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The Blue and Gold maldenblueandgold.com

Malden High School Volume 98 Edition 5

Our 98th Year February 2013

MR. MHS RETURNS!

Above: Mr. MHS contestants and escorts posing at the end of the opening dance to Psyâ€™s Gangnam Style. Right: Mr. MHS 2nd Runner-Up Jonathan Drapinski escorted by senior Christy Ringdahl during the casual wear round. Photos by Julie Lam and Amanda De Moraes. Visit our website www.maldenblueandgold. com to view videos and photos of the Mr. MHS competition. Read more about Mr. MHS on page 13.

state of the union 2013

In This Issue: Editorial Page 2 Letter to the editor PAGE 3 Opinion PageS 4-6 World pages 8-11

President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, February 12, 2013. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT)

resident Barack Obama delivered his first State of the Union address for his second term as President of the United States on February 12, 2013. While parts of the address such as the push for

further gun controls, the reform of healthcare with the introduction of Obamacare and changes in spending of Medicare gained media acclaim, other matters such as education and immigration reform were pushed

to the wayside. Points that have not been covered widely throughout the media are listed below with correlating quotes from the 2013â€™s State of the Union. continued on page 11

Local Pages 12-19 Sports Page 20-24

road to the state tourney

Swimming

Wrestling

Boys Basketball

Page 20

Page 22

Page 23

The Blue and Gold February 2013

Editorials maldenblueandgold.com

The Technology Takeover Malden High School

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

Editors-in-Chief: Print: LAUREN BENOIT ‘13 Online: JOSHUA KUMMINS ‘13 Print: SHARON LEE ‘13 Online: CATHERINE POIRIER ‘13 Managing Editors: Online: KAYLA BRAMANTE ‘13 Print: NATALIE FALLANO ‘13 Social Media: MEGAN KELLY ‘13 Head Copy Editor: AMALIA QUESADA NYLEN ‘13 Head of Local: VICKI NGAN ‘14 AMANDA ROSATONE ‘14 Head of Sports: KRISTEN LEONARD ‘14 Head of World: MEGAN KELLY ‘13 Head of Entertainment, Style, and Lifestyle: HALEY DOWDIE ‘13 Head of Business: JOHANNA LAI ‘13 _____________ Reporters: NICHOLAS BRAMANTE ‘16 EMMA CEPLINSKAS ‘16 CARMELLITE J CHAMBLIN ‘14 ANDREW COGLIANO ‘16 AMANDA DE MORAES ‘15 JONATHAN DECICCO ‘15 JESSICA LYNN DEPAULA ‘15 CHAIMAE EL ADLOUNI ‘16 JULIE LAM ‘15 ASHLEY LEUNG ‘16 PATRICIA LUONG ‘16 CASEY LYONS ‘15 JAMES MAZARAKIS ‘15 AREFIN MOHIUDDIN ‘13 SUMYA MOHIUDDIN ‘15 PHILLIP MONTEZUMA ‘15 MYLE NGUYEN ‘15 LUCIA QUESADA NYLEN ‘16 GRACE STATHOS ‘15 MANALE ZOUHIR ‘16 Advisor: Ryan Gallagher Established in 1915 Check out our online edition:

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obots aren’t real. Ok, yes they are, but we aren’t taught by them, or have them as friends, or directly interact with them. But as we are moving into the future, our advancements in technology are becoming pretty radical in today’s society. So who is to say that our kids won’t be taught by them? Most of the consumers in the world think the same thing: how can we make it faster? How can we make it better? All of the innovators out there are always changing the newest designs, and tweaking an object so it could potentially be “faster” than the last model. Let’s take the worldly popular iPhone for example. When rumors of the iPhone 5 were starting to spread, everyone got the “Apple bug”. No, this wasn’t a glitch in the Apple system that made everyone switch over to the sleeker design, but it may as well have been. When news of the new features were leaked, cell phone users found every excuse to want to get the new device. It was faster, it was smaller, lighter, more stylish. Even the newest iPhone 4 customers were displeased with their recent purchase simply because if they waited a couple more months they would have had their hands on the latest thing to hit the market. I am a proud owner of an iPhone 5. After years with my Android, and countless manufacturer defects I decided I had enough. With an upgrade, the iPhone 4 would be free, without tax included of course. And with the iPhone 5, it would be around $200, at the least. I desperately wanted the 5, but the 4 seemed like the obvious choice simple because of the cost. But then I thought, since the 5 has a new charger, everything will be moving towards the new “lightning” model. It would be a poor decision not to get the 5 simply because soon Apple will stop making things that connect to the 4, and only produce accessories to connect to “lightning”. If technology is moving forward, go with the flow. This is just one example of how conniving companies can be in order for you to buy their products. They trick you into changing something as small as the charger, that would sway you to buy the newer, more expensive model. Though there is something about us all that makes us all want the new thing. This year just began, and there are already talks of the new Google Glass being released at the end of the year, and for a price of “only $1,500!”. The price will most likely go down, but that’s where it stands

now. As an outsider and someone who would have no need for this product, think that the whole idea of it is just insanity. The Google Glass is expected to be the technological advancement that changes the way that people interact with each other. A groundbreaking product. The Google Glass resembles glasses, as they sit on your temple, but the interesting part is that there are no frames or lenses. Only a metal headpiece, and a small but powerful camera. When used properly, the GG can surf the internet, take and send pictures and video, live chat, send text messages, and more things than you can imagine. And you can do all of this with the sound of your voice and the tilt of your head. The GG was inspired when someone waiting at a bus top noticed that everyone waiting was occupied by their smartphones. Thus the Google Glass was born. This device sits on your head the whole day, but is not distracting due to the small frame and absence of lenses. You can still be aware of the outside world, and keep connected without even having to flinch. There is a small screen at the right corner of the glasses that appears when you “wake” the device up. But other than that, it is like nothing is there. A new helpful invention? Or another clever scam to drag in consumers. Personally I think that this idea is a flop.The inventors were trying to erase distractions, but I think that it opens the door for many more. Drivers would be more distracted trying to pay attention to the road and the little screen. As well as people on the streets and in everyday life. An expensive little device like this probably would cause more violence too. Everyone would be walking a little more towards the right, and no one would be directly interacting with each other anymore. Google has cleverly found the way to distract people, by having them be less distracted. All of these new inventions are very helpful, don’t get me wrong. It’s just that I would like to have one day where technology was put on the backburner, and we could actually enjoy life. And then the next day we could go back being dominated by computer devices and robots.

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 J387 or to his mailbox in the main office.

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

Photo from wikimedia

Lauren Benoit Editor-in-Chief

Corrections: p.11- Mirkins Paul is a freshman. p.17- Senior Mohammed Anwar’s last name is misspelled. p.18- Senior Simon Rogers’s last name is misspelled. p. 24- Mary-Ann Seager’s last name is misspelled. p. 28- The swimming coach’s full name is Paul DeVincentis.

The Blue and Gold February 2013

Letter to the editor maldenblueandgold.com

Dear Make-A-Wish supporters, Today, a check for $1225.00 was formally presented to Make-A-Wish. The students who organized the Kids for Wish Kids campaign Shine Bright Malden 2012 would like to extend a warm thank you for your collective support of their efforts on behalf of Make-A-Wish. The students shared with the corporate office the many phases of their campaign. It was a privilege to watch â€œour studentsâ€? shine bright. Sincerely, Patricia Laidley, Jen Eby and Deb Bounpane

Submit a Letter-to-the Editor to be published in our next edition! Email out staff at theblueandgold@gmail.com

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In This Issue

Greg Hurley page 12

Zombies pages 8-9

Mr. MHS page 13

4 Amanda De Moraes Reporter

t seems that every couple of years a new fad strikes, and captivates millions of teenagers around the world. Some of them, I am more than guilty of being sucked in by; I am a proud Gryffindor and strongly admire the survival skills of those in

opinion

The Blue and Gold February 2013

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Media Maddness

the Walking Dead, but I am less than intrigued by others, such as Twilight. Personal preferences aside, it is hard to not wonder what it is about a TV show or movie that can suck in millions of different viewers, all coming from different backgrounds. Is it the writing? The actors which bring the characters to life (although if it were up to Kristen Stewart’s acting, the Twilight franchise would have been a bust. I give all the credit to Taylor Lautner’s abs)? An even more puzzling pattern which these fads tend to follow is that more often than not, the movies or TV shows that happen to be the most successful, are the darkest - a stark contrast to the time when television and movies were first invented and only ‘appropriate’ programs were allowed to be shown. If in the idealized 1950’s, programs that reflected the “perfect” society, were the most popular and today, movies about a death battle between teenagers are, what exactly does that say about our society today? That we value death and draw amusement from it? It may certainly seem that way when one stops and looks at the $155 mil-

lion dollars made in the first weekend the Hunger Games premiered. I however, would like to think that we are better than that. A battle to the death is something that was found to be entertaining in medieval times, not the 21st century. My theory is that the reason we find ourselves so attracted to TV shows that in no way resemble our lives is because we see them as an escape from the lives we lead which can sometimes become mundane. Jersey Shore for example, arguably the most popular TV show in recent years, portrays a lifestyle that most of its viewers do not lead. It can almost be compared to a scientist conducting a study on a foreign culture; it is so fascinating because it is something we have no experience with. It gives us a glimpse into an alternate world, one which we sometimes wish we lived in. Not that most people wish to be orange, buff and intoxicated 98 percent of the time, but of course there are exceptions. Yet another prime example is Skins, a show which while completely unrealistic, is terribly entertaining. The wild and promiscuous behavior of its characters are a

photos of Starbucks frappes, with filters to make them look like they were taken with a film camera from the 80’s. In fact, most current fashion trends are all throwbacks from the 80’s– high waisted pants, leather and denim jackets, boxy shirts, studs, high-tops, and black lace up boots like Doc Martens. There is a sudden obsession with thrift stores (possibly inspired by the recent sensation “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis). People are switching their glasses for “hipster” glasses, inspired by Buddy Holly in the 1940s. Fedoras and bow-ties are being brought back from their popularity from the 40s to the 60s. Several artists are starting to take advantage of the current obses-

sion with everything vintage. Fall Out Boy is now off hiatus, has released a new song, and is currently touring to many sold out tour dates. For teenagers like me, this is bringing back older times– when I would hear “Sugar We’re Going Down” blasting from my older sister’s iPod speakers. For huge fans like my sister, well, this is basically one of the best things to happen so far in 2013. At the Super Bowl during Beyonce’s performance, we saw Destiny’s Child make a comeback after being broken up since 2006, busting out old hits like “Bootylicious” and “Independent Woman” then performing the Beyonce classic “Single Ladies” all together. It is not known whether they have reunited for good, or if that was a one-time

world’s difference from my own; unlike in the show, most of my Friday nights are spent eating Chinese food and talking at a friends house. And while I find shows such as those previously mentioned entertaining, and am always up for watching them, I know they could never be my life. I am more than happy and satisfied with the way things are, and while I would love to be able to perform spells, that is not my reality, which suits me just fine. But do not tempt me by offering Taylor Lautner as Jacob...his six pack may just be enough to make me reconsider.

Manale Zouhir Reporter

t is 2013, the year that was always portrayed as so futuristic– flying cars, teleportation devices, and time machines. Even though nowadays we have some amazing new technology, it is almost like we have gone back in time rather than forward. Recently the new “style” is everything old, vintage, and antique. The new modern is old-fashioned, and you can see that everywhere you go. I cannot go anywhere without seeing someone wearing an old “Nirvana” concert t-shirt, or a “Joy Division” tank top. I hear people bragging about their new vintage records, and well yeah, those are cool, but I am happier with my mp3 files. They have better sound quality, and are more portable. Suddenly my Instagram feed is filled with

thing, but either way this performance has brought back memories of our childhood. And do not pretend you have never listened to N’Sync– Justin Timberlake had taken on a solo career after the boy-band broke up in 2002, but went on musical hiatus to “focus on acting” in 2007. On Jan. 14, 2013, he released a new single, “Suit & Tie” which is becoming extremely popular. So do not get me wrong, I am a sucker for a good Instagram photo. I wear vintage looking clothing and listen to old Beatles’ songs, but where is this all coming from? Maybe it is nostalgia, or maybe we are all just in denial of the present, or maybe it is both.

The Blue and Gold February 2013

opinion maldenblueandgold.com

beware: there are strings attached Sharon Lee Editor-In-Chief Print

Everything in life comes with strings attached. But how far are we willing to go and how much are we willing to risk for our own convenience?

magine this. You jump out of bed and remove your smartphone from its charger. Head over to the local Dunkin Donuts and purchase your daily iced coffee. Then you ask for a styrofoam cup. With only fifteen minutes to get to work, you drive 70 on a 55mph highway. After riding the elevator up to the second floor, your boss asks you to make ten copies of a 30 page project proposal. It’s time for lunch so you grab a plastic fork and knife from the break room to enjoy your lunch with a bottle of Poland Spring water. On your drive to and from the gym, you hydrate with another bottle of Poland Spring. You then arrive home to a pile of junk mail and your monthly bank statement. Finally, to end the night you fall asleep watching a Say Yes to the Dress marathon. Basically everything we do on a daily basis can be done better to create a more eco-friendly environment, but that is simply impossible. If you work 25 miles away from home, nobody should expect you to

hike or bike all 25 miles there and all 25 miles back. Nor should anybody expect you to live completely in the dark to save electricity or any other extreme measures. But unplugging the charger of your electronic device when you are not using it or walking up a flight of stairs instead of taking the elevator is not a lot to ask. Ten copies of a 30 page project proposal is 300 sheets of paper, print double sided and save half 150 sheets of paper. Not only do you save plastic but also your wallet by investing in a reusable water bottle rather than buying water in its individual plastic bottles. With all the great technology, read your bank statements online and unsubscribe from all the junk mail; it’ll save you time from sorting through all of that wasted paper. Thanks to the efforts of environmentally friendly activist groups to bring awareness to our society, it is impossible to not know what harms our environment and how simple changes can help. So then

Chinese NEw Year Celebration

When: Sunday, March 3, 2012 from 1-3pm Where: Hong Kong Restaurant, Harvard Square Free and open to the public! east meets west cultural dialogue Comparison of Chinese and American holidays and how cultural differences are reflected in our traditions. When: Sunday, Feb 17, 2012 from 2:00-4:00pm Where: YMCA Mountain Ave. entrance

Chinese Culture Connection Offers:

After school program is for kids, age from K through grade 5. It offers a Chinese immersion experience, with homework and math support, as well as Chinese language and rich cultural activities. Cultural Education include Chinese chess games Paper folding (origami), dough figure making, and more! Saturday Class is for kids from K through 5th grade. It includes the study of Mandarin, Math, English, Creative Arts, Chinese Dance, Music, Gongfu and Chinese classics, from 8 – 4 PM on Saturdays during the school year.

Registration starts now!! For more info please contact us at: 781-321-6216 mei@chinesecultureconnection.org Visit our new office at the Malden YMCA 99 Dartmouth Street Malden, MA 02148

why is it still an issue? Convenience. It is sad, but true: our society thrives on convenience. But how far are we willing to go and how much are we willing to risk for our own convenience? Because our society is so accustomed to efficiency, entrepreneurs compete to invent the newest product that can serve our demand for convenience. Our desire for convenience is a main factor that our development in technology thrives on. The need for convenience has pushed development so far that we can do an unlimited number of elaborate tasks in just a few simple steps. Being one of the most technologically advanced nations, how come we cannot even manage a few small changes to our daily routine when we all know the positive impact it can have on our environment? How much are we willing to risk for our own convenience?

opinion

The Blue and Gold February 2013

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MIAA Lets Down Student-Athletes Catherine Poirier Editor-In-Chief Online

#BringBacktheEast #BringBackAllMASectionals

ver the course of the last few weeks, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) has upset more than their fare share of student-athletes, administrators, coaches, families, friends, and fans. Due to the Blizzard/Winter Storm Nemo, the MIAA decided to cancel, reschedule, and postpone multiple local, sectional, and state championships and those participants from Malden High School and all across Massachusetts were not happy with this decision. It all started the week of Feb. 3, 2013, speculation regarding the weekend’s upcoming meets, games, and matches were circulating among athletes across the state. How would the snow fall effect our chances of competing? For some, the snow would not only stop them from competing on that day, but it would stop them from competing

completely, and for seniors, their last chance was taken away from them. The MIAA announced that local competitions such as the Greater Boston League Track Championship would be canceled, wrestling and gymnastics sectionals were going to be rescheduled, and the swim and dive sectional meets would be canceled. Coaches were forced to tell their athletes, who had worked their entire season towards these goals of success with upper tier competition, that they no longer had a chance to compete. Seniors, who were preparing for their last times running around the track or swimming laps were no longer able to. As a senior student-athlete, I know how much these meets and competitions mean. They are the last opportunities to qualify, last opportunities to run that lap, last

Natalie Fallano Managing Editor

Male Gymnastics Gets The Slip, Womens Wrestling Introduced

hether you know it or not, if you play a high school sport - you are part of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA). Every year you glance over a form and agree to MIAA rules and regulations, but how much do you really know about this organization you sign onto without a second to spare? If you browse the MIAA’s website, your eyes will immediately jump to the logo and mission statement “Building the future...one student at a time.” I find this ironic since their latest move contradicts this statement to the fullest extent. This upcoming fall, the MIAA will drop male gymnastics as an official sport; there reason being the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSHS) decided that they will no longer be writing national rules for male gymnastics because of the short list of states that still have programs. I do not believe this is a legitimate reason. Seven high schools in MA offer male gymnastics programs: Andover, Attleboro, Braintree, Burlington, Lowell, Newton

North, and Newton South. All these schools already have the necessary equipment to practice and hold meets, not to mention the MIAA loses no money from maintaining the program. The MIAA was one of a measly three states that recognize male gymnastics and by ending the program, they are diminishing hope for male gymnastics. Many including myself think of MA of a state that leads in example in many fields including education. Not to mention that MA is a gymnastics state. Just this summer Needham- native Alexandra Raisman was named team captain of the US Olympic Women’s Gymnastic team and won gold in the team finals and floor final, as well as a bronze medal on balance beam. 1978 bronze medalist, Peter Korrman, is from Braintree and 1984 gold medalist, Tim Daggett is from Springfield. These local heros are prime examples of the one in a million athletes whose commitment and talent lead them to a professional career. The number of male gymnasts does not compare to the number of women gymnasts, but that does not

opportunities to get recruited, last opportunities to say goodbye to the sport that has been so dear to your heart for the last four years. It was clear to everyone involved in high school athletics that the MIAA responded inappropriately and poorly to the snow. Those in opposition of the decision took to the internet armed with blog and twitter posts, replies from Olympic athletes such as Missy Franklin, Ryan Lochte, Allison Schmidt, Connor Dwyer, and more telling the MIAA to “#BringBackAllMassSectionals.” The buzz certainly stirred up a social media controversy, even extending to the disapproval of USA Swimming. Eventually, the MIAA responded after a weekend of silence with an answer for the swimmers who lost their chance to swim. All of those

mean they should not be given the opportunity to compete in the sport they love. “One student at a time” would mean that just because the number of schools participating is small, attention should be given to these select few. But the MIAA clearly does not share mutual feelings. Spokesman for the MIAA, Paul Wetzel, caused an uproar when he told the The Boston Globe that “It’s a girls’ sport. When was the last time you watched boys’ gymnastics? They don’t get on the cover of the Wheaties box. They don’t get the endorsements.” This is why I am calling Wetzel to step down. He is sending the wrong message to MA studentathletes. There are high school athletes who go on to become professionals, but most will end their careers after high school or after college. But is this a reason to stop playing? Should we pick the sport that makes the most money and stop playing the sports we love? Although he apologized, his mistake is not forgotten and it is obvious that his personal opinion does not parallel with the MIAA. In their mission statement

who qualified for individual events at sectionals were now allowed to swim at the state championship. Hundreds of athletes were rejoicing, but not without air of bitter discontent for the lack of preparedness on behalf of the MIAA. The exact association that should have been supporting their athletes, let them down in the wake of Nemo. Hopes were crushed and tears were shed by the student athletes of Massachusetts. And the near disaster caused by the original decision of the MIAA only evoked a weakness in contingency, they had no back up plan for the cancellation of these tournaments, however the disaster did evoke a positive message about the power of studentathletes and their determination to get what they want, when they want it.

the MIAA promise to “promote interschool activities that provide lifelong and life-quality learning experiences to students while enhancing their achievement of educational goals,” to the maximum number of students in partnered schools. But who are they to choose what sports qualify as “lifelong” and “lifequality” worthy? Not to mention cutting a sport because there are not that many participants contradicts providing opportunities for the maximum number of students. Girls wrestling was recently voted as a an official sport with a separate program from boys and will take place as a spring sport. Woman wrestlers will definitely not get their pictures on the Wheaties box, but the participation rates have increased. Locally, there are several MHS male gymnasts and female wrestlers. Girls will get their own team while gymnastics will continue to be co-ed. Sports are not about popularity and should not be ended due to lack of it. The MIAA is an organization, not a brand and needs to remember that when making decisions as drastic as this.

The Blue and Gold February 2013

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Places and Things You’ve Come to Fear the Most Danvers State Hospital

ans of the FX television series American Horror Story may know Danvers State as the foundation of the show’s second season, which takes place in a corrupt mental hospital in the 1960’s. Despite the show’s sci-fi nature, much of the series is based on events that occurred in Danvers State Insane Asylum. Built in 1893, when treatment of the mentally ill was still sketchy at best, the “Lunatic Hospital” was built according to the Kirkbride plan, a construction designed for a mental institution that involves a series of lengthy buildings. Various parts of the building are connected by arbitrarily-creepy tunnels that are confusing to navigate. The horror film Session 9 was filmed at the abandoned hospital before its demolition in 2006. In an interview with the movie’s lead actor, David Caruso, he claims: “Danvers is not a movie location. It

really is [a mental hospital]. It was a place we never got comfortable in... They didn’t have to dress any sets or anything, all that stuff was already there. The federal government walked away from it about thirty years ago, and it was a terrifying location.” Hundreds of patients were buried near the hospital -- some records show up to 700 -- and these gravestones were seldom named. The hospital is also rumored to be the birthplace of prefrontal lobotomies, a gruesome treatment for mental illness that is considered crude in today’s measures. Some genius apartment CEO decided that the site would be great for some apartments, and after a poorly-run court case the location was purchased by Avalon Bay Development. A majority of the hospital was demolished and replaced with apartments that resembled the

Photo of the Danvers State Hospital from Wikipedia. The hospital was abandoned in 1992, the land later being bought in 2006 by the Avalon Bay Development company. original hospital. Considering every creepy detail about the hospital, anyone moving into Avalon Danvers is asking for a haunting. Shockingly, a majority of the people who leave the complex in a huff accuse Avalon of having bad service. Almost every resident complains of

The Kraken

Slender Man A

recent “horror” sensation around the internet, Slender Man has sent chills down countless spines across the world. Just about anyone who has any sort of connection to the outside (metaphorically speaking) world of the internet, has seen this tall, dark, and sometimes spaghetti-like figure. For those of you who do not know who- or what rather, I am talking about, do not let the food-like structure of this being fool you. Through stories, documentaries, photos, and even a video game here and there, Slender Man, or as some like to call him, “Slendy”, has some people paranoid to even set foot outside. The very thought of Slender Man raises a large quantity of questions. “Who or what is it?” “Is it real?” “Where did it come from?” Well, while people create stories, and stories vary, there are several answers to all of these questions. According to some people, Slender Man is the product of a very talented imagination, to others he is a being that has been around for centuries, snatching children in the dark and cold of the night. Before we go into that, let us break down what exactly Slender Man is. While the “man” in Slender Man’s name does imply some sort of human-like form, many accounts would greatly disagree with this assumption. A terrifying combination of man and ten-

tacles, Slender Man descriptions can vary throughout the internet. Most depictions show a 7-10 foot tall, extremely thin humanoid wearing a black suit where a person’s head should be. The real selling point, howev-

hearing noises at night - not ghosts trying to redeem their lives by blood - but because the floors and walls are so thin that they can hear their neighbor’s every move. Virtually no customer has reported a haunted experience at the once-terrifying institution.

Above: Deviant Art user Ray Kanen’s interpretation of the infamous Slenderman. To the right: Pen and wash drawing by malacologist Pierre Dénys de Montfort, 1801, from the descriptions of French sailors reportedly attacked by such a creature off the coast of Angola.

er, is in the grotesque tentacles that can be seen protruding from Slender Man’s sides, capable of lifting it off the ground. Slender Man’s intentions are unknown, as no one has ever made communications with it. It is assumed, however, to be intelligent. The process by which Slendy “gets” you, is quite the spooky one. It is believed that once you fear Slender Man, he comes for you. One day, you will see him, too far to raise panic, but just close enough that fear and paranoia set in. Day after day, Slender Man gets closer, and closer, and closer, until he grabs you. At that point, it is unknown as to where he takes you, only that he leaves your body in a very high place, in a

very strange manner. Tales of Slender Man go back hundreds of years, through many countries throughout Europe to snatch children away who were bad, in the night. There are numerous references to Slender Man throughout these accounts, including “Der Ritter” (The Knight), “Skankwalkd” (Slim Forest), and “der Grossman” (The Tall Man). Various paintings and woodcuts in various European cultures depict creatures much like Slender Man itself. All of these predate the modern-day “creator” of Slender Man, by hundreds of years. So of course this begs the question, how does Slendy keep reappearing through history if he is only a myth? And of course, IS he a myth?

es, an oversized squid. Not possible, not even scary, right? Wrong. This horrific creature stirred up paranoia and anxiety in sailors for hundreds of years. Today’s movie adaptations of the Kraken may have made it seem purely mythological, but the frightening truth is that such a creature may exist today, and may have already been discovered. Believe it or not, even the Kraken depicted in Disney’s Pirates of The Caribbean is easily possible. However, a creature of that size and magnitude has yet to be discovered. Similar to this rumored monster, smaller but still very giant, the giant squid is now easily confirmed in today’s science. Large enough to attack and even kill sperm whales, giant squid have a length usually... To continue this article online scan the above QR or visit maldenblueandgold.com

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Myth or Reality? articles written by.... Should Be Haunts articles written by....

Nicholas Bramante Reporter James Mazarakis Reporter

Pripyat, Ukraine

Scan this QR code to read more World News articles online.

Above: Photo of the abandoned central square in 2008 courtesy of Flickr user Pedro Moura Pinheiro. Left photo of the central square when Pripyat was inhabited, from public organization Zemlyaki.

ripyat is one of the most famous abandoned cities in history. With a population of zero, the city has been completely overrun by nature. It was abandoned in 1986 after the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Disaster. Pripyat, which was established as a hometown for power plant workers and their families, was stricken with high amounts of radiation and was quickly evacuated after the explosion of the number

four reactor at the plant. Contrary to intuition, a minority of the 30 dead actually lost their lives near the plant. Aside from victims of explosions and a related helicopter accident, most of the victims died of acute radiation poisoning at a separate location weeks later. If anything, this should make the city seem less scary. It does not. The term ghost town fits this region very well. The people that had

Sirens

to flee the city left quickly, forced to leave behind their belongings, pets and lives; all around the city and power plant there are items strewn about, as if they were just waiting to be picked up again. If any place on Earth gives an accurate depiction of what the world without people looks like, Pripyat does. The ferris wheel in the local park alone is enough to send chill down one’s spine.

The radiation levels today are not high enough for a visit to be dangerous, but the site will not be cleared until 2065, according to KyivPost.com. After the incident itself, mutations in animals and people became an outbreak. The mysteries that lie in the areas in and around Pripyat remain creepy.

Zombies

veryone likes a good mermaid right? Especially the ones that cause you to fall in love with their voice, then drag you to the bottom of the ocean. These “mermaids” are also known as Sirens. Yes, mermaids are also a bit far outside the box, but with humans having mapped out more of the moon than our own oceans, it is not impossible, not by a long shot. Most common in Greek mythology, Sirens are beautiful creatures with even more beautiful voices, luring sailors to their untimely deaths. Posing as normal women, once a Siren has its sight on you, it lures you in with its irresistible voice and appeal. Then it drags you to the bottom of the ocean and drowns you. Many scientists agree today, that virtually anything could be at the bottom of our oceans, even mermaids... To continue this article online scan the above QR or visit maldenblueandgold.com

Above: Screen capture of Walking Dead character Sophia after she has been “turned” into a zombie in Episode 7 of the Walking Dead. To the left Herbert James Draper’s painting of Ulysses and the Sirens painting, based off of the epic poem the Odyssey.

es, zombies. No explanation is really needed here, as far as what they are. While the modernday idea of the dead crawling from the grave, and wreaking havoc on humanity is pretty far fetched, that assumption might be farther from the truth than expected. Now, zombies eating other people and infecting the whole world should not be much of a concern. However, people eating other people is something actually quite common in some parts of today’s world. Cannibalism is a part of daily life in part of some tribes in Africa, and even some of the Native American tribes that used to inhabit our very own America. While can-

nibalism is not a sure sign of zombies, it does exhibit one of its traits. There are also diseases and objects throughout the world that can cause people to exhibit zombie-like qualities. One such disease is currently spreading in parts of Africa, nicknamed the “nodding disease”, an illness has infected thousands of children throughout northern Uganda. The illness brings on seizures, violent behavior in some cases, personality changes, and an amount of other unusual symptoms, like the constant need to gnaw on things tirelessly. Losing a person’s personality, and developing violent behavior, are very scary and zombie-like symptoms indeed.

Another way to “create” a zombie, is through a neurotoxin called Tetrodotoxin, created through a combination of different plants and animals found throughout the world. This Tetrodotoxin, is used to create “zombie powder”. This powder can cause some extremely bizarre and fatal sides effects, including death. The victim’s pulse stops for a moment, only to come back to life right before the toxin finally kills them, while they are already buried under ground. Not exactly pop-culture zombies, but anything is possible in today’s world.

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The Blue and Gold February 2013

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2012 South African Olympian Suspected of Murder

James Mazarakis Reporter

nly a few months ago 26-yearold Oscar Pistorius was on television for being an inspirational, talented athlete. His reputation and freedom - are suddenly on the line when he allegedly caused the death of his girlfriend. “I am absolutely mortified by the events and the devastating loss of my beloved Reeva,” Pistorius says. According to his own report of the crime, Pistorius and 29-yearold Reeva Steenkamp had spent the night prior to Valentine’s day together in his home. He allegedly heard a suspicious sound coming from the bathroom. Thinking Steenkamp was still in bed, he grabbed his 19mm gun and tried to take down who he believed was a home intruder. “I fired shots at the toilet door and shouted to Reeva to phone the police,” he told authorities after the shooting, “She did not respond... I was still too scared to switch on a light.” Prosecutors have a different idea of what happened, CNN news reports. The attorneys against Pistorius believe he shot Steenkamp

following a “heated argument”, and his burglar story makes “no sense.” Pistorius’s prosthetic legs are an invaluable part of the investigation. His defense attorney, Barry Roux, asks how prosecutors would know Pistorius had put on his prosthetic legs and walked to the bathroom before shooting his girlfriend. As a national community and as a world, people look upon this investigation to look for answers. There is evidence Steenkamp was a victim of domestic violence, a plague that has seeped through America’s own society. Gun control has also been brought to attention; CNN notes that there are over seven million licensed guns for the fiftyone million residents there. More so than the US, home invasion is prevalent in this area. A recent survey reveals over 50% of the people in South Africa are afraid of being attacked in their own homes. But regulating guns is not as simple as it is in the United States. After the events in South Africa in 1994, guns are more than a supposedly constitutional right; it’s an icon. “There is a history of colonization,

Oscar Pistorius, a double leg amputee Olympic runner from South Africa, warms up at the Olympic stadium, August 3, 2012, in London. On Thursday, February 14, 2014, South African police arrested Pistorius and said he would be charged with murder after his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, was shot and killed at his home earlier in the morning. (Brian Peterson/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT) of taking, of settling,” Claire Taylor, a spokesperson for Gun Free South Africa, says. “The AK-47 was a symbol of liberation, of fighting back. There is huge meaning attached.” Born in 1986, Pistorius had his legs amputated as an infant, leaving him handicapped for many years. He acquired his prosthetic legs as a teenager and began to make up his years of lost legs. After spending his earlier years in the Paralympics, he longed to join the mainstream South African track team. He achieved

his goal; he made a reputation last summer by participating in the standard Olympics for the first time. His girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, was a public image in South Africa and recently starred in a reality TV show. “There’s a space missing inside all the people she knew that can’t be filled again,” her brother Adam Steenkamp told reporters outside. As the verdict has yet to be revealed, Pistorius awaits his fate in custody.

NORTH KOREA THREATENS US VIA VIDEO PHONE erations are m a i n l y focused on building up the strength of South K o r e a , and better equipping The Military Demarcation Line that divides the Korean pen- it for the fuinsula between North and South Korea is guarded on by both ture. These countries on their respective sides. The United States Military o p e r a t i o n s assissts on the patrolling of the South Korean border. The make the alUS’s assistance is one of the major disagreements between ready fragile the Koreas. Map from Wikipedia. relationship between the North and the South, even more Nicholas Bramante brittle. It would seem that the same Reporter could be said for the relationship ver since this year has started, between North Korea and the U.S. Recently, the North has been it would seem that tensions dropping slight hints, and “warnbetween the U.S and North Korea have been on the constant rise. Start- ing” the U.S that if it perceived ing with North Korea increasing the U.S as a threat, in short, things military might, to testing nuclear would become unpleasant fairly weapons, and even stating directly quickly. It would seem now, that that North Korea was ready for war, the North is fed up with its westit would seem the world is going ern neighbors. According to South down a dangerous path. As most Korea, a message was issued from people know, the U.S has had a the North, stating that there would mutual understanding with South be “miserable destruction”, if “[The U.S and South Korea] ignites a war Korea for quite some time now. There have been many opera- of aggression by staging the reckless tions in South Korea involving the joint military exercises...at this danU.S for months now. These op- gerous time.” This message, is definitely

not something to be taken lightly. In the message, it is stated that “[North Korea does] not hide that a variety of satellites and long-range rockets which will be launched by the D.P.R.K. one after another and a nuclear test of higher level will target against the U.S., the sworn enemy of the Korean people,” While some claim North Korea is “threatening” the U.S, others argue that it is all simply to avoid confrontation in the future. Increased nuclear testing and military strengthening, seems to point to the idea that North Korea is gearing up for an important reason. Shortly after these tests, South Korea responded. Even now the military is in a heightened state of vigilance, and reacted with “fierce” response drills. Among these drills, was even a public representation, showing that the South had capable and ready anti-missile defense systems. The message was sent by phone, to U.S military commander General James Thurman, who is currently stationed in South Korea. The message itself, is very direct, and seems to use intimidation to get the point across. Korean text followed up by a pictures of Korean and U.S military alike, are engulfed in flames as the video message plays. The video even goes as far as to show pictures of what New York would look like after a missile strike. A direct mes-

sage from North Korea, straight to the U.S is a very rare thing. Such rarity can only point to the fact that there are being extreme changes in North Korea at this time. Acts such as this, has lead to a mass international-condemning towards the North. Various countries, including Beijing have followed this path. In short, these countries no longer wish to be involved with the North, and may even be prepared to take defensive and decisive action if need be. This adds to the tension between the international community, putting new pressure on all countries that are involved. Regardless of all that has happened, President Obama is still focused and determined to make appropriate and “strong actions in response.” It is safe to assume this actions can also be expected from South Korea, and even maybe countries that have “condemned” North Korea, within the near future. The U.S-South Korean Combined Forces Command annual drill, is still set to take place within March. This drill will consist of nearly 10,000 South Koreans and around 3,500 U.S soldiers. Another joint military drill is scheduled within the near future as well. Named Foal Eagle, the drill will be one of the largest recorded in history, consisting of 200,000 Korean soldiers and 10,000 U.S troops.

The Blue and Gold February 2013

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State of the Union 2013

President Barack Obama waves after giving his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, February 12, 2013. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT) Photo altered by Megan Kelly, qute from the 2013 State of the Union.

Megan Kelly Head of World

“Even with better high schools, most young people will need some higher education. It’s a simple fact: the more education you have, the more likely you are to have a job and work your way into the middle class... To grow our middle class, our citizens must have access to the education and training that today’s jobs require.” One plan of the Obama administration to create jobs is to start the Fixit First jobs program which will hire out of work Americans to help repair and fix American infrastructure (bridges, roads and other public buildings). This is a call back to the successful Works Progress Administration that was created during FDR’s New Deal during the great depression.

“But today, a full-time worker making the minimum wage earns $14,500 a year. Tonight, let’s declare that in the wealthiest nation on Earth, no one who works full-time should have to live in poverty, and raise the federal minimum wage to $9.00 an hour.” Obama’s administration is helping push along the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill, a bipartisan bill created by former Massachusetts senator Ted Kennedy and Arizona senator John McCain that would enforce stricter border policies (which are desired by the Repbulican party) as well as create a process to allow illegal immigrants currently living in the country to become permanent residents or citizens.

“Let’s be clear: deficit reduction alone is not an economic plan. A growing economy that creates good, middle-class jobs – that must be the North Star that guides our efforts.” A major point in the Obama administration’s plan to reform education is to not only find more funding for federal grants that will support students at classical four year universities and colleges, but also reform the education that is received in local community colleges. Taking example from a few community colleges the Obama administration is working to develop and endorse different curriculum with a variety of businesses that can allow for either the achievement of either a degree or a certificate in training.

“Real reform means establishing a responsible pathway to earned citizenship – a path that includes passing a background check, paying taxes and a meaningful penalty, learning English, and going to the back of the line behind the folks trying to come here legally.” The Obama administration plan to increase the federal minimum wage would affect over 15 million Americans. The additional $3,500 annually would not only allow for working parents to have more funds to cover the costs of groceries, housing and other living expenses but would also allow for more money to be put back into the US’s economy directly.

The Blue and Gold February 2013

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Spring Sports start on March 18th

Drama Fes t Saturday February 2 nd Good Luck

MCAS Grade 10 ELA March 21st and March 22nd. Good luck!!

PlayPro!

Junior Varieties! Shows and Showtimes March 15th and 16th 7:00-9:30

Teacher Profile: Gregory Hurley Johanna Lai Head of Business

alden High School’s U.S History I and AP Government and Politics teacher, Gregory Hurley, was born in Arlington, Massachusetts. Hurley went to Boston College High School and graduated in 1998. He described his years at high school as “different, since [he] had to commute to the school and had to take the train for one hour to get to BCH.” After he graduated from high school, Hurley went to Bates College in Lewiston, Maine and graduated in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in History. He later went to Tufts, and graduated in 2005 with a masters in arts and teaching. Hurley stated that at first he became a teacher because he wanted “[his] career to have a lot of meaning towards it, such as teaching students from Malden and just really thought [he] could help kids.” Hurley came to MHS in 2004 as a student teacher for the Director of the Social Science Department, Judi Allen, who was a history teacher at MHS at that time. Hurley has been teaching at MHS since 2005. Before he came to MHS, Hurley previously worked as a paralegal in a law firm called Nixon Peabody, located in Boston, for two years. Hurley stated

that his job at Nixon Peabody was ”interesting, and that [he] was able to see many things and realized that [he] wanted something different after working at the law firm for a couple of years.” Hurley was an assistant coach of the MHS track team from 20052009. He is also the advisor for Generation Citizen, a club which takes part in helping teens solve problems they see in their community. Hurley was also the advisor for National History Day (NHD), a club that was co-founded by former Blue and Gold member and graduate of 2010, David Riemer, and graduate of 2010, Malik Blue. Senior Devon Moran has known Hurley since her freshman year. Moran stated that “he inspires and amazes his students every single day. [Moran] had him freshman year in his U.S History I class and [has] him currently for AP Government and Politics. He has a way of teaching that just makes his students so interested that they fall in love with social studies. Besides being an incredible teacher, he genuinely cares about people. Students envy other students who have him as a teacher because he [is] just so ‘cool’

Hurley posing for a picture while prepping for his next class. Photo by Sharon Lee but students just love his teaching, personality and dedication to educating. Any student would be lucky to have him and any person would benefit from meeting him. He [is] the best.” During his free time, Hurley spends a lot of time with his family and friends. Hurley and his wife are preparing for a baby due in June. He also does research on material culture of the British and Americans from 1750 -1820. Also, Hurley likes to do living history and reenact events, and has been doing this his entire life. Hurley plays the guitar during his free time as well, mod-

estly stating that he plays “poorly.” Hurley’s favorite band is Metallica and also listens to heavy rock as well as classical music. Hurley enjoys reading books and is currently reading a nonfiction called Team of Rivals by Doris Currence Goodwin. History teacher Richard Tivnan has known Hurley since 2006. Tivnan stated that Hurley, “as a teacher, is dedicated and really loves the content of history, loves to teach the kids, and does a really good job teaching them. As a person, he is a great friend, a caring individual, and is willing to do anything for anyone.”

The Blue and Gold February 2013

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Mr. MHS: Put it on the banor Amanda De Moraes Reporter Julie Lam Reporter

Top: James Valente and participants of Mr. MHS posing for a group photo. Bottom: (from left to right) Jonathan Drapisnki, Valentine Banor, Lucas Silva, Prayush Pokharel, and Christopher Philius showing off their dance moves in the formal wear round. Photos by Julie Lam

ho does not enjoy a pageant? Especially one with such entertaining contestants as the ones in running for Mr. MHS. On Feb. 7, 2013, the MHS senior class and the Maldonian Yearbook presented Mr. MHS as an upbeat and amusing event in hopes of raising money for the class and the Maldonian Club. Mr. MHS was a comical interpretation of an all male pageant in which 12 senior contestants went head-to-head to see what it takes to be crowned Mr. MHS. The 12 contestants included Jean Slyvain, Jonathan Drapinski, Valentine Banor , Matthew Nunez, Prayush Jack Pokharel, Lucas Silva, Prince Mukala, Chris Philius, Daniel Vo, James Hickey, Thuan Banh, and Simon Rogers. The event was hosted by the Maldonian Yearbook Advisor, James Valente and senior class officer, William Lombard. Each of these senior participated in the beachwear, casual attire, formal attire, talent, and teacher impersonation portion of the show hoping to convince the judges that they deserve to be Mr. MHS. Mr. MHS is a fundraiser that was done by previous classes, used to fundraise for the senior prom as well as the Maldonian Yearbook. This pageant was a tradition back in the 1960’s and 1970’s, but due to an increased focus on Junior Varieties, it was placed on the back burner and ended up not occurring again until

2007. What sets Mr. MHS apart from other pageants is the fact that, according to Valente, it is “not judged solely on looks or talent. [The pageant] focuses on who is a good representation of Malden High School.” The pageant is not meant to be serious, and according to Valente, it never was. The purpose of the pageant is to raise money in a way that is both different and entertaining, for the audience as well as everyone involved. It was a group effort, and according to Banor, it all came together thanks to the help of the class advisors as well as senior class president and Blue and Gold member, Sharon Lee, who “makes the number 13 really mean something to [the seniors.]” Unlike Junior Varieties, where each year the junior class has to start virtually from scratch, and think of their own idea, the “groundwork for Mr. MHS was always there,” stated Valente. Part of what made the pageant such a success was the diversity of the contestants. Each one was able to bring a unique part of themselves, which highlighted the true meaning of being a part of Malden High School. The contestants participated in several categories, some of the most memorable being the talent portion, teacher impersonations, and the Hot Seat. For impersonations, contestants picked a teacher or MHS

staff member to impersonate. Those selected included math teacher Sara Jones, English teacher Sean Walsh, and physics teacher Brian Morrison. The Hot Seat portion, which was videotaped previously before the event, was played throughout the night. This allowed the audience to get to know some quirky information about each contestant. The talent portion was pretty much a free for all, so long as it was “appropriate,” according to Banor. One of the most notable performances was the talent portion performed by Drapinski, his own rendition of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies,” complete with a leotard, tights, and gold heels. Banh stated, “60% of everything that was said and done on stage was improvised on the spot.” All 12 contestants and Valente made up their scripts as the event night went along. Beforehand, each contestant gathered and prepared weeks in advance, but the majority of the seniors’ talents were a mystery until the night of the event. The true beauty of Mr. MHS was that not even the contestants knew what the next person was going to say or do, which turned out to make it a lot more amusing. One thing that was interesting about Mr. MHS was that it was not rehearsed for weeks. Valente and the participants only rehearsed the opening of the show, the staging position, and also the

videotaping of the Hot Seat portion. The contestants rehearsed the entire show only about 5 times in total. The Mr. MHS contestants were accompanied by their escorts for each of the categories. They came out in matching colored t-shirts and the friendly relationships between all of the participants was easy to see, and made the show even more enjoyable. Yet another part which, indicated by the screams, the audience also seemed to enjoy were the three prom invitations made by contestants. These included Rogers asking senior and Blue and Gold member, Catherine Poirier, Jean Sylvain asking senior Stevie Klein and Vo asking sophomore Mandy Cheng. Before, not many of the contestants were planning participate, but James Hickey declared, “I wasn’t really too concerned about being Mr. MHS if I’m honest. I just wanted to enter the competition because its senior year, it looked like a ridiculous way to spend a Thursday and I don’t want to look back and wish I did it. That and I knew it would help the senior class raise money for prom.” Inspite of the overwhelming pressure to perform in front of the whole school, these contestants made the courageous decision to act in outrageous performances for an amazing cause. Rogers expressed that, “everybody is so unique, so talented, so beautiful, and through our work and devotion, the class of 2013 acts like a sort of role model to all those who are newcomers to the school and have yet to show who they are.”

Scan the QR code to watch a video of Mr. MHS

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The Blue and Gold February 2013

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Vanessa Advances Sumya Mohiuddin Reporter

Sharon Lee Editor-In-Chief Print

ith good performances transforming into great performances, it is evident that the pressure of Poetry Out Loud is increasing. The time that a student spends with their poem creates a strong connection between them and their performance; the steady build-up to this moment is what makes POL so intense. On Jan. 28, 2013, the pressure from the competition was felt throughout the auditorium, and its presence only added to the stress of the performers. There was a very close outcome; the top three winners were each four points apart from each other. Third place was awarded to junior Isaiah Clemmons, second place to senior Joshua Gaviola, and junior Vanessa Morales won the entire school wide competition and will be representing Malden High School in the regional competition. After judging the POL competition for so many years, English teacher Jen Clapp hopes that Morales is “very proud of herself”, and feels “confident.” After all, her next round of POL occurs on Mar. 2, 2013 in Boston. To all the performers, she says “Congratulations; hard work and dedication does pay off.

Scan the QR code below with your smartphone to view a video of student and teacher recitations.

The Blue and Gold February 2013

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Morales to regionals 1st Place Vanessa Morales

performed A Noiseless Patient Spider by Walt Whitman and Inside Out by Diane Wakoski

2nd Place Joshua Gaviola

performed Break of Day by John Donne and Cartoon Physics, Part One by Nick Flynn

3rd Place Isaiah Clemmons

performed When You Are Old by William Butler Yeats and Old Men Playing Basketball by B. H. Fairchild

Support Vanessa Morales at the regional competition on March 2nd in Boston, Ma.

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The Blue and Gold February 2013

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Lunar New Sumya Mohiuddin Reporter Myle Nguyen Reporter

he diversity displayed at Malden High School is not only evident, but encouraged each and every day. Because a lot can be learned from a single person’s background, the different cultures expressed through MHS students are celebrated. One great way to honor the differences that MHS experiences daily is through the Lunar New Year Festival. The event took place on Feb. 2, 2013 in the Jenkins Auditorium. The festival was hosted by the MHS Asian Culture Club and the Chinese Cultural Connection (CCC). Since September, the Asian Culture Club has been working hard to bring the Chinese culture to life. Phoung Ho, science teacher and the advisor of the Asian Culture Club, guided the members, and strongly “[encouraged] the officers to assume a lot of the responsibilities.” All their hard work paid off, and she believed that “[the event] turned out very well.” Their efforts were evident; President of the Asian Culture Club, Prayush Pokharel, who has been involved in the show since his freshman year, said, “Phoung, and Mei Hung, (the head of CCC), would meet every other week, (in February), to coordinate, see what needs to be done, to get volunteers from other clubs if necessary, and ask local businesses for food donations.” Pokharel easily described the event as “successful.”

The Blue and Gold February 2013

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year festival Visit our website to view a video of the Lunar New Year Celebration. At the beginning of the show, Mayor Gary Christenson surprised everyone in the room when he began introducing himself in Cantonese. It was evident that the Mayor enjoyed the show fully. The festival featured a variety of acts to suit a wide range of audience. They showcased acts such as the Lion Dance, Kung Fu demonstration, folk dance, and Guzheng Solo to reflect the traditional aspects of the Lunar New Year. The celebration also featured a modern twist with several acts from MHS students. The performances varied from dancing by Airbound and Sukey and Ya-Ting Lu to a rendition of Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” by sophomores Christine Feng and Mandy Cheng and seniors Joshua Gaviola and Danny Chen. The event was concluded with an international fashion show that exhibited clothing from many different cultures. After participating in the Lunar New Year Festival for several years, [Pokharel’s] advice is very simple: “breathe.” Hung knew the event was a success “when the performers smiled with joy for having the opportunity to share their cultural heritage with the audience.” It is not everyday that students from MHS are exposed to the backgrounds of their peers, and it turned out to be a beneficial experience to all.

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The New Book on the Block Chaimae El Adlouni Reporter

alden Reads is an organization that aims to unite all Malden residents together to read one book in hopes of spreading a central message to the community. It is a project led by local residents, community groups, non-profit organizations, city leaders, and school-based representatives along with the Malden Media center and the Malden Public Library. For the last four years the Malden Public Library has introduced a book to the public and distributes it to the Malden elementary schools. To promote the program, several events are held at the Malden Public Library centered around the central message of the book. In order to run such a widespread program, getting sponsors of the program is necessary. The sponsors that helped bring Malden Reads to life include; the Dockside Restaurant, Malden Animal Hospital, Minuteman Press of Malden, New England Coffee Company, ReplaceMyContacts.com, Stoneham Savings, Bank YouTube Downloader Site, Best Sellers Cafe, Medford Chinese Culture, ConnectionHark.com, Jannabee’s, Joanne & Leonard Iovino, Malden McDonald’s Kathleen M. & Robert F. Sullivan. Anne D’Urso-Rose, co-facilitator for Malden Reads at the Malden media center explained “the books are chosen from a long list of recommendations from the community and rated on appropri-

ateness and length and etc.” The community can recommend any books that they find interesting, and would like the K-8 program and high school students to read!!! The book chosen for this year is the 2007 National Book Award for young people’s literature recipient, The Absolute True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie. It centers around a young Native American, Arnold Spirit Jr, who faces many hardships such as racism, bullying, and ostracism. While on his way to school and back, he is constantly facing bullies and being patronized by fellow reservation kids and school children simply because he is a Native American going to an all white school. This book centers around the issues of racism as well as the dreams and hopes of Arnold. A touching and meaningful read, with small illustrations, the novel will keep the reader enthused. In a Barnes and Nobles interview, Alexie stated that “the material in True Diary was actually first part of a memoir.” He drew from his own experiences from his first year at a white high school. In a city with little diversity, the book that tells a story of personal perseverance and first hand encounters with racism, and is sure to be a success within the local community. On Feb. 21, 2013, an opening celebration for the book was held at 6:30PM at the Malden Public Library. The event was

spectacular, filled with different culture and an incredible performance by award-winning Native American storyteller and flutist, Joseph Firecrow. The night was definitely one to remember, with beautiful dancing by Priya Kumar, who performed an cultural Indian Bollywood fusion dance. Cultural exhibits that were displayed included a Native American culture exhibit, a Russian culture exhibit, a Bestseller cafe, Pine Ridge video diary, Malden Read’s Family Stories Through Art, American Association of Arab Women, Congregational Church of West Medford, Malden Public Library informational table, and more. With beautiful music in the background, which began with with classical music and going onto Native american traditional music, a few MHS high school students who are part of the band had also contributed to this event. It was a big turnout and everyone enjoyed the performances, along with an assortments of food and refreshments. Malden Reads will be going to to the teen center across from the Malden High School and the local senior center to promote their Families Stories Through Art Program, which is led by Sharon Santillo and will be held during the April vacation week.

Malden reads book “how a chipmunk got his stripes” by joseph bruchac, “the absolutely true diary of a part time inidan” by sherman alexie, and “the heart of a chief” by Joseph bruchac.

visit our website maldenblueandgold.com to watch a video of Malden Reads.

The Blue and Gold February 2013

MALDEN SCHOOL SAFETY Jessica Lynn DePaula Reporter

n recent weeks public safety has been a huge issue in not just Malden, Massachusetts, but in the nation at large. In the past year, there have been several mass shootings in America,the most recent being the horrendous massacre that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, on Dec. 14, 2012, which resulted in the deaths of 20 first graders and six staff members. We have all been touched by this tragedy, as well as the others, in one way or another, and Maldonians have begun to question: what is our city doing to protect us, especially our children, from this type of senseless violence? In a statement issued the day following the Newtown tragedy, Malden High School principal Dana Brown assured parents, teachers, and students that the school “works hard to ensure a culture and climate that is safe, both emotionally and physically.” MHS is currently in the process of installing several security devices, including swipe-key identification cards for teachers, cameras at both the Main Street and Holden Street entrances, and a buzz-in system that will require visitors (including Bunker Hill Community College students in the satellite program) to be buzzed in following the first period bell. But what about the five K-8 schools located in Malden? There have been two incidents involving knives at the Linden and Salemwood schools since December, as reported in Malden Patch; a tip from a fellow student led to the discovery and consequent confiscation of the knife at the Linden. “That’s what we encourage students to do,” superintendent David DeRuosi said following the incident. “If you see or hear something, tell somebody.” According to the aforementioned article, the student at the Salemwood was arrested on Jan. 18, 2013, and Lieutenant Detective Marc Gatcomb stated that “no students [were] in danger by any means.” The K-8 schools have responded to events such as these by talking with younger students about the dangers of all weapons, and implementing stricter rules regarding safety, such as banning the use of large bags during the school day. Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone, in Sept. 2012, said that he understood rising concern over rising crime in Malden, as reported in a WickedLocal.com article. “Any time...shootings occur anywhere, it causes people to be concerned.” He theorized that the “uptick in the usage of marijuana by young people” and “people [involved in gangs] either seeking refuge here [in Malden] or Malden being a place where they stay when they are not committing their gang activities,” were the potential culprits to blame for concerns over the safety of Malden residents. Mayor Gary Christenson, in a meeting held on Jan. 28, 2013, discussed the issue of public safety. This was the latest in a series of meetings held throughout the Malden area, geared towards helping the city government to gain a better understanding of where Malden residents’ concerns lie in the topic of general safety. Some ideas brought up at the meeting mirrored the words of Leone, and made clear the notion that Malden’s government is working diligently to keep citizens safe, physically and emotionally.

The Blue and Gold February 2013

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Scholastic Writing and Art Winners

Avery Marchant

Sudan Zhuang

Sophomore Avery Marchant. Photo by Vicki Ngan

Vicki Ngan Head of Local

s the Scholastic Writing and Art Contest came to a close, sophomore Avery Marchant was one of the contestants that won a Silver Key and an Honorable Mention for his Stan Lee Line Portrait. Marchant was “definitely surprised.” A project that his art teacher Joseph Luongo had assigned, the goal “was to teach [the students] how to work [their] lines.” Composed of “scribbles and dots,” Marchant’s portrait of Stan Lee is a piece of work that March-

ant had spent time on creating, and as he followed instructions, he was glad that it “came out as planned.” Feeling proud that he has won the Silver Key award, Marchant hopes “to make a living out of [his] art work,” and feels that this award has compelled him to continue his ambitions further. He optimistically looks forward to “[entering] again next year.”

Jonathan Drapinski

Senior Jonathan Drapinski. Photo by Amanda Rosatone

Amanda Rosatone Head of Local

very year at Malden High School, play production students partake in the national Shakespearean recitation contest. Up until this year, no student has made it past the second round. After this year’s preliminary round, MHS has the privilege of sending one of its own students to the next level of the contest; the branch competition. Senior Jonathan Drapinski had been doing

Junior Sudan Zhuang. Photo by Vicki Ngan

the Shakespeare competition ever since, “[he] was a sophomore first joining [the play production class.]” Being the school finalist for the past two years has given Drapinski the opportunity to better himself and his acting skills in this competition in order to get to the next rounds in the competition as, “the semifinal round last year helped me improve my performance so much this year.” Drapinski recalls that, “it wasn’t until last year that [he] knew [he] wanted to move further into this competition.” Along with Drapinski, students from 26 other schools participate in the competition and in advancing past the school wide round, the semi-finals requires students to prepare a sonnet as well as their monologue. Following the semi-finals Drapinski stated that, “only ten students move on to the final round. The finalists are asked to perform their monologue, their sonnet and a cold read,” for the final part of the competition. Drapinski has been going through with this very intense competition for a majority of his high school career and seeing as he graduates in the spring he is, “all right with this being [his] last schoolwide recitation contest. [He feels] honored to have been apart of the competition for the past three years and [being] the first MHS student to move so far in the competition.”

holder of a Gold Key, a Silver Key, and an Honorable Mention, junior Sudan Zhuang was “very surprised” that she won the awards. Photography is her passion, and she likes how she “could transfer something she wanted to appear in her dreams to her artwork.” To Zhuang, every picture tells a story. Her winning photographs, which include Chemistry Test, Tardy, and 16 Candles, in respect to the prizes, were “unexpected” to her. These

dreams having inspired her creativity, she wanted to capture them, and did, through photography. For her photograph, Chemistry Test, she wanted to express herself, through photography, the day before when she had failed her chemistry quiz. “I was looking [at] the electron shells” online and “thought they looked liked chalk marks.” “Next year I want to submit more artwork and hopefully I will get more awards again,” Zhuang stated.

The Blue and Gold February 2013

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Making History One Lap At A Time

Jonathan Drapinski

Above: MHS swim dives during a meet. Below: The team celebrates becoming GBL champs. All Photos by Emma Ceplinskas.

Emma Ceplinskas Reporter

Cala, Poirier, Quesada Nylen, Michelle Dang, Jonathan Drapinski, Noah Nguyen, Rogers, and Elyse Valente all received roses and wim season has come to a close. gifts after speeches were given by Malden High School’s swim MHS and Medford coaches Paul team blew Medford out of the water DeVincentis and Mary Judge. in their last dual meet and senior On Jan. 31, 2013 the team night on Jan. 29, 2013 just before the had their GBL meet in Somerville. Greater Boston League Invitational. League records were broken by the It is no wonder how 15 mem- girls 200 yd medley relay junior capbers of the swim team qualified for tain Bestine Cong, Poirier, Lombarstates or sectionals after witnessing di, and Quesada Nylen with a time the phenomenal races swam by each of 1:59:68. The boys 200 yd freestyle swimmer. First place finishes in- relay , including Nguyen, Luu, To cluded senior Simon Rogers, sopho- and Tang, broke the previous record mores Kelvin Nguyen and Tristar with a time of 1:36:89. The final To, and freshman Ryan Luu in the record broken was the girls 400 yd 200 yd medley relay; senior captain free relay with a time of 3:59:59 by and Blue and Gold members Cath- both Quesada Nylens, Forestier, and erine Poirier 200 yd freestyle; and Lombardi. The Malden girls won the freshmen Alex Lombardi, Samantha GBL meet for the women’s division, Forestier, Quesada Nylen and senior and the boys came in second for the captain and Blue and Gold member men’s division. Amalia Quesada Nylen in the 400 Due to the recent snowstorm, yd freestyle relay.

enior swim team member Jonathan Drapinski will sadly be departing from Malden High School come June. His high spirits fill the hallways with joy and bring a smile to everyone’s face. Drapinski entered high school as “a soft spoken eighth grader, and after being [at MHS] for four years, [he has] opened up so much... MHS has helped [him] grow up into the young charming, handsome, witty, fabulous, fantastic, ravishing gentleman that [he is] today.” He enjoys both the team and individual aspects of swimming, plus the smell of the chlorine after a workout. The sport of swimming has accounted for his appreciation for “the little things” and his realization of the amount of “effort... needed to put into something to make it look effortless.” For the full article on Drapinski, visit maldenblueandgold.com

Emma Ceplinskas Reporter

RAVENS DEFEAT 49ERS IN 47TH SUPER BOWL

Baltimore’s Jamie Sharper (#55) is helped by teammate Ray Lewis (#52) after making a firsthalf interception in Super Bowl XXXV against the New York Giants. (CS) PL KD BL 2001

Jonathan DeCicco Reporter

rom chicken wings to potato chips, every house in America breaks out the snacks to watch the last football game of the season: the Super Bowl. With the disappointment of the Patriots’ loss against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 20, 2013 costing them the chance to play in Super Bowl XLVII, many New Englanders were left defeated, however this did not affect their ability to watch the championship. A whopping 108.4 million viewers tuned in across the country to see the Baltimore Ravens square off against the San Francisco 49ers for the Vince Lombardi trophy. Although the relationship between the two teams was already competitive, a sibling rivalry was also thrown into the mix. Coaches Jim Harbaugh of the 49ers and John Harbaugh of the Ravens were both eager to gain the title of Super Bowl champions, making the battle even more tense. The game at the New Orleans MercedesBenz Superdome on Feb. 3, 2013 started with the the Ravens winning the coin toss. Leading the game for the entire first half, the Ravens put themselves in a very good position for the rest of the game. Quarterback Joe Flacco led some huge plays, including a 56yard touchdown to Jacoby Jones, putting the Ravens ahead 21-3 in the last moments of the first half. After what looked to be one of the

the sectional competitions was cancelled, but the swimmers that placed for sectionals swam in the state competitions. Placing at states is extremely difficult, but Malden’s very own Cong, Lombardi, Poirier and Quesada Nylen placed 11th in the women’s 200 yard medley relay. Malden also placed 16th in the women’s 400 yard freestyle relay thanks to Forestier, Lombardi, and both Quesada Nylens. Luu placed a speedy 11 in the boy’s 100 yard butterfly. The team’s final record is 8-1 and they are co-GBL champions with Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. The countless hours at practices were “all worth it in the end,” input Lombardi. The swim team collectively stated that the “support” and “close companionship” keeps “[them] moving forward” and accounts for the “memorable season” and family that was created.

Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens celbrates after a 34-31 win against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, Sunday, February 3, 2013. (Mark Cornelison/ Lexington Herald-Leader/MCT)

most disappointing games of the Super Bowl, the 49ers knew they had to step up their game in the third quarter. The Pepsi Halftime show was performed by superstar Beyonce. After rumors of a lip synching scandal at the presidential inauguration, many fans felt that she had something to prove. Even though she did lip sync at the inauguration, Beyonce killed her performance with her amazing singing, dancing, and use of lights and other pyrotechnics, singing some of her greatest hits including “Love on Top,” “Crazy in Love,” “End of Time,” and “Baby Boy.” She was then reunited with her Destiny’s Child bandmates Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland, praising Charlie’s Angels and singing along with Beyonce’s hit song “Single Ladies.” After Williams and Rowland left the stage, Beyonce belted out to her last song, “Halo.” With the halftime show over, the teams were finally ready to restart the game. Receiver and speedster Jacoby Jones of the Baltimore Ravens ran back the kick-off in the start of the second half. Running the ball 108 yards, Jones tied the NFL record for longest touchdown in Super Bowl history. Shortly after this remarkable play, the Superdome lost half the power in the stadium, causing a 34 minute delay. As officials tried to regain power in the stadium, teams were allowed to re-warm up, giving the 49ers time to regroup. As the game returned to where they left off before the blackout, the 49ers seemed to come back as an entirely different team. The team scored two touchdowns, quarterback Kaepernick to Michael Crabtree and Frank Gore, within only four minutes and also got another field goal. Even with San Francisco’s major recovery, their efforts were not enough to beat the Ravens, resulting in a 34-31 victory, crowning Baltimore as the new Super Bowl Champions.

The Blue and Gold February 2013

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Success At States Jonathan DeCicco Reporter

eady...set...bang! As the sound of the gun echoes through the Salemwood School gymnasium, the MHS girls indoor track team are more than ready to race. With the season coming to an end the team is making remarkable strides to finish off. Completing the long winter season with a record of 2-1-1 in the Greater Boston League(GBL), the team has certainly accomplished a lot and shown their improvements from last season. Losing to Cambridge, on Jan. 16, 2013, the girls redeemed themselves with a stunning win against Somerville on Jan. 24, 2013. Throughout the meet the two teams tied for much of the competition. As the last event, the 4x400 relay, approached, the girls were behind 42-39. Needing first place in this event the girls were certainly determined. The relay consisted of freshman Carine Exume, junior Jacqueline Bouley, and senior Blue and Gold members Haley Dowdie and Lauren Benoit. Placing first in the relay with a time of 4:33, compared to Somerville’s 4:35, the Malden girls became only the second team to beat Somerville since 2006. Head Coach David Londino tells us that,

Franklin Huynh

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“Those four girls won their individual events and bounced back to win the most exciting 4x400 relay I’ve ever seen. Their effort and determination was just absolutely amazing.” Exume, Bouley, Dowdie, Benoit, and senior Kristina Thorne accounted for 33 of Malden’s 44 points against Somerville. Not only did the team stand out in the GBL, but they also made some huge impressions at some of the invitationals. Qualifying for the state meet on Feb. 16, 2013 were Exume, Bouley, Dowdie and Benoit, as well as the girls 4x400m relay team and boys 2x200m relay team. After the cancellation of the GBL Championship meet at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury, Massachusetts the state-qualifying girls trained hard for their final meet of the season. Some standout performances at the meet included senior Blue and Gold member Lauren Benoit who place 8th in the 1000m run with a time of 3:09. The 4x400 relay team also had a personal record with a time of 4:18. Freshman Carine Exume ran 43.18 seconds in the 300m to meet the US Second Team Elite standard and set a Malden High School record. The girls track team finished up a successful indoor track season breaking new school records as well

Kristina Thorne

as personal goals. After a strong season, the girls team looks forward to carrying on their success to the outdoor track season.

Jonathan DeCicco Reporter

Freshman Carine Exume practicing her starts before a meet. Photo by Jonathan DeCicco

unning track since she was a sophomore at Malden High School (MHS), senior Kristina Thorne has definitely shown her dedication to indoor track through her amazing accomplishments in the sport. Kristina has proved to be an essential part of the team through countless successes in GBL meets and other invitationals. A part of the sprinting team at MHS, Kristina runs the 50 meter hurdles and the 400 meter hurdles. Preferring the 400 meter hurdles, Kristina has a personal best time of 73 seconds and 8.3 seconds in the 50 hurdles. With hopes of continuing her running career in college she still remains unsure on what to do. Nonetheless Kristina tells us that, “running has taught [her] to be a dedicated hard work[ing] person, because it is not easy.” For the full article on Thorne, visit maldenblueandgold.com

Boys Track Comes Back Faster And Stronger Patricia Luong Reporter

M Patricia Luong Reporter

enior Franklin Huynh was a natural-born runner, being known as “the fast kid” ever since he was young. During his freshman year, Huynh decided to make use of that talent by joining the track team, which according to him, was the “best decision” he ever made. Ever since he joined, he has been an essential member, becoming captain of the sprinting team this year. Coach David Londino says that Huynh was chosen as captain because he is a “great leader, and has a terrific work ethic” as well as being a “well respected student, athlete, and person.” Track is not just a sport to Huynh; it has greatly influenced him all around. Huynh states that track has brought out the competitive side to him and has only made him strive to achieve more. For the full article on Huynh, visit maldenblueandgold.com

alden High School’s boys track team suffered a devastating loss to Cambridge in a meet on Jan. 16, 2013. Cambridge had an advantage in power and experience because of the huge wave of freshmen joining MHS’s track team this year. Sophomore Jonathan Ye stated that although the loss was tough, the team knew the season wasn’t over just yet so they “went back to working harder than ever.” Their hard work paid off and the team bounced back in their Somerville meet on Jan. 23, 2013, winning with a score of 52-29. After winning this meet, Ye stated it “helped boost [their] confidence” and helped the team move on from their previous loss. The Somerville track team had a strong 4x400 relay team so the boys knew it could not come down to that. They started off with a sweep in the hurdles; sophomore Ralph Dupervil placing first. Other first place finishers included senior Franklin Huynh in the 50yard dash, junior Danny Gould in the two-mile, Dupervil in the high jump, and senior Kevin Ortiz in shot put. The boys continued to persevere and on Jan. 30, 2013, they won their meet against Medford with a score of 57-24. First place finishes in the meet included; senior Franklin Huynh in the 50-yard dash, junior Claude Bonnet in the 600-meter,

On the left: Senior Abdelhak Belatreche running. On the right: Junior David Kibazo running. Photos by Jonathan DeCicco senior Abdelhak Belatreche in the 1000-meter, junior David Kibazo in the one-mile, sophomore Nahom Ghile in the two-mile, and senior Blondel Binyame in the high jump. The team stormed through the races and were able to have a successful meet. Unfortunately, the GBL Championship meet on Feb. 8, 2013 was cancelled due to the snowstorm. The runners that qualified continued to train for what would be a successful state meet on Feb. 16, 2013. The 4x200 meter relay team composed of senior Tyler Williams, sophomore Ralph Dupervil, senior

Kelly Desane, and senior Franklin Huynh finished with a time of 1:35.11, which was the third fastest time in school history and the fastest Malden time run since 1977. Overall the boys track team had a great season finishing 3-1 in the GBL. Coach Londino was proud of the upperclassmen stating, “The efforts of our seniors have been great and our juniors really made the jump we expect to see between 10th and 11th grade. This combined with strong contributions from underclassmen keeps us looking forward to success this outdoor season and in seasons to come.”

22 Moving Forward: First MHS Wrestler To Compete In Nationals Arefin Mohiuddin Reporter

s a whole, the Malden High School wrestling team may not have had the best regular season, ending the season with a losing record. Those lost meets can be attributed to the fact that Malden is not able to fill up every weight class, and thus those vacancies hinder them from staying competitive in a lot of dual meets. The team’s success cannot be looked at through their record though, as they boast a handful of very competent and excellent individuals, such as senior captain Rufus Arraheffege, and many of these individuals are hoping to be able to perform well enough at sectionals that they will then be able to move onto states. The team had numerous losses, including Triton, Beverly, and Cambridge. Even with their limited number of wrestlers, the team was still able to pull out wins again Waltham, Malden Catholic, Belmont, and rival Everett. The season, from a pure record standpoint, was rough, though there was plenty to be appreciative of within those victories, especially seeing how some of the individuals on the team had been able to execute. In addition to Arraheffege, juniors Jean Gedeon and Nidal Hishmel hold the best individual records among the team, and these three are also the ones expected to make noise as they progress into the postseason. While these three had higher expectations than most, it does not mean everyone else did not have a fair shot at advancing to states as well. To make the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association state tournament, one must first go through the sectional tournament. This tournament solely determines who makes it to states. Everyone is divided by their respective weight class, and the top four finishers in each weight class then move on to the State Tournament. If one is able to advance past States, they move on to New Englands, and then eventually get a shot at Nationals. Everyone who is on the varsity squad is automatically in the sectional tournament, and from there they start their postseason run. Once in the sectional tournament, they control their own destiny. The sectional tournament was held on Feb.16, 2013, and Arraheffege was the only one who was able to make the top four of his weight class, alllowing him to compete at the State Tournament. Arraheffege will be continuing to compete in New Englands and at Nationals in Virgina later this year.

The Blue and Gold February 2013

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Keeping the GBL Title Tall and Proud

ANDREW PHU

Lucia Quesada Nylen Reporter

nding the season with a record of five wins and one loss, the Malden High School gymnastics team is once again Greater Boston League (GBL) champs. Although the team lost various seniors from last year’s team, and only have two upperclassmen now, junior captain Justine Rose and senior Andrew Phu, the team is full of talented freshmen including Kiley Ruelle, Kenna MacMillan, Jessica Munroe, and Morgan Pennachio. “The younger gymnasts have been essential to the team this year,” stated Rose. Fereshman Kiley Ruelle practicing her beam rouThe team has been tine before a meet. Photo by Amanda DeMoraes constantly working to improve and meet their individual as well as team goals. “[The team] has definitely improved from last year,” Rose explained. In addition to winning the GBL title again, the team broke the record for highest score in MHS gymnastics history. Even with having a small amount of gymnasts, the team has definitely stuck together through the season, capturing big wins against Bishop Fenwick and Medford. “Bishop Fenwick isn’t in our league,” stated Rose. “They are a really good and experienced team who in past years have beat us pretty badly, but this year we managed to beat them.” Rose explains. In addition Rose added that the team “knew that [Medford] was an important meet and [they] needed to win and [they] did.” The team is ending their season with another GBL title for MHS gymnastics. For next season, coach Vanessa James hopes “[for the team] to continue to work hard and increase [their] skill level.” Sophomore Molly Jaynes on bars before the meet. With hopes of im- Photo by Amanda DeMoraes. proving and working hard the team hopes to take home another GBL title next season.

For the full articles on DanielVo and Andrew Phu vistit maldenblueandgold.com

Lucia Quesada Nylen Reporter

ver since sophomore year senior Andrew Phu has been on the Malden High School gymnastics team. Phu “[has] always been fascinated by the idea of controlling and manipulating [his] movements.” Gymnastics “[amazes]” Phu. Phu enjoys vault and bars when competing. “I would love to have done floor [routines] but that didn’t quite happen” explains Phu. In addition to gymnastics, Phu has always had a strong interest for dancing. He break dances “here and there but mostly just [does] freestyle”. Phu is “a little undecided on which way to go with [his] life”. After graduation Phu plans to go to Bunker Hill Community College for two years to “get [his basic] courses done” and then transfer to a different school. While attending BHCC Phu hopes to “figure out what [he] wants to study.”

Daniel Vo

Arefin Mohiuddin Reporter

he Malden High School wrestling team is chock full of veterans, one of them being senior wrestler Daniel Vo. Vo is one of the longest tenured members on the team, as he has been wrestling since the winter of his 8th grade. Vo enjoys wrestling a great deal, as it is the only sport he plays, and he gives his full commitment and time. Vo started all the way back in middle school, and has kept going at it for all these years. ‘‘I wrestled all these years because I like a challenge’’ shared Vo, explaining how wrestling is difficult, both the matches and practices, but is especially rewarding when you can pull out a win. Wrestling is extremely demanding, but Vo explains that he will actually miss the “conditioning and tough training”, and it was fulfilling to be able to get through these sessions, and better oneself. He also enjoyed being led by Coach Jeremiah Smith, who always pushed everyone to “wrestle hard and give a ton of effort”.

The Blue and Gold February 2013

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Rodney Morton

Taking it Second By Second Phillip Montezuma Reporter

A Phillip Montezuma Reporter

alden High School boys basketball senior captain Rodney Morton had made his mark in MHS legacy. Morton had “been playing basketball since [he] could walk,” but played on an organized team for the first time in sixth grade. He is the team’s starting guard and can also play point guard or shooting guard. “It’s crazy,” Morton reacts regarding becoming a captain. “I can’t believe how fast it came and wishing I would get nominated since freshman year. All it took was just staying on course and working hard. It’s not easy but I’m glad I was up for the challenge.” Proving that hard work and dedication works, Morton is also the team’s top scorer. His season so far includes a 41-point game, back-to-back 20-point games, and a buzzer beater three-pointer against MHS’ Greater Boston League rival Everett.

s the season heats up, the Malden High School boys basketball team are no strangers to competition. MHS is on the way for their sixth appearance in the state tournament in the last nine years and had clinched their spot on Feb. 6 against Belmont with a score of 81-71 . Being led by senior captains Rodney Morton and Tommy Steele, the team is looking forward to their last normal season game on . Currently standing at a 11-7 record, defeating Somerville and Everett, two very competitive teams in the Greater Boston League (GBL). One of Malden’s most memorable games happened against Everett High School on Jan. 29, 2013. Everett was in first place in the GBL with a record of 8-5, ahead of MHS. The game started off slow as MHS came into the game seeking revenge for falling nine points short in a road game at Everett on Jan. 11, 2013. This being the last time MHS seniors will face one of their biggest rivals. Sophomore Anthony Gilardi

Junior Jensen Ayuk in a defensive stance, defending a player from Cambridge. Photo by Carmellite Chamblin and Morton led the team in scoring against EHS. As the game had came down to the final minute, Jason Surpris had made a layup to put MHS ahead 60-57. Then Everett hit a three-pointer that tied the game up at 60-60 with 8.1 seconds left in the game. With the crowd sitting on the edge of their seats, Morton came through in the clutch by making the game-winning buzzer-beater shot. The crowd and team were ecstatic as Morton had embraced the crowd

after making the basket, as the fans and MHS cheerleaders followed by storming him on the court. That game was one of Morton’s biggest games in his basketball career. The game and Morton’s winning shot had sparked quite an explosion on social media sites such as, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, showing Malden pride.

For the full article on senior Rodney Morton and highlights of the boys basketball team games, visit www.maldenblueandgold.com

persevering through a tough season

Lorna Ibanda

Ashley Leung Reporter

Above: Sophomore Michaela Ilebode makes her freethrow during a game agaisnt Lynn Clasical. Photo by Ashley Leung.

alden High School’s girls basketball team had a rough season, with a final record of 5-15. Things are not going as smoothly as how varsity coach Furlong would have expected everything to, but not everything can always go as planned. A defeat occurred on Jan. 22, 2013 by Cambridge’s girls basketball team. Throughout the entire time, the score was always close, with one team barely ahead of the other. In the end, it was Cambridge who pulled through with the very close win, a score of 43-40. The team, disappointed in their results of the season, was determined to work even harder to stop their losing streak and earn a win, which was proved with the results of their game against Everett High School on Jan. 29, 2013. The team was able to clinch a win in a very close game. In the end, MHS won with a score of 41-40. With MHS’s win against Everett, the team and audience had high hopes for the game against Haverhill on Jan. 30, 2013. MHS had an incredibly close match against Haverhill, only being behind by several points, and several times only one point. However, by the end of the game, the final score resulted in 36-31. On Feb. 1, 2013, MHS once again went against Medford High’s team in an intense away game. Despite the immense effort MHS put in the game, it was not enough and once again lost against Medford in the two games they faced against them. The game ended in a result of 50-26. A major win for Malden High School on Feb. 4, 2013 as the girls basketball team won against East Boston’s team. Despite major defeats that the team has had, they have managed to continue playing hard and finally got another victory for Malden. The game ended with a whopping 56-21, once again winning against East Boston and making it one the team’s biggest victories this season. An intense game on Feb. 6, 2013 as they faced off against Lynnfield High School. With the victory from their last game against East Boston still fresh in the team and the audience’s minds, MHS was playing hard and confident, with Lynnfield playing almost at the same level. The entire game was nerve wracking, with the teams being ahead by only one point, and tieing at several times too. In the end, with much hard work, MHS was able to bring another victory, with the scores of 47-45. Over vacation on Feb. 20, 2013, MHS played against Salem’s team in an intense game. However, MHS was unable to win, and the game resulted in a score of 57-27. With the season now closed, MHS has had a tough season with small victories once in awhile.

Ashley Leung Reporter

ganda native Lorna Ibanda is one of the five senior players on Malden High School’s girls basketball varsity team, soon to be graduating MHS. Ibanda has been playing basketball for six years, going onto seven years this year. She first became interested in the basketball when her cousins introduced her to the sport when she was younger. In basketball, she enjoys how teams are able to get together and understand each other, almost as if they are a family to her. Not only that, but she also enjoys the incredible feeling of being able to defeat one of the “unbeatable teams” during their games, a result of everyone’s effort in working together. Ibanda also plays soccer and in the future, after graduating MHS, she will “definitely continue with [the sport] in the future because it is [her] life, but as for basketball [she] will just play for fun.” For the full article on Ibanda, visit maldenblueandgold.com

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The Blue and Gold February 2013

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Photo collage by Kristen Leonard