March 2010

Anthony Nguyen, A St. patrick’s Day Road Race Runner from Malden High School. News Coverage On Page 12

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

Malden High School Volume 95 Edition 6

Student Faculty Basketball Game Page 20

Our 95th Year March 2010

PLAY PRODUCTION PRESENTS: ROMEO AND JULIET (And Zombies)

Chain of Disaster Joao Nascimento Head of World News

O

Lauren Benoit Reporter

A

Members of the Play Production Class performing a dance routine to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” at the end of their rendition of Romeo and Juliet.

Photo by Sharon Lee

t this time of year many schools prepare to perform at the annual Drama Fest. Malden High Schools Play Production attended the festival this year on Feb. 27, 2010 at Weston High School.

Drama Fest is an event at

which different schools convene to perform 40 minute plays. The top three move on to the semi-finals to compete once again. Newton Country Day High School performed Cagebirds, Stoneham High School performed Back Story, Somerville continued on page 10

MONTHLY PROFILE: Martin BERRYMAN Head of Local News Nidale Zouhir

“

He’s interesting,” stated junior Jimmy Ngo. “His unique and persevering teaching methods are what make him different from most other teachers,” stated junior Andrew Chen.

They were speaking, not of some mysterious, first-floor-C-house-dwelling lake monster, but of chemistry teacher Martin Berryman, who spent the first ten years of his life moving between Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and Florida, before finally settling with his family in Southborough, Massachusetts.

“I was a ‘unique’ stuPhoto by Sharon Lee

Continued on page 8

In This Issue: Chile Earthquake Page 5 Monthly Profile: Mr. Berryman Page 8 Spread the Word to End the World Page 9 Renovation Pictures Page 11 Alice in Wonder Land Review Page 15 The Olympics Page 18 Alfonse’s Monthly Column Page 19 Student Faculty Basketball Game Page 20

n the days following Feb. 27, 2010, typing “Chile earthquake” on the Google search engine caused the website to produce a list of recent earthquakes in and near the South American country. This list, which seems to grow by the hour, is testament to the destructive seismic activity that has been plaguing the Western hemisphere in the past weeks.

On the afternoon of the 27th, at 3:34 P.M local time, a 90 second, 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit the coast of the Maule Region of Chile. The earthquake had devastating effects throughout six other regions in the country, which collectively house 80 percent of the population. Buildings and bridges collapsed, roads were destroyed, and electricity, water, and phone lines were cut.

Concepción, Chile’s secondlargest metropolitan area located only 70 miles from the quake center, was severely affected by the quake: buildings were reduced to rubble and sectors of the University of Concepción caught fire. In the nearby port of Talcahuano, a wave flooded the main square.

The earthquake triggered a chain of natural disasters around the globe. Hawaii, Tahiti, Japan, and New Zealand experienced floods and warned residents to relocate to higher ground.

Chilean president Michele Bachelet estimated that two million people were affected by the earthquake, and although she does not have an exact number, the earthquake caused an estimated $30 billion in damages. Bachelet stated that the country will need three to four years to recover economically from the disaster, and that international aid is imperative.

President Barack Obama stated Continued on page 5

Opinion p.3 World p. 5 Local p. 8 Entertainment p. 14 Sports p. 16

2

Editorials

The Blue and Gold March 2010

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

A Political Façade 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/

Nowadays it appears as if every Democrat’s worst nightmare is becoming reality. Ted Kennedy’s seemingly perpetual Senate seat has been filled by none other than a Republican in a historically blue state, and many influential democratic elected officials have arbitrarily chose not to seek relection for pubic office such as Rhode Island Representative Patrick Kennedy, and Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd. New York Democratic Congressman Eric Massa’ recent resignation after admitting to “snorkeling” and groping his male staff members is another sign for Barrack Obama and his administration that nearly everything is going wrong.

Backtrack one year ago, and the country was at the brink of a new era after President Obama was ushered into the White House. The Democrats regained power in the House of Representatives and the Senate as Nancy Pelosi, the current speaker of the house, continued to legitimize the political arena for women and bolstered support for the Democratic Party. It seemed like the country was moving toward a brighter future, a future free of controversial politicians and covert political operations that were conducted in secrecy.

The world rejoiced with Obama’s fresh face on the political battlefield, as as he was received well among his global counterparts, as his compelling rhetoric inspired legions of people. With the addition of a federal stimulus that introduced tax cuts for the middle class, public work policies, the cash for clunkers sales that aimed to revive the ailing economy, and a promise to create more “green jobs,” Obama transformed into a guardian angel for the middle class.

His administration soon hit several rough patches in the form of an unpopular healthcare bill that politicians, who are supposed to make sound decisions for our country, claim they do not understand. An increased rate of house foreclosures, the collapse of the housing market and an unemployment rate that has surpassed 10 percent in many states has also encumbered Democrats and crippled their overwhelming majority and political prominence in government.

According to a president tracking poll by Rasmussen reports, only 26 percent of Americans approve of Obama’s job thus far. This is largely due to the healthcare bill that has plagued the

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

nation for nearly a year. This bill which is creating a chasm in American politics, demonstrates the deep seated resentment between these two political powerhouses, and the extent they will go to defame and ostracize each other in front of the American people. And now with the loss of the Democrats’ super senate majority, the Republicans are finally loosening the Democrats’ grip over the country’s legislative powers and have gained the ability to filibuster laws they flat out do not like.

As a result of both parties endless attack ads, conservative movement such as the Tea Party protests, and traditional scare tactics they have failed to grasp the real issues at hand. Small businesses are currently unable to hire employees because they are unsure what sort of healthcare policies will be administered and regular blue collar workers do not know if they will retain the same job week after week. Solutions to these problems require bipartisan support and communication with the American people as well as different political factions. By depreciating the importance of our government, politicians have reduced their political platforms into a vehicle for personal gains, and have painted government as merely a game.

It appears that the country is need of more change, not the change that Obama has continuously promised, but change in the way our elected officials perceive government in hopes of finally solving pending issues. But don’t hold your breath.

Ayoub Kourikchi Co-Editor-in-Chief

The Blue and Gold recieved first place for “Excellence in Editorial Writing,” and second runner up for “Excellence in Sports Writing” at the 40th annual greater Boston high school newspaper competition awards program at Suffolk University.

Corrections: On Page 1: Date of Edition was incorrect; Reporter Kayla Bramante’s name was spelled wrong; “In this Issue” Column Laureate spelled wrong On Page 2: The chorus “sang” not the chorus “played” in the Corrections Box; Copy Editor Brittany McFeeley’s name is spelled wrong in the Corrections Box On Page 5: Illinois Senate article quote does not cite a source On Page 13: Articles should have been written in present tense On Page 15: “Stop and Stop”; Mock trial picture was missing a photo credit On Page 16: “hte” on photo caption; “fed.”

On Page 18: Lisa Delacey’s last name was spelled incorrectly On Page 21: “De Toledo” should be written as DeToledo; “freestyle” is spelled wrong On Page 22: Andy Chao should have been recognized - not Jimmy Vo On Page 23: The Girl’s Basketball caption -- “freshmen” should have been written as “freshman” On Page 24: Jessica Vo is a junior, not a sophomore. Track Article contains some misquotes: Somerville has not been unstoppable since ‘77 -- the MHS Track team did not stop a 30-year run, MHS Teacher Dave Londino did not run the 600m race in high school.

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

The Blue and Gold March 2010

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party An inside look at the workings of a fledgling movement that will be sweeping across America and which may catch the Obama Administration by storm.

An Holmqvist Copy Editing Director

“

I’m late! I’m late! For a very important date… No time to say ‘Hello.’ - Goodbye. I’m late, I’m late, I’m late!” This was the White Rabbit from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland–the creature that led Alice eventually to the Mad Hatter’s tea party. Another movement from recent years has emerged very late indeed after the American Revolution’s Boston Tea Party way back in 1776. Every American History student knows by heart the mantra that Samuel Adams and the rest of the Patriots had brought to light at that time: “No taxation without representation!”

The movement at that time was a hot issue that ignited the conflict of the American Revolution in opposition to the British crown. However, two hundred years after this outcry that formed our nation today, another movement of by populists has sweeped the United States with some interesting proposals.

Those who call themselves “Tea Party Patriots” these days are usually political activists who walk out in front of state houses with huge, flashy signs protesting overuse of state capital. Some of the things they have to say are very fiery and highly provocative: “Can you hear us now?” “Is it 2012 yet?” “Tea Party: the party of now.”

Especially with a democratic president in office and a left-leaning legislature, the activists have been very busy indeed in these last few years. An antigovernment group grounded on the opposition to frivolous use of state money, this grass-roots movement started as a campaign against the “infamous” 2008 bank bailouts. With the first protest sparked in February of last year by Keli Carender, aged 30 who was protesting excessive spending in her home state of Washington, the Tea Party Movement has blossomed into a much larger movement attracting people of all ages from both political parties.

Not your typical conservative, Keli Carender is an actress, and wears a nose ring. Featured on The New York Times she only just turned thirty and has the appearance of a girl open to anything new. But under that youthful façade lies a groundwork of conservative values involving limits on government power and excessive taxation. Reading about the stimulus, she said, “it didn’t make any sense to me to be spending all this money when we don’t have it.” And it is true; we do not seem to have any money left in our governments exhausted coffers after the 2008 crash – she’s right! In the overall political shift we have seen away from the Obama administration’s policies, Keli Carender is just one of many younger activists and even ordinary citizens who are warming to movements such as the Tea Party. The Tea Party does not even have a political affiliation – the Tea Party is actually “party-less.” No single political party continued on page 4

3

Opinion

Rinse and Repeat

Brittany Foley Head of Entertainment/Opinion

W

ake up. Get ready. Go to school, go to class, talk to fellow students. Bell rings, go to school-related activities, practice, the game, spend time with fellow students. Go home, eat, do homework, talk to friends on Facebook—usually friends who are or were at one point fellow students. Catch a few hours of sleep. And repeat.

You talk to the same people, visit the same places, see the same scene every day, trapped in a rut of schedules that dooms so many of today’s teenagers—even today’s adults—to a living Hell of monotony.

Who is responsible for this cycle? Homework, location, responsibilities, time, planning for the future—all are blamed generously, when in reality, the fault lies in the individual. He who suffers this routine is the only one to blame. No, one does not choose to get assigned that research project, not everyone has a license to break free of the local limits, and well, school was never really an option at all. It appears to many that they barely have a moment to breathe, let alone break out of the metaphoric box that has had them and a

hundred of their closest companions trapped since kindergarten. Still, these social doldrums are not inescapable. In fact, expanding in a social context is rather simple: people simply need to set their judgments, self-consciousness, and egos aside and introduce themselves.

The average person sees several people on any given day, and that person likely has more in common with most of these people than he does with whoever sits to his left in math class. Consider a simple trip to the movies. Say there are 50 other movie-goers viewing the same flick as you, in the same theater. Among that bunch, there are likely a few around your age group, who, after the film ends, have opinions parallel to yours. More likely, even if you overhear these opinions, even with the assurance of common ground, you will not introduce yourself to those people, you will not launch into enthusiastic conversation over the movie you all just watched, you will simply go on your merry ways and return to the same company you have been blessed with for however many years. After all, it is “creepy” to talk to people you do not know.

If there is evident common ground between individuals, what obstacles prevent them from creating a spark of interest, an intersection of personalities, a bond, even if only an acquaintanceship? Why is it so strange to meet someone new?

Children, despite however many times they are instructed to avoid talking to strangers, have the ability to build friendship with virtually anyone. To say we limit our social circles to those we learn and work with only addresses a fraction of society’s hermitage issue. At birth, it is as if every person is assigned a specific comfort zone, and people fear that if they break out of these comfort zones, they will be shunned from society, or at least, that “other” part of society. This looming fear of rejection, therefore, is to blame for our introversion.

The idea that every person has their place, forced upon us and drilled into the public mind over time; it is not only the reason that you do not sit down next to a perfect stranger for lunch, but also the reason that you sit at the table you do.

We are bound to social uniformity through our ethnicity, race, gender, physical appearance, talents, age, location, and achievements. When we share these characteristics with others, we feel more comfortable around them, but why? We depend on these concrete aspects of ourselves to form the foundation of our social kingdoms, but are content with this solidity, and paralyzed by the fear of rejection, we rarely take the initiative to expand.

Natural Disaster Apocalypse: Fact or fiction?

Alexandra Mathieu Online Editor

R

oaming hurricanes and storms across the globe.

Random snowstorms followed by days of warmth and sunshine. Multiple earthquakes worldwide.

Sound like the plot to a typical disaster movie? Yes. Are these events just works of fiction, though? The answer is a colossal no.

Former presidential candidate, Al Gore, has been spouting information on the effects of global warming and climate change many years early than the debut of his 2006 award winning documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. However disaster films have been warning viewers for years the danger of natural disasters.

Let’s rewind the metaphorical clock six years. The film The Day After Tomorrow has just been released throughout the country. In the film, Dr. Jack Hall presents his discoveries on global warming in a conference;

the Vice President, along with many other diplomats, does not believe Hall. As the film continues viewers, as well as the US government, realize that writing Hall off would be a fatal mistake. A “superstorm” ravages the US with 76 ft. waves, temperature drops to -150° F, and an apocalyptic snowstorm.

Though these specific events have yet to occur in reality, in the past two months, the world has seen a spike in sequential seismic activity from the earthquake in Haiti to the one that wrecked Chile, not to mention the smaller earthquake that hit Peru. Also, hurricane-like storms have not only ripped through Western Europe, but have been hitting the US as well. It’s extremely hard to not notice the Biblical rainstorm that has been attacking Massachusetts since early March.

Many, however, will write these occurrences off to nature just being nature. An earthquake is a shift in the tectonic plates that form the earth’s crust. If one shifts, it only seems logical that other plates will shift, causing massive earthquakes around the world. In addition,

severe storms happen when cold, low pressure air clashes with warm, high pressure air. The two different pressures fight for control, resulting in a massive storm. With the season change from winter to spring and cold to warm, storms naturally occur during this period. However, the force of the storms and the severity of the earthquakes are truly daunting. There has not been a recorded earthquake as violent as the one that hit Haiti since the 1700s. As for the increasing number of storms, Massachusetts residents have been greatly affected by the heavy rainfall. On March 15, 2010, more than 10 teachers were absent during a three day rainstorm that flooded homes and tore the roofs off houses.

It may be too overdramatic to advise building a storm shelter or investing one’s life savings in emergency gear, yet the time has come to reconsider the way we view movies like The Day After Tomorrow and 10.5 Apocalypse. Who knows, the day when we look to films for survival tips could be closer than anyone has ever predicted.

4

Opinion

The Blue and Gold March 2010

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Community Bulletin

Class of 2013 Pisa Pizza Night March 24th (4-10 pm) 133 Pearl St.

Junior Varities d March 19th an 20th $8 in advance $10 at the door

Good Friday-N o School April 2nd

Planning College r Juniors Night fo , March Tuesday 18th

Are you Interested in Graphic Design, Market Research, Web Design, Photography, Political Cartoons, and Writing? Joining The Blue and Gold is a great way to experience ‘real world’ application of these skills, build your resume, and be a part of a great team.

The Blue and Gold is looking for some motivated, enthusiastic students to be a part of a diversely talented group.

If you are interested, please submit a formal letter to Mr. Gallagher’s Jenkins House (C) Mailbox by Friday, April 2nd, 2010. (Ask one of your teachers, staff, or principals for help in crafting a ‘formal letter of interest’ if you do not know how.)

Include the following in the letter: Your full name, homeroom & house, year of graduation, current English teacher, why you would like to join the staff, and what you can offer. All letters must be typed.

Letters that do not address all of the above may not be considered.

Come by and talk to Mr. Gallagher in room C339 or your guidance counselor if you have any questions.

Jerry’s Comic

continued from page 3 is represented in this colorful sea of blue-collar Democrats and sincere young Republicans. In fact, when the Republican party tried to encapsulate the movement into their politics, most Tea Party supporters do not want any affiliation with the Republican party – especially the wild former Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Yes, the Tea Party has some very good intentions, however, the Tea Party is also moving to shift us back into a position that actually started the crisis we are now in.

There is no way we should let ourselves lean back and watch the early liberal movement (that started with Barack Obama) morph our country back into the capitalis machine that it has been ever since Ronald Reagan took office and changed American economic policy forever. He powered through the 1980s preaching to Americans that government was a monstrosity: that it should not have any influence whatsoever on the markets and on the economy. His words would ring true for many years even through the nineties into the ears of hugely influential political figures in Washington such as Alan Greenspan and the father-toson political legacy in George Bush and George W. Bush. But all of this finally changed when Barack Obama took office in 2009 and allowed his administration (and his Democratic house majority) to spend money for the benefit of the American people. The Tea Party’s many critics would admit that they do have a flare, but that their movement is going to take the country in the wrong direction. The Republican Party can call the Tea Partiers either a blessing or a haunt, but the Democrats might end up fearing them; they could be the doom of the liberal hope that flamed when America got its first African American president.

When the Tea Party finally gained its prominence and momentum on the American scene, many every day citizens finally began to pay attention to the news again, after their ire against the recent administrations “failure” to procure enough new jobs or any healthcare reform. However, even if voters today are tired, they should still be able to see through the implications that the Tea Party’s new ideas will bring with them. On air March 14, 2010 on NPR’s Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me…, host Roy Blount Jr. joked with the audience saying that nobody in America can have an ordinary “tea party” anymore without a “old ladies with flowered hats plus thirteen Montana militiamen with their assault rifles” barging in. This is telling of the Tea Party movement. Many of us warmed to the idea, but others just could not resist the temptation of making fun of a ridiculous name, with some risky policies.

The Boston Tea Party’s idea of “no taxation without representation” embodied a different ideal – the one that led us to become an independent nation, but this these Tea Party patriots want to send us back to the capitalist model that caused a recession, and changed American minds forever. Excessive spending may seem like a good reason to go out and protest in funny hats, but much of the money that we are spending is absolutely necessary.

A civil society needs some regulation, and when Reagan introduced the idea of “no boundaries,” we rode with it and crashed. No doubt, there is no need for us to pay taxes to the British crown, but we do need to pay our taxes so governments can pay for our roads, schools, and other public services. Let us hope that President Obama and his administration can hold out while the Tea Party continues to sweep the nation (as it did in Massachusetts this past January) and takes Capitol Hill by storm, if they can get that far.

The Blue and Gold March 2010

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

Letter to the Editors

By Consuelo Toledo

W

hen I found out that Chile had been struck by an earthquake I was half asleep and did not know what my mother was saying to me, so I went back to sleep. It was not until I woke up the next morning that realized what my mother was trying to tell me the night before. I woke up to her watching the news, looking frightened, talking on the phone frantically trying to get a hold of her family. I asked her if everyone was ok, and I anxiously waited for her response. Thankfully her family was safe. It turns out that people who lived in the north of Chile, like my mom’s family, did not get hit as badly as those who lived further down the middle, an area that is in critical condition right now. I was very thankful that my family was safe.

My initial feeling was disbelief; I did not think that this would ever happen again since Haiti was hit. I never once thought Chile would be next. It all did not become real to me until I watched the news reports, were I saw the destruction, and the damage that the earthquake caused.

Then I felt fear, fear that I might not see or speak to my family that I have not seen in years, some that have not seen me since I was a baby. I felt relief that both my mother and father’s side of the family were alive and well. I was grateful that everyone was ok coming out of such a terrifying experience. Due to this experience I feel that being closer to my family has become even more important.

Before this tragedy occurred, I did not think anyone knew where Chile was, or that it was even a country. However, I am glad to see that there will be a walk benefit to help both Haiti and Chile that were affected by the damaging earthquakes. As well as charity dinners that have been organized by local Chileans in Massachusetts. Although I am glad the side my family is from is doing fine, I hope that the world can get together to help both Chile and Haiti. continued from page 1 on a televised address on Feb. 27 that the United States “will be there” to aid Chile in its recovery and that “we can and must be prepared for disaster when it strikes.” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the tarnished country and during a news conference assured the Chilean president that the United States will “be there when others leave” because the country “is committed to this partnership and friendship with Chile.”

The devastating quake is the fifth largest to occur since 1900, and the death toll, although expected to rise, is surprisingly small. As of March 8, there have been 708 confirmed fatalities.

The quake’s relatively small death toll may be due to the fact that it is situated in the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” an area in the globe famous for its earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Due to the instability of the area, preventive measures are taken in the constructions of roads, buildings, and bridges in the country. The largest earthquake to ever be recorded, the 1960 Valdivia, also occurred in Chile, and reached an

astounding 9.5 magnitude.

In terms of energy released, the Chilean earthquake was 501 times stronger than the destructive earthquake that hit Haiti last month.

Critics argue that due to the expansive press coverage of earthquakes in the last month, the aftermath of the Chilean earthquake is being undermined. By contrast, the death toll in the Caribbean nation was magnitudes higher since the quake hit right on the edge of the capital Port-au-Prince.

Daniela Arrano, a Malden High School junior, is of Chilean descent and has family members currently living in Chile that were severely affected by the earthquake.

Arrano stated that “[her] aunt’s house fell apart and she lost most of her belongings.” With several more relatives currently living in the country, Arrano and her family are very worried, and she states that she will do her “best to get money and clothes to send to my family that lost everything in Chile. My family is Chile. Everybody in it needs help and I am more than glad to help.”

Chile Earthquake Puts Globe on Alert 8.8 Magnitude shatters the cities of Concepción and Santiago.

Dichoto, a small town north of Concepcion on Chile’s Pacific coast, was devastated by the 8.8 magnitude quake in the early morning hours of last Saturday and then inundated by a tsunami. The Silva family, which has lived in the area for four generations, burned the remains of their ruined home. They have pledged to rebuild, but not on the coast. “Never again,” said patriarch Enrique Silva. (Michael Robinson Chavez/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

Gasoline, water, and food shortages are frustrating many of the residents of Concepcion, Chile. Some are angry about what they see as a slow government response to the crisis. (Michael Robinson Chavez/ Los Angeles Times/MCT)

Chileans are known for a strong sense of pride and the long arduous task of cleaning up this city began on Thursday, March 4, 2010. (Michael Robinson Chavez/Los Angeles Times/MCT) Chilean fishermen work to flip over a boat that was carried by a tsunami more than 10 miles from Concepcion’s port and deposited on a beach. (Michael Robinson Chavez/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

5

6

WORLD NEWS

The Blue and Gold March 2010

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

News Briefs of The Month GREECONOMY HITS THE FLOOR Greece’s situation worries the rest of europe Alexander Gennigiorgis Reporter

G

reece, a country that has experienced many obstacles, such as gaining independence from the Ottoman Empire, has now been faced with its most difficult obstacle yet, an economic controversy. Greece disclosed its 2009 budget with a deficit of 12.7 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), which is a country’s overall economic output.

This will force the new government to save Greece from bankruptcy, aiming to cut the budget deficit to 8.7 percent of the GDP. Greek prime minister George Papandreou has set a goal to win back the country’s lost credibility. On Dec. 14, 2009, he outlined policies to cut the country’s astonishing budget deficit and hopefully regain the trust of investors in the stock market and European Union partners. The government showed its motivation to save the country’s economy by cutting 10 percent in social security spending and abolishing state banks and taxing private bankers 90 percent of their bonuses. Although these acts seem like the right things to do, they are also the country’s biggest problems. Papandreou announced, during a conference made on television, a drastic reconditioning of the pension systems around the month of June and a new tax system that will affect the wealthy negatively.

Standard & Poor’s announced a few days later after Papandreou’s confer-

ence, that his actions were unlikely to produce a sustainable reduction in public debt.

The European Commission knew little to nothing about Greece’s struggles in its economy.

Greece allowed their deficit to turn out of control, putting credibility of monetary union at risk. Greece had to fix the conflict and would most likely receive tough love from other European nations in order to assist the Greeks.

European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said in a conference that it was vital that Greece met its stated goals for cutting its budget deficit and that the steps announced by the government were encouraging. The crisis that began from mistakes made by the previous government had transformed into two relative themes: the reluctance of the Greeks to accept the new budget policies, and Europe’s long-term role in a rapidly changing global economy.

Spain and Portugal face conflicts similar to that of Greece. Trade unions in Spain bristled at plans announced by Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero to increase the number of years workers would have to make contributions before receiving state pensions. Still reeling from the effects of the global recession of the past two years, Greece, Spain, and Portugal now face a prolonged period of weak growth and high unemployment. Some argue that the cuts being made on the eurozone’s weaker economies show a

weakness in the single currency.

Between now and 2050, The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates that the cost of healthcare and pensions will rise by 7.5 percentage points of the GDP in Germany, 7.3 points in France, 13.5 points in Spain, and a shocking 16.8 points in Greece, more than Germany and France combined.

Economists often speak of this as revealing different American and European social preferences for work and spare time. Both the employment rate and how long the average person works are explained mainly by political history. Until the late 1970s, total hours worked were falling both in Europe and in the United States. Since then, total hours worked have continued to fall in the European Union but have risen again in the US. Equally, if unemployment data were relooked upon by age groups, Americans join the work force earlier and leave it far later than Europeans. The key to understanding why this has happened is the change in US income distribution over the past 30 years.

Since 1979, the bottom 40 percent of income earners in the US have been treading water, while the bottom 20 percent have become poorer. US workers have needed to put in more years and longer hours simply to maintain their real income position.

Table showing the sequence of debt-concealing tactics that helped fuel Greece’s current financial problems.

Chicago Tribune 2010

Tropical Storm “Xynthia” Rocks Coastal France Johanna Lai Reporter

O

n Feb. 28, 2010, a fierce storm hit France, Spain, Germany, and Belgium. This storm has been named “Xynthia,” and it was one of the most destructive storms in recent memory.

In Spain, two men in their early 40s and 50s were killed when their car was hit by a collapsed tree.

Xynthia has killed at least 53 people and has left more than a million homes without electricity. In France, the storm’s winds reached speeds as high as 150 kilometers per hour and ocean waves measured at least eight meters.

Francois Fillon, the prime minister of France, stated in The National Post that “France would formally declare this as a national disaster,

[France will free] up funds to help communities rebuild , as the Interior Minister of France put the national death toll at between 45 and 50.”

A 62-year-old retiree from France, Jean Francois-Dicyzk, also stated to The National Post, “We were warned, but I didn’t think it could do this, and my mother was nearly killed. She’s 83 and disabled. She was sleeping on the ground floor, and her mattress was floating. My son and I managed to get her upstairs, but it was really catastrophic.”

Dicyzk’s experience was not one of a kind, and hundreds across France felt the same effects.

Jean-Pierre has lost his home, which was located in the western region of France in La Faute, as well as all of his belongings and clothes. He and his wife woke up that night to find that their house was completely

Furious waves created by “Xynthia” hit a shore in Spain. Photo found on Wikimedia. flooded.

Most of the deaths were found to be in the regions Vendee Charente and Maritime, close to the western coast of France.

The winds at the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France reached speeds that were as high as 175

kilometers per hour. Xynthia has fallen short compared to the 200 kilometers winds of the storm that occurred in 1999 and killed 92 people.

The Blue and Gold March 2010

Sudan Finally Opens to Peace Freddie DiPhillipo Reporter

T

his upcoming April the polls will open for Sudan’s next election.

This will be Sudan’s first national election since 1989. In 2005 there was a peace agreement between President Omar al-Bashir and southern rebels in Sudan. This election is brought up now because al-Bashir is hated by most of his people because of the savage wars that are still going on in the west and in the south of Darfur.

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, a political party based in Southern Sudan, has appointed Yasir Arman to be their representative.

They did not even choose their own leader, Salva Kirr. Kirr will be running in the Southern Sudan Election.

The Southern Sudanese government has been and autonymous government since the peace treaty signing in 2005.

Over the years, there have been several civil wars in this part of Africa. Also during these riots and wars, rebels have been attacking innocent citizens. The death toll of around 600,000 during this time was due to violence and starvation. Sudan is also one of the biggest known places to have human-trafficking.

Members of some of the local tribes kidnap women and children to enslave them.

North and Central Sudan are, however, in better shape with relatively low crime rates. It is the southern and western parts of Sudan that has the highest crime rate, with terrorism and human trafficking as common scenary for the citizens.

With this election coming up in April, Sudan might have a better chance at improving their conditions and keeping their citizens safe by, for the first time in 11 years, electing a leader democratically.

7

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

NATO’s New Problems Call for Reformation Alicia Young Reporter The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) consists of 28 states, including world powers like France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The organization is an alliance with a mission to band together especially in times of international conflicts. Recently, a need for more supplies and some better machinery has risen.

In order to achieve any goals they have to redirect their old 1949 actions of dismantling communist aggression and Karim Khalili, the second vice president of Afghanistan, greets Afghan the previous Soviet Union at- security forces in Marjah, Afghanistan on March 1, 2010. Khalili joined tacks. This means the US has U.S. Army General Stanley A. McChrystal in touring the once-time Talto merge away from the Cold iban stronghold now held by U.S. and Afghan forces. (Dion Nissenbaum/ War and its resulting drama MCT) and into nuclear weapons and other serious issues. the others? They are definitely still ing troops that are ready and willing The Sept. 11, 2001 attacks a part of NATO; however, their rela- to actually participate in wars. It is caused the alliance to refocus its tionships with the issue at hand are essential for NATO to receive fundideas into something more intri- growing weaker and weaker with ing so they can get the droids and cate. They were no longer dealing every increasing problem when they helicopters in the attacking zones with the USSR, but more directly should be acting as if this is their and obtain and remain the advanwith terrorism. The people of own country being attacked. The tage.

NATO decided to invoke Article deal in their Charter was “an armed When things are automatically 5 of the Charter, which basically attack against one or more of them needed for some kind of mission or states that to attack one ally is to in Europe or North America shall be war, NATO plans to have not only a attack all allies. Before Sept. 11, considered an attack against them “goal” but more of a promise from 2001, all they had to worry about all,” therefore each armed attack each individual state. The requirewas the Soviet threat, which was should be taken just as seriously as ment now is not that high to start nothing, compared to what they their very own with, yet most members continue to have to deal with these days. All With the ongoing struggles in give less than asked, so now NATO they have left to deal with are the Afghanistan, it is easy to see keep- has to deal with its new problems harsh never ending problems in ing up in the war will cost a lot of and their solutions.

Currently Afghanistan. The various mem- money and troops. However, many NATO is working on making all the bers of NATO are now faced with European nations are not holding nations help with the war that is gohow huge the problems and cost up their parts of the bargain. ‑The ing on now. Once they get everyone related to staying in Afghanistan US may not have as many troops as to contribute and help they will be are, as well as continuing to fight. its other allies; however, it is not the able to face even bigger wars and NATO is all the nations working amount of troops but how many are problems. together, but what if some na- deployable that counts. The US has tions are not helping as much as the most deployable troops, mean-

Reconciliation as new solution Dan Holmqvist Copy Editor For the average American, the health care debate has been seemingly been dragging on forever.

Now it looks as if no great cost benefits will be achieved either, even if the plan that is sitting in Congress is approved. The health care bill, after having gone through several lengthy rounds of negotiations, has a hefty price tag at around $1 trillion dollars; because of this, the bill has drawn fire from many conservatives across the country including former governor of Massachusetts and one of the favorites for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, Mitt Romney. He dismisses the plan as “a big government takeover of health care,” despite the fact that he

himself championed a similar bill in Massachusetts.

But a large part of the problem now is coming from disagreement inside the Democratic party itself.

House and Senate leaders are arguing over details of a new health care bill, as each chamber of Congress has already passed their own versions, and to compound matters, the White House has approved a Mar. 18 deadline for a House vote on the Senate bill.

Indeed, times have become so desperate for Democrats in Washington that they may need to resort to ‘reconciliation’, a controversial legislative technique that only requires a simple majority in the Senate to pass legislation. This was suggested by party leaders after a special election over the seat of the

late Senator Edward Kennedy was won by Republican Scott Brown, thus eliminating all hopes of a Democratic supermajority (60 votes) in the Senate. It works like this: if the House Representatives is able to pass a slightly amended version of the health care bill that has already passed in the Senate (with the vote set to take place on Mar. 18), then the Senate can pass the legislation with only a simple majority of 51 votes.

Former President George Bush used this same process to pass many of his tax cuts and welfare reform years prior and President Obama has clearly articulated that the “health care bill deserves the same kind of up-or-down vote that the Bush tax cuts received.” Still, Republicans, like Rep. Dave Camp, say that the technique was not meant to

be used to enact major policy reform and that they are “disappointed that Democrats are moving ahead with the nuclear option.”

United States history teacher Benjamin Max believes that,“It’ll be interesting to see if the Obama administration pursues their aggressive agenda.”

Massachusetts state law requires that every citizen be covered by some type of plan. Low-income uninsured residents are subsidized by the state run Commonwealth Care program. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Massachusetts chose to elect Scott Brown, who feels it is not in his constituents’ best interests to radically overhaul the health care system. 35 million Americans around the country, however, have been waiting decades for just that.

8

LOCAL news

The Blue and Gold March 2010

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

MONTHLY PROFILE: Martin BERRYMAN continued from page 1 dent,” Berryman stated of his high school experience. “I was a nerd and didn’t fit in. Also, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 12...It’s hard to be a teenager.”

After high school, Berryman attended both the Julliard School and the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University, later training and performing in Moscow. For a time, however, this experience proved unfulfilling to Berryman; “The theater is a very special place, and I enjoy theater people and the work very much. The process of creating a character and working with others in a very intimate way is exciting and rewarding. What I found as I matured and gained more life experience as that I was really only interested in the process of acting and in the intellectual aspects of creating a play/movie...I could tell I didn’t really belong,” he expressed, describing staying in his room and working out math problems while his friends partied. “I realized that I was waking up every morning not excited about my job: acting...There is so much pressure on students to ‘know’ what they want to do with their lives when they’re 16 or 17 years old. How can you really know

“He pushes you to a point in learning that you may not have known you could handle.” you want to be a doctor at age 16?...

It’s important for students to know that you can change your mind about your career later in life.”

“For a while, I thought my theater education was a complete waste of time and money,” Berryman added. “But now that I’m teaching, it’s proving helpful...there are similarities between the two crafts. As an actor, you never enter the stage without an objective and a set of diverse tactics to use in achieving the objective...Each class, the objective has to be clear, as well as the variety in the tactics to guide the students toward meeting it. If there isn’t an objective, the class is a loss of valuable time.”

One of these tactics? “The notebook system,” stated junior Andrew Terenzi, describing a standardized system of note-taking; the right page is filled with notes during class, while the left side is used for problem solving and two column notes. “The left side has to be in color,” Terenzi explained. “And the

right side is in black pen.”

“He pushes you to a point in learning that you may not have known you could handle. Some people find the way he acts ‘funny,’ but it actually he keeps you engaged in class,” stated sophomore Daniel Rendon. Chen agreed; “He strives to have each of his students excel and always encourages those who do not understand the material to come after school or even early in the morning...he does not believe in anyone coming to school to fail...the connection he develops with each student is something very special.”

Berryman, a Manchester United fan (he admits to being “a little embarrassed” about this) and rock collector whose teaching has been described as “interesting,” (Ngo) “not the typical teacher,” (Chen), “enthusiastic,” (junior Jeraldine Scibelli) and “engaging,” (junior Aaron Samano) also has familial priorities: “My wife and I have just had our first child, so I’m mostly changing diapers, singing songs, reading The

Cat in the Hat, burping...you get the picture,” Berryman explained, smiling.

“There is a quote,” Berryman stated, “by the zen master S. Suzuki, that reads, ‘In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.’...

The output in the classroom should not come only from the teacher. The learning should always be a shared experience. The students here are talented and have much to offer.”

According to his students, Berryman keeps his class engaging, even to the less scientifically motivated. “My best subjects are the humanities, but Berryman makes the chemistry experience so interesting that it is hard not to enjoy yourself while learning,” stated Scibelli.

“One of my greatest fears,” Berryman added, “was about trying to please people. You don’t have to please [them]. Just realize you’re good enough and enjoy doing what you’re good at.”

Go to the website for The transcript.

Innovation in History Kayla Bramante Reporter the world gather together to share the excitement of NHD. Besides learning about the topic of their project participants acquire skills that From left to right Mathew Maggio, David Riemer of are known to The Blue and Gold, Dana Brown, Herman Tse, Malik Blue, help them later Greg Hurley, and Jacqueline Tynes. The first place win- on in life when ners for the senior group documentary division. they pursue their careers. t Winchester High School on The process of actually making March 6, 2010 students from all the presentation is intense. Students over Greater Boston came together have to do primary and secondary to show their love for National Hisresearch, get interviews, visit musetory Day. Each year there is a theme, which was Innovations in History ums, spend hours in libraries, and this year. Each individual or group much more. It is time consuming has to pick a topic that related to and can take over their lives. As if the overall theme, which varies the research is not enough, students from Sesame Street to Sputnik. The have to actually compose the projstudents are also divided into two ect. Making a website from scratch sections: Junior (grades 6-8) or Se- or creating an exhibit is also very nior (9-12). The students then have time consuming and tedious. This to prepare a documentary, website, year there were roughly 173 groups exhibit, paper or performance for and only about 30 moved on to the statewide competition. the big day.

On March 6, 2010 students got The groups compete against themselves together and to Winother schools locally, statewide, and nationally. The statewide winners chester by 8:00 a.m. They then had then meet at the University of Mary- to wait until they were called into a land in College Park where, people room, where they were judged and from all over the United States and questioned on their performance.

A

Visit our website at www.maldenblueandgold. com to view the winning senior group documentary. All photos by Sharon Lee David Riemer, editor of The Blue & Gold, who came in first place. Their topic was Transportation: How the MBTA Revolutionized the U.S. Transit System. They, like others, will be moving on to the statewide competition.

Although they did not win in this category, freshmen Crystal Araiza and Rebecca Broomstein also participated in NHD with the topic of Women in the Army. In the Senior Website category were Freshmen Anita Caceda along with Sharon Lee and Natalie Fallano both of The Blue & Gold, who based their project on the topic of the Title 9 Proposition, which allowed women to play sports on their own teams.

Sophomore Nguyen and freshman Angelica Brewer also competed with the topic of Sewers: The Blood Vessels of New York. The students were accompanied Maria Gil’s senior individual exhibit on Vacand cheered on by history cines: Injecting Diseases To Save Peoples’ teacher and advisor Greg Lives Hurley.

Freshman Anita Cacethe NHD competition. In the Senior da is excited for next year to come, Group Documentary category were stating, “Even though we didn’t seniors Malik Blue, Mathew Mag- win, we tried really hard and we are gio, Herman Tse, Jackie Tynes and extremely pumped for next year!”

“The judging can be biased, considering most projects only take on one point of view and, honestly, some projects may have been markeddown heavier than normally. That is simply because some judges just don’t like the approach to it,” stated sophomore Mary Nguyen. Many have different opinions on the judging but no matter what one might think about it, it still has to be done.

Malden High School is lucky to have four groups participating in

The Blue and Gold March 2010

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

9

Spread the word to end the word Cristina Peters Reporter

I pledge and support the elimination of the derogatory use of the r-word from everyday speech and promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.

O

n March 3, 2010, Malden High School students made their way to the auditorium for the “Spread the Word to End the Word” assembly. It was MHS’ second year of joining forces with the Special Olympics and Best Buddies program in the movement to pledge and support the elimination of the derogatory use of the word “retard” from everyday speech and to promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.

After the students expressed their excitement and enthusiasm by applauding upon being the first to have an assembly in the new auditorium, Principal Dana Brown began the gathering by stating, “I’m so proud that our school is participating in this national campaign and to see students and MHS staff members getting involved.

I’m even prouder, as a principal, to host it.”

The students and staff then turned their attention towards a video created by senior Sam Warton, which ran for about ten minutes, and consisted of several short video clips from students

such as seniors Martin Doan, Jilllian Ceplinskas, Jackie Tynes, who voiced their personal views on using the r-word as an insult. “So many people use the word without realizing the meaning behind it, and we need to change that,” stated Doan, which was the mutual consensus of the MHS students.

Sophomore Kamisha Hariveaux’s speech was the highlight of the afternoon, as she expressed how using the r-word as an insult is “disrespectful, mean, and hurtful to others and makes people feel smaller, invisible.” Hariveaux, who has cerebral palsy, a condition affecting body movement and muscle coordination, doesn’t let anything stop her from achieving her dreams and aspirations here at MHS. As manager of the girls’ basketball team, she works hard to help out her teammates whenever she is needed. “They say I bring them more confidence and that I brighten up their day with my smile, however in order for me not to give up, I have to think positive and push hard to reach my goals,” she stated.

Hariveaux, who made Malden High history by being the first handicapped student to have ever been on the new Jenkins’ stage, was congratulated by Brown. “We’ve never, in the history of Malden High School, had the ability to get a student in a wheelchair on the auditorium stage. She was the first, but definitely not the last.” Hariveaux’s speech ended with a standing ovation, and tremendous cheering, she was able to launch a firm connection with those in the audience and assert the message that using the r-word is simply unacceptable.

Senior Aaron Gladden also expressed his feelings regarding the “r-word” on stage stating, “When someone just whispers it in the hallways now, I feel like they’re yelling it at me. It’s just not right, and as soon as you and your friends stop using it, it will be abolished soon.” After meeting in Jenkins auditorium that afternoon, it was instant apparent how much the assembly helped students to realize that its time for them to act as leaders and try to put an end to inappropriate use of the r-word.

“It is used as a derogatory word, which is so unfair because there are plenty of people with disabilities who are amazing people,” expressed Tynes which was the Special Olympics’ goal of Spread the Word to End the Word movement to raise awareness of “the positive impact individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have in our communities and why the use of the r-word is hurtful, even in casual conversation.”

As the assembly came to an end, guest singer Gary Cherone sang along with the crowd to More than Words, as everyone chimed in singing, “More than words to show you feel,” which was exactly the message being delivered: to use other words to better express yourself.

From top to bottom, left to right: Sophomores Leotie Capasso, Alana Casey, Matteo Pocobene posing with the Special Olympics mission statement. Mrs. Hariveaux with daughter, Sophmore Kamisha Hariveaux, being congratulated by Gary Cherone for her speech. Seniors Jillian Ceplinskas, Martin Doan, Malik Blue, excited to be participating in the movement. Senior Jillian Dervishan, Sammy Fedna, along with Sophmore Kamisha Hariveaux.

All photos by Cristina Peters

10 continued from page 1

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

Zombies Play a Role in the new and improved Romeo and Juliet by MHS Play Pro Class.

High School performed Tracks, Weston High School performed There Will Be No Journey, Wilmington High School performed Dog Sees God, Lynnfield High School performed Metamorphoses, and Malden Catholic performed Woah Mummy! were in attendance. Other than MHS’ performance, some of the most memorable plays were Cagebirds, which was about an outsider who is captured and trapped in a stereotypical “cage” with seven other types of girls. Named “the Wild One”, her mission is to try and escape from the “cage” and to be free. There Will Be No Journey was another original story starting off when a boy goes off to college and leaves his family of three behind, two of which are mentally ill. The mother struggles with the complications of trying to quiet the voices in her head while trying to keep her eighth grade daughter; who also has an imaginary friend. Dog Sees God is a story about a C.B. ; a high school boy who looses his dog because of rabies. The confused teenager tries to understand where his dog went, to heaven or hell. An encounter with an old friend drives C.B. to start questioning himself and everyone around him. This play includes unexpected twists, romances, and deaths.

This year the MHS Play Pro class performed Romeo and Juliet.

For a new twist on the play the class changed the Montagues to “Zombigues,” turning all Montagues into zombies. This idea for the play first came up as a joke in last year’s Play Production class. Putting deeper thought into it, they concluded that it was a fantastic idea. Senior Keith

The Blue and Gold March 2010

Newman thought “It was such an inspired, fresh, original piece that everyone in the cast wanted to work on.”

The Play Pro class did have some trouble with the production process. Senior Sam Warton said that, “the hardest part of it all was definitely not being able to practice on a stage.” Since the MHS stage was being renovated, the actors were nervous performing on a stage for the first time at Drama Fest. Junior Jenna Delaney agreed “Most shows have similar challenges: interaction between characters, defining and creating involved ensamble characters, etc. Our biggest issue this year was tech stuff like lighting and set changing.”

The schools that continued on to semi-finals were Weston High School, Newton Country Day High School, and Wilmington High School. Although Malden was not chosen to move on, many awards were earned by the cast. Delaney got an “all star cast award” for having good character development.

Warton, along with Senior Danny Callahan, Junior Patrick Keough, and Newman, all got awards for “excellence in stage fight combat,” which was hard to pull off, as Warton specified; “Any wrong move and BANG!” The zombie ensemble composed of Keough, Junior Geneva DeCobert, Olivia Pagliccia, Sheila Teixeria Sophomores Eddie Fisher and Samuel Zeiberg, all got awards for staying in character throughout their whole appearance and excellent zombie interpretations.

The Director of Romeo and Juliet, who doubles as the Play Production teacher Sean Walsh, is much

Visit our website at www.maldenblueandgold.com to view a slideshow with more photos from the play

Seniors Sam Warton as Tybalt and Danny Callahan as Mercutio fight in one of the scenes that won them the award for “excellence in stage fight combat” as other Zombigues look on. more than a teacher to the students.

“Walsh is an incredible director, he’s so excited about everything he does, which I think students definitely feed off of and he really pushes the limits of creativity … he’s really big on letting students being an active part of the creation process,” agreed Newman. Delaney declares “I feel like the class, including Mr. Walsh, generally has the same sense of humor and similar ideas … He’s serious when he needs to be, but most of the time he’s tons of fun and really great to work with.” Walsh has been teaching the Play Production class at MHS for the past four years, but he is not new to the theatre program. He has taught for a three years in Pennsylvania in a small town outside of Philadelphia. When he moved to Massachusetts, Walsh was in need for a job, specifically as an English teacher and a Theatre Director. Luckily he found an open-

Romeo, played by Senior Keith Newman, leans over the deathbed of his beloved Juliet, played by Junior Rita Cote.

All photos by Sharon Lee.

ing at MHS that fit his qualifications.

Walsh is more of a playwright than actually being the one who is acting on the stage.

On March 8, 2010 the Play Production class performed Romeo and Juliet during a freshman assemble.

Junior Rita Cote explained that “It was a lot of fun. Not exactly what I had expected, but a great time none the less.” Although there were some mishaps regarding stage shifts, the freshman President Lisa DeLacey states “It was very creative; kept the base of Romeo and Juliet with a great twist added.”

During an average day in Play Pro, if not working on excelling at a play the actors are doing improv. activities. Improv “broadens our minds, … and make us more creative” states Senior Thanh Nguyen.

Warton dresses up as the “Prince Of Cats” at his “Super-duper Birthday Bananza.”

The Blue and Gold March 2010

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

11

Pleasant Renovation Results Amanda Adams Reporter

Natalie Fallano Reporter

W

The hall connecting 4th floor D house to A House showing the construction done on the ceiling and lighting. Photo by Joao Nascimento.

hen students and teachers were told that Malden High School would receive a check worth $77 million for renovations, everyone could not help but to wonder what the school would look like when it was finished. Now that the first few phases of the project have been completed, everyone now has had a glimpse and has an idea of what the newly renovated MHS will be like.

URS Corporation, Flansburg Architects, and Gilbane Co., are the same construction team that carried out the construction of Malden’s six other public schools in recent years. The renovations are planned to be completed by January 2012. The most recent renovated area of the school is the Brunelli Building which has brand new state of the art classrooms and a brand new Jenkins Auditorium.

After February vacation, many excited teachers moved A sneak peek at the construction being done on fourth floor Dto their new classrooms in the House . Photo by Joao Nascimento.

Brunelli Building which include new technology. All classrooms are equipped with state of the art air conditioning and heating.

They also have new white boards replacing the chalk boards, sensor lights, and a new fire alarm system. The new technology consists of an ENO interactive white board and ceiling mounted projector. The room also has capability of voice enhancement through speakers on the ceiling with accompanying microphones. At the end of the month, there will be a training session for teachers for the new equipment added to the classrooms.

Another finished part of the school that has got everyone excited and peeking through closed doors is the Jenkins Auditorium. It has been restored to its original look through modernization of the existing 1930-era art style with new and improved video, sound, and lighting systems. The auditorium was renovated to create a new 1,600 seat performing arts center for school and afterhour cultural activities. The first known events to take place in the new auditorium which will be

followed by the Junior Varieties.

So far everyone in MHS has taken a liking to the newly renovated areas of the school despite the inconveniencies they cause. Junior Vienna Couglin expressed, “I think it’s great to have these new renovations but it is a big inconvenience with getting around the school and also changing lockers and classrooms.” Many students feel that the renovations look great but that due to the blocked off areas of the building, it’s hard to get to class.” Sophomore Chris Tran stated, “It gets in the way of getting around the school and has actually made me late for class, but [the renovations] look really nice so far, so I guess it’s worth it.”

Seniors who will be graduating from MHS a few years before the renovations are completed feel the same. Senior Mathew Maggio stated, “I was kind of annoyed at first, but once I saw it, I was really impressed. The fact that I won’t be going to this school when its all finished is kind of sad though.”

Many students, as well as staff, believe that in the end all inconveniences will be worth it because of what MHS will look like in the end. Boyle House Principal Mr. Mastrangelo expressed, “I don’t know if the kids of Malden realize all the opportunities this is giving them and that schools all over the country [are] wishing for what’s happening to our school.”

The construction done on the new Jenkins auditorium with new seats, lighting, and coat of paint. Photo by Joao Nascimento.

Blue and Gold member Brittany Foley making use of the new overhead technolgy and deomonstrating the new smartboard technology. Photo by Lynn Tran.

12

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Show Your Passion, Take A Plunge Catherine Poirier Reporter

J

umping into the ocean during the winter does not seem like something most people would want to do. However, that was definitely not the case on March 6, 2010 at Revere Beach. Hundreds of people gathered at the beach to support the 12th annual Passion Plunge. The Passion Plunge is a way for the Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA) to fundraise by having teams raise money and then running into the frigid water at a local beach. SOMA gives both children and adults with intellectual disabilities a chance to participate and to develop skills in sports, similar to those at the Olympics. Each year, it takes 12,000 volunteers to support the 12,000 athletes in over 120 competitions. Passion Plunge has two original locations, Revere and Nantasket Beach. Malden High School’s Helping Hands club attended this year at Revere Beach.

This year’s temperature was much warmer than that of last year’s Plunge. At the 2009 Passion Plunge, it was a mere 20°F, and it was snowing out. Contrastingly it was a warm 50°F with

Helping Hands club playing games at Revere Beach before the plunge. no snow in sight. Despite the warm weather, the water was still on the cold side. Many daring to take the swim took precautions, by wearing wetsuits, while others wore only bikinis.

Just in case any one wanted to chicken out, there was an area on the beach with a heater, and a few seats called “the chicken coop.” Many of the members of the Helping Hands club were uneasy, but were not prepared to back down from the challenge. Sophomore Craig Spadafora posing with the Helping Hands club at Emily Hoffman said that she was very nervous, but it Passion Plunge 2010. was be fun and definately worth it. Sophomore, Brittany Powers echoed Hoffman by saying, “I am really nervous, because we’re planning on going all the way under, but it is for a great cause.” The club kept their minds distracted by playing some beach volleyball, and joining a parade with all of the participants. After all of this, the teams began lining up along the beach, and as soon as the countdown hit zero, they ran into the water, and just as quick as that happened, they were out again.

As they ran out of the water, it was clear they were freezing, as most grabbed their towels and changed into warmer clothes.

Sophomore Matteo Pocobene shared his experience in the water, by saying, “After my first few steps in, I could already feel my feet becoming numb, and when I dove under, the impact of the cold took my breath away. Thankfully, we had a gorgeous day. The sun warmed me up quickly after I ran out of the water.” Freshman Freshman Melissa Light, junior Bridget Amanda Ramsey added, “The water was not as cold as I thought it Furlong, and sophmore Leotie Capasso was going to be, I feel really accomplished now!” wearing their Helping Hands shirts to supThe 2010 Passion Plunge raised over $230,000 towards the port the cause at Revere Beach.

Special Olympics, which will be held from Mar. 13 - Mar. 14. You can learn more about Passion Plunge, and how to join next year’s by visiting www.passionplunge.com.

Participants lining up to take the plunge into the ocean on March 6, 2010 All photos by Catherine Poirier.

The Blue and Gold March 2010

Local News

Weather Challenges Road Racers Chris Brown Reporter

O

n Sunday March 14, 2010, several runners from Malden and surrounding Massachusetts cities came together to partake in the Malden Rotary Club’s seventh annual St. Patrick’s Day Road Race to help raise money for the club and their community service mission, called “Service over Self.” Despite harsh weather conditions, the club refused to cancel the event because it was to honor two former Rotarians that have passed away, Charles Kelley and Warren Jackson.

Many runners who registered also stayed faithful and braved the bad weather; about half of the 240 pre-registered runners actually showed up.

The runners left the Cheverus School Cafeteria and went to the starting lines of either the five or ten kilometer races, where coordinator Dennis La Frenier explained the courses. Due to weather, there had been some flooding and fallen trees on the USA Track and Field certified courses. Along with the fact that that along the way, Malden High School Key and Interact Club members would gave directions.

About 30 minutes later, the five-kilometer runners began crossing the finish line, clearly exhausted, most saying that the weather definitely affected their time and that they did not finish as well as they thought they would. As if the weather was not enough for the runners, a car blatantly sped past the police cones and drove straight towards a pack of runners, only to be pulled over by police shortly after. No one was hurt and the event was a target for jokes during the award ceremony at the Dockside restaurant after the race.

Long time Rotarian and friend to Jackson and Kelley, Arthur Kahn stated that Jackson and Kelley were true Rotarians because of their dedication to community service.

“You don’t see men like that who dedicate their lives to service like they did very often,” explained Kahn. “They named this race after them and they deserved it.” MHS junior and Key Club Secretary Andrew Chen echoed Kahn’s statements, also adding that “with the bad weather, we weren’t sure if the race would go on, but the Rotary was committed.”

Weather conditions and reckless drivers were not enough to stop this pack of dedicated runners.

They earned the celebration of free food and entertainment provided by 74-year-old Saugus folk singer Dick Lynch, who jokingly stated during his set that his favorite Irish tune was Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore,” an Italian song, which he covered with an Irish twist.

The Blue and Gold March 2010

local news

13

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

93 Teachers Fired From Central High School, Rhode Island Logo of the Rhode Island Federal Teacher’s Union Source: www.rifthporg

Only 48% of students at Central Falls graduated last year.

Paige Yurek Reporter

S

tudents everywhere love snow days and holidays during their school year, but they would probably never think of being unable to come to school because their teachers lost their jobs. So, imagine the surprise, Central Falls High School students in Rhode Island felt when they found out all 93 of their teachers would not be present the next year.

Central Falls High school, suffered a low graduation rate of 48 percent, and will have all new teachers next year because the faculty and staff refused to accept new conditions that would be applied to the school in hopes of improving the school’s academic standing.

These conditions would include: adding 25 minutes to each school day, attending weekly after school planning sessions with other teachers, participating in two weeks of training in the summer, and providing tutoring on a rotating schedule before and after school. An extra $30 per hour, which was offered by the Superintendent, Frances Gallo, would have been included for all of these conditions together; however, the Union leaders sought a $90 per hour pay for the teachers.

According to Rhode Island’s The Providence Journal, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, stated, “This is hard work and these are tough decisions, but students only have one chance for an education, and when schools continue to struggle we have a collective obligation to take action.”

It is obvious that when a high school, or any school for that matter, has such an insufficient graduation rate like that of Central Falls’ actions must be taken immediately for the sake of the students and

their futures. One way to look at the situation is that the new conditions could very well have been an advantage to both the students and the school. Still, is firing every teacher in a school fair or drastic?

Natalia Santiago, MHS English teacher and a former student from Central Falls High School herself, stated, “This made me really angry.

What the media is not saying is that there is a large number of students [in the school], and there have been five principals in six years. It is very difficult for the teachers.”

Malden itself has had to make changes in the past to better the school system. Salemwood middle school, for example, started extending their school days in 2007 until 3:30 in the afternoon, unlike surrounding schools which dismiss students around 2:15.

So, how exactly do unions work? Kevin Kilbride, Malden High School history teacher explains, “Unions include a kind of collective bargaining. Teachers work together, as a group.” In other words, an individual teacher can not get more pay than the other, they both get the same pay. If one teacher gets an increase or decrease in their pay, the others get the same increase or decrease. In addition, unions basically set up ground rules, such as limiting class sizes, in order to help teachers help students learn. As a union member himself, and a teacher since 1986, Kilbride believes the situation at the Rhode Island high school is “a little disconcerting.” When asked how the situation could have been handled differently, Kilbride suggested, “I would have liked to see the unions accept the proposals, at least for a short term. Maybe there could have been a negotiation, or some compensation. It seems drastic, but the union could also have handled it better.”

What does the MHS Faculty think?

“It was harsh and unfair to fire everyone. The Union should have looked more closely at the individual. Why are we blaming only the teachers?”

- Diane Perito

“It was a union-based decision that is going to make it worse for the district. It’s going to be hard getting more teachers back after what happened.”

- Shannon Votaw

“It’s a tough situation for both the teachers and the students.” -Meaghan Galdos

“They didn’t get the job done. They need to work more closely with people” - Jane Sulick

Stop and Shop Stops Striking Preemptively Joel Stevenson Reporter There has been a lot of controversy over what has been going on at Stop and Shop. As of March 6, 2010, Stop and Shop executives have sat down with five UFCW labor unions in Connecticut, Road Island, Massachusetts, and have reached agreements. On March seventh 2010, Stop and Shop workers went to a convention in Randolph Massachusetts and voted on a new contract. This new contract includes higher pension rates, more affordable health care, and a higher pay.

Some benefits include in increase in workman’s compensation.

The max you can have if you are a

full time worker is $420, and for part time only $135. Afer working for a year, workers will also have a bonus of one hundred dollars, a twenty-five cent increase for year two, and thirty for year three, according to www. ufcw1459.com/union_news/65.

As the union concluded, many workers were pleased to maintain their jobs, as well receiving the rates they had hoped to earn. As they have stated, they did not want to strike, but if pushed, they would do what had to be done. Settlements came just in time, as tensions in the store started getting intense. Tony Flanagan, the Representative of the Stop and Shop in Malden, stated that this was one of the company’s most profitable years, but the employees

had felt that the board was taking too much of their money. At one of their conferences, a worker asked why they were taking so much, and according to Flanagan [the board] demanded that they wanted to take more money from the employees’ checks. Workers were upset to see this hard earned money go to more affordable health care, higher pension rates, and larger wages be spent by the board.

A large portion of the workers at Stop and Shop are high school students or undergraduates saving up for another year of school. However some employees have been working here for decades, and in a way the store has become a home to them, as stated by worker Tony Flanagan

“[Stop and Shop is] my store, my company, gave half my life working for my company, I don’t want to lose all I have woarked for.”

This strike posed a huge threat to the workers. Sophomore Kimmy Cochran stated, “I feel that if we [had gone] on strike, I would have lost my job....All of the other workers there would have had to find other places to work. The shoppers would also have had to find a new place to shop.” Some of the other employees, who saw the strike as a learning experience and “something new,” were sad to see that it would not happen.

14

Entertainment

The Blue and Gold March 2010

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

fans find glory 10 years later Lynn Tran Managing Editor

O

n Feb. 21, 2010, fans from all over Massachusetts waited in line at the House of Blues in Boston for the sold out show with headliner New Found Glory. New Found Glory is finally touring again on a 10 year anniversary tour and performing their entire self titled record which was released in 2000. On tour with the pop punk band, for the first time, are Fireworks and Hellogoodbye. They were also reunited with Saves the Day, with whom they last toured with a decade ago.

The show began with Firework a 5 member group from metropolitan Detroit. Fireworks is not a hardcore band, but their energetic performance, pop rock sound, and catchy lyrics caught the crowd’s attention.

Their connection to the crowd provoked dancing, crowd surfing, and people performing arbitrary and senseless stunts like purposely slamming into each other. The band fed off the energy of the crowd as they performed songs off their most recent album entitled All I Have to Offer Is My Own Confusion, which was released in 2009. The heightened anticipation of their album compared to the EP they released in 2008 was due to the fact that it was produced by Chad Gilbert, the lead guitarist of New Found Glory. Some songs they played included, “Geography, Vonnegut And Me,” “Come Around,” and “Closet Weather.”

Next in the lineup was Hellogoodbye, a band from Long Beach, CA. This power pop, indie band is

renown for their simplistic lyrics and melodies. It was evident to the band and the crowd that out of the lineup, Hellogoodbye was the square peg.

Their Californian inspired, mellow, pop music is better suited for the beach and not a pop-punk, rock concert. Their fancy equipment, heavily synthesized vocals, and ukulele did not impress the crowd of die-hard Saves the Day and New Found Glory fans. Lead singer, Forest Kline took notice, promising the crowd that they only had three songs left.

Saves the Day took authority of the stage and the crowd with “AllStar Me” on their album Through Being Cool, which was released in 1999.

They ended with “Kaleidoscope,” off Under the Boards, which was released in 2007. They are a pop/punk rock band from Princeton, NJ. Then, the venue lights shut off and Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the USA” came on the speakers, which ignited the crowd’s excitement for New Found Glory. The lights flashed back on and the band quickly transitioned into the first song of their set, and the first song off their self-titled album, Better Off Dead. Like they promised, they performed every single song from their self-titled album. As lead singer Jordan Pundik belted into his microphone, I felt like I was in 5th grade again listening to them for the first time.

During a pause to switch guitars, lead guitarist Chad Gilbert took the time to explain how he recently had a thyroid taken out. This news shocked fans, but all he asked for was for the crowd to create the largest mosh pit possible in respect for his thyroid, so it could live in peace.

New Found Glory performing a sold out concert at the House of Blues in Boston. Photo by Lynn Tran They claimed that Boston has been their best crowd yet, and that they did not expect anything less considering past shows.

When the band reached the last song on the album, “Ballad for the Lost Romantics,” the crowd was not ready to leave, and the band ended up performing seven encores. The crowd sang along to all nineteen songs performed. During the concert, Pundik reassured the crowd that there was there was nothing they loved more than being New Found Glory. In an interview with Drusky Entertainment, Gilbert agreed with Pundik, claiming that, “Nobody in New Found Glory loves anything as much as this band” which proves to be true, considering Gilbert, Pundik, Steven Klein the guitarist, Ian Grushka the bassist,

and Cyrus Bolooki, the drummer, have been together as a band since the beginning in 1997. Even after ten years; after breakups, divorces, and even surgery, it was still all about the music and their band. Anyone who missed the show, missed out.

Their new album, produced by Mark Hoppus, lead singer of Blink 182 and +44, Not Without a Fight, is rightly titled because New Found Glory has yet to disappear like other musicians. Ten years later, and they are still performing sold out shows, and producing more memorable and catchy songs including “Don’t Let her Pull You Down,” which they played during their fourth encore of the night. They truly are not leaving without a fight.

Tragic Loss in Fashion “If you ask any lady they want to be taller, they want to be slimmer, you know, and they want a waist. I’m not here to make people look like a sack of

potatoes.”

--Alexander McQueen

Reginah Sanyu Reporter

L

ee Alexander McQueen was a British fashion designer born on March 17, 1969 to taxi driver Ronald McQueen and social science teacher Joyce McQueen. McQueen was the youngest of six children and discovered his love for fashion at a young age when he started making dresses for his three sisters.

McQueen he was best known for using skulls in his designs which brought a sense of fantasy and rebellion to fashion. McQueen is also known for drama and extravagance to the catwalk, he often shocked and surprised audiences with the new technology and innovations he brought into his shows.

McQueen was the youngest designer to achieve the title ”British Designer of the Year,” which he held for four years between 1996 and

2003.

On Feb. 3, 2010, McQueen tweeted that his mother had died the day before, writing, ”R.I.P mumxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, but life moves on.”

McQueen’s death was announced on the afternoon of Feb. 11, 2010, after he was found lying in his closet by his housekeeper at his home in London where paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene, only days before London’s Fashion and one week and nine days after the death of his mother, McQueen left a note with contents that have yet to be revealed. According to some reports, he committed suicide by hanging, however, the metropolitan police stated that the death was not suspicious and was not yet confirmed a suicide. McQueen was

to unveil his new collection at parish fashion week during the week of March 3 to 11.

Even those who have doubts about knowing who Alexander McQueen was, is likely to have seen one of his designs somewhere, since celebrities like Rihanna, Lady GaGa, Sarah Jessica Parker, Drew Barrymore, Janet Jackson and many more-including the first lady Michelle Obama--have been spotted wearing his creations. One could never go wrong wearing a design by Alexander McQueen.

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni, promoting McQueen’s exquisite Fall 2010 line and designs.

The Blue and Gold March 2010

15

Entertainment http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Wonderland is not Quite Wonderful

Nidale Zouhir Head of Local News

O

ver the years, most of Tim Burton’s adaptations – Planet of the Apes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – have lacked the “muchness” that Burton’s originals – Ed Wood, Edward Scissorhands, the Nightmare Before Christmas – have always boasted, and Alice in Wonderland is, unfortunately, no exception.

Taking place thirteen years after Lewis Carroll’s original stories

of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, Wonderland focuses on the life of a now adult Alice (Mia Wasikowska) and her return to Underland. The beloved characters typical of every Alice in Wonderland story – Tweedledee and Tweedledum (Matt Lucas), the Chesire Cat (Stephen Fry), the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen), the Blue Caterpillar (Alan Rickman), and, of course, the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) – meet her and detail the fated quest she must undertake: she must slay the Jabberwocky and end the reign of the evil Red Queen.

Alice, though reluctant at first (the Hatter even tells her that, in adulthood, she’s lost her “muchness”), is eventually filled with righteous anger at the Red Queen (a brilliant Helena Bonham Carter) and agrees to the quest.

The acting in Wonderland is not at fault; with a cast exhibiting such brilliant actors as Depp, Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway (the White Queen), and Stephen Fry (the Chesire Cat), as well as newcomer Wasikowska, how could it be? Rather, the flaws in Wonderland lie in the story, which simply does not take advantage of its cast. Wonderland lacks the whimsy of the original story; its characters simply seem

too sad (which, admittedly, may be a reflection of Alice’s own mindset, as the story begins just after her father’s death); in fact, the most whimsical part of the film is its spectacular score, composed, as usual for a Burton film, by Danny Elfman (the Nightmare Before Christmas, Milk, Corpse Bride). Some of the best scenes in the film are the ones that are almost directly lifted from Lewis Carroll’s poetry and his descriptions of the “frumious bandersnatch” and the evil jabberwocky.

That said, what Wonderland lacks in story, it makes up for in acting; Depp’s Hatter is somewhat heartbreaking at times, though the Scottish brogue that slips out whenever he gets emotionally excited is somewhat random and distracting.

Fry’s Chesire Cat, meanwhile, is hilarious and steals every scene that he is in. Rickman’s Caterpillar is probably the best character in the film, simultaneously wise and amusing even as he smokes from a hookah.

Of course, Bonham Carter steals the show as usual; her hilarious Red Queen is perfect, amusing with just the right dash of Burton-esque tragedy. The Red Queen is unlike any character Bonham Carter has placed recently, and she plays her perfectly.

Wonderland, which was origi-

82nd Annual Oscars

“You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.” surprise that Wonderland is a typical Burton film, creepy and almost tragic at times, whimsical and amusing at others. The problem is, it fails to stand out from the rest of his filmography; essentially, Burton fans and children will like it; most others will simply not be blown away.

And the Oscar goes to...

Best Picture: "The Hurt Locker."

Xavier Leo Copy Editor

Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker."

A

BC’s presentation of America’s favorite industry awards show, The Annual Academy Awards, began at 8 p.m. ET and by 11:20, over three hours later, we still did not know whether the Academy’s most nominated actress Meryl Streep would win her third Oscar, and certainly not the climax to the night’s only drama. Would Kathryn Bigelow beat out former hubby James Cameron to become the first woman to successfully crash the great male barrier of Best Director?

Indeed, there seemed to be nothing in a long evening of designer gown watching that would stimulate Monday morning water cooler conversation. Hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin were as comfy and reassuring as two older uncles and ABC showed no inclination of risk taking in a production that relied heavily on comic relief.

Comedian Ben Stiller provided some hilarity when he presented the Best Makeup award as a character from Avatar. And Tina Fey and Robert Downey, Jr. proved to be the wittiest presenters in announcing the award for Best Screenplay as they explained the differences in what writers and actors want from a script.

nally shot in 2-D despite Disney’s plans to convert it to a 3-D film, lacks what its 3-D predecessors boasted; its visuals, though colorful and whimsical, pale in comparison to the visual masterpiece of Avatar, and perhaps this is Wonderland’s biggest problem: it is the first 3-D film released after the almighty Avatar and, though it broke Avatar’s opening weekend record, it simply is not as fun to watch.

With a typical Burton cast, a typical Burton vaguely-creepychildren’s-book-adaptation, and a typical Burton composer, it is no

Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart."

Best Actress: Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side.

Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds.

Screenwriter/producer Mark Boal, director Kathryn Bigelow and producer Greg Shapiro won Best Picture for “The Hurt Locker” (Kevin Sullivan/ Orange County Register/MCT) But by and large, this year’s production was a sincere and sedated designer gown show. As the ceremony approached its four-hour midnight finish and the major awards were rushed through - no Meryl Streep did not win, but Kathryn Bigelow did - there was an extraordinary feeling of anticlimax.

The elimination of the 30-minute red carpet pre-show would be one way to shorten this overly long

broadcast, but if advertising revenue remains the broadcast’s driving consideration, loyal Academy Awards watchers may still need to brace themselves for at least a few more long nights. ABC’s contract to produce the Academy Awards does not expire until 2014.

Best Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique, " Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire.

Best Adapted Screenplay: Geoffrey Fletcher, Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire.

For the full list of Oscar Winners, See

www.maldenblueandgold.com

SPORTS

16

The Blue and Gold March 2010

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

City League Underclassmen Moving Up Girls Tennis

Team: A Promising Season

Brittany McFeeley Copy Editor

Haley DeFillipis

W

ith another season on its way, the girls are back working their hardest to make up for the loss of key players from the previous season.

The 2010 season is lead by Head Coach Julie Briggs and Assistant Coach Susan Famiglietti, along with junior tri-captains Patricia Aguinaldo, Mandy Liao, and Senior Karen Benavides.

Sophomore Paula Suarez commented, “Although we did lose a lot of talent last year, there are many girls that are very dedicated this

year and that are ready to commit to the team.” Sophomore Diana Tran also added that, “[there are] a lot of returning players and new players that are showing up to captain’s practice, so everyone seems really committed.”

With a lot of new freshmen trying out, it will definitely help contribute to the successes of each team. Since a lot of the freshmen who are trying out have played in city league, so they are coming with some knowledge of the game. Also, since the captains’ practices have

To the left, Sophomore Commie Ayuk. Photo by Lynn Tran To the right, senior Jillann Ceplinskas. Photo by Lynn Tran.

Boys Lacrosse: Take Two Brittany McFeeley Copy Editor With the second season off and running the Boys Lacrosse team is working hard to make their second season better than last season.

With last season being their first season, they had a difficult time getting into the swing of things, but this season, and with a new coaching staff, their goal to get more wins than the previous season.

With a new head coach, Brandon Maney, the team only looks to improve. In addition to a new coach there has been an addition of a Junior Varsity team.

The team has chosen Seniors Tim Riordan, Jose TecVilleda, and Nicky Hoyt to lead the team. Sophomore Stanley Chan states, “I’m just hoping that the lacrosse team will be like the football team. We won together, we lost together, but no matter what, we were still a family.” He also mentioned how it is very important for the team to work together, and working together will be one of the only ways to improve.

The team’s goal is to get more wins than last year, and last year, the team only ended the season with one win. However, the team has high hopes that they will be able to easily accomplish this goal. Chan also hopes that he can “do [his] best and contribute to the team.”

started up earlier than usual, the new girls are able to catch on and are learning fast.

Suarez also stated, “Although most of us are still a little rusty, by the time the season starts, we are all going to be well prepared to ready to make this season one of the best.”

Also looking forward to the new season is Tran; however what she is looking forward to the most is “playing in games!”

So with the 2010 season underway, the girls are practicing 110% to make this season one of the best seasons yet.

Head of Business

With the talented new roster, the girl’s tennis team hopes to be competitive in the Greater Boston League

W

ith high hopes of qualifying for the state tournament, Malden High School’s girl’s tennis team is going approaching the upcoming season with heads held high.

Last year, the girls came extremely close to states and ended the season with a nearly split record.

With challenging opponents such as Boston Latin Academy and North Reading, they plan on taking home the win.

Junior Alison Nguyen person-

“[I look forward to] spending time with all of the girls on the team: we resemble a family toward the end of the season.”

ally looks forward to improving her game and cheering on all her teammates, “[I look forward to] spending time with all of the girls on the team: we resemble a family toward the end of the season.”

Nguyen believes making states will be a very difficult task, but the team definitely has the ability to do so. It’s a new year and a new season, giving everyone the chance to perform their best.

The girl’s tennis team is preparing for a winning season with their first match on April 7 versus Shawsheen.

SPORTS

The Blue and Gold March 2010

Boys Tennis Team Aims to Succeed

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Boys Baseball team relies On New Talent

Haley DeFillipis

Joshua Kummins

Head of Business

Reporter

Last year Boys Tennis went to the first round of the state tournament For the first time in 30 years. this season they hope to go even further in the Tournament.

M

alden High School’s boys tennis team plans on starting the upcoming spring season strong with a lot of depth in players.

Last year, the boy’s record was “500”, meaning they had an even amount of wins and losses.

This year, the players hope to be at least that fortunate again, although it will be challenging to cope without a key player Dellon Moy. Moy, a junior last year, unfortunately moved out of state.

The loss of Moy will cause for many changes, but as junior Huy Le states, “Everyone got better since last year.”

One of the more challenging matches will be held on April 20 verses Boston Latin Academy .

Le states “[They] beat us in both matches we had with them.” Another challenging match will be Malden verse Everett on May 4, an intense meet that ended in a win for Malden last year.

The team’s main goal is to

“Everyone got better since last year.” qualify for states, as they did last year. They have gained a lot of experience throughout the years and hope to take the Greater Boston League (GBL) title in the upcoming season. Junior Andrew Delacey, a key player to the team for the past three years, explains “For several years now, we’ve been looking at the banister in the gym and the empty space that needs to be filled. We have the capabilities to win GBL’s.”

To the right: Junior Dellon Moy hitting the ball. Photo by Lynn Tran.

17

T

he Malden High School baseball team will look to improve upon a tough 2009, as they begin preparation for the 2010 season. Last year, Malden compiled a disappointing 7-13 record during the regular season.

Head coach Kevin Carpenito said that the “team will be really young this year,” as just two seniors will return to the team with a plethora of underclassmen. Captain Nate Freni and fellow senior Jonathan

Tiongson will lead the team into the new season, with the same tenacity as previous captains.

The team’s strength should be on the defensive side, as they have many returning players with at least a season of varsity experience under their belt.

Carpenito added that there will be many young returning players for this year’s squad that will play vital roles, including sophomores Bradley Applin and Ricky Mendez.

Also, Carpenito added that the team has one main goal: win ten games and qualify for the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) state tournament.

Bishop Fenwick and Lynn English High Schools will be the first opponents for the team, as they face them in the first of six scrimmages.

The regular season begins with a home game against Dracut on Apr. 7.

Girls SOFTBALL Chases Another GBL Title Joshua Kummins Reporter

T

he Malden High School softball team is looking for even more success in 2010, after an impressive 17-4 season last year. The team won the Greater Boston League (GBL) championship and made a run in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) state tournament, before losing in the later rounds.

Coach Richard Cullen said that “with hard work…” the team could have yet another strong year, as the team has a strong mixture of veterans and young talent, including senior Casey Wilcox, and sophomores Emily Hoffman and Rebecca Krigman.

Though the team returns some solid bats, Cullen said that team’s speed needs improvement if they want to repeat the success of last year.

Co-captains Jen Tamindzija and Kristina Dyer will lead the team in their run at another GBL title, imitating previous captains who were successful. Cullen added that the addition of players from the strong junior varsity and freshmen teams will help this year’s team immensely in the long run.

Cullen stated that inside the league, Medford and Everett High School are returning strong line-ups, making the competition for the league title fierce.

The team’s long road to states will begin on Apr. 5 with a home game against Methuen High School.

To the right: junior Renee Santo prepares to swing. Photo

by Lynn Tran.

SPORTS

18

The Blue and Gold March 2010

http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

OUTDOOR TRACK: BACK AT IT AGAIN Brendan Provitola

Ayoub Kourikchi

Reporter

Co-Editor-in-Chief

T

Senior Ngoc Doan in the 4x8 relay. Photo by Lynn Tran.

he Malden High girls track team looks to start their outdoor season fresh. After a tough, but hard working indoor season, the girls will try to salvage their chances of winning some meets this upcoming season. Junior Cyntia Brunot is excited to try out the outdoor events like throwing the javelin and the disc. Brunot stated, “I’m so excited that the season is here. I’m ready for it.”

The team finished in third place at the Greater Boston League (GBL) meet at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury during the indoor season. The team now has some expectations of what they need to do to be a competitor for the GBL title. Senior Thanh Nguyen, the only girl to qualify for states during hte indoor season, is ready for this upcoming season. Nguyen stated, “Everybody just needs to be positive, work together, and love each other.” Even though there was only one state qualifier, there are a few others who were really close. This spring season gives the girls another chance to show what they can really do.

A

fter tying Cambridge for the GBL title and finishing the season with the best overall record in the GBL, the boys team hopes to complete a double crown, something that the team only dreamed of a couple of years ago. Additionally, several star MHS athletes that strengthened the team during the indoor season and added depth have also decided to join the outdoor team.

Their fervor is evident as several athletes have worked hard during the off season. The throwing team which has performed exceptionally well in the past and has spent several practices honing their throwing techniques at McDonald’s stadium and several track athletes can be seen in the weight room.

The boys team begins the season with a difficult meet against GBL powerhouse Cambridge Ridge & Latin, the team that they tied at the GBL Championship, at home. Following their meet against Cambridge Ridge & Latin they face off against teams that include Everett and Somerville, teams that always pose a threat to Malden’s outdoor season.

With several upperclassmen, both teams hope to finish the season as GBL Champions with several personal bests, and state qualifications along the way.

The Blue and Gold March 2010

19

SPORTS http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Alfonse’s Monthly Editorial

Olympics: Story Behind The Games

Vancouver Winter Olympics Lift World Spirits

Megan Kelly Reporter

T

he year of 2010 has brought a decade to a close and welcomed twenty-ten’s first Olympics. Hosted in Vancouver British Columbia the winter sports event introduced fans around the world to underage drinking hockey champs, a “platinum” medal in men’s figure skating and the untimely death of a Georgian athlete.

Nodar Kumaritashvili was one of the seven athletes to be representing his country of Georgia, a country that only made its Olympic debut 16 years earlier in 1994. He tragically died after a accident on the luge track on February 12, 2010. His country had hoped to watch the young man make reputation for Georgia in luge though instead his countrymen gathered at his home in the village of Bakuriani, Georgia a week after his death.

The International Luge Federation (FIL) blames Kumaritashvili for his crash though others say it was his inexperience of the track, he had only taken 26 runs while Canadian athlete’s had been down it hundreds of times giving them much more experience.

Russia’s domination in Men’s Figure Skating finally ended with the gold won by American skater Evan Lysacek.

The 24 year old who told the UK newspaper The Telegraph, “I was working every moment to put in the extra footwork to rack up the extra points. It was hard, very hard.” Lysacek had earned both the gold and his own best personal score of 257.67 points.

Though fallen gold medalist Evgeni Plushenko published on his website afterwards that he had earned a “Platinum” medal and blames the judges for his own short comings. Plushenko who was the favorite for the gold at these games then went and told The Telegraph “But I suppose Evan needs the medal more than I do.” Why would someone who does not need the medal then go and also gain support of the Russian Prime Minister for his new “level” athleticism.

For both men’s and women’s hockey the U.S. earned silver and northern neighbor Canada received gold. Though for Canada’s women’s team a celebration on the ice two hours after being awarded the medals called for beer, champagne and cigars. An underage member of the team was caught drinking bear, the drinking age for British Columbia is 19. Pictures of the gold medal team show

Alfonse Femino Head of Sports

F

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson waves the Olympic flag during the closing ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Sunday, February 28, 2010. (Gerry Kahrmann/Canwest News Service/MCT)

Entertainers with snowboards parade the cauldron during the closing party of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Sunday, February 28, 2010. (Mike Siegel/Seattle Times/MCT) them smoking thick cigars while lying on the ice, air gulping a bottle of champagne and jokingly attempting to drive a Zamboni after drinking.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) commented on the partying to Pittsburgh Post Gazette “It is not what we want to see. I don’t think it’s a good promotion of sport values.”

With a total of 258 medals racked up by the entire world at the Vancouver Games, 86 being gold, 87 silver and 85 bronze 2010’s first Olympics has earned enough medals and controversy.

rom the hard hitting action in Men’s Hockey between America and Canada, to the fierce determination from sweepers in curling match ups between Japan and Germany, the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, shined bright with incredible moments that will go down in Olympic history, showing the unity and peaceful interactions among the nations.

After the torch was lit and all of the opening festivities and qualifying rounds finished, the games were ready to begin. The first few days of the Olympics alone were as intense and exciting as the playoff and championship rounds. In the figure skating event, Japan jumped to a very early lead, having skaters win both gold and silver medals, with Germany winning bronze in the first figure skating event on Feb. 15th. Also during the opening games of the Olympics, the infamous America and Canada rivalry did not disappoint, as the two countries were neck and neck with close contests in snowboarding and free style skiing, both of which America and Canada medaled on the same day.

With both the American and Canadian men’s hockey teams undefeatedwith both teams beating all other opponents by a large margin, their first game on Feb. 21st was highly anticipated. The game went back and forth for a while, but in the end the Americans were able to pull away with a 5-3 victory over what perhaps was the best assembly of hockey players on one team in the history of the sport, closely resembling the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, New York where the underdog Americans were victors of the world powerhouse Russia.

With the preliminary rounds coming to a close, the playoff and champitonship rounds, bringing with them the most memorable moments of the games. Figure skating was one of the closest events, with China tying with America, and Canada trailing close behind in third place. The luge event, however, was not as close, as Germany had a comfortable first place lead over second place Austria. None of the events, however, could compare to the intensity and borderline insanity of the men’s hockey event. In a game that could not have been planned more perfectly, America played against Canada in the championship round.

Three periods proved to little after a 2-2 tie, causing the game to go into overtime. Seven minutes into sudden death over time, National Hockey League star Sydney Crosby of Canada slipped the puck past America’s Ryan Miller, sealing a victory and gold medal for the Canadian team.

After the long excitement filled two weeks of olympics it was time to announce the winning countries. In a spectacular closing ceremony, all countries and members involved were honored, and the results were announced. Coming in third was the home country Canada. Not far ahead was second place Germany. Finishing in the number one spot and carving out their own spot in Winter Olympic history was America.

Though some countries came up short of what they had hoped for, the 2010 winter olympics was an amazing experience for all who were involved or watched at home, and the games symbolized how far the world has come in all aspects to this day.

20

The Blue and Gold March 2010

SPORTS http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Students Fail Fourth Quarter

Clockwise, from top left: Bernice Diaz and senior Casey Willcox sprint for the ball.

Sean Walsh and senior Nathan Freni fight for the ball. Cut out images of Nathan Freni and Bernice Diaz.

Photos by Sharon Lee.

STUDENT

VS.

FACULTY

Omar Khoshafa Copy Editor

T

he electrified crowd roared as Fillette Lovancy won the tip-off for the students with great ease.

This signaled the start of an exciting game would only become more and more competitive as time went on.

The 2010 faculty-student Basketball Game began at about 2:50 p.m. in the Finn Gym and was composed of alternating seven minute quarters between both the Varsity Boys and Girls basketball teams, against the male and female faculty members at Malden High School. Throughout the game, the crowd was kept informed through the informative commentating of. The air was full of suspense from the start, and the crowd of over 250 students could only watch as Captain Evan Mauser’s prophecy came to life, which was that “we will be competing in a very close match... and may the best team win.”

The game started off with the MHS girls’ team playing against the female faculty team. The girls played a tough match, with both sides displaying some heavy defense, limiting the scoring to only several points per side at the beginning of the game.

After seven minutes, the boys’ team came on to face the fac-

FACULTY

ulty team, led by Evan Mauser. The team’s mentality was reflected by his statement, “We will show the same resilient energy that we have always shown in the past.” English teacher David Londino opened the scoring for the men’s faculty game with a three-point shot that shortened the deficit in the first quarter. The game’s grid lock type play remained evident for several quarters, with the faculty team gradually gaining ground on the varsity teams.

Throughout the game, the exciting play did not come up short of the crowd’s expectations, as they remained amused, cheering and roaring at every point sunk by a member of the faculty squad. One such example were the plays run

by Ms. Jackson, a PACE faculty member. However, such reactions were not shown when the Boys and Girls varsity teams scored, showing the crowd was clearly favoring the underdog faculty team. The fans did not remain quiet for the varsity teams the entire game, as they were released into a frenzy after senior point guard Ramon Viches dunked the ball, leaving girls varsity coach Joe Levine staring in awe. There was equal excitement showed by the fans when history teacher Benjamin

Max and math teacher Bradley Gelling connected several times, scoring a number of points over the boys varsity team.

In an exciting last quarter, the men’s faculty tied it up and took the lead, which they held onto to secure an unexpected win. Max expressed his emotion when he said, “It was an exciting win for the faculty. Mr. Smith’s game-winner was one of the most exciting moments of my life.”

Jeremiah Smith, an English teacher, was apparently modest in his reaction to this, calling his game-winner “nothing really. I was just standing there and hit a lay-up any 12year old could have made.”

Londino called it a “miracle on ice… except on a basketball court,” but also said “[they] couldn’t have done it without [their] sixth man, Mr. Jesi.” (Anthony Jesi was the referee of the match.)

“This game will continue to show that the teachers are can be as mentally and physically strong as the student body,” stated captain and Math teacher Evan Mauser, as the teachers celebrated and rejoiced their hardfought victory over the students in the area of athletics.

Sean Walsh, Benjamin Max, John Malone, Evan Mau ser, Jerimiah Smith, Joseph Levine, Dan Keefe, An thony Jesi, Kevin Floyd, David Londino

STUDENTS

Nathan Freni, Ramon Viches, Ernst LaRachel, Jean Messeroux, Vernon Sa invil

FACULTY

ice Diaz, Shauna Campbell, Bern rthorp, Erin Craven, Heather No Gray, Cara Melani LoBue, Jessica a Schibelli, Hovhanessian, Barbar lente, Hava Daniels, Paula Va Tracy Jackson

STUDENTS

sey Jennifer Tamindzija, Ca te let Fil , os Willcox, Erica Marang n, so chard Lovancy, Francesca Ri Cotto, Kia sic Jes Kyriah Marcelin, uk, Rebecca ara Amos, Commie Ay ng Krigman, Bridgette Furlo