Midwood Argus October 2018

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ARGUS Midwood High School OCTOBER 2018

INSIDE: Opinion: The Pledge Title I Update Halloween Moments Teacher Awards Volleyball & Soccer

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Vol. LXXVIII, No.1

New Council Promotes Student Involvement

By BRANDON KONG and XIN ZHEN While everyone races to go home, the new student government rushes to the fourth floor to start the next half of their day.

“The enthusiasm comes with being in the student government,” said Matthew Perez ’21, the new sophomore vice president. “Being able to make a change and contribute is very exciting.”

The student government strives to create a more enjoyable high school experience for the student body. One of their first goals this year was to get the Junior Semi-Formal approved.

“We wanted to give the students something to look forward to,” said Tanisa Rahman ’20, the new mayor. Along with the process of getting the Junior Semi-Formal approved, they were faced with many challenges. All of their plans had to be approved by Mr. Michael McDonnell and Mr. Alan Stack. The student government needed to be well prepared to convince them that their plans are practical.

“The key to our success was that we had backup plans for the backup plans,” said Taskin Khan ’20, the new comptroller. “We anticipated the questions that Mr. McDonnell and Mr. Stack might’ve had and their reasons why.”

Jonathan Li ’20, the new junior president, said, “We were prepared to go into that meeting with Mr. McDonnell expecting him to say no, but in the end we were able to convince him to let us go through with our plans.”

After three consecutive meetings with Mr. McDonnell, the student govenment was finally able to get the Junior Semi-Formal approved.

Mr. Lawrence Kolotkin, the coordinator of student affairs said, “They got the principal to change his mind because they were so well prepared, so well spoken, and covered every detail.

They did it so well that the principal called me

on the phone and told me that he was very impressed by their presentation.”

Along with the confirmation of the Junior Semi-Formal, they also made other changes around the school. At the beginning of the school year, student government members re-

something about it.”

Even though the student government is trying their best to make the school more lively, they want their peers to know that the cooperation of the student body is also important for them to achieve their goals.

The new student government takes action to connect with students.

Photo Credit: Laura Rosas

cruited homeroom representatives.

“We branched out this year,” said Khan.

“Some of us went to your official classes and asked for representatives so that they can contact us, and we can better our connection between the student council and the student body.”

All of the representatives agree that the most important aspect of the student government is to help the student body.

“When we represent people, we hear you and we want to do something to help you,” said Khan. “Even if it’s a slow process, we try to do

“It’s hard to get students to contribute and get involved,” said Xiumei Wu ’19, the senior president. “We can try to get them to participate in things like senior days. But in the end, if they don’t participate, we can’t do anything about it.”

Rahman said, “One student said that if more people participated in the Spirit Days, maybe he would participate too. That’s why we participate in it: because we want a day to just have fun and be able to make fun of each other for what we’re wearing.”

The student government was able to overcome many challenges, but many of their goals would not have been achieved if there had been no cooperation within the group. According to Mr. Kolotkin, the members of the student government are like one big family.

“The thing about this group is that we’re all so close to each other, and it’s very sweet,” said Rahman. “We formed great bonds that I think will continue. We cooperate so well because we genuinely like each other.”

However, they are students too; Sometimes disagreements occur between them, but they quickly take steps to resolve it.

“Whenever we face a conflict, Tanisa is on it very quickly. We work it out,” said Laura Rosas ’20, the new junior vice president. “The cooperation that people see is encouraged by Tanisa.

She makes sure that we all get along.”

Mr. Kolotkin stipulated that students should run based on their own merits and not on criticism of others. However, during the campaign, there was inevitably a lot of unspoken conflict between the candidates.

“It gets dramatic sometimes, but if you’re not elected, it’s totally fine,” said Rahman ’20.

“You come here and you can talk to us, so you’re a part of the family, too. If you want to help the school, that’s good for us. You’re also a part of our team because we want to help the school, so why not do it together?”

Within the student government, it’s a mutual consensus that whether you’re the president or the vice president, you still contribute the same amount of work to the school.

“We don’t like to think of this as a student government, but more like a student council where we all come together with one goal in mind, and that is to make the school a better place,” said Mr. Kolotkin.

Marching Band Drums in New Members

By RYAN CHANNER and students when the bands are combined. much more quickly than other students.

DANIEL CONTERAS Mr. Jordan said, “Since we have two periods, The other band director, Mr. Alexander Here comes the marching band! The stomp- the instrumentation is not ideal. All of our per- Jung, said, “Mr. Jordan and I have to work more ing of feet echos through the air, matched in cussionists are in my 9th period band and [Mr. closely and in sync with each other so that when volume only by the instruments roaring.

Alexander] Jung has maybe two. We have to we combine the bands later it will be as seamless The Midwood band program has made a program after school rehearsals for both bands and painless as possible.” significant change this year. The marching band so they can rehearse together to hear the full The expansion is one of many changes the has expanded from its origband program inal size of 50 musicians to has made in re80, with space for up to 100 cent years to students. There’s one other grow, strengthnotable difference this year: en, and improve, The band will be in two pesome of which riods. include the Jazz Mr. Daniel Jordan, one Band becoming of the band directors said, an 11th peri“If we expand the size of od class with a the band, it helps students in more challenging almost all areas of learning and educational music. There are more opworkload and the portunities for peer learning, Wind Ensemble group work, overall sound, playing higher etc.” level NYSSMA “I'm excited because it's (New York State the biggest the ensemble has School Music Asever been, meaning students sociation) music. are interested and adminis“The near tration is supporting us with future will entail programming,” said Mr. Jorroom organizadan. “We are able to have tion and a fully stronger numbers for retenworking barcode tion and stronger connecsystem with the tion with our students since instruments,” we'll have them for multiple said Mr. Jung. “I The marching band practices for homecoming. Photo Credit: Ryan Channer years.” hope that [the As the students work marching band] on music, perform in the various concerts and sound.” becomes its own ensemble separate from everyshows, and practice and rehearse together, Because of the periods some students end- thing else, just like Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, they're given the opportunity to develop rela- ed up in during programming, some are faced and Symphonic Band.” tionships and bonds with both their teachers with the challenge of practicing in smaller The band has many prospects and projects and bandmates who play with them everyday. numbers. For example, while both periods may in the future. One major event is going to be However, since the band is split amongst two have a similar number of trumpets to play all at Homecoming on October 27. The marching periods, it creates certain challenges. For exam- of the trumpet parts, the two percussionists who band is scheduled to lead the crowd from Midple, each period has unique instrumentation, don’t get the chance to play with the rest of the wood to the game. which may pose a challenge to less experienced percussion section every day will have to adjust Many students expressed how their experi-

ence in the band has helped them grow.

Damani Douglass ’19 said, “Midwood band has changed me by integrating me into a program that I truly belong in. I have learned a plethora of ways to interpret and play music that I would have most definitely been blind to otherwise. I've met some of my closest, long-lasting friends through our music program, and I am grateful for the opportunity to play for my school.”

Douglass continued, “I play in All-City Marching band,” “I initially auditioned on a whim when I first started taking my instrument seriously. Even though I didn't make it at first, my music teachers, Mr. Jordan and Ms. [Melissa] Williams, made it clear that if I wanted to grow as a trombonist, I would have to look into programs outside of school. Ms. Williams was the person who introduced me to All-City marching band, and Mr. Jordan and her pushed me to re-audition in the next auditioning cycle. My involvement in this program is a direct product of the Midwood band program and the amazing music teachers within it.”

Even those who graduated are proud of where they came from and the work that continues to be done.

Midwood alumnus David Wilder ’18 said, “Members of this band have become my absolute most close friends and also, aside from my parents, my biggest motivators to be the best person, musician, athlete, and student that I can be.”

Wilder said, “Performances within Midwood that I have done with the jazz band are the real influences I've had. Being asked to stand up and solo in front of a crowd and honestly having no clue what to do is what’s driving me to actually learn how to do these things. There comes a point in your musicianship where you want to know that you've earned the recognition you’re receiving from the crowd and the teachers who trust you enough to let you express yourself in front of their colleges and their boss.”

PAGE 2

STUDENT OPINION

First Period Should Start Later to Let Students Sleep

By ANNIE JIANG sleep. Lack of sleep can also contribute to difWaking up to pitch darkness even with the ficulties concentrating and thinking, according curtains drawn, with nothing but silence out- to Healthline’s “11 Effects of Sleep Deprivation side, I wonder if I have awoken from a dream on Your Body.” in the middle of the night only to realize it was This explains how sleep deprived teenagers time to get up for school. can struggle to do their best in school. Students For two years, I have been waking up at the spend so many hours in school, and in order dreadful hour of 5:00 am to travel to school to reap all the benefits of it, adequate sleep is as the sun slowly rises. During my first period necessary. Time in school is wasted if students physics class, I try my hardest to resist my brain aren’t able to think or concentrate during class as it cries for sleep while my physics partner as their brains beg for sleep. gives in to the forces, his sudden jerks and soft Besides weakening academic performance, snores claiming surrender. sleep deprivation also contributes to mood and As school is back in full swing from the relax- emotional issues, putting teenagers at risk of ing months of summer, many students have to mental illnesses, according to the New York Times wake up at six o’clock in the morning, or earlier, article. Chronic sleep deprivation puts teenagto avoid the scolds of their first period teachers. ers at high risk for many health issues such as This typically means fewer hours of sleep and obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. tired, grumpy teenagers.

Many schools in the past have acknowledged Attendance and tardiness is often an issue the consequences of sleep deprivation in teenduring first period as students struggle to get up agers and have shifted to later starting times. in the morning to make it for the early class.

“Whenever schools have managed the tran“People don’t get to school on time and it sition to a later start time, students get more adversely affects their grade,” said Ms. Jessica sleep, attendance goes up, grades improve, and Ross, who teaches AP Biology first and second there is a significant reduction in car accidents,” period.

The New York Times reports. “The RAND CorTeachers often try to get their students to poration estimated that opening school doors show up for first period on time, whether it’s by after 8:30 am would contribute at least $83 bilmaking them sign the late book or giving out lion to the national economy within a decade pop quizzes. through improved educational outcomes and “I have a do now in the beginning of the reduced car crash rates. The Brookings Insticlass and it’s worth one point,” said Ms. Ross. tution calculates that later school start times “If they miss it, they don’t get the point.” would lead to an average increase in lifetime Although attendance is important, making earnings of $17,500.” it on time for first period may not be worth it If students are to experience the benefits of if that means five hours of sleep and difficulty adequate sleep, a possible solution is to start first staying awake during the rest of the day. This period at 8:00 am instead of 7:15. This would does not necessarily mean it is better for stu- allow not only students to get the sleep they dents to skip first period, but shifting the start of need, but teachers as well, who could use the first period to a later time might allow students extra sleep to give them the energy they need to to get the sleep they need so they could function teach their classes. their best during classes.

With a shift in a later starting time, however, During adolescence, teenagers experience after school activities such as clubs and commubiological shifts to later sleeping schedules that nity service may be postponed to later times. make it harder for them to fall asleep before 11 But if students are getting more sleep, they pm, according to the National Sleep Founda- are more likely to finish their homework more tion. This means that they must also wake up quickly and efficiently, giving them more time later to meet the recommended eight to ten for extracurricular activities. hours of sleep in order to function best.

Later starting times may also affect practice As a result, the American Academy of Pedi- and competition times for athletes, but accordatrics recommending to the National Sleep ed that “middle Foundation, schools that and high schools shift to later start times start no earlier than experience few prob8:30 am, a policy lems relating to athletics now backed by the as they can reschedAmerican Medical ule practice and match Association, the times. Many schools, C.D.C., and many instead, find that there other health orgais an increased participanizations,” accordtion in sports and better ing to the New York athletic performance as Times article “Let sleep is essential for coorTeenagers Sleep dination and endurance.

In.” While starting first Due to first period at a later time period starting at may create more obsta7:15 am, it is not a cles to overcome, the surprise that many benefits of teenagers Sleep deprivation can put students experience getting enough sleep will teens at risk for mental illness. sleep deprivation, pay off in the long run. which has multiple A school that offers stuconsequences for teenagers academically, emo- dents such a wide range of class options, extrationally, and physically. curricular activities, and sports should first give Sleep is a key factor in memory retention, them the opportunity to get enough rest. as our brains solidify new information during

The MIDWOOD ARGUS

RREZE KADRIJAJ Editor-in-chief XIN ZHEN Managing Editor

MAQADUS SAKHI News Editor RYAN CHANNER News Editor NEFRETARI POWELL News Editor MOHIGUL NASIMOVA Feature Editor FANNY ZHAO Feature Editor MOHIMA OISHE Editorial Editor REEM HAMAIDA Sports Editor ALBERT SADIKU Sports Editor HASEEB KHAN Photographer SHERRY CHEN Website Manager KYLA BAPTISTE Copy Editor CHRISTELLE GLAUDIN Copy Editor BRANDON KONG Copy Editor WILLIAM VAMVOURIS Copy Editor NURSAT JAHAN Copy Editor

Reporters Zehaa Albraidi, Rubhiyah Chaudhry, Annie Jiang, Junyu Liang, Oscar Mendoza, Maddie Paterna, Julissa Richards, Cindy Wang, Daniel Contreras, Michelle Kapusta

MICHAEL McDONNELL Principal CASEY LEVINSON Faculty Advisor CAITLIN SCHEIN Proofreader GRACE GUARINO Proofreader The Midwood Argus welcomes your contributions and letters to the editor. If you wish to write for the paper or work on its production, contact Mr. Levinson in Room 343.

Opinions expressed in this paper reflect the views of the students and are not necessarily endorsed by the school or faculty.

OCTOBER 2018

Crossfire: Should the Pledge of Allegiance Be Recited in Schools?

YES

NO

By MAQADUS SAKHI With the school year back in session, millions of students are once again reciting the pledge of allegiance. The pledge is recited every morning in public schools by standing and facing the flag while placing the right hand over the heart. It is a way for students to honor their nation.

The pledge of allegiance has great significance. It was first used in 1892 and has since become part of United States history. Reciting the pledge reminds students of the freedom that is granted to them in the United States and the men and women who have risked their lives

By MOHIGUL NASIMOVA “I pledge allegiance to the flag….” Repeating this statement every morning can be a hassle and a waste of time. The pledge undoubtedly has significance, but having to recite it every morning can strip away its importance and take away valuable learning time.

In the morning, students prepare for class and are already engaged in their learning objectives. As the speakers blast the recitation of the pledge, all work and attention must be stopped. This repeated action creates a disruption in the class. Although it might not seem like a long period of time, doing it every morning for an entire school year adds up to a large amount of time where education was paused.

Many are aware of the importance of the pledge, but hearing it every day can be annoying and trivializing. A parent may repeat or nag a child about acceptable behavior, and hearing the pledge can produce the same mindset in students. Listening to this repetition increases its insignificance for many students.

Therefore, the pledge shouldn’t Some say that the pledge creates conflict with be recited as often to build up its students’ religions. Photo Credit: Patrick Kelley importance.

The pledge can also create a every day. These fearless soldiers have allowed religious conflict for some students. It clearly Americans to live their lives peacefully and for states “god” in the pledge itself, and this can be students to obtain an education. Unfortunate- a setback to students who don’t share the same ly, many do not know the true meaning of the belief. The pledge was created under Christian pledge, but repeating it every day may give them beliefs, so students of other religions, or no rethe opportunity to get a deeper understanding ligion, might choose to not recite it due to not of its significance. sharing this faith.

The pledge consists of 31 words and takes at Younger children reciting the pledge see most 15 seconds to recite, which does not take this as a mandatory action and do not underaway from students’ education. This 15-second stand its significance. In a classroom of young pledge is a very small price to pay in comparison students, they recite this pledge every morning to the sacrifices of the soldiers who have given for the sole purpose of following the teacher their lives to serve their country. and her instructions, as well as following other For those who do not want to say the pledge, students’ actions. Their understanding of the it is not mandatory. If students decide not to re- pledge is little to none, so the pledge should cite it, then they do not have to give a reason be taught to the students, and they should be for that and they will not get in trouble for it. informed of their rights to either recite the Reciting the pledge is a symbol of patriotism, pledge or not. a way to show loyalty to the United States. It is Although reciting the pledge is not mandanot mandatory to be patriotic. tory, it should hold significance by playing it America is built on the idea of recognizing only once in a while. Everyone should be aware all beliefs and opinions, and for that very rea- of the meaning of the pledge, even the young, son, the choice of students who want to recite so that reciting it can be a choice. the pledge should also be respected.

Announcing the Midwood Argus Logo Design Contest

By THE MIDWOOD ARGUS STAFF Are you artistic? Looking for a challenge or something unique to put on your college resume? The staff of the Midwood Argus would like to invite you to enter the first ever Midwood Argus Logo Design Contest.

The award-winning Midwood Argus is one of the oldest high school newspapers in America. This May, we will celebrate the 78th birthday of our school newspaper. The very first issue of the Argus came out seven months before America entered World War II, 13 years before the first color television show, and 20 years before Barack Obama was born. The Argus began publication 41 years earlier than America’s most-read newspaper, USA Today, which was founded in 1982. The popular free paper AM New York, which is read by 300,000 New Yorkers every day, was founded in only 2003, making it 63 years younger than the Argus. Each year, a new group of Midwood students is entrusted with carrying on this school tradition by writing articles and designing the layout of the paper.

We would like for you to become a part of that legacy.

Argus is named after a mythical 100-eyed Greek monster who “watches over all.” The Argus’s first ever logo in 1941 featured a peacock; the design on its feathers represented the 100 eyes of Argus. Throughout the years, our paper has also used a variety of Midwood-related images for our logo. For our next issue, we would like to debut a reminagined version of

one of these classics, or something entirely new.

Your challenge is to create an image to go at the top of the front page, to the left of the paper’s name. The winning design will appear on the cover of every issue for the entire school year (and possibly thereafter).

The box below shows the actual size of the logo. You may submit work of a larger size, but it must conform to the same general shape so it will fit when scaled down. There are no rules about the sort of object, design, or illustration you can use. However, simple is better, as any details must be easily readable at the actual size. Your artwork must be in BLACK and WHITE (no color). Though paper submissions are welcome, digital art files or high quality scans of hand-drawn art are preferred.

Please email your submission as an attachment to midwoodargus19@gmail.com, subject line: “LOGO,” and include your name, or hand-deliver it with your name written on the back to Mr. Levinson in Room 343. The deadline for submissions is NOVEMBER 15.

YOUR ART

OCTOBER 2018

NEWS

PAGE 3

Hornets Buzz Through Club Fair Title I Money Goes Schoolwide:

By JULISSA RICHARDS as well as embrace other students and their “In this school of 4,200 kids, it can feel like ideas and opinions. This club is a new club that you’re a tiny fish in a huge ocean, so rooms like was started by its president, Lelani Pacific-Jack Pride Club are crazy important,” said Jay For- ’20, and its vice president, Kimberly Smith ’20. rest ’19.

“We’re in a This was the really diverse kind of mindschool, so evset many new erybody should and old hornets hear what evhad, whetherybody has to er or not they say,” said Pacifwere looking ic-Jack. for a club or adSmith addvertising their ed, “We’re reclub, when they ally focusing went to the club on what the fair on Wednesstudents want, day, October what the stu17 in the cafetedents need, ria during 11th and we cater to period. your passion.”

This was Besides Midwood’s promoting the second annual various clubs September club at Midwood, fair, which was the club fair founded in the also helps inspring of 2017 coming freshby former Midmen and newwood Mayor ly transferred Joyce Chen ’18, sophomores with the help of find their own Mr. Kolotkin. niche in a place This fair allows where there’s all the clubs so many people Students search for after-school activities. in Midwood, with different Photo Credit: Reem Hamaida from academic personalities, to cultural, to cultures, and showcase their club and persuade students to beliefs. join, as long as club officers signed their club up Noreth Kendall ’21 said, “It’s really, really ahead of time. crowded, but it’s a really good opportunity for “Compared to last year’s club fair, this kids to come and speak to different people.” year’s was significantly larger. Many more clubs The crowdedness was a common theme at showed up and the attendees increased as well,” the fair, but at such a big school like Midwood, said Junior Class President Jonathan Li. that’s to be expected, and there isn’t much the The majority of these students are freshmen school can do about this problem. and sophomores since they are still new to the Kiandra Peart, senior president, said, “This school. The K-Pop club caught everybody’s at- year’s fair was better because we were able to tention when they broke out into multiple per- learn from our mistakes last year. Before it was formances. Yu Mei ’20, one of the members, very crowded because the tables were too close performed a dance solo. They were followed by and there weren’t that many clubs. But this year the step team, who captivated the audience with we reached out to more clubs had more perfortheir loud chants, claps, and powerful stomping. mances and more space.”

Christina Wu ’19 said, “It was a great expeDespite the crowds, the fair was a success, rience to be able to interact with other students with numerous clubs gaining a number of new with similar interests.” comrades.

Other clubs chose a more subtle approach by In case you missed the club fair, check the having conversations with possible new mem- weekly student newsletter email or the wall outbers. One of these clubs was the TedEd club, side the office of student affairs (Room 417) for which is a safe place for students to go to inspire club information.

UPCOMING DATES: October 27 - Homecoming at Midwood Field.

Students will be meeting at Midwood no later than 10:30 am.

October 29 - Spirit Day: Disney Day

October 31 - Dress up in an original costume for Halloween (no face painting or masks allowed).

November 6 - Election Day: NO SCHOOL November 12 - Veterans’ Day: NO SCHOOL November 14 - SUNY applications due

What That Means for You

By NEFRETARI POWELL and a student could’ve been in an AP class, but their REEM HAMAIDA family didn’t have a lot of money. They would As the new year begins, new students fill help the school qualify for Title I, but the money our already crowded hallways, and for us as could not be spent on them last year under the students, we’d rather not have the extra heads. city’s rules.

However, for our school as a whole, this is a This year, however, the Department of Edgood thing because it increases our chance of ucation is more lenient with the way the money receiving Title I money. is being spent.

Title I money is provided by the federal Mr. Stack said, “What happened this year is government when there is a large number of that we became a school-wide program, meanstudents who are coming from low-income fam- ing all the money comes and goes into one pool, ilies. It is given to schools to ensure that all their whether it’s Title I money or our regular budget students have an equal opportunity at a top- money.” notch education despite their economic status.

Although there is no official set plan on how In order to qualify for these funds, 60 per- the money is going to be spent this year, the cent of the students need to be eligible for the school is attempting to make a Saturday acadefunds, which is why schools urge pupils to sign my and maybe even contribute money to school the financial surveys, formerly known as lunch concerts such as Kwanzaa Fest and SING. forms. If enough of them meet the requireIt is unclear whether students have a voice ments, then the school can be awarded with in the way it is distributed. this money. If the school goes above this perMany students and teachers were hoping centage, the amount of money received will be for universal air conditioning and felt that this increased. would be a good investment of the Title I MonAlthough this program has been going on ey. However, according to Mr. Stack, air condifor years, it was Midwood’s first time qualifying tioning could be a wasted investment. last year.

“The mayor [Bill de Blasio] has made a According to Mr. Alan Stack, Assistant statement that all schools are going to be fully Principal of Organization, there were about air conditioned by a certain date,” Mr. Stack 4,100 students on said. “Because of that register and out statement, I don’t know if of this number, we’re going to start putting at least 2,640 stuair conditioners in rooms dents are needed that the city would’ve done to qualify. After all a year later. It would seem the surveys were like a waste of school budcompleted, about get.”

67 percent of the Other student requests students on regisinclude bathroom renovater ended up qualtions and better food in the ifying for financial cafeteria. need.

Shania Kirton ’19 said, Because 2017“I would rather the school 2018 was our spend money on upgrading school’s first year the bathroom. For examreceiving these ple, having doors that lock funds, there were and a bathroom with a restrictions set by cleaner appearance would the city on how it be nice. Also, instead of alcould have been ways running out of drying About 67 percent of the students on spent.

Midwood’s register qualify for financial paper, we could buy hand “The assisdryers.” assistance. tance we providWoodsy Jean ’20 said, ed [last year] was “I think that the school strictly focused on the students most in need,” should invest in better meal plans so that more Mr. Stack explained. “We provided extended people would eat the school lunch.” tutoring hours and library hours. We had the The school is still in the process of determincounselors work with those students who may ing the distribution of the Title I money. have failed the Regents or were failing a class Be sure to fill out and submit your Fineeded for graduation.” nancial Income Inquiry Form and housing For additional help, the money was used form so that Midwood can continue to reto buy ebooks and invest in learning software. ceive Title I funds to improve our school.

There were also some cases in which extra teachers were placed in classes of large numbers of students who were struggling academically.

Students had no say in how the money was spent because the city wanted the funds to be aimed at those who had a slim chance of graduating.

Mr. Stack also explained a scenario in which

The Anti-Climactic Life of Anna By JERRY ANEKE

PAGE 4

FEATURE

OCTOBER 2018

Midwood Welcomes New Math Teachers

By HASEEB KHAN and JUNYU LIANG It’s your first day at a new school. Roaming through the crowded hallways, you finally find your first class. Now, you only have to wait for the students to come in so you can start your first day of teaching at a new school. Oh, you thought this article was going to be about incoming freshmen? Actually, Midwood is welcoming four new math teachers: Ms.BryAnn Scioli, Ms. Jordyn Green, Ms. Karina Minchuk, and Mr. Noah Linfield.

Ms. Scioli aspires to share her love for math that she got from her teachers with her students and to make sure that her students understand what they’re learning.

“When I was in the 12th grade, I took AP AB Calculus, and I had this teacher who made everything fun,” Ms. Scioli said. “She made me love math and I want to bring that love to my students.”

To make her lessons more fun and interesting, she plans to incorporate games in class. She also plans to encourage students to collaborate with each other so that they can build off on one another and help others understand something they didn’t know before.

She intends to give all her students the opportunity to have a greater comprehension of math.“The best part of teaching is watching a kid understand something they didn’t before, the ‘aha’ moment that students have,” Ms. Scioli said. For her, the most fascinating aspect of teaching is when her students are able to fully understand a topic they didn’t understand before. She plans to continue her enthusiasm and love for teaching in her future classes.

Ms. Green wants to make sure that learning math is a fun and easy experience for all her students.

“I feel like a lot of students struggle at math, ference in her students’ lives and to share her so I wanted to teach a subject that I could help love for the subject. Like Ms. Scioli, she wants in,” Ms. Green said. She wants to know that she to share the love that she got from her teachers is making an impact on her students’ lives and with her students. that, because of her, students are finally able to understand something they didn’t know before.

Her desire to help her students was spurred by her teacher when she was a student in high school.

“I really liked my Algebra II teacher in sophomore year,” Ms. Green said.

“Before that I didn’t think I could do well in math, but all of Mr. Linfield was inspired by his own high school math teacher.

Photo credit: Haseeb Khan a sudden I was getting 90s and “When I was a student, I often needed extra 100s because of that teacher.”

She believes that her scoring higher wasn’t help with certain subjects, and there were many because she just happened to get good at math teachers who helped me move along,” Ms. Minin her sophomore year, but more because she chuk said. “I still remember these teachers, and had a teacher who was able to make learning that inspired me to become a teacher and make math “a fun and easy experience.” Because of a difference in students’ lives.”

Because Ms. Minchuk had great teachers this, she strives to become a teacher who is on par with that teacher who embedded a love for who were able to help her when she was struggling, she also wants to help her students who math in her.

Ms. Minchuk also aspires to make a dif- are struggling or are falling behind.

Students Elect First Junior Mayor

By RREZE KADRIJAJ There are only ten students involved in stuM.O.M. (Mayor Of Midwood) is the witty dent government, compared to a student body acronym new Comptroller Taskin Khan ’20 of over 4,000. The vast number of students foscreated for Midwood’s first ever Junior Mayor, tered the idea of two representatives from each Tanisa Rahman ’20. official class. The purpose of the representatives As mayor, Rahman is responsible for orga- is to keep the students informed of special dates nizing the club fair and spirit days, doing the and other announcements in an organized fashmorning announcements including the pledge ion. of allegiance, and planning monthly meetings “We have so many students,” said Rahman. with the rest of the student government staff, as “We should be able to see who they are and get well as with Principal Michael McDonnell and more people involved.”

A.P. of Organization Alan Stack.

Rahman is able to connect with these repRahman wants more students to be comfort- resentatives through an app called GroupMe. able in school.

The app delivers messages straight to the iMes“When I came to high school, I said ‘hi’ to sage inbox rather than creating separate chats. almost every single person sitting next to me,” This allows the students to voice their concerns said Rahman ’20. and opinions, and Rahman can also express her Most importantly, she wants students to think own. differently about Midwood and to care about it While carrying a massive workload with as much as she does. This influenced Rahman student government and advanced placement to create colorful maps for incoming freshman classes, Rahman is still able to make time for and new herself. In her free Midwood aptime, she likes to read parel, which and work on her digis available ital art. She hopes to in the school showcase her designs store. on posters around Nothing Midwood. overwhelms Although Rahman the dedicated remains modest about new mayor. herself, current Junior She loves to President Jonathan Li work because believes she is the best it keeps her person for the job. Li busy and octhinks her strong work cupied. ethic and charisma Rahman bring the staff closer said, “Ever together and create Tanisa Rahman is the first ever junior elected since I’ve beorder.

Mayor of Midwood. Photo credit: Rreze Kadrijaj come mayor, Rahman hopes to every day is continue student govsomething, and I really like that momentum.” ernment next year. Although being mayor is a Rahman certainly started a memorable year one-year term, she jokingly said Midwood has for herself and her fellow students. At the begin- to “update the constitution” because there has ning of her term, “immediately I got started on never be a case in which there was a possibility Junior Prom,” she said. of the mayor being a junior.

During the summer Rahman called around In the future, Rahman would like to work as 30 venues to get a place for the juniors. Not only a part of a team for the United Nations or the did she call these venues, but she also visited a Environmental Protection Agency. She wants to lot of them until she finally choose Dyker Beach be a part of “something bigger.”

Golf Course. The golf course stood out to her Rahman wants to remind students of a short the most because while other venues only al- message: “Midwood, stay positive and make the lowed access to the hall, the course will allow best of this year.” students access to the patio and ballroom.

She believes that it’s important for her students to learn math because “math is the universal language, and no matter what you want to do in life, whether it’s become a doctor, a lawyer, or a business person, every industry loves a person who knows numbers.”

Because math has so many applications in real life, Ms. Minchuk knows how important it is to leave a lasting impression and a deep sense of love for math, so that no matter what her students become later on in life, math will always be a part of it.

Mr. Linfield strives to make a comfortable and fun learning experience for his students and to give his students a love for math.

“When I started to teach, there were a lot of different variables to learn at once, but I was lucky to have a lot of people to provide guidance,” said Mr. Linfield.

Just like most students, the transition to a new school is always difficult, even for teachers, so having someone provide guidance helps with the transition. Mr. Linfield knows how hard the transition can be for students, so he wants to provide a comfortable and smooth transition for his students while still making sure they are learning the curriculum and having fun.

Mr. Linfield also plans to become a more active member in the school community by coaching for the basketball team, as he did play basketball in his high school’s varsity team.

Mr. Linfield wants to show the same care to his students as his teacher who inspired him did when he was younger.

“My high school Math teacher Mr. Pangeni inspired me partly to go into teaching,” Mr. Linfield said, “but mostly it was the depth of his knowledge and the time he gave to his students.”

AP Computer Science Encodes Knowledge in Students

By MOHIMA OISHE just figuring out the best way to engage all the If you applied for AP Computer Science A students and get them talking about it.” last term, you probably noticed a new course Unlike many of the conventional AP exams alongside it: AP Computer Science Principles, in May, the test for Computer Science Principles or AP CS Principles for short. For the first time, is graded differently. 40% of the grade comes Midwood High School has offered this college from tasks that students do during the year, level course for students interested in the world such as completing projects on their own that of modern technology. are uploaded directly to College Board. There Unlike AP are two different Computer Scitypes of tasks: ence A, a java “explore tasks,” in programming which the students class, AP CS research a topic Principles is and its global iman introducpact, and “create tory course tasks,” where they in which studesign an app. dents learn the The other 60% is global impact based on the mulof computing tiple choice exam and technoltaken in May. ogy on the “This class is world. Some definitely different of the many from most APs,” topics you can said Haroon Mirexpect to learn za ‘19, who takes about in this AP CS Principles. class are how According to computers the Bureau of communicate, Labor Statistics, data and primany jobs in the vacy, digital future are going to infor mation, involve some levintroduction to el of expertise in programming, computer science. and building For example, the apps. number of jobs “It’s about for software devel“The lessons are very interactive and the the big ideas opers will increase students really love it,” said Ms. Menard. of computing,” by 24% from 2016 Photo credit: Mohima Oishe said Ms. Wendy to 2026.

Menard, who “I see myteaches AP CS Principles and Trigonometry at self benefiting a lot from this class due to the Midwood. increase in the use of technology,” said Roie In class, Ms. Menard enjoys using Code.org, Cohen ‘19, who also takes AP CS Principles. “I a site dedicated to widening access to computer know most classes have benefits, but this class science in schools and increasing participation could really help you in many careers you want by women and minorities. She has the students to pursue.” partake in two different types of lessons called Ms. Menard said, “It’s really important, “plugged” and “unplugged.” Plugged lessons timely stuff. This is the way of the world, and it's are done online and unplugged lessons are more amazing how little we actually know about it.” “old school” and done on paper. Code.org also If you are interested in learning more about provides a lab environment online that eases the the AP Computer Science Principals course, students into programming. check with your guidance counselor or ask in “The lessons are very interactive and the the Math Department office, room 357. students really love it,” said Ms. Menard. “It’s

FEATURE

OCTOBER 2018

PAGE 5

In My Shoes: What It’s Like to Be a Medical Professional

By CHRISTELLE GLAUDIN and RUBHIYAH CHAUDHRY Hospitals! Nursing homes! Pharmacies!

Prisons! Research labs! Schools! The medical field is extremely rich and diverse as medical professionals are offered a variety of settings in which they can practice their passions and make their desired difference in the world. With each of these environments comes varying experiences and obstacles that one must learn to navigate.

There are various reasons why people choose to pursue a career in medicine.

Guilaine Aristide, who is a practicing physician assistant at New York Presbyterian, said, “I decided to go into medicine because I wanted to help people. Coming from Haiti, I watched people suffer due to a lack of simple medical resources. This made me want to make a difference and help those in need.”

Likewise, Dr. Farah Jean, who is currently a physical therapist, said, “My uncle who passed away now had a severe stroke. I remember going to see him when he was in rehab, and the physical therapist who was working with him caught my attention. This introduced me to the field of physical therapy. I wanted to help people get better after devastating events like a stroke since physical therapists play an important role in the rehabilitation of a patient.”

After multiple years of continuous studying and sleepless nights, medical professionals begin the next phase of their journey as they plunge into the workforce.

Ms. Aristide stated, “When I first started, I worked at Maimonides Medical Center and it

tions.

Ms. Aristide explained, “I once worked in the prison system, particularly at Rikers Island.

Although I was still practicing medicine, the experience was very different. My job was to perform a physical examination for those coming into the prison system. This job was to make sure that they did not have any infectious diseases. OthA pharmacist searches for a prescription at Iqra Pharmacy in Flatbush. er doctors and Photo Credit: Rubhiyah Chaudhry myself had to ensure they are no longer a student and are now responsi- were clear before getting released into the general population.” ble for the wellbeing of others. The decisions Like all professions, the medical field is filled and the attitude that you have matters. For the first few months, I relied on the doctors, other with numerous barriers and obstacles.

Waheed Afzal, who is a pharmacist at Iqra physician assistants, and nurses for help.”

As medical personnel continue to master pharmacy, said, “I had to work really hard and their professions, they are placed in different overcome several challenges and had to work a settings and gain the opportunity to work with part time job while studying extensively. Being patients, sometimes from unexpected popula- a pharmacist, I have to be cautious in assigning was a little scary. When you finish school, you now have to put everything into practice. You

the right medicine to a patient.”

Expanding upon those challenges, Ms. Aristide said, “In the business world of medicine, the insurance company or the place that you work wants you to quickly come and go. You are given a schedule which requires you to see a patient every 15 or 30 minutes.”

Sometimes being made to feel like a “robot” is “the ugly side” of medicine, Ms. Aristide said.

“However, as a provider, you must always strive to break all of these barriers and ensure that your patient is cared for.”

Even with the various difficulties, practicing medicine holds countless rewarding aspects and memorable moments.

Dr. Jean said, “Being a physical therapist, I’ve learned to deal with different people and different personalities. I’ve also developed tolerance and patience. Sometimes the patients are aggravated because they have some type of pain or problem. This causes them to become angry and lash out at you. In reality, they’re not really angry with you, they are just frustrated with their conditions. I’ve also learned to be creative since, when working with kids, I have to find a way to incorporate play in what I want to do.”

As the medical field continues to capture the attention of many, it is important that those pursuing medicine remain hopeful and continue pursuing their goals.

Ms. Aristide said, “Definitely go for it because it makes you feel so fulfilled. Not only are you helping people and making a difference, it gives you instant gratification. The majority of the time you are able to vividly see the difference that you are making in people’s lives.”

What’s the Buzz? Memorable Halloween Moments

“I was 17, working at Sears, and on Halloween I dressed up as a nerd. I put toilet paper on my shoe and had a sign on my back saying ‘kick me.’ A concerned customer ran up to me saying, ‘Oh, you poor thing. Someone put a sign on your back.’”

“The first time I met my wife was at a Halloween party, and we decided to get married a year later on Halloween, so Halloween has always been special for us.”

--Mr. Jahn

-- Jocelyn Tapia ’20

“My most memorable Halloween was the year I wore my cat costume. I didn’t have a costume, so I wore my leotard, used a plastic bag to make a tail, and used paper to make cat ears.”

--Jolie Montas ’20

--Samreen Mahmud ’20

--Mrs. Kornaker

“One time, a woman actually gave us a trick by giving us bags of chips that were just filled with air.”

“When I was seven, my dad let my cousin and me go trick-or-treating by ourselves, and we got lost. We ended up in some graveyard and we started crying because we thought we were being haunted by ghosts.

It was very traumatizing at such a young age.”

“At a Halloween party, they pranked my friend with fake blood, and he fainted!”

--Rabia R. ’22

“One Halloween, I got misunderstood for stealing, so I ran away.”

--Kyle Yang ’20

“When I was smaller I went to a parade at Prospect Park.

Things were jumping at me, and I remember being scared, but it was fun.”

--Dimitri G. ’20

PAGE 6

FEATURE

OCTOBER 2018

Mr. Caldwell Wins Student Pick for Teacher of the Year

By SHERRY CHEN and FANNY ZHAO Mr. John Caldwell has won Midwood’s student award for Teacher of the Year for 2018.

Mr. Caldwell has taught at Midwood for 20 years and currently teaches AP Statistics as well as Accelerated Trigonometry/Pre-calculus.

A large number of students voted for him to receive the award this year, for which he feels honored.

“I appreciate the students for this award,” said Mr. Caldwell. “I feel humble, and there are many teachers in the building who are also worthy of it.”

Over the years, his teaching has changed in various ways. A large impact on his teaching was the application of learning techniques used in classrooms such as active recall, practice tests, retrieval practice, and knowledge organizers with parts left blank.

According to Mr. Caldwell, he was inspired by students on YouTube like Ali Abdaal, John Fish, Jamie Lee, and Thomas Frank who have used such methods to help them learn and study effectively.

“Learning is more affected by behavior than by innate ability,” said Mr. Caldwell.

Simply staring at your notes is not always an effective way of studying because it’s an illusion of mastery, he said.

According to ASCD.org (the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development), “the term mastery creates this illusion that we can master a concept or skill—when, in reality, mastery isn’t an end point but rather an elusive

goal that remains forever out of reach.”

In order to help students better understand what they learn, Mr. Caldwell uses active recall in classrooms by getting students to work together as a group.

number from a bucket corresponding to a student’s name on the roster. This gives everyone an equal chance of being chosen to demonstrate how to solve a problem in front of the class using a camera and the Smartboard. With the students’ consent, their explanations on a problem are recorded and uploaded to a Google site where all students in the class have access to it.

In addition, Mr. Caldwell records his own videos explaining certain problems and uploads them to the site.

Fatima Wong ’20 said, “I do find it helpful because it allows me to rewind a portion of the video if I need clarification or extra help on a unit. He also makes Mr. Caldwell works with a student. Photo Credit: Sherry Chen sure to go over these problems in class and Amy Liang ’19 stated, “In class, we typical- is willing to help those who don’t understand.” ly use the term ‘active recall,’ where we would Liang said, “The way the class works is very recall what we learned the day before by stating student driven. This not only solidifies our unit to the class or within our groups. This helps derstanding of the concepts as a whole but also us grab onto the concepts through each others’ allows us to work together with some help from help.” the teacher.”

At times, Mr. Caldwell randomly selects a Jia Ci Deng ’19 said, “He encourages his

students and is always willing to assist them in any way possible.”

Another effective learning technique used in class that students found helpful was practice test review the day before an exam.

“Before test days, he would briefly go over topics that may be challenging to students,” said Sylvia Chen ’20. “Although his class was two periods, it felt like time flew by really fast because we were always working and never stopped.”

According to Mr. Caldwell, focusing on specific problems that students struggle with can improve their understanding.

“That’s when you know he can get you that five on the exam,” said Liang. “He’s a great teacher in many ways.”

His students have not only found Mr. Caldwell’s methods of teaching AP material beneficial, they have also learned from his class better ways to improve their general studies.

Nusrat Jahan ’19 said, “The skills I’ve learned in his classes could essentially be applied to any subject and aren’t restricted to just math.”

Mr. Caldwell enjoys teaching students because he finds happiness in watching them learn and connecting with them.

“Like today, we did different problems and they had fun; they’re joyful in what they do,” said Mr. Caldwell. “It’s really a joy to experience that. Whenever you do anything, it’s because of the students. You can’t teach the objective or goal you have without them. So I’m thankful for this.”

Teachers Honor Mr. Resnick with Millman Award

By WILLIAM VAMVOURIS Mr. Eugene V. Resnick received a major honor in his teaching career last semester when he was awarded the Sidney Millman Excellence in Teaching Award.

“I was honored,” Mr. Resnick said. “But I felt that this award should be shared among all the teachers and supervisors who I learned from over the years. I have been fortunate to have worked with excellent colleagues--some for 25 years, and some for just a year or two. Teaching is a collaborative activity, and we have developed together as educators. I also appreciate the guidance of three excellent supervisors who I have had during my years at Midwood High School: Mr. Mark Willner, Ms. Joann Peters, and Ms. Beth Vershleiser.”

Joyce Andria ’20 said, “He’s very involved with the students. He gets all of the students in the discussion.”

For Mr. Resnick, teaching is an exciting, collaborative experience.

He said, “I really enjoy my time interacting

with students. I love their energy and enthusiasm. We learn from each other in class.”

Maddie Paterna ’19, a former student of Mr. Resnick’s, stated, “I had him for Urban History and U.S. History. He knows a lot about the topics that he teaches in class, and he makes the lessons engaging and interesting. He’s funny and engaging with students.”

Paterna said that Mr. Resnick gives what she thinks a college class would look like, where students write down notes as he talks. She said that Mr. Resnick also connects what they learn in class with current events.

Paterna said, “He talks to us as if we were adults. He also gets to know us on a more personal level. He understands that we’re mature enough to have meaning-

Mr. Resnick has been teaching for more than 25 years.

Photo Credit: Shyanne Hinds

Freshman Officers Elected to Student Council

By KYLA BAPTISTE tle of the President. But we just want to stress so shy. Even if they’re not official representaAs the new school year got off to a fresh start, that both positions have equal influence in the tives, they’re always willing to participate in the the freshman class was getting prepared for their council.” school wherever they can.” elections. New freshman officers were elected as Otherwise, the student government is very Kahn said, “I wanted to be out there and be Owaish Khan ’22 won Freshman Class Presi- pleased with this year’s outcome in freshman social with my peers. I wanted to be able to be dent and Katherine Zhong won Freshman Vice class participation. that change and be the voice for that change.

President.

“In my freshman year, I was really quiet and I wanted to expand my social bubble and be The process began on September 14, when kept to myself,” said Junior Class President Jon- more out there.”

Mayor Tanisa Rahman ’20 and Junior Vice athan Li ’20. “But this group of freshman is not “I wasn’t planning to run for student counPresident Laura Rosas ’20 cil at the beginning, but I heard went to 9th grade global that running for student council classrooms and introduced would be a great opportunity to applications. learn new things and work with “When we were giving others to make the school betout the applications in class, ter,” said Zhong. “I really wanted there were a lot of students to help the school improve and who were interested,” said be the voice for freshmen.”

Rosas.

Both freshman representaThis year’s elections for tives are determined to serve the officers were conducted their class to their fullest potenby ballots which were also tial and have some ideas in mind. distributed in freshman so“I want to plan fun activities cial studies classes. and social events that would keep Amongst the freshman the freshman classes entertained class, there were four canand enjoy coming to school!” didates running: three for said Khan. “I would just need president and one for vice Mr. Kolotkin’s approval.” president.

Zhong said, “I hope to en“There weren’t a lot of courage many of my classmates applications that came in to attend and participate in this year,” said Rahman school events to show school ’20. “It was the same case spirit, join clubs, and be active Freshman President Owaish Khan encourages a student to join the last year where there was around the school community.” really only one candidate government at the Club Fair October 17. Photo Credit: Rreze Kadrijaj for vice. Most go for the ti-

ful conversations about controversial subjects, which a lot of teachers don’t do. He cares about his students, and he makes himself available for extra help. He wants his students to be successful.”

Like with other awards, there is a process that determines who gets the Sidney Millman Excellence in Teaching Award.

Principal Mr. Michael McDonnell explained, “Teachers recommend their colleagues for Teacher of the Year. A committee is formed, and they vote on the different candidates. They give me the two names with the most votes and I pick the one with the most votes.”

Mr. Resnick said that his favorie part of teaching is class discussions.

“Seeing students develop their ideas and express them to others is exciting,” he said.

FREE STUFF TO DO Free Admission at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden All day on Wednesday and 9am - 10am on Saturday.

Take the B/Q/S Train to Prospect Park or 2/3 to Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum.

Wednesdays Are Free at the Bronx Zoo Take the 2/5 Train to Pelham Parkway.

Free Visits to the Brooklyn Museum The first Saturday of every month from 5pm - 11pm.

Take the 2/3 Train to Eastern Parkway / Brooklyn Museum.

OCTOBER 2018

FEATURE

Ms. DeSimone Leaves the Hive

By MOHIMA OISHE before transferring to James Madison in tenth many activities such as painting and yoga. BeAs students tire through the school day and grade due to transportation issues. However, a cause of this, she knows that retirement won’t long for graduation, it’s easy to forget that some lot of her family members, such as her mother, make her bored. of your teachers will soon be gone as well.

“I have a lot to keep me busy,” she Ms. Margaret DeSimone, who has been said. “I’m not worried about being teaching at Midwood for 28 years, is rebored because I’m very physical and I tiring this year. like to do things outside.”

“It’s bittersweet,” said Ms. DeSimone.

One of Ms. DeSimone’s favorite “At the same time, I’m excited to not have memories from teaching at Midwood to get up at 6 am every morning and be was when she met a woman in Maine on a bell schedule.” with her husband in 1992. She and her Ms. DeSimone began working at Midhusband were on a mountain watching wood in 1990 as a student teacher for the sunrise when suddenly the woman English and Physical Science. Compared recognized the Midwood High School to all the other teachers in the science dewindbreaker that Ms. DeSimone was partment, she has been here the longest. wearing and told her that that was the She now teaches Anatomy and Forensics. school she graduated from. Ms. DeSimMr. Jay Park is currently a Physical Edone was surprised by the randomness ucation student teacher at Midwood and of the situation and was left inspired. also graduated from here in 2009. How“So many people came from this ever, Mr. Park did not initially intend to school and have succeeded,” she said. become a teacher. While debating which A horrible experience that will profession to choose, he reflected upon never change when teaching is when who inspired him the most and realized a student passes away. Ms. DeSimone that Ms. DeSimone immensely influenced remembers when she was still new to him to become a teacher. teaching and a student passed away in “She is what I would want all my Ms. Desimone is retiring after 28 years of teaching at the school due to an undetected heart Midwood. Photo Credit: Muhammad Abuzar teachers to be like,” said Mr. Park. “To condition. me, she is the standard at which all teach“It was just so hard to see a young ers can base themselves on to be better practi- were teachers. Inevitably, she became one also. person’s life cut short,” Ms. DeSimone said. tioners. She was very transparent in the way she Ms. DeSimone said, “I wanted to try some- “He wasn’t my student, but it didn’t matter begraded and nothing was confusing. She gave us thing different than my family, but I guess it was cause he was a child. When you have a loss of a a reason to want to come to class.” in my genes to become a teacher.” student, even if its not yours, that is one of the Ms. DeSimone won the Teacher of the Year Ms. DeSimone’s husband, Mr. Mike Starr, most difficult things to deal with as a teacher. award in 2007 and a Sloan Award for Excellence also taught at Midwood from 2006 but retired It’s tough.” in Teaching Science and Mathematics in 2011, in 2012. Mr. Starr taught a Flight Science class, After retiring, she plans on selling the house an award to “recognize creative mathematics but before that he was a pilot and a dentist. She she has lived in for the past 54 years and moving and science teachers who achieve superb results met him in 1984 and was his dental assistant. to her house in Florida. She will miss the many and inspire young people to pursue careers in Unfortunately, he passed away in December friends she made from teaching in Midwood the science and mathematics,” according to the 2016 due to a rare cancer, multiple myeloma, most. website FCNY. These were the biggest moments which involves plasma cells.

Ms. Kendra Lane, a guidance counselor, met in her teaching career. It was an honor, she said, For Ms. DeSimone, her retirement has been Ms. DeSimone through Mr. Starr. to receive each award. a bit more emotional that what she expected “I am in denial,” said Ms. Lane, referring Growing up, Ms. DeSimone aspired to be a due to Mr. Starr’s passing. to Ms. DeSimone’s retirement. “She is one of marine biologist -- someone who studies ocean “It is a little bit more difficult than what I those really good people who attracts other life. She loved to be outside and surrounded by was hoping for,” said Ms. DeSimone. good people. I feel lucky to have her as one of nature, especially the ocean. She even attended After Mr. Starr passed away, she took about my good friends.” a marine biology high school, Beach Channel, a year off from teaching and spent time on

SUDOKU (Difficult)

RULES: Fill in all of the empty boxes so that...

• Each row contains the numbers 1 through 9.

• Each column contains the numbers 1 through 9.

• Each square 3 by 3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9.

Send your name, graduation year, and a clear photo of your completed puzzle to midwoodargus19@gmail.com, subject line: SUDOKU. The first correct respondent will have their name printed in the next issue of the Midwood Argus.

PAGE 7

New Advisor Takes on Argus

By MICHELLE KAPUSTA Warning, change ahead! Following the retirement of Argus advisor and Journalism teacher, Mrs. Catherine Kaczmarek this past June, Argus received a new advisor. Mr. Casey Levinson, Midwood’s Journalism teacher, has most recently stepped in as the new Argus advisor for the 2018-2019 school year and beyond.

According to Mrs. Kaczmarek, “Mr. Levinson was my choice as a successor. He is smart and curious. He has a passion for language that is vital for a successful newspaper. He cares as much about semicolons as I do, and believe me, that’s rare; most people have no idea how to use them.”

“He has a knowledge of technology that will move Argus forward as we develop a stronger online presence,” said Mrs. Kaczmarek. “He is kind and supportive of students, and he creates a close sense of community in his classroom.”

Mr. Levinson has expressed his excitement to be part of the Argus staff and interact with this year’s editors.

“Our staff this year is amazing,” said Mr. Levinson. “I know most of these kids from my Journalism class last year, so I know we’ve got a lot of talent. Ms. Kaczmarek’s kids also come highly recommended. So I’m definitely excited

Argus editors buzz through work on the October issue as Mr. Levinson looks on. Photo Credit: Haseeb Khan about our potential.”

According to Mr. Levinson, his role as the advisor is to provide the editors with words of encouragement and make sure they follow their deadlines.

“The student editors do all the real work of putting the paper together: the layouts, fact-checking, and getting last minute quotes and photos,” said Mr. Levinson. “It’s really their paper.”

Many of the Argus editors are excited about this new change as well. Rreze Kadrijaj ’19, editor-in-chief, believes that Mr. Levinson is the perfect person to fill in for Mrs. Kaczmarek.

“I think Argus is experiencing a big change with Mr. Levinson as advisor because Mrs. Kaczmarek used to do it for years and it was routine for her, but Mr. Levinson has been by her side and he’s a great Journalism teacher who’s the best person for the job,” said Kadrijaj.

Besides Kadrijaj, other Argus editors are ready for the change as well.

“I think that the change is like a new chapter for Argus,” said Tiffany Fu ’19, feature editor.

“During our first meeting, Mr. Levinson already came up with some great ideas to make the paper more attractive and interesting to read. So there are going to be some really good changes that I am sure everyone will be happy about.”

In addition to a new advisor, Argus is also introducing some other changes in hopes of getting more readers lured into reading the paper.

“We want to revitalize our engagement with the whole student body,” said Mr. Levinson.

“We plan on running some art contests and experimenting with a few new column ideas, maybe some polls and other things that might grab new readers. Also, our editors are going to be working on a new website. We might have some articles there that aren’t in the paper and maybe some videos.”

The work published in Argus is from the juniors taking Journalism as their English class, where the students learn how to write types of articles published in newspapers such as The New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Eventually in June, students are given the opportunity to apply to be an editor for the following school year as a senior. The editors are the students who put the newspaper together and write the articles for the first issue of the school year.

The staff hopes the new touches will bring in more students to read the newspaper and stay informed about their school.

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Boys Soccer Kicks into the Playoffs

By OSCAR MENDOZA and ALBERT SADIKU After finishing last in the division and missing out on the playoffs in the 2017-18 season, the boys soccer team knew that something was deeply flawed in their system.

If they wanted any chance in having a successful season, they had to start from scratch.

During the summer, the team’s captains, Albert Sadiku ’19, Rustam Rustamov ’19, Zayit Muniz ’19, and Arif Akkok ’19, decided to take a more hands-on approach in the preparation of the team.

“Last year was a good wake up call on our weaknesses,” said Rustamov. “We had to improve on our fitness, ball movement, and team chemistry.”

Slowly the team was able to improve, having morning practices in August, fine tuning their skills, practicing passing, taking shots, and setting up the defense and offense.

“After every practice, everyone would be soaking wet and exhausted,” said Muniz ’19. “That was a good sign as it showed that everyone was taking their game to the next level.”

Come September, the Hornets put their new system to work in friendly matches against Tilden High School and New Utrecht High School. The team won both games.

“In both games, we were extremely successful,” said Akkok. “We weren’t necessarily the biggest guys, but we were outrunning, outperforming, and outplaying every player on those teams.”

The team finished the season strong with a win against Erasmus High School on October 10, with a final score of 2-0. One of the goals came from the combination of two seniors, Mu-

ing to the back of the net.

“We played really well,” said Muniz. “We played as a team, everyone gave 100%, and it showed in the final outcome.”

Luka Khiblashvili ’20 jukes an Erasmus defender. niz and Brooks. Muniz outran four defenders and crossed the ball to the middle of the box where Brooks controlled the ball and sent it fly-

Photo Credit: Continental Studios

An altercation arose during the final moments of the game. Erasmus’s Duverson Oriseme ’20 attempted to stop an advance by

Midwood’s Brooks and went in for a heavy tackle. Both players began throwing punches. Soon, there was a crowd of players on the field. The referee ended the game with only a minute of regulation remaining.

Although the Hornets finished the season on a positive note, the team has had some negatives over the course of the season too. Midwood has lost three games, mostly due to small mistakes. The hardest blow for the team was their second straight loss against Brooklyn Technical High School.

“I feel like we didn’t always successfully execute the opportunities we were given to win the game,” said Brooks.

The team finished with a record of 7 wins and 3 losses. Two of the losses came from facing Brooklyn Technical High School and the other loss was against Fort Hamilton High School. Midwood is currently second in the division, already a great improvement from the previous year, but they also have a chance to win the division if Brooklyn Technical High School, now first place, loses its next two games.

Midwood would then have a chance to have a rematch, and the winner would be crowned division champion. Even though it seems like a long shot, in soccer, anything can happen.

Girls Volleyball Sets Up for New Season

By NURSAT JAHAN and had helped them improve as a team. They’re jekaj ’19. “They have improved greatly, as have ZEHAA ALBRAIDI using these losses to become overall better play- we, and we have always been an on and off comThe girls on the volleyball team are getting a ers to help them beat their biggest competition. petition.” fresh start as the new season begins.

“As of right now, our hardest competition They lost their scrimmage 0-3 to Brooklyn Girls volleyball tryouts were on August 27 would be Brooklyn Tech,” said Alba Hasang- Tech. and 28, and makeup tryouts were on “It really sucks because our team September 5-6. This season, the team is strong!” said Berige ’22. “Hopeconsists mostly of freshmen, sophomores, fully we’ll take back the win in the and juniors, leaving only two seniors on second game.” team.

Their coach plays a huge part Since the season started, coach Tomin the team, from teaching the playmy Ma, who has been coaching the girls ers good techniques to always befor two years, has been teaching the girls ing there for them for every game. various drills and techniques to gain an These girls couldn’t be more pleased advantage over their competition this with the coach they have. year. Coach Ma has created a routine “Coach Tommy Ma is a great which the girls follow to help with their coach,” said Lia Harutyunyan ’20. training and to get them in better shape.

“He helps us mentally and physical“Our typical routine for training toly, always giving everyone individual wards the upcoming games mostly conadvice and always having our backs sists of running laps, dynamic workouts, no matter if we win or lose. As a intense conditions, and technical play,” coach, he motivates and guides us said Fay Berig ’22. “The conditioning to become all round better volleyball helps us gain strength which is beneficial players.” to us for playing in upcoming tournaAt first, these girls joined the ments.” team for the sport, but with each The girls typically practice after school season they create a family and look from Monday to Thursday (2:40 pm to forward to playing together.

5:45 pm) and Friday (2:40 pm to 4:30 pm) “I’m looking towards team bondin the G-gym. There’s no such thing as a ing because a team is like a family,” rest day for these players because even on said Tiffany Ngo ’20. “Bonding time the weekend the girls practice for at least leads towards trust among players, three hours. thus making the team play better “We practice every day for about three due to trust relation.” hours,” said captain Anisa Kaloshi ’19.

For anyone wanting to cheer “We do a lot of physical training for the for these girls in upcoming tournafirst part of practice then work through ments, you can go on PSAL.org and the plays for the rest of the time. By the see the days on which the team is end of the day we’re definitely tired, but competing and when. it’s a good kind of tired.”

Carelle Zak ’21 serves against Lincoln High School.

Each tournament has brought chalPhoto Credit: Continental Studios lenges to the girls, but each defeat they

TEAM RECORDS: Bowling Boys Varsity

7-0

Football Boys Varsity

5-1

Football Boys Jr. Varsity

5-1

Volleyball Girls Varsity

5-1

Soccer Boys Varsity

7-3

Soccer Girls Varsity

6-4

Bowling Girls Varsity

3-2

Swimming Girls Varsity

4-4

Tennis Girls Varsity

4-5