Outlook
Volume 46 Issue 14
Student Press
March 31, 2014 outlookpress.net Rockland Community College
“Paris Is Burning” Still Resonates Suzanne Peguero
Managing Editor
Features 3 “Even if you aren’t sure if the opera is for you, it is always worth checking out.” Marina Watts, Student
Students were enchanted by “La Boheme,” a beautiful Italian love story.
Opinions 4 “The only downside to homeschooling is that John Hughes never made a movie about it.” Suzanne Peguero, Student
Being homeschooled is beneficial in different ways than attending high school.
Style 10 “With an all-star cast and a gripping story, it has captivated audiences all over in the comfort of their own living room.” Marina Watts, Student
Matthew Weiner’s “Mad Men” is coming to a close this April.
On Tuesday, March 11, a showing of “Paris Is Burning” was held in the Ellipse. Students gathered into the Ellipse to watch, while Dr. Shamika Mitchell presented the film to students. She had a special guest who talked after the film was done: RCC’s very own Vershawn London. “Paris Is Burning” is a film about gay and transgender Black and Latino men during the late 80s in Manhattan. It follows the lives of runway legends like Will Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, Avis Pendavis, Octavia St. Laurent, and Venus Xtravaganza. The film centers on the elaborately structured ball culture of New York City. These balls were a gathering where gay and transgender men could safely celebrate their sexuality and beauty, without the threat of homophobic harm that was predominant during the era this film was made. To walk in a ball, you must be in a house. Houses are an establishment that has a house mother and other chosen members
who compete in balls. Often, the people in the houses have been cast off from their blood family; it was said many times throughout the documentary that they consider their houses their new family. B a l l s are intense competitions where gay men and trans women come to walk in order to win prizes. There are about twenty categories that one can compete in. It isn’t just a simple model walk down a runway e i t h e r ; “voguing,” (which is a dance style in which those dancing will stop and pose in glamorous positions as if they are being photographed for the fashion magazine Vogue), was made mainstream by ball culture. Contestants would often walk and then go into voguing, a difficult thing to do. While these
balls were intense and rigorous competitions, they were a place to have fun and show how fierce you can be. The film also showed the harder parts of being a gay
and transgender male in the late 80s. They dealt with awful difficulties such as racism, homophobia, AIDS, and poverty. Many of them died young, often from AIDS. One of the trans women featured in the film, Venus Xtravaganza, died at the age 23, while filming for the documentary was still ongoing.
She was found murdered in a motel, and had been one of the most promising stars. The film offers an eye-opening and real depiction of the struggles these men and trans women faced, and how they maintained their dignity, strength, and humor in a “rich, white world.” Vershawn London then spoke after the viewing of the documentary. He is an RCC alumni of the class of 2004, and began the Fashion House of London all while working and getting a degree in business. He talked about his own experiences in ball culture, and the racial divide in fashion. Often, during an event such as Women’s History Month, trans women are ignored. The stigma that these are not “real” women leads to people not paying attention to them and their accomplishments. This film shows the dignity and strength these women had, and encourages us to view them as women and to remember them also. These women need to be celebrated and given attention, so they can get both the praise they deserve and so the stigma surrounding them will no longer exist.
RCC Summer Camps Cater to Kids Adam Samuel
Staff Writer
Looking for a camp over the summer for kids in grades 2-9? At RCC, from June 30 through August 8, RCC Summer Camps will be in session. With different programs that cater to all things kids love, like sports, art, computers, science and performing, there is something that every child can enjoy. At a rate of $275 per week ($25 off per week if you sign up before June 20), your child will get the opportunity to spend a summer doing their favorite activities, learning team building skills and making new friends that can last a lifetime. Under the supervision of directors Matt Mattcovich (Sports Academy) and Kelly O’Hanlon (Art Institute, Computers, Performing Arts and Destination Science), your child has a variety of different programs they can choose to enjoy the summer doing. They include the following: Sports Academy-This is for the kids who just simply love sports. In addition to the 10 sports RCC Summer Camps offer (baseball, tennis, basketball, football, handball,
gym sports, soccer, softball, instructional and free swim). This year, Rockland Boulders will be coming to play with the kids. For those children who love the fun and competitiveness of sports, this is the program for them to go with! C o m p u t e r s -To d a y, technology is in a continuous state of advancement. This program is for kids who
am until lunch, and afterwards, the children go to a variety of activities including swimming, music, arts and crafts, etc. Destination Space-Our newest program caters to children who love science, technology and experimenting. While they are an independent camp not run by RCC, they still have the same hours and age requirements, but are the
love to keep up with the things a computer can do. In this program, children will learn animation, video game development, website design and even programming. Sessions are always hands on and include a computer (both desktop and mobile will be used). The program runs from 9
only program to offer half day programs. At a rate of $275 for a full day per week, the half day prices are $175 per week. Performing Arts-This is for those who love to perform. Whether it be singing, acting or dancing, the performing arts program will have professional instruction and will even have
access to the famous RCC Theater. Over the course of the summer, campers will be able to perform in their own performances. This program run in the morning, and after lunch at midday, the campers then will have different activities they can attend like swimming, music, arts and crafts, etc. Art Institute- This program is for campers who love to create and let their imaginations run wild with a paintbrush at hand. Here, campers will be able to paint, sculpt, and draw projects. If you have a creative mind and love to make things, this is the place for you. The program runs until lunch at midday, and afterwards, campers then go on to attend activities like swimming, music, games, scrapbooking etc. If you are interested in signing up, or just want to look for some more information, please visit their website at w w w.rccsummercamps.com. There you can find the camp’s blog, registration information and further contact information. In addition, you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter, subscribe to them on YouTube or dial 845-574-4451 to speak with a representative.
News
The “Second Wave” of Feminism
Suzanne Peguero
Managing Editor
On Tuesday, March 18 at RCC, a distinguished feminist speaker came to give a lecture. Her name was Carolyn Fish, and she was a prominent activist in the second wave of feminism. Fish helped form the Rockland Center for Safety & Change 34 years ago, and contributed greatly to the women’s liberation movement. Fish began her lecture, asking the audience what they specifically wanted her to talk about. She kept this method of interaction during the entirety of her lecture, and it contributed greatly to the discussion of feminism and the students’ understanding. She then began to discuss her journey to feminism. Fish was born in Queens, NY, just after World War II. She was the daughter of middle class Jewish immigrants, and faced certain dilemmas of that time period. As a woman, she was expected to have one goal in life, to make her husband happy. This was considered the norm in 1950s America for women; you didn’t go to college to get a job and support yourself, as is the standard now. Instead, you got married. Accordingly, Fish did; however, she also had the privilege
of being able to attend college, and subsequently became a history teacher as well. For a long time, women in history were ignored. When they weren’t, they had their story told by men, who did not always
II, and she consequently saw some of the effects the war had on gender roles. During the war, men were called overseas to fight in the army. This meant that there were needs for jobs to filled, and the only people available to do them were women.
portray them accurately. In response to this, Fish told students, “The group that’s being marginalized, that’s the group you go to so you can hear what their story is.” Since she was born after World War
This is not to say that women had never worked before; women of color were working far before this, and were often grossly underpaid. Instead, white women, who had previously never worked, were
March 31, 2014
now required to do the jobs that men had to leave in order to fight. Because of this opportunity, women realized al the abilities they had, what they were capable of, and how they had been oppressed. Consequently, they began to think, write, and discuss these issues with one another, and the feminist movement was born. Fish also discussed the origins of the abuse shelter in Rockland, how one can recognize abuse, and what to do in that specific situation. Fish explained that abuse, while often seen as something physical, can also be emotional and mental manipulation. She told students, “Abuse is one person using an array of tactics to control and dominate women.” She gave certain signs to watch out for, and encouraged everyone to be unafraid of reporting abuse. Fish finished the lecture by discussing the people’s Institute for Survival and Beyond. This is an institute that has workshops on what racism really is, how it manifests in society, and it can continue to be dismantled. She ended by stressed how important this topic is, and how it combines with feminism. Ms. Fish’s lecture was an eye-opening and interesting talk about feminism, racism, abuse, and how one’s awareness of these topics can make a huge difference.
Scholarship Opportunities at RCC Marina Watts
Editor In Chief
Potentially, you can significantly decrease your tuition next semester, and now is the time to act. It’s scholarship season again, and there’s education funding up for the taking. Every year at SUNY Rockland, hundreds of thousands of dollars are provided for students as result of the generosity of the RCC Foundation. And there are scholarships for everyone! From broad ones that anyone looking for an associate’s degree to people who shine in particular programs, such as the nursing program or MTS Honors, there are plenty of chances to get some money to put towards your tuition. Even if you are transferring next fall, you can apply to a maximum of five scholarships for your education. Financial Aid Councelor Elissa Silverstein puts together the book each year, and she encourages all to apply. “With one simple application, you can apply for five scholarships. You shouldn’t be intimidated, and if you need help, workshops are available!” With over $200,00 worth of scholarships and about 200 awards in total, your chances of getting some money are very good. Here are some scholarships worth applying to, or at least checking out. The Accounting Scholarship. Awarded to an Accounting major enrolled in ACC 201 or 202 and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all accounting courses. The scholarship is a $375 check. The Daniel T. Brucker Scholarship. Awarded to a student with a good GPA.
This scholarship was set up in memory of Daniel T. Brucker, a long-time chairman of the RCC Board of Trustees, and one of the founding trustees. The scholarship is $700 of education credit. The Irene Stakler Internship Program Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a student that has completed an internship at RCC with outstanding faculty and mentor evaluations. The student must also show a strong commitment when it comes to pursuing their career goals, along with continuation of their academic studies. The scholarship is a $150 check. The Rockland Community College International Student Scholarship. Eligibility for these scholarships includes holding an F-1 visa and be in compliance with Department of Homeland Security regulations on student status. They also must be in good academic standing and have completed two semesters at SUNY Rockland. There are up to 14 scholarships available at $500 each. The Melissa Dimitrias Performing Arts Scholarship. In order to be eligible for this scholarship, the student must be majoring in and pursuing a career in theatre/musical theatre or transferring to another institution of higher learning to pursue a career in theatre/musical theatre. The student must also demonstrate abilities both on and off stage as a
student performer through studies and volunteerism, along with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The scholarship will be $500 education credit or check. The due date for the scholarship applications are Friday, April 4 to the Financial Aid office, room 8146 in the Technology Center. The scholarship awards ceremony will be Monday, May 12. There are also various Rockland Community College Association Awards, based on merit and given to students who
have excelled in specified areas. The due dates for these awards are varied, as special application processes and deadlines are applicable to each individual award. The areas that students can be recognized in are English, Sports, Speech, Philosophy and Foreign Language. Awards include the Maxwell Anderson Award, the Henry Larom Award, and the Foreign Languages Awards. May the odds ever be in your favor, fellow RCC students.
Features
March 31, 2014
Not a Dry Eye in the House: “La Boheme” Marina Watts
Editor In Chief
Wednesday, March 19 was a rainy yet enchanting evening for a group of excited students and professors at SUNY Rockland. Through funds of the honors program, a handful of subsidized opera tickets were purchased for students to buy for $25 each. The moving performance they watched? “La Boheme,” a timeless story of ill fated lovers. Dr. Butler of Science was one of the professors who joined the group of students attending the opera. “The students were captivated by the experience of music, singing, sets, costumes and stagecraft,” he recalls. “It provided a tremendous opportunity to firsthand experience this art form.” “La Boheme” was written in by Giacomo Puccini. Four artists-Marcello (a painter), Rodolfo (a poet), Colline (a philosopher), and Schaunard (a musician)-live in Paris and struggle to get by, as their talents aren’t getting them far. Meanwhile, two contrasting relationships of Rodolfo and Mimi (a tender, loving one) and Marcello and his former flame Musetta (a fiery yet passionate one) engulf the stage with the highs and lows. Though the events are momentary onstage, they leave a lasting effect for audience members to truly feel for the players, as the escapism offered is more powerful than that of a film. The show was three hours long, including four acts and two intermissions. “La Boheme” is the most performed opera in Met history. The musical “Rent” is loosely based on “La Boheme,” and it has
snaked its way into pop culture all over. Stefano Ranzani conducted the orchestra that evening, and the cast included the talents of Massimo Cavalletti
as Marcello, Anita Hartig debuting as Mimi, and Vittorio Grigolo as Rodolfo. All who attended had a marvelous time, and wish they could go back every night. Shira Goldmann, student of the
students responding to the ticket sales was exactly what she was hoping for. “We were thrilled to have so many young people from RCC be present and act in such a “grand’ manner throughout the
MTS Honors program, loved every moment. “We thought it was wild! Im so glad we had that experience. It was so eye opening and intense and really incredible.” Jessica DeVivo enjoyed herself as well, as it gave her a chance to encounter something new. “The Opera was a great way to experience the culture and art that surrounds us everyday.” She found it telling that is is “one of the best ways a person can truly grasp New York in all of its extravagant glory.” A handful of students were new to the opera experience, and are more familiar with the setting of a movie theatre, or even a broadway show. At “La Boheme,” everything was performed in Italian. Spectators were able to understand what was being sung with the assistance of screens in front of each seat, which provided the English translation. With the subtitles readily available, the opera is a much more enjoyable experience. Hannah Lowney, the assistant coordinator to the MTS Honors Program, was the backbone to planning this wonderful trip, as “a very fine tribute to our beloved Dr. Sam Draper, Co-founder of the MTS honors program. Professor Draper loved opera and shared his passion by organizing, supporting, and giving others the opportunity to attend such fine performances,” she recalls. The positive feedback and numerous
evening. Because of this, and the newfound interest among our students, we will make this an annual spring event.
Stay tuned for “Aida” in Spring ‘15.” With potentially another famous opera, students are sure to look forward to another theatre trip downtown. Even if you aren’t sure if the opera is for you, it is always worth checking out. Sarah Baradaran-Noviri was a newcomer to the world of opera, and she was pleasantly surprised. “I am so very happy I went! I was a little apprehensive before we went because I didn’t know what to expect but once we got where I really truly loved it!” The sets were mesmerizing. They were designed by Franco Zeffirelli, the man
who was in charge of the beautiful 1969 “Romeo and Juliet” film. Set in Paris, “La Boheme” takes place specifically in a cramped apartment, a bustling city square, and outside a tavern on a snowy evening. Dr. Hazelton is no newbie to the opera scene, and loves attending the opera at Lincoln Centre. “When Sam Draper had his Opera Club, enthusiastic members would view opera videos every Thursday and attend several performances at the Met each season. Hannah Lowney, Dr. Butler, and I were pleasantly surprised by the excitement that this trip generated among students, and we hope to bring the Opera Club back next year so that we can introduce more to this great entertainment.” Her interest started in college, when she attended her first one, like many students on the recent trip. “An important part of college education happens outside the classroom, and we were delighted that this trip made such a positive impression on the students, many of them at the opera for the first time.” The MTS H o n o r s program plans a theatre trip every year, but, “it was Hannah Lowney’s idea to try opera this time.” Dr. Hazelton chose this year’s show carefully. “Dr. Butler and I chose ‘La Boheme’ as the perfect int roduction to the form for first time opera goers, and clearly it worked. There was not a dry eye in the house.” G u n n a r Artin thinks that funding for an theatre/opera trip is worth the trouble it takes to put together, and it’s not just for people who plan on studying the theatre as part of their major. “I was psyched because it’s a community college and I’m a graphic design major and people just don’t care at all about our classes. It’s so thrilling to see a program put together this fund to see an opera show.” Ultimately, the opera trip was a great success. The MTS Honors team plans on going to the opera more often, in light of the positive feedback given from the evening’s enthusiastic students.
Opinions
Home Schooling: The FAQs
Suzanne Peguero
Managing Editor
Most of the time, when I tell people I was homeschooled, they don’t make a big deal out of it. They acknowledge it, oftentimes tell me they think that’s “actually pretty cool,” and then we continue with whatever discussion we were having. However, I occasionally meet someone who, when told I was homeschooled, will do a double take, put on their monocle (if they have one), proceed to look at me as if I were a fascinating, but somewhat horrifying spectacle at the circus, and then ask the infamous question: “Why did you parents do that to you?” Despite what some may think, home schooling isn’t really that bad. Here are some myths regarding it and answers to them. 1. “So did you grow up in the middle of nowhere, then? Is that why you homeschooled?” Nope! I actually grew up in a large city, with an equally large high school that I simply had no wish of attending. The students and the quality of education just weren’t so great, and to be honest, my mom taught me more (in an extremely comprehensive manner) than four years
in a high school ever could. 2. “Were you having trouble in school?” Once again, nope! I was actually an honors student in middle school, and we decided that instead of taking classes that were going to be super easy for me for four years— and instead of spending thousands upon thousands of dollars in an expensive private school—I would be homeschooled. I could learn at my own pace and do subjects that I genuinely found interesting along with the necessities. 3. “Didn’t it make it difficult to attend college? What about the SATs?” Fortunately for
me, it wasn’t. I combined my freshman year of college and senior year of high school at RCC, and all I had to do was
system.). 4. “Wasn’t the quality of teaching not as good because your parent
take the Accuplacer and get a few official documents from the school system. I was allowed into the honors program based on my scores on the Accuplacer, and I never had to take the SATs. I didn’t have to take them to transfer to a university, either; this all depends on the policy of the university, but for many colleges, if you have accrued a certain amount of credits, you don’t need to send them SAT scores. I just recently got accepted into a tier one u n ive r sit y, and I never took my SATs (and now I never will have to. So there, established
taught you?” The answer to this one depends. Some children’s parents aren’t as good at teaching as others. However, this is
why we have a little something called “tutors.” These are people you can hire
March 31, 2014
(if you feel abysmal about your teaching abilities) to teach your child. There are also online programs you can use as well and that work quite nicely. However, most parents are actually quite good at teaching their children once they try it. I know my mom was. 5. “Don’t only really religious people homeschool?” Once again, no. Firstly, we live in a country that has freedom of religion, and if people want to be deeply religious with whatever they believe in, that’s allowable (as long as they aren’t harming anyone or their rights). Secondly, many people who homeschool aren’t religious; it isn’t only limited to that specific group. There can be students and parents who want to homeschool because they dislike the school system where they are living. Their child might also be dealing with bullying, and this is one way of getting the child away from that toxic environment (although with cyber-bullying, this is becoming less effective). It’s also a great way of learning what you are best at and then being able to give an amount of focus to that area that you wouldn’t be able to in a normal high school. 6. “Wasn’t it hard for you to make
friends?” Let’s be clear on something: when I was a young teenager, it was hard for me to make friends no matter what. If I was put into a normal high school, it’s likely I would have f loated by and not made any progress in the area at all. Instead, being homeschooled forced me to get out and meet new people. I had to actually speak to people instead of pretending that I don’t exist. Many people that I speak to who have been homeschooled also feel the same way; it actually pushed them to be more outgoing. 7. “Don’t you ever miss having the experience of high school?” That’s why I own “The Breakfast Club” on DVD.
Opinions
Is Marijuana Safer Than Alcohol?
Katherine King
Contributing Writer
“Is marijuana safer than alcohol?” is a common question today. The debate between the effects of alcohol and marijuana has been an ongoing hot topic in the United States. Recently, the arguments are at an all time high, now that new legalization laws are forming and President Obama has weighed in with his opinion. People around the country and the world all have their own opinions about this topic, and most people are biased depending on what their beliefs are. Some believe marijuana can be very dangerous towards your health, while others see alcohol as the real issue. Alcohol has caused thousands of deaths a year, while
marijuana has caused none. So why is one legal, while the other isn’t? I sat down with a friend (who wished to stay anonymous) that has been an avid pot smoker for about three years. Although they love smoking, they hate the daily question of wondering if they’ll get caught. Here are some of the key points of our interview that I really thought stood out. Q: “Would you say you smoke more than three times a week?” A: “Uh, sometimes I’ll smoke three times a day...is that bad?” Q: What about alcohol? A: “I’ll usually drink about twice a week.” Q: Which do you think is the safer of the two? A: “Both pot and alcohol can be dangerous, but from my own experience, I would definitely say weed.” Q: “Why is that?”
A: “When I’m drunk, I have no control over what I do, but when I’m high all I wanna do is eat. How is that dangerous? People judge me because I smoke weed a lot. A lot of people think I’m lazy, but I go school and work two jobs and I still have time to smoke weed. I don’t see any danger in that.” A f t e r discussing this with my friend, I figured I would do some further research and find factual information on the subject that correlated with my friend’s testaments, starting with addiction. Alcohol has many well known addictive qualities. “Approximately 17.6 million people, or one in every 12 adults, suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence,” according to the NIAAA. “Alcoholics in withdrawal can suffer from anxiety and depression, headaches, insomnia, nausea, fever and even seizures.”
March 31, 2014
While alcoholism can have many side effects, marijuana does not have any proven withdrawal symptoms. When you overuse marijuana, there is a high possibility of anxiety and nausea though. Even though alcohol is seeming like the worse of the two, marijuana definitely has its low points as well. “Smoking marijuana is more dangerous than smoking c i g a r e t t e s ,” experts say. “The tar in joints contains a much higher concent rat ion of the chemicals linked to lung cancer compared with tobacco tar.” A f t e r researching t h e s e substances, I have come to the conclusion that they are both just as unsafe as the other. Both have health risks, and both put you in a different state of mind. However, I think that if one of them is legal then they both should be.
Opinions
March 31, 2014
Outlook Student Press Marina Watts, Editor-in-Chief Suzanne Peguero, Managing Editor Julie DeVito, Production Manager
Anuj Chokshi, Photography Editor Benedict Tagle, Sports Editor
Outlook Student Press is published every other week except during exam periods and summer. It is an independent newspaper produced by students and paid for by advertising revenue and student activities fees. Submissions and articles become the property of Outlook Student Press. Outlook Student Press invites you to submit your opinions and ideas for publication. We strongly encourage letters to the editor. Content does not necessarily reflect the views of the Outlook editors or staff. Submissions may be edited for clarity, length, style, and taste. Outlook does not accept anonymous submissions.
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k o o l t u O What is ..... ? g n i h c t a W
Anuj Chokshi
Marina Watts
Suzanne Peguero
Benedict Tagle
To be honest nowadays I am just addicted to watching something every night. Even after a busy and long day, I can’t sleep without watching at least one episode of any of my favorite shows. But I really like to watch very intense shows like “Revolution,” “The Newsroom,” “Suits,” “Game of Thrones” and many more. I already finished “Entourage” twice and am watching it for the third time. But from all of above, my most favorite show is “Revolution.” One day I was just browsing an online streaming website and I found “Revolution.” And I fell in love with it at first sight. I highly recommend everyone watch this show once and you will be addicted to it automatically. And then maybe you can join our weekly discussion on “Revolution” with me, Julie Devito and Prof. Fuentes at the Outlook office.
I’ll admit I was never a big TV series fan. I watched a couple seasons of “The Office” and leisurely view anything with Anthony Bourdain (and food) involved. I prefer the way film makes you think, until I was introduced to the mega-movie genre, which is a series that is like a long film and very in depth. “Mad Men” by AMC is the quintessential mega-movie. It takes place in the 1960s, during an evolutionary time for America, and it truly transports you decades before today. The plot follows the powerful advertising men of New York, and interlaces their professional and personal lives. It’s very detailed in its production, the story line is enticing and the turns it takes keep you watching. Binge watching it these past few months has changed my tunnel-vision view of film being the only thing I will ever watch.
When my friend ordered me to watch “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” I wasn’t expecting to like it at all. I was expecting a show with a possible laugh track (ugh. I know when something is funny, you don’t have to try to queue me on it), cringe humor, and sexist stereotypes that you commonly find in such comedies. Instead what I found was an absolutely hysterical show that rightly deserves all the praise it’s getting. Andy Samberg stars as an immature man-child who is also a cop; the supporting cast is stellar, and the writing is amazing. For the most part, I don’t laugh out loud when I’m watching a comedy show, but this one had me in hysterics (honestly, one time I laughed so hard I cried). I recommend you stop what you’re doing and get caught up on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” immediately.
I’m watching so many things right now. It’s a hodgepodge of nearly every genre available. One of my favorites this season is a comedy. I really like “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” The cast was put together really well, and with the track record the show’s founders have, it looks as if the show will have a successful future. The two Golden Globes the show won was no mistake. Fox has a great show on their hands, and they know it, giving them a shot right after the Super Bowl. For anyone looking to fill the void since Steve Carell’s days in “The Office,” this show may give you a good shot. It shares the intricate workplace relationships, but puts its own spice on it. Every week, I look forward to watching my new favorite precinct in the city.
March 31, 2014
Satire
Want a Hot Body? You Better Twerk.
Marina Watts & Suzanne Peguero
Editor In Chief & Managing Editor
Looking to lose weight? Feeling shiftless, lazy, and looking for a new dance move that will help you burn calories, get the sexual attention you’ve been looking for, and shape your glutes? Look no further, reader. Today, we present to you a new dance move that has only good things about it. If you are bored of Zumba, tangoing leaves you in constant search for a partner, and ballet makes your toes ever so blistered and sore, then it’s time to change up your routine. Introducing, the twerk. Popularized by pop sensation and feminist fatale Miley Cyrus, the twerk has been defined as “thrusting your hips and buttocks to and fro vigorously and quickly.” Miley Cyrus, for is a twerking animal. She performs all over the world, and has revolutionized the Twerk. After her performance at the AMAs with Robin Thicke, everyone has been getting their twerk on. She is living, breathing proof that the twerk keeps you skinny and in shape.
Honestly, though, have you seen her? She is the size of a toothpick and still has the energy to perform all over the world. Liam Hemsworth, her ex-fiancé, stated in “Facetious and Fabulous Weekly” that he regrets leaving her: “She was
wasn’t for her exercising videos, I would have never gotten better.” I mean, Jay Z has dedicated the last 45 seconds to her and her twerktastic abilities in his song “Somewhere in America.” If the husband of Queen
what pushed me to twerk. Since she left me, my muscular stature is nothing more than that of a middle school boy. If it
Beyoncé would sing about her, it’s safe to say the twerk works. Twerking has also been proven to
improve your wind and endurance. While all of your friends are doing things like aerobic training and running, spending hours at the gym and being drained of al their energy, you are twerking your way across the room to “Wrecking Ball.” Those silly people don’t realize that while they are expending large amounts of energy, they could be doing a workout that leaves them energized! Says Beyoncé: “Before I started twerking, I did all these exercises that just left me absolutely exhausted, sore, and I didn’t look my greatest while doing them. Now that I’m twerking, I am energized and I look great while working out!” The best part? Miley Cyrus’s new album, “Bangerz,” is essentially the soundtrack to your new, fierce life as a twerker. Perhaps your elders will tell you twerking is tasteless and tacky. To this, we say, “Forget that! Those old people don’t know anything anyway!” As long as a celebrity is doing something, we should immediately follow suit and do the same exact thing without thinking whether it is or isn’t something we really want to do. Forget kill your idols, kids. Instead, kill fat just like Miley does; with the power of dance.
Style & Entertainment
March 31, 2014
Going Mad for the End of “Mad Men”
Marina Watts
Editor In Chief
The end is coming. At least, those are the circumstances for “Mad Men.” After six
seasons, writers going on strike, and Golden Globes galore, AMC’s drama “Mad Men” has finally come to a close. With an all-star cast and a gripping story, it has captivated audiences all over in the comfort of their own living room. Their world of self-destructive decisions, womanizing and boozing all day ong (even in the office) has captured the attention of audiences worldwide. It is a world of excess, glamorizing affairs and waving money around nonchalantly to get what you want. The power given to the executives in “Mad Men” gave them access to a world so tainted, yet so mesmerizing. Audiences may even want to drop everything and dive right into the world of advertising for a taste of what that world has to offer. The mega-movie takes place in the 1960s in New York. The workers at Sterling Cooper Ad Agency have an office located on Madison Avenue. During that time period, men who worked in advertising were called mad men, based on this location. Don Draper (Jon Hamm) is the main character, whose mysterious past comes back to haunt him, and he constantly “goes missing” due to the lack of Four-Square check-ins the series needs (which would have sped the pace of the show up so much that there would only be one season). The Gatsby-like recreation of himself has taken him from being a smalltown rural kid and turned him into one of the best creative directors in the advertising business. Other stars like Elisabeth Moss, Christina Hendricks, January Jones and John Slattery are part of the cast. Moss is Peggy Olson, who starts out as a secretary at the firm, becomes a copywriter and moves up the ladder, unlike the rest of the women in the 10
office. Hendricks is the bombshell office manager, who constantly gets hit on due to her Marilyn Monroe stature and voice. January Jones is Don’s shrill yet beautiful wife and mother of his children. Many other stars make up the cast with
reflect what the fixtures in the 1960s would have done to a room. One of his major influences was Alfred Hitchcock, who made films during the 1950s and 1960s. The opening credits pays homage to two Hitchcock films: “Vertigo”
is one of them, as so many interesting characters intertwine in and outside the walls of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. The lines between what is and isn’t acceptable in the office setting are heavily blurred. Although the series may start out slow, once you
their own interesting stories that weave their way into the day-to-day activities for Sterling-Cooper, and all are significant, even if their jobs play a subtle role to the plot. Matthew Weiner, the show’s creator, puts immense thought and meticulously
and “North by Northwest” (you classic film fans know what I’m talking about). The public, professional lives and personal lives intertwine throughout the series, as the characters experience the evolution to American life that made up the
overlooks everything about the show, from how everything is decorated in the office, to what kind of shopping bags should be used as props. Weather conditions of the exact dates depicted on the show were researched and represented to avoid anachronistic vibes. He even goes to the length of hosting tonal meetings for each episode, this way those involved know exactly how to recreate the time capsule inside Weiner’s mind. Anyone attentive to detail can see how specific the sets are. The blinds in Don’s office. How the drapes fall just so in restaurants. Lighting had to be perfect and
1960s. Themes and motifs such as sexism, alcoholism/smoking and the counterculture are all important to consider throughout the series. What “Mad Men” does effectively above all else is demonstrate why everything going on in society had to happen during the 1960s. All the change brought about wouldn’t have been as significant if it happened a decade earlier, and it could have brought consequences being “too late” in the 1970s. The mega-movie genre is not typical for television series, and can only successfully lend itself for certain shows. “Mad Men”
are halfway into season one do you really become hooked. The constant plot twists and skeletons in each character’s closets make you gasp and hold your attention, wondering what is going to happen next. Binge-watching this series has probably been one of my better decisions these past few months. The show started a bit slow, but a few episodes in I was hooked. As I finished each season, I was beyond eager to start the next one, and the one after that. Even though I did not see daylight for days at a time, I was blissfully immersed in “Mad Men.” The series effectively takes its viewers to the 1960s, a wondrous, important and tumltuous decade in America. The break between each Sunday’s episode are bound to be torturous, let alone the months between the two halves of the final season. Unfortunately, Weiner is a steel vault. He will not expose anything about the series, and the promotional pictures have ambiguous vibes to them. What all the air travel and characters’ placements in these pictures can mean anything, so let your “Mad Men” conspiracy theories run wild until the show starts up...to end. It’s anyone’s guess how the world Wiener created will finish its long reign as one of the best TV dramas AMC has released. The beginning of the end starts Sunday, April 10 on AMC at 10 pm.
March 31, 2014
Style & Entertainment
Sing Along to These Movie Musicals!
Marina Watts
Editor In Chief
Karaoke and film viewing? Yes please! Here are some movie musical that are perfect for that. “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952).
Basically the quintessential movie musical. Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds star in this classic film, and they are Hollywood stars adapting to the shift from silent film to talkies in the later 1920s. Tunes like “Good Morning” and “All I Do is Dream of You” will follow you for the rest of the day, and you won’t be complaining, as it is contagious the moment it plays from the movie. The upbeat vibe given off from this film makes it stand the test of time. It’s bright, colorful, and If you don’t feel happy after watching Gene Kelly sing and dance to the titular song (which he filmed under the stresses of a fever!), then there really isn’t much to bring happiness your way. “The Music Man” (1962). Insert Fourth of July Fireworks nostalgia. Robert Preston plays the leading man, Harold Hill in the film, along with on Broadway. It
is probably one of the most difficult roles to play onstage, and onscreen. The lyrics are quick and smart, and weave themselves into extensive and complicated dance sequences. Fast-talking conman Harold Hill (Preston) charades around as a music professor and tries to convince River City, Iowa, that he can turn the local kids into a marching band extraordinaire. While making some money and wooing the librarian, Marian (Shirley Jones). “Trouble” and “Madame Librarian” are two examples of ensemble numbers with Preston at the forefront that were very detailed as to choreography and incorporating the set effectively. “An American in Paris” (1951). In Paris, naturally, three friends (Gene
Kelly, Oscar Levant, and Georges Guetary) struggle to find work. As though things weren’t complicated enough already, two of them fall for a dancer (Leslie Caron). “‘S Wonderful” and “I Got Rhythm” are two well-known songs from this film, and the tunes Gershwin composed are wonderful, and the film won six Oscars, including Best Picture. Showcasing music, dance (especially in the final scene between Kelly and Caron) and the beautiful French landscape makes “An American in Paris” a classic. “West Side Story” (1961). The musical adaptation of William Shakespeare follows the Jets and the Sharks and takes place in New York City instead of fair Verona. Tony (Richard Beymer) and Maria (Natalie Wood) are both parts of constantly feuding clans, and their love for each other becomes self destructive, and negatively impacts the people around them as well. “The Jet Song” will keep you
snapping your fingers, and anyone who falls in love will replace their lover’s name with Maria’s whilst singing “Maria.” Though the story of forbidden love is cliched, Ernest Lehman’s screenplay is the best musical adaptation (and shall remain so). If the ten Oscars it garnered doesn’t support the previous statement, very little will. “The Sound of Music” (1965). Based on the real-life von Trapp family singers, “The Sound of Music” is warm and touches the heart. A nun, Maria (Julie Andrews) is assigned to become a governess
to a Naval captain (Christopher Plummer) with seven children. Although the children are notorious for tormenting their governess, they give Maria a chance and form a close bond with her, as her contagious optimism infects them. Shot in Austria, the backdrop is breathtaking, as the film opens with aerial shots of the vast landscape. The Rodgers and Hammerstein score is wonderful. Some quality tunes from the film include “Do
technicolor wonderland, as a tornado takes Dorothy and her dog Toto to the Land of Oz. On her journey to find the Wizard (Frank Morgan) to get her home, a Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), Tin Man (Jack Haley) and Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr) accompany her on her musical adventure. It’s perfect in a storybook-comes-to-life sense, as it has talking animals, witches and fairies. “Wizard of Oz” won two Oscars for Best Music (Original Score and Original Song),
Re Mi” and “16 Going on 17.” Although Carrie Underwood’s live performance was delightful and had high ratings last November, Andrews and Plummer are simply irresistible. “My Fair Lady” (1964). The film adaptation of the musical made Americans think now more than ever that anyone from England had the exaggerated cockney inflection that Audrey Hepburn has at the film’s start. Eliza (Hepburn) is chosen by an arrogant Professor Harold Higgins (Rex Harrison) to transform her into a woman of high society. Marni Nixon was behind most of the songs that Hepburn’s character sang in the film, but we won’t hold it against Hepburn. Famous songs from
the “Wouldn’t it be Lovely” and “On the Street Where You Live.” It had captured the attention of the Academy by winning eight of the twelve Oscars it was nominated for, including Best Picture. “Wizard of Oz” (1939). The musical adaptation of Frank L. Baum’s children book put Judy Garland on the map as Dorothy Gale, immortalized by her iconic ruby slippers. The film transitions from a black and white filter into a magical
and we all will keep dreaming of the utopia located “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” “Grease” (1978). The true “High School Musical” takes you to the 1950s in the midst of poodle skirts, hot rods and leather jackets. Badass greaser Danny Zuko (John Travolta) and goody-two-shoes Sandra Dee (Olivia Newton-John) meet over summer, and reunite at Rydell High School to find that they are part of different social groups. They struggle to make a relationship work, and suffer from the pressures of fitting in. Well-known songs deriving from the film are “Greased Lightning,” “Summer Nights” and “We Go Together.” Filled with high school hijinks, awesome dancing and an abundance of cars, “Grease” is a classic high school love story for the ages. “High School Musical” will never be nearly as refreshing as “Grease.” “Hello, Dolly!” (1969). Barbra Streisand shines as Dolly, a woman infamous for her involvement in everyone’s personal lives. She plays matchmaker more than anything,and she makes her latest endeavor wooing the “half-a-millionaire” Horace Vandergelder (Walter Matthau). Dolly ventures to New York City to find him, along with two store clerks and Vandergelder’s niece and her beau. The film is delightful, and Streisand shines. “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” and “Leave Everything to Me” are great songs from the film, and “Hello, Dolly!” is the true hallmark of the film, as it has become such a common phrase. “Mary Poppins” (1964). The arduous process of adapting P. L. Travers’ childrens’ book into a fun Disney movie musical was well worth it. The Banks family is in search of a nanny, and Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) flies to their London house with her umbrella and suitcase equipped with infinite space. She brings warmth back to the Banks house, and with the help of her chimney sweep Bert (Dick van Dyke), it is indeed a jolly holiday with Mary. “Chim Chim-er-ee” and “Spoonful of Sugar” are part of the award-winning music in the film. Andrews collected the Oscar for Best Actress that year, and “Poppins” also received Oscars for Best Music (Original Song and Score). 11
Style & Entertainment
March 31, 2014
Whatever Happened to Kenan and Kel?
Adam Samuel
Staff Writer
Back when I was a kid, instead of having “SNL” every Saturday night, my friends and I had “All That.” Growing up, I remember the anticipation and excitement that made “All That” the typical highlight of my childhood weekends. The show had everything from hilarious skits, an incredibly talented cast and even musical guests. However, on “All That,” there never was a single main character per say, rather the cast would have a shakeup every few seasons and the show would go from there. However, one particular duo from the show that has stuck with me throughout the years is Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell, friends whose hemistry even went on to spawn a show of their own. “All That” ended many years ago, but some of their stars went on to achieve great things in the entertainment/music business, so let’s take a moment to see just what the heck ever happened to Kenan and Kel? It is the year 1998 and “All That” is in full swing and at the peak of its popularity. At the same time, spinoff Kenan and Kel
(following a similar television formula of sitcom/skits), was also at the height of its ratings and viewership. However, in the year 1999, Kenan and Kel both left All
while, but since then, they still have made some major accomplishments. Since Kenan and Kel ended, the old friends parted ways and pursued their
That to focus on their own show, which unfortunately ended only after the next season in the year 2000. With both their most well-known roles ended, Kenan and Kel both bowed out of the spotlight for a
careers solo rather as their well-known duo. However, before they both split up, the duo made on last final attempt to keep their names well known in television by auditioning for “SNL” together. In the
end, Kenan ended up getting a role on “SNL” while Kel didn’t. Since then, Kenan to this day still appears on the weekly SNL episodes, but in addition, has also acted in a few movies, like “The Smurfs,” “The Magic of Belle Isle” and “Stan Helsing.” On a personal level, Kenan also settled down with his wife and currently, the pair is expecting their first child. Of the duo, while Kenan’s career has been more mainstream, Kel has still made many accomplishments of his own. Since Kenan and Kel ended, Kel still acts and appears in television shows like “Sam and Cat,” “Good Luck Charlie” and “Motorcity.” Strangely, in the year 2006, Kel was the victim of an internet death hoax, when Myspace made a claim that he had passed. Despite everything though, today, Kel is happily married to rapper Asia Lee and still has more television appearances planned in the future. Despite the ending of their well-known duo, Kenan and Kel still lead successful careers and personal lives today. Kenan has become a beloved “SNL” actor, and Kel is still making television appearances regularly. You can look out for more appearances from them coming in the future.
The Future of “American Idol” is Looking Bleak Adam Samuel
Staff Writer
This season of “American Idol,” has arguably the best production team the show has seen in years. Last season, “Idol” suffered a massive ratings free fall that resulted in people questioning just how much longer the show can last on the air. Since then, the people upstairs at FOX planned a major revamp of the then-thirteen year old show and fired the old producers and hired an entirely new production team. Despite an optimistic beginning, the ratings have continued to tumble to a point that each week, the Thursday episodes are reaching ratings lows that “Idol” has never in its history seen. Idol’s situation has gone from bad to worse and is showing no signs of improvement. Now, let’s take a look at just why these ratings have fallen to badly and who might be to blame for the disastrous ratings. The Talent The producers have done everything in their power to make the show great. They have opened and cleared new songs for the contestants, allowed them to make their 12
own choices, and allowed them to explore whatever musical route they desire. However, at the time I’m writing this, we are at the top nine already and are yet to see any breakout musical moments (except for maybe Jena Irene’s “Decode” cover). The sad truth is, is that this season’s crop
everything they could for them, but the sad truth is this talent just isn’t as great as it should be.
of talent are not as great as they are hyped to be. This year’s contestants have shown the most inconsistent performances and are just not performing at the level the top nine best singers in America should be! As I said before, the producers did
producers have been given, while incredibly massive, hasn’t been put to use in the correct way. The producers spent roughly $14 million on this year’s judge: Jennifer Lopez. While Lopez has shown musical
Advertisement/Use of Money “American Idol” basically prints money. However, the budget the Idol
intelligence and a way to pick out the flaws in many performances, she is no way near worth that much money! What the producers should have done is found someone who would judge for less than half of that, and used the rest for advertisement and getting the word out about the show. Ryan Seacrest is rumored to be making the same, but losing him would be like sticking a knife in “Idol’s” side. “Idol” needs Ryan to continue and he has become an icon of the show. Losing him would make the show unrecognizable. The “Idol” producers need to take all the money they have and focus it on where it matters (like advertising), rather than on people who aren’t bringing the ratings their name should. “American Idol” has become one of my favorite shows, and I really don’t want to see it cancelled so soon. However, if the ratings continue to plummet at the rate they have been, then the end is only a matter of time. The future for “Idol” is looking bleak at the moment, but despite it all, rumors point that there will be a Season 14 of the show. Here’s to hoping Season 14 shows a better ratings outcome, because it really needs it if “Idol” wants to achieve the juggernautlike status it used to have.
March 31, 2014
Easter Eggs
Valissa Hicks
Staff Writer
Ingredients: 10 hard-boiled eggs *½ cup of mayonnaise 1 tsp. ground mustard
Assorted food coloring Directions: Put eggs into pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and immediately turn off heat, cover with another pot and let sit for 10 minutes covered. After 10 minutes, cool eggs by placing them in a cold water bath. Peel eggs and cut
Science & Health
into half (length wise). Scoop out yolks into a bowl. Take food coloring and a tsp. of cider vinegar for each color and then drop the white part of the egg into the pastel colors. Drain them on a paper towel. Mash yolks with a fork until crumbly; add mayonnaise and mustard and any other seasonings you
like to the mixture (i.e. dill, paprika, pepper, hot sauce, etc.) Now fill your dyed eggs with the yolk mixture! (It is easier with a piping bag, but a spoon will work just fine). *Mayonnaise can be substituted with plain Greek yogurt or avocado for a healthier version
Ripples on Titan Make Waves on Earth Daniel Tagle
Staff Writer
Space has been a subject of interest in movies, TV shows, and other forms of media. Many times in those movies, shows, and video games, aliens pop up. In the real world, there has not been any real evidence of extraterrestrial life out and about in the universe, but discoveries on other celestial bodies with some form of surface liquid show that there may be a chance of some living organisms, be it just small, microscopic ones, living near us. However, the recent discovery of waves on Saturn’s moon, Titan, don’t mean much to extraterrestrial life. The surface of Titan is similar in many ways to our own planet; there are seas, lakes, clouds, rivers, mud, and the like. The seas and lakes on Titan are filled with liquid
methane and ethane, but it is the first time that waves like those of Earth’s has been seen on another planet.
seas were glassy and smooth, but the newly found evidence of waves can be the first evidence of wind patterns affecting
The “waves” aren’t ones that would merit a vacation, though, as they are only two centimeters high, but the ripples are still significant findings. From these ripples, scientists can get a better grasp of the weather and the atmosphere on Titan. Prior to these discoveries, it was widely accepted that the surface of Titan’s lakes and
the surface of Titan’s seas. Waves are cannot be seen on Titan due to the viscous nature of the methane, which means that the seas are hard to move. Scientists are expecting more winds in Titan’s northern hemisphere as the seasons change. Understanding these waves may prove to be a little hard, though. Scientists cannot
be completely sure about the waves. Some suggest that the recent discoveries may be caused by another wet surface such as a mud flat, and researchers say that that possibility cannot be ruled out. The understanding of Titan’s waves are crucial to finding out more about the seas and lakes on the surface. Earth’s own seas and lakes are rarely, one could even say never, still, but on Titan, it comes as a surprise that there was no previous evidence that points to waves or any other movement on the surface. Scientists hoped to be able to send probe into Titan’s lakes, but it was beaten by a proposal to return to Mars. One researcher asked, “If we dropped a lake lander in there, is it going to splat instead of splash?” We may not be able to know the answer for many years, but scientists are anticipating in the next coming years to come the changing and beginning of wind patterns are expecting winds to pick up.
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Technology
Apple May Be Planning an iWatch
Matthew Tsuei
Contributing Writer
Apple is known for introducing products that revolutionize established industries by creating radical new ways of approaching them. This was first seen with the introduction of the Mac personal computer: the first device of its kind to introduce the “mouse” as an input device that allowed users to interact with a graphical interface on a display. This came at a time when all other computers used simple lines of text. It was a totally new take on the computer that provided the blueprint for what a consumer computer should be, sparking a computing revolution which saw the rapid adoption of computers across the world. More recently in 2007, they introduced the iPhone which was a quantum leap over the smartphones of its time. The iPhone brought a radical new user interface controlled entirely by touch, an interface that would go on to act as a blueprint for how a good smartphone should function. With the passing of their iconic CEO Steve Jobs in 2011, many have been questioning if Apple has the ability to introduce another revolutionary product in the same vein as the Mac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad. It seems we’ll find out later this year, as rumors are heating up that Apple will be introducing a new multi function wearable device as a
companion to the upcoming 8th generation iPhone. This device is expected to be in the
never wants to be without it.” From strong industry rumblings and bits of code found
form of a wrist watch, tentatively dubbed the “iWatch.” When questioned on the idea of a smartwatch, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased that he finds the category “profoundly interesting” but that such a product needs to serve a function that “ensures the user
in the latest versions of iOS (the software that powers the iPhone) it sounds like they’re betting on biometrics to be that function. The iWatch prototypes undergoing testing are said to include sensors that can measure body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, hydration
March 31, 2014
levels, and even glucose levels. While it is unknown if all of these sensors will make it into the final product, it’s clear that they want to make checking the “status” of your body something as normal and pedestrian as checking your texts or the weather. At a time where many of these things require a separate device or even a trip to the doctor, user friendly sensors such as this could make the iWatch a highly desirable piece. The device is even said to be able to issue alerts to the user if they are at high risk for cardiac arrest up to an hour beforehand. On top of its health focus, it is said to act as a companion device to an iPhone. Texts can be read right from your wrist and replies can be sent using just your voice, never having to take the phone out of your pocket. Calls can be answered right from the watch, even if your phone is in another room. The smartwatch industry isn’t an empty one however, as Apple’s top competitor Samsung introduced their “Galaxy Gear” device last year to try and get the jump on the iWatch. Unfortunately, perhaps the result of not having Apple’s “blueprint” device to follow, the Galaxy Gear was met with poor reviews and criticism, leading many to wonder if the smartwatch is truly an industry that can match the same success the smartphone industry saw after the iPhone’s introduction. You can expect to hear more about the iWatch in Summer/Fall 2014.
New Evidence for Cosmic Inflation Daniel Tagle
Staff Writer
T w o weeks ago, researchers announced the first direct evidence of cosmic inf lation. C o s m i c inflation is the theory that a fraction of a second just after the Big Bang, the universe expanded immensely. In a video posted by Stanford University on Youtube, Chao-Lin Kuo, a member of the group of scientists in the south pole called BICEP2, pays a surprise visit to Andrei Linde, the “founding father of inflation” at his home in California. Kuo puts the theory well when he says, “Inflation is the theory about the ‘bang’ in Big Bang; it explains why we have all the stuff in the universe.” After knocking on the door, Andrei Linde, a professor of physics at Stanford University and his wife, who also is a professor at Stanford University, answered the door. “So I have a surprise for you,” Kuo said, “Five sigma is point-two.” Renata Kallosh, Linde’s wife seems to grasp what Kuo is saying quicker than Linde, as he 14
was left surprised. Linde, not suspecting this news asks, “What?” and asks Kuo to repeat himself two more times.
Linde was one of the leading scientists studying inf lation, and when his wife asked if he ordered any thi ng w h e n there was a knock on the door, Linde said, “Yeah, I ordered it thirty
years ago. Finally it arrived.” Bicep2, the team in the south pole responsible for this new evidence, worked to prove the theory of cosmic inf lation. L i n d e , although b e i n g presented with great news that his work was proven to be true, still does not have certainty on the certainty of his theory, just like a
true scientist. “If this is true, this is a moment of understanding of nature of such a magnitude that it just overwhelms, and let us hope this is not trick” Linde said. “I always lived with this feeling ‘What if I am tricked?’ ‘What if I believe this just because it is beautiful?’” questioned Linde. This newfound evidence supporting cosmic inflation means that scientists can get a glimpse into the past and maybe even see how the universe was at the time of the Big Bang. Avi Loeb, a Harvard theorist, regarding the implications of the discovery, said, “This work offers new insights into some of our most basic questions: Why do we exist? How did the universe begin? These results are not only a smoking gun for inflation, they also tell us when inflation took place and how powerful the process was.” “Thank you for doing this,” Linde gratefully expressed. L i n d e ’ s lifework has been proven cor rect; because of it, we can look more closely into the beginning of the universe and possibly into other areas, such as the beginning of Earth and evolution of life.
Sports
Phil Jackson Returns to The Knicks
Benedict Tagle
Sports Editor
office. Whether it be Isiah Thomas or James Dolan pulling the strings, the majority of the positive momentum surrounding in the past decade has been hampered by the front office. Thomas made disastrous moves and signed overpaying contracts to underperforming players. When Donnie Walsh was brought in to repair the team, he did a good job, finding talent in the draft, developing
With their subpar play earlier this season, the Knicks have been the target of extensive criticism both locally and nationally. With expectations high for the team, the team has fallen short of every pundit’s predictions. With their play earlier this season, they dug themselves into a hole, not in the top 8seeds of the conference. In this recent stretch of games, they have been making a frantic push Picture Credit: buisnessinsider.com to make the young talent, and getting rid of the playoffs. In their recent winning streak, they financial burden the previous regime in have brought—for perhaps the first time the front office had accumulated. There were rumors Dolan went over this season—a continuous run of positive news for their fan base. Knicks fans were Walsh’s head in the dealings for Carmelo finally rewarded for their patience this Anthony, trading more assets than Walsh season, and the organization added on to was willing to give. Shortly afterwards, Walsh left the team. Since then, there have the good news. For a long time, the team has been been two men at the helm of basketball hampered by the decisions of the front operations, namely Steve Mills and
Glen Grenwald. There has been a mix of success and disappointment in the stretch since Walsh left, with the front office under the heavy influence of Dolan. With the culmination of criticism and subpar play, the team announced Phil Jackson had been hired as President of Basketball Operations. At the press conference officially announcing Jackson’s hiring, Dolan stated he was
Picture Credit: nypost.com
relinquishing his heavy-handed control over basketball operations. With his track history and Jackson—one of the most influential minds in basketball history—in house, it is for the best. While this is Jackson’s first position in the management side of basketball, if he can replicate just a fraction of his success as a coach and player, the Knicks are in good hands. Having won 13 championships
March 31, 2014
over his career—11 as a coach and two as a Knicks’ player—Jackson is one of the most successful men in the history of the game. Anthony, the face of the franchise, is facing free agency this offseason and this season’s performance has Knicks fans worrying he may bolt out of town for greener pastures. With Anthony’s approval and positive outlook on Jackson’s hiring, Knicks fans hope Anthony will sign a new contract with the team. While this offseason may not be the greatest circumstance for a front office, 2015 sets upto be a very good Picture Credit: chicagotribune.com situation. For the first time in years, they will have the duo of substantial cap space and a first round pick. With the draft looking solid for that season and a deep field of free agents, Jackson will be able to work his magic. With the combination of the team’s recent play, Jackson’s hiring, and future offseason outlook, the bright lights of the city may shine on the Knicks again soon.
The Keys to Great Running Jeremy Shriber
Contributing writer
I’ve been running for the past four years and I’m glad that I started in the first place because it changed my life. I struggled at the beginning, but after I did my first 5K I knew that I had found my passion. I began running cross-country and track my junior and senior year of high school and loved not only running and competing but the camaraderie of being on a team. Matt Fitzgerald, who often writes articles about running, said in a statement, “The key to enjoying the benefits of running is learning to enjoy the activity of running.” This sums it up for me, since I enjoy all aspects of running including the planning of my running schedule, going out there and training for competition, and as well as how I feel and the benefits my body achieves from running. Over the summer between my junior and senior year I had goals that I wanted to accomplish. I wanted to help our team win the division championship and I had to improve my times a lot in order for that to happen. I had to log in a lot of miles and really focus and on what had to be done. Fortunately, all that hard work paid off and made me realize that as long as you give your very best you can achieve anything. 16
There are some tips you need to get started. It’s important to have the
From personal experience, I prefer Asics because they give me the most support.
right running shoes that are the most comfortable for you. There are different brands such as Saucony, Nike, or Asics.
When it comes to the training aspect of running you want to make sure that you don’t do so many miles and go too hard
at the beginning because this could cause injury. It’s a good idea to follow a training schedule and plan your runs and exercises as well as write down how many miles you need to complete each day throughout each week. Mario Fraioli and Caitlyn Pilkington who wrote an article on running tips stated “Though you can improve your fitness by just going out and running, it’s much better to follow a training plan.” There are many different types of training methods depending on the distance you are training for. Following them is key though to achieving your goals. Coaches work with you on a training plan that is going to make you the most prepared for race day. Typically during the cross-country season I would run from 20 to 30 miles a week and work on varying exercises to strengthen different parts of my body in preparation to maximize my running times. Every Thursday would be the hardest workout of the week and then Saturday would be race day. Cross Country races were mostly 5ks and Winter and Spring track lengths varied. In the coming fall, I am going to be running all three sports for Lasell College and I can’t wait. Even though it is very hard work and I feel exhausted at times I love this sport and want to continue doing this for the rest of my life.