www.thewestwordonline.com Volume 44, Number 5 / March 2017 The
Westword Student voice of the Westhill community “The test of good journalism is the measure of its public service.”
Principal Figluizzi’s ÀQDOIDUHZHOO Pages 25-28
WESTHILL’S JUNIOR EL NUEVO A REVIEW ARTIST OF CLASS RECEIVES PLAN ON ACADEMY THE MONTH AN OPPORTUNITY SUSTITUTOO AWARD- MICHAEL CLARK TO SEE HAMILTON DEL WINNING DISPLAYS HIS 4 ON BROADWAY 13 OBAMACARE 29 FILMS 35 PHOTOGRAPHS 2 TheWestword March 2017 2016-2017 Staff Note from the Editors Editor-in-Chief Limelight Editors Dong Zhi Guo Sasha Ostrovsky, Dear Readers, Woman,’ as well as outstanding writ- tine Baseball players experience to Print Executive Editor Gabriel Yaghoubian ers at Westhill. get ready for the upcoming season, Maddy Cohen Express Editors :HOFRPH WR WKH ¿IWK SULQW HGL- In Viewpoint, take a look at the and a piece on the girls Soccer team Online Executive Editor Yaneira Torres, tion of The Westword. We are incredi- pros and cons regarding the gradua- playing in the state playoffs. Josh Eimbinder Dani McNamara, ably proud of this issue and hope you tion requirements. On Online, read about new Managing Editors Sports Editors can see the hard work we put into this Following Viewpoint, our Las planets discovered by NASA, Caroline Boccuzzi, Tamar Bellete, Joseph DiSalvo, month. We would also like to announce Noticias section covers the ‘Day Finland’s universal income sys- Maeve Ronan, Ryan Hart, Caroline Ross that The Westword is a proud recepient Without Immigrants’ protest. tem, and the crisis South Sudan Nicholas Zarrilli Copy Manager of the Silver Crown Award from the Within Supplement, we discuss currently faces. Ombudsman Sahithi Kollipara Columbia Scholastic Press Association pets! We divulge into the Agriscience We encourage any readers with Noah Klein Copy Editors for the 2015/16 school year! 3URJUDPDQGWKHEHQH¿WVRISHWVHV- comments, questions, or concerns Photo Manager Christian Perez, Meghan To start off, the Editorial this SHFLDOO\GXULQJ¿QDOVVHDVRQ to contact us by either dropping a Emily Savitt Prabhu, Rishabh Sahu, Jessica issue discusses the search for a new On the Feature pages, we letter into Dong Zhi Guo’s mailbox Media Manager Wallen, Tejas Juware principal, and what the interview highlight the esteemed career of in room 224 or emailing us at west- Ryan Murace Pollsters process would consist of. Students Principal Figluizzi. Read about her [email protected]. Business Managers Zainab Jafri, Lauren Lazo, KDYH LGHQWL¿HG FKDUDFWHULVWLFV WKH\ career, experiences, and the search Nick Smeriglio, Charlie Teeters Alyssa Goldberg would like to see in the new head of for a new principal. Sincerely, Social Media Managers Reporters the school, who would oversee over In Scatterbrain, we feature Dong Zhi Guo, Maddy Cohen, Erica Abela, Paige Savitt Alexia Boccuzzi, 2,000 students. fun things students can do during & Josh Eimbinder Distribution Mangers Bridgette Calderon, In News, you can learn about spring break. Editor-in-chief, Print Executive Editor, Matt Masi, Marc DeLuca Molly Cannon, Alyssa Goldberg, the general strike ‘A Day Without a In Sports, we examine the rou- & Online Executive Editor Head Illustrator Nabilla Harahap, James Hicks Charlotte Kriftcher, Micayla Editorial Policy Creative Directors Roth, Zach Rubin, Nathan Salm, The Westword will be guided in the publica- Sakshi Patel, Patrik Sokowloski Marley Sklover, Andrea Vega, tion of material by a concern for truth, human News Editors Max Zussman, Hannah Nekritz, decency, and human benefit. It is published Melanie Gorski, Nova Nahiyan, Guilmar Valle What’s inside during the school year by the late night staff, Mercedes Sabel Illustrators along with the Journalism and Communica- Viewpoint Editors Matthew Alswanger, tions classes. Letters to the Editor, advertising Sarah Goldberg, Tamar Frydman, Frantz Gabriel, Editorial A look at what The Westword requests, comments, criticism, or suggestions Addison Magrath Alexis Marchetti, 3 is looking for in our new principal are always welcome. The views expressed in Las Noticias Editors Jonathan Russo Viewpoint and the Op-Ed page do not neces- Yaciana Taveras, Videographer News $QQRXQFLQJ WKH QHZHVW ÀHOG WULS sarily represent the opinions of The Westword. Michael Hernandez Kiley Watson 4 for the Junior class Special Editors Photographers The Editorial Board consists of Catherine Gaia, Daniel Greco, Sabrina Boyd, Valeria Carias, Viewpoint The pros and cons that come Dong Zhi Guo, Maddy Cohen, Josh Ei- Rachel Plotzky Sara Gatz, Katie Hollenberg, 8 along with graduation requirements mbinder, Noah Klein, Caroline Boccuzzi, Feature Editors Sydnie Lesser, Maeve Ronan, Nicholas Zarrilli, Michael Amelia Daube, William Evans Devon Ostheimer, Las Noticias Un dia sin immigrantes Hernandez, Liz Yamron, Janet Manina, Jen- Arushi Mathur Photo Editors 12 ny Gorski, Melanie Gorski, Yacianca Tav- Supplement Editors Rebecca Alper, Ewa Misiak eras, Sarah Goldberg, William Evans, Mr. Jenny Gorski, Janet Manina, Co-Advisers Special Report The history and von Wahlde, and Mr. Wooley. The Editorial Dan Skigen, Liz Yamron Mr. von Wahlde, 14 milestones of our solar system can be found on page 3. Scatterbrain Editors Mr. Wooley Yael Roll, Elizabeth Ruffels Las Noticias Adviser Supplement Admiring the furry friends Announcements Alexandra Watkinson Ms. Mendez 17 of the Westhill community Congratulations to Mr. Wooley and Mrs. Khetan on their nomination to Teacher of Feature A tribute to our principal Mrs. the Year. 27 Figluizzi as she enters retirement Corrections The Westword The Westword would like to address that 2016 Westhill High School Limelight A student review of the academy on the February front cover should have been 29 award winning movies of 2017 2017. On page 7, we put the incorrect sym- 125 Roxbury Road bol for freedom of religion. Lastly, on page 4 Scatterbrain Highlighting ways for Stamford, CT 06902 of news, Ms. Figluizzi has been at Westhill 31 students to spend their spring break for 19 years, not 17 years. (203) 977 - 4894 [email protected] Express Artist of the month: If you have an announcement or 34 Michael Clark an advertisement you would like thewestwordonline.com published in the next issue, Visit ourschoolnewspaper.com/westword Sports An interview with the hockey please e-mail us at to view our print archives. 36 players and their funny nicknames [email protected].
Front cover photo by Emily Savitt / Photo Manager. Back cover photos by Ryan Murace, Emma Jelliffe, & Josh Appel / Media Manager & contributes. EDITORIAL 3 Filling Figluizzi’s shoes Principal Figluizzi announced her upcoming retirement for the end of the 2016-2017 school year. She has worked at Westhill for 19 years and the search for a competent replacement is underway. Students and faculty are voicing their opinions about what they are looking for in a new principal. At a recent staff meeting, it mittee makes a recommendation be represented by whomever is understanding their needs. With parent, approachable and open to was announced that Ms. Figlu- to the current Deputy Superin- either elected or applies to be discipline being a major issue at new ideas. izzi will be retiring at the end of tendent, Dr. Fernandes, and he part of either committee. all schools, it is necessary that In a school as large and di- the 2016-17 school year. Though can choose to listen to or ignore With no student slots avail- the new principal is also fair and verse as Westhill, we believe that it has been a pleasure to see the that recommendation. The appli- able on the committee it is im- assertive when enforcing school it is essential that we have a prin- SRVLWLYH LQÀXHQFH 0V )LJOXL]]L FDQWV ZKR EHFRPH ¿QDOLVWV DUH portant that we as a community policies. The principal must es- cipal who is accepting of all eth- has had on the Westhill commu- interviewed by another commit- do voice our opinion. March 31 tablish a basis for conduct and nicities, as well as compassionate nity, students and faculty are pre- WHHPDGHXSRI¿YHWHDFKHUPHP- in the Purple PACT room (913A) consequences, as they are cru- and supportive towards the back- paring for the adjustments that bers and an undisclosed number any student who chooses to will cial to learning and order in our grounds of all the students. It is come with a new principal. The of community members. They be able to voice their opinion school. “He/She needs to be re- also imperative that we have a new principal has not been deter- sponsible and take care of things principal who is open to change. mined yet, but Westhill will have The bottom line: in a good amount of time,” said During Ms. Figluzzi’s time as high expectations after Ms. Figlu- Principal Figluizzi has done a great job and has Zach Blomberg (‘19). principal, Westhill faced many izzi’s impactful time as principal. Teachers have also been progressive changes, such as the set the school up for a great future, it is up to The road to becoming prin- making suggestions, a recently creation of an All-Gender bath- cipal is a long one. According to the board of education to select the appropriate the Westhill staff (teachers, para- room, a new attendance policy, the Board of Education (BOE), applicant to take our school to the next level. educators, security guards, custo- and a new open-campus policy. WKHUH DUH QXPHURXV TXDOL¿FD- dians and many more) composed Anneliese Ottinger (‘19) said, tions needed to apply. The three too make a recommendation, but about what traits the new prin- a letter informing the BOE and “We need a young principal be- most important are: a current ultimately it is up to the Deputy cipal should have to Dr. Falcone Deputy Superintendent what it is cause there are so many issues &RQQHFWLFXW &HUWL¿FDWLRQ IRU DQ Superintendent to choose who is and Dean Pereira. This is a great that they expect and would like now that there weren’t previous- $GPLQLVWUDWRUDWOHDVW¿YH\HDUV presented. The chosen candidate opportunity for us as a student to see from our future principal*. ly and they need to know about of teaching experience and three is then presented to the BOE and body to have an impact on the 7KH ¿YH FHQWUDO LVVXHV RXWOLQHG them.” Our next principal will years of being an administrator. they vote on whether or not they future of our school. The West- in their letter were: Changing hopefully have an open mind in Those who meet these basic re- approve. If they do not approve, word highly recommends that all population, class composition, creating positive changes for the quirements, move on to be inter- the process is started again. If students who have suggestions discipline, school climate, and Westhill community. viewed by two committees. The they do approve, this candidate voice them. school culture. The letter also The Westword looks for- ¿UVWLQWHUYLHZLVGRQHE\DFRP- becomes the new principal. Some students have already expressed the type of traits and ward to working under the new mittee composed of two teacher One of the main issues voiced their opinions, Danny TXDOL¿FDWLRQVWKH\WKLQNWKHQH[W principal whomever it may be. members, this may consist of with the process is the lack of Sachs (’18) said the principal SULQFLSDOVKRXOGKDYH7KH¿YH It is our hope that they can fill a classroom teacher, guidance representation by students and should be “Someone who already Qualities they want from our void left by Ms. Figluizzi and counselor, school psychologist, staff of the school on the com- has experience with teaching and next principal are: a Spanish continue down the bright path Dean of Students or any other mittees. Currently, only seven getting to know the students at Speaker and Culture Champion, she has paved for our school in position that is included in the teachers would represent our Westhill.” We as an editorial Experience with a Diverse Popu- order to take it to the next level. teachers union, along with an school in the decision, out of team believe the best way to be a lation, Experienced and Empa- *This faculty letter can be seen undisclosed amount of members 220 teachers, and 2,100 stu- strong leader is connecting with thetic, Familiar with urban and on The Westword’s online site, from the community. This com- dents we as a community will the people of the school, and secondary education and Trans- www.thewestwordonline.com. WHAT THE?
FISH OUTTA WATER$QXQLGHQWLÀHGSLHFHRIVXVKLVLWVRQWRSRIDZDWHUIRXQWDLQ 4 NEWS Juniors see the room where Hamilton happens
Maeve Ronan see Hamilton at a reduced cost. nity for a year. When the grant in February that Westhill would proMect, students will have an Managing Editor Along with seeing the show, was created for New York pub- be able to participate in the raf- extensive knowledge of the the classes chosen to go incor- lic schools, Walden reached out Àe. sixty Muniors would have the Founding Era in American Since its premiere on the porate Hamilton into their class- to Gilder Lehrman to see if they opportunity to participate in The history and a greater familiarity Broadway stage in January of room studies, learning from a would expand the opportunity to Hamilton Education Program. with reading and understanding 2015, Hamilton has become a Student Performance and “I am a history buff. I cannot primary sources. They will also smash hit musical that draws Study Guide created by imagine why anyone would be prepared to fully appreciate in sold-out audiences from all the foundation. Accord- not love history. Hamilton is a Hamilton, the musical.” across the United States. Writ- ing to the Gilder Lehrman perfect blend of contemporary Students who won the raffle ten by the young and energetic website, “The Hamilton pop culture and American are thrilled to be participatingn Broadway genius, Lin-Manuel Education Program is history. This exempli¿es why in this opportunity. “I am ex- Miranda, Hamilton combines part of the Gilder Leh- history and traditional subMects tremely excited to be given the contemporary pop culture and rman Institute’s broader are important to any education,” opportunity to see this show. United States history to tell the So far we have begun exploring story of the ten dollar Founding Hamilton’s life as well as those Father Alexander Hamilton. of his peers and the essential Born as a poor orphan in the documents relating to this time Caribbean, Hamilton worked his period. I look forward to dig- way up from poverty to greatness ging deeper and gaining insight as George Washington’s right mission to im- said Mrs. on Hamilton’s experiences, as hand man and the ¿rst Secretary prove the teaching Walden, when well as the immense changes of Treasury of the United States. and learning of Ameri- asked why she taking place in the United States Hamilton’s combination of rap can history.” wanted her students to at this time and the impact of storytelling and beautifully com- Mrs. Walden, an Eng- be a part of this program. their legacy on our lives today,” plex characters are unlike any- lish teacher at Westhill, All Westhill Muniors said Lucy Hart (’18). thing Broadway has ever seen heard about Hamilton were entered into The Hamilton program is a before. Due to its popularity, from a colleague about the raffle. Once the unique approach to learning his- tickets are extremely expensive. two years ago. When it 60 students were tory that engages students and About a year ago, The Gild- moved to Broadway, chosen, they began teachers, and takes a closer look er Lehrman Institute of Ameri- Walden was curious participating in at a Founding Father who is not can History teamed up with the as to how the show workshops to as well known as Jefferson or Rockefeller Foundation to cre- would utilize com- learn this history Washington. It is thanks to Mrs. ate the Hamilton Education Pro- munity outreach to behind Alexander Walden that 60 Westhill Muniors gram. Together, they sponsored make the perfor- Hamilton’s have the opportunity to see a a grant that would allow public mance more acces- story. In the revolutionary, Tony award-win- school students in the New York sible to students and the average the greater New York area so that guide given to teachers for the ning Broadway musical while area learning United States histo- American. Walden networked Westhill students would have a Education program, it states taking a deeper look into the ry to enter in a rafÀe for tickets to with the New York arts commu- chance. Walden received the call that “at the conclusion of the creation of its story. The Untold Stories Column by Noah Klein
This issue, I sat down with conditions in Ecuador? DM: I feel like there are many does not really care about that. It DM: I decided I wanted to Moin the Derek Mora, an ELS senior from DM: In Ecuador I lived with many generalizations of ESL students does not accomplish much. Marines when I saw children dy- Ms. Reap’s 3rd period English different people; my grandparents, because of the small minority of TW: How does your hometown in ing on the news due to war. I know class. Mora moved to the United my aunt, my uncle, even some- kids who take it as a Moke. We are Ecuador compare to Stamford? one person alone cannot do a lot, States from Ecuador and became a times my neighbors. Here, I live here in this country for better op- DM: Here it is much easier to ¿nd but when I saw this happening and student at Westhill. with my dad and my siblings. portunities and to have a better work as opposed to my country. If the government not doing enough TW: What would you say is the life. Many kids do not pay atten- you are not between the ages of 18 to save them, it made me very sad. The Westword: What year did difference between school in Ec- tion or do crazy things in the hall- to 24 in Ecuador they will say that If I save just one child, then I will you come to the United States? uador and Westhill? way. Sometimes they make fun of you are too old or too young. Even be happy. Why did you come? DM: Westhill is much bigger, and people, but I follow my own path. a simple Mob such as a street sweep- Derek Mora: I came here four a lot of the teachers are much nicer My mom and dad raised me like er in Ecuador is very hard to get. I would like to personally years ago. I came here because in the way that they treat students. that. I do not follow others, I think TW: What are your plans after thank Derek for taking the time to of the economy and amount Some teachers in Ecuador were for myself. high school? speak with me. Derek is one of the of opportunities. For example, very rude and do not really like TW: How do you feel about Pres- DM: After high school, I am students in the ELS program who companies in the U.S. are doing the kids. We were also all forced to ident Trump’s views and policies going to Moin the Marines and go is truly dedicated to his future and really well. In my country the wear a uniform of all black. We all regarding immigrants? to college. I want to become a wants to become successful. It is government has very high taxes had to purchase the same clothes DM: I do not really think much mechanic and eventually build my important that we as a school do that they place on everything, and dress exactly the same. about President Trump because for own company in Ecuador. I want not make prejudgments on certain which makes it hard to succeed. TW: Do you feel you are treated his views to change, we ourselves to be successful. people. We wish Derek the best of TW: How do your living condi- differently because you are an have to change. I disagree with the TW: What inspired you to join luck in his service and cannot wait tions in Stamford compare to ESL student? protests because President Trump the Marines? to hear what is in store next. NEWS MARCH 2017 5 BRIEFS Trump reverses the bathroom bill Feminism club takes Zine Fest +RZWKHFRXQWU\LVGHDOLQJZLWKWKHSUHVLGHQW·VQHZSROLF\
This is the ¿rst year that Westhill James Hicks Trump’s reversal of this policy cess to take place at the local be done to enforce it, because has had a Feminism Club, and Head Illustrator was delivered via a joint letter level with input from parents, most of the time transgender they are already making moves to from top civil rights officials students, teachers and admin- people who are using the bath- educate Westhill students on what On February 22, the within the Justice Department istrators,” said a spokesperson room [of the gender they iden- it means to be a feminist. One of Trump administration rescind- and the Education Depart- for the Trump administration. tify as] pass as [that gender],” the club’s most recent events ed the Obama-era decision ment. They stated the direc- Reactions to the statement said Eaton. was a trip to Zine Fest in New that school anti-discrimination tive was both improperly and made by the president have “Passing a law like that York City at Barnard College on protections included allowing arbitrarily created, going on been mixed. Some say it is an would endanger a lot of trans- March 5. Zines, the center of the transgender students to use the to say that the decision acted important step in dividing the gender people, cause more vi- event, are small handmade maga- bathroom of the gender they “without due regard for the powers of the federal and lo- olence, and most likely cause zines and art works that are made identify as. primary role of the states and cal governments, and others a lot of backlash, not just from by feminists and reÀect their po- The Obama administration local school districts in estab- are calling Trump’s decision transgender people, but from litical views. Other handmade had issued a statement direct- lishing educational policy.” hateful and bigoted. the people who love them and items are sold at the festival as ing schools to let transgender In a statement issued by “To be honest, I do not all the people who support well. Westhill’s club went to ex- students use whichever bath- the White House, the decision believe it is going to do much them,” Eaton continued. perience the event and meet other room corresponded most with was further rationalized. “As since the North has always While it is not clear as people who shared their ideas. “It their gender identity. This President Trump has clearly been pretty accepting, and to where this debate will be shows me that I am not alone in letter, sent to the schools and stated, he believes policy re- Connecticut has had laws pro- headed over the coming years, the battle for equal rights. Some- colleges that receive federal garding transgender bath- tecting transgender people it is certainly one that has times in high school, it is hard to funding, was justified with the rooms should be decided at the for the last 5 years or so I grabbed the public eye. With speak up and share your opinion administration’s interpretation state level. The joint decision believe,” said Hayden Eaton an America that seems more because of what other people may of Title IX, the federal law made today by the Department (’17), a transgender student polarized than ever, it seems think, but knowing that there are banning sex-based discrimina- of Justice and the Department at Westhill. “If [Trump] were as though everyone has their communities out there that have tion within public schools. of Education... paves the way to pass a law like that, there own opinion on how this issue people just like me really helps The reasoning behind for an open and inclusive pro- is nothing that could really should be handled. me feel free to stand up for my- self,’’ said president of the Femi- nism Club Sam Hamilton (’18). Students compete in art contest '·$QJHOR+RZDUG dium: portfolio, painting, draw- Inferno. My art focuses on the Staff Writer ing, sculpture, and print. image of the city as well as Stamford celebrates Students from all over Con- traveling through the city. This From February 26 to March necticut submitted their art to is supposed to reflect the idea 6W3DWULFN·V'D\ 16, the Stamford Art Associa- this competition that celebrates of an underworld or hell. That tion had its 44th Annual Student young artists. Among them are house in my artwork is supposed Every year on March 17, people of Show, which allows students to Westhill students Frantz Gabriel to be purgatory and everything all cultures partake in St. Patrick’s display their work in their gal- (’17) and Crysthel Larriviere around it is supposed to be cha- Day, celebrating Irish culture by lery space. The Stamford Art (’17), who each won award at os in the city,” said Gabriel. wearing green attire, dining on Association is a non-profit orga- the Student Show. Frantz Ga- Irish cuisine, and partaking in fes- nization whose members include briel was awarded with second $57 )520 7+( +($57 The piece tive parades and parties. Stamford painters, sculptors, printmakers, place in painting at the art com- of artwork pictured at top was creted and photographers. The organi- petition. Crysthel Larriviere by Frantz Gabriel. This painting won holds a parade every year in early second place in the Stamford Art As- March to celebrate the holiday, zation’s mission is to provide was given a honorable men- sociation Student Show. His inspira- bringing the community together. a forum where emerging and tion in drawing. Michael Clark, tion for the piece came from the novel “It is a great parade, shows great professional artists can exhibit Adam Zacharewicz, Rose Dor- 'DQWH·V ,QIHUQR. The artwork pictured their work to the community and val, Meghna Sharma, and Eli EHORZLV&U\VWKHO/DUULYLHUH·VGUDZLQJ Irish heritage and pride as many of her boyfried that earned an honor- sport the color green. But it is compete in juried shows. Nova were selected by the fine able mention at the competition. a little too early to have it,” said The Association’s town- arts teachers at Westhill to rep- Trey Gorey (’17), who often at- house gallery holds eight con- resent the school and participate tends the annual Stamford parade. secutive shows each year, six in the art competition. St. Patrick’s Day was not always of which are juried exhibits, “After I won second place, meant to be a revelry holiday with prominent jurors from art I was actually surprised because bedazzled with Àocks of Àoats, schools, galleries, and institu- when I entered, I did not think shamrocks and green attire, but tions in New York and surround- much of it. I just thought it was to commemorate the patron Saint ing areas, including the Whitney a competition where everyone Patrick who brought Christianity Museum, Bruce Museum, and gets a gift card or something,” to Ireland. Initially known as his Museum of Modern Art. Sev- said Gabriel. feast day, people would pay hom- en of the exhibits include cash Gabriel felt confident in his age to his death as he built a foun- prizes for winners. artwork and entered the compe- dation of Christian belief by build- The Student Show was tition to improve his skills as ing monasteries, churches, and made of juniors and seniors an artist by learning from other schools. Regardless of the history, from Fairfield, Greenwich, people at the competition. Ga- St. Patrick’s Day brings together Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, briel submitted art pieces that families with spirit and laughter. Norwalk, Wilton, Weston, West- focused on a specific ideas. port, and Ridgefield. These stu- “My inspiration was part of my Briefs by Mercedes Sabel & Efrain dents submitted artwork from concentration in AP Studio Art, Gonzalez / News Editor & Staff Writer. five categories separated by me- which revolves around Dante’s NEWS 6 MARCH 2017 Westhill women in technology BRIEFS Hannah Nekritz college, and this award is helping connects young women to a net- riety of scholarships, internships, Breaking tradition: Reporter me move forward in that path,” work of peers and members of the and professional work. It provides said Lese, as she reÀected on her NCWIT, giving students such as interested female students across fashion show is Each year, the National Cen- interest in technology. This honor Lese and Ranjith access to a va- the nation with the means to suc- student-run ter for Women and Information ceed in the world of technology, Technology (NCWIT) recognizes extending from their schooling, to The Parent Teacher Organization young women in high school for their career and beyond. (PTO) has run the Westhill Fash- accomplishments in computing. The Aspirations in Comput- ion Show for the past several These young women may be rec- ing campaign is well established years to raise money for the se- ognized on a national or af¿li- nationally. It is supported by such nior after prom event. This year, ate level. The award honors high institutions as Apple, AT&T, Mi- however, the PTO decided to school students who demonstrate crosoft, and Bank of America. The discontinue the event. Students an active interest in computing campaign also serves 50 states, the Rachel Fein (’17) and Nova Na- and technology. The awarded in- District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, hiyan (’18) were upset with this dividuals are selected based on the Virgin Islands, and U.S. mili- decision. Fein and Nahiyan de- their academic history, as well as tary bases located overseas. The cided to manage and organize their leadership ability in the ¿eld campaign is sponsored by the NC- the show along with the help of of computing. WIT, a non-pro¿t establishment the Senior Student Council. Fein This year, two students from intended to increase the participa- and Nahiyan managed to get Westhill, Reshmi Ranjith (’18) tion of women in the computing Zemo Men’s Store, Lord & Tay- and Rachel Lese (’17), were hon- ¿eld. In order to promote their lor, and A Step Ahead to provide ored with the Connecticut Af¿liate goal, the NCWIT has established clothing for the fashion show on Award. “By chance, I took a half a wide network of members to short notice. “These stores are year course of intro to computer enact change to bring a wider per- generously providing us with science. Since then, it has been centage of women, no matter their formal wear to be modeled by the class I look forward to every WHO RUN THE WORLD? GIRLS 5DFKHO/HVH · DQG5HVKPL5DQ- race or ethnic background, into our seniors,” says Fein. This day, and what I want to study in MLWK · DUHUHFRJQL]HGIRUFRPSXWLQJDFFRPSOLVKPHQWV the ¿eld of technology. gives seniors an opportunity to participate in this event for the last time. The money raised by the fashion show will contribute A day without women to lowering the cost of senior prom tickets. It will take place Dong Zhi Guo en to take the day off from paid or Many students and staff mem- the presence of political activ- on March 30 at WHS. Editor-in-Chief unpaid labor, avoid shopping for bers within the Westhill commu- ism within young adults has only one day, with exceptions of small, nity could be seen wearing red on grown. Whether it be for the Initiated by the Women’s women-and-minority-owned March 8 in solidarity with A Day rights of immigrants, women, mi- March organizers, the general businesses, and to wear the color Without a Woman, while others norities, or the LGBTQIA+ com- strike known as “A Day Without red in unity. In addition, some made the conscious decision not to munity, those within the nation Spoons is back a Woman” occurred intentionally took their beliefs to the streets to attend school for the day. are feeling empowered to spread side-by-side with International voice their opinion in protest. Since the election of Trump, their message. Spoons is the bane of some teach- Women’s Day on March 8, 2017. Due to the unprecedented ers’ existence and a subject of Stated on their website, the strike success of the Women’s March intrigue to others. For just three urged women and supporters to that took place the day after the dollars anyone can be entered “act together for equity, justice, Presidential Inauguration, which into the ultimate test of survival. and the human rights of women drew millions of protesters around Once the game starts everyone and all gender-oppressed people, the globe together, organizers of has a target and everyone is a through a one-day demonstration the march believed this would be target. You can eliminate your of economic solidarity.” the next step in their ten step plan target by touching them with a The ultimate goal of the of activism for the ¿rst 100 days spoon, hence the name. Once you strike was to demonstrate the con- of Donald Trump’s presidency. eliminate your target, you inherit tribution that women bring to the “A Day Without A Woman was theirs. The only way to avoid socio-economic system of any supposed to be a movement that elimination is by participating in country. According to the Cen- brought women together to stand an immunity, a form of humility. ter for American Progress, paid up for their rights and equality. Ev- You cannot be eliminated for as working women contribute $21 eryone who was able to participate long as you are enacting the im- billion to the economy daily in did so on behalf of women every- munity of that particular day. In terms of Gross Domestic Product. where,” said Jacob Stockman (’17). previous years immunities have “A Day Without a Woman was While most saw this strike included pool noodles, and keep- a great way to prove how essential as an empowering message de- ing wet spaghetti in your pocket, women are in the work force. I was livered by women, others were but more recently has turned glad to be able to join in and take critical towards the effectiveness into wearing KFC buckets on a stand with other women world- of the day. “In my opinion, to take one’s head. The student body wide by wearing red,” said Sydney off work and school would be will have to wait and see just Steinberg (’19), a member of the counterintuitive. When people are how far students will go to win newly formed Westhill after school ‘anti-women’ it is more directed the title of Spoons Champion. organization, The Feminism Club. to women of color more than any- The Women’s March website thing and most women of color laid out three ways people could are working two jobs to feed their Photos by Ewa Misiak3KRWRJUDSKHU Briefs by Nicole Segal / Staff Writer. participate by encouraging wom- families,” said Tahera Sha¿ (’17). Illustration by Jonathan Russo / Illustrator. NEWS MARCH 2017 7 Good Month Bad Month Westhill students get it write Stefanie Ruiz & Column by Samantha Gallant college prep students, and my were submitted, 363 students Max Zussman & Staff Writers AP students,” said Mrs. Walden received honorable mentions, who ran the program with the one of which being Frantz Ga- Matthew Greenbaum This years Hudson-to- help of Mrs. Begetis and Mr. briel, 180 students received the Housatonic Scholastic Writing Sandoval.“That was the best Gold Key, including Briana Ca- Good Month For... Bad Month For... Competition awarded Briana thing that we ever could have sino, and 262 Silver Keys were Casino (’17), Luis Hernandez done because two of the stu- awarded to students, one of (’17), and Frantz Gabriel (’17) dents who won the writing which being Luis Hernandez. NFL Combine 40 Year Dash CIA WikiLeaks published a data for their outstanding works of prizes are speakers of other It seems as though this The NFL Combine took place trove known as “Vault 7” that ap- literature in poetry and person- languages,” said Mrs. Walden. competition has made a posi- in early March as a way for col- pears to contain extensive docu- al essay/memoir. But the writing competi- tive impact on the Westhill lege players to showcase their mentation of secret Central Intel- The Hudson-to-Housaton- tion is not just the submission community. It has given a di- athletic ability and talent prior to ligence Agency spying operations ic Scholastic Writing Competi- of a work of literature. Stu- verse group of students the the NFL Draft in April. The most and hacking tools. Though nothing tion is one that inspires teens dents participating in the pro- chance to express themselves anticipated event is the infamous has been con¿rmed, initial reac- to be creative in a way that gram worked on their pieces through art and literature and 40 Yard dash, where a fast time tions reveal that most of the 8,761 may not be available to them for one long block period every perhaps has made them rec- can really boost a prospect’s draft leaked documents are in fact valid. in a school environment, helps week. The program even ca- ognize a hidden talent and stock. This year, University of The leak has the potential both to students become comfortable Washington wide receiver, John undermine the CIA’s ability to car- “I got literally three different levels of students working on with writing and to cultivate Ross, was able to break the previ- ry out offensive intelligence gath- and continue their love of writ- what it meant to lose something or someone. So they were ous record, set in 2008 by Chris ering as well as to damage its inter- ing, and creates and sustain a able to connect on all levels” Johnson, with a time of 4.22 sec- national public perception. Many community of young writers onds. Ross is hoping this impres- are outraged by the report as priva- who share the same interests. tered lunch so that every writer potential. Mrs. Walden be- sive feat will push him into the cy is potentially being broken and This year, the program took could eat together. The Scho- lieves that if anything, the pro- ¿rst round of the NFL Draft. hacked by an American agency. a diverse group of students. lastic process was a unique col- gram should be expanded and “Earlier in the year, Scholas- laborative experience. “I got grown. “It would be nice if we tic Art Writing contacted me literally three different levels could do this writing project because they wanted to do a of students working on what all year long, to do a 10 week 10 week writing workshop on it meant to lose something or in the fall, and a 10 week in the young people writing about someone. So they were able spring. In other words, have grief, and I said that I would do to connect on all levels,” said the writing project be anchored the project so long as I could Mrs. Walden. here all year long and open it include all of my students, in- At the ceremony on March up to those students who want 3D Printers A San Francisco French Conservative Party cluding my EL students, my 5, out of the 1,920 works that to do it,” said Mrs. Walden. based 3-D printing company March has been a crazy month know as Apis Cor printed and in France as the upcoming presi- built the ¿rst ever residential dential election draws closer. The home this month. The company conservative presidential can- used a mobile 3D printer to print didate, Francis Fillon, is facing out the house’s concrete walls, charges after allegedly paying his partitions, and building envelope. wife for parliamentary work that The house is about 400-square- might not have taken place. In feet, which is about the size of a other words, he is being charged standard hotel room. More im- for paying her with government pressively, the entire house was funding for no apparent reason. built in just 24 hours and cost just This not only looks terrible for the over ten thousand dollars for the candidate but also for the entire complete construction. conservative party.
Women’s Hockey The United %HQ$IÀHFN On March 15, the States Women’s National Hockey actor shared that he has fully com- team has recently decided to sit out pleted his treatment for alcohol- during the International Ice Hockey ism. Ben stated that he would like Federation World Championship. to be the best father he could be, They are boycotting the match be- alcohol free. He has been battling cause they want an increase in their with a drinking problem for many wages. The members of the team years, seeking treatment in 2001. feel that USA Hockey does not AfÀeck has taken many steps to- treat the women’s league with the ward a healthy recovery, and will same respect as the men’s team. star in the new Batman movie.
Graphics by Jonathan Russo & Sakshi Patel / Illustrator & Creative Director. 8 VIEWPOINT Graduation requirements: necessity or nuisance? Nicole Segal college and further. encounter before. OHJH,IFROOHJHVZDQWWRVHHWKDW JUDGH³+DYLQJFHUWDLQFODVVHV Staff Writer :KHQ VWXGHQWV DUH REOL- Even though it might be students have completed cer- as graduation requirements can gated to take a class that does a little frustrating to have to tain courses, high schools have push students to work harder From the moment students not seem interesting, they tend take classes students have no to align their curriculum with and try to succeed because walk in the doors of school to only do the work to receive interest in, school administra- what colleges want. One of the they know they need that class to the moment they leave, the a good grade, or they do not tion can make these courses a main goals for high schools is to receivePr their diploma.o Even words they probably hear most do the work at all and zone out OLWWOH PRUH IOH[LEOH ,I RQH LV to see their students graduate though some of the classes may RIWHQDUH³JHWWRFODVV´:KLOH until the bell rings. However, in the Agriscience program or DV ZHOO DV DWWHQG FROOHJH ³,I be annoying to take, you need going to class is a requirement, these classes are put in place Academy of Finance, a guid- colleges say they want to see to have a basic sense of knowl- there are specific core classes for a reason. The core math, ance counselor can set up their three years of math, at least up edge in order to succeed,” said that students need to pass in or- science, english, and history schedule so that they are able to to Algebra 2, we need to coin- Allison Soto (’18). der to get a diploma at the end FODVVHV DUH D VWXGHQW¶V MXPS take those classes on top of the FLGH ZLWK WKDW :KDWHYHU WKHLU The core classes may be of these long four years. The start in grabbing their attention classes required to graduate. requirements are, they become some of the most important core academic classes include RQDFHUWDLQ(QJOLVKVXEMHFW Students typically take civics our requirements too,” said Mr. classes in order for students math, science, english, and For example, civics is a as a sophomore. However, there Stepkowski, a guidance coun- to succeed. They pave the way KLVWRU\ :KLOH VRPH PD\ VD\ mandatory course to take before are instances where a student VHORUDW:HVWKLOO for students to be eligible to at- that students should not be re- students graduate. A student FDQWDNHLWDVDMXQLRURUVHQLRU Not only do having gradua- tend college and give the basic quired to complete these certain may not even know what civics when their schedule begins to tion requirements help students knowledge in order for students classes in order to receive their is before they enter the class. open. succeed and further the chance to thrive. High schools should diploma, these classes give the This gives them the chance to Having certain classes can of getting into college, they set up their requirements based students an advantage that may learn about something they be very beneficial to students push students to want to attend on what colleges are looking help them succeed in attending have not had the opportunity to for when they head off to col- class and participate to get a fair for in a potential student.
I can’t believe I survived Graduation requirements Graduation all of the graduation were really strict. I’m glad requirements prepared requirements. So glad I’m we have them but there me so well for college! out of here! were too many!
Graphic by Ryan Murace / Media Manager. Bria Pettiford ZLOOUHÀHFWWKHPDMRUWKH\GHFLGH into consideration. quirements are not necessary for ³,IHHOWKDWHYHU\RQHVKRXOG Staff Writer to study in college. Even if the There should be different all students. For example, while be required to take the Eng- student may not attend college, the standards set for various types of students are currently required to lish, history, science, and math There has been an ongoing classes they take could be related students. For example, a student take at least one art class, it may courses for graduation, maybe discussion about whether gradu- WR WKHLU ¿HOG RI ZRUN ³, WKLQN LW ZKR SODQV WR PDMRU LQ (QJOLVK not be a necessity for some. Art even gym. However, as far as art ation requirements are helpful is a good thing, it is making sure should have the four years of Eng- FODVVHV PD\ EH EHQH¿FLDO WR VWX- EHLQJDUHTXLUHPHQW,GLVDJUHH for students. Many people may students are getting the right tools lish required. Moreover, a student dents that intend to pursue a ca- Students should have an option believe the requirements are ben- and education to further them and who wishes to pursue a science UHHULQWKDW¿HOGEXWQRWWRRWKHUV on what their last requirement H¿FLDO EHFDXVH LW VHWV WKH VDPH make the world a better place,” PDMRUVKRXOGQRWKDYHWRPHHWWKDW $QRWKHUFODVVWKDWLVRQO\EHQH¿- VKRXOG EH ,I VWXGHQWV ZRXOG standard for all students. How- said Arianna Nguyen (’17). UHTXLUHPHQW ³,W LV D JRRG WKLQJ cial to some is the two semester like to do something in the fu- ever, there are many downsides to ,Q DGGLWLRQ LW PD\ EH YHU\ You can ensure that someone is ac- requirement for gym class. Gym ture that has a connection with this requirement for all students, GLI¿FXOWIRUVWXGHQWVWRPHHWWKHVH tually doing their work. That way class does not prepare a student art, then an art class would be which are very different in many requirements. A student could be you have to actually work for your for college. Therefore, these class- suitable for them. But, for a stu- ways. extremely hard-working, but it GLSORPD UDWKHU MXVW PDLQWDLQLQJ es should be an elective and not dent like me, who has a desire The requirements impedei FRXOGEHGLI¿FXOWIRUWKHPWRPHHW it,” said Mackenzie Vargas (’17). mandatory for all students. in a future that does not have sstudentstudents from taking the classesc the requirements due to their own There has also been debate Also, some students may need anything to do with art, should theyhheyey actually want. The classesclclaa a personal reasons. These students over why four years of English accommodations. For many, Eng- be able to find another class as sstudenttudent takes as they becomebecobecomm up- would be unable to graduate if was required and only three years OLVKPD\QRWEHWKHLU¿UVWODQJXDJH a requirement that is more suit- pperclassmenerclassmen should be basedbasbas off they are unable to meet the re- for the rest of the core classes. 7KHUHIRUHLWZRXOGEHGLI¿FXOWWR able for their future career,” said Conoff their interest. These interests in quirements, which should be taken However, some of these re- reach the same requirements. $MD0XOOLQV ¶ VIEWPOINT MARCH 2017 9 Politics take the runway Stefanie Ruiz :LQG¶V VKRZ ZKHUH WKH\ GLVSOD\HG FDOYLHZV7KHFULWLFDOQDWXUHRIWKH VWDWHPHQW WKDW IDVKLRQ FDQ EH XVHG WR ZDWFK D VKRZ RQ SROLWLFV WKHQ Staff Writer VKLUWVWKDWVWDWHG³:H$UH$OO+XPDQ SUHVLGHQWLDOHOHFWLRQKDVEHJXQ WR EULQJ XV WRJHWKHU QRW WR IXUWKHU WKH\ VKRXOG WXUQ RQ WKH QHZV´ %HLQJV´ WR PRUH EODWDQW IRUPV RI WR IRPHQW DQ HQYLURQPHQW RI WR[LF GLYLGH XV 7KH FDPSDLJQ HQWLWOHG VDLG &KULVWLQD %XUJHVV ¶ 2Q The Council of Fashion De- SURWHVWDJDLQVWWKHSUHVLGHQWVXFKDV GLVDJUHHPHQWDQGWKLV\HDU¶V)DVK- 7,('72*(7+(5 DLPV WR SUR- WKH RWKHU KDQG VRPH VWXGHQWV GR VLJQHUV RI $PHULFD &)'$ ¿UVW LQ3XEOLF6FKRRO¶VVKRZZKHUHWKH\ LRQ:HHNKLJKOLJKWHGWKDW PRWHXQLW\LQWKLVWLPHRIQHJDWLYLW\ VXSSRUW GHVLJQHUV LQFRUSRUDWLQJ LQWURGXFHGDQDFWRIGH¿DQFHZKHQ VSRRIHG WKH ³0DNH $PHULFD *UHDW ,WLVEHFDXVHRIWKLVWKDWVRPH DQG GLYLVLRQ7KH ZHEVLWH H[SODLQV SROLWLFV LQWR WKHLU ZRUN ³)DVKLRQ WKH\ JDYH RXW EXWWRQV WKDW GRQQHG $JDLQ´KDWVZLWKDQHZFDWFKSKUDVH SHRSOHKDYHGLVDJUHHGZLWKWKHLGHD WKHLUSRVLWLRQ ³7KLVLVQRWDSROLWLFDO GHVLJQHUVDUHDUWLVWVDQG\RXVKRXOG WKHVWDWHPHQW³)DVKLRQ6WDQGV:LWK RI³0DNH$PHULFD1HZ POLITICAL STATEMENT Karl Lagerfeld presented his 2015 spring-summer line by involving politics in fashion. This trend continued in this years New York Fashion Week with the #TIEDTOGETHER campaign. Photo courtesy of shanghaidaily.com. The controversial use of racial slurs Stephanie Zachariadis VXVFULEHUV ZKR FRQVLGHUV KHUVHOI D HUVDYRLGLWDVLIZDVWKHSODJXH Protesta en acción Estudiantes de las escuelas Westhill, Stamford High y AITE hacen oir su voz por medio de sus carteles y por medio de discursos. Fotos de Allie Colorado. LAS NOTICIAS MARCH 2017 13 El nuevo plan sustituto del Obamacare Yuliana Hernández FRVS~EOLFRV\SULYDGRVPHGLDQWH WiQEDVDGRVHQHOLQJUHVR VRQDVGHEDMRVLQJUHVRV$GHPiV DFFHVRD0HGLFDLG Escritora del Personal OD SURWHFFLyQ GH FRQVXPLGRU (O UHSXEOLFDQR 3DXO 5\DQ TXLHQHV QR REWHQJDQ XQ VHJXUR $VLPLVPRYDULRVVHQDGRUHV UHJXODFLRQHVVXEVLGLRVLPSXHV- UHHOHJLGR OD VHPDQD SDVDGD PpGLFR VHUtDQ VDQFLRQDGRV FRQ XOWUDFRQVHUYDGRUHV FRPR 0LNH (O QRPEUH R¿FLDO GH WRV LQWHUFDPELRV GH VHJXURV \ FRPR SUHVLGHQWH GH OD &iPDUD XQ LQFUHPHQWR GH HQ ORV /HH GH 8WDK 5DQG 3DXO GH- 2EDPD&DUH!! 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Theresa Persico In addition, water has been found on This is the reason scientists have Staff Writer the moon. Water was ¿rst found on the estimated the planet to be as old as the moon by a NASA-built instrument on In- Milky Way, which is about 13 billion Our universe is vast and open to many dia’s Chandrayaan-1 probe. They found years old. “This is cool once you think possibilities, leading many scholars to explore that the moon is cold enough to keep water about [it]. There might be other dwarf the unknown. In recent times, technology has frozen at the surface based on detections planets in our solar system that we just advanced and with those technological ad- of hydrogen. have not been able to find, but have vancements, opportunities to learn about our In addition, on October 9, 2009, NA- been there the whole time,” said A timeline of major universe have evolved. SA’s LCROSS, or Lunar Crater Observing Monica Gonzalez (’17). discoveries in space While astronomers have always and Sensing Satellite, continued to search Despite the idea that foreign planets pondered the thought that there might be the moon and found that a thin ¿lm of wa- are uninhabitable, astronomers have proven large amounts of water in outer space, ter coats the surface of the soil in some this thought is wrong. Since the discovery it was not con¿rmed. In 2011, scientists areas. “Indeed, yes, we found water. We of the ¿rst planet orbiting a sun-like star in discovered the largest and oldest mass of did not ¿nd just a little bit, we found a sig- 1995, scientists have found over 1,000 alien water in the universe. Huge water vapor ni¿cant amount,” said Anthony Colaprete, planets. More than half of these discover- clouds are located 12 billion light years LCROSS project scientist and principal ies were made by NASA’s Kepler Space away from Earth. Astronomers have esti- investigator from NASA’s Ames Research telescope, which was launched in 2009 to mated these clouds to have approximately Center at Moffett Field, California. The determine how common Earth-like planets 140 trillion times more water than all of amount of water they found in their 20 meter are in the Milky Way galaxy. Earth’s oceans combined. The water va- crater when melted can potentially be They have found six planets that are the Aug. 5th, 2012 por clouds surround a quasar, which is a used to drink or to extract hydrogen most Earth-like. These planets are the Gliese super massive hole. for rocket fuel. 667Cc, the Kepler-22b, the Kepler-69c, the The Mars rover landed By 2015, they identi¿ed the quasar as the However, water is not the only thing Kepler-62f, the Kepler-186f, and the Ke- on Mars. ¿rst quadruple quasar. It consists of four rare that scientists have found on their space pler-452b. “Finding a habitable zone planet active black holes that are unusually close to- travels. Astronomers have also found a comparable to Earth in size is a major step gether. “If you ¿nd something theory says is few dwarf planets in our solar system. In forward,” said Elisa Quintana, research sci- very unlikely, you either have to conclude you 2007, a team of American astronomers entist at the SETI Institute at NASA’s Ames Aug. 30th, 1983 got incredibly lucky, or that the theo- found a planet covered in hot but solid Research Center in Moffett Field, California, ry is Àawed,” said Dr. Hennawi of the water. It is of¿cially known as Gilese 436 and lead author of the paper published today The first African American man Max Planck Institute for Astronomy b. Even though, the planet’s temperature in the Journal Science. was launched into space. in Heidelberg, Germany. The chanc- reaches 439 degrees Celcius (712 Kel- Finding Earth-like habitable planets es of ¿nding the quadruple quasar is vin), its watery surface does not evapo- is a dream for astronomers. NASA astro- one in 10 million. rate. Instead it creates a hot and high- naut Scott Kelly thought his orange zin- However, signs of water have been seen pressured ice. nias aboard the International Space Station July 20th, 1969 before. Pictures taken on Mars show that Scientists have also found that its were the ¿rst Àowers to bloom in space, rocks were gradually eroded water Àows. mass makes up 70-90 Earths. Neverthe- but they were not. In 2012, Don Pe- The first man landed on Scientists identi¿ed the water Àow pat- less, in 2014, astronomers found a com- tit grew different types of plants the moon. terns as “splash.” This means that the crater plete opposite to “The Hell Planet.” It aboard a NASA station deemed a rocks settled in the surrounding water, al- is an extremely cold white dwarf planet “personal biology experiment.” lowing lighter material to pile up behind it, that is the same size as Earth. While Petit’s sunÀower was the ¿rst which is why the craters have frozen muddy white dwarf planets are not uncommon, Àower grown aboard the In- June 16th, 1963 slopes. Scientists have also concluded that they are dif¿cult to notice. White dwarf ternational Space Station. there must have been multiple Àoods given planets are extremely dense and packed The first woman was launched the deep channels. An example of this is the with carbon and oxygen making them into space. Aug. 14th, 1959 The first picture of Earth was recieved from space. Oct. 5th, 1957 The world's first artificial sat- ellite was launched. A quasar is a black hole surrounded by a disc of gas. Kepler-62f is a potential Earth-like planet not too far away from us. Pictures courtesy of wikipedia.com & wikipediacommons.com. SPECIAL REPORT MARCH 2017 15 of space accomplishments craft, became the first spacecraft light on how the universe has Maddy Cohen to reach the Moon and the first evolved when Hubble discovered Print Executive Editor man made craft to land on anoth- stars at the center of massive er planet or asteroid. In 1968, the black holes. Space orbit exploration be- United Sates sent Apollo 8 into In October of 2018, the James gan with the first satellite, Sput- orbit. The three-astronaut crew Webb Space Telescope will re- nik 1, launched by the Soviet orbited the Moon once and re- place the Hubble Telescope. Its Union on October 4, 1957 during turned to Earth. One year later, design will allow Webb to look the Cold War, a state of tension in 1969, Buzz Aldrin and Neil deeper into space, with a mirror A timeline of major between the Soviet Union and the Armstrong landed Apollo 11 on about six times larger in area. GLVFRYHULHVLQ(DUWK·VRUELW United States. About the size of the Moon and became the first At around three months after its a large helmet at 22.8 inches in humans on the Moon. launch, Webb will be able to start diameter, Sputnik 1 orbited Earth Space discoveries explod- its mission and scientists will be in 98 minutes. The United States’ ed with NASA’s launch of the able to take the first images. satellite, the Explorer 1, led to world’s first large optical tele- Space X, a private company the discovery of the Van Allen scope, named the Hubble Tele- owned by Elon Musk, made his- radiation belts. The belts contain scope after Edwin Hubble, in tory with their spacecraft Dragon Aug. 6th, 2014 an area of high energy trapped by 1990. Since then, the Hubble in December 2010 when they be- NASA's probe, Rosetta, landed Earth’s magnetic field. Telescope has made more than came the first privately devel- on a comet. A month after Sputnik 1, 1.3 million observations, ac- oped spacecraft to re-enter from Sputnik 2 was launched, carry- cording to NASA. The further low-Earth orbit. Then in 2012, ing the first living being to be in the Hubble Telescope can see, Dragon became the first private space on board, a stray dog from the further in the past observers spacecraft to visit the Interna- the streets of Moscow named can see. With the telescope, sci- tional Space Station and un- Sept. 12th, 1992 Laika. Laika was a precursor to entists could pinpoint the age of der a $1.6 billion contract with The first African American wom- other living beings in space. On the universe down to 13.7 billion NASA, it makes multiple trips to an was launched into space. April 12, 1961, the first success- years old. the station to re-supply missions. ful human flight into space car- The Hubble Telescope also In 2015, the Falcon 9 rocket be- ried Russian Yuri Gagarin on led to many other discoveries. came their first ground landing Vostok 1. Gagarin orbited around Dark matter makes up about 23 on Landing Zone 1, the first-ever the globe once, for about an hour percent of the universe, and be- orbital class rocket landing. April 10th, 1981 and 48 minutes. Within a month, cause of Hubble, scientists were In future years, NASA hopes The first shuttle was launched the United States sent Alan able to map large scale maps of to use their technology to visit into space. Shepard into space. In 1963, the where dark matter exists. Hubble near-Earth asteroids and eventu- first woman, Valentina Tereshko- also revealed Nix and Hydra, ally for humans to walk on Mars. va of the Soviet Union was sent Pluto’s moons, as well as the This will lead to a better under- into space on the Vostok 6, orbit- mass of another planet which standing of the universe and our ing Earth 48 times. demoted Pluto and other planets galaxy. It will also help scien- Luna 2, a Soviet Union space- to dwarf planets. Scientists shed tists gain new knowledge. March 18th, 1965 The first spacewalk took place. April 12th, 1961 The first man orbited the Earth. Nov. 3rd, 1957 A dog was launched into space for the first time. Charles Duke from Apollo 16 on the moon landing site. Sergei Krikalev, William Shepard, and Yuri Gidzenko were SDUWRIWKHÀUVWFUHZWRRSHUDWHRQWKH,66 Graphic by Sakshi Patel / Creative Director. Pictures courtesy of wikipediacommons.com. 16 SupplementTheWestword t e Pe Issu Th e SUPPLEMENT 18 MARCH 2017 The history of pets Amelia Daube the bible before the age of Jesus 78 million owned dogs. However, Bastet, has the head of the cat. If mola Province of Kazakhstan is Feature Editor Christ. The greyhound played a 39 percent of all American house- someone was convicted of kill- where the earliest domestication very important role in running holds own a dog compared to 33 ing a cat, they often received the of the horse took place. The use of The ¿rst record of a domesti- down hare and gazelle for food. percent of American households death penalty as a punishment. horses quickly spread across Eu- cated animal as a pet was a dog’s They were also very popular as with cats. Scientists believe that The Egyptians even put as much rope and Asia for transportation, jawbone found in a cave in Iraq pets in Greece, which was docu- cats have lived with people for care into burying a cat as they did agricultural work, and warfare. that dates back to 12,000 years mented by Assyrian artists. more than 10,000 years. A study a human. Archeologists found a For instance, on the steppes of ago. Some archeologists believe Dogs began to be bred in Eu- published in the research journal cemetery in Beni-Hassan dedi- Ukraine, horses became a symbol that dogs were actually ¿rst do- rope and Asia for hunting. They Science states that all domestic cated to cats. It contained over of power. They were carved into mesticated in East Asia, not Eu- bred dogs speci¿cally to detect, cats descended from a Middle 300,000 cat mummies. Cats were tombs of kings and some graves rope. The development of the re- track, catch, and receive particu- Eastern wildcat, Felis sylvestris, also revered in Ancient Rome as contained polished stone mace- lationship between man and dog lar prey. Labrador retrievers were which means “cat of the woods.” a symbol of liberty. However, in heads shaped like horse heads. has been bene¿cial for both spe- trained to catch ¿sh in Newfound- Dogs were used to hunt, but cats Europe during the Middle Ages, Horseback riding became cies. Humans ¿rst started breed- land waters and beagles focused on were used as a sort of pest con- cats became associated with an Olympic sport in 1900 during ing dogs by killing dogs that were foxes and rabbits. The retriever’s trol. When people started stor- witches and the devil. They were the Summer Olympics in Paris, particularly aggressive. This left primary role as a hunting dog was ing grains and other foods, mice killed off by the thousands to France. It disappeared until 1912, only the compassionate ones to to ¿nd and return shot game to the would invade the storage facili- “ward off evil.” Ironically, the de- but has appeared at every Sum- breed and so on. These dogs kept hunter, which gave the breed its ties. Cats would come in and eat mise of cats brought the upsurge mer Olympic Games since. The the early settlements clean of hu- name. They can also be trained to the mice, leaving the actual food of rats that caused the plague. current Olympic equestrian dis- man excrement and other types of follow hand, verbal, and whistle untouched. “We think what hap- One of the most important ciplines are Dressage, Eventing, waste. Humans were vulnerable commands to ¿nd the prey. They pened is that the cats sort of do- animals in the development of our and Jumping. to predators like wolves, and oth- are known to be extremely loyal mesticated themselves,” said civilization is the horse. Humans Over time, pets have evolved er wild animals, which the pres- and are one of the most popular Carlos Driscoll, one of the study have had domesticated horses for from hunters and helpers to cud- ence of tame dogs could chase dog breeds in America. authors, to the Washington Post. about 6,000 years and since then dly companions. Pets have al- away or warn by barking. One of Surprisingly, there are more Ancient Egypt is the most have created more than 200 breeds. ways been and always will be an the oldest pure breeds is the Grey- cats than dogs in the U.S. with 86 well known for their love of cats. Archeologists have discovered that important part of our lives. hound. It was even mentioned in million owned cats compared to The Egyptian goddess of love, the Botai settlements in the Ak- Pets who made history Sunny Lassie Kabosu Clifford the Obama (aka Doge) Big Red Dog Sunny was in- According to The This famous pup Norman Bridwell, troduced to the Saturday Eve- resides in Japan the Clifford’s illus- public world on ning Post, Pal, the with its owner, trator, named the August 19, 2013 on original dog who Atsuko Sato, a kin- dog after his wife’s Michelle Obama’s played Lassie had dergarten teacher. imaginary friend Instagram “the most spectac- Sato adopted Ka- she had when she account. ular canine career bosu in 2008 from was a child. QVÅTUPQ[\WZaº an animal shelter. SUPPLEMENT MARCH 2017 19 Cat lady or dog’s best friend? Daniela Paredes cats seem to be predominant are those of cats.” dogs are much more affection- what training can do for a dog. Staff Writer in quantity. However, the per- It is true that the matter is one ate and easygoing when com- For example, it can teach a ca- centage of households that own that is subject to much debate. pared to cats. “I prefer dogs nine how to protect their owner, One of today’s greatest con- dogs is greater with around 37 “[Cats are] much cuter. They do because they are so playful, his or her home, and alert those flicts in society is the conten- to 47 percent of households not need much providing for,” cute, and caring,” said Ahnecia around them if their health is at tion between dogs and cats, owning dogs and 30 to 37 per- said Nasrin Nasir (’20). Many Edouard (’20). As reported by stake. However, they also require and who is the better compan- cent owning cats. An article by agree that dogs can be quite the Cesar’s Way writer Jon Bas- daily bouts of exercise regard- ion. Although some enjoy the Animal Planet argues, never- handful, and according to a re- tian, scientists have determined less of weather or other circum- company of both, many tend to theless, that cats are far better port by the ASPCA, their main- that there is a single, but not stances, and they often chew on a have a preference or inclina- than dogs. Among their rea- tenance is also indubitably more surprising, case between hu- variety of indoor appliances and tion toward one or the other. sons, they state that “cats smell costly. It could cost one well mans and dogs in which the furniture. Cats, on the other hand, Both furry creatures can make better than dogs,” due to their over a hundred dollars more on interaction can lead to the si- have a more independent, “de- fantastic companions, and both “self-grooming” nature and su- an annual scale to care for a dog multaneous and mutual release tached” nature and are not always have pros and cons. But who is perb hygienics. Conversely, an than for a cat, an amount that of oxytocin the hormone that in need of such constant care. the “better” pet? article by the Behavior Educa- could easily add up over the stimulates bonding — and that This allows people who go away According to the ASPCA, tion Network believes that dogs years when considered from an is the interaction between hu- a lot to have a companion. Never- approximately 70 million to are often preferred because economical point of view. This mans and dogs. theless, just like dogs, they have 80 million dogs and 74 million their “social organization and also requires more time and Dogs are often called “man’s a few cons the likes of which to 96 million cats are owned communicative behaviors are dedication in the process. best friend,” and with good rea- include clawing, shedding, and in the United States. Here, much more similar to ours than Other students affirm that son. It is important to point out occasional vomiting. CATS DOGS XMZKMV\WNIKI\¼[TQNMQ[[XMV\[TMMXQVO ,WO[PI^M_M\VW[M[JMKI][MQ\PMTX[\PMUIJ[WZJKPMUQKIT[ NZWU[KMV\[ )OZW]XWNKI\[Q[KITTMLIKTW_LMZ )LWO¼[[MV[MWN[UMTTQ[\QUM[[\ZWVOMZ\PIVIP]UIV[ +I\[KIVVW\\I[\M[_MM\VM[[ 4IJZILWZ[IZM\PMUW[\XWX]TIZJZMMLQV\PM=; +I\W_VMZ[IZM XMZKMV\UWZMTQSMTa\WPI^MIOZIL]I\MLMOZMM ,WO[LWVW\WVTa[MMQVJTIKSIVL_PQ\M\PMaKIVIT[W[MMJT]M IVLaMTTW_ ,WO8MZ[WV )ZMaW]KI\XMZ[WV WZILWOXMZ[WV' +I\8MZ[WV Poll conducted by Zainab Jafri / Pollster out of 110 students. Images courtesy of pixabay.com & publicdomainpictures.com. Petstagrams on the rise FHQWO\,QVWDJUDPVFHQWHUHGDURXQGRQH·VSHWVKDYHEHFRPHPRUHDQGPRUHSRSXODU:HVWKLOOVWXGHQWVDGRSWLQJWKHWUHQGKDYHVWDUWHGWKHLURZQ3HWVWDJUDPVZLWKDGRUDEOHSLFWXUHVDQGFUHD o go with. On the left, Mary Troy (’ LQWURGXFHVKHUGRJ5RU\ZKRFODLPVWREHWKH´RIÀFLDOSDUW\SXSDQGIUDWKRXQGµDVVWDWHGLQKHU,QVWDJUDPELRJUDSK\1H[W&DLWOLQ&RRQH\ ’ VKRZF Mountain dog, Bear. Bear has received quite the fandom with a whooping 3,385 followers! Representing the cat-lovers is Ben Freedman (’ DQGKLVFDWVQDPHG3RSS\.LPED7DII\DQG& DVWLV/L]]LH5XIÁHV ’ DQGKHUGRJ6SLFH,QKHU,QVWDJUDPELRJUDSK\6SLFHGHVFULEHVKHUVHOIDVD´OLOFKZHHQLHJDOOLYLQLWXSLQ&7µ @bear.the.bmd @freedmanfelines @the was 11 and she “My family has always been in love with the Bernese “Poppy is the star, he is a real people person. Kimba pretty ´:HUHVFXHG6SLF ys count on her to Mountain dog breed. They are so family friendly so we much follows my mom around. She likes basking in the ZDVORYHDWÀUVWVLJK even though she ÀQDOO\GHFLGHGWRJHWRQHODVWVSULQJ:HDOOIHOOLQORYHZLWK sun and is very small but luxurious looking. Then we have combination of a sea · [Bear] the second we saw him! He loves people and is re- two cats who are sisters, Taffy and Coco. Taffy has slight VWXIIHGDQLPDOVWKD DOO\JRRGDWJLYLQJSDZIRUDWUHDW:HPDGHWKH,QVWDJUDP OCD so she cleans herself whenever anyone pets her. she would always s to capture his cutest moments and show his progression Coco is very obese but super cute and soft and likes to :HFUHDWHGKHU,QVW from puppy to dog.” - Caitlin Cooney (’ chew on the tops of pineapples.” - Ben Freedman (’ EULJKWHQVRPHR Model on the gram #tongueouttuesday and Doing last minute Happy Halloween The thirst is real &X]ZHDUHVLVWDVZH 7KUHHPXV&$7HHUV when you hear some big smiles for this summer work is draining everybody!!! ft. Poppy stand togetha surprising news EOL]]DUG :DUPHQRXJKWR Modeling the snow in I had such a great party Not too happy about my #art $//),9( Poppy wishes you a just hangin out play outside!! the snow with my favorite people... new accessory for the prosperous New Years and this great cookie next week Best part of snow days: I tried swimming for the Just got hired as uber Lacrosse games are /D]\6XQGD\ RULI\RX·UH :K\\RXFDQ·WOHDYH :KHQ3RSS\ÀQGVRXW ÁHHN not being able to leave ÀUVWWLPHDQG/29('LW driver!! Rate me 5 stars my prime!! Soaking up &RFRHYHU\GD\ water out at the LW·VWLPHIRUSLH+DSS\ your house some sun and getting Freedman house. #taffy Thanksgiving! SUPPLEMENT 22 MARCH 2017 When you “[My hear someone talk about Peculiar pets horses] live outside their pet, your mind usually with a run-in shed that thinks of the common house pets, such they choose to go in and out as dogs or cats. When people say they own “My chick- of, I usually brush and bathe them chickens, birds, or horses, it can come as a en’s name is Belle, which to keep them clean and I feed bit of a shock. Because these animals are less means beautiful in French. She is them hay and grain. Gambler is common amongst American households, a Delaware chicken, which are critically 21 years old and Earl most people do not know about the process endangered at the moment and we got her is 15.” of taking care of these types of animals. when she was three days old. The Westword spoke to a few students that -Simone Kenny (’17) TaTakingki care of chickens is not very hard, own unusual pets and what the you just have to give them a safe place so care-taking process is like. ththatat the other animals do not get to them. ThThey also need fresh water, food, and of course love.” “My bird’sd’s name is -Kiley Watson (’17) Nico, and he is four years old. “Usually I like to take him out of his cage so that he can clclimbimb down and play around. He also squeakseaks so itit doesdo soundd like he is singing sometimes. For mainte- nance purposes, I will usually just change his water and change his food which is a seed mix. If he wants a snack I will give him an almond to eat.” - Sophie Caceres (’17) Images courtesy of pixabay.com. Briefs by Hannah Nadelson / Reporter. Teacher's pets Malibu Jack Belle and Scout Owner: Ms. Jeffries Owner: Ms. Jeffries Owners: Ms. Tobin and Mr. Pereira Breed: Black lab Breed: Toy Fox Terrier mix Breed: American Staffordshire Ter- Age: 5.5 years old Age: 8 years old rier/ Border Collie/ Greyhound/ Wolf “Malibu is the most loyal and lov- “Jack is 10 pounds of bark! His mix and Treeing Walker Coonhound/ ing dog. Her favorite thing to do is favorite activity is begging for American Staffordshire Terrier mix to come to school to hang out with food from students!” Age: 1 and 10 years old students or run in the mud!” “Belle peers quizzically at the cam- era while Scout yawns, because noth- ing his little sister does is worthy of note. Nothing.” Photos contributed by Ms. Jeffries & Ms. Tobin. SUPPLEMENT MARCH 2017 23 Agriscience animals in action Guilmar Valle Damselfish, Tomato Clowns, Pajama Fish, Reporter Gobies, and Clown Fish. Some fish, such as Goliath Tigerfish, Vampire Tetra, and When someone thinks of the Agri- Snakehead Fish can be very territorial, science program, they tend to think of tak- and can bite, kill, and eat other fish, so ing care of dogs, having fun with cute ani- these fish are kept apart. Taking care of all mals, and taking in its majestic coy fish of the different kinds of fish appeared to pond. While that may be partially true, be a very difficult challenge. Most of the there is actually a lot of thought and effort aforementioned fish are very delicate and that goes into taking care of the animals, need to be kept in very specific conditions and in turn, the program. The Agriscience in regards to temperature, pH level, salin- program was kind enough to let The West- ity, and even the light they are exposed to. word see the program and the work they Without taking great care in keeping these do first hand. factors consistent, the fish may die off. The first stop was the small animal If a dog is ever seen on the Westhill room. As it was lunch time, most of the campus during school hours, it is most cages were being cleaned by the stu- likely that they are part of the well-known dents. In the small animal room there is program at Agriscience program called everything from rabbits, guinea pigs and Doggie Day Care. According to Mrs. mice, to snakes and birds. With the vast Cascio, an Agriscience office administra- amount of smaller animals kept in the tor, there are around 15 to 20 dogs cur- building, one could not help but wonder rently in Doggie Day Care. As one can how they all get taken care of. Ms. Cam- imagine, there are a lot of dogs present at bell, an Agriscience teacher, informed us Doggie Day Care, so how does the Agri- that “[The animals] are checked on ev- science program take care of them all? ery single day, and that the kids clean the “We walk the dogs, groom them, and take animals and their cages twice a week,” care of them just like a regular dog care said Ms. Campbell. Some of the daily service,” said Karla Servin (’19). True routines include cleaning out the ani- to its name, Doggie Day Care is just like mals’ cages and replacing their bedding a regular dog day care service, but what and food when necessary. When students does the behind the scenes work like? have a school break or go on summer va- Cleaning takes place on Tuesdays. The cation, some students from the program cages are wiped out, the water is refilled, volunteer to bring the animals to their laundry is done, the floors are swept, and home to be taken care of. In fact, the ani- the tubs get disinfected. mals have even been adopted by students All in all, the Agriscience program on a few occasions. has a loving passion for all of its ani- In the marine lab, there was a large mals, from fish, mice, dogs, and every- variety of fish in the tanks, such as the thing in between. Photos by Kiley Watson & Devon Ostheimer / Photographers. Front and back covers by Kate Hollenberg / Photographer. FEATURE 25 =Xi\n\cc=`^cl`qq` Lexi Bocuzzi ensure our expertise is recog- the school a more inclusive supplies are really expensive,” them feel appreciated here,” Reporter nized and respected,” said Eng- place through her support of said Nicole Somerstein (’17). said Somerstein. lish teacher Mrs. Guerrera. She the “All- Gender Restrooms” Her charity is one of the things Students and teachers alike Ms. Camille Figluizzi, be- is also very supportive of the and helping the school host the that staff and students will also have many fond memories loved principal of Westhill, will Westhill community, and works first Rainbow Ball in support of all miss most about her. “Her of Ms. Figluizzi’s time here be retiring at the end of this tirelessly to help everyone have the LGBTQ community. Some morning announcements, birth- at Westhill. These include the year. June will mark the end the best learning and working senior students who were on the day shout-outs and school spirit many events and school fund- of her 19 year term as head of environment possible. School Governance Council re- make the school and its envi- raisers she was a part of, and the Westhill community. As her Ms. Figluizzi has also had ally enjoyed the Freshmen Par- ronment special,” said Spanish least well known, but argu- long career comes to a close, a significant positive impact ent’s Night with her in August. teacher Mr. Diaz. ably most important, the small we take the time to reminisce on the school as a whole. She She is always willing to Ms. Figluizzi also has a thoughtful and fun moments about her time here. headed quite a few initiatives help make each student’s high very positive and personal re- that they shared with her. “I told Although each of the teach- and many technology related school experience the best pos- lationship with teachers and her I was pregnant with both of ers and students have a unique programs. The implementation sible, and allow them to reach students. “We relate well to my daughters. She was genu- relationship with Ms. Figluizzi, of student WiFi in particular their highest potential. “She each other.her. We are about the inely excited for me and always there seems to be one unani- has had an enormous effect on offeredered to let the school fund same age,age, our kikidsd are about checked in to make sure I was mous agreement; she is a great how students learn, as they canan Cooking for Charity Club, which the same age. WWe ‘get’ each doing well,” said Mrs. Guerrera person and principal. She has now use it to aid in researcharch was huge. Before that we had other as not only profession- about her favorite memory with not only impacted the school and online communicationnication to fund it from our own pockets als but as peoplepeople,” said math Ms. Figluizzi. in such a positive way, but she among themselves and with which waswas gettinggetting hard since teacher Ms. Manning.Mann Having a Ms. Figluizzi has set some has also created a very benefi- their teachers. Ms. Figluizzi ingredients principal and bossbos who you can very high expectations amongst cial environment conducive for also supported the implemen-implemen- and be friends with nnot only makes students and teachers for the new learning at the school. Accord- tation of manyy new clubs workingworking easier, bbut also makes incoming principal. They are ing to the teachers at Westhill, and teams during her it mmoreore fufun.n. looking for someone who will Ms. Figluizzi is a very good time here including Figluizzi makesm sure to in- be supportive and appreciative boss because of the respect that the Westhillill FemFemi-i- teractteract individindividually with each of the staff and students, while she has for her employees in nism Clubub and ofo her studestudents. “She really also being an excellent leader. every area of their work. “She Best Buddies. carescac res ababouto the students. The teacher’s are hoping that the is a great boss because she is an She has also WesthillWeW sthill is a huge envi- new principal can help continue advocate for her staff. Ms. Fi- playedd a ronmentror nmen but she really the environmental changes of in- gluizzi acknowledges her teach- hugege makesmake an effort to get creased discipline, more clean- ers as experts in their field, and role inn to know everybody liness, and better relationships works with us and for us to makingg by name and make between students and teachers. Photos by Emily Savitt / Photo Manager FEATUREEATURE 266 MARCHARCH 20172017 Westhill throughout Ms. Figluizzi has been the principal of Westhill High School since 1998. Since then there have been numerous additions to the school. All of these additions have been made under her authority, and brought new and positive things to the school. 2003 2006 2XU $JULVFLHQFH SURJUDP LV FRQWLQXRXVO\ JURZLQJ :HVWKLOOUHFHLYHGWKHEHQH¿FLDOJUDQWµ3URMHFW2SHQLQJ'RRU¶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¿HOG PDQ EXLOGLQJ DQG J\P KDYH IRU VRFFHU ODFURVVH DQG ¿HOG EHHQ JUHDW LPSURYHPHQWV ,Q KRFNH\WKHUHZDVDODUJHDUHD WKH QHZ EXLOGLQJV WKHUH LV RI JUDVV +DYLQJ D VWDGLXP ERWK DLU FRQGLWLRQLQJ DQG EXLOW WKHUH ZLWK EOHDFKHUV KHDWLQJ DV ZHOO DV XSGDWHG HQFRXUDJHG PRUH IDQV WR VFLHQFHODEVDQGPRUHORFN- FRPHVXSSRUWRXUWHDPV7KHJLUO¶V HUV ,W KDV EHFRPH D JUHDW VRIWEDOOWHDPDUHDEOHWRKDYHWKHLURZQ VSDFH IRU WKH IUHVKPHQ FODVV WR ¿HOGVSDFHIRUSUDFWLFH/DVW\HDUWKH\ZHUH DGDSWWRWKHQHZKLJKVFKRROH[SHULHQFH7KH)UHVK- DEOHWRSXUFKDVHDIHQFHIRUWKHLURXW¿HOG7KHWHDPKDV PDQJ\PKDVEHHQDJUHDWDGGLWLRQE\DGGLQJQHZ PDGHWKHLUZD\WRPXOWLSOHFKDPSLRQVKLSVDQGFXUUHQWO\ RI¿FHVIRUWKH$WKOHWLFDQG+HDOWK'HSDUWPHQWKHDG KROGWKHPRVWWLWOHVIRUWKHVFKRRO PRUHORFNHUURRPVDQGDJ\PIRUZUHVWOLQJJ\PQDV- WLFVYROOH\EDOOEDVNHWEDOODQGGDLO\J\PFODVVHV,W SURYLGHVPRUHURRPDQGLVHDVLHUIRUPXOWLSOHHYHQWV WRKDSSHQDWRQFH 2004 2007 Figluizzi Fun Facts: 1. Her alter ego would be JLo. 3. She is a runner. 2. She comes from a family 4. She has two kids who (Provided by Ms. Obas) of all girls. went to westhill. FEATUREEATURE MARCHARCH 20172017 27 Figluizzi years In addition to new buildings and renovations, Ms. Figluizzi has been the principal of Wes- VJKNN*KIJ5EJQQNHQTOCP[OGOQTCNJKIJNKIJVUCUYGNN(TQOCOQXKGDGKPIƇNOGFCV9GU- thill to new technology installed, she has been a strong, consistent leader for the school. 2009 2015 In 2009, Director Wes Craven and Rogue Media In February 2015, Westhill and Stamford High received Pictures filmed scenes for the movie My Soul a combined 34 carts of new Google Chromebooks for To Take at Westhill. Wes Craven is best known the schools. Westhill received 15 individually. The Dis- for his work on The Nightmare trict Technology Upgrade To Support on Elm Street franchise, the Transition To New Standard Grant, Scream franchise and on gave Westhill and Stamford The Hills Have Eyes. High $351,400 to invest in the My Soul To Take is a Chromebooks. The purpose supernatural horror of the grant was to provide film and was released financial support to districts on October 8, 2010. for changes and upgrades that allowed them to meet the new standard for education. In 2014, Westhill was recog- The Connecticut Dra- nized as the 1549th out of ma association has VFKRROV IURP DOO ¿IW\ been a big part of states by the U.S. News’ list of Westhill Theatre since Best High Schools. Westhill the school opened in was awarded a silver medal 1972. In 2016, Wes- which means Westhill has very thill’s production of The high test scores but low college Twilight Zone: The Shelter, readiness. Only 10.9 percent of schools was awarded as one of the two are rated as Silver. It was also ranked as 35th in the state most outstanding schools in the festival. As a result, of Connecticut out of 193. The AP® participation rate at the show proceeded to the New England Drama Fes- Westhill High School is 44 percent, which is higher than tival and presented their play for all of New England. most other schools within the state. 2014 2016 5. she loves the color pink. 7. She loves sensible shoes. 6. she is originally 8. as a boss, she knows how Photos courtesy of wikicommons. Photos by Ryan Murace / Media Manager. from the bronx. to take a joke. Briefs by Amalia Skoparantos & Paige Savitt / Staff Writer & Social Media Manager. FEATURE 28 MARCH 2017 Student and teacher memories of Ms. Figluizzi My favorite memory of Ms. Figluizzi was her presence If you ever need to talk at the soccer games. to Ms. Figluizzi, she al- Everytime she was there, ways welcomes you. She she had a smile on her face welcomes you with open and she applauded our arms and snacks! performance, even if we - Anneliese Ottinger (’19) lost. - Franke Dente (’17) My favorite memory is when My favorite memory of Ms. Ms. Figluizzi showed up to the Figluizzi is how open and happy parking lot as my friends and I she was to have conversations were decorating our cars and with me. It is comforting to QBSLJOHTQPUTGPSUIFmSTUEBZ know she is willing to get to of school. know all of her students. - Paige Sottosanti (’17) - Carissa Larruiz (’19) I do not have a memory per About eight years ago, Ms. Fi- My favorite memory of Ms. say but I can say this about her, gluizzi and I started the teacher Figluizzi is her school spir- whenever I needed something assistant program. At the time it. She goes to most of the or needed someone she was I only had one student, Margo sports games to cheer on always there for me. She has Teeters. Margo, Ms. Figluizzi, Westhill. It is reassuring been an extremely supportive and I tried to change the typical knowing she makes time to principal and I do not know what jobs of teaching assistant into support her school. I would have done without her! I being in class tutors. Ms. Figlu- - Blake Newcomer (’17) have learned a lot from her and izzi encouraged me to write a I am very proud to have taught grant and it went through. It is at Westhill under her leadership. nice to have a supportive boss. Briefs by Kelsey Kopec / Staff Writer. - Ms. Tintle - Mr. Weintraub Photos by Ryan Murace / Media Manager. 72 Hours: Without school Column by Courtney Xu For 72 hours this month, lessons. I thought that when I to take classes that, for the anticipated. In some of the wondered how detrimental I stepped away from the returned from the trip, I would most part genuinely interested classes where I was slightly missing school would be, and classroom. While it did not be spending the weekend and me. In other words, I do not ahead from doing classwork now my question has been happen on purpose, it was a the start of the following week dread school as much as the at home, I found myself answered. Of course, my memorable experience for me catching up on the work that stereotypical teenager does, so either on the same pace as my results would probably have because I have not been absent I had missed. After all, I had I was just a bit uncomfortable classmates, or fallen behind. I been different if, for example, this year. missed 14 hours of school. with missing more than 1 day did have to do extra work over I took classes that I was not On Tuesday, March 14, As a second semester of school. I felt as if I would be the weekend to make up for the most passionate about a snowstorm caused a school senior who has already at a disadvantage to my fellow some of the work I missed, but and therefore was more eager cancellation and on Wednesday committed to a college next peers who were able to gain the not as much as I was worried about missing. It may have and Thursday I was away on a year, my purpose for coming full benefits from every lesson. about. However, even though also been helpful that the snow field trip for The Westword, so to school is not to get good There was not a point I felt as though I did not miss day pushed many lesson plans I was not present in school for grades, but really to learn more where school completely left much, I will never be able to back; if I had missed school most of the week. about things that interest me, my mind on the trip, especially know how much information days where the plan for the On the snow day, I was able develop my inquisitiveness, because my Powerschool app I did not acquire as a result of week had been followed, I may to catch up on sleep, but I was and to inspire independent continuously notified me of missing school. have missed much more work. not as productive as I would thinking. I also completed most teachers marking me absent. At the end of my 72 hours, For anyone in my position, have been on a school day. of my graduation requirements On Friday, my first school I thought my experiment was I recommend only missing As a student who takes in my previous 3 years of day back after the trip, I was worth my time, because while school if you believe the field school seriously, I was nervous high school, so this year I surprised to find out that I I would not go out of my way trip or days off are really worth that I would miss important was lucky enough to be able did not miss as much as I had to miss school again, I always your time. LIMELIGHT 29 Rolling out the red carpet Two students review Academy award-winning movies of 2017 On February 26, 2017, the 89th Academy Awards aired. Some highlights include Damien Chazelle breaking the record for youngest per- son to win the Best Director award, Michael J. Fox appearing from the famed “DeLorean time machine” to present an award Best Adapted Screenplay:with SethMoonlight, Rogen, Sunny Barry Pawar, Jenkins the child actor from the movie Lion, and Jimmy Kimmel reenacting a scene from The Lion King, and, most notably, La La Land getting mistakenly called on stage for the Best Picture award. Overall, the Academy Awards were memorable to say the least, thanks to all of the DPD]LQJ¿OPVDQGWDOHQWHGSHRSOHZKRZHUHUHFRJQL]HG6LQFHWKHQRPLQDWLRQV were announced, it has been our mission to watch every movie in the best picture category and many of the performances Moonlight was in other categories. Below are reviews of the originally a play written winners in the categories we feel Manchester by the Sea by Tarell McCraney titled, In well-versed in. was written and directed by the Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue. Kenneth Lonergan. Much to my It was highly autobiographical, as Tarell surprise, the story is more expansive McCraney grew up in Liberty City, Miami, with than what the trailer lets on. The screenplay is a mother who was addicted to crack while dealing with profound and does not follow any cliches of mov- the fact that he was gay. In turn, parallels can be drawn be- Best Originalies whereScreenplay: a parent dies. Manchester The script is by heavily the Seadependent WZHHQ0F&UDQH\DQG&KLURQWKHPDLQFKDUDFWHULQWKH¿OP on character development rather than action and major plot The director, Barry Jenkins, adapted the play into a mov- points, which makes the movie a bit slow and probably ie. The play was also personal to Jenkins who was not for everyone. However, the screenplay is a also raised by a crack-addicted mother in Lib- good representation of what family means HUW\ &LW\7KLV ¿OP PDNHV -HQNLQV WKH and how ordinary people overcome third black person to win an Oscar extraordinary tragedy. for an adapted screenplay. Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis - Fences Viola Davis became a house- La La Land is hold name after her a musical which fol- role in The Help. Audiences lows a struggling jazz pia- will be captivated with her work in nist (Ryan Gosling) and an as- Fences, a project that was originally a play piring actress (Emma Stone) through written by August Wilson. The movie revolves Best Actress:WKHLUFDUHHUVLQ/RV$QJHOHV7KH¿OPFRP Emma Stone - La La Land - around a 1950s household in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania bines a musical with lively dance numbers and belonging to garbage man Troy Maxson (Denzel Washing-g songsg with a love story. Emma Stone gives a raw perfor- ton) and his wife, Rose Maxson (Viola Davis). Troyroy is a man who mance,mance, shoshowingw the vulnerability and insecurity that the en- feels he missed out on glory as a baseball player,er, as he was tertainmenttertainment busibusinessn instills in inexperienced actors. She also per- too old to play in the major leagues when they startedrted ad-ad- forms severalseve dance sequences and songs with a seemingly mitting black players. Throughout the movie, Roseose effortlesseffor quality. Ryan Gosling also gives an impres- maintains her role as a strong woman keeping sive performance as a very talented jazz musi- the family together, even through Troy’s BriefsBrie by cian, who holds his own as a dancer and struggles. Davis gives one of her fs VLQJHUQH[WWR6WRQH7KH¿OPLVYL- Melanie Gorski best performances, so convinc- sually stunning, from elabo- ing that one forgets ac- rate sets to the beauti- & tress and becomes Jenny Gorski ful Los Angeles truly immerged skyline. in the sto- / News & Supplement Editors. ry. To view these movie trailers, go to thewestwordonline.com. Photos courtesy of vox.com, KXIÀQJWRQSRVWFRP, avclub.com & la.curbed.com. LIMELIGHT 30 MARCH 2017 Lion reviews roar with approval Sakshi Patel later, after being adopted by an tel, who has been adopted by an Parwar, who played young Sa- UHDOSHRSOHIURPWKH¿OP$OOWKH Creative Director Australian family, Saroo set out Australian couple, John and Sue roo, is new to acting, and this commitment that the characters RQDMRXUQH\WR¿QGKLVUHDOELUWK Brierley, played by David Wen- LVKLV¿UVW¿OP+HZDVFDVWQRW SXWLQWRWKH¿OPZDVZRUWKLWDV Lion, directed by Garth Da- mother and family with the help ham and Nicole Kidman. The knowing any English whatsoev- it received an Academy Award YLV LV D ELRJUDSKLFDO ¿OP GH- of Google Earth. couple add to their family when er. However, through the help of nomination for Best Picture. picting the true story of a young Davis captures the true feelings they adopt another boy from In- a translator and time with the di- 7KH¿OPZLOOPDNH\RXODXJK boy named Saroo Brierley, who of distress and fear that the actual dia named Mantosh, who suffers rector, he was able to encapsulate at Saroo’s charm and cry at the is separated from his family in Saroo must have felt through his from mental health problems. the true emotions of a young boy fact that a mother-son bond was India during a time before so- PLQLPDOGLDORJXH ¿OPLQJ VW\OH Older Saroo decides to take a that was just separated from his broken. The entire movie was cial media or Google. Saroo The audience is able to under- class in Hotel Management in family. Parwar’s role as young built on the idea of whether Saroo (pronounced “Sheru” in Hindi, stand Saroo’s vulnerability as a Melbourne where he falls in love 6DURRGH¿QLWHO\PDNHVWKHDXGL- ZLOO HYHU ¿QG KLV IDPLO\ DJDLQ meaning “Lion”) and his older six-year-old that is lost in a coun- with a fellow classmate, Lucy. ence fall in love with him and his which is what kept the audience brother, Guddu, try to make ends try of nearly 1.5 billion people, However, Saroo’s thoughts character even more. on edge and kept them wanting meet by scavenging whatever unable to read or write because EHJLQ WR ÀRRG ZLWK PHPRULHV Dev Patel received an Acad- PRUH7KLVLVD¿OPWKDWWRXFKHG JRRGVWKH\FRXOG¿QGLQRUGHUWR of his impoverished roots. Young of his young life and he decides emy Award nomination for his on the importance of how thou- sustain their impoverished lives 6DURR IDFHG PDQ\ FRQÀLFWV DQG WR¿QGKLVUHDOIDPLO\XVLQJWKH SHUIRUPDQFHLQWKLV¿OP+HZDV sands of children go missing in in rural India. predators but appears to triumph newly developed technology, able to epitomize the situation India every year, and some of One thing led to another and and escape using his sense of Google Earth. Davis’s ability to that the real Saroo Brierley must them are not as lucky as Saroo Saroo accidentally ends up alone charisma and wit. cast individuals with a sense of have been in by spending eight Brierley. Ultimately, Garth Davis on a train to Calcutta, where he The movie progresses with professionalism and charisma is months preparing for the role. was able to raise awareness for was required to face many prob- time as young Saroo, now 26 DGGVWRWKH¿OPPDNLQJLWPRUH He did so by going all around In- this growing problem through his lems on his own. Twenty years years old, played by Dev Pa- realistic for the audience. Sunny dia, visiting orphanages and the SURGXFWLRQRIWKH¿OP Dev Patel Rooney MaraNicole Kidman David Wenham Priyanka Bose AS As As as as Saroo Brierley Lucy Sue Brierley John Brierley Kamla Photos courtesy of movies.ndtv.com, variety.com, zimbio.com & vervemagazine.in. Record review of the month Starboy by The Weeknd by Paige Savitt Canadian artist Abel Tesfaye, album in the United States. This Del Rey, Kendrick Lamar, and would hear on the radio, which Michael Jackson’s music, who otherwise known as The Weeknd, was The Weeknd’s perfect in- Future on songs throughout the is good because this way it will many people have compared released his third studio album, troduction to the world of pop, album. With the exception of stay unique and not overplayed. The Weeknd to before. Starboy, on November 25, 2016. embracing love, and a luxurious Kendrick Lamar, each featured “I Feel it Coming” is the last Starboy is The Weeknd’s lon- Starboy is similar to his last al- lifestyle, he has earned himself a artist appears in two songs. song on the album, which was gest project, and so far his best. bum, Beauty Behind the Madness. permanent spot on the charts. I Fourteen of the eighteen inspired by house and 80s pop. The Weeknd is unique because he The album has 18 songs each one ¿QGWKLVDOEXPWREHIDLUO\VLPL- tracks are about The Weeknd’s It is one of the best songs on does not necessarily write music different from the other. lar to Starboy, but that is not in devotion to a woman, while the album, also featuring Daft for those who are in love, rather The Weeknd started off on any way negative. Beauty Behind the remaining four (“Starboy,” Punk, and adding a very different for those who are too afraid to be YouTube in 2011, releasing a the Madness is a perfect album “Reminder,” “Sidewalks,” and sound to mainstream pop music. in love. “You’ve been scared of couple of singles. Tesfaye had a with some hit tracks, and Starboy “Ordinary Life”) are scattered I am extremely happy that he put love and what it did to you.” Due rough childhood, suffering from followed the same pattern. randomly throughout the album. this track at the end, because it to this new release, The Weeknd drug and alcohol addictions in Starboy however is unique “Sidewalks” is one of the better ends the album so perfectly. will be on tour, and headlining high school and through college. by the fact that he features Daft songs on the album, especially Another great track on the several music festivals this year. His stage name, The Weeknd, Punk, a French electronic-dance because of the message behind album is “A Lonely Night.” It +HZLOOEHDW)LUHÀ\LQ'HODZDUH stems from one weekend when group, on two of the hit tracks. it. “Sidewalks saved my life,” is has a cool electronic, soft, pop and Bonnaroo in Tennessee. I Tesfaye and his cousin left and ³6WDUER\´ZDVWKH¿UVWVRQJUH- part of the chorus, referencing sound. This song is The Weeknd would not consider myself a fan never came home. Eventually leased from the album, the title the fact that Abel and Kendrick apologizing to a girl about the of pop music, but The Weeknd he was signed to Republic Re- track, and it hit the charts imme- had tough childhoods, and had fact that she would believe they GH¿QLWHO\VHUYHVDVDQH[FHSWLRQ cords, and then his own record diately. It was something differ- to get themselves off the streets. are anything more than a one I would rate Starboy a 4 out of 5. company, XO. ent from The Weeknd. Because This track is about the journey night stand. “Baby girl I loved If you enjoyed any album by The Beauty Behind the Madness of the addition of Daft Punk, it from a less ideal lifestyle to you on a lonely night, oh / it Weeknd, I highly suggest seeing was The Weeknd’s second album created a new sound for his fans. fame and fortune. “Homeless to was the only time,” This song him live, and taking a listen to DQGEHFDPHKLV¿UVWQXPEHURQH The Weeknd also features Lana Forbes list,” is not one that you sounds extremely similar to the entirety of Starboy. SCATTERBRAIN 31 Spring into April break Feeling bored? Check out these fun ways to spend your spring break. Spring break is a well deserved break for both high See friends: What most people look forward to when school and college students. It is the last major break they think of spring break is hanging out with their before the stressful time of finals. This makes spring friends and going out at night. What is great about break a crucial part of the year where students can spring break is that everyday is a Saturday, the best unwind, so the stress of finals take over their life. day of the week. Some fun activities are going to the Take a look at these ideas for things to do while you movies, the mall, and sports games. take your time off. SSleepleep in: Everyone knowsknows schoolschool startsstarts tootoo Get a job: A week may not sound like a long time to have earlearlyy and most kids are uupp late finishinfinishingg work, a job, for but for high school students, it is great to have so it is safe to sasayy manmanyy students mamayy be sleesleepp a part time job. Many camps are open during the week deprived. Sleeping late is a great way to rre-e- for elementary school students, so there are many camp ffreshresh andand enjoy breakbreak andand allowsallows studentsstudents toto bebe counselor positions open at Chelsea Piers, the Italian Cen- readyready forfor whenwhen schoolschool comes back.back. ter, and the JCC. Sports: Most spring sports teams in high school do Vacation: Going on vacation can be a wonderful way to not get time off. Athletes will have practices most get away from everything. Many people enjoy going days, and possibly games. School sports do not get down south to sit on the beach and relax. Skiing up north breaks, it is a grind until the season is over. Practices is always a great and exciting option for people who are may even be longer than usual because there is looking for some thrills. If a major trip is not possible, try no school, so students are prepared to have longer to go on a day trip somewhere, such as Cove Beach, New workouts. York City, or Six Flags. Images courtesy of SL[DED\FRP. Briefs by0LFKDHO*UDIVWHLQ/ Staff Writer. 6KDNH6KDFN Price: The Hungry Vikings Service: Column by Jake Dardis, Naresh Kumanduri & Ryan Hart Food: The three Vikings arrived then took a seat with his fellow served promptly, and although He could not wait to order the meals, except of course, for in Darien after a long journey men. When his buzzer finally the server got his simple Nordic Shake Shack specialty, a Shack- the recently wounded soldier, from Stamford to try the newly went off, his kind friend went name wrong, he appreciated the burger with fries and a vanilla portraying a weakness frowned opened tavern, Shake Shack. to get his food, as he was re- fast service. The burger was top shake. While anticipating the upon in the Viking community. After a journey in the dead of cently wounded and could not class, and the fries were unique, meal, our Viking arrived with a The first bite into the burger winter, our Vikings were eager retrieve his own things. The cut with ripples like the waves fellow Norseman visiting from stunned the third Viking. This to try the burgers that many burger had a good amount of of the seas once conquered by the homeland. This was not the greasy delicacy’s tender patty, raved about. spice, as it had peppers to add our Vikings. To top it off, the only surprise visit, however. buttery bun, and heavenly sauce Our first Viking hobbled into to the flavor, but was also com- milkshake was thick and fill- This would be the Viking’s first melted in his mouth, leaving the restaurant with his stomach plimented by the bacon. The ing. The Viking left with a full meal after his long slumber due him dismayed when he realized roaring in excitement for the warm atmosphere of the place stomach and a desire to come to a tragic arrow to the knee he had finished it so quickly. burger. Despite the excitement, really made the whole meal en- back. during battle. As the Vikings To finish the meal, our Viking he had to wait in a lengthy line, joyable and our Viking would As the third Viking entered caught up with each other and downed the fries, dipping them as many other Norsemen had definitely return. the shack, he was reminded of their recent raids and plunders, in the milkshake, of course, and the same idea to get burgers The second Viking strolled an American past time. The they were alerted that their left the shack drowsy, prepared that day. Upon finally reaching into the restaurant with his only other occasion when he meals were ready via a buzz, to enter a food coma. the cashier, our Viking ordered heart set on meat, and the dou- had eaten this food was at Citi technology that dumbfound- After filling their bellies, the a Smokeshack Burger, a Dr. ble cheeseburger with shack- Field, the home of the soon-to- ed the simple Vikings. They three Vikings departed back to Pepper and cheese fries, and sauce delivered. The food was be World Series Champions. all rushed up to retrieve their their homes in Stamford, with 7KH6SDQLVKQDWLRQDODQWKHPKDVQRZRUGV,I\RXNHHSDJROGÀVKLQDGDUNURRPLWZLOOWXUQSDOH5XVVLDGLGQRWFRQVLGHUEHHUDQDOFRKROXQWLO SCATTERBRAIN 32 MARCH 2017 From Runway to Hallway: Sophii Walton My style inspiration definitely comes from just walking the streets of Manhattan and mixing that with “Cali swag,” If you have ever been to New York City, there are so many beautiful people with different styles, which inspires me to throw many things together. By “Cali swag,” I mean I follow many people from California and they have a unique, relaxed look to their style which I love. My favorite places to shop are definitely Brandy Melville, Urban Outfitters, Pacsun, or thrift shops. One of my favorite thrift shops would be Buffalo Exchange. You would be amazed to see how many interesting pieces people do not want that you can turn into yours. I normally rip up my own jeans and other pieces of clothing. I strongly feel that my style is like “chill” mixed with hippie vibes. My style is a good mix of masculinity and femininity. Overall it is comfortable and not too much. I admire celebrities that have unique style too. For example, I feel like I can relate to A$AP Rocky’s style in many ways because of where we come from and what we were brought up around. His style is the reason I go to the men’s section to shop. I also admire Rihanna. She pulls off absolutely any look with the right kind of tone and jewelry. That is what I normally do. It is very easy to fall into the trends of others. So I love high knee boots, off the shoulder shirts, and ripped jeans. I always say “ripped jeans are a girl’s best friend.” Another huge thing for me is oversized jackets. Usually when I am in school, I do not always “go all out.” I have my days of sweatpants and L.L. Bean slippers. Other days I definitely come to school with a simple look, I feel the “Cali” look is more for the spring and summer which is soon approaching. I look at fashion and see it as a form of art. Many people get judged for being different but it is really the best thing to be original. To be able to express yourself through clothing and know that it is what you like and not everyone else is really special. Photos contributed by Sophii Walton. To Do Next Month : April 10th National 1st Siblings 11th April Fool’s Day Day National Pet Day Pull a fast one on Even though you and Pets are special to your family members your siblings do not everyone who owns and friends today. Try always get along, one. They bring joy to a friendly, but not too there are so many so many families so give 22nd crazy, practical joke. reasons to love them. them an extra treat Earth Day 12th 17th today! Grilled Cheese Day Patriot’s Day Try to do something to Make a classic Spend this day preserve our planet, comfort food, grilled learning about the like making a cheese for lunch or brave men and recycled craft for dinner today. Try women who died to a friend or family and change it up keep us safe. member. too! There is an opera house on the U.S.–Canada border that is in both countries. The katzenklavier was a musical instrument made out of cats. 33 Be careful, you don’t want to say... “I’m in the Wrong Driving School” Don’t be fooled by the “Driving School Factory” or Part-Time operators, who have brought the fast-food mentality to driver education in Stamford. Since 2005, High Rdge Driving School has offered the Greater Stamford area Even though some companies do not agree, when it comes to driver educa- a locally owned and operated driving school that’s focused on the individual tion, just like shoes, SRIWM^IHSIWR´X½XIZIV]SRIWe believe every RIIHWSJ7XEQJSVHWXYHIRXWRSX½\EXIHSRQSRSTSPM^MRKXLIWXEXIAs a re- WXYHIRXHIWIVZIWXLIJSGYWGEVIERHGSRGIVRXLEXGSQIWJVSQERSVKERM^EXMSR sult, we’ve taught more Stamford teens to drive than all of run by local businesspeople who are actively engaged with their instructors, the other driving schools… combined! And even though they appear WXYHIRXWTEVIRXWERHGSQQYRMX]4PIEWIWIIXLIGLEVXFIPS[XSPIEVRQSVI to be determined to bring the driving school factory approach to Stamford, it about one of the most important decisions you will ever make… NYWXHSIWR´XWIIQXSFIETTIEPMRK (6-:)6)(9'%8-32 THE HIGH RIDGE DRIVING SCHOOL ADVANTAGE Keep this ad for your OTHER DRIVING SCHOOL OPTIONS HIGH RIDGE DRIVING SCHOOL FREE BOOK to help you pass the Flexible Schedule No, they schedule sessions that begin and end. So, Our classes NEVER end. We teach in the Permit if you miss a class, you might need to go to another classroom 52-weeks a year, 7-days a week in the test. XS[RSV[EMXUYMXIE[LMPIXS½RMWL]SYVXVEMRMRK WYQQIVHE]WE[IIOHYVMRKXLIWGLSSP]IEV A $10 Driving Hours We know of students from other driving schools We drive 7-days a week, all year long. =S Y ´V I Value XLEXLEZIRIIHIHXSKSXSSXLIVXS[RWXS½RMWL assigned an instructor who’s dedicated to provid- FREE, XLIMVHVMZMRKLSYVW7SQIWGLSSPWHSRSXIZIR MRK]SY[MXLXLIFIWXHVMZIVIHYGEXMSRI\TIVM No Expiration, SJJIVMRGEVWIWWMSRWSREVIKYPEVFEWMW IRGITSWWMFPIPlus, we pick-up and drop off when you enroll ANYWHERE locally. in High Ridge Driving School Off-site Testing at As of this mailing, NO OTHER driving school offers Available in Stamford multiple times a month since the School DMV License Testing in Stamford! 2005 - And always will be! Interested Customer Service 5YIWXMSRWTLSRIGEPPWERH(1:TETIV[SVO ;I´VIEPQSWX%0;%=7STIR¯MRTIVWSRSVF] YWYEPP]LERHPIHF]EGSVTSVEXISJ½GISVEFVERGL TLSRI%PPTLSRIGEPPWGIVXM½GEXIWERHTETIV MRSRP] SJ½GIMRERSXLIVXS[RKIRIVEPP]SRP]F]TLSRI [SVOLERHPIHMR7XEQJSVH2STLSRIUYIYIWSV the 8-Hour 7SQIWGLSSPWHSRSXKIRIVEXI(1:'71GIVXM½ GYWXSQIVWIVZMGIVITW[IHIPMZIV6)%0GYWXSQIV GEXIWMR7XEQJSVH GEVI[MXLSYVHIHMGEXIH7XEQJSVHWXEJJ;IMRZMXI Drug & :)6=PMQMXIHSJ½GILSYVWMR7XEQJSVHMJEXEPP parents into our facility, and offer training and sup- Alcohol port to ensure the time spent driving with your Class? XIIRMWTVSHYGXMZI We offer 16 & 17 Locally Owned No. Ye s , one owner lives in Stamford, the other lives year old students RIEVF]3[RIVWLMTSV+1SRWMXI LSYVW the chance to take E[IIO just this class every [IIOIRH )<')481%.36 We think you’ll agree that the advantage of ,30-(%=7 %*PI\MFPI'PEWWVSSQ7GLIHYPI%R)\TERHIHERH*PI\MFPI(VMZMRK7GLIHYPI Always separate 8EOMRKXLI(VMZMRK8IWX,IVIMR7XEQJSVH,EZMRK3[RIVWLMT0SGEPERH-RZSPZIH classes for teens 1EOIWHigh Ridge Driving School 8LI0SKMGEP &IWX:EPYI ERHEHYPXW Just south of the 992 High Ridge Road, Stamford Merritt Parkway, Exit 35 – (203) 329-3030 High Ridge Road, next to Driving School HighRidgeDrivingSchool.com Town Fair Tire. (;35(66 Alex Prial ’18 Yulia Lozynska ’19 Yulia Lozynska ’19 Phoebe Lukaswitz ’19 Amanda Friedman ’18 $UWLVWRIWKH0RQWK Senior Michael Clark sat down with The Westword to discuss his passion for photography. Drawing inspiration from the world around him, Clark emphasizes self-expression in not just photography, but also many other mediums of art. The Westword: How did you become interested in art? Michael Clark: One of the main reasons I became interested in art is from the fashion scene. I just loved it. From there, I began to love photography, music and other art forms. Other than fashion, I think just a love for an individual’s creativity and person’s voice really drew me toward it. TW: How would you describe your style? MC: I do not really have a speci¿c style, but I would say that my pictures are eerie, where it seems as if something is wrong with them. Think of it like this: not worldly, but de¿nitely not normal.” TW: :KDWKDVLQÀXHQFHG\RXUVW\OH" MC: De¿nitely skate and punk culture, but again, my style is always evolving based on my current mood or whatever I am enjoying looking or listening to at the time. Really, I do any- thing that I think looks good or that I enjoy doing or seeing. TW: What medium do you like to work in? MC: My medium of choice is photography. TW: Did you teach yourself art? MC: Yes, almost everything I do is self-taught. With the exception of some tips I have learned about the basics and technicalities of photography, everything is self-taught. Art is an expression of self, as well as aesthetics, so it can not necessarily be taught.” TW: Do you have any advice for students interested in art? MC: It sounds corny, but just be yourself. Other than having basic skills in order to get your ideas out there, art is an expres- sion of self, so just do you. TW: What are some goals you have for your art? MC: A goal for me is for people to get where I am coming from. I do not care if anyone likes my work, as long as they understand what I am doing, and that I am expressing my- self and doing things that I love. Everyone likes attention and recognition, so I would be lying if I said I did not want that. Aesthetics are also important, even if it is an expression of self. I like to look at something that is pleasing. TW: If you could be featured in any museum in the world, what museum would it be? MC: I do not think I would love to be in a museum. I like the idea of my work being framed or hung up in someone’s house. I also like the idea of having a collection of my work in a book owned by someone. I am very interested in things like that, books and being in someone’s house. I like when pieces work with each other, whether it be furniture, colors, and pure aesthetics. I do not know, I just love things that are pleasing to my eye and ears, whatever that may be, and I do not think I would get the same feeling if my work was in a museum. 0LFKDHO&ODUN Graphic designed by Sakshi Patel / Creative Director 36 SPORTS Where the puck does that come from? JOHN NILSEN NICK RICH Bear Killer The Nick JoNils Rich Show Origin?,NLQGRIEURXJKW>-R1LOV@XSRQP\VHOI7KDWLVMXVWEH- FDXVHP\ÀUVWQDPHLV-RKQDQGP\ODVWQDPHLV1LOVHQVR-R- Origin? It came about last year halfway through the season. My 1LOV,WLVHDV\WRVD\DQGLWLVP\,QVWDJUDPQDPH7KHVHFRQG coach came into the locker room after a period and decided to start RQHFDPHIURP1LFN6PLJVEHIRUHWKH-DPER+HMXVWSXWLQ yelling at us about how we were not playing well, and we were play- WKH3XUSOH3DFNSRVWDQGVDLG¶%HDU.LOOHU·ZDVP\QDPHDQG LQJVHOÀVKVRKHWROGPHWKDWLWZDVQRWWKH¶1LFN5LFK6KRZ·6R that has not stuck as much but people still use it. that was where it caught on and the teams been calling me that ever Meaning? Bear Killer means I am kind of aggressive. I am one since. RIWKHRQO\NLGVRQP\WHDPWKDWUHDOO\KLWVSHRSOH$QG-R1LOV Meaning? To me it does not really mean much. The team likes it. To RQO\SHRSOHWKDWUHDOO\NQRZPHFDOOPHLW>%HDU.LOOHU@LVFRRO PDNHIXQRILWWKH\FDOOPH¶7KH6KRZ·VRPHWLPHV%XWLWGRHVQRW in a way, because it is original. mean much, we all have our own little nicknames.” Any funny stories?1RQRWUHDOO\MXVWWKH-DPERRQH,WZDV Any funny stories? After we won the state championship, we all got NLQGRIDVXUSULVHWKDW>1LFN@XVHGLWEHFDXVH,KDGQHYHUKHDUG team jackets and we all put our nicknames on it and when coach saw it before and he just likes to call me Bear Killer. It is kind of 7KH1LFN5LFK6KRZ·RQP\MDFNHWKHIRXQGLWSUHWW\IXQQ\ weird. It is kind of sticking on, but people do not really call me that to my face. CHRIS Origin? I made it up myself when I was about 9 \HDUVROG,WKLQN,PDGHD;ER[SURÀOHDWP\IULHQG COMPOLATTARO *DUUHWW:DOGQHU·VKRXVH,WPDGHLWVUHYLYDOLWVELJ comeback, junior year on the hockey team. I started calling myself that again and it caught on somehow. NICK Meaning? There are a lot of meanings behind it. I used to bring chocolate milk to school every morn- SMERIGLIO ing. Another thing is that the milkman always deliv- ers; you know he can not let you down. Milkmen have also been known to be lady-killers, as well. I think it is cool. I am surprised it caught on mostly. I made it up myself. I did not think people would actually start using it. Brick wall Any funny stories? One time I poured milk on my head because, what was the deal? Everett posted on Origin? I am the goalie and nothing gets by RXU,QVWDJUDPDFFRXQWLIZHZLQ5XGHQ5HSRUWWHDP me. It started last year during Jambo. I think of the week by more than 30 votes, I will pour milk Jacob Karell started it. on my head. We did not win by 30 votes. We won Meaning? It is just kind of cool. We all have The Milkman though, so I poured milk on my head. Like a gallon. a nickname and I am happy people think I drank a lot of it. It felt super awkward. It was in the that I am that good, I guess. shower… We left it on the bench to keep it cold in the Any funny stories? The only thing I can LFHULQNDQGWKHFRDFKHVZHUHOLNH¶:KDWWKH LV think of is that we all got our state champi- WKLVPLONIRU"· onship jackets and we all got our nicknames RQWKHP6RWKDWZDVNLQGRIIXQQ\ Briefs by Amelia Daube / Feature Editor. Photos by Ryan Murace & Emily Savitt / Media Manager & Photo Manager. 37 SPORTS 38 MARCH 2017 Emma Jelliffe plays lax to the max Marley Sklover do various lacrosse clinics with fered, depending on what school Reporter teammates as well as our lacrosse I go to and how good their pro- conditioning. I try to run with my gram is I might even try to walk Emma Jelliffe has been play- teammates as well, since we do a on to show my talent. ing lacrosse ever since 7th grade lot of that during the season. TW: What are your goals as and since then she has been TW: What is a huge underlying captain this season? working on her game to get bet- factor of the season? EJ: As a captain I hope to see ter each and every day. Jelliffe’s EJ: I would say that nutrition is our team be the ¿rst Westhill season has very strong hopes on a huge factor in athletic perfor- Girls Lacrosse team to make it to making it to states. mance. You need good nutrition to states. We only need to win in order to have energy and per- six games to qualify for states, The Westword: When did you form well. I have a good break- and we have at least six winnable start playing lacrosse? fast every morning, and try to games on our schedule this year. Emma Jelliffe: I started play- make sure all of my meals have I also hope to see the girls have ing lacrosse in the seventh good protein. Of course, our fun with it. We have an amazing grade for the Stamford Youth team pasta parties also help keep team this year. Lacrosse Association. the team eating well. TW: Do you idolize any ath- TW: What is one of your proudest TW: How do you feel now that letes that are viewed at as role moments while playing lacrosse? your experience in high school models for your success? EJ: One of my proudest mo- lacrosse is coming to an end? EJ: My older brothers are all ments was at the end of sea- EJ: After four years of play- athletes and they have been role son banquet last spring when I ing lacrosse at Westhill it is sad models that have shaped me into was awarded the Most Valuable that it has to come to an end, the athlete I am today. Compet- Player award. I had no idea that but I am excited for this sea- ing with them to try to match I was going to be named MVP, son, especially being able to their level when I was little defi- so I was shocked and extremely play alongside some of my best nitely had an impact on who I / Emma Jelliffe happy. I also take a lot of pride friends. I am lucky to have been am as an athlete. in being a captain for this sea- a part of this team. TW: Who is your biggest rivalry son, I am excited to be able to TW: Do you plan to continue that you hope to defeat this season? lead our team. playing lacrosse in college? EJ: Stamford High is de¿nitely TW: What other sports do you EJ: I hope to continue to play la- our biggest rivalry, as with most play besides lacrosse? crosse in college in some form. Westhill sports. They have beaten STICK WITH IT Jelliffe is always further improving herself when LWFRPHVWRSOD\LQJODFURVVH6KHZRUNVKDUGRQDQGRIIWKHÀHOG EJ: I play ¿eld hockey in the Most likely I will try to play club us the past couple of years so this and hopes to keep playing lacrosse after graduation. fall, and then during the winter I lacrosse or intramural if it is of- year we are out for revenge! Appel vaults to victory Max Zussman can make it all the way to nation- TW: When did you first start Reporter als in the future. pole vaulting? TW: How how you been work- JA: Freshman year in the spring. Josh Appel is a dedicated pole ing and training to achieve your TW::DVLWGLI¿FXOWVWDUWLQJRII vaulter, looking to improve upon outdoor goal? this season? himself and help lead Westhill’s JA: For the whole entire winter JA: It is not that it is dif¿cult. You indoor and outdoor track teams. I have been going to the Dan- start out and do your best and you Josh is hoping to make nationals bury Sports Dome twice a week do not go that high but the more / Athletes of the Month / Athletes of the Month this year with a strong showing for practice. you practice, the better you get in his event for spring track. The TW: What do you do to main- and the higher you go. Westword sat down with him to tain your endurance after the TW: Do you plan on continuing discuss his experience throughout season is over? pole vaulting and/or tricking his track career. JA: Year round I do tricking, post-high school? similar to parkour, and I am in JA: It depends on how high I get The Westword: So what events the gym at least 3 times a week at the end of senior year. do you compete in? to train for pole vaulting and for TW: What is your current Josh Appel: My main event is Spartan races. personal record that you are pole vault but I also competed in TW: What exactly are the hoping to break in the spring? Josh Appel Josh long jump freshman year Spartan races? What was it like when you sur- TW: So what were some of your JA: They are obstacle course passed your old record in the goals this year, on a personal lev- races. The ones that I do are usu- indoor season? el, as well as a high competitor? ally 13 to 15 miles long with JA: My current best is 13 feet and JA: My goal for indoor was to [around] 60 long obstacles, such I hope to get somewhere around get back to the same height as as a spear throw, barbed wire 15 feet by the end of the season. last year which I surpassed to get crawl, carrying heavy objects When I got my new personal re- a new personal record. I have al- for long distances, balance ob- cord it was really relieving be- ways looked up to vaulters who stacles, etc. They are designed cause I had been doing it in prac- JUMPING TOWARDS BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS Josh Appel had a Nationals bag, so for out- to test your teamwork skills and tice for weeks but for a while, I is looking to improve upon himself and has many goals for the future. Josh hopes to lead Westhill to the nationals showing off his skill. door track, I would like to see if I mental durability. could not get it in a meet. Photos contributed by Emma Jelliffe & Josh Appel. SPORTS MARCH 2017 39 Girls basketball dribble their way to states got as friends, the better our skills Nabilla Harahap started to come together. Our skills Reporter never improved much throughout the season, it was mostly our mentality The Girls Varsity basketball and focus that improved, which was team has seen a huge improvement the key factor in winning games. We recently. This year was a great year made sure we were physically and as they where able to advance to mentally prepared for states by work- the state tournament. As they were ing hard in each practice and viewing not able to make it to states the our roles as individuals. We set small last two years, but they were able goals every day which helped us get to this year. The season was very to the bigger goal - making states. challenging, but the girls remained Making states this year was huge be- optimistic throughout. cause it was something we were un- The girls worked really hard to able to accomplish the last two years. get to where they are despite all of It showed us that we can achieve the pressure. They prepared for each anything if we all work together game by learning about the playing as a unit, even after losing two key style of the opposing team and made players from last year,” said Gabby sure they were always ready give it Laccona (’17). Their hard work has their best. paid off because they have already The team has made major seen much success. Although the strides in not only skill, but also by WHDPKDGORVWWKHLU¿UVWRI¿FLDOVWDWHV preparing mentally. A lot of the succ- game, they remain positive. sues is due to being able to build up “It was really rewarding and WKHFRQ¿GHQFHDVLQGLYLGXDOVDVZHOO exciting that we made it to states and as being able to work collectively as we went into thinking we would play a team. each game like we had nothing to “There was a huge improvement lose,” said Jessica Rubin (’17). in the team’s mindset from the begin- It has been quite the journey for ning of the season due to how we all the girls basketball team, and all of started to mesh better with each other their hard work has truly paid off DRAINING BUCKETS In the 2016/2017 season, the Girls Varsity Basketball team has seen major improvements in all of the and got along more. The closer we this entire season. players work ethic which helped this team be very successful into making it into states this year. Photo by Emily Savitt / Photo Manager.. APRIL SPORTS CALENDAR Week 1 (5-11) Week 2 (12-18) Week 3 (19-25) Week 4 (26-30) DATE: 7 DATE: 12 DATE: 19 DATE: 26 EVENT: Varsity Boys Lacrosse EVENT: Varsity Softball EVENT: JV Softball EVENT: Varsity Baseball OPPONENT: Trinity Cathloic OPPONENT: Bridgeport Central OPPONENT: Danbury OPPONENT: St. Joseph LOCATION: Away LOCATION: Away LOCATION: Away LOCATION: Home TIME: 7:30 P.M. TIME: 4:00 P.M. TIME: 3:45 P.M. TIME: 4:00 P.M DATE: 8 DATE: 13 DATE: 20 DATE: 27 EVENT: Varsity Baseball EVENT: Girls Varsity Lacrosse EVENT:Varsity Girls Tennis EVENT: Varsity Boys lacrosse OPPONENT: Norwalk OPPONENT: Newington OPPONENT: Trinity Catholic OPPONENT: Stmaford High LOCATION: Home LOCATION: Home LOCATION: Home LOCATION: Home TIME: 10:30 A.M. TIME: 12:30 P.M. TIME: 4:00 P.M. TIME: 5:30 P.M. DATE: 10 DATE: 17 DATE: 24 DATE: 29 EVENT: Varsity Boys Tennis EVENT: Varsity Girls Outdoor Track EVENT: Varsity Boys Golf EVENT: JV Girls Lacrosse OPPONENT: Norwalk OPPONENT: Trumbull / Ridgefiield OPPONENT: Staples OPPONENT: Norwalk LOCATION: Away LOCATION: Home LOCATION: Away LOCATION: Home TIME: 4:00 P.M. TIME: 4:00 P.M. TIME: 3:00 P.M. TIME: 4: 00 P.M. 1RQ3URÀW2UJDQL]DWLRQ 863267$*(3$,' Permit Number 57 6WDPIRUG&RQQHFWLFXW Athletes of the Month p.38 / 7KHKRFNH\WHDP·VQLFNQDPHV p.36