March 2010
BACKTALK
Senior Schedules Stresses Seniors
yearbook planning committee, and many other things that would flood their plates on a regular basis. They don’t have much time left because it is their senior year and time is very valuable to each of them.
By Keziah G. BCAM is proud to be celebrating our first graduating class, but how hard will that be? BCAM’s seniors are struggling to keep up with required classes to graduate. Many seniors feel that their senior year should be the best year out of high school and it should be stress free, with only a few classes and college applicationsbut nothing too difficult, especially if you’ve worked really hard in high school. To much of their dismay most seniors are taking a full day of classes, mostly classes that weren’t offered before. Even students who worked really hard and did excellent in the past three years of high school, it’s stressful for BCAM’s seniors because not only do they have regular classes to worry about, but also getting into college, SAT’s, internships,
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BCAM’s First Poll Results Are In!
Little Musical For BCAM
Take a look at page 3 to see the results. They are SHOCKING!
BCAM’s first play as well as musicals is on its way to production thanks to 11th grade English teacher Mr. Pedergnana. Pretty soon BCAM will be putting on Little Shop of Horrors, a rock musical. Originally a film made in 1960- called Little Shop of Horrors and 12 years later an off- Broadway production, Little Shop of Horrors tells the story of a flower shop worker who cares for a plant… that feeds on human blood!
By Cherish S.
Check to see if blue wigs are in!!
It can be the next new thing!!
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Synthesizing the Matters By Jessica B. Four years of greatness, trials, and hard work. Students struggle, sweat and strive to keep up with the craziness of high school work and dramas. Looking upon the horizon, our senior class is approaching bigger and better things. Our juniors are one step behind but needless to say they’re well on their way. But this year BCAM High School have combined the scientist with the entrepreneurs, the doctors with the lawyers as we created our first official Advanced Placement English class. We fused some of BCAM’S dedicated writers to create the beginning of many opportunities. The teacher/master mind behind the whole ordeal is our very own Mr. Greer (aka the joke guru). It is fairly obvious that Mr. Greer cares about teaching and has a passion for helping his students understand as much as possible. When asked how he feels about having the opportunity to include himself in such excitement he replied, “I love teaching a mixed AP English Class because it is great to have a concentrated class of highly motivated readers and writers”. In having Mr. Greer for the second year out of my three years of high school so far I truly enjoy his enthusiasm and corny jokes and according to Naomi Lynch and Pamala Otibu, seniors of our family, they don’t mind being stuck with Mr. Greer for a third year at BCAM High School. Both seniors felt as if
the AP English class was a great experience but sometimes they feel as if it is a bit boring and not pleasurable. When asked how do they like the idea of being in an AP English class with juniors, Pamela’s response was: “It’s okay. I don’t have a problem because I get credit for it.” I wish I had it while I was in 11th grade.” And Naomi said “Bloody awesome because it shows the more dedicated kids in both the 12th and 11th grade are.” Although the seniors will soon be on their flight to the world of decisions, the junior class will next year be seniors and hopefully be as excited to continue on a two year journey with the now sophomore class as we continue our AP English experience. Naomi leaves us with a brief synopsis of the whole wild adventure as it being “A disastrous mash up with good results.”
BCAM FESTIVITIES
OMG! The Penny Wars! Congrats to the Juniors for raising the most money
Friday’s Gone A Mist by Joy S.
It was here just a minute ago. The BCAM students have been saying this lot lately regarding the sudden extinction of Fresh Fridays. Needless to say we have been bamboozled out of our get out of class and go somewhere semi-educational days.
I’m pretty sure the students aren’t the only ones complaining about their lost. The office staff has sure to have gotten the shorter straw. They’re probably wondering about their quiet hallway Fridays that suddenly doesn’t exist anymore.
Fresh Fridays were days that happened once a month where students could stop cramming the hallways and go outside around the city to enjoy themselves. Now students find themselves surprised by a pop quiz instead of arguing with their advisory family on where to spend their Friday.
For now a candle and Amber Alert will be sent out for the disappearances of the Fresh Fridays. On a Friday after school you can catch a few students mourning their lost.
What the real issue here is why haven’t the students been told about their departed Fresh Friday? That’s a question to ask Principal O’ Brien. Have Fresh Fridays been permanently disqualified from BCAM’s social life or has it been kidnapped by the school’s trust funds? Whatever the case may be Fresh Fridays need to be crept back into the schedule.
BCAM’s Art Opening at the YMCA. Congratulations to the students whose art was displayed
The artwork is a hit!
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BCAM POLL RESULTS
Is the word “tight”, as in “you tight” still in?
Maecenas Quis Dolor
Is ‘jerking’ still in?
Is ‘gettin lite’ still in?
Are mohawks still in?
100
100
100
100
75
75
75
75
50
50
50
50
25
25
25
25
0
0 77% In
23% Out
Are baggy/big clothes in?
100
75
75
50
50
25
25 14% In
86% Out
12% Out
Are Jordan’s still in?
100
0
88% In
0
0
63% In
Is the word “wack” still in?
50 25
25 0
100
75
75
50
50
25
25 23% Out
0 56% In
70% In
30% Out
44% Out
Is multi-colored hair in?
100
77% In
Big gold-hoop earrings are still safe!
75
50
27% Out
55% Out
Are Sidekicks still in?
75
73% In
45% In
100
100
Are cornrows still in?
0
0
37% Out
Sociis mauris in integer, a dolor netus non dui aliquet, sagittis felis sodales, dolor sociis mauris, vel eu libero cras. Interdum at. Eget habitasse elementum est, ipsum purus pede class. Quam ac ligula risus lectus dapibus.
0
43% In
Baggy jeans are out! Thank goodness!
57% Out
How does these statistics affect your life? Will you change based on the majority? Little Musical for BCAM Cont.
After High School Musical came out, high schools all over put on their own productions of the Disney Channel movie, so why not BCAM? Is this one of Mr. P’s things to do on his Without giving away too much Mr. P told us this: “The show “While I’m Still Alive” list? Yes? Wrong. He said, “It’s one of my itself focuses on a few characters. Seymour, he’s a dork, a loser, who works in a plant shop. He finds this rare plant and gets favorites (musicals). It’s a good call. It focuses on someone who is on the lower end of the stick. It has a lot of attention. He becomes a celebrity. Then there’s a lot of energy and it’s funny.” And if it’s not, Mr. Audrey, the love of his (Seymour) life. She’s another Little Shop one with low self- esteem; she goes out with an P is going to make sure it is. It’s his job. “I will be of the director. I’m gonna throw my hands in the air abusive Dentist. Seymour’s the perfect guy for her and snap,” he told me after I asked his role in the but she just can’t see it.” musical. Sounds great. There’s love and blood. But how does an English teacher make the transition to director of a News of the musical is buzzing, and auditions musical? Is Mr. P an undercover Broadway star? No, but he have been held. Mr. P tells us auditions are January 19did tell me this: “When I was interviewed last June, the 20 and you will be required to sing one song from Happy distinguished staff noticed I have a drama history. I was in a Birthday to anything. Callbacks are on the 21st and the show will drama major in college.” (Good call staff.) He also said when premiere May 19th and show for three nights. Break a leg! asked if this play will be his mark on BCAM, “I think so. I think that will be the moment I prove my place here, that I was worth See the Cast on Page 5 the trouble.”
HORRORS
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BCAM Festivities
Practice for the Shop of Horrors is in session!
Senior Schedules Stresses Seniors Cont. When I asked Camille Adolphe how her schedule is different compared to seniors in other high schools, she responded, “In James Madison, the seniors get out really early most days, like 11:45 and that’s not fair because we stay here all these periods.” The only reason most seniors in other schools get out early because they take most of their required classes as freshmen, sophomores and even in their junior year. When I asked John Dargon if he thinks he has a hectic schedule he replied,“yes because I have to be in school ‘til 3:20 and I have to work, I don’t have time for college stuff except in advisory and we need all these credits, I just need to balance it all at once.” BCAM seniors are concerned with what they’re given because time is sneaking up with many responsibilities they have to take care of. When I asked Camille if she was concerned that she might not have the requirements for college, she answered “Yes
Boys’ and Girls’ Bathroom By Donasia S.
Mr. Pedergnana instructs the cast how to read their scripts.
BCAM students complain about their bathrooms. Imagine this: you’re sitting in the middle of 2nd period class, the teacher droning on about something really important and the girl next to you is texting her friend from across the room when suddenly nature calls. You raise your hand for permission and your teacher gives you the go ahead sign. You take the pass, walk all the way to the third floor and jiggle the knob on the bathroom door. Locked. You knock, hoping someone’s in there. No answer. You run to Ms. Ortiz and ask for the key. She opens the door and the smell over powers you. Holding your breath, you run in, do your business and run back to class as fast as possible. That’s the problem BCAM students have to face when they have to go.
Aaron Holmes gets into character!
I interviewed several BCAM students about the bathroom conditions, and they all complained of the smell, dirtiness, and lack of soap and tissue. “ I feel attacked,” 11th grade Diorveth Murray complained. “They need to fix that.” Diorveth wasn’t the only one to feel that way about the smell. 12th grade Devon Bailey [4]
I’m concerned. I feel like I’m lacking skills. I took a college class in John Jay college and it was easy but in liberal Arts schools you need to be sharp and you should know stuff like Shakespeare.” John Dargon doesn’t even have the time to apply to college because he so busy trying to pass these classes in high school just to graduate. Things are being worked out for the seniors at BCAM and only time will tell if things start to lighten up or get harder. The only thing they can do right now to is just buckle down and get to work because college is literally not too far off. I know that a lot of a lot of things go wrong for everyone and for seniors it should not be like not going to the senior trip and not potentially graduating.
The seniors’ schedules changed when the 2nd semester started. remarked, “The place smells like mad gerbil bedding.” When I asked 11th grade Shaniece Boulden about the lack of soap and tissue in the bathroom, she replied, “One time, rust came out of the pump instead of soap.” When I asked Alfredo Morales, BCAM’s custodian, about why the bathrooms are so dirty, he said, “They use the bathrooms from 8:30 ‘til six. Some boys pee in the corner, and some girls throw pads on the floor and in the toilets instead of the trash.” He gave an example of a female student in our school that put too much tissue in the toilet and plugged the toilet up so bad that if you flushed the toilet, it over flowed. When I asked him how the bathroom could be improved, he said, “This school, it don’t belong to Bloomberg, it don’t belong to O’Brien, it doesn’t belong to Mr. Greer, it belong to you!’’ Mr. Morales is right. The responsibly to change our bathroom lies in us. If we stop wasting the soap and tissues, we can leave some for the next person. If we put our unmentionables in the trash, it would reduce the trash and dirt that’s normally on the floor. We always complain that our bathrooms are dirty, but if we don’t do anything ourselves, our bathrooms won’t change at all. Like 11th grade Earnest Lewis says, “Stanky Leg is a song, not a way of life!”
BCAM FINISHES OFF SEASON STRONG
Opening Night!
May 19th, 2010 at 7:00pm
Cast List
Summary of the Lions’ Games
Characters:
Our school’s finest basketball team has recently ended their season due to a unexpected loss to the Frederick Douglass’ Lions by two points. BCAM fans left the gymnasium disappointed but fans as well as Coach Greene still sees hope.
Seymour - Aaron Holmes Audrey - Diorveth Murray Ms. Mushnik - Shakira Bynoe Orin Scrivelle, D.D.S - Ernest Lewis The Body of the Plant - James Gripper Voice of Audrey II - Latoya Campbell Crystal - Kelly Singfield Ronette - Samantha Richards Chiffon - Ayanna Wheeler Radio Show Host- John Robinson Special Appearance by John Dargan
Mylana Deleon, 11th grade cheerleader, says that even though the Lions lost, the game overall was fun. “At one point we were ahead by about 10 points,” she says. “But it was good though. [BCAM’s cheerleaders] were going against the other school’s cheerleaders. It was mad fun!” Coach Greene had a few words to say about the team as well. She says they played well even though free throws and turnovers cost them a lot. Now the PSAL is over but Coach Greene says she and the team are looking forward to competing in the Division Tournament. In the 16 games, BCAM Lions finished out with winning 10.
Chorus/Customers/Skid Row Citizens: Prince Hall Tanesha Thorpe Keziah Green Joelsy Abreu
Tykeah Baker Naomi Lynch Amber Killbrew Trasaya Cyrus
Understudies:
Student Choreographers:
Seymour - Prince Hall Ms. Mushnik - Keziah Green
Shakira Bynoe Tykeah Baker
Stage Manager:
Head Student Set Designer:
Chelsea Alvarez
Daniel Rodriguez
Staff: Director - Mr. Pedergnana Musical Director - B. Satz Associate Director - Ms. Jones Associate Musical Director - Mr. Greer Costume Director - Ms. S. Francis Associate Costume Director - Ms. Murray Set Design - Ms. Pelletier and Ms. Weisberger Special Consultants - Mr. Mendola, Ms. Herbes and Mr. Diallo Producer - Mr. O’Brien
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March You can also submit some of your artwork to be shown in the newspaper. Email Samantha at samafa666@gmail.com
Comics
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COMICS
March
The Crazy Schedule By Daniel R.
Remember Your Applications! By Daniel R. [7]