10 PEOPLE
the
ABLAST
WED. APRIL 9, 2003
HAPPY BIRTHDAY APRIL BIRTHDAYS Seniors Quang Vu 10 Ashlee Nicely 15 Brian Park 15 Alexandra Mott 16 Najma Chaudhry 16 Vanessa Ugarte Torrico 16 Katherine Barbery-Rivas 17 Jeannine Frank17 Ashley Martin 17 Courtney Thieberger 17 “My birthday is on Good Friday so I’m going to hang out with my good friends Anteneh and Carl.” — Michael Scott Senior
Jason Antunes 18 Jose Cruz 18 Michael Scott 18 Daniel Valdez 18 Ba Woo Han 20 Adonay Obando-Rivera 20 Michael Weinberg 20 Loren Sexton 21 Victoria Benson 22 Laura Hollowell 23 Fanta Sesay 23 Preston Gisch 24 Tehetena Abebe 26 Mario Padilla Padilla 26 Luis Sopo 26 “I’m going to go to the zoo on my birthday and chill with the monkeys.” — Mariam Ali junior
Sean Jackson 27 Hanna Pak 29 Frederick Tackaberry 29 Juniors SharifYoussif 1 Dennis Demare 2 Shawn Johnson 2 Morgan McEvilly 3 Mike Postigo 3 Elizabeth Ipanaque 4 RodrigoMallada Bazo 4 Anthony Broxton 6 Christopher Croghan 6 Laura Bellot 7 Rohina Hussain7 RaAnaa Davis 8
“I’ll probably go to the Outer Banks with my friends on my birthday.” — Brian Park senior
Anthony Sanchez
of huddled humanity holds many sediments of the high school strata: Techies, Geeks, and Goths among them. But these typically derogatory and possibly self-assigned terms are worn as a badge of honor here; unity is built through the rejection of pop culJo-Young Park Andrew Nicholas ture and social norms. Scars and bruises compliChristine Castaldo Pablo Rojas ment scribbled sneakers and concert-patchwork backpacks as testament to musical allegiances, the most identifying trait of this vibrant counter-culture. In a recessed hovel aside from the lobby, down a short flight of stairs, is the Magic Pit, a preBrittney Huff Amy Buckles school hangout packed with congregated fantasy Huot Eam Justin Wade card players. Administrators patrol the hallway BY PRESTON GISCH like sharks, busting up congested knots of stuAP Journalism Student dents in this arterial transport, but the Lobby kids are unfettered, schooled in an impenetraFront row at the System of a Down concert, insanity bly porous horde. rules. The mosh pit intensifies as the guitarist blasts out Amid the structured chaos, Sanchez finds riffs that kill passing migratory birds mid-flight. At 120 Dorians Quiroz Mark Hutchinson his reserved place on one of those new rubber decibels, the lead singer is rocking out at slightly softer mesh benches, sits Indian-style, and considers Shawnna Sellers than a 747, and the drummer is convulsive, thrashing Christopher Schubert the lackluster Red Day ahead. Like most his appendages in an inhuman display of flailing tempo. Jamie Jeon school days, it promises to be nothing more Junior Tony Sanchez is right there, screaming every than blathering teachers and mindless classword of the holy songs, pounding his head and pumping mates. “I’m here for the education,” Sanchez Ab ove are a few of the 37 juniors who were chosen to be interviewed his devil-horned fist with every beat. Freaking out, says, but he can never keep his mind focused. for a personality profile project for AP Journalism Sanchez is totally digging the show when a peculiar aroma Social life and music, not necessarily separate begins to waft over the crowd, a strange sort of haze that or in that order, hold a much stronger allure thickens and fills his lungs until physical limitations blur few minutes before heading to class. than literary analysis, Spanish conjugation, and balancand Sanchez becomes infinite. Breaking their whispering embrace, Sanchez unhooks ing equations. Hours later his eyes open, Sanchez is conscious, not from Smurph and plucks his black backpack from its “I have an inferiority complex with numbers. I get awake, and he anticipates facing a new day of that harsh crumpled pile of companions, the Lobby Crowd’s heap of lost in them.” He mulls this over, his thousand-yard stare reality called life. What new friends will he meet today? school materials. He trots to class after saying his cutting through the hypocritical and petty conglomeraWhat new music will his band create? But, most imporgoodbyes. Retracing his steps toward the back of the tion of teenagers. His jet-black hair is parted in the middle, tantly, what is that smell?! school, Sanchez slides into his World History trailer just hair falling smoothly behind his ears. Glasses with thin “Wake up, Tony,” his Dad intones sternly, making the as the real bell rings. frames are worn today, if only because Sanchez was too rounds before waking Heather, Tony’s 13-year-old sister. THE SCHOOL DAY lazy and too late to put his contacts in. A closely trimmed “Yeah,” replies Sanchez drowsily as he stumbles down The school day passes like any other; slow and pointgoatee frames his mouth and light brown eyes complete a the short wooden ladder leaning against his loft bed, less. Sitting in class, Sanchez can’t help but feel average relatively unblemished face with trademark Jewish nose. punching the stereo to life once the descent is complete. and unimportant, just like any other guy. “I am a lesson Sanchez basks under the hanging panels of exposed Like violently raucous ambrosia, the guitar melody exin normality, the average Joe; no gift, no flair; no time to fluorescent lighting, absorbing the omnipresent cultural plodes from the speakers and Sanchez begins air drumwonder who I really am. I am the guy in the back, uncalamity, wondering if this is how life is supposed to be. ming to the beat, interrupted only by a piercingly highshaven and restless, loud, but outspoken, funny, but na“If I were to die today, who would come to my funeral and pitched and undeniably Yiddish-tinted reminder. ive, master of the oxymoron.” what would they say?” he asks himself, not suicidally, but “And don’t forget to brush your teeth,” as his nagging Academics are not his strong suit and his insecurities rather, speculatively. “Sometimes I feel useless, like I am Mom passes by. “It’s your morning breath that’s stinking show when a textbook is shoved in front of his face. not filling some slot of importance, despite my every efup this house!” Throughout the school day, all Sanchez can think about fort to make things perfect. But, most of all, I am afraid of “Thanks, Mom.” is his return to the lobby, his return to life. “You can take being alone.” Tony out of the lobby, but you can’t take the lobby out of Sanchez’s emotions run in Tony,” says a friend. cycles, a slight event touching Bored, Sanchez recalls his social mishaps for sadistic off a greater chain of positive entertainment. “Unfortunately, my pitfalls seem to be or negative energy, never what is most interesting about my character. I think there static. If one thing is certain, are more people judging my moral fiber than I would care he is not a man with mild opinto think and that upsets me. Sure, they can judge me, ions. If ever you see Sanchez but I wish, more than anything else, that I could be the even-tempered, he is most “nice guy” in every situation. No faults, no depth, just me likely balanced between love without my issues. Me, 20 pounds lighter and with less and hate for an instant. Othfreckles.” Academic performance, or lack thereof, seeps erwise, his emotions are into his personal self-image, so when Sanchez discovers strong, but held in check. Polithat he received an “A” on his Geosystems interim, it is tics can strike a chord (“If cause for celebration at the end of the day. you’re a liberal, not even I can Sanchez jubilantly dances around the lobby, a painhelp you,”) but heavy metal fully long seven hours after he departed, triumphantly elicits ecstatic babbling. waving his grade sheet in front of unsuspecting passersby. Unfortunately, Sanchez’s These dramatic antics are to be expected from the activemouth can get out of hand. when-awake junior. Once the accomplishment is satis“Sometimes, I don’t think factorily acknowledged, Sanchez calms and begins to disabout what I say before I say cuss the day’s occurrences with friends. it, so I end up in trouble.” This The latest drama in the Lobby social circle is acerbic, leaves him in a perpetual state but par for the teenage course. Sanchez can be the focus Junior Anthony Sanchez plays air drums in the main lobby, while his good friend and fellow of repentance with friends, at of this rumor mill every once in a while, but instead of band member sophomore Aaron Brown plays air guitar with him. various stages of forgiveness letting the backstabbing roll off his back, he obsesses. “I or rebuilding with social acGETTING READY torture myself over my mistakes. I feel like I must atone.” quaintances at any given point. To understand Sanchez’s Minutes later, following a shower and thorough toothThe guilt can consume him, but today, he is untouchable. social structure, however, is to understand the dichotomy brushing, Tony contemplates his wardrobe scattered in Smurph stops by to say “hi” before Sanchez heads of his life. Friends, temporal though they may be, also various stages of cleanliness and hanging off a chair, desk, home. The weather is nice outside, spring is coming, so provide a bright spot to his life. The mere mention of frienddresser, and other sturdy corners. Selecting a black Tony rolls down the window as he zips down Braddock ship triggers a veritable laundry list of loyalties, all emTwisted Sister concert t-shirt, he pulls it over his head planning the evening ahead. So much socializing to do, phatically and actively supported. and synches up his baggy blue jeans over black converse so little time. Band practice for the upcoming Guitar Club “I would jump in front of a bullet for Pat, inhale ansneakers. Opting to change the slow pace of the morning concert will take up most of the night. “I am with the thrax for Will, jump off a building for Cindy, drive off a thus far, Sanchez is purposefully frantic in searching for finest musicians in the school. Hell, the best musicians I cliff for Katie, turn liberal for Ian, go gay for Susan, fly his wallet beneath a cluttered pile of papers. Once recan think of.” If there is one thing that brings Sanchez through a storm for Aaron, sit on a grenade for Albert, trieved, the sparse wallet is firmly attached to a long metal confidence, it is his music. The car radio is set to screamand take a bullet for all my friends. I appreciate my friends chain, (purpose unknown), and placed in his back pocket. ing vocals over blazing dissonant distortion and the volbecause they treat me so much better than I deserve. I Glancing at his watch, Sanchez sees that he is runume dial is twisted all the way to the right. will always be here to return the favor,” says Sanchez. ning late, as is often the case. Grabbing a foil packet of BACK HOME FRIENDSHIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS pop tarts and a handful of goldfish crackers from the galPulling into his driveway, silent suburbia is the sound Despite the dynamic nature of Sanchez’s relationships, lon cartoon strategically placed near the front entrance, of musical death once the car is turned off and Sanchez his base friendships are constant. Referencing the memhe snatches his keys and backpack before dashing out scrambles inside the house and into his room, jabbing the bers of his band ‘The Last Word,’ his explains the intenthe door. stereo to life in one sweeping motion to keep the pulse sity of his friendships. “Albert, Aaron, and Collin are syn“Bye Mom and Dad, I’ll see you later,” he says as the alive. ‘80s power chords throb from the speakers and onymous with friendship. I have the best friends in the screen door shuts and Sanchez jumps into his car. He is Sanchez cranks it up before walking to the frig for an whole world!” These thoughts roll around Sanchez’s head, soon cruising through his Ravensworth neighborhood, afternoon snack, passing an empty fish tank on the right but the world suddenly shifts into slow motion the second smiling, braces reflecting the rising sun as he turns onto (“I way overfed them.”) Some leftover rice and a cold bishe sees Sara Murphy, aka. Smurph. Braddock. Quickly parking his car in the church lot, cuit suit his stomach just fine, but something strikes “How do you feel?” she asks, his favorite question Sanchez walks the cracked paved path to the back of the Sanchez as odd. (“When someone asks how you feel, it shows that they school. There is an imperfect ring in the heavy metal demicare.”) They talk and snuggle, to the disgust of some surOnce inside, he instinctively heads for the front lobby. gods’ strumming. Puzzled, Sanchez searches out the aurounding colleagues secretly envious of the intimacy that Before he even reaches it, though, the lobby beckons, its ral obstruction and finds his cell phone ringing. The mucomes with a serious relationship. noise level directly proportional to the wakened state of sic is paused for an instant as Sanchez answers; it is “I have a super-terrific, great, exquisite, stupendous, its constituents. At this point in the morning, the volSmurph and she wants to hang out. With this, Sanchez extraordinary, magnificent, and great boyfriend in Tony,” ume is sufficiently loud as quite a crowd has amassed is on the move once more. “I find that everywhere I am is says Murphy. The warning bell sounds, uniformly sigand the droopiness of early morning is beginning to wear not where I want to be. There is always someplace I would naling the entirety of the school that first period is about off. rather be.” Guitar lines and drumbeats bob and weave to begin. While most pavlovian students comply and beAT THE LOBBY through Sanchez’s head as he grabs his keys and heads grudgingly pull their backpacks off the dusty floor before The lobby squeams with life, a pulsing mass of collecout for the afternoon, final words of advice encapsulating trudging to their classes, the Lobby Crew hardly budges, tive individuality quivering with conversation and his persona. “If my stereo isn’t on, I’m not home.” innate timing telling them that they can still squeeze in a (melo)dramatic spontaneity. This nebulous consolidation
From A-Z, 37 juniors were randomly chosen to be profiled by AP Journalism students. The goal of the assignment was to get the in-depth story of the assigned student’s life. Here’s the best profile about a surprisingly ref lective and thoughtful metal head
SAMAN HUSSAIN
Brenda Duong 9 Erica Robey 9 Mariam Ali 10 April Brassard 11 Katherine Stanton 11 Svetlana Kayumova 12 Matthew Komara12 Manh Huynh 12 William Steinbuechler 13 Erick Alva 14 Caroline Friedman 14 James Huff 14 So Yeon Oh 14 Thien Tran 14 Brandon Booterbaugh 15 Rosa Guevara 16 John Phillips 16 Valerie Schofield16
A day in the life of...
“I have to work on my birthday at Zainy Brainy, so I’ll play with all the little kids.” — RaAnna Davis junior
Mark Hutchison 17 Son Nguyen 19 Kimiko Yerick 19 Cindy Caceres 20 Angela Briggs 21 Shakara Lecount 21 Tan Lien 21 Edward Gibson 22 Katy Garcia 23 Ivan Sharmanov 23 Brittney Lawrence 25 Rebecca Velez 26 William Williams 27 Austin Willis 27 Cesar Alvarez 28 Carlos Guerra Rios 28 Liliana Mejia 28 Nadia Siles Alvarado 28 JariusStyles 28 Ejaz Zeb 28 Kanwal Chaudry 29 Nazmul Howlader 29 Sophomores Barry Andrade 1 “I think I’m going out to dinner with my friends on my birthday.” — Ashley Martin junior
Edith Drosos
Kari Wolfe
George Buzzell
Katherine Haines
Amy Merrill
Katim Faal
Carolyn Ichter
Tamoor Ijaz
Sali Hama
Ashley Jones