March 2015

The Blue and Gold maldenblueandgold.com Malden High School Volume 100 Edition 6

77 Salem Street March 2015

17 Malden High students return from an incredible journey

W

omen and Wallace is a dark comedy that portrays the life of a young boy whose mother commits suicide while Wallace is very young. As Wallace enters different stages of his life, he continually comes into conflict with women. He reflects on his mother suicide and compares it to the complications he has with another seven women in his life.

Continued on page 18.

Above: Moments from the 2015 75th Annual Junior Varieties talent show. From left to right: Junior Ashley Viera dancing to her number “Annabelle,” Junior Gracelle Renaud performing “If It’s Over,” and Hoa Nguyen performing “I Will Always Love You.”

Above: Snapshot of the play “The Serpent.”

Above: Preview of The Blue & Gold’s upcoming Junior Varieties CD. maldenblueandgold.com

Be sure to follow our brand-new instagram page, @_humansofmhs. Details on page 30!

Malden High School Volume 100 Edition 6 March 2015

Editorial

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Don’t Be Afraid To Be Tr(u)e

Malden High School

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

Established in 1915

“Do your homework, go online, visit every museum, and intern. You just need to have a love for what you’re doing. It’s not about thinking that is it the cool thing. It’s about really believing in it.”

- Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue

I Celebrating 100 Years of School Reporting Staff Editors-in-Chief Amanda De Moraes ‘15 Casey Lyons ‘15 James Mazarakis ‘15 Sumya Mohiuddin ‘15 Managing Editors Jessica Lynn DePaula ‘15 Julie Lam ‘15 Heads of Op-Eds & World Nicholas Bramante ‘16 Andrew Cogliano ‘16 Heads of Local News Emma Ceplinskas ‘16 Manale Zouhir ‘16 Heads of Entertainment Chaimae El Adlouni ‘16 Ashley Leung ‘16 Heads of Sports Lucia Quesada Nylen ‘16 Cassandra Reyes ‘16 Lead Sports Writer P.J. Montezuma ‘15 Lead Photographers Piero Pocobene ‘15 Meagan Sullivan ‘15

Reporters Jasper Haag ‘16 Tatyanna Cabral ‘17 Maria Da Silva ‘17 Candela Diaz ‘17 Tenzin Dorjee ‘17 Felicia Fallano ‘17 Karina Matos ‘17 Julia Parker ‘17 Ana Kerr ‘18 Megan Downer ‘18 Leila Greige ‘18 Samuel Martinez ‘18 Anna Powers ‘18 Meghan Yip ‘18 Contributing Senior Reporters Julio Da Silva ‘15 Roberto De Oliveira ‘15 Jonathan DeCicco ‘15 Katie Mai ‘15 Amanda Nguyen ‘15 Advisor Ryan Gallagher

The Blue and Gold March 2015

t’s a cliche - but everyone is told to “be true to yourself” or simply to just “be yourself” at some point (probably around the time of high school) but it can be challenging because who even is “yourself” yet?

With senior year quickly ending, it is easy to put it this way - you do not truly learn what it means to be yourself until the experience is almost over. There is a sudden realization that your situation now is, most likely, much different from the one you entered with in high school because you actually did learn to be yourself. What exactly does this mean?

It means you have a better idea of what your hobbies and interests are; you know which sports are more enjoyable and fulfilling for you; you have had more experiences in dealing with crucial situations; and that you have learned who your genuine friends are because throughout all these changes they remained alongside you, or maybe you even picked up a few new ones along the way. In the end, after these four long (or quick) years, you have molded into a person that represents the real, authentic you.

It may sound overdone or cheesy, but subconsciously, you actually do learn how to be yourself; however, it was probably not a smooth discovery.

High school is not what is depicted on t.v. or in shows and movies. It is not full of overdramatized Mean Girls situations and it is not necessarily as entertaining as High School Musical (which is a little disappointing because who doesn’t remember the soundtrack like the back of their hand?).

The high school experience differs for everyone and sometimes it is much better to sit back and watch these unrealistic depictions of high school and be thankful for the one you have. The experience you were given is not as entertaining or theatrical as those portrayed on t.v., so it is evident to

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

try your hardest to create an experience that will be memorable for you and that it will be one you will be proud of. And by doing so, you must depict nothing but what truly represents who you are and to fill your time doing things that will ensue happiness so that at the end of the day you can reflect and think to yourself that your experience was better than any high school depiction on t.v. or in books.

Imagine spending high school doing things that you involuntarily wanted to do, whether it was a sport, club, activity, or anything that appeared remotely interesting. Maybe it was just to simply try it or it was influenced by friends - if it does not appeal to you by the end then take the opportunity to look into pursuits that fascinate you. Otherwise you would have spent time on something that does not interest you as much as another activity that could have been valuable to you or had the potential to be valuable to you.

The idea of beginning something new is intimidating and even difficult because you may find that those around you do not have the same interest, but that should not suppress your desire to pursue it.

It is never too late to begin something new because you could find yourself wildly passionate about it and even talented at that interest you were once afraid to persue. It is easier to then to “be yourself” when you are happily occupying your time with hobbies, sports, or activities that you truly enjoy. If it means having to take on something new by yourself it is worth the shot because while pursuing those interests you find yourself surrounded by people who are similar to you, which then enriches the experience altogether.

Take it for instance, as close friend of mine quit a sport he was committed to, even after being a remarkable asset to the team, because he did not find joy in it anymore. Although the decision was difficult, he knew that continuing would only lead to a built hatred for the sport and he also wanted to create more time to pursue cinematography. And now you may wonder if it was the right choice? I would say so because now he is planning on majoring in cinematography and got accepted into a college that ranks high when it comes to film studies.

You can only learn to “be yourself” if you allow yourself to take on challenges and chances without being concerned about what the critics will say. It is harder to mold yourself based on societal norms than it is dropping your fears and taking a courageous step towards what you want.

Casey Lyons

Casey Lyons Editor-in-Chief Class of 2015 Please visit our Facebook page for the new date for our Blue & Gold 100-Year Event, Jun. 12, 2015.

Below is a QR code for the Facebook page.

The Blue and Gold March 2015

Interactive

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March Crossword Puzzle

Crossword puzzle made using Crossword Forge. Clues by Nicholas Bramante. Visuals by James Mazarakis.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Dear editor, As a student who will have taken fifteen AP exams at the end of this year, I feel a need to respond to the article you published in your last issue. It has spurred some interesting discussion and I would like to add my experience to the conglomeration of opinions that are floating around Malden High School and the world of education.

Within the world of secondary education, college is becoming the biggest defining factor for more and more students. But why do we want to go to college so badly? A job that leads to a good life. That’s the biggest reason why most people want to go to college today. With an economy that is being based on cutting-edge technology, there is a lot of incentive for everyone to become

educated. Companies want more people with a college degree so that the supply of laborers can decrease the cost of the hiring. Workers (us high school students) want a college degree for the chance of that big paycheck that can satisfy all of our consumer needs, from buying the nicest clothes to buying the biggest house.

That is the ideal of the American Dream. In a place like Malden, with a large population of immigrants, the American Dream is ever present and many are willing to do almost anything for it. This, I believe, is the heart of the reason why so many students are throwing themselves at AP classes, keeping themselves up through excruciating hours that are extended because of sports and extracurricular activities.

Learning for the Sake of Learning: Pursuing Passion

They believe this is what will lead them to a good college, the keystone of the American Dream. After all, if someone told you that you do not have to sit through another hour of confusing Calculus or write up another essay for enigmatic English, and you will be able to buy anything you want, would you say yes? I would say yes. But does that mean I will never look back on English or Calculus or any other subject from school again? No. Even if I can buy all the things that I want, I cannot and will not abandon my studies. Are you probably calling me a nerd right now?

Go ahead. But I love learning. This is why

I force myself to take every AP class available. I don’t do it because I think colleges will like me better (even though they do). I don’t do it because I think it will lead me to a good life (even though it might). I do it because I love learning. Sure, there are a lot of benefits to learning and being successful in STEM fields.

Continued on page 4.

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Learning for the Sake of Learning: Pursuing Passion Continued from page 2.

But for me, it’s really just a bonus, a cherry on top of the pie. I would not be completely derailed if being academically successful no longer guarantees that American Dream.

I believe that passion should be the primary motivation for any pursuit, not some superficial societal recognition. As a student, I enjoy my learning process. Sure, I’ll procrastinate as much as the next student.

During such moments, it is nice to have some external pressures like deadlines and grades to remind me to get my **** together. However, when I make a decision to commit to something like a class or an extracurricular activity, the idea of adding to my resume to impress somebody isn’t what pushes me to do it.

The idea that I’ll enjoy the activity whether it’s because it’ll help me grow as a person or a student or it’s because I genuinely enjoy the activity is why I choose to pursue something. If ever you find yourself that you’re doing something because of extrinsic motivations, chances are, you probably won’t do a good job at it and you’ll end up disliking it. This is what I think Jasper was observing in AP classes. Many students aren’t genuinely passionate about the class that they’re taking. If you look hard around you, you might notice those students.

All I have left to say is stop.

Stop doing things to gain societal approval. Stop volunteering because it looks good on your resume. Stop taking AP classes because it looks good on your transcript. Sure, those are nice motivators. But let those motivators only be a small factor in why you have chosen to pursue something. Find joy in what you do, not recognition.

So I guess you must want to know how well I have followed my own belief. I admit, it’s hard.

All these snow days have certainly helped to infect me with senioritis.

But that doesn’t mean I’ll drop all my work. I have every intention to follow through with all my commitments even if that means that I’ll have to procrastinate. But I’ll be able to do that because I truly believe that I have something more to gain than a sticker on my resume.

This letter to the editor was submitted by Eugine Szeto. If you have an opinion or an idea of something to cover that you have intimate knowledge about, or if you simply want to communicate with the school, submit a letter to the editor to J387 or talk to a member of the Blue & Gold staff for a chance to be featured in our next edition!

The Blue and Gold March 2015

Manale Zouhir Head of Local

L

ately a new so-called "movement" called Meninism has been sweeping social media platforms, primarily Twitter. The Twitter accounts, like @MeninistTweet and dozens just like it, have quickly gained hundreds of thousands of followers, causing people like me to question what the point of "Meninism" even is. At first, I dismissed it.

Oh yeah, another dumb Twitter account; it's just a joke and it'll blow over soon. But it didn't. It just grew, with its followers continuously multiplying. Not only did it not blow over, but it did in fact blow up.

So if you've been living under a rock (or just off of social media, which is kind of the same thing) you might not know what "Meninism" is. Basically, it is a group of men mocking the feminist movement, frightened that it is threatening their masculinity. They mostly just post irrelevant and misogynistic tweets. A recent tweet from an account posted on March 8, 2015, says, “Today the clocks moved forward, so ladies, don’t forget the clock on your oven will be wrong for the next six months.” (@Meninist Tweet, 3/8/15 1:56 PM). This tweet not only suggests that women’s sole purpose is to be in the kitchen and cook, supporting gender roles, but it also infantilizes women, insinuating that they are incapable of changing a simple digital oven clock.

Really, “Meninism” just seems like a bunch of guys who are uncomfortable with the idea of powerful women. Something seems to be missing in their claim. Is it the lack of ability to differentiate between feminism and misandry, or is it the failure to recognize male privilege?

The answer is both.

What meninists fail to realize is that their accounts mock a sociopolitical movement that is vital to our society. Yes, as a society, we need feminism, when women are currently getting killed, mutilated, raped, and sold into sex slavery and child marriages. We need feminism when every year over 60 million girls are assaulted on their way to school. We need feminism when 70 million girls worldwide from ages six to twelve do not go to school.

This myth that feminism is a movement to destroy the power of males is absolutely insane and must be diminished. If these meninists state that they support gender equality -well good for you, you're a feminist then. A meninist is just a synonym for a misogynist.

Even on International Women’s Day, a day solely dedicated to women and female empowerment overall, Meninist accounts could not keep quiet and let the world appreciate women. We saw tweets like “you

can’t spell women’s day without men” and “since it’s national women’s day, does that mean they make twice the sandwiches they usually do?”. This suggests that women are not even to be considered as important members of society, which is basically just reversing all the steps that we’ve been taking in order to achieve gender equality.

Then there’s feminism, the movement that is supposed to be advocating for and promoting gender equality. By definition, feminism is “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.”

However, the word "feminist" alone has gained a bad reputation and a negative connotation.

What’s even more upsetting is that these accounts have quickly gained such a huge following. I suggest we all work together as a community to receive equal rights throughout, rather than uplifting a certain demographic. We are all humans before we are anything else, and we all deserve to be granted basic human decency and rights.

It is not unlikely for girls to classify themselves as meninists just to break away from the label of a feminist to emphasize that they aren't a part of that movement. Whether this is for attention, societal approval, or just out of sheer ignorance, it is only contributes to the unflattering reputations that feminists have gained.

To me, this is extremely disheartening. Why is it a bad thing to support equal rights? Isn't it a good thing? While celebrities like Beyonce Knowles and Emma Watson are embracing feminism by promoting and advocating for female empower-

ment, which I applaud, it is still not seen completely in a positive light.

Someone stating they are a feminist is often just getting an eyebrow raise, a scoff, and a "Oh, so you hate men?"

As an advocate for gender equality, I support the idea that men should be all for equal rights. Men's rights are absolutely important, and I do recognize these issues. However, in order to fix the problem, feminists and "meninists" can work together in unison to achieve equal rights if this is what meninists really have in mind. However, it really isn't. Meninist Twitter posts disgusting and offensive tweets towards women, and insists that this is okay, when it isn't.

Meninists should be fighting for transgender men, male victims of rape, gay men, men who are falsely accused of rape, etc. Ask a meninist what they think of this, and their response, a direct quote from a Meninist account, would be "Here, let me show you how the lawnmower works. #MeninistTwitter". The truth is that these accounts do not actually care about men’s rights, but rather putting down women and promoting misogyny.

While meninists may be frightened that their male privilege is in danger, they fail to realize that there is absolutely no need to mock a movement purely dedicated to gender equality. To all of the so-called meninists out there: How would you explain to your future daughter that you advocated denying her of the rights she deserves when she finds your “Meninist” shirt?

Above: Tweets taken from the Meninists’ most popular twitter account. Their humor consists of sexual convictions and abusive sentiments about feminine ideology as well as unfair assessments of the gender gap.

Opinion

The Blue and Gold March 2015

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No One Expects the Snowstorm Dilemma Jessica Lynn DePaula Managing Editor

R

emember when snow days were fun? You’d wake up to a blanket of snow, comforted by the knowledge that you were free from the responsibilities that come with elementary school -- independent reading, MCAS, the awkward social event known as recess. However, for many families, the snowiest months of the year make getting to school incredibly dangerous, and while snow days are definitely an inconvenience to working parents, teachers and students who just want to be on summer vacation as soon as possible, inclement weather days are an all-important safety measure.

Because of this, it’s incredibly disheartening to see the flurry of negativity surrounding snow days on social media during this winter, the snowiest on record. In Malden, as soon as Mayor Gary Christensen Tweets that school has been cancelled, the comments on the City of Malden Facebook page begin piling up faster than the snow itself: “We live in New England, these kids have to get used to snow!” “What

about us working parents, what are we supposed to do?” “They’re gonna be in school until July!”

Yes, we’ve had a ton of snow days this year; yes, it’s been very hard to recover from missing nine days of school due to two blizzards and multiple snowstorms. But Malden Public Schools still gets out on June 24th, a late but manageable date. This is the reason why school starts in late August rather than the traditional September; it allows for nearly three weeks of snow days before the end of June, making the rumors of killing April vacation or holding Saturday classes completely unecessary.

I’ve always been a walker, entirely reliant on the city’s ability to maintain the safety of the sidewalks and public transportation to get to school. For families like mine, who aren’t able to afford to drive or simply choose not to, a snowstorm can make their morning commute an icy obstacle course. Even though most cities have rules that, in general, require property owners to shovel their sidewalks, those who neglect to do so are not reprimanded until after parents have had to walk their

young children to school in the streets for a day or two. The paths that eventually appear tend to be so narrow that walking single-file is necessary, leaving parents still having to push younger siblings in bulky carriages in busy morning streets.

Winters that are particularly brutal bring with them the issue of where to put the snow; even those who diligently shovel their sidewalks are sometimes at a loss of what to do with several feet of weeks-old snow, resulting in sidewalks with even narrower paths lined with snowbanks. With street corners piled several feet high with snow, pedestrians struggle to make themselves seen by drivers when crossing the street, never mind their much-shorter children.

During this year's endless supply of snowstorms, an elderly woman in Malden fell trying to climb over a snowbank (when brought to the attention of Mayor Christensen via Twitter, the snowbank was removed within a few hours).

There are other reasons for school to be cancelled, as well. A Somerville elementary school lost

Jasper Haag Reporter

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s the winter comes to a close and the snow seems to (hopefully) be stopping, Malden Public Schools, along with countless other school districts, is faced with the question of making up the weeks of lost time. Especially for those of us in high school, the time off has been challenging to cope with due to the volume of work that continued to pile up. Currently, the last day of Malden’s 2014-2015 school year is scheduled for June 24th and as the days get pushed further and further back because of inclement weather, the school year fast approaches the cutoff for public school, June 30th.

So the question becomes this: is a preemptive solution to missed school time necessary, or should the school year run late?

So far, three main solutions have been proposed

by Superintendent David DeRuosi to solve the problem we are facing, with the first being the elimination of April vacation or other planned days off. The rationale behind this is that a vacation such as April vacation was just moved into January this year rather than occurring at its normal time. However, parents, students and teachers alike have voiced concerns with this course of action, especially considering the prime time of year that April is for travel. The idea of forcing those with planned trips to give up their reservations or miss out on their schoolwork seems counterproductive. This also seems like a system that would be easy to take advantage of, with students claiming that they have a vacation planned for the week of April vacation when in reality they just want to get the week off and avoid schoolwork.

Less drastic than this would be the extension of the school week into Saturday until the time was made up. Again, the idea is that students have had

enough time off and so all those Saturdays were just shifted back a few months into January and made into an extended New Year’s vacation. Similarly, extending school into Saturday would bring up many problems for those who have arrangements already made for Saturdays or for those who wish to abuse the system and claim that they have events to attend when they in fact do not.

In my opinion, the third option that has been proposed is the best (should the school system choose to make up the lost time) and it consists of artificially and temporarily extending the length of the school day during the normal school week.

For how long these extensions would last and for how many hours they would run I don’t know, but on the surface, this method would solve a lot of the problems that the other two faced. Firstly, going an extra couple of hours (if that) during a normal week of school would pose no problems for most people. Of course many people have jobs they must get to, but exceptions can be more easily made when something such as a job, which is a central part of one’s routine, is involved as the changes can be looked at over the long term. On top of that, many students already remain in school for hours after the school day ends, participating in clubs or after school programs, doing homework or just hanging around with friends, and so there would be no major disadvantage to using that time they remain in school for school purposes. Secondly, students can not abuse the system as easily. A student who is already in school cannot leave at 2:15 and skip the makeup time like a student avoiding a Saturday or April vacation type make-up plan could.

an additional week of school thanks to a collapsed roof after Winter Storm Juno. On Jan 9, 2015, dozens of school districts cancelled school due to -20 degree wind chill weather. Malden Public Schools initially announced there would be school but that it would be an excused absence, with school buses and vans being told to pick up children they saw walking to school in the freezing weather; after many complaints that this would send young children mixed messages regarding getting into cars with strangers, it was eventually decided that school would be cancelled for the day. Complaint after complaint appeared on the City of Malden’s Facebook page, claiming that it was ridiculous to cancel school just because of some cold weather. I remember that day; I walked three minutes down the street to get a coffee and based on that walk, having kids walking and waiting for buses to get to school that day would have been very irresponsible.

With all this in mind, that wave of excitement and relief that students experience when a snow day is called turns to discomfort and resentment almost at once upon seeing these callous Internet comments.

I have a feeling that many of those who complain about their children missing school due to bad weather have driven for most of their adult lives and therefore have little insight as to how infrequent buses and trains run during snowstorms, or how unsettling it can be for a parent to send their children off to school in the midst of a snowstorm. A tragic report published on weather.com on Feb. 11 says that nine people died in New England during Winter Storm Linus; while most of them were older adults, think of how much potential that number had to increase without the nearly-statewide cancellation of school, state of emergency, driving ban, and suspension of all MBTA services.

I do feel for the plight of working parents; childcare is expensive and difficult to attain with short notice. But complaining about having to take time off of work because of cancelled classes in the middle of a snowstorm is not fair or safe to their children or any of the kids that would have been forced to navigate the streets in those conditions on foot; even driving during messy weather can be especially hazardous. “We live in New England!” they say; “We need to get used to the snow!” I don’t think it’s the school districts and the students that aren’t used to the snow; I think it’s the parents who appear to be shocked every time an inclement weather day is announced. Snow days are a reality that we must expect and prepare for rather than sit around complaining about.

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Home Videos Playlists Channels About Search

Step 1: Become Youtube Famous Step 2: Write a Book Step 3: Profit

The “What’s In My Hand?” Challenge

Meghan Yip Reporter

T

here are a lot of things I am not good at. Math, basketball, washing dishes, judging how much water I can fit into a mug, spelling the word ‘neccesary’, cooking, wrapping presents and shuffling cards are among those things. But one thing I’d like to think that I’m good at, or at least mediocre at, is writing.

It goes without saying that the average modern teenager prefers going on their smartphone than reading. I have friends who haven’t picked up a book since R. L. Stein’s Goosebumps series, back when the books were a hit at my middle school in 2008. Whereas I get a physical high from being inside of a Barnes and Noble.

Typically, books aren’t associated with YouTube, today’s largest video sharing platform, and also a website that all youths are familiar with, until recently, since publishing giants like Simon and Schuster began signing YouTube stars onto their company (which is basically shorthand for “Hey! We can make some major money off of these people!”).

One particular case of this happening involves twenty-four-yearold Zoe Sugg, known more widely on the internet as Zoella. Sugg, who rose to internet stardom by her wildly popular beauty and makeup videos on YouTube, came out with a book titled Girl Online late November last year.

Girl Online claims to be a novel, which, by definition, means that

it is of fictitious prose. However, this book is a carbon copy of Sugg’s life - a young, attractive woman who lives in England, runs a popular blog, has a problem with anxiety, and has a taste for cutesy fairy lights and bath bombs. The age old adage always suggests to “write what you know” and it feels as if Sugg knows very little else. The protagonist isn’t the exact same as her, granted, but it’s so blatantly obvious who she is based off of.

The premise is as follows: A clumsy, awkward teenage girl (because relatability is a major factor in anything popular these days) named Penny Porter starts an anonymous blog where each entry is a day in her bland, bland life. She has bad anxiety and often has severe panic attacks. Until one day, everything changes when she meets. . .A boy.

A boy.

Yes, a bestselling debut novel’s protagonist’s life changes because of the romantic company of a male.

Not a therapist, not a psychologist. I can say this for all of the women in the world: we don’t need any more weak female characters. Leave that to the Juliet Capulets and Anastasia Steeles of the literary world.

I cannot bring myself to trash on every part of the book. It does a mediocre job of spreading information and awareness of mental disorders and illnesses, something that I truly appreciate Sugg for advocating both in her career and in Girl Online.

As if the situation could not

have gotten more problematic, more news leaked a few days after Sugg broke the record for highest firstweek sales of a first-time novelist, beating out J.K. Rowling (you read that right). Sugg had a ghostwriter, meaning that another person was paid to write the book for her while she took it under her own name. The ghost writer, Siobhan Curham, an adult and young adult novelist hailing from the UK, apparently wrote most of the book after following Sugg’s initial plot idea. Sugg continues to ignore this, as misleading and wrongful as it is. So, not only did Sugg have a ghost writer, she didn’t even have a good ghost writer.

And before all of the Zoella supporters reading this article say that I have no right to judge Girl Online because I’ve never read it, guess what? I tried reading it. Tried.

The best part? Girl Online is set to have a sequel that will be released in November 2015.

Other than Sugg, popular YouTube stars such as Shane Dawson, Colleen Ballinger (best known as the fictional persona Miranda Sings), Shay Carl Butler, Joey Graceffa, Justine Ezarik, Alfie Deyes and Connor Franta have been offered book deals from publishers like Simon and Schuster and Keywords Press, all of which I have problems with.

Deyes’ book, The Pointless Book, is an obvious rip-off of the successful Wreck This Journal series by Keri Smith. Ezarik makes a living off unboxing newly-bought Apple products and recording her doing so. Graceffa films himself saying irrelevant statements in silly voices that could solely make twelve year olds laugh and doing utterly pointless, offensive activities (his most viewed video currently is one of him and Dawson testing how “gay” they are. Other gems: the “WTF is in my mouth? Challenge” and the “What

is this? Challenge”).

I can give a slight exception to young adult author turned internet star John Green. Though he is a professional writer and is trained in the field, his books follow the same abiding formula - a nerdy Caucasian person romantically pursues seemingly perfect dream girl-slashguy and pretentious affairs ensue, including but not limited to road trips, scavenger hunts, and ironic doings. This is usually followed by metaphors involving something you would find on a teenager’s Tumblr blog, like astronomy and weather.

But I enjoy his writing style and I have read his books before.

The motive of this article is not to insult any of the people mentioned, though it may appear that way. I appreciate their efforts and hard work (well, most of them) but the quality of the books they turn out are, and I say this in the most polite way possible, garbage. I don’t see letters on the cover of their books. Instead, my brain reworks them instantaneously and all I see are dollar signs.

As someone who wants to pursue writing as a career, it makes me nothing short of frustrated that publishing companies today only seek money and glory, and not actual talent. There are writers everywhere you look, waiting to be discovered.

Whether they’re twelve years old and incredibly gifted, they’re an English teacher with a forgotten dream, or an uncharted author living in a shoe-box, struggling to make a dollar off of what they love to do.

And to close this piece, I will end with a quote by Sugg herself: “Please picture me giving a dramatic, heartfelt sigh at this point.” (Girl Online, pg.3) Yikes.

Comments:

OMG!!1! LIKE, I <3 THIS FOR REALZZ!!1!1 Thanks, Obama.

It’s all a conspiracy! Click my Channel to find out why!

The Blue and Gold March 2015 Nick Bramante Head of Opinions

Ah, Rock’N’Roll, a nutritious part of any complete teenage angst. 10 grams of rebellion, 30 grams of energy, 20 grams of loud.

May contain: Challenges to societal norms, strong language, ripped jeans, and soy products. Okay, I am not usually one to beat the dead metaphor horse, but rock culture is an essential vitamin and mineral that Malden High School is seriously malnourished of. It is said that Rock never truly dies, and while that may be true, it is definitely on its last legs at MHS. Born in the 50’s and still kicking, Rock has been a part of American culture for as long as there have been people fed up with social norms and teenagers with Restless Heart Syndrome (a very serious condition among most teens that drive them to make decisions with their hearts and not their

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heads.) Rock is still very much alive today, but the question is: for how long?

Before I can even begin to make my case as to why this news is extremely troubling, I must first explain just what exactly Rock is, and what it means to those who listen to it religiously. It is said that Rock is for those who were born kicking and screaming (actually, I just say that,) and really it was; it was created by and for those with furious fire in their hearts and crackling thunder in their voices. One can take any sample of Rock music from any age it has existed (50’s to the present day) and you find one simple purpose: to say something.

Obviously one has to say something if a song contains lyrics, but I mean really say something. To move your mouth is to make sound, but to feel

a burning fire in your heart whether it be born of passion or anger and shout to the world with the decibels turned up high or low is to say something. In all generations of Rock there is something always to be said, whether it be political, social, or emotional. In the 50’s you had the Beatniks, fed up with their conformist parents. The 60’s followed with an era of preachings of peace and free love. The 70’s exploded with a mix of rage and love in Rock. So on and so forth.

Rock is such an important aspect of American culture because it really is the voice of the underdogs, rejects, rebels, and otherwise unhappy or unaccepted people.

More importantly, it is the voice of those who are unaccepted but are not afraid to be so. Our world is filled with more people than ever before in history, and with these people come more problems than ever seen before. If these problems exist, then Rock exists to challenge them, to bring them into the light, and shout out to the world in protest against them. It is so unfortunate and almost sad when one looks at many of today’s popular music artists and hears nothing but noise. Now do not get me wrong here, I am not one of those anti-pop pessimists who think every song has to have a deeper meaning or is not great unless there is a guitar present. I get it, songs can be fun, they can be great to dance to, they are allowed to mean nothing sometimes.

The problem is, too many artists are beginning to say nothing almost all the time, and because of a catchy beat or famous singer, these songs will be the ones to rise to the tops of the charts today.

I am not going to criticize a specific song or artist, for sake of preventing myself from judging an artist too harshly on one song or creating a flame war in general. I will however, use an example of a great Youtube channel that takes real teens’ reactions to real music today. This channel would be React, specifically their videos regarding teens reacting to song lyrics with no context as to prevent bias. By the end of the lyrics of many recent pop songs, teens are too often confused as to the point or disgusted by how shallow the actual point is. These teens are often surprised to find that the songs they love can sometimes repulse them when actually understood. I mean really, how many times can we listen to the same song talking about money, the club, or how awesome the artist is before getting tired? Apparently the answer is A LOT. I say the same song, because essentially that is what many of the songs I hear today are. Different artists, differ-

ent beats, same message: nothing.

What is even worse is when songs that are downright abusive or offensive to people based on gender, sexual orientation, or race, yet the very people who are being abused love this music simply because they are too caught up in the fun beat to notice they are being insulted. I will get specific here, just because this issue bothers me so much I could write a rock song on it. The amount of objectifying or sexualizing or just plain disrespecting to women in popular music today is both astounding and disgusting. But I digress.

Point is, so many have fallen into this never ending trance of loving music for the sake of fitting in or just listening to what is popular, nevermind the song’s actual message or if it is actually anything different than what has been pumped out the past couple of years. This is why I hold Rock so dear to heart and never grow tired of it: rock always has a message and it is (in my experience) impossible to find two bands with the same sound.

I am not advocating that people go out and drop all the pop music they listen to, I am not advocating that Rock is the master genre, or even that Rock is for everyone. I am advocating however, that everyone actually listens to the music they are enjoying next time it comes on the radio. Do not just hear it, actually listen to it. What kind of message is it sending? Is it offensive to you, to a friend, to an entire group found in society? Is it worth your time? Is it different? If any of those answers are negative, it is possible you may need your daily dose of vitamin R (no, not the Simpsons kind, but that is great too.) You do not even have to listen to actual Rock, I do not care, but I do ask you to consider Rock culture and its message. Everyone, especially us angsty teenagers, needs to keep what Rock stands for alive, and to fight what we do not seem fit. I am not condoning violence at all by any means whatsoever, but I am condoning fighting what is wrong with your heart and your words. And if you are one of Rock’s faithful listeners out there, whether it be grunge, hard, soft, alternative, indie, classic, or whatever it is you listen to, know that we are all in this together. By we I do not mean Rockers, I mean we of Malden High School. Do not let the spirit of Rock, the spirit of actually saying something, die. Go forth, challenge the world, be who you want to be, stick out like a sore thumb, spread the love, and for the love of Elvis Presley do not hear, listen. Do not sound. Say something.

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The Blue and Gold March 2015

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James Mazarakis Editor-in-Chief

Strongly allosexual (not asexual)

Gray-asexual

Varying bisexual responses

Strongly asexual

The Four Primary Attractions Romantic

Exclusively homosexual

Right, bottom: The “Asexual triangle,” a symbol and diagram that depicts the whole spectrum of homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, and asexual identities. The horizontal side depicts the Kinsey scale, depicted above.

The triangle adds another axis, based on asexuality.

Varying asexual responses

traction as “wanting an extra level of intimacy, a deeper level to explore a person.” Positive descriptions call it “exhilarating” while others say it is a “pain” when one cannot act on their feelings.

Meanwhile, there are other forms of attraction that those who do not feel attraction compensate for, and they are often mistaken for sexual attraction. Thinking someone looks nice, pretty, or even “sexy” can exist without a “hunger” for them. (Most famously is the chant of the heterosexual man: “I’m not gay, but he is a handsome dude.”) Some people enjoy “sensual acts” like kissing, hugging, and cuddling without having sexual desire for them.

Most importantly, many people have feelings, crushes, and romantic relationships with other people of all genders without sexual attraction ever crossing their mind.

It’s important to think of this as a spectrum. While most asexuals have never felt sexual attraction, some feel it in specific or rare circumstances but consider it a negligible factor in their lives. These people are referred to as “gray-asexuals,” as to say they are in the “gray area” between being asexual and otherwise. Also, many asexuals (and non-asexuals) identify as aromantic, meaning they do not feel the desire to develop a romantic relationship that the average person crosses in their life. This is not exclusive to asexuality but it is possibly more common in general, putting average people who are disinterested in romantic relationships on the spectrum. Any combination of attitudes can exist on physical intimacy, romantic relationships, the beauty of other people, and sexual attraction.

Like all orientations, it is not an active choice to be asexual - unlike celibacy or abstinence, which is the deliberate self-restraint of sex. It is a combination of biological and environmental factors that shape one’s identity. The only choice that exists is whether the subject accepts his or

“Being gay is no longer the minority,” Kilduff continues. “[The GSA] is so much more than gays and allies... there are a lot of valid identities that need to be addressed.”

Critics of asexuality say that it is a “special snowflake” term that makes average people seem oppressed, but this thinking invalidates the experiences of millions of people who have felt this way. In any case, asexuals do not often claim to be directly persecuted many only ask that their feelings and lifestyles are accepted by their loved ones. The true adversity they face is when people erase asexuality from discussion by claiming it is not real or acceptable, creating a toxic environment for those who are attempting to make a valid identity for themselves.

But why do we need all these labels? A valid question. A word can never describe someone perfectly, and even if it does, it may not stay that way forever. My answer to this question has always been this: Sexual orientations are not “labels.” They are communities. They are words to associate a group of people with similar experiences to make them feel more secure in their identity.

It is true; no one “needs” labels.

But people do need assurance. If you know someone who might be asexual, or suspect it of yourself, visit AVEN.org or visit Malden High’s GSA, which has resources on asexuality, bisexuality, gender identity and more.

Exclusively heterosexual

here are several reasons why Daryl is among the most popular characters in the AMC television series The Walking Dead’: He’s brave, he carries a mean crossbow, and according to his fanbase, he’s incredibly attractive. Some viewers bring up an ironic point, though: his more-than-platonic relationship with Carol and sexless persona may mean something more than a drawn-out romantic plotline: he may be asexual.

You read that correctly. Asexual. Most commonly referred to as the means by which plants reproduce, this term has a variety of applications in science and biology. It is also the sexual orientation of not being attracted to any gender.

What does this mean? The ambiguity is on purpose. While some asexuals are disgusted with sex and intimacy, others are indifferent or even fascinated by it. Some choose to be in a romantic relationship while other asexuals avoid it at all costs. It is hard to capture the experience in one story, but as education grows, it is becoming an important perspective within the LGBTQ+ community.

A survey ran by the Asexual Visibility and Education Network found that about 1% of people, when asked of their sexual orientation, opted to select “none of the above.” Considering that asexuality is still an unknown, we can expect this number to rise as the public grasps this concept. If this statistic is accurate, there are a few dozen at Malden High School who probably don’t know it yet.

Granted, it is difficult to define sexuality alone - for many, it’s not as simple as choosing to open a “male” or “female” door, or even accounting for who is “good-looking.”

While we are thankfully supported by an upstanding guidance and adjustment staff at Malden High, we lack an all-inclusive education about sexuality and gender, which are some of the most common triggers for identity crises and household issues. For many, it begins in high school.

In its purest form, what sexual orientation consists of is a gut-feeling, automatic reaction to a certain body form, and it does not exist in millions of DNA. It is called sexual attraction. Those who feel sexual attraction may not be able to explain it, but they know what it feels like. It has been described as a “hunger,” a “burning” when placed in proximity with another person. It tends to be a distracting, unavoidable thought when triggered by the object of desire.

Anonymous Malden High students have described sexual at-

herself or decides to come out.

The real struggle for many asexuals is reaching a level of acceptance for their own identity. “Sexual behavior is normalized in society, which can be a burden on people on the ace spectrum who feel like they are forced to have or want sex in order to be ‘normal’,” says officer of the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) and junior Shannon Kilduff.

Hence why asexuals have often used the term “broken” to describe themselves before finding out asexuality is a common and normal trait.

Surveys taken by those who identify as asexual frequently report to have considered or attempted suicide - as many as 70% in some. As these statistics are only conducted by AVEN and smaller sites, this could be a wild overestimation - still, it forces one to take seriously the impact of not “fitting in” with the status quo.

It can be hard for an asexual to fit in with his or her society in a world that is sex-obsessed and centered around repopulation rituals and finding one true love, but it has its perks, too. Many asexuals, like Lord Verys from the HBO TV series Game of Thrones, see themselves as objective figures focused on their own goals than the wonders of the human body. In truth, it is not a blessing nor a curse to be asexual - it is an experience that wields hundreds of emotions across the board, from disgust or indifference to passion and a desire to forge lifelong friendships.

Direct desire to date, have a relationship, do “cute” things with other

Asexual Aromantic “Average” Might feel

Doesn’t feel

Feels

Sexual

Direct desire for sexual contact, attraction to body/appearance Doesn’t feel

Might feel

Feels

Sensual

Direct desire for physical proximity that is non-sexual, including but not limited to kissing, cuddling, or hugging.

Might feel

Might feel

Might feel

Direct desire to look - attracted to the physical beauty of person, objectively, akin to art

Might feel

Might feel

Aesthetic

Might feel

Attraction can be difficult to describe, as it has varying factors and forms that can be confusing to navigate for some people. The only thing that asexuality deals with, though, is sexual attraction (and for aromantics, romantic attraction.)

Sensual and aesthetic attraction does not define one’s sexuality, and it may or may not exist in any individual.

The Blue and Gold March 2015

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Breaking Binaries Andrew Cogliano Head of World

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n today’s society, gender is the cornerstone of what is and isn’t appropriate. Pink dress? Must be for a girl. Monster trucks? Must be for a boy. Today, gender is “determined” by what you were born as, and it stays with you forever. The result of this flawed system is millions (yes, millions) of people who simply do not feel as though they were assigned the correct gender at birth. The mainstream solution to this problem is gender reassignment surgery, but for some, even that isn’t right. Even still, there are people who identify as having no gender, or being both genders, or being a third gender. These same people are known as nonbinary, for the fact that their gender, whatever it may be, lies outside the traditional male-female spectrum, the binary genders.

Looking past the binary genders is the equivalent of realizing that ice cream comes in more flavors than chocolate or vanilla. There’s raspberry and mint and frozen yogurt too, and it may all be too much to wrap one’s head around. But in the end, it’s all frozen dairy, just like genders are still just genders, and there are definitions for them all. The nonbinary community is constituted of many different genders or identities, such as agender, bigender, androgyne, intersex, and gender-fluid, which all, of course, are not strictly male or female. This can prove challenging to many, since gender is regarded as essential to one’s being and “place” in society.

In the LGBT acronym, may nonbinary people choose to use the “T” as an umbrella term, to reduce complexity. Other variations include LGBT*, with the asterisk extending to the other genders and sexualities.

Since transgender means not being the gender one was assigned at birth, nonbinary people find it easier to be titled transgender first, and nonbinary second.

Many people, even whole societies, are quick to denounce nonbinary persons, saying that gender is biologically determined by chromosomes, but that may not always be so. One of the most (in)famous and frequently cited cases against this is that of David Reimer, also known as “John/Joan”. Reimer was biologically born a male, but after a medical accident at the age of seven months, he was left with deformed genitals.

The doctors decided to rear him as a female, changing his name to Brenda and surrounding him with flowers, pink things, dolls, etc. By the age of 13, Reimer had attempted suicide, declaring that he didn’t feel right, prompting the doctors to reveal the truth -- he was born a boy. Reimer immediately underwent surgery to regain his male organs.

The John/Joan case disproves the idea that biology and gender identity are separate, namely by disproving the theory that gender is social construct. Gender is not malleable; surrounding a cisgender male infant with pink toys and calling him a girl will not make him a woman, or make him gay. Gender identity is something that each individual person is born with, and that they must learn about by themselves and at their own pace. It can be complicated for nonbinary and transgender people to find a place in society that will not judge them based on gender or gender identity.

Much like sexual orientation, gender identity is unique to each person.

Another issue is education and representation in this growing community of nonbinary individuals. Already, industries and societies project a strict following of the binary onto their customers and citizens, which further alienates those who identify as neither, both, etc. A study of gender based marketing strategies noticed that trends appear even in products that don’t even need to be gendered.

These products included items like pens, toothpaste, and adult diapers (yeah, diapers). The result was that male products projected ideas of masculinity: dark palettes, statistics, harsh lines. Female products did the

Gender identity, personas, and prounouns: Why It Matters

opposite, being lighter, softer, and unusually floral. “Depend” brand adult diapers, for example, feature a blue streak and a square background for men, and a pink curve with a flowery background for women. Signal White Now Men is a brand of toothpaste made for men only, because men drink and smoke more. What’s the trend? Ambiguity is bad for marketing. Unisex products should be polarized. The binary gap widens.

More important than advertising, many cisgendered people struggle to grasp the different genders and their meanings. People who identify as agender are simply that, without a gender, though they may receive any sex assignment at birth.

Bigender and androgyne individuals differ in that bigender people have a tendency to move between masculine and feminine “personas”, while androgyne people are firmly between both genders, without a persona at either point. Most nonbinary identities stress the freedom to move between male and female without being anchored to a specific point. For example, an agender person will display characteristics that are regarded as neither/both masculine or feminine, but their sexuality is independent of their gender, as is the case with all identities. An agender person can be heterosexual,

homosexual, pansexual, bisexual, or even asexual.

Pronouns can also pose as an issue for nonbinary people, since the English language lacks a singular, non gendered pronoun. This has prompted the rise of “they/them” pronouns, but others prefer to use deviations such as “zey/zem” and “ey/em” instead. Other words, like those pertaining to a significant other or work title, have also been reworked to exclude gender. A common term if one is dating a nonbinary person, instead of boyfriend of girlfriend, is “enbyfriend”, pronounced as if “NB” is being used instead of “boy” or “girl”, with “NB” standing for nonbinary. Workplace titles like Mx. denote neither male nor female; Mx. Smith, for example, is pronounced “Mix Smith”.

In Malden High, the nonbinary community is finding steady representation in the Gay Straight Alliance, which is fostering the recognition of entities that are not simply straight or gay. Students are being encouraged to voice their gender identities openly, and many teachers are supportive of changing a student’s pronouns if they wish. In all, people in both MHS and the city of Malden are finding support and encouragement to be themselves, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, or gender.

A collection of gender symbols, from left to right, top to bottom: cisgender female; cisgender male; genderqueer; androgynousl; transgender; intersex; pangender; agender.

Various nonbinary celebrities, clockwise, top to bottom: Elly Jackson from the music duo La Roux; Gerard Way, the former lead singer for My Chemical Romance; Tilda Swinton, famous for her role as the White Witch in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. All photos from Wikipedia.

Above: A calabai member of the a Bugis society in India. Many Bugis societies believe in five genders, with the above being an example. All five genders live in equaility, functioning normally in everyday society.

“I was assigned male at birth is the way I like to put it, because I think we’re born who we are and the gender thing is

something someone imposes on you. And so

I was assigned male at birth but I always felt like I was a girl.” - Laverne Cox, transgender actress and activist

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How Social Media Made An Impact (When the Mainstream Media Didn’t) Sumya Mohiuddin Editor-in-Chief

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ometimes, I understand, the problem is bigger than one event that may occur. Sometimes, the issue is not about a parking spot. Sometimes, the implications are unclear and unspoken because they are not in black and white for everyone to notice.

Sometimes, people are killed, but the second we move on, there is another killing. How many people have to die before we realize there is a serious issue we need to address as a society?

Craig Hicks is a suspect for the murders of Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23, his wife, Yusor Mohammad, 21, and her sister, Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19, that occurred on Feb. 10, 2015. From one side of the argument, Hicks’ rage came from a parking dispute. However, when a shooting that involves the execution of three active, young adults takes place, society cannot ignore the surrounding accusations.

It is a police officer’s duty to rightfully arrest, and the jury’s duty to rightfully indict. However, even if a decision is made that the majority can agree on, the problem does not end. Some of us are still blind to the problem that started it all.

It was before the indictment, before the arrest, even before the shooting. As a society, it is our duty to learn about each other and become comfortable with the infinite amount of cultures and religions that surround us. Hate and racism are still alive and thriving, some in more areas than others, and that is not going to change with a few arrests. We need to change in unison and realize that there are larger problems that we must address.

Where is the line between killer and terrorist? Why don’t we see Hicks the same way we see Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s, the suspect who is currently on trial for the Boston Marathon bombings? They both instilled fear into American citizens, (Bostonians and Muslims respec-

tively.) Of course, the situations are different - the number of casualties differ, as well as the reason that the murders even happened.

Would the situation be different if Hicks was a Muslim American instead of a white American? Would his injustices be deemed a terrorist act without considering that this is just another act of violence?

If the media’s wrongdoing is still unclear, take airplane crashes for example. The first question is always: did the crash occur because of an accident, or was there criminal intent involved? If there was criminal intent involved, the second question depends on the culprit’s race. If he is white, the media has to determine what mental illness he has. If he is Muslim, the media does not have to determine anything, but rather assume that it was a terrorist attack.

Refer to Image 1 and Image 2.

The main problem does not even lie with the actual shooting. It happened, and now we have to trust our justice system to rightfully send Hicks to jail. It is the coverage in the media, or lack thereof, that is the problem.

When the media does a terrible job in covering these shootings, we, as a society, are still evading the overarching issue. When the media does a terrible job in covering the shooting, people don’t think it is important. The media should not be the only ones dictating what events are worth talking about.

Don’t get me wrong: the media is useful in many ways. By using it, we can stay updated with what’s going on in our world. However, there are still many flaws to the media including how it is affected by bias, and more importantly, as I stated earlier, how people rely on it to get news.

Because of the lack of representation in the media, the audience rarely gets the full spectrum of any news story, meaning multiple perspectives. In several media outlets, the Chapel Hill shooting is presented just like any other shooting, which would be fine, except this is

Image 1: A google search of Malaysian Airlines Flight 370, which Zaharie Ahmad Shah piloted.

“Six weeks ago, I cried tears of joy at my baby brother’s wedding. Today, we are crying tears of unimaginable pain over the execution style murders of my brother, Deah, his bride, Yusor, and her younger sister and best friend, Razan. Deah, 23, a second year dental student at UNC, was well known for his all-embracing kindness, lightheartedness, dedication to community service, love for basketball, and anything stuffedcurry. Yusor, 21, who was on track to join him at UNC dental in the fall, matched his gentle demeanor, had a calming presence, and she and Deah found in one another a kindred spirit. Razan, at only 19, was tremendously gifted studying architecture, incredibly creative, giving, generous, and a loyal friend. They were gems of their communities, and left a lasting impression on the people around them. They inspired us. They served as role models to the youth. We ask that you celebrate the lives of our family members. We are still in a state of shock, and we will never be able to make sense of this horrendous tragedy.

We appreciate your concerns and outpour of love and support, from our neighbors, student community, and the community at large. We ask that authorities investigate these senseless and heinous murders as a hate crime.” - Suzanne Barakat Suzanne Barakat, older sister of Deah Barakat, gave a chilling speech regarding the three murders of her loved ones. She gave her speech on Feb. 11, 2015, one day after the shooting. Her words were filled with maturity and love. Although the shooting took place more than a month ago, let’s remember the lives of the three victims as full. not any other shooting.

There is no doubt that people are tainted with Islamophobia in America, which makes the deaths of the young adults seem insignificant. Islamophobia has instilled fear within Muslim Americans, yet nothing is being done about it. The media is making the situation worse by somehow dehumanizing Muslims, and putting them in a lesser category. The question remains: why did the media evade mass coverage of the shooting?

Stories were aired on television and published in major newspapers

Image 2: A google search of Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot of Germanwings Flight 9525.

much later than the actual shooting occurred. Because of the lack of coverage, people from all over worked together to share the story through various social media accounts, including twitter. #MuslimLivesMatters became a huge trend the night of the shooting because apparently major media outlets did not think so.

How uncanny is it to wake up and learn about three devastating deaths through social media instead of through television? In hindsight, twitter did a much better job informing people about the deaths, (as well as the lives), of the three victims.

They were all charitable and hardworking, and always ready to help people.

Let us band together and forget about the media’s horrible job at covering the loss at Chapel Hill, but rather celebrate the Internet’s reaction. Social media was able to bring this story out of the weeds and into the eyes of millions of people.

Let us keep the story of Deah Shaddy Barakat, Yusor Mohammad, and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha alive. There is no better army than the one that merges for the same cause.

The Blue and Gold March 2015

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Killed over a parking space?

Maria Da Silva Reporter

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n Feb. 10, 2015, a Tuesday afternoon, Craig Hicks (46) of Chapel Hill was indicted for the murder of three Muslim students and for using a firearm in an occupied dwelling near the University of North Carolina. The victims, Deah Shaddy Barakat (23), his new wife, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha (21), and her sister, Razan Mohammad AbuSalha (19), were shot that afternoon in their home in Finley Forest Condominiums on Summerwalk Circle in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

The Justice Department and FBI are investigating whether the crime was religious bias, or if it was solely a long-running parking dispute. The victims’ families are certain it was a hate crime. “To have him come in here and shoot three different people in their head- I don’t know what kind of person that is,” said Namee Barakat, the father of the male victim.

The murders instantly set off a worldwide debate over whether the students had been targeted because of their religion, with Muslims picking up some of the language of those who protested against police shootings in the United States, using the term “#muslimlivesmatter” on different social medias.

Neighbors said Hicks constantly complained about people parking in his spot at the complex. The towing business said they eventually stopped answering to his calls. He also openly expressed his dislike of all religions on his Facebook page. His posts showed support for atheism and criticism of Christian conservatives. However, Hicks’ wife stated that she “can say with absolute belief that this incident had nothing to do with religion or the victims’ faith, but it was related to a longstanding parking dispute that [her] husband had with the neighbors.”

Barakat was a dental student at the UNC-Chapel hill, and Yusor Abu-Salha would begin her studies there in the fall as well. They were married in December, after she graduated from North Carolina State University. Her younger sister was a sophomore at N.C. State studying architecture. All of the victims are of Syrian descent; however, they were born in the U. S. and grew up in the triangle area of Raleigh-DurhamChapel Hill.

As authorities say, all three were shot in the head in a condominium complex near by the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill campus. One of the Abu-Salha sisters was found in the kitchen, the other in the kitchen doorway, and Barakat was found in the front doorway.

From top to bottom: The victims and a friend (far left). A vigil held for the victims held on February 11, 2015. Photos courtesy of Wikimedia.

Along with thousands of friends, students and supporters showing up on the two campuses for vigils, over five thousand people attended their funerals on Thursday,

Feb. 12, 2015.

Hicks had a license to carry a concealed weapon and advocated for gun rights. He is being held without bail.

Mummified Monk A medical miracle?

Tenzin Dorjee Reporter A statue of the Buddha. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.

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n Jan. 27, 2015, a baffling encounter was made in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar. Covered in cattle skin, still wearing his traditional Buddhist robes, the discovery is believed to be the mummified body of lama Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov. Itigilov was found by a man named Enhtor who was attempting to sell the holy mummy on the black market. He failed, and attracted attention from officials, and was subsequently arrested.

Enhtor was said to have found the monk in the Kobdsk region of Mongolia before hiding it his home in Ulaanbaatar and trying sell it.

Itigilov was born in 1852 and died in 1927, making the body almost 200 years old. Itigilov was a Tibetan Buddhist monk from Buryatia, located in Russia.

Buryats are Russians with specific ties to Mongols in their heritage and ancestry. Even in death, Itigilov remains a very important Russian Buddhist figure. At age 59, Itigilov was named the 12th

Pandido Khambo Lama, which is the head of Russian Buddhism.

Not only that, Iitgilov founded Datsan Gunzechoinei in St. Petersburg, Russia, which was the first Buddhist temple in Europe.

It was said that near the end of his life, Itigilov called upon his fellow lamas to begin the meditational ceremony for funerals.

He requested to be buried in the lotus position, a traditional position assumed during meditation, and was found in the position at the time of his discovery. The lotus position is where one sits cross-legged, with each foot on the opposing thigh, typically with the hands folded together in the center of the cross or relaxed on the knees. The founder and professor of the Mongolian Institute of Buddhist Art at Ulaanbaatar Buddhist University, Ganhugiyn Purevbata, explained that because he remained in the lotus position, “[Itigilov] is not dead, but is in a very deep meditation, according to the ancient tradition of Buddhist lamas.”

According to modern science, Itigilov is long dead, but many Buddhist monks claim he

is simply in deep meditation in order to achieve Enlightenment. When achieved, “the meditator...can become a Buddha,” said Doctor Barry Kerzin, who is a monk himself and the physician of the 14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetans. Kerzin further explained that “reaching such a high spiritual level, the meditator will also help others. And all the people around will feel a deep sense of joy.”

The most baffling part of this whole discovery is the physical state of the mummy itself. Typically, a body begins its slowly decomposition about a day or two after death. After the amount of time Itigilov’s body has experienced after death, a normal body would be close to nothing but bones, making his body’s condition so astoundingly incredible.

Scientists are shocked at how well preserved the body is. The body is currently being guarded by the Ulaanbaatar National Centre of Forensic Expertise.

The monks continue to support their claim that Itigilov is alive.

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Pakistan Goes Dark O

n Jan. 25th, 2015, an estimated 80% of Pakistan was plunged into darkness when a rebel attack on the state power grid in the sparsely populated Baluchistan province resulted in the destruction of a key transmission line. The attack comes as the third in a two week period and represents just one of the struggles that Pakistan is facing with the revitalized rebel effort in the region.

While the rebels did indeed cause this latest incident, they cannot be given all the blame for the dilapidated and unreliable power grid in the country. For years, Pakistan has had recurring problems with their aging system, resulting in regular blackouts around the country and highlighting the failure of the Pakistani government to preserve the state run energy companies. Most recently, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif promised solutions to the all too familiar problems that have plagued the country during his electoral campaign, but he has yet to resolve them.

Experts attribute the state of the electric grid in Pakistan to actions by the government such as artificially lowering electricity costs for residents, as well as widespread electricity theft by the public and military, which leaves the state-run

(but underfunded) power companies unable to keep up the already aging and failing infrastructure of the country. The state of the system often leaves areas without power for up to 20 hours at a time, with conditions worsening in the summer months as power consumption increases.

In the 1960’s much of Pakistan’s budding energy industry relied on hydroelectric, thermal, and later nuclear power stations to provide the bulk of the countries electricity. Over time, this dominance of renewable energy has fallen to the wayside, and a shift in policy has left Pakistan reliant on foreign fossil fuels for the majority of the power produced in the country. Policy in 2001 brought about by the standing military government only worsened the current state of the country’s electric grid by, unlike previous courses of policy, failing to increase the energy production of the country (which had diminished over the years) but increasing the power consumption of the country.

Since 2005, numerous plans have been put into action by the Pakistani government, the first of which focused on privatizing the energy sector, with the intent to increase energy production in the

Jasper Haag Reporter

country by 50% by 2013. But that action was not enough, and by 2012, the country had nationalized the energy sector once again, the result of the private companies failure to meet the total demand of the growing energy consuming segment of the population and the promises of the government in 2005.

This history of poor maintenance and policy has left the energy sector in shambles, unable to meet the production demands, and using outdated and unreliable systems for the transmission of that power. Unlike more developed countries such as the US or many Western European nations, Pakistan is extremely susceptible to such widespread

blackouts, especially when coupled with these added faults.

These failures characterize a familiar struggle for many developing nations today, reliant on energy production and consumption for daily function and production, but unable to meet the requirements created by citizens and industry alike.

For these countries, the experience and successes of more developed nations can only do so much good, and when offset by corruption, theft, poor policy, poor maintenance and expansion of the grid, and political or social unrest, (as is often the case in these countries) it is only a matter of time before such a failure can be expected.

Revolutionary TecH Showcases Ceres, A Dwarf Planet Ceres, the largest object in the asteroid belt, lies between Mars and Jupiter. New technology is helping scientists learn more about this dwarf planet.

Felicia Fallano Reporter

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t an altitude of 38,000 miles, the Dawn space probe finally started its orbit around the dwarf planet Ceres on Mar. 6, 2015. The space probe is expected to start orbiting Ceres from 8,400 miles away towards the end of April, and will eventually end up at an altitude of 235 miles.

The Dawn Mission’s goal is to achieve something that has never even been attempted before its launch. This year the space probe is set to explore and discover the conditions of the dwarf planet Ceres, which is believed to have a subsurface liquid ocean. Although the spacecraft is now circling Ceres, the amount of information it can collect is limited due to the fact that Dawn is currently on the night side of the planet.

Attached to a Delta 7925-H rocket and launched from the Cape

Canaveral Air Force Station, the space probe started its journey in 2007 to explore the contrasting Vesta, one of the largest asteroids in the Solar system, and Ceres. As the Dawn space probe observed, Vesta seems to be more developed and rocky while Ceres is thought to be icy.

The new scientific understanding that the Dawn space probe is providing is due to its xenon ion thruster that allows it to move at a maximum speed of 25,635 miles per hour. The space probe is not only discovering worlds that we have never observed before, but it is also able to achieve a velocity change of more than 22,369 miles per hour which is much more than any other spacecraft has achieved after separating from its launch rocket.

Scientists have already observed pictures taken by the space probe from December 2014, and found that the dwarf planet appears to have bright spots that could pos-

Dawn image of Ceres from 46,000 km, 19 February 2015. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia. sibly be patches of ice or salt. Now, scientists are hoping to find out how Ceres has evolved to gain a better understanding of how it formed.

The difference between its formation and evolution is interesting to many scientists because they both are believed to have formed early in the history of the solar system.

Since its launch Dawn has experienced a Mars gravity assist, has orbited the asteroid Vesta at both a low and high altitude, and is now in a high altitude orbit around Ceres.

Hopefully the space probe will suc-

Dawn prior to encapsulation at its launch pad on July 1, 2007. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.

cessfully perform its low altitude orbit as predicted, and provide scientists with sufficient information on Ceres and its conditions.

The Blue and Gold March 2015

World News

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Aeromobil 3.0: The Flying Car Felicia Fallano Reporter In 1940, Henry Ford, the creator of the Ford Motor Company, said, “Mark my words: a combination airplane and motorcar is coming.

You may smile, but it will come.”

For years people have associated the idea of flying cars with some futuristic world that they thought was possible in their own imagination, but flying cars may be coming sooner than we all thought.

The new and improved prototype, Aeromobil 3.0 was first introduced and flown in 2014 after the company finished improving from the 2.5 version, which took around 20 years to develop and determine its potential and feasibility.

The roadable aircraft was created by Štefan Klein, and will be produced

by Airomobil s.r.o. The newest version includes folding wings, which was an element that the earlier versions had lacked.

Aeromobil s.r.o.’s take on the idea of a flying car may be different than what most people would imagine a flying car to look like.

This roadable aircraft can be driven on the road like any other car, but it is capable of flying like an aircraft when you feel that it is necessary.

When the Aeromobil is used as an aircraft rather than a car, pilots must take off from an airport before flying, but pilots are permitted to land in any area where grass or pavement is present at around a length of 1,000 feet. There is no official price to the Aeromobil, but it will be in the range of thousands of U.S. dollars.

According to the company’s CEO, Juraj Vaculik, the aircraft is meant for “wealthy supercar buyers and flight enthusiasts.”

With an impressive maximum speed of 124 mph when in the air, this aircraft is predicted to eventually limit the need for airports, lower the amount of money spent on multiple roads for cars, and traveling faster to places that can’t be connected by

a road. An important feature that is currently being added to Aeromobil 3.0 is a parachute system in case of an emergency, making it less likely that the pilot or second passenger on board will have to jump out of the aircraft.

There is still some work that

has to be done to this flying automobile, but the company is planning to have it hit the markets some time in the next two or three years. As of this year, the company hopes that their product can start being available for sale in 2017 at the earliest.

isis joins saturday night live

Scan the QR code above to watch the skit on Saturday Night Live’s website.

Lucia Quesada Nylen Head of Sports

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veryone claims that every subject has a ‘line’ that can crossed in inappropriate situations. Mostly directed towards jokes, there is a clear distinction between someone being blatantly offensive and plainly making fun of them. In shows like Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and The Daily Show, the comedians make jokes about current events in a way that is “okay” with the public mostly because of the fact that the show is considered a comedy.

Saturday Night Live is another example - the Emmy award winning comedy has been on the air for almost three decades and has one sole goal - to make the audience laugh. Every Saturday night during the season at 11:30 p.m., a cast full of comedians, along with one selected celebrity host and musical performance, entertain the live audience and millions watching with various satire skits.

On Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, the show was hosted by actress Dakota Johnson, and a while into the show, a SNL skit was played that soon caused much controversy throughout the nation. The skit was based off the original Toyota Camry commercial that aired during Superbowl 54. In the original commercial, a proud father drops his daughter off at the airport as she leaves to join the US Army. In the SNL remake, Johnson plays the role of a daughter

being dropped off by her father as she leaves to join the terrorist group known as ISIS. Other than the Toyota commercial, the emotional farewell by the father was an indirect reference to the case that had happened earlier that week, when three high school girls from England allegedly left their homes to join ISIS. Immediately that night and well into the next morning, social media was full of comments regarding the skit that mocked the ongoing threat of the terrorist group. The next morning the news was full of the reporters responses to the skit.

“Fox & Friends” reporter Elisabeth Hasselbeck was full of rage towards the mocking of the terrorist group and accused NBC and SNL of being “insensitive”, according to CNN news, as well as saying that the scene “had insulted the men and women who risk their lives to fight terrorism.”

SNL has been known to satirize current events that are happening; however, many are arguing that the producers crossed the line. Others argue that teasing groups like ISIS that pose a threat to the U.S. is a great way to get back at them because people are not living in fear, and are instead laughing at them.

The question stands as the situation furthers: did SNL cross a line or were they just trying to ‘lighten the mood’?

Actress Dakota Johnson (left) joins ISIS in an SNL skit.

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Local News

The Blue and Gold March 2015

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Jasper Haag Reporter Felicia Fallano Reporter

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fter another year of Poetry Out Loud at Malden High School, junior Heresa Guerrier recently moved on to the state finals. Although Guerrier is not moving on to the next round, MHS is still proud to be represented at the state finals by her stellar rendition of “Ecology” by Jack Collom.

Sean Walsh, the English Language Arts Teacher Leatheder at MHS, explained that the performers at the semifinals were successful due to “their ability to embody the poem and clarify what the meaning is.”

Walsh also believes that “there were some great performances of poems that [he has] heard a hundred times.” This Poetry Out Loud season, as always, had a wide variety of types of poems, and every performer brought something unique

to their poem when performing.

Students were able to put their own individual spin to their poems, making each performance stand out.

Guerrier, who moved on to the semifinals at MHS last year, explained that “[she has] geared towards poems that have some kind of rhythm to it.” Guerrier feels that her poem choice this year really “matches her personality,” which may have been why she was able to illustrate the meaning of the poem for those in the audience through her performance. She believes that she picked the perfect poem for First place winner of the schoolwide herself before, but she still had “to competition, junior Heresa Guerrier, performing “Ecology” by Jack Collom. show everybody who [she] was, though [she did not] succeed” dur-

“Surrounded by bone, surrounded by cells, by rings, by rings of hell, by hair, surrounded by air-is-a-thing, surrounded by silhouette, by honey-wet bees, yet by skeletons of trees, surrounded by actual, yes, for practical purposes, people, surrounded by surreal popcorn, surrounded by the reborn: Surrender in the center to surroundings.”

-Ecology by Jack Collom

ing her classroom performances in her freshman and sophomore year.

David Londino, Guerrier’s current English teacher, expressed that Guerrier “got off to a really good start,” and “very little had to be changed.” Like Guerrier, Londino believes that “her poem selection this year made a huge difference.”

Poem selection was also integral for the two teachers involved in the 2015 finals, David Holland and Evan Mauser. Each took a vastly different approach, with Holland choosing to memorize and present a “longer” poem complete with custom changes to better reach the audience “and humor in it.” Mauser presented his in a short but powerful 10 lines.

For each, the content of the poem was the primary motivation in their choice to perform it, and in putting their beliefs and personal connections above the competition, they embodied the model that they hoped students would incorporate in their own lives.

While most students would not care to compete at the schoolwide or statewide level, all those involved agreed that the most important part of Poetry Out Loud is to better understand oneself and to establish or improve ones public speaking skills, confidence, understanding of poetry and its context with respect to their own interpretation.

From left to right: Junior Catherine Rodriguez (2nd Place) performing “Ode”by Arthur Shaughnessy; history teacher David Holland performing “Miracle Worker” by Taylor Maly; MHS math teacher Evan Mauser performing “In the Desert” by Stephen Crane; senior Olivia Verdone performing “Grief ” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

The Blue and Gold March 2015

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Malden High School: Where Anything Is Posse-ble!

Posse wishes to foster leadership, help students pursue their academic goals, and promote cultural diversity among college campuses. This year, Posse is providing seven lucky Malden High School students the chance to represent MHS as they attend their new schools this upcoming fall of 2015.

Senior Posse scholars, from left to right: Aryzona MacDonald, Jesse Yu, Nahom Ghile, Madina Khudaynazar, editor-in-chief of The Blue and Gold Sumya Mohiuddin, Blue and Gold member Julie Lam. All photos by Tenzin Dorjee

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HS Posse scholar Aryzona MacDonald will be heading to Danville, Kentucky after graduation. MacDonald is excited to begin Tenzin Dorjee her journey as a Centre College student. At first, Reporter MacDonald had not planned to even attempt to become a Posse scholar as she “did not think [she] had any chance” due to “so many kids from [MHS]” and all over the Greater Boston area that apply. However, that all changed when her “best friend made [her] go to the meeting.”

The interview was “really nerve wracking” for MacDonald, but “overall [the process to be a scholar] was good.” When she received the acceptance call, MacDonald expressed that she was overjoyed and “cried [because she] was so excited.” Centre College is a private liberal arts college that MacDonald hopes will accommodate and help her in transitioning from a golden tornado to a colonel. Centre has a similar tight-knit community that MHS also offers. MacDonald is extremely ecstatic about “a change in scenery” and “to try new things,” as she believes the experience is going to be a “culture shock.” MacDonald describes her posse as “fun, loud and energetic” and “really, really smart.” Though MacDonald is moving onto Centre, she will not forget her time at MHS. Megan Downer Reporter

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enison University will be most delighted to welcome Posse scholars and Blue and Gold members Julie Lam, Sumya Mohiuddin along with Madina Khudaynazar. According to Mohiuddin, the overall process of becoming a Posse scholar “was not pressuring.” Students applying and seeking to become a Posse scholar had to participate in varied activities that worked to display students’ leadership and communication skills. Denison University is located in Granville, Ohio, which is quite different from Malden and a good distance away.

Khudaynazar explained, “[she] grew up in the city, so [moving to Granville is] going to be a huge transformation for [her].” Besides the difference in where they will live, the Posse scholars will experience a new sense of support through their Posse. With reference to the Posse attending Denison University, Madina stated “I’m so excited to learn from them and offer my diversity as well.” Khudaynazar also expressed that the benefit of being a part of this group was that “things we would not normally talk about [they] can talk about because [they] have people from all over the world.” She also adds that “just having that mentorship and that peer support, [she] think[s] is really important.”

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osse scholars Jesse Yu and Jasmine Nguyen will happily be attending Hamilton College. Hamilton College is located in Upstate New York.

Yu explained that it is “kind of something [he] wanted, to go far away, Upstate New York is not extremely far away but it is enough for [him].” He also adds that he “felt comfortable, it was not necessarily easy, but [he is] in this program called summer search and basically every week [they] have a weekly interview.”

Hamilton College is known as an accepting college that strives to encourage individuality. Yu stated that he “[expects] a lot of support from [his group] and it’s just nice to know that you have people to lean back on when you’re in the middle of nowhere and you do not know anyone else.”

Nguyen also expressed excitement towards bonding with her “posse” and she “[expects] them to be the family away [that] they’re supposed to be.” Nguyen has yet to “know each [individual in her group] in depth yet, but [she] would say the bond between the ten of [them] is pretty great so far.” Along with moving on to great opportunities comes leaving behind the way you once lived, Nguyen is “not really fond of the idea, but sometimes you just have to let go of your past and embrace the future.” The whole experience feels surreal to Yu and Nguyen, and they will be dearly missed by everyone at MHS.

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nion College, a private liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York will welcome MHS senior Nahom Ghile as a fellow Dutchman come fall. Ghile was inspired to apply for the scholarship by “friends [from] last year who got the Posse scholarship and they told [him] how great it was.”

Ghile is proud to have won the scholarship, and stated that he felt “good to know that among all the people [that applied for Posse, he is] one of the lucky few who was able to get the scholarship.”

After his acceptance, Ghile felt relief, as he knew for the next 4 years of his life things were all set financially. Ghile’s family is also proud of him in winning the scholarship to the point where they were “jumping for joy.”

Ghile is excited to spend the next 4 years with his “posse”, which he feels is “very energetic...they love making jokes [and] they are very family-like.”

Ghile will miss the many wonderful memories filled with fun and lasting relationships with all his friends and teachers at MHS, but is excited to begin a new chapter of his career.

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The Blue and Gold March 2015

maldenblueandgold.com

MHS Play Production’s

Women and Wallace

in Women and Wallace, including heavy topics of death and coming of age, relate to everyday lives of the Continued from front page. audience. The actors had to find a In an attempt to change his way to express themselves through mother’s fate, Wallace takes away the play in a way that everyone else the knife that his mother used to could understand. Angulo stated commit her suicide. But she instead that he “prepared for [his] role by opts for strangling herself with a looking at [his] relationship with sweater. In both situations, Wal- [his] real mother,” and “observlace’s mother ends up committing ing [his] nine year old brother to suicide, displaying that “if a man see how a little kid would act.” He wants to kill himself, he will still kill also mentioned that “[his] relationhimself no matter what if the will is ship with [his] grandma...was the there,” as stated by Wallace played strongest one.” Norris stated that “it

by Brayan Angulo. Wallace eventu- was amazing to see [Angulo] grow ally comes to the realization that he the way he did; he broke out of his should not blame his mother for his shell and portrayed such a complex misfortunes in life. character so well.”

There are generally more girls Throughout the play, Wallace than boys in Play Production, so develops strong and complicated Women and Wallace was the perfect relationships with the women, play to suit the members of the cast. whether they are his grandmother, Junior Joylyn Norris expressed how, doctor, school friends, college room“[she] loved being challenged with mates, or love interest. Norris displaying Nina, Wallace’s girlfriend.” cussed how “[she] definitely grew Norris also stated that there is “so as an actor working so close with much room for the actors to play Mr. Phelps.” She adds that assistant with this show” She mentioned that director Elijah Jean-Baptiste “also she enjoyed “watch[ing] the whole gave [them] a lot of tips that were show from start to finish while on very helpful.” The actors were chalstage. Some of the funnier scenes lenged because of weather condiwere hard to sit through however, tions, causing them to miss rehearsal [she] would sit and bite [her] lip on opportunities through the snow stage trying not to laugh while Alana days. Although Women and Wallace cracked jokes and got reactions from was an amusing play, it still dealt the audience.” with heavy thoughts; the actors in Although the play is emotional MHS Play Production will continue and funny, the subject matter is to “build a lot of high school memoserious. The problems addressed ries” throughout the years.

Moments from “Women and Wallace.” Top photo, from left to right: Senior Meghan Brown, junior Amari Wilson, sophomore Danielle Lauritzen, Junior Joylyn Norris, junior Brayan Angulo, senior Alana Burdine, junior Sarah Vieria, senior Angelica Carberry, senior Kaitlyn Weng. Right, from top to bottom: Wallace (Angulo) playing the role of a drunken phone caller; Wallace is talking to his grandmother (Burdine). Wallace talking to psychiatrist (Viera). Right page: Moments from “The Serpent.”

Anna Powers Reporter

Leila Greige Reporter

The Blue and Gold March 2015

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Winter One Acts

The Serpent M

alden High School’s production of The Serpent directed by Lead English Teacher Sean Walsh, was unlike any other play performed

by Play Production and Tech Theater in the past. The Serpent explores The Book of Genesis and other dramatic milestones in American history, such as the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy.

Twenty actors remain on the stage throughout the entire play, mak-

ing it a unique performance. There were also very specific choreographed movements that were not only physically challenging but also involved varied emotion to be portrayed and had a factor of improvisation. Walsh stated that, “for [his] cast, the things that [he] really focused on were ensemble work and coming together--taking risks”. Their ability to trust one another was a big component in the final product of the play.

Continued on page 20.

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The Blue and Gold March 2015

maldenblueandgold.com

MHS Play Pro Presents: The Serpent Continued from page 19.

Some of the main roles in this play included religious figures Adam and Eve. Adam was played by junior Richard Melgar and Eve by junior Kamila Regalado. In the play, Eve was intrigued by a serpent in the Garden of Eden, and ends up eating the forbidden fruit. Eve tempts Adam to eat the fruit as well.

Throughout the play, the audience picks up the mistakes that our world has encountered. The Serpent is played by a combination of five actors: senior Dominic Papagallo, junior Marino Dipietrantonio, senior Sebastian Patino, sophomore Paul Araiza, and senior Michael Lane. The play discusses ideas of self fulfillment as well as obedience to God. The Serpent, one of the most memorable plays performed by MHS’s play production, makes one think about, according to Walsh, “where women are going, where we are going as people, how does one find humanity in life when we see our leaders shot.”

The actors in the play have connected their personal lives with the play in dealing with some of their personal problems. Senior Sebastian Patino stated, “It is human nature in general that we always make mistakes, and we made mistakes since the beginning of time, but we always move on, we always keep pushing, and life always continues, and there is always something next after the mistake.” Junior Sarah Bendell, who played one of the four women in the play, also adds that she enjoyed “the closeness of the whole cast and our directors...coming to rehearsal was always a blast because we never knew what funny things would happen that day.” However, in contrast, she stated that as a cast, they “struggled the most with [their] intentions because everything was so new to [them]...we spent a lot of time trying to understand how serious and heavy this show was, and what it really meant.

From top to bottom: Junior Kamila Regalado surrounded by actors playing serpents. Sophomore Paul Ariza playing a doctor during an autopsy.

Malden Reads: One City, One Book Julia Parker Reporter

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alden Reads hosted their fifth annual opening event on Feb. 19, 2015 in order to introduce this year’s book: Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. At the event, there were groups and organizations including Nedlam’s (or Malden High’s) Workshop, the Malden Historical Society, and St. Rocco’s organization, a charity.

The theme of this school year’s book for Malden Reads is mainly the transition from older and classic traditions to the rise of technology. Every one of the tables at the event also tried to represent those transitions.

Linda Zalk, a leader in Malden Reads, was very pleased with the turnout and what they were representing. Zalk was most pleased with the fact that “[the tables were] showing the same theme.”

At the Malden Reads table she was hosting, there were a number of old and modern gadgets that we usually take for granted. Zalk wanted to “make sure people were understanding” that this year was all about them.

These items showed the transition into technology that our country experience. Items included a gas lamp, flashlight, and inkwell matched with a pen.

Another representative from Malden Reads, Martha Bez-

zat, shared her opinion on the book of the year with much delight. She “[loved the book] so far,” and that overall it contains a “great mystery.”

Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore is the “first true fiction that [Malden Reads] has chosen” so far, said Bezzat.

From the Malden Historical Society came a very similar take on

the show of a transition. On their table was a show of old, everyday objects with its match of a modern day version. For example, there was a handwritten letter and an email comparison on the table. The question that was asked through this representation is: “is technology really better?” Some believe that it is, while some believe that we sometimes could be better off without that modern technology.

Nedlam’s workshop also hosted a table at the event, showing some of what we can use with modern day technology, while also representing an old-fashioned version of activities. Since Malden Reads offered the space at the event, the group decided that using their

own form of work was the best way to represent the theme.

Although many of the tables wanted to show a connection to the theme of the book, some groups wanted to show people things from their own culture, such as the Chinese Culture Connection, Arabic Women’s Culture Organization, and the Saint Rocco Society.

Joyce Mover from the Saint Rocco Society explained that while they did not really have a relation to the book, they found this event as an opportunity to “promote the Italian culture.” The group also found it as a successful place to promote and ask people to contribute to a cookbook that the society is working on.

Also, Chinese Culture Connection representative Biyang Song also used the opening event to expose what their organization is all about.

At the table, Song and her partner handed out strips of Chinese calligraphy and gave it to those who stopped by. By doing this, they were spreading out a bit of their culture

with that small piece of paper over to the person who took it.

This year’s event was the first time the Chinese Culture Connection has hosted a table at the Malden Reads Opening Event. What Song likes the most about Malden Reads is that Malden Reads is “very open to everyone,” and that it is a “very heartwarming environment.”

Finally, from the Arabic Women’s Culture Organization comes a mix of promoting Arabic culture and representing the theme of this year’s book. The table represented many aspects of Arabic life, such as their alphabet, and the design.

The representative Habiba Idrissi wanted to “open a window on [Arabic] culture”. However, they also represented the theme by providing a difference between ancient Arabic and modern Arabic life. Altogether, the table was very enlightening upon the lives of Arabic persons.

Although the opening event did not have as big of a turnout as it usually does, which is mainly because of weather inconveniences, the Malden Reads organization still had plenty of fun representing their theme.

Left: A white board describing Nedlam’s Workshop at the event. Right: Books on display throughout the opening. All photos by Julia Parker.

The Blue and Gold March 2015

Local News

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Colby Sawyer College Welcomes MHS Seniors Nico Quesada Nylen

Kaitlyn Weng

Cassandra Reyes Head of Sports

Lucia Quesada Nylen Head of Sports

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s senior Nicolas Quesada Nylen spends his last weeks as a Malden High School student, he has locked down his college choice on Colby Sawyer.

In college preparation chaos of senior year, Quesada Nylen, along with senior classmate Kaitlyn Weng, was awarded with the Colby Sawyer scholarship.Quesada Nylen read the letter sent to his house notifying him that he got the scholarship, “[he] really thought [he] was dreaming.”

Although Colby Sawyer was not on Quesada Nylen’s list of colleges, after he heard about the school and visited the campus, it quickly became an easy decision that he would apply for the scholarship. Quesada Nylen plans on majoring in business during his time as a Colby Sawyer college student, with dreams to move on to culinary school and one day own a restaurant of his own.

Another senior year highlight for Quesada Nylen was being part of the MHS boys soccer team, who went undefeated in the regular season, won the Greater Boston League championship title and made it to the third round of states. Despite an ankle injury that didn’t allow Quesada Nylen to play for a major portion of the season, he expresses

that “[he is] grateful to have worn a uniform and still be considered a part of the team.” Quesada Nylen also gives credit to his teammates and coach as the reason he will be playing soccer at Colby Sawyer this upcoming fall.

Along with being a member of the boys soccer team, Quesada Nylen had the privilege of being a Summer Searcher. Quesada Nylen describes his sophomore year trip to Wind River Range in Wyoming as “life changing.” Quesada Nylen grew to become a great leader in the Summer Search program for the underclassmen and says “[he will] always remember the two trips and what [he has] learned from the program.”

With the end of senior year close by, Quesada Nylen knows that “it is time to move forward.”

Despite the fact that he will be living away from his family and friends, Quesada Nylen admits that “[he is] excited to live in a place other than Malden.” In his preparation for college, Quesada Nylen is “excited to see how [he] can leave a mark on Colby Sawyer.” Until then, he will be making the best of the time he has left at the place that has been home for the past four years, MHS.

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enior Kaitlyn Weng is a very involved student at Malden High School. As she graduates this spring and heads into the next step of her life, Weng expects to continue her education in college. Weng is one of the two students from MHS that was awarded the Colby Sawyer scholarship that the Colby Sawyer College offers at MHS. The scholarship pays for the four years of school, not including room and board.

Weng explained that this particular scholarship is mostly “based on community service, diversity, and leadership.” She claimed her initial reaction to when she found out she had received the scholarship is that she was shocked, and was “so happy [she] was jumping up and down.” Colby Sawyer offers this scholarship in order to build more skills for leaders.

Weng is anxious about going away from home for college, and since Colby Sawyer is in New Hampshire, the drive from Malden is long. She stated that college is “scary, because [she] is going away to a school without knowing anyone,” However, she will be attending school with the other MHS senior Nico Quesada Nylen. Weng and Quesada Nylen have been friends

even before their acceptances, however Weng explains that she is “fortunate enough to have someone she knows going to school with her because [she knows] that [they] will have each others backs.”

Weng hopes to pursue Education while attending Colby Sawyer.

At MHS she is involved in various activities such as volleyball, Captains Council, Special Olympics, Summer Search and Unified Sports.

At her time in Colby Sawyer, Weng intends to join various clubs and become thoroughly involved, organizations like the Community Service Club and Relay for Life are two that interest her greatly. Weng hopes to continue various activities within her college career as she did at MHS. This upcoming fall, Weng is “excited and afraid” from being independent from her family. Other than her Summer Search trips, she has not been away from her family all of her life. Despite being nervous, Weng is extremely lucky to have the opportunity to go to college with the majority paid for as a result of her hard work that she’s performed throughout high school, and now she begins the next chapter of her life at Colby Sawyer to continue her education away from MHS.

Malden High School Offers Internship Opportunities for Seniors Malden High School seniors are taking on the opportunity to intern at different local places in and around Malden. Through internship, the students look to gain experience to apply in their future career paths after graduation.

Meghan Yip Reporter

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efore they leave their high school years behind them, MHS seniors have the opportunity to obtain an internship in a field similar to one they plan on studying. Eligible students will leave the high school during the day to work on their assigned profession.

Under the instruction of a trained guide, seniors can get internships in Accounting, Business, Hospitality/Tourism, Medical Field, Social Work, Marketing/management, Athletic training/physical therapy, Environmental Science, Automotive technology, Real Estate, Computer Science, Medical secretary, and Outward bound/outdoor education.

The senior internship committee is led by special education

teacher Patricia Laidley and guidance counselor Taryn Belowsky, along with MHS English teachers Pasquale DiBenedetto, Abbey Dick, Robin Doherty, Beverly Nyman, and Jill Suskind, science teachers Ashley Freeman and Brian Morrison, business teacher Beth Horwitz, Spanish teacher Mar Marjomaa, guidance counselors Susan Lessard and Victoria Lipinski, librarian Lucia Musilli, and Jenkins house principal Kevin Kilbride.

Students will begin their internship on April 8th and end their work on May 22nd. The guide is a specialist who is knowledgeable within the intern’s field of interest. Each intern is required to seek the assistance of a guide. The guide will work closely with the intern and will share his or her expertise and knowledge, in

which both the student and guide will benefit from each other’s diverse ideas and perspectives.

After a week at an intern site, students are required to fill out log sheets to keep track of their performance and work hours, which they will then render into a four to five page paper and presentation.

According to Laidley and Belowsky, the paper will be required to have “a description of their internship and the steps taken to complete their project or tasks performed at intern site,” as well as “a description of the reasons why they chose this project or intern site, a description of any difficulties encountered during the course of their project or at the intern site and how they solved them” and “a conclusion of the final results of their project and what they

have learned from the experience.”

The presentation can be displayed in many different mediums, such as a video, a musical selection, a thesis defence, a three dimensional model, or any other physical and written representations of their project.

A Senior Internship Exhibition will be held on May 27th, 2015 in the Finn Gym from 9:00 am to 12:00 p.m. Seniors will share their learning experiences from their internships in their aforementioned paper and presentation, detailing their various experiences and outcomes.

Because getting an internship is one of the best ways to prepare a person for the post-graduation world, MHS students are fortunate to have these opportunities at their fingertips.

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The Blue and Gold March 2015

maldenblueandgold.com

MHS Class of 2016 Presents:

Junior Sarah Viera performs “Stand By You” by The Pretenders in honor of Sophomore Karina Moreira. The performance included a slideshow of pictures of Moreira.

Junior Ashley Viera performs the dance number “Annabelle” as she depicts the movements of a porcelian doll.

The 75th Annual Junior Varieties was put on by the junior class of 2016. Cast, crew, and advisors put in both work and time preparing for the show and “making this a JVs to remember!” The theme followed a “spirit” of Junior Varieties that revealed the ghost of MHS past.

Left: Ali Fletcher sings “Pulled” from the Addams Family Musical. The singer brought quite the reaction from the audience with her musical performance and her exuberant singing.

Sophomore Sarah Beaton sings “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion. Nick Hames played the music on piano for the song.

“I get really bad stage fright and I get really nervous, but because I do it so much with [Paula Terenzi’s Dance Studio], I like it.”

- Junior Ashley Viera Senior Chris Rivera dances freestyle to his own personal mix. Through the dance Rivera aimed to achieve a storyline of someone breaking out of a mental illness.

Senior Kierra Sweeney takes a new turn on dancing with Irish Step Dancing. Sweeney danced to “Wake Me Up” by Avicii.

“We just practice and keep on going over the steps right before we get on stage.”

-Junior Carly Amos

Characters left to right, Kevin Irungu as the spirit of Malden High School’s past Junior Varieties, Sabrina Kumar, Brayan Angulo, and Marino DiPietrantonio as students

“We [have to] have extra fun when we are stressed out.”

-Junior Kevin Irungu

Junior Gracelle Renaud sings “If It’s Over” by Mariah Carey after playing the intro of the song on piano.

Renaud only performed in the Saturday show.

Malden High School’s Step Team opens the show with original choreography that had the audience up in their seats and cheering throughout the performance.

Junior Sajeanah Cadet and Senior Tracy Jane-Pierre perform the 90’s R&B song “Are You That Somebody” by Aaliyah.

Malden High School’s dance group Azonto 2.0 rocks both the stage and the crowd as everyone stands up and dances with them in their seats.

Senior Mei Huang sings to “Be Your Love“ by “Rachael Yamagata“ with the spotlight on her as she performs across the stage.

“We wanted to bring some of the old 90’s R&B back.”

- Senior Tracy Jane-Pierre

The Blue and Gold March 2015

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The Spirit of Junior Varieties “I love seeing the different talents and what people have to offer.”

-Senior Nick Hames

Junior Carrie Medina sings “Can You Stand The Rain” by Boyz II Men. Nick Hames played the piano in the background.

Right: Hoa Nguyen sings “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston.

Nguyen dedicated his performance to his friends.

Sophomore Liz Bertolini and Senior Nick Hames perform “Heaven” by Bryan Adams. After their performance on Friday, Hames was surprised with guest singer Gary Cherone.

Members of the Malden High School band as a group named Colors Of E performed a mix of Bastille and other alternative songs. Near the end of the performance, drummer Eddie Urbina was rolled around on a platform while he performed his solo

Junior Joylyn Norris leads a small chorus of singers as she performs Imagine by John Lennon. Norris walked through the audience throughout her performance.

Senior Anajia Owens sang to the well-known Rihanna song, “Diamonds”, as a disco ball spun above her to make the auditorium shine “like a diamond”.

“I’m so proud to be in the show; we put in so much work and I’m so proud of every single one of these people.”

-Junior Joylyn Norris

Senior Myrlie Semal performs “Someone Like You” by Adele while everyone got up and sang along.

Dance Group Airbound, led by Senior Captain Dee Lamery, ended the show for the third year with an impressive amount of stunts and dance moves.

Sophomore Leah Tramondozzi performs “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift on piano. Tramondozzi also participated in the Colors of E performance. The audience gladly sang the song as Tramondozzi played.

Juniors Kamila Regalado and Anjayla Boyce performing dance to Beyonce’s “End of Time” and “7/11”

“I wanted to audition for [Junior Varieties] to get over my stage fright.”

- Sophomore Leah Tramondozzi

Junior Sarah Viera, left, and freshamn Belle Maraschi, right, perform “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood as a duet, while senior Kamila Machado played the guitar.

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The Blue and Gold March 2015

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Model United Nations at MHS “[All the problems at hand are] critically important as the world has not yet solved these problems and we need the help of young people to come up with innovative new ways to solve problems”. -Gregory Hurley Ana Kerr Reporter

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Scan the QR code above to watch our video on the Model UN simulation.

he Model United Nations simulation began on Feb. 24, 2015 for the junior class at Malden High School. It was an opportunity for all MHS students enrolled in Modern World History to experience what a United Nations conference would be like and it allowed students to solve current problems in the world today.

At this simulation, different groups discussed varying topics relating to world problems and then proceeded to figure out solutions for those given problems.

A majority of the students are in

agreement that the most interesting part of the simulation was being able to discuss the world’s needs and process of recovery in developing countries. MHS history teacher Gregory Hurley held a vital role throughout Model UN and stated that he does not simply “like Model UN--[he loves] it!”

He also added that “it not only engages students to be good diplomats,” but it also allows them to “use good critical thinking skills, good persuasive writing skills, and good research skills.”

Model UN is important to

the students “because it is a real world application of skills students are learning.” Topics that were discussed included current issues in the world today, such as climate change, peacekeeping, and maternal health. Since these topics are currently being debated through the United Nations, Hurley added that they are all “critically important as the world has not yet solved these problems and we need the help of young people to come up with innovative new ways to solve problems”.

The first simulation took

place on Feb. 24, 2015; it was dedicated to maternal health, which gave students the opportunity to communicate with other countries who were also suffering from the same problem and to also communicate with countries that could help to minimize casualties.

The second simulation took place on Feb. 25, 2015; it covered the topic of climate change. It included the problem of excess greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and explained that through the collaboration of countries, they concluded that excess greenhouse

gases affect not only endangered animals and plants but humans as well.

Students that discussed peacekeeping on Feb. 26, 2015 wanted it to be more effective and available because it reduces corruption. The UN decides to send in troops and military groups to corrupted countries government conflicts to maintain a safe environment and government.

After the class simulations in the library, select students from

each class were sent to Northeastern University on Mar. 6, 2015 to participate in a larger simulation with students across Massachusetts. Of sixteen possible awards, MHS students were awarded six.

Michelle Chung and Tri Pham were awarded Best Public Speakers in the Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC) on maternal health. Deborah Kibazo and Blue and Gold member Chaimae El Adlouni were awarded Best Position Paper in the ECOSOC com-

mittee on maternal health as well.

Kaitlyn Gibson and Richard Melgar received the Best Negotiators in the General Assembly award discussing peacekeeping operations. In addition, Collin Ivany was given Best Position Paper in the UNEP Committee concerning climate change and the Kyoto Protocol.

To add to the great success, Samantha Forestier and Arnaldo Silva were awarded Best Negotiators in the UNEP committee who

discussed climate change and the Kyoto Protocol. Blue and Gold member Andrew Cogliano and Marwa Khudaynazar were given the Overall Best Delegates award for their work in the UN Security Council discussing ISIS and the world’s response to Islamic Extremism.

Through Model UN, students gained a larger awareness of the problems surrounding the world and improved both their problem solving and social skills.

From top to bottom, left to right: History teacher Gregory Hurley leading the simulation. Junior Blue and Gold member Ashley Leung and junior Jessica Monroe presenting their ideas. Students taking notes on the discussion. Students presenting their ideas and solutions to the problem at hand. All photos by Ana Kerr.

Local News

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Natalia Brennan: Gearing Students to a More Technology Driven Course Samuel Martinez Reporter

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atalia Brennan has been an English teacher at Malden High School for nine years. She teaches English 10 Honors, English 11 College Preparation, and a Monsters in Literature class for seniors. Brennan started off her career as a student teacher with Beverly Nyman in the fall of 2005 and was later hired to work full time for MHS in 2006.

Brennan is currently working on two projects here at MHS, the 1:1 initiative for freshmen and a pilot digital literacy class for ELL students.

The 1:1 initiative plans to give every freshman at MHS a Chromebook to bring home for school related work. They have been planning this program for almost a year and they plan to start handing out Chromebooks in the first couple of weeks of March. This exciting program will provide ”equitable access to technology for every student and create new learning opportunities for staff and students,” as said by Brennan. She joined the 1:1 team to see “how creativity and technology can come together and how it offers students another way to demonstrate their

understanding of something” Brennan is also working on a pilot digital literacy class for ELL students at MHS that is run

by Shereen Escovitz. Escovitz is currently working on a fellowship to create an international learning academy for ELL students. The pilot digital class was created for “students who had little to no exposure to computers and technology and was meant to give them skills they need to be successful in a 21st century classroom,” stated Brennan. There are many students at MHS that have had no exposure to computers or any other sort of technology.

The program written by Brennan teaches students the basics to prepare them for future careers that require an understanding in computers Brennan has plans to become a Google Certified Educator in the near future. A Google Certified Educator has an “advanced knowledge in Google Apps for Education,” as described on the website. She has been putting most of her time and energy to focus on “researching and experimenting with different learning models and practices that involve technology” to achieve this goal.

When asked what she thought of MHS, Brennan stated

“When people ask what I do for a living, and I tell them I teach high school English, they cringe and say the kids must be a handful. I tell them no, they are great people and I am honored to know them and watch them grow.”

Natalia Brennan is excited to start her new course program at MHS. Photo by Samuel Martinez

that she “love[s] teaching at MHS. It is a unique diverse school that reminds [her] of [Central Falls High School], [her] own high school.”

She also added that, “staff here are collaborative which makes it a great place to work. It nice to be in a place where [the] colleagues are supportive of new ideas and are willing to help.”

Brennan expressed that students at MHS are “funny, dedicated, and really, really kind.” She also stated that “they humor my inner nerd that tends to shine in class.”

A focused and hard-working member of the Malden High community, Brennan plans on directing her time and energy on becoming a better teacher.

Young Women in Technology

Megan Downer Reporter

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alden High School was recently chosen to be a hub for technovation, a completely free twelve week after school program that is for young women only. The program focuses on Mobile App development from its start to its end.

Any girl from ages twelve and up, from middle school and high school can participate in the program no matter if they have no experience at all in programing or a ton of experience. Girls that take part in this program will be taught brainstorming, User Experience preferences, analysis, pitching their original ideas, writing business plans, and a bunch more through the good curriculum of Technovation.

About ten years ago Technovation began in Mountain View, Ca and since then it has become an international program. Previously, the program has accommodated for girls that have moved on to major in math, science, and computer sci-

ence, where they otherwise would not have done so. Some of the girls that have attended this club have even created their own businesses.

For twelve weeks the girls in this program will work in teams of three to five girls designing an app and creating a survey for its users.

Each group will be matched with their own business mentor that will contact them through google hangout once a week. Their business mentors will help by evaluating their surveys and discussing with them the different aspects such as who they are trying to appeal to and

more. Not only can their business mentors help them with their projects but they can also teach the girls a little about how they got into the business world themselves.

After these twelve weeks of designing an app, each team will video tape themselves pitching their idea together and then submit it into a competition. Once all of these tapes are evaluated, one team from Massachusetts will be selected to go to California on an all expenses paid trip to an international competition.

On Wednesday Feb. 4, 2015, the program came together for the

From left to right, top to bottom: Students discussing the mobile application.

Students presenting their ideas. Junior Ali Fletcher brainstorming ideas for an app. Students presenting their app idea for bettering the community. Freshman Carla Rosales-McFarlane and Fletcher discussing app ideas.

first time. The girls were presented with a slideshow, by technical mentor Kelly Powers, introducing them to the world of Technovation and everything the program is working towards. Powers expressed, “there are a lot of really creative aspects to this project which makes it really interesting.”

During the first meeting the girls split up into groups to start brainstorming ideas for an app they thought would be beneficial in some way. Each group discussed their ideas and produced mini stories explaining a scenario where someone had a problem that their app was able to fix. The groups then went on to present each of their ideas to everyone. When talking about the process of thinking of and designing an app, junior Allie Fletcher said, “it’s really fun.”

The program works to challenge girls to arise an app to the community that can work towards solving a common issue within the community. Technical mentor Kelly Powers explained that “the main part of this challenge is to bring all of the strengths of [their] teammates.” The teamwork required for this program is a great way to bring together girls with different abilities that can help each other learn new skills.

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The Blue and Gold March 2015

maldenblueandgold.com

Conquering the Summer of 2014

Sumya Mohiuddin Editor-in-Chief

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eaving Malden, Massachusetts for a summer adventure in Browning, Montana shows signs of courage and open-mindedness.

Senior Meitong (Mei) Huang of Malden High School branched out during the summer of 2014 on her trip to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana and brought back valuable lessons about perspective and culture with her.

Through the help of VISIONS Service Adventures, a program where students travel to different parts of the world and complete community service projects, Huang met people from many different backgrounds.

Although Huang was apprehensive at first, she knew the nature of her trip would be different from her last Summer Search adventure in Colorado. (The Summer Search program at MHS allows students like Huang to venture out to places they otherwise would not have likely visited.) The trip to Montana was more about “leadership, adventure, and cultural immersion,” rather than physical pursuits and self-awareness, like her trip to Colorado.

With eighteen other kids and five instructors, Huang grew close with the others during the five weeks in Montana. VISIONS Service Adventures is all about “building relationships,” which Huang did through the various activities the group participated in. Along with bond-building exercises that took place several nights a week, the group spent approximately three weeks building a wheelchair ramp for an older citizen. Because it was her first time, Huang “found that it was really rewarding to build something with [her] hands from scratch.”

Living in another state, whether it is five years or five weeks, takes a lot of mental preparation, but Huang was “ready for a new beginning.” Along with her group, she stayed on a ranch, and although the area was unfamiliar, she felt “welcome” and comfortable. The small community consisted of about 5,000 people, so weekly gatherings were a recurring tradition that the group was able to participate in.

After her trip, Huang realized she “liked it a lot more than she thought it would,” and she would not change her mind of going. Meeting new people is always rewarding in some way, and she is glad the “people worked well together.”

“This was during the two day, one night backpacking trip. Seven of the kids, including me, and two instructors, backpacked six miles to this location in Glacier National Park. It’s called Cracker Lake. Right after we arrived and set up our tents, the mountain goat descended upon us and just kept walking around our tents and he wouldn’t leave. He was still in the vicinity the next morning.” -Meitong Huang

“In the town where I stayed, Browning, during the second week of July, they hold a celebration called North American Indian Days. This was a part of a parade during the last day. These people were just in the beginning. Also, the Canadian flag is there because the Blackfeet Nation extends into Canada.” -Meitong Huang

“A horse’s nose is really soft. The caretaker for the ranch that we stayed on also had his own ranch.

His name was Dale Pepion. So to thank him, we decided to help him on his ranch that day but Dale is this super nice old dude and it didn’t really matter to him. He was “or you guys can just watch TV”. I was really tempted. He had cable and I hadn’t watched TV or used any electronics in weeks. During lunch time, he showed us his horses and apparently horse noses are very soft so we confirmed it.” -Meitong Huang

“Ignoring the people in the front, the ramp in the back was the crowning achievement of our service project. We built the wheelchair ramp from scratch. Everyone participated in measuring, cutting, and drilling. It was our biggest project. Initially, I had this fear of using power saws and drills, but after I used them more often and became more comfortable with it, I realized how rewarding it was to use your hands to build something. This is only a section of the ramp. On a lesser note from left to right: Nedjie, Shymir, me, Tiwalola.” -Meitong Huang

All photos courtesy of Meitong Huang.

The Blue and Gold March 2015

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A Day in the Life of Mixed Chorus Roberto De Oliviera Senior Reporter Katie Mai Senior Reporter

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ozens of students from all grades, who share a passion for music and singing join the Mixed Chorus class, an introductory course taught by the talented and inspiring Malden High teacher, Todd Cole.

Mixed Chorus is geared towards teaching students with all ranges of all singing experience how to sing properly, how to practice perfecting that skill, and even training them to sing in other different languages, and also how to read music along the way.

Cole comes from a small town called Elmira, New York. During junior high school Cole was inspired by one of his teachers to pursue a career as a teacher, and additionally with his time in high school he had found more inspiration in another teacher that taught him how he wanted to teach. In his schooling, he gained an opportunity to work in a great music and theatre program, followed with more opportunities of working in musical theatre through-

Scan the QR code above to watch the documentary on Mixed Chorus.

Mixed Chorus teacher, Todd Cole, playing the piano while the class sings along. Photo by Roberto De Oliveira.

Season 1 Episode 4 of the Day In the Life series follows the Mixed Chorus class taught by Mr. Cole.

Video filmed and edited by Katie Mai and Roberto De Oliveira.

out a series of other high schools.

He participated in several musicals, some like the Little Shop of Horrors, Pippin, South Pacific, and West Side Story. After graduating, Cole matriculated to nearby Ithaca College where he got his undergraduate degree in vocal performance and music education. Gaining his degree he went and taught for two years in New York before returning back to Massachusetts to pursue further education at Boston University, where he got not only his Masters degree in vocal performance, but met his also artistically talented husband,

Johnny Cole. Cole also used to play the cello, but now only frequently plays the piano and says that his “primary instrument is [his] singing, [his] voice.”

The Mixed Chorus class is free for all students to take. Even if you have never engaged with the musical arts at all, Mr. Cole is capable of “teach[ing] anyone how to match pitch or read music.” Through a teacher’s perspective, Mr. Cole mentions that Mixed Chorus is the most fun course, but also a very challenging one. Having to instruct such large classes with incredible

energy and excitement, it comes with the difficulty on harnessing it.

He works not only on choral literature throughout this time but also solo technique as to know what they need to focus on individually to become better choral singers. One of Cole’s favorite aspects of the course is watching the progression and evolution of their singing abilities, specifically seeing the change from September to June, which he refers to as “night and day.” The two main events are a Winter and Spring concert, and in between there is much preparation for these two events.

or are hoped to be discussed in the future include the “right to be forgotten from internet searches”; the earthquake that devastated Haiti; and the status, quality, and effects of MHS’ school lunches. Clearly, topics can reach quite a broad spectrum, from only directly affecting MHS’ student body to an issue that potentially spans the globe. Full disclosure: Szeto is also aided by current Blue & Gold member Jasper Haag (co-author of this article) and Omar Khoshafa, former Blue & Gold member, who help host these meetings at the Teen Center, providing valuable assistance to Szeto.

Lasting around half an hour, these discussions that Szeto forms and leads introduces topics that hopefully help to “develop skills” in debate and analysis of today’s issues, whether they be local, political, societal, global, etc. Szeto has many hopes for the project he has forged, but above all he simply wishes for “it to continue.” Working with a “distinct group” of participants in the Teen Center, Szeto relishes in the chance to help develop the skills he has grown fond of in his own time on the debate team and wishes to create more informed individuals for today’s world. Szeto urges people to watch out for future meetings of the project which may be advertised in the form of morning announcements and flyers posted around MHS (although Szeto has

expressed his distaste for said flyers.) One of the various projects of NHS, Szeto is leading participants in a different and distinct direction,

aiding in the development of more informed people ready to take part in the daily societal struggles of today’s world.

Debating Tomorrow’s Issues Today

Nicholas Bramante Head of Opinions

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proud member of Malden High School’s National Honor Society, senior Eugine Szeto is the driving force behind a recent NHS project encouraging public speaking and societal awareness in the MHS student body. To put it simply, Szeto wishes to push students involved in the project to “be more informed.”

Located at the Malden Teen Center, he has lead the creation of a variation on MHS’ debate team, where students come together, discuss topics relevant to today’s society and their own lives and form educated opinions and even resolutions to some of today’s pressing societal issues.

In the first few test runs of the project, Szeto took a direct approach, guiding participants in the right direction in analyzing topics applicable first to their own lives (and later worldwide topics,) discussing the implications of said topics. Now that the first few discussions have ran successfully, Szeto is taking a step back from this direct approach by introducing an idea and letting the students take over the discussion. He does not like revealing his own thoughts on the various topics discussed, as he likes to give participants the “chance to form [their] own opinion[s]” free of potential bias created from hearing Szeto’s opinion.

Some examples of topics that have either already been discussed

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The Blue and Gold March 2015

maldenblueandgold.com

Majing a MARC on Malden Emma Ceplinskas Head of Local Ana Kerr Reporter

On Jan. 30, 2015, MHS members teamed up with other schools as part of the Helping Hands club in partnership with EMARC to participate and volunteer at the Snowball Dance, a formal dance that took place in the cafeteria of WS Parker Middle School.

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n Jan. 30, 2015, members of the Eastern Middlesex ARC (EMARC) gathered at WS Parker Middle School in Reading, Massachusetts for the annual Snow Ball Dance. EMARC is a nonprofit organization that works with people with developmental disabilities and helps to involve them in their communities. EMARC serves over 1,000 families from Everett, Lynn, Lynnfield, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Saugus, Stoneham, and Wakefield. In addition, the organization also includes members and volunteers from local high schools including the Helping Hands club at Malden High School.

The Snowball Dance is just one of the many events hosted by EMARC. They hold other dances throughout the year but the Snowball Dance is the most formal out of all of them. Other dances held during the year include the Halloween Dance in October, Spring Fling in May, and the Summer Sizzler in July. Helping Hands member and

Blue and Gold member senior Julie Lam started the Summer Sizzler for the organization.

Volunteers arrived at the school an hour in advance to decorate

the cafeteria at WS Parker Middle School with snowflakes, lights, and other festive winter decorations.

The members joined them soon after in formal wear ready to dance

Left: Junior Kevin Irungo, EMARC participant, senior Blue and Gold member Amanda De Moraes during a dance with EMARC member. Right: Malden High School volunteers gathered to pose for a picture (seniors Anthony Bouley, Alyssa Figueiredo, junior Kevin Irungu, freshman Alyssa Ardai, senior Blue and Gold members Piero Pocobene, Amanda De Moraes, and Meagan Sullivan, freshman Blue and Gold member Ana Kerr, junior Blue and Gold member Emma Ceplinskas, senior Blue and Gold member Julie Lam, and senior Samantha Dorazio.)

and mingle. From 7 o’clock until 10 o’clock, members and volunteers danced to music provided by a disc jockey. Helping Hands club member junior Kevin Irungu stated, “the dances are a fun way for everyone to socialize and get involved in their community.” He also added that he enjoyed “volunteering and doing [his] best to make a difference, not just in Malden but throughout Massachusetts.”

The dances started about 10 years ago by a mother of a teen with special needs. The dances allow children and teens with special needs to be able to have the same social experience that one would have at a school dance. EMARC dances have support available from workers and volunteers to help them with their social skills and to involve them in their community. EMARC helps people with and without disabilities to get involved and gain a greater sense of confidence through their programs.

dunkin’ on the students

Ana Kerr Reporter

Emma Ceplinskas Head of Local

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alden High School students and faculty battled it out on the court in the Finn Gym in the annual Student Faculty Basketball game on Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2015.

Though evenly matched, the teachers were able to pull out the win with a final score of 43-36.

History teacher Jonathan Copithorne who partook in the game stated that the game “gives teachers a chance to interact with students in a way that is much more relaxed than in the classroom.” Students also enjoy being able to interact with teachers beyond academics.

He admitted,"There was not much preparation for the game [for the faculty] to be honest.” He added, “The staff had a few shoot arounds about a week before the game, but that was about it.” Copithorne mentioned that his preparation included “a little bit of running so [he] would not collapse in front of the crowd,” he stated jokingly.

Junior Morgan Pennachio who participated in the game stated that, "[She] decided [to play because] it was another chance to play with [her] teammates again since the [basketball] season had ended."

The students’ team was “in better shape, faster, and more skilled, but [the teachers] had some important skills that come with age,” stated Copithorne. Taryn Belowski “hit some big shots and the rest of the female staff play tenacious defense to get us out of a big hole, so that certainly helped too” mentioned Copithorne.

This year's halftime show performance featured the famous MHS dance group, Air Bound. The group performed a stunt filled routine that entertained the crowd as they do time in and time out. After Air Bound’s performance, the teachers and students resumed their heated game.

Principal Dana Brown commented that he “love[s] the idea of students and faculty coming together for a fun game.” Brown has participated each year the game has been run but added that next year he will coach. He mentioned in a joking manner that before the game he had “mentally visualized beating the students." In MHS student, Danny Perez's perspective he says, "I didn't know whether to play because I didn't know if they would give me detention of not."

Most faculty team players have participated in the game for years, and are in agreement that it is even more enjoyable each year. Many on the team concur that the game of 2012 has been the the best year yet.

In that memorable game the faculty and students were tied, there were a few seconds left on the clock and the teachers won at the buzzer beater.

It was an amazing victory for the teachers.

Every year not only students express that the basketball game is their favorite event, but teachers as well. This is an event where the entire MHS community gets involved.

Whether one is playing in the game, performing at half time, or watching from the stands, everyone is happy to be a part of the event. Students and teachers are already anticipating next years game that is sure to be just as entertaining.

Right: Senior Rakeem Langston takes flight to lay the ball up in the picture pn top. Bottom: Staff member Taryn Belowsky dribbles the ball up the court. All photos by Meagan Sullivan

The Blue and Gold March 2015

Style maldenblueandgold.com

Maria Da Silva Reporter

Oui, Oui Bonjour Fashion Week To the left: The Givenchy runway is always illustrious with their extreme beauty moments. This year at Paris Fashion Week, Riccardo Tisci created the illusion of faces pierced with Victorian, antique jewelry. The pieces glued on the models gave an urban tribal feel. Tisci cited “Victorian Cholas” as his inspiration this winter, creating a combination of his goth aesthetic Latin street culture that he has long adored. Along with the edgy beauty and urban influences, the collection also possessed a dark romance feel. There were eloquent coats, and velvet dresses with Victorian prints, some even embroidered with a Catholic cross, dresses with medieval corsets, and a series of beaded gowns and jackets with a couture appeal.

To the Right: Lineisy Montero Feliz made her modeling debut on the Prada runway in Milan, leaving the audience to marvel about who the new beauty with the exclusive short haircut and high cheekbones.

This year in Paris Fashion Week, she went on to walk for the most notable shows: Balenciaga, Céline, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu. Montero Feliz is a fresh new face causing buzz on and off the runway.

To the left: This year, Valentino began his runway with suits, followed by a beautifully dark and romantic collection.

It elated and inspired, and suddenly the music shifted.

Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson charged the runway as Derek Zoolander and Hansel.

The appearances induced a roaring audience, the atmosphere full of excitement and laughter. This surprise was a spark of energy everyone needed to conclude the week, and the ultimate catwalk walk-off.

To the right: This year, the house of Lanvin celebrated its 126th anniversary. It feted the legacy of its founding designer, Jeanne Lanvin, with a retrospective at Paris’ Palais Galliera. The reminiscence of the brand’s roots heartened its current creative director, Alber Elbaz, to think about his own birthplace, Casablanca, and everything Morocco is capable of evoking. There was strong influence of the Sahara in his collection, such as tassels and passementerie, Berber stripes, bracelets, leather harnesses and snakeskin yokes, the shagginess of goat hair, and the gleam of gold.

Above: Always anticipated, Kenzo’s shows during Paris Fashion Week were bold and prominent. Not solely for Humberto Leon and Carol Lim’s collections, but also for the exhibition that comes with them. This year, the duo amazed the audience with three-story high rotating columns that moved and reflected around the vast warehouse space, resembling the movements of skaters on a rink.

To the right: This year, designer Hedi Slimane connects with his edgy audience by tapping into the independent music scene. Slimane used elements of Los Angeles’ aesthetic and inspiration from the daring and fearless youth. The clothes in the collection tap into a moment in music history: punk.

His army of models barged down the runway, which rose from the floor on what appeared to be some sort of chain and machinery, wearing black leather jackets, leather leggings, lampshade mini-skirts with stiff crinolines, shredded stockings and different furs. There were tight black mini-dresses with metallic shimmer. They bared one shoulder, some embellished with a single giant bow, colorful waist details or nothing at all. All of Slimane’s clothes were bold.

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Lifestyle

The Blue and Gold March 2015

maldenblueandgold.com

Humans of Malden High School Share and Inspire

Dear Nedlam,

I’ve been best friends with my friend since third grade. Ever since she got a boyfriend three months ago she’s been pretty distant. We hang out sometimes but not as frequently as we used to. The other day though, I saw her boyfriend kissing another girl that I have never met before. I’m scared of telling her because I don’t want her to think I’m just trying to ruin the relationship so I can have my friend back. She also seems really happy so its hard for me to want to tell her and ruin her happiness. However, I am scared that she’ll find out and be upset with me for knowing but not saying anything. Any advice? What should I do??

From, Single Friend Dear Single Friend,

I know this might not be what you want to hear, but sometimes the right thing to do is the hardest thing to do. You have to tell her. I know, I completely understand why this seems like the worst piece of advice ever, and that she might get totally mad at you, but not telling her is much worse. There is a good chance that when you tell her she will get mad at you or accuse you of trying to win her back by lying to her. Stay calm. Tell her the truth and how you feel, that you do miss her, but would never lie to her about something like this. Even though she may be mad at you now, when she finds out that her boyfriend really did cheat on her, she’ll be grateful that you risked her wrath to tell the truth. It will be much worse if she finds out that you knew the whole time and never told her.

Imagine how you would feel. I also totally understand that you want your friend to be happy, but do you really want her to be with a guy who cheats? Think about how much worse she’ll feel if she’s been dating him for over three months and she finds out that he cheated on her.

Temporary happiness isn’t worth it if it means long-term heartbreak. Besides, even though it isn’t your intention for telling her, you’ll still be able to be there for her and help make things better once it’s over. I hope this helps and I seriously wish you the best of luck.

- Nedlam’s Corner

The Blue and Gold March 2015

Entertainment

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maldenblueandgold.com

The Future of Harper Lee’s Scout: Go Set a Watchman Andrew Cogliano Head of World

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fter 50 years of dormancy, critically acclaimed author Harper Lee is going back to the printing press with a new book. The 88 year old author rocked the foundation of American society with her Pulitzer Prize winning novel To Kill A Mockingbird, in which she explores the complicated system of race relations and the role they play in the legal system. The novel, titled Go Set A Watchman, is a “sort-of sequel” to To Kill A Mockingbird, in which Scout, the young protagonist of the first novel, embarks on a journey from New York City back to Maycomb County, Alabama, to visit her father, Atticus.

Go Set A Watchman was originally written in the 1950s, with the plot taking place 20 years after To Kill A Mockingbird, which is set in the 30’s. Ever since the publishing of Mockingbird, Lee refused to publish anything else after witnessing its amazing success, as well as its controversy. Joyce Carol Oates, a fellow author and friend of Lee’s wrote on Twitter that Lee decided to withhold the Watchman manuscript because

“[she believed] once you’re at the top, you can only go down.” Since the announcement went public, the novel has already become one of the top five most pre-ordered books on Amazon.com.

The cover of the book was also released early in February 2015, though it has little credibility; the

cover randomly appeared on the British publisher’s site, as well as on Amazon. HarperCollins Publishers, the North American publisher of Lee’s previous works, has yet to feature it at all, but the image has been abuzz on social media.

Almost as talked about as the novel itself, Lee’s declining health,

both mental and physical, has been a topic of discussion for both readers and critics alike. Although the manuscript was finished at around the same time as its predecessor, when Lee was 33, her health is a state of serious decline. Lee currently resides in an assisted living facility, and was traumatized by the recent death of her sister Alice in 2014. According to onlookers, she “talked loudly to herself at times during the service... and mumbled in a manner that some in attendance found shocking,” reports USA Today. It is also “common knowledge” that Lee suffered a stroke in 2014 and is now deaf and mostly blind, according to the residents of her hometown, Monroeville, Alabama.

Speculations about the novel are surprisingly positive, with experts estimating it to be “a huge seller”, mainly due to the first novel’s amazing reviews and the weight that the name “Harper Lee” carries.

In contrast to the reports of her declining health, Lee says she is “alive and kicking and happy as hell” about responses to Watchman.

Sources close to her have confirmed this, adding that she is exhibiting more healthy behavior within the facility. Go Set A Watchman is expected to be released in July 2015.

John Green Takes the Big Screen Once Again Maria Da Silva Reporter

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aper Towns, published in September of 2009 and written by bestselling author John Green, follows the story of Quentin Jacobsen, or “Q”, a very thoughtful, somewhat nerdy boy who is trying to reach out and grab life however he can. He is infatuated by Margo Roth Spiegelman, an unattainable girl. Margo is unpredictable and full of beaming charm. She feels too much and is never really seen for who she is, but rather, for who everyone wants her to be.

In the book, Quentin has spent most of his life enamored with Margo from a distance. One night, Margo climbs through his window and asks for help on a revenge drive. She plans to get revenge on everyone who has hurt her over the past year.

The two stay out until dawn, pranking everyone who presumably deserves it, from Margo’s ex-boyfriend to the high school bully. After they have avenged everyone, they break into Sea World and Quentin believes their friendship has been revived, however the next morning he dis-

covers that Margo has disappeared, with no sign of where she may have gone.

As the story progresses, Quentin is presented with several clues

to where Margo has gone that she left behind for him, such as a poem, a map, and others. Quentin and his friends, Ben, Radar, and Lacey, all skip their high school graduation to

take a nineteen hour road trip in attempt to find Margo. As they begin to run out of clues, Quentin’s friends slowly give up, however he would stop at nothing to find Margo again.

Paper Towns tells a story about blind love and the chase after what one wants in life. If you enjoyed Green’s Looking For Alaska, you will love this book. The story is mysterious and keeps you on your toes as more is revealed about Margo’s disappearance. The story also has romance between Quentin and Margo. It is witty and comical, the way Green’s writing typically is.

Although the plot is extraordinary, all of the characters are relatable and represent real, normal teenagers. Paper Towns is recommended for any reader, because it has a little bit of many genres mixed in.

The Paper Towns movie is being directed by Jake Schreier through the production company Temple Hill Productions and will be released in the USA on Jun. 5, 2015.

Travel

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The Blue and Gold March 2015

maldenblueandgold.com

If I could sum up Ecuador in a single word, it’d be vibrant. Much of Ecuador’s beauty is illustrated by its long, mountainous ranges and gushing waterfalls to the cities that possessed the country’s rich culture and history. There was never a moment where I felt bored -- I was amazed by the people there, the food, and in particular how they led much more slow-paced and relaxed lives compared to ours.

Ultimately, my time in Ecuador was an enriching experience. Aside from being given the chance to become familiar with its regions and sparking a change with the people there, I had come to recognize of how vast our world really is -- and so far, I had only seen just a small, wonderful part of it.

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Day 1

t was midnight by the time the plane touched the ground.Our travel had been long and tedious, as we endured hours of shaky turbulence. Sitting in uncomfortable cramp seats and experiencing motion sickness drained me both physically and mentally. Although, once I boarded off the plane and walked into the Quito airport, my exhaustion dissolved into soft buzzing excitement and relief towards the reality that after for what felt like an eternity, we arrived at our destination: Ecuador.

After retrieving our luggage from the baggage claim and checking through airport security, our group met up with the tour director: Lenin Ampudia, who was responsible for making sure our trip would run smoothly: such as making sure everything was properly booked, reconfirming with hotels and operators, organizing our meals, etc. Short introductions were exchanged; and we were informed of the plans for the following week before we boarded a bus to drive into Quito -the capital city of Ecuador -- where resided our first hotel: Hotel San Francisco de Quito.

Accustomed to the sounds of wailing sirens in the distance; loud neighbors; and the other obnoxious noises that came late at night back in the U.S.A, I was awestruck at how seemingly peaceful Quito was -- as if the silence had wrapped it-

Katie Mai Senior Reporter

self like a thick blanket around the city and lulled all its inhabitants to sleep. Combined with the coloniallike buildings that lined the rolling cobblestone streets that went on for miles; the crisp, cool air; and the far-off city lights, resembling the stars looming above, that winked in and out against the darkness, Quito overall possessed a charmingly quaint, Barcelona-esque look.

The city was inviting; and I was tempted to let my wanderlust take over. To me, it felt like Quito urged newcomers like us to explore and unfold the history and secrets that lied within each of its old nook and cranny, every crack and crevice.

But unfortunately with our tight schedule, the opportunity to freely wander had to wait for another time.

Despite having just landed, we had to travel again the next day.

Day 2

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hecking out of our hotel rooms, we loaded onto the bus and started on the move again around 8 AM. Alongside with Lenin, we met with another tour director: Robin Gallagher (and one more person along the way), who was joining us exclusively for the Amazon visit of the trip.

It was a 7-8 hour ride; we were heading to the river banks of Los Rios through the curving and winding roads that cut through the Andes Mountains region, the longest continental range in the world.

I was mesmerized. The mountains were lush and magnificent, lavished by the sun’s brilliance as we drove by, rising and falling across the neverending green landscape that

led into the clear-blue expanse -- the passing scene was an ideal image for a postcard.

After picking up our last tour director, Macerio, we arrived at Los Rios in the late afternoon. The air was surprisingly hot and humid.

We set on a motor canoe to cross the river, watching the surrounding scenery blur by as we glided past.

The hum of the engine slowed as the outline of a staircase -- leading upwards to what I expected was the Minga Lodge -- peeped out from the thick foliage, and came to a complete halt near the bottom steps.

We climbed the stairs and pulled our luggage along a smooth, open-air pathway until we found ourselves at the reception desk.

The Minga Lodge was nestled in the jungle wilderness, and the short walk rendered us a stunning view of our rich environment: there were an innumerable amount of plants and flowers that bursted with color; different insect species humming in an endless drone; animals unique to the forest; the unbelievably tall trees. Green, exotic life practically breathed and vibrated around us.

The lodge served as the base for the important component of our tour: the service project, which entailed working with local community members of the Amazon and experiencing their day-to-day jungle life.

Travel

The Blue and Gold March 2015

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maldenblueandgold.com

Left (on page 32): Malden High School students traveling on a gondola in Banos, Ecuador.

Right (on page 33): Malden High School students walking across a bridge to the Rio Verde.

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ur stay at the Minga Lodge was short. We spent three days there, and the majority of it was spent working. As a group, we visited local farms nearby the lodge and learned how differently the people there lived through stopping at a indigenous community and completing tasks that they had to do every day: like fetching water from the river and learning how to build fences around plant gardens. The central focus of our work, however, was digging trenches in the jungle.

Due to the fact that human population was slowly growing in the Amazon, local resources -- revolving around education, healthcare and

Day 3 agriculture -- had to be increased in order to cater to all the people there.

By digging the trenches, we helped speed up the process of developing a water system; which, would not only allow for the people to have running water in their homes, but also let them save time from walking long distances to retrieve it.

It wasn’t simple. Our tools were limited (we just had hoes, pickaxes, and shovels) and split into small groups.We sweated, despite that we were under the cool shade of the trees, and worked until our muscles became sore and our backs ached. Knowing that we were in a location that straddled the equator,

Final Days

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fter we left the Minga Lodge, we returned back into the city, where the remainder of our trip was filled with more sightseeing and tourist attractions.

We spent an entire day in the small city of Baños, located north on the Tungurahua volcano, at the Hostería La Estancia de Dulcelina.

Dulcelina held the entire vista of Baños, which was a popular tourist area with streets filled with countless of restaurants and shops.

We took our time to do shop at the Town Square for souvenirs; then a visit to a waterfall before we headed back to the city of Quito, where we took a trip to a self-sustaining community deep within the Cloud forest and another shopping day at a traditional, local marketplace.

Our last day wrapped up by a fancy dinner, immediately followed by a drive to the Quito airport on the same night.

Bottom photo, left to right: Senior Sammantha Dorazio, junior Blue and Gold member Emma Ceplinskas, seniors Samantha Kiernan, Kierra Sweeney, and Blue and Gold member Meagan Sullivan. All photos taken by Meagan Sullivan.

it was vital for us to keep ourselves constantly hydrated.

Throughout the hours we spent digging, I think that by the end of the day, we collectively came to acknowledge the local community’s struggles and how much work they had to do in to sustain themselves.

Compared to them, we were privileged to have easy access to things; they weren’t able to get water through the turn of a knob, or electricity through the flick of a switch like we could. And in a way, I felt guilty because of that. But accompanied with my guilt was appreciation, for realizing how fortunate I was; and a sense of motivation that

prompted me to want to help the community as much as I could.

It was this portion of our trip that we learned what the term Minga meant. Minga, is about coming together and working towards a common goal that ultimately betters a community, regardless of your differences and interruptions in your own life. It might have not been prominent, but we left the Minga Lodge carrying the knowledge that we helped with opening better future opportunities for the indigenous people.

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Sports

The Blue and Gold March 2015

maldenblueandgold.com

setting up the new sport Cassandra Reyes Head of Sports

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he diverse opportunities offered at Malden High School continue to grow. For the first time in MHS history, the school now has a boys volleyball team. With the help of MHS Principal Dana Brown and Mr. Keefe, the Athletic Director, the interests of many people have been met with the start of this appealing new program. Matthew Sadowski, girls varsity volleyball coach and freshman guidance counselor, is now coaching the new team.

Despite their lack of experience on a coordinated volleyball team, roughly 30 boys, from all four grades, tried out for the sport. Volleyball teams usually take 15 players or less, but Coach Sadowski kept 19 players for the varsity roster because “[he] wanted to be able to grow the program and build a solid foundation for future seasons.”

With a good number of the players being members of other MHS sport teams, the team has displayed an impressive “athleticism and ability to respond to coaching,”

expresses Coach Sadowski. During practices, Coach Sadowski is working on teaching the boys “solid fundamental skills” and observing the performance on the players to make the “best possible line up on the court.

On Mar. 27, 2015, the boys played their first match against Lowell, and despite a loss, the game was a close one, which left the crowd on the edge of their seats until the last minute. On Apr. 1 2015, the boys will play against Somerville, with hopes of securing their first win in MHS history.

For the rest of the season, the team has confidence that with hard work they will improve and “be able to compete at the highest level,” expresses the coach. Coach Sadowski is sure that “the sport has potential to grow and become very popular at MHS,” even considering that they will be competing against schools who are not new to having a boys volleyball program.

Upcoming Home Spring Sports

From top to bottom, left to right: junior Gutemberg Santos spikes the ball; the boys volleyball team huddles; sophomore Felipe Cypriano sets the ball; senior Blue and Gold Member Julio Da Silva serves the ball; sophomore Andrew Wu serves the ball. All photos by Megan Sullivan

4/3/15- Girls Lacrosse vs. Haverhill @ 6:00pm 4/6/15- Boys Lacrosse vs. Everett @ 4:00pm 4/6/15- Boys Tennis vs. Medford @ 4:00pm 4/7/15- Softball vs. Saugus @ 4:00pm 4/7/15- Baseball vs. Methuen @ 4:00pm 4/8/15- Boys Volleyball vs. Winchester @ 3:45pm 4/8/15- Outdoor Track vs. Medford @ 4:00pm 4/17/15- Girls Tennis vs. Triton @ 4:00pm 4/25/15- Crew Spring Mashup

The Blue and Gold March 2015

Sports

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maldenblueandgold.com

A Preseason Look at the 2015 Boston Red Sox PJ Montezuma Lead Sports Writer

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ost fans are counting down the days until April 6 for Opening Day, anxiously waiting for the first pitch to be thrown. The Boston Red Sox start their season off with a six game road trip against the Philadelphia Phillies and their long time rival New York Yankees. But the real fun starts on April 13 when the Red Sox return to Fenway Park against the Washington Nationals for their home opener.

Last season the Red Sox finished the season with a 71-91 record being 25 games out of first place in the American League East. Being apart of Red Sox Nation is a roller coaster of a ride these last few seasons. Starting in 2011 having one of the most disappointing team, crashing and burning in September right before the playoffs, losing 20 out of 27 games. That bad streak continued into the 2012 season where under new manager Bobby Valentine finishing their season 69-73, 26 games behind first place Yankees, giving the Red Sox their worst season record in 47 years. Then shocking the world, the boys of the summer went from “worst to first” winning the World Series in 2013, giving the Sox their third championship in nine years, in

which David Ortiz was a part of all three. The team went into the 2014 season with the high expectations that came with being the returning World Series champions. However the season was yet another let down being 25 games out of first place in the AL East.

During the offseason, the Red Sox made power moves getting big name players. Signing San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo “Kung Fu Panda” Sandoval who was a free agent for a five year $95 million contract. On that same day the Sox signed free agent shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who started his Major League Baseball career in Boston in 2005, for a four year $88 million contract. Then recently on March 13 they signed Cuban prospect 19 year old infielder Yoan Moncada for $31.5 million.

A l o n g with the addition of those players, this season we will see a healthy and returning Dustin Pedroia, Shane Victorino, and Mike Napoli who are key fielders and

swings the Sox needed. Last season Victorino only played 30 games before he had to receive surgery on his back ending his season. Victorino had been a switch hitter, hitting from both sides of the plate, but after the surgery he feels that it will be best for him to just hit right-handed. Napoli had a surgery to help his sleep apnea condition he faced. Pedroia underwent season ending surgery on his hand in Sept. which he had injured earlier in the season sliding into a base.

A bigger benefit the Red Sox have is a healthier and sturdier version of Ortiz who gained more muscle. Mookie Betts who is returning to the Red Sox for his second season in the big leagues is in a battle to

make it as a starter among the many outfielders the team has including Victorino, Rusney Castillo, Ramirez, Brock Holt, Daniel Nava, and Allen Craig. As of now Betts is looking like the potential starting center fielder and the leadoff hitter for the Sox due to his outstanding performance in Spring Training.

Being a diehard Red Sox fan since birth makes looking forward to this new season even more exciting due to the new faces and teams potential. The team has a chance to go from worst to first again this season, maybe even win it all and take home another World Series trophy.

The wait will soon be over, the first pitch will be thrown and baseball season will be in full swing.

Photo of Fenway Park taken by PJ Montezuma

Adrenaline: Friend or Foe? Lucia Quesada Nylen Head of Sports

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veryone knows that physical take that a sport takes on ones body. Depending on the sport, the various vigorous workouts alter to meet that athletics needs. However what about the mental state that one must encounter in order to participate?

Whether it’s a high school sport, professional, or even recreational, all coaches tell their athletes that roughly 80% of their performance is mental. For some, playing is for fun, and for others athletics are to be taken serious. There have been various cases of adrenaline taking over someone’s body during an accident and them not having recollection of for example picking up a car to save child. However adrenaline can kick in that same amount when competing in athletics.

Take high school sophomore Ryan Geheb for example. Geheb attends Hartford High School in Michigan. While attending the Michigan High School Division 1 State Swimming Championships on March, 14, 2015, Geheb had qualified for the 200 Individual Medley during the preliminary rounds and according to SwimSwam news “qualified third in the preliminaries with a lifetime best of 1:50.77.” As Geheb prepared for his race, he had realized that he

wanted to drop more time, to beat his best time.

As Geheb competed in his event, on his turn for the 125 yd mark, the pool’s metal arch that is found at the end of every lane that holds the lane number fell onto Geheb. Geheb didn’t stop for a second, and kept swimming. After he finished the last 76 yds, he came in fourth place and gained 1 second with a time of 1:51:75. Although he was upset, once he took off his cap, the crowd had realized exactly what had happened to Geheb. Blood was gushing out of the top of Geheb’s head.

Geheb wanted to continue swimming that afternoon in the other events that he had qualified in, however after he was evaluated by a doctor that was at the meet, him and his parents came to the conclusion that it would be better if he didn’t swim.

Although Geheb’s story is one to admire, the question comes in on how dangerous adrenaline can be when it causes one to forget about pain. Although Geheb didn’t realize what had happened until he was done with his race, he did tell Swim Swam news that “[He] asked [himself] for a split second: Should [he] keep going? [Was he] hurt? [He] immediately threw out any doubt in [his] mind and just kept swimming the race”. In regards to his account,

Geheb was very fortunate that not only did he have a horrific injury, but he maintained to come out with a cut that only needed stitches, in addition to having a great meet.

From Geheb and many others experiences, the conclusion can be made that adrenaline can be a help and a big scare when it comes to athletics. In many cases, like Geheb’s when one faces an injury the shock is so surreal that the player doesn’t even notice until after the game.

In other cases, adrenaline can

push an athlete to compete and train harder, so sure maybe when a soccer player gets hit in the thigh when it’s freezing out one they can just shake it off, but what if a ligaments pulled? Or something tears? These questions are some that every athlete has but it scared to face reality because injury is an athlete’s worst nightmare. The adrenaline that one has during a game can push them to exceed to their limit but at the same time prevent them from facing reality.

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Local News

The Blue and Gold March 2015

maldenblueandgold.com

The Globe Scholastic Art and Writing Awards 2015

Sam Martinez Reporter

Above artists, from left to right: junior Daria Lee, senior Amanda Nguyen, sophomore Jimmy Em. Left, from top to bottom: senior Eric Lee, senior Amy Chen, junior Jade Liu, junior Jade Liu, senior Emily Mo, senior Samantha Drapinski. Background of text box: sophomore Yan Zheng.

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tudents at Malden High School were awarded with Gold Keys, Silver Keys, or an Honorable Mention for their artwork by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. The students submitted their work to the judges in hopes of being recognized by receiving an award.

The Globe Scholastic Art and Writing Awards were established by the Scholastic Corporation in 1923 and have been run by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers since 1994.

This program has been recognizing young artists and writers every year with a Gold Medal or Silver Medal for their national awards or a Gold Key, Silver Key, or Honorable Mention for regional awards. Accepted forms of art are include architecture, sculpture, painting, photography, poetry, dramatic script, fashion, animation, and video games.

Jimmy Em, a sophomore at MHS, won a silver key award for a piece of art that he completed in his Studio II class with art teacher Joseph Luongo. He was inspired to do a portrait of Josh Thomas, an Australian actor, by using the work of previous students from Luongo’s class. The portrait was done by using only horizontal lines that were made by a thin sharpie to illustrate the actor. Em admires that with art, “[an artist] can tell a story, send a message, and show abstract ideas that words [cannot] explain”. He wants younger artists to “put [themselves] into [their] piece and be proud of what [they have] done.”

Junior Daria Lee won a Gold Key for a book cover she made for the novel, Ghost Girl.

She felt that the book cover for Ghost Girl was too “girly,” so she decided to create a creepy rendition of it with the girl in the hallway, at the part when she died by choking on a gummy bear. She decided to make this cover both creepy and girly, so she made the background primarily in a dark pink. This cover was done in her Digital Art class, so she used Photoshop and gathered her images from Google Images to create this award-winning work.

According to Lee, the best thing about art is “being able to do what [she wants], even if [it is] wrong, and saying that it is right since [it is] all about expression.” She is not sure whether she wants to pursue art in her future or not. If she does, she would want to be an animator for one of the major studios out there such as Pixar or Studio Ghibli. She believes that learning the fundamentals of art is the most important thing to do and that people should go with their gut instead of listening to what other people might say. She wants to emphasize that “if [a person follows their] voice and [their] heart, then [it is] original and what [others] think [does not] matter.”

Many other students at MHS won awards for their outstanding work, including Amanda Nguyen, also a member of The Blue and Gold, who won a Gold Key for her cover of Little Red Riding Hood. Other Silver Key winners include, Tanqiu Chen, Eric Lee, Emily Mo, Yan Zheng, and Samantha Drapinski. The students who won an Honorable Mention include Timur Berilo, Gianna Giuliano, Jade Liu, Emily Mo, Chu Shi, Daria Lee, and Timmy Nsubuga.

Luongo is proud of his students that did win an award from the Globe Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Luongo teaches Studio I and II, Digital Art I and II, and Foundations of Art. Students are taught to appreciate their own talents and gain a greater appreciation of art.

Winning Gold Keys or any other award will “make [the winners] look good, make [their art teacher] look good, and [it is] great for the school.” Luongo is proud of his Gold Key winners because they are both from his Digital Art classes which are fairly new to the school curriculum. Through the art classes, students develop good habits of the mind, learn patience, and learn how to be persistent.

Art students will soon be able to see their artwork from the year at the Blue and Gold Art Gallery. They will have to wait another year to enter their artwork for the chance to be recognized for their outstanding achievements in art.