The Blue and Gold, Volume 1, October 2016

The Blue and Gold maldenblueandgold.com Malden High School Volume 102 Edition 1

77 salem street October 2016

maldenblueandgold.com Malden High School Volume 102 Edition 1 October 2016

2

Editorial Malden High School

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

THE STAFF: Editor-in-Chief Tenzin Dorjee ‘17 Web & Mobile Apps Editorin-Chief Tatyanna Cabral ‘17 Print Editor-in-Chief Felicia Fallano ‘17 Managing Editor Megan Downer ‘18 Head of Local News Anna Powers ‘18 Head of Sports News Leila Greige ‘18 Head of Photography Ryan Hames ‘18 Art & Design Editor Tate Skiffington ‘17 Nedlam’s Corner Karina Matos ‘17 Head Copy Editor Gabriella Onessimo ‘17 Lead Reporters Alysha McDevitt ‘18: Local Politics, City Council, & School Committee Christina Appignani ‘18: Local News Ailin Toro ‘19: Local News Neden Bernadin ‘19: Local News Sydney Stumpf ‘19: Local News Abhishek Rana ‘19: Sports News Jesaias Benitez ‘19: Sports News Lead Videographers Nicolle Batista ‘17 Leah Tramondozzi ‘17 Nia Vital ‘17 Lead Photogrpaher Nick Powers ‘18 Manager of Web & Mobile Apps Don Nguyen ‘17 Reporters Subin Bastola ‘17 Rebecca Oliveira ‘17 Toby Pitan ‘18 Kayla Dos Reis Sousa ‘19 Makesha Mercedat ‘19 Rebeca Pereira ‘19 Emraude Bonnet ‘20 Stefany Foley ‘20 Josandy Jeune ‘20 Falyn Kelley ‘20 Sabrina Monteiro ‘20 Man Nguyen ‘20 Ana Pirosca ‘20 Jemisha Syliant ‘20 Michelle Yin ‘20 Sara Zakaria ‘20 ADVISOR RYAN GALLAGHER

The Blue and Gold October 2016

maldenblueandgold.com

A New Beginning...

H

onestly, being the Editor-in-Chief of The Blue and Gold newspaper has been such a surreal experience so far.

In 2012, I was fresh out of middle school and new to high school. I felt like a fish out of water. I was just a freshman who did not know what he was really getting into, but knew that he liked writing and The Blue and Gold was a place to do it.

When I first came into the room, it was so different from any of my other classes. All my other classes had mostly freshman, and if there were any upperclassmen, they were the minority. It was not the case here. Freshmen were definitely outnumbered here with all the sophomores, juniors, and even seniors on the staff. I won’t lie. It was really intimidating at first. I soon realized I wasn’t the only one who felt a bit out of their lane here. So for the majority of that year, the rest of the freshmen in the class and I sat together in one area of the room, even when we were constantly asked by our advisor Ryan Gallagher to “integrate [our]selves and talk to new people.” We didn’t really know each other, but at least we were all freshmen and new to the class as well, so that’s all that mattered.

Having so many sophomores, juniors and seniors in the class, while kind of intimidating, was really interesting. Without their guidance, I don’t know even how I would be able to be the editor-inchief this year. Being a reporter for the newspaper really allowed to me to open myself up and become able to talk to people with less fear and anxiety.

Freshman and sophomore year was truly a time when I realized that my current level of writing wasn’t as great as I thought it was, but that it still had potential, which the upperclassmen helped me to see.

Though, it didn’t prepare me for junior year, when I became co-Head of Sports News alongside Tatyanna Cabral, the current Editor-in-Chief of the online website. Being in charge was a new experience for me and it was a challenge, but I was glad that I had the seniors’ guidance. They helped fill in the gaps of leadership that Tatyanna and I weren’t able to.

Now, I kind of feel like I did freshman year again: a fish out of water. As a freshmen up until the end of my junior year, I really looked up the seniors and appreciated their reassuring and guiding pres-

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

ence. Now, I am the senior that the underclassmen look up to. Instead of me being the inexperienced staff member who didn’t know how to do something, I am the senior who takes care of problems.

Being a freshman really is a scary experience.

Even if people are not literally bigger than me, and even if it was only a few years difference, the age and maturity gap was evident. It was a lot to take in, especially in the first couple of days. Though, I am grateful for The Blue and Gold, as it not only taught me how to be a good journalist, but how to not be afraid of the upperclassmen and of the school.

As a senior, I have grown a lot. I am a lot more sure of myself than I was back in freshman year.

Over the course of my high school career, a lot has happened, and I failed a lot more times than I would like to admit, but that’s alright, because with every failure, I learned. Before joining The Blue and Gold, I was not much of a team player, but being a part of the staff showed me how important working together is. A newspaper cannot be created by one person, and having been a part of every step of the process, I really came to not only know that, but understand that. Rome was not only not built in a day, but not only by one person as well. Being in The Blue and Gold taught me that.

When senior year first began, I was a bit unsure of myself. Deep down, I know I had all the tools I needed to lead the class, and even if I didn’t, I had my fellow seniors and friends Tatyanna and Felicia Fallano, the current Editor-in-Chief of the print edition. I am not alone. Honestly, that helps. Having them by my side to help me lead over 30 different people of differing backgrounds and talents makes things a lot easier.

With a little over a month under my belt as a senior and as the Editor-in-Chief, the experience has been amazing. As Editor-in-Chief I’ve learned a lot about myself as a leader, and it has taught me about how things exist that are bigger than just myself.

Being in charge of everything really puts me in perspective of every little thing that goes on at the paper, more so than ever before, from when a reporter has trouble with an article or doing an interview, to making sure thing get on the website or into the paper correctly.

As the Editor-in-Chief, it is my job, along with Tatyanna’s and Felicia’s to shape The Blue and Gold and mold it into our vision. Our vision for this year is to respect the tradition of our predecessors, to try to really make it our own, and leave a mark, so that, while on the outside, it seems like the regular monthly paper and daily website content, a real personality shines through that only we could have produced.

So, while I am proud to have been a part of the closing of the first century of the paper, last year having been it’s 100th year, now I am even prouder and more excited to be a part of the generation that helps usher in its new century, a century where I hope, The Blue & Gold will continue to improve and expand much more than it even has so far.

Tenzin Dorjee Editor-in-Chief

Want to submit a letter to the editor? Email it to theblueandgold@gmail.com for a chance to be included in the next edition of The Blue and Gold!

The Blue and Gold October 2016

Interactive

3

maldenblueandgold.com

Nedlam’s Corner Dear Nedlam, I’ve been super overwhelmed recently with tons of work! All my work keeps piling up and tests and quizzes keep coming up out of nowhere! Is there anything I can do to keep from being drowned in work?

-Overwhelmed by Overload

D

Dear Overwhelmed by Overload,

on’t worry! There are a lot of things you can do in order to handle all of the work that you’ve been given! For starters, write everything down. Everything you can possibly think of that you still have to do write it all down. Now take a look at that list, it’s probably incredibly long and intimidating, so now separate everything into categories. This can vary depending on the areas of your life; for example you could categorize everything by “home” “school” and “work”. After that, organize each item in each category by importance, whatever it is that immediately needs to be done.

Next, buy a calendar and utilize your agenda book! On your calendar, write down all the important things that are coming in the future.

Games, tests, when projects are due, etc. Remember to check this everyday, so put it in a place where you are sure to see it. Now copy these same events into the calendar in your agenda that comes before every month. That way no matter what you know what is going on and you have multiple places to check in case you forget. Now go to the page in your agenda for this week and write down in the “Notes” section the important things you need to remember for the week like tests and after school activities. From this point on, write down all of your homework in your agenda in the form of a checklist, I recomend organized by class, that way when you finish you can check it off and be reminded if you already completed something.

If your agenda is too small (or if you lost your agenda….) you can always buy an agenda (it doesn’t have to be expensive). In order to keep a handle on all of your work it’s important to be organized and know what needs to be handled as well as when.

Sometimes, however, even all of that isn’t enough. It can be easy to forget to check your agenda and while I suggest making a habit of it, I also think that setting remind-

The Orion constellation. Photo by Ryan Hames.

ers on your phone is also helpful.

When we have a lot of things going on it can be easy to forget meetings or tests or whatever, so when you know you have a lot of important things to remember, set reminders on your phone to keep yourself accountable. Especially if it’s for a meeting or event, reminders can be really useful.

There of course, is also the possibility that it is a lack of motivation that is what led to everything catching up to you. It happens to everyone, and while I talked about it more in my last column, I will say that it’s important to remember why you are doing all this schoolwork.

Think about your future goals, and remember that no matter how many other people you know are procrastinating, that doesn’t make it justifiable. If you really want to achieve the things you hope for in

the future, or even to just feel less stressed now, you need to realize the importance of getting things done and give yourself a sense of urgency.

I hope some of my tips help! I know that it might seem like a lot, but the more you can break things

down the easier things will be. Just keep in mind how good you’ll feel once you’re on top of everything and, I don’t want to sound crazy, you might actually get some sleep!

Good Luck!!!! :)

If you have any questions or need any advice, come check out our Ask.fm! Our Ask.fm link can be found on our website at maldenblueandgold.com Questions will always remain anonymous unless requested otherwise, so don’t be afraid!

Election 2016

4

The Blue and Gold October 2016

maldenblueandgold.com

Ballot Questions To Be Voted On Alysha McDevitt Lead Reporter

E

lections are right around the corner, and as frightening as that may be, it is important to stay informed -- by facts, not by biased media coverage. Not only are the presidential elections coming up; voters will be voting on ballot questions as well. Of the 19 proposed ballot questions, only four of them will be up for voting on November 8, 2016.

Listed below are the questions: 1. “A “yes” vote would allow a second slots parlor to exist in Massachusetts. The 2011 gambling law currently allows for up to three resort casinos and one slots parlor.

The slots parlor license is owned

by Penn National Gaming, which operates Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville.”

A. “This proposed law would allow the state Gaming Commission to issue one additional category 2 license, which would permit operation of a gaming establishment with no table games and not more than 1,250 slot machines.”

Put simply, this means that the Gaming Commission would allow one business to be opened in which there can be up to 1,250 slot machines.

B. “The proposed law would authorize the Commission to request applications for the additional license to be granted to a gaming establishment located on property that is (i) at least four acres in size; (ii) adjacent to and within 1,500 feet of a race track, including the track’s additional facilities, such as the track, grounds, paddocks, barns, auditorium, amphitheatre, and bleachers; (iii) where a horse racing meeting may physically be held; (iv) where a horse racing meeting shall have been hosted; and (v) not separated from the race track by a highway or railway.”

a. The current location that the Gaming Commission

would be considering for the slot parlor is at the Suffolk Downs horse racing track in East Boston.

2. “The question, if approved, would let state education officials approve up to 12 new charter schools a year.”

A. “This proposed law would allow the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to approve up to 12 new charter schools or enrollment expansions in existing charter schools each year.”

Voting yes on this would enable the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to open 12 new charter school in the state, and enroll more students in the ones already in existence.

B. “Approvals under this law could expand statewide charter school enrollment by up to 1% of the total statewide public school enrollment each year. New charters and enrollment expansions approved under this law would be exempt from existing limits on the number of charter schools, the number of students enrolled in them, and the amount of local school districts’ spending allocated to them.”

The charter schools already in existence could expand enrollment by 1% of the current public school enrollment. So, say there are 500,000 student currently enrolled in public schools: all the charter schools in the state could increase their enrollment by 5,000 students.

C. “If the Board received more than 12 applications in a single year from qualified applicants, then the proposed law would require it to give priority to proposed charter schools or enrollment expansions in districts where student performance on statewide assessments is in the bottom 25% of all districts in the previous two years and where demonstrated parent demand for additional public school options is greatest.”

a. Since only 12 new schools would be permitted to open in one year, districts with the highest demand for them would have priority.

D. “New charter schools and enrollment expansions approved under this proposed law would be subject to the same approval standards as other charter schools, and to recruitment, retention, and multilingual outreach requirements that currently apply to some charter schools. Schools authorized under this law would be subject to annual performance reviews according to standards established by the Board.”

These new charter schools would be subject to the same rules

and restrictions that the currently existent ones are subject to.

E. “The proposed law would take effect on January 1, 2017.”

3. “This question, if approved, would phase out what advocates say are “extreme” methods of farm animal confinement.”

A. “If approved, this law would prohibit breeding pigs, calves raised for veal, and egg-laying hens from being held in confined spaces.

Question 3 defines confined as meaning that which “prevents the animal from lying down, standing up, fully extending its limbs, or turning around freely.”[1] This law would also apply to business owners who knowingly sell pork, veal, or eggs from animals held in this way, even if the source is outside of Massachusetts.”

a. This question, if approved, would fight for improved living conditions for livestock.

B. “Exceptions to this confinement rule include temporary holding cells for transportation, fairs, medical research, veterinary exams, and other purposes.”

a. The above standards would only apply to permanent residence, not temporary living conditions.

C. “The state attorney general would administer the new law, which would come with a maximum fine of $1,000 could be levied for each violation.”

a. Violators would be fined $1,000.

D. “Supporters such as the MSPCA said that the measure seeks to avoid needless suffering of animals raised for eggs and slaughter, while many opponents say that these practices are generally not practiced in Massachusetts in the first place.”

4. “ If voters say “yes,” Massachusetts will join Colorado, Alaska, Oregon, Washington state and District of Columbia in legalizing marijuana for recreational use.”

A. “Question 4 would legalize and create a commission to regulate marijuana in Massachusetts. Currently, marijuana is only permitted for medicinal purposes.

Under the new law, Individuals at least 21 years old would be able to use it, grow it, and possess it. The measure stipulates that individuals could possess under ten ounces of marijuana inside their homes and under one ounce in public. They could also grow up to six marijuana plants in their homes.”

a. This would make marijuana accessible to anyone at the age of 21 or older. Individuals above the age of 21 could grow up to six marijuana plants at home.

B. “The measure would cre-

ate a regulatory structure called the Cannabis Control Commission.

This body would oversee marijuana legalization and issue licenses to firms that seek to sell marijuana products.”

a. A commission would be created to control the distribution of marijuana in the state.

C. “Under the measure, retail marijuana would be subject to the state sales tax with an additional 3.75 percent excise tax. If it chooses, a local municipality could add another 2 percent tax. Revenue from excise taxes, license application fees, and fines for minor violations of this law would be placed in a Marijuana Regulation Fund, which would help to pay for administrative costs of the new law.”

a. If legalized, marijuana would be taxed.

D. “If approved, marijuana legalization would take effect on December 15, 2016.”

All of these ballot questions have enormous impacts on the state as well as individual cities and districts. The question that is receiving a great deal of attention is question 2; with it comes a heavy disagreement between public school and charter school supporters. The largest issue people tend to have with charter schools, is that they, unlike public schools, don’t have to report to the local school committee. Public schools are responsible for the education of the whole city, while charter schools are only responsible for a small portion of children.

When asked, Malden High principal Edward Lombardi stated that he “definitely [considers himself] more pro-public school than anti-charter school.” He claimed that the only issue he has with charter schools is that they get a large portion of money from the state that would otherwise be going towards public schools. Public schools could be using that money for building academic programs, broadening choices for electives, and hiring more teachers in order to decrease class sizes.

During election season, it is vital that to know about local elections as well as the national elections.

Building a strong opinion on politicians and ballot questions is the key to being satisfied with where you live. In the United States, we the people hold so much power, it is important to use that power to mold the world into one we would like to live in.

Information was pulled from the BallotPedia State Desk and was written by Jackie Beran, Ryan Byrne, Joshua Donovan, Jessica Dravecky, Rebecca Hellmich, Cindy Kehler, Wes Taliani, Samantha Waldroup.

Opinion

The Blue and Gold October 2016

5

maldenblueandgold.com

All Lives Matter or Black Lives Matter?

THINGS FRESHMEN DO Check out the Awkward Moments: Freshman Edition video

by Nicolle Batista that inspired this piece on The Blue & Gold website and YouTube page!

Makesha Mercedat Reporter

T

his is a question as old as time.

How old? Possibly going back to the Civil War old.

The United States has been plagued by systematic racism for decades plunging this country into a great divide. This year’s election has greatly divided us also. But we’re not here to talk about the election.

We’re talking about the recent events that have been happening in the United States between black people (or other people of color) and law enforcement. But it couldn’t possibly be recently if it’s been happening for about 200 years in this country. The tension between black citizens and law enforcement has risen and so have protests.

Since the death of Trayvon Martin, there has been constant debate on and off social media on whose lives matter and I’ve witnessed some of them. And there’s no gray area between those two statements on whose life really matters.

Think about it.

We have come to no solution on this matter of racism and the proof is in the media. African-Americans have endured so much: from being ripped away from their home country and practically becoming footstools to Caucasians, to being forced to sit in the back of the bus; from being forced to sit in the back of the bus to being racially profiled as a thug and shot dead in the middle of the street.

Choked to death, sent to jail and “committed suicide”, stopping and asking for assistance after your car broke down?

Do these sound familiar?

Could you put a face to these issues and tell me who were these victims and what race they were?

Could you?

Of course you couldn’t. Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Terence Crutcher: all African-Americans who were doing harmless things (Eric Garner was actually doing an illegal activity but resisted arrest: but must you rob him away of his oxygen?) but were killed mercilessly and/or in the police’s “self defense”. These deaths have made headlines and the list of victims just keeps getting longer and longer as the days go by.

So what do I think? As a girl who’s been raised in the Christian faith, I believe that no one should be killed by anyone for any reason at all. I believe that peace can be achieved if we all work together as one big community. Riots, killing

From left to right: freshmen Cameron Ryan, Haoxi Wang, Brenda Freitas, Sean Lightbody, Olivia Santengelo, Schekina Pericles, Allison Mallet, Ezra Kruckenberg. Photo taken by Emraude Bonnet.

Emraude Bonnet Reporter

A

s a freshman myself, I definitely understand the struggles we face. Personally, in the first few weeks everything confused me and messed me up.

The whole schedule thing was very confusing, and I usually had to put my schedule as my phone lock screen so I could get from class to class quicker without looking at my paper schedule.

The fact that a class dropped every day seemed complicated at first but is now something that is cherished, considering the fact that for one class a day you don’t have to do the homework assigned that night because you don’t have it the next day.

The periods confused me, and I’ve walked into the wrong classroom and sat down without noticing at least once. It used to take me 10 minutes to find my U.S History class because it was

in Boyle and I didn’t even know the difference between the houses. I accidentally used the wrong locker then got politely threatened with a note saying I was using the wrong locker and they would cut my locker if I didn’t take my stuff out. As most freshman still do, I used to bring all my stuff with me to every class, which resulted in me basically breaking my back, so I used a tip I got from a senior to just switch out my books every few periods.

In addition to being confused about everything and anything, the second week I managed to fall down the stairs in front of a crowd of upperclassmezn. Freshman: 0 High School: 1. Mostly everything I do gets responded to with, “you’re only a freshman,” by my upperclassmen friends.

I’ve been late to classes because I didn’t realize the lines for the bathrooms would be so long. I’ve personally been screwed over by the lunch bells and the fact that certain teachers have certain

police, almost There’s no overthrowing question the government? about it.

This is not our A c country working cording together to stop to the these violent Huffington protests.

But Post, as of black lives need September to stop being of 2016, taken away.

780 people These are fathers have died and mothers from fatal police are tak- Black Lives Matter sign. Photo from WikiMedia. law ening away, and forcement they are not being paid for it. encounters. 193 of those people

Black lives have always mat- (roughly 25%) are black. That’s tered. There’s no historical back- about 200 US citizens being taken ground to All Lives Matter except away from their children or their probably for 9/11. Other than that, parents. The constant racial profilI don’t see any white people fearing ing is taking away lives, ripping this for their lives unless they have any country apart. black relatives. Men and women, old Even some of your favorite ceand young, straight or not: black lives lebrities are protesting through their truly, honestly have truly mattered. art. Such as Beyonce with her recent

lunch periods so you’re either having brunch at 10:45 am or actual lunch at 12:15 pm. Personally, lunch isn’t an exact issue for me because I have the pleasure of knowing my friends from my old school, a few people from the other middle schools, and people from my classes, so it’s not as bad as most movies make lunch for freshman seem. It still is awkward that I bring my own lunch though, because mostly everyone buys school lunch and I usually don’t see anyone else with their own lunch, even though there are most likely 100 kids that bring their own lunch.

I would say there are so many advantages of being in high school, like being able to pick your own electives, and downsides, like not being able to see your best friends if you don’t have any classes together, but altogether, being a freshman is confusing yet exciting, and I can’t wait to see what else is coming my way. visual album “Lemonade”, Kendrick Lamar with his mixtape untitled unmastered. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick has also made headlines by refusing to/taking a knee during the national anthem during 2016 preseason, and other sport teams—local and state teams—have followed.

There voices are being heard, but that isn’t enough.

There needs to be a solution to this problem that lasted for more than 200 years. There’s no such thing as All Lives Matter if black men, women and children are the common denominator in this nation’s racial issue.

Black Lives Matter. Black lives have always, and will always matter. As long as we work together to come together and peace and find a solution, we can all join hands like Martin Luther King said. And it’s obviously clear, we can all hold hands if we trust and love each other.

Local News

6

The Blue and Gold October 2016

maldenblueandgold.com

Class of 2o17 Elections: Christina Appignani Lead Reporter Emraude Bonnet Reporter

D

Senior Year

uring homeroom on Friday, September 23rd, seniors logged onto their chromebooks in homeroom to vote for who would be their final class officers at Malden High School. 24 seniors ran for 7 positions, and each senior put posters around the halls on windows, doors and walls all around the school. The positions available were president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, social media chair, historian and prom committee chair positions.

The winning candidates were Vivian Nguyen as President, Rachel Tran and Jesse Bouley as Vice Presidents, Victoria MacDonald as Secretary, Cleverina Cong as Treasurer, James Mac as Class Historian, Athena Goon as Social Media Chair, Blue and Gold member Leah Tramondozzi and Anna Truong as Prom Committee CoChairs.

The election process was different than any other elections ever at Malden High School - the election was done electronically instead of on paper. Class advisor and 9th grade guidance counselor Heather Northrop explains that this was because seniors had already started senior privileges, explaining that

“the problem with that is [she] has a really hard time getting the message out to all the seniors in the school once senior privileges start, as some seniors come in late, leave early or

are out of the school.” She further explains that doing the elections electronically “allow people who come in late still have the opportunity the vote.”

However, Northrop later realized that there was an error with one of the election ballots. For the vice president section, one of the candidates was left out of the ballots. To fix this, Northrop re-opened the elections on Wednesday, September 28, but only for the vice president positions. The rest of the positions will remain as they were voted in the original election.

Northrop met with all of the other candidates Monday morning, and she said that “[the candidates and her] are all on the same page with this decision.”

Northrop’s last year as a class advisor to the Class of 2017 may be her most challenging one yet, as she is now the sole advi-

sor of the class since her former coadvisor, former chemistry teacher Amelia Collison, switched schools.

While Northrop is a little nervous for this challenge, she believes that “everything will be fine and [she] is confident that [the Class of 2017] will get through the year just fine” She mentioned that “lots of people in the school have come forward to help out the class.” Although she previously had someone else to rely on with Collison, Northrop claims that “[the seniors] have been doing this for so long now that they are very independent.”

The class officers have set some goals for their final year at MHS. President Nguyen hopes to embrace the class motto “Challenge Accepted” She believes that it would “be a major accomplishment to have more of [her class] be prominent in future events”.

She also wants her classmates to look back on senior year as “the best year of their high school career”. Social Media Chair Goon is hoping to “spread the mes-

sage about upcoming class meeting and fundraisers throughout the class’s social media accounts” She also wants her fellow classmates to “feel update and involved in prom decisions” and looks forward to working with her fellow officers.

Clockwise: President Vivian Nguyen, Co-Prom Committee Chair and Blue and Gold member Leah Tramondozzi, Co-Vice President Jesse Bouley, and Secretary Victoria MacDonald. Photos

by Kristy Yang, Nicolle Batista, and Meghan Yip.

The Blue and Gold October 2016

Local News

7

maldenblueandgold.com

Neden Bernadin Lead Reporter Rebecca Oliveira Reporter

L

ots of commotion is going on at the Tornado Travelers club as they prepare for two huge trips, Puerto Rico in February and China in April. They’re still promoting next year’s trip for Hawaii in February, and Italy in the month of April.

Shauna Campbell, who is going on the Puerto Rico trip, said that the Tornado Traveler’s club are currently, “planning fundraisers for all four of those trips that people can support themselves financially to prepare for those.” Their first fundraiser will be a car wash on October 1st. Then a scavenger hunt around the city during spirit week. There are also bake sales that are typically done at the MHS sporting events.

There are five main topics that each of the trips focuses on within the country that they visit, such as language, ecology, food, culture, and history. Depending on where the students choose to travel, Campbell explains that, “Some places have a little bit more history to them

such as a sightseeing tour of old San Juan. Also, visiting El Yancé rainforest, which happens to be the ¨ only tropical rainforest in the American National Forest Sanction¨. The group will have their fair share of free time at the Luquillo and Fajardo Beach.

Whereas, the China trip will last a little longer with 12 days consisted of a tour through Beijing and visiting temples. This trip will be more on the educational side than Puerto Rico. Tours includes the Forbidden City and visiting a traditional Chinese house and eating a meal with

because of monuments, ruins, museums...whereas other places have more vegetation and places to hike, and look for animals.” Both Mr. Marques and Ms. Chan are running the trip to China, which has a more historical and cultural itinerary than Puerto Rico, since it focuses more on nature and ecology.

The Puerto Rico trip will last a total of seven days consisting of fun activities such as snorkeling and taking salsa/cooking lessons. At the same time, the trip will be educational with visiting historical sites

a family. The group will also take bike ride through Kowloon which is a city completely surrounded by walls and see the one of the ancient wonders of the world, The Great Wall of China.

With planning a huge trip, there are a lot of factors going into play on deciding which country the club wants to go each year. They look into student’s interest and making sure it’s an appropriate place to travel depending on the issues going on there. Looking into the media/press was also a huge factor

in the decision-making process. The club has two mandatory meetings with the students learning about the language, food, and cultural differences of the country. Before departing, they must go over the packing lists, hotels, flight itineraries and check in with the student’s parents.

On the 15th of October, there will be a meeting held to discuss the options for the 2019 trip. Ms.Campbell mentioned that there are ¨ different teachers each time,¨ that advises the trip such as Ms. Marquez and Ms. D´Agostino going to Italy in 2018.

Clockwise: View of Athens from the top of the Acropolis. The Parthenon in Athens. The entrance to the ancient Theatre of Herodes Atticus. MHS teachers Sarah Jones and Shauna Campbell posing for a picture in fornt of the Monestery of Saint Luke in Delphi. Photos by Nicolle Batista.

8

Local News

The Blue and Gold October 2016

New Teachers at MHS maldenblueandgold.com

Christina Appignani Lead Reporter Josandy Jeune Reporter

J

ames Eliscar is Malden High School’s newest addition to the foreign language department. Eliscar is very excited to be teaching French II and III at Malden High, but this won’t be his first teaching job. Before coming to Malden High, he taught social sciences at Boston College and Somerville High School. He is originally from Haiti and because of that most of his education was completed there. Eliscar majored in social/political sciences and economics/international relations in college.

Eliscar became passionate about French because “[he] was interested in how French speaking countries (official or not) would have a lot of similarities and differences with things such as their food, cuisines, and their language.”

He is also interested in “a lot of the commonalities the French language

James Eliscar

shares with the rest of the world”.

Eliscar someday hopes to add France to the long list of countries that he has visited. To name a few Eliscar has traveled to Netherlands, Morocco, Senegal, Beneden, Ghana, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Quebec, Sint Maarten, and Dominican Republic.

When asked about how he would like students to view him in his classroom he replied that “[he] does not want his pupils to be afraid to express themselves in French. Even though what [he] might be teaching may be a difficult subject, [he] would like [his students] to do the best [they] can and practice the language as much as possible.”

His co-worker and fellow French teacher Paul Degenkolb was very impressed with Eliscar’s resume. Degenkolb noticed that “[Eliscar] had lots of experience working in different countries on human development as well as tutoring in Haitian Creole.” Degenkolb also “found it great that [Malden High] could find a candidate who is from

a French speaking country [Haiti] and [he] thinks it was an amazing way for the Haitian students to connect more with the teacher and the class.”

Degenkolb thinks that “[Eliscar’s] teaching will impact students differently on how they receive a new perspective on New MHS language teacher James Eliscar. Photo by Ryan French from a non- Hames.

European point travelling because “[he] thinks it’s a of view.” Degenkolb also finds great way to encounter new cultures Eliscar’s teachings “unique in the and meet new people.” Eliscar also sense that traditional methods that takes pleasure in participating in [Eliscar] practiced in Haiti will be non profit organization because it’s brought up to date.” a great way to give back. He enjoys Outside of school in his researching on topics such as social free time Eliscar enjoys reading, inquiries. travelling, and participating in non With his native French backprofit organizations. Eliscar enjoys ground, impressive resume and pasreading because “it is another way sion for teaching, Eliscar is a great to explore the world.” He likes addition to the MHS staff.

Nora Watson Neden Bernadin Lead Reporter Emraude Bonnet Reporter

N

ora Watson, known to students as Miss Watson, is a new math teacher here at Malden High School.

Before arriving here at MHS, Watson worked at the Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School in Boston for one year and also taught in Lawrence, Massachusetts for two years. Now that she’s here at MHS, she’s here to stay.

Watson chose to teach here because she enjoyed the environment, meeting the teachers, and the great diversity that is present at this school. She thinks it is wonderful that this school is so diverse with so many cultures and students with backgrounds from all over the world. Watson states that, “it’s exciting to get to meet so many different people.” She likes the fact that she gets to learn so much just by interacting with her students.

There are things here at MHS that she has to get used to though, like the waterfall schedule, which she thinks takes some adjustment. In her opinion, it is one fast class to the next and it takes some getting used to that a class drops out every day,

New MHS math teacher Nora Watson. Photo by Ryan Hames. but she still likes the overall idea.

When asked if she’s always wanted to teach, Watson responded with a quick, confident, “yes.” She actually came from a line of teachers - from her grandmother to her mother and her father right down to her. After she graduated with a degree of mathematics from Boston

University, she immediately participated in Teach For America, which helps college graduates become a teacher. Watson loves to teach all math classes, specifically geometry, statistics and calculus. Watson also liked teaching chemistry in the past because the labs were fun. She believes that ”teaching can be very

challenging but [she feels] like everyday matters and can make a difference in the life of a student,” and so teaching is a very important job.

As for the students here at MHS, Watson appreciates them and how much they’re helping her as a first year teacher; she thinks her teaching will get better, yet the students think she’s great the way she is. They’re respectful and kind to her, they give her advice and are very helpful. Sophomore Daniel Hong thinks “she’s a great teacher and loves the way she teaches.”

Principal Ted Lombardi thinks she’s great as well. He actually worked on the same campus as her when she worked in Lawrence finds her incredibly smart. He is very excited to have her around.

When she is not teaching, Watson likes to travel and sing. She actually sings with a group called the Tanglewood Singing Choir. She had previously lived in England and has traveled to all types of places like Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. Barcelona is her favorite city in Spain, but she’s lived in Boston since 2010 and loves it here.

She still loves to travel and travels when she can for cheap. She loves to travel because she loves learning about other cultures and loves architecture and seeing new places. She thinks the Tornado Travelers club here at MHS seems interesting because she would love to travel with other students and fellow staff members.

The Blue and Gold October 2016

Local News

9

maldenblueandgold.com

Thomas Snarsky Ryan Hames Head of Photography Sara Zakaria Reporter

T

homas Snarsky is a new official teacher at Malden High.

He teaches mathematics to various grades, the majority freshman. Snarsky previously student taught here at MHS, and also spent sometime in Somerville, Brown University, Providence, and Rhode Island.

Snarsky is from Braintree, and attended Braintree High School.

He recalls his experiences in high school, saying that he ‘wasn’t very social’ and played one sport, which was golf. He remembers how he liked how he went from not knowing many people and feeling uncomfortable, especially during freshman year, to eventually getting to know a lot of people, and having a sense of what the school was, and feeling like he belonged there. Snarsky went on to be enrolled in Tufts University, earning his undergrad and master’s degrees.

The reason Snarsky became a teacher was due to his teachers during his high school years. He

New MHS math teacher Thomas Snarsky. Photo by Ryan Hames. credited them for making him want to go to college and to study and teach math in particular. Snarsky also chose to teach mathematics because of a quote he was inspired by, which was “the essence of mathematics lies in its freedom.” He explained that math, to him, is the only place that you can make stuff up and follow the logical conclusion

of what you made up, and create something beautiful. The people who inspire Snarsky to keep going everyday, are his coworkers and his students. He stated that students and teachers have different energies, so he loves how he not only gets to talk to teachers who have a lot of experience teaching and being at Malden High, but also work with

Julia Stevens Jesaias Benitez Lead Reporter Rebeca Pereira Reporter Michelle Yin Reporter

T

he start of a new school year brings new students and staff members. Julia Stevens, a new staff member, has joined Malden High School science department to teach chemistry to sophomores. Previously, Stevens was a student teacher at the John D. O’Brien School, located in Boston, making this year her very first year teaching at MHS. She chose to teach at MHS, because, ¨[she had] a good feeling about the staff members who interviewed [her],¨ and valued the diversity of MHS and that the students and the staff was very welcoming and friendly. ¨ As any other new staff member or student, Stevens has trouble with finding her way around the school, but in her classroom she is able to ¨interact with students and watch them evolve,¨ throughout the school year which, according to her, are the two most rewarding parts of teaching.

Although she’s new, Stevens has already made an impression on

New MHS science teacher Julia Stevens. Photo by Ryan Hames. her students and colleagues. Martin Berryman, a chemistry teacher at Malden High School, tells us how he immediately saw how passionate and interested Stevens is in her work and how energetic and organized she is. He wondered if she had ever struggled with anything, seeing

that Stevens is so accomplished and dedicated. She made it clear that through college she did struggle but that the key to accomplishing her goals was to try her best and never give up on herself, despite how hard the struggle is.

She believes her determina-

students who are new to this school, and “have a brand new energy.”

When asked what grades he preferred to teach, he said he loves teaching freshmen in particular, and since it’s their first year in high school, he loves to welcome them into the school and the community, like everyone else has done to him when he first came.

Snarsky’s opinions on Malden High remain positive, as he said that he loved the school, and Mr. Brown, the former principal of Malden High, really helped him feel comfortable and at home last year. He’s most excited for getting to know his students and finding out what their strengths and interests are, and learning about the community at large.

Snarsky remembers a time when a mentor teacher told him once to “keep calm and love in your heart,” which relates to being a good teacher. His opinion of a good teacher is a person who can retain a feeling of calm and purposefulness, and also enjoy the content, caring about their students and their success, and showing that. tion is innate because she grew up in a family where ¨parents had high expectations,¨ - she was always inspired to work hard and do well in school. Her love for chemistry, which is very visible to her colleagues, is something that began long ago.

Stevens grew up with parents who worked in science and has had multiple great role models during her career. When asked about who inspires her, Stevens is very honest in her choices: her mother, who inspired her to play her own part as one of the few women in a lab; her mentor at her previous school, whose work ethic she models; and, of course, her very own high school chemistry teacher, whose enthusiasm inspired her interest in chemistry.

When not teaching, Stevens enjoys reading and Taekwondo. She tells of how Taekwondo, which she’s been practicing since before college, has ¨taught [her] patience and confidence,” qualities which she’s been able to carry over to her teaching experience. Most importantly, she values “building relationships with students and colleagues, having fun, and going with the flow so [she doesn’t] get overwhelmed.”

Her goals for this year are to successfully implement her teaching philosophy which revolves around “gradual release of responsibility” through a process she labels “I do, we do, you do”, being more open to possibilities of bettering herself, and hopefully helping people “cringe a little less when they hear about chemistry.”

10

Local News

The Blue and Gold October 2016

maldenblueandgold.com

Mark Gagnon bachelor’s degree in science, minored Sydney Stumpf in health Lead Reporter a n d got his masters Kayla Sousa degree in Reporter education at Cambridge olleyball coach and gym teachCollege. er Mark Gagnon has been pasOriginally sionate about sports his whole life.

Gagnon Born and raised in Malden, wanted Gagnon worked at the YMCA in to teach which he taught swimming lessons younger as a kid. Gagnon credits his passion children for teaching due to his experience in the elat the YMCA as well as being very ementary athletic in school where sports were levels but a creative outlet for him. was ofSurprisingly as a child, Gagnon fered a job recalls that he was very shy and at Malden wished to be either an accountant H i g h or gym teacher but he chose to be School. a gym teacher because he believed

that it would be the better option for U n f orhimself. t u n a t e l y, His experience at the YMCA due to has helped him “come out of his New MHS gym teacher Mark Gagnon. Photo by Ryan Hames. b u d g e t shell” and has made him a more “outgoing and confident person”.

High School Gagnon went to Spring- cuts, he was transferred to the Sa After he attended Malden field College in which he got his lemwood in which he spent most

V

Brian Wong Megan Downer Managing Editor Stefany Foley Reporter Sabrina Monteiro Reporter

M

alden High School is excited to welcome a new addition to the English Department, Brian Wong. Wong was born in Peabody, Massachusetts. Wong has traveled throughout most of the United States, which made a huge impact on how he started working at Malden High as an English teacher.

Wong always loved English when he was in high school but never imagined being an English teacher. During his time in high school, he started working in libraries in Westwood and Natick for four years and then got his masters degree later while working. He went to school for audio engineering and thought that was going to be his career, but decided that field wasn’t for him. Wong then started working at the Apple Store for about a year in detect training and enjoyed it very much, prompting him to go back to school to later

New MHS English teacher Brian Wong. Photo by Ryan Hames. receive two bachelor degrees. Wong, then moved on to getting a job here at Malden High.

Sean Walsh was part of the team that interviewed Wong during the process of hiring him. Walsh enjoyed his fun and positive attitude he emitted at the interview. Walsh noted that ”[he thinks that Wong] brings to us some great energy and

enthusiasm. [Wong] also is someone who [Walsh thinks] brings a real understanding of social and emotional mindfulness, which is really important for the student population.”

Walsh also thinks that Wong “has a lot of things that are strong and positive aspects to the community.”

Every Friday, Wong does “shoutouts” in his class, which is when

of his career. Other than teaching at Malden High School and Salemwood, he also has taught at Melrose and Everett. Up until now he has worked at the Salemwood and due to the new job opening at Malden High School, he chose to “try something new”. Now, Gagnon prefers teaching upper classmen due to their “maturity level” and because he finds them to be “less impulsive”.

He is excited to start a new chapter of his life at Malden High School.

Gagnon’s hobbies include playing golf, swimming, traveling, and over the years has learned to enjoy reading as well. He has traveled to Aruba, all the Carribean islands, Canada, Florida and has yet to travel to Europe.

He also is a “huge Celtics fan” and enters the biggest fan contest in which he usually “comes in the top 3” states Charle Conefrey, the Athletics Director at Malden High School.

Along with being a huge Celtics fan, Charlie Conefrey also states that Gagnon has a “great teaching reputation” as well as “an extensive background in teaching.”

Lombardi credits Gagnon’s hiring for his “energetic personality” and believes he will be a “ great addition to the Malden High School staff.” students share something that they are grateful for. Wong would ask them what they value because he believes that it gives them a sense of respect and the comfort to share and grow. Walsh believes that students will respond well to Wong.

Margaret Giberson was another member of the team that interviewed Wong. Giberson had a lot to say about Wong’s personality and how he has a lot more to offer due to his path to becoming an educator. Giberson also said “My first impression of [Wong] is that he’s extremely enthusiastic and charismatic. You can tell immediately that he just wants to engage his students in a meaningful way.”

Giberson was glad to have someone like Wong working within the English department at Malden High.

Wong has two pet cats, Stormy and Rae, which he absolutely LOVES to cuddle with. Stormy is 10 years old, diagnosed with liver cancer, however; he seems to be walking and eating well. Rae is 6 years old and was found and rescued while she was a stray. Wong also used to speak Cantonese from ages two to four, but lost everything he knew once he started school. Wong noted that “[he is] really ashamed that [he] lost it.”

Wong encourages his students who are bilingual to be grateful because it is very unfortunate to be able to do something, and suddenly realize it’s gone. Wong hopes that he will be able to help his students learn, grow, and value their opportunities that lie ahead.

The Blue and Gold October 2016

Local News

11

maldenblueandgold.com

Arielle McCoy Anna Powers Head of Local News Jemisha Syliant Reporter Ana Pirosca Reporter

M

alden High School welcomes new teachers every year,, and along with a new teacher comes a new aura of excitement, nervousness, and determination. Arielle McCoy, who can be found by the signature Pikachu on her door, is ready for the new year of Algebra 2 (CP and Honors), and Intermediate Algebra. McCoy’s journey from California to New Mexico to finally here in Massachusetts proves that she knows a thing or two about adjusting. Her fresh face radiates excitement to teach and learn.

McCoy studied and lived across the continent. Although she was born in California, her studies began at New Mexico University with chemical engineering, and later to Smith college to study math. When she finally arrived to Tufts University, here in Boston, McCoy decided to earn her masters in math education.

New MHS math teacher Arielle McCoy. Photo by Ryan Hames.

It is quite evident that McCoy enjoys working with kids. Growing up, she always felt like a peer tutor. “[She] was always someone who liked to help other people [because] [she] honestly [believes] that if [she] can get to the top, [she doesn’t] want to leave [her] peers behind. [She wants] to help them get up there too so that [they] can reach even higher levels.” Thus, McCoy thought teaching would be a great job for her, because “it’s kinda like

giving back to the community as well, but also just uplifting everyone and making them believe that they can do anything they set their minds to.” Her ultimate goal is to change peoples’ feelings towards math, “It’s very rare that [she comes] across students or people in general who say ‘I can do math and I like it,’ so [she’s] hoping that [her] personality is pretty fun and engaging.”

We spoke with Ms. Gibbons about her first time meeting McCoy,

Miranda Libkin Rebecca Oliveira Reporter Toby Pitan Reporter

M

iranda Libkin is making her encore at teaching at Malden High School.

Many teachers and students admire her bubbly, funny personality and how she goes out of her way to always be there to help her students in whatever way she can.

Not only is she a funny person to be around, Libkin is also a great storyteller, which goes hand-in-hand with teaching English and Drama/ Theater. When asked to describe her as a teacher, Damian Aufiero stated that Libkin “loves students maybe more than teaching,” and that “she’s a very kind and gentle person”. According to Aufiero, Libkin is the kind of person who always tries to “find the positive in people...she’s so able to focus on the good things that keeps everyone in good perspective.”

Libkin says she is glad to be a returning member to Malden High School’s staff and to be back in the warm and friendly environment that MHS has to offer. During her

New MHS English and drama/theater teacher Miranda Libkin. Photo by Ryan Hames. absence last year, Libkin taught English Language Arts (ELA), to middle schoolers--mainly sixth graders--at Forestdale Elementary School here in Malden. She says that she “totally admire[s] people who teach middle school but [she] [is] definitely a high school teacher.” While teaching middle school, Libkin found that she “really love[s] to help students make connections” whether it be “connecting [their] lives to the things [they]

are reading, or maybe connecting two different characters together.”

English is only one of the subjects that Libkin teaches here at MHS. Libkin is also a Play Production (Play Pro) instructor who uses her extensive background in theatre and performance to help students hone their acting, dance, and storytelling skills. She appreciates the wide-range of the classes that she teaches and describes how

since both are in the math department, and have neighboring classrooms. Gibbons’ first impression of her was very positive, noting how enthusiastic and knowledgeable she seemed. Despite the fact that Gibbons doesn’t teach Intermediate Algebra, she’s confident that McCoy will offer good things to the school.

This year at Malden High School, Intermediate Algebra is a new class that’s designed for kids who might struggle in Algebra 1 and require a little assistance in Algebra 2. McCoy was pleasured with the fact of being able to help these students. “[McCoy] usually [runs] into students who say ‘I hate math’; ‘I’m not good at math’; ‘I’m terrible at math”, and she believes she will be able to help students believe the opposite by being relatable and interesting.

McCoy wants her students to help her be the best teacher she can be simply by being who they are because “people are who they are, and there is a lot of diversity in that, and [she likes] to learn about peoples’ cultures, peoples’ languages, and it’s just fun to get to know people as themselves.” Overall, she loves what she does, and is very happy to join Malden High School in another year of learning, “[McCoy is] living [the] dream, [she] absolutely [loves] what [she does].” one morning she went from teaching a dance combination to teaching an english class about article claims over the span of two periods.

She says that it some ways she is adjusting to balancing Play Pro and English, especially as they are consecutive periods, but she also admits that “it will always probably be a little bit crazy.”

There have been a few major changes to the MHS faculty during Libkin’s absence. Dana Brown, the former Principal of MHS retired with Mr. Lombardi assuming the current role. She is beginning to familiarize herself with Mr. Lombardi as the new principal and says that “[she] [has] had really good conversations with him”. She says “it would have been nice to be here for his last year” and upon hearing about Mr. Brown Day, she says “[she] wish[es] [she] was [here] to be apart of that.” However, Libkin says that she’s relieved that not a lot of the things that she loves about MHS has changed since she left.

Check out the rest of the new teacher profiles at maldenblueandgold.com

Local News

12

The Blue and Gold October 2016

maldenblueandgold.com

MHS Welcomes KISS Forever

Falyn Kelley Reporter

O

n September 24th, 2016, people of all ages lined up at Malden High School’s Jenkins auditorium to see KISS Forever take over the stage with passion and dedication to the rock and roll scene.

The band, forming in late 2009 with a goal to give a real KISS concert experience, performed a great show at the Malden High auditorium with all profits being used to benefit the Malden Teen Enrichment Center and Malden High School.

The event was the brainchild of Paul Hammersley, founder of Malden-based media company, 3MG Boston. With the help of promotion by the Malden Teen Enrichment Center and support from the mayor Gary Christenson, the concert was able to be given birth to.

After seeing KISS Forever perform in North Reading, impressed, Paul Hammersley decided he would like to help get the band to play in Jenkins Auditorium. Hammersley and Rob Smith, who performs as “Space Ace,” took the idea into discussion and after both of them coming to an agreement, they decided to set up a concert at Malden High to help the Teen Enrichment Center.

KISS Forever has done many concerts for charity in the past. In

2011, they were able to raise $1300 dollars for the Jon Davies Children Fund. In addition, they donated an autographed Washburn Iceman guitar. The guitar was autographed by all of the members of KISS. $5500 was made auctioning the guitar and was also given to the Jon Davies Children Fund.

Cathy Macmullin, MTEC Coordinator, explains just how well the concert went. “The event went better than [they] thought it would, [since they] raised over $4000.

[She] think[s] when it’s all said and done [they will] be closer to $5000.” The money from the event is to be used for programming for the teen center.

The concert was a huge success for all involved. KISS Forever has proved to us that they are not just an ordinary tribute band you see everyday. They gave the audience all of the energy they had with non-stop

The Blue and Gold October 2016

Local News

13

maldenblueandgold.com

Top to bottom, left to right: Demon, Space Ace, and Starchild performing. MTEC receiving proceeds from the concert. Demon singing a KISS song. Starchild, Demon, and Space Ace performing. Mayor Gary Christenson giving a speech. Starchild playing his guitar. Demon, Starchild, and Space Ace performing, Members of MTEC posing with Demon and Catman. Photos courtesy of MTEC. Taken by Jarid Masiel.

rock and roll for almost 3 whole hours. “It was probably the best and the biggest night in the history of KISS Forever.” Smith, explained.

After performing an amazing show, the band took the time to greet spirited fans and have pictures taken. The band is enthusiastic about music and were thrilled to see that same enthusiasm be mirrored by the crowd filled with people from 6 years old to 60.

“I’m living out a dream that I’ve had since I was 8.” Smith stated.

“One of the best things about the event was being able to give back to my city; I’ve lived here all of my life,” he explained.

“It was amazing watching [Rob Smith] on stage, I was so proud of him. I’ve always danced on the stage, but to see him up there so happy, it made me proud.” Brooke Smith, current MHS junior and daughter of Rob Smith stated.

Due to the passionate fans at Malden High, the band hopes to be shown the same love and affection yet again at another concert here in Malden. Another concert in the auditorium is a wish, but the band’s greatest desire is to perform in MacDonald Stadium.

“It was everything I wanted it to be and then some,” Rob Smith proudly said.

14

Local News

The Blue and Gold October 2016

maldenblueandgold.com

Ask The Principal consider seeing guidance and adjustment counselors. The amount of homework given to students is very difficult to control because it’s Christina Appignani ultimately up to each individual Lead Reporter teacher, but Lombardi offers two solutions to minimize students’ stress.

Rebeca Pereira Lombardi talked about the Reporter ability of teams of teachers at each grade level to be able to coordinate alden High School has seen homework for each night as well many changes this past year, as updating online resources like perhaps the largest of which being Google Classroom as soon as poswhen former principal Dana Brown sible for students to be able to manstepped down from his position. On age their time in the least stressful Monday, September 26th, Malden manner.

High School opened its doors to stu Lombardi was also quick to dents and families to meet the new address the spring budget cuts and principal, Edward Lombardi, in this the major influx of students by reasyear’s “Ask the Principal” night. suring worried parents that many Before opening situations the floor to questions, are being Lombardi connected sorted out with his audience by and others explaining his origins would simas a Malden native. He ply require talked about his childthat the dishood, attending MHS, trict adjust. his previous jobs and Although related it all to his curmany aspects rent teaching philosohave been phy. Lombardi started changed, out as a TV news Lombardi reporter but, after deinformed ciding his vocation lied parents that in education, he began “[MHS] alhis teaching experience ready has a working at Lawrence lot of good High School. things going Edward Lombardi answering parents’ questions.

Photo by Rebeca Pereira.

MHS principal for it, such Edward Lombardi answering a ents had about the structure of MHS as a lot of great partnerships, great question. Photo by Rebeca Pereira. in relation to scheduling, the house staff, great classes and great stuMHS principal Edward Lom- system, guidance and adjustment dents.” bardi answering a question. counselors, and a new approach to Parents were informed about Lawrence High is a much homework. the collaboration between Bunker smaller school with a less substan Lombardi acknowledges Hill Community College and MHS, tial staff meaning that many deci- that 9th grade transitions are hard which has only gotten stronger as sions fell to him as the principal. for every student and parent. Get- former principal Brown now works There, he learned to implement ting adjusted to the schedule and to at BHCC. Right now, Lombardi’s an outlook which he goal is to has carried over with “learn as him to MHS: to make much as decisions intelligently, [he] can in and not for the sake [his] first of making decisions. year” about But, naturally, changes MHS sayentail adjustments. ing that Lombardi was “the more pleasantly surprised [he gets] at the efficiency of into the MHS’s extensive staff process, the and is eager to be able more he to meet most, if not all, [grows] to MHS students very love MHS.” soon. Then, Lombardi spent as much time as possible with the floor open to the parents, as he claimed that “[he] needs to know what [parents] concerns and Edward Lombardi answerissues are, so that [we] as a school fluctuating quantities of homework ing parents’ questions. can react in the right way and keep can be a very hard on some students, Photo by Rebeca Pereira. [parents] involved as well as help- which is why it’s so important to

M

ing [students] succeed.”

The night began with a question very important to many students which regarded MHS wifi. Lombardi approached the topic by talking about the importance of a student’s voice in their school.

During the 2015-2016 school year, many students joined on Twitter to bring awareness to the poor internet connection at MHS, a change mayor Gary Christenson was willing to help achieve.

Lombardi states “Wi-Fi is one of those things where you know it’s working if you don’t hear about it” and the fact that he “[hasn’t] really heard any complaints about it” indicates progress. The principal then addressed some questions par-

FIRST NEW ENGLAND MUSLIM FESTIVAL

Prayer taking place at the festival.

Photo by Abhishek Rana.

Kayla Sousa Reporter

T

he first New England Muslim Festival was held on Sunday September 25th at the City Hall Plaza in Malden and took place from 11:30 a.m to 6:00 p.m. The event was free to the public in which thousands of people joined to spread awareness of Muslim Culture.

The evening was filled with traditional folk dance, rap music, face painting as well as temporary body art called Henna. Traditional art, colorful clothing, skin care products and food was sold at the event as well. There was an area designated to the whole community as well as for children with bouncy houses and traditional games at the communities leisure.

Before the evening began the Muslim community centered around the mosque and worshiped in which they kneeled and prayed to Allah. After, they settled around the centered stage in which the program began. Mayor of Malden, Gary Christianson, began the event by giving a speech in Arabic and quoted former president Jimmy Carter by describing our diverse world and community as “a mosaic”.

Congresswoman, Katherine Clark, then followed by stating how thrilled she was to the attend and stand together with the Muslim community during a period of “divisive political rhetoric which is heard from candidates”. She then followed by saying how “the Muslim culture enriches our neighborhoods, our communities and the commonwealth in the New England region”.

Up next was Chemist and Festival Director Mohammed Shadid.

As he delved deeper into his speech he stated that “ Islam doesn’t preach violence” but “encourages education and civilization”. The enormity of negative media about Islam has reached its peak throughout the last couple of months due to the the incidents in New York and New Jersey but Mohammed Shadid stated that “Islam is not what is seen on the media”.

The whole evening was a day to celebrate in which the community came together and learned about true Muslim American culture and tradition’s.

The Blue and Gold October 2016

Local News

15

maldenblueandgold.com

Danny's Run

Malden School Bus Cuts Ailin Toro Lead Reporter

I

Alysha McDevit Lead Reporter A year ago, Malden lost a friend, a son, a student, and teammate. Josue “Danny” Quispe was a dear friend to many, and to carry on his legacy, his family is hosting “Danny’s Run”.

This charity race will take place November 13 at Pine Banks. Registration can be done online at www.gofundme.com/DannysRun, by calling 978-907-5797, or by arriv-

ing at Pine Banks at 9am the day of the race (11/13/16 at the Sylvan St. parking lot). The race will begin at 10am, and the registration fee, which is $20 for Malden High students and $25 for anyone else, includes a long sleeved shirt, and all proceeds made at the event will be donated to Saint Jude’s Cancer Research Hospital.

School Council Meeting Alysha McDevit Lead Reporter

T

he Malden High School Council met at the high school on October 13 to discuss the school data. Principal Edward Lombardi briefed the Council on a variety of topics: how MCAS is scored, how those scores impact the school, and pitched a number of ideas that might help increase scores.

Lombardi stated that “knowing the game we’re playing” is extremely important and expressed the importance of understanding how standardized tests impact the school. The first thing he explained was the Performances and Progress Indicator (PPI), which is an accumulation of test results and other statistics within the school, that plays a large role in classifying schools into levels. For K-8 schools, the only thing that measures is how many students score proficiently on their MCAS as well as the student growth throughout their MCAS experiences. For high schools, both the proficiency and the growth influence the PPI, but graduation and dropout rates are also taken into account.

Lombardi made sure to address a common misconception about how different students affect the PPI and other classifications; it is often believed that ELL students and Special Education students poorly influence the school’s data.

However, Lombardi claims quite the opposite: Special Education students who qualify get a specific form of the test, known as MCASalt, which is assessed differently,

and ELL students actually are quite beneficial to the system, because their growth rate is a huge boost in the school’s PPI. The Council began briefly discussing a variety of ways to help continuously improve MHS’ scores on the MCAS. The “Writing with Colors” reading and writing program got brought up, in which students are taught to break apart texts into claim, evidence, reason, sentence starters, and words and phrases using different colored highlighters. Lombardi claimed that in the school he worked at previously, students were taught to analyze essays with this method, and their test scores had incredibly high growth rates. Giving students a visual aid will obviously not transform test scores, but the Council agreed that it would give students more confidence in their writing. Everyone at the meeting seemed to agree that if the school focuses on helping students graduate in 4 years, by getting good grades and passing their MCAS tests, the graduation rate would increase; an increased graduation rate and a decreased dropout rate would greatly improve MHS’ PPI, which would be a large step closer to becoming a Level 1 or 2 school.

Although he has only been principal for a few months, Lombardi, along with the School Council, has already begun changing the high school and will continue trying to improve the school with the students’ best interests in mind.

Stefany Foley Reporter

n the Spring of 2016, the Malden Public School committee took a vote on whether or not to discontinue the grades K-6 public transportation.

The committee ended up voting yes to discontinue the school buses for the 2016-2017 school year. This cut was due to the $2.5 million budget gap in the school department and since transportation was $400k it was a unanimous vote to stop the funding for it. Joseph Gray, someone who is involved in the budget management of the city, says that he thinks the school bus cuts are “the latest casualty over many years of budget battles and casualties in the Malden city budget”. Mayor Gary Christenson talked about how the decision to cut of the buses was also “in an effort not to cut teaching and learning”.

However these changes do not apply to the students that have Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 Plans and receive the transportation due to this. Because of this over 100 students would have been taking the now discontinued school busses, had to figure out what to do.

At a School Committee meeting on August 29, 2016, they discussed the topic of the school bus cuts and about an option of parents paying for alternate transportation. There is a survey parents can take online to see how many parents and families might be interested in the proposed solution. They want to know if they would be interested in sharing the costs of the transportation by having to pay a fee for the 2016-2017 school year. Mayor Christenson says that they are “still exploring this option” so the cost hasn’t been settled. However, he mentions that they will try “to keep [the cost] reasonable and [to] be as fair as possible”.

Some parents and guardians have been upset by this change because for some of them it meant their children would not have a way to get to school anymore. When asked parents talked about how one of the most upsetting parts of this cut was the amount of time they gave them to figure out what they were going to do for the school year. Fern Remedi-Brown says it felt “like the rug was being pulled out from under [them]” because they were “scrambling, trying to figure out what to do”. Some had to consider moving so they could be closer to the school or even switching their children out of the schools they’ve always been in.

Some parents have had to change their routine with some having to walk their children to the bus stop and others having to leave an hour earlier than before and having to pay for morning care at school so that they can drop off their children and still make it in time for work. Parents worried about the lack of safety on the MBTA buses go on the bus with them to and from school.

When asked about how they feel Malden officials have dealt with this, Jen Hendrey, someone who has become very vocal about the problems caused by the cut, says that in the first couple of weeks the “staff in the superintendent’s office ignored [the] parents”. She says that they “refused to schedule a meeting with [them]” and didn’t take their concerns seriously.

That was until she managed to get in contact with the interim superintendent Charles Grandson, who was hired June 20th, 2016.

Hendrey says Grandson was completely willing to meet with parents and describes him as someone who “has been really genuine with [the parents] and [seems to care] about the families’ experience”.

Remedi-Brown echoes this saying that Grandson has “shown true leadership by [making himself] available to meet with parents” and that he “has been proactive in [trying] to find solutions.

When asked about the cost-share transportation plan Nicole Queen says that she might be willing to participate in it depending on the cost. Remedi-Brown adds on saying that she is open to the idea but she has a lot of questions about it. One of them being that since it is said that “ all of the families who are eligible for free or reduced lunches would have subsidized or free cost-share buses, where will the money come from to pay for the buses?”

Mayor Christenson says that to help resolve students in the meantime “ been able to obtain MBTA passes for students. He also says that he is “working with the Superintendent and the School Committee to try and find viable solutions that won’t impact the classroom”. When asked about the possibility of the school buses coming back in the 2017-2018 school year he says he is “unsure at this point but if the numbers come in that were used to build our current budget then [he thinks] it’s unlikely”.

Sports

16

The Blue and Gold October 2016

maldenblueandgold.com

Boys Soccer: Getting a Kick out of the season Subin Bastola Reporter

A

s the season has begun for the Malden Golden Tornadoes boys soccer team, they take on the field with a determined mindset.

Malden lost their first home conference game of the season on Wednesday, September 21st against Everett with a score of 5-2. Though, this year’s team is looking forward to getting a good record and possi-

goal of the team this year is to stay strong and beat Everett and get back in the Greater Boston League Championship. Pereira also stated that “as long as [they] work together as a team [they will] definitely make it to GBL.” Senior Samuel Pettigrew is very excited of this season, mentioning that the “team has lot of potential”, Pettigrew added that “the team just has to learn how to work together.” Pettigrew has been passionate about soccer since his childhood.

The boys soccer team played against their biggest rival, the Med-

ford Mustangs on Friday September 30th. Pereira added that “Medford has been a tough opponent for the last few years.” Even though the team has defeated tons of other teams, but they were not able to beat Medford. Defender Pettigrew stated that, “the team has to be more

defensive and provide chance for striker to score a goal.”

The boys soccer team is very confident. Although they have had pretty rough start, they will work their hardest together there is no doubt that they will take the GBL and the State Tournament.

Sophomore Waldir Yacsavilca getting ready to kick the ball. Photo by Jesaias Benitez.

Senior Hamza Rizvancevic running after the ball. Photo by Abhishek Rana. bly even exceeding their record from last year.

The team is coached by head coach Jeremiah Smith.

This year the boys soccer team is led by junior Patrick Pereira.

He states that “this year's team is very different from the previous year’s.” Last year the team had players who were well-known in school. Their stardom helped them have more support and encouragement whereas this year the team has to depend on one another.

The team has bunch of new players.

Captain Pereira stated that “there are new players who played for JV last year and are still comprehending rapport Sophomore Douglas Oliveira Do Nascimento running after the ball. Photo by of the team. The main Abhishek Rana.

The Blue and Gold October 2016

Sports

17

maldenblueandgold.com

Field Hockey: Sticking into the Season Michelle Yin Reporter

T

influence like her coach did.

Senior Caitlyn Leonard, another captain of the field hockey team says “[They] all get along so well and have each others’ backs.

Being a part of the team has also made [her] proud to be one of the captains of the Malden High School field hockey team because the players [they] have are truly resilient.”

Leonard has been playing field hockey since the sixth grade. She wants to inspire other young girls to join field hockey.

The last captain out of the three captains is senior Julia Cocuzzo.

She also believes that the team has improved a lot. “[She’s] extremely grateful to have players that push themselves everyday and even though [their] records might not show it, the team works hard to become a better team and better players.”

The team is more than ready. As Mulcahy said “[They] really want to go out with a bang”.

he field hockey team has hit it off with a brand new season ahead of them, the team is more than adrenalized for anything that awaits them. With new add-ons to the team, all members as well as the coaches expects to see splendid games this season.

The team has been putting their full efforts in game or in practice. Despite not winning a game yet, the team is positive that they are stronger than ever and will soon win. The girls are working harder than ever and putting their best efforts to start the season off with a good beginning.

According to one of the three captains on the team, senior Erin Mulcahy, not only has the team been improving every day but herself as well. “[She thinks] that every day [they] get stronger and stronger, [they] push ourselves and each other everyday. Winning isn’t everything for [them], [they] focus more on communication and Sophomore Queenie Dang trying to keep the ball away from the opponent. Photo by perseverance.” Mulcahy Abhishek Rana. has been playing all four years of her high school career, and hopes to continue this passion for field hockey in college.

Coach Kimberly Barber, states that the team has been growing little by little and she is very proud of this years team. “[They] grow with every game. [They] set small goals to help [them] grow and develop every game. [She’s] very proud of the steps [they’ve] taken thus far,” states Barber.

Barber had played field hockey when she was younger and wants to have Senior Erin Mulcahy protecting the ball from the oppenents. Photo by Abhishek Rana.

Erin Mulcahy

Erin Mulcahy posing for a photo taken

by Michelle Yin. Michelle Yin Reporter How long have you been playing the sport, and what has made you stay loyal to this sport?

I’ve been playing all four years of high school. I stayed with it because as soon as I picked up that stick, I fell in love. I loved the constant challenge of the sport and how hard I had to work to succeed. I push myself everyday and fall more in love with it. In the fall, I am hoping to play in college.

What or who influenced you to play this sport?

I chose this sport because my sister Mariah used to play when she was in high school.

How do you think the rest of the season will go? Are you guys prepared?

I think that every day we get stronger and stronger, we push ourselves and each other everyday.

Winning isn’t everything for us, we focus more on communication and perseverance.

What do you think you need to improve, if so what do you think the team need to improve on?

We could improve on our communication and trust on the field.

We need to make sure we all have each others back, no matter what.

What do you like about being part of the team?

With our team, we all are one big family. I love knowing these people have my back, whether it’s in a play, or if it’s out in the world.

What is your goal for this year?

My goal, as well as my other captains, is to put our practice to work and win a couple games.

What are you opinions with about the games played so far?

We haven’t won a game yet, but I’m positive that will be changing soon.

18

Sports

The Blue and Gold October 2016

maldenblueandgold.com

Malden High Football: Tackling the Season Abhishek Rana Lead Reporter

T

he Malden High football team have had an up and down start their season so far. Under the leadership of their new head coach, Bill Manchester, the Golden Tornadoes have started the season with a 2-3 record. However, despite the record saying otherwise, it seems that the Tornadoes have turned their season around after an underwhelming start.

Starting the season 0-3, after losses against Methuen, Peabody, and Malden Catholic, the Tornadoes looked to turn their season around. They got that chance on September 30th, where they hosted their GBL rivals Somerville at MacDonald stadium. The previous week they had lost a close game against their city rivals, the Malden Catholic Lancers. With the game on the line and their offence being positioned in the redzone, the Tornadoes were stopped by the Lancer defence from tying the game. This had resulted in Malden High to lose the last two games by just a touchdown.

However, the Tornadoes’ season finally got going after the game against Somerville. Just like the week before, the Tornadoes

were in another close game against their opponent. With less than five minutes left, Malden were leading 19-13, but Sommerville were driving and threatening to tie the game and take the lead. However on second down and two, Somerville’s screen pass was jumped and intercepted by junior Marlon Cook who returned it untouched for a pick-6.

This finally allowed Malden to get their first win of the season with the score of 25-19.

After the game, junior Walter Analetto reflected on the importance of their first victory of the season. He mention that “[they] finally got the taste of victory” which he feels will drive “[them to do better].” When asked about what the difference was between winning a close game down the stretch, as opposed to losing their first three games in similar situations, Analetto stated that “[he] thought that that week, [they] had the best week of practice of the season.” He continued to say that “[this] allowed [them] to not give up, and finally catch a break that [they had] been looking for all season.”

Malden followed their first win, with another victory down the stretch against Lowell the very

Junior Kelly Jean-Louis in the end zone. Photo by Abhishek Rana. next week. Going into the game Lowell had a 3-2 record compared to Malden’s 2-3 record. However despite the difference in record, the game was tightly contested and went to triple overtime. The Tornadoes were able to pick up the victory, thanks to a rushing touchdown from captain and junior, quarterback Jared Martino, who gave Malden a 48-42 victory in triple overtime.

When asked about the start they have had this season, captain and junior quarterback, Jared Martino responded by saying that “[they] have started this season pretty roughly but for the most part [they] have had opportunities to win each game

[they] played.” However he also added that “[they] have really come together” these last few weeks and have “momentum on [their] side.”

Martino went to say that “[they] now know what it takes to win”, and hope to “make the playoffs and win the GBL” for the second year in a row.

The contrast between losing games by executing down the stretch, and winning by doing the opposite has given the Tornadoes a confidence boost heading into mid season. The team hopes to use their boosted confidence to continue winning games and build upon this run.

Malden VS Somerville Abhishek Rana Lead Reporter

O

n Friday September 30th, The Malden High Golden Tornadoes hosted the Somerville Highlanders at Macdonald Stadium for their fourth game of the season.

Coming into the game Malden High had a 0-3 record, losing some close games down the stretch. They needed to turn their season around to gain some Momentum heading into mid-season. The weather however, did not seem to be on the side of the Tornadoes. Due to the rain many of the supporters were not able to attend the game which essentially negated the Tornadoes of their home-field advantage.

However, despite tough conditions, the Tornadoes were able to win the game 25-19 thanks to a big performance by junior, Isaiah Likely and pick-6 by junior, Marlon Cook with 3:02 left in the game.

The Highlanders started the first drive of the game at their own 25 yard line after the opening kick-

off. The drive started promisingly for Somerville, the first play was a handoff to Jr. Henry Augustine who managed to move the chains. However on the very next set of downs, the Tornado defense was able to stand strong. After a fumble recovered for a loss by the Highlanders, they decided to go deep on second down but the Tornadoes caught a big break as a sure touchdown pass was dropped by Somerville. This forced a third and long in which Malden was able to make the tackle shy of the first down. Somerville was forced to punt, and the Tornado offense took the field for their first drive of the of the game at their own 38 yard line.

After getting a first down onto Somerville territory, the Tornadoes faced a third down and six at the 42 yard line of Somerville. However, much like the Highlanders, the Tornadoes were forced to punt after junior quarterback Jared Martino was sacked, forcing a fourth and long.

The Highlanders next drive was plagued by numerous penalties by both teams. After two handoffs

junior Henry Augustine, the Highlanders were already at midfield.

On first and ten at the Malden 46, Highlanders completed a pass towards the Malden 30 yard line.

After two straight 5 yard penalties on Malden, first for encroachment and the next for offsides, Somerville was in the redzone for the first time in the game. However on second down, an offensive holding penalty pushed the Highlanders back to 30 yard line. Somerville was helped out again after another flag on Malden for offsides, making it second and and fifteen at the Malden 25 yard line. Eventually the Tornado defense were able to force Somerville to go for it on 4th and 16, but their pass attempt was intercepted by Senior, Paccem Mosie at Malden’s 7 yard line.

Malden began the drive deep in their own territory. The Highlanders forced Malden into a fourth and inches at their own twelve yard line.

However, before the down could be played, the first quarter ended scoreless.

To get something going on of-

fense, head coach William Manchester decided to go for it in a tough situation. His decision paid off after junior quarterback, Jared Martino picked up the first down through a QB keeper. After the conversion Malden was able to get all the way to the Somerville 22 yard like, thanks to a reception from Junior Isaiah Likely who was able to take a short pass near their own 30 yard line and stiff arm a defender to get huge yards after the catch. However the trend continued, as a fifteen yard penalty on Malden backed them up again. Eventually Malden faced a 4th and 5 at the redzone, and again head coach William Manchester decided to go for it. However, this time his decision did not pay off. An endzone shot to junior, Isaiah Likely fell incomplete, forcing a turnover on downs.

The Highlanders offense took over at their own 17 yard line but were again backed up by a offensive holding, which resulted in the ball being placed half the distance to the goal. However, the penalties continued, as right after Malden got

The Blue and Gold October 2016

Sports

19

maldenblueandgold.com

Clockwise: MHS offense lining up before the play.

Junior Edouard Bazile tackling an MC player.

Junior captain Jared Martino running the ball. All photos by Abhishek Rana.

flagged for another encroachment.

This made it 1st and 13 at their own 14 yard line for Somerville. However on the first official play of the drive, a Somerville receiver got in behind the Malden secondary and opened the scoreboard with an 86 yard touchdown reception. However, the Highlanders missed the extra-point giving them only six points from that drive.

With 4:58 left in the first half, Somerville attempted a surprise onside kick, but got called for an illegal touching penalty, giving the ball to the Tornadoes at the Somerville 39 yard line. After a defensive pass interference on Somerville, Malden got a first down at the redzone.

Eventually Malden were forced into a fourth and goal at the Highlander 4 yard line with 14 seconds left in the half. Head coach, William Manchester again decided to go for it on fourth down. This time his decision paid off as junior quarterback Jared Martino ran it in himself for the first touchdown of the game for the Tornadoes. However much like the Highlanders, Malden also missed its extra-point attempt. The game was tied at six as time ran out in the second half.

Somerville took over with great field position, thanks to a big kickoff return by junior, Lucas St. Jean to

the Malden 34 yard line. Despite the great field position, the Highlanders could not capitalize on the ensuing drive. The Tornado defense forced the Highlanders to a field goal attempt from Malden’s 21 yard line.

The long field goal was missed wide

on Somerville that helped them out.

Back to back penalties on the Highlander defense, one for a face mask and the other for defensive pass interference, moved the ball into Somerville territory. The Tornadoes were able to drive to the Highlander

Sophomore Kamerin Williams about to tackle a Somerville player.

Photo by Abhishek Rana. left by the Somerville kicker.

The Tornado offense took the field at their own 21 yard line hoping to take the lead for the first time all game. The Tornadoes did just that but this time it was the penalties

3 yard line. On first and goal, junior quarterback Jared Martino ran it into the endzone to give Malden the lead with 4:55 left in the game. However, the extra point was missed again giving Malden a 19-13 lead.

Somerville needed to answer or risk time running out. However on second down and two, Somerville’s screen pass was jumped and intercepted by junior Marlon Cook who returned it untouched for a pick-6.

To give Malden a 14 point advantage, head coach William Manchester decided to try a two point attempt. Junior quarterback, Jared Martino tried a fade to junior Isaiah Likely, but the pass was incomplete, giving Malden a 25-13 lead with 3:02 left in the game.

With so little time left, and a two possession game, there was a very slight chance that Somerville could mount a comeback. Malden played a very conservative defense, allowing Somerville to move the chains but chew lots of clock along the way. Eventually, Somerville was able to score a touchdown with 1 second left in the game. However, time ran out as the onside kick attempt by Somerville was recovered

by Malden, giving them their first win of the season.

However Analetto also mentioned that “[they] made a lot of mental errors [in that] game, which put [them] in some tough positions.”

He concluded that “[they] have to fix the mental errors, and not get so many penalties if [they] want to beat Lowell next game.”

Sports

20

The Blue and Gold October 2016

maldenblueandgold.com

Toby Pitan Reporter Sara Zakaria Reporter

L

At Franklin, we have a vast selection of top brands for SKIN CARE, HUMAN HAIR EXTENSION, and WIGS. As a trusted retailer of authentic beauty products in Massachusetts, we at Franklin are dedicated to customers and satisfaction. We are proud not only of our putstanding customer service and affordable prices, we strive hard to make our customers happy. Licensed professional Cosmetologists get discounted prices, and we deliver to the doorstep of customers for bulk orders. We also offer EVENT HALL DECORATION, FACIAL (Make-Up), and MUSIC SUPPLY with a prominent DJ. For more information or to set up an appointment for WEAVING and CORNROWS, please call 781-324-1888.

We cherish you patronage.

Frank Ekhator (President) Bridget Ekhator (Vice President)

ast year, the girls cross country team successfully reached their goal of winning the Greater Boston League (GBL) title for the fifth time in a row, while having an impressive undefeated season. This year, they hit the ground running, hard, with the same goals in mind.

According to fellow team members juniors Jasmine Gray and Alexandra Russo, a goal for the team is winning the GBL title and having a season full of wins, since this will be their last season competing for the GBL. Gray has been on the team for three years, while Russo has been on the team for two years. The team competed in only one official meet this season, having a win against Everett. Malden High School has also won in a GBL open, coming out on top.

The girls are already starting to form a tight, family like bond with each other, especially with the newcomers, freshmen, and returning members. Gray stated “everyone got along really well, which is a good sign. The freshmen seem to be hardworking and respectful. Russo added that [they] improved a lot after only a month.”

Another goal of the team is that the team should work on improving mentality. “When teammates get injured, people tend to fall into a negative mindset and become doubtful about [their] ability to win.

On top of that, [the negativity affects others which makes them think] it’s okay for them to do the same, or they feel let down in the sense that they’re putting in all their effort into a workout, and their teammates are just sitting back and watching,” Gray said.

Gray also said the team needed to continue having a positive attitude, even when the season starts to get a rough, they get determination to continue being motivated to keep working hard, especially when a teammate is injured. Something the team could work on. Russo said was trying to be on time to meets and

The Blue and Gold October 2016

Sports

21

maldenblueandgold.com

Sprinting through the Season

practices.

The girls are confident they can have another great season, and hold the champion title again for the last time. Each team member has a goal for themselves, whether it’s to out run another player, running a 21 minute 5k run, running a personal record, or beating their best time.

And they are determined to meet their goals.

As for the boys cross country team, senior Brian Tran said that his personal goal for the upcoming season is to break his 5K record. Tran also stated that he would “like for the team to do well with [him], [it’s] just a good picture for [him]”. He is most looking forward to Invitationals and the feeling of racing against his opponents.

As for for running alongside his teammates, Tran said that “it feels like home, like a family”. He’s eager to see his team members at practice everyday as well as running with them.

The boys cross country team is entering their season with “a new identity,” said Coach David Londino. Londino stated that he’s most looking forward to what the team becomes this season.

The team has experienced an influx in runners from the Track team who have never been on a Cross Country team prior to this season. Additionally, Londino explains that “long sprinters and short distance kids benefit [the team]”.

Londino considers the Boys Cross Country team a “unique group to coach”. He notes the “tremendous amount of discipline and dedication” that the runners have and says that those are some of the most important qualities of an aspiring distance runner.

As an athlete who participated in multiple sports during his career, Londino voices that there is a certain “camaraderie between the teammates” not often found in other sports teams.

Londino says that other teams, such as Everett, Medford, and Somerville have “improved a lot,” and Malden lost a few key seniors, so he says it will be fun to watch this year’s members step up to the plate and get the job done.

Londino and MHS looks forward to success in the league, and some individual achievements at States and beyond.

Clockwise: Girls team in a huddle before the race. Entire girls team posing for a photo. MHS racers about the run. Freshmen Emane Boufaida and Keri Gilligan run ahead of two Melrose runners. Junior Yongting Chen runs beside a Medford runner. Senior Blue & Gold member Leah Tramondozzi and sophomore Birukti Tsige run alongside each other. Junior Jasmine Gray, senior Yining Mao, junior Alexandria Russo, Tramondozzi, juniors Robert Russo, and Juan Buenrostro Ayala pose for a group photo. Mao finishing up a lap. All photos by Sara Zakaria.

Sports

22

The Blue and Gold October 2016

maldenblueandgold.com

Volleyball: Spiking the Competition Jemisha Syliant Reporter

A

lthough the Malden High School girl’s volleyball season has gotten off to a rough start, the volleyball team still remains positive.

Head coach Dan Jurkowski, says the season is not going as great as expected. “There has been a lot of losses but the girls are staying positive. We’re trying to get better everyday.” The team still has 6 games and are hoping to end the season with a win. Jurkowski says the team has faced many challenges. “[The team] won 16 games last year. So, expectations were a little high this year when we came into the season,” Jurkowski said.

The team lost many seniors from graduation. So the biggest challenge for the team this year is to just get

everybody playing time.

Jurkowski explained that the team remains with great attitudes the entire time. “We’re hoping to finish up the season strong.”

The goals for the volleyball team is to end the season well and win a couple games. Jurkowski said that “[they] have a couple GBL opponents left. [They] played Everett and Medford. So [their] goal is to win those two games and try to win a couple other games before the season ends.”

Jurkowski said the team’s strength is their good attitudes. The team’s weakness is learning how to serve. “Even just communicating on the floor is something that we been working on all year and we’ve gotten a little bit better but still, it needs to improve.”

Jurkowski’s advice for those who might want to join is, “Volleyball is a great game that you can always play, so I encourage everyone to play.”

Senior Grace Melo, who is one of the three captains, has been apart of the volleyball team for four years.

Melo decided to play volleyball her freshman year because it was a great opportunity to meet new people and also be active in the school.

Melo said that “so far for varsity, it’s not [their] best season but it does not mean [they are] not putting in effort. The team is good and it has potential. There’s just little things that [they] need to work on.

Same goes for junior varsity and freshmen. All the effort is there it’s just about putting it all together and working as a team with one another to achieve success.”

Junior Tiffany Tortora, who is also one of the three captains, has been apart of the volleyball team for three years. She was influenced by her sister to play volleyball, who also played on the team. According to Tortora, the season so far, is not what the team expected it to be.

“It’s not going bad, but it’s not

going what we had expected, but [she] feel like as a team [they are] doing good but [she doesn’t] think [their] record reflects how [they have] been doing,” Tortora said. “[The team] is good at communicating and our weaknesses is more being on court,” Tortora explained.

To Tortora, volleyball “is the best thing [one] could do all four years of high school because it creates bonds that will last for a long time.”

The volleyball team has made improvements since the season started. Beaton said that “[they] lost the awkwardness of being on a team with each other and gained a bond with one another.” Her advice for others who may want to join is that the sport gives you a reason to make a team more like a family.

Even though the volleyball players are off to a rough start in the season, they’re staying positive and MHS looks forward to the rest of the season.

Sports

The Blue and Gold October 2016

23

maldenblueandgold.com

Cheerleading:

Flying Into The New Season Jemisha Syliant Reporter

T

his season, the cheerleaders are starting off the season very strong. Despite all the challenges that came their way, they still managed to try their very best through showing great positivity during their performance. From the beginning to the end, all the cheerleaders were very energetic as well as the very ecstatic crowd they had.

Although, the cheerleading team has many new members this year, cheer coach Diane Buonopane reports that this season is going very well. Buonopane decided to become a coach for cheerleaders because she was a cheerleader herself for most of her life.

According to senior Gianna Giuliano, who is one out of the three captains of the team, the team has already been set up for success. She has been cheering since she was in the third grade. “[Her] mom was a cheerleader, [her] aunts were cheer-

leaders, and they all cheered for Pop Warner and for their high school.

It encouraged [her] to become a cheerleader.” Her favorite part about cheering is the competitions she says, “you get your adrenaline pumping.”

This year Buonopane believes that all of her three captains work really well together as a team. Although they have only been in season for about three weeks prior to game last Friday, she believes that, “each [captain] brings something

different to the table.” Like every other kind of sport, the cheerleaders set goals for themselves. Buonopane says one of the cheerleading team’s goals this year is to qualify for the regional competition for cheerleading where they will have a third stunt group participate and compete.

Senior Janae Rodriguez is also one of the three captains of the cheerleading team. Her personal goal is to win the GBL, for this year is the last that it could be won. “[They’re] trying to make a major comeback

and come back strong and take it back,” Rodriguez says. This year, the morale for the year is up and the season has been flowing well. “[They’re] doing pretty good, [the] team is strong and [they have] good attitudes. That’s all [they] could ask for,” stated Rodriguez.

The last of the captains, senior Ereeka Metellus says, “so far, the season is going pretty good. [The] girls are coming together very nicely and this year [they’re] going to really improve and show people that [they aren’t] the same team as last year.”

The cheerleaders are doing a great job overcoming challenges that came their way. Giuliano states, “for stunting, [they] had a lot of challenges because [they] lost all the people that flew, so [they] had to teach new girls how to fly so that was [their] biggest challenge, that [they] have yet to overcome.” Other than that, the cheerleaders have not had many challenges and are ready for the rest of the season.

Golf:

Putt Me In, Coach!

Man Nguyen Reporter The new season has begun for the golf team at Malden High.

Along with many new obstacles that the team has yet to overcome, one of the challenges they face is the need for more members, both new and returning.

This year’s team consists of mainly new players, along with only a few returning members, of which include captain Nicholas Ansaldi.

Coach Richard Malatesta explained how without Ansaldi’s leadership, “this year golf might not even have a team.”

“He went around recruiting new members and made them into

the team we have as of tion of golf and the value that the moment.” When that the game stands for.” Captain problem was resolved, a Ansaldi stated how “if only we new one arose. Due to the were fortunate enough to have lack of experience, a lot of much more practice time, things players struggled at first. could have gone a lot better.”

Games and matches did “Golf is about honor and not end very well, with respect” stated Malatesta. He only a few win’s individuwas content that the players ally. The situation was very were able to learn so well, not much problematic for both only about the game’s stratethe coach and the captain. gies, but its principles as well.

However, over the span “They absorb the informaof a month, “the team has tion so well and put it into pracmade a lot of progress,” tice out there,” Malatesta said.

Malatesta reflects, in spite They have the ability to play of the difficulties in the becompetitively on the field, and ginning. individually as they incorporate Malatesta men- Coach Richard Malatesta reviewing scores with senior their confidence in everything. tioned his goal for the team, capatain Nicholas Ansaldi. Photo by Man Nguyen.

These new players can now lationship built within the members which is to acquire love for putt and pitch properly, and the sport and to help them become on the team, Malatesta said “it was some have even shown a promising committed to golf. “Winning and something he enjoys” and that “it is future for golf. “It was phenomenal losing comes and goes along the a fun team to coach.” Ansaldi men- the progress they made so far,” Maway,” stated Malatesta, “but it is the tioned their great bond as golfers, latesta commented. and how “this year’s group is very love that stays forever.” “[They show] a tremendous Afterwards, Ansaldi also fun.” Members also commented on [amount of] effort.” Despite having spoke of how golf is a game for all how they love the “energy and hu- little experience with golf before, ages young and old. “One can keep mor” of their peers on the team. they make it up with “enthusiasm, The team’s greatest achieve- tenacity, the willingness to learn, to playing golf forever, tt is a game of a ment as of now according to the put time in and to cooperate with lifetime” he explained.

When it comes to the re- coach, was “to learn about the tradi- one another.”

24

Sports

The Blue and Gold October 2016

maldenblueandgold.com

Girls Soccer: Achieving Goals Jesaias Benitez Lead Reporter

A

s school starts, everyone gets back to their original schedule, fall sports start as well. Malden High School’s girls soccer team is feeling strong.

Returning member, senior Natalie Rodriguez is thrilled to start her last soccer season with the team.

Even though it’s Rodriguez’s’ fourth and last season, she always ¨feels nervous and excited right before a game¨ only because it´s an athlete thing.

Practicing for soccer like any other sport is very important. Longtime varsity head coach Rick Caceda helps the team go through drills and strategies.

Senior Suanny Almonacid stated how “the defenders need to stop blending. They need to keep their position and defend and look out for the ball” better in order to improve.

On September 24, 2016 the girls took on Melrose at the Pine Banks field.

After the first goal, Melrose caught up to Malden High, keeping it a tie. By halftime, the girls were leading by one point. Senior captain Felicia Lombardi said that “the most difficult challenge of the game was being able to maintain a calm mentality when [they] were winning.”

The girls showed great sportsmanship when it came down to this, but as Lombardi stated, “[they did] not accomplish [their true goal],” which led to the end result of the game, a tie.

Learning from games like these will definitely help the girls as they continue with their season. With only a a few more games left, the girls look to improve their record as best as they can, in order to make the State tournament.

MHS looks forward to the rest of the girls’ season and wishes them all the best.

Clockwise: Senior captain Felicia Lombardi looking to score. Sophomore Genny Murphy dribbling with the ball. Junior Kylie Dimaro looking to make a pass. Junior Izabelly Barros dribbling the ball. Junior Carla Hernandez about to pass the ball. All photos by Jesaias Benitez.