June 2010

Metamorphoses on page 24

The Blue and Gold http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Malden High School Volume 95 Edition 8

Our 95th Year June 2010

COngrats to the Class of 2010 Ngoc Doan: Valedictorian

Photo by Catherine Poirier.

Article on page 5.

The class of 2010 closed off the year with “A Night to Remember,” crowning Malik Blue and Rachel Kirchner as Prom King and Queen. Photos by Catherine Poirier, Lynn Tran, Lauren Benoit and Sharon Lee.

Michael Meneses:

Salutatorian

In This Issue: Top Ten pages 5 - 9 College List Page 11 Retirees Pages 12 - 13 Prom Pages 16 - 17 Jennifer Tamindzija swings. Article on page 30.

Photo by Catherine Poirier.

NHS Induction page 18 Costa Rica page 21

Photo by Lauren Benoit.

Article on page 5.

Jamie Lam:

Orator

Faculty Follies Page 25 Crew Page 27 Tennis Page 28 Lacrosse Page 29 Jessica Lopez passes the baton to Norma Bourque-Pimentel. Article on page 26. Photo by Lauren Benoit.

Photo by Catherine Poirier.

Article on page 6.

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Editorials

The Blue and Gold June 2010

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

A Commencement Address Malden High School

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

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

F

rom the outside it stands tall, looming over stores and businesses in the square. Its gray countenance can appear unwelcoming and displeased. However, inside of the concrete construction, Malden High School is a microcosm of the entire world. Teeming with diversity, the high school stands to foster creativity and enrich the minds and bodies of young adults.

Not only are students at MHS taught through their core curriculum, it is the electives and extra curricular activities that develop in them a sense of individuality, purpose, and creativity. As evidenced through several of the articles that are featured in this graduation edition, which include stories that range from theatric performances, choral and band concerts, to trips to Costa Rica and Faculty Follies, these electives and extracurricular activities are what define many of the students at MHS and allow them to cultivate a passion for what they aspire to do. This dynamic series of academia combined with the vitality of the arts mixed with cultural enrichment produces a notable blueprint for growth and maturity that is only found here at MHS. This mergence of educational ideologies has particularly impacted me throughout my four years on the school newspaper. Now, as CoEditor-in-Chief, I have attained skills that I would not have obtained through my formal education.

Through my experience in the journalism class, I have been able to learn how to become a leader inside and outside of the classroom; I have built interpersonal skills and instilled in myself the ability to be globally aware. Additionally, my time on staff has opened the doors to several summer opportunities where I have worked with staff writers from The Boston Globe with several other budding journalists as we tried to publish a newspaper in one week. The skills that I obtained during my experience in journalism class allowed me to transition effortlessly into the program as I immediately established myself as a leader and advised students about the direction their articles should take and how they should be developed. Most impor-

tantly, this course has succeeded in empowering students and providing them with a voice as they share their craft with the Malden community. And it is these attributes and skills that I have learned through the journalism program at MHS that I will carry out through my pursuit of higher education.

As a mentor to several of the younger staff members, I have realized that this unorthodoxly structured classroom enables them to take on more responsibility and in turn become increasingly conscientious of their actions and the work they produce. I have been a witness to this as I have observed underclassmen that enter the class completely petrified about how to structure a lead for a sports article and by June they are designing a page on our Adobe InDesign program, a skill that most people lack. This self-taught sense of personal accountability and accomplishment transcends this classroom, as it does inside of the play production classroom and the technology education programs. These courses spark students’ curiosity and desire for knowledge as they learn how to construct a car engine and explicate verses from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream before opening night. In addition to being creative outlets these courses place a twist on conventional subject material as students continue to develop as writers, critical thinkers and problem solvers as they explore areas that they are inherently interested in.

What MHS has managed to do is provide students with different outlets to further educate themselves in the arts and other forms of public service, because ultimately there is more to a high school education than just finding the square root of an imaginary number or calculating the molar mass of a gram of magnesium. It is fair to say that the chords that are sung inside of the chorus room, the scenes in Metamorphoses that are performed in the Jenkins Auditorium, the notes played inside of the band room, and the lessons that are conducted inside of journalism class are what improve the MHS experience in that they provides students with a formal education combined with unconventional electives that allow students to foster a sense of identity and acquire indispensable life skills.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Co-Editor-in-Chief

Corrections: Corrections Box – Graduation Edition on page 3 Jen Clapp does not only teach AP English Literature; her proper title is “English Teacher Leader” on pages 12 and 13 photo credits should have been given to Joao Nascimento and Lynn Tran The Blue and Gold was not italicized on page 14, in “A Casual Night of Theatre,” junior Geneva DeCobert was cited as a senior and Kerry Da Paz played the role of the woman in “I Do. Do You?” on page 17, credit goes to reporter Catherine Poirier for the visual in the article “How Safe Are We?” on page 19, Head of Local News Nidale Zouhir actually wrote “How To Train Your Dragon…” – not Head of Entertainment Brittany Foley on page 20, Sophomore Christopher Li’s name was misspelled on page 23, Sophomore Dakota Pelligrini’s name was misspelled and sophomore Adam Lucey is featured in the photo. on page 24, Coach Brandon Maney’s name was misspelled Corrections to the editor can be submitted to theblueandgold@gmail.com

The Blue and Gold June 2010

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

DECLARE YOUR FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE College Costs have gone through the roof over the past decade by a margin of 50%. How are young people going to handle this?

An Holmqvist Copy Editing Director

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igh school graduation! The pinnacle of many young people’s thirteen or fourteen years of hard work in school; the glorious moment captured in many, many photo albums of an aspiring teenager with a blue graduation cap and gown, and the widest, brightest smile.

Getting through high school may have been a breeze or it may have been a struggle. It may have challenged you to reach beyond what you once thought you could do. It may have taught you something new about the world. These are the days that we will remember forever. And now it is finally time for us to move on. Finally. That is what we have all been thinking for the past month or so. Some of us have also been thinking about college.

College decisions, college scholarships, college living, college loans...

Two-thirds of all students who graduate college have loan debt after commencement. In a 2007-2008 study by the College Board’s Advocacy and Policy Center, 17% of these students were found to have a total debt of $30,500 or more. And those graduating colleges this year have one tough economy to dig through, with just 400,000 jobs on the market and 3 million graduates. Let us not forget that ten percent of those who are already in the job market are also unemployed and vying for those same jobs.

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Opinion Letter to the Editors A Letter to the Editor—Literally

David Riemer

Co-Editor-in-Chief t did not take me very long to figure out how I was going to use this space. This final editorial, my very last time being published in Malden High School’s fantastic newspaper, The Blue and Gold after four whole years on staff, needed to be about something important—fluff simply would not cut it.

Sure, it might have been easy to write about something nostalgic, something sappy regarding my time at MHS, but that would only mean something to me, and this occasion calls for more than a mere reflection. I want to dedicate this precious space to someone who has meant a lot to me over the course of my high school experience: fellow-co-editor-inchief and amazing friend, Ayoub Kourikchi.

Every step of the way, from freshman to senior year, from the house project all the way to this coeditorship, Ayoub has been there, for myself, and for all of his friends. I daresay that MHS might have seen more catastrophic meltdowns in its students had his magically soothing, yet simultaneously enraging, words of tranquility not quenched what would have been a crescendo of burning fury. All sarcasm aside, Ayoub is a rock and an anchor for everyone around him, acting as a model for indefatigable and conscientious character. “Ayoub has a genuinely kind heart,” fellow senior and The Blue and Gold staff member Xavier Leo expressed, continuing to say that Ayoub “always assumes the best in people, whether they deserve it or not.” Indeed, his magnanimity has earned him a space in many hearts, and his extensive school involvement makes that number of hearts quite a hefty one.

There are very few people around the school who have not heard of, met, or befriended Ayoub. It is hardly a wonder that he won “Most Friendly” and “Best Desert Island Companion” in this year’s Mal-

I

donian. As President of the National Honor Society, a three-season varsity cross country and track runner, and co-editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, it is a wonder he did not collect “Most Involved” as well. And what is more is that all that friendliness has never gone to waste. I will never forget the day when he managed to collect over $100 within six hours for the National Honor Society Housing Families project simply by asking, well, more accurately begging, every single living human being he laid eyes on who may or may not have had a wallet or a purse.

The significance of this story is twofold: I am not sure how many other people I know who could pull off a feat like that, but I am also unsure of who I know that would even attempt it in the first place.

Ayoub is “always willing to give up his own time to do something for a group or organization, and always does so with a smile,” senior Malik Blue commented, adding that Ayoub’s personality is nothing short of “charismatic.” I would personally like to add that he is the very definition of “humility.”

Maybe it is cliché to say, but I often find myself thinking about what Ayoub would do if I were him, and the answer is always the same: “Calm down,” “relax,” “take it easy,” and keep going no matter what.

So whether he is going to track practice, working on the newspaper, or just hanging in the “cüzz” with a few friends, Ayoub is probably laughing his way through it, and definitely smiling. I can only disagree with one thing said after all this, however: I would never choose Ayoub as my “desert island companion,” simply because if push came to shove and cannibalism reared its ugly head, I could not bear to be the one to take a light like Ayoub out of the world.

Best wishes to the Members of The Blue and Gold, class of 2010: David Riemer & Ayoub Kourikchi (Co-Editors-in-Chief), Lynn Tran (Managing Editor), An Holmqvist (Copy Editing Director), Xavier Leo (Copy Editor), and Brendan Provitola (Reporter)

There is also the Higher Education Bubble: a problem that is on a lot of people’s minds.

Looking at these figures, are we not all trying to hold back a gasp?

It is not just the Real Estate Bubble people are buzzing about. There is also the Higher Education Bubble, a problem that is on a lot of people’s minds.

UMass Amherst junior Zac Bissonnette wrote a piece for The Boston Globe exactly one year ago about his college decision. Frontline aired a special just last month on for-profit colleges. WBUR is currently broadcasting a new series on college debt.

Plenty of people are talking about it.

What impact is this growing money bubble going to have on a country that is still wading through the leftovers of a recession? Somecontinued on page 4

We will miss you!

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Opinion http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

High School: Not a Musical Managing Editor

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The Higher Education Bubble continued from page 3

Lynn Tran

he middle school kids I used to tutor always asked me questions about high school. These questions were typically easy, about favorite teachers and favorite lunches; however, they were always followed by questions like “What is high school like?” and “Are they really the best four years of your life?” Immediately I wanted to spit out, “Absolutely not,” but I hesitated. I thought about what impression of high school I would leave on these kids if I let my impulses control me, so I stopped myself, and thought hard about it.

I thought back to the intimidation and trepidation I felt during my freshman year. The high school was just so big, and I felt like I was getting lost in the multiple buildings more than the other freshmen. I sat alone in homeroom because the only girl I knew had moved away. I would walk along the walls of the hallway to avoid the traffic of friends congregating in the middle of the passages, chatting and making plans for the weekend. I always put my head down, knowing that during that year, I had lost more friends that I had gained.

I thought back to the struggle. Sophomore year came with an increased amount of work and more difficult work. It would be easier to count the number of nights when I did not pull an all-nighter than counting the nights that I did pull an all-nighter. I had to juggle school work, athletics, and clubs. As a member of the cross country team, I struggled to come to practice every day knowing I would have to push myself in speed work, in core workouts, in mileage, and in meets. Every day seemed routine: go to school, go to club meetings, go to track, go home, finish homework, and start all over again.

I thought back to my anxieties. My junior year, I took Advanced Placement classes and on top of the daunting amount of work that they entailed, I started to worry about college. At this time, most juniors were thinking about their plans for the next year, worrying about the PSAT and signing up for the SAT. Junior year meant more tests, more test

The Blue and Gold June 2010

results, and more panicking. I panicked the day before these tests, the day of, and every day after until I got my results.

I thought back to the fear. The fear I felt my senior year was different from that of my freshman year; it was the fear of leaving. High school was comfortable. Every day I knew Jane Doe and Billy Bob would be at their lockers after period five, and that we could all walk together to our period six class. Every day I knew who would be in the first, second, third, or fourth lunches. It was safe; I was about to transition into a different life.

I realized that I would not have not have changed anything. The fear of getting lost and feeling lost, the struggle and the hard work, the all-nighters, the routine, and the anxiety is exactly “what high school is like.”

After looking back on myself freshman year, going into sophomore year, I eventually stepped out of my comfort zone and made new friends, and we too congregated in the middle of the halls. After my sophomore year when I realized I was involved in too many clubs, I reflected on what I truly enjoyed and eventually gained officer positions in the Interact Club and Environmental Club.

Athletics taught me about motivation and perseverance.

My junior year, I joined the newspaper and met some of the most amazing people I will ever meet, who had so many different thoughts and perspectives to offer. In this class, I learned to develop my own opinion and stay faithful to it.

Although I did not always enjoy high school, it helped me grow as a person. Although I never peaked in high school, I am comfortable realizing that I never wanted to. I want to keep growing, because I do not want to be that person who, at 40, realizes that her glory days were in high school. The future will still involve fear, struggles, and anxiety, but MHS has prepared me for it. Maybe these past four years were not the best of my life, but they were definitely life changing.

After I thought about my four years at MHS, I smiled and told the students that they would have to figure out for themselves.

Clockwise, from left: freshmen Lauren Benoit, Natalie Fallano, Catherine Poirier, and Sharon Lee; Poirier, Lee, sophomore Haley DeFilippis, senior Lynn Tran, and Benoit.

Band and audience members at Tran’s polio benefit concert on May 1, 2010 at MacDonald Stadium.

body is going to have to rethink how we can make college affordable. In some countries, in particular Scandinavia, school is free.

College debt is a reality that this country is going to have to face.

But has this reality also forced us to look at college in a different way? Our generation has to ask what colleges will provide us with if we take on this financial risk.

But has this reality also forced us to look at colleges in a different way?

Specifically, we ask ourselves very different kinds of questions: What kind of academic faculties do they have? What extracurriculars do they offer and what kind of practical job experience can we get from a school? How does the campus feel?

We live in a developed nation that generally expects its young people to go to college, and we are not the first generation to feel that pressure. That is why schools are trying harder to open new doors for us in many directions. After graduating from high school with challenging expectations from academic pro-

The Millennial Generation can turn around a depressed economy to make higher education more accessible for the generations to come. grams such as Advance Placement or Honors, we look at potential colleges with a critical eye for quality and wider options. We are looking for the right fit - based on what the school can offer, and often based on how much we can afford. The loan bubble will cause a mess, but it is not unbearable for us to handle.

Maybe our generation can change this. Maybe our generation can change the way our country treats an education, since basically everyone is expected to get one.

Is there a way we can make it less likely for people to be put off by harsh economic realities? Is there a way we can be sure that everyone gets exactly what they want from colleges and universities?

As we begin to step out into the world, we should walk up the podium knowing that we are the future. The Millennial Generation can turn around a depressed economy to make higher education more accessible for the generations to come.

Also, in Western nations, education is a gift often taken for granted. It is indeed the lack of an education causes social problems around the world. With our degrees and our gold mine of knowledge from high school and college, we too can spread literacy and awareness around the world without putting a price on it.

The Blue and Gold June 2010

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Local News http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Ngoc Doan: All About the Family

Michael Meneses: School, Family, Friends Dan Holmqvist Copy Editor

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Due to her exemplary work ethic and her determination in her studies, Ngoc Doan has risen to the top of her class. Photo by Lynn Tran.

Alexandra Mathieu Online Editor

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goc Doan: two syllables that make a very powerful impression. Her name at Malden High School has become synonymous with success, intelligence, and talent. Math teacher Christine Nagle, who has taught Doan more than once over the past four years, is in full agreement. “Intelligent, organized, highly motivated, caring, and respectful are the first words that come to mind when I attempt to describe Ngoc Doan,” she stated.

But there is more to Doan than her academic excellence; she admits that she is very family-oriented.

“We value our time together and we try to eat dinner with each other every day. Even when my mom has to stay at work really late, my dad and I always wait for her to get home so that we can eat together.”

Doan explains that her parents’ decision come to America has shaped her own values and beliefs. “[My parents] made a decision to come to the US and start life over again from scratch just so my sister and I [could] have a better future. That’s why I work hard in school: I know that it makes them happy. But I also work hard for myself.”

Most of the talents that Doan is praised for derive from the support and nurture of her family. Doan, who excelled in her Advanced Placement Portfolio class, credits her interest in art to her older sister, who is also named Ngoc. “When we were little, we drew a lot. My sister has always been a better artist and I look up to her for it. I was always trying to catch up to her,” she expressed. Despite the fact that Doan learned from her sister, she declares that they “have different styles; I’m more graphic and simple and she’s more traditional and detailed…Like school, art just comes naturally to me. But it’s not just that, it’s also the want to create something beautiful.”

Doan does not know if she

wants to turn art into her career, but she does ascertain that she will continue to pursue it at Yale University, the school she will be attending next year on a full scholarship. “I applied to Yale through QuestBridge…I was a little skeptical at first about getting into such a prestigious school as Yale because of my low SAT scores,” Doan said. “But it goes to show that standardized test scores aren’t everything. I also believe that my interview was a boosting factor in my application even though it was my first college interview.” Needless to say, when she discovered she was accepted, Doan and her family were ecstatic. “I still remember the night when I received the decision.

My father said, ‘Even in my dreams, I couldn’t dream of this.’”

Doan’s story is one of family support, hard work, and determination. Taking a few notes from her parents, Doan put all of her effort in art as well as school in order to succeed. However, Doan has to mention that her acceptance into such a prestigious institution as Yale University was not due to her grades alone. She indicates that a person needs more than an impeccable set of grades to be accepted to the school of her dreams. “I believe that [it] requires a little bit of luck too. But if you are a hard worker and are focus on what you want to do and achieve, you will definitely make it.”

Nagle reiterates what many of those who know Doan already understand: “Ngoc Doan is an outstanding young lady with integrity, determination, and a caring nature.”

With her seemingly impenetrable tranquility, Doan graces the top 10 with her aptitude, caring, and love for her friends and family.

On a parting note, Doan has this to say: “Work hard. Be hungry-for knowledge, for a goal, for everything in life. But also have fun.”

urfews. This is the part of elementary school and middle school in Everett that salutatorian Michael Meneses most vividly remembers. “My parents didn’t let me go out very often during the week. They gave me more freedom on the weekends but the weekdays were always meant to be devoted to school.”

His strict upbringing, especially in early years, however, was what he believed created the formula for his success in the future. Even throughout his high school career, despite the fact that his parents allowed him slightly more freedom than before, he still refrained from going out often, instead choosing to focus on excelling in school. “My parents always taught me from an early age that school and family come first. This philosophy has stayed with me, even today.”

Staff members at Malden High School that have encountered Meneses during his four years at the school have been impressed with his dedication to school and his work ethic. Track coach and history teacher Jamie Green stated, “Michael always worked very hard and other hurdlers always looked up to him in terms of his work ethic.” Biology teacher Kristin Kirby, who Meneses tributed during the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony, had similar things to say of him. “He always pushes himself beyond what’s expected.”

This year, Michael took on a rigorous academic schedule which included courses such as Advanced Placement Calculus BC, Chemistry, and Environmental Science, along with English 12 Honors and band.

In addition, he helped to create the Biology Club at MHS in his junior year along with senior Xavier Leo and also enrolled at a competitive internship at the Broad Institute of Science, a genomic research center

that has ties with both MIT and Harvard. Kirby expressed that “Even the people at the Broad love him…

He’s given a good name to us.” Because of his consistent and wholly impressive academic resumé, he was accepted early to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island this past winter.

Meneses plans to study biochemistry at Brown in addition to another major, such as international relations. After college, he wants to head a laboratory. He credits Kirby with helping him to decide to pursue a science degree: “She was the one who introduced me to the Broad Institute internship and without that, I wouldn’t have any sense of what I want to do as a career.” But that is not to say that he is not keeping an open mind about his future.

In fact, he explained, “That’s one of the reasons why I chose to apply to Brown. The open curriculum they offer [there] gives people flexibility and the freedom to explore different academic subjects in detail.”

Besides valuing his education, Meneses places great importance on family and friends. Two friends in particular, senior and The Blue and Gold staff-member Xavier Leo and senior Denis Toskic, have been friends with Meneses since they met at the Devens Elementary School in Everett. “I always looked up to Xavier, and felt he was the better, smarter student... It was nice to always have those two people in my life,” Meneses stated.

Above all, Meneses was most thankful of his family for raising him and shaping him into the person he is today. “I know I don’t say very often, but my parents and my sister should know that they are the closest people to me. They helped to shape me more than anyone else and I wouldn’t be the same person without them.”

Michael Meneses, who plays the trumpet, has been vice-president of the Malden High School band for two years. Photo by Lynn Tran.

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Local News

The Blue and Gold June 2010

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Omar Khoshafa

Jamie: The Aspiring Chemist

Copy Editor

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amie Lam was thrilled by the fact the she was the Orator of the Class of 2010 at Malden High School. On the other hand, she is burdened by the fact that she now has to write a speech, which by late May she gleefully giggled, “I haven’t even started yet!” From observation, Lam’s joyful and laughing personality seems to help alleviate stress from the people around her, giving her a bright and colorful attitude that illuminates from within her. Lam plans to delve into the chemistry field at Boston College next year.

Jamie Lam is not the first member of her family to be in the top 10 of a graduating class. In fact, all of her siblings are MHS alumni that graduated in the top five of their class. Her brother, Jerry Lam, was a graduate from the Class of 2003 and was fourth in his class. Her sister Jenny Lam, who graduated last year, was also fourth in her class.

Nevertheless, Jamie was recognized among her family for finishing third in her class, an outstanding achievement that her father will reward with “a new laptop!” Jamie was ecstatic at the news and tributes all of her success to her family, which “really helped me along the way;

my parents provided me with the support that I needed, my sister with [answers to the] questions I had, and my brothers with rides that I needed.” Lam also pats herself on the back for always pushing herself to her maximum, which she attributes as what landed her in the spot she is in today. Her work ethic has always been very “focused,” mainly because she “never procrastinates” or holds off work like the majority of the student population.

As for her teachers, Lam seems to be most impacted by Dr. Diane Perito, who teaches Advanced Placement Chemistry. Perito’s “methods of teaching, her passion for chemistry, and her “ability to relate in-class problems to the real world” all have inspired Lam to pursue chemistry beyond high school. Interestingly, Perito was Lam’s science teacher in the seventh grade at the Beebe School, which may suggest that the seeds of aptitude in science may have been planted well before her high school career. Other than Perito, Lam gives great thanks to math teacher Christine Nagle, Italian teacher Teresa Murano, and every single teacher who has been there for her during her MHS endeavor.

Lena Stands Tall

In school, Lam seems to have to have a quiet demeanor and a calming effect on those around her, never causing any disruptions in or out of class. Lam remained very active at the high school and local levels throughout all four years at MHS. During freshmen and sophomore year, Lam ran indoor track, and in junior year, Lam was inducted into the National Honor Society. By senior year, Lam had become secretary of the Breast Cancer Awareness Club and the student advisor of the Fine

Arts Club. A single characteristic that defines Lam’s career at MHS is her urge to help others. For reasons she cannot explain, Lam has always helped her “classmates, friends, and family” with almost everything they have asked for, often even looking for people who needed help. This particular quality defines Lam’s relationship with the community around her, and she aims to make it a dominant force throughout her entire life.

Class Orator Jamie Lam presents her Senior Internship project to Principal Dana Brown. Photo by Omar Khoshafa.

Lynn Tran Managing Editor

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ena Nguyen is described by most as “quiet.” Many are quick to add, however, that although she is quiet, she is also amiable, generous, and easy to get along with. Nguyen has had to make sacrifices in order to work and balance school in order to get to where she is today, the top 10 of the senior class.

One other quality that nobody fails to mention was how hardworking Nguyen is. Spanish teacher Diane Wade had the opportunity to teach Nguyen for two years and notes that she is “highly motivated” and has an “excellent work ethic.”

Chemistry teacher Martin Berryman agrees and also noted that Nguyen has “a lot of different thoughts and ideas to offer.” Many other seniors that were interviewed had also admired Nguyen’s work ethic, including senior Herman Tse, who stated, “[Lena] has the best work ethic [of anyone] I know…it’s creepy,” considering Nguyen never procrastinates and finishes her work days before every deadline. Senior Henry Wong comments that working with her as a lab partner is “enjoyable” due to her expertise in the chemistry field.

Nguyen further exemplifies her strong work ethic as a cashier at Stop and Shop, where she has worked for the past three years.

Nguyen works about twenty hours a week, which is an impressive addition to her other extracurricular activities. Unlike the average student, Nguyen uses her paycheck to help her parents pay the bills as well to pay her own college tuition.

Nguyen has never fallen short on schoolwork and has been able to maintain a high GPA, even obtaining a 100 average in Advanced Placement Chemistry. Junior year, she took AP Calculus BC, and AP World History. This year, she is taking AP Stats, AP Spanish, and AP Chemistry, all of which exhibit her strength in math, history, science, and foreign language.

When Nguyen is not acing all her tests, she is involved in clubs and community service, such as tutoring middle school kids, recycling for the Environmental Club, raising money for the Red Cross Club, and volunteering at food shelters like the Bread of Life. Berryman stated that Nguyen is “always willing to help others who may have difficulty,” considering Nguyen has tutored many students in chemistry, a subject she excels in and will be studying in the fall of 2010.

Standing at just five feet and three-quarters of an inch, Nguyen

Senior Lena Nguyen performing a lab experiment in her AP Chemistry class. Photo by Sharon Lee. is actually the tallest female in her family, surpassing her sister and mother.

In her free time, Nguyen likes to “run, relax, read, and watch television.” Her favorite TV shows are 90210, House M.D., and Hell’s Kitchen. Nguyen enjoys 90210 for the same reason as many other teenage girls: the cliché drama. She thinks House’s character is funny but also enjoys the medical information. Similarly Nguyen loves “Chef Ramsey because he’s so brutally honest” but also because “cooking is involved.” Any of Nguyen’s friends can attest to her delicious baked goods. Even Wade raved about her cookies and sushi. Nguyen’s two cats are appropriately named

Skittles and Brownie.

Wong associates Lena Nguyen with a fox due to her intelligence.

Chemistry teacher Berryman compared her to a panda, because they are quiet and generous. However, almost unanimously, people compare Nguyen to a mouse. Mice are small and quiet; like a mouse, Nguyen “gets what she needs and where she needs to go,” stated English teacher David Londino. Nguyen has definitely taken advantage of every opportunity presented to her, which has taken her to Boston University, where she will, without a doubt, bring her work ethic and succeed as a chemistry major.

The Blue and Gold June 2010

7

local News http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Confident Chloe

Keith’s Passion Pays Off

Joao Nascimento Head of World News

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Paige Yurek Reporter

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Chloe Cheung having fun at a nearby playground.

Photo by Keith Newman.

trong-minded, independent, bright, and motivated are just a few adjectives used by peers and teachers to describe Chloe Cheung.

A dedicated public speaker, actress, and student, Cheung was born on May 25, 1992 in the snowy, pine tree covered town of Karyee, Maine.

Cheung is a hard-working, confi­ dent, and passionate individual.

Classmate senior Keith New­man stated, “There is more to Chloe than meets the eye. She doesn’t take anyone’s crap, whether that means questioning a teacher’s viewpoint or challenging her classmates. She’s just a very strong intellectual figure who clearly knows where she stands on all of her beliefs... Chloe already knows who she is and [knows] what she thinks is right. She’s outgoing, assertive, [and] creative when she needs to be.”

Cheung has a lot to look up to: she is following the steps of her in­spirational older brother Stephen Cheung, who graduated third in his class last year and is currently attending Dartmouth University.

Like her brother, Chloe Cheung is attending an Ivy League university this fall: Brown University. Cheung says that she also looks up to her father, Pei Tak Cheung, expressing, “He puts so much effort into life in humble ways.”

Pei Tak Cheung was born in China where he led a difficult life growing up with six brothers and sisters. Swimming across a river into Hong Kong to escape communism and poverty, Pei Tak Cheung was finally rescued by the Refugee Resettlement program, and then married Zhao Hua Cao, the future mother of the Cheung siblings. Pei Tak Cheung worked in manual labor such as in kitchens and housekeeping, and was always looking out for his children’s edu­cation. Chloe expressed that she is grateful to have such a close fam­ily: a devoted dad, a hard-working mother, and a very nice brother.

Like her father, Cheung has strong willpower and a sense of selfmotivation. She also likes ana­lyzing art, recipes, music, photography, and even architecture. She likes to see how things are made and what they are made of, making her an excellent observer. Cheung says

whenever she spots a weakness in herself, she tries to crush it and improve herself. Her observant nature may play a role in her future, as she explained that she would not hate to be a critic.

Few know Cheung as an out­ standing public speaker and actress, but during her senior year, she took part in Greenroom Dramatic Society.

At A Casual Night of Theater in April of 2010, she played the part of Elina in a black comedy play called Full House written by Keith Newman.

Her role was an emergency medical techni­cian who was more concerned with her marital problems than taking care of the dying men around her.

English teacher and Green­ room advisor Sean Walsh praised Cheung. “Chloe is a hard-working student who likes to challenge herself and others. I always appreciated and looked forward to class discussion, where Chloe shined by exacting her points and supporting her beliefs. I also worked with Chloe as a mem­ber of Greenroom Dramatic Society. Chloe worked hard as an actress and showed great creativity and vitality on stage.”

On the Forensics team, Chloe acted as vice-president and took part in three events: Group, Chil­ dren’s, and Declamation. The team’s advi­sor Matthew Evans stated that “Chloe really helped organize and motivate the team.” Newman agreed, stating, “Chloe has helped organize everything from theatrical performances to political discussions to impromptu speeches; she encourages new members to experiment with different events as well.”

So why did she join Forensics?

“People tell me I am really good at arguing. The experience is worth­ while. When I first came to Malden High School, I found myself being a shy, quiet little Asian girl hanging out with strictly my Asian group of friends. But I didn’t want to be that girl,” she explained, adding that because of her involvement on the Forensics Team, she learned to speak up in public “without freaking out,” and she is more confident about talking with all different kinds of people. “But if you want to change, you must change yourself.

Take chances.”

any Malden High School students were surprised (and disappointed) by the fact that Keith Newman will not be giving a speech at this year’s graduation. Although he was voted “Most Likely to be Valedictorian” in the Maldonian two years in a row, Newman finished off his high school career as sixth in his class. Remarkably, being valedictorian was the last thing Newman wanted to achieve. “I feel like I tried to do what I wanted to do, what made me happy, and not cramming for all of the Advanced Placement classes. It’s nice to see that this gets you places as well; you don’t have to be a workaholic.”

Newman’s relaxed approach to high school’s competitive nature did not impede him from creating a long list of distinctions: president of the Forensics Team, Senior Drum Major, and a dominant force in every play Green Room and Play Production have performed in the past few years, Newman has kept busy with a packed schedule throughout high school; these activities provided an important relief to the massive amount of homework his AP Literature, Physics, Calculus, and Statistics classes assigned. “Extracurriculars do take a lot off my mind,” he explained.

It is not surprising that Newman gravitated towards the arts at MHS. He explains that he took art classes during most of middle school and has always wanted to be an artist, but it was not until he started acting in high school that he felt truly satisfied. Newman sees theater as a powerful form of expression, a way “to take what’s inside of you and let it out.” Although he established himself as a leader in the acting scope of high school, he wishes he took it one step further and “got more involved in theater outside of high school.” Walsh reciprocated by praising Newman for being “very motivated critical thinker who always sought to challenge himself and others.”

Even though Newman can spit

out the answer to a calculus problem in seconds, and explain in detail why what goes up has to eventually come down, his favorite class in high school was by far AP English Language, taken his junior year and taught by his favorite teacher and Play Production advisor Sean Walsh, the one who miraculously taught him that “writing an essay at 3 AM could be fun.” Newman admitted that the course was “the first time [he] took information from inside the classroom and applied it to the real world.”

There are plenty of reasons, many of them having to do with artistic talent, exceptional grades, and passionate leadership, that Newman will be attending Cornell University this fall. After he retired his battered running shoes and baggy shirts for Chucks and formfitting cardigans, and his ungainly 6 feet and two inches frame converted him into somewhat of a heartthrob, Newman feels ready to leave for his new home in Ithaca, New York, but ironically, he does not have a solid idea of what he wants to pursue in college. “Math, humanities, the arts… [Cornell] is so big that I know that whatever I decide to do, there will be a solid department to back me up.”

It is only natural for a dedicated leader like Newman to feel uneasy about leaving so many clubs behind after graduating, but when asked if he was worried about the legacy he was forced to give up, Newman stated that he has “complete faith in the people [he is] leaving in charge.”

Astounded by the competition associated with the high school ranking system, Newman urges underclassmen to “chillax.” “Don’t sacrifice what you love to do and makes you happy, and don’t try to just get the numbers, because life is not just about that. I hope I’m an example of someone who can succeed while trying to not just get the number.”

Keith Newman goofing off in his home away from home, the Jenkins Auditorium. Photo by Joao Nascimento.

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LOCAL news

The Blue and Gold June 2010

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Armir: Works Hard, Plays Hard Xavier Leo Copy Editor

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hen Armir Bashllari immi­ grated to the United States ten years ago, the last thing he imagined himself doing was being success­ful and able to establish an extremely bright future for himself; “I was just more concerned with do­ing things like living in a new home, leaving my entire family behind in Albania, and learning a completely different language,” stated Bashllari. As tall as that obstacle stood for him, that is exactly what he did. Within a few years he became proficient in English, made new friends, and created a reputation for himself as an academic standout.

Bashllari’s adjustment to the American lifestyle was not as difficult as he imagined it to be. “My brother was always one to catch onto things quickly,” stated his sister Monika Bashllari. “Everything al­ways seems easy to him.” Bashllari was a bit more modest about those statements, expressing, “I think she’s being too nice. Within a few years most of my uncles, aunts, and cous­ins also came to the United States, so it was as if Albania was not com­pletely left behind. Everyone also seemed to be enjoying themselves and adjusting easily to their home… so it was not as rough as people might think.

When he was entering his freshman year, his family decided to

move to Malden and once again he had to adjust to a new environment.

This did not deter Bashllari, as he rose to the occasion and flourished amongst his new peers at Malden High School. Interested in trying something new, he decided to join the indoor track and lacrosse teams his freshman year. He had never played a team sport before, and had to learn to interact in new ways with his team­mates. “It was a little tough to get used to. I never really realized how dependent everyone is on each other to win. Everybody needs to step it up, not just one or two players.”

However, Bashllari’s real in­ terests began to show during his sophomore year Algebra II course: “I had always wondered when I was going to find out what exactly I wanted to do when I was older.

Then I finally realized that I was in­ terested in some sort of mathematics my sophomore year. It came to me really easily and I thought it was fun, so I figured ‘Why not?’” Math teacher Evan Mauser expressed, “It’s always a huge pleasure to get students like him in your class. A lot of kids are a little apprehensive about asking questions and it hin­ders their performance in that class, but Armir always asked questions and helped everyone in his class succeed.” His efforts were also noted beyond just

the classroom and onto the athletic fields, as said by lacrosse team­ mate Andy Lam, “Armir is definitely a reliable teammate. He manages to stay cool under pres­ sure and is always in the right place at the right time. He maintains field awareness constantly and is not one to throw blame around when things start going wrong.”

Bashllari, an avid gamer, also enjoys play­ Senior Armir Bashllari playing defense for the ing World of Warcraft and Varsity boys lacrosse team. Photo by Catherine various games on his Poirier.

Xbox 360. Among his favorites are Gears of War, Bioshock, and Placement classes with ease. Among the Final Fantasy series. “I’ve always his favorite classes is AP Physics, loved playing science fiction and as well as AP Computer Program­ fantasy games,” stated Bashllari, “I ming. “Armir is the kind of kid who think it’s cool to play something out can succeed in any environment he of the ordinary and allow yourself puts himself into. Not only was he to explore something new.” successful in my class, but I am sure Throughout his high school that he will go onto do successful career, Bashllari has excelled on things and I expect to hear of him all standards. His constantly laid for years to come,” stated physics back attitude and stress-free man- teacher Brian Morrison. Next year, ner are noted among his friends, Bashllari will go onto Worcester making him an easy person to talk Polytechnic Institute and hopes to to. He maintains an excellent GPA, major in computer programming. remains a promi­nent member of Needless to say, it is certain that the varsity lacrosse team, holds an Bashllari will find success in all of officer’s position on the Interact his future endeavors.

Club, and handles four Advanced

Neelam: optimistic and Sophisticated Sharon Lee Reporter

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aintaining a spontaneous and direct, yet calm personality may be impossible for the average Joe, but not for senior Neelam Ku­ mari. In fact, she can master it while also exemplifying her scholarly yet kind-hearted personality through impeccable grades and impacting the lives of others.

Although most may think graduating as the eighth student in her class is all about smarts and maintaining the highest GPA, throughout Kumari’s high school career she has not just been very academically talented but also open to trying new experiences. By her sophomore year,

Kumari was involved in numerous clubs like Interact Club, Biology Club, and Fine Arts Club. By the time her junior year rolled around she had co-founded the Breast Cancer Awareness Club along with her friends Heba Khurram, Consuelo Toledo, Stepha­nie Apollon, Ashley Ngo, Kellie Leonce, Jamie Lam, and Kaitlyn Loi who often refer to her as “[the] smart optimistic Indian.”

They are now well on their way to sending over $2,000 to aid research for Breast Cancer.

Kumari was born in India, but later moved to Little Rock, Arkansas at age eight and then to Lansing, Michigan at age ten before fi­nally moving to Malden, Massa­chusetts, where she said “was by far the best place [to live].” Kumari and her family moved frequently be­ cause her father would be asked to become the project manager at a new branch which made it nec­essary for

him to relocate. From her experience of constant moving from state to state, she says, “it was diffi­cult to adjust because each time I got to make new friends and get famil­iar with a place [and] I would have to move [somewhere else] and start all over again. However, because of all the moving, I’m such a social and friendly person.”

Kumari explains that she immigrated to the United States because her father was of­fered a job promotion at a branch of his company located in the US. They began their new lives in the United States, where Kumari is currently planning to be­come a pediatrician.

Kumari had to choose between University of Massachusetts Bos­ton and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, since both of­fered individual strengths. For example, UMass Boston’s amazing and inexpensive premed program com­pared to MCP’s six year PharmD program where she would have got­ten a doctorate degree in pharmacy.

Today, she is a member of UMass Boston’s Class of 2014 with almost a full scholarship; she is going to pursue her dream thanks to her father who is also her role model.

Senior Neelam Kumari conducting a lab experiment in AP Chemistry (above) and putting food into boxes for the Pine Inn Food Drive (left).

Photos by Sharon Lee. Kumari proudly states that her role model is “[her] dad, for moving here from India to be successful,” and that she hopes to “someday follow in his footsteps.”

When Kumari speaks of her dreams and goals, she is very ambi­ tious and motivated, as she hopes “to someday help little kids and help improve their lives” in the medical field.

The Blue and Gold June 2010

9

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

Belinda: Caring and Competitive

David: Scholar, Athlete, Director

Joshua Kummins Reporter

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David Riemer, Co-Editor-in-Chief of The Blue and Gold, warms up before a tennis match. Photo by Sharon Lee. Nidale Zouhir Head of Local News

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aptain of the tennis team. CoEditor-in-Chief of The Blue and Gold. President of the National History Day Club. Secretary of the National Honor Society. “My life is meaningless besides those,” senior David Riemer admitted, unchar­ acteristically humbly. “I’m a pretty lazy person by nature.” In reality, beyond the leadership roles in all of his Malden High School-sponsored extracurricular activities, Riemer is also an active volunteer who does community service through his church, such as volunteer work at the Bread of Life and first grade tutoring.

Combined with his 3.80 GPA, these extracurriculars allowed for Riemer’s admission into such schools as Northeastern University, Clark University, and his ultimate choice, Boston College. Interestingly, Riemer had initially been put off by BC’s religious affilia­tion. “I had originally taken it off the table completely, but it was probably the best school I got into,” he stated, adding that it was “really nice and good and stuff,” in an atypical loss for words. At BC, Riemer hopes to study the behind-the-scenes aspects of film – production, writing, and editing, mainly because of Margaret Pettit’s Advanced Placement English Language class, which he stated helped him “realize that [he] liked writing a lot and that [he] wanted to make an impact with whatever it is [he wants] to do,” along with his past in the National History Day competition, which helped him realize that he “really liked the idea of making documen­taries.”

Despite being taken into fos­ ter care after a separation from his biological mother when he was only one year old (and the subsequent move-in with his biological father and his wife, whom Riemer consid­ ers “pretty much the only mom [he has] ever had”), Riemer feels that he has had a “pretty easy life,” ac­ knowledging “how lucky [he is] to not have had any hardships.”

In fact, it appears that his re­

lationship with his mother was the most active force in his development into the “honest young man” that varsity tennis coach Joshua Titcomb describes him as. “It’s cliché to say that it’s my mom [who influenced me the most], but it makes no sense to say it’s anyone else,” Riemer ex­ pressed, though he laughingly ad­ mitted that she is “a bit of a helicop­ ter mom,” citing his second grade homework assignments, on which she never let him start two sentences with the same word. “Eventually, she took the wheels off...she always had high expectations of me, but I feel like they’re now my expectations.”

These expectations and their ef­ fect on Riemer are evident in most of his academic life. He admits to going above and beyond with schoolwork, at least partially because of junior year math teacher Clark Neily’s method of teaching, which forced Riemer to put more effort into the class to perform well in it. However, he admits to being “re­ally hit or miss with work ethic...It’s either I plan on doing it and I do it later, or I won’t do it. I like the feel­ing of the pressure.”

Riemer’s effort is also evident in his athleticism: “He is always practicing, taking private lessons in the off-season, and try­ing to improve his game not only for himself, but also for the team,” stated Titcomb.

Riemer’s determination has been ob­vious throughout his academic career. “I like seeing that I’m trying just as hard as or harder than [my class­mates] are. I like competition, but at the same time I feel like there are things I don’t need to compete in. I like knowing that I’m being appreci­ated,” he explained.

Titcomb echoed this sentiment, expressing that Riemer is “definitely a hard-working student-athlete and he never gives up.”

Finally, Riemer made a point to express that he “would like to be a banyan tree...[I like] the way that they’re different from other trees.

They don’t just drop seeds like other trees...I’d rather be a little bit less conformist and grow from the up to the ground.”

fter sliding between the ninth, tenth, and eleventh slots in the graduating class, Belinda Lee was able to hang on to the tenth spot in the Malden High School Class of 2010. In the beginning, being ranked among the elite in the 410-student class was not a big deal for Lee, who stated, “It was just a number until it hit me recently. It means a lot more now.”

Lee will further her education in a new home this fall, she will head to Juniata College, a liberal arts college located in Pennsylvania.

Her choice of colleges came down to Juniata or Boston Univer­ sity, but she felt that Juniata felt “more like a college,” because “it was personal in every way,” adding that she “needed a community to back up on.” This was different from life in Boston and at BU, because as she exclaimed, “If you make one mistake there, you’re done!” Finally, she added that the financial aid at Juniata also helped her decision.

Lee finds English her most difficult and least favorite subject, because it takes “more effort,” something she does not enjoy because, as she humbly admits, she is not a very fast reader or writer. However, she had a strong appreciation for the Advanced Placement English Language course she took her junior year, taught by Sean Walsh. “[The class] taught me how to write and forced me to understand other things in the world,” Lee explained.

Despite this, Lee took AP English Literature during her senior year, along with three other AP classes: Spanish, Chemistry, and Statistics.

Lee is a competitive student who takes school very seriously.

She cites her family as a source of inspiration because they have often emphasized the value of education and schooling.

A one-time member of the cheerleading team, lacrosse team, and Interact Club, Lee found her

home as a member of the National Honor Society. MHS Computer Pro­ gramming teacher and advisor to the NHS Paul Marques praised her work, saying simply, “Her project was a great one.” For her project, she and a few other volunteers visited the elderly a few times a week and became friendly with a senior citizen.

On a more personal note, Marques added, “Since my mother is elderly and I have seen so many elderly that do not have someone to visit them, this was especially touching to my heart. Showing such kindness to others stands out on top.”

Following college, Lee plans on attending graduate school and traveling. She thinks that “we should all know about the world,” and that traveling is important because people “should see how other cul­ tures are living.” She added that she “won’t settle down until [she sees] something.” As a future career, she hopes to pursue a job in the field of science, working in a laboratory.

The future looks bright for Lee and her entire family as her younger brother, Chris Lee, is next in line to graduate from MHS. When hearing that his sister finished as one of the top ten students in the class, Chris, a freshman, showed some of the fam­ily’s competitive spirit by saying that he has to beat her up, because sib­ling rivalry is “natural.”

He reiterated the family’s feel­ ings towards education, saying that it is important because of “of our fu­ ture and the economy.” He said that the family wants “as much educa­ tion as possible” and that his sister pushes him to strive higher, because he occasionally tends to “not [be] that serious.”

In closing, Belinda had some wise words for future high school students, expressing that it is never too late: “Even when you’re failing, that little extra time you put in is the determining factor” to success.

Belinda Lee searches through bookcases to find her next great read. Photo

by Lynn Tran.

10

LOCAL news

The Blue and Gold June 2010

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Oh, the Places They Will Go Congratulations to the Class of 2010!

Jaila Abdul Nabi UMASS BOSTON Laila Abdul Nabi BRYN MAWR Robert Abisso UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Kerly Adelle-Germain UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Rosalinda Aguilar UMASS AMHERST Sean Akers BUNKER HILL C.C. Sabine Alaby UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Bruno Albuquerque TECH SCHOOL/ WORK Maria Aldana UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Thayna Alexis UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Marcos Almeida UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jeffrey Almonacid UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Ibrahim Alnawateer UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Herbens Antenor UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Samuel Antoine BUNKER HILL C.C. Stephanie Apollon UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Anthony Arencibia BUNKER HILL C.C. Catherine Asare LONG ISLAND UNIV. Widlyne Auguste UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Sabrina Azar JAMES COOK UNIV Sanaa Badaouii UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Hung Banh EMMANUEL COLLEGE Rebekah Barrasso UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Armir Bashllari UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Richard Basile UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Marcos Jose Batista UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Vanessa Bauliere UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Wafae Belatreche UMASS BOSTON Karen Benavidez UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Amanda Benoit LOYOLA UNIV - CHICAGO Scott Benson UMASS AMHERST Ramon Berberena UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Fedorah Berlus UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Joseph Bertorelli UMASS AMHERST Kesha Bertrand UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Johnny Birindiba UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Brittini Black AIR FORCE Bojan Blazevic UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Malik Blue NORTHEASTERN Laura Botero SMITH Jeffrey Boynton UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Shanaye Brown NEWBURY Jason Bruton UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Kayla Cafarella BECKER COLLEGE Joanne Caidor UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Daniel Callahan UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Cortniey Carter UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Sergio Castillo UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Kylee Castrini BUNKER HILL C.C. Jillann Ceplinskas UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Sarah Cesar CENTRE COLLEGE Chung Chan UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Kimberly Chan WORCESTER POLY Tressie Charles UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jonathan Chen REGIS COLLEGE Nancy Chen N.E. INSTITUTE OF ART Shuyi Chen UMASS AMHERST

Jenny Cheraro UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Matthew Chesson FRAMINGHAM STATE Chloe Cheung BROWN Kristen Child UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Danny Chow UMASS AMHERST Danny Chu MERRIMACK Edwin Chu UMASS DARTMOUTH Simon Chu UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jeremy Chung UMASS AMHERST Lloyd Clarke UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 William Clarke UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Casey Cody COLBY-SAWYER Paul Collins BUNKER HILL C.C. Robert Collins BUNKER HILL C.C. David Console UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jessica Contreras BUNKER HILL C.C. Vinicius Correa SUFFOLK Stephen Coughlin BUNKER HILL C.C. Jonathan Coulanges Ii UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Justin Crosby UMASS LOWELL Kristin Cruikshank UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Anthony Cuscuna UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Kerry Da Paz BUNKER HILL C.C. Ariane Da Silva UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Kizzy Da Silva UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Vincent D’addario BUNKER HILL C.C. Marly Das UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Justin Dasilva UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Edilaine Dasilveria UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 William Davis BUNKER HILL C.C. Joao De Oliveira UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Melissa De Souza BUNKER HILL C.C. Jacqueline Deavilla UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Mary Dempsey SUFFOLK Cory D’entremont NORWICH Anne Deoliveira UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jillian Dervishian COLBY-SAWYER David Desiderio UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Sabrina Desriviere UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Pedro Dias UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Edward Digiovanni BUNKER HILL C.C. Michael Digregorio UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Nicole Diplacido UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Joseph Dixey WORK Nemanja Djurdjevic UMASS DARTMOUTH Nicholas Djurdjevic UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Martin Doan UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Ngoc Doan YALE Eddie Jr Dorisca UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Christelle Dorvilier UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Brian Dovan UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Hillary Du NORTHEASTERN Zoe Duggan UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Henry Duong NORTHEASTERN Jossellin Duran UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Wilbethon Durosier UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Kristina Dyer UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Abdelkader El Adlouni BUNKER HILL C.C. Adil El Karmach UMASS BOSTON Tyler Elderd UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Thamara Eler UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Salma Elorch UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Steven Eschuk UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10

Fredo Exil UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Patricia Exilus COLBY-SAWYER COLLEGE Tiffany Fagan UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Kaila Farris UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Esther Faustin UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Samy Fedna UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Nicholas Feetham UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Pamela Ferreira UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Francezaire Fevrin UMASS AMHERST Nicholas Fiumefreddo UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Dhafinne Fonseca UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jessica Fox WHEELOCK Yves Francois UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Amanda Freehoff BRIDGEWATER STATE Nathaniel Freni UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Lia Galluzzo UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Brandon Gardner TECHNICAL SCHOOL Katrusha Genois UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Tainara Giacomini NEWBURY COLLEGE Sebastian Gil ITT TECH Aaron Gladden MERRIMACK Grover Godfrey UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Maria Carolina Gois Valadao UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Diana Gonzalez WENTWORTH Marissa Gould ENDICOTT Tanner Heffernan UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Falonne Henry UMASS BOSTON Adam Herrera UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jennifer Hickerson UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Derrick Hines ITT TECH Barbara Hollis UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 An Holmqvist UMASS AMHERST Jonathon Hoskyns UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 William Howe UMASS DARTMOUTH Nicholas Hoyt UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Duong Hua UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Canan Huang BUNKER HILL C.C. Lily Huang DEAN COLLEGE Ming Xing Huang BUNKER HILL C.C. Zhongbin Huang UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Samantha Hudson UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Patrick Hughes UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Ariel Hurts WESTFIELD STATE Timothy Huynh UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Najwan Ismail BUNKER HILL C.C. Natson Jacquecin UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Alain Jacquelin UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Shayne Janatsch UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Redina Jano UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Mohamed Jaouhari BUNKER HILL C.C. Fredelin Jean BUNKER HILL C.C. Ronald Jean BUNKER HILL C.C. Stephany Jean REGIS Judith Jean-Baptiste UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Socrates Jean-Baptiste UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Samantha Johnson UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Shaleaka Johnson UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Donte Jones UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Christine Joseph UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Don Joseph UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jeanne Joseph UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jennifer Joseph UMASS BOSTON Jorssa Joseph UMASS BOSTON Landy Joseph UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10

Sandy Joseph UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Henry Jovel UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Ashlie Joyce UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Brendan Joyner UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Olivia Kahn FRAMINGHAM STATE Matthew Kane BUNKER HILL C.C. Kirandeep Kaur COSMOTOLOGY SCHOOL Morsheen Kayongo UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Manoushka Kernizan UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Heba Khurram PINE MANOR COLLEGE Rachel Kirchner SYRACUSE Jason Jr Knox UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Marthikula Konomi SUFFOLK Ayoub Kourikchi NORTHEASTERN Deana Kovacev URI Neelam Kumari UMASS BOSTON Alan Kwan UMASS AMHERST Kevin Lai SUFFOLK Jamie Lam BU UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Thomas Langdale BUNKER HILL C.C. Melissa Lanza UMASS BOSTON Ernst Larochel UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Nevana Larosa UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Ashley Lazarre COLBY SAWYER Taylor Leavitt UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Belinda Lee UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jennifer Lee SYRACUSE Zi Lei BUNKER HILL C.C. Xavier Leo WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE Kellie Leonce NORTHEASTERN Steven Lewellyn UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Joey Liao SIMMONS Jonathan Lima UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Chuan Lin UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Yan Ling UMASS AMHERST Kaitlyn Loi NEW YORK UNIVESITY Euphonise Loiseau PROVIDENCE COLLEGE Evelyn Lopez MICHIGAN STATE Kerven Louis COLBY SAWYER Long Lu SUFFOLK Jessica Lucas UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Andy Lucien COLBY-SAWYER Christopher Luongo UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Nicolette Maceachern BUNKER HILL C.C. Camila Machado UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jennifer Machado TEMPLE UNIVERSITY Ahmad Machmouchi UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Robert Macmillan LINCOLN TECHNOLOGY Mathew Maggio WENTWORTH James Maginnis NE INSTITUTE OF TECH Djhon Malebranche BECKER Erica Marangos UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Thamar Marcellus LINCOLN TECH Thandara Marinho UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Joseph Marino UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Iesha Marshall UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Tracy Martocchio DEAN Christine Masih REGIS Robert Mattie UTI TECHNICAL SCHOOL Craig Maxwell-Gavell N.E. ART INSTITUTE Drew Mcfarland ST. LEO’S Paul Mcwhinnie BUNKER HILL C.C. Shu Qing Mei BUNKER HILL C.C. Simone Memmolo MASS COLL OF PHARMACY

The Blue and Gold June 2010

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

Nelson Mendoza UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Michael Meneses BROWN UNIVERSITY Tamara Moise UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Tatiana Monasterios UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Lauren Montgomery FRAMINGHAM STATE William Montgomery UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Tara Morabito BUNKER HILL C.C. Michael Morales UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Nicholas Morales UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Mary Morani MERRIMACK Erica Moreira UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Meredith Murray LESLEY Bridget Mutebi UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Keith Newman CORNELL UNIVERSITY Jessica Ng UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Ashley Ngo EMERSON Christopher Nguyen MASS COLL OF PHARMACY Lena Nguyen BU Linda Nguyen UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Luke Nguyen UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Minh Nguyen UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Nhu Nguyen PINE MANOR Quynh-Thoa Nguyen UMASS BOSTON Thanh Nguyen UNH Mackendy Noel UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Samantha Noonan BUNKER HILL C.C. Tashi Norzom BUNKER HILL C.C. Cynthia Ocegueda UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Cale Oliveira UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jing Ou SALEM STATE Omar Oualich UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jesus Palencia BUNKER HILL C.C. Daniel Pallai UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Erik Paquette BUNKER HILL C.C. Jake Pellegrini UNDECIDED AS OF

6.8.10 Anna Pendergast NORTHERN ESSES C.C. Anthony Pesce UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Alvaro Peters UNION COLLEGE Anthony Phamduy UMASS LOWELL Dung Phan PINE MANOR Dorline Pierre UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Nikita Ricci BUNKER HILL C.C. David Riemer BOSTON COLLEGE Timothy Riordan KAPLAN CAREER INSTITUTE Mattew Rizzo BUNKER HILL C.C. Leticia Rodrigues Do Prado BUNKER HILL C.C. Ray Roland COLBY-SAWYER Yessenia Roman UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Ruddy Rosario UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Taquan Ross-Bellard NORTH SHORE C.C. Lucas Roy UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Lindsey Saint Louis LINCOLN INSTITUTE Cesar Salazar Barrera ITT TECH Catalina Sanchez EVEREST INSTITUTE Chantele Sanford UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Nancy Pierre UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Nandy Pierre UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Schneider Pierre UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Gia Poindexter UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Samantha Power SUFFOLK Victoria Preston NEWBURY James Previlon UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Brendan Provitola UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Amir Qureshi UMASS AMHERST Carl Sanon UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Shakarus Semexant UNDECIDED AS OF

The Holland House

Congratulations

Faculty and Staff Congratulate

Class of 2010!!

The Class of ‘10

Boyle House

6.8.10 William Shackelton UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Chhewang Sherpa UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Christopher Sullivan UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Eugenie Syliant UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Wing Fai Szeto NEWBURY COLLEGE Nicolette Tallent-Maldonado UMASS BOSTON Elaine Tam HAMILTON Ryan Tam UMASS LOWELL Jennifer Tamindzija UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Hubert Tan BU Jack Tat STONY BROOK UNIV Jose Tec UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jonathan Tejada UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Nashally Tejeda NEWBURY Chengrong Teng UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Tishauna Thomas UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jonathan Tiongson MASS COLL OF PHARMACY Consuelo Toledo YORK UNIVERSITY Athena Tong UMASS BOSTON Rebeca Torres UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 David Tran MASS COLL OF PHARMACY Lynn Tran UMASS AMHERST Trang Tran MASS COLL OF PHARMACY Andy Truong UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Helen Tse SIMMONS Herman Tse UMASS AMHERST Tenzin Tsephel COLBY-SAWYER Jacqueline Tynes PENN STATE Phay Ung UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Lucenia Urias UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Cristina Valente FRAMINGHAM STATE Rin Van UMASS AMHERST Christina Vasquez BAY STATE COLLEGE

CONGRATULATIONS

JENKINS HOUSE SENIORS! MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS BE FULFILLED!

Best of Luck in your future! ~Mr. Mastrangelo, Mrs. Leblanc, and Ms. Craven

MRS. KLIBANSKY, MRS. O’CONNOR & MRS. LEBLANC

11 Jesse Vera UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Ramon Viches UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jossellin Viera Duran UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Charlie Vo UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jennifer Vo UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jimmy Vo NORTHEASTERN Nick Volmar UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Gaelle Wagnac FRANKLIN PIERCE Richard Walsh NE INSTITUTE OF ART Deidre Walters NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE Samuel Warton UMASS AMHERST Briana Watson UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jacqueline Whitney BUNKER HILL C.C. Casey Willcox UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Keegan Willcox UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Henry Wong UMASS AMHERST Jenny Wong UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jenny Woo UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 James Workman SALEM STATE Joseph Wu NORWICH UNIVERSITY Alexid Xeung UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Caiyu Yang UMASS AMHERST Connie Yau MASS COLL OF PHARMACY Xiao Bin Ye UMASS BOSTON Megan Young SALEM STATE COLLEGE Ka Lai Yuen UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Juan Zapata German UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Jun Ju Zhang WENTWORTH INSTITUTE Cai Zheng UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Qing (Kathren) Zheng UMASS AMHERST Jun Zhu UNDECIDED AS OF 6.8.10 Yanli Zhu UMASS BOSTON Wenjing Zou UMASS AMHERST

The Brunelli House Faculty and Staff Congratulate

The Class of ‘10

12

Local News

The Blue and Gold June 2010

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Nagle: 34 Years of Malden Math

Nidale Zouhir Head of Local News

M

alden High School math teacher Christine Nagle works to the point of near exhaustion nearly every week. She volunteers her time to tutor and help explain some of the more difficult calculus concepts to her students. She remembers the names and respective colleges of old students. She won a well-deserved award from the National Math and Science Initiative for teaching math.

And now, she is retiring after over 34 years of teaching at Malden High School.

Though Nagle worked free-

lance as an editor for Houghtin Mifflin Education Place editing math textbooks before she started a family, she says that teaching is, at this point, her true passion, decided upon after her BA in mathematics from Salem State College and subsequent MST from University of New Hampshire – both of which she stated “prepared her well for [her] long mathematics teaching career.”

However, the decision to teach was not as straightforward for Nagle as it was for many other teachers.

“I wasn’t one of those people who said ‘I want to be a teacher’ in fifth grade,” she expressed. “I finished my sophomore year [at SSC] and realized I needed to focus on how I wanted to apply my math skills. I had two choices: teaching or computer programming.” After some student teaching at Revere High School, Nagle made the choice to teach – and she has never looked back.

“Working in an office was boring, especially after lunch. Teaching is a career that has very interesting twists and turns on a daily basis….Student responses are unpredictable and your best-laid plans can go off in another direction depending on what class comes in the door and what the students are thinking.”

Recently, students’ responses have

been overwhelmingly positive.

Junior Alison Nguyen, who wrote Nagle’s recommendation letter for the NMSI award (to which Nagle responded by buying Nguyen a souvenir Obama t-shirt), described Nagle as “considerate.” In fact, in her letter, Nguyen detailed Nagle’s extra work in terms of helping her students succeed. “She volunteers her time after school to help students on a regular basis. Likewise, in order to keep her AP Calculus class on track for the May exams, she sacrifices her vacation time and free time to teach whatever topics and materials not covered during the school hours without any compensation,” the letter stated.

This letter, along with a nomination from Principal Dana Brown and an essay by Nagle, helped her to win the award, which led to a trip to Washington, D.C. in May 2010.

There, she met R e p r e s e n t a t i ve s Ed Markey and John Tierney, Senator Scott Brown, and Senator John Kerry’s aide. “They were busy,” Nagle stated, adding that the “hustle and bustle in Washington was intriguing…it was amazing.”

Why, then, is Nagle retiring?

The answers are

less complicated than one might assume; around ten years ago, the state offered a new retirement package that required teachers to retire earlier than normal if they “increased contributions.” Nagle qualified for her maximum pension, so, “even though [she] would like to stay,” it would be “financially irresponsible,” she explained. However, she does not plan to stop teaching any time soon. “I’m going to work a full time job,” she stated, though she now must retire from public education.

Christine Nagle teaching over the years. Photos courtesy of The Maldonian and Dan Holmqvist.

The Blue and Gold June 2010

13

Local News http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Goodbye George

Johanna Lai Reporter

G

eorge Lyons, after 39 years of working as an adjustment counselor at Malden High School, is at last retiring this year. After all his time spent at MHS, Lyons is proud of being a part of the 152-year-old school.

“I can relate to a lot of high school students due to the fact that I didn’t take school seriously in high school, ended up in summer school, and repeated sophomore year because I was an angry person... somebody reached out to me, put me on track and helped me turned my life around,” Lyons explained.

Lyons attended two different high schools growing up. First, he attended Marshfield High School and after, Sacred Heart High School in Kingston, Massachusetts, where he graduated in 1967.

After high school, Lyons attended Maritime Academy to become a ship captain like his father.

However, he did not graduate, stating that Maritime simply, “wasn’t [him].” He then went to Boston College, majoring in accounting before changing his major to elementary education, and then finally switching to sociology, which he pursued until he graduated in 1971.

Lyons had an exciting life in addition to his time spent in Malden.

He formerly lived in Europe, and for 15 summers he was the bodyguard of John F. Kennedy’s wife, Jackie Kennedy. Then, before coming to MHS, Lyons taught at Lincoln Junior High School as a correction teacher in 1971.

His decision in becoming an adjustment counselor, he explains, “had to do with [his] own life as a teenager, back when [he] was at high school, we didn’t have adjustment counselors. Every student I meet enriches me in some way, making me a better person.”

Describing retirement as “bittersweet,” Lyons stated, “I’m going to miss the job, I always love the work that I do. It is not a chore when you miss something you love to do, I think after 39 years it was time to start something new. But it has fulfilled my life and I made many great friends.”

During retirement, Lyons plans to enjoy life as fully as possible. His hob-

bies include fishing, duck hunting, and deer hunting. “I always liked being in the outdoors because it was just sort of meditation sitting in the mountains,” he explained.

During his years at MHS, Lyons maintained strong friendships with many of his coworkers including health teacher, Arlene Ceppetelli, math teacher, George Doyle, daycare center teacher, Diana Makhoulf, and fellow adjustment counselor, Van Huynh.

Huynh, who worked with Lyons for 11 years, will definitely miss him. “Lyons is a top notch person, both professionally and personally. He has enriched and touched so many lives. His energy and smile will sorely be missed in the hallways of MHS. He is a wonderful mentor and friend, as well as a hero,” she explained.

Before he retires, Lyons has one last piece of advice for the students of MHS: “During our lives as human beings, we’re going to face time when our life situation is falling; it could be a family death, a mental illness or other negative influences when we get touched by negative situations.

It’s important in our lives to reach out and get help.”

Lyons also stated, “These negative influences will last temporarily, if you don’t get help, they can destroy your life.”

Lyons credits his success to Barbara Rush, a retired counselor of LJHS. Rush had served as his

mentor when he first came to LJHS and continues to serve as his mentor today, even as he is at MHS. “I learned as much from Lyons as he learned much from me; he was always respectful and caring with his students and at the same time, he tells it like it is and he is very honest with them,” Rush stated.

On his retirement, Lyons cites a line from Hamlet that his mother shared with him during childhood: “This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!”

George Lyons enjoying some of his favorite hobbies. Photos courtesy of Lyons.

14

Local News

The Blue and Gold June 2010

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

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The Blue and Gold June 2010

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15

Senior Internships Reginah Sanyu Reporter

B

ecause it is typically held on the seniors’ last day at Malden High School, the display of internship projects held every year is a mark of the end of their high school careers.

May 26, 2010 was no different, packed with the same emotions as usual – be they the seniors’ pride for the outcome of their internships or underclassmen’s sadness because of the seniors’ departure from high school. Most of the seniors chose their internships based on their interests. Although the idea of being excused from school and being on an intern­ship sounds exciting to any high school student, the privilege is only given to the students who have been working hard all year and passing all the classes they need to graduate by third quarter. The students also need satisfactory records of attendance and social behavior.

“We try very hard to help those who ap­ply for an internship,” stated Mi­chele Magner, director of intern­ ships. “If their proposal is rejected, we give them an opportu­nity to revise,” Magner added.

Senior Samuel Warton had an intern­ship at Malden Access Television (MATV), where he edited and di­rected TV shows while helping with equipment. Warton chose this internship because he plans to become involved with television in the future. The internship exceeded his expectations, especially in terms of workload: “I expected not to do too much work, then I ended up being involved in so many events. I really enjoyed it,” he stated. Warton thought that having an intern­ship at MATV was the best decision he could make. “I feel like after learning all these things, I can run and write my own TV show,” he explained.

At the end of his presen­tation, he played a short and humorous film that he wrote and directed himself featuring senior Martin Doan. “He told me about it. I had to audition and I got the part. It was fun and I’m glad to be part of it,” said Doan.

A majority of the internships were related to entertainment, but each one of them was unique. For instance, senior Socrates Jean-Baptiste in­terned for American Skeme Records and Studios, where he produced and mixed songs. “I chose this internship because I love music,” he explained. Jean later played a song featuring MHS graduates Samie Jean and Ilens Joseph. For senior Ricky Walsh’s internship, he put together a video of some of the best football games by the Golden Tornados that at­tracted a crowd of students, many of whom were not even fans of football. “The students’ reactions make me feel good and actually motivate me to do more work,” he said. Meanwhile, senior Jackie DeAville got an in­ternship

Seniors Mathew Maggio and Richard Basile standing next to their display.

at Level Up BBoy Studios, where he taught breakdancing to kids and adults.

“It was a growing experience, although in the beginning I was a little shy,” he stated, adding that he eventually “got used to it.”

Many seniors chose internships based on what they wanted to do in the future. For instance, senior Marthikula Kanomi rede­signed the menu of Bagel Bin Deli during her internship. “I like managing, so I chose this to see what I wanted to do in the future,” said Kanomi.

Meanwhile, Cory D’Entremont, Alvaro Peters and Thayna Alexis interned at the Middlesex County Sheriff’s office. “I want to get into the field of criminal justice and law enforce­ment,” D’Entremont explained.

Tim Riordan interned with the construction workers of MHS due to an interest in the school’s renovations. According to Riordan, construction is not for everybody. ”Some people won’t find it very interesting, but it’s fun if you are into it. I had fun,” he explained.

Senior Vinicius Correa interned at the Malden YMCA, where he hoped to improve on his teambuilding skills. “I’m going to miss everyone from Malden YMCA be­ cause once you get in there, it feels like family,” he explained, expressing disappointment at the ending of the internship.

Some of the seniors chose their internships purely out of curiosity.

“It was interesting. I watch this stuff on TV so I thought I could get a first hand experience,” Alexis stated.

Similarly, seniors Drew McFarland and Rachel Kirchner interned at the Malden Fire Station out of curiosity. “We wanted to know more about the job. People don’t see the details of the job,” Kirchner said.

But McFarland was ready for an adventure: “I wish we could have gone on a call, [gotten] to witness them

From left to right: Seniors Lia Galluzo, Mary Dempsey, Ashley Joyce take a pose next to their display.

Senior Kristine Dyer is ready to swing. All photos taken by Omar Khoshafa. in action, and seen how they work [under] pressure,” he said.

Senior Matt Rizzo interned at the North Shore Assembly of God, where he tutored children in an af­ ternoon program. Rizzo was very familiar with the environment since he worked with NSAG over the summer. “I loved the kids, I wanted to do it again,” he stated. He liked it

so much that he decided to work at NSAG next summer as well.

When their presentation was over, everyone was impressed with the hard work the seniors put in. “I was pleased with this year’s presenta­tions,” stated Magner.

16

Local News http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Photo spread by Lynn Tran Photos by Lynn Tran, Catherine Poirier, Lauren Benoit, and Sharon Lee

The Blue and Gold June 2010

The Blue and Gold June 2010

Local News http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

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The Blue and Gold June 2010

local NEWs http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

NHS Projects “Move, touch, and inspire” Catherine Poirier Reporter

F

or the last four years, Malden High School’s National Honor Society has been participating in community service projects. These projects, which are created by the students, are supposed to represent what “moves, touches, and inspires them,” explained advisor Paul Marques.

Members work in small groups to create their projects, then present them at the NHS induction

Berklee musician Nick Goldston performing at the Benefit Concert for Polio, hosted by seniors Lynn Tran, Ayoub Kourikchi, Xavier Leo, and Michael Meneses.

ceremony. “If the project appears to be sound in that it has a beginning, middle, and end, then we vote on it. If it passes by majority vote, then it passes,” stated Marques. In some cases, not all of the projects are voted on after being presented because the projects need to be more structured. In that case, the group goes back to the drawing board to revise their ideas. The group then comes to the next meeting with their revised plans for their idea, where it will be put to a majority vote. If the project passes, then the group will continue with its project.

New members of NHS were inducted on May 12, 2010. After this ceremony, members and their families went to the cafeteria, where each group had set up a poster of its project. Each of the projects was different depending on what motivated the group to inspire or help others.

Overall, there were about 35 projects, varying from a musical theater club to a food drive. One of the projects was created by seniors Michael Meneses and members of The Blue and Gold Lynn Tran, Xavier Leo, and Ayoub Kourikchi. They organized a benefit concert for polio on May 1, 2010, at MacDonald Stadium. An admission fee of 10 dollars gave the audience the opportunity to see four local bands perform at the stadium.

Attendee freshman Lisa DeLacey expressed, “I definitely enjoyed the fresh talent from everyday people.

It is something different from listen-

ing to radio songs or downloading music from iTunes. Not only do I know that these people were there to support a great cause, but the talent they had was incredible!”

Another one of the many projects was Sports Gift, which was organized by junior Sam Sagesse and sophomore and reporter for The Blue and Gold Cristina Peters, who collaborated with a charity in California called Sports Gift. “They collect new and gently used sports equipment and redistribute it to impoverished communities all around the world,” explained Sagesse. The two set up donation boxes all around MHS, Linden Middle School, and Salemwood Middle School, and in total collected over 100 pieces of equipment and raised all the money to ship it to California.

Juniors Hong Chung and Debbie Ly organized their project, Time with Tots, through their activity at the local Malden YMCA. “For five weeks, we went to volunteer a couple of hours each visit. We wanted to open up the children’s minds about what they could do in the future.

Some kids wanted to be doctors, others wanted to be a flower,” Ly stated. Chung and Ly hope to make an impact in the future of the community by being their role models because the children did not get to spend too much time with their par-

ents due to being in daycare.

Senior Keith Newman’s project was based on the idea of trying to get middle school kids to get interested in improve acting.

Acting is one of Newman’s passions, and he hoped to share it with the young people in Malden.

Each and every project had a special meaning to the group members, and each hoped to get more people to pursue what “moved, touched, and inspired” them.

Groups tried to incorporate things they love into their projects in order to spark other people in the community’s interests in those things as well.

Above: Time with Tots poster, by juniors Hong Chung and Debbie Ly Photos by Catherine Poirier.

NHS Induction Ceremony Sharon Lee Reporter

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s the seats to the newly renovated auditorium began to fill with the family, friends, and teachers swarming in, the 83rd Annual National Honor Society Induction Ceremony began on the night of May 12, 2010.

When deciding who the newest members inducted into NHS will be, a board of teachers looks for four qualifications: leadership, scholarship, service, and character.

Each year four NHS seniors are chosen for excelling in these four areas.

Senior Keith Newman, who was chosen for the quality of leadership, spoke on behalf of what he learned, stating, “Leadership means giving up a chance at the Forensics State tournament so a hardworking new member can have a shot. Leadership means giving kids an opportunity you never had. Leadership means not always knowing what’s best and knowing that that’s okay.” Following was senior Jamie Lam, who presented her speech for scholarship, then senior Lynn Tran, who was recognized for the quality of her service. Finally, senior Amanda Benoit, who was chosen for impeccable character, described it as “the

beauty of being human.”

As Vice-President of NHS senior Ngoc Doan read the NHS Pledge, the inductees stood and recited the pledge in unison. Afterwards, Secretary of NHS senior David Riemer and Treasurer of NHS junior Alexandra Mathieu (both staff-members of The Blue and Gold) introduced each new member and included a short yet unique description that included something extraordinary about them, whether it was a goal like running the Boston Marathon, a talent like reciting the alphabet backwards, a hobby like taking long walks on the beach, or even something they have always hoped to do like become a superhero. Once every new member was inducted into NHS, graduating seniors were given sashes and a copy of Dr. Seuss’s Oh, The Places You’ll Go! The officers of NHS for 20092010 completed their final task of the year by presenting the officers of NHS for the 2010-2011 school year as the Candle Lighting Service continued, starting with Mathieu as she lit the candle of the next Treasurer of NHS, junior Jonathan Sit, and passed on to him the record book.

Next was Riemer, who lit the candle of the next Secretary of NHS, junior and The Blue and Gold staff member

Nidale Z o u h i r, a n d handed over the journal.

D o a n then lit the candle of the next Vice-President of NHS, junior Alison Nguyen, while giving her the plaque engraved with the words, “John W. Hutchins Chapter,” Malden High School’s NHS region. Finally, it was time for President Ayoub Kourikchi to light the candle of the next president of NHS, Mathieu, and like the others, he also had something to give her: a gavel, symbolizing her presidency of NHS. To many, the senior tributes presented by every senior member were unforgettable and truly touching. Each senior chose somebody they felt was necessary to thank for everything they had done to help them because for some they changed their lives and for others they simply supported them. Tributes were made to family, friends and even to teachers.

Every year the members of NHS pick a Teacher of the Year and a Mentor of the Year. The award for Teacher of the Year was given to Martin Berryman, a chemistry

teacher, who happily accepted his award. Surprisingly, two people tied for Mentor of the Year: The first award went to Administrative Assistant for the Athletic Office Barbara Scibelli because of the inspiration and guidance she has provided for students throughout the year. The second award went to Arlene Ceppetelli and the “mother of Malden High,” as Riemer described her.

After being the advisor of NHS for what Marques describes as “five fun years,” he has definitely shown his trust in the members to carry on the torch of National Honor Society.

In conclusion to the NHS Induction Ceremony, Marques expressed how he “[enjoys] seeing the students rise above and beyond what they thought was possible for themselves and the ones that they help; it keeps me going strong.”

From left to right: Ayoub Kourikchi, Ngoc Doan, David Riemer, and Alexandra Mathieu. Photo by Sharon Lee.

The Blue and Gold June 2010

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Freshmen Service Project

Homelessness: A Local problem Lynn Tran

Joao Nascimento

Managing Editor

Head of World News

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very year around 1,500 students pile into the high school, anxious to see their friends, dreading their upcoming classes, and always expecting the same speeches from principal Dana Brown and the other house principals that are given year after year during school assemblies.

One can expect talks about upcoming events, previous Ivy League accepted students, and Posse scholars. The Brunelli House can expect Thomas Mahoney to talk about how his house is the best of all four houses. Similar speeches are given each year and the administration never forgets to add that we have the most amazing staff and the most amazing students ever. It was not until I left high school that I realized that it was true.

Every year we have over-achieving students involved in multiple clubs, and outside community service projects.

There are benefit concerts and benefit dinners. There are walks for diabetes, breast cancer, polio, Alzheimer’s, Chile, Haiti, and the list goes on. There are more clubs than ever before: my beloved, the Environmental Club and Interact Club; the Gay-Straight Alliance, the Red Cross Club, Key Club, Breast Cancer Awareness Club, and newly founded clubs such as the Deafness Awareness Club. It is clear that Malden High school students are willing to help anybody.

MHS students, including myself, have been enthusiastic about saving the world, however, some of us have become ignorant to local problems.

In 2009, The Boston Globe correspondent, Brenda J. Buote wrote an article titled “Number of Homeless Families Rises Sharply” that there has been a 88 percent increase of homeless families in Massachusetts, and in the “cities that hug Boston’s northern boundaries - Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, and Revere - the rise in family homelessness has been even more dramatic, ballooning from 56 families in January 2005 to 156 today, an uptick of 140 percent.” With help of the freshman academy teachers, the MHS freshmen class organized a school wide service project to aid Malden’s homelessness problem. Their service project does not solely tackle the issue of homelessness, however, but finds a way to provide support and consolidation for those who are homeless.

In just two years there has been a dramatic rise in homelessness due to the slow job market and crashing house market. Krystle Kelly, the development manager of Housing Families Inc., adds that the poor economy has “significantly changed the face of homelessness across Massachusetts as well as the country.” For example, Housing Families Inc. started as a house, sheltering only 4 families per night, however, according to Kelley, today they “serve over 300 people per night in different forms of housing including shelters, short term housing and permanent, affordable housing” and “operate 94 affordable housing units for local families across the Greater Boston Area.” Kelly believes that views on homelessness have changed because homelessness has become “more of a reality for the common middle-class family,” where “any family is about two missed paychecks from housing instability.” Although the situation has not improved, Kelly believes that people are becoming more aware of the problem.

According to National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, “children under the age of 18 accounted for 39 percent of the homeless population” and “42 percent of these children were under the age of five.” In Massachusetts the average age of a homeless person is 8 years old.

Kelly explains that Housing Families Inc. holds “over 300 children in our agency, but we directly work with 85 children per week in our Children’s Program.” Children in the program are given the opportunity to receive tutoring, and take part in therapeutic arts and play groups in orders to express themselves and overcome the trauma they have experienced. They also currently have three high school teenagers who were able to receive and give tutoring through the programs and according to Kelly “two high school seniors become the first in their families to attend college” and are still doing well.

Clockwise from top left: Freshmen Lorna Ibanda; Jamel Vilmont and Wendy and Michelle DiPhillipo; Eliel Lau, Jessica Gardner, and Cameron Freehoff; Maisa Raphielli and Cassandra Jimenez. Photos by Sharon Lee and Joao Nascimento.

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his year, some students of the class of 2014 were involved in a comprehensive community service project directed by the ninth grade English teachers. This opportunity was inspired by the Max Warburg Foundation, a non-profit institution that works with public schools to promote service driven curriculums.

The freshmen English teachers assigned a project to their students entitled “My America,” which prompted the students to reflect on the diverse cultural aspects of American society, and ultimately, “what it means to be an American.” Most importantly, this project gave the students an opportunity to voice their opinions on the most prevalent and current social problems plaguing the local community.

Though gang violence, drugs, and robbery were popular among the students’ issues cited in the projects, homelessness was by far the most relevant issue in students’ minds during the school year, after a number of fires left several MHS students homeless. After discussions, the teachers decided to design a project that would aid the freshmen students to give back to the community and develop civic responsibility.

Businesses like Staples, Old Navy, Dockside, Target, Borders, and Payless donated funds and supplies that were used in the construction of “care packages” that were then given to the Department of Youth Services (DYS) in Malden. Each student that created a “care package” accompanied it with a letter of encouragement to the recipients that were displaced from their homes.

The students involved in the service project also organized a book drive, that along with the Borders’ donations, has garnered over one thousand books that are going to be donated to the Early Childhood Learning Center and the MHS preschool.

The project was culminated on June 7, 2010, when the freshmen delivered approximately 200 care packages to the DYS offices.

From left to right: freshmen Matheus Souza, Brandie Powers, Victoria Chen, Ashlyn LeoRadzikowski, and Cameron Freehoff; Jacqueline Galvez. Photos by Joao Nascimento.

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The Blue and Gold June 2010

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Malden Hosts The Special Olympics Reginah Sanyu Reporter

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he Special Olympics has been held in Malden once a year for the past eight years. Local students with disabilities come together to compete in various competitions including walking, running, wheelchair racing, and fun activities such as face painting. Malden High School hosted the event, with Athletic Director Dan Keefe as the head

of organization, who stated, “It was great, the kids had a very good time, and it went really smoothly.”

The games began at 9 A.M., but volunteers from MHS arrived at 7 A.M. to prepare for the day’s events and to welcome the athletes. They lined up at the entrance of the field in rows, boosting spirits and energy and giving the participants high fives.

The event was officially opened by the National Anthem, followed by a heartwarming speech from sophomore Kamisha Elizabeth Heriveaux with the help of her friend and speech coach, MHS senior Aaron Gladden. The sweet and sincere speech touched everybody’s heart. Junior Samantha Saggese thought that Heriveaux’s speech was a great way to start off the festivities. “Kamisha is a wonderful and inspirational speaker,” Saggese added.

Heriveaux has a disability called cerebral palsy, which causes physical disability in various areas of body movement. Heriveaux said that this disease does not stop her from following her hopes and dreams.

Senior Aaron Gladden helps hold the microHeriveaux is very spirited, phone for sophomore Kamisha Elizabeth Heriand it shows in her parveaux while she makes a speech at the 2010 ticipation as the manager of Special Olympics.

Laps for Leslie E

very year since 2004, students, athletes, friends, and families all gather at Malden’s MacDonald Stadium in remembrance of one beloved friend, student, and dedicated track athlete; Leslie Razzino.

Razzino graduated from Malden High School in 2003, eager to start attending UMASS Dartmouth in the fall. However, when she went to Dartmouth for a physical exam, doctors found a strange lump in the back of her neck, which turned out to be cancer.

Razzino was nearing graduation and prom when she endured a seven hour surgery, resulting in her having to wear a neck brace constantly. “Of course she took it off for prom, that’s just the type of girl she was,” says Karen Razzino, teacher at MHS and mother of Leslie.

In the upcoming months, Razzino went through chemo radiation and took experimental drugs to try and cure her form of cancer.

She was in and out of the hospital an astonishing 89 times, staying over each of those nights within one year since her diagnosis. Razzino passed away March 18, 2004.

“Laps for Leslie” was established by the MHS girls track team. Razzino loved running with a passion, “she said it freed her, and it was a great way to keep in shape,” remembered Mrs. Razzino.

Razzino participated in The Malden High Tennis Team at MacDonald soccer, dance, softball, Stadium, supporting Laps for Leslie. and track. After she had Photos by Sharon Lee.

From left to right: Charlie Collins, Jayzine Luti, Chris Willoth, and Kevin Sosa holding a banner and showing their pride for the Special Olympics. Photos submitted by Barbara Scibelli.

MHS’s girls varsity basketball team.

“They say that I bring them confidence,” Herriveaux stated.

After every event, the athletes received medals for their participation. Some of the volunteers shared the athletes’ joy by taking them to get their medals—this was senior Marcos Almeida’s favorite part of the day. “Taking the athletes to get their medals brought a smile to my face,” he shared.

At 12 P.M., after the participants were done competing, they departed, leaving volunteers to clean up and talk about how much they had enjoyed the day. “I had fun, it was an opportunity for me

to help out and be a helping hand for other people to have fun. It was a rewarding experience,” expressed junior Nadege Seppou.

The volunteers did not merely just show up to help; they all had to write a short letter about why they wanted to volunteer and had hand it in to MHS principal Dana Brown, first, to prove their motivation and dedication. In the end, several volunteers said that the Special Olympics were most definitely worth writing that letter. “Watching all the kids participating in different events and seeing the huge smiles on their faces was truly heartwarming,” stated sophomore Kiara Amos.

Lauren Benoit Reporter

passed away, the people who knew her were devastated and wanted her to always be with them. The decision was then made to retire the number 16, as it was her track number.

Supporters walking and running to raise money at The money raised Laps for Leslie. from “Laps for Leslie” Mrs. Razzino was pleased with goes towards college tuition for four the turnout, claiming that “everyone chosen senior girls who are either on was upbeat and enthusiastic… there the track team or who write poetry. was one man who ran around the When in the hospital on one night, track 47 times!” The amount of monRazzino confessed her secret love ey raised is still being calculated, for writing poetry. but so far, about $2,918.00 has been This year’s “Laps for Leslie” raised. “Donations are still coming took place on May 19, 2010. Mrs. in and we won’t have a final count Razzino was surprised that so many until about a week or two later.” people knew about the event, es- says Mrs. Razzino. What surprised pecially freshmen, and that seniors her most is that nearing the end of from Leslie’s class still come back to the fundraiser, Fox 25 News made walk in remembrance of her. Those an appearance and filmed the parin attendance at this year’s walk in- ticipants walk the last lap. In closclude the track team, baseball team, ing, Mrs. Razzino expresses that the softball team, lacrosse teams, crew fundraiser “fits into the atmosphere teams, tennis teams, and also cur- with MHS... the effects last long… rent MHS teachers, past MHS staff, and everyone joins in to help, even and friends of the Razzino family. if they didn’t know her personally.”

The Blue and Gold June 2010

Travel

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Costa Rica 2010 VISIT THE ONLINE EDITION TO VIEW A FULL ACCOUNT OF THE TRIP AND SEE MORE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS. From left to right: The whole group white water rafting; Shauna Campbell jumping off a ledge into a river, picture of group traveling to a beach in Cahuita. Bottom: whole group at the turtle preserve; Kristen Kirby milking a cow at an organic farm. Photos submitted by trip members.

Xavier Leo Copy Editor

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Cristina Peters Reporter

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fter traveling for three hours on one very bumpy dirt road, which only brought us to another excessively bumpy dirt road, we finally arrived at a river where we boarded a boat that would take us to La Estación de Las Tortugas, or the Turtle Station, located on the central Caribbean coast. Little did we know that the three days that we spent here during our vacation would be our most spec­tacular and incredible days in Costa Rica. During the daytime we made chocolate from cocoa beans, played games, had class with a biologist named Stami who told us all about Leatherback sea turtles, and one day, we painted our skin with fruit that left behind a blue stain. During the night, we had turtle patrol along the beach to protect the Leatherback turtles’ eggs from poachers, who tend to steal them and harm the turtles during the night. We wore all dark clothes, and walked up and down the beach in two shifts: from 8 P.M. to 11 P.M. and from 11 P.M. to 2 A.M. with a guard and a researcher. We saw several huge nesting turtles, which came ashore and laid their eggs.

Later we counted the eggs, safely buried them, weighed, and then measured the turtles’ flippers.

After a four hour car ride from our hotel, we arrived to a very ru­ ral area and were presented with a dance by the local children. Soon af­ter, we went on our way to the hous­es. Junior Ivy Bui and I stayed in the same home; our house was small, with two very small rooms, one bathroom, a small kitchen, and liv­ing room. We slept in an attachment to the house, which had a bunk bed and a small cut-out hole for a win­dow. To welcome us into their

home, our host family taught us card games and we played for about two hours.

They explained to us that it meant a lot for them to have us stay there because they wanted us to have a better understanding about being grateful for what we have.

It was very sad to leave our home, but we promised them that we’d come back to visit, which is definitely a promise that we plan on keeping.

A few days later, we ar­rived at the jungle where the BriBri indigenous tribe live. We hiked up and down the steepest hills, hopped over stones to go across rivers, and traveled through thick bushes to get to their homes. They were all very welcoming, and for lunch we ate heart of palm, chick­ en, rice, beans, and vegetables. The most amazing part was that we ate out of these huge bowls that they made from palm tree leaves. The children and families there were beautiful. Their beliefs and tradi­ tions were astonishing, and it was interesting to meet people that have had such strong background within their families for generations.

Aside from the memories of the trip that were breathtaking and eyeopening, a few activities that we did that were also fantastic and thrilling were zip-lining, white-water rafting, and volcano-visiting. We were at­ tached to a cord zipping well over a hundred feet from the jungle, and had an amazing view of the towns and overall wildlife. Another great

activity that we did was white-water rafting. Passing through the strong and bumpy water rapids was such a fun activity. Our last, very memo­ rable day was when we hiked up to the volcano in La Fortuna, through the forest and over huge molten rocks. It was almost surreal to see huge mounts of hardened lava ev­erywhere and the view from where we went to visit the volcano was in­credible. Instances like these made Costa Rica a country that will forever remain such an astounding country in my eyes.

raveling to Costa Rica was most definitely the high­light of my year. From the amazing food to the rich culture and the beautiful landscape, every­thing was just about perfect. We were able to visit volcanoes, wit­ness a fully grown Leatherback sea turtle come up the beach and lay her eggs, and see countless ex­ otic animals in the wild. We were doing something every minute of every day, whether it was ziplining through the canopies of the rainforest or white water raft­ ing down a local river. Our tour guide, Eloy Castro, was the one who held the entire trip together for the group. Although he is well into his 40s, Eloy was still a kid at heart and made every day a fun one, both through his jokes and through his vast knowledge on the history of Costa Rica.

However, as great as all the activities were, what hit the group the hardest was the level of poverty that was present everywhere we looked. After living in the United States so long, it is hard to really imagine what poverty looks like on such a huge level. As we traveled through San Juan, the capital city, our tour guide mentioned that the area we were traveling through belonged mostly to the upper middle class.

He also went on to say that the average yearly income for someone living in San Juan was only about 600 dollars. The majority of the people we were seeing in the city were living on so little, but one would not notice it by their physical appearance. Every single person we came across, be it a tour guide, an ordinary citizen on the streets, or an employee at a restaurant or supermarket, welcomed us with a warm smile and an embracing personality. No one was ever hesitant to share with us what lit­tle they had; we were constantly bombarded with offers for food or gifts. It was all just an ex­ tremely eye-opening experience, meant to expose us to what life is like for most of the world outside of the United States. It instilled in us memories and lessons that we will keep with us for a long time to come.

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Local News

The Blue and Gold June 2010

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Mock Car Crash

Kayla Bramante Reporter

Luckily, the content of this article is not Real!

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n May 24, 2010, seniors Jil­ lian Dervishian and Rachael Kirschner faced a tragic death in a car accident right after graduation.

Another senior, Samuel Warton, was under the influence of alcohol, and made a decision that affected the entire MHS population: to drive.

He ended up taking the wrong turn, hitting another car in the process.

Right before the police came to the scene of the crime, senior David Console managed to get out of the car and start a fight with Warton. Warton, being drunk, had no major reaction to Console; instead he looked as though he was in shock as he tried to gather his thoughts about what he has just done to his friends Dervishian and Kirschner.

Soon after the accident, po­ licemen, firefighters, and ambulances arrived to figure out what had happened and who was to blame. Soon after the police’s arrival, Warton was put in hand cuffs and taken away from the scene. Friends were devastated by the losses, especially senior Christina Valente, who was in hysterics.

Glass and blood were ev­ erywhere and the cars were completely totaled. People were put on stretchers and then into ambulances. The car that Warton was driving was tipped upside down; the other car had to be ripped apart just to get senior Marissa Gould out of the vehicle.

The dead were then driven away in a hearse for the funeral, which began with junior Jenna Del­aney singing “Amazing Grace.” Next, the friends of the victims reminisced about the great times they shared together.

Luckily, this time the crash was a warning to many MHS students about the dangers of drinking and driving. This mock car crash is displayed for the seniors every year before prom with the intent of showing them how to prevent the funeral of another beloved classmate. Prin­cipal Dana Brown spoke to the audience, stating, “We want you to live a productive life,” ex­plaining that drinking and driv­ing are not the way to fulfill this expectation; in fact, that combination must be prevented.

Usually, MHS gym teacher Julie Briggs is the advisor for the Students Against Destructive Decisions, who put on the mock crash. This year’s crash, however, was directed by English teacher Margaret Pettit. Pettit believes that the mock crash went “pretty smoothly,” adding that she hopes that it will be “effective” for MHS students. She explained that this is a “real life issue” and that “it is not worth” getting into an accident for one drunken night.

Clockwise from left: Fire fighter prying the hood of a car open to rescue senior Marissa Gould. A damaged car from the Mock Car Crash.

Seniors Elaine Tam, Cristina Valente, Jillann Ceplinskas, Keith Newman, and Sam Warton gathered around the body of senior Rachel Kirchner. All Photos by Lauren Benoit.

O’Brien’s Florist and Greenhouses 266 Lynn Street Malden, MA 02148 (781) 322-1041 Jim O’Brien

The Blue and Gold June 2010

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Concert Band Wows The Crowd Natalie Fallano Reporter

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he seats of the Jenkins Auditorium filled up on May 27, 2010, as Maldonians eagerly waited for the annual spring Malden High School Band Concert to begin. This year the concert was titled “A Musical Spring Fling” which featured the MHS Concert Band and the MHS Percussion Ensemble.

The lights of the auditorium dimmed and noise from the crowd ceased as Principal Dana Brown introduced the band director and conductor Matthew H. Tavares.

Brown continued, speaking about this being the first band concert in the new auditorium with the new sound equipment to enhance the impressive music of the band.

Junior and president of the MHS Concert Band, Karl Denis introduced the first piece of the night entitled, “Essence of Desire.”

This piece was a medley of Lady Gaga songs which included some of her most popular songs like “Bad Romance” and “Paparazzi.” Aside

from this piece, many of the songs the band performed at the MICCA (Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductor’s Associating) competition.

Senior and vice president of the band, Michael Meneses then spoke about the second piece of the night, “Among the Clouds”, which is a rapidly mood changing piece of music; it’s about lucid dreamers who are flying in the sky, with the clouds. “Amazing Grace”, which the band also played at the winter concert was introduced by Amanda LaFauci, junior and secretary. She described it as a widely known “Christian hymn written by John Newton in the eighteenth century.”

After a ten minute intermission, the MHS Indoor Winter Percussion Ensemble performed their version of Jordin Spark’s popular hit song “Battlefield” which was one of the most memorable moments of the night. The percussion lined up on the edge of the stage playing an

arrangement of the song while juniors Jenna Delaney and Rita Cote sang vocals. The Concert Band then returned to the stage to perform “National Emblem March” and ended with an impressive performance of a very difficult piece named “Chorale and Shaker Dance”.

The night ended with Tavares giving thanks to everyone who made the concert possible and with recognition of all the seniors of the band who are graduating. Freshman and flutist Devon Moran recapped on the night by stating, “It went phenomenally well. The pieces we played at MICCA, went and sounded better at the concert than at the competition. The band did an amazing job.”

Junior Rita Cote sings while junior Patrick Malone, freshman Joseph Adelman, and senior Sergio Castillo play percussion in the Indoor Winter Percussion Ensemble’s performance of “Battlefield” by Jordin Sparks Photo by Brittany Foley.

Dominating the Stage Natalie Fallano Reporter

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mazing Music and song flooded the ears of the audience in the Jenkins auditorium on May 14, 2010 when the Malden High School (MHS) Musical Department presented “A Spring Concert”. Performers of the MHS Choral Art Society featured Mixed Chorus, Show Choir, the Madrigal Singers, and Concert Choir.

Principal Dana Brown started off the night by first acknowledging that this was the first concert done in the brand new, state of the art Jenkins Auditorium. Due to the renovations, the 2009 winter concert had to be held in the Finn Gym, this past November. This caused an inconvenience for both the MHS Choral Arts and the Concert Band

Senior Nick Fiumefreddo performs his solo of the song “Lead Me Home” for Concert Choir.

Photo by Sharon Lee.

due to the poor acoustics of the gym.

First up was Mixed Chorus; solos this year where done by the freshmen in the class. They kicked off the night with a performance of “Choose to Bless the World”, which included a solo by Elizabeth Fitzgerald. The widely known song “For Good”, from the Broadway musical Wicked included solos from Blondel Binyame and Christy Ringdahl and a duet sung by Iris Feng and Kelsey Conti. Conti, a freshman, expressed, “All our hard work led up to this moment. If it wasn’t for every single person in chorus working together, we would’ve never made it to this part.” They ended with “Finale B (No Day But Today) from the famous Broadway Musical Rent, which began with a memorable solo by William Lombard. Conductor Todd Cole was correct when he said “This group [Mixed Chorus] is going to give you a little bit of everything”, at the beginning of the show.

Show Choir, unlike the other groups which are classes, is an extra curricular group. The small group of eight members meets after school every Friday, to practice for concerts they participate in. They performed “How Can I Stop Singing My Song?” followed by “Java Jive,” in which the choir got into character by putting on “jazzy” fedoras.

A talented group of MHS students makes up the Madrigal Singers that performed a set of “Renaissance” themed songs. Senior Bernard Alford stated, “I liked our music, we were able very interactive.” A cover

The Mixed Chorus performs at the Spring Concert with pianist, Cindy Horseman McKeen. Photo by Lynn Tran. of Morley’s “My Bonnie Lass (She Smileth)” was performed along with Bach’s cover of “My Bonnie Lass She Smelleth”, a parody of the original.

The Madrigal Singers also gave the audience a treat by performing a piece they used in their MICCA (Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductor’s Associating) repertoire called “O Occhi, Manza Mia”, which won the group a silver medal. For their last song they performed “When Allen-A-Dale Went A-Hunting”, which Cole joined in to help as a tenor.

The Concert Choir, which followed the Madrigal Singers, also sang one of their MICCA pieces called “Cantique de Jean Racine”.

This was followed by the Filipino song titled “Paruparong Bukid (Field Butterfly)” which compares a bride walking down her wedding aisle to butterflies, flying in a meadow. “Ave Maria” was sung with several solos given by junior Ashley Cecre, se-

nior Thanh Nguyen, senior Tressie Charles and the small ensemble of junior Ivy Bui, sophmore Carli Belmer, and senior Tyler Elderd. Senior and “Lead Me Home” soloist, Nick Fiumefreddo stated, “I enjoyed the concert and I’m going to miss the choir very much.

As seniors of the Choral Arts Society gave a tear and hug filled final performance at the concert, they were presented roses on stage before singing “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz. When the audience finished applauding the night’s performance and expected the end of the show, they were surprised by an additional performance of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”, performed in the style of FOX’s hit show Glee.

Cole expressed overall of what he thought of the night by stating, “I was really pleased of how the groups performed with all the varieties and styles of music. The hard work put into rehearsals was evident.”

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Christopher Brown Reporter

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alden High School’s newly renovated Jenkins Auditorium was near full on the nights of May 21 and 22, 2010. The reason was to view the play production class’s spring play, their last this year. The class took on Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses, a play consisting of various Greek myths. Some were traditional or tragic, while others were comedic interpretations of the original classics.

The first myth was one of the play’s most famous, the story of King Midas. Senior Sam Warton, who played Midas, was visited by a drunken man by the name of Silenus, played by junior Patrick Keough. He began babbling about a land where no one dies. Midas began thinking of how to make a profit. Sophomore Gabriel Piau entered as Bacchus, the god of wine, and offered Midas a wish for finding the drunkard.

Midas wished for his touch to turn everything to gold. He was warned, but ignored Bacchus, only to accidentally turn his daughter (junior Rita Cote) to gold. He was then told to find a magic pool at the world’s

The Blue and Gold June 2010

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end to reverse the wish.

The next story was that of Alcyone (junior Jenna Delaney) and Ceyx (senior Keith Newman), a husband and wife. Alycone loved her husband very much and did not want him to journey into the sea, but he felt he must. However, the sea proved too strong and he died. Still, the scene had a happy ending as the two turned into birds and flew together.

Warton then returned as Erysichton, a man who cut down trees.

Eventually one tree took revenge and sent Hunger (sophomore Clarissa Henebury)—a demonic creature that starved people she was near— after him, resulting in Erysichton eating himself.

Newman and Cote then played Orpheus and Eurydice. Eurydice died on her wedding day and her husband Orpheus followed her to the Underworld. His music persuaded Hades (senior Danny Callahan) to let her go back with him; however, if he looked back, she would be gone forever. Along the journey, Orpheus could not resist

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From left to right: Sophomores Clarissa Henebury and Gabriel Piau, seniors Danny Callahan and Keith Newman, sophomore Mary Stathos, and senior Martin Doan.

Bottom: Cast of Metamorphoses. Photos by Brittany Foley, Sharon Lee, and Megan Kelly.

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looking to see if his wife was unharmed, and she was lost forever.

The first act ended when Piau, who played Narcissus, fell in love with his reflection and cracked jokes about his arms being a “gun show,” only to be carried offstage.

The second act featured myths such as that of Vertumnus (senior Martin Doan), who dressed in disguises to woo Pomona (senior Kerry Da Paz). He told the story of how Myrrha (Henebury) was cursed by Aphrodite (sophomore Sarah Fraas) to love her father (Warton) who ended up almost killing her after he found out about her incestuous advances. Vertumnus used the myth as a cautionary tale to teach Pomona an important lesson: fall in love quickly.

Then, sophomore Eddie Fisher entered as Phaeton, a rebellious teenager who only sought to know his father, whom he knew was Apollo, god of the sun (Newman). Apollo reluctantly allowed his son to drive his chariot only to watch him crash it and set the Earth on fire. Sophomore Mary Stathos played Psyche, who loved but was not allowed to

see Eros (Callahan), the god of love.

She stole a peek at him only to be punished, but was allowed to love Eros again.

The final myth was that of Baucis (senior Thanh Nguyen) and Philemon (Newman) who treated two homeless men like kings. The men ended up being Zeus, god of the sky (Doan) and Hermes, the messenger god (Keough), in disguise. They granted the two humans a wish for their kindness. The couple chose to die at the same moment so neither one would be lonely. However, the two gods turned the couple into a majestic, intertwining tree so that they could be together forever.

In the very end, Midas (reprised by Warton) found the pool and turned his daughter back into a human. Play Production advisor and English teacher Sean Walsh believes he accomplished his goals with the play and hopes that the class next year will “expand the number of students involved, the number of audience members and incorporate music for years to come.”

The Blue and Gold June 2010

entertainment

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http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

MALDEN HIGH SCHOOL

presents

Faculty Follies

Joel Stevenson Reporter

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t was an exciting night as the Faculty Follies were underway on May 7, 2010. There was nothing but laughter as the teach­ers put on a hilarious show full of skits that showed their ability to not only entertain in the classroom, but onstage as well. “It seems that it is going to be better this year, we rehearsed less, but we’re ready to go,” expressed math teacher Evan Mauser before the show.

The first act took place as an American Idol contest with science teacher Christine Grillion playing Ellen Degeneres, math consultant Jessica Gray playing Paula Abdul, and English teacher Sean Walsh playing Simon Cowell. First to per­ form was computer programming teacher Paul Marques, singing “Glo­ ria” by Laura Branigan, along with back up dancers Alex Xeung, Tai Phan, and Justin Pham, members of

the breakdancing group AirBound, who performed at this year’s Junior Varieties. Next was a group of teach­ ers, including Greg Hurley and Ann Pember, who were dressed as stereotypical nerds and danced to the Cupid Shuffle. The final group of teachers was dressed as the “cool kids.” This performance was one of the favorites of the crowd; “It was really funny but it looked a bit unorganized,” expressed sophomore Sarah Fraas. The winner of the competition was determined by a round of ap­plause; without a doubt, the “cool kids” were victorious.

The next act, introduced by Mauser and Walsh, featured stu­ dents Jamie Omeara and Chris Gior­ dano, who had a drum duel. The crowd was speechless as the drum­ mers performed their acts. The duel proved to be a heated battle, and it seemed that the teachers gained a slight edge over the students, win­ ning by round of applause once again.

The next act was one of the favorites of the audience. Principal Dana Brown took the stage by him­ self, sat down, and started ruffling through his papers. The students in the crowd became antsy and shifted in their seats, anxious to hear what Brown had to say. After a brief pause, Brown finally spoke; “This is serious, I have some advice for you guys.” The mood in the auditorium lowered visibly as the students pre­ pared for a serious speech. Before they knew it, Brown was talking about how you should not eat chick­ en nuggets if the nurse’s office is closed. The whole crowd laughed so

hard that they were grasp­ ing their seats from keeping from falling off. Not once did Brown crack a smile, mak­ing the whole performance that much funnier.

The next act was Jenelle Baldassari and her demonstra­tion of her karate.

The follow­ing act was a spin off of the Fox hit series Glee.

This per­formance was a collaboration between Walsh, chemistry teacher Meaghan Galdos, Hurley, math teacher Hava Daniels, Pember, and math teacher Berenice Diaz.

Their skit mocked a typical day in the lives of the cast members of Glee.

In the end, the lighthearted tone was identical to that of the actual television series, and the teachers were able to create a fun environment as they burst into song led by Diaz which had the whole cast bouncing around the stage and even got Walsh doing cartwheels. This concluded the first half of the show.

When intermission was over the show started off with Mauser as W.B. Mason, the man on the paper box, who sung a song about twocolumn notes, with the entire cast serving as background dancers. The next act was a game show starring math teacher Nicholas Lippman as the host, Brunelli House Principal Thomas Mahoney and Marques act­ ing as each other, and Boyle House Principal Christopher Mastrangelo as former B-house Principal Fred Feldman. The actors were speechless in response to any of the questions that the hosts were asking. Eventually it was a contest of who could re-

member their name first. In the end, after giving up and admitting that he was Fred Feldman, Mastrangelo won the game, and just walked off stage shaking his head.

The next skit involved science teachers Grillion and Shannon Vo­ taw concocting a mysterious green sample from the contaminated wa­ ter main break. Mauser ended up drinking the mixture, which in fact turned him into Diaz.

The next act was a music café which started off with Walsh play­ ing “Paparazzi,” by Lady Gaga in a country tone. Afterward, Walsh played an upbeat version which broke out into a wild dancing circle with all the teachers showing off their moves. Marques pulled off a backspin with an injured foot which sent the audi­ence going crazy.

After the show was over, with the students cheering, and wishing for more. It was a great night; soph­ omore Justin Pham stated, “I didn‘t want to go home.”

From left to right: Faculty members Ann Pember, Paul Marques, Jenelle Baldassari, and Sean Walsh. Photos by Joel Stevenson.

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Sports

The Blue and Gold June 2010

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

boys break 53 year-old record

Malik blue

Brittany McFeeley Copy Editor

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he Malden High School’s boys track team worked hard during the outdoor track season and their determination paid off. Senior and hurdler Michael Meneses stated that, “the team was great to begin with this season. It only got better as the season progressed. But the real transformation in the team happened between last year and this year.” In fact, MHS’s 4x100 relay record of 45.6 seconds was broken this season with a new record of 45.0 seconds flat. Because of the team’s progress, many of MHS’ own athletes qualified for the MIAA Division 1 State Qualifying Meet on Wednesday, May 27, 2010.

Not only has the 4x100 team broke one of the school’s best records, but they also had another opportunity to improve because of their qualification at the States’ meet.

However, they are not the only ones moving on; many more athletes qualified for this amazing opportunity. Junior Andrew Terenzi ran the boys one mile in 4 minutes and 37 seconds. Junior Kelvin Tsang ran the 400 meter hurdles in 57 seconds.

Senior Herbens Antenor qualified

for states in two categories, the high jump and the triple jump. Senior Ariel Hurts qualified for states in two categories as well, qualifying in the high jump as well as the 100 yard dash. Senior Witchie Exilhomme also met the requirements to compete in the states meet by throwing 153 feet in the javelin. At the meet, Exilhomme won first place in his event and will be moving on to New England Championships.

With the GBL meet over, the boys ended their season with a record of 3-0-1, making them the co-league GBL champions. They share the title with their biggest rival, Somerville High School, with whom they have their Front: sophomore Dennis Chin; back: sophomore only tie in the season.

Christopher Tran. Photo by Lauren Benoit.

Girls finish season with best record in years

Photo by Lauren Benoit.

Sports: Football, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track Favorite Memories: “During Indoor this past winter just after the guy’s team had tied for the win at the GBL meet, it was surreal.

The victory lap with my teammates was something I’ll never forget. Honestly these last two seasons of my senior year were perfect.”

Comparable Athlete: “I don’t know many professional athletes and so I can’t say I really can compare myself to any. I have always preferred to actually go out and play a sport than to watch one on T.V.” What will miss most: “I will definitely miss the athletes that have been on any of my teams. My teammates always keep me on my toes, There’s always something to laugh about while we’re working hard and that’s something I’ve really come to cherish.”

Thanh Nguyen

Brittany McFeeley Copy Editor

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espite their 2-2 record, this has been one of the Malden High School girls track team’s best seasons in years. The girls have been ending their outdoor seasons with records ranging from 1-3 or 0-4.

However, this season, there have been major improvements, due to key track athletes.

Junior Cynthia Antenor stated, “I think that individuals improved, but the girls track team lacks athleticism.” Exemplifying this, three members of the track team qualified for states. Senior Thanh Nyugen qualified for the states meet in two events, discus and shot put.

Junior and The Blue and Gold staff member Alexandra Mathieu also qualified for the states meet in the discus. The third athlete to make the statewide tournament was freshman and The Blue and Gold staff member Lauren Benoit in the one mile race.

Benoit made states in the last meet of the season, an invitational meet after the GBL championship. After missing the states qualifying time by just a few seconds during her GBL race, Benoit gave it another shot at the invitational meet only a few

Photo by Catherine Poirier.

Sports: Volleyball, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track Favorite memories: “My favorite memories from track are bonding with the other throwers and Coach Abbatessa. (We laugh everyday with the ridiculous things we say and do.)” days later and came out victorious.

The girls outdoor track team is composed of only a few upperclassmen and many more underclassmen. Therefore, next year, the track team will not have to completely rebuild and re-structure the team because there are only three seniors: Meredith Murray, Kristin Cruikshank, and Nyugen. As Antenor explained, “If more athletes do not come out to participate in Malden girls track, our team will only improve by a slight margin. I believe that the distance team will strive for more, and be a major factor in the girls track team‘s [success].”

Even though there are three seniors leaving, they will have

tough shoes to fill because they are all outstanding athletes, especially Nguyen, who has proved herself a quality athlete multiple times during her track career.

Top: Sophomore Lynette Ibanda long jumping.

Photo by Lauren Benoit.

Comparable athletes: “Sadly, I have no athlete that I want to compare myself too! I just feel that if I try really hard, then nothing else should matter. If some other girl beats me, then I would just work extra hard to beat her next time. It’s really hard to compare myself to someone because we have so few female throwers on the team.”

Miss most about being an MHS athlete: “I will definitely miss the people I became friends with. Volleyball and Track are very different from each other, but I met amazing people when I became an athlete. I became more....HAPPY! Since I know that I’m contributing to the team’s success as well as having friends that will look out for me as I do for them. I really don’t want to graduate! Let me stay!”

The Blue and Gold June 2010

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Sports http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Crew Team Paddles Past the Competition Freshman Prayush Pokharel and seniors Trang Tran, junior Cassandra Ulwick, An Holmqvist and Samantha Power rowing a boat in the Malden River. Photos submitted by crew team.

Alicia Young Reporter

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s the final season for the 2010 Malden High School crew team comes to an end, the team “emphasizes motivation” with players like senior Samantha Power, stated freshman Prayush Pokharel. Aside from a few scrimmages and close races the team shows the same “upbeat tone” because “practices are going great” says junior Cassandra Ulwick. The novice boys did great, as they placed second at states in Lowell, Massachusetts receiving the only team medal. Due to the rainy weather and some random cases of lighting many matches were cancelled or recalled such as an anticipated GBL meet.

Keeping spirits up is the team’s new addition: a sleek black boat.

Like many other boats used in crew meets and practices, it was donated to the team by Tufts University. The eight-person boat was repainted and refurbished and all that is left is a name. The crew team is eager to get the “boat on the road,” ex-

Samantha Power

Members of the crew team posing for a photo at their meet against Mystic Valley. plained freshman Devon Moran, but according to freshman Rebecca Broomstein it is “bad luck” to put an unnamed boat on the water. When discussing the benefits of joining the crew team, one of the three coaches

Shauna Campbell called the sport an excellent way for someone to “grow as a rower and a person,” and as students keep up with their meets and rowing, they become “happier with themselves and their team as a whole.” With each practice the team’s times improve due to their focus on improving and stabilizing their skills.

It is not difficult to see how excellent the crew team is becoming, even when they are simply practicing. Other teams’ comments such as “Woah“ and “Is that Malden High?“ show just how fierce and well-rounded the team and all its members are.

Photo by Catherine Poirier.

Sports: Crew Favorite memories: “When Matt Maggio randomly got attacked by a goose in the midle of a crew practice. It was absolutely hilarious and was constantly talked about by all us members.”

Comparable athlete: “Being in crew, there [are] not many famous athletes, so I really don’t compare myself to anyone in particular.”

Miss most about being an MHS athlete: “The family bond that was created from the beginning with all the teammates and the coaches. As well as all the fun and good times crew went through with some really good wins and some unexpected losses.”

What’s next: Suffolk University.

Mohammed Anwar, Alan Nie, Melvyn Perez, and Lucas Inez rowing in a four person boat.

Rebecca Broomstein, Wendy Ng, Ana Sazo, Devon Moran, and coxswain Prayush Pokharel rowing in a four person boat.

Melvyn Perez and Manny Martinez sitting on the dock on the Malden River.

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Sports http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Best Record in 20 Years

The Blue and Gold June 2010

Jonathan Chen

Amanda Adams Reporter

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oys tennis may be coming to an end this season, but the season has gone very well. Coach Joshua Titcomb stated, “We take great pride.” This year, boys tennis has had the best record in 20 years; the team was built up mostly by juniors, so with the seniors departing, not many teammates will be lost.

Senior captain David Riemer of The Blue & Gold affirmed, “Over the last four years, we have improved an incredible amount. I’m really proud of how far we’ve come.”

The team qualified for the Massachusetts State Tennis Tournament.

Before the State Tournament, junior Andrew DeLacey confirmed, ”It feels great [to be qualified for states], we had qualified last year, but had a tough seed and faced a good team But this year, we’ve become better, and have a better record than the previous year. We hope to do well in the state tournament and progress as far as we can.” The boys have worked extremely hard this year. “Suffice it to say I am sore, and relatively dehydrated from all that work, but it was worth it, we won overall and I’m really proud to have been one of the wins to have got us there,” Riemer admitted.

Photo by Reginah Sanyu.

Sports: Cross Country, Tennis

Junior Jackie Tran prepares to return a serve on the court. Photo by Sharon Lee. “[This season of boy’s tennis] was awesome! Everyone on the team gets along and supports each other, which helps make us the team that we’ve become. We’re unique in the fact that we’re not losing the bulk of our team as graduating seniors, though the ones that we are losing are an asset to the team. Our team’s depth has led us to our victories this year, having a very well rounded and competitive team. We qualified for states and currently have one of the best records the team has had in a long time. And with a young and

developing team there are better years to come building off of this one,” DeLacey stated.

Hopes for the future of the boys tennis team include being the GBL champions because they have not been the champions since 1953.

Another goal is making it far into the State Championship, since the team lost in the first round this year..

“But, most importantly [the main expectation is to] have fun as a team with everyone learning as we go,” DeLacey expressed.

Great Coaching, Great Season

Favorite memories: “Starting my senior year. It is the beginning of the end for the seniors. Everyone wants to hurry and graduate, but now that its coming to an end everyone talks about how they will miss each other next year. It’s a big moment in life and senior year was amazing, but definitely one of the best moments of the year was just getting started.”

Miss most about being an MHS athlete: “Most definitely I will miss the tennis team the most. I grew up with the team since I was in 9th grade and it’s just really sad knowing that I won’t be part of it next year. The tennis team gave me a lot of good memories and I learned a lot from it.

It is one of my favorite parts of High School and I am honored to have been able to be on a team with such great friends.”

Jillann Ceplinskas

Omar Khoshafa Copy Editor

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he Malden High School girls’ tennis team finished an impressive season with a 7-9 record under Coach Margaret Pettit and was only one victory away from qualifying for the state tournament. This was an extremely impressive performance that was earned even with the influx of underclassmen coming onto the varsity team. This included freshman Lisa Delacey in first singles, freshman Natalie Fallano (also a reporter for The Blue and Gold) in third singles, and sophomore and second doubles player, Wendy Tse. Pettit has coached the girls tennis team for nearly four years, starting in her third year as an MHS English teacher. Her passion for tennis is unparalleled, and this is portrayed through her early arrival to practice every single day and her enthusiasm for the game. “What I believe to be the most important aspect of the game is that the players have a great experience playing the game, regardless of whether they win or lose,” Pettit stated. This aspect of Pettit is a characteristic that her players have gradually noticed, and it has, as sophomore Julia Vu exclaimed, “allowed the team to play well and have fun at the same time.”

On the other hand, Pettit stresses the balance between “hav-

Photo by Lauren Benoit.

Sports: Volleyball and Tennis

Favorite memories: “Winning MVP titles for both tennis and volleyball.

Being awarded all-star for volleyball.

Being approached by a representative of SMASH volleyball (a very well known volleyball competitive club) to play for them.”

Junior Alison Nguyen uses her powerful forehand to return the ball. Photo

by Sharon Lee. ing fun and working hard,” and that could be credited with why the team has had such a notable season this year. Pettit also mentioned one fundamental factor, and that is the senior leadership on the team, specifically mentioning her second singles player, Jilliann Ceplinskas. “[Jill] is an awesome player and mentor to her younger teammates… she is always there as an excellent role model for them,” stated Pettit in an emotional conversation about one of her most committed players.

Ceplinskas happens to be the first

girl to be coached under Pettit for all four years of high school, clarifying a relationship that was built four years ago. The fact that Ceplinskas is now graduating means that the team will lose a large portion of the valuable experience that she has gained over the years. Nonetheless, Ceplinskas has been working vigorously with other members of the team this season, sharing everything she knows about the game itself.

Comparable athletes: “I don’t really aspire to be an athlete or compare myself to any although I do admire athletes who play volleyball and tennis.”

Miss most about being an MHS athlete: “Being a part of the team is what I will miss most about being an MHS athlete. The bonds I have made throughout the four years are amazing.

Playing sports at MHS will be an everlasting high school memory.”

Message to her teammates: “One of my favorite things about the tennis team is how it’s such a small team. The best advice I can give them for next year is to DEMOLISH Cambridge (just kidding).

But seriously, just keep doing your best girls, you all have improved sooo much!

The Blue and Gold June 2010

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boys lacrosse lays base for future seasons

SAM WARTON

Freddie DiPhillipo Reporter

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he Malden High School boys lacrosse team is beginning to come around with understanding the sport. Although last season they lost all of their games except for one, they have shown great signs of improvement.

This year, the team has unfortunately suffered a similar but better record of 2-14, but the final record certainly did not represent the outcome of the season, as a majority of the losses were very close games, ending with Malden trailing by two or three goals. This clearly shows the improvements from last season, in which the team lost by a larger number of goals.

This season, the lacrosse team started out with many first year players along with a new head coach, Brendan Maney, and his assistant James Malone. After speaking with Maney on the teams progress, he replied that the team has made “leaps and bounds” since the first few days. Maney has also noticed individual growth, in

young players including freshman Paul Kiernen, sophomore Daniel Glynn, and other underclassmen.

Combined with more perseverance, dedication, and commitment from the rest of the team this year, the boys lacrosse team’s growth was significant.

After talking about the freshmen on the team who have not had much experience with the sport, Maney commented, “It is good because I get to pass down my love for the sport.” Maney also thinks that having a plethora of athletes new to the game is good because it is easier to teach them without the boys having previous bad habits.

The new team and coaching staff have laid a strong foundation for Malden lacrosse to build off of, and with Maney, along with TriCaptains junior Alfonse Femino, Andy Lam, and Chance DiPietro, the team has high expectations of what will come of the newly formed team.

Photo by Reginah Sanyu.

Sports: Soccer, Lacrosse, Indoor and outdoor track Favorite memories: “During the drama shows, hanging out in Mr. Fam’s study, making it to the states in my freshman and sophomore year of soccer.”

Junior Chance Dipietro cradling the ball on offense. Photo by Catherine Poirier.

What’s next: “I’m going to UMass Amherst to major in theater. I plan to tryout for the Umass soccer team and maybe the lacrosse team.”

Miss most about being an MHS athlete: “I’m going to miss the practices the most because that’s when you spend the most time together with your teammates and you are working your hardest.”

Senior and The Blue and Gold member Xavier Leo with the ball in the defense. Photo by Catherine Poirier.

KAREN BENAVIDES

Girls Lacrosse Builds Unity Alex Gennigiorgis Reporter

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his year’s girls lacrosse team has faced many difficulties throughout their tumultuous season. The team’s record is 2-1-13, which is less than flattering; however, according to the players and coaches of the team, the record in no way reflects the team.

The team has been making progress with each game, showing improvements in aspects of the game including break-outs, clears, and more importantly, the team has been coming together as a family.

The team has improved in many important areas such as stick skills, catching, throwing, and other key areas. 75 percent of the attempt-

Sophomores Malorie MacDonald and Commie Ayuk preventing the Medford Mustangs from shooting on goal. Photo by Lynn Tran.

ed catches ended up as errors in the beginning of the season but towards the end of the season the percentage has decreased. The team bonded very well over the course of the season; for example, the team held a pasta party and made posters for the senior game.

The loss of head coach and Malden High School gym teacher Julie Briggs, who had surgery on her foot in the spring, made it harder for the team to continue on in the season.

The final three matches in the season were coached by junior varsity coach Susan Famiglietti, who came through for the team, essentially adopting it for the rest of the season.

Briggs appeared at the banquet on Wednesday May 19, 2010, looking like she felt better. In the end, all of the conflicts that overcame the team this season will improve them for the next, even with the loss of three seniors, the team will be striving for GBL Championship gold.

Photo by Lynn Tran.

Sports: Field Hockey and Lacrosse What’s next: Benavides will most likely be attending University of New Haven.

Miss most about being a MHS athlete: Benavides will miss playing with the team very much. Mostly because of the fun memories she has with the team. On April Fools day the team played at Linden Middle School and decided to pull a prank on head coach Julie Briggs. The prank was to pretend as if Girls Lacrosse team member Commie Ayuk fell and broke her leg, but no one wanted to fall, leaving Benavides to do it… and she did. She pretended convincingly as if her leg was broken. After taking notice of the incident, Briggs sprinted over, only to be surprised by the two most infamous words of the month: “APRIL FOOLS!”

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The Blue and Gold June 2010

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Boys Baseball Claws their way to tournament

Nathan FreNI

Catcher Marc Woodman for the MHS baseball team during a game against Everett High School.

Photo by Lauren Benoit.

Photo by Reginah Sanyu.

Sports: Basketball, baseball.

Alfonse Femino Head of Sports

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he 2010 boys baseball team has at several times looked adversity in the face, refusing to back down from the many problems thrown at them.

Along with the unforgiving schedule the team was given, including powerhouse teams such as Everett, Lawrence, and Medford High Schools, the team had a lack of upperclassmen, consisting of just two seniors. With the tough schedule ahead, and only a few older, more experienced players on the team, the season was underway.

Right off the bat (no pun intended), the team got off to a rocky start, losing three straight games to Danvers, Dracut, and Lawrence

High Schools, exposing some of the team’s problems. After some adjustments to the team, combined with the talented underclassmen, including freshman Rodney Morton, Chuckie Gibson, and Sophomores Bradley Applin and Ricky Mendez, gaining experience, the team’s luck slowly but surely began to change.

On April 15, 2010, Malden managed its first win over Bedford High School, barely holding onto a close 5-4 victory.

From that point onward, the team never looked back, assembling multiple winning streaks, with very important wins coming against league rival Somerville High School, and the always strong Lawrence High School, with the occasional losses coming against Everett and

Medford High Schools.

Up to this time in the season, the team has battled hard all the way and continues to fight fiercely in hope of gaining a seat in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) state tournament, where they have played so well in recent years.

One major accomplishment of the team was achieved in the last weeks of the season. After several intense live or die games against Everett and Methuen High School, the team finally earned a spot in the state tournament. The team was set to play Lowell High School on June.

4 at Pinebanks, and after an hour and a half of rain delay Lowell was able to pull away with a 9-3 victory, closing the book on a tough season.

Softball to The State Tournament

Favorite memories: Stealing home base during a game for the golden tornados baseball team.

Comparable athlete: NBA star Steve Nash, because their style of play and intesnsity on the court parallel eachother.

Miss most about being a MHS athlete: All of the practicing with teammates every day during the season.

Casey Willcox

Left Photo: Emliy Hoffman catcher for the MHS girls softball team during a game played against Danvers. Below: Senior Jennifer Tamindzija up at bat during a game played against Danvers.

Photos by Catherine Poirier.

Alexander Gennigiorgis Reporter

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he Malden High School softball team has taken the GBL Championship gold for the second consecutive season.

The team concluded the season with an undefeated record in the GBL tournament and a 14-6 record in the regular season.

Although three key players will be lost next year, the team will not lose momentum due to the fact that most of the team is made up of underclassmen. The three open spots will be filled easily with the very talented underclassmen on the team.

The team defeated Everett 16-1 in five innings to clinch GBL gold. Pressure was inflicted on the team due to the fact that the final game was in Everett, but the team was able to cope with the pressure and dominate in the game with seventeen hits and scoring 16 points, leaving Everett in the dust with only one scored point. Another important victory for the team was on June 4, 2010 against Everett in the MIAA State Softball Tournament. This victory advanced the team to the next round in the tournament, which was scheduled to take place on June 7, 2010 against Central Catholic High School, and the team lost the very close game with a score of 3-2 in seven innings. This may have ended the team’s winning streak, but that does not change the fact that this season was one of the best in MHS history.

Photo by Catherine Poirier.

Sport: Softball Favorite memory: Beating Everett for the Greater Boston League title, winning 16-1 in 5 innings, and qualifying the team for the state tournament.

What’s next: She will be attending Merrimack College, where she plans to try out for the softball team.

Miss about being MHS athlete: Casey will miss all of the friendships that she developed through out her years as a Malden High School athlete, friendships in which she will never forget.

The Blue and Gold June 2010

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Congratulations Class of ‘10 I want to thank the parents of malden for entrusting their children with me for the past 39 years. it has been an honor and a privilege george lyons

Congratulations MHS Class of 2010!

We are so proud of you!

Best of luck, your Guidance Counselors (Ms. Craven, Mrs. Lessard, Mrs. Lipinski, Mrs. O’Connor, and Ms. Shadeed)

Has parvas gratias ago vobis qui et quae Linguam Latinam studebatis mecum.

Ad astra per aspers, discipuli!

Magistra Elinor Wright

Best wishes for continued success.

Dana F. Brown Principal & Malden High School Class of 1977

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Sports http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Photo spread by Lynn Tran Photos by Lynn Tran, Catherine Poirier, Lauren Benoit, and Sharon Lee

The Blue and Gold June 2010