December 2009

Malden Stuffs Medford On Thanksgiving Day Game on page 20 Photo by Lauren Benoit

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Malden High School Volume 94 Edition 3

Our 94th Year December 2009

GAGA CONCERT REVIEW ON PG 16

Bright Future for Mhs

Give Blood, GIVE Life Sharon Lee Reporter

Senior Martin Doan giving blood at the MHS Blood Drive

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The renovations done on our school auditorium.

Photos by Lynn Tran and Lauren Benoit

For more pictures and information go to page 14 Paige Yurek

Amanda Adams

Reporter

Reporter

On Friday Dec. 4, 2009, State Treasurer and Chairman of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Tim Cahill, and Katherine Craven, MSBA executive Director, presented Malden High with a check for 69 million dollars.

ANTIGONE: FAIREY GOOD Xavier Leo

Copy Editor

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alden High School’s Play Production class, taught by Mr. Sean Walsh, put on yet another grand performance in their most recent play, Antigone. Rather than performing a rendition of the original play by Sophocles, Walsh chose to perform the 1940’s adaptation of the same play, by a Frenchman named Jean Anouilh.

Preparation began for the show a few weeks after the start of this school year. According to a recent e-mail from Walsh, “I originally wanted to do The Trojan Women - but could not find a translation that I liked. I decided to do the Anouilh version for two main reasons: It is a show most of the school popular was familiar with [and] I thought it would be an appropriate challenge for the actors I had coming back.” In addition to regular class time used to rehearse, the cast was expected to run through their lines at home as much as possible so as to create a smooth show as soon as possible. Up until the week of the show, some cast members were asked to stay once a week after school to have a group rehearsal. However, as soon as the week of the show came around, everyone was asked to stay three hours after school all week to finally rid themselves of all the kinks and, more importantly, get a feel for their new venue at the Malden Senior Center. Regarding the new location of this continued on page 15

You know one donation could save as many as three lives,” says Alan Towne as he encourages three hesitant blood donors on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009. That day 57 students, staff members, and local citizens arrived to give both time and blood to save the lives of others at the American Red Cross Blood Drive.

The coordinators of this event were Robin Doherty and Jennifer Eby, and Alan Towne, a donor recruiter formerly working for the American Red cross for over 20 years. Part of Towne’s job is to organize blood drives in school and communities as well as recruiting donors, and that’s exactly what he did to bring this life-saving event to Malden High.

Similarly to last year the Finn Gym was split so a portion of the gym could be used for the blood drive. “Absolutely. [I am] very supportive of the blood drive and we all need to give a little. I believe that I can speak on behalf of the whole P.E. staff.” Within the space provided for the blood drive, there were many stations set up including registration, waiting, medical history, blood drawing, and a canteen to recuperate afterwards.

To be able to give blood, you have to meet certain requirements continued on page 14

Table of Contents

Thanh Nguyen as the chorus leader in front of artwork based on visual artist Shepard Fairey Photo by Joao Nascimento

Opinion p.3-5 World p.6-8 Local p. 10-14 Entertainment p.15-17 Sports p. 18-20

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Editorials

The Blue and Gold November-December 2009

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Nuclear power, not flower power Malden High School

The Blue and Gold 77 Salem St. Malden, MA 02148

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF David Riemer Ayoub Kourikchi MANAGING AND DESIGN EDITOR Lynn Tran COPY EDITING DIRECTOR An Holmqvist ONLINE EDITOR Alexandra Mathieu HEAD LOCAL NEWS WRITER Nidale Zouhir HEAD ENTERTAINMENT/ OPINION Brittany Foley HEAD SPORTS WRITER Alfonse Femino HEAD OF BUSINESS Haley DeFilippis COPY EDITORS Dan Holmqvist Omar Khoshafa Xavier Leo Brittany McFeeley Joao Nascimento REPORTERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Amanda Adams Lauren Benoit Kayla Bramante Christopher Brown Freddie DiPhillipo Natalie Fallano Alexander Gennigiorgis Megan Kelly Joshua Kummins Johanna Lai Sharon Lee Cristina Peters Catherine Poirier Brendan Provitola Reginah Sanyu Joel Stevenson Alicia Young Paige Yurek ADVISOR Ryan Gallagher Established in 1915 Check out our online edition: http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

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s the world’s fossil fuels diminish at an astonishingly rapid pace at the hands of voracious industrialized nations, the search for alternative, clean, and renewable sources of energy is unnervingly understated. Even after the first omens of impending oil shortages in 1973 when gas prices spiked due to a trading embargo between the United States and the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), scientific research was never accelerated on the premise of looming urgency. Instead, the country’s fossil fuel intake has grown over the years, at a frightening speed. The worst thing? Hardly anyone is afraid.

Maybe there is hope to be found in one of the only human creations to emanate panic across the entire globe: the atomic bomb.

The advent of atomic and nuclear energy brought with it a torrent of guilt and fear, sweeping across the world with the realization that man finally possessed the technology to eradicate himself. J. Robert Oppenheimer, the renowned “father of atomic energy” expressed his regret for having been largely responsible for bringing such destructive power into the world. And yet, this power which has scorched cities to the ground, effaced walls, melted cars, and immolated innocent citizens within minutes may be the force which is key to the establishment of a permanent form of infinitely renewable energy.

Amidst the clamor for comparatively minute advances in other technologies, the fervor for atomic energy had declined in the US since its pivotal role in the Cold War. Although there has been considerable progress made in harnessing solar, wind, and geothermal power, as well as crucial developments in bio-diesel fuel technology and recycling procedures, scientists have not been able to run as fast as the world’s hunger for oil in this

race toward oblivion. Atomic energy, on the other hand, could be just the sprinter humanity needs to win.

The question is, however, if we are capable of taming such a tremendous force and domesticating it for our use. The Chernobyl disaster of 1986 speaks to the contrary of that hope.

In the Ukraine, then part of the Soviet Union, the Chernobyl plant explosion led to a worldwide criticism of harnessing nuclear energy. The cataclysmic meltdown resulted in the direct deaths of only about 56 individuals, but is estimated to have caused over 800,000 deaths overall due to the extensive radiation poisoning experienced by Ukrainian residents around the site. Today, nearly 23 years after the disaster, the area around the plant is so radioactive that it has been deemed too dangerous for humans to inhabit. The town of Prypiat, located just miles from the Chernobyl plant filled with vacant apartment buildings, mangled playgrounds, and even a forgotten amusement park, standing testament to the devastating potency of atomic energy.

This disaster, however, should be learned from and reflected upon, but not feared. Yes, the research regarding nuclear energy holds the highest price for the slightest mistake, but this once-evil force has the propensity to further change the world as we know it, and redefine itself as a force of creation and progress rather than that of quintessential and ultimate destruction. The force that has drawn our wide-eyed terror and coaxed the wildest of apocalyptic nightmares from the most obscure corners of our collective dreams has the capacity to cleanse the world of the political and economic clashes which occur in the struggle for control of fossil fuel resources and release the vice grip with which oil suffocates diplomacy.

David Riemer Co-Editor-in-Chief

Editorial Policy The Blue and Gold is an open forum for student expression. It is produced by students for the school and the community. The views presented in this paper are not necessarily those of the advisor or the school administration. The views presented in the editorials are those of the editors-in-chief or guests. The goal of The Blue and Gold is to inform and entertain students as well as the community regarding issues that we feel are important.

We strongly encourage readers to respond to material printed in the form of signed letters to the editors. No libelous, malicious, defamatory, obscene, or unsigned material will be printed.

The Blue and Gold reserves the right to edit the letters. Names may be withheld upon request. Not all letters will be printed.

Although The Blue and Gold appreciates the support of advertisers, we may refuse any advertisement that violates the above policy or that promotes products questionable to student use.

Any correspondence concerning this publication should be directed to Mr. Ryan Gallagher’s room in A103 or to his mailbox in the main office.

The Blue and Gold c/o Malden High School 77 Salem Street Malden, MA 02148

Corrections: The date of the issue should have been November 2009, not 2008, on page 1.

The style article is on page 16.

The Payroll Statistics on page 8 were created by Megan Kelly, and Joshua Kummins. The statistics were created on BostonHerald.com using the area code 02147.

Taylor Wrice’s name was spelled wrong on page 16.

The Hall of Fame pictures were taken by Anita Caceda and Megan Kelly on page 18.

The cheerleaders went to Regionals, not Sectionals, on page 18.

The Thanksgiving game was against Medford, not Everett, on page 18.

The Boys Soccer Record should be 9:1 on page 19.

Immaculate Mutebi’s name was spelled incorrectly on page 6.

The 2012 class president is Nina Ho and the vice president is Jessica Hien on page 6.

Corrections to the editor can be submitted to theblueandgold@gmail.com

The Blue and Gold November-December 2009

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Opinion http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

A World Power no more?

An Holmqvist Copy Editing Director

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s ­­­America no longer the world power that it once used to be? Are we no longer the influence on which all the rest of the world leaned?

In his mission to bring back confidence in America’s foreign policy, President Barack Obama began to wean – especially on his trip to Asia, during which the Western media went into a frenzy of criticism. The Economist called him the “quiet American,” a weak voice in the face of an immense economic power.

The trip to China may not have affected Americans in their daily lives, but a reflection upon China’s prominence in the global economy might explain why Obama was so careful not to lose approval from America’s strongest economic rival.

Obama barely stood a chance against the menacing cover-up that was his public visit to the People’s Republic of China. Obama barely had the opportunity to speak to the people of China – his television appearances were few, and were often presided by Chinese officials to ensure that he would not say anything that would stir an uproar. According to Eswar S. Prasad, a China specialist at Cornell University, “China effectively stage-managed… Obama’s public appearances [and] got him to make statements endorsing Chinese positions of political importance to them…” What more could we have expected? China rarely loosens its grip when it comes to foreign policy. Their explosive growth is something they seek to protect – and not loosen their hold on economic dominance. Regardless of whether China is laden with corruption and abuse of government power, no Western leader would be able to stand up to such a stringent culture.

In Asia, we need a determined leader who can take down devious ways of gaining a profit and an upper hand.

Letter to the Editors

By Rick Tivnan’s Justice and Government Class

“Unhealthy,” “greasy,” and “nasty” are words that Malden High students use to describe their food. One class in your very own school is working on bettering school lunch for all students.

In Mr. Tivnan’s Justice and Government class, we are trying to change our school lunch by making a brochure and distributing it to the whole school. We’re gathering students’ personal opinions, providing students with nutritional facts about their food, and comparing our food to other schools’ foods. We also created a survey about what students would prefer in the cafeteria and then we conducted the survey during lunch.

The goals of our project are: - To improve the food on the school cafeteria’s menu - To bring awareness about food quality to the student body - To give students voice in the process

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he program Generation Citizen has helped us come together as a class, despite how different we all may be and has helped us organize a way to take action against a problem we have chosen in our school. The program calls for the class as a whole to come up with something we would like to change about their school.

After we came up with the topic, we had to think of how we could change the problem. We brainstormed a number of ideas and came up with a strategy to take action. As a class we eliminated ideas we felt wouldn’t work well and implemented ideas we thought sounded appealing. We ended up making a survey and asking our fellow students for their opinions.

Our class wants to work towards getting better, healthier options during our lunch period. We have each taken the initiative of gathering our school food nutritional facts, collecting information on food from other schools, or asking the students/staff at Malden High their opinions on the food and recording their statements. We are working on a pamphlet to show students what the food here is like compared to other schools.

Our program is designed to help us change things that we feel is our right to have a say in. Generation Citizen has given us that chance, and so we decided to talk about our school lunch and how it needs improvement. We are hoping to catch the attention of the administration and show them how concerned we feel about this. At the same time, we appreciate how difficult it is to feed so many students at one time, and we know how hard the cafeteria staff works to accommodate everyone in a short period of time.

We hope that our work will make the school realize that we need to change our daily meals, and this may benefit both us and schools around the region. Please help us reach our goal by talking to parents, members of the administration, faculty and anyone else you think might be interested in our project. Thank you.

Send letters to editor to theblueandgold@gmail.com Which Holiday Greeting Do you Prefer?

Date: Tuesday, December 22, 2009 Time: 7:00pm 10:00pm

Although one must forgive Mr. President for not being able to address issues such as human rights and corruption, we have a right to be disappointed with a leader who is not able to assertively defend the best interests of the nation. As Prasad continued in his statement, the Chinese effectively “shifted the public discussion from the global risks posed by Chinese currency policy to the dangers of loose monetary policy and protectionist tencontinued on page 4

The Chorus Holiday Concert

Location: Malden High School Gym Street:77 Salem Street

Chart created by Kayla Bramante and Natalie Fallano. Surveyed random participants at all four lunches on December 4th.

Layout By David Riemer

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Opinion

The Blue and Gold November-December 2009

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Climate Change (Data Alteration) Sharon Lee Reporter

Source: http://en.cop15.dk/ homepage for Climate Consortium in Denmark

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ately all you hear about global warming, climate change, and greenhouse gases are how all the data has been altered by those evil scientists, but how evil can they actually be? If people take a second to look at this differently they may come to find that in reality our environment is actually in as much danger as those “evil” scientists say so.

Each day the average person takes approximately 26,000 breaths and

in each breath you are inhaling not only oxygen but also a mixture of gases including nitrogen, water, argon, carbon dioxide and trace gases.

Each year at least fifteen polar bears die from global warming and the dramatic increase in climate change.

Now how different is what we are told by scientists from reality.

Scientists from the University of East Anglia (UEA) have altered the original data taken at several weather stations all over the world.

The data was used to determine the long-term rise in temperature over the next 150 years. The exaggeration that the scientists used have made the increase in temperature seems more drastic, but making the situation seem worse than it is may be the push we need to start thinking of our future.

In fact, is not there always an exception to when you can or cannot exaggerate the truth to help others?

Wouldn’t this be one of those times?

Instead of characterizing them as despicable, unreliable, or untrust-

worthy people, shouldn’t they be awarded? Truthfully all their doing is making the rest of us take precautions that we should have been doing already. According to benefitsof-recycling.com there has been a 100% increase in the total amount of recycling in the United States in the last decade. Why do you think Malden just started the pay-as-youthrow program? These are simple ways to save our planet and without the fear that scientists have embedded in us we would not be on our way to a greener, more eco-friendly Earth.

If it was not for scientists, we will all still be polluting the atmosphere with dangerous fumes, not reusing or recycling items like plastics or paper, and not being realistic to the cry for help from Mother Nature. All we’ve thought of was how scientists have altered data of climate change and manipulated the real facts and research but I think its time we thank them for giving us a warning of what is yet to come.

Plan for Afghanistan Draws Attention Xavier Leo Copy Editor

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n short, the plan goes like this: eliminate terrorist safe havens; work with Pakistan to unseat the Taliban in the country; help Afghan security forces establish a stable government that has the support of a plurality of Afghanis; and finally, bring our troops home.

Despite its months of deliberation, the Obama administration left some important questions unresolved in its new plan for Afghanistan. In part, this was because of unsettled differences among administration policy-makers; in part because agreements are lacking

continued from page 3 dencies in the U.S.” China’s currency policy is one controversial, yet valid reason as to how they became such a formidable capitalist influence over the rest of the world, but how could Obama let that issue slip through his fingers? In Asia, we need a determined leader who can take down devious ways of gaining a profit and an upper hand. We also need a leader who will show us how we can live with this reality on the home front.

In light of the holiday season, Americans cannot ignore that China’s take-over of our market economy has long taken its toll on our job count. The slowdown of America’s economical decline has caused some shoppers to perk up – and perhaps return some of the profit that our country has needed over the past year. However, most products on the American market are still originally manufactured in Asia, and still take away from our country the manufacturing jobs that so many workers in America are lacking. This is something that Americans have been maddened about for decades – ever since the “Made in China” sticker became a ubiquitous presence on everything we bought and sold during 1990s and continue to buy and sell now. But as China’s gargantuan economic power continues to eat into the global share of

As the holder of some $800 billion in U.S. debt, China holds some important cards that America cannot afford to ignore.

Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in West Point, N.Y. listening to Barack Obama. continued on page 5 Source: www.whitehouse.gov - Obama Administration’s homepage

A Cartoon by Jeri Scibelli

money-making, America has to persist in finding its balance and its new place in the world.

Granted, Barack Obama did make more than just one or two great strides on his trip to Asia in November. He did address issues on carbon emissions, nuclear disarmament in North Korea and Iran, and he did successfully include the country in the G20 meeting – a group of influential countries gathered to discuss and solve global problems, especially regarding finances. However, we need a stronger presence in Asia. As the holder of some $800 billion in U.S. debt, China holds some important cards that America cannot afford to ignore. In foreign relations, we may praise Obama for giving the world a better reputation, but he should not be forced to bow too low to Asian leaders.

Layout by David Riemer

The Blue and Gold November-December 2009

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opinion http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Blue & Gold Endorses Coakley for MA Senate Seat Nidale Zouhir Head of Local News acked by former President Bill Clinton and green organizations from all over the nation, and with a resume boasting jobs with esteemed law firms all over Massachusetts , Democrat Martha Coakley hopes to become Massachusetts’ first female United States Senator.

An advocate of equal and social rights, Coakley, the former Massachusetts attorney general, lies firmly on the socially liberal side of the political spectrum. In the past, Coakley, in cooperation with the National Federation of the Blind, has worked with Apple, Inc. to redesign Apple’s iTunes music software to increase its accessibility to the blind. She has also filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court that challenged the legality and constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, which unfairly excluded same-sex couples; this made Massachusetts the first state in the nation to challenge the legislation, echoing its status as the first state to legalize gay marriage.

In terms of economic policies, Coakley is similarly liberal, hoping to improve and reform financial regulatory policies. Her support of health care reform—specifically the proposed public option—makes Coakley a suitable successor to the late Senator Edward Kennedy. If elected, Coakley says she will focus on the economy first, before moving on to health care.

Dedicated to supporting and protecting the elderly, children, and veterans, Coakley promises emphasis public safety, as well as Social Security and health care options such as Medicare.

Coakley disagrees with President Barack Obama’s planned troop increase in Afghanistan; rather, she believes that the US should begin to bring the troops home. Coakley also advocates a two-state solution to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, as well as remaining allied with Israel. Furthermore, Coakley supports Obama’s plan to withdraw American troops from Iraq by 2011. Additionally, Coakley opposes Iran’s development of nuclear weapons, believing that a nuclear Iran would be a threat to the security of the Middle East and the United States. Generally, Coakley understands that a stable and safe Middle East is necessary for a secure US. Coakley defeated fellow Democratic candidates Representative Michael Capuano, Alan Khazei, and Stephen Pagliuca during the primary on Dec. 8, 2009 in a landslide, taking 47 percent of the vote.

Winning would make Coakley the 39th female US Senator, and the first from Massachusetts. When accepting the Democratic nomination on Dec. 8, 2009, Coakley’s speech focused on breaking this barrier. “They said women don’t have much luck in Massachusetts politics,’’ she expressed. “We believe that it is quite possible that that luck is about to change.’’

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Layout by David Riemer

President Obama in the grand foyer of the white house on June 1, 2009 Photo by Samantha Appleton aWhite House photographer continued from page 4 with allies. If these gaps are not filled in the next several months, the Afghanistan strategy may fail well before the July 2011 date that President Obama set for beginning a U.S. withdrawal.

Obama has stated that he plans to turn the fight against Taliban units over to the Afghani military, but there has yet to be any significant training put towards the Afghanis.

Theater commander General Stanley A. McChrystal proposed expanding the Afghan army and police to 400,000 members in the next several years, and in his testimony to Congress he indicated that he still supports that plan. However, questions were raised as to how this proposal would be funded, and according to The Washington Post, the White House has only promised one year of funding.

Every review of Afghanistan has pointed to a second issue: the lack of coordination between the international military and civilian missions. Gen. McChrystal and Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry told Congress that they had prepared a detailed civil-military plan several months ago and would now update it to reflect the strategy review. But some members in Congress are understandably concerned that reported tensions between the two men and their staffs will continue to impede the integration of development projects and political work with military clearing

operations that helped make the surge in Iraq a success. Even if that obstacle is overcome, the US civil operation is still not integrated with those of the more than 40 other nations involved in the Afghan mission. That should be a priority of the international conference that European leaders want to hold on Afghanistan in the coming months.

The most serious remaining problem is the lack of a clear agreement between the administration and Pakistan on eliminating Taliban bases. Though Pakistan is now engaged in a ferocious battle with Taliban groups based in its tribal territories, it has refused to act against key Afghan Taliban groups it once supported. According to the New York Times, the Obama administration has threatened U.S. military action against those targets if Pakistan’s refusal continues.

When Obama took office less than a year ago, there were only 32,000 US troops in Afghanistan. By next spring, there will be 100,000.

Those troops will have to eliminate al-Qaeda, degrade the Taliban, stand up the Afghan National Army and police, provide the space and security for development and delivery of services to the Afghan people and then get out.

It’s a tall order and it may not all be achievable within the given time frame, so no pressure, Mr. President.

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The Blue and Gold November-December 2009

WORLD news http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

denmark: Happiest country in the world Megan Kelly Reporter

Unemployment

Literacy of Pop.

# of Murders a Year

# of Robberies a Year

Denmark has topped the charts for the happiest country in the world for the past 3 years, what's their secret?

Information and Chart by Nationmaster

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ut of the 195 countries in the world, Forbes chose the happiest of them all: Denmark. The oldest monarchy in the world has ruled the list for the past three years after shoving Costa Rica from the top spot in 2007. The top five countries on the list are Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Sweden and The Republic of Ireland coming in fifth. Factors included satisfaction with life, Gross Domestic Product Per Capita (GDP) and unemployment rates. So how does Denmark stay at the top?

Inside the borders of the Scandinavian nation, 5.4 million Danes who live here committed a stunningly low 3,238 robberies and 56 murders in the past year. The low crime rates were also a factor in how the countries were ranked. Denmark also has an 18 way tie for their literacy of the total population which is 99 percent, an unemployment rate of 2 percent, a GDP of $68,362, and a high satisfaction with life which makes the nation very stable. But where does the happiness come in? Karen Buentens, a therapist in Private Practice quotes “That more stability in their lives helps life satis-

faction”, and life satisfaction plays a key role in the ranking. The other top three countries on the list which also had a similar profiles, being happier caused less crime. The second happiest country Finland had 2,120 robberies and 132 murders and the Netherlands who came in third had 21,389 robberies and 157 murders.

Buentens commented on the crime rates with “The higher the satisfaction with their life they’re less likely to engage in illegal behavior. They don’t want to risk that satisfaction.”

Another connection made between the ranking factors is the two percent unemployment rate which is three percent lower than the U.S.’s current 5 percent. With more people working and creating financial stability for themselves they will feel an improvement with their satisfaction with life. Though the countries unemployment will be higher if the literacy of the population is lower, Buentens explains “Education and training is linked to more job opportunities. And more job opportunities allows more financial stability, a part of satisfaction with your life.” The countries in the top three of the list

with the lower unemployment rates also are in the top 15 for secondary education (High School/Technical Schools) enrollment, allowing graduates a chance for higher life satisfaction. So with more stress on education for a students future what is Malden doing to help their youths future life satisfaction?

The City Council’s plan for leading youth to a better future is enforcing a curfew for anyone under the age of 17. The plan is that the curfew will have students out of any public area by 11 p.m. which will have them home safe and sound so that they will either not have a crime committed against them or commit a crime, be able to obtain enough sleep so that they will preform at an exceptional level during school and to also to keep students in school. So will this help students? If they are staying home completing homework and achieving better grades this will give them a sense of pride helping to raise their life satisfaction. Buentens explains “We know that kids who are involved in activities (sports, clubs, volunteering) that they have a positive sense of future and also

if there is someone who cares and has high and realistic expectations (teacher, parent, coach). With these factors kids are less likely to be involved in risky behavior that jeopardize their future life satisfaction.”

Though Buentens feels that without things for these kids to do such as sports or clubs so that they aren’t on the street they won’t have a positive social structure which without is a loss for life satisfaction and will do the opposite of what the curfew is meant to do, “Gangs develop when there isn’t positive social structure.”

So Denmark has claimed the title as the Happiest Country on Earth once again because of the low crime rate and economic stability.

With the new curfew could Malden achieve the same and be happier? If the proper steps are taken and the city pays greater attention to education as well as laws, Malden’s could potentially be as happy as Denmark.

CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY: THE MOST DANGEROUS CITY IN AMERICA Natalie Fallano Reporter

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magine living in a city that has been in the top ten of America’s most dangerous list for more that half a century. That is what it is like for the residents of Camden, New Jersey. Nationally, They rank first in murders and robberies, sixth in assaults, eighth in rapes and motor vehicle thefts, and forty first in burglaries according to CQ Press which bases their list off crime data compiled by the FBI and population figures. It has also topped the list in 2003, 2004, and 2008. Last year in 2008, Camden had 2,332.6 violent crimes per 10,000 people, which was almost five times the national average of 454.5. In 2004, Camden’s murder rate was cited almost nine times the national average of 5.7 per 10,000 people.

This half century of violence and crime started in Camden back in 1949. An unemployed Howard Unruh murdered 13 people in twelve minutes, which set a sad record at the time; killing more than one person per minute. This became the first known single-episode mass murder in America’s modern history.

The tragic part is Camden still

claimed this title when the number of murders dropped and major changes were made in their police department. These changes include requiring state troopers to be present to back up the local police. So far in 2009, the murder rate has decreased fourteen percent and there has only been 31 homicides under Chief Scott Thompson. According The Daily News, Camden Police Inspector Mike Lynch stated “There’s been a significant progress over the year. While there is still work to be done, the reality is that Camden is a much safer city statistically through the eyes of the residents.”

The extreme amount of street violence in Camden have made the police step it up over the years, which has made the citizens wondering if the police think it will prevent crime rates. When people commit crimes they are fined but can not afford to pay it. Their arrests are put on their records which makes it harder for them to get job. With a city full of so much crime, it is hard for these people to get job and then the unemployment rate goes up. With no jobs people commit more crimes so in the end the police being stricter does not factor into the crime rates.

“We must give our people jobs,

training, and opportunity,” stated City Council Member Ali SloanEl while speaking before the public back in 2005. It was also identified that Camden’s poverty and unem- Photo of the Welcome to New Jersey Sign photo by Cicotello ployment ran a stolen car into three policerate are the most important factors that feed the men. On Aug. 16, 2009 an Everett community’s high crime rate. This man, 20, was shot in the leg near a ties into the fact that Camden is not 7-Eleven store on Salem Street, in an only the most dangerous cities in incident police called drug related.

America but also one of the poorest Finally on the night of Aug. 27, 2009 cities in America. Camden may be a 35-year-old Malden man was shot the most dangerous city in America, in front of his Beach Street home. but it is starting to make changes This many shootings in a month is that will make it safer, but it will not common to Malden, and that worried residents if the city was take a lot more work to do this.

Malden, Massachusetts is defi- becoming an unsafe one to live in. nitely not as dangerous as Camden, Police denied it was a “crime wave” but the city did experience a “crime but that did not change the mindset wave” this summer. In August, of the residents who thought so.

Malden encountered three shoot- Malden is far off from being as danings. The first incident was on Aug. gerous as Camden, but any city can 3, 2009 when police were forced to become the most dangerous city in shoot a 20-year-old man from East America.

Sandwich on Salem Street, after he Layout by Lynn Tran

The Blue and Gold November-December 2009

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WORLD news http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Minors make major crime Violent teenage crimes on rise in the US Freddie DiPhillipo Reporter

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here has been an increase in adult crimes committed by teens. These are such serious crimes, that teens who commit them are usually tried as adults. So far one of the really serious crimes committed by youths this year are the gang beating to death of a Chicago honors student. There was also a young boy from Florida who was set on fire by other teens. Lastly, there was a girl from California who was gang raped by teens at her school dance.

In Deerfield Beach, Florida fifteen year old Michael Brewer was lit on fire by five thirteen and fifteen year old boys. All of the five teens were charged with attempted murder. The reason why these five teens say that they did it was because they wanted his new bicycle. Brewer was found by police in a pool nearby that he jumped into to get rid of the fire.

Earlier this year, on Oct. 26, 2009, in Richmond, California, a 15 year old girl was beaten and raped outside of her high school during their homecoming dance. This attack happened the victim had drunk a lot of alcohol with the six teen suspects that attacked her. The ages of the six

suspects ranged from the ages from 16 to 19 years old.

Those are just some of the most violent crimes committed by teens this year. However, most of the juveniles who commit crimes share a lot of the same characteristics. Most youths who act violent are usually living with a dysfunctional family.

When teens grow up without a family that spends a decent amount of time with them, they feel like they have been abandoned. When they feel like they do not have family to turn to, they turn to friends who are in the same situation. This is also when most youths in this type of a situation join street gangs, as a substitute for a family.

However, there are some alternatives to keep teens away from crime. One way is to make sure that youths have someone to talk to. Also encourage them to do well in school and perform positive activities.

Discipline is also important when needed. Another way to keep youths on the right path is to make sure that there are after school programs available to them. For example clubs and sports are a good way to keep

Photo of a police car in Clarkstown, Rockland County, New York Photo from Wikimedia Commons youths out of trouble.

Malden High School Athletic Director, Dan Keefe says that he believes that sports keep teens out of trouble. He says that being on a sports team keeps you occupied.

A lot of time is spent playing and practicing, and by the time they are let out, they have to do their homework. That keeps teens busy and

away from crime. Keefe also says that being on a sports team teaches how to act during certain situations and discipline. Keefe also says that joining a sports team teaches respect. After asking Keefe if sports are a good way to let out anger, he replied by saying, “Without a doubt. Competition is a great stress reliever.”

Have the atheists stolen christmas?

Paige Yurek Reporter

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he Christian religion has been a major part of Italian history, culture, and identity for hundreds of years, so what would happen if the cross was banned from being displayed in the public of Italy? This is a debate stirring controversy in the sacred country. As Paula Newton of CNN reported, “According to judges from a European panel, the Italian government should consider taking down the cross in some public spaces, in particular in schools...Saying the cross violated the principle of secular education in public school.”

Changing religious traditions, particularly Christianity, seems to be a necessity these days, because others feel that these traditions are wrong, or politically incorrect.

Christians, however, are not the only ones to suffer legal discrimination. The banning of symbols of faith comes in all types of culture and religion. In 2004, France put a ban on headscarves. According to BBC news, it not only affected Muslims who wear head scarves, but “large Christian crosses and Jewish skullcaps are also banned as almost certainly are Sikh turbans.” This can be considered an act of discrimination or it can be considered politically correct through another point of view, but these battles take place worldwide. In the US Constitution, the First Amendment states, “Con-

The Last Supper by Leonardo Divinci depicting when Jesus dined with his twelve apostles gress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech.” although reasons given for banning religious symbols are often because people feel it is “politically incorrect.”

With the holiday season around the corner, this debate only increases. The most common question here is whether or not it is politically correct to say “Merry Christmas.”

Many people feel it is offensive to say “Merry Christmas,” because they do not celebrate, nor believe in the holiday or beliefs. Others, however, do not mind what holiday greeting is spoken. It may be surpris-

ing to find that it is not always those who celebrate Christmas that do not mind how they are greeted during the winter Holidays. Ben Stein, famous actor, writer, comedian, and political commentator once said, “I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees.

I don’t feel threatened. I don’t feel discriminated against. That’s what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn’t bother me a bit when people say, “Merry Christmas” to me. I don’t think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we

are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year.”

Malden High School students participated in a survey to find out what they think of the situation.

With a total of 286 voters from MHS, a surprising 200 of those voters, making almost 70 percent, agree that “Merry Christmas” is their preferred holiday greeting; while 86 of those voters, only making about 30 percent, believe “Happy Holidays” is the appropriate salutation. Even in a public school, when it comes to a debate such as this, everyone has their own opinion, and they must decide based on what they believe.

Battles over religious and cultural traditions have led to many debates over many centuries, time and time again. Common arguing of whether or not it is appropriate to display a religious symbol, say “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, pray in public, wear cultural clothing or even speak of religion and culture have all caused controversy in many places of the world.

It is often hard to tell whether any of these conflicts will ever be resolved, because there will always be disagreements. As long as there is a human population, there will always be differences.

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The Blue and Gold November-December 2009

WORLD news http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

WORLD AIDS DAY

HIV/AIDS: A MONSTER THAT SEEMS TO BE AROUND FOREVER. OTHER AIDS AWARENESS DAYS

Reginah Sanyu Reporter

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he world AIDS day is observed is easily transmitted through: anal, every year on December 1. The vaginal or oral sex, blood transfuWorld Health Organization estab- sion, from infected mother to child lished this day in 1988 to provide at birth [there are safe ways to give governments, national AIDS pro- birth without transmitting] or expograms, faith and community orga- sure to any bodily fluids. AIDS can nizations and individuals education be prevented by simply practicing about HIV/AIDS. safer sex methods or even better, by HIV is the virus that causes abstaining from sex, also by getting AIDS; they are not the same things. tested daily because it is better to AIDS is the sate of being infected know when it is not too late. Right with HIV. Although HIV kills and now, it is really up to us the youth, has no cure, medicines the future of tomorare administered to row. AIDS can stop an infected person for torturing with only them to live a longer this generation that it life.

Malden High has affected because School health and wellall the youth need ness teacher Arlene to do is get educated Ceppetelli agrees, that and help the broththe medication helps ers and sisters who a person with HIV. "A have been victimbrother of a close friend ized by it. Ceppetelli was diagnosed with says, “Education is AIDS but lived a longer very important. It happy life because he will help you make was taking the medicine The Red Campaign which a good decision for he was given.” The only donates profits to aids in your health and wellAfrica catch with that medicine ness.” is that it is too much and Over 33 million one has to take it every day of their people are HIV positive worldwide entire life, but apart from that, you but the biggest parts of them are get to live a normal happy life. based in Africa. Apart from AfAIDS is not contagious; it is not rica being a third world continent, like the flu that you can get it from: it has been hit by many epidemics: kissing or even sharing a cup of cof- poverty, war to mention but a few, fee. Although it is not contagious, it however, HIV/AIDS is one of the

FEB 7TH: NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY MARCH 10TH: NATIONAL WOMEN AND GIRLS HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY MARCH 20TH: NATIONAL NATIVE HIV/ AIDS AWARENESS DAY MAY 18TH: HIV VACCINE AWARENESS DAY MAY 19TH: NATIONAL ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HIV/AIDS DAY JUNE 8TH: CARRIBEAN AMERICAN HIV/AIDS DAY JUNE 27TH: NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY OCT 15TH: NATIONAL LATION AWARENESS DAY. LETS SUPPORT PEOPLE BOTH AFFECTED AND INFECTED BY HIV/AIDS JUST BY ORBSERVING THESE DAYS. severe epidemics in Africa.

It has killed over two million African adults and has left over one million children under 18 years of age orphaned. There are safer ways a mother could give birth without transmitting it to the baby at birth. There are children whose parents died from AIDS but did not get the virus.

This day is advocated to educate people about HIV/AIDS and support those who are either affected or infected by HIV/ AIDS. Map of people affected with aids in Africa

by Camino Nuevo Radio Reasource

UN Climate Change Conference May Determine Fate of the World Dan Holmqvist Copy Editor

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hould over 200 countries decide to cut carbon emissions and curb the effects of global climate change?

Or should these countries save the capital that would be required to take action? These and many other questions are trying to be answered by hundreds of world negotiators at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Conference, which runs between Dec. 6 and 18, hopes to achieve its primary goal of negotiating a deal between nations that would replace the Kyoto Protocol and cut carbon emissions, but several different obstacles are standing in the way.

Even before the conference began, many nations began to question the legitimacy of man-made global climate change after a hacking incident at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, United Kingdom. A group of individuals reportedly stole thousands of e-mails that were sent over the course of thirteen years; controversy arose, however, when allegations were made that some university scientists tried to delete scientific data, stop other data

Hope of Global Treaty lost from being published, and manipulate scientific evidence over these emails, in an effort to make global climate change appear stronger than it actually is. Some, like Saudi Arabia’s climate negotiator, Mohammad AlSabban, have cited what has become known as “Climategate,” hoping that the incident will have an effect on the Copenhagen conference. But thus far, this has not been the case.

Instead, the main conflict at the conference has been what to do about carbon emissions and how to achieve it, rather than about the existence of man-made global climate change. The problem has been that poorer, undeveloped nations, lead

by China and India, have asked for aid from richer, industrial countries like the United States and members of the European Union. They argue that they need capital in order to establish the programs that are necessary to keep carbon emissions low and recoup the losses reforms will have on their economies.

President Barack Obama’s chief negotiator, Todd Stern, has been trying to encourage China to cut down on emissions in Copenhagen. He

believes that “the country whose emissions are going up dramatically, really dramatically, is China and that’s the reason that we can’t have an agreement that doesn’t have a real commitment by China.” But the United States, so far, has not promised any kind of monetary compensation to Chinese, and without this money, China is refusing to strike any agreement.

Heading into the final week of negotiations, many conference organizers have given up hope of signing a global treaty. Amid unwavering political stances, violent street protests, and contradicting scientific evidence, many have reluctantly called for a treaty to be signed 6-10 months from now, despite the fact that many prominent world leaders, including President Barack Obama, will be flying to Copenhagen at the end of this week.

Junior Mandy Liao, who is vice-president of Malden High School’s Environmental Club, believes that the United States needs to invest time and money into cutting carbon emissions because “the entire world will eventually have

to suffer the consequences of global climate change.” She also agrees that more money should be given to developing countries to start their own climate programs because “[industrialized nations] are the ones causing most of the problems and developing countries barely have enough money to support themselves.” Junior Anthony Nguyen, secretary of the MHS Environmental Club, agrees with Liao, but also thinks that developing nations still need to be more “progressive in their own countries,” if they really intend to stop emissions.

At MHS, the Environmental Club, despite seeing a drop in its number of members, has been trying to increase student awareness of climate-related issues by recycling bottles, cans, and glass in addition to paper and by holding a “shoe drive” in January. And even if the brightest world leaders are having a hard time enacting change, the Club still encourages individual students to make a difference by doing the three Rs - recycling, reducing, and reusing.

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The Blue and Gold November-December 2009

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http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

No Surprises for U.S. Senate Primary in Massachusetts

Class of 2013 Elections president Lisa Delacy

Vice President Vladimir Savlidis

Winners of last week’s primary election: former Attorney General Martha Coakley (left) and Representative Scott Brown (right).

Photo by Wikimedia Commons and www.scottbrown.com Chris Brown Reporter

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n Dec. 8, 2009, it was announced that Massachusetts Attorney General, Martha Coakley won the Democratic nomination for the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s seat. Massachusetts State Senator Scott Brown won the Republican nomination for the seat. Coakley won with 47 percent of the vote, followed by U.S Representative Michael Capuano with 28 percent, City Year co-founder Alan Khazei with 13 percent and businessman and Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca with 12 percent. Brown overwhelmingly defeated businessman Jack E. Robinson III with 89 to 11 percent. Every preprimary poll conducted indicated that Coakley and Brown would win their party’s nomination and these samples proved to be correct. Polls also suggest that Coakley will easily defeat Brown in the special election coming on January 19, 2010.

Coakley had received key endorsements over the course of the campaign so far including former President Bill Clinton, who had recorded phone calls encouraging the citizens of Massachusetts to vote for Coakley. Meanwhile, her closest opponent in the polls, Capuano, won endorsements from U.S Speaker of House Nancy Pelosi, and former Massachusetts Governor and First Lady of the Commonwealth Mike and Kitty Dukakis. Voter turnout was expected to be low and many Massachusetts citizens did in fact, stay home rather than vote.

Malden High School history teacher, Ben Max believes that Brown is definitely the best candidate to represent the Republicans. However, he is unsure that Coakley is the best choice for the Democrats, even though he voted for her. “I don’t know if she [Coakley] is the best, she’s good, but it’s really up for the everyone to decide. I am glad to possibly have another woman in Congress though,” Max stated. Max also believes turnout was particularly low because people aren’t used to a having an election in December and people may be focused on the holidays right now. He wasn’t surprised by the turnout or the results and was disappointed by the turnout either. “I don’t think it is dishonoring Ted Kennedy by not voting and I believe there will be a fair turnout in January for the general election because there is more at stake,” Max explained.

Fellow MHS history teacher, Rick Tivnan agreed with Max about the turnout, the reasons why it was so low and that the results were no surprise.

“Brown’s win was definitely not surprising because his Robinson has run for high offices before and lost, he basically had no chance,” Tivnan stated.

“Coakley definitely had the name recognition, so her win wasn’t a surprise either,” he added.

Coakley and Brown will have about a month to campaign until the January 19th election. The special election is to fill the seat vacated by Senator Ted Kennedy who died of brain cancer last August at the age of 77.

Secretary Sharon Lee

Treasurer Caitlin Cala

Historian William lombard

Publicist Daniel Vo

HOW MHS STUDENTS VOTED IN THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS

All photos by Sharon Lee

Captain of Homeroom Reps Jacqueline Galvez

Chart created by Kayla Bramante and Natalie Fallano.

Surveyed Mr. Max’s and Ms. Mastromauro’s classes.

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Nidale Zouhir

Brittany Foley

Head of Local News

Head of Entertainment/Opinion

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icked off on a cloudy Monday morning that seemed well-suited to Malden High School’s traditional pajama day garb, 2009’s Spirit Week was pumped full of pep rally upsets and wacky tacky clothing. The school-wide competition led to the usual senior class victory, with sophomore class coming in second, the junior class coming in third, and the freshman class trailing into fourth place.

Although it is designed to encourage MHS unity, Spirit Week , as usual, served to increase class rivalry; at the same time, however, junior Jenna Delaney felt that an MHS camaraderie was evident, stating, “Even if you don’t know everyone in the school, you still feel like you’re bonding.” The rivalry came to a climax on Blue and Gold Day, when seniors narrowly beat out the sophomores for first place after a riveting day of activities including tug-of-war, basketball free throws, and human pyramids.

Perhaps one of the most jaw-dropping of the events was the freshmen’s shocking victory over the seniors at tug-of-war; immediately after his team’s loss, senior front-tugger Ariel Hurts gasped, “That was not supposed to happen! I’m speechless!” Afterwards, the juniors were defeated by the sophomores. In an epic show-down of rope-tugging abilities, the seniors won over the juniors, while the sophomores defeated the freshmen, thus earning themselves first place at the event. Another of the more notable events was the human pyramid, which the junior class completed in five seconds, scoring first place, with the seniors coming in second.

The days preceding the pep rally were likewise pleasantly hectic; Wacky Tacky Day was vastly enjoyed by MHS students, with junior Jeffrey Chabre liking “the fun of dressing up without the criticism.” Junior Daniel Amerena agreed, stating that it was “cool to be applauded for dressing in a way that [people] normally can’t.” Similarly, senior Diana Gonzalez enjoyed “seeing everyone dressed up for Wacky Tacky Day.” Even some of MHS’ teachers participated in the absurdity. Spanish teacher Diane Wade wore a floor length nightgown on Pajama Day. Others, however, were less spirited, history teacher Rebecca Johnson rhetorically asked”You think teenagers would take me seriously wearing pajamas?” She refuted this statement the next day, however, dressed in

The Blue and Gold November-December 2009

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MHS’s typical wacky-tacky uniform. However, school spirit avenged over naysayers on Wacky Tacky Day, when all of the teachers in the D-House fourth floor hallway dressed up as English teacher David Londino, who refused to show any school spirit.

Junior Kyra Savlidis was overjoyed at “winning the hallway decorating contest and having [the juniors’] hard work pay off,” with the class of 2011 winning the hallway competition. The hallways, always a Spirit Week favorite, did not disappoint this year.

Although the juniors’ Mario-Brothers-themed hallway took first place, all four parts of MHS that were transformed awed students and faculty alike. The sophomores’ X-Menthemed hallway and the seniors’ Sesame-Street-themed hallway tied for second, and the freshmen Las-Vegas-themed hallway came in last, but the large group of students that worked into the evening hallway-decorating for their classes were just as proud of their products as the juniors. On the final day of spirit week, everyone enjoyed exploring competing classes’ creations. Junior Christine Doan had a relative view of the week, expressing that “sharing the spirit together regardless of the wins and losses” was a definite highlight.

Meanwhile, Junior Andrew Terenzi “liked that [students] got nothing done in class.”

Junior Samantha Saggese, however, simply called the entire week “awesome.” It was a sentiment shared by many, and the school-wide affinity was perhaps best expressed by the seniors, such as former Blue and Gold staff member Ashley Ngo: “Spirit Week is one of the few weeks that are worth the year-wide stress...It’s a wonderful way of getting a chance to celebrate how far you have gotten through high school with people you have basically grown up with. For freshmen, it’s a nice way to bond with the people they will be spending the next four years with...Once you’re a senior, it’s just so exhilarating and nostalgic, knowing that this is your last pep rally, your last pajama day, and all that.

That’s probably why seniors always win.”

Of course, many believe that there is a more sinister reason as to why the seniors always win - but that is another story altogether.

slideshows can be found on the online Newspaper: http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Students showing their spirit on Pajama Day, Wacky Tacky Day, Blue and Gold Day, and Spirt Day Photos by Lynn Tran, Catherine Poirier, Sharon Lee, and Lauren Benoit

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The Blue and Gold November-December 2009

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Marching Into the Holiday Season Kayla Bramante Reporter

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espite the stormy weather and difficulty in raising funds as compared to years past, the 2009 Parade of Holiday Tradtitions was a sucess,” stated Ward One City Councillor Gary Christenson. It marched all the way from the Salemwood School on Salem Street down to the end of Malden High School where it was greeted by a stage of people giving speeches and telling the audience about the participants of the parade.

There were thoughts of not having a parade this year because of the economic issues that Malden faces. But the city felt the parade was a must to “raise the pride and spirit in our community,” according to Christenson. This years parade may have been smaller than in previous years but the spirit that it took to make it happen, was greater than usual.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kelley have dedicated loads of time by helping the Malden community.

They have served on various clubs and committees such as the Rotary and Zonta Clubs, and this year they were pleased to have the Grand

More photos of the Holiday Parade can be found on the online newspaper Marshals title in the 2009 Holiday Parade.

The annual holiday parade started off with Malden Police Commissioner Craig Spadafora and continued on to the Malden High School Band. Senior Keith Newman stated that the Holiday Parade was “was only a couple of weeks after the Veterans Day Parade, but it definitely had a much livelier crowd”.

He also says that “A big part of that experience is the familiar Christmas tunes that the band plays, so I think the three bands are a big contributing factor to the parade. In our culture, these Christmas songs have become less and less about religion and more just a celebration of happy times.” Senior Keith Newman seems to be very pleased with the band so far this year. Sophmore Dylan Sadowski stated, “The parade was fun and hanging out with the kids in band was the best part.” As you can tell the band members put on a great show that the people of Malden seem to love by the cheering they get when they play some of their songs at the Holiday Parade.

Coming along after the band were the Aleppo Shriners Clowns, the FOOGI fortress and the Malden

The Malden High School Band marching down Salem Street.

Photo by Sharon Lee YMCA, which is also celebrating its 125th year in business. Other participants also included dance classes and the Ferryway Corvettes, where sixth grade teacher,Tim Rufo, was spotted driving a 1991 Corvette and assistant principal, Michael Chiampa, was driving a 1972; both cars belong to Chiampa.

MHS freshmen band member

Elyse Valente said, “Every year the parade gets colder and colder.”

Despite the cold weather, she still seems to show her school spirit and have fun in the parade for her fifth year in it.

Wrapping up the 2009 Parade of Holiday Traditions was Mr. and Mrs. Claus on a horse-drawn sleigh getting ready for Christmas.

Massachusetts’ Own Polar Express Joel Stevenson Reporter

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Decorations inside of the Polar Express ride.

Photo by Lynn Tran

n Nov. 28, 2009, the Visiting Nurse Association of Boston with the help of students from Malden, Melrose, and Reading, was able to pull off another year of the Holiday Express Train Ride. This is the sixteenth year the Visiting Nurse Association has pulled off such an event as this. Over 2,000 children as well as their parents would take a “magical” journey to the North Pole.

As the families boarded the train and it took off, teams of students of about 2-3 would go to each car to decorate, to add the required Christmas spirit. As some of the students got into costumes, to entertain the kids, English teacher Nierika Nims stated “The kids went crazy when they saw the characters, but I would have to say Elmo was their favorite.” As the train progressed, members of the Literary Society read The Polar Express to the children and walked up and down the aisles to show the pictures. On the way back, gift bags, milk and cookies were distributed out to the kids.

The whole day was a huge success for MHS and the Visiting Nurse Association on another year of helping to spread the Christmas spirit. As Nims recapped the whole event as

a “success, the students were amazing, everybody had a good time, and they are all excited to do it again next year.”

This event was mainly composed of Literary Society members, including anyone else that wanted to get involved. President of the Literary Society Jackie Tynes stated, “It was good, [but it was a] little different from last year.” Advisors of the Literary Society, Nims and Yahaira Marquez, were happy to see their students getting involved. The MHS Literary Society is like no ordinary English class, and it is the second oldest literary society in the country, and The Oracle is the oldest literary magazine published by High School Students. In Literary Society, they discuss books and written pieces, but the atmosphere is what makes this club unique. There is no pressure to say the right thing or answer in the right way. It is all about discussing writing in a relaxed manor. There is no pressure to answer any questions right, or say anything any certain way. The advisors are looking forward to another great year, and are proud to be part of the second oldest literary society in the country. The two advisors are planning on going up and beyond. At the time, the club is working on having an open mic night. Only time will tell how far this club will go.

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http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Crafts Fair Shows Holiday Spirit Amanda Adams Reporter

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n Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, Malden High School held a crafts fair in cafeteria A and B. Both cafeterias were packed selling and purchasing holiday items. Students had definitely played their parts in this event by helping set-up, sell the products, and clean up.

The crafts fair was a family event and an opportunity to do start Holiday shopping. Cute accessories, Holiday Décor and raffle tickets were amongst the things that were sold. The Crafts Fair was extremely filled with people, so it definitely was a successful way to raise money. Everyone had enjoyed themselves in this bright and pleasant environment. Harris Zhao, a sophomore who had participated in this event, stated, “There was a lot going on, a lot of clubs had very fantastic stuff and seeing so many parents and families come in to see what our school has to present was really exciting.” Nina Ho, the sophomore class president, had affirmed, “It was great, very successful. It brought a lot of people together in the community.” Juan Watson, a sophomore who had also volunteered asserted, “It was a fun event. I love helping out at it. Everyone gets to hang around and have fun while helping their class or club. I can’t wait until next year so I can help at the Crafts Fair again.”

Henry Jovel, a volunteer from the Latino club appeared to have the same opinion as Nina. He stated, “I think it really brought the community together.” Heba Khurram the secretary of the Fine Arts Club and also a volunteer declared, “The crafts fair went well for the Fine Arts Club, we raised a decent amount of money and it was fun. The Fine Arts Club worked together as a club and created scarves and a quilt to raise money. And, all the clubs were grouped together and we all had a good time. We also learned a lot about each other’s club and our goals.” The MHS clubs worked to make this event happen. The crafts fair was MHS’s way of raising money to support clubs, classes, and to welcome the merriment of the holiday season.

top: Malik Blue as Santa Clause; Stephanie Apollon, Kellie Leonce, and Sarah Caesar as elves; Marthikula Konomi as Mrs. Claus

A display at the crafts fair

Seniors Cristina Valente and Elaine Tam volunteer for the class of 2010 table MHS senior Jamie Lam and the Winner of the Interact Club Gift Basket

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS City Council Update Omar Khoshafa Reporter • On Tuesday, November 24, the Malden City Council met to discuss a possible curfew for minors 17 years and under.

• The proposed curfew had several purposes: 1. Protect children from criminals.

2. Help parents control their children.

3. Help keep students in school.

4. Help ensure children obtain enough sleep to perform well in school.

5. Stop the potential dangers of minors who are out late at night or early in the morning.

• Basically, no minors are allowed to be on the streets between the hours of 11:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. on weekdays and between midnight and 6:00 A.M. on weekends.

• Each offense to this law will result in a $50.00 fine.

• After one year of enacting this law, the city council will meet again to compare the results.

Bake Sales Banned Catherine Poirier Reporter

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uring the past few years, bake sales have been a frequent occurrence at lunches in Malden High School. Recently, the cafeteria staff has been enforcing laws that prevent student organizations from hosting these bake sales.

According to the Malden Public Schools Wellness Policies, “There will be no fundraiser sales a half hour before school and a half hour after children are dismissed.” This city ordinance is supposed to keep the students in Malden healthy and safe, but their proposal affects several clubs’ finances.

Bake sales were a main source of many club’s funding at MHS, and now some clubs are thinking of new ways to create a profit. The Key Club and the Breast Cancer Awareness Club (BCAC) teamed up to discuss new ideas. They came up with the Karaoke/Guitar Hero Night on Dec. 11, 2009. The clubs are also having a bake sale during the event; since it is hosted after school, the fundraiser will be allowed.

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http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

6 hours + 57 donors + 65 pints = 195 lives saved continued from page 1 regarding your gender, age, and height. If you are eligible to donate blood, you then can choose whether you want to be a double red-cell donor or a whole blood donor.

To be a double red cell donor you must have a blood type of O-positive, O-negative, A-positive, or B-negative. Otherwise you are a good candidate Volunteers for the MHS blood drive: Nicolette for whole blood donaTallent-Maldonado and Megan Young. tions.

Jake Pellegrini, a double red cell donor, donated 2 pints of Blood is drawn blood only to get back 1 pint of plasma and platelets from the same station but your blood may be drawn differently depending on what type of donor you are. If you resident by the name of Marie Malaare a whole blood donor, then your chowski who has actually donated blood will be drawn quicker and blood in the past but this would only one pint of blood is drawn. If be her first time at Malden High. you are a double red cell donor like Malachowski says “the procedure is Luke Nguyen, a senior at Malden very smooth and it feels good giving High School, then the needle is blood. I plan to continue every three smaller, the process may take up to months.” On the 10th of December thirty minutes longer, and 2 pints of as many as 57 donors were generous blood are drawn but all platelets and enough to give life which brought a plasma along with some additional total of 65 pints of blood by the end saline will be returned to maintain of the day. This remarkable, six-hour hydration. “All I know is that even life saving event could save up to Jillian Dervishian, a whole blood donor, laying on though I push so hard every single 195 people. Now that’s a lot of lives! the table ready to donate her blood to the MHS day, trying to make it to the top. [Toblood drive day], sitting on that seat made me feel really great about myself that i could do something to give back to this world,” says Nguyen after makslideshows can be found on the online Newspaper: ing his very thoughtful donation. http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/ The very first pint of blood was donated by a local Malden

The School Renovations Paige Yurek

Amanda Adams

Reporter

Reporter continued from page 1

Mr. Brown Speaking at the Podium with the 2010, 2011, 2012, class Officers to his right

The Treasurer and the Senior class officers: Samuel Warton, Elaine Tam, Jimmy Vo, Stephanie Apollon, and David Riemer

The class officers of 2010, 2011, and 2012 had a chance to meet Cahill and Craven and take an exclusive tour of some of the sections of Malden High School, which are currently being renovated. The renovations will be completed in 2012, but sections of Jenkins House are expected to be finished after February vacation.

The Auditorium is being designed to resemble the 1930’s version of the MHS auditorium, with a 2009 twist. With one thousand seats and a new handicap-friendly feature, the auditorium is expected to be both beautiful and convenient. The auditorium has been an important symbol of MHS since its beginnings in 1857.

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AntigonE Steals the Show continued from page 1 year’s fall production and the 15 new members in PlayPro, senior Keith Newman stated, “It was a very different experience, mostly because the show itself is kind of fractured. At the beginning of the production process, it felt really separated.

Principal [actors] worked on their stuff, and chorus worked on theirs. We had a lot of people who had never been on stage before, and the stage itself had no wings or curtain. It took some getting used to, but usually everyone comes together like a family for our spring production.”

Sophomore Mary Stathos, a new member of the PlayPro class, stated that the year so far has been an enjoyable one.

However, like everyone else, she had the jitters the night of the premier; “On Friday I was more nervous, but on Saturday it was better because I knew what to expect.”

Not only were countless hours put into rehearsing the lines and blocking (positioning of actors) of the show, but costume and set design were also arduous tasks, especially for senior Thanh Nguyen. Nguyen made the dresses for Jenna Delaney (who played Antigone) and herself from scratch, a trade that was completely new to her; “I never learned how to make dresses, I just learned how to use a sewing machine in middle school and followed directions on making the dresses.” Nguyen spent eight hours on her own dress and an estimated two days on Delaney’s dress.

The set of the play was limited, comprising only of a few chairs, a table, a lamp, three large canvas paintings, and other miscellaneous items brought in by cast members during the play. The canvases were made with a special theme in mind, that being the animation style of graffiti artist Shepard Fairey, who is regarded as one of today’s best known and most influential street artists. Some of his more notable works include the Barack Obama “HOPE” poster and his “OBEY” insignia. Nguyen drew the 5x13 canvases herself, which took about five days in class, then others joined in and finished painting them. The set served as an extremely versatile component of the play; every scene used the few items available in various manners and kept the audience unaware that the set was basically the same for the duration of the entire play.

Once the night of the show did come around, the PlayPro class did not disappoint. The play was divided into two acts, each ending on perfectly placed pauses that kept the audience’s attention until the very end. The play did a phenomenal job of capturing the essence of each character as well as throwing a little comic relief into the mix with some select characters. The internally troubled Creon is portrayed brilliantly by senior Samuel Warton, particularly during his quarrelsome scenes with the young and rebellious Antigone.

Although the play consisted of numerous tense moments, Newman, as well as several other guards provided some flashes of humor with their distinct personalities. In between scenes, the chorus performed vignettes to introduce the next scene or to further explain previous events that had occurred on stage.

These proved to be very helpful, as it further developed the audience’s understanding of why each character was behaving as they were.

The play was received in stupendous fashion by the audiences on both nights and the PlayPro class is now beginning their preparation for its next production, Romeo and Juliet. According to Warton, “This production is going to have a special twist.” If the recent school plays are any indication of what is yet to come from the PlayPro class, everyone is surely in for a good show.

From the top to Bottom: Jenna Delaney as Antigone backed by the chorus, featuring 1940s inspired costumes.

Jenna Delaney and Samuel Warton as Creon in an intense moment.

Samuel Warton backed up by the chorus.

The cast with background props inspired by Shepard Fairey.

Photos by Joao Nascimento

Layout by Joao Nascimento

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Entertainment

The Blue and Gold November-December 2009

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Lady GaGa Puts On a “Monster” of a Show Joao Nascimento Copy Editor

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ongratulations to you if you managed to pass by the summer of 09 without “Poker Face” stuck in your head. The smash single that topped the charts all over the world consecrated Lady GaGa as one of the most promising artists in the music business, and also one of the most profitable.

The Fame, GaGa’s blockbuster album, has sold over four million copies worldwide. When its fourth single, “Paparazzi,” climbed the charts, GaGa became the first artist in history to notch four No. 1 singles from a debut album in the Pop Songs chart.

To support her massively successful debut album, GaGa was set to embark on a tour alongside rapper Kanye West. At least, that was the plan until the MTV Video Music Awards, where West had the audacity to interrupt Taylor Swift during her acceptance speech for “Best Female Video of the Year.” Consequence? West was dropped from GaGa’s tour, causing its unforeseen cancellation.

Two weeks after the infamous “Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time!” line was uttered by West on MTV, GaGa announced that she would headline the “Monster Ball Tour,” a 38 concert tour that would kick off four days after the release of The Fame Monster, GaGa’s reissue of her debut album that also includes eight killer new tracks, one of them being GaGa’s most recent chart topper, “Bad Romance.”

It came as a huge shock when the Wang Theater was named as the venue that would host the now most anticipated tour in the world. Although GaGa scheduled performances for Dec. 1 and 2 in Boston, fans had the sudden realization that two dates in a theater that has the capacity to sit only around 3,600 spectators would not suffice. The high demand for the tickets and their predicted scarcity rocketed the prices up to $365.

Proving to be a very loyal fan base, GaGa followers crashed the Citi Center website the day tickets went on sale. Tickets sold out quickly: the fans that did not make through the grueling ticket buying process would either have to succumb to inflated prices at second hand ticketing retailers or take their chances outside of the Wang Theater, hoping someone would be able to sell them an extra ticket moments before the show began.

When I stepped inside the Wang that cold Wednesday night, I instantly understood why GaGa had decided to play in a theater instead of the TD Banknorth Garden, the venue of choice for artists of her caliber. The Wang, which opened in 1925 and since has been hosting ballet recitals, operas, and Broadway shows created an immediate contrast with GaGa’s futuristic electro-pop and provided an intimate setting for her fans: at least they would be able to see her, which is not a guarantee at large stadium concerts.

The main lobby (aside from the architectural gorgeousness and oversized chandeliers) looked pretty much like any other pre-concert room in the world: barricades of security guards, stands selling overpriced memorabilia, and photographers. The only definitive distinction between the GaGa pre-show scene and any other shows’ is how fully committed her fans are to the concert experience. It’s not because hundreds of them lined up to pay $40 for a poorly manufactured cotton shirt or $15 for a tin necklace, but because hundreds of them dressed up as Lady GaGa. I wish I could say that they went for a “dress plus crazy wig” ensemble, similar to MHS Principal Dana Brown’s during Spirit Week, but no: they spent hours in front of the mirror trying to perfectly recreate GaGa’s trademark thunderbolt under their right eye and spent good money on outstanding replicas of GaGa’s eye-catching ornamental costumes.

The opening acts of the evening, Semi Precious Weapons and Kid Cudi played short but enjoyable sets, but their performances were not good enough to distract the audience from GaGa’s now unfashionable one hour delay. For commuters like me, being stranded in Boston on a school night was becoming a reality much too quickly.

And then the lights dimmed. The Lady herself appeared behind a green laser video screen sporting a silver leotard, singing her new track “Dance in the Dark” while dancers in white skintight jumpsuits moved freakishly around her. As fog consumed the front of the stage, GaGa apologized for her delay and announced that her manager had just informed her that The Fame had garnered five Grammy nominations. And just like that, the prospect of missing a train did not sound so bad.

After a quick intermission supported by upbeat dance music and a video of the singer vomiting a blue substance, “Just Dance” began with GaGa standing on top of a large transparent box placed center stage. In the middle of the song, GaGa is transported inside the box with her dancers, and then exits to show off her new costume covered with blinking lights.

The three large screens positioned strategically on both sides and center of the stage were the source of the color explosion that invaded the auditorium. Sometimes sporting random colorful patterns, the screens also showed thematic videos that matched perfectly with a song being performed. During “Monster,” a close-up video of a raven was displayed, and GaGa performed the song dressed up in a costume inspired by the bird. During elaborate costume changes, the screens would show clips of GaGa dancing or posing (or vomiting or getting slapped), but the most graphic and memorable clip was the one showing GaGa getting a heart tattooed on her shoulder.

“Paparazzi” was GaGa’s most theatrical moment onstage. Sporting Rapunzel-length hair braids, GaGa slowly crossed the stage with her back up dancers carrying her hair. Towards the end of the song, other back up dancers invaded the stage holding oversized scissors that were used to cut her hair.

Throughout her performance, GaGa proved why she is singled out from other pop stars of the decade. Her vocals were consistently strong,

Lady GaGa amazed audiences the Wang Theater on Dec. 2. Intricate production mixed with performance art catapulted her performance to a new level.

Photo found on lady-gaga.net and her singing ability epitomized in an unrecognizable piano version of “Poker Face” and an elongated version of “Speechless.” She dared to change arrangements for her songs, and while they did not sound exactly like the album’s versions, they offered an equally brilliant musical experience. The night came to an end with GaGa positioned inside a metal ball singing “Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)” and to overwhelming ovation, “Bad Romance.” When GaGa left stage for good, the sweat on our clothes was testament to the concert’s effectiveness: no one could stop dancing to her songs. The optical extravaganza, aside from enhancing the concert experience, will surely generate a whole new era of artistic and technological performances.

It is hard to believe that two years ago in her pre-Fame days Lady GaGa only sang at underground New York City clubs. Although the GaGa phenomenon took the world by storm, she is still heavily criticized, often labeled as another manufactured pop star. Matthew Tavares, the Malden High School band teacher, begs to differ. Under his direction, the MHS band played “Bad Romance” and “Paparazzi” during the Spirit Week pep rally and received an overwhelming positive response. As students sang along to the melodies, Tavares was surprised that “people picked up on it so fast.”

Lady GaGa’s artistic merit relies on the fact that the singer writes and composes her own music. Showing great diversity from song to song, the singer takes pride in this quality that sets her apart from other pop stars. A firm believer that GaGa “is a bigger musician than people give her credit for,” Tavares explains that “[GaGa] uses chord progressions that are musically significant” and “writes in keys that are very unusual.” The subtle musical complexity and GaGa’s current iconic status blend to make a perfect choice for the band. Senior drum major Keith Newman admits that “it’s always fun playing something you recognize and there’s also a sense of accomplishment when creating something more traditional out of something contemporary.”

If it is for her outrageous outfits or candid interviews, Lady GaGa remains in the spotlight. After the show in Boston, she proved that she is much more than the image she created for herself. Musically and theatrically gorgeous, GaGa’s concert is proof of why The Washington Post proclaimed her “the future of pop.” As her songs continue to climb the charts, we remain at the mercy of this singer whose music and charms we have no means to resist.

Layout by Joao Nascimento

The Blue and Gold November-December 2009

Entertainment http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Queen of Talk-Shows Calling it Quits in 2011

Reginah Sanyu Reporter

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ot very many people in the entertainment industry have had the impact on the American public, or the rest of the worldd as Oprah Gail Winfrey has. Although Winfrey did not have the easiest childhood, that did not stop her from doing what she wanted to do: help people.

Since the first show aired in 1985, Winfrey has talked about anything that one might ever imagine. She has interviewed almost everybody in Hollywood and has touched many peoples’ hearts. Nobody can do what Winfrey did. Many call her a hero for giving to those who are unfortunate, building schools in Africa, listening to, relating to and even crying over the problems of others. The woman has a beautiful heart and she truly deserves a Noble Prize.

Winfrey is leaving the show at a point when her universe of fans is asking for more. However, she has given viewers time to adjust to the fact that there will be no more of The Oprah Winfrey Show, waiting to cancel until the fall of 2011 [as if the world ending in 2012 is not enough].

During the 25 years that the show has been airing, Winfrey has dedicated most of her shows to teach her audience about wellness and health and how to live a better positive life.

Winfrey’s departure might not be noticed by her viewers since she will be replacing the existing Discovery Health Channel with a channel of her own simply known as the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) which will be airing shows helping people live better lives and showcasing people in real-life situations. The shows featured are not going to be just more reality shows, though.

It would surprise few if over the next couple of years, Winfrey became involved in politics and social determination.

With her own magazine called O and other projects that she is working on,Winfrey just gets better and better as time goes by, but one thing for sure is that Winfrey will not be retiring any time soon.

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Vampires, Warewolves, and Taylor Lautner’s Six Pack Haley DeFilippis Head of Business

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he adaptation of the second book in the Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer, New Moon, has exceeded expectations that were based off of the first installment of the saga, Twilight.

While New Moon is the least liked book in the saga due to Edward Cullen’s (Robert Pattinson) departure, fans still raved about the adaptation on screen.

The beginning of New Moon starts with Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), Edward’s lover, quoting Shakespeare during a nightmare that leaves her confused. She awoke to her 18th birthday, an even bigger nightmare in her opinion, because it officially made her a year older than her undead boyfriend Edward, frozen in a flawless state at 17 years old since 1918.

Bella and Edward swoon over each other up until Bella’s birthday party held by Edward’s energetic and lively sister Alice (Ashley Greene), takes place. Bella, being the ultimate magnet for danger, gives herself a paper cut. Less than three drops of blood ooze out from her cut before Jasper (Jackson Rathbone), Edward’s brother and Alice’s love, loses control over his “vegetarian” vampire diet and pounces towards Bella.

The danger of Edward’s world

and lifestyle lead him to break up with Bella. She immediately falls into a deep depression from November to January.

Although Edward promises fragile Bella, “This is the last time you’ll ever see me,” Bella learns that she can see visions of him whenever she gets her adrenaline pumping while doing something dangerous.

Bella also learns how quickly Jacob (Taylor Lautner), her Quileute friend, suddenly begins to grow and build muscle. Bella and Jacob form a bond and become extremely close.

Jacob, however, feels strong, admirable emotions towards Bella which she does not feel in return.

Through confusing and misleading events, it is discovered that Jacob can turn into an exceptionally large werewolf with his fierce pack at a moment’s notice. Their one and only prey is vampires, whom they kill in order to keep humans safe.

Bella, who desired to see and feel the presence of Edward once again, decided to dive off a cliff in La Push. Edward’s mind-reading sister Alice watches Bella and is forced to conclude that Bella has committed suicide.

Edward receives a phone call from his vampire sister Rosalie Hale (Nikki Reed) that informs him of Bella’s false death. Edward decides

to make a dramatic and life-changing action to provoke the Volturi and their followers in Italy, but Bella races him there in order to show him she is alive.

Its opening weekend made a whopping $142,839,137, which was $40 million more than predicted.

Fans scrambled to find themselves advanced screening tickets held on Nov. 18 and Nov. 19, while still $26.2 million was made for midnight showings alone. The Twilight Saga: New Moon’s midnight showings broke Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’s $22.2 million set last summer. Like Twilight the movie, the audience was left with a cliff-hanger during the final scene of New Moon.

Family Fued Fuels Conflict Nidale Zouhir Head of Local News

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eleased only three days after President Barack Obama delivered a speech outlining the United States’ future in Afghanistan, Brothers details the effects of a soldier’s deployment, both on himself and on his family, managing to express the difficulty of war without directly preaching pacifism to its audience.

Despite beginning almost playfully with respectable, clean-cut marine Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire) and his convicted armed robber brother, Tommy Cahill (Jake Gyllenhaal), Brothers quickly transforms into the dramatic and compelling story of Sam Cahill’s disappearance and torture at the hands of the Taliban in Afghanistan as well as his brother’s slow redemption with and eventual attraction to Sam’s wife, Grace (Natalie Portman); Sam’s return brings his new, traumatized persona into his family, throwing it off-kilter as he hides the details of his torture from both his family and his fellow marines, bringing the film to a disturbingly intense climax.

Based off a Danish film called Brødre, Brothers is very character driven, yet its plot remains powerful, managing to simultaneously portray the heroism of the Armed Forces and the harrowing effects of war. Its anti-war undertones are

and Maguire make a believable set of brothers, with Gyllenhaal playing the family’s bad egg who redeems himself in the eyes of his sister-inlaw and Maguire playing the steadfast marine whose post-traumatic stress turns him into a man who is simultaneously cold and insane.

Perhaps the film’s biggest flaw is its lack of interaction between the two, whose relationship heartwrenchingly mirrors that of Sam Cahill’s daughters. Carey Mulligan, who plays Cassie Willis, wife of the fallen soldier Joe Willis (Patrick Flueger), steals every scene that she is in, flawlessly portraying the pain of losing her husband. Meanwhile, Portman is brilliant as marine wife Grace, and Gyllenhaal is lovable as ex-convict Tommy. Maguire, however, stands out in his role, delivering one of the most intense performances of his career, clearly beating out his portrayal of Peter Parker in Spider-Man 3.

Essentially a film about posttraumatic stress disorder, Brothers expresses insanity, love, and war throughout its 110 minutes of screen time, earning its R rating for its emotionally distressing scenes while also providing the occasional comic relief that helps it to achieve a balance of intensity and light-hearted family moments.

most often displayed through Sam Cahill’s daughters, who oftentimes beg him to remain at home instead of returning to Afghanistan. At one point, Gyllenhaal’s character asks who “the bad guys” in the war are, with Sam’s daughter replying, “The ones with beards.” However, the film’s strongest themes lie in the possibility of redemption, even after an act that one might deem unforgivable; the two brothers exemplify this, both of them seeking and obtaining redemption by the end of the film.

Brothers is director Jim Sheridan’s first film in four years (2005’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’ was his last), and easily his most poignant, with a well-chosen cast that displays the deterioration of a family that was once picture-perfect. Gyllenhaal Layout by BRITTANY FOLEY

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Sports

The Blue and Gold November-December 2009

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

MHS CHEERLEADING KEEP HIGH SPIRITS Haley Defilippis Business Manager

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n Nov. 15, 2009, the Malden High School fall cheerleading squad was scheduled to compete at Regionals, a huge competition which the cheerleaders make every effort to reach. When MHS cheerleaders found out they qualified for Regionals, they were ecstatic; it has been years since an MHS cheering squad has carried on so far.

Athletic Director Daniel Keefe stated proudly, “It was the first time a squad has qualified [for Regionals] as long as anyone can remember.” However, the annual Senior Game had fallen on the Sat. of that same weekend, but moved to Sunday due to rain, causing the cheerleaders to withw from the competition they had strived for so hard to get to.

The majority of the cheering squad happened to be seniors for the fall season. Keefe and head coach Colleen LeShane thought it would be best if the cheerleaders went to the senior game thus they could have the opportunity to walk out with their parents onto the football field.

The “Senior Game” is the last home game of the season. All the senior cheerleaders and football payers walk out onto the field individually with their parents, guardians, or family members to be recognized and take a group picture. It has been an annual event at MHS for several years.

Senior cheerleader Mary Morani expressed her opinion on what had occurred by saying, “It was disappointing but there was nothing we could do about it. The decision was made for us. I feel bad that the winter team isn’t competing, but it was a fun season.”

Although MHS cheerleaders were not pleased to miss Regionals, they did support the football players on Nov. 15 and had a memorable time at the game. “No matter what, you’ll always have people who don’t like your decision.” Keefe stated.

Although there is most certainly going to be a winter cheering squad for this upcoming basketball season, no cheerleaders will be competing in any event. Competitions for the winter season have not included MHS cheerleaders for a few consecutive years. Despite there will be no prize for the upcoming season, the cheerleaders will keep their high spirits.

Last year is history, the future is a mystery Joshua Kummins Reporter

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he Malden High School girls’ basketball team is in rebuilding mode this season, as they look to improve upon their 9-11 record from last season.

Returning head coach Joe Levine said that the team is “looking to reload” over the course of the season. Levine stated that the team’s main goals are to qualify for the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) playoff tournament and to have an injury-free season. Levine said his goal for the season is “to [provide the girls with] a good experience” on the court. The team lost six players from last season to graduation and Levine said that they “are expecting a lot from [the team’s] returning players.” Junior center Fillette Lovaincy and senior guard Casey Willcox will lead this year’s team.

Both Lovaincy and Willcox agree that making the Greater Boston League (GBL) tournament is the team’s main goal, but Willcox stated that becoming “GBL [champions] would be [even nicer].”

Lovaincy said that the team is looking good in the early stages of the season and Willcox said that they “can do damage, but there is a lot of work to be done.” Both captains also noted that the girls are looking to improve upon team chemistry and now that everyone has made the team, Lovaincy said, “[the girls need] to step up and show why.” The team’s leaders also said that there are quite a few young stars on the team that could play an even larger future impact, which included freshman Bridget Furlong and sophomore Kiara Amos. Lovaincy said that the team has “a lot of potential” this season, despite their rebuilding mode.

Losing is not an Option Cristina Peters Reporter

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s the smell of chlorine wraps its way down from the basement up towards the gym, it’s safe to say the swim season is near.

After returning from two remarkable seasons in 2007 and 2008 with the consecutive title as the Greater Boston League Champions, the The Malden High swim team diving against Medford. team’s success has carried into their 2009 season, with Freshman Michelle Dang in the 100 meter back stroke. a 104-64 win against Medford on December 14. Outstanding performances included sophomore Eddie Lee, placing 1st in the 200 meters race, and junior Jeffrey Chabre, placing 1st in the100 meter freestyle.

After losing some of their best swimmers in the class of 2009, such as Matt Zunich, Tayla Damon, Ramilo Santana and Greg Deangelis, the team has a lot of work to do to maintain their title as GBL Champs. Hao Loung, the Malden High Junior who broke the 100 meter fly record, 500 yard freestyle, and the 100 yard backstroke records as a sophomore is not returning due to personal commitments. After being given the title of “The Great One” he is much a loved teammate and will be greatly missed. “It’s going to take a lot more effort this year to get the GBL Champs title again,” states Junior Samantha Saggese, “but it’s still absolutely possible. We truly need to focus and put all our strength into our workouts and our meets.”

Although in the past, the MHS swimmers have relied on the upperclassmen to pull through and put in the most effort into the season, this year has started off to be a complete turnaround. Several freshman have joined, who have trained at least a full year before joining the MHS swim team. Freshmen Catherine Poirier, Amalia Quesada, and Michelle Dang swam together on the Mystic Valley Swim Club. Mathew Zunich, a former MHS student and member of the MHS swim team, states, “Even with a substantial amount of ‘09 seniors who held key positions gone, the team still has a good number of highly talented swimmers. Anything is possible, we have no idea how losing last year’s graduating class effected any of the other teams we swim against, and as always you never really know just how talented some of the newcomers are right off the bat. I am optimistic, however and expect the team to have a great season.” He is not the only one with high hope though, as the majority of the Malden High alumni believe that this year’s team will be just as amazing as the last, with new members.

Heading off to their first meet with such high hopes, it is expected that the MHS swim team will surely put in every extra ounce of strength and effort to make this season another to remember, hopefully as GBL champs once again. “We’re all going to have to work together and swim our hardest to win, and if that’s what it takes I’m willing to do it. Last year, they had a great season and none of us want to stop this year from being just as great,” remarks a new addition to the swim team, junior Andrew DeLacey.

Layout by Lynn Tran

The Blue and Gold November-December 2009

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TIGERS WOODS Caught In the Rough with the Media

Alfonse Femino Head Sports Writer On Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, at 2:30 am, Professional golf icon Tiger Woods crashed his SUV into a tree and a fire hydrant, resulting in minor facial injuries and a trip to a local hospital. Though physically, Woods was not harmed much, it is his reputation that has been taking the full effects of the crash.

Woods’ wife, Erin Nordegren, supposedly rushed to the scene of the accident, smashing the windows of the vehicle with a golf club to help a weary Woods out, and proceeded to get neighbors to call 911. The media, however, has not followed such a basic story, stating claims such as Nordegren beat Woods with the golf club after finding about an alleged mistress.

Woods’s attorney, Bill Sharpe, denies all accusations of foul play, stating that Woods’s injuries were “consistent with a car wreck, inconsistent with him being beat up,” in interview with Mike Schneider of the Boston Globe. Also, the neighbors to Woods claim that when they came out of their homes in the gated community of Isle Worth, California, they saw Nordegren kneeling next to her husband, clearly upset about his injuries.

Though the views of Woods’ neighbors and attorneys point to his wife just helping her wounded husband, speculations of Woods’ mistresses have arose greatly. Texts, calls, and video mails have been found involving an alleged mistress, Racheal Uchital. Also footage pointing to Woods having an affair with a women named Jamie Grubb about how “days after the accident, footage surfaced that suggested Woods might be having an affair with a woman named Jamie Grubb.” surfaced days after the accident. Along with these shocking truths, Woods has admitted, and apologized to having an affair, quoting that he “regrets those transgressions with all of my heart,” and that he has not been “true to his values and the behavior my family deserves.”

Just because Woods proved to be a human by making a mistake, it is unjustified for media and papparazzi to strip Woods of his clean image, forcing him to take an indefinite leave from golf temporarily, looking past all the good he has done, serving as a role model for so many, not to mention creating the Tiger Woods Foundation, a foundation simliar to the Make a Wish Foundation.

BOYS BASKETBALL leaps into new Season Brendan Provitola Reporter

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he Malden High School boys’ basketball team has high expectations this year despite the loss of many key players that had been vital to the team’s success in previous seasons. Coached by Don Nally, the Golden Tornadoes will begin their season against Minuteman High School in Lexington.

After having a successful season last year with a record of 17-3 and a run in the playoffs ended by Andover High School, the team believes they have a great shot to go far this year. The captains for this season are seniors Nathan Freni and Ramon Viches.

“I believe we have some new additions that will make our team better”, quoted Freni. Everybody on the team will contribute to the team because of the skills that they possess and the effort they put into

Senior Ernst LaRochelle drives the ball against Junior Vernon Sanvail practice.

Although Malden lost to a strong Everett team twice last year Freni believes that the outcome of the long awaited games will be in Malden’s favor this season. He said, “We lost to Everett twice last year,

and I know this year everybody wants it more than anything”. It is clear that Freni is confident in his new team. Malden will compete in the competitive Greater Boston League (GBL) conference and will fight for a possible league title.

Boys and Girls Track Trains Hard David Riemer Co-Editor-In-Chief

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n the cusp of a brand new season, the Malden High School Boys and Girls Indoor Track teams are looking forward to this year’s bout of sprinting, jumping, and throwing. Training hard in the weight room each day after school, senior discus thrower Malik Blue stated that he “can see that the year is already off to a great start just by the amount of pre-season work being put in by everyone.” Indeed the coaches have been adamant

about keeping their athletes busy even before the meets begin. “Due to the dedication and athleticism we have this year,” expressed head distance Coach David Londino, “my expectations are very high for both the boys and girls teams.”

Although the Greater Boston League has shrunk considerably over the course of the last few years, losing teams like Peabody, Arlington, and Waltham, senior distance runner Rosalinda Aguilar, who can

be seen daily doing laps around the school, feels that “it puts more pressure on us as athletes to shine more in a league that keeps getting smaller. For some people, it’s just that extra push they need to reach that next level.”

Empowered by a greater spirit of competition, the track coaches reflect their students’ enthusiasm.

“I honestly believe,” Londino concluded, “that this team could be GBL champions this year.”

GBLS, GENDER, GYMNASTICS Alicia Young Reporter

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ov. 31, 2009 was a much-anticipated day for the members of the gymnastics team. It launched the beginning of their winter season. This will be the team’s last year in the Greater Boston League, so they plan on “working together, [getting] along and [trying] hard.” stated one of the team’s captains Stephanie Dervishian, junior at the Northeast Metro Regional Vocation School. A student athlete from a different school earning the spot as a captain on the Malden Gymnastics Team is perplexing, but her school does not have a gymnastics team so a waver to do the sport at her main school allowed Dervishian to pursue her passion.

All her hard work since freshman year eventually paid off when she received the title of captain.

This year, the team seems to be a mixture of girls with a large amount of boys than previous years. Whether they are doing gymnastics to meet new people or

to pursue a longing passion, they are working hard and showing true dedication. This year the team’s main advantage is that they are the only gymnastics team around that has two or more guys on it. The male’s enthusiastic spirits influence the hope that the team will rock the GBL’s. Majority of the guys on the team are using gymnastics to help with their break dancing. A couple of gymnasts are on a break dancing crew called Air Bound, including Joel Stevenson, Justin Pham, Keyshaun, Tai Phan, Vincent Ngu, and Long Lu. When talking about it Stevenson states, “were good . . . Were on Youtube [.com]!” Some moves can be used in both sports such as the “flare.” This move is done on your hands (close to your chest) while your faced down on the floor and you spin with your legs lifted off the ground as well as your hands between each spin so your legs can get through. Pham joined to “improve [his] break dancing” and

never gave up because his “friends had also supported [him].”

The team has four events; floor, beam, bars, and vaults all coached by Katie Bowdridge. The team practices constantly working their body and then eventually doing back flips, handsprings, and so many more challenging exercises and finally the team will become ready for their meets. Since thereonly four events they have to have a limited amount of people. There can only be six people to an event and that leaves only 24 spots. Another downfall of this season is the fact that Junior Varsity is gone due the budget cuts and there will only be a varsity. The newly found male members contribute greatly to their chance at performing well in the GBLs because just like everyone else they love what they do. The boys bring just as much enthusiasm and skill as the girls, so the captains are sure that having all the new guys could only benefit the team.

Layout by Lynn Tran

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Sports

The Blue and Gold November-December 2009

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Malden Stuffs Medford on Thanksgiving Day Game Brittany McFeeley Copy Editor

Malden lines up on defense at the ten yard line during their Thanksgiving game against Medford.

All photos by Lauren Benoit

O

n Thursday morning, Nov. 26, 2009, Medford High School hosted the annual Malden versus Medford football rivalry.

Since 1889, Malden High School and Medford High school have had their annual football game on Thanksgiving morning. This year marks the 121th ritual game. The Malden vs. Medford rivalry is one of the oldest rivalries in the nation, and it is the 12th ranked greatest rivalry in the country. Before the 119th game and since 1889, Malden has had a record of 56 wins, 52 losses, and 10 ties. However, after the game, the record now stands at 57 wins, 52 losses, and 10 ties.

On the cold and cloudy Thanksgiving morning, hundreds filled the stands in either their Medford or Malden attire. The stands were divided in half with Medford fans filling the right side and Malden fans to the left. Not only were the football teams competing against each other, but also so were the fans; both sides were trying to scream even more loudly than the other side.

To start off the 119th game, Malden kicked the off and Medford returned the kick to the 25-yard line.

Malden was able to hold Medford, forcing them to punt the ball. Malden was then able to march down the field due to many rushing plays by the offense. Soon, with a few more plays Quarterback Shakarus Semexant threw to senior Ramon Viches for Malden’s first touchdown of the game, making the score six to zero. Captain Nicky Hoyt made the extra point, putting Malden up seven to zero.

Medford started off the second quarter with a big loss of yards. But that did not stop the Medford offense from driving down the field. Medford was swiftly approaching the 20-yard line when Malden was charged with a huge penalty, moving Medford closer to the end zone and giving the a fresh set of downs. Then Quarterback Anthony Tortora of Medford and Captain Alex Krasco completed Medford’s first touchdown. Making the score seven to six. Then with the extra point, Medford tied the game.

They punted the ball back to Malden and Hoyt was able to bring it to the 50-yard line, giving Malden a short field to start with. Malden kept driving forward but was stopped around Medford’s 10-yard line, with an incomplete pass to Viches on fourth down; Malden was forced to hand the ball over to Medford.

During the third quarter, Medford’s defense stepped it up a notch, making it difficult for Malden to drive the ball. Malden was able to make their way down the field by notable catches from Captain Herbens Antenor,

Nicky Hoyt looks for a whole in the defense.

and great rushing plays by Captain David Console and Hoyt. With a great QB sneak, Semexant was able to bring Malden to Medford’s five-yard line. Hoyt was then able to run it in for Malden’s second touchdown, putting Malden up 13-6, after a missed extra-point.

With a scoreless fourth quarter, Malden won the game. But in the fourth quarter, it could have been anyone’s game. Malden committed numerous penalties, pushing Medford down the field.

However, with their swarming defense and a game saving block by Frankie Dunn in the end zone on Medford’s fourth down with 18 seconds left in the game, Malden was able to secure the win over Medford.

David Console charges towards the sidelines.

Drew Mcfarland wrestles Medford’s Giovanni Sanders to the ground

Layout by Sharon Lee