Ed. 63 - Retro by The Talon

editors-in-chief

Past Can Be Present

Women in their 90’s have their bat mitzvahs Yumi Park

ast is past. This seems like a universal truth. Like a huge river flowing relentlessly, time never stops progressing and every second, the events that occurred and the emotions that felt become memory. I have seen failed attempts to reestablish the past both in reality and in fiction. Attempts to recover the past seem futile for we will never be exactly who we were before, and the world will never be exactly the same place. Although it may be possible to let ourselves be deceived by bringing back the shade of the past, what is past cannot be fully enacted in the present reality. The only way we can come to terms with this discomforting idea seems to be by accepting the inevitable passage of time and constantly adapting ourselves to the new reality. However, there are people with courage to challenge the inevitable flow of time: A group of women preparing to be come bat mitzvahs in their 90s. The oldest, Molly Kravitz, will celebrate her 97th birthday in August and the youngest, Mintsy Agin, will turn 90 in July. Their gathering in the synagogue of the Menorah Park Senior residence in the Cleveland suburb for a traditional Jewish ceremony might seemed perfectly normal except that they were gathering for a bat mitzvah ceremony. A bat mitzvah is a Jewish girl marking the transition into religious adulthood, and, according to Jewish Law, a Jewish girl becomes a bat mitzvah at age 12. Their preparation to become a bat mitzvah was similar to what all Jewish girls go through, but the scene and atmosphere of the ceremony in Cleveland was definitely different. They met weekly with Rabbi Kutner to study Hebrew in the Torah, practicing to recite the section of the Torah in the ceremony. They feared that they might forget the Hebrew words just as their much younger counterparts would. They went through the dress rehearsal during which three of them used walkers and one of them had to carry a small oxygen tank. They rose from

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their medical gear to speak and approached the bimah (platform) unassisted, limping and holding the lecturn with both hands. They recited the prayers in Hebrew, some stumbling and stuttering through the complicated consonants. What was different about their bat mitzvah ceremony was not just their age and the scene of the ceremony, but also their motivations and emotions. The women grew up in the midst of Great Depression during which bar mitzvah ceremonies for boys were common while those for Jewish girls went often neglected. The women have decided to make up for what they were denied as young girls. Rabbi Kutner sees the ceremony as a brave challenge. He said, “Most people in their 90s, they just eat their three meals a day and are happy to be alive. I think this shows that at any age you can set a challenge and meet it.” The women have different views. The first thought Millie Danziger Fromet had about the ceremony was that it would be fun, saying, “My first thought was, Boy, what a hoot!” The women have decided to make up for what they have lost during their childhood and challenge the preconceptions about their age. They have shown that perhaps what is past can be recovered. Even if the mood and the feelings are different, they have succeeded in bringing what had been lost back into reality with new forms and meanings.

the talon • 1

editors-in-chief

The Merits of HACIA Democracy Memories from an unforgettable trip

Minjae Park

y guts are squirming, and from my shoulders to the tip of my hands feels more like rubber than bones. But I stand up in front of 27 strangers and talk about why the Pan-American Health Organization should draft a resolution for healthcare reforms before discussing drug-resistant malaria. My point is simple: It would be easier to prevent malaria if health care in general were improved. Instead of saying it as succinctly as I have above, I make this point uneasily and start repeating myself. I realize I’m going nowhere so I finish my sentence then nervously mumble, “I yield my time to the chair” as I take my seat. I didn’t think most people took notice of what I had said. That was how my first committee session in Harvard Association Cultivating Inter-American Democracy (HACIA) began. This year, HACIA was held in the Camino Real hotel in Mexico City from Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22. During these three days, twenty-three Graded delegates, led by Mr. Stephenson, Mr. Bair, and Ms. Bree, talked about issues ranging from indigenous rights, the presidential system of Mexico, victims of the Ubaitaba Massacre, issues regarding public security in the Americas, educational disparity in indigenous groups, to my topics, healthcare systems and drug-resistant malaria. Some com-

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mittees were in Spanish; some committees were courts. Along with students from Central America, the U.S., Canada and a new school from China, we had the responsibility of representing our countries in the Americas to find solutions on some of the most difficult issues facing the hemisphere. But this HACIA trip was not only about solving problems. To me, it involved some personal goals. My primary goal was to improve my public speaking. Before the conference, Mr. Bair and Mr. Stephenson had done all they could to make me feel confident about my speaking, saying that I “had a presence” and allowing others to praise me. But I know I don’t speak as well as write, and I didn’t trust myself in front of a public. I think good public speakers are either confident about what they’re saying or they are familiar with their audience. I was neither. There is that feeling when you walk into a group for the first time and feel everyone is judging you. You are so scared of making a mistake you’d rather not take risks at all. And so you become disconnected from the group, a nobody. My second goal was to not be a “nobody,” and be fully involved in my committee and, if I could, lead it. Both goals were intertwined and to achieve both, I’d have to be well prepared, speak with confidence and most importantly, to take risks. In preparation for the first day of conference, My roommate, Felipe Fagundes and I had stayed up until around 2am reading and refreshing our memories on the topics. This was when I realized how much easier it would be to discuss healthcare before bringing up malaria. And when the morning committee session finally started, I added myself to the speaker’s list, just to simply state why healthcare should be our priority. As I mentioned above, I didn’t make my argument as well as I could have but that wasn’t the point; more important than my speech itself was the fact that I was speaking. I’d taken a risk to be one of the first speakers in the committee, a risk I hadn’t taken Minjae Park in the last two years. Perhaps because

editors-in-chief of the expectation and confidence Mr. Stephenson and Mr. Bair had shown in me, perhaps because I felt I had a duty to perform in my last HACIA conference, either way, the risk paid off. The more I spoke, the more my nerves eased, and I started talking even more. In my application essay for HACIA, I wrote that my goal was, I hoped to, speak “with more authority.” I’d like to think I did that. When I, the delegate of Peru, spoke about the importance of increasing the allocation of a country’s GDP in fighting malaria rather than focusing on fundraising (i.e. funds that aren’t there), people listened. I know they listened because they responded to my comments. When Peru “strongly disagreed” with Belize’s overemphasis on preventing diseases rather than treating those already ill, Cuba responded. I was increasingly involved and each time I spoke, I felt less self-conscious. The feeling of being judged evaporated as I interacted with others. Toward the end of the conference, I presented the resolution on malaria in front of the entire committee knowing why this resolution was solid and exactly how to respond to potential criticism. After our last session ended, I felt I had made my case for the “best delegate award.” After this HACIA trip, I cannot say I’m a good public speaker but I am a better one. I won’t say I led my committee but I played a part. I ended up not winning the best delegate award. Was I disappointed? Yes, I honestly thought I had a shot. But that little disappointment was nothing compared to the satisfaction at having accomplished targets such as the resolutions, becoming a better speaker and the self-belief I have gained in the process. Even more important than these feelings of accomplishment and confidence, however, are the memories and the relationships created and strengthened by the trip. Memories of meeting a friend I had met in HACIA two years ago and talking with her in the lobby, running to grab my laptop to type up an agreement during break, watching my committee members humiliate themselves to make others laugh while playing the game “honey I love you but I just can’t smile.” Memories of standing in the heat at the entrance of a Mayan ball court with the HACIA group, talking with Felipe while nervously getting dressed for my

Minjae Park

committee session, sitting through the worst speech I’ve ever heard during breakfast with Ali and Carlos, drafting resolutions with Gio late at night, rushing through lunch and dinner with the group to get to meetings on time, and having the late night meetings with our school’s HACIA group. These memories are the most important things I took from this HACIA trip. These memories made the trip so fulfilling because shared memories unite people and create bonds that outlast the immediate satisfactions. The memory of having shared a good meal with Ken, Carlos and Ali is more important than the food. The memories of working toward a resolution with Aline, Isabella and Gio are more important than the resolution itself. I met new people from our school and beyond, and I forged a stronger relationship with those I already knew. As I sat on the plane on the way home, I thought about what I would tell people if they asked me about the merits of HACIA Democracy. What did I get from the three years in this program? The most concise answer I can give is a copy of this article. For my unforgettable HACIA experiences, enormous credit goes to Mr. Stephenson, Mr. Bair and Ms. Bree who run the program with high expectations and the students who meet them. As I look back on my HACIA experience, I hope future participants can gain as much from this program as I have.

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point of view point of view

Glory Days

How do the 60’s compare to our era?

uman beings are funny creatures. They have the insane knack of never being satisfied with where and when they are. I include myself in this. We’re always fantasizing about the future or reminiscing about the past, never settling for what we have. The 60’s were arguably the greatest decades for a young adult. (I say this on behalf of all teenagers in the 21st century.) Of all the time periods we could have possibly chosen, we picked a good era to glorify. Activist movements with admirable causes thrived, Despite the many more infamour aspects, such as drug abuse and political division, people were united in their love for music. The music industry debatably hit a peak; songs we consider legendary today were live in concert. Who can blame those who glorify the era, with artists such as Elvis, The Beatles, Hendrix, and the others we idealize today? They could see these great men in person, something people even nowadays would love to do. And let’s not forget Woodstock, which is now widely regarded as one of the greatest moments in popular music history. Music was budding with experimentation. Many of the music styles we listen to today had their beginnings back then. Those who didn’t meet the high standards of the time sunk back into obscurity. This is not the case for our era: we have to put up with the Jonas Brothers and their 3-D concert experience. People back then fought for their beliefs in ways we can’t possibly match. They were making history; I mean, really, they put a man on the moon! What youth fought for was among the noblest of causes: freedom and human rights. All we have to fight for is abortion and euthanasia. They fought for life, we fight for death. (such as abotrion and euthanasia) Granted, today we fight over having the choice of a dignified death, and I support both causes, but to me our era doesn’t

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Martin Shores Columnist

compare. I would never march on the street demanding that the government change legislation for those two issues. Today, we live in the lull of past events. We enjoy the relative fruits of the past and everything it fought for. Their work isn’t done, but we lack the passion they had to see it through. Despite all the glory of the days gone by, there are still things that are much better off today. Our television shows have more complicated narratives; we’d probably be bored to tears if we tried watching an old drama show, without complex intertwining plots and twists. Communication is instant, music is plentiful and diverse, and the world isn’t completely at war. Plus, we don’t (openly) have the threat of nuclear annihilation looming over us. There are even aspects that haven’t really changed. The U.S. is again involved in a war in foreign soil, we can still claim with as little evidence as we had then that the major corporations have a hold on the government and that it’s all a conspiracy, among other things. Modernity is completely subjective. The hippies thought they were modern, as we do timpetrine.com now. Today, we can look back and scoff at the lack of any computer-driven benefits we enjoy. We think of them as archaic, which ironically is how the next few generations in 30 years or so will see us. There’s going to be a fundamental difference though: they’re not going to see things the way we see the 60’s. They won’t glorify us the way we do to the 1960 glory days, because there is very little to glamorize; as it stands, there’s really very little to remember us by. Do we really want to be remembered for the worst economic crisis since the Depression? We have to find something worth fighting for, something that will set us apart from the rest of the decades and generations.

point of view

It’s All Relative A iourney in time

Isabella Freyre Columnist

ostalgia. The sentimental longing for the past and for its happy personal associations. Nostalgia is that amazing feeling of appreciation towards a fleeting moment that slipped by too soon. Small cherished memories that induce a sigh of longing. Innovative toys, imaginative cartoons, wacky trends. The good old days. The retro fad is ubiquitous in popular culture. Striking accessories and colorful clothes worn today mark extraordinary epochs. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s chic glasses are an exotic today. The frisson felt at U2 and Rolling Stones concerts prove the continued success of older bands. Remakes such as “The Exorcist” are popular (and we still cry out shrilly every time the priest is flung down the stairs). We value tradition and retrospectives for it is safer to bet on the triumphs of the past. Theme parties spring up with reference to post decades. We admire the earthly shapes of old photographs. Even car models are reproduced based on older styles, exemplified by the PT Cruiser. Outdated refrigerators are now produced by various companies, enricing the look of our kitchens. But, for me, the symbol of the glamorous period after the desolation of World War II and the modern techsavvy 1990s is the widely acclaimed movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s and its fascinating character of Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn. An intriguing array of fans considers this Hepburn’s signature role. Based on the compelling novel by Truman Capote, he initially wished that Marilyn Monroe play the protagonist. However, the director Blake Edwards’ casting of Audrey Hepburn was perfect as she molded the role to her exceptional identity and created an icon that is just as lasting as Marilyn Monroe’s famous fluttering skirt pose or Bette Davis’s intense stare. Hepburn plays a sophisticated party girl who lives in busy New York City and subsists on the favors of rich men. Though Holly’s life is essentially bland, Hepburn adds sweet coyness to it. Even when she is hung-over or arriving home in the first light of dawn, Audrey Hep-

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burn strikes a graceful figure, especially when wearing her mind-blowing hats. When writer Paul Varjak, embodied by the handsome figure of George Peppard, moves in upstairs, the two develop an eccentric friendship that eventually turns to love. Based on what I have just written, I can imagine the distorted expectations of my readers’ expectations that the film would be coarse and vulgar. However, the director Edward’s fantastic ability and Hepburn’s exquisite appearance in lovely gowns transforms the movie in a swirl of color, style, and humor—the perfect exempler of the retro trend. This 1960s classic film also proves that fashion is timeless. The radiant Holly, is a Manhattan kook more admired then her fellow fictional New Yorkers Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City) and Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada). Her wardrobe including the Givenchy-designed little black dress illustrates the elegance of that era. The film tells us that the past should not be abandoned, but should serve as a reference. It is even better when it interacts harmoniously with the present. We should reminisce and delve into the past. We should establish sweet connections with our individual and collective memories.

the talon • 5

point of view

Therein Lies The Paradox Retro Graded

ack in the 1980s when Ferris Bueller decided to take a day off and have a good time, and the Breakfast Club met regularly on Saturday morning detentions, Graded School found itself thriving under the control of free-spirit, flash-dancing, spandex wearing teenagers. Athletic teams were on a plane returning from Brasilia where Big Four had just occurred. The boys’ soccer team proudly displayed their first place medals as they ate their snacks and chatted harmlessly with other Graded athletes. Like all Big Fours, it was filled with fun and memorable moments that students couldn’t wait to share. This one had been particularly exciting for the mustache-wearing soccer coach, who can still be found around campus (although without a mustache): Ney. Celebrating the hard but deserved victory of the soccer team, all were in merry spirits. Until the unspeakable happened. An unidentified junior with black hair, brown eyes, and glasses threw a tomato right at Ney. This initiated one, if not THE, craziest plane food fights in the history of Graded athletics. What seemed funny and inoffensive turned into trouble, big trouble. As soon as the athletes returned to school all were summoned to the cafeteria. They sat in silence until the name of the offender was revealed. All were given a slip of paper, a pencil and a chance of personal redemption. What was written in these slips of paper we will never know for sure but evidence shows that it diverged from Mickey Mouse doodles to essays outlining the despicable and nefarious nature of forcing someone to denounce one’s friend. The athletes sat for hours yet the answer wasn’t produced. The Athletic Director, Mr. Van Hull, the old version of Mr. Bair, was getting impatient. Yet, all students feared becoming the rat; nobody wanted to denounce the teammate who had been the most faithful of troopers, the representative of

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Victoria Steinbruch Columnist

their rebellious era. All maintained silence and no type of pressure seemed to work. Mr. Van Hull finally threatened to suspend all athletes. Most of us understand that collective punishment never seems to work. Therefore, it was obvious that through resisting all exterior pressures, those Graded athletes of the 1980s won their fight because the author of the crime was never in fact revealed. This was a Graded of a long time ago, where each day had eight periods and I and B were only letters in the alphabet. This was a time when electives such as The History of Rock and Roll existed, as well as double blocks of science. At this Graded, the seniors had more authority, for it was they who commanded the snackbar and turned the profits into a senior trip. The Fashion Show was one of the most exciting events, with tryouts in order to control the number of people who did modeled. Slave Day was taken as a joke, with no ethical issues or political correctNey, from the 1980 Graded Yearbook ness to stew over;students just wanted to have a couple of laughs as freshmen got to boss aroung the seniors without fearing wedgies or trash dunks. This was how things worked before our walls were painted orange and Madonna’s breasts materialized in São Paulo in the form of our dear Student Center. It was when senioritis was actually thought of as a serious disease whose symptoms were lying in the Senior Lawn for hours. There was no Arts Center, no “dry-fit” track or fancy snack bar but there was a certain craziness that added flare to the daily lives of students. The 80s at Graded was more wild, free and fun. It may have lacked the infrastructure that we have now, the teaching via PowerPoint and some of the stricter policies, but it had an admirable spirit.Looking back, one can easily see: it was Retro Graded.

point of view

On a Sense of Direction A lesson from Kierkegaard

n 1849, Soren Kierkegaard wrote, “the biggest danger, that of losing oneself, can pass off in the world as quietly as if it were nothing; every other loss, an arm, a leg, five dollars, a wife, etc. is bound to be noticed.” In a capitalistic system by the restricted belief in the exteriorization of one’s values, sometimes we are found to be lacking, in Kierkegaard’s words, the “spirit.” Do not confuse this word with the usual religious connotation, but think of it more accurately as the assertion of one’s values and beliefs in the world. It is often forgotten that one’s worth is not based on the display of trivialities, that the creation of one’s self-image neither relies exclusively on the act of externalization, nor in the response of one’s audience to one’s actions. Far from it. If it were so, what would life be but a reenactment to be staged in the social scenario of Facebook or Orkut? The capacity to distinguish between one’s projection and his true core would remain murky as one attempts to develop an image, an artificial image devoid of self. No, it may well be argued that such a façon d’être is insufficient in the light of ethical values, and at this time it would be necessary to stress the importance of guiding one’s life according to matters of personal interest, of personal ethics. No, the spirit is often times left uncultured in society’s increasing tendency to display the material, to hide under the beautiful make-up of externality, and the value of one’s mind and critical thinking left aside for the sake of trivial, more immediate goals. The vision for the future is, in fact, often replaced by the idea of “success,” whatever it may mean. It is not a question of the betterment of one’s self, in a constant pur-

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suit of the amelioration of one’s way of being, of one’s life. Truly, no. It is an endless quest for the attainment of personal benefits, privileges, and goods. Of course, in this I generalize and simplify that which is the absolute complexity of the world, but in doing so I wish only to bring to light the conception of the nurturing of an individual’s sense of direction. I cannot stress enough the importance of having an opinion, building one’s character, and attaining a firm grasp upon one’s identity, regardless of the external situations. In a constantly changing world, the solidity of one’s identity is perhaps the only solace from the perpetual motion, and in doing so one may find just a little bit more comfort from the apparent exacerbation of youth, of exaggerated ostentation that, at times, seems to permeate the environment in which we live. Again, I generalize, but bear with me just for a little longer. It is not a question of pinpointing the flaws in a milieu based on externalities, or ignorant obedience to the social patterns that regulate our actions, the unspoken laws to which we are supposed to abide in order to rephilosophy.ucsd.edu tain a level of integration, in order to merge within the amorphous mass of behaviorism, truly. When our environment dictates our actions, when the exterior defines the interior, one must really stop and ask what it is that one wishes to be. It is necessary to cultivate one’s values, ethics, beliefs, and from that form a self. Derive an authentic self-based not in the exteriorization, not in the simple dressing of the acclaimed morals of “oh, help your neighbor,” “oh, be nice,” “oh, don’t be selfish.” As expressed in Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha, knowledge may be transferred, but never wisdom. It is a matter of making what we learn personal. We must ascribe in our own personalities a vision, a code of conduct that is so easily repudiated by our “rebellious youth,” but that, in the end, is our only base, our hope for a raison d’être.

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point of view Third-Culture Kids at Columbia The search for identity continues

Laura Torre

ntroducing myself to people is a challenge. Most people ask, “Where you are from?” expecting to hear a state—Nebraska, Florida, or, given my addiction to J.Crew sweaters, New Jersey. Few expect the surprising and confusing answer I often give them—“Guess.” The truth, however, is more complicated. Like most people at Columbia, I have a legal nationality—a passport where my F1 visa was glued and stamped, oc-

cupying an entire page of national history. Unlike most people, however, I have no nation. This, of course, depends on our meaning of nation and nationality. Yet under the agreement that nationality is contingent on a shared culture and sense of belonging to a certain group of people as delineated by imaginary borders, third-culture kids—children who have grown up in two or more countries—often find themselves without a nation. Forced to leave their native countries, often at a young age, they find that they have little relation to their birth-culture, thereby rendering their legal nationality a mere fact. On the other hand, the constant moves prevent many from establishing a sense of con-

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nection to any culture or place. In the occasion that they may settle in one country for an extended period of time, ties to this country and culture may form—but from an outsider’s point of view that is generally based on the international community, as opposed to the national experience. As a result of all this, third-culture children go through a series of hardships that few can relate to or fully understand— the constant insecurity that, just as you were starting to make friends at your new school, you’ll have to leave; the frustration of living out of suitcases in small hotel rooms; the anger that breeds from always being an “outsider,” never speaking any language well enough, or looking “weird” for that country’s taste. Even when one manages to adapt to a country—even to adopt it as one’s nycedc.com own—the challenge comes when one is forced to leave it, or faces the reality that legally, one does not belong. As such, third-culture kids face a different set of issues than other international students, particularly those that have lived their entire lives in one country. For example, while adapting to a new city and environment might not prove as difficult after having undergone the process several times, the sense of displacement thirdculture kids feel may be exacerbated by the multiplicity of locales that one has lived in. So while settled physically in one place, one’s mind may not be there at all, maintaining to some extent the cultural views of their previous location(s).

point of view Language is an issue that most international students struggle with. Our accents or slight twisting of meanings, even the use of certain expressions (or metric systems), can tell us apart in ways that are often not recognizable due to the assimilation of various languages and stylistic practices. Columbia is a welcoming campus that showcases these differences in an accepting atmosphere. Still, for third-culture kids that have often been corrected for their use of language possibly in each country they have lived in, being corrected for mispronouncing one or two words can add to a swelling frustration. Reinforcing these students’ sense of non-belonging by correcting them, even if in a well-intentioned manner, may prove more harmful than helpful. Perhaps the most difficult notion, though, is precisely the most important one: nationhood. It’s hard to place someone without knowing where they are from, since we have inherent ideas about what an Asian, Latin American, or Russian should be like, even though these stereotypes may not be true. Labeling someone who was born in Tuscany, lived all over Asia, but considers herself Japanese, will certainly prove a challenge. Because our notions of what this person is like are conflicted, we cannot place them, and therefore the individual remains “unlabeled.” While this may sound like an improvement from the use of erroneous stereotypes, it also often makes it all the more difficult for students to identify with or recognize third-culture kids. Since one doesn’t know what to think of them, one cannot think about them at all, reinforcing an “othering” and the sense of displacement previously mentioned. Many students may not experience this directly because they often choose one nationality above others, either their birth-country or the nation that they have chosen to be representative of them (in

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many cases, a nation to which they have no legal ties). This in itself presents problems, since one is restricted to that country’s identity while at the same time realizing that a) one was never fully integrated within that country and b) one is prevented from ever being connected to a single nationality or culture by previous multicultural experiences. Essentially, the struggle of third-culture kids is the same type of struggle experienced by all college students—one of self-discovery. As studies on third culture kids advance, such as those performed by David Pollock in his book Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds, we may have a clearer understanding of the many systems at play in the formation of these individuals, and how best to accommodate them in the university environment. Such work is a helpful tool to students trying to understand their own experiences as third-culture kids, as well as for those who seek to understand multiculturalism and the multiplicity of roles it can take. A former co-editor-in-chief of the Talon from 2006-2007, Laura Torre is now a Columbia College sophomore. This article was published in the Columbia Spectator on November 9, 2008.

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news news

The Depression, FDR and Obama Past solutions, future prospects Andrew Shim

n a great number of ways, the Roaring Twenties was much

a landslide, ensuring that America would never falter as it is

like the beloved Nineties; the world had survived a time of

“nearer to the ﬁnal triumph over poverty than ever before in

major political anxiety, economic productivity soared and the

the history of any land.” Ironically, the Stock Market crashed

advent of new technologies led to a proliferation in consumer

in fewer than four months after this statement.

goods. These were the days that the United States shone as

Now the president faced one of the direst crises since

the light of a new era, one of renewed and continuous glory

the breakup of the Union under Lincoln. Nevertheless, his ac-

through wealth and capitalism. Regrettably, this era of quasi-

tions were, initially, signiﬁcantly feeble. Believing that inter-

magical afﬂuence was not to last. On October 24, 1929, the

vention would destroy American ingenuity and self-reliance,

day known as Black Thursday, the bubbling stocks on Wall

Hoover relied on volunteerism. How-

Street crashed, triggering

ever as the economy deteriorated,

what is known as the Great

the president reluctantly carried out

Depression. In observance

legislative relief, creating tariffs on

of this month’s theme,

imported goods (a form of economic

“Retro,” the story of the

protectionism), a Reconstruction Fi-

most devastating ﬁnancial

nance Corporation which made loans

crisis in the history of the

to banks and businesses, and deport-

world will be retold, much

ed Mexican immigrants back to their

of which is relevant in light

home country, in order to “salvage”

of recent news.

American jobs. specula-

By 1932 however, it was clear that

tion in the 1920s over how

Despite

the Depression was almost beyond

long the prosperity would

control. Unemployment had reached

last, the rapture through enormous ﬁnancial proﬁt in

blognetnews.com

a record 25%, ﬁve thousand bank failed, and enormous shantytowns in

the market blinded many investors. Irving Fisher, the famous

the edges of major cities, American slums that came to be

American economist remarked almost days before the crash

known as Hoovervilles sprang up. The Roaring Twenties was

on October of 1929, “Stock prices have reached what looks

no more than a memory by that time. Millions of middle class

like a permanently high plateau.”

Americans lost everything, with their entire savings residing

Political stability had also put the government off guard. President Harding, infamous for his pledge to bring the

in banks that were faltering or had already closed down from insufﬁcient capital.

United States back into “normalcy,” was mostly concerned

That same year, despite his reluctance, Hoover had

with trying to revive isolationism and hamper continuing im-

bid to rerun for the presidency. Yet he was challenged by the

migration, while his successor Coolidge became known for

well-off, Democractic governor of New York, Franklin Delano

snoozing off during his cabinet meetings. This laissez-faire

Roosevelt. As predicted, Hoover’s weak reactions to the crisis

attitude would be repeatedly criticized for years to come, es-

and apparent inefﬁciency in reversing the Depression led to a

pecially after the effective onset of the Depression in 1929.

partisan change in the White House, where Roosevelt was to

Coolidge’s successor Herbert Hoover was known as

rule until his death in 1945.

the Great Engineer, a polyglot and cosmopolitan ﬂuent in

The Democrat’s answer to the economy was the cel-

Mandarin who had served as the Secretary of Commerce un-

ebrated New Deal, which was initially based on providing im-

der Harding and Coolidge. Because the Republican ticket was

mediate relief to the unemployed, banks and farmers. Roos-

associated with the ensuing prosperity, Hoover easily won in

evelt worked largely off Hoover’s late policies, such as the

10 • the talon

news Reconstruction Corpora-

ing the Weimar Republic

tion, which he renamed

in Germany. A state that

as the Federal Emergen-

was

cy Relief Administration.

had almost collapsed due

He employed millions of

to political turmoil since

young workers in contro-

its loss in World War I.

versial public works and

The Republic’s heavy de-

provided mortgage relief

pendence on American

to many citizens. Indus-

loans had merged its fate

trial

was

with that of the United

minimized through spe-

States, resulting in utter

ciﬁc government-moder-

economic collapse after

ated establishments such

1929. The result was the

as minimum prices and

ascension of Adolf Hitler,

wage

competition

increases.

inherently

fragile

Anti-

the harbinger of unprec-

trust laws were suspend-

edented atrocities and

ed and labor unions were

destruction.

encouraged.

many

In a very eerie

ways it was a social-

sense, the world today

ist move on Roosevelt’s

could

part,

included

similar economic trend.

the government spend-

Barack Obama became

ing millions of dollars in

a symbol of hope and

public works and social

change, and the $700

which

relief that undoubtedly stimulated the economy, but lacked momentum as the economy progressed.

archelaus-cards.com

billion package

suffering

dollar

stimulus

presents

vast

inﬂuences from Roosevelt’s New Deal. It could be the be-

The deus ex machina, that is, the savior of this glob-

ginning of an unprecedented economic and possibly socialist

al economic plight, was ironically the War. At least for the

reform for the United States, but a very controversial one

United States, World War II was able to sweep America back

at that, considering the lack of bipartisan support for this

on its feet after a long bout of Depression fever. However de-

bill. Moreover, bearing in mind that it was ultimately the war

structive it would be, the war would bring the United States

that salvaged America and subsequently the world from an

to pre-Depression levels in terms of productivity and growth,

economic plight, it is questionable how effective President

with millions of dollars being invested in the arms industry

Obama’s policies will be for the economy.

and bonds savings. Unemployment was no longer a problem

Is Obama set to be the next Roosevelt? He certainly

as millions of Americans were able to gain factory jobs while

has an advantage in FDR’s example of dealing with a global

young men were being conscripted into the Army. Unskilled

economic crisis and reforming a dying ﬁnancial system in or-

workers were trained by factories at the government’s ex-

der to bring back stability and regenerate wealth. However,

pense, wages increased, while unions encouraged members

he certainly should not overlook the fact that in times of

to work hard instead of going on strikes. By 1943, unemploy-

crisis, the world is unpredictable; as far as political realism

ment was less than 2%.

goes, the prospect of another world war is entirely viable.

Needless to say, the Depression was fatal to many liberal democracies in Europe. Many shifted to both the left and

Certainly on this path, if history were to repeat itself, the future presents a dismal if not an apocalyptic picture.

the right of the political spectrum; the infamous example be-

the talon • 11

news

World News Profiles A glimpse of recent events Danielle Aguilar

ith our busy lives many of us have little time to dedicate

is safety and security. Roughly 55% of women surveyed have

to stay on top of what is going on around the world.

been victims of violence since 2003. These results were a

Sure Graded students are in tune with current events but

product of a survey conducted by Oxfam International.

sometimes we get overloaded with work and do not have the time we would like to brush up on things. For that reason,

Assisted Suicide Now Legal in Two American States

here are some proﬁles of recent news events.

On February 26, assisted suicide was made legal in the state of Washington making it the second state in the United States

Global Unemployment on the Rise

to pass this law. The ﬁrst state to pass this law was Oregon.

In light of the global

This law basically al-

economic crisis, un-

lows doctors to pre-

employment

rates

scribe lethal drugs

are on the rise. In

to terminally ill pa-

the

tients.

United

States

qualify

for example, the of-

for this option pa-

ﬁcial

unemployment

tients must be over

rate is 8.1% which

the age of eighteen

marks an all time high

and must be proven

since 1983. In the last

mentally competent

month

to administer their

alone

com-

panies in the Unit-

own

ed States have cut

Yet even though this

651,000 jobs, which

law has been passed,

is also the highest

many hospitals have

since the job cuts af-

decided not to par-

ter World War II when

ticipate,

factories were closed when their supplies

sanfranciscosentinel.com

ing

lethal

their

drugs.

maintainprevious

policies. This is most

were no longer needed. The unemployment rate is expected

common with hospitals afﬁliated with religious organizations,

to reach 10% by the end of 2009. This rise in unemployment

but many secular hospitals are also abstaining from this con-

has also been felt around the world in countries that typically

troversial policy.

did not have high unemployment rates. NASA Launches Spacecraft New Study About Women in Iraq

On March 6, NASA launched its Kepler spacecraft for a revo-

Even though violence in Iraq is decreasing and the country is

lutionary mission. The object of the mission is to discover if

becoming more stable, women continue to be some of the

there are other planets out there and if we truly are alone

greatest victims in the war. Approximately 740,000 women

when it comes to being the only known life forms. The Kepler

have been left as widows and now face the challenge of hav-

contains a telescope and will observe over 100,000 stars in

ing to support their families. About 35% of Iraqi women now

the Cygnus-Lyra section of the Milky Way for the next three

have to act as the head of their household. Due to this fact,

years. It will look for irregularities in stars’ brightness which

women are forced to make choices based on their lower sta-

could indicate that a planet is orbiting in front of them which

tus of income including this such as whether or not children

therefore could indicate the existence of other life forms.

should attend school. Another prime concern of these women

12 • the talon

news

Muses of Memory A Poetry Recitation comes to Graded Ms. Mary Pfeiffer

his year the English Department is holding a Poetry Recitation contest, involving all students in the high school. Students each chose an English-language poem (of at least 14 lines, no more than 40 lines) in consultation with their teacher, and during the third quarter, students recited their poems in their English classes. Each teacher then chose the two best performances in their class sections to go to the semifinal round. Those 58 semifinalists recited their poems to the English department faculty, who voted on the best three performers per grade level—a difficult decision given the talent and enthusiasm of so many students. The 12 finalists will recite their poems in the final round in the Tuesday, 7 April assembly, and a panel outside judges will choose the top three performances in the high school. Can YOU still recite your poem? Let’s hope so, and let’s wish the following finalists well. Good luck! Grade 9 Yana Ahlden: Rudyard Kipling’s “If” Marcelo Casas: Edgar Allan Poe’s “A Dream within a Dream” Victoria Guijarro: Taylor Mali’s “Totally like whatever, you know?” Grade 10 Danielle Bryant: Walt Whitman’s “I Saw in Louisiana a Live Oak Growing” Alex Costilhes: Walt Whitman’s “Oh Captain! My Captain!” Julia Greenwald: Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “A Farewell” Grade 11 Vicente Casas: Langston Hughes’ “50-50” Hana Farahat: E.E. Cummings’ “somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond” Rafaela Pevianni: E.E. Cummings’ “’kitty’. sixteen,5’1”,whi te,prostitute” Grade 12 Fabio Berger: Edgar Allan Poe’s “A Dream within a Dream” Antoine Crettex: Soliloquy from Hamlet, III.i Debbie Fiuza: W.B. Yeats’ “Never Give all the Heart”

This week Mr. Dequanne, Mr. Lippman, and the English department recited this poem in assembly as a teaser for next week’s Finals: Ars Poetica Archibald MacLeish A poem should be palpable and mute As a globed fruit, Dumb As old medallions to the thumb, Silent as the sleeve-worn stone Of casement ledges where the moss has grown— A poem should be wordless As the ﬂight of birds. A poem should be motionless in time As the moon climbs, Leaving, as the moon releases Twig by twig the night-entangled trees, Leaving, as the moon behind the winter leaves. Memory by memory the mind— A poem should be motionless in time As the moon climbs. A poem should be equal to: Not true. For all the history of grief An empty doorway and a maple leaf. For love The leaning grasses and two lights above the sea— A poem should not mean But be.

the talon • 13

news

HACIA Practicing diplomacy between Latin American nations

14 â&#x20AC;¢ the talon

news

Bra-MUN Practicing diplomacy between the world’s nations

the talon • 15

features

So...They Weren’t Always Teachers? The pre-teaching lives of three faculty members Vivian Lorencatto

hen something is labeled “retro,” it can be seen in

graphing America’s finest hillbilly sport: drag racing. I would

several ways: some may view it as something from

be mounted atop a ladder just feet away from the starting

that past that is now fashionable, while others may view

line. The cars would do burnouts and pop their front tires

it as something that simply differs greatly from our cur-

off the ground when they’d “hit the pedal to the metal!”

rent lifestyles. Regardless of what definition of “retro”

I shot one event that raced a jet-fueled Funny Car that

you may follow, all seem to recognize in it the uniqueness

could

of something that shapes how things are today. There are

over 240 miles

various things around us that we can consider “retro.”

per hour in less

Books, movies, and even clothes are labeled as “retro,”

than

leading them to have this authentic yet edgy style to

onds. In front

them. Apart from objects, other things around us can

be considered retro – even our teachers. Don’t get me

of America’s finest spectators, the jet-fueled engine ex-

wrong, I am not making any indirect accusation or joke

ploded so violently that it literally threw me off the lad-

about our teachers’ ages (I promise). Instead, in the spir-

der and on my backside! Luckily most people were watch-

it of reflecting

I had the deepest, darkest tan on my back before that summer was over.

reach

sec-

I had a job of photographing America’s ﬁnest hillbilly sport: Drag Racing

thousands

ing the Funny Car and not me!

and treasuring the

good-old-

Bruce McDonald:

days, I became

I’ve had several jobs in my lifetime, none of them bi-

interested

zarre, but most (but not all) of them interesting and fun.

high

My various jobs in my teens and early twenties included

school teachers about their lives before becoming teach-

berry and bean picker, math tutor, piano instructor, Can-

ers. As hard as it may be to believe this, teachers weren’t

nery worker, and Box Office clerk. I was also a profession-

always teachers; they did have other jobs before. So,

al musician—played piano and conducted orchestras. My

curious to know about such jobs, I asked some teachers

most glamorous job: Hollywood choreographer! I was the

to talk about some of their most interesting, rewarding,

choreographer for the movie Mr. Holland’s Opus and many

or unique jobs they had before settling for academics.

of my students at the time were in the movie. I got to make

Without further ado, here are three stories of the jobs

all the choices

teachers had back in the “retro” days.

of scenery and

asking

characters for dance

On a movie set, they have really good catering so it’s easy to get fat!

David Hanna:

these

In 1984, I raked blueberries as a summer job. The

scenes and it

“rakes” were actually big rectangular cans with teeth on

was fun to see

one side. You’d bend over all day to reach the blueberry

the dailies of each day’s shooting. The power of the cam-

bushes and then dump them in a big rubber pail. The

era in catching wonderful moments is amazing! Of course

pails were weighed, and that’s how we got paid, by the

they ended up cutting away from some of the dancing to

pound. I had the deepest, darkest tan on my back before

show more shots of Richard Dreyfuss, the star. But it was

that summer was over!

still fun to be around all the glamour of Hollywood. Only one problem: on a movie set, they have really good cater-

Jim Ajemian: In my previous life, many moons ago, I had a job photo-

16 • the talon

ing so it’s easy to get fat!

features

Graded Back Then... A trip through our school’s history Amanda Rudzit

“

I can’t understand why the school just doesn’t get new doors!” exclaims one of my friends after having to use all her strength to yank a door of a classroom. “This must have been here since the day the school was founded….” It’s true. If we take a moment to look around our school, it can be seen that some things truly do carry a “retro” look (many would call it worse things than that). Students often complain about the way our campus looks: the brick walls have cracks in them, the paint colors don’t match, and the weight room seems to be stuck in a time machine set to the 80’s. Although we might not appreciate things in our school that seem to belong to long-gone decades, they do carry some of Graded’s history with them. It is with the intent of exploring our past that I take you to a retro journey through this history. It is astounding to believe, considering the size of our school now, that Graded started with only six students and two teachers – Mrs. Ruth Kolb and Miss Bell Ribble – on the morning of October 17, 1920. The American Chamber of Commerce and businessmen who were relocated to their companies’ branches in Brazil wanted to build a school that would allow children to have an American-style education. Initially, Graded was situated in a two-room schoolhouse on land owned by Mackenzie University in downtown São Paulo. When this style of education proved to be a success, Graded started growing according to the needs of the American community in São Paulo. Our school’s original home had to be replaced due to the increasing number of students and faculty. For a time, it was moved to a school-owned property near Avenida Paulista and was named São Paulo Graded School (SPGS). It was only in 1961 that the school established its present campus on Av. Giovanni Gronchi, but don’t go painting the picture in your head of the modernized Morumbi we know so well. In the 60’s, this area of São Paulo was considered rural; Graded at that time “was sitting on a hilltop with

Photos taken by Vivian Lorencatto

forests and pastures and rock quarries all around.” There was no trafﬁc, no Paraisópolis, no malls, no Portal… The years passed and the new campus began growing. The additions started with a much-needed gym, and in the 70’s, the E and F wings were introduced. During this decade, Graded also saw the creation of the pre-primary and primary wings. And in the 80’s, our school made sure not to stay behind in fashion: countless girls wore the Farah Fawcett hairdo as well as bell-bottoms and knee-high socks to school. More recently, the construction of an elementary gym, two new libraries and a media center, all completed in 1998, were made possible by donations. It was also the community’s “culture of giving” that enabled the school to build the Arts Center in 2004 (above) that now facilitates the expansion of our arts program. It is true; sometimes it may be inconvenient to have doors that have not, for the most part, been changed since this campus’ founding. But if it weren’t for these aspects of our school it would be hard to appreciate the progress that Graded has made across the decades. Though perhaps not helpful, the rusty windows and antique ﬂoorboards in the classrooms can remind us of the origins of this institution and allow us to imagine what Graded was like back then.

the talon • 17

features

A Déjà-vu in Blue?

My entry for the Essentially Ellington jazz essay competition Daniel Lins

uch has changed in the United States in its roughly two and a half centuries of existence. American history portrays the evolution of democracy: a journey bestrewn with bitter sacrifice, perhaps slower than desirable, but nonetheless bringing us to an egalitarian horizon. In 2009 we welcome into power, amid economic crisis, the first African-American president, Barack Obama. White supremacy gradually disappears into impotence as the civil rights movement reaches its highest milestone. Despite the progress, the new president now faces problems reminiscent of those another president dealt with over 75 years ago, in an era eerily similar to our own. Franklin Roosevelt was elected into office in 1932, promising to save America from the Great Depression that left a fourth of the population unemployed. To bring optimism and confidence into the country, the president initiated a reformation program known as the New Deal. Its measures provided work relief and a larger minimum wage for millions of Americans; Roosevelt also repealed the prohibition of alcohol, and his speeches to the population were heroic and inspirational (“the only thing we have to fear is fear itself”). But by the mid 1930’s, something began to surpass upbeat politics as the lead lifter of spirits in the U.S: Swing music. An increasing number of Depression victims were saving whatever money they had for music clubs. Americans were seeking something that could only be expressed by an emotional dimension of music uncovered by their collective circumstance as a people. They wanted to hear calloused fingers ripping at rusty bass strings, chords deftly punched out on an ancient grand piano, the ‘chick’ of hi-hats keeping time under piles of rim-shots played on a drum-set unpacked from a crammed touring car. They wanted the glide of a downwards-spiraling clarinet, the synchronicity of zealous trumpets, and the many voices of the saxophone. Everything from the foghorn blasts of the baritone to the cooing alto. Above all, people wanted to witness every instrument of the group melt together and flood their heads, carrying them to an unexplored place accessible to anyone. What they found was swing, a new step in musical evolution—jazz’s brightest moment. It attracted people from all walks of life. Although it entranced most early fans for the first time on the dance floor (swing is fundamentally

18 • the talon

dance music), it soon invaded American airwaves, filling living rooms in millions of homes across the country. Swing’s popularity soared as the power of these bands had the ability to overwhelm their listeners in a variety of ways amidst difficult economic times. The genre became a patchwork of musical ideas, contributed by hundreds of ensembles with different audiences and styles with a common purpose: pleasure for those who listened and those who played. Glenn Miller’s orchestra was arguably the most popular band of the swing era. It conquered the masses with sappy themes like Moonlight Serenade, the prudent excitement of In the Mood, the silliness of Girl in Kalamazoo. Miller’s saccharine musical formula was pragmatic: jazz purists dismissed it for its simplicity, but it appealed to the millions of Americans who just wanted to have a good time. This made the orchestra’s unique sound, achieved with an emphasized reed section, probably the most imitated style in swing. Benny Goodman approached that same optimistic genre in a more sophisticated manner. His band played ‘hot jazz,’ with lightning speed and intensity. Goodman prospered commercially, but, unlike Miller, he also developed musically. Known as the ‘King of Swing,’ he wasn’t afraid to evolve. He pioneered integrated bands, discovered future legends like Gene Krupa and Lionel Hampton, and explored a wide range of styles with his hits: Stomping at the Savoy is a cheerful, traditional swing song while Sing, Sing, Sing absolutely explodes with exotic energy, and Blue Skies displays elegant tenderness. Goodman’s genius was a force involved both in the growth of swing and in its eventual surpassing; he was as progressive as he was influential. Despite the fact that jazz has lost much of its popularity in the last seventy years of cultural change, President Obama has stated that John Coltrane and Miles Davis are among his favorite artists. Young people are trying to find a new importance for the genre in this déjà-vu of social reality, and the swing era is evidence that it may be an essential factor in the American people’s response to crisis. Its specific role in the new situation is unclear, but the music is tied to the democratic process and is more flexible than political ideology. As Goodman, Miller, and thousands of others have proved, the possibilities of jazz are endless; the new generation of musicians just has to search them.

features

Identity: What’s Aquila? Back to basics

The Yearbook Staff

verybody has an identity, and at Graded, there are hundreds of them existing together to form our community. This inevitably brings us to several other questions: What are Graded’s defining characteristics? How can diverse cultures, heritages, and religions come together to form one? How are all of the students, teachers, and faculty recognized? What is Graded’s identity after all? The question of this year’s Aquila, our yearbook, is investigating identity: What’s yours? To do this, we must go back to its foundation and see how the Graded identity was born and study the beginning before we can attempt to portray the end. Etched in the pages of the 2008-09 yearbook, you will find a refreshing new approach based on the very first yearbooks in the history of Graded, dating back to 1950 (that’s about as “retro” as it gets). You may be wondering why the yearbook is being mentioned before June, but let me tell you that this year’s yearbook is definitely something to look forward to. It will have never-before-seen quality and depth. It will surpass all expectations. It will encompass Graded’s true identity. It will connect you to the people around you in ways you never imagined. It will be something worth remembering. Get excited and be prepared to pre-order very soon. And watch out for the editors below. You can and will be yearbooked at any moment without further notice.

Philipe Barros—MS Editor Natalia Arenas—HS Editor Mirella Crespi—Senior Editor Sabina El-Khouri—Art Editor

If you have any ideas, suggestions, or questions, they are welcome at graded.yearbook@gmail.com. Did you know Aquila refers to the genus of true eagles? Did you know the lower school will have individual head shots this year? Did you know there’s going to be a profile on each senior based on the 1962 format? Did you know there will be special reporting on the academics? Did you know that over 50 groups and trips will be covered? Do you know the amazing yearbook staff? Can you find their first names in the following puzzle? Luciana Barbosa—Advisor Andrew Tasso—Content Editor-in-Chief Andrea Ko—Art Editor-in-Chief Gabriela Amaral—LS Editor Vivian Lorencatto

the talon • 19

entertainment

More Trivialities

Interesting facts both retro and modern Luiza Justus • More than 50% of the people in the world have never made or received a telephone call.

• A person swallows approximately 295 times while eating dinner.

• A toothpick is the object most often choked on by Americans.

• About 2/3 of American men prefer boxers to briefs.

• A group of ofﬁcers is called a “mess.”

• Ben & Jerry’s sent the waste from making ice cream to local pig farmers to use as feed. The pigs loved it, except for one ﬂavor: mint Oreo.

• 40% of women have thrown footwear at a man. • Club Direct, a travel insurance company in Britain, provides insurance plans for protection from falling coconuts. • Each year, there are more than 40,000 toilet related injuries in the United States. • Fortune cookies were actually invented in America in 1918, by Charles Jung. • President George W. Bush was once a cheerleader! • Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin. • One in three snakebite victims is drunk. One in five is tattooed. • The U.S. has more bagpipe bands than Scotland does. • A survey reported that 12% of Americans think that Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife. • Contrary to popular belief, hair does not grow back darker and thicker after it has been shaved. • During his or her lifetime, the average human will grow 590 miles of hair. • When hippos are upset, their sweat turns red. • Most people who read the word ‘yawning’ will yawn! • On average, 100 people choke on ballpoint pens per year. • The chances of making two holes-in-one in a round of golf are one in 67 million. • The first toilet being flushed in a motion picture was in the movie Psycho.

• Females learn to talk earlier, use sentences earlier, and learn to read sooner than males. • Babies that are breastfed are more likely to be slimmer as adults than those that are not breastfed. • Children laugh about 400 times a day, while adults laugh on average only 15 times a day. • During your lifetime, you’ll eat about 60,000 pounds of food —that’s the weight of about 6 elephants! • 40% of Americans have never visited a dentist. • One quarter of the bones in your body are located in your feet. • If you’re over 100 years old, there’s an 80% chance you’re a woman. • Men laugh longer, louder, and more often than women. • It is estimated that at any one time, 0.7% of the world’s population is drunk. • Muhammad is the most common name in the world. • On average, a person will spend about ﬁve years eating during his or her lifetime. • One in 500 humans has one blue eye and one brown eye. • People who are lying to you tend to look up and to the left (their left). • People with blue eyes are better able to see in the dark. • Someone on Earth reports seeing a UFO every three minutes.

• The number of text messages sent and received in a given day is greater than the world’s population.

• The average housewife or househusband walks 10 miles a day around the house doing chores.

• There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar.

• The average single man is one inch shorter than the average married man.

• There are more telephones than people in Washington, D.C. • WAL-MART generates $3,000,000.00 in revenue every 7 minutes. • 76% of Americans celebrate New Year’s Eve in groups of less than 20. • 85% of movie actors earn less than $5,000 a year from acting. • 90% of women who walk into a department store immediately turn to the right. • A chance of a woman having twins is increased after the age of 35. About 1 in 27 women will give birth to twins after this age. After 50 the chances of having twins is 1 in 9.

20• the talon

• The higher the income, the more likely an American man will cheat on his wife. • The world’s youngest parents were 8 and 9 and lived in China in 1910. • Women end up digesting most of the lipstick they apply. • Women have a slightly higher average IQ than men. • Only 55% of Americans know that the sun is a star. All factoids found at www.nicefacts.com and www.interestingfacts.org

entertainment

Wicked Terms from the Nifty Sixties Retro slang that we, like, totally don’t use anymore

Luiza Justus

ll around the world people use different terms that are not accepted in formal situations. Slang is the foundation of the speech of teenagers, but it can be heard coming from people of all ages. However, just like fashion or technology, certain slang words become obsolete over time. Words that were once considered “cool” can become outdated in a day’s time. Who dictates this? Who decides what words are considered acceptable? It is something that simply happens and is impossible to control. Once teenagers of a certain age realize that the younger kids are using their words—or even worse, if their parents start saying them—the slang becomes “retro.” Here is a list of terms that are not accepted vernacular in the teen world nowadays, but surprisingly enough, they were “all the rage” not too long ago.

“Boogie” or “cut out”—to leave a place in a hurry “Decked out”—dressed up “Dude”—in the sixties, a ‘dude’ was a geek “Flake”—a useless person “Gimme some skin”—shake hands “Hang loose”—relax, take it easy “Hunk”—a good-looking man “Jazzed”—elated or excited

“Agitate the gravel” - to leave “Kipe”—to steal “Circled”—married “Classy chassis”—a great body

“Meat”—a greeting, as in ‘hey meat!’ a term used for ‘guy’ or ‘man’

“Clutched”—rejected

“Righteous”—extremely ﬁne, beautiful

“Cube”—a normal, conformist person

“Shades”—sunglasses

“Earthbound”—reliable

“Stoked”—excited or happy

“Frosted”—angry “Paper shaker”—cheerleader “Peepers”—glasses “Radioactive”—very popular “Go ape”—get very excited “Horn”—telephone “In orbit”—someone who is in the know

peacesymbol.org

“Knuckle sandwich”—a punch in the face “Made in the shade”—a person with guaranteed success

the talon •21

entertainment

Live to Eat: Madeleines

The delectable literary allusion to a remembrance of things past Ms. Mary Pfeiffer

n his epic story The Rememberance of Things Past, the great French novelist Marcel Proust describes tasting a madeleine dipped in tea, a taste that transports him back to his childhood, into a recollection that begins the narrative of his over-3000word masterpiece. Proust called madeleines “squat, plump little cakes... which look as though they had been moulded in the fluted valve of a scallop shell.” After tasting a morsel of a madeleine as an adult, he explains, “a shudder ran through me and I stopped, intent upon the extraordinary thing that was happening to me. An exquisite pleasure had invaded my senses, something isolated, detached, with no suggestion of its origin. And at once the vicissitudes of life had become indifferent to me, its disasters innocuous, its brevity illusory—this new sensation having had on me the effect which love has of filling me with a precious essence; or rather this essence was not in me it was me. I had ceased now to feel mediocre, contingent, mortal.” All that for a bit of cake? Proust continues to describe the effect of the madeleine: “suddenly the memory revealed itself. The taste was that of the little piece of madeleine which on Sunday mornings at Combray (because on those mornings I did not go out before mass), when I went to say good morning to her in her bedroom, my aunt Léonie used to give me, dipping it first in her own cup of tea or tisane.” Marcel explains that he would see madeleines all the time in pastry shops, and had not thought too much about them and their tie to his past. But that morsel! With his extraordinary prose Proust then reflects on how the senses linger, as if waiting for for us to recognize them: “But when from a long-distant past nothing subsists, after the people are dead, after the things are broken and scattered, taste and smell alone, more fragile but more enduring, more unsubstantial, more persistent, more faithful, remain poised a long time, like souls, remembering, waiting, hoping, amid the ruins of all the rest; and bear unflinchingly, in the tiny and almost impalpable drop of their essence, the vast structure of recollection.” As soon as the adult Marcel tastes the madeleine, images from his childhood rush to his mind: “immediately the old grey house upon the street, where her room was, rose up like a stage set to attach itself to the little pavilion opening on to the garden which had been built out behind it for my parents...and with the house the town, from morning to night

22• the talon

and in all weathers, the Square where I used to be sent before lunch, the streets along which I used to run errands, the country roads we took when it was fine. And as in the game wherein the Japanese amuse themselves by filling a porcelain bowl with water and steeping in it little pieces of paper which until then are without character or form, but, the moment they become wet, stretch and twist and take on colour and distinctive shape, become flowers or houses or people, solid and recognizable, so in that moment all the flowers in our garden and in M. Swann’s park, and the water-lilies on the Vivonne and the good folk of the village and their little dwellings and the parish church and the whole of Combray and its surroundings, taking shape and solidity, sprang into being, town and gardens alike, from my cup of tea.” That’s one powerful cookie, isn’t it? With Proust’s experience in mind, I asked high school teachers to tell me what food, when eaten, transported them back to their childhoods. Here are the 28 responses I received: Adriana Monti: Maria mole Alfredo Marques: Mandiopã seriouseats.com Amaral Cunha: Cajuzinho Ana Cris Fernades: Bolinhos de chuva Andie Urquhart: Mashed potatoes Barry Dequanne: tourtière (Quebec meat pies) Carol Fifield: Peanut butter cookies with the fork-made crisscross Cecilia Porto: A special kind of jello that my aunt used to make (improved with orange juice, spices and apple pieces) Corey Watlington: Chicken pot pie Dan Bentley: Peanut butter and jam sandwiches, cut in quarters Elizabeth Baratta: Scalloped potatoes Eloisa Galesso: Sorvete de abóbora com coco Emerson Zoppei: Doces de bar Emily Blackburn: Gazpacho Lika Kishino: Rice put into o-missoshiru (even though it is not considered polite!) Lisa Daniels-Condon: Jamaican curried chicken Maggie Moraes: Torta de sardinha Mariana Teixeira: Biscoito Globo,” the ones they sell at the beach in Rio Marina Cattai: Bolo de Fubá Mimoso with cheese Mario Spanghero: Bola de coco Mike Lewis: Christmas-shaped sugar cookies, glazed with frosting, and topped with sprinkles and other goodies

entertainment

Leticia Gomes: Bolo de cenoura Robbie Stange: Tater Tots Sherry McClelland: Homemade warm whole wheat bread, fresh from the oven Silvana Meneghini: Pão de mel Tan Huynh: Shrimp chips Toby Aickin: Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (cheddar ﬂavor) Ty Stephenson: Canned sardines, cottage cheese, and canned stewed tomatoes (lunch when Mom was at work)

4. Let the covered batter rest in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (and up to 24 hours).

And my “madeleine”? Lefse (Norwegian flat bread) slathered in semi-cold butter, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, then rolled up like a cigar. Although I have for decades lived far away from the small-town western Wisconsin church basement suppers where lefse was a staple, I know if I have a piece, those days will be made vivid again. Tart-sweet lemon madeleines are traditional in France, but madeleines can be made with other flavors as well. I particularly liked the coconut chocolate ones that I made (substitute ½ cup dark cocoa for ½ flour and add ½ cup of toasted coconut to the batter). Madeleines could even be savory: substitute ½ cup cornmeal for ½ cup flour and add finely minced rosemary, thyme or sage; or finely grated parmesan, maybe with some cayenne. There are hundreds of recipes out there to suit your tastes. You will need either a madeleine pan (pictured), or dozens of tins (folhas para madalenas). I bought my tins at M. Dragonetti, the great kitchen supply store on Avenida Santo Amaro, which I am thrilled to report is mere blocks from my apartment.

7. Let cookies cool a few minutes in pan/tins, but don’t wait too long or they will stick. Invert and unmold. Dust with confectioners’ sugar, if desired.

5. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 180 degrees Celcius. Butter the 36 madeleine tins and put on baking sheets with short sides to keep them in place; set aside. 6. With a level tablespoon, spoon batter into buttered pans, ﬁlling the molds ¾ full. Bake, rotating pans halfway through if using more than one pan, until edges are crisp and golden, about 10-12 minutes.

Cookies are best eaten immediately, but can be stored between layers of plastic wrap or parchment in airtight containers at room temperature up to one day. (If not eaten right away, consider re-warming in a low oven, or as a last resort the microwave.) Eat as is, or dip in tea, just as Marcel Proust did. Maybe you have a 3000-word autobiography in you as well! REVIEWS BY TALON STAFF The reviews refer to two kinds: Lemon & Chocolate Coconut. All eaters responded to the prompt, “This madeleine reminds me of...” Lemon Madeleines ...my grandma’s love-ﬁlled Christmas cookies— it’s a current of warmth. [Andrea Estrada] ...a tall glass of lemonade on a hot summer’s day. Perfect! [Martin Shores]

Citrus Madeleines adapted from Martha Stewart; makes 36

...the cakes I used to bake with my grandma at the beach…simply delicious! [Amanda Rudzit]

¾ cup unsalted butter (170g), plus a tablespoon more for molds or madeleine pans. 1½ cups ﬂour ½ teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 3 large eggs, plus 2 large egg yolks ¾ cup sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 tablespoons ﬁnely grated lemon or lime zest 2 tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice (2 to 3 fruits) Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting (optional)

...my blissful childhood that passed away so quickly as the sour-sweet taste of this madeleine. [Yumi Park]

1. Melt and cool the 170g of butter. 2. Sift ﬂour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl; set aside. 3. Put eggs, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and zest and juice in a mixer. Mix on medium-high speed until pale and thickened, about 5 minutes. Add butter. Using a spatula, fold ﬂour mixture into egg mixture.

...the ﬁrst time I rode a bicycle: the same feeling of excitement, with the wind blowing on me. [Ho Jun Yang] ...how difﬁcult it is to maintain a diet—they are simply so tempting! [Luiza Justus] Chocolate Coconut Madeleines ...the feeling as a child smelling my mom’s home cooking while walking on ...the black and white tiles of my house. [Cassia Di Roberto] ...tea time with grandma. [Andrew Shim] ...the most moist yet consistent delight ever created! [Victoria Steinbruch]

the talon •23

viva voice

My Car Darla Tessa Peixoto

y Lago Special is truly special, even though it’s just like

The amazement I felt that day stayed with me reminding me

any other Lago Special. But mine is red, a red that could

that my dad was a good man, which reminds me I should tell

blind you if you stared at it too long in the sun. Its sleek body

him I love him a little bit more. I would love to see the look

with two half circles resembling lion’s paws, when he lies

on his face when I actually do. Boy, that would be priceless.

down to stop and gaze across the Savannah. But that got me

Sorry. I got a little off track. I just got that new car.

laughing at the idea of a red lion lying down under a tree

I’m sitting on a park bench just staring at it nearby, not know-

staring into the distance. After a few chuckles to myself and

ing what to do with such a beautiful thing. On one hand she’s

coming back to reality, I thought.

special. Others have a Lago specials, all types. That’s what I

I might as well name her something. I stood there

don’t get: I don’t know what made this car so special to me.

being pensive and looking smart but nothing came to me, my

Maybe because it was my ﬁrst or because it was cool to have

only desire in life was to name this car of mine, but noth-

a car like this, I just don’t know. Then a girl walked past my

ing spoke to me. So I pushed that thought to the back of my

car admiring it. I decided to get up talk to her. Finally I get a

head and just imagined the adventures I, no, we would have

chance to brag about my ﬁrst car.

together: driving through mud, driving through the coun-

“Hey. You’re eyeing my car there.”

tryside, looking over the ocean and watching the sunset.

“Oh sorry , I was just looking. Nothing else,” she

You might think I’m in love with this car but it’s not love I feel: it’s…what’s the word…amazement. Yeah that’s it, I feel amazement toward her, the amazement you feel when you

claimed. “Right. Oh yeah, I’m Erick by the way.” I extended my hand.

watch your ﬁrst sunset or the amazement you feel when your

“Oh, I’m Darla,” she smiled graciously.

dad brings you to the car shop to buy you your ﬁrst car. In my

That’s it, I realized that’s the name I wanted to give

case it was the ﬁrst-car feeling. I never thought my dad would actually buy me this car; and that’s what made me realize when he handed the

my car. Darla. It had such elegance. That’s my car, Darla. Darla is red and sleek and if you stare too long you might as well go blind.

salesmen the check, I would cherish this car till the day I die.

GettyImages.com

24• the talon

viva voice

2 de abril de 1955 Mirella Crespi

screvo para enganar a fome. Com a cabeça cheia, a barriga

por aqui. Zé do Porto disse que nos deixava no centro e que de lá

parece menos vazia. Me alembro de ter saído do Recife logo

cada um se ajeitasse. Desci da caçamba junto com os outros. Al-

depois do ﬁlho de mestre Carpina nascer. Sem rumo e sem von-

guns tinham família que esperava, outros tinham algo pra buscar.

tade, passei por mais três cidades perto de lá: Guaxumã, Trapiche

Eu cheguei em busca de nada e sabia que por aqui não ia ﬁcar.

da Barra e Jaraguá, tudo sem nada pra me

O mundo era desconhecido e comecei a

agarrar. Trabalhei numa quitanda, bus-

perceber que talvez tudo tivesse outro

cava os cocos, jogava fora o lixo, comia

sentido.

o que sobrava. Mas a morte ainda andava

Foi quando, andando, me enﬁei numa

solta, levando muitos e deixando pouco.

rua mais vazia e a vi. Ela estava de pé

Disso eu sempre soube. Nessa viagem toda

na dobra da rua, de olhos vazios à espera

eu seguia o meu próprio enterro. Mestre

de nada. Acheguei-me e logo vi, enco-

Carpina tinha me mostrado que pra cruzar

lhida, uma “severina”, retirante nordes-

o mar da miséria, um mar sem porteiras,

tina como eu, que não tinha acabado

era preciso muito esforço. Mas foi com o

de chegar – tinha cara de estar aqui há

parto do seu ﬁlho que eu vi, mesmo, que

mais tempo. Mas ela parecia estar inco-

não tem nada que se ajeite nessa vida. A

modando mesmo quem não estava ali.

vida começa com um grito, mas a voz vai

Parecia que tudo era feito contra ela.

diminuindo. A vida começa, e a gente vai

Tinha “panos” no rosto, de saia e blusa

se acomodando nos vazios da fome que

encardida que eu reconheci, como tivesse

vai tomando conta passo a passo, até não

saído do mesmo meu pau-de-arara. Fui

restar mais que o esqueleto e o suspiro.

atrás dela e prossegui, caminhando com

É difícil demais defender com as palavras

um motivo só, ver como viviam outros

essa vida severina, é mais fácil seguir an-

como eu nesse mundo desconhecido. Aos

dando enquanto a carne ainda está viva. O caminho de um retirante não

Getty Images poucos eu percebia nela restos e rastos

de tudo que eu vivia. O vazio nos olhos, a

tem desvio que não chegue ao mesmo ﬁm. Mas me alembro que

magreza da fome, a doença constante, a sujeira da miséria e o

naquele dia, disso eu tinha me esquecido. Buscava um trabalho,

caminhar de quem dói por dentro e não sabe por quê. Ela olhou

quando encontrei Zé do Porto, que tirava os retirantes da fome,

pra trás e viu que eu estava caminhando seu caminho. Seus olhos

do quente sem chuva, pra um novo destino. Ele dizia que lá cho-

vazios se encheram de medo e seus pés cansados se mexeram

via no chão. Foi aí que eu vi gente arrumando trouxa, pegando

perdidamente, buscando uma saída.

ﬁlho no arruado, se ajeitando pra caber e se ir. Eu não me que-

Foi quando aconteceu. Invisível como era, fugiu aos o-

ria deixar levar, mas acabei me entregando e, no último pau-de-

lhos do motorista que com seu carro amarelo acelerou e só depois

arara, toquei pra cá. O sacolejo da caçamba fazia tremer os ossos

percebeu. Uma explosão, repentina e assustada, encheu a rua de

daquela gente magra que, com os dedos duros de fome e secos

uma luz de doer os olhos, como o último raio de sol do dia. E com

de sol, segurava nas amarras. Nos olhos que olhavam sempre pra

o mesmo grito que a vida começa, a dela terminou. A severina

frente, no meio da poeira da terra seca, eu vi coragem, vi von-

tinha nascido de sua morte repentina, na rua de uma cidade in-

tade de viver outra vida. Todos ali queriam o mesmo, ir fazer

conquistável para todos os severinos. Ali estava a prova, de como

um pé-de-meia e voltar pra engordar as vacas e a plantação. A

a natureza domina a renovação do existir.

viagem era longa, e, quando chovia, era só pra regar os sonhos de quem mal se agüentava na ânsia de se ver aqui. E foi assim que cheguei. Cheguei para ver que o medo de deixar o sertão era pequeno demais perto do medo de ﬁcar

E logo começou a chover, chuva ﬁna, pra alagar lentamente a nova vida. Porque quem nasce já morreu, e quem morre já nasceu, nessa vida severina. Severino

the talon •25

viva voice

Invisibility Oh, how I’ve grown

Emily Matt or years my greatest dream was to be invisible. From

two minutes later, moments before the start of our class, she

a young age I detested attention, and I still do to a cer-

yelled, “Hey, Justin! Emily likes you!” I’m fairly certain my

tain extent. Quite early in my life I developed the ability to

heart stopped. I didn’t wait for his reaction. I ran faster

quickly determine patterns in teachers so that I knew exactly

than a startled wildebeest and found a suitably remote, shad-

what to do to not be called on in class. Some teachers call on

owy corner in a storage room.

those who make eye contact, some call on those who avoid it.

I’m not certain how many hours passed, but when an

The only reason I might raise my hand was for those teachers

unfamiliar teacher discovered me sitting in a puddle of my

that called only on those that didn’t have their hands raised.

own tears, she decided it would be best to send me home. I

I didn’t join afterschool activities, and I had only two friends.

kept myself shut in my room and couldn’t sleep. For hours

I kept my emotions completely sealed and my face as blank

at a time I just sat staring at a blank wall without a single

as the eyes in an uncomprehending stare.

thought in my head.

In these ways I almost achieved my desired invisible

One of my friends came over to comfort me. Ini-

state. Unfortunately, it simply was not meant to be. Group

tially, when she tried to hug me, I refused. Physical contact,

projects trampled my dream with the force of the stamped-

even from my mom, felt like it blistered my skin. My friend

ing antelopes that killed Mufasa. As soon as I was forced to

tried reassuring me, but she didn’t really understand why I

speak with other people, they realized I had something to

was reacting this way. Certainly my experience was embar-

say. They began to greet me when I arrived at school. In

rassing, but it wasn’t an event that normally drove a girl to

some ways I liked the attention, but mostly I felt like curling

insanity. By the next day I was sufﬁciently recovered to re-

into a ball in some remote, shadowy corner.

turn to school.

It’s one thing to hide from teachers and avoid their

A strange thing happened; not a single person spoke

attention; it’s entirely different hiding from classmates sit-

to me. I arrived at school terriﬁed that people would tease

ting at desks just a few centimeters away from my own. Soon,

me or at least ask me what was wrong, but instead people

people, intrigued by my mysterious and silent nature, made

even avoided eye contact. Yet none of this made me happy.

it their goal to force me out of my shell. This was about as

I was ﬁnally completely invisible, and it felt wrong. Later

welcome as the gropes of a creepy old man. I developed a

in the day I found in my desk a note from the girl. She ex-

fear of going to school, a fear of going in public, a fear of

plained her motive for what she had saidand apologized for

making a sound. I was so afraid of attention that I struggled

embarrassing me. This caused me to do something I hadn’t

to ﬂush the toilet in the middle of the night, terriﬁed that a

done since I was a toddler; I approached her and timidly ini-

member of my family might hear it. I was miserable. No one

tiated a conversation. Until that time, people had only ap-

can possibly live in a silent world, for even taking a breath

proached me, and I had never willingly opened a conversation

makes a sound.

with another person. Afterwards, I had mixed feelings. I felt

One day, a girl put me into hysterics. She was one of

empowered. Not only did I realize I had a voice, but I real-

the ones that wanted to force me from my cave of solitude.

ized I could use it. But I also felt like the action was one of

Somehow, she discovered that, like any other eleven-year-

the most painful I had ever done. I had to go past my fear of

old girl, I had a crush. She forced it out of me by various

making a sound, and speak.

means of torture, mostly through attempts to get me into

I’d like to say I’ve grown out of this phobia, but I

trouble. I could handle name-calling and insults, but bringing

haven’t, I’m still ﬁghting it. There are times when speaking

attention of any sort to me made me feel like the targeted

is impossible for me, and my vocal cords are literally incapa-

ant under a beam of sunlight focused by a magnifying glass.

ble of releasing sound. Making eye contact, let alone smiling,

I made a bargain with her: I agreed to tell her who I liked

is difﬁcult. For me to go beyond such an intense feeling of

so long as she promised to leave me alone afterwards. I

anxiety takes an immense amount of courage. But at least

naively thought that all she wanted was the knowledge. Not

now I’m trying.

26• the talon

viva voice

Tempête de mon âme

Tempo Beatriz Cavalieri

Fabio Berger

Os pensamentos, neste instante, chegam até mim em

O tempête de mon âme

minha língua materna. Embora não seja bem portuguesa

Sans pitié tu ravages mon cœur

a palavra “retrô”, que tomo para tema. Aliás, “retro” é

Chaque vague de tristesse

um preﬁxo que se vem tornando palavra. Por isso pensei

M’éloigne du bonheur

logo em “retrospectiva”, lembrei-me do que era, do que foi, do que já faz parte do irreal. Desejos que idealizei,

Comme un vent sauvage

imagens que não concretizei, pairaram e sumiram no vai-

Tu me pousses à mes limites

e-vem da correria da vida.

Menacé par ta décharge d’eau

Fui. Vivi. Palavra que me transporta ao passado, essa

J’essaie de me tenir en position

“retrô” que se abre a tantos sentidos, para nós, jovens, quase-formados em valores, de fantasias e de idéias,

Sans explication, tu t’en vas de nouveau

quase-formados para o mundo!

Tout devient calme

Mundo que já foi cinzento, já foi lilás, mundo de quem “não estava nem aí”. Corri contra o tempo, atropelei

Seulement les débris de mon cœur y restent

palavras, interrompi pessoas, não tive certeza do que

Quand tout sera ﬁni

pretendia ser. Tentaram me ensinar a ouvir, mas comecei

Tu reviendras de nouveau

a questionar. Brotaram então de mim palavras de moça

Et avec ton armée de vent et de pluie

culta, de moça que parece saber o que quer. Parece saber

Tu me débarrasseras de mon bonheur.

o que quer... E eu queria muito!Queria poder sair pelo mundo, para conhecer o que tantos diziam sobre ele. Queria entender os homens. Queria poder ter títulos com letra maiúscula, que nem Guimarães Rosa. Queria ser menos prolixa quando o assunto é sentimento. Deparo-me agora com o presente, não o que antes mencionei ou o que quase fui – deparo-me com o agora. Sentada em minha varanda, vejo crianças brincando num terreno baldio, a noite cai depressa. O som que vem de meu quarto brinca de colorir ternura com as cores da brisa leve de verão. Nostalgia! Mas o agora, agora, agora. Para aquele que sofre de incertezas, o agora.

gettyimages.com

Para aquele que teme, o agora. Aquele que não crê, viva o agora.

the talon •27

sports

Short-skirt Revolution The evolution of tennis sportswear

Karen Hime

hat sets tennis apart from many other sports is that the players do not have a particular uniform. When women began to assert their independence, fashions changed accordingly. Short skirts, shorts, and sleeveless tops characterizes today’s female tennis player. But back a century ago when tennis began, such was not the case. When the game of tennis gained popularity among ladies during the Victorian age in the late 1860s, there was as of yet no appropriate attire for the sport. The players then had to settle for what they thought was appropriate: tightsleeved jackets, long skirts, gloves and hats. White became commonplace at Wimbledon in the 1890s to conceal sweat stains and this signature color has been traditionally worn at Wimbledon until the present. In 1905, practicality led Mary Sutton to wear her father’s shirts at Wimbledon. It was the ﬁrst time that a female tennis pro complained about her “hot” long sleeves and decided to roll back the cuffs. It wasn’t until after World War I that female tennis players began to pursue stylish and practical fashion on court. The change began with Suzanne Lenglen in 1922 when she decided to forego the traditional hat at Wimbledon and wore short skirts, brightly colored cardigans and a bandeau, a band worn around a woman’s breasts, much to the surprise of many. Her fashion statement caused a fuss and in fact, people even betted on the color of her next bandeau in her upcoming games. It was only in the 1930s that women stopped wearing stockings and that a bare head was accepted in the world of tennis. One bold athlete named of Alice Marble wore

ml.berkelyblogs.com

28 • the talon

white shorts on the court in 1932. After World War II, women began to be more sensible in fashion clothing to address the practical side. What used to be an uncomfortable outfit became comfortable skirts or shorts, short-sleeved shirts and jockey caps. In 1949, it became America’s turn to make a daring move in tennis fashion. Gertrud Moran wore lace-trimmed panties under her white dress to Wimbledon. The general public was so involved by her outfit that the London Daily Express featured the news five times in a week. The panties were designed by Ted Tinling, a former mediator and player. It was after Tinling introduced a color-trimmed dress that Wimbledon imposed the all-white rule. He later created another gold panty for Karol Fagero but it was banned at Wimbledon. During the 1980s, Wimbledon officials were outraged by the body suit worn by Anne White to the game. The suit was all-white and skin tight. She was cautioned not to wear the same outfit again. Despite losing, White received praise for her courage in making such a daring fashion move. Fashion in the late 1990s was revolutionized when the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, entered the scene. They wore colorful clothes, dangling earrings and hair beads that take around four hours to design. The Williams sisters even knew how to accessorize the traditional Wimbledon plain whites into fashionable tennis wear. Their entry in the spotlight took the attention of photographers, who from then on not only captured amazing tennis moments but tennis fashion as well. Serena once increased the tension on court during the U.S. Open when in 2002, she wore a leatherlike catsuit. In 2004, in the same Grand Slam event, she wore another daring outfit, boots and denim skirts. Serena’s fashion sense created such high public demand that she opened a fashion line called “Aneres,” planning to sell her styles in L.A. and Miami boutiques. Her sister Venus also launched her own line called “Ele Ven” in 2007. Tennis and fashion now are inseparable as female players today not only give a full athletic performance but also don very fashionable tennis outfits. Indeed, whoever said that you can’t play tennis and be fashionable at the same time? Today, spectators not only await the moves of the players in tennis, but also watch out for the next big thing in tennis fashion, on the catwalk they call the court.

sports

The Evolution Behind Graded Athletics The record of the program

Andrea Estrada

ike everything we know, sports at Graded School had a beginning. Although the school was founded in 1920, the sports league involving other schools was not created until 53 years later. In 1973 the São Paulo High School League (SPHL) was established by the athletic directors of Graded, Chapel, PACA, and EAC. The current SPHL consists of home and away Varsity games on Tuesdays or Fridays, finishing off with a final playoff tournament each semester. Just like everything has a beginning, everything also develops and is adjusted over time. For instance, the final tournament went from being only All-Star games to more open and diverse games with mixed players like they are today. Junior Varsity teams were not an initial part of the league; they were only formed later on. When they were, practice times at Graded were held at the same time as Varsity ones and used the same facilities for years. Because they had to share the space and had limited time, practices were not as complete as they’ve come to be today. It wasn’t until 2002 that the system we have presently was created: JV practices run from 3:15 to 4:15, and Varsity practices go from 4:15 to 6:00. Practices were also never held on Wednesdays, because it was the designated community service day. However, with the time adaptations community service involvement stopped being a problem. Nowadays, every sport has its own day off each week, allowing students a break from the exercise and an opportunity to dedicate time to academic work. Having a system like this facilitates the coaches’ freedom during their practices and the students’ capacity to gain as much experience as possible from each practice. Another addition came in 1985, when St.Paul’s School joined the league in most of the sports. The participation of other American and British schools in Brazil such as EARJ and EAB came later on as well. According to both Ken Fast, one of the founders of the SPHL from PACA, and Jeff Marquis, formerly Athletic Director at Graded, having the league and contact with these schools has created a sportsmanship emphasis and has strengthened the relationship between schools. Like Fast said, “It is always a challenge to be very competitive in every sport but never to the point of losing our relationship with others.” Fortunately, these schools have been able to maintain an extremely healthy relationship. From 2002 to 2005 there were quite a few major adjustments done to the system. In 2002, aside from the practice time change within Graded, all the sports were flipped to the opposite season. For example, basketball and soccer, which had always been second semester sports, became first semester sports, while futsal, volley, and softball became second semester sports. As

a result, the final tournaments for each semester also ended up changing.The semester tournaments began being held outside of the schools over time, at camps such as Nosso Recanto. Still, not all tournaments were held in NR. Big 4’s used to be hosted by Graded, the last one being in 2004. Having the tournament on campus had its advantage because it brought a wave of school spirit and unity during the week of the event. Graded students and teachers, from the lower school all the way through high school, were passionate about the competitions and supported their athletes loyally. The following year, in 2005, Big 4 was held in EAB, Brasilia. Ever since then, Big 4’s have been held in NR, giving less opportunity for the entire school’s involvement, but more emphasis on the competitive part of the tournament. Yet , with Big 4 being held in NR there was space for more sports to be included, like boys volleyball and girls futsal. With this, Super 6, a tournament held in the past, was dropped and along with the adaptations to Big 4, Big 8 was created. The number of schools involved in each tournament varies depending on what sports they have teams for. That’s why Little 8, Little 6, Big 8, and Big 4 have different schools participating. Graded has also held events that don’t necessarily include the typical sports that we’re used to seeing around the school. There was a time when Graded had tennis tournaments, and when the track was built in the late 90’s there was a track team. These have been dropped though and are no longer among the school’s offerings. The school also holds events with schools that don’t participate in the usual SPHL tournaments. We continue having special tournaments, or friendly games, with Lincoln School from Buenos Aires. This helps establish relationships and connections that are valuable to Graded’s educational experiences with other schools. Like every other aspect of our school, Graded’s Athletic program has gone through a process of evolution in its 36 years of existence. The changes have improved the efficiency and enjoyment of each event or sport. This year, three important people that have made part of the SPHL are leaving or retiring. Ken Fast, from PACA, is retiring once this school year ends, and Jeff Marquis and Jeff Lippman are leaving Graded School. Like many others, they’ve supported and contributed to the development of our school’s athletic program. It’s a program that has altered throughout time, impacted the school, and will continue to change as the school itself evolves. Hopefully, with time will come changes that improve the events that are available at Graded today, and possibly give way to new sports or tournaments that enhance the community’s experience in the athletic arena.

the talon • 29

sports

Die Magie Hoffenheim O Mágico Hoffenheim

Fernando Lima m poucas palavras, quero compartilhar com todos vocês,

na Europa, como o Borussia Dortmund e o Bayern de Munique;

leitores talônicos, minha alegre saudação àquele que, se-

como se não bastasse, ainda lhe faltava completar as obras

gundo sei, é o primeiro cronista de futebol dentre os jovens

do novo estádio, o que deixou o time sem casa até janeiro

escritores graduados. Bem-vindo, FERNANDO LIMA! Todos os

deste ano. Mesmo com pouco caixa, contudo, em vez de se

que admiramos a sutileza e a sensibilidade saudamos você,

desfazer do seu plantel, o atrevido Hoffenheim fez algumas

que nos oferece essa crônica, prazerosamente admirados

apostas bem duvidosas, como o lateral Andreas Beck, vindo

com a maturidade de seu “jeitão” para uma área do jornalis-

em empréstimo do VfB Stuttgart. Mas os grandes não con-

mo que estava tão carente de novos “mágicos”...

tavam com a sorte desse pequenino escrete do interior da

—Prof. Mario F. Spanghero

Alemanha; não contavam, certamente, com a liderança de um jovem brasileiro de vinte anos de idade, Carlos Eduardo.

uem diria que o pequeno TSG 1899 Hoffenheim viria a se

Contavam muito menos com a habilidade e o oportunismo do

classiﬁcar para a UEFA Champions League da temporada

bósnio Vedad Ibisevic.

2009/2010, roubando a vaga dos poderosos Bayern de Muni-

A cidade de Manheim percebeu, na promoção do time

que e Schalke 04. Situada ao norte de Stuttgart e perto da

em ascensão, uma oportunidade excelente de fazer dinheiro com seu estádio parado e

fronteira da Alemanha com a França, Hoffenheim é uma pacata cidadezinha que hospeda hoje a maior surpresa do futebol europeu. Para uma visão mais ampla dessa surpresa, vamos voltar à

“Quero compartilhar com todos vocês, minha alegre saudação aquele que é o primeiro cronista de futebol dentre os jovens graduados.”

o cedeu para o clube. Mal se sabia que a história estava por ser escrita bem ali. Desaﬁo após desaﬁo, o pequeno Hoffenheim foi fazendo história contra os

temporada anterior do campeonato

grandes da Alemanha. É

alemão e a duas temporadas do Brasileirão: após o Boca Juniors derrotar o Grêmio, na ﬁnal

verdade que, no começo de dezembro, antes da paralisação

da Copa Libertadores da América, o Hoffenheim faz o melhor

de inverno do campeonato, o imprevisível estreante andou

investimento de sua história: último lugar na 2. Bundesliga,

derrapando em jogos fáceis.

a segunda divisão alemã, o time contrata o atacante Carlos Eduardo - destaque do Grêmio, destaque das seleções de

Com um golpe de sorte, porém - o empate de 1

base do Brasil e destaque na Libertadores. Uma promessa que

X 1 na última rodada de 2008, contra o Schalke 04 - o ex-

ainda não tinha se cumprido no curto espaço de tempo que

pequenino Hoffenheim consegue conquistar o título de in-

jogara na primeira divisão do Brasil, o jogador e o clube ger-

verno da Bundesliga. Para os supersticiosos, isso é sinal da

mânico se arriscaram tremendamente nessa transferência.

conquista do título, a ser decidido até o ﬁnal de maio.

Porém Carlos Eduardo era o que faltava para o Hoffenheim.

Agora, quando escrevo o relato dessa jornada épica—

Ele, em parceria com o bósnio, Vedad Ibisevic, levaram o time

sexta-feira, 6 de março de 2009—o Hoffenheim já pode jogar

a saltar do último para o segundo lugar na segunda divisão,

no seu estádio, a Rhein-Neckar Arena. Com trinta mil de seus

conseguindo a classiﬁcação para subir à 1ª. Bundesliga.

fãs torcendo bravamente nas arquibancadas, lá está ele em terceiro lugar na classiﬁcação geral da Bundesliga, à frente

Carlos Eduardo: promessa aqui, sorte do Hoffenheim!

de times como o superplantel do bávaro Bayern. Para mim, caro leitor, uma campanha como essa res-

O time tinha alcançado nada além do impossível. Mas

gata a pura magia hoje tão rara na epopéia futebolística.

parecia, como dizem, que alegria de pobre sempre dura pouco. O Hoffenheim subira com o orçamento mais modesto de todos, para competir com clubes tradicionais na Alemanha e

30 • the talon

Até a próxima!...

The Talon

2009-2010 Staff Application Cut alo ong th his line e, neattlyy..

It is time to select the intelligent, creative, dedicated group of students to lead the Talon through its ninth year. Interested joining the staff? Read and complete this application carefully and submit it to either Mr. Berg or Ms. Pfeiffer on or before April 15. In addition to this application you must submit an article and any accompanying images to be published in Edition 65. The theme of this last edition of the year is Drama. Your article could be for any of the sections, preferably the section in which you are most interested. (See the back for much more detail about how to do this.) If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask one of the current Editors-in-Chief or the advisors.

Family Name

First Name Circle your current grade level:

Who is your current English Teacher?

What positions would you like to apply for? Rank your three top choices from 1 to 3, with 1 being the position you would most like. (Note that all staff members are required to submit to the magazine each month. Also, the four section editors—News, Features, Entertainment, and Sports—are in charge of a team; good leadership and communication skills are essential.) _____ Editor-in-Chief (the big boss: organized, wise, collaborative, involved, and skilled at verbal and written communication; besides running meetings and keeping watch over the other editors, the EIC writes an opening piece each month, and is in charge of the POV section; this job requires coming to school one Sunday a month) _____ News Editor _____ Assistant News Editor _____ Features Editor (focuses on the monthly theme) _____ Assistant Features Editor _____ Entertainment Editor (also edits the sub-section, Viva Voice; therefore, creative writing experience is a bonus) _____ Assistant Entertainment Editor _____ Sports Editor _____ Assistant Sports Editor _____ Photo Editor (puts together the inside back cover; called on by section editors to take pictures for articles; also gives assignments to the photographer) _____ Photographer Cu ut alon ng this line, neatlyyy..

_____ Layout Editor (the format god, who works to design a clear, consistent, engaging layout in Adobe inDesign; may need to come to school one Sunday a month) _____ Assistant Layout Editor _____ Copy Editor (the grammar and style god, who works with all editors by doing a secondary edit of all articles to make them correct and coherent) _____ Cover Artist (the face of the magazine, who, with guidance from the EIC, creates and produces the front and back covers, along with the monthly poster advertising the theme) _____ Columnist (G11-12 only; contributes a monthly piece under the same column name in the POV section, such as an opinion piece, a crônica, or a personal experience tied to the monthly theme) _____ Artist/Cartoonist (works with the EIC, Layout Editor, and Cover Artist to produce a monthly submission) _____ Contributing Reporter (your preference for a speciﬁc section? _________________________)

List your planned academic schedule for next year, the classes and IB level, if applicable: 1. _________________________________ 2. _________________________________

Current staff members: List your articles that were published this school year. Edition 57: Practice ____________________________ _____________________________________________

3. _________________________________ Edition 58: If _________________________________ ____________________________________________

5. _________________________________ 6. _________________________________ 7. _________________________________ 8. _________________________________

Edition 59: Online _____________________________ ____________________________________________ Edition 60: A Little Help ________________________ _____________________________________________

Not including the Talon, list in order of priority and time commitment the extracurricular activities that you plan to participate next year and your after school commitments (which days?): 1. _________________________________ 2. _________________________________ 3. _________________________________ 4. _________________________________

Cut along this lin ne, nea atly. y.

4. _________________________________

Edition 61: Addiction ___________________________ _____________________________________________ Edition 62: Details _____________________________ _____________________________________________ Edition 63: Retro ______________________________ _____________________________________________

5. _________________________________ Please answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper and attach to your application. 1. What could you contribute to the Talon? Explain your skills, experience, and interests by giving speciﬁc examples. 2. What speciﬁc ideas do you have to enhance the magazine and its role in the Graded community?

In addition to this form and the above responses, you are also required to submit a 600-800 word article as part of your application, preferably for the section for which you are applying. Besides your name, please include a title and subtitle to the article, and its word count, along with at least one photograph or image that would accompany the piece—remember to cite the source of any borrowed material whether ideas or images. Send these elements electronically, as attachments, to talon@graded.br by the end of the day, 15 April. In the body of the email, make it clear who you are and what three positions you are applying to. (Note that if you are applying to a photographic or artistic position, instead of an article, you should submit to the Talon advisors a small portfolio of your work that you think would be appropriate for the magazine.)

Name Signature

Date

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Telephone

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3. Why would you be effective at the positions to which you are applying?