012, the Bulldogs are ready to reap the benefits of last year’s rebuilding seasons. Portland poses major threats to all of the schools in Western Class A as we begin our quest for a state championship. And this year, the idea of a state championship for the Bulldogs is not far-fetched by any stretch of the imagination.
The rough and tough rugby boys, left (Taylor Theriault) and pitcher Cassandra Kennie, right (PPH).
Movie Review: Gone
If you’re looking for an opportunity to get out of the heat and see a movie, Gone may be the movie for you. By OLIVIA WARNER (‘13) “No one believes her. Nothing will stop her.” This is the tag-line we are given at the beginning of the movie Gone, and it is true. Gone, follows the story of an escaped young girl, Jill Parrish, who was abducted prior to the start of the movie’s time frame. Jill has had a long battle with the police, trying to get them to believe her, and prove to them that she is not crazy. While Jill works a late shift at a restaurant, her sister, Molly, is abducted by the same man who abducted her. Jill’s world goes upside down again. In the race to find her sister, Jill rushes around town finding clues and reliving her own frightening abduction experience. Amanda Seyfried plays Jill Parrish, and the movie includes many actors and actresses from well known movies and TV shows, such as Dexter, Gossip Girl, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, and Rescue Me. Heitor Dhalia directs the movie, which plays for an hour and thirty five minutes. Although predictable to a usual thriller movie watcher, it was filled with quite a few plot twists near the end. Gone was a perfect movie to pass the time, but it was not a good show for someone wanting more character development. So if you’re looking for a good movie, with credible acting, and a quick unpredictable ending, Gone is the perfect movie for you.
(IMDB)
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PHS Students Compete in the State of Maine Academic Decathlon
Although the end of winter time for many Bulldogs means sports playoffs and championships, for the members of the Academic Decathlon team, it means lots of testing and even more fun.
By CHARLIE GAUVIN (‘14) This year, nine PHS students represented Portland High at the annual State of Maine Academic Decathlon. The students were Quinn Lavigne, Ella Purington, Brett O’Kelly, Jessie LupicaNowlin, Amanda Gould, Kate Suslovic, Sophie Salomon, Chip Weber, and Charlie Gauvin. Miss Amanda and Mrs. Maryann Pendleton coached the team. Academic Decathlon is a competition among Maine high schools based on the testing competitors’ knowledge in a variety of fields with a specific thematic umbrella. The students are given materials to study in math, science, history, literature, art, and music. The material, excluding mostly
math, science, and music, focused on the theme of “The Age of Empires”. This material included the colonization by European powers of countries all over the world, and ranged from about the fifteenth to twentieth century. The competition consisted of a series of tests, each one focusing on a different field of the material studied. The students also had to write a timed essay prior to the competition, which was counted with their final score. The essay, as well as parts of the literature test during the competition, was based on Joseph Conrad’s The Heart of Darkness, a novel that the students had to read as part of their preparation for the contest. This classic novel tells the story of an English sailor who is sent up the Congo River and sees firsthand the effects of colonization on both the natives and the Europeans. Conrad used the book to send a political, anti-colonization message, and it was little wonder that it was required reading for Academic Decathlon. Please see DECATHLON, page 6
The team stands with Principle Deborah Migneault after their award winning performance on March 3rd (Quinn Lavigne).
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The months of studying for the decathletes was done in preparation for, (excluding the essay,) the final and only competition at Deering High School on Saturday,
Senior Brett O’Kelly signals that he has answered a question correctly in the Super Quiz round of the competition (PPH).
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2012, Page 6 March 3rd. The Portland team arrived at Deering early in the morning, and after an introductory assembly in the gym, a fire alarm, breakfast, and some last minute studying, the students finally went to their designated classrooms for the first of many tests to be taken over the course of the day. The Portland team’s performance was stellar; each member’s score card reflected consistently positive results, and each student excelled in one field or another. At the end of the day, Portland was awarded this year’s most improved team, placing sixth out of the fifteen schools at the competition. Sophie Salomon won a silver medal in the speech event, in which students had to write a three minute argument speech, and compose a speech on a given topic impromptu. Kate Suslovic won a bronze medal in the interview event. She also earned a medal of distinction for scoring the most points of any PHS team member. Sophie Salomon and Brett O’Kelly were mentioned in an article that appeared in the Portland Press Herald covering the competition. The topic for next year’s Academic
Decathlon is Russia, and students who are interested in competing are encouraged to join the team as Portland will look to continue its steady improvement in the coming competition year.
The team’s hard work paid off in the end (Quinn Lavigne).
PHS Faculty Offer Advice...to Themselves
It’s always a great idea to ask a member of the PHS Faculty for some advice, but few students know what those same faculty members would have given themselves for advice when they were back in high school. By ELEANOR ALTHOLZ (‘14) One of my favorite pieces to read in magazines is the interesting portion when a celebrity is asked to write a letter to him or herself as a teenager, giving him or herself advice. As a high-schooler, it seems as though your entire life hangs on every minute of the day. What adults always seem to say, however, is that those years are only four years out of a life that can be filled with adventure and fun. Reading the sentiments expressed in those letters puts my high school life in perspective, which is a relief every once in a while. Inspired by these reflections, I decided to ask some of our teachers what they would say to their high-school selves. Some responses were brief, some were expansive, but the overall consensus seemed to be: ‘don’t hold back,
have fun, and follow your dreams.’ This is a sampling of what our teachers had to say: Ms. DaPonte - Math, Room 134: “I would say study your passion, and don’t
Ms. DaPonte: “Buy Apple Stock!” (Charles Weber).
worry about majoring in something that is going to find you a lucrative job because you may not end up doing that anyway, so study your passion instead. Quit smoking earlier. Be more involved in things outside of school. Buy Apple stock the minute you hear about it. I really liked my high school, so that’s good. I don’t have anything to say about like ‘Don’t worry about what other people say . . .’ because I didn’t really care then. Be more active. Later on you will like step aerobics. You can take that up sooner. I did nothing in high school that involved any physical activity at all.” Mr. Deniso - Math, Room 231: “I think I would’ve read more. I would have read more and taken English class more seriously.” Mr. Frenzilli - Earth Science, Room 307: “Could I thank myself for heeding the advice of the adults in my life at that time, both family friends and teachers, who basically showed me the values of respect, responsibility, time management, courtesy? Please see ADVICE, page 7
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All these things I carried on through the rest of my life. I mean, obviously, I had some down times along the way, but in high school what I learned from my teachers and from the people around me I think really had a lot to do with where I am today, and I’m extremely grateful for those people and the time that they put in for me doing that. I would write that, probably a hundred more times.” Ms. Harkins - Math, Room 230: “I would tell myself to be less shy and not worry so much about what other people think.” Ms. Wike - Assistant Principal, Main Office: “If I knew then, what I know now, it would be to really focus on getting your education and having fun at the same time,
Mr. Frenzilli offers some more heartfelt advice (Charles Weber).
Quinn Lavigne: Photographer and President
One of Portland High’s more unique Bulldogs is Junior Quinn Lavigne, the president of the very popular photography club.
By ELIANA FINBERG (‘14) Quinn Lavigne, president of the Photo Club, advised by Ms. Keyes, really enjoys running the club. Laughing, she said, “Yes, I like being in charge… just a little”. Surrounded by cameras her whole life, Quinn mentioned that her mother somehow managed to capture Quinn’s entire childhood on film. Aside from her mother’s influence, Quinn’s strongest inspiration in photography is probably Ansel Adams because of the sharp contrast that he achieves with his use of blacks and whites in his works. This year is Quinn’s second year at being the president of the club. She is a junior at PHS and has been in the club since her freshman year, when a senior friend of hers forced her to join, and she’s really glad that she did. Each year the Portland High School Photo Club opens a student gallery displaying all of the club’s members’ photos in a downtown Portland location. Liquid Lens was the name of this year’s gallery with a water theme. “Choosing photos and deciding which ones will fit best together and achieve a cohesive group of photos
and trying to balance it out, so that you learn to be a really solid adult, and you learn to be able to make the pathway that you really want to make.” Ms. Jackson - Math, Room 134: “Have more fun. That would’ve been my advice to myself. Have more fun because I studied, studied, studied. That’s what I would say.” We all know that high school is a rocky four years. Everyone enters as a kid and comes out as a strong adult, and there are many experiences and hardships that help to shape that transformation. These were a few thoughts that the teachers I interviewed wanted to highlight, but everyone has different challenges. As much as we teenagers hate to hear it, our teachers really were our age once, and now, after hearing from them, we have the knowledge that they wish they could have had at that time in their lives. Just more valuable lessons they have taught us this year.
that have an underlying theme” is the most difficult part of putting together the gallery, according to Quinn. This year, as each student took pictures, he or she used the theme of water as an inspiration. Then each photographer selected up to five of their favorites and emailed them to Quinn. These submissions were reviewed with a projector. Everyone voted on each and every one of the students’ pictures until all contributing members of the Photo Club had two selections printed and framed for the show. And one was printed for the portfolio. It was a long process, but after months of preparation everything was ready! Please see LAVIGNE, page 8
Quinn is always looking for novel angles from where to take photos (Quinn Lavigne).
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The gallery event took place on Friday, April 6 from 5pm to 8pm at 3Fish Gallery on Cumberland Avenue. A live jazz group complemented the show’s opening. Many students attended the show and assisted with the sale of framed pictures for $35 and portfolio pictures for $10. Many friends and family were also in attendance. Don’t worry! If you missed it this year, there will be another gallery next year. Quinn especially likes that the photographer is able to be himself or herself, and still try to sell their work, just like most professional artists. “The gallery is a showcase of the club’s hard work,” says Quinn. “It gives students a sense of being in the Portland First Friday Art-Walk community. It [the gallery] shows kids what it’s like to be an artist in Portland, Maine.”
One of Quinn’s photos of a water lily that was featured in the club’s annual gallery this year on April 6th (Quinn Lavigne).
PHS Environmental Club Thanks to the PHS Environmental Club, led by Ms. Martin,
the community and even the world is a much more healthy and green place to live in. By ELEANOR ALTHOLZ (‘14) One of the many great aspects about Portland High School is that there is a club or team for practically everyone. Whether it’s Photo Club, Math Team, or Key Club, there are many clubs in the school that allow students to explore, outside of school hours, a subject that they love. One of these interesting clubs is the Environmental Club, which has been in action for more than twenty years. The club meets every Tuesday after school for an hour or more and discusses ways to make Portland High and the surrounding community a greener and healthier place. Supervised by biology teacher Ms. Martin in room 334, the club works on projects throughout the year which benefit both the school and the community, and even reaches out to other parts of the world. Ms. Martin described the club’s mission as, “trying to create a greater awareness within the Portland High School community of what it means to be sustainable, to move our community in a more sustainable direction, and to increase our global competence, so that we understand what’s going on in other places in the world and that we develop compassion for them and understand how it’s all linked.” Within the school, students see the work of the Environmental Club daily in the cafeteria, where they have set up a station with many different bins in which to recycle all different types of plastics, cans and bottles, and food waste that may be composted. Please see ENVIRONMENTAL, page 9
Ms. Martin has been tremendously instrumental in making the club so successful as it is today (Charles Weber).
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“We’re trying to do projects that basically benefit the environment, and specifically make Portland High School greener,” said Jeremy Ravenelle, a sophomore who is a member of the club. Another major project the club has been working on for many years is the installation of a green roof at Portland High. That project is where Ms. Martin’s expertise plays an instrumental role. “There’s a lot of bureaucratic and political stuff that we deal with in trying to create change,” she said. She usually lets the students in the club run things on their own, but at times she has to step in to back up their ideas and initiatives at the school. Making Portland High greener is an important goal, and it does not come cheaply. The biggest project that the Environmental Club works on each year is promoting the Day of Hunger at Portland High. This annual day of fasting raises money for Heifer International, a foundation that allows people to donate money for families in impoverished countries who are struggling with feeding themselves to buy livestock or seeds. On the Heifer web site, one can choose from many different things to buy for a family, whether it is livestock, such as llamas, ducks, sheep, a water buffalo, or plants, such as trees or garden seeds and supplies. Students may also buy packages that have a selection of a few helpful items. Every year, the Environmental Club raises money with the Day of Hunger, and the club decides what they would like to buy through Heifer International. This year, the club raised more than $600 dollars, enough to buy a few different animals. Heifer also tries to educate people living in these impoverished areas about the importance of the environment. “If people are extremely poor, they have to just do what they have to do,” Jeremy said. “As people are able to learn more, they can understand their impact on the environment, and know how reducing
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2012, Page 9 their impact helps them and everyone else.” Overall, the most satisfying result for the twenty-one members of the club, and for Ms. Martin as well, is knowing that they are actively helping to make change at Portland High, and in the community to benefit the environment. “I’ve always had a reverence for nature and it’s one of the reasons I do what I do,” Ms. Martin said. Everyone in the club is passionate about the environment, and everyone is finding a way to contribute their skills and ideas. When asked what she would say to anyone interested in joining the club, Ms. Martin said: “They should definitely come to a meeting. If they have an interest in doing what they can to help poor people in other parts of the world, or and interest in trying to create a greener Portland High School. It’s good companionship and camaraderie. The more the merrier!”
This now familiar system of recycling, composting, and trash bins has helped to eliminate much of the cafeteria’s waste (Charles Weber).
Anatomy of Leadership and IDEXX Labs Team Up
The prestigious group of students who took part in the Anatomy of Leadership Program this year are reaping the benefits of working with professionals from IDEXX Laboratories. By EMILY BURTON Every year twenty exceptional students from Portland High School and Deering High School are chosen to participate in the Anatomy of Leadership program. Ms. and Mrs. Pendleton from PHS, and Mr. Pisani and Mr. Gordon from DHS are the mentors. The purpose of Anatomy of Leadership is for the students to learn the leadership principles of Dr. Peter Senge, an MIT professor and
(IDEXX.com)
the author of The Fifth Discipline, and to apply his concepts in a real world experience and to strengthen individual leadership qualities while working with a team of peers. This year Anatomy of Leadership has partnered up with IDEXX, the global market leader in diagnostics and information technology solutions for animal health and water and milk quality. IDEXX headquarters is located in Westbrook, and there are more than 60 locations over the world. In February, the Anatomy of Leadership students went on a field trip to the IDEXX headquarters in Westbrook. Students were organized into six groups, and were introduced to the employees with whom they would be working. Then the groups were given tours of the company. Students were able to see how one of IDEXX’s most profitable items, the snap test, was assembled with their state of the art technology. They were able to compare IDEXX’s new “collaborative workspace” to a typical office setting of cubicles and meeting rooms. Also, they were given demonstrations of the Please see ANATOMY, page 10
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special types of medical computer systems IDEXX makes, and were able to see how a large company works. After the tours, everyone was treated to a delicious lunch, and then they got down to business. Each of the six groups was assigned different case studies and introduced to IDEXX employees who would be their mentors. A case study is a detailed analysis of an internal challenge. All of the six case studies assigned to the groups are challenges IDEXX is facing. The goal is for the students to work with each other as a group to find different solutions to these problems and then present their findings to IDEXX in early April. One group’s case study is to promote IDEXX’s new collaborative workspace. Most large companies have a system of cubicles and offices for their employees. Usually, a company employee is assigned a cubicle with no window, and as this person is promoted, his or her office space improves. An employee may move from a cubicle without a window to a cubicle with a window, then, to an office room, and then finally, to an office room with windows. Collaborative workspace is much different. There are no walls separating employees; desks and workspaces are in small clusters throughout the room. Some employees have their own station, and there are “nomad” stations, available for use by anyone. There are different desk configurations, some standing and some sitting. The students’ challenge is to advertise this new workspace to employees who may want to keep the traditional cubicle system and may be opposed to change. Another group’s case study is to help design a new gym. One of IDEXX’s goal as a company is to maintain a healthy and enjoyable work place. Many times, adults aren’t able to get enough exercise because
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2012, Page 10 they are at work all day and don’t have time to go to a gym. This group of students will help IDEXX conceptualize a modern and eco-friendly gym. They are looking at different types of equipment, workout classes, and even infinity pools. They are also creating a survey to ask the employees of IDEXX about their general health and what they would like to see in a gym. The students will then offer strategies to promote the gym so employees will want to use it. A third case study is to help employees that use the change control system to better understand their ownership of their changes and the interrelationships of the system. The Change Control System is just what it sounds like. It is a process which will help to control and regulate changes made in the company. It is a very complex system, not unlike the system used to pass bills in congress. When an employee comes up with an idea for a change, he or she sends it through the system. The change goes through product development, marketing, and other parts to see what it will take to make the
One of the combined DHS/PHS groups that would present their case study solutions to IDEXX officials (Charles Weber).
Teachers: Computer too slow?
By JEREMY RAVENELLE (‘14) Does your computer take so long to turn on that you never turn it off? There
change, and then it is sent to a committee who will either approve or deny the change. But there are many steps in between that can add up to sometimes over 100 steps. Sometimes there are communication breakdowns between steps, and the Originators, people who started the change, are not always well educated on what occurs. This group of students needs to create a visual model of how the change control system works and how the parts connect. They also need to suggest ways to create a shared vision among the users of the system. Those are just three examples of the types of case studies given to the Anatomy of Leadership students. Students have been meeting in their groups regularly to work on their projects, and last week made a second trip to IDEXX to talk more in depth with their advisors. In the coming weeks, students will be working as groups with the help of their supervisors to perfect their juried presentations to the IDEXX representative.
is a way to avoid the wait without wasting electricity! It is called hibernate. When you are ready to leave for the day, click Start-
shut down. When the box pops up, select hibernate from the drop down menu and click okay. When you return in the morning, simply press the power button, and the Please see HIBERNATE, page 11
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computer will be ready in about 30 seconds. That is all there is to it! You can even leave programs and documents open, they will be there when you get back.
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2012, Page 11 Just an easy way to save some energy and time (Charles Weber).
PHS Talent Show As evident in the March Talent Show, the student body at PHS is filled with talented musicians, dancers, and comedians.
By ANNETE DENEKAS (‘14) The Portland High School Annual Talent Show on March 8, 2012 offered a wide array of exciting performances for any fan of showbiz. Kicking the night off with a rousing performance was PHS’s own jazz band (featuring Tate Gale, Dexter Morse, Cody Cook, Joanna Quinn, Nick Thompson-Brown, Jake Lichter, and Jesse Lupica-Nowlin) and Will Chapman as a “special guest” singer, the band set the mood with “Moon Dance.” The audience also loved Mackenzie Marles and her nine-year-
the North” as his own original song. Other talented performers included Nyador Nguany, Hannah Smith, Bianca Abdalla, Mackenzie Marles, Justin Cedrone, and Devon Miller, who all sang A Cappella (without music). Ben Knop, Lucy Bauer, Haley Snyder, Katherine Miller, Samson Martin, Aaron Meehan, Quinn Bouwens, Owen Carten, and Angalee Reali sang with musical accompaniment. The pianists were Barry
Please see TALENT, page 12
Senior Will Chapman, above, plays and sings Jack Johnson’s “Constellations” (Will Chapman). Sophomore Jyllian Lizanecz, above right, plays Clementi’s “Sonatina” (Jyllian Lizanecz). Senior Angalee Reali, below right, sings Lady Gaga’s “You and I” while Senior Barry Quinn accompanies her on piano (Angalee Reali) old sister, who together sang Adele’s megahit “Someone Like You.” Will Chapman later joked, “if I could sing that well at age nine, I would be performing in the State Theater.” Midway through Act II, the Schwartz brothers’ rocked the house with a new take on a well-known Black Keys song, with Andrew on the drums and Jack jamming on the guitar and vocals. The song was a last minute choice and was not what they originally intended to play, but they performed it after the Black Keys concert at the Civic Center was a hit. The evening wrapped with an impressive performance by Anthony Lewis who presented “Pages From the North.” In addition to singing, playing the guitar and even knocking out a few bars on the harmonica, Anthony wrote and composed “Pages From
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Quinn, Sam Beaudet, and Jyllian Lizanecz. Guitarists included Samson Martin, Steven Tibbitts, Hannah Mermin, Will Chapman, Quinn Bouwens, and Owen Carten. Offering various dance performances were Thinavysen Thach, Elizabeth Bull, Sengmolicka Vuthy, Princess Hardy, and Tenessa Thomas. The evening’s hosts, Ella Purington and Malcolm Henry, added humor to the show with jokes, juggling, and imitations. Overall, the junior class did an outstanding job of putting the show together, and it was obvious that everyone in attendance found plenty to enjoy. Bravo!
PHS One Act: The Other Room
The PHS Drama Club has had great success in the past at the State One Act competition and this year’s production was sure to be no different. By ACY JACKSON (‘14) On the weekend of March 10, high school actors from all over Maine competed at different schools to perform in the One Act Competition. Annually held, the competition allows high schools to show off their talents in a fun weekend of theater, to meet new people, and to be as dramatically outrageous and funny as they want to be. Last year, Portland High School came in second place with George Orwell’s The Hitchhiker starring David Bliss. This year our school competed with Ariadne Blayde’s The Other Room. Before the competition, Gabe Walker, the lead, gave me a brief description, “The Other Room brings you into the mind of the autistic teenager, Austin. Revealed to the audience is Austin’s unique and very misunderstood mind as he has a conversation with his more popular classmate, Lily.” Gabe played Austin, the outcast, autistic teenager while Devon Miller played Lily. David Bliss, Owen Carten, Christian Yombe, and Christian Hodge played the different voices inside of Austin’s mind. Ben Knop played Lily’s boyfriend, whom the audience meets at the end of the show. The One Act Competition adheres to
Sophomore Samson Martin delivers Coldplay’s “The Scientist” (Samson Martin).
very strict guidelines when determining the qualifications for the show. The set itself must be arranged and broken down within a certain time frame. The show also must adhere to a strict time frame. I asked Gabe if he thought that The Other Room would take home the first prize. He responded, “Hopefully! We definitely have some serious competitors. I really like the show we chosen, and I feel confident in the cast.” This year, Portland competed at the Freeport High School Theater along with Falmouth High School and other high schools.
Senior Ellen Jewett, who will attend Yale next Fall, was extraordinary in her ability to direct such a complex production (Ellen Jewett).
I wanted to know how Gabe was responding to such an interesting role. He explained that he has learned a lot by working on this part and that he has a new respect for people with disabilities. He also explained how interesting the show was. “The show is funny and, at the same time, heartbreaking. It deals with serious issues, and made me think a lot about what I might have previously believed.” Not only is the cast’s performance an important factor for the winning school, but also the work of the crew and the director may give added points to a school’s score sheet. The Other Room is directed by Ellen Jewett, a senior. The judges at the competition awarded extra points to schools with student written and/or directed plays. The crew of the one act is also very important. They have to choreograph their placement of the set so that it will be quick and smooth. The set has to look good, but also it has to be able to be easily transported. Next year, if you are interested in helping our school be number one in not only sports, but also the Arts, there are a few options. Sign up for crew. Help with lights, sound, building, and putting up and the set. If you are not a person who would enjoy these endeavors, you could come and see the show. We are proud to recognize the accomplishments of Gabe Walker and Devon Miller, the two principals of our play who were voted to the All Festival Cast and Ellen Jewett, who received a Student Directing Commendation. Bravo, One Act cast and crew!
PHS Arts Scene
Four Danes and a Set of Twins
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2012, Page 13
Portland, being the popular arts community that it is, is home to a couple sure-to-be-hits Shakespeare productions this spring. By ACY JACKSON (‘14) Fueled by the words of a Ghost, Hamlet proceeds to seek revenge upon his stepfather, Clauduis. Considering the danger of being a woman in a strange town, Viola dresses like a man and becomes a page for a duke. These two plots lines were the basis for the Teen Shakespeare Festival on May 3rd-5th at the St. Lawrence Theater on Portland’s Munjoy Hill. Acorn’s Young Actors Shakespeare Conservatory (YASC) performed an adaptation of Hamlet called HamletS, and STAGES, the Performing Arts Academy for Kids, produced Twelfth Night. The festival is the brainchild of Stacey Koloski, co-owner of STAGES and co-director of Twelfth Night. She approached Mike Levine with her ideas, owner of Acorn and a teacher in the YASC. Mr. Levine coordinated a time, a place, and a production for YASC. The reward for all this consuming work was a festival featuring two acting companies, with different teaching styles, performing in tandem at the St. Lawrence Theater. Hamlet is the story of a Danish prince whose father dies and whose mother remarries her dead husband’s brother, Hamlet’s uncle, two months later. Hamlet hears from the ghost of his father that his uncle murdered him while he slept in the garden. The ghost demands that Hamlet avenge his father. Hamlet spends the rest of the time in the play debating whether or not to commit murder. Mike Levine adapted Hamlet into a story that takes place in Hamlet’s mind--his very confused mind. The part of Hamlet has been divided into four different emotional ids: Morose, Collegial,
The Four Danes, above, and PHS Sophomore Acy Jackson, top right, directs HamletS (Acy Jackson).
Crazy, and Vengeful. The play is filled with flashbacks, sound interludes, and dangerous sword-fighting. Karen Ball directed HamletS, while Portland High School student Acy Jackson assisted directing. The story of Twelfth Night is about a shipwreck that separates a set of twins named Viola and Sebastian. Viola thinks her brother is dead and dresses herself up like him and becomes a page to a duke. The duke is in love with the Countess Olivia who falls in love with Cesario, which is Viola’s identity as a man. Viola falls in love with the duke for whom she works, and Sebastian, who is not dead, falls for Olivia. STAGES has kept the play very close to the original and has not adapted the script. The production, however, is interpreted so that the story takes place in a circus outside the town of Illyria. The directors of the show are Johnny Speckman and Stacey Koloski. This production has a large set, intricate costumes, and the actors will wear full makeup. YASC opened the festival on Thursday May 3rd at 7:30. STAGES continued Friday at the same time, and both productions were performed on Saturday with a short performance by Acorn’s adult Shakespeare class. They recited sonnets and soliloquies that had been perfected throughout the class. Students from all the classes have worked diligently all year and were ready to perform what they have learned. These productions are rare and not every teenager is given this kind of opportunity. The actors were fortunate to have the chance to express their talent and show the audience their passion.
PHS Arts Scene
The Curious Savage
Perhaps one of the Drama Club’s best, and most comical, productions this year was The Curious Savage. By ACY JACKSON (‘14) The theater provides us with an escape wherein we may relax and see a different reality, but also we may learn something about human nature and coexistence. From shows like Hamlet to Broadway musicals like Avenue Q, theatergoers can exit the venue laughing and crying, but at the same time asking meaningful questions about life. When the play is a caricature of life, it is a different story. Curious Savage, written by John Patrick, tells the story of Ethel P. Savage, an elderly woman who has just lost her husband. She begins taking up acting, carrying around a teddy bear, and giving away her newly inherited fortune - hobbies that are not appropriate for a woman of her age. She has three stepchildren who are flat, stock characters, a judge, a senator, and a frequently married and divorced daughter. The children admit their stepmother to a psychiatric hospital at the The Cloisters. Fairy May, Florence Williams, Mrs. Paddy, Hannibal, and Jeffery are five inmates, who all have specific ailments, causing them to look at the world differently. . Miss Willie and Dr. Emmett are the nurse and doctor, respectively. The story of the play is built around the interaction of these characters with not much plot. Basically, the children want their mother’s money, which Mrs. Savage hides. The money is then taken by an unknown character, which cues a long-winded scene of false accusations and skipped lines. The play then ends with Mrs. Savage being released from the hospital and Miss Willie exposing to Ethel that she is the one who took the money so that her children wouldn’t. The final scene of the play depicts Mrs.
Bulldog Edition, Spring 2012, Page 14 Savage as being able to see each resident for who he or she is. On the 15 of February, the Portland High School Drama Club put on The Curious Savage. The show opened and I immediately fell in love with Fairy May, played by the perky and delightful Eliana Finberg. Miss Finberg stole the show, floating around on the stage as if she owned it, and her scenes were the real highlights of the production. Kate Hull rendered an exemplary performance as the sarcastic and impulsive Ethel Savage. Her comic timing gave the show a good pulse and made me listen. Other well-deserved praises go to Gabe Walker and David Bliss as Samuel and Titus Savage, two of the uptight, money-seeking children. Good comedy was mixed with a balanced touch of realism. Now, for this reviewer, was this a perfect performance? No. It had flaws. Lines were not perfectly memorized, and the staging was static and uninspired. The show was talkie at points, and the last scene was confusing. The audience seemed puzzled and the director’s intention in the last scene was not clear. Besides these points of criticism, the cast seemed to enjoy themselves, and I am happy that the drama club staged this performance. Unfortunately, you may have missed Curious Savage, but don’t give up hope! Portland Drama Club is working on new shows all the time. It is important, as a high school student, to support all aspects of extra-curricular activities. The arts are not as well attended as they should be, and with just a little support, they could be on top. Go see a show. It is so important to keep performers understand that the school population appreciates what they do because it is not easy getting up on the stage, under the lights, and bleeding one’s heart out.
Questions? Comments? Want to Write? Email: pendla@portlandschools.org or cweb512512@gmail.com Editors-in-Chief - Eleanor Altholz, Eliana Finberg & Charles Weber Staff Writers - Eleanor Altholz, Emily Burton, Hannah Carlson, Annete Denekas, Eliana Finberg, Charlie Gauvin, Acy Jackson, Owen Pence, Jeremy Ravenelle, Olivia Warner Staff Photographers - Acy Jackson, Quinn Lavigne & Charles Weber Graphics/Layout - Charles Weber Advisors - Amanda Pendleton and Maryann Pendleton
The playbill for the production (Charles Weber).
On behalf of the entire staff, thank you for reading this issue of the Bulldog Edition.