Eyevol29no6

the eye Singapore American High School

May 24, 2010 / Vol. 29 No. 6

SHOUT!

Its a Steadicam Moment as seniors finish their wild run up the front stairs and onto the grass field for a lip dub video to be premiered at the June 3 Commencement.

Yearbook adviser Tate Sonnack shouldered the heavy Steadicam under the direction of seniors Kathryn Tinker and Melissa Huston.

Photo by Jason Cheng

Almost 100 seniors dance, yell, sing, run for farewell lip dub

by Jamie Lim Despite the characteristic warm, humid weather of the monsoon season, at the final bell ending fourth block on Monday, April 26th, almost 100 seniors flocked to H301 to change out of their navy blue bottoms and white polos into capes, cowboy hats, sombreros, prom suits, Hawaiian skirts, tutus and oversized sunglasses.

Before the madness of AP exams and finals, the class of 2010 came together one last time for a last project: Senior Lip Dup 2010.

“We wanted to make the best senior video ever,” student co-producer Kathryn Tinker said. “After the last pep rally, we saw how musical everyone was, and how much people get into singing and dancing in front of the whole school, and that made us believe in it a lot more.”

Tinker worked with fellow producer, senior Melissa Huston, to direct and coordinate almost a hundred seniors in just one week of preparation. Yearbook adviser Tate Sonnack helped film, carrying the Steadicam across campus. It was filmed in a single shot that started by the

high school steps, trailed to the atrium and through the first floor cafeteria, then on to the track for the final closing scene. After a few hours of rehearsing and three full takes, the shooting was complete.

The lip dub was done to the cover of “Don’t Stop Believin’” by the cast of Glee, and will premiere at graduation on June 3.

“The main thing that I took away from lip dub was that I learned how energetic and how unified everyone in our grade is,” Tinker said.

www.eye.sasblubs.com • 40 Woodlands St. 41, Singapore 738547 • www.sas.edu.sg/hs • (65) 6363 3405 • MICA (P) 130/04/2010

2

May. 24, 2010

a

Timing may be everything:

by Evan Petty For high school students, the economy can appear on the surface to be irrelevant; in reality, a volatile stock market can affect much more than the value of shares. Truth be told, economic behavior today has long-term repercussions that will affect students when they are ready to enter the job market.

With the unemployment rate in the United States hovering around 10 percent, there is worldwide speculation that it will never completely recover - at least for the foreseeable future. Business teacher Tico Oms, however, looks upon the situation with optimism.

“I can’t make a prediction about what exactly will happen, but I don’t think there is any reason to think [the economy] won’t get better than it is now,” Oms said.

But how much better is “better?”

The 2010 Economic Report of the President (released in February of 2010) suggested that the unemployment rate in America will gradually decrease and then eventually plateau at approximately 6 percent around 2015. While this projected behavior of the U.S. economy is certainly better than the current situation, many economists consider it a disappointment.

A writer for AOL’s “Daily Finance,” Matthew Scott, was one of many professionals who put a negative spin on the future of the economy.

“The forecast of high

unemployment and moderate-tolow growth for the next five years is not the kind of news that desperate workers were looking to hear from an administration,” said Scott in his analysis of the report.

While the unemployment rate is a clear indicator of the availability of jobs, it also yields a very strong correlation with average salaries – a relationship that has been documented by Yale School of Management professor Lisa Kahn.

According to Kahn’s study, for every 1-percentage point increase in the national unemployment rate at the time a student graduates, he or she will earn six to eight percent less.

Her findings suggest that those who entered the job market at the height of the recession in 1982 lost roughly US$100,000 over their careers solely due to poor timing.

With the unemployment rate expected to stabilize around 2015 - the time many current juniors and seniors expect to graduate from university - it appears these students will have had missed the worst economic times when they are prepared to enter the job market.

Even so, the conditions do not appear to be particularly favorable.

Along with a very moderate projected economy, future high school graduates could also very well need to deal with an influx of older students who are currently escaping to the shelter of graduate school during the seemingly impenetrable job market.

Seven seniors drinking offcampus lose senior privileges

by Gretchen Connick Seven seniors used their senior privileges to go to the Woodlands hawker stalls to eat and drink at the end of the day during Wellness Week.

An SAS mother, accompanied by her primary school daughter, saw them while passing by and immediately notified the high school office.

Four of the seven were drinking, and one was smoking. Three of the four drinking were 18 years old.

Head of security Isaac Benjamin and a colleague went to check their identification to make sure they were 18. Benjamin emailed their names to Deputy Principal Doug Neihart. Parents of each student were called and Neihart interviewed them individually the following day. He revoked six of the seniors’ privileges.

“We thought that it was our own personal time,” one of the students, a senior male, said.

At the time, the students were not in uniform, were off school grounds and all but one are 18 years old, the legal age for alcohol and tobacco consumption.

Page 40 of the student handbook says, “Any students under the age of 18 that are observed by school personnel using alcohol or tobacco outside the SAS campus are subject to referral to the high school administration.”

Benjamin told the Eye that

news

the Eye

normally students in this situation are very rude and run away when they see him coming.

“They were very nice and quite cool about the whole situation,” he said.

Benjamin pointed out that he does not have the power to do anything about it other than investigate. He said students did not have to give him their identification and there was nothing that he could do about it besides “remember a face.” One of the students did not hand over his identification.

The students questioned the actions of the mother who was not school personnel and who they said violated their right to privacy.

“The school doesn’t have the right to take over our personal lives.

That is for us to deal with,” a senior male said.

Neihart did not explain the contradiction in policy and practice.

“I’m not at liberty to talk about the specific details of this incident,” he said.

While some students are critical of the outcome, the seven students defended the school’s actions. They say that it could have been worse.

“Neihart was just doing his job and he did what he believed he had to do. At least he never got mad, which was good, ” one of the seven, a senior male said. connick.eye@gmail.com

Class of 2010 may finish degrees just in time for economic upturn, but might have to compete with older students for jobs

“It’s a pig and python effect,” Oms said. “When the economy is down, students go to graduate school, but that just means the job market will be more competitive when they all come out. For me, when I came out, there were lots of jobs available because the economy was good.”

Despite the anticipated state of the economy, it is not all bad news for students expecting to enter the working world in four to five years.

Wake Forest University’s vice president of career development, Andy Chan has a theory that younger professionals hold a distinct advantage in the job market over

older competitors.

“If I could be anyone in the market who is unemployed who would I want to be? A new college graduate. Organizations are very interested in hiring young people because they have a lot of energy and are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done,” Chan said.

Others who hold similar opinions add that by hiring younger people, companies are better preparing themselves for the long term.

While students looking toward the working world should be happy to hear projections like Chan’s, Oms does not completely buy into the

notion.

“In the world now, people don’t stay at one place anymore. They are jumping jobs constantly so there is no real advantage for companies to hire younger,” Oms said.

Oms acknowledged that the timing of entering the job market plays a role in future success, but he did offer his two cents on what will be beneficial in the real world.

“Everyone needs hunger when looking for a job. What companies are really looking for is someone with basic skills that separate them from others.” petty.eye@gmail.com

Where tuition dollars are spent Teacher salaries and benefits make up almost 70 percent of each student’s annual tuition distribution Building Costs

Academic Programs Technology Central Administration Repayemnt of King’s Road Lease Planned Reserve

Salaries & Benefits *in millions of dollars

While a clear majority of the funds go toward teacher and staff salaries, another 14% go to building costs and maintenance. The planned reserve was recently added in the budget to create a budget that the school could last off of for six months without other funds coming in during an emergency. The technology budget is double the 2002 budget.

news

the Eye

Goodbye to pizza and prata

by Renee Hyde As students bid another school year good-bye, they can also say farewell to baked pasta, pizza and paninis. Sodexo, operator of Eagle Zone an Campus Signature Pizza (CPS) will leaving SAS’s campus at the end of the school.

William Scarborough, SAS’s Director of Financial and Business Operations, confirmed that Sodexo is leaving because their revenues have not been high enough.

“They weren’t selling enough to cover their costs, so they’ve been losing Campus Signature Pizza, one of Sodexo’s chains, will close shop at the end of this year due to money for the past 3 years deficits.The chain’s replacement at SAS is still unkown. Photo by Ann Lee - something on the order of said. $50,000,” Scarborough said.

But sophomore Bo Hamby was surprised to hear of Scarborough said the companies’ debt accumulated Sodexo’s departure. because CSP failed to generate volume.

“I thought they got a usual amount of business. I “No one is buying pizza. There’s a long line at didn’t think it wasn’t enough to make them leave,” he Subway... but there’s no one at the pizza counter. They said. just couldn’t sustain their business model.”

Scarborough said that Sodexo’s replacement is yet to Along with CSP, Sodexo is also removing the more be found. What is known is that is the menu will not be successful Eagle Zone from the middle and high school drastically different. because the Eagle Zone’s kitchen is shared with CSP. “I don’t expect Eagle Zone to change very much. We Students have mixed reactions upon hearing of have that oven there to make naan. They’ll pretty much Sodexo’s departure. Senior Heather Morris said she was have what the have now, maybe a few different items. I not surprised that CPS didn’t make it. would expect to see some new things in the high school “They don’t have enough variety from Mr. Ho’s. pizza counter [but] I couldn’t speculate what [it] could They don’t have anything to offer students,” Morris be,” Scarborough said. hyde.eye@gmail.com

A story of coming clean:

by Sophia Cheng Mike, wearing a bright orange T-shirt and carrying a silver, beetleshaped backpack, greeted me as we walked towards the Japanese restaurant near-by.

To passersby, he seemed just a friendly, middle-class Singaporean, someone you would ask for directions.

I chose the seat opposite him, and examined the one thing about him that hinted at his past – his weatherbeaten face. The lines and creases on his face represent every hardship he has gone through. He did not hesitate to share his stories.

Mike was born in 1958 - when drugs, long hair and rebellion defined the era. In 1974, he dropped out of school after tenth grade and joined a gang; that’s when his tale of drug abuse began.

Alone, Mike lived his life by one rule: He was a free man with a will of his own. It was no surprise that National Service was painful for him – the restrictions, rules and limitations drove him mad.

He was in the army for four years, serving prison terms now for subordination and petty theft. He was charged for beating and fighting officers, and one time, he was caught with seven life-rounds (bullets). I asked why he had them.

“Oh, my gang boss told me to steal some for their next robbery,” he told me.

He rejoined his gang once he was released from the army, and spent the following years of his life fighting, and doing whatever gang life required him to do. He said he was influential and powerful in his

gang, because he fought well.

He told me he had twelve men chasing after him, carrying knives and rods in their hands, and how he’d run miles before escaping them.

He told me how scared he’d be – “So scared,” he said, “that I’d literally wet my pants.” He told me stories of the underground gambling system, something that most Singaporeans are unaware of.

When I asked him whether he had ever been hurt, he talked about his addiction.

“Before a fight, I would take MX (methscoplamine) to make myself feel fearless,” Mike said. “And then after a fight I’d be in so much pain that I would take heroin as a painkiller.”

It took him a while to realize that he had become a heroin addict, a path that many gang member follow.

His gang was quick to abandon him. As soon as he was too weak to fight, he was on his own. Now, his life revolved around drugs, getting them in his system by any means.

I asked him if he had ever thought of coming out clean and quitting his gang life after each prison term.

He told me that he wanted to, and that he had all sorts of plans when he was in prison.

“When you come out of prison, you realize how much a society can change within a year. But gangs will never change,” Mike said.

He had participated in many drug-free programs, but relapsed every time.

The Singaporean government sends prisoners to halfway houses before fully releasing them.

“It allows prisoners to slowly

a

May 24, 2010

Hallam places 43 out of 12,000 in Singapore marathon

3

bumped into him in the first few hundred meters of the run.

“He did very well,” Coppell said. “When he joined us at the start, it was an emotional moment, especially considering the roller coaster he’s been through in the past few months.”

Hallam finished 43rd out of 12,000 runners. Though his recovery has been a volatile one, he expressed his content with the process thus far.

“It felt great because I was able to move my arms and move my legs and I had full mobility,” he said. “And a few weeks before that it was hurting me just to breathe.

My recovery hasn’t been a linear process, so I was happy that the last two weeks have been good for me.”

Coppell expressed his hopes for Hallam’s recovery to continue going well.

“If his recovery continues like it’s been going,” he said. “I think he can win it next year.” lim.eye@gmail.com

by Jamie Lim On May 6, 2010, thousands of runners from around the island made their way down to Marina to take compete in the seventh annual J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge.

The 5.6km run saw a number of the SAS faculty participate, but there was one high school faculty member there that some may not have expected to see race.

High school English teacher, and winner of last year’s event, Andrew Hallam underwent surgery in midNovember after being diagnosed with a rare type of bone cancer.

Barely five months after doctors removed parts of three separate ribs, a small slice of his lungs and a part of his spine, Hallam was at the starting line, surrounded by other SAS faculty wearing shirts and bracelets reading “Running with Andrew.”

“I was honored,” Hallam said. “It was definitely emotional when I first found out about that, then thinking about it before the event itself.”

High school social studies teacher and fellow runner Ian Coppell was with Hallam as Intermediate School principal Marc his colleagues circled him in L’Heureux and superintendent an attempt to make sure no one Brent Mutsch rest after their run.

Recovered drug addict speaks with The Eye about drug gangs, withdrawal, relapse, recovery

reintegrate into the society, and is generally believed that it lowers the chances of relapse compared to releasing directly,” Joseph Teo, board member of HighPoint Community Services Association, said. “Some are solely meant for prisoners, some for drug abusers and the mentally ill.”

Mike had been to a halfway house five times – each after a prison term.

He had failed five times to separate himself with drugs, unable to resist the temptation and the memories of getting high.

One day, he made a decision that came from his heart.

He had fallen in love with a girl named Grace, whom, at that time worked as an escort in a Japanese lounge. She was hooked on all sorts of drugs to fill up her empty and lonely life, and together, they were determined to lead a normal, clean life.

“It was the end of a path, a very painful one,” Mike said. “So I decided to give it a try.”

In 1997, Mike entered HighPoint, the halfway house that he said changed his life three-hundredsixty-degrees.

A Christian-based organization, HighPoint was founded by a prison warden, a pastor and two former drug addicts 14 years ago.

“[Recovery] was the end of a path, a very painful one. So I decided to give it a try.”

- Mike, ex-drug addict

Today Mike works for an automobile firm and Grace at a hair salon. They have been drug free for almost seven years, and are happily married They both told me their experiences during the withdrawal period, and both shuddered a little as they spoke.

I asked Mike whether he was happier now. He kissed his wife on the forehead.

“Never been happier.”

It was the year of 1997, where Mike entered HighPoint, the halfway house that changed his life threehundred-sixty-degrees.

A Christian-based organization,

HighPoint was founded by a prison warden, a pastor and two former drug addicts fourteen years ago.

Today, Mike works at an automobile firm and Grace at a hair salon. They have been drug free for almost seven years, and are happily married.

They both told me their experiences during the withdrawal period, and both shuttered a little as they spoke.

In the end, I asked Mike whether he’s happier now. He kisses his wife on the forehead and said “Never been happier.” cheng.eye@gmail.com

4

May. 24, 2010

a

opinion & editorial

the Eye

An Eye Staff Editorial

School’s authority to police lives seems to extend beyond front gate

Anonymity often works against common decency, civil behavior A little boy in a Spiderman mask pushes his sister. A teenager eggs a car on Halloween. A man pulls on a white hood and burns a cross.

Anonymity is seen as an opportunity to step beyond one’s usual comfort zone to do what they otherwise wouldn’t do. Sometimes this goes too far.

There are many valuable forms of anonymous feedback. Surveys for teachers, question slips for uncomfortable topics, whistleblower reports -anonymity has its uses.

But with tools like the Internet pervading our daily lives, unanticipated problems with anonymity surface. While the Internet is a useful tool because of its vast potential for communication, forums like YouTube comments and Formspring messages allow even the crudest statements to be made.

When handed anonymity, why do people see it as a chance to be cruel? Why is it that when we are allowed to say whatever we want, we choose to say mean things? These cruel voices carry too much weight. A single anonymous post feels like the opinion of the world when no name is attached. The public venue and viral messages magnify any slander and allow one voice to multiply, blowing an issue completely out of proportion.

People should have the right to say what they want. But when they’re anonymous, they are no longer speaking for themselves. They have stripped themselves of their identities and, like a kid on Halloween, act in disguise. “Anon,” “user,” “bballgurl147” are all characters, under the disguise of masks.

We shouldn’t let anonymity become our only way of communicating.

If we do, we could never learn when to speak up, what to say and how to confront others. But most importantly, we lose any sense of accountability.

We are raised to hold ourselves responsible for our actions. But when one is anonymous, he is no longer responsible for his behavior.

We learn because of consequences. Don’t touch the hot stove because you’ll burn your hand. If you steal your friend’s toy, he won’t want to play with you anymore. When we’re anonymous, consequences disappear.

In high school, this loss of accountability may seem trivial. But what happens when we move on to college, where we are solely responsible for managing our lives? How about at work, when our livelihoods depend on our accountability? Bosses don’t love employees who always make excuses.

It’s already happening. People sue McDonald’s for their hot coffee when they spill it on their laps. Parents yell at teachers when their child, who didn’t read the chapter, fails a test. Obese people sue fast food chains when they gain weight, despite the fact that they make the choice to eat there daily.

We have to be careful. It’s about more than hurt feelings. Anonymity does have its benefits, but we can’t abuse it. If we do, we lose our identities, we lose our social abilities, we lose communication skills, we lose our responsibility and ultimately, we pay the price.

Lip Dub Version 2: “We’re all in this together”

by Kathryn Tinker

theeye

Ryan Ryan Chan Chan

Administration needs to establish where school jurisdiction starts and ends

When you join SAS, your parents relinquish some of their rights. Past the main gate, the school compound does not end. SAS’s jurisdiction expands into the public sphere, but the rules are not clear.

In late March, six 18-year old high school students and one 17-year old were caught drinking at a Woodlands hawker stall.

“We were all called into the office, and Mr. Neihart explained that a parent made a complaint that we were drinking in school uniform,” one of the students said.

Although none of the students were in uniform at the time, all of them lost their senior privileges for the remainder of the year.

“You’ve got kids throwing up in the school atrium, and all they get is in-school suspension, while we got our senior privileges taken away,” Austin Roark, one of the students, said.

This case raises a key question – not of the rightness or wrongness of alcohol consumption, but of the implementation of school rules.

According to the student handbook, “Any students under 18 who are observed by school personnel using alcohol or tobacco outside the SAS campus are subject to referral to the high school administration.” If this rule stands, then the off-campus drinkers should not have been penalized.

Two main inconsistencies arise from this case: (1) the initial observer was a parent and (2) six of the alleged students were of legal age. In no way should these points

Brand name university not always surest path to success in business world Nihal Krishan

Passion, commitment, hard work the stuff that success made of in Forbes analysis

As the year draws to a close and students prepare for exams and graduation, one question resonates in the halls - ‘Where are you going to college?’ The average Facebook status reads “_______ University 2014!!!” and parents talk about where their son or daughter is headed for the next four years.

Students view their college choice as the most important decision they will ever make. People seem to view college as an indicator of future success and happiness.

However, the college you graduate from is not the yardstick to measure how successful you will be in life.

“One tragic misconception is that you have to go to a prestigious, big-name academic institution to really get ahead,” wrote Thomas

Singapore American High School 40 Woodlands Street 41 Republic of Singapore 738547 Phone: (65) 6363-3404 Fax: (65) 6363-6443 eye@sas.edu.sg

condone the behavior, but it draws attention to an ambiguous policy.

Semantics may drive the argument above, but words matter.

Gray zones should be lightened or darkened – one or the other.

Senior Sid Shanker takes issue with school rules.

“The school has made their rules ambiguous,” he said. “Nobody knows what the rules are.”

The “Off Campus Alcohol and Tobacco Use Policy” only states the school “urges all SAS students to refrain from drinking alcohol, using tobacco products or using any type of performance-enhancing drugs.”

The language is not concrete.

Does “refrain” mean students have a choice? What penalties affect those who are of age? Do the rules apply to students not dressed in uniform? Phrases like “refrain from,” “urges all,” and “ are encouraged” send mixed messages. A simple “yes” or “no” would tell us more.

Moreover, nowhere do the rules state that wearing a school uniform in public binds a student to school policy.

“As soon as we take our uniforms off, we are no longer bound by the school,” Shanker said. “The school uniform is a good place to draw the line.”

Facebook has made “the line” even fuzzier.

Former executive council treasurer Kevin Kim lost his NHS membership and student council leadership position because of a faux-pas on interim semester.

According to Kim, somebody

Sowell of the New York Post.

CEOs of the Fortune 50 (The top 50 US public corporations ranked by gross revenue) are often viewed as the most successful people in society.

The colleges that the Fortune 50 CEOs attended are a perfect example of how the college one attends is not a determinant of success.

Time Magazine did a feature on the colleges that Fortune 50 CEOs attend,and the results showed that over 70 percent of the CEOs did not attend highly-ranked brand name colleges. Most of them attended their local state university with the University of Texas system topping the list with three CEOs attending it.

In 2004, there were 99 new CEOs named at Fortune 1,000 companies and only one of the 99

Print editors-in-chief: Melissa Huston, Ann Lee Web editors-in-chief: Caroline Hui, Jamie Lim News editors: Natalie Muller Op Ed Editor: Lauren Felice A&E editors: Stanton Yuwono, Anbita Siregar Sports editor: Evan Petty Copy editors: Danielle Courtenay, Jamie Lim Photo editors: Danielle Courtenay Layout editor: Kathryn Tinker Reporters: Eleanor Barz, Sophia Cheng, Gretchen Connick, Lauren Felice, Caroline Hui, Melissa Huston, Renee Hyde, Sasha Jassem, Nihal Krishan, Ann Lee, Jamie Lim, Natalie Muller, Evan Petty, Danica Pizzi, Anbita Siregar, Aarti Sreenivas, Kathryn Tinker, Stanton Yuwono Photographers: Kenny Evans, Danielle Courtenay Adviser: Mark Clemens

found Facebook photos of Kim drinking on the Germany trip. After the administration was notified, Kim accepted the appropriate consequences, which included a letter of apology to Dartmouth College.

But should the school rely on Facebook photos to make big or possibly life-changing decisions?

Facebook’s policy on uploaded material states that “you grant us a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content that you post on or in connection with Facebook.”

Although Facebook is part of the public domain, the school has yet to formally account for cyberspace.

No doubt Facebook makes its users vulnerable. Envious mothers, jealous peers or unfaithful friends are free to use what you post as they please. If that means sending a picture of you at Newton Circus to the SAS administration, they can legally do so.

Sullying another student’s reputation is a slimy act.

Students should not mudsling others by creating scandals – nor should the school allow it.

“People Magazine” doesn’t substantiate Supreme Court decisions, so why should Facebook substantiate the administration’s?

The buck stops here.

“If there is any doubt, you give [the student] the benefit of the doubt...

Just on principle,” Shanker said.

The problem of ambiguity has been aggravated by outdated policies and misleading language.

Vagueness is a dangerous tone, and rules at SAS need to be up-tospeed with the Internet and precise.

SAS will not be able to account for all of its students.

But the student handbook needs legs that carry weight. Otherwise, why even have a rule book? chan.eye@gmail.com

had an undergraduate degree from an Ivy League school. A study by the Wharton school at University of Pennsylvania indicates that the degrees of Fortune 100 CEOs from an Ivy League school has decreased from 14 percent in 1980 to 10 percent in 2001. On the other hand, the percentage of CEOs with undergraduate degrees from public colleges and universities shot up from 32 percent in 1980 to 48 percent in 2001.

Instead of focusing on which college they attend, students should focus on finding something that they are passionate about and genuinely interested in. The goal that students strive for - this passion and engagement in their work - is what will determine their success ultimately.

People who are dedicated, hardworking and passionate about their job will go far in life no matter where they attend college. So take an offbeat course in college, try a new job or internship, explore the world and delve in things that interest and excite you. Discover your passion and pursue it-success will surely be yours. krishan.eye@gmail.com

The Eye is the student newspaper of the Singapore American School. All opinions stated within these pages are those of their respective writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Singapore American School, its board of governors, PTA, faculty or administration.Comments and suggestions can be sent to the Eye via the Internet at eye.letters@ gmail.com. At the author’s request, names can be withheld from publication. Letters will be printed as completely as possible. The Eye reserves the right to edit letters for reasons of taste and space.

features

The money pit:

By Ann Lee Senior Roxy Hesh took three SAT Reasoning tests and one ACT test when she was preparing to apply to college. “ I didn’t mind taking the SAT because I had to do it anyway, but I had to do SAT prep which was really expensive. ” Hesh said that prep courses helped her minimally. She was frustrated that her SAT scores were not indicative of her GPA in high school.

While Hesh’s parents told her that she could spend as much as she needed to apply to college, Hesh acknowledged that the SAT fees may be a burden for some people.

“A lot of people who have low income might be harder to take SAT and AP tests and SAT tutoring,” Hesh said.

According to the results of an Eye survey, 55.7 percent of 70 seniors said they took the SAT reasoning test two times. An overwhelming 79.7 percent of seniors said they thought SAT tests were expensive.

Senior Rushi Krishna took the SAT reasoning test two times.

“I think because it’s necessary, [College Board] can make it pretty high, but we didn’t have any problem paying it. I took a prep course that was expensive. I took it at school and it cost about $800, but for me it helped so it was worth it,” Krishna said.

Senior Allie Lee also took the SAT two times. Lee said that her second SAT test, which she took after taking a prep course, had a significantly higher score than her first test. According to the survey, 71.4 percent of SAS seniors replied

the Eye

a

May 24, 2010

5

Students often spend thousands on SAT prep tutoring, SAT and AP tests in efforts to impress university admissions offices

they took SAT prep. 24 percent of them took a prep course twice, and 12 percent said they took more than three SAT prep courses. 21.5 percent of seniors surveyed replied that they spent more than SGD $1,000 on SAT prep.

More and more colleges are going SAT optional, with mainstream colleges such as New York University and well-known liberal arts colleges like Bowdoin going SAT optional.

However, 47.1 percent of the students surveyed replied hat they would still take the SAT test. The consensus in the comments was that SAT scores would help a student stand out from others.

“A student with a GPA of 4.0 and a perfect score on the SAT would still have an advantage over someone with the same GPA but no SAT scores. But if I didn’t think my scores would help, I wouldn’t send them in and I wouldn’t retake the SAT,” one senior commented.

Time Magazine reporter John The number breakdown: how much we spend and on what we spend it on This is an estimate breakdown of the categories that students spend money on while they are preparing for college applications.The data is based on the survey the Eye sent out in April. The Eye calculated the costs of each category based on the response of the students. For example, the average AP costs was calculated by multiplying the AP testing fee with the number of AP tests that students replied the most (5*86US$) . SAT prep courses turned out to be the biggest money gobbler, taking 53.6% of the whole cost. AP tests were 23%, SAT tests 7.6%, SAT subject tests 4.9%, and college application fees 10.7%.

The total cost was 1,864 US$.

Cloud reported that most admissions officers say the tests can be a useful guard against grade inflation, as more and more students get As in the classroom.

Ninety percent of students replied that they thought AP tests (SGD$150 per test) was expensive.

However, one senior said that the cost of an AP test is not that expensive considering the long run.

“If you’re able to receive credits at college, you can then take extra classes that may contribute to a double major or a major/minor you couldn’t have done before.”

Eighty-four percent of seniors replied that their college accept AP credits.

“For me, my parents wanted me to take them. I had a bit of a disagreement with them because of that, but I figured it would be better to take them and maybe not use them as opposed to not take them and need them later,” Krishna said.

New York Times reporter Jaques

SAT Prep course fees, 1,000 US$

Steinberg wrote about a survey commissioned by the Thomas B. Fordham institute, a non-profit organization. The study found that “students appear to be focused on AP for utilitarian or pragmatic reasons, not intellectual aspirations.”

Ninety percent of AP teachers in the study said that the AP is growing because there are more students who want their college applications to look better. Only 32 percent attributed AP growth to more students who want to be challenged at a higher academic level.

Senior Allie Lee will will graduate with seven AP credits this June, and has taken the SAT reasoning test two times.

“Even though I did take my AP exams, I won’t be using the credit for it because I took the APs two years ago, and I want to go over it again [in college],” Lee said.

Lee said she took the AP classes because of the extra boost in the grade, to challenge herself,

Registration fees for 5 APs, 430 US$

and because it looks better on her transcript if she took more APs. College application fees, SAT, AP and SAT tutoring fees were a financial burden to 20 percent of resondents’ families.

“It is miserable that the U.S. education system relies on the College Board courses and tests.

Education, along with all the unnecessary exams College Board offers, should not be sold. How can this system allow students with minimal finances to compete with those from wealthy families?” one senior in the survey asked. This senior will graduate with 7 to 9 APs, but will be going to a college that does not accept AP credit.

“Coming from the British system, I found that College Board controlling both the SAT and AP exams is acting as a monopoly. In the British system it’s cheaper- they sell the exam papers but it’s cheaper... and it’s more than one exam board so it’s not a monoply,” Krishna said.

College application fees, 200 US$ 2 SAT tests, 142 US$ 2 SAT subject tests, 92 US$

Cameras on campus have got you covered...most of the time

by Caroline Hui Sophomore Melad Bassiri left his bag in the media lab, assuming it would be safe under the supervision of 20 students and three adults.

When he came back, he noticed his bag was lighter than it was when he left it. He opened his bag.

A new laptop and charger were gone.

When no one turned his laptop into the office, Bassiri filed a report with the school, as well as a police report.

The laptop is still missing today.

Bassiri is one of many students who have lost valuable items this year. According to Security/ Safety Manager Isaac Benjamin, 115 items so far have been stolen in the 2009 - 2010 school year.

There are 120 cameras in the entire school, 22 in the high school and 16 in the library. All the working cameras are analog, or pre-digital, cameras.

“They are about to die now,” Benjamin said, “so we are putting up a budget to discuss and go to digital cameras and recorders, maybe in this June-July period.”

The analog cameras and their recorders are unreliable on playback.

Because playback images are low resolution, they are not always clear, and it is difficult to identify the individual committing an offense.

“We normally depend on the teachers,” he said, “like the case

but I am normally up front,” Benjamin said.

“Whenever the teachers ask me, I say, ‘Sorry, in this corridor there is no camera.’”

At this point with no images, security officers rely on old-fashioned police work, interviewing staff, teachers and students to identify culprits.

Scene of the crime: a urinal in the second floor boys bathroom outside the cafeteria was smashed to pieces by an unknown person.

While the school security has 16 security cameras in the high school library, no cameras were available to help security identify the person because no camera is in that vicinity. Photo by Danielle Courtenay

of the high school locker room [in November]. We couldn’t recognize [the individual] so I took a snapshot of the student and we send it to the teachers who were walking around there.

Eventually, somebody said, ‘I think I recognize him.’”

Sometimes, Benjamin said, teachers recognize the individual based on their posture or their bag, but the picture might be blurred, making it hard to put a name to a face.

“That’s why we’re trying to go to digital cameras,” he said. “Digital cameras are much, much clearer.”

Faked You Out: The main purpose of the security cameras is deterrence. For this reason, the security department has installed several fake cameras throughout the school.

“We want the students not to do the wrong thing,” he said. “If you know there’s a camera there, chances are out of 10 guys, maybe nine guys will know not to do anything.”

Fake cameras cost about five dollars, while the current analog cameras cost about $250 each. If SAS were to switch from analog to

digital cameras, each digital camera would cost at least $800. This does not including the cost of cabling.

“We’ve got 120 cameras to install,” he said. “All together, [it] will cost us a bomb.”

The majority of the fake cameras are old cameras that have not been taken out. Benjamin said that a simple circuit comes with the fake camera that lights up to create the false impression that a camera is recording Sometimes an offense takes place in an area where there is a fake camera.

“It becomes quite embarrassing,

Not so high-tech: Benjamin said that the security cameras have not been very successful.

“Sometimes we have thefts that the cameras do not cover because the cameras cannot cover everywhere,” he said. “Not very successful.

Very few cases we’ve caught.”

Though Benjamin estimates the success rate of finding stolen items to be about two percent, there have been success stories.

Once there was a high school student who ran out of school before the security guard could catch him.

The security camera caught his bag, and from his bag, the high school principals were able to identify him.

Benjamin does not attribute the high number of losses to faulty technology though.

“I think [the number of losses] is about the same because people leave things lying unattended,” he said.

“If students can be a bit more careful regarding items, [the number] will certainly be minimized.” caroline.eye@gmail.com

the Eye

Leaving a mark

by Sasha Jassem Upon hearing the words “tattoo artist” the average person thinks of a man or woman covered in tattoos and piercings, working in a dark, cramped studio downtown. Senior Alex Hein defies that stereotype. At an age when most teenagers have jobs working at movie theatres, the mall and grocery stores, Hein works as a tattoo apprentice at Asia Tattoo Studio in Chinatown.

For expat students getting a job is Singapore is difficult enough, but for Hein getting an actual apprenticeship took even more time and effort.

“I got the apprenticeship by first searching online about how to actu-

a

May 24, 2010

7

Senior Alex Hein defies stereotype, apprentices as tattoo artist

ally go about getting an apprenticeship,” Hein said. “It said you needed to get a portfolio together, so I did.

Then I searched and found a tattoo parlor in Singapore, contacted them, went in for an interview and got the apprenticeship.”

Before she started tattooing people there were steps that she had to take in order to get used to the weight of the tattoo machine as well as what it would feel like to pierce another person’s skin.

“I first had to outline pictures with the tattoo machine attached to a pen, which is sort awkward feeling because it’s really heavy,” Hein said. “Then, after I mastered the art of drawing with the heavy pen,

I moved onto fake skin. It’s a square of thick rubber that is truthfully nothing like real skin but it gets you used to the depth the needle should go in, making straight lines and shading.

Then after a while on fake skin I moved onto real skin.”

Hein said that by being a tattoo artist and tattooing people you are permanently making a mark on someone’s life.

“The most difficult thing about tattooing is the stress. Its crazy to think that what I’m doing will be on someone’s skin until they die, so messing up is really not an option.”

Since the start of her apprenticeship she has tattooed seven people, two of whom were seniors Taylor

Smith and Jessie Driesens. Both Driesens and Smith had there first tattoos done by Hein and were equally pleased with the result.

“I felt more comfortable having a friend do my tattoo than some random stranger. It made the tattoo a little more personal.” Driesens said.

“I was so nervous, considering it was my first tattoo and my best friend doing it, but she was very professional, and I even got a piece of candy to keep my mind off things.”

Smith added.

Hein’s interest in the art of tattooing is not just a hobby.

“In June I’m going to San Diego, California, to study art, and I’ll hopefully be working in a studio

there. There are eight studios on the same street I live on so I don’t think I’ll have a problem finding a place to work. “ Hein said.

Hein said while the job market is competitive she is optimistic and in response to what the future may hold concluded, “In five years I see myself maybe traveling around, learning techniques from other tattoo artists. If you go to tattoo conventions you see other artist’s techniques and designs and you gain a lot of experience in the long run. Then in ten years I can see myself opening up my own studio.” jassem.eye@gmail.com

School spirit revved up Show off some spirit: class.

junior students cheer wildly for their

by Anbita Siregar Don’t lie. Every high school student’s ultimate goal is to get out of school and move on to college and, eventually, the real world.

We cannot wait to grow up and leave high school, but while we are here, Student Council is trying to make these four years memorable.

“We’re constantly trying to find ways of improving not as much the spirit but making high school a high school experience,” Executive Council sponsor Eric Burnett said.

With the kindergarten-esque activities run by Student Council, we

are reminded that we are still kids at heart, and we love it. We cheer on our friends pedaling a tricycle through the cafeteria. More and more students are volunteering to participate in spirit activities, and Student Council is doing the impossible: rallying Eagle support from our high school.

SAS is known for being the biggest international school in the world, but even Wikipedia knows we lack spirit. We are so used to winning, we expect victory, that we feel there is no need to sit under the scorching sun, decked out in school

colors, and scream our lungs out. We used to not show up to IASAS events unless we were rewarded with getting excused from class.

We are getting better with behind Student Council’s leadership. It is a slow process, but it is definitely moving forward.

There were no pep rallies five years ago until then-advisor, Roy Tomlinson, convinced the administration to give them one more chance to rally support.

“We used to have [pep rallies] in the drama theater. People went up on stage and did some stuff there and

eventually got it to the gym,” Burnett said.

Burnett joined the Student Council team four years ago and jumpstarted homecoming.

“It’s his baby,” Executive Council Communications Director Melissa Huston said.

Burnett started an event that has grown to become a solid SAS tradition. It was hard getting it off the ground. There was a homecoming dance after the game during the first year, but it didn’t turn out so well.

“We were crowning the homecoming king and queen, and I looked

around and there are seven people there, and half those were Mr. Norris’s and my children,” Burnett said.

Despite its rocky start, homecoming is now an annual event, attracting more people every year.

We’re all going to graduate and grow up one day, but while we’re here, we might as well have fun.

Thanks to Burnett and the student councils, our high school experience will be a memorable one.

“We’re saving the world, one spirit activity at a time,” Burnett said. siregar.eye@gmail.com

EYE IN FOCUS: featuresSENIOR SPECIAL

the Eye

Every senior needs a list:

A bucket list for essential things to do, places to see before leaving Singapore’s shores 1. Newton Circus: make sure you try sting ray and also be sure to look for Roger (a man that walks around singing to groups of people) 2. Raffles Hotel and take a picture of the doorman, the most photographed personality in Singapore 3. Clarke Quay and do the G-Max( Bungy ball).

4. Universal Studios 5. The Singapore flyer for a spectacular view of Singapore and Marina Bay 6. The fish spa at Tanglin Shopping Center 7. Get on the MRT and get off at a random spot in Singapore and just explore around 8. Haji Lane near Arab Street, there are unique shops 9. East Coast Park and have a picnic with a group of friends 10. Chinatown and Little India

a

May 24, 2010

7

by Danica Pizzi es. There are delicacies unique to Singapore, As seniors finish off their last round of fi- and what better place to get them than from nals and AP’s and get ready to don their cap Newton Circus’ Hawkers stalls. “Part of going and gown for graduation on June 3, there are to Newton is talking to my BFF Roger and eatcertain attractions; places to go and things to ing yummy Singaporean food, like sting ray,” do before you take your last flight out. This senior Lauren Betts said. island country has a large expat presence and While it is important that we not neglect we have found ways to make this country our these local attractions, there are some touristy own. We have scouted out the things that we ones that should be sampled as well. Universal are familiar with and American chains that Studios has finally come to Singahave come here, Chili’s, TGI Fripore, and what better way to end out days, McDonalds, Burger King the year than spending a few hours and the list goes on. There are going on rollercoaster’s , like the one multiple nightclubs in the Clarke themed for The Mummy and visiting Quay Area that appeal to the tourthe land of Far Far Away with Shrek ist and several shopping complexes and friends? Get your adrenaline gofilled with designer shopping. But ing at Clarke Quay with a ride on there are some parts of Singapore the G- Max. This sling shot ride gets that we do not explore because we your blood pumping and is a tension Danica Pizzi too often look for the familiar. reducing thrill that everyone should Students should take a trip have to release all the tension that down to Haji Lane by Arab Street. builds up surrounding exams. You It is an area for shopping whose stores sell vin- may think the Singapore Flyer is a tourist trap, tage clothes, handbags, and accessories all for but the view from the top of the flyer is una reasonable price in a sharp contrast to the parralled. You have a stellar view of Marina usual shopping at Ion and Wisma Atria. We Bay and Singapore’s Merlion and if you go have all been to Sentosa at one time or anoth- at night, you feel as if you are flying over the er, spent a few hours on the beach and maybe spectacularly lit city. brought a picnic lunch, but how many of us While the end of the year is approaching have actually gone on a picnic to Botanical and the monumental events are few and far Gardens or East Coast Park with a group of apart, go and experience some of these attracfriends? These are some of the most beauti- tions that are uniquely Singapore and finish ful places in Singapore. Relax and have a laid off your time at SAS with some memories that back lunch instead of being cooped up in the you will always remember. work together and American Club’s Eagles Nest which is a com- have an awesome year,” Goode said. pizzi.eye@gmail.com mon destination for Saturday afternoon lunch-

Alumni offer advice on moving in, adjusting, living alone 2009 graduates miss friends, teachers, lemon chicken but treasure freedom of college life

by Danielle Courtenay Miranda describes as “[a] bizarre Well, it’s that time of year. The mix of exciting and terrifying.” It’s latter half of the latter half of the no wonder, since the switch from year: fourth quarter. For most, high school to higher education it signals the final stretch until holds a host of difficult adjustments. summer, when vacationing, relaxing “It was pretty horrible at first. and sleeping provide a well-needed It took me quite a while to get over respite before another year at SAS homesickness and I had to learn begins. For the red shirts, however, how to take care of myself which (the seniors, was pretty not the political challenging,” faction) these Priscilla Chan I miss having last few said. “It was weeks are a better Asian food. incredibly hard countdown to for me to leave Like, who really is all of that behind both an end and a beginning.

General Tsou and and start off in After the class an entirely new how did he get of 2010 empties place where I his own chicken out of the NUS knew no one... auditorium and there was dish named on June 3, no chicken rice after him? preparations within a five for college life mile radius.” begin. And as much as creeping “It’s true, you miss your around College Confidential message mommy,” Nihal Varkey added. boards may help, nothing can quite Aside from major changes, seniors compare to advice from the experts. often forget that the easier aspects of Enter the young alumni of 2009 daily life in Singapore don’t always - the soon-to-be college sophomores exist in college. who have, for the most part, “I didn’t realize what a huge successfully navigated their first impact this aspect would make year of independence. So what kind on my life and activities, but it is of indispensable advice might they extremely hard to get around...if have for us? you don’t drive,” Ahilya Kaul said.

“Lunchables are crucial,” Miranda agrees that the hassle of Michael Jeong said. And while having to rely on mobile friends can processed cheeses and ambiguous become tiring. meats may be a large part of the “It sucks having to rely on your college-transition adventure, there roommate or a friend to drive you are some experiences that transcend to Target when all you need to do the horizons of pre-packaged foods. is buy some shampoo,” she said.

For example, most seniors find But inconveniences aside, the 2009 that they’re currently experiencing alumni agree that the thrills of a strange mixture of emotions Elliot independent living often help ease

“

”

the pain of homesickness.

“You can pretty much do whatever you want - study the subjects that interest you, wear what you feel like - (like sweatpants to class everyday) and make your social life whatever you want it to be,” Esha Sondhi, now at Wellesley College, said.

“As much as parents may be appalled by this, I love being able to decide whether I want to go to class or sleep some more,” Miranda added.

Yet regardless, most still find that they miss certain parts of life at SAS. From the structure of classes to the taste of lemon chicken, they recommend that seniors approach their final weeks with enjoyment rather than apathy.

“I miss a lot of the teachers and the personal relationships that I had with them. When you get to college, you’ll take classes with over 100

people – the professor won’t know who you are let alone whether or not you go to class. I also miss being able to participate in all the zillion activities I was interested in... and interim especially,” Chan said.

Michael Jeong’s focus was more centered on a lack of fine dining in the US. “I miss having better Asian food...like, who really is General Tsou and how did he get his own chicken dish named after him?

That’s just ridiculous.”

But the key they say, saccharine as it may sound, is to be surrounded by a strong group of friends.

“Listen up Spiderman,” Varkey quipped, “with great freedom comes great responsibility. Share those responsibilities with your friends.

You are not alone.”

Each of the 2009-ers interviewed had plenty of extra wisdom to pass

A new adventure: Priscilla Chan, Class of 2009, visited South Africa with her acapella group, Talisman. Chan, after struggling to adjust to college life at Stanford University, found her footing and eventually turned Stanford into her new home.

Photo provided by Priscilla chan

on.

“Don’t worry if you don’t know what you want to do with your life yet. I’ve had several friends have no idea what they want to do, start the year “undecided” or switch majors entirely and that’s all okay,” Miranda assures.

“Free stuff is available especially during the first week of school when everyone is trying to settle in crucial,” Jeong says.

“You are now suave, polished human beings. Strut your stuff when you walk down the halls or when you sit in class,” Varkey says. And finally, they remind the class of 2010 to never lose contact with friends, no matter how many miles of ocean exist between them.

“Download Skype,” Chan said.

“You’re going to need it!” courtenay.eye@gmail.com

features

mit a the Eye EYE SENIOR SPECIAL May. 24, 2010 8 IN FOCUS:

CLASS of 2010

v

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

Stanford Jo Texas a&m Johns hop s Parsons Aditi Abrol Joshua Abueva Benjamin Adickes Arshia Ahuja Daniel Albanese Miracle Anderson Stephanie Anderson Vincent Andrade John Ang Alexis Asselin Lauzon Olivia Auerbach Rina Baba Bradford Bahl Caroline Baicy Brittney Bailey Alexander Bakshi Shannon Barge Eleanor Barz Alexis Bell Lauren Betts Sumanjeet Bose James Bowers Frank Boyd Will Bradley Christopher Briggs Ian Bryson Cody Burkett Pierre Cassini Vanessa Ceithamer Alexander Chadwick Patrina Chan Ryan Chan Calvin Chang Jason Chang Michael Chang Chris Chee Yvonne Chen Tommy Cheng Bei Er Cheok Cindy Cherng Lucas Chiang Daniel Choi Aaditya Chowdhry Ted Chritton Dennis Chu Sarah Chuah

University of Pennsylvania University of Notre Dame Wisconsin Lutheran College University of Michigan Case Western Reserve University Gap Year George Washington University DePaul University National Service McGill University Bennington College University of Toronto Pacific Lutheran University Emily Carr University of Art and Design Kansas State University New York University Sydney, Australia Australia New Zealand University of Oregon National Service Florida South Dakota National Service Undecided Louisiana State University University of Texas at San Antonio Parsons School of Design, Paris University of South Florida College of William & Mary Parsons The New School For Design National Service, Yale University of Maryland, Baltimore New York University Texas A&M University University of Texas at Austin New Jersey Institute of Technology National Service Tufts University Ringling College of Art and Design New York University Waseda University National Service Lawrence University University of Pennsylvania Rochester Institute of Technology

Phoebe Clark Duncan Clydesdale Michael Conrad Danielle Courtenay Austin Cox Lars Crawford John Creech Virginia Cucchi Nico Daily Jati Darmawan John Davis Brittany Dawe Morgan Deary Carson DeBerry Scott DeNoma Dymock Dibb Dan Dinsmore Jessie Driesens Serge Du Preez Nisha Duara Joshua Dwyer Belinda Eg Kenneth Evans James Fan Lawrence Fan Erika Farias Caitlin Favati Lauren Felice Katherina Feng Myles Fenwick Ashan Fernando James Fickel Anjuli Finch Harry Fischer Sara Gaines Kimberly Gellenbeck Zach Gilbert Cecilia Gregg Matthew Grgas Ishan Gupta Nishant Hardikar Matt Hardy Raymond Harless

Sydney, Australia Alexandra Hein Johns Hopkins University Roxanne Hesh University of Colorado - Colorado Springs Paige Hicks The American University of Paris Jennifer Ho University of Washington Dylan Howell University of Washington Audrey Hsia University of California - Irvine Caroline Hui Italy Mitchell Hulse Blinn College Hannele Hupanen Ringling College of Art and Design Melissa Huston Wheater College Christian Hvide University of British Columbia Renee Hyde Seattle University Natasha Irani University of North Texas Mishal Iyer Gap Year Woo Won Jang Australia Sasha Jassem National Service Shivika Jhunjhnuwala University of Michigan, Flint Priscilla Kang Idaho Noo Ree Kang Glion Institute of Higher Education Marjhan Kausar California Lutheran University Stepanie Kendall New York University Dong Hyun Kim Knox College Jong Chan Kim Franklin And Marshall College National Service Kevin Kim University of Oregon Min Ji Kim Miami University Sung Yeon Kim Stanford University Young Won Kim Pennsylvania State University Hannah Koh Dominican University of California Samantha Koh New Zealand Yun Hoi Koo University of Illinois Nihal Krishan Colgate University Rushi Krishna University of Virginia Chris Kuan Northeastern University Mark Laing Appalachian State University Sahil Lavingia Miami University Calvin Law New York University Brandon Lay Enlisting in US Marine Corps Allison Lee New York University Gabriel Lee University of Houston Given Lee Wake Forest University Ann Lee New Mexico State University Jean Lee Army ROTC Koon-Lam Lee Northeastern University Kyung Jin Lee Carnegie Mellon University Lauren Lee

yale DJ Hartman Alvi Hasan

San Diego City College Syracuse University Carnegie Mellon University University of Massachusetts - Amherst University of Texas - San Antonio Northeastern University Oberlin College University of Colorado - Boulder Finland Bentley University Loyola University Chicago Trinity University Australia National Service Northwestern University University of Colorado at Boulder Babson College Bryn Mawr College Boston University London College of Fashion Baylor University

Gap Year

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Dartmouth College Gap Year Parsons The New School for Design Carnegie Mellon University Northeastern University Duke University Northwestern University American University Pitzer College College of San Mateo National Service University of Southern California National Service University of Miami University of Southern California University of Virginia University of Toronto Northwestern University University of Michigan, Ann Arbor National Service Boston University Loyola Marymount University

features

Upenn the Eye

a

May 24, 2010

9

“I hope your dreams take you to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known.”

vassar Young Rock Lee Young Seo Lee Christie Lee Chelsea Leonard Aisling Leow Darin Lewis John Liao Franchesca Liauw Kelsey Lightfoot Jamie Lim Katie Lindholm Calvin Lo Karina Lo Cameron Lower Michelle Magsamen Kate Mahler Stephanie Maissen

National Service Pennsylvania State University, York University of Southern California Emory University Oxford University Undecided Boston University Parsons The New School for Design Wheelock College Boston University Elon University National Service Boston University University of British Columbia North Central College University of Southern California Pennsylvania State University, University Park University of Washington Kristine Maramot Gap Year Kartika Marshall West Virginia University Hayden Marushi Virginia Polytechnic Kara Marushi American University James McAdam Santa Clara University Rachel McCabe Gap Year Daniel McCarvel University of Denver Thomas McCarvel Texas A&M University Brittany McConville Gap Year Kerry McFetridge Marist College Khyber McHugh Macalester College Brooke Mcmanigal Pratt Institute Prakhar Mehrotra University of Southern California Ria Mehta Southern Methodist University Nina Miller School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago Kirsten Miranda National Service Siddhant Mishra National Service Ishaan Misra Norwich University College Of The Arts Daniel Moore Virginia Commonwealth University Emily Moore Lonestar College Greg Morgan University of Calgary Heather Morris Vassar College Sarah Moseley Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sarah Mountjoy Georgetown University Natalie Muller Miami University Connor Murray University of Victoria Tatianna Nasr Jessica Nguyen-Phuong Scripps College

Claudia Nijsten Christina Nowak Edward O’Connell Hyeok Oh Non Okumura Amanda Ongko Camille Tureikis Michael Osachoff Akane Otani Momo Ozawa Min Ju Park Bertrand Peh Blake Peters Evan Petty Kabilan Pillay Danica Pizzi Jonathan Png Brian Premkumar Luigi Puno Rohanna Radhakrishnan Ellie Rava Amith Ravindar Thomas Rees Kalie Riemer Austin Roark Maxwell Robertson Matthew Rock Alexander Rossinsky Brett Rothberg Mary Russell Sharukh Saleem Lourdes Santos Indira Saraswati Jesse Scarborough Brooke Schmidt Benjamin Scieszka Madeline Senior Suzanne Shaffer Sidharth Shanker Maximilian Shaulis Todd Shell Matthew Shen Jenny Shin Amber Shin Arishma Singh Mohineesh Singh

- Wendy Wasserstein

Duke

Chapman University New York University Andisya Siregar University of Colorado at Boulder Sandhya Sivaskandan Iowa State University Villanova University University of Virginia Sarah Slaven University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignTaylor Smith Louisiana State University Japan University of Indiana Bloomington Edward Sperling University of Southern California United Kingdom Aarti Sreenivas Gap Year, LASALLE California State University, East Bay Rebecca Stratton University of British Columbia Aditya Subramaniam National Service Cornell University University of Victoria Patricia Sverre University of Oregon Japan Ken Sweigert Duke University University of Notre Dame Michael Szopiak National Service University of California, Berkeley Christina Tan Southern Methodist University National Service Timothy Tan Syracuse University Indiana University Bloomington Victor Tan National Service Gap Year, Boston University Rebecca Tay University of Delaware Boston University Shawn Teng National University of Singapore Stanford University Claudia Thieme Australia Oberlin College Sophia Tinger University of Massachusetts American University Kathryn Tinker New York University Australia Dev-Vrat Tiwari Australia Yale University Yuvika Tolani Miami University Northeastern University Ali Ukani Miami University New York University Natalia Umeoka University of Wisconsin, Madison University of Texas, Austin Daryle Utama St. Edward’s University Carnegie Mellon University Yasmin Venema University of Denver Brandeis University Akshay Venkatesh Virginia Polytechnic Alexandra Verdoscia University of St. Andrews - Scotland University of North Carolina Wilmington Edwin Wang New York University Wake Forest University Stanford University Kendrick Wang Columbia College Hollywood Rochester Institute of Technology Joseph Ward SUNY Buffalo Cornell University John Widjaja Waseda University Emily Carr University of Art and Nicole Widjaja Bentley University Design Elon University University of Hawaii, Manoa Andrew Wilson University of Texas at Austin National Service Marc Wilson University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Northwestern University Dominic Wong University of Virginia Emily Carr University of Art and Kohei Yamashita Clemson University Design Columbia University University of Melbourne Carolyn Yan University of California, Berkeley Duke University Anne Yeung Texas A&M University The George Washington University Molly Yoon Australia University of Chicago Ji Sun Yu Gap Year University of Rochester Stanton Yuwono Gap Year Colgate University Tanya Zakowich University of Technology Sydney Columbia University Kelly Zhang United Kingdom Mina Zorilla Gonzalez Gap Year,Vassar College American University Nicholas Zulkoski

ohns hopkins

pkins

NYU

scripps

Columbia

Bentley

a the Eye May. 24, 2010 EYE SENIOR SPECIAL 10 IN FOCUS:

Uprooted seniors adjust in time to graduates

features

Fourteen seniors transfer to SAS in time to graduate

by Stanton Yuwono Of the 273 graduating seniors this year, 14 will graduate as first year seniors.

Sharukh Saleem was just one of the many first year seniors who had to adjust to the complexities of the SAS academic and social scene. But like several other first year seniors, Saleem was able to find his comfort zone and see the brighter side of moving to Singapore for his last year of high school.

Saleem moved to SAS from a public high school in Massachusetts, one that was much smaller and less diverse.

In addition to starting fresh here and leaving three years of friends and school behind, Saleem said that he had to adapt to the more rigorous curriculum.

Despite the long year, Saleem said he is glad to graduate from SAS. “I’d [actually] consider myself an alumni just because it’s a better school.”

Senior Amith Ravindar left Minnesota the end of his junior year and is spending his last year of high school at SAS. “I’d prefer to have stayed [in Minnesota], but I still had a good time,” he said.

Getting accustomed to the new academic system proved to be much harder for Ravindar who came from a public, IB high school.

“It was harder than I expected, but I didn’t have too much trouble,” he said.

Like Saleem, Ravindar is anxious, but looks forward to gradua-

tion and said he will proudly consider himself an SAS alumni.

Unlike Saleem and Ravindar, Ria Mehta, who previously attended the Walworth Barbour American International School in Israel, came into SAS already having the experience of living abroad.

Mehta said that being one of the “new” seniors was difficult especially with APs, making new friends and preparing college applications.

“It was really hard in the beginning, but since I got away from all my old friends, I had more time to focus on preparing for college, and it was also a good opportunity to meet new people.”

Because she lived in Israel her whole life, Mehta said she would prefer to graduate from her previous school, but has no problem consider-

ing herself an SAS alumni.

“I think it isn’t as bad as people perceive it to be,” she said. “I learned about a new culture living in Asia for the first time, as well as learning to be more independent and mature.”

Out of the many first year seniors, the transition to SAS was probably easiest for Rushi Krishna, who not only had prior experience of living abroad, but who also knew several SAS students beforehand.

Seniors Rushi Krishna, Sharukh Saleem and Krishna, who transferred from the British international school Amith Ravindar all transferred into SAS for their last year of high school. Photo by Kenny Evans in Singapore–the Tanglin Trust School–had already met several glin for three years, I feel like I SAS students during an MUN con- have a great bond [here],” she said. ference, the Singapore International “Strangely enough, I don’t talk to Model United Nations (SIMUN). my Tanglin friends very often.”

“Even though I went to Tanyuwono.eye@gmail.com

Profiles: Soon-to-be class of 2014, née class of 2010 Seniors share stories about the college application process and tell plans for next fall

by Natalie Muller

B e f o r e heading off to Vassar College in the fall of 2011, senior Mina Zorrilla aims to be completely fluent in Chinese. It is an intimidating Mina Zorrilla goal for anyone, Vassar College let alone a high school student.

“I want to become fluent in Chinese before I go to college so that I can just focus on my major [economics] and already be language dominant [in college].”

Zorrilla enrolled in an intensive Chinese program at Peking University from September to December. Already a fluent Spanish and

English speaker, Zorrilla aims to complete a linguistic triumvirate of the three most-spoken global languages by mastering the Chinese that she has been learning since middle school.

Zorrilla, a current Chinese V student, required a recommendation from her current teacher Ms. Wang to apply to the program.

Like many Western students tackling the language, Zorrilla sees herself working for a Chinese-related firm in her future.

“I would be perfectly happy having an apartment in Shanghai or Beijing and working there for a while. It would look good on my resume.”

When asked if she had any concerns on moving to China by herself, Zorrilla found one. The only requirement for the program is to be eighteen years old or above so she could technically find herself in a classroom with middle-aged students.

Seniors Dennis Chu and Aditi Abrol’s early decision acceptances to the University of *Aditi Abrol Pennsylvania’s not pictured Huntsman Program surprised themselves the most.

Aditi Abrol and Dennis Chu “It’s University of Pennsylvania rare that they take two students from the same school,” Abrol said.

The Huntsman Program offers a fouryear double major in International Studies & Business and only accepts around fifty students worldwide each year. With this year’s class capped at forty-five students, the admission of two SAS students looks all the

Danielle Courtenay’s college application experience probably equates to every high school senior’s nightmare.

With applications complete and sent away to various art institutions, Danielle Courtenay Courtenay American University realized after of Paris talking to her dad that she did not necessarily want to spend her next four years studying photography.

“I realized that I didn’t really want to give up taking really cool humanities classes. I love English and history,” Courtenay said.

In mid-February, Courtenay had missed

most universities’ January deadline by over a month, but found that one school she was interested in-the American University of Pariswas still taking applications. She had about a month to prepare her application to AUP. Courtenay cites this experiences as terrifying.

“It was so late into the process that most of my friends had already started hearing back from schools and there I was needing to start applying to one,” Courtenay said.

Courtenay does not feel like she is giving up on her art school education.

“I’m going to a place where art is a huge part of the culture. [Paris] is one of the art capitals of the world. Even if I’m not art classes every single day for four years, I think I will still learn a lot,” Courtenay said.

First-generation, soonto-be college freshman Kate Mahler reflected on the moment when she received her acceptance letter to the University of Southern California (USC).

“My mom said, Kate Mahler “You’re going to University of do stuff that I was Southern California never able to do because I didn’t go to college. She was really proud.”

Mahler was one of the first people to hear back from USC. People have asked me what I put in my application to stand out, and I have no idea. I was just lucky.”

Mahler will attend the Marshall School of

Carol Baicy was one of the lucky (and talented) few accepted to all of the art schools she applied to. With multiple acceptances to prestigious art institutions, Baicy eventually chose Emily Carol Baicy Carr.

Emily Carr University “I was really happy with how I got accepted to all the schools. I wasn’t expecting to get into Pratt and Parsons.”

Baicy hopes to be an art teacher and will

take advantage of Emily Carr’s double major program where she can get a teaching degree along with a fine arts degree. Although Baicy is undecided on what she will major in, she does know that she will do a foundation year instead of going straight into a major.

“I want to be able to take normal classes like a regular college student. I want to be able to learn about certain aspects of drawing and painting.”

Baicy realized that she wanted to major in art in tenth grade, and has taken a total of seven art classes ever since.

“I thought you could never have a future with [art]. When I started taking classes in high school, I regretted not taking more of an interest in it when I was younger.”

Max Shaulis is especially looking forward to his first year of college because he will be playing rugby for UC Berkeley next year.

“The opportunity to play rugby at that high of a level and at a school such as Max Shaulis Berkeley is really UC Berkeley exciting.”

Two summers ago, Shaulis attended the Cal Rugby Camp, headed by the Berkeley rugby coach. He returned last summer with the intention to win over the coach.

“I started emailing him before the second time I was going to the camp. I told him that it

more impressive.

“I think my application showed how much I wanted to be a part of the program. I’d say I’m fairly exposed to the world just from the number of countries I’ve lived and because the program is so international, that surely helped,” Abrol said.

Both SAS seniors picked the Huntsman Program for its unique curriculum and study abroad options.

“I’ve always been interested in international studies and business so I was looking for the kind of program that offered both those majors,” Chu said.

Both Abrol and Chu had no idea that they were applying to the same program.

“I had no idea until after we both got in,” Abrol said.

All Huntsman freshmen live on the same floor, ensuring that Chu and Abrol will definitely see more of each other next year.

Business at USC with a half-tuition scholarship.

Her interest in business, marketing in particular, started from an early age.

“I took the business course at school, and I really liked the marketing section. And I like that you get to travel a lot [with a marketing job].”

Mahler said she spent plenty of time online, “stalking” her schools. Talking to her counselor and current students at the schools she was considering also helped.

Mahler already has a roommate, a girl from Georgia that she met on the official USC Facebook page.

“She’s the coolest person ever. We talk everyday. We basically send novels to each other.”

was my senior year and that I had a tape [of myself playing] to give to him.”

In turn, the coach proposed a meeting during the camp where Shaulis was informed of the requirements he needed to fulfill to apply to Berkeley.

“I was at a 2.98 GPA and I had to get it up to a 3.0 so that [Berkeley] could tag my application as a student athlete.”

At SAS, where the amount of students that go on to seriously participate in college athletics is slim, Shaulis offers some advice to hopeful students.

“Go to the camp as many times as possible because they do most of their recruiting out of the camp. Keep in contact with [the coach].

Especially in Singapore, it’s hard to get noticed unless you go there and take the initiative.” muller.eye@gmail.com

features

Teachers & friends “

the Eye

a

May 24, 2010

SAS says goodbye to long-time mentors and friends who have all made an unforgettable impression on every student’s life

photos by Danielle Courtenay

She’s a kind woman who is easy to talk to.

She’s also organized and coordinated, especially since she sponsored the Migrant Workers club.

Linda Clarke

Indira Saraswati, Senior

Independent Living

by Aarti Sreenivas It was nothing more than chance that brought teacher Linda Clark to teach at SAS for 34 years.

“I had a student in Athens whose dad worked for Singapore Airlines and that was the first time I had thought of Singapore,” Clark said.

“I just looked up a globe and figured out where Singapore was and came here.”

In 1976, Clark started teaching shorthand and typing in her classes on manual typewriters.

“Computer classes began after computer programing was started and the school wanted a class for the applications,” Clark said.

Through all 34 years, Clark not only witness changes in her courses but developed a strong relationship with students. Clark infers through her colleagues in the United State and students are a lot more reserved there. In comparison, students are more open with teachers at SAS.

“Its a two way street here and there is mutual respect from students and teachers,” Clark said.

According to Clark, when SAS was on King’s Road there was a much closer bond between all members of the community.

“In Kings Road we averaged from about 500 to 600 and that was really neat cause everybody knew everybody,” Clark said. “But now when you go up there to graduation, there are so many kids I do not know. I guess its all part of being in a big school.”

An important highlight of Clark’s teaching experience was when she attended the reunion of the class of 1979 last summer. The reunion was “totally unreal and way cool,” Clark said.

“Some of those students have even become grandparents, and they still keep in touch!” Clark said.

The class of 1979 graduated with

11

”

about 120 students and around 70 students turned up for the reunion in Houston. Clark said that reunions like this illustrate how, students and teachers retain a special relationship.

Bonds long after students leave SAS are what Clark said she will miss and retain from SAS. “For me, everything is connected to SAS,” Clark said. “It has been my entire adult life.”

Since her children live in the States, Clark plans to return to Florida. She may chose to continue teaching adults and work on something similar to what she is currently doing in the Migrant Workers club.

Clark knew that time was coming to retire from teaching at SAS when she was returning back from US. “For the first time, I felt bad going back to Singapore since I was leaving my grandson,” Clark said.

“I then decided it was time to leave SAS.”

Jeri Kett English

by Aarti Sreenivas When English teach Jeri Kett came to SAS 14 years ago, the Woodlands campus had just opened.

The campus was in complete disarray, Kett said but her students made her first experience as a teacher in Singapore enjoyable.

“I remember teaching a junior class, and they were just the best students I had ever had,” Kett said.

“It was so exciting to come to a place where the kids wanted to learn.”

Since then, Kett has taught English and sponsored Original Oratory. Kett compliments the amount of preparation students put into their speeches when she works with them.

“The students used to come in during breaks, lunches, after school, and they were just so dedicated to representing themselves and their school at Cultural Convention,” Kett said.

Kett said some of her best

William Norris

Geometry and Algebra

by Lauren Felice Senior Jamie Lim, exhausted after a long day, stood in the Subway line behind math teacher Will Norris. When he held out a ten dollar note, the Subway lady informed him that it was already paid for by the man in front of him. He turned to see Norris walking away without a word.

Norris taught Math and P.E. for eight of his nine years at SAS and spent one as an Athletics Director. Currently he teaches Algebra 1 and Geometry.

Known for his passionate teaching, Norris connects with his students and inspires them to be their best.

“Mr. Norris is a great risk-taker; he’s ready to try new things as a teacher,” fellow math teacher Joe Lingle said. “He expects students to do their best and he’s going to call them out if they don’t, but at the same time he’s very approachable and supportive.”

Outside of the classroom, many students know him through his extensive involvement in activities. A ready volunteer, Norris has coached and refereed SACAC, coached SAS teams, sponsored groups like Peace Initiative and student council and much more.

“Will Norris is the first person that we’ll go to to ask us to help run an event,” Athletics Director Mimi Molchan said. “You know you’re going to get 100% from Will all the time.”

“He’s totally surpassed everyone’s expectations. Can Norris take it? He’s a highly sought after personality,” social studies

moments came in working with students until they eventually understood a difficult concept.

“I feel happy when I see kids reading a book, and then suddenly the light bulb switches on and they get it” Kett said.

She enjoyed similar moment as she guided students through their college essays.

“For me, it has always been all about the kids,” Kett says.

Her relationships with students extend beyond her classroom. She keeps in touch with a few alumni who frequently email her and visit her when they come to SAS. “Students would always be coming into her room, some to ask questions about classes, but most just to talk and hang out.,” alumni Helen Knight said. “She has a very special talent for being a friend to the students whom she teaches.”

Kett leaves to Michigan shortly after graduation and plans to live at her house by the lake for a few months. Kett has plans to read many books, write and do some volunteer work.

“I want to see what the needs are the in my community and then help,” Kett said.

After her son’s wedding in November, Kett said she might chose to live in a warmer climate and shuttle between a warm and cool climate. If she gets bored and needs to be around students again, she said she might chose teach part time.

“If I am going to miss anything from SAS, I am going to miss the warmth of all the students,” Kett said. are many memories of students he will carry along with him.

Blacklaws praises achievements of students in community service, athletics, arts and writing.

teacher Eric Burnett said.

Beyond sponsoring, he agrees to assist in anything he can, chaperoning countless events, and stepping up whenever a student asks him to with a consistent reliability.

“He’s one of the few people who has always prioritized the students,” Burnett said. “He’s a person who can always be counted on to make sure products and ideas come to fruition without any expectation of formal recognition or praise.”

Despite his contribution to school activities, many students may know him better as a recognizable warm face on campus.

With a fun, sarcastic sense of humor, he is always up for a laugh.

During many passing periods, Norris can be found standing by the staircase greeting students as they walk by, cracking jokes, asking how they are, and tossing his iconic tennis ball for a short game of catch.

“He is truly one of the nicest and smartest people I’ve ever met,” Jamie Lim said. “He’s like a huge teddy bear and seeing him always brightens my day. There simply is no one like Mr. Norris.”

Will Norris acts as a positive role model for any student at SAS. He has won the Cornerstone Award, spoken at Graduation and inspired countless students to live with integrity.

“He is a honest voice in a world of false complaints,” Burnett said, “and he is a consistency which added so much to so many lives.”

Will Norris and his wife, Rhonda, are leaving SAS to move to Kobe, Japan.

“I think without a doubt, in the twelve years I’ve been here, there is no other couple, bar none, that has done more for this school than those two people have,” Burnett said.

12

May. 24, 2010

a

James Kett

Statistics, Algebra 2/Trig

by Gretchen Connick His mark has been left on every math class ranging from General Math to AP Calculusm with the exception of Geometry. Dr. James Kett is leaving SAS to settle in his home on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Dr. Kett has mixed emotions about leaving his home of 14 years. He said the kids are phenomenal and that he will miss them greatly.

However, leaving the heat, not having to grade papers or attend meetings excites him.

“We are looking forward to the next stage of our life,” he said.

Most SAS students do not know that Dr. Kett endured sleepless nights in order to plan SAS’s 50th anniversary. His devotion to the school has been true and faithful and his absence will be noticed among the SAS community. Without a doubt, his students will miss his calm, down to earth personality.

Dr. Kett and his wife are looking forward to getting involved in their community and church doing volunteer work. They are excited to see their children and attend their son’s fall wedding.

As far as his career goes, Dr. Kett will also be training teachers on how to use the well known Autograph computer software that SAS has implemented in their math studies. He said that there is a possibility of him coming back to Singapore to do some in service work, but nothing is set in stone yet.

Dr. Kett’s message to his students is, “Stick up for what you believe. Do not be influenced by strong willed people.”

“

features

the Eye

Scott Hutchison

Yan Shi

Troy Blacklaws

Mandarin

Chemistry and Biology

by Anbita Siregar When I walked in to interview her, Chinese teacher Yan Shi was on her way to fill her mug. She told me to wait and to entertain myself while she was away as she opened one of her student’s Powerpoint presentations.

It was easy to see how proud she was of her students.

She came back a few minutes later, and we sat down for the interview. She dove right in before I could ask my first question.

She had had a rocky adjustment into SAS. “In the beginning, students complained that my class was too hard,” Shi said.

She took control of the problem and said worked with another Chinese teacher to improve the curriculum. She suggested students be allowed to jump from Chinese Four to AP Chinese. She felt her students learned enough in Chinese Four to succeed in an AP course.

“Learning Chinese is like a puzzle. Use the puzzle to create your own picture,” Shi said.

She said the most difficult thing about teaching Chinese is expressing new ideas and getting people to understand. She wanted her students to learn about Chinese culture and philosophy as well as the language.

Shi, who used to be a businesswoman and a journalist, wants to spend more time with her children. She said she wants to start writing again and possibly publish some of her students’ works in a magazine.

I asked her if she had any last words to her students.

“Keep doing good work,” Shi said.

“Always try your best, and open your mind to something different to you.”

by Aarti Sreenivas Science teacher Scott Hutchison was better prepared than most at the students oh his Oman Kayaking trip. He has lead more than 100 kayaking expeditions to Ellesmere Island, Greenland, Banks Islands, which are all near the Arctic Circle. After getting a glimpse of the Middle East in Oman, Hutchison plans to explore the region.

“I have never really explored the Middle East, and I’m curious about it,” Hutchison said. “The Middle East is a good central point to see more of Europe and Africa too.”

Considering himself as an outdoor person, Hutchison believes that moving to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will give him and his children a chance to travel.

While looking forward to Riyadh, Hutchison said he enjoyed his two years as a teacher here. He also coached IASAS golf and got to know students through that experience.

“I appreciated the high energy level students have here.” Scott said. “As a big school, there are so many opportunities to see students display their talents.”

Apart from his experience on campus, Hutchison got to know many teachers through the Ambasador’s Cup, a golf tournament.

“Being in such a big school does not give us as teachers the chance to meet everybody and golf was a good chance to meet teachers from other divisions as well,” Hutchison said.

After being part of a large school, Hutchison is ready for some change and is looking forward to be part of a small community where he gets to know people well.

Along with his two children and English teacher wife, Jennifer Hutchison, he looks forward to move to the Middle East.

“I think the thing I will miss about SAS is the joy we have had as a family here,” Hutchison said.

English

by Aarti Sreenivas Most students will remember English teacher Troy Blacklaws for his frequent appearance near the cafeteria queue where he encouraged students to use orange plates rather than disposable carriers.

After spending four years at SAS, Blacklaws is ready to teach at Luxembourg International School.

“The irony. I have yet to experience hardcore adventure and whenever I imagine ending up in an untamed world I land a post in places such as Singapore... and now Luxembourg,” Blacklaws said.

As Blacklaws leaves SAS, there are many memories of students he will carry along with him.

“Seeing Virginia Cucchi’s photos. Seeing Max Shaulis, Alexis Lauzon, Kevin Holt and Todd Shell blur by on the track. Reading writing

by Yvonne Chen and Sarah Thieneman … way beyond words I conjured as a schoolboy are some of the many memories I will have of students,” Blacklaws wrote in an email.

Blacklaws will remember the Singaporean landscape and the campus of SAS. He will also remember Asia, through his daughter, also named Asia, who was born here. Blacklaws said that seeing his nine year-old son, Finn playing a guitar during Peace Concert will be fondly remembered. “ I will remember hearing Jerry Szombathy and One Degree North sing 500 Miles, seeing Jason Adkison play soccer like an American Pelé, Staggo’s calling out Bokkie across a courtyard (nickname derived from the Springboks), and The Subway ladies calling me Mister Book,” Blacklaws said.

When asked what he will do next, Blacklaws in replied, “To teach with verve and soul wherever I go in a bid to get students to read and write.”

Mischa Roach Art Foundations, Ceramics, Printmaking

The thought of leaving is making me look at things in a different light. I miss this

”

place already

by Gretchen Connick She enjoyed the sticky fingers and paint messes she encountered in elementary and middle school, but art teacher Micha Roach has enjoyed the opportunity to relate to her high school students on a more personal level.

She said her four years working in the high school have been well worthwhile.

Micha Roach will join her second overseas school, Nanjing International School (NIS).

Before coming to SAS she worked in the education department at the Getty museum in Los Angeles.

There she spent her days teaching school groups and teachers about art.

This is her first experience teaching overseas, and she says that it has been rewarding.

Roach currently teaches the Foundations, Printmaking and Ceramics courses. During her nine

years at SAS she has taught art at every level, leaving her footprint on all grades.

A teacher with a reputation for being friendly and jovial, Roach will be missed by many students. She says that leaving the school will be difficult, but that teaching at a smaller school with about 500 students will “offer different joys and experiences.”

Roach was apprehensive about describing what she will miss the least.

“The thought of leaving is making me look at things in a different light. I miss this place already,” she said.

She says that of the many things to miss at SAS, she will miss her high school students the most.

“I learn so much from them and they make me laugh every day,” she said.

features

the Eye

Rhonda Norris

Assistant Superintendent

by Jamie Lim When Superintendent Brent Mutsch initially came to interview at SAS, one of the first people that he met was Rhonda Norris.

“My coming here and having a chance to meet her prior to actually formally applying for the job was one of the things that contributed to the decision to actually apply,” Mutsch said.

“You only have to sit down once with Rhonda Norris and know that you’re in the presence

of someone who takes a phenomenal amount of pride in what she does.”

Rhonda Norris came to SAS in 2001 when she joined the administration as the Director of Business and Finance operations. In 2005, she was promoted to be the Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Operations, and in 2007, she transitioned to the position of Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, which overlooked everything from interviewing potential faculty and staff, offering job positions, and helping them transition to Singapore and SAS. A certified public accountant, she is also a certified elementary classroom teacher.

During her nine years in the administration, Mutsch said that Norris earned the professional respect of virtually everyone who had the opportunity to work with her, as well as the title of the “backbone” of the school administration. Doris Tay, who worked with Norris in the human resources department for nine years, described her as “humorous, fair, a thinker and a great leader.”

Norris, with husband and high school math teacher Will, will be moving to Kobe at the end of the school year along with their two kids.

Norris said that although excited about moving on, the hardest part will be leaving the people and the relationships they built.

“It’s just been a great place for our family,” Norris said. “And we only wish the best for SAS and the community.”

“She is what I consider to be the consummate professional,” Mutsch said. “She’s dedicated, extremely committed, and she has a clear sense of purpose of why we’re here. Her departure is going to represent a huge loss.”

“The students themselves, they are just hard working, polite, interesting people,” Rops said.

“They are going to be the movers and shakers of this world, and I get to see them young,” Rops enjoys the versatility and energy students at SAS have.

“I love the Peace Initiative assemblies, the IPAU gigs, and I will remember singing on the Morning Show several times,” Rops said.

Rops has had his share of amusing incidents at SAS. He once put a toy in fellow Math teacher Joe Lingle’s room which kept beeping ever few minutes.

“This student of mine put a giant protractor through his head and just could not to take it out,” Rops said. “It was so funny.”

After living in Asia and Canada, Rops thinks that its time to see what Europe has to offer. He will teach IB Standard Mathematics at Munich International School. Rops is eager to see more of Europe by visiting his relatives in Holland and looks forward to “I’m excited for the skiing, seasons, outdoors, sausages and just seeing different cities,” Rops said.

“I’m going to miss Singapore but I am ready to see something new.” Rops said.

Jerry Szombathy Tech Center

by Danica Pizzi Jerry Szombathy, the tech coorodinator for th Jerry Szombathy, the tech coorodinator for the high school has been working here at SAS for 8 years. At the end of this school year, he is heading off to Hong Kong to be the director of learning techonologies at the Chinese

Rops once

dressed as

social studies teacher Jim Baker for

“Twin Day”

with twelve

other teachers

David Rops

Geometry, Statistics

by Aarti Sreenivas Mathematics teacher David Rops has travelled on eleven interim trips and said that his interims were the best highlights of SAS. “The strongest memories I will take are the interim ones,” Rops said.

Rops has traveled to Soweto South Africa, Routeburn New Zeland and China, but liked his trip to Everest the most.

“My best interim was looking at Mt. Everest,” Rops said. “I mean it’s THE mountain right?”

Beyond his classes, Rops used to interact with students by sponsoring the National Honor Society and Chess Club.

Rebecca Clark special services

by Ann Lee For any student in Model UN or a student who has taken English 9 with Dr. Michael Clark, Kelly Nash or Stacey Jensen, Rebecca Clark is a familiar face. Clark moved to Singapore two years ago with her husband, English teacher Dr. Michael Clark. Before coming to SAS, she taught at a public middle school near Washington D.C. Clark is moving to the middle school next year to teach English to eighth grade students.

This is a result of the middle school’s English program review, which they do every six years. Clark applied for the position and was offered the job.

“I love the high school, but the opportunities in the middle school are amazing

a

May 24, 2010

13

International school. He has had many good memories in Singapore, “I love this place. The students are fantastic. The teachers are great.

Both of my kids graduated from here and I have wonderful memories of all the many things they were involved in. Plus I have many friends here whom I will miss a great deal.”

He also was a member of the band One Degree North with Carmine Filice, Steve Zielinski and Brian White that they had for 5 years. Their band One Degree North was formed in 2005 by Brian White and was entered into a faculty talent show to raise money for a school in Ladakh, India. After this charity event, they started off with just having a practice once a week in Mr. White’s room to eventually playing a wide variety of venues.

“One of the coolest gigs we ever played was as the house band for the pilot episode of ‘Asia Uncut’ – a Tonight Show type of talk show on Star World network. We stood on stage and went through the filming of the entire episode, with a live audience, just like ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’, or ‘Late Night with David Letterman’.” Szombathy said.

Their last gig was at Muddy Murphy’s on May 1st, and Szombathy will always remember his experiences with the band fondly.

With all of the fond memories he has of his time here, he leaves Singapore with a heavy heart, but he is ready for a change.

“Regarding the future, it’s looking so bright I gotta wear shades! I’m ready for whatever new adventures are in store for me. I’ve heard great things about Hong Kong, as a vibrant and interesting place to live and I’m very excited about my new job.” Szombathy said.

because they completely revised the English curriculum. The middle school change right now is to go from having RLA every other day to having it every day,” Clark said. The new change is a focus on reading and writing. Clark will participate in the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University this summer to focus more on teaching those aspects.

Clark picked her relationship with the English teachers and the Model UN club as her most important experience in the high school.

“I always joke that my husband and I survived teaching together,” Clark said.

“This is our first time working as a couple, and you have to get accustomed to that. In international schools you are in a lot more close net although it’s such a huge place.”

Clark has been involved with the high school Model UN club as its sponsor.

“It’s been an amazing ride with that program. I’ll still be involved but I won’t be the sponsor next year because I’ll be focusing on all the requirements of having a new job there. It’ll be pretty stressful but it’s a great stress, by just starting something new, and the students are amazing at this school,” Clark said.

At the high school, Clark co-taught four sections of English 9 with English teacher Kelly Nash and one section of guided learning, working with students who typically were more challenged by the aggressive curriculum at SAS. “Some just have a hard time keeping up with the academic rigor of the school, so I work to support them. Clark said.”

“The biggest part of my job is to figure out how they learn best, and then getting them to the point where they can go off to college with some of the challenges that they have to be successful. It’s really amazing to see even my last year’s freshmen as sophomores this year and see them improve.”

14

May. 24, 2010

a

features

the Eye

FAITH at SAS:

Religions, perspectives diverse among students Story by Eleanor Barz

“

I feel like students who strongly believe in any one religion are definitely not a majority.

”

- Sarah Thieneman, Junior

“

SAS is a tolerant place when it wants to be. There are outliers who are very unhappy, but I don’t feel there’s any social stigma talking about it.

”

- Kelsey Lightfoot, Senior

“

I feel like people here are intellectually questioning enough to want to talk about their religion and find out more. When people have discussions about religion, it’s not to convince someone else to conform or to debate, it’s more to expand your horizons.

”

- Yuvika Tolani, Senior

I would just love it if once someone dies, they go to heaven and sitting there is God, Buddha, Shiva, Allah, Confucius or whoever, just sitting there, having pizza... That’s my ideal religion.

- Samantha Conrad, Junior Millennial generation less inclined to conform to organized religion Their voices rose as mother and daughter quarreled. The issue at hand was more personal than poor grades or uncompleted chores, and ran deep for both. It was a Sunday, and sophomore Haley Naughton, then fourteen, was refusing to go to church.

“I did not want to go to church so bad that I gripped on to my mattress, and my mom grabbed my legs and was, like, pulling my bed,” Naughton said. “She was like ‘You have to go to church, it’s family time!’ or whatever. She dragged the mattress half way across the room and then she got sort of out of breath. And I did not go to church.”

All tensions resolved, the Naughtons now laugh over the incident. But worldwide, families are under pressure as parents struggle to accommodate the increasingly unaffiliated millennial generation.

Naughton is not alone. In the United States, the number of young people who attend religious services is falling. According to a survey conducted by Pew Forum, 1 in every 5 young adults is not affiliated with the religion of their upbringing. At SAS, this statistic is closer to 1 in every 4. In a recent survey conducted by The Eye, a quarter of respondents said their religion or religious perspective was different to that of their parents, and 42 percent identified as agnostic or atheist.

“I feel like students who strongly believe in any one religion are definitely not a majority,” Junior Sarah Thieneman said. “I

feel that a lot of the students at SAS have not gone through a period in their lives where they have needed religion, and/ or have not grown up with a strong religious background, or their religious background was almost too strong,” she said.

This was the case for Naughton, who had a Catholic upbringing and attended a Christian school from grades 1 through 4. Religion had never interested her, but she reached her limit when she was forced to confirm.

“My parents were like ‘be confirmed or die’ and I was like ‘aaaarrrrgh!’ So I confirmed my love for God or whatever, and then I stopped going to church,” she said. “I just didn’t feel like I needed to, and it just felt like a hassle if I didn’t really believe.”

Though not everyone is ready to shed their religious beliefs, many have modified them to better suit the modern world. At SAS, students have to factor other students and their religions into their own beliefs. Freshman Faran Hannani, who is a Muslim, was born in Sweden and grew up in Singapore. His parents are from Pakistan. Though he fasts during the month of Ramadan and plans to go on the Hajj, Hannini does not pray 5 times a day and said he sometimes eats meat that isn’t halal if he has to. He said growing up overseas and attending an international school contributed to this somewhat non-traditional interpretation of Islam.

“I can express my religion, and how I believe in God in my own way,” he said.

Hannini believes that there are multiple paths to heaven, which can be reached by

anyone who follows their own ideas of right and wrong.

“I believe there isn’t one way (to get to heaven). One person will know if they are going to heaven or not, as in I would know whether something is right for me or something is wrong for me, and that could be different for someone else,” he said.

Religion an anchor to community and family Religion is integral to the lives of a significant portion of SAS students. Most who are affiliated with a religion say it plays an important role in their family and community.

Senior Yuvika Tolani, who describes herself as “culturally Hindu”, recognizes that religion has its place in society, though she herself is not religious.

“I think that religion is beneficial to communities to some extent, because it came about in a social context,” she said. “People need answers to questions that are otherwise unanswerable. And I feel like religion kind of makes them feel secure, and gives them faith, something to believe in.”

For some, religious communities act as a support network during their first few months in Singapore. Students often feel unsettled after changing schools or moving countries.

Some see youth groups as especially helpful, as meeting others of the same religious preference can be comforting and aid adjustment to life in a foreign country.

“Finding other Christians when I first moved here was difficult, but getting involved in a youth group has helped the most,” one anonymous senior wrote in her survey response. “My Christian friends here at SAS keep me in check that it’s the most important thing.”

Twenty-four percent of students said they attend a religious youth group. Seniors Chelsea Leonard and Daniel Davis are both involved in the Singapore branch of Young Life, an organization that provides support for Christian youth. The group meets in a private home one night a week. Members play games and sing songs, or discuss the passages from the bible.

“Every other week there is a casual get together, and then there are the meetings that are more structured around studying a specific message or theme,” Leonard said. “It’s not preachy, but at the same time it’s a great place

features

the Eye

a

15

May 24, 2010

Illustration by Kathryn Tinker

yes 24.4%

No 75.6%

to learn from young people who share their religious backgrounds and experiences as teenagers. It’s like a casual get together where people can hang out with other like-minded people.”

Davis, who has participated in Young Life events since he moved here 2 years ago, emphasized the relaxed atmosphere of meetings.

“It’s mainly just for fun. It’s not that religious, it’s just mainly to have a good time,” he said.

Davis attends an on-campus bible studies class some afternoons as well as Young Life and church events. His involvement in these activities helps connect him with his religious community.

“It’s really important to have that close community of Christians. At school it’s very integrated and stuff, but I think it’s good to have a place were people believe what you believe,” he said.

“We can all kind of relate to each other, and we all come from the same perspective within this diverse community. It helps to have a place where you can come and talk about stuff with people that fully understand what you think.”

Religion for the Non-Religious Junior Heather Lim, who is an agnostic, attended church services for a short time.

Less interested in the religious aspect of the services, Lim said she went mostly for social reasons.

Lim said that going to the church helped her meet people, but it didn’t cause her to change her beliefs. She wishes others would be more understanding when she tells them she is agnostic. Sometimes, people confuse agnosticism with atheism. Though neither one subscribes to any one religion, the two perspectives are significantly different.

“Atheists just don’t believe in god, while agnostics believe that nothing can be proved,” she said. “I don’t believe there is a god, but I also don’t believe there isn’t one, just to play it safe.”

Another misconception is that atheists and agnostics cannot be spiritual.

“I don’t think you need religion to be spiritual. You can have your own beliefs, and spend time by yourself, and contemplate things that don’t really have meaning in the physical world but you can pretend they do. And I think that’s spiritualism,” Lim said.

Senior Dan Moore, an atheist, does not believe in god. But he does believe in angels, demons and ghosts.He said that believing in the supernatural is different to having religious beliefs because humans don’t idolize ghosts.

“In religion you kind of look up to a being or god, but ghosts, you just kind of believe in them. You don’t really look up and pray and stuff,” he said.

Do you regularly attend religious service?

No 25.7%

Is your religion or religious perspective the same as that of your parents?

SAS Tolerant when it wants to be The majority of SAS students believe the school is is a tolerant one, and that few are illtreated because of their religion.

“SAS is a tolerant place when it wants to be,” senior Kelsey Lightfoot said. “There are outliers who are very unhappy, but I don’t feel there’s any social stigma talking about it.”

As students at an international school, most have grown up immersed in a myriad of different religions and cultures. Though theological discussions can and do take place, these rarely become out of control.

“I feel like people here are intellectually questioning enough to want to talk about their religion and find out more,” Tolani said. “When people have discussions about religion, it’s not to convince someone else to conform or to debate, it’s more to expand your horizons.” barz.eye@gmail.com

I don’t think you need religion to be spiritual.

You can have your own beliefs, and spend time by yourself, and contemplate things that don’t really have meaning in the physical world.

- Heather Lim, Junior

Yes 74.3

What role does religion play in your life?

It provides spiritual guidance 42.8%

Provides me with a support community 18.8%

It plays no role in my life 33.2%

It provides moral guidance 57.9%

16

May. 24, 2010

a

arts & entertainment

the Eye

Dinner-time for Theater Arts 3 class’ last performance

by Renee Hyde The table is set for this year’s spring production, “The Dining Room.” 14 students in the Theater Arts 3 class produced the play, taking care of every facet of production props, costume, reception, light and sound.

The class chose the play from three they read, but felt that the characters in “The Dining Room” has better represented the students .

“What’s beautiful about [“The Dining Room”] is it’s universality,” director Tracy Meyer said. “It’s really got some timeless elements in it. The kids are drawn to the play because they can identify with the emotions of the people they are portraying.”

Senior Nina Miller said that the play covers obstacles that students might face later life.

“The [play] doesn’t have as much as an emphasis on teens, but it [offers insight] to our future” Miller said.

Unlike previous SAS productions, “The Dining Room” consists of one setting and a multitude of scenes that overlap to tell a story.

“The setting is very adaptable to different conflicts and events,” junior Francis Yeuong said. “There are so many possible scenes to make out of one setting.”

The group’s decision to perform a play for elementary school postponed the spring production. Senior Max Robertson said that the time crunch came as a surprise.

“We only started after school practices this week. It’s only now we’ve realized that “Oh! We’re performing in a week!”

Robertson said.

Despite jumbled schedules and time constrictions, it worked.

“I think it’s perfect for a high school play. It’s interesting, intriguing, it has a little humor, and it’s serious as well,” Miller said. hyde.eye@gmail.com

Seniors Heather Morris and Ken Sweigert, along with juniors Surya Giri, Frances Young, and Zoe Fong get excited for their birthday cupcakes during the “Birthday” scene. Photo by Danielle Courtenay.

Junior Samantha Conrad, as Peggy, flirts with Senior Max Robertson, as Ted, while the couple attempt to hide their secret affair from the kids.

Photo by Danielle Courtenay.

Colorful, outlandish costumes set scene for last dance

Senior Mina Zorrilla, sporting the always fashionable trashbag pants, shouts out “to your mother” during Freshmen Rathana Amelio and Lexie Chadwick show off the various Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby.” Photo by unitards stored in the costume room to James Brown’s hit “I Feel Good.” Photo by Kenny Evans.

Kenny Evans.

Seniors Heather Morris, as Elllie, and Ben Adickes, as Howard, get heated up during an argument over how to set the dining room table. Photo by Danielle Courtenay.

Junior Britney Dimond imitates an Arabian princess to Sting’s “Desert Rose” in a dance choreographed by high school dance teacher, Tracy Van Der Linden. Photo by Kenny Evans.

Sophomore Alister Chew carries senior Karina Lo during their duet to Damien Rice’s “Delicate.”

Photo by Kenny Evans.

by Alli Verdoscia Despite initial reactions to the title of the second semester dance show, “I’m Too Sexy for My Costume,” the theme was kept. The title comes from the 90s hit “I’m Too Sexy” by the pop group Right Said Fred.

“It related to the theme song of the show that i was choreographing for Dance Performance,” Tracy Van Der Linden said.

Initial discomfort out of the way, the “I’m too Sexy For My Costume” dance show came off with a bang. The members of Dance Performance first chose their costumes, out of hundreds of costumes stored in the costume room, for their dances, then choreographed a dance around the attire. Senior Katie Lindholm was not a huge fan of this approach.

“I like choreographing around a theme more. I think it’s easier to tell a story than it is to show something off,” Lindholm said.

But each of the choreographers took up the challenge and produced an entertaining show that included a dance to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies,” another based on everyone’s favorite 90s hit “Ice Ice Baby” by M. C. Hammer, to dances so intense they left performers breathless by the time the music stopped.

The inspiration for the show came from the room full of hundreds of costumes, from past productions.

“It’s insane, it’s shelves and racks just full of clothes and more clothes,” Lindholm said “It’s always nice to go in with someone, because if you don’t it’s overwhelming.”

With so many costumes recyced not as many alterations were made compared to previous dance shows. Alterations were made if a costume was too large or small. Some of the boy’s costumes were made specifically for this show.

Choreographers, dancers, techies, and dance teacher Tracy Van Der Linden started work on the show well before interim.

“The final show is always bittersweet for me as I watch the seniors n the stage for the last time,” Van Der Linden said. “This year’s group of seniors was really large, 30 dancers, and they have been a very active group of seniors in Dance Club who will be missed.” verdoscia.eye@gmail.com