Ed. 68 - Deadlines

editors-in-chief news Berlewdsconi

The moral bankruptcy of Italy’s prime minister Andrew Shim

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f he were the Head of State of any state other than Italy, credibility as he attempts to increase it. It certainly is hard to Silvio Berlusconi would have likely lost power long ago. take seriously a nation whose leader invites half-naked women Rather today he presides over one of the most liberal (in into his villa then later denies that he has had any spicy relaterms of social values) states in the European Union, which tions with other women. by its own right prides itself on its progressivism. Berlusconi, Promiscuity is not the sole danger to Berlusconi’s a self-made billionaire business tycoon, is the longest servcareer. In 17 different cases since the beginning of his first ing member of the G8 heads of state, thrice-elected Prime term in 1994, the flamboyant Prime Minister has been accused Minister as well as the owner of the popular football team of corruption, tax fraud and other financial violations. HowAC Milan. Controversies have followed this eccentric man ever Berlusconi’s influence as a media czar and in legislation throughout his adult life, ranging from a ridiculous number of would consistently allow him to overcome any consequences lawsuits (for which he believes he of his barefaced scandals. Yet has won a world record), incessant The Italian right is a greater hypocrisy in early October, the Italian high verbal gaffes, direct and deep ties court stripped the 73-year-old’s than one can fathom. with the media, as well as to his immunity, allowing for a potential notorious promiscuity which he prosecution in the near future. His vehemently denies but which every Italian can confirm. His reaction: “We go forward. I will go to the trials that touch them latest grievances concern his involvement with prostitutes, and uncover all of their lies. Viva I’Italia and viva Berlusconi.” to which he replies is only a justification by his opposition to This flamboyant, racy, pseudo-Mussolini of a man’s indict him in a witch-hunt. other infamous remarks include a praise of Barack Obama’s Anyone who remembers the 90s can recall the infahandsome and “tanned” features, accusing Chinese commumous Lewinsky scandal which plagued Bill Clinton throughout nists of eating children, shouting at the G-20 Summit (which his late presidential career. Sex scandals in the United States prompted Queen Elizabeth II to rebuke his brazen attitude) are unforgivable, for Democrats and Republicans alike, and as well as his numerous and ceaseless flirtations with women many careers have been ruined by extra-marital sexual all over Italy. conduct. Apparently Italy lacks the presence of such moral A powerful man he is indeed, and consistently popular. uprightness in politics, despite the fact that Berlusconi’s “Il Despite the continuous scandalous behavior, the colorful Prime Poppolo della Liberta” (People of Freedom) party promotes Minister maintains consistent approval ratings over 50% from Christian democracy as its underlying ideology. the Italian people, much higher than his predecessor Romano One of Berlusconi’s most famous nemeses is the BritProdi (a moderate and reserved liberal) had ever achieved. It ish weekly magazine The Economist, which in 2001 outright is unlikely that a change to this ludicrous lifestyle will come labeled him as “unfit to rule,” citing the billionaire’s intimate about if the Italian people continue to tolerate such political relationship with the Italian media as an element of dictatorial nonsense. proportions. Berlusconi responded by nicknaming The EconoThe Italian right is a greater hypocrisy than one can mist as “The Ecommunist”, and taking the magazine to court fathom; Berlusconi’s charisma and motivation is certainly inin Rome on charges related to libel and defamation. spiring, but his vulgar demeanor constantly belies the values As progressive as the Italians pride themselves to be, his party tries to promote in Italy. One does not have to be as such promiscuity and moral bankruptcy is inexcusable for a bland and expressionless as Angela Merkel, or even as cold and head of government. By tolerating such behavior from their diabolical-looking as Vladimir Putin to be a world leader, yet national leader, Italians are essentially labeling their own Berlusconi’s lack of any moral threshold will imperil his nation’s state as a place where lewd conduct is acceptable. While integrity and sincerity on the world stage. Perhaps he could many people praise Berlusconi for his foreign policy achievehave been the paradigm of a successful businessman: warm ments of creating better ties with Russia and Turkey, thawing and active, and with a sense of humor; yet he is certainly not Italo-Lybian relations and a wave of progressive legislation, the reincarnation of Augustus Caesar that he dreams he is. the eccentric politician is nonetheless damaging to Italian

the talon • 1

editors-in-chief

Allegory of the Babe Plato, step aside Martin Shores

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bviously everyone understands what it is like to have a particular task lurking in the dark corners of their consciences, looming on the horizon, weighing down on every moment. In the last year at Graded, because of sheer volume alone, the seniors create a particularly intimate, disturbingly loving relationship with their responsibilities. We’re assaulted on all fronts by three different foes, each demanding that a smorgasbord of tasks be turned in by their respective dates. Rather than ramble on and on about the unfairness of the IB and “hypocrisy” of the school’s workload, going through a carefully rehearsed to-do list of horrors, I’ve decided to try something new. Plato, step aside. There’s a new allegory in town.

College applications are like an annoying infant, waking up its parent in the middle of the night because it can’t get a good night’s rest and needs to be burped. I try to ignore it but whoever had the misfortune of being the other half of the reproductive process reminds me that it’s my turn. So I shamble out of bed and pat the sack of meat on the back until it churns out another bile-coated chunk of its dinner. Once the baby is finally asleep, I realize that I’ve been neglecting my other, older children who require attention as well. My grades have dropped and IB demands my World Literature Paper be turned in. So as I try to pamper them with my dedication and a few worthless trinkets, I only push them steadily further away because, apparently, they don’t want to share me with anyone else and in the true spirit of sibling affection, pretend that the others don’t exist in the first place. And by some crazy twist of their fertile, devious little imaginations, it’s all my fault. Meanwhile, the surprisingly astute baby makes critical observations on how neglectful I’ve become and decides to reject its parent completely.

Luckily, although what kind of luck it is I leave entirely up to the reader, this baby is just one of a litter of octuplets (or more) and all with very similar demands but different diaper colors. So once my midnight work with one is done, another one rears its adorably fat cheeks in my direction and wails. It wails until the entire household is woken up

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and starts harping on me to silence the pest once and for all.

I invest in each and every one of these seeds of the future, all the while incapable of doing little more than hoping that one of these babies will realize that maybe I’m not so bad and decide to accept me as their father (or at least distant relative, at this point I’m not too concerned as long as they accept me). While all the other ones run off, abandoning me completely, I will viciously leech onto that child pretending that I never really loved the other ones in the first place despite the fact that perhaps it wasn’t my favorite to begin with. One day it will be there to sustain me, when there is nothing left but happy memories of what once was.

People wonder why I have rings around my eyes. They say that in a few years everything is going to be fine so I shouldn’t worry. That’s absolutely fantastic. I can hardly wait for these restless nights to be but a distant memory. But what about now? I’m supposed to revel staying up until the crack of dawn. These are supposed to be the best years of my life, some say. If that’s true, then that bodes magnificently well for the rest of my insidesocial.com existence. It’s always nice to know I have something to look forward to.

“But Martin, you callipygian* superman, what about after graduation?” you might ask. Oh yes, that splendid little light at the end of the tunnel; our first real taste of freedom; the day in which we are finally free from the shackles of metaphorical parenthood, in which we emerge into the world as legal adults. Sounds like fun. School right now isn’t that bad either. We may have a lot of work, but we still manage to make the experience enjoyable. I’m fresh out of sarcasm, so you’ll have to believe me when I say I’m completely serious. There is also hope for the future. One day the children will move out of my residence, only to pop in every Christmas or so for a brief, but happy reunion in which no one ever mentions the traumas incurred on both sides. No, instead we dwell on the happy memories, ignoring the undercurrent of tension. Meanwhile, our psychoanalyst bills rack up. * with beautifully proportioned buttocks

point of news view

When You Come to Think of It… Is there logic behind deadlines?

Amanda Rudzit

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t is stamped across students’ faces, declared in their Facebook statuses and whined about during lunch. Every Graded student, from the most organized to the total procrastinator, has experienced at least one in high school: a“hell week.”

They always seem to happen around the same time, near the end of a quarter or when teachers have to send out interim reports. On average, one out of every four weeks is particularly concentrated with deadlines for students. Apart from the generally overwhelming amount of homework, we receive more tests, quizzes, projects and long-term assignments at such times.

When I am faced with one of these frustrating weeks, I often question why teachers cannot be more organized and evenly distribute assignments and tests throughout the quarter. However, after interviewing a few teachers around the school, I realized that teachers also have to meet deadlines at Graded: they have to grade tests quickly and send in their grade reports in time to the high school office, prepare materials for classes and meetings. Even taking attendance has a time limit!

It is easy for us to blame our “sadistic” teachers for accumulating so many deadlines and making our lives hell at certain periods of the year. However, despite some of us may think, teachers do not sit around the high school office once a month scheming and coming up with ideas on how to make us miserable. Many times it is hard for them to coordinate tests with other classes because the groups are often multi-aged.

A math class can have two tenth graders, twelve juniors and five seniors, and it would be extremely difficult for the math instructor to meet with every tenth, eleventh and twelfth grade teacher when planning the date for a test.

Some action as been taken to change this stressful reality for students, albeit little. The Student Handbook, in an attempt to protect our rights, states that a student cannot have more than two tests, quizzes or long-term assignments due on a certain day. However, when students have more, as can often happen in our school, it takes so much time and effort to reschedule a test or a quiz that many of us prefer

facing another full-on “hell week” rather than extending our suffering to a further date.

Recently, StuCo, along with the administration, has been organizing a committee to help create a general calendar with major due dates for the entire high school: a wiki calendar on which we students put our deadlines. This might help both students and teachers organize themselves better around these stressful periods.

Sometimes, the way to alleviate so much of the stress

Natalia Arenas

is to ask for an extension. A teacher I had a while ago said on the first day of class: “If you want an extension for any assignment, simply write the due date on your agendas one week before the project is actually due. Then, when you ask me if I can give you more time on it, my answer will surely be yes.” Many teachers are not very sympathetic when it comes to extensions, but Mr. Aickin, history and ToK teacher here at Graded, says that if a student comes to him at least twentyfour hours before something is due, he probably will give him or her more time to complete the assignment. However, he adds that “a big factor in my consideration is not the quality of the excuse (which I am not usually that interested in anyway), but whether or not the student can show me evidence that they have been working over the past weeks.”

Time, or rather how little time we have to do things, seems to be one of the major concerns for people worldwide.

In its mission to be a microcosm of this world, Graded seems to be following the same rule—abiding to very restricted time limits. Students are told to adjust or suffer the consequences.

So when is your next “hell week?”

the talon • 3

point of view

To Complete the Puzzle

Motivation for life: closed doors and Recife Sae Bom Choi

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n SAT essay question: Do closed doors make us creative?

Time starts ticking and 25 minutes are given to fill two blank pages. Are we going to agree or disagree? What are our supporting examples? Five minutes pass and we urge ourselves, “Ideas, ideas, ideas.” Now everything becomes a subject for writing: books we read, movies we saw, history we learned and even that test-day morning. Now approaching ten minutes, we finally start to write. Our answer to the question is “Yes,” since the time restriction just forced us to decide and create a complete piece of writing.

Time is a motivation for finishing the SAT writing test and perhaps for most of our exams. Through limitation and obstacles, we look for answers. However, the quality of those answers is disputable, depending on how prepared we are to reflect on them.

After I got back from In Loco, my mother told me about the storms in São Paulo while I was away. She said she saw some fallen trees on the street and found their short roots interesting. She assumed that because it is rare to have storms but great sunlight and periodic rains in Sao Paulo, the trees grow well without firm, deep roots. The trees have not had to extend their roots for lack of water or strong winds and they have grown without much difficulty. Hence, they were unprepared for a storm, which beat many of them.

Just as those trees proved, life without adversities is a life of ease and weakness. This is a basic rule of nature.

Moreover, the necessity of obstacles has been a story of human evolutionary history. For instance, humans would not have been able to develop techniques for building houses or making tools and clothes, if the environment had not been harsh. As a result, humankind has sought better ways of survival.

People still achieve with limitations. A few days before finishing the first quarter, Ms. Bowditch told visual arts students about the significance of assiduous work. Since IB Visual Arts requires at least 18 finished pieces, she wanted students to spend time wisely. However, she mentioned that last year, she saw the most creative work as the end of the course approached. Her students had faced a closed door and it spurred them to do more imaginative work. The metaphor

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of “closed doors” has inspired creativity for thousands of years ago. So why are we still dependent on such an outside factor to motivate us? Why is self-motivation so hard? Can’t we just grow out of ourselves?

Through the High School Trips, I learned that people in Recife lead distinctive lives. Apart from the fact that they live in a different geographic region, I found their philosophy of life unique. In Sao Paulo, our lives are about constant progress. We try to improve our standards of living and accomplish our goals. In Recife, people seemd to find happiness from maintaining traditions and preserving family history.

When we visited the artist town, Terra de Vitalino, an artist who makes traditional clay mini-sculptures told our group many times that he is happy about his job and keeping his family spirit. His store and working place are tiny, and his life does not seem splendid from our point of view although his art works are. He continues to make clay sculptures not because of the pressure of living better. His motivation is his love for family, culture and tradition. Peace farm3.static.flickr.com without tension. He leads a great life.

However, his life seems stationary. Decades later, he will still live in Terra de Vitalino, making clay sculptures.

We cannot compare our lives with Mestre’s life to measure which one is better. We city-livers have a different culture and a different way of acquiring happiness. But it is necessary to learn how to calm ourselves in our fast-paced and competitive urban life. We need time for solitude and rest, even though it is important to progress in school and in our society.

Sometimes our daily lives seem too full of pressures.

As a senior, deadlines for college applications and school assignments feel like uncountable mountains to overcome. It is hard to love our lives like the artist in Recife does. However, adversities and pressure enable us to grow strong.

Now that SAT essay question above is simple: would you like to be a tree that falls after one tempest or a tree with stable roots that endures?

point of view

Dates, Pressure and Frustration How we lead our lives

Isabella Freyre

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ven before we are born, we may already hear the term “deadline.”

Amidst the cooing of women, our mothers caress their bulging bellies and reply, “Yes, I am due in November.” Months later, our mothers’ tone changes as they press on towards the anticipated deadline. With grunts of pain and worry, our mothers shriek, “Doctor, how long before I enter labor?!”

We are there, curled up in the warmth of our mother’s belly, an innocent fetus, yet already subjected to the anxieties of deadlines. From then on, deadlines dominate our lives.

As children, we are still greatly excused from the responsibilities of managing deadlines. The concern with dates and the accomplishment of tasks is relegated to our parents. They fill out registration forms for schools, already dreaming about grand futures for us, schedule our first medical consultation during which they fret nonsensically, and feed us several times a day.

Especially those of us who are only children, it seems our lives have been entirely planned from the minute our mothers discovered they were pregnant (or maybe even way before that). Since the experience of raising a baby is both exciting and scary, our parents develop a careful plan of action. As we grow older, however, deadlines erupt exponentially in our lives. At first they infiltrate our lives discretely, steadily becoming more and more pronounced. Our only option is to learn how to manage them until death do us part (Get it? Deadlines?). And even in death here in Brazil, there is a span of seven days following the funeral for the mass, our last deadline.

In our families, each member has a nerve-wrecking priority leading to impatience and crankiness. Our parents are controlled by deadlines in order to succeed in their particular jobs, going to important meetings and signing contracts to promote their businesses. If these deadlines are not attained, then there is the other, much gloomier, deadline of the pressure to remain employed. Stay-at-home parents have to handle their own versions of deadlines. If they are not embracing a neurotic entrepreneurial spirit, they have to worry about the deadline of the gym subscription, the deadline of the credit

card payment, the deadline involved in trip itineraries, and the various deadlines for household necessities. But as students, we believe that nothing compares to the deadlines we experience at school. They pop up in our agendas: tests and projects overlapping each other, swelling amounts of homework looming ahead. While it is true that we are used to procrastinating, to the very limit of the due date, deadlines make us incredibly nervous. Even when we lack inspiration or desire, we must abide by those essential dates.

Added to all of these personal concerns, we now have to worry about nothing less than the deadline of humanity. We are threatened by terrifying climatic changes and if nothing is done to contain them, this may be a deadline we will soon meet. Even if optimism permeate our attitudes, we know that a final limit exists and lurks in the obscure future. Nature frequently portrays this reality through ripening fruits falling from trees and the time taken blogs.usask.ca for eggs to crack and become furry chicks. The fact of time is before us like a flashing neon ad: DEADLINE APPROACHING. Currently, deadlines have been transformed into a life I am comfortable with, as terrible as that may sound. To be quite honest, I have realized that after years of excruciating effort I now work better under the pressure of deadlines, motivated by massively unhealthy doses of Coke. In the initial turmoil of senior year bombarded by application forms and IB requirements, I have already gained a bit of weight as well as glazed eyes and a severely distorted sense of humor to go along with it. I rely on my scribbled agenda, full of due dates that cannot be altered for the delivery of tasks. It often comes down to a few stuttered explanations under the pressure of deadlines: “No, I can’t celebrate your birthday with you because the project is due tomorrow!” or “Sorry, I really can’t speak to you on the phone right now since I still have to send this essay in today.” As soon as I scratch through all of my pressing commitments, other pages of my agenda are filled.

Certain people preach that relaxing and stretching bring creative reflection. Honestly, I just don’t have time to abide by their wise words.

the talon • 5

point of view

A pátria que nos pariu Um “pitaco” sobre Rio-2016 Arlindo Carvalho Pinto

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ão vou entrar na discussão do fator Olimpíada. Sim, deve ser muito legal ter uma aqui. É uma honra e blá-bla-blá. Mas será que vale a pena?

País em que o ENEM vaza, onde deputado tem castelo, em que há corrupção pra todo lado. País com gente passando fome, com desemprego, desigualdade social, violência, o tráfico controlando o Rio de Janeiro. País com gente morrendo nas portas dos péssimos hospitais públicos. E vamos torrar mais de 30 bilhões de reais em Olimpíada?

O Rio de Janeiro é, sim, a cidade brasileira mais apta pra abrigar um evento desse porte. Isso não se discute. Mas vale a pena? A Olimpíada vai trazer melhorias pro Rio, talvez até pro Brasil todo. Mas há que se considerar que tais benefícios ainda são hipotéticos e, mesmo que ocorram de verdade, quem vai pagar esta conta?

Não discuto que o Rio deva tentar melhorar. Mas problemas como os que listei acima teriam que ser resolvidos independentemente de Olimpíada ou Copa do Mundo. Um amigo disse outro dia: “O problema do Brasil é que só arrumam a sala quando está chegando visita.” Perfeito! E ainda acrescentaria que, para arrumar a sala, se gasta o dinheiro da reforma da casa inteira, que poderia ser mais bem aproveitado. Usando a Copa como exemplo, alguém duvida de que todo o dinheiro sairá dos cofres públicos? Lembro de ter ouvido o Ricardo Teixeira dizer várias vezes que o governo federal não entraria com investimento nenhum. Sei... Já estamos vendo que não é bem assim.

Voltemos a 2007, o Pan-Americano. Toda aquela onda por uma Olimpíada de quinta (ou seria sexta, sétima?) categoria. E um gasto final que ultrapassava em 300% o orçamento original!

Quem pagou por isso? Com que dinheiro? Com o nosso, é claro.

Eu não quero mais pagar essas contas e, obviamente, continuar financiando safados por mais anos e anos.

Tem gente que acredita em transparência. Quisera eu acreditar também. Parece que já estou vendo todo o dinheiro que sairá direto para contas bancárias indevidas. E enquanto uns roubam e constroem obras quase faraônicas, o povo fica à mercê da sorte.

Gastar dinheiro que podia ser investido nas reais prioridades da nação em um monte de prédios que vão enferrujar meses depois do final dos jogos por falta de manutenção? Pan, de novo? Já viram a situação da arena de baseball construída em 2007? Parece terreno baldio! A ESPN até fez um documentário mostrando todo descaso com a nossa grana. As únicas sedes remanescentes do Pan que ainda funcionam e estão em boas condições são o Engenhão, a de tiro ao alvo e um pedaço mínimo do complexo aquático. O resto está abandonado. E isso não acontece só por aqui. O imponente Ninho de Pássaro, em Pequim, não é mais utilizado. Em Atenas, só se usa um estádio de futebol. O que nos levaria a acreditar que seria diferente

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dessa vez? Ainda mais em se tratando de uma Olimpíada, que exige muito mais estrutura do que um mísero Pan-Americano?

O Brasil só liga pra futebol. Os outros esportistas estão aí, abandonados e sem apoio nenhum. E o pior é agüentar a demagogia no discurso: “brasileiro é um povo que ama esportes”. Errado.

Brasileiro gosta de futebol e só. Tem o vôlei, é verdade, em ascensão. O tênis, talvez. Mas 80% da população se importa apenas com o esporte bretão. Veja nossos principais atletas individuais olímpicos. Quase todos treinam no exterior. Zero apoio aos atletas de outras modalidades. Um governo que não investe em infra-estrutura nenhuma vai investir em esporte agora? Faz-me rir. Não é à toa que nossos melhores atletas (à exceção de poucos como Maurren Maggi, Fabiana Mürer e Cesar Ciello) são um “zero à esquerda” no cenário mundial e ainda se dopam para isso.

Voltando ao ponto principal, o país definitivamente não está preparado. Ignorar as necessidades para fazer eventos esportivos? Jogos Olímpicos e Copa do Mundo, para mim, são eventos esportivos e não eventos da Unicef ou da ONU. Que vença o melhor, não o coitado. E o Brasil, não apenas o Rio, não é o melhor.

Torço para que dê tudo certo, que façamos uma ótima Olimpíada, com transparência e espírito esportivo. Torço para que mantenhamos as prioridades nos seus devidos lugares, arrecademos dinheiro para ser investido com isso, e que tudo seja lindo e maravilhoso. No entanto, fica aqui o meu profundo medo de essa Olimpíada significar menos feijão no prato de alguém esfomeado no Agreste, falta de verba para a educação, e mais dinheiro no bolso dos nossos “queridos” em Brasília.

O Rio de Janeiro precisa de melhorias, mas nada me convence de que uma administração pública decente não seria melhor do que todo esse show desnecessário. Tudo isso pra mostrar pro mundo que “Yes, we créu”? (essa analogia ridícula?!) Queremos melhorias sim, mas não à custa de outras prioridades. Que a Olimpíada acontecesse mais para frente, com o país pronto. Mas aparentemente o povo prefere celebrar o fato de que vão meter ainda mais a mão em nossa grana, sem a mínima certeza de retorno. Pois é. Mais alguns anos com violência, falta de infra-estrutura, problemas no sistema de saúde. E viva a corrupção, os elefantes-brancos abandonados, o superfaturamento de obras, o esquecimento das verdadeiras prioridades sociais, o investimento de fachada em esporte, os pactos com o tráfico pra não ter violência por um mês! É isso?

Mas como “sou brasileiro e não desisto nunca”, fecho meus olhos e sigo a irônica idéia do Sr. Lucas Logatti e lanço a campanha “Cuiabá para Jogos de Inverno de 2018. Eu acredito!”

Ah, Renato Russo, você tinha toda a razão. “Nas favelas, no Senado, sujeira pra todo lado, ninguém respeita a Constituição, mas todos acreditam no futuro da nação!”

point of view

Letting Go The clock ticks until we leave the nest Paula Martinez

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was at a friend’s house talking about college and how I couldn’t wait to go to the school of my dreams, living on my own for the first time ever and taking control of my future and my life. She and I laughed and discussed whether it would be better to go to college in a big city or on a nice, green campus in a calmer area. I looked over my shoulder to see her mother walk by on the way to the kitchen. She took one look at us, and began shaking her head. At this point, my friend laughs and asks her mother why she’s wearing that face, to be answered by a shaking head, and the words “Two years to go, baby. Don’t even talk about that yet.”

Leaving the nest, as it’s often referred to, had never occurred to me as a huge deal. For some high school students it’s a deadline that will provide relief and only good things to come after we hand in our lives as minors and fretful high school laborers. For others, it’s a deadline to their childhood, when their innocence and security in their parent’s house will end. It’s the looming due date that never seems far enough away. People procrastinate in thinking about it in the hope that the departure from the 17 years of the life we were used to won’t cause us that much stress when the time comes.

We’ve been preparing for that moment throughout years and years of education, preparing for college, not so much the separation and the transition out of childhood.

We’re already prepared for the worst-case scenario of a tough college by surviving this school’s high expectations. The phrase “IB stole my childhood” is one heard every once in a while at Graded because a) of its obvious comic value, and b) the fact that it’s sort of true. Childhood is associated with learning to color inside the lines, playing tag with anything that wouldn’t give you cooties, and eating snacks when you got home from school while watching cartoons. When one enters the IB diploma at Graded, it seems that the only things you’re putting down on paper are essays. You’re still running, but to and from classrooms. And snack time is replaced by simultaneously power-walking and wolfing down snack bar food in the precious few seconds you have between the purchase of your goodies and the start of class. The deadlines I’m referring to, howe-

ver, are not IB due dates, rather the end of innocence which is gradually “stolen” by these stressful experiences as we get older.

Thanks to Graded we’re not kids anymore. Our parents are aware of that now. We actually end up meeting the deadline for our carefree youth earlier than expected, and the pressures of college begin. The pressure of separation gets moved aside, by both kid and parent, to be dealt with later.

Why aren’t both equally anticipated? Isn’t the idea of college life just as scary as the idea of leaving, or just as liberating?

I learned that day at my friend’s house that for our parents, it’s an entirely different story. Far from liberating, as it is for students. In some ways, it seems, many go back to being children again. They cling to us the same way a child clings to his or her mother’s skirts. Letting go of their children is a deadlinethey face the moment a child is born. They know it’s coming, and yet the closer it gets, the more they have to try to accept it. True, it is most difficult when the first child leaves and families learn to get used to the loss of his or herpresence, having to cope with “letting go.”

In other cases, it is students who cannot let go of the life they’ve lived with chestofbooks.com their family and home and friends before taking off. Especially for those going abroad, the adjustment to life in a different place is unsettling and disorienting. There simply is no way to completely detach from former lives, where even though parents set restrictions, there is always a family to come home to, and the security of that home.

Expatriatesand Brazilians who have lived overseas have a taste of this anxiety, from moving around every few years. Heck, Graded isn’t even home for half the high school.

When we move, the new place and new friends are strange enough at first, and often difficult to get used to, but at least there’s family. Not so much with going to live abroad. Now, with graduation inching closer for seniors and for me the next year, the question arises: How will they, how will I deal with it?

the talon • 7

point of view

Love Is A Verb. Use It. Some advice on how to live life

Cooper Franks here is no such thing as permanence; the only constant

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for apathy, indifference, acceptance of circumstance. When

is change. Sustained joy is actually robotic contentment,

one stops smelling the flowers they pass by, refrains from

which is synonymous to apathy and indifference. I seek the

stopping their walk from school or work to admire a glorious

entire spectrum of human emotion; it is the culmination

sunset, quits singing in the shower, refutes the urge to play in

of knowledge and enlightenment. I don’t expect others to

the puddles, no longer sees elephants in the clouds and forgets

understand or condone my decisions. I choose the path of

the meaning of the word “hope,” they are considered an adult.

experience and transcendental self-destruction, avoiding

Mature. Having transcendend of our so-called sophomoric

dormancy, the social norm, and tunnel vision. To understand

ways, but, I earnestly disagree. True, “maturity” lives within

anything, one must experience everything, recognition on all

those who change with the world, not those who submit to

sides, both yin and yang. There is no box to think in or outside

it. We need to keep a youthful vantage point of enjoyment,

of, only infinite possibilities in this fluctuating life.

simple enjoyment, whilst understanding the complexities, the

As school engulfs the majority of our time, we begin to live repetitious lives. Wake Up. Eat. Commute to school. Go

harshness, all the grittiness of life, and emoting fitfully. We have to bask in the light of what really matters.

to classes. After-school activities. Return home. Do homework.

I say go count the stars during warm summer nights.

Eat. Sleep. A hellish cycle which some of us fall victim to. I not

Stand in the pouring rain. Jump oceanic waves. Bask in

only question this cycle, but the people’s defense of it. They

the warm sun while lying in the plush bed of grass. Laugh.

believe that life after high school will be a breeze. However,

Question. Dream. Don’t act your age. Appreciate each and

the reality is that they will follow this same repetitious cycle

every moment of your existence. Divert yourself from that

for the remainder of their lives. I am not saying one should

repetitious cycle.

fail school and drop out, but I am simply saying that we must

In doing so, your world will become vivid. You will

prevent ourselves from letting one thing consume our lives.

begin noticing the simplistic side of life. A bumblebee on a

There is more to life than a routine. A routine forces us to live

flower, a leaf gently blowing in the breeze, the gentle glow

in fear, the fear that if we fall off this tight rope, that we will

within your friend’s eyes.

fail our adulthood.

To be completely honest, I am perfectly content

I want to learn why people can make other people

doing something as simple as just sitting barefoot in the grass

happy without even saying a word. I want to discover what

beneath towering trees in the shade with my friends. Playing

the universe sees in all of us to love us the way it does. I want

music, singing, clapping our hands, dancing, talking, lying

to be able to open my eyes wide enough to understand how

down and capturing sunbeams during the day and fireflies at

much we all are truly worth. I want to know why people can

night. I try to let nothing disguise what truly matters: love.

get lost in music, within sound and art, and forget about their

We share love, and we give love, and we are loved in return.

troubles, even if only for a moment. It seems we're never

We try to compliment each other effortlessly and perfectly. I

going to be rid of expected demands. What kind of lives are

try to send my love in all directions, as a tree expelling oxygen

we leading if we're simply going through these mindless daily

so that all might live, love and laugh.

rituals that just end up leaving us lifeless at the end of the

We tend to forget what truly is important. Through all

day or week? I am not complaining that my life is tragic. I

the “drama” that life inflicts upon us, we seclude ourselves.

love my life. I just think it could be bettered by maintaining

However, life presents us with not only opportunities, but other

a balance. We are constantly fighting for equilibrium, a peace

people to share them with. There are people in this world

within our soul. This is nearly impossible due to the fact that

who will at one point experience the same thing as you. We

we are constantly in motion towards the future. Change is

human beings need to realize that people have kindness within.

abundant. Society pulls us into this expectation everyone has

Stressed about school? Talk to someone about something other

for human beings. If we let one thing control our lives, the

than school. Why feed your own stress by giving into it?

infinite beauties around us will pass us by.

Far too often, one’s definitive “maturity” is mistaken

8 • the talon

The meaning of life is to live. Truly live.

news

Hannibal the Animal Libel from Libya’s Lion Victoria Steinbruch

I

n July of 2008, Hannibal Gaddafi, the son of longtime Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, was arrested at a five star hotel in Geneva, Switzerland. He and his wife were charged and jailed for being accused of inflicting bodily wounds on two of their domestic servants. Armed police forced open their hotel suite after they had received repeated complaints of the couple’s violence and threatening behavior. Gaddafi was held in custody and later released on bail; his pregnant wife was taken to the hospital after she complained of feeling unwell.

This is not been the first time that Hannibal has encountered problems with the law.

The dictator’s son has developed quite a reputation for breaking the law and then invoking diplomatic immunity. His first major clash with European authority came in 2001. As he returned to the Hilton Hotel in Rome at 3 am, he attacked the police that had been guarding his room with bottles, as well as emptying a fire extinguisher over them and putting three in the hospital. He pleaded diplomatic immunity and no action was taken.

Three years later, he was chased by the police as he drove his Porsche at 90 mph through red lights on the wrong side of the Champs-Elysèes. Furthermore, in 2005 he was accused of having beaten up a female companion in Paris once she refused him access to their hotel room.

His most recent trespassing of the law has had the most serious repercussions. After his arrest, diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Libya entered a period of crisis. The Libyan government immediately vowed “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” (I’m not kidding). It announced it would halt fuel supplies to Switzerland and bar the country’s ships from its ports in protest. Gaddafi ordered the reduction and then termination of flights between the countries. Libyan branches of Swiss companies, including Nestlé, were forced to close their offices. The worst part is that two Swiss businessmen have been held hostage, unable to leave the country. Libya also cut back on oil exports to Switzerland, even though 50% of Swiss crude oil comes from Libya.

The Swiss government initially stood by the decision of their authorities, stating, “The reputation of Switzerland as a

country of human rights demanded that the police intervene.”

However, the Swiss president Hans-Rudolf Merz eventually made a formal apology to the Libyan government for the incident.

Merz's apology unfortunately has not curtailed the irrational Libyan behavior. Khadafy recently delivered the opening speech of the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly. He shattered protocol by giving a rambling speech that stretched for 90 minutes instead of the given 15.

He thankfully did not mention the proposal he submitted to the U.N. to abolish Switzerland and divide it up along linguistic lines, separating the country into French, German and Italian territories.

To some this idea might seem ludicrous, but Gaddafi continues delivering such menacing claims, he recently announced during the G-8 summit in Italy this July that Switzerland “is a world mafia and not a state.”

Switzerland shouldn’t need to apologize to Libya simply because dailymail.co.uk it felt that following its human rights protocol was more important than making exceptions for a dictator’s troublemaker son. It’s wrong for Hannibal to believe that he can transgress the law and go unpunished due to his father’s power. It is even worse for the international community to simply allow this to continue.

In an increasingly globalized world, it seems pivotal that countries adhere to a certain standard of social behavior.

I don’t believe that we must advocate for a uniform culture, mindset or belief system. However, there are certain actions that mustn’t go unpunished no matter where the offender comes from.

The political scientist Samuel P. Huntington propagated the theory of “The Clash of Civilizations,” which basically states that our cultural and religious differences will be the main source of conflict in the post-Cold War world. This conflict is further catalyzed due to the failure of collective security and the inefficiency of the U.N. of putting in practice what they much debate in seemingly endless resolutions. When Gaddafi threatens to abolish Switzerland and the world stands quite, Mr. Huntington’s ideas stop being theoretical and turn into reality.

the talon • 9

news

No Action and the Clock is Ticking The UN Climate Change Conference approaches Felipe Fagundes

T

he deadline: December 7, 2009. The location: Copenhagen. The goal: to find a solution to climate change. As the UN sponsored conference approaches, regulators have been all over the place to attempt to strike deals that will lead to success at the end of the year. However, lately negotiations have stalled due to the American Congress’ delay in signing regulating carbon emission laws. To top it off, the international community is aware that a revolutionary approach will be needed since the Kyoto approach failed.

Back in 1997 the phrase “global warming” did not create as much of a buzz as today. Even so, the international community gathered itself in Kyoto, Japan to sign a deal aimed at stabilizing greenhouse gases. Even though as of now 183 states have signed the protocol, it failed to solve the problems. In reality, since the protocol was signed there was an increase of 25% in greenhouse gases. Flaws with the protocol can easily be identified, like the failure of the USA to sign it and the omission of big issues such as deforestation. Nevertheless, new approaches haven’t been adopted by the international community; while cap-andtrade bills are becoming popular the world has not reached a consensus of what is the best solution.

Recently, Australia proposed that countries should be responsible for creating their own deadlines, and setting their own goals. Mr. Obama has shown support for this solution, since in a speech he mentioned the need for countries to “stand behind their commitments.” To Americans the approach seems promising since it would give Congress the autonomy it wants, without having supranational bodies dictating what Americans have to do. On the other hand, NATO and the UN have had problems ever since being established because Congress doesn’t want give up its power. Some argue the solution would rather need to be internationally agreed, with a mechanism set up to enforce the goals. For example, if a country failed to meet its goals one year, it would have to cut more emissions the next.

At the same time, it would be hard to see the international community punishing a country for failing to meet its goals.

This is another problem with international deals: they usually don’t have as many teeth as domestic policies.

At the end of September, Barack Obama delivered a speech in which he claimed that Americans had catching up to do considering they had not signed the Kyoto Protocol.

10 • the talon

While throughout the speech Mr. Obama used his eloquence to energize even the least of the activists by saying that the world community needs to work together to “avert a catastrophe,” there was very little content on how he plans to do that. Congress has been debating for a long time over the cap-and-trade bill which Republicans and even some Democrats are strongly against. Even though the Environmental Protection Agency promised tougher measures on greenhouse gases even if Congress failed to pass the bill, there is still very little hope that anything will be achieved prior to Copenhagen. On top of all, the Europeans believe that the bill, which has the goal of reducing 17% of emissions on 2005 levels by 2020 is insufficient. To a certain extent, the Europeans are right considering countries like Japan have promised to cut 25% from 1990 levels by the same Greenpeace year. However, any agreement by the Americans should still be regarded as victory since they are still the biggest polluters in the world.

Tension leading to the conference will continue to increase as the conference approaches. Developing countries led by China have started to take measures in order to pressure developed countries to dramatically cut emissions. Mr. Hu Jintao, China’s President, recently announced that his country now has the goal of increasing the share of non-fossil fuels to around 15% by 2020 in energy production. Plans to prevent deforestation will also prove to be vital, considering it contributes one fifth of all greenhouses gases released to the atmosphere each year. Furthermore, many of the planet’s forests are in developing countries, which have requested to be paid by the developed countries in order to not cut down the forests; coming up with the resources for such measures will prove to be another crucial point in order to reach an agreement on climate change.

In order to solve the global warming problem the developed and developing world will need to walk together, probably guided by Barack Obama. However, if a few measures are not taken by December the conference will fail to deliver and the world will continue to procrastinate overclimate change. The possible effects have been announced and even solutions proposed; now the world leaders need to meet the deadline and start to solve the problem.

news

ToK Students Revolutionize Graded How one project could change the school forever

Eduardo Estrada

M

r. Aickin’s junior Theory of Knowledge (ToK) students were

optimize use of Flex time, while other ones proposed changes in

recently assigned a project whose results were interest-

the schedule by altering it so as to make the school day shorter

ing to the point of being newsworthy. The young learners were

or, in another case, by making classes longer so that a portion

faced with the following challenge: “Take an aspect of the high

was devoted to learning and the remainder of the time was

school at Graded that you feel could benefit from your new-

devoted to completing what would be traditionally assigned as

found ideas about teaching and learning… I want to emphasize

homework. The CAS and athletics programs were also analyzed,

that in looking to improve

and a new form of CAS

a part of Graded, you are

journal was presented

not necessarily saying that

where students would

the part in question is in-

be able to go out on a

ferior or poor.

In other

creative limb instead

words, we all can benefit

of writing a journal, as

from improvement, and

well as an athletic pro-

that needs to be the focus

gram which allows stu-

of your project.” The proj-

dents to participate in

ect, which is a culmination

more than one sport.

of the education unit in

One

the class, sought to make

went as far as to ques-

students take a critical

tion our school’s name

look at their school and

and argue for the abo-

apply their newly acquired

lition of grades, stat-

views on education, which

ing that “The purpose

were highly influenced by

of education [has be-

readings and videos which

come]

inspired

the

junior

acquisi-

were analyzed in class and

tion of grades rather

led to captivating discus-

Melissa Fiszner’s ToK project than the acquisition of

sions, in an attempt to improve the school.

knowledge,” and that by removing grades students would begin to develop a genuine

Students were allowed to opt for “traditional” op-

love for learning. One of the most visually stunning projects

tions, e.g. a thousand word essay or a PowerPoint presentation

was a reconstruction of the school grounds. This student made a

which was, theoretically, directed to the Board of Directors.

three-dimensional scale model of her view of an ideal campus,

(One student was so excited with his own presentation that

complete with a pool, a two-floor cafeteria and actual parking

he didn’t realize that there would be no Board presentation

space [see picture].

and was already making arrangements in his schedule to meet

Although some of the revolutionary ideas seem ex-

with them.) However, in keeping with the theory of “Multiple

tremely far-fetched and maybe even unattainable, a large num-

Intelligences,” which was recently presented to the eleventh

ber of them are within the realm of possibility. The juniors have

graders, Mr. Aickin also allowed them to explore other types of

not yet discussed how far they want to go with these projects,

intelligence and their own creativity by opening up the project

however it would be appropriate for them to present some of

to “non-traditional” options, a term which was subject to indi-

these ideas, all of which share the goal of making Graded a bet-

vidual interpretations.

ter learning environment. Likewise, the administration would

It is hard to say whether the methods of presentation,

be wise to give them some thought, not only because they are

which varied from argumentative essays and presentations to

inspired, but because they represent the student voice in a way

short films and scale models of the school, or the proposed

that has never been heard before.

changes were more enthralling. One of the proposals sought to

the talon • 11

news

Corruption, Rainforests, and Blue Rocks News in brief

Danielle Aguilar

L

go towards funding the new environmental management plan under the Amazonas Sustainable Foundation. On his blog, Mr. Bill Marriott wrote, “We’ve been told this is the first partnership of its kind between the public sector and a corporation to prevent deforestation, which we know results in global warming. We hope other companies will follow our lead.”

In order to keep up with the standard that they have set for themselves, Marriott has also committed to making changes in their own hotels from the normal, yet often environmentally unfriendly, options to green alternatives. For example, so far Costa Rican President Sentenced they have already replaced 450,000 regular light bulbs with The former president of Costa Rica, Rafael Calderon, more efficient fluorescent lighting and have installed 400,000 was sentenced Monday, October 5 to five years in prison. This showerheads and toilets that use less is a result of corruption that water. In the future, they plan to occured during his term. He reduce the fuel and water consumpserved as president from 1990tion in their hotels by at least 25% 1994. It seems that most of the over the course of the next ten years money that he stole belonged and by 2017 they plan to have up to to Costa Rica’s social security 40 hotels running on solar power. fund. Seven other men have As the Chief Financial Officer, Arne also been arrested on similar Sorenson, said in an in a multimedia charges. Again, the nation’s news release, “Conserving rainforsocial security system appears ests—the lungs of the Earth—is one of to be the main source of the milthe most important things we can do lions stolen. One of these men to improve the climate.” Hopefully was Eliseo Vargas, who was the head of the social security sysMarriott Interational executives in Amazonas; reuters.com this is the standard that others, not only Marriott, live up to. tem during President Calderon’s Mini-Stonehenge term. He was also sentenced to five years in prison.

In late September, a discovery was made in Britain The sentencing must have come as a shock to the forthat could clear up some of the mysteries surrounding one of mer president who was already making plans for his campaign its best known landmarks. Similar to Stonehenge in design, a for the 2010 elections. At least he can say that he made history, smaller circle was discovered in the area of the Stonehenge as he is the first president in Costa Rica’s history that was ever landmark. This finding is believed to confirm the idea that tried and convicted for corruption. While this is an interesting Stonehenge was used as a massive funeral area. This newly historical note, it was not exactly what the prosecutors had found stone circle, now called “Bluehenge” (because it was been looking for. In a manner of speaking, Calderon was let built using blue stones), was, like Stonehenge, built near the off easy with five years of prison time considering that the River Avon. This supports the idea that the River Avon was prosecution team had been asking for at least 24. used as a link between the dead and the funeral area (the stone circles) and the “domain of the living” represented by Large Company Protects Rainforest the monument Durrington Wells located further upstream. It With the whole world thinking of new and improved is believed that Bluehenge was used as the beginning of the ways to be green and protect the Earth, it is no surprise processional funeral walk that ended at Stonehenge. Another that large corporations are joining in on this phenomenon. theory is the bodies of the dead were actually cremated at Recently, Marriott International Inc., an international hotel Bluehenge and then the ashes were taken to Stonehenge. Scicompany, signed an agreement to help protect and preserve entists believe that the stones used in Bluehenge were dragged 1.4 million acres of endangered rainforest in Amazonas. They from the Welsh mountains, over 150 miles away. have also committed $2 million to the cause. This money will ife can become pretty chaotic for the average Graded student, sometimes making it impossible to be completely informed about what’s happening outside of the “bubble.” In an attempt to catch up those who feel that they are too tired to open the newspaper every morning or too overwhelmed to take five minute breaks to log on to the NY Times website, here are a few quick updates on what’s going on with the world outisde of our beloved school.

12 • the talon

features

Dare to Cross the Dead Line?

Why having a limit is good

Karen Hime

I

t began as a real line, drawn in the dirt or marked by a fence or rail, restricting prisoners in Civil War camps. They were warned, “If you cross this line, you’re dead.” To make dead sure this important boundary was not overlooked, guards and prisoners soon were calling it by its own bluntly descriptive name, the dead line. An 1864 congressional report explains its use in one camp: “A railing around the inside of the stockade, and about twenty feet from it, constitutes the ‘dead line,’ beyond which the prisoners are not allowed to pass.” Nothing could be more emphatic than dead line to designate a limit, so we happily applied the term to other situations with strict boundaries.

For example, the storyteller O. Henry wrote in 1909 about crossing “the dead line of good behavior.” But it was the newspaper business that made deadline more than just a historical curiosity.

To have the latest news and still get a newspaper printed and distributed on time requires strict time limits for those who write it. Yet, many are the excuses for writers to go beyond their allotted time: writers’ block, writers’ perfectionism, or just plain procrastination. Perhaps the writer is a deadbeat, another dead word invented by Americans during the Civil War. Seeking the strongest possible language to counter these temptations, editors set deadlines, with the implication that “Your story is dead, or you are dead if you go beyond this time to finish it.”

Our fast-paced twentieth century has made such deadlines essential not just for reporters and other writers but for every kind of activity; there are deadlines for finishing a job or assignment, for entering a contest, for ransoming hostages, or even buying a product at special sale were doneprice. In essence, what that means is that contemporary society is guided by deadlines. It is almost impossible to imagine a society without due dates or time limits. Could it function properly, or would all things fall out of order?

A boss never gives extra few days to work on that business plan because an employee has not been sleeping

well lately. A criminal calling for ransom also never waits a couple more months to give a victim time to earn some more money. Good or bad, deadlines make and have always made the world go round. This goes back millions of years.

Modern archeological research has proven that cavemen were sometimes killed by their wives for failing to return from their hunting trips on time for dinner.

There have been cases, however, when some have unsuccessfully tried to change this paradigm. There is a well-known story of a young history professor who once tried to implement the no deadline system in his class. He had read these revolutionary ideas about how much easier life would be and how everyone would become more productive without time constraints and due dates. So for the final paper in his class, there was no deadline. At first, everyone thought it was a joke. How could such a major homepages.inf.ed.uk paper have no date to be handed in? The professor, to his students’ joy, did not change his mind. They could really hand it in anytime they wanted. As they were loaded with work, they kept putting it off. The semester ended, and not a single student handed in the assigned paper. Not one. Then, the year ended. Still, there were no papers, not even the most committed students handed it in. However, there was nothing that the poor professor could do. Until this day he waits in his office for those papers. The students, who have long graduated, often stop by to visit the old man, and still say they will hand in their papers next week.

Although I am certain that anyone would love to live in a world without deadlines, it is completely unrealistic. As shown by why it happened to the poor professor, it is because it is difficult to get things done efficiently. Not having a deadline would actually increase the amount of time taken on each task, overall affecting the amount of tasks done.

Even though we all cross the dead line once in a while, it seems like the only way to make sure the world functions is to keep the line there, since it keeps us all in line to get work done.

the talon • 13

features

Life is Like a Line

But what happens when you’re dead?

Andrea Estrada

L

ines are pretty concrete and straightforward things. Like a line, life is a pretty concrete concept too. Regardless of what belief or scientific theory you’re looking at, if you are alive, you are alive. You may be brain-dead, but you’re still alive.

On the other hand, death is not like a line.

Death holds a number of outcomes when one considers different theories of religion, science, and spiritualism.

There is a controversy between different beliefs regarding the afterlife. What really happens when we’re dead?

Hindus, Rosicrucians, Spiritists, and Wiccans all suggest that some sort of reincarnation exists after death. They believe that the dead continue to grow spiritually after they die and begin another life in the physical world. They continue growing and reincarnating until eventually they are liberated. Yet each religion has a different version of reincarnation. Some Wiccans, for instance, believe that before reincarnating the soul goes to “Summerland” where it reflects on its life for a while and its memory is erased before it moves on to the next life. For Hindus and Spiritists, Karma is an important element in the afterlife. The mistakes or actions a soul takes in one life have a resulting consequence in their next life.

Buddhists also believe in Karma and their idea of afterlife is that of rebirth, which is similar to reincarnation.

They suggest that the actions of a person will define the level of the realm into which they will be reborn into. For instance, if a person is evil, their next realm might be an animal one, while if they are kind-hearted, their next realm could be a happy, human one. Rebirth is different to reincarnation because there is no direct identity between one life and a following one, just the determining factor of whether it will be a higher and happier realm or a lower one. So who were we in our previous lives? Are reincarnation or rebirth what we believe awaits us?

What about the idea of heaven and hell? Most denominations of Christians generally believe in some kind of judgment after death, in which it is decided whether the dead go to heaven or hell. All Christians believe in some sort of heaven, but conceptions of what heaven is like are different.

Generally though, it’s a place where those believers who reach it enjoy a time without sin alongside the company of God as

14 • the talon

a reward for leading a good life. The majority of Christians believe in the existence of hell as well. Those who do believe in hell also discuss the different theories of the duration of hell and how punishment takes place. Some Christians argue the punishment is spiritual, while others argue it is physical.

Unlike other Christians, Catholics also believe in the existence of a purgatory. People that die with unconfessed sins but that aren’t necessarily destined to go to hell go to a temporary place of punishment or purification before they proceed to heaven.

Similar to Christians, Jews believe that individuals undergo a judgment after death where their next step is decided.

People who led pristine lives are immediately sent to the “World to Come,” a place similar to the Christian heaven, but cases like that rarely occur. However, most people go through a period of reflection where they need to realize their mistakes in life and only after are they allowed worldpress.com to continue into the “World to Come.” Eternal punishment, or the equivalent of hell, is designated only for a very small group of truly evil-driven people. Muslims also believe in a paradise, jannat, and a hell, jahannam. Both paradise and hell have different levels within them. People who live a kind and good life go to paradise, but the level of their purity determines the level of paradise they reach. The same occurs for hell.

There are believers of the existence of spirits and ghosts rather than believing in reincarnation, heaven or hell. Many Spiritists believe souls linger in the physical world after they leave a body and either move on after they have completed some sort of task, or never leave at all.

There is even a type of scientific method, parapsychology, which tries to prove the existence of spirits or ghosts.

In the end, there are many theories one could support. There is also the possibility that atheists suggest: strictly scientifically, when a body dies, it simply dies with no such thing as an afterlife for the soul. So, what happens when we die? Maybe you faithfully support one of the theories above, maybe you believe in a combination of them, or maybe you just have your own theory. There has been no concrete proof of a specific type of afterlife; therefore it is extremely hard to determine which theory is correct, if any.

features

Words Louder than Actions What have you done to extend Nature’s deadline?

Julia Greenwald

A

s I arrived home from the high school trip at 11:00 p.m. that Friday, the first thing I did was not shower, unpack, or collapse on my bed, but recycle all the plastic bags in my household. In the first week after the trip, I’ve lectured my family twice about sustainability and how we are destroying the environment. I now turn off any light switch in my way.

Only one word can sum up my new paranoia about the environment, and obsession for its protection: Bonito.

Not beautiful, but Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul, the destination of the Grade 11 trip. The theme of our trip was the environment, and more specifically, sustainability and development. As a class we did not only indulge in the ecotourism Bonito has to offer, but were amazed at how eco-friendly the city is, and how it manages to protect the environment that general society is destroying.

During various lectures and the infamous trip to the “lixão” and water treatment facility, we were immersed in information; specifically about how Bonito uses ecotourism to conserve. First, a license is needed to be able to promote ecotourism in the area. Once that is attained, there must be a limited number of visitors and guides to be able to monitor the environment, and not overwhelm it. This, officials explained, maintains biodiversity and brings back degraded areas. The local guides also showed us how the pathways on the trail were made of recycled wood, and were built around trees as to not cut any more down.

As I reflected on what we learned and observed, I asked the same question over and over again. If Bonito can conserve this much, why can’t we? Is our negative effect on Mother Nature too large to fix? Before trying to answer this on my own, I asked a group of juniors what they think we, as a population or a school, are doing to the environment:

Chloe Pires

• “I think that at school recycling is not working. People are mixing everything, and what we recycle is being rejected.

We should explain why recycling is important.”

• “What we are doing to the environment is using it up so that the next generation is going to be fighting over the scraps.“ • “We are using the environment in ways that it cannot regenerate, thus destroying it piece by piece.”

• “I think that we are harming the environment through consumption. Like we buy things and don't realize that they are going to have to go someplace, and I think that though we do try to "fix'' our mistakes it’s easy to say we will but hard to actually do it. Like it’s really easy to say I’m going to recycle but people never go out of their way to do it.

And as a school (we are a large group) we should definitely try to put our goals into action.”

• “I think that our school impacts nature in a negative way with the amount of trash it produces. Even though we try to recycle, this is done poorly, since very few people actually utilize the separate recycling bins.”

• “We as a school are affecting the environment in every action we do. But we try to make up for it at the same time.

But we still have a lot to give back to the environment just for building the school.”

• “I think that as a community we are trying to help the environment, even if it’s only through small things like having the plastic cups and recycling bins; I think that Graded as a community cares about its environment and the planet!”

As a school Graded seems eco-friendly. The community service project Go Green is a perfect example, and as students we do care about the environment and see how we are slowly destroying it through consumption. But sadly, our words speak louder than our actions. I cannot even begin to count how many times I have opened a recycling bin, only to find a half-eaten cookie inside, or seen a student throw a can away in the organic trash, just because it’s closer. It is these small acts that make a difference and bring nature closer to the deadline we have created for it.

Bonito has spoken, and it is time we take a stand as students and as a generation. So please, remember to turn off your lights. Recycle that can of Coke. Don’t get plastic bags at Pão de Açucar. Bring a water bottle to school. Make Bonito a trip and experience all Graded students can enjoy for many years to come.

the talon • 15

features

Suicide Generation Why do the young continue to place themselves in danger?

Olivia Dupasquier

I

guess in a sense we’re all scared of death. Scared of reaching our deadline the point at which we just leave to a destination unknown. We don’t know when it will happen, where it will happen or whether we will have a chance to live our lives to the fullest, get married, succeed in the work force, and accomplish all those challenges on our bucket lists. As teenagers, the concept becomes even more terrifying. We still see our whole lives ahead of us; the prospect of death is still far away. Yet, research over the years shows that we teenagers do, in some cases, bring about our own deaths. Through our careless carpe diem mentality, or because the pressures of being a teenager are just too great for some to handle, teenagers are risking their lives.

Be it through suicide, drinking and driving or overdose, in recent years it seems more teenagers are shortening their deadlines.

A leading cause of teenage death nowadays is the hasty decision to drive while intoxicated. The number of teenagers dying because of drinking and driving is astonishing. In the U.S., the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that 23% of teenage drivers in fatal car wrecks possessed a bloodalcohol level above the legal limit of 0.08. None of these adolescents are actually above the legal drinking age in the United States, and yet they are losing their lives, and putting the lives of others at risk because of careless decisions. Although we have all been told the true risks and consequences of getting in a car and driving while intoxicated, it seems that our age group continuously ignores those warnings, opting instead to risk lives. Some do it due to peer pressure, others because they simply lack the neurons to decide that perhaps it is not the best idea. The statistics seem to grow, the lectures at school get longer, and teenagers continue doing what they know cannot possibly be good.

Suicide is another way that teenagers meet their life deadlines. The U.S. Center for Disease Control reports that

16 • the talon

it is the third leading cause of death, behind accidents and homicide, of people aged 15 to 24. There are many factors that may lead an adolescent to want to commit suicide, the most common being depression. Anxiousness, hopelessness and desperation often cause teenagers to feel as though they cannot handle their lives, and that the only way to solve problems is by ending them.

They see suicide as an escape from being trapped by the many pressures put forth on them in their day-to-day lives. Many other factors that lead adolescents to commit suicide are abuse, rejection by peers, the death of someone close, or the divorce of parents. In light of any of these difficult events, some see no more reason to go on living.

Another way that teenagers take away their own lives overdosing on drugs. In some cases the misuse was unintentional; the person was trying to get high and could no longer handle the drug. Intentional misuse of drugs is when teenagers deliberately want to inflict self-harm as a way to call attention to themselves.

In any case, with the use of drugs immediately comes the possible consequence of death, even if it is indirectly. By choosing to use drugs and even abuse of them, teenagers cut their lives short. So why do they buzzle.com continue making the same mistakes?

Some because they’re curious, others because they like the feeling. Drugs temporarily reduce stress or makes them feel good about themselves. Under the mentality that life is short and therefore they should experiment and explore, adolescents prove this. Life is short, and made even shorter because of a simple, very bad decision.

It is a serious wastefor people to die young, reaching their deadline before they are supposed to. How difficult is it to make smart, sensible choices about our actions? Yet many cases, such the depressed suicidals, deserve our compassion.

Whether it is through not bearing the pressure of adolescent life or making senseless decisions, our generation is, in a way, killing itself.

features Cartoons by Nina Kim

ne

Deadli

the talon • 17

entertainment

New Happiness in Town Now television has gone musical

Cássia Di Roberto

L

adies and Gentleman, welcome to a new stage in television.

Today television series are not only drama, comedies, or romance, they are also…musicals? Developed by Ryan Murphy, Glee is television’s new hit series. With 7.5 million viewers of its first episode, it has been called an “older version” of High School Musical.

Glee revolves around the misfits of an Ohio high school’s show choir, and one teacher’s dream to recreate his glory days of Glee Club. Set to old 80’s Broadway musicals and other popular songs, the kids learn to find themselves through music and dance. Starring Broadway alums such as Matthew Morrison as William Schuester (the inspiring Glee Club leader), and Lea Michele as Rachel Barry (the school’s “diva”), this TV show brings musicals to new heights.

Mr. Schuester is William McKinley High School’s passionate Spanish teacher turned Glee Club director.

In the past, as part of the nationally acclaimed glee club in high school, he has decided to be the new sponsor for the WMHS Glee Club. By recruiting new members and revamping the repertoire, his dream starts to become a reality.

Producer Ryan Murphy looked to his own youth for inspiration; he used to play the lead in all of his high school’s musicals. Co-producers Ian Brennan and Mike Novick were highly involved in their own school’s glee club. Originally written for a movie, Murphy thought the concept would work better as a TV series. The Fox Entertainment Channel picked up the pilot quickly. Choosing Ohio as a background goes back to Murphy’s midwest connections, growing up in Indiana, and having being raised in a suburban setting.

Even though Glee has been compared to High School Musical, Murphy has commented that he has never watched High School Musical and what he wanted to create was a “postmodern musical” rather than just doing a show where “people suddenly burst into song.” He wanted this TV show to be a form of escapism. In his words, “There’s so much on the air right now about people with guns, or sci-fi, or lawyers running around. This is a different genre, there’s nothing like it on the

18 • the talon

air. Everything is so dark in the world right now, that’s why shows such as American Idol work. It’s just pure escapism.”

Glee was meant to be a family show, interesting to adults to children, since the adult leads are eqaul stars alongside the teenage stars.

The series features covers of songs sung by the characters on the small screen. Musical segments take the form of performances, as opposed to spontaneous singing, since the intention is for the series to remain reality-based. Murphy is responsible for selecting all songs used, and he strives to maintain a balance between show tunes and Billboard hits. “I want there to be something for everybody in every episode. That’s a tricky mix, but very important the balancing of that,” he said.

Murphy was surprised at how easily their use of songs has been approved by record labels. acappellanews.com He explains, “I think the key to it is they loved the tone of it. They loved that this show was about optimism and young kids, for the most part, reinterpreting their classics for a new audience. Famous singers and composers like Billy Idol and Rihanna have offered their songs to be used for free.”

Glee is not a show that takes itself too seriously. It is said their show is more of a satire about show choir than a faithful depiction of high school. It is filled with incredibly funny one-liners, and witty come-backs. Overall, it is just unashamedly, feel-good entertainment with heart and charm.

What makes it even better is the easy-to-sing-along songs and diverse catalogue of styles. In just the first four episodes the cast sang songs from West Side Story and others by Journey, Queen, Kanye West and Rihanna.

It was no surprise that Glee was picked up for an additional nine episodes, which will bring its first season to 22 episodes. Glee has become a world–wide phenomena attracting not only teenagers but adults everywhere. Bringing a little joy to everyone’s day, Glee is a show for all. Maybe it will even influence Graded to create our very own Graded Glee!

entertainment

Unleash the Zombies

First semester’s Zombie Zoo? A great success.

Luiza Justus

O

n Friday, October 9 the undead were unleashed once again at this semester’s Zombie Zoo. Students gathered at the Student Center to watch their friends perform (or, perhaps in some cases, make fools out of themselves), eat, and help community service groups. As always, this year's Zombie Zoo was an engaging and entertaining event where many things happened at the same time, yet they all tied together for the purpose of the project: fundraising. All the proceeds went to Habitat for Humanity and Ilha do Cardoso.

A large number of students and teachers helped make it work, either working at the tie-dye booth, selling t-shirts, managing the tickets, selling food, advertising, being in charge of the raffle, or working at Buya-Brick. All of this would not have been possible without the architect behind this amazing plan, Dinho C. Pinto. He was the primary organizer of this semester’s Zombie Zoo and should be congratulated for his amazing job at not only planning the event but also making it run as smoothly as it did.

Zombie Zoo is mainly about the performance art of music, but there were also many elements of visual arts involved. An enormous painted mural with the letters “ZZ” was hung on the back wall of the stage and served as a perfect setting for the musicians to work their magic. This Zombie Zoo had an unprecedented creative element as far as decorations were concerned. An extensive mural was hung right next to the stage with large logos of several famous bands we all know and love. This helped to blend our own Graded performers with those well-known gods of music, such as The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Nirvana, Aerosmith, The Who, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, and Bon Jovi.

As we all know, Zombie Zoo would not be what it is without the gutsy students who went up on that stage and performed. These students were responsible for the entertainment of others and were the main attraction of the affair (no pressure, right?). Mr. Bair attended the show and commented on the performers: “The acts are entertaining, and I like the overall atmosphere. The students are fairly talented,

but the biggest thing to be admired is the courage to get up there and play.”

Once the event got going, there was no stopping our talented Graded performers. However, someone had to have the nerve-wracking job of opening the show. The booths were already providing their services and the spectators were eager to hear some good music.

Everyone waited with an air of expectancy as the instruments were being set up. First up was João Neves, a new student who entered sophomore year just at the beginning of the semester.

He played by himself, a voice and guitar act. This was an especially panicky experience because not only was he the first person, but it was the first time he ever performed a song in his life. He played an original song called "Can You Handle It", which he says was inspired by Giulia Song Jimi Hendrix. “It was a great song and an awesome start to this year’s Zombie Zoo,” said Melanie Vladimirschi, an eleventh grade attendee of the event.

Getting positive feedback is one thingm but João never took a guitar class in his life. The impressive part of it all is that he taught himself how to play the guitar and performed a song that he wrote himself in front of the high school. That takes audacity. A comment from João after he performed: “It’s easy to write songs, the hard part is writing music that is any good.”

Kudos to this multi-talented student.

The success of this semester’s Zombie Zoo was based on a lot of factors. The fundraising purpose of it is a noble one and will help Ilha do Cardoso and Habitat for Humanity get the money they need in order to better the lives of the less fortunate. It was also a chance for groups of talented students to display what they have been practicing, and the whole Graded community is extremely proud of them. Viewers only gave positive comments on the performers. The atmosphere reflected what Graded is really about. Mr. Watlington, who was there as a witness of Zombie Zoo’s great success, remarked: “The energy is good and the music is not hurting my ears.”

We guess that’s always a good thing.

the talon • 19

entertainment

Lost Childhoods

Are today’s the children really living?

Marina Oliveira

I

was coming home on the bus the other day when I noticed a little kid I had never seen before. Unable to resist his cuteness, I sat down next to him and started up a conversation.

I asked him his name and how old he was, and he answered by awkwardly lifting up his open hand. He pulled one finger down with his other hand, looked at it, pulled it back up, and frowned at it again. He finally showed me an open hand saying, “I think.” So adorable. I asked him what he liked play. In reply, he talked on and on for the next thirty minutes about cartoons, both in movies and on TV, and their characters.

To say the least, was a confusing account of their storylines. He listed what channels were his favorite and why, and which ones he didn’t like. He invited me to come over sometime and watch movies and play video games, followed by a long list of the ones he owned. I was informed that he had some at his grandmother’s house, too. In an attempt to change the subject, I asked what else he liked to do. He paused for a while, thinking, five seconds later, continued his list of movies, TV shows and video games.

At that point, I was far from engaged. I was feeling old, as well as very nostalgic. All I could think of was that in my day, things were different, and my childhood days were not so long ago. I did watch Disney movies and cartoons on television; at five years old, I loved Princess Jasmine from Aladdin and

Kids nowadays are getting cheated out of a childhood, with all its simple pleasures. watched the same tapes (back in the age of VCRs) over and over and over again. Watching TV and movies or playing video games are things I still do. Yet what I remember most fondly about my childhood are the classic childhood crafty things, such as drawing, or cutting out pictures from magazines with

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those round-ended scissors, gluing sequins with glitter glue all over the place. I also played tag and hopscotch and sang Brazilian nursery rhymes. I liked yoyos and pawns and paper dolls. I remember one game where I threw up small bags filled with sand and had to pick them up again. I wondered if this kid knew any of the songs I sang when I was little or how to play hopscotch or the game with the little sand bags. I wondered if, after playing videogames so much, he would find these silly childish things at all entertaining.

I can see why he was so obsessed video entertainment. As technology improves, they are more and more enticing.

For parents in big cities, they provide an easy solubuffalogamebuffs.com tion for a hyperactive child running around the apartment, posing a threat to their precious coffee table ornaments. Turn on TV, put a DVD into the player, or insert a videogame. It is as simple as it gets and kids are mesmerized by the screen for hours. Win-win situation, right?

I would say not really. That now seems to be all children do.

They have nothing else to talk about; nothing that isn’t fast, colorful, or enticing is boring. Kids are still filled with energy and can’t sit still for half an hour when they are not in front of the TV. Kids nowadays are getting cheated out of having a real childhood, with all its simple pleasures. Those of us who enjoyed our younger years know that the things we look back on and miss are not the cartoons. And even if we do, we can still watch them over again. The memories that bring a smile to our faces are those things we did at that age. No matter how much we enjoyed it when we were little, playing hopscotch as an adult is not too entertaining. We question it too much, trying to find a point to it, when really, there is none. But that was part of the fun.

Talking to that little kid on the bus, I wondered, have we witnessed the passing of the deadline of childhood? Is this new generation of children living the same childhood we did, or are they nothing but miniature technology-obsessed teenagers and adults?

entertainment

Salve Geral Brazil’s controversial representative in the Oscar nominations Marina Oliveira

E

ach year, a commission selects one movie to represent Brazil as a possible nomination for the Best Foreign Film category at the Academy Awards. Along with other foreign films, this picture then undergoes a selection process to decide the final nominees. To this day, though some Brazilian movies have been nominated for the award, surprisingly none have brought home the Oscar.

The 2010 candidate for nomination is Salve Geral, which premiered in movie theaters on October 2. The director Sergio Resende is best known for his work in Zuzu Angel, the 2006 picture based on the life the fashion designer murdered by the dictatorship. With the slogan, “o dia que São Paulo parou” (the day that São Paulo stopped), Salve Geral is based on the events that occurred in the city of São Paulo between May 12-14, 2006. The film mixes both historical facts and fictional story elements.

The PCC (Primeiro Comando da Capital) is considered the greatest criminal faction in the state of São Paulo. In May 2006, due to suspicions that multiple rebellions were being organized by the group, 765 convicts, including heads of the faction, were transferred to maximum security prisons in the interior in an attempt to inhibit their action. As a result, a wave of violence was initiated all over the city. Buses and cars were burned, and there were attacks on police officers, municipal guards and penitentiary agents, as well as police stations and bank agencies. A total of 64 rebellions were registered in the 107 penitentiaries and CDPs (Centros de Detenção Provisória) in the state. A total of 273 people were kept hostage, resulting in deaths and injury.

The title of the movie comes from the command given that caused these rebellions, “Salve geral.”

The film not only is inspired by the violence and chaos of the day São Paulo was immobilized by crime, but also Rezende’s fictional story of a mother’s struggle to help her son at any cost. The movie portrays the life of Lúcia (Andrea Beltrão), a middle-class piano teacher, throughout one year. Her 18 year-old-son Rafael was involved in a fight that resulted in the death of a girl and is now in prison. Struggling financially and desperately wanting to get her son out of jail, she gets involved with the PCC and begins to walk the line

between legality and the world of crime.

The public response to the choice of Salve Geral to represent Brazil was highly critical, mainly because of its violent theme. Those who do support the movie claim that spectators do not like to see the negative side of their nation projected on the big screen, and therefore disapprove of any movie with such a theme.

Those who do not agree with the choice of Salve Geral as Brazil’s representative question the image that is presented of the country to the world at an event of such stature as the Academy Awards. They argue that the only side of Brazil that is ever exposed abroad is that of violence, crime, and poverty, reinforcing the negative view that foreigners have when there is so much more to both the nation today and its complex history.

After a long list of movies that portray this miserable side of Brazilian society, beginning with Cidade de Deus and continuing with others such as Tropa de Elite and Ônibus 174, the creativity of director Sérgio Rezende is also put into question. This theme of brutality and the conflict between crime and police seems to have become commonplace in Brazilian film, so Salve Geral presents nothing unique or innovative. A film that can win an Academy Award for being the best foreign picture of a babble.com given year should in some way stand out from its predecessors. Even if a film were to expose the nation’s problems, there is unfortunately a far greater diversity that has not yet been explored in film.

Many also fear that the constant portrayal of crime only gives exposure to criminal factions such as the PCC, which empowers them. Also questioned is the very intention of these movies. Is their point really to expose the day-to-day reality of every Brazilian or has the misery of the country become simply a source of income, since it is known that this type of film brings in money at box offices?

These issues will continue to be discussed as the Oscar season approaches. The five official nominees for the foreign film category will be announced on February 2, 2010. The Academy Award ceremony is scheduled for March 7, 2010.

the talon • 21

entertainment

Real-World Deadlines

And other reasons theater causes stress and joy Ms. Emily Blackburn

T

he show must go on. This saying is trite, but absolutely and future cast members. Rehearsals exist to reduce this true. The day that a production is set to open is the day a anxiety. One of the best ways to conquer stage fright is to be production will open, ready or not. This deadline has caused confident and well prepared. It doesn’t squash the butterflies anxiety in more than one drama teacher’s life. You see, that performers feel, but when they walk on the stage they everyone worries about deadlines, know they belong there. but that anxiety increases ten-fold So, why in the world do when the set needs to be painted, people do theater? Wouldn’t it the costumes need to be sewn, be easier to become involved in the light and sound cues need to an activity with less emotional be polished, and the cast needs commitment and risk? There isn’t to be confident enough to get up an easy answer to this, but I in front of their friends and family would guess that a lot of people’s to perform. Theater is a land of motivation comes from a true real-world deadlines where a live sense of accomplishment. When audience comes in to observe and the curtain raises on opening comment on whether or not a night everyone who has worked production finished on time. on the production knows that they One of a theater teacher’s have done something impressive. biggest challenges is trying to They haven’t just met a deadline; convince student actors that they they have created a piece of art cannot fall back on a lifetime of together. successful procrastination. I will So what is Urinetown? be honest, I am a procrastinator.

Many are asking this I thrive on the rush of the lastquestion. As a matter of fact, even minute panic that pumps adrenaline the characters in the play wonder. through my body. I too have lied Suffice it to say, Urinetown, The to myself by making the argument Musical is a musical comedy and impropablefiction.wordpress.com that this very rush is where I get my Urinetown the town is not a place you inspiration. Unfortunately, theater isn’t a place where getting want to end up. it done at the last minute will work. The goal is not to hope Despite its unusual name, Urinetown, The Musical has to get through the production without forgetting lines, but to everything one would expect from a musical. There is singing, master the roles. This takes time, repetition and dedication. dancing, and young love. The great thing about Urinetown, Let’s take the current production of Urinetown as an The Musical is that it has a lot one wouldn’t expect from a example. Three times a week (plus two Saturdays), twenty musical as well. There is rebellion, kidnapping, corruption Graded high school students enter the Black Box Theater after and a few surprises that truly don’t fit with the idea that all a hard day at school, and they are asked to dance, sing or act. musicals have happy endings, even when the music is happy.

Every day there are more steps to remember, they are told to The cast and crew of Urinetown, The Musical move here, to do that and reminded not to forget everything encourage all in the Graded community to come and see our before the next rehearsal. If they aren’t learning their lines, production. Bring friends and family and teachers, too going over their dances or singing their songs at home, the problem can’t be solved by a quick email to the teacher asking Urinetown, The Musical will be performed in the Black Box for an extension. When they stand up in front of the cast at Theater from December 3-5. Director Ms. Blackburn admits the next rehearsal everyone will know. struggled with this deadline, but she promises that the cast I am not writing this to cause stress to my current will be ready to perform.

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entertainment

Trivialities

Read this and avoid those deadlines Luiza Justus

H

alf of Americans over the age of 55 have close to no teeth.

• The average bed is home to over 6 billion dust mites.

• Basketball was invented by a Canadian who was working at a YMCA in the U.S.

• The U.S. army packs Tabasco pepper sauce in every ration kit it gives to soldiers.

• A baby usually deprives his or her parents of 400-750 hours of sleep during the first year.

• The word “set” has more definitions than any other word in the English language.

• Ernest Vincent Wright wrote a novel of over 50,000 words, none of which contains the letter “E.”

• There is a giant mushroom in Oregon that is over 2,400 years old, covers 3.4 square miles of land, and is still growing.

• Mosquitoes have 47 teeth.

• No president of the United States was an only child.

• -40 degrees Celsius is equal to -40 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Because metal was scarce, the Oscars given out during World War II were made of plaster.

• At $7.5 million, Business.com is currently the most expensive domain name.

• ‘’Second Street’’ is the most common street name in the U.S.; ‘’First Street’’ is only the sixth most common!

• Before toilet paper was invented, French royalty wiped their bottoms with fine linen.

• ‘’Jedi’’ is an official religion with over 70,000 followers.

• Babies are born without kneecaps. They don’t appear until the child reaches 2-6 years of age.

• In Sweden there is a skithru McDonald’s.

• The first hard drive available for Apple had a capacity of 5 megabytes.

• The average office desk has 400 times more bacteria than a toilet.

• The average home creates more pollution than the average car does.

• The first domain name ever rejistered was Symbolics.com.

• The best time for a person to buy shoes is in the afternoon.

This is because the foot tends to swell a bit around this time.

• The first product that the toy company Mattel came out with was picture frames.

• The IRS employees’ tax manual has instructions for collecting taxes after a nuclear war.

• The leading cause of poisoning for children under the age of six in the home is liquid dish soap.

sfgate.com

• All the swans in England are property of the Queen.

• All the pet hamsters in the world are descended from a wild golden Hamster found in Syria in 1930!

• All the gold ever mined could be molded into a cube 60 feet high and 60 feet wide.

• The reported percent of women who wash their hands before leaving a restroom is 80%.

• Microsoft made $16,005 in revenue in its first year of operation.

• Medical research has found substances in mistletoe that can slow down tumor growth.

• One gallon of used motor oil can ruin approximately one million gallons of fresh water.

• The female lion does ninety percent of her family’s hunting.

All facts found at www.funfunnyfacts.com.

the talon • 23

entertainment

What’s Happening in São Paulo Get out on the town

Marina Oliveira Coldplay The production company for Coldplay has announced that the British band will stop by Brazil in the beginning of 2010 as part of the world tour of its album Viva la Vida, which includes songs such as “Viva la Vida” and “Violet Hill.” Viva la Vida won Best Rock Album at the 2009 Grammy Awards and was the best selling album of 2008. Shows in South America will end the world tour. Shows are scheduled for Tuesday, March 2 at Morumbi stadium in São Paulo and Sunday, February 28 at Praça da Apoteose in Rio de Janeiro. Ticket sales open November 6 at 12 a.m. on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.br.

On November 7, sales start 9 a.m. through the Call Center (4004-2060), 10 a.m. at all sales points, and 12 p.m. at the official ticket office at Credicard Hall (Av. das Nações Unidas, 17.981, Santo Amaro). For more information check out www. showcoldplay.com.br.

P.J. Clarke’s Since 1884, it has held its New York address at the corner of 55th Street and Third Avenue and has become famous for its celebrity clients such as Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy and Andy Warhol. In 2008, the restaurant opened its first branch outside of New York in São Paulo.

Here, the brick walls, checkered table clothes, red couches, art deco lighting and wooden bars reproduce the old décor of the NY address. Though the menu includes some Brazilian additions, it is true to its original. P.J. Clarke’s is best known for its burgers, and has recently won best hamburger

by Veja São Paulo’s “Comer e Beber” 2009-2010. For those of you missing traditional American breakfasts, brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays, complete with American delights such as pancakes, waffles, bacon and eggs. Rua Doutor Mario Ferraz 568, Itaim.

examiner.com

New Moon Though we don’t like to admit it, it’s the movie we’ve all been waiting for... the sequel to Twilight. New Moon comes out in Brazil on Thursday, November 19 at 23:55 in Cinemark movie theaters. If you want to get your tickets early, they are already on sale at www.ingresso.com.br.

sodahead.com

24 • the talon

entertainment

A Second Opinion Anonymous HS Teacher Dear Second Opinion, Girls always talk about losing weight. How do we overcome the stress of how we look? —Anonymous Dear Anonymous, There is no simple remedy to wipe away the years and years of propaganda out there that suggests women should be skinny.

As luck would have it, more women are taking greater control over their lives by accepting their bodies with the flaws. By the way, men have insecurities about their own physical shortcomings, so rest assured that no one is perfect and to keep torturing yourself into trying to achieve an unattainable body is a great waste of time. The harshest judge of you is you—be more kind and accepting of the gifts you have been given. I’m sure there are several attributes of your body that members of the same sex wish they possessed. On a final note, if there is one thing I know for a fact, men do not look at women the same way women look at themselves. Hope that helps.

Just a Second Opinion Dear Second Opinion, If [a person] smells, what can I do? —I Can’t Breathe Dear I Can’t Breathe, Bringing someone’s body odor or bad breath to their attention is very difficult. News such as this should come from someone who knows the other person well. It’s difficult to hear constructive criticism from a mere acquaintance. Specifically addressing body odor, there’s a level on which this can be cultural as opposed to an outward refusal to bathe. In many cultures, deodorant is not used, and to impose your cultural vaules on someone else, particularly if you don’t know him or her that well, might cause you both a great deal of embarrassment. Be careful with this one—are you tempted to say something just to make your life sweeter or are you considering a talk with this person as a means of helping him (or her)?

Just a Second Opinion Dear Second Opinion, My younger brother thinks he owns the house. What course of action should I take? —Raging Bull

authority make some provisions to maintain order? What is he doing that is directly bothering you? Is he simply spoiled and getting away with murder? Is he lonely and needing some attention from his cooler, older sibling? How young is this boy?

How old are you? Lots of unanswered questions, but one thing’s for sure: beating him to a pulp would probably not help the situation, although you might feel better, but for a fleeting moment only.

Just a Second Opinion Dear Second Opinion, My ex-boyfriend just started a casual relationship with one of my friends. I feel extremely uncomfortable. Even though it has been a few weeks since we broke up, do I still have the right to be upset? —Betrayed Ex-girlfriend Dear Betrayed Ex-girlfriend, It is never easy to see someone you’ve been close to begin a new relationship with someone else–particularly a friend. You certainly can be upset but I’m not sure it’s your “right.” If you don’t want this guy anymore, then why can’t he be with someone new? Would it bother you less if he was with a total stranger? Maybe if this new relationship is bothering you so much then perhaps your feelings for your ex aren’t as much a part of the past as you might like to believe. Maybe there are still some unresolved feelings there. How does your friend feel about this relationship? Can you talk to her about the problem?

Time needs to pass before we can let go; wait a little longer and try to focus on today, not yesterday.

Just a Second Opinion Dear Second Opinion, If I get swine flu, what should I do? —Anonymous Dear Anonymous, If you get the swine flu, stay home, as far away from people as possible, to avoid inflicting this ailment on others. If you think you might have the swine flu, see the school nurse immediately and begin taking precautions. For now, read and inform yourself about symptoms, remedies, and the best way to stay healthy.

Just a Second Opinion

Dear Raging Bull, Speak to whoever is in charge. Can someone with a bit more

the talon • 25

viva voice

Faux Pas A short story

David Birmann

H

is file and friends would indicate that: Clarence was a regular guy. He had an average job, a normal car and a wife to match the two. Mediocrity was the most distinguishable characteristic of his life. It was wrapped around him and, like well-worn clothing, had been molded to fit his every curve.

He was well aware of that fact and hated every second his mind spent considering it. Clarence wanted to come home from work, remove his vest, and distract his mind from the uninteresting reality surrounding him. As desolate as it might seem, his definition of happiness was being able to enjoy his free time in a state of distraction, preferably with some primetime entertainment.

His marriage was more of a compromise that he made between love and reality. After all, he did have an affection for his wife. Meredith was her name and she was quite different from Clarence. Unlike him, she had little aversion to mediocrity; she rather enjoyed being normal and went about her day doing what she perceived to be things society expected her to. It was a strange union, forced into place by certain social pressures. Meredith was not aware of her husband’s real personality, of his indifferent sighs of resignation. She only needed a few smiles or casual nods when she spoke, to indulge in the fabricated reassurance of knowing she had married a reasonably sensitive man.

The truth about Clarence, however, was tragically unusual. Clarence couldn’t experience emotions, and it wasn’t his fault. He was genuinely incapable of feeling pleasure in anything. The constant numbing of his mind from hours in front of that colorful box in the living room left him in a state of near insentience. It wasn’t pleasurable; it was simply a release from the fatigue that life caused him.

In the past few days, however, a disturbance was emerging in the couple’s relationship. An imbalance was evident in Clarence’s routine. Something was causing Meredith to act differently. Meredith quickly changed and began talking every evening with Clarence about her day. Clarence wasn’t bothered, at first, by his wife’s monologues. He had devised an automatic nodding habit while his mind fluttered into distant things. There was something about these new evening chats that often seemed urgent, and which evolved to commande his focus. Try as he might to resist, the standard vocabulary forming the usual phrases describing Meredith’s ordinary days were making Clarence spend too much of his own day thinking about their life. He couldn’t take it anymore; he was being

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gradually suffocated.

A few days later, Clarence found an unfamiliar pair of underwear in his closet drawer.

As things got back to normal over time, Clarence realized he couldn’t be more satisfied; Meredith had stopped her incessant monologues and had retracted herself almost completely from his life. Clarence was free to enjoy the pinnacle of his experiences, T.V. One uncanny afternoon, Clarence was caught by surprise. From the doorsill as he watched, his wife casually kissed a tall, lean man. The kiss seemed to be of the kind that is shared by two people who are intimate and not afraid to completely show each other their love. He withdrew a little bit and kept looking. She scurried off to the bedroom, smiling and he followed gently. Clarence made his way quietly to the kitchen and waited. In a few minutes, Clarence heard their footsteps again. The man left.

As he walked into view, she greeted him with a frightened yelp. From his expression she could not discern how much he knew. She blurted out: “Clarence, I didn’t want—” “You were cheating on me.” He interrupted her in a calm voice, with a slight hint of amusement.

“Oh, Clarence I am so sorry.” She came closer to him.

“Why?” “I love you and I swear I didn’t want to do it… I just couldn’t get things to stop.” She stood a few meters away from him. Tears streamed down her face, dissolving the make-up the lean man had bought her. He had never noticed her using make-up before.

“Why did you get involved with another man? Tell me,” He commanded in a steady, firm tone.

She obeyed, sensing his resolute position. “Clarence, its just that I felt so lonely. I know you are there for me, but I was vulnerable. I felt rejected, and I turned to him.”

“I understand.” He said, still expressionless after a deep breath.

“Oh! Thank you, thank you Clarence.” She exuberantly stepped forward and embraced him. Not feeling his hold she opened her eyes and saw the sparkle of the shiny kitchen knife he held tightly behind his back.

He whispered, “No, thank you. I have never been this interested in my own life.” He pulled back her hair in a jolt to expose her neck.

entertainment Editors-in-Chief

ACROSS 2 Name the founder of the Maya culture who taught his people to grow maize and cacao, as well as writing, calendars and medicine. Once mentioned as the father of the Bacabs. Connected to Kinich Ahau and Hunab Ku. 6 The theme of Talon Edition 63.

7 Mr. Aickin went to the same college as his beloved former president, W. 9 What song did the Richardson Brothers perform in the air-band contest?

10 The sophomores went to this place for their high school trip.

12 What is the English transliteration of the President of Brazil’s name?

13 The next edition of the Talon has this theme.

15 How many sections are in the Talon? (note: Viva voice is part of Entertainment) 17 Before they were green, what color were the poles and railings at Graded School?

18 Who did Martin quote when he wrote his article on the Senior Lawn in Edition 67?

19 Who is the Talon mascot (hint: it’s in the Writing Center, and no it’s not Ms. Pfeiffer) 20 Who is the Superintendant at Graded?

21 What tiny country borders Ethiopia and rhymes with “booty”?

DOWN 1 What is the third largest national group in Graded?

3 Who invented the radio?

4 In 1989 the Berlin ______ fell.

5 Brazil’s Independence Day. 8 What cellphone phenomenon has dominated Graded School?

11 What is the conjoined name of the Talon co-advisors?

Sorry!

The Talon staff would like to apologize for last edition’s crossword. The bottom four hints were missing. We assure you that this one is complete.

Thank you.

34

� 2xdx ? Answer in words.

14

What is

16

This nine-term American senator died in August.

0

the talon • 27

sports

It’s Here

The implications of the Rio 2016 Olympics Christopher Thomas So it has been decided. The 2016 Summer Olympics such an importance placed on this event, it is doubtful that will be hosted in the “Cidade Maravilhosa.” Chosen over the this scenario could happen. If it does, there will be serious likes of Madrid, Tokyo, and Chicago, the event promises to implications for Brazil as a country, as the farce and scandal at least be a fantastic spectacle. This is a chance for Brazil that would ensue would forever tarnish its reputation. to demonstrate its recentIt is best, though, ly acquired relevance in to view things in a posiworld affairs and to prove tive light, and hope that that it can host an event as a result of the Olymof this magnitude. With pics, Brazil gains a place the whole world watching, among the elite countries Brazil cannot afford to drop of the world. If anything, the ball here. the Olympics (and the It is especially imWorld Cup, to boot) are portant to note how the a chance for Brazil to Olympics are a chance to demonstrate that they invest in sports facilities can handle events such for its competitors. Should as these in modern times. the facilities built for the Furthermore, Olympics remain in use, the the Olympics offer the event will provide ample unique prospect to stimuopportunity for Brazil to late the economy, by actually invest in its sportsforcing the government arquivos.cdlanapolis.com.br men, which, as a country, it to invest in things such as does not do. Whilst the United States and China invest large public transportation; infrastructure will be improved and this amounts of capital into the training of both established and upcan be used in the future. Additionally, many jobs will be creand-coming athletes, Brazil does not get involved on anywhere ated to support the new operations. If all goes well, this could near the same level. As a consequence, the boost Brazil’s market and improve U.S. and China win most of the gold medthe quality of life, if only by a bit. als. With the new income gained from the Optimistically, it could cause a chain “If it does, there will be Olympics and the new facilities, Brazil has serious implications for reaction that would give an overall lift an excellent chance of getting a foothold in Brazil as a country, as the to the monetary situation in the country. sports other than football or volleyball, such farce and scandal that Sincerely, this correspondent as swimming, running, gymnastics, and so on. would ensue would forever hopes that people will look back at the When a man like gold-medal swimmer César tarnish its reputation.” olympics in Rio as a truly memorable ocCielo trains outside his country, it reflects casion, having helped Brazil achieve new poorly on his nation of origin. Brazil needs heights and demonstrate its potential to to take the opportunity given to it. the world. I may have my doubts, but There are also concerns that Brazil’s Olympics efI’ve got my fingers crossed that all goes to plan...or well... fort might be a failure. Lacking the infrastructure that some that there is a plan to begin with and that it goes according wealthier, first-world cities possess, Rio will have to build this to said plan. up quickly if they are to assure everyone that such an event can All in all, though, this is a public relations exercise. be held there. It is also a bit of concern that many politicians It will be Brazil’s chance to do a bit of boasting and impress in Brazil are corrupt and thus a lot of the funding could end other countries with the work they have done. We can only up where most people would rather it didn’t. However, with hope that it can at least get that bit right.

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sports

60 Seconds

Living up to the Five Pillars of Graded Athletics Yana Ahlden

I

t’s 5 p.m. on a normal Wednesday afternoon on the Graded field. The Girls Varsity Soccer team is running their usual practice. In the middle of a drill known as the Three-WomanWeave, a yell interrupts the thumping of feet touching soccer balls. All 20 girls stop what they are doing immediately, no matter if they are jogging back, shooting on goal, or preparing to start the drill, and start sprinting as if their lives depended in it.

Once each of them has made it back to the point where they started, the expected puffing and gasping is replaced by cheering and “let’s go girls.” All 20 girls are clapping for each other. All of them are standing; nearly none are on the ground. Some are stretching, but most of them don’t even look like they are suffering.

Sweaty, exhausted, red faces meet the eye, but all of them have looks of accomplishment. That’s the concept of 60 seconds.

The idea of sixty seconds is much more than just a sprint around the soccer field at any given time. It’s a concept of pushing oneself at the moment when it matters most. The coach always uses the example of the last minute in the game when you’re tired, but the opposing team’s attacking, and you have to get back. Another often-used analogy is that of a tied game going into overtime. Because this is the time when every player matters and every spurt of energy can make all the difference. But in the situation of overtime, the team must be able to depend on every player to be pushing herself to the limit, no matter if her muscles hurt, or if she is out of breath.

But this concept is about a lot more than just pushing oneself to one limit when it matters most. The concept of 60 seconds embodies the five pillars of Graded Athletics, which are Pride, Tradition, Drive, Unity, and Commitment. All of these can be found in the 60 seconds drill. Pride because Graded athletes are too proud to simply give up and stop going when they are tired. Tradition because doing a full sprint around

the field is a tradition of the Girls Soccer team, and also, it is a tradition of Graded athletes to give their opponents the best game they possibly can. Drive is the very concept of 6o seconds, since an athlete needs drive to push herself to the limit, which is what 60 seconds is all about. Unity is part of 60 seconds because the whole point, is that the team reaches accomplishments together. And then, there’s Commitment, which why Graded athletes are able to apply the concept of 60 seconds in every game they play.

Even though the Girls Soccer team is the only team that has a name for 60 seconds, every Varsity player, whether consciously or not, uses 60 seconds in every game he plays. That is one of the many reasons that Graded athletes stand out. No matter how far behind or ahead Graded might be, Graded athletes play till the end; fight to the end, run to the end; push themselves to end. And once the whistle blows, it does Chloe Pires not matter whether Graded has won or lost, faces full of pride and accomplishment will meet the eye; since the athletes are proud of the fact that they were able to carry out the traditions of Drive and Commitment to the end.

Of course Graded athletes experience a sense of disappointment when they lose and a sense of achievement when they win, but ultimately, most will be able to sit back and reflect on their game thinking they did the best they could. And that’s what 60 seconds is all about. After pushing themselves for the team, after living up to the five pillars of Graded Athletics, Graded athletes can say that they left it all on the field and that it was worth it, even if their team did not win the match. Graded athletes shine by living up the five pillars. And the best example of the five pillars in action are the last 60 seconds of any given Graded match, since that is the time when our athletes push themselves and each other to the limit.

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sports

Nós Contra Nós Mesmos Brasil e a Olimpíada Fernando Lima

A

candidatura brasileira – o Rio de Janeiro - acabou de vencer o pleito para sediar os Jogos Olímpicos de 2016.

Isso implica uma série de prazos a cumprir, para que tudo se realize com sucesso. O que me faz pensar, imediatamente, em como estou acostumado a ouvir que nós, brasileiros, somos “gigantes” e... procrastinadores pela própria natureza. Sendo assim, adiadores natos, por que nos propomos a encarar desafios desse porte?

Nunca na história deste país, a procrastinação esteve tão entranhada em setores cruciais - até quem não podia ser procrastinador é. Exemplo? O Congresso brasileiro deve parte de sua péssima imagem à falta respeito pelo tempo, pelos prazos que se perdem no infinito. Há tempos tramitando nas casas estão reformas essenciais para um melhor funcionamento da sociedade brasileira. As reformas do sistema político e do poder judiciário são textos já anciãos, que perdem a sua eficácia a cada dia. Os congressistas, decerto, não têm interesse próprio em colocarem em dia essas mudanças...

E agora, temos que sediar duas competições bem próximas de hoje e uma da outra -, Copa do Mundo de Futebol, em 2014, Jogos Olímpicos, em 2016... Esse tempo todo, os olhos do mundo estarão focados sobre nós. Será, finalmente, nossa redenção de tanta coisa que nos deprime, que nos humilha? Será que conseguiremos mostrar que nosso país é muito mais do que carnaval, caipirinha e futebol? Essa tripla imagem que, na minha visão, não passa de uma mentira...

Lembremo-nos: em 2006, a cidade, agora, olímpica, do Rio de Janeiro, foi panamericana, na maior realização esportiva de nosso continente. Construiu-se um novo estádio o Engenhão -, imprestável para 2016, pois o Comitê Olímpico não aceita estádios de futebol com pista de atletismo; montaram-se arenas multiuso – no Riocentro; reformaram,

30 • the talon

sem “dó”, o ícone futebolístico que é o Maracanã. Tudo para tentar disfarçar um pouco as mazelas da cidade “maravilhosa”.

E o que sobrou do Pan?! Estruturas para formação de atletas e instalações modernas para a prática de esportes olímpicos? E o trânsito, melhorou? Caiu o número de assaltos no Rio? A resposta é de doer, mas é não! Tudo foi simplesmente desmontado ou posto de lado, como se o futuro acabasse alí.

Pior ainda: desde o Panamericano, a situação financeira dos clubes cariocas só vem se deteriorando.

O Flamengo nem conseguiu pagar a fisioterapia de uma de suas estrelas de primeira grandeza, a ginasta Jade Barbosa. O departamento de remo do Vasco está ao léu, sem leme. Os clubes do Rio perbarbrinha.wordpress.com deram toda a sua tradição nos esportes olímpicos.

Como brasileiro, claro que fiquei feliz quando recebi a noticia de que as Olimpíadas de 2016 serão realizadas no Rio de Janeiro. O povo carioca merece essa vitória. É um povo que, com todos os problemas, nunca perde o seu sorriso. Porém os governantes que elegemos não despertam confiança alguma, e é por causa disso que eu temo pelos jogos olímpicos. Não tenho sombra de dúvida que o povo carioca vai realizar uma das festas esportivas mais magníficas da história, mas será que o legado a ser deixado pelo evento vai ser potencializado ao máximo? Já andam a fazer um estudo para tentar responder essa indagação e fazer um estudo” sem quase nunca chegar a resposta alguma é tão brasileiro quanto a procrastinação, não é?

Portanto, boa sorte Rio de Janeiro e que, ao menos uma vez, nós deixemos de ser nosso próprio inimigo!...

sports

Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!

Upcoming thrills and expectations for Big 8 Isabella Zevallos

T

he sound of the kick echoes in the air of the open, muddy field. The cross from the far left is heading towards her at an unimaginable speed. Yet, at the heat of the moment, it all seems to come unhurriedly, almost as if in slow motion towards her, yet somewhat above her body. The game is down to its final seconds now. With a jump in midair, she swings her head rapidly in a clockwise motion. Hitting the heavy and piercing beads of rain at the same exact moment, she feels the ball hitting off her head. The swoosh of the net almost seems surreal.

This is a dream shot, a dream score, a dream moment.

Now imagine if this magical moment were witnessed not only by your teammates and the few regular fans people standing in the crowd, but by many spectators; by, at times, over one hundred people watching your every move closely; by a crowd composed of teams of eight different schools. In the heat of the moment, you score the final goal; you bring victory to your team. You have become part of your team and your team has become part of you.

You bring the shiny medal home, whatever its color has turned out to be, to hang it somewhere very visible, holding with it the symbolic meaning of pride and triumph from the hard practices you have attended and the difficult games you have played in the past or the many moments you had to patiently sit on the bench.

The name of this experience is Big 8.

Big 8 is a tournament held in São Paulo in a camp called Nosso Recanto (NR) in which eight different American and British schools from South America (of which seven are from Brazil) play a part. These participant schools include EAB, EARJ, PACA, St.Paul’s, Chapel, ASA and, of course, Graded. Yes, it is as simple as that. The reward? Sure, medals are part of it. The real reward?

Bonding between team members, further development of soccer skills, meeting new people from all across the continent, and, as simple as it may sound, fun.

Big 8 is just right around the corner, whether you have yet realized it or not. For those who stay in school, empty hallways and the absence of a snack bar line are found; for those who leave to Nosso Recanto, an amazing experience lies ahead.

The culmination of expectations and thrills and even more and more spirit pushes athletes of all Graded teams further as each day passes by, as each day brings them closer and closer to that miraculous week. Cries of joy, cries of sadness; cries of triumph in knowing you were rewarded for all those times you had to sleep past hours to finish the overload of homework because of practice that ended late; cries of frustration in realizing that maybe you did get “cut” from the tournament team; whatever the outcome turned out to be, unity and support have now become stronger than ever amongst the team members.

But for those who have no clue what Big 8 is all about, whether it is because you are new in Brazil or do not take part in any of the athletic programs at Graded, let me tell you this: it is surely an unforgettable experience. Maybe I am not the best resource of information since I have not gone to Little 8 or Big 8 (or Big 4 for that matter), but from what I’ve heard from past students who have gone, it is wonderful to take part in this remarkable and maybe once-in-a-lifetime joy.

Since I have not gone to Big 8 before and my expectations and knowledge about it are limited, I asked my fellow classmates about. Many of them have provided me a further explanation of what Big 8 is all about and what it was like to have gone to it:

the talon • 31

sports

Big 8). I’’l be cheering people on and come back with no voice.

It’s a wonderful experience.

—Karen Hime (G12) Anecdotes were also heard across the Graded hallways of stories which took place in Big 8 and Big 4: I remember how all of the Graded students were watching the Graded game. We got all our towels and out and started spinning them around. There was a sea of white. It was amazing.

What I like about Big 8 (and big 4) is the fact that at every single Graded game, all the athletes are present and everyone is cheering. You can tell that Graded is the “annoying school” because there is never someone quiet, there is always someone cheering.

It’s a special experience to be supported by your peers; you know that there is always someone cheering for you even if you’re doing badly. You may not know people that well, but you come together because you have one passion, and that is representing Graded and playing the sport you love.

—Yana Ahlden (G10) It’s big. It’s united. You have to watch everyone and cheer for your team, and we’re the only school that does that. We get a sense of unity. It’s intense and very tiring.

—Ricardo Suaréz (G10)

There was this one time when the boys were playing Rio if I’m not mistaken and they were losing. It was raining a lot and we were all soaking wet. The Panthers all left the stands and so did all other spectators except for the Graded people. We lost the game and the panthers later came cheering and saying “Ooo, you wish you were a Panther!” And later Mr. Bair told us that he did not for one second.

Having had an insight to all of this, my expectations of Big 8 grew even more. Excitement rose, different thoughts came to me. Will I go? There is a possibility. Will I feel like part of the team? Definitely. Will I cheer? Of course. Will I play? Still in question. But that is the magic of it all: Big 8 is not necessarily about winning the tournament (although that is obviously great), but rather about bringing the team closer than ever, even with all of it present in the same place or not. This is it; this is the moment, the week, the day, the game, the week-long “team spirit day” of the season. This, my fellow students, is Big 8.

It’s the best thing in the world. I love Big 8 because our whole school becomes united as one and it’s a lot of fun. And we dominate.

—Julia Greenwald (G11) Big 8 … (long philosophical pause)… is… (visibly, lots of excitement) a lot of fun. It’s a time you get to bond with your team and get to meet new people from other schools and countries. It’s full of adrenaline: you get to play the sport you love and bond with your team and other athletic students from all over South America (the whole idea of the concentric circles). You become a Graded family.

—Sofia Cavallin and Isabella Krell (G11) It’s a very different experience. I love how it brings together a lot of teams. It encourages us to know each other (for example, I have made many friends from other grades because of soccer and

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All photos by Isabella Krell