Volume 64 Issue 5

the

Journal

Since 1946

By and for the students of Guilderland Central High School

Volume 64 Issue 5

Guilderland Center, NY 12085 June 2013

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Deaf doesn’t feel different Justina Liu Nicole Dergosits is profoundly deaf, but she doesn’t feel different from other kids.

In the halls, Nicole blends in with hearing students. She is an expert lip-reader and can speak a bit. Between classes, she’s often in conversation with students who don’t know how to sign.

She doesn’t let being deaf keep her from doing things.

A few Saturdays ago, she was shooting paintballs at the Albany Scenario Club and the theme was M.E.C.H. Warriors.

A few years from now, she wants to be studying sharks. She’s scared of sharks, but more scared that they will become endangered, or extinct. “We are more dangerous to them than they are to us.

Every year, only a few sharks kill people, but people kill thousands of sharks,” she says.

But in the classroom, she can’t read lips, view a PowerPoint, and take notes all at once. No one could. So interpreters and note takers are available to DHH students in hearing classrooms.

Of 16 students in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) program at Guilderland High School, Nicole is one of eight who are mainstreamed, attending all class in hearing classrooms.

DHH students and staff communicate

with elements of Total Communication: speech, lip reading, and sign language.

Mrs. Loukides manages the DHH program at GHS, and as the sole teacher of the deaf, teaches the four core subjects to DHH students of a various grade levels in nonmainstream settings.

Mr. Langevin, an interpreter, says that his goal, second only to communicating,

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Tulip Festival

Photo courtesy of Chloe Stevens / The Journal

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Above: Flowers in Washington Park bloom during the 2013 Tulip Festival.

Exiled everywhere:

What’s inside:

The Tsarnaevs and the immigrant’s predicament

Andrew Fedorov Emma Lazarus’s famous poem on the Statue of Liberty, The New Colossus, calls the statue the “Mother of Exiles.”

For more than a century now, since the erection of the statue, this message has echoed across the waves and reached a world full of refugees and exiles. Yet in the years following the tragedy of 9/11 the American shell has hardened and the mother of exiles has rejected her children. This unaccepting and unacceptable attitude toward immigrants and refugees is what isolated the Tsarnaev

Hallways

2

FMS Enrichment in jeopardy, Teachers’ advice

brothers. This disconnect was the space in which they were radicalized. Thus the subtle xenophobia that has permeated the American contributed to sparking the violence in Boston.

The Tsarnaev’s had their first roots mutilated at birth. Even before they were born Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev had been exiled. They were ethnically Chechen but neither of them had the opportunity to be born in their native Chechnya which has been mired in violence since the collapse of the Soviet Union when it became engaged in a

Hallways Around Town World&Cultures Centerspread Fine Arts Opinions Pop Arts Sports

struggle for independence from Russia.

Instead they were both born in other former soviet republics. But even in the places where they searched for shelter, they were persecuted as Chechens. Their family came to the United States in 2002 on a tourist visa and they applied for asylum as refugees and received it. Thus their exile from their second home was complete.

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World&Cultures 6

Integrated prom, Ethnic restaurants in the area

Summer at SPAC, Continuing in the field of music

Fine Arts 10

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 15

Sports 15

Girls’ Lacrosse, Cara Quimby, Year in Review

The Journal June 2013

Deaf doesn’t feel different

Continued from page 1 is to not stand out. He tries to stay transparent, speaking only for the student he’s interpreting for.

“I don’t want kids to say ‘I remember that interpreter, but I don’t remember that kid,” he says.

Note takers can disappear in the back of the room, but interpreters can’t.

Hard of hearing students often alternate between looking at the interpreter and the teacher. Information is inevitably conveyed by facial expressions and body language.

“Classroom aid evens the playing field,” says Mrs. Loukides, and enables teachers to hold DHH students to the same standards. By 12th grade, DHH students are responsible for telling Mrs. Loukides in which classes they need classroom aid.

When they’re on their own in a hearing world, deaf students will have to communicate their needs, says Mrs. Loukides.

“They have to know what that experience feels like. Or see what happens when they forget.”

The DHH program is actually not run

by GHS, but by the Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES). GHS has housed the program for over 40 years.

People here understand the needs of the deaf, and if they don’t, they try to understand, says Mrs. Loukides. “I consider it a part of GHS,” says Mrs. Loukides.

Understanding needs is not always the same as talking to and know a person.

These needs can still separate hearing students from deaf students—even when they’re in the same classroom. The practical separation is easy to fix. Don’t know sign language? Grab a pencil and paper.

Sometimes, words aren’t needed. On sports teams, deaf and hearing students can “have this kind of rapport with each other, without communicating, just by their facial expressions and their actions,” says Mr. Langevin.

When Rafi Nazam, an eighth grader at Farnsworth Middle School, entered the final stage of his middle school years, he was enthusiastic about being part of the enrichment program again. “It provided a place to go to that allowed me to meet other people of my intellect and that it helped me learn about topics I otherwise would not have learned about,” he said.

Though Rafi is one of the 288 students participating in enrichment, many students hold the same views as Rafi: that the enrichment program is important to many students in our district, and that gifted students, a term that could be widely interpreted but is easily recognizable, need a higher level to step onto. And all enrichment students recognize that if the valuable enrichment program at the middle school was to be cut, then that

2012 - 2013

The Journal is published by and for the students of Guilderland High School and is the school’s official student newspaper. We publish accounts of, and perspectives on, people, issues, and events that affect members of the school as well as the community.

Although initialed by the writer, editorials reflect the majority opinion of the editorial staff.

Reviews, columns, commentaries, and letters to the editor, however, represent the view of the individual writer and not necessarily those of the staff.

Although we try not to solicit advertisements from competing businesses in a given issue, we cannot guarantee that a conflict involving advertising will not arise. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of their respective advertisements. We are not responsible for printing and/or typographical errors that may occur in a given advertisement. We reserve the right not to print a given advertisement. Also, we cannot assure that columns, editorials, news, reviews or feature stories will not cover issues or events relating to any advertiser in this newspaper.

We welcome signed letters from our readers.

To be printed, letters must be of a reasonable length and contain neither libelous, slanderous, nor profane material. We reserve the right to reject any letter received. Unless otherwise noted by the editor-in-chief or the managing editor, all accepted letters will be printed in the letters to the editor section. We reserve the right to edit for length, grammar and content.

Photo courtesy of Deaf Jam

Above: Deaf Jam, a GHS club that invites students to meet those in the DHH program and learn sign language.

But mental separation is trickier. The fear that the hearing have of saying and doing the wrong thing.

And that feeling. That feeling that we’re doing the wrong thing when we don’t say anything.

“I think that everyone should try to interact with all different kinds of people, even if it is challenging,” says Nicole.

“And it doesn’t just apply to hearing people.”

It was a challenge, she says. “But I’ve

made friends by doing so.”

Understanding deafness, or any difference, can be complicated. During the process, we sometimes turn it into a new thing, bigger than it is.

But the way Nicole says it, it seems so simple.

“I’m just a typical high school student but with less ability to hear than you guys.”

level would be eliminated.

On March 28th, Board of Education members, teachers, and even students gathered to discuss the future of enrichment, among other things. Though the enrichment program at the middle school was previously threatened to be eliminated due to looming budget cuts, it was saved at the meeting by the support of several board members.

The superintendent’s plan called for several clubs to be led by teachers receiving stipends, or salaries. Mrs. Escobar, the enrichment teacher at Farnsworth for more than two decades, said that the proposed clubs will function differently than the early morning courses she teaches, which are “designed as stepping stones to higher learning.” A teacher with a club stipend, she warned, would not have time to write lesson or curriculum

plans, recruit gifted students, or follow them from year to year to promote even higher learning. Though the details are not certain, the superintendent’s plan called for cutting the teacher that oversees the program to save $72,000, similar to a recommendation made last year. Because Mrs. Escobar will be retiring in 2014, she hopes the program will be run by another teacher who will be trained by Mrs. Escobar, and not teachers who already teach regular classes.

Elementary school enrichment was cut, however, and will not exist next year.

“Not having the elementary enrichment is going to have a devastating effect on student readiness to take on a challenge, take a risk, and go above and beyond—to learn to love learning for learning’s sake, not for a grade on a report card or a

FMS enrichment in jeopardy Michael Zhu

Journal

the

Hallways

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How to contact The Journal Mail: The Journal c/o Guilderland High School 8 School Rd Guilderland Center, NY 12085 Phone: (518) 861-8591 Ask for The Journal Email: journal@guilderlandschools.org submit stories to: theguilderlandjournal@gmail.com -Print Management-

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Editors-in-Chief Nina Obwald, Content Isaac Malsky, Design Managing Editor Haewon Hwang Asst. Managing Editor MaryGrace Graves Associate Editor Justina Liu Lead Copy Editor Mary Powathil

Editor-in-Chief Alexandra Sima Online Managing Editor Christine Bolognino Associate Editor Hannah Liu Webmaster Patrick Coonan

-ContentHallways Editors Sydney Campbell, Nicholas Schwartz Around Town Editors Bryce Goyer, Taylor Tewskbury Pop Arts Editors Julia Davidoff, Elana DeSantis World & Cultures Editors Emily Benson, Michelle Xiong Fine Arts Editor Luxi Peng Opinions Editors Andrew Fedorov, Laura Tang Sports Editor Brien Miceli Copyeditors Lexi Adams, Sam DeSantis, Joy Jing, Verina Mansour, Abigail Schnoor, Benjamin Segal, Alex Siracusa -DesignPhotography Editor Sam Pitkin Graphics Editor Rachel Gingrich Layout & Design Editor Jack Watson -BusinessBusiness Staff Brent Katlan Matt Scatena Distribution Manager Zachary Cleary Faculty Advisor Christopher Mazura

Hallways

June 2013

page 3 (theJournal)

Before you leave, seniors...

The importance of what you learned and what to consider in the future Music

English

Mrs. Teeter

Mr. McBride

Teaching vocal/choral music is a wonder and inspiration to me on a daily basis.

What we study is amazingly broad. There are principles of physics and acoustics involved in learning how to sing well.

Rhythm and phrasing is all mathematics and proportion. Our text is expressive, meaningful poetry. We are academic, but the choir is also a team needing to function together to be our best. I get to be both a coach and a conductor!

To study English is to pledge oneself to carrying the written Word on to future generations. It is to live in the light of all human knowledge, thought, sentiment, and wisdom, the transcription of all that his holy and noble within the human soul.

I teach music because it brings the best out of people.

Mrs. Ehlinger I teach music because it brings the best out of people. It helps us be better human beings. It brings joy, love and sensitivity to people’s lives. It brings us spiritually closer to the infinite world and gives more meaning to life.

Ms. Autrey English...It’s the foundation of our lives. You need to read, write, listen and speak in order to survive in this world.

I love teaching a subject that is so important to our lives. Being in an English classroom allows for rich discussions of literature and all that surrounds us. It’s fantastic!

History Mrs. Rudolph Without history, we would be living without understanding of anything.

History is a subject that encompasses

Be passionate and keep an open mind.

all others and makes sense of the world.

Mrs. Mackey And what other job allows you to tell To be honest, when I went off to stories all day long! college, I was dedicated to the proposition that I would be teaching American History. When I was getting my degree Ms.Hershenhart, Ms. I took a few courses in Africa, Asia and Latin America, but only because it Hubbard, Mrs.Newbegin, & was required. Then I could only get a Ms. McGrath job teaching Africa and Asia. The cool Did you know that more than 50% thing was that when I allowed myself of college students graduate with a to consider the possibilities, I began business degree? Business classes help to really love teaching Africa, Asia and you achieve success in many aspects of Latin America. your life. Business courses teach real life concepts like personal finance, savings, There’s always something investing, insurance, credit, and commore to learn and munication skills. In addition, you can something to love. learn technology, real life math, problem solving, and legal and accounting skills needed for both personal and business There’s always something more to life. learn and something to love -- so con-

Business

sider the possibilities, open your mind, and look for what you could enjoy!

Enrichment at FMS has uncertain future Continued from page 2 standardized test scores—is one of the greatest gifts a student can be given,” Mrs. Escobar said sadly. Mrs. Escobar, who guided and expanded the enrichment program during her tenure at Farnsworth, usually works from 7:30 from 3:30. As well as teaching classes and preparing curriculum, she gives written assessments to parents detailing the progress of their child throughout the year. “Throughout my years at Farnsworth,” says student Matt Cullen, “Mrs. Escobar was helpful and supportive, and knew a lot of information.”

The environment is more relaxed in enrichment and I’m not burdened by grades or test scores.

Several middle school students spoke at the meeting to persuade the board to save enrichment. “The enrichment program really stimulates my mind,” Joe Giordano, an eighth grader, told the board members.

Losing it, they believe, would really be a shame for future generations to come.

In our post-modern world, with competition looming overseas and domestic instability in the economy and even the government, enrichment and higher learning is crucial. “It is vital for students to be actively participating in enrichment programs at an early age,” said Kehe Zhu, the chairman of the math department at University at Albany. Topics such as writing, reading, and math can help critically for important exams, while areas such as philosophy can have, in Mrs. Escobar’s words, “a profound effect on the ability to think critically and deeply, as well as communicate ideas in a respectful way.”

This knowledge is crucial for success in today’s world. A common misconception about the enrichment program is that it teaches useless information; what people don’t realize is that it focuses on thinking,

on how to think and maneuver around challenges.

Why is enrichment so valuable for students? To Rafi, enrichment classes are different and more interesting. “They’re different because the environment is more relaxed in enrichment and I’m not burdened by grades or test scores,” he explained. Though the term “gifted students” should be used carefully and lightly, enrichment really does provide an environment for these students who wish to enthusiastically and passionately take their academic skills beyond what is offered to them by their regular classes.

Usually, this environment steps upon a higher level, which stimulates creative thinking and challenges usually not faced in regular classes—some of these 15 enrichment courses include the philosophy class and the creative writing class, which let students delve into creative and critical thinking, on-the-spot writing, research papers, and imaginative fiction.

Enrichment courses for the gifted also prepare students for what lie ahead: arduous AP and honors courses, critical and creative thinking, and even success in college. The challenges offered in these courses not only inspire resourceful thinking, but also allow students to develop and recognize systematic ways to face future challenges. “Anything easy does not create growth,” Mrs. Escobar commented.

“It is when you face a challenge and do something that’s a little too hard for you that you hit that ‘sweet spot’ of learning.”

Learning from these challenges, and in turn these mistakes and successes, just makes us better in the end.

Students at GHS still remember the difference the enrichment program made on their academic and personal lives. “It taught me to think more critically and rationally, but also to hypothesize and philosophize as well,” Luxi Peng, a junior at GHS, recalls, “Enrichment helped me develop my math skills much faster than in a standard classroom environment.”

Matt Cullen remembers the Verbal class helped him tremendously with the SAT

for CTY in seventh grade. “Mrs. Escobar helped us learn words quickly, and I still remember and, at times, use them,” he says. For Gretchen Long, a freshman, law club and public speaking workshops improved her public speaking skills, while math enrichment helped her learn more advanced math concepts that are becoming useful in her geometry class.

The point is, enrichment actually makes a difference—for some, it’ll be more visible; for others, well, they may have been taught how to think more critically.

So many students, in the past and present, have been changed by enrichment programs. Mrs. Escobar remembered, “At the moving up day ceremony [one student] and his parents gave me a huge bouquet of flowers, and he told me that he wanted me to understand what a difference his math challenges had meant to him and how it had changed him.” The list goes on and on: a student who narrated a historical documentary became a television reporter, a student who was too shy to speak to people became brave enough to give a speech to a conference of professional historians, a student who lacked in self-esteem became confident about his strengths and went on to succeed. For Mrs. Escobar, the nurturer of this change and success, these stories and lives are what inspire her to continue her great work at Farnsworth.

These stories aren’t only local; a study done by the University of Colorado interviewed thousands of students around the U.S. and said that around 85% of students reported an increased conceptual and perceptual knowledge, 80% reported an acquisition or review of skills and information, and 35% reported that enrichment taught character and life skills.

New York State is one of only 8 states that fails to mandate gifted education and fails to provide dedicated funding for gifted education, one of 15 to fails to mandate gifted education in general. The Empire State is not recognized as an educational leader in gifted education. And as gifted education is neglected, gifted

students are the first to suffer—they drop out of classes and lost interest and focus.

“Motivation declines, behavior problems, absenteeism and dropouts go up,” Mrs. Escobar explained. This explains why 20% of high school dropouts in New York State are gifted students, says a study done by the New York Senate. The only way we can solve this problem is to increase funding for gifted education within schools. This will require sacrifices in other fields, some of which will be hard to make.

For Mrs. Escobar, her long 23-year time as the enrichment program’s overseer will come to end next year, as she will be retiring in January 2014. She has seen gifted students become wildly successful and share their inspiring stories with her. She has adapted to constant threats against the program, and created a prominent gifted education program in one of the best schools in the region. “Some of the stories I have seen would take a book to write—but I can guarantee you, it does change lives,” she says, reflecting upon her time. The stories that she molds for us, the students who passed through her program, also give us passion, to continue to learn and think, to challenge ourselves and make mistakes, and to recreate the societal norm and even possibly rewrite It taught me to think more critically and rationally, but also to hypothesize and philosophize.

history books.

As for ourselves, we have a job to do.

Let’s save enrichment for years to come, because every year the budget cut targets enrichment first. Let’s boost our confidence in the strength of the enrichment program. Let’s reconsider the program’s power, its usefulness and importance, its value to all students. Let’s hold on to something, because if we let go it might never come back. For we never really understand the value of something until we lose it.

The Journal June 2013

Around Town

Mud Mania offers a fun alternative to 5k Vivian Dai Mud Mania, to be held this year on Saturday, June 15th, seems to be one of the few events here at Guilderland in which people all over the town participate. Kids and adults alike flock to Tawasentha Park, where they are allowed to be pigs for one day, rolling around in the muddy goodness. Of course, the event involves much more than a mud pit; the 5K race course boasts many obstacles for runners to climb over, crawl under, and jump through.

Sophomore Jennifer Hoffmann, who participated in the event last year, said, “There were slides you could go down, and bridges to cross, and other things you had to climb up. And you also had to crawl under ropes and go through deep mud pits. The obstacles were great.”

If you’re not up for the challenge of going through obstacles while racing, Mud Mania offers alternative options.

Besides the option of a 1K course for younger kids, there are also a variety of 5K races based on level of intensity. Of these races, the timed 5K race is no doubt the most intense.

“Last year, I did the timed 5K, because someone told me that’s what most people

did,” said Jennifer. “But it turned out to be a bunch of, like, 20-year-olds in black sports-bras and black ‘spankies’ (girls’ spandex shorts), looking all intense.”

Still, Jennifer concluded that it was a lot of fun.

It’s just a really fun idea...adding mud to the obstacles just gives it extra pizazz.

“The obstacles were reasonable, and it’s just a really fun idea…and adding mud to the obstacles just gives it extra ‘pizazz’,” she said.

As Mud Mania veterans spread the word to their friends, more and more people are drawn to the event to find their own “pizazz” and fun on the muddy course.

Eden Alin, also a sophomore, is one of these newbies. “I’m looking forward to having a good time with all my friends, doing what I love—running,” she said.

“I’m a little nervous about the distance (of the course), but I want to take on the challenge,” said Eden.

However, first-timers need not be

worried, because they have the choice of running the untimed 5K, and don’t have to view it as a race at all.

The obstacle course is not the only thing Mud Mania offers. This year, according to the event pamphlet, there will be a “monster mud pit, an awesome slip’n slide”, and “the Fire Department will hose you down.”

All in all, Mud Mania is a fun event to get down and dirty in, and also the perfect way to take a break and relieve stress between the two regents weeks at the end of the year.

“I’m looking forward to hanging out with friends and seeing them all one more time before summer starts,” Jennifer said. “Mud Mania is great. It’s a great fundraiser, it’s local, it Photo courtesy of Justina Liu / The Journal brings all the kids together, and Above: A poster advertises for Mud Mania 3. it’s very well run, too.” early will receive a free t-shirt as well.

The registration and payment deadline is June 12th. The fee cov- The remainder of the proceeds will go ers a lunch of a burger or hotdog and toward improvements for the children’s a drink (unless you are running the 1K playground at Tawasentha Park. kid’s course), and those who signed up

Recovery Room: a sanctuary for sports fans

Hayley Chang

Calling all sports fanatics! Your sanctuary awaits you. The Recovery Room Sports Bar and Grill features the place to go for your Sunday football game, Olympic hockey game, competitive baseball game, and many other sports. Originally set across the street from the Albany Medical Center, die-hard sports fan and founder Don Led Duke wanted it to be “a place that both kids and adults could

enjoy.” What had originally started out as an escape for the families of patients at Albany Med has now become a multistate chain that has nine restaurants in New York, and one restaurant in each New Jersey, Virginia, and West Virginia.

When you first walk into the Recovery Room, you are immediately hit with a barrage of sports memorabilia and ginormous television screens and projectors, not to mention the arcade area that is

Above: The dining room at the new Recovery Room restaurant.

Left: One of many burgers to choose from.

Photos courtesy of Taylor Tewksbury / The Journal

great for little kids and even adults who want to have some fun while waiting for their meal. The atmosphere is very laid back and casual, although people sometimes get very immersed into their sports games and teams. It can be an appropriate place for children, and the arcade can provide a nice distraction if you are willing to hand over some quarters.You have the option of either a booth, regular table, bar seating, high top seating, or outdoor patio seating which is a nice option during the summer months. Wherever you do decide to sit is trivial considering you can see multiple television screens from every angle. It becomes sort of overwhelming; there is even a television screen in the bathroom! Each table inside the restaurant has a little radio-like box that allows you to switch between tv screens so you can hear the game you want. There isn’t an empty wall inside the Recovery Room; sports memorabilia showers the walls with helmets, jerseys, autographs, and even whole race cars. This may be the perfect hideout for a sports junkie but is probably not the best place to go if you aren’t interested in sports or a loud atmosphere. If you do run into this problem though, you can always ask to be seated outside on the lovely patio.

The service at the Recovery Room restaurants is average. The servers are friendly but sometimes lack attentiveness. You are generally seated quickly and there isn’t usually a long wait to get in.

The food is reasonably priced, so anyone on a tighter budget can afford one night out of fun. There is a bar for those old enough, and for those in a rush, you can pre-order your meal and pick it up twenty

minutes later.

My favorite item on the menu is the Buffalo Chicken sandwich that comes with french fries, but for an extra charge I like to opt out for the sweet potato ones. The food in general is good. The takeout is not as fresh sometimes but is still okay. There are slightly healthier options, like salads, if you don’t want the grill style (hamburgers, steaks) food or if you do not eat meat.The food usually comes out in a short amount of time and is always hot.

It can get very loud inside the restaurant and can sometimes become hard to hear what the person across from you is saying, but most people focus on the sports games. The amount of television can become slightly annoying because there is a TV everywhere you look and it can become very distracting. If you aren’t prepared or looking to spend your evening disengaged in front of a television screen filled with sports then this is not the place for you.

If you are a sports monger, The Recovery Room Sports Bar and Grill provides the greatest sanctuary for you.

The mountains of sports equipment, autographs, and merchandise will entrance you. Relax while eating a good, well priced meal while enjoyably watching your favorite sports team defeat their rivals. If you’re not a huge sports fan this restaurant is probably not for you, although if you are dead set on trying this place out you can always opt for the outdoor seating. A great place to meet friends or bring children, The Recovery Room can provide an enjoyable experience for everyone.

June 2013

Around Town

page 5 (theJournal)

More to Tulip Fest than just tulips Zack Cleary Every second Saturday in May, there’s an event that draws a spectrum of people from the capitol district to Washington Park. When the words “Tulip Fest” are said, some people get the vision of gardening lovers coming together over their love of flowers. Yes, there are beautiful Tulip gracing the grounds that cover Washington Park but, to the contrary of that vision, there are many things that people of all ages come to enjoy and experience. This event is one of local food vendors, local shops, kids entertainment, free concerts (that’s right, FREE) of local and well known bands, and of other leisurely activities to enjoy.

Starting off the weekend was the coronation of the 2013 Tulip Queen which was won by none other than Guilderland graduate, Kate Bender. Among the six nominees was another Guilderland gradu-

ate, Megan Cahill. The Tulip Queen is chosen based on their volunteer efforts and overall community involvement. After she is chosen, she and the nominees will spend a year involved in volunteer projects with the mayor.

After the traditional events of the Tulip Festival have concluded, one can meander around the walkways of Washington Park and experience local food that some may not expect to find in Albany. Food ranges from Island Noodles to your classic fried dough and everything in-between. Apart from food, one can also find a gift for themselves, a friend, or that last minute mother’s day gift at the local shop vendors.

Many people come for the great concert that is put on by 102.7 WEQX. Running the main stage on Saturday, the local radio station brought in well-known bands from across the country. Kicking

off the music at 1:00 pm was the New Orleans origin Royal Teeth. Their up tempo stage presence wasn’t done justice by the crowd. “Despite the rain, fun was had by all as we rocked out to our favorite Royal Teeth song,” said senior Chrissy Bolignino.

As more people started to trickle in, The Features, a band with consistent

Many people come for the great concert that is put on my 102.7 WEQX. plays on the radio, took the stage around 2:30 pm. With more of a rock alternative approach to their set, they kept the speakers going for a solid hour of great music while the headliners got ready to play.

Finally, around 4:00, a crowd filled

the field, and the Silversun Pickups took the stage. They kept the music and the crowd going until the end of the event at 6:00pm, even giving the crowd an extra half hour of performance.

“In years past I had volunteered with my good friend Zack Cleary at Tulip Fest for the purpose of not only helping out but also working backstage as extremely fierce, cute, and intimidating security guards,” said Ben Segal. “This year I went into the event as a volunteer again, however I hadn’t had heard the bands before.

In spite of this I walked away eager to listen to the bands online.”

To sign up for volunteering at Tulip Fest or any other Albany Special Event (Alive at Five, Jazz Fest, etc.), go to albanyevents.org and fill out the volunteer form. They are always welcoming towards new volunteers and are very flexible in giving you hours when available.

Photo courtesy of Chloe Stevens / The Journal

Above: Tulips bloom in Washington Park during Tulip Fest, May 11-12, 2013.

Summer events in the Capital District June

6/28/13 Tracy Morgan, The 6/8/13 - Art on Lark Egg, 8pm Lark Street, Albany 6/29/13 6/9/13 Strawberry Fest Capital Pride Parade Pine Grove United & Festival Methodist Church, Washington Park, Al- 1580 Central Ave, Albany bany

Shepards Park, Lake George, NY 7/13/13 Mohawk Gateway Canal Festival Capital Region Maritime Center

7/25 - 7/28/13 Feline Fest July Mohawk Hudson 6/14/13 Humane Society, Nervosity 7/4/13 Tawasentha Park, 6pm 4th of July Fireworks Menands, NY

August 8/2 - 8/3/13 Ballston Spa Film Festival 8/3/13 Firefly5 Festival Sand Lake, NY 8/13 - 8/18/13 Altamont Fair Altamont Fairgrounds

The Journal June 2013

World and Cultures Town holds first integrated prom Emily Benson

Last spring, the Wilcox Country High School district held their annual high school proms. Yes that’s right, two. Two proms both held like any other high school prom with a DJ, limos, overly expensive dresses and cheap but delicious dinner food. The only difference? One prom is reserved for white students only and the other for everybody else.

That’s right, sixty years after high school segregation became illegal, Wilcox district apparently never got the memo.

But this April was the first year Wilcox High didn’t hold two proms but one and finally, after over sixty years of avoiding change, integrated their high school proms.

school had to drop from hosting proms all together and give the rights to the town to hold the proms. Each seperate prom suddenly became the parents and students burden to organize, and that’s exactly how it stayed for over sixty years.

The whole plan for an integrated prom began when a group of attending seniors wanted to leave the school united and finally put an end to the age old values.

A facebook page was started to promote donations to the cause, and was up to 30,000 likes by the time the prom came aournd. It’s no surprise that enough dona-

tions came in for students to take prom into their own hands, and that’s exactly what they did.

“Better late than never, right?” said Reza Sayeed, Vice-President of International Club. “It really goes to show how different the social structure varies so vastly just a couple of latitude lines from us.”

It is no mystery that there will generally be a very different a reaction in the upstate New York/ New England area than the one of students and parents down south. But from whom is the reactions

We can never fully get rid of hatred but we can further diminish it Surprisingly, Wilcox High School itself didn’t actually hold the first integrated prom. he town itself did, which is all part of the problem. In the 1960’s/70’s when segregation in schools was being ruled out, Wilcox high school agreed to integrate the schools but refused to hold a mixed race prom. Once it became illegal for segregated proms to continue the high

most different? When students attending Wilcox high started advocating for an integrated prom, parents began threatening to riot if such a prom was carried out.

Perhaps it is just the older generation pushing for keeping the old ways around, though not all students were keen on the idea of the integrated prom. Some tore down posters put up to promote the prom. Others just weren’t sure about the change.

But at this day in age, it’s time to realize the facts: change is inevitable. And on that bright April day, the students of Wilcox High emerged from their limos not grouped together by their race but by ther friendships.

“We can never fully get rid of hatred,” Lauren Kraushaar commented, “but we can further diminish it throughout the generations.”

And sadly to say, perhaps it’s true that hatred can never fully be diminished. And maybe racism, even after being fought against for over hundreds of years, will still remain even in the 21st century. But unity will always remain, and the ability to join together and stand as one for a cause will continue to be a fighting force for students with these kinds of hopes and dreams, even if it’s something as simple and evident as high schol prom.

Graphic by Justina Liu

From Kuwait to New York, Alan brings his charisma Jack Watson Alan Karivelil is a fifteen year old sophomore here at Guilderland. Talking to him in the hallways, you’d never assume that just over a year ago, Alan lived in Kuwait. He spoke some English before he came to America, but not much, and he had lived in Kuwait most of his life.

Now, he’s just like any other kid; doing his homework frantically before class, hanging out with friends, playing tennis on the weekends- but he says there were many differences between America and Kuwait, and some unexpected similarities.

“Coming to America from Kuwait was exciting... Different people, different weather, different culture,” says Karivelil.

“Because of the media, I knew what America was going to be like... I knew that this would be hard, so I was already prepared... Moving itself wasn’t hard. I just... came here. I’m good at fitting in.”

But there were a few difficulties and adjustments Alan needed to make once he crossed the Atlantic. The school system was considerably different in Kuwait: “You only have one class, but the teacher changes. Things are closer in the classroom there. In America, people are more friendly in school, but more limited. In America, it’s my homework, your homework- people don’t share, they have more integrity. In Kuwait, it’s like, ‘here’s my homework’. There’s more freedom here in class, it’s just more... con-

stricted. People are more reserved here, regarding education.” There were also differences in parent-teacher relations: “In Kuwait, things between my parents and the teacher were more direct- if they had to talk, they’d meet, and speak face to face. Every time. Here, it’s all emailing.

I don’t think my Dad has ever seen my teachers here.”

Different people, different weather, different culture

Alan went through a typical school day that he’d have in his school, that went something like this; “I’d wake up.

I’d drink milk. I’d pray with my bible, and then I would run down for my school bus when it comes. I would crack jokes on the way to the classroom, and then do my homework. After I’d handed it in, I’d play games with my friends in the classroom.

There were three more classes, and then I had lunch break and we would go down and play for forty five minutes- and then it’s just studying, and studying, and studying. That was my day.”

One of the biggest things Alan noticed was the cultural differences. The way people treated themselves, the physical appearances of people, the cuisine, the

traditions. “Over in Kuwait, everything is based on tradition, but because of my religion- I’m Christian- a lot of that tradition carries over into my household here. In Kuwait, we sit, we worship, we pray. Simple. Over here, people are singing, and listening to music, and one man, he comes and he talks... It’s powerful. Powerful, sometimes.” While Alan likes the worship in America, he does miss the food from Kuwait.

“The food was more arabic in Kuwait, more healthy.

For lunch I’d have curry and Indian bread, and in the afternoon I’d eat yoghurt and more bread. For dinPhoto courtesy of Jack Watson / The Journal ner I’d have samosas. Over Alan’s personality speaks through still photos. here, the main meat is pork.

In Kuwait, it’s mostly mutton.

America. I have adjusted to this place. I And the way people take care of them- like this place. The only things I don’t selves- People are more aware of their like- It’s cold here sometimes, and there’s health in America, they run, they jog... In this philosophy that everyone should be Kuwait, most things are indoors. Because hard-working; I’m not just a hard working of money, people sit inside.” person. Plus, everything is very expensive Alan misses Kuwait, but not as much here. I don’t care about leaving friends as he used to. We adapt to our surround- in Kuwait- I make new friends quickly. ings, and Alan has come to love his new I miss Kuwait, but not a lot. It’s a place life: “If a few months ago you asked me that I like.” which country I liked living in the best, I would have said Kuwait. But now... I like

World and Cultures

June 2013

page 7 (theJournal)

Cultural tastes around the Capital Region Michelle Xiong

Traveling abroad is an unforgetable experience, especially with summer just around the corner. Unfortunately, many of us are stuck at home, but have no fear; Tastes from all around the world can be easily found in a myriad of restaurants right here in the Capital Region. You’ll be surprised to learn that a small slice of our world’s most incredible cuisine can be found as little as 10 minutes away.

Athos

If you’re looking for a genuine taste of the Mediterranean, then look no further.

Athos is a restaurant that serves Greek

ers, we ordered Lentil soup- a soup made of peas and lentils- which was hearty and filling, and the Quail Sta Karvouna - quail marinated in a lemon-herb sauce- that tasted like a more delicate, seasoned version of chicken.

The appetizers also include vegetarian choices, such as Papoutsaki Melitsana, which is baby eggplant stuffed with onions, garlic, tomato & cheese, and a number of Greek salads.

Picture courtesy of Michelle Xiong For the main encuisine, and is located at 1814 Western trées we ordered Lamb Youvetsi and Pork Avenue, right next to the Bruegger’s Soufflaki. The Lamb Youvetsi was potBagels Plaza. Greek food is character- roast lamb in orzo pasta and tomato and ized by largely seafood and olive-based cheese broth, served in an earthenware dishes, due to the country’s proximity pot that helped marinate the tender lamb to the ocean and lucrative olive industry. to perfection and kept the meal warm.

Emily Benson and I visited on a Saturday The Youvetsi had a light hint of cheese in night to sample some of the food they the sauce that was neither overpowering had to offer. nor nonexistent, but rather, helped bring When we arrived, the restaurant was out the herbs in the broth. The Soufflaki dimly-lit environment with a pleasant at- was grilled pork on a shish-kabob garmosphere. The front bar was illuminated nered with bell peppers and onions. The by soft blue lights that gave the illusion of pork was succulent and the slightly sweet dining by the sea. The back main dining bell-peppers balanced well with the light room was brighter, with an ivory and gold drizzle of olive oil on the meal. color scheme and chandeliers handing from the ceilings. A separate room for Our experience at Athos larger parties was decorated to resemble was one that will definitely keep the famous Grecian island, Santorini, us coming back for more. renowned for its pristine white-washed buildings and sapphire oceans.

Although we had to wait 20 minutes to be seated, we were quickly attended to Our experience at Athos was one by a waiter, who presented the “catch of that will definitely keep us coming back the day”, or fresh seafood options, on a for more. silver platter, and gave us a small basket of pita bread and tomato dip. For appetizPictures courtesy of Michelle Xiong / The Journal

Van’s Vietnamese

When Van’s Vietnamese Restaurant arrived at 307 Central Avenue, Albany in June, 1999, it was ready to serve an authentic dining experience, unmatched by any other Asian restaurant, to all who were willing to try. I was able to experience Vietnamese at Van’s over the Memorial Day weekend, and it was one I will never forget.

As an appetizer, I ordered the Goi Cuon Chay, or Fresh Vegetarian Summer Rolls. One order came with 4 rolls on one platter; a perfect amount to share between two people. The rolls were very light; its delicate fragrance and taste came from the balance of lettuce leaves,

es was extremely flavorful and tender, and each dish was topped with peanuts and decorative vegetables that added a burst of color to the plate. The sauce with the

Van’s is truly unique in its style of cuisine in the Albany area.

Vermicelli, a special type of rice noodle, was light and slightly sweet. I talked to my waiter, Dan, and he told me what makes Vietnamese food. “Vietnamese food is a blend of Chinese, Cambodian, and some

Picture courtesy of Michelle Xiong

bean sprouts, tofu pork, and mint leaves, wrapped together by a sticky rice paper.

It was served with a sesame sauce that was slightly sweet and complimented the hint of mint.

The main entrees are all dedicated to preserving the genuine flavors of Vietnam. I ordered the Bún Bò NUOng, grilled Beef Slices over Vermicelli; and the Com Tht NUOng, grilled pork slices over steamed rice. The meat in both dish-

French food. We also don’t use much oil in our food. It’s unique.”

Van’s is truly unique in its style of cuisine in the Albany area. “There are other Vietnamese places around here that cater to Western tastes,” says Dan, “but we want to give something to Albany that echoes Southeast Asian culture, and something for them to talk about.”

How to order at Hana Japanese Steakhouse

Emily Benson

If you’re looking for a restaurant with an amazing atmosphere, sweet staff and exotic taste, you really shouldn’t travel much farther than Hana Japanese steakhouse. The restaurant is perfect for an any time of the day meal, but if you are going to pop in for a visit, here are some quick tips for making the experience at Hana’s even more thrilling.

1. Get a hibachi table. Honestly though get one. The experience will simply not be the same. Hana’s is known for providing an entertaining dining experience, from onion ring volcanoes to catching tossed food in your mouth, (it’s harder than it seems.)

2. Go in a group. Make a day out of it. Grab the family for a day trip to lunch or a night out with the girls. Going with a

group of 2-3 people and then requesting a hibachi dinner table will probably mean getting placed with strangers to fill up the table. And though it might be a nice way to meet new people it’s also fun when you know the whole group.

3. Do the Mango. No but seriously, do the Mango, guys! Do the Mango is a sushi dish with rice, raw salmon, seaweed and a pop of juicy mango in the middle. It’s oddly paired ingredients but has incredible results. Even if, like me, you’re not a huge sushi person, don’t worry, this dish would turn any non-sushi believer into a fanatic.

4. Have an open mind. Hana’s menu was designed to be as close to authentic as possible, no beating around the bush in this kitchen, and that’s the best way to go. Don’t go to this place with the mind

set of just having the fried r i ce; H a n a ’s vast menu covers everything from the classic eggroll to the Yuzo Tai sushi dish. Be open to it all!

You’ll never know what you don’t like until you try it, and I can guarantee it will be hard to find something you don’t find incredibly delicious.

Picture courtesy of Michelle Xiong

June 2013

Centerspread

page 8 (theJournal)

The Mayor of Lark Street Andrew Fedorov & Isaac Malsky

Almost every day a man can be seen walking up and down Lark Street. He wears sneakers, jeans, a colorful shirt, a backpack and a cap. As he talks to people on the street he makes a show of introducing himself. Nearly everyone on Lark Street knows him as the “Mayor of Lark Street,” an ironic nickname because the Mayor is homeless.

He’s from the Bronx. “Where I grew up at, I didn’t have doctors and lawyers and all that [expletive] there to be like role models for me. My role models were street dudes, criminals, drug dealers, pimps, prostitutes, you know? I was hanging out with prostitutes when I was 12. I ran away from home when I was 12.”

While living in Brooklyn he had accumulated five felonies, and he recites them quickly and grudgingly, “armed robbery, armed robbery, armed robbery, bank robbery, and assault.” When asked whether any of his crimes were violent he says that he once beat up a cop while be-

ing arrested. Such stories give the Mayor an air of toughness, though he does not seem proud of all of his past.

In prison, he was the clerk for a priest who invited him to come up to Troy. The mayor accepted the offer after he left prison. “Went to a program of halfway houses and stuff like that,” he said.

Using degrees that he got in prison, the Mayor became a licensed cosmetologist and opened up a business. “Everything was going great.”

This all changed when the Mayor’s wife cheated on him. Unable to think of a solution other than violence, the Mayor decided to leave.

“I used to be a real scumbag. So when this thing happened with my wife I kind of got bent out of shape and walked away from everything. In prison you deal with disrespect one way. With violence, you know. But I loved her so much that that was the only thing I could come up with.” The Mayor went on to explain that his mother told him if he was ever in a relationship and contemplated violence, he should just walk away.

After leaving Lake George and everything about his life behind, the Mayor wound up on Lark Street. One night, when he was sitting in front of Ben and Jerry’s, “a guy snatched this lady’s purse and I got it back for her.

That’s how I became the Mayor.”

The Mayor is 51 now. When he decided to leave his wife and everything else, he was 44. At that age and with felony convictions, it would be hard for anyone to start over. However, the mayor remains

optimistic about his future.

His turbulent past is surprising because today the mayor is one of the friendliest people on Lark Street. He says “hello” to everyone that passes by and compliments all the regulars on Lark Street. “I was gang-related at one time. I was with the Crips. I’m officially retired,” he explained.

Now the mayor tries to improve the street by his actions. “I do odd jobs for a lot of businesses out here. I escort drunk people home. I put people in cabs when they’re too drunk to drive. I take car keys from them sometimes. I have a place for that. In the wintertime I shovel snow. In the summer time I do yard work, wash cars. I’ve change tires.When it’s raining I get this big umbrella and open it up and walk the ladies to their cars.”

In the years since he left his wife, the Mayor has found a niche on Lark Street. During his first year here, he met a man in the park who told him about karma.“Then it started to make sense, you know, karma. And then I weighed it out.

All the bad [explative] that I’ve done, had come back to me with my wife’s sleeping around. I weighed it out and figured out I got off pretty easy, so I decided from that point on to be the nicest person to everybody that I meet.”

He had some trouble at first. “For the first seven years I used to have cops that [expletive] with me real bad because they thought I was running some type of scam, or setting something up to rob something. That’s true. That used to be me.”

“But it took them seven years to figure out that I’m not going anywhere. People advocated for me. I’m closer to the people on Lark Street than I am to my biological family.”

Sometimes people have bad reactions to being approached by the Mayor. “But then,” the mayor explains, “I put them at ease because my presentation is phenomenal, you know? I had a guy one night tell me, ‘you know, I would never, I would never give a homeless guy, a [expletive]

Left: The “Mayor of Lark Street.” Top: Lark Street

rusty penny with a hole in it,’ I said ‘wow, that’s kind of brutal,’ but he said ‘but you, you’re different.’ He said ‘you’ve got class, you’ve got pzazz, you’ve got charisma, you’ve got personality.’ He gave me a 50 dollar bill!”

These days the Mayor still walks up and down Lark Street from 4pm to 4am.

He stays in assisted living because he needs Social Services to deal with prostate cancer, high blood pressure, and a the after effects of a mild heart attack. For that he needs a permanent address. He’s trying to move out of there because he doesn’t like the people he’s living with.

He’s trying to find a job, but it’s hard with five felony convictions.

For the most part, the Mayor works small jobs around the community like sweeping up bars after hours. The Mayor also sells comics out of his backpack to people on the street. His main concern right now is getting minutes on his phone.

“I go to the phone store and I pay $20 for 1500 minutes. I’ve got a few dollars now but that’s my goal today, ‘cause once I get minutes on my phone, people can call and say, ‘hey Mayor, we’ve got some work for you.’”

In the winter he’s taken care of by his community. “They buy me coats and they buy me boots and they make sure I’m okay,” he says.

No matter his background, the Mayor seems to have found a home in Lark Street. “Everybody survives, man,” said the Mayor. “If I was to give us an attribute from anything on the planet, it would be that of a palm tree, because no matter how chaotic things get through a hurricane... when the storm passes, the palm tree will bend all the way over and touch the ground but will never get ripped out.

And once the storm passes it slowly rises back up to the top. It might lose a few leaves, but it survives. So I’m a survivor.

Most of us are survivors.”

June 2013

Centerspread

Salvation on Pearl Street The Capital City Rescue Mission is housed in a non descript brick building at 259 South Pearl Street. Above a plaque that says “Capital City Rescue Mission” is a red neon sign with the words “Jesus Saves.” The mission is the largest in the area; in 2012 they provided 230,186 meals, 60,390 nights of shelter, and 42,621 chapel visits.

“The rescue mission is the safety net,” said Susan Jones, Director of Development for the Mission. All people need to come in is their ID.

The Mission has a number of different programs. Some, like their 30day program, are meant just to get people back on their feet while they find a place to stay. Other programs, like their voluntary extension (VE), are meant to be more permanent.

The mission exists by community participation, said Mrs. Jones. “No City funds, no government funds. The only way we are supported is by donations.”

A man named Joe recounted his initial experience with the mission. He’s been at the mission ever since his stepfather, who he was living with at the time, passed away. He was on a mat in the Mission chapel for a day before he got into the 30 day program. Then he went into the VE program. “I work in the laundry room.

I wash clothes. I’ve been in the program almost 2 years.”

One of the largest accomplishments

of the Mission is their free clinic. It allows people like the Mayor access to medical care. Last year, 2,500 people visited the clinic. “Not just ‘here’s a Band-Aid.’ No, they saw a professional provider.”

Available is one nurse practitioner on staff and 45 people who are professional volunteers.

The clinic is located just inside the atrium of the Mission. It is crowded but orderly. It seems just like any other waiting room, albeit on a smaller scale. “Like when my hands dry up because I work in the laundry room with all the chemicals, like bleach, then I go,” said Joe. The Mission also helps those in the community with serious medical conditions, such as heart disease and cancer, but the scope of their work is limited by funds. They’ve arranged surgeries, but the clinic is not meant to take the place of a city-funded clinic. “However, our volunteers and staff will typically stay until the last person has been seen, even if it takes until 8 o’clock at night,” said Mrs. Jones.

When asked who the oldest person in the Rescue mission was, Mrs. Jones began talking about a man in his early 60’s. When he gets older, he’ll be able to apply for senior housing.

“Right now he needs shelter, he needs food, he has no family, he has no one who cares. The mission is his family,” she said.

For people like him, there are few ways

Clockwise from top: the entrance to Capital City Rescue Mission, a sign on the outside of the building, an apartment building currently under renovation by the Shelter, bunk beds for residents in the VE program, mission bathroom.

of getting back their feet.

Jobs that didn’t use to require a college education now do, and for men closer to retirement than their 50’s, entering the job market can be impossible.

It is hard to walk through the Mission without seeing Christian imagery, but the Mission also does not seem to be trying to hide it. From the neon “Jesus Saves” sign outside to the posters of Bible verses plastered on the wall, it is apparent that the mission and its religious purposes are intertwined.

“Our programs incorporate ‘who is god’ and how do you have a relationship with him,” said Mrs. Jones. They have a chapel on the third floor, where overflow residents can sleep, but no one is required to attend. Religious beliefs are personal, she said. “We’re not going to turn anyone away but that’s who we are.”

The Mission also works to bring homeless people back into the work force. Their program helps people learn

page 9 (theJournal) new skills and find jobs. The intake coordinator meets with every person in the program.

A phone, fax and computer are available, as most entry-level jobs, even McDonalds, require an online application.

F o r some, this program works. For most however, the path to recovery is harder. Many struggle with addiction, or lack of education, or just inability to hold down a job that pays a living wage. However, for the people who do stay at the longer, like Joe, the Mission provides a place to live.

“Sometimes it’s quick,” said Mrs. Jones.

“Other times it’s hard to get a job for the skill set somebody has.” Some people struggle with addiction, but its not just addiction. It can be the bankruptcy of a company, causing the loss of a job, causing the loss of a home.

The entranceway of the mission isn’t blocked by a group of high school dropouts. Instead, there are a couple men who look old enough to be grandfathers, keeping quietly to themselves. Everyone in the Mission has a story, and the volunteers at the Mission seem to be the only ones listening.

Additional work by Hannah Liu.

The Journal June 2013

Fine Arts

Musicians still brave in the face of challenge Luxi Peng For GHS senior Casie Girvin, music has played a role in her life from the beginning. “While most two-year-olds memorize Old McDonald or the ABCs as the first song that they can sing back to you by themselves,” she says, “I memorized Time to Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli, a classical piece that is mostly in Italian.”

Girvin, who will sing backup for Bocelli at his June 13th Times Union Center concert, is of a select few who are both brave and talented enough to pursue music. Next fall, she will attend the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University to study classical vocal performance.

I have no reservations or hesitations about going into music At first, Girvin was apprehensive about having any hopes, though she was later accepted everywhere she auditioned.

“I didn’t think I’d even get into one,” she says. “It made me want to set higher goals for myself and it really confirmed for me that this is what I was put on this earth to do.”

Rae Jean Teeter, vocal director at GHS and Girvin’s private teacher, affirms her dedication. “Casie is not just a singer but a true musician. She studies her scores, she develops her technique through constant daily practice, she works constantly on her sight-singing and she soaks up every new idea and technique.”

But for others looking to go into music, success is still down the road.

Junior Joey Sipzner, who plays flute and sings, is preparing for the myriad of auditions and applications he will navigate next year. He hopes to obtain a degree in musical education. “My current top choice is Ithaca College which offers a phenomenal Music Ed degree,” he says, though Temple University is another favorite.

The extensive audition/application process requires months of rehearsal, often in addition to essays and résumés necessary for academic applications.

Girvin highlights that “normal college applicants can usually fill out all of their information on Common App and only do one application for all of their schools.

Even if they have to do more than one, it’s info, a few essays and submitting some test scores. The music school application process is a completely different story.”

Teeter remarks that “many schools now require repertoire lists, pre-screening recordings and multiple recommendations.”

Music students face a barrage of required materials. “You need to send in an artistic resume, a professional resume, headshots and before the college will even consider looking at your application, they need to hear a pre-screening recording,” lists Girvin. For pre-screenings, vocal performance applicants must submit recordings of 4 different songs in 4 different languages.

The process is extremely competitive.

Usually, 60-70 percent of applicants are eliminated in pre-screenings. Only then are certain applicants invited to a live audition, where the pool of potential students is narrowed further. Of the Boston Conservatory, where she was accepted, Girvin says that, “they told me they had upward of 5,000 people audition and they accepted around 35.”

Sipzner has already begun preparations for the onslaught. “For auditions, I mapped out the requirements for each school, and I’ve already prepared most of what I need.” He remarks that, “without question, I’m still nervous about auditions looming, getting closer every day.

It’s scary to think that your college years and education rest on a quick audition next year.”

Furthermore, Girvin and Sipzner face a narrow, dwindling line of work. Yet Photos courtesy of Casie Girvin

while the odds are slim, neither is deterred. “As with any art, one worries about jobs after college and being confined to the basement under my parents’ roof,” says Sipzner. “I’ve tried to overcome this by knowing that music is without question what I want to dedicate my life to.” Teeter believes music is more versatile than it seems. “The skills a performance major gains,” she says, “are transferrable to virtually any career even if the person decides not to pursue the performance route.”

“The question I get all the time,” says Girvin, “is “what’s your backup?” or the comment “So… you’re going to wait tables…” but I laugh those ignorant comments off.”

She maintains that the key to success in music is work ethic. “No one is going to hand it to you. If you want it, you need to work for it. Get people talking about you because it’s not going to happen by itself.

Connections mean so much in the music world. No one is just going to knock on your door and offer you a job at the Met.” she says.

Sipzner and Teeter agree that initiative is vital. “When I see someone like Casie,” he says, “who got into all of her top schools, it helps remind me that hard work pays off.” Teeter remarks that to be successful in music one needs “a tremendous amount of patience, perseverance and determination... The most important thing Casie has on her side is her work ethic.” She adds that “[Casie] is humble in her acknowledgment that there is so much more to learn.”

“I have no reservations or hesitations about going into music because I am up to the challenge,” affirms Girvin.

She urges others considering the same career to take the chance. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.

If you’re determined enough and want it badly enough, give it your best shot.” She adds that, “one of the most competitive phases of a career in the arts is simply getting into a college for that major. If you can do that, you have already put yourself on a path toward achieving your dream.”

As someone who’s weathered the storm, Teeter agrees. “It’s all worth it in the end,” she says.

Yet unlike the complexity of their ordeal, the driving force behind both Sipzner’s and Girvin’s conviction is simple as a shared love of music. “It puts smiles on people’s faces and creates a connection with the audience like nothing else in the world. Music is a universal language which

Photos courtesy of Joey Sipzner

makes communication so easy,” he says.

“When I was two or three,” says Girvin, “I used to put on shows on the landing of my staircase.” A turning point came in 4th grade. “I was singing in the Capital District Youth Chorale with Albany Pro Musica and Albany Symphony Orchestra doing Carmina Burana,” she reminisces. “I was completely mesmerized by the soprano soloist. Since then, I’ve wanted to be just like her.”

Her family supports her pursuit of music too. A grandfather tells her “I take after my uncle who died of cancer before I was born,” she relates. “He was always singing and playing piano and everyone who knew him always say I remind them of him.” Girvin shares that, “my mom has told me since I was little: find what you love to do more than anything else and figure out a way to get paid for it. I love nothing more than performing so that’s what I’m choosing as a career.”

“Music is happiness,” she says, “music calms me, excites me, and helps me deal with every emotion out there. It’s what I love, and it brings me joy every second of everyday.”

June 2013

Fine Arts

page 11 (

Journal)

Art department shows broader impact of budget cuts Vivian Dai

When students hear that budget cuts are being made, they usually think of classes being cut and programs being reduced. Their concerns are usually about availability of academic classes or clubs they’re directly involved in. However, cuts affect teachers, students, and the community on a much deeper level.

Mrs. Gockley, an art teacher at GHS who teaches everything from studio art to sculpt u r e, e x p l a i n e d the complexities behind art depar tment cuts, and the often overlooked results.

“Cuts are viewed in different ways…they’re conveyed to students and the community as being strictly program related. In the teacher community, we consider the programs and the teachers’ jobs,” she said.

Graphic courtesy of Michelle Xiong / The Journal

There is a third, less apparent result of budget cuts on top of reduced programs and teacher positions: a decline in quality of education.

The Guilderland art department stretches across the district from kindergarten through 12th grade as a single entity. The art teachers at each school are all interconnected, so any change made to the department has a domino effect.

For example, last year the department underwent some consolidation. Each of the five elementary school art teachers went from teaching five classes a day to teaching six, which increased their teaching load from 500 to 600 or more students per week. By doing so, an elementary school position was eliminated, meaning a teacher would be completely cut. However, layoffs are based on seniority, and the newest teacher in the district happened to be at the high school. Therefore, although cuts were made to the elementary art departments, their impact was felt most strongly at the high school.

Consolidation of elementary art classes seems to be a good idea: it saves money, while retaining the programs offered to kids. However, there is a larger problem hidden behind the benefits.

“As the teachers are gaining 100 or more students, they have a lot more work

to do, like looking at students’ work and preparing the lesson plan. This really waters down the program,” Mrs. Gockley said. “Consolidation sounds like a good idea, but it might sacrifice quality [of education].”

Furthermore, it seems that the district office may not be completely honest with the community about its budget plans.

The school is required to eliminate a certain number of positions each year. Next year, 1.6 administrative positions must be cut. However, instead of an administrator being laid off, he or she will be moved to a regular teaching position. What many may not realize is that this downward shift means that a tenured teacher must now been laid off, or have a class taken away from him or her.

What may seem misleading is that the district office calls this an “administrative cut”, while it impacts the teaching department far more than the administrators.

Despite other budget issues, what most students are concerned with are program changes. Every department has to make their share of program cuts, and for next year, it’s about 5% per department.

“There will be a number of program changes, especially in the art department, because it’s small and enrollment changes year to year,” Mrs. Gockley said.

Animation will be cut completely, a section of Photoshop will be cut, as will a section of ceramics, and studio in film, a class that hasn’t run in two or three years, will run next year. These changes are mostly because of student enrollment and interest, with the exception of the cuts to Photoshop and ceramics.

For some students, this might mean that they will be unable to take the classes they signed up for because of tight scheduling and overflow.

However, the art cuts for next year are not particularly severe. “There’s a different trend of cuts every year,” Mrs. Gockley said. “The changes and cuts for next year really aren’t that bad.”

A positive change in the department involved the Advanced Art I and II classes. Although there will only be one section of Advanced Art I next year, Advanced Art II will now have its own section, instead of the combined Advanced Art I and II class offered this year.

The subject of school budget cuts is one that is complex to understand. While on the surface, it may seem simple—programs are simply being cut or changed— there are deeper consequences to these cuts, and the students and community need to be more aware of these effects.

Talent-filled summer coming to SPAC Leonard Bopp

As summer approaches, many Capital Region residents are looking forward to spending time in charming Saratoga. For this summer, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center once again has an exciting season of dance, opera, and orchestral programming on tap.

This year, SPAC welcomes three ballet companies, a change from the past. The New York City Ballet will be in residence for only 5 days, reduced from 11 last summer. Between July 9 and 14, the company will present seven performances. Many of these performances feature the choreography of George Balanchine, the founder of the company, with his ballets set to the compositions of Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky. The Ballet Gala performance will be held on Saturday, July 13, and will feature Bernstein’s suite from West Side Story with the choreography of Jerome Robbins.

SPAC welcomes for the first time the National Ballet of Canada for four per-

formances from July 16 to 18. The highlight of their stay is the romantic ballet Giselle, which is featured on three of the four programs. The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet performs on July 24 and 25, bringing with them a mix of classical and contemporary works. Rounding out SPAC’s dance season is a performance of Botanica by the troupe MAXIM, which combines cinema and dance, bringing the natural world to life on stage on August 1.

The Philadelphia Orchestra returns for three weeks of concerts from August 7 to 24. Opening Night features the masterful Stéphane Denève conducting Dvorak’s Eight Symphony and the Sibelius Violin Concerto with soloist Gil Shaham. On August 8, Keith Lockhart, conductor of the Boston Pops, conducts a program centered around the 150th Anniversary of the Saratoga Race Course. Other major works to be performed include Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, Debussy’s La Mer, and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, written one hundred years ago.

Many renowned soloists will perform, including violinist Sarah Chang, pianist Danill Trivonov, and cellists Johannes Moser and YoYo Ma. The season ends

with a “Tchaikovsky S p e c t a c u l a r ,” featuring the 1812 Overture and fireworks.

Opera Saratoga will present two different productions between June 23 and July 7: Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore and Donzetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor. The Saratoga Chamber Music Festival will run from August 4 to 20. Renowned

pianist Andre-Michel Schub returns as artistic director of the festival, which will feature mostly Philadelphia Orchestra musicians and visiting soloists this summer.

The SPAC season opens with the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival on Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30. The festival will bring to the area many of greatest jazz artists in the world today, such as the McCoy Tyner Quartet with guitarist John Scofield and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans. Virtuoso trumpeter Arturo Sandoval closes the lineup on Saturday. Famous crooner Tony Bennett performs on Sunday.

For a complete schedule and ticket information, visit the SPAC website. courtesy of Rachel Gingrich/ The Journal Graphic

Les Mis is the dream we’ve dreamed Katie Gonick

Have you ever sat in a theater, motionless and contemplative, just soaking up the sheer thrill of what you have just experienced? That is the effect that any rendition of Les Misérables has on its audience. After the success of the movie that came out this holiday season, the 25th anniversary production came to Proctor’s Theatre for a week-long run.

Les Mis, the spectacle that theatergoers of all ages look forward, tells the empowering story of an ex-convict, Jean Valjean (Peter Lockyer), during the era of the French Revolution of 1832. Valjean attempts to rebuild his shattered life once he is released from imprisonment.

After an encounter with a compassionate bishop, Valjean attempts to takes on a new identity. He meets an impoverished worker, Fantine (Genevieve Leclerc), who turns to prostitution in order to provide for her daughter Cosette (Lauren Wiley).

Valjean finds her and delivers her to a hospital, just narrowly escaping Javert (Andrew Varela), the policeman who has been tracking him. Fantine gives Cosette to Valjean’s care, and he escapes to retrieve her. Together, Valjean and Cosette deal with many aspects of love, courage, and sacrifice.

I myself, being an avid fan of the concert, movie, and book, was enchanted by the performances displayed at Proctors.

The score of Les Mis take this complicated and emotional story and turn it into an enthralling experience that everyone can relate to. The show explores the realistic aspects of every character.

After Jean Valjean spares his life when he is taken as a prisoner of war, Varela’s strong and majestic voice rings through the theater in Javert’s soliloquy, in which he questions everything he believed about justice and truth. For an anxious moment, it seems he is “flying” through thought.

Why is Les Misérables an important story? Every character deals with love, whether it be parental, romantic, or patriotic. Valjean continues the parental love

of Fantine by allowing Cosette marry the man that she loves; Enjolras leads the barricade of France to improve his beloved nation. In most cases, modern media can depict the shallow side of love, but Les Mis delves deeper into this concept and its multiple aspects.

I believe that Les Mis is a show for all ages, but it deals with heavy topics such as sexual abuse, war, and grief. While parts of the plot are hard to watch, it left me with such an inspired feeling that no other medium could provide for me. I highly recommend watching, reading, or listening to Les Mis, for it left me with a changed view of the world around me and the people in it.

Journal June 2013

Opinions Is torture ethical?

Benjamin Goes

Yes

The ultimate role of government is to keep us safe. We give up some of our rights because we believe that having a larger, more powerful government will make us safer. The government fulfills its duty of ensuring the security of the nation in a variety of ways, one of which is through the physical coercion and psychological pressure during interrogations of terrorists around the world, most notably in the United States detention camp at Guantanamo Bay. Over the years we have gained much information from these detainees that has saved the lives of people from our country and others throughout the globe. We’ve learned a lot about al Qaeda’s structure, training, financing, and methods of smuggling terrorists into the country through the interrogation of those held at Guantanamo Bay. In fact, it is through these controversial practices that we managed to find Osama bin Laden.

Are there occasional abuses of the system?

Of course, but occasional abuses should not be a reason to question the entire operation of gathering intelligence in this way. Unfortunately, these abuses are one of the unavoidable aspects of warfare, and every country ever involved in a conflict has probably committed abuses of this kind.

These prisoners don’t want to be tortured and spend the rest of their lives in prison, but Americans don’t want to be blown up on the bus they’re taking home from work. Other nations may criticize us and condemn our practices, but they are not responsible for our safety, we are, and we should be able to do whatever we believe necessary in order to ensure our security.

These techniques save lives, and therefore should be pursued as an effective means of counterterrorism.

Foreign terrorists should not be tried in Civil Court because they don’t deserve the protection of our Constitution; when you blow up a building full of people, you forfeit your rights. The government’s responsibility is to keep its citizens safe, not protect the rights of every person who attacks us. These terrorists should be kept off American soil and a military tribunal should decide their fate. Guantanamo Bay is a uniquely-qualified place to hold these prisoners: it’s a secure military base but it’s not actually inside the country so if

prisoners somehow escaped, American civilians wouldn’t immediately be in danger. Terrorists should get a trial, but the United States Constitution was not written to protect the enemies of America. A military trial would suffice in cases such as this. Prisoners of war (the Global War on Terror) and ‘indefinite detainees’ who are kept in Guantanamo Bay simply to keep them from rejoining the battle should not tortured until they are convicted of terrorism by military officials and their

Jack Watson

No

On April 30, 2013, Barack Obama renewed his pledge to shut down the United States detention center based in Guantanamo bay. If we think back to 2008, presidential campaign in full swing, we might hear a message with a similar ring; Barack Obama, younger, more ambitious, brimming with enthusiasm; pledging to close Guantanamo bay, almost five long years ago. In the time since the presidential contender swore to close its gates, little has changed inside the walls

o f t h e complex. rights are It’s been eleven Graphic courtesy of Joy Jing revoked. years since the estabSometimes, when an lishment of the only state-backed interrogator is asking a terrorist some suspension of Habeas Corpus since the questions, the terrorist chooses not to Lincoln administration, one-hundred and answer, or to lie. At that point, the clock fifty-two years ago. So why, one may ask, is may be ticking and lives may be in danger; the camp still open? There is not a single the interrogator needed a different card reasonable answer to that question, and up his sleeve than sending the prisoner there likely never was. back to his cell and denying him dinner.

Under sixth amendment rights, imprisSometimes the prisoner needs something onment without trial is clearly unconstituthat will motivate him to answer more tional, standing in the face of all America than the promise of room and board on has come to stand for. These are the a naval base for the rest of his life. In situ- words of James Madison, the statements ations like the one just described, physical contained within the Sixth Amendment and psychological torture of a convicted to the United States Constitution, the terrorist might be the difference between founding principles by which our Nation learning of a terrorist attack in time to is governed. While the slippery slope stop it or watching planes fly crash into argument is fallacious and obsolete (if we violate a principle, what is to stop all skyscrapers on TV. principles from being violated?), there is a clear and present contradiction going against the tide of what we hold to be concrete and irrevocable truth. Not only

does it go against our own doctrine on a fundamental level, but on moral grounds as well. We cannot forget that the detainees, currently counted at one hundred and sixty six, are people; living, breathing, and designated to a cell in which they were never sentenced to. We’re all humans, we all have thoughts and feelings and hopes, and no one wants to be barred from their rights, demeaned, or waterboarded for something they may not have done. It’s likely many of the detainees in Guantanamo are guilty of their crimes, but it is impossible to say without a fair trial.

Many more may be completely innocent, having their lives plucked from them for no reason but being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Because of the injustices of the martial law in effect in Guantanamo, over two-thirds- one hundred, to be exact- have taken to a hunger strike in the face of being barred from release, even after many have been approved for departure. For how many more months, years, or decades are we going to let this drain on moral integrity continue to operate?

Not only is our government bound by the social contract limiting constitutional freedoms, but also loosening the restraint on cruel and unusual punishment. Waterboarding, sensory deprivation, and psychological torture have been common practice since the camp’s conception. A nation, a body of citizens, three-hundred and fourteen million individuals, have for thirteen years deemed it acceptable to torture fellow human beings under the sanction of our government, regardless of United Nations’ request for the camp to be closed in 2006. The endorsement of the torment of peoples who may be completely innocent men is, clear as day, despicable. Not only is it despicable, but ineffective; through studies in several scientific journals it has come to light that torture both interferes with memory and encourages the procuring of false information. Enhanced interrogation solves nothing, helps no one, and erodes the ethical principles we are shored on.

The United States signed the Geneva Convention. The American government is fully aware of the discrepancies between its rhetoric and the reality of policy- a policy which torture and unlawful detention are included in. As a nation, we cannot laud the rights of our citizens while there are those not protected under the constitution while living under the jurisdiction of the land of the free. Actions speaks louder than words, and it’s time for the United States to claim responsibility for them.

June 2013

Opinions

page 13 (

Journal)

Exiled Everywhere Continued from page 1 Exile, to some extent, engenders some form extremism. As the late PalestinianAmerican intellectual exile Edward Said explained, exiles “know that their own sense of national identity has been nourished in the exile milieu, where everyone who is not a blood-brother or sister is an enemy, where every sympathizer is an agent of some unfriendly power, and where the slightest deviation from the accepted group line is an act of the rankest treachery and disloyalty.” This in short is a description of the exile’s fight

to regain the lost identity of his or her home. All of us who have left one home in search of a better one feel this duty to understand and connect with the home we have left behind. Because of this we are to some extent disconnected from our new land and look to ideologies that supercede nationality. The Tsarnaev’s were no different.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the elder brother who allegedly was the mastermind behind the attack had an amazon wish list full of books on the recent history of Chechnya.

He also said that he had no American

friends. He was fascinated by his mutilated roots and disconnected from what was supposed to be his new home.

People have always been persecuted but only those who have escaped have come into contact with the horrifying discovery that, once torn, their roots will never fully regrow into new soil. Some, like myself or Edward Said, become interested in the injustices perpetrated in their homeland and never fully feel at home in any place again. Some, like the father of the brothers, will try to return to their old home and will find that it is no longer

their home. Some, like the mother of the brothers will wail “I wish we had never come to this country” and not know where else to turn. Some, like the brothers themselves, will stay in this new land and their hatred will fester until it bursts in the tragic in Boston. But, despite the plurality of reactions, none will be fully assimilated in a society that, like America, has called itself a mother and rejected its children.

In this society extremism will be awoken in those same children and some will be driven to violent madness. In this society’s folly lie the roots of tragedy.

High cost of cheap clothes Reza Sayeed Savar, Bangladesh, located in the outskirts of the capital city of Dhaka has seen a rise to fame due to a devastating factory collapse that took place there.

On April 24, 2013, a building collapsed, taking 1,127 lives with it. The garment factory exported clothing exclusively to the US and Europe. The tragedy of the Savar building collapse is that it really could have taken place in any of the other thousands of garment factories located in Bangladesh. Safety and health codes are brushed aside in Bangladesh in favor of the profits of massive exportation that the third world country so desperately requires. The blatant disregard for the human cost of the tragedy was summarized in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s statement when in an interview about the tragedy she said “accidents happen.”

Poorer nations like Bangladesh need large numbers of factories to somehow

provide a fraction of the population with the bare amount of money needed for survival. Bangladeshi factory owners, just like other business leaders in the world, care little about their employees and lots about their profits. The most appalling fact, however, was that prior to the collapse, the Savar building was known to have structural damages and cracks. Warnings were issued and many other small businesses in the building evacuated prior to the collapse. The poor factory workers, mostly girls aged 18-20, however, were ordered to come to work, seemingly until the inevitable happened catalyzing what should be an international wake-up call.

In the international market, countries like the US have the luxury of buying products cheaply. However, the cheap goods we buy often come with a high moral price tag. Big-name retailers such as Sears and Walmart who sell the cheaply imported goods from Bangla-

desh have a responsibility to understand where they get their products from. It is not fair to constantly place the lives of less fortunate people around the globe in danger in exchange for cheap t-shirts.

Not only are Bangladeshi factory workers constantly in fear of their lives due to terrible working conditions in factories, but they are also the 2nd least paid in terms of monthly wages, cashing in at a mere $37.

Retailers place the issue of satisfying needy customers at home far higher than making sure that the source of their imports are safe and reliable. Recessionstricken Americans have grown accustomed to the cheap clothing that can be bought readily at big-name stores.

However, basic human rights must take priority over business deals; American corporations must be able to ensure the safety of workers in areas such as Bangladesh. At the moment, garment workers in Bangladesh are essentially

subordinated to a slave system as workers need whatever money they can be given in order to survive and factory owners strive to do as little as possible to make this happen. This slave system is further bolstered by American brands who don’t pay close attention to where they get their products from. In order to improve working conditions, Bangladeshi factory owners must start to enforce safety regulations and a minimum wage must be instituted.

In light of what took place last month in Savar, hopefully the industry realizes the changes that must take place. Business leaders and brands, paired with active governments, have the power to save thousands of lives in third-world nations dependent on exports. Hopefully, the 1,127 lives lost in Savar can act as martyrs for a safer, more sustainable future for the industry.

Ruminations on a rushing trolley Zubin Mukerjee You are driving a trolley. It is speeding towards an intersection. If you do nothing, it will continue straight and run down five people, killing them. If you turn the trolley to the right, it will save the lives of the five people, but will kill another person who would not otherwise have been harmed. What would you do? What should you do?

This question is an old one, first posed in a similar form by the British philosopher Philippa Foot in 1967.

It has been discussed extensively. Intuitively, it makes sense that, knowing nothing else, saving the lives of five people is good, even if it comes at the cost of one. Many people justify this by utilitarianism, a school of thought which supports maximizing the total utility, or happiness, of the population. This doesn’t necessarily mean that happiness must be quantified in order for utilitarianism to have any meaning; qualitative comparisons can still determine which actions maximize utility.

If we apply utilitarianism to the trolley problem, the choice is clear: whether

or not we can put a value on human life, the loss of five lives is clearly greater than the loss of one (given that we know nothing else about the people involved).

The opinion of the general public, however, is very divided on this issue.

The problem, and people’s opinions, become a lot more interesting in comparison with slightly different situations.

If there are the same number of people either way, then does it make a difference what the driver does? Does the morally justified action change depending on the difference in the number of people?

Instead of five, what if there were a thousand people that would be killed?

The “fat man trolley problem” is an interesting variant, in which you are not the driver of the trolley, but an observer, standing on a bridge above the tracks.

There is no intersection. Standing next to you is a fat man. The trolley, as before, is speeding towards a group of five people. The only way to stop the trolley is to push the fat man over the bridge, killing him but saving the five others.

What should you do? Your weight would not stop the trolley.

In this scenario, most people would not push the fat man. There are still five lives being saved at the cost of one, but there is

something morally wrong, to many people, about pushing the one person. But what is the difference? What makes the act of pushing someone to his death so much worse than turning the trolley toward someone? In my opinion, there is no difference. In turning the trolley away from the five people, you are “killing” someone in the same way as pushing him off a bridge.

If there are many more than five people at risk (say a thousand), then

most people would agree that the right thing to do would be to push the fat man over the bridge, to his death.

When does pushi n g change from wrong t o right?

T e n people?

A hundred? This is reminiscent of the paradox of the heap (how many grains of sand constitute a heap?). I am with the utilitarian perspective, which conveniently avoid these problems: saving the lives of many at the cost of one is not only justified, but the only morally permissible choice; doing nothing is negligent.

Graphic by Victor Rau-Sirois /The Journal

The Journal June 2013

Pop Arts

Daft Punk releases ambitious, suprising new album Salil Chaudhry

Daft Punk. The epitome of house music. Daft Punk’s signature thumping 4 on 4 kick, robotic vocals, and crisp hi-hats have graced the ears of millions around the world. Some of their most popular songs are “One More Time”, “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” and “Technologic”. This French duo, composed of GuyManuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter released their 5th full length LP on May 2; titled Random Access Memories. Daft Punk first gained popularity with their debut album, Homework, which was released in 1997. Combining elements of house music and synth pop, Daft Punk’s Homework was considered one of the most innovative and influential album’s created in the 90’s electronic movement. Following Homework was Discovery, in 2001, Human After All, in 2005 and finally the soundtrack for the Tron: Legacy film in 2008. While the Daft Punk’s music has received rave review (by most), their anonymity has puzzled many.

Beginning in 1997, Daft Punk began to wear robotic helmets at concerts; to hide their faces. They continue to do this today.

Daft Punk rarely accept interviews and are never photographed without their

helmets. Daft Punk believes the separation between personal life and celebrity life should be large.

Now to the album, Random Access Memories (RAM). First off, this album is hugely ambitious. On the LP, Daft Punk strays hugely away from their general house music sound and moves toward a more synth punk/ synthpop sound of the 70’s and 80’s that Guy and Thomas grew up listening to.

T hroughout this album, Daft Punk experiment with live instrumentation; something they’ve done before. They seamlessly incorporate guitar, drums and a full orchestra into their classic “Daft Punk synths” and robotic vocoder vocals. This is shown on the opening track Give Life

Back to Music. On this track, Daft Punk team up with 70’s guitarist legend Nile Rodgers. With his groovy disco-esque guitar riffs, a simple and clean bass line, crisp hi-hats and beautifully orchestrated robotic vocals, “Give Life Back to Music” is one of the most impressive tracks on the album. This track truly shows Daft Punk’s ability to transform 70’s funk and disco into modern dance music. Slow tracks like “The Game of Love” and “Within” demonstrate Daft Punk’s skill of combining 70’s style piano and guitar riffs with their modern sounding synths and droning robotic vocals.

Track such as “Get Lucky” and “Lose

Yourself to Dance’” combine 70’s guitar riffs (yet again) and the vocals of R&B artist Pharrell Williams into smooth and generally groovy tracks. While Williams’ falsetto is slightly shaky, Daft Punk backs him up with warm bass lines and intricately placed robotic vocals. Personally, I believe the most impressive track is ‘Touch’ a 8 minute long masterpiece featuring 70’s singing legend Paul Williams.

Meshing Paul’s sandpapery like vocals, disco groove, a full orchestra, and a choir, Daft Punk creates an almost cinematic movie-like feel to their music. With heavy crescendos, Daft Punk creates a series of beautiful and strong emotional releases that are second to none.

Though this style of 70’s and 80’s synth pop might not be my favorite, Daft Punk magically makes the past seem like the future. With their always impressive synths, quality guitar riffs, simple and smooth bass lines and tension-filled crescendos, Daft Punk creates a work of art. No matter if you are a fan of the genre, you have to give credit to their ability to manipulate and stretch out sounds that you were never thought were possible. Listen to it, you will be pleasantly surprised.

My Score: 7.5/10

Third installment brings closure to Iron Man trilogy Karthik Ramesh The whole spectacle began five years ago, back in 2008, when the first Iron Man movie was released. Robert Downey Jr., as the billionaire and war monger Tony Stark, reformed himself into a guardian of peace who used his iron fist, literally, to defend justice. Since then, Downey Jr. and the hero Iron Man have essentially become the same being, both the headliners of the revived Marvel superheroes.

Reprising his role as Iron Man in Iron Man 2 and Marvel’s The Avengers, Robert Downey Jr. makes his highly anticipated return as the beloved Tony Stark in the epic conclusion to the trilogy: Iron Man 3.

Iron Man 3 begins where The Avenger’s left off. Some time has passed since the great invasion by Thor’s brother, Loki, in

New York City. Things are back to normal and Stark is living the good life; he’s so rich that he could give Bruce Wayne a run for his money, he has a beautiful girlfriend, Pepper Pots, that runs his company for him, he’s got a private mansion, and he has repeatedly won the love and admiration of the citizens of the world.

Despite all this, Stark cannot seem to find peace. The memories of the invasion haunt him during his every waking moment, and torment him in what little sleep he does get. The good life seems to be crumbling around him; he seems to be losing everything, including Pepper. As if all this were not enough, a new terrorist organization, known as the Mandarin has surfaced, threatening the safety of the nation. Throughout the movie Stark

struggles to find himself in the chaos that surrounds him, before it is too late and he loses himself as well as what he holds most dear to the menacing clutches of the seemingly omnipresent Mandarin.

In respect to the rest of the trilogy, Iron Man 3 certainly has the best action. We see Stark suited up as usual but we also see how much he has been able to accomplish in his insomnia filled nights. In the final battle, we see Stark’s fifty plus Iron Man suits deployed into battle fighting alongside their creator. Any movie that has even the smallest appearance by Robert Downey Jr. is bound to have well timed sarcasm and comedy. Iron Man 3 is no exception. The jokes are not overdone nor overused, providing just enough comedic relief at the necessary times. Possibly the

only downside to the conclusion of the modern Iron Man legend is the lack of a meaningful plot line. The movie sporadically jumps from place to place and not many characters were developed clearly or at all throughout the movie.

Despite the minor let down in story, Iron Man 3 should leave even the most critical viewers with at least some sense of closure. It is a solidly above average movie but also probably the most we can expect from a modern day action movie. Plus, in all honesty, Robert Downey Jr. definitely more than makes up for a lack of anything in this final installment that is a must see for any fan of the iconic superstar.

Gatsby remake impresses GHS students Katie Lamar

“The Great Gatsby,” the movie began to capture the audiences hearts by the release of the trailer.

With the flashy lights, costumes, and main actor being the famous Leonardo DiCaprio, it was hard not to fall in love at first sight.

Katie Gonick exclaims, “There are a lot of physical descriptions that are in the book that could be really cool in the movie. That’s what I’m most excited for.”

Having been released on May 10th of this year, and already having the spot for seventh of the highest grossing movies of 2013, many students have been rushing to the theaters to get a chance the

see it on the big screen. “I feel that the director captured it in such a way that gave it a very unique flavor. Breathtaking.

Utterly breathtaking,” said Josh Kahn.

This movie also explores the untimely themes of idealism, resistance to change and social upheaval. I, myself was really interested in the whole plotline of the story. What I enjoyed most was the 1920’s characters and setting.

One fallback I found was the lack of depth of some characters, whom I would have liked to know more about, such as the character Daisy Buchanan. Her relationship with Jay Gatsby is discussed throughout the movie, yet this Daisy is not thoroughly understood.

The plot line for the story is well

known, since the novel was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925! It has had a chance to touch people’s hearts long before talk of a movie even started.”After seeing the trailer for the movie I was inspired to read the book because it really sparked my interest,” said Katie.

“Having known the plot beforehand really helped me understand what was going on in the movie, DiCaprio portrayed the infamous Gatsby to his best abilities, and it really showed,” Sean Setzen.

It is safe to say that “The Great Gatsby,” will be a hit in the theaters for weeks to come. Whoever the audience is, young or old, will most likely be captivated by this great love story.

The Journal June 2013

Sports Guilderland Athletics: a year in review Nina Obwald The 2012-2013 school year was sure to be one of change for Guilderland sports.

With a new athletic director at the helm, Guilderland athletes and coaches looked to play better and go further than any team preceding them.

Change may have started the year, but success has defined it. Guilderland is now home to four new Section II Championship plaques, two new finalist plaques, and numerous awards and accolades. One of the plaques belongs to the varsity girls’ soccer team, who registered only one loss during the regular season and played flawlessly through each sectional game, bringing them to the sectional finals for the first time in history. After taking a 2-0 lead before halftime, the girls were on their way to also winning their first sectional championship. After conceding one goal, the team dog-piled goalkeeper Jenna Cubello at the final whistle, and were on to regional play. There, they defeated Section III Liverpool and became state semifinalists. After playing a scoreless full game and two overtimes, the semifinal game versus Section V’s Webster-Thomas ended the girls’ season with a 4-2 loss decision in penalty kicks.

The girls’ volleyball team also experienced success during the fall season. The team advanced to the sectional final game versus Shenendehowa, where they lost but received the finalist plaque for their second place finish. Coupled with a semi-

final finish by the football and the boys’ volleyball teams, the fall sports season ignited one of the most successful years for Guilderland sports in recent history.

The winter season was defined by an impressive Gymnastics team, who came in second in Section II. Junior Hailey Marini won All-Around for Section II, and Marini, seniors Jaclyn Levy and Claire Levy, and eighth-grader Emma Drislane all advanced to compete in the state meet as members of the Section II team, which placed 6th.

Change may have started the year, but success has defined it.

The 2012-13 season was capped by a remarkable spring season from the Boys’ Tennis, Girls’ Lacrosse, Baseball, and Softball teams. Boys’ Tennis defeated Bethlehem in the sectional finals, won the Section II doubles championship and finalist accolades, and sent those two doubles teams to Flushing Meadows to play in the state championships. Additionally, senior Erick Kopff won the Section II Sportsmanship Award, and the team won the New York State Scholar Athlete Award for the second year in a row.

The Baseball team upset the number one seed, Columbia, in the sectional quarterfinals before falling to Shaker.

Photo courtesy of Kate Gawrys

Above: The Guilderland softball team celebrates with a Gatorade bath for Head Coach Marino.

Softball defeated Bethlehem, 8-3, in the sectional finals to bring home a sectional plaque. Girls’ Lacrosse won 15-8 versus Shaker in the sectional finals, earning revenge for the sectional finals loss by one goal to Shaker from last year.

It is hard to look back on this season and not admire the great successes each team has earned. Next year hopes to be full of even more accomplishments. For all those counting down, the fall preseason is less than eighty days away!

Quimby committs to ‘Cuse Sophomore standout commits to Syracuse for lacrosse Kyle Levy Yet another rare occasion has struck Guilderland High School; Cara Quimby, a sophomore on the Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse team, has verbally committed to play for Syracuse University. It’s not often that students commit to a Division 1 school,

yet alone a sophomore.

To verbally commit to a school for sports means that a student has given their word that they plan to play for that team. The player does not sign a letter of intent at this point, but would in their senior year. However, they have the option

Photo courtesy of Jaclyn Rogers

Above: Cara Quimby, left, stands with fellow sophomore Rebecca Golderman.

to change schools if they’d like.

But Syracuse wasn’t Quimby’s only option. Quimby had to decide among a few top schools for girl’s lacrosse. She had visited Northwestern University, UMass, Fairfield, Cornell, and UAlbany.

“Syracuse offers excellent academics and a great lacrosse program – with the best coaching staff and facilities in the country,” Quimby explained. “It was a tough decision, as I also really liked Northwestern University when I visited there, but in my heart I knew I wanted to play for the Orange – Plus it’s only 2 hours from home which will be great for my family.”

Quimby has attended lacrosse camps and tournaments and plays for the club team, Albany Elite. Colleges have been looking at her since her freshman year.

She was also invited to Syracuse for an unofficial visit. “I met with the coaches, academic advisors, players, and stayed on campus for two nights.” Quimby stayed with Kayla Treanor, a freshman on the Syracuse lacrosse team from Niskayuna.

“Everything with Syracuse just felt right – The coaches, the university’s academic opportunities, and the players.”

Playing for a Division 1 team in college is not a common thing. Not often do we see Guilderland athletes commit to D1 schools for sports. Cara will be

joining Guilderland’s own Bridget Daley, who is a senior on the Syracuse Women’s Lacrosse Team.

Everything with Syracuse just felt right.

Quimby still has a couple of years on the Guilderland Lacrosse team. “I am fortunate that I can focus and give my academics and the Guilderland Lacrosse Team 100% of my attention.” The girls lacrosse team is undefeated in their league (12-0) and do not seem to be stopping any time soon. “Our goal is for our Guilderland Lady Dutch team to win a championship.”

This year, the Syracuse girls lacrosse team is ranked 5th in the nation and has secured their spot in the Final Four for the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Tournament. They will be joining the ACC when Quimby is on the team; playing big schools like Duke, North Carolina, Notre Dame, and Virginia. “I feel very fortunate that I have teammates and coaches in high schools that have given me the foundation to be recruited and committed to one of the top lacrosse programs in the country.”

Sports

June 2013

Bison burgers for dinner

page 16 (theJournal)

Girls’ lacrosse defeats Shaker, takes Section II Championship Trevor Laicha The Guilderland Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse team is back on top of Section II. After losing in the sectional finals the past two years, the team has once again regained the title. In the finals the girls played Shaker, who beat them in the finals last year, and won 15-8 controlling the game almost the entire time.

Going into the season, the girls were 9th in the state. After losing many key players from last year’s senior class, the team looked to bounce back unaffected.

Led by captains Jackie Rogers, Ali Cardinal, and Jenna Walsh, the Lady Dutch started the season strong. In their first 6 games they won by the combined score of 100-44.

The Lady Dutch traveled to Long Meadow, Massachusetts for a challenging, non-conference game early on in the season. Long Meadow is a consistent power house and handed the Lady Dutch their first and only regular season loss, 13-10.

Captain Jackie Rogers said, “We weren’t in it 100%. It was a learning experience and it helped us know how focused we would have to be in the rest of the season.”

After the loss the Lady Dutch bounced back, demolishing each team they faced.

In their next 9 games they outscored opponents 151-27, earning the #1 seed for the sectional playoffs. They drew Bethlehem in the first round, easily taking care of them 17-3 behind 5 goals from junior All-American Morgan Hardt and 3 goals each from sophomore Cara Quimby and junior Katie Becker.

Next up was the Sectional Finals against Shaker. The Blue Bison with their high scoring attack headlined by Julia Lennon and Madeline Devine posed a formidable foe for the Lady Dutch. The game originally scheduled for May 22 was canceled prematurely over fear of rain and was rescheduled for the next day.

May 23rd was a cold, rainy day. Both teams warmed up on the turf at UAlbany.

During warmup, “We were so hyped to be in the position we were in,” Morgan Hardt said. “The atmosphere is always great and we were excited.” Shaker warmed up in customized camouflage t-shirts, reminiscent of the 1987 University of Miami football team. The Lady Dutch started off scorching the Bison defense scoring 4 goals in the first 5 minutes. Shaker added a couple goals and the Lady Dutch answered, with the two teams entering halftime with a score of 8-4 favoring Guilderland. Right before halftime, Shaker standout Madeline Devine received her second yellow card, disqualifying her for the rest of the game.

The Lady Dutch came out in the second half as strong as they did in the first half, dominating Shaker on both ends of

Above: Guilderland junior Morgan Hardt competes in the sectional finals game versus Shaker on May 23, 2013.

Photo courtesy of Morgan Hardt

Right: The Guilderland girls’ lacrosse team celebrates their sectional finals win.

Photo courtesy of @GoDutchAthletix

the field. With the second half winding down they played the most important game of keep away they’ve ever played.

Shaker’s goalie came out to double team the ball, but the Lady Dutch did not take the goals and continued passing to retain possession.

When the final horn sounded the girls ran to goalie Kaitlin Hess and dog piled her. With this sectional championship, the seniors on this team have finally gotten the chance to hoist the champions

plaque. Many of the team’s seniors will go on to play in college, including AllAmerican Jenna Walsh (UAlbany), Kara Carman (American University), Ali Cardinal (Bryant University), and Jackie Rogers (Hobart and William Smith Colleges).

Additionally, many returning players have already committed to top notch universities to play lacrosse. These players include junior Morgan Hardt (James Madison University), sophomore Cara Quimby (Syracuse University), junior

Shannon Mackesey (UAlbany), and junior Katie Becker (Iona College). With a talented squad of returners, it is very possible that the girls will be repeat champions next year.

Read about sophomore standout Cara Quimby on page 15!

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