Volume 3, Issue 4 December 2008 The BACC Rag staff would like to wish you a happy holiday season and a 2009 filled with peace, love, and happiness. Caught Smok- ing Weed by Thomas Kozlowski Three girls were outside of the building. A caught smoking marijuana fourth student involved, in the girl’s locker room, bet a tenth grade boy, is also ween second and third peri- suspended for possession od onWednesday, December on school grounds. He at- 10th. The smell of smoke tend school during regular was obvious when three hours for two days but must girls came running from the come in from 2-4pm. Their girl’s locker room on the poor judgement has not only second floor. They came negatively affected them but out laughing when they were the whole BSGE commu- stopped by Mr. Macdonald. nity. This incident sets a The incident put a damper poor example for all grades, on BSGE’s excitement over especially the younger ones. our placement on US News’ It’s a disgrace and tarnishes top high schools list. It left our record. Our Principal, teachers shaking their heads Ms. Johnson declined to and three tenth grade girls comment on the situation. on superintendent’s suspen- We will publish more ar- sion, which will take place ticles when we have more infor- mation.

BSGE The BSGE Beasts and their trophies. As a team, the BSGE Beasts won 15 trophies at one tournament. Shorts - photo by Noreen Calin Spirit Squad BSGE One of America’s Top HS Chest: $400 by Jolijt Tamanaha and Vidya Deonarian “Beasts” Win It All Congratula- already been placed higher colleges would know what At the first stage BSGE will soon need a tions are in order for all of than schools like Townsend type of school they were of elimination US News new trophy case, mostly thanks to BSGE’s staff, alumni, and Harris, established in 1904 looking at. “Who has heard checked whether the school’s our debate team: “BSGE Beasts.” students. US News recently and currently ranked 70th. of little BSGE,” asked an- students were preforming at Nathan Nikolic & Jackie Chen came in 1st ranked BSGE as 38th on Every year BSGE improves other sophmore. These a level higher than the state the nation’s top 100 pub- exponentially indicating a rankings, however, should place Novice division at Brooklyn Tech Nov. average. Schools that did lic high schools. come as a huge comfort. moved onto the next round 1. Marcelo Jimenez & Gino Solano came in Stuyvesant High “BSGE is current- This means colleges will not where it was determined 2nd place JV division. Erika Tannor & Shira School is ranked, only see a applicant with 6 whether the school’s disad- Almeleh came in 1st place at Rutgers Nov. 8. 23rd; High School ly the best pub- years in an IB program, who vantaged students were also Daranee Nasongkhla & Rudy Fuzaylov came of American Stud- perhaps has an IB diploma preforming at a level higher ies is ranked 29th lic high school in but also a student that went than expected. Schools in 4th place. Marcelo Jimenez & Gino Solano and Bronx Science to the 38th best high school were then ranked by how came in 5th place. They continued to win anoth- is 33rd, only 5 slots Queens and the 6th in the country. They will see many of their students took er 15 trophies at their last tournament. higher than BSGE. best in NYC.” an applicant and understand AP tests or, in our case, the BSGE Gets “Paper cuts” Other than those 3, that he/she got an excellent IB tests, and how well they BSGE is placed higher than education at the tiny, young Either the paper-burning gremlins are at it again future expectaions of higher did. This number is the all of New York’s special- scores, more diploma grad- and still growing, some- school’s “college readiness or BSGE has cut back on paper to “be more ized high schools. uates, and higher US News times disorganized, crowd- index.” To make the list consciencious about usage and waste.” Ms. Brooklyn Tech- rankings. Ms. Johnson says ed, Baccalaureate School schools needed to have an Johnson added that the school needs to scale nical School for example, the faculty and staff are for Global Education. index over 20 because 20 back on costs. The school will also be “mail- placed 67th. “excited and eager to out do With data from the means the “critical mass” BSGE is currently it.” previous school year US of the students take college- ing out a BSGE Wish List to parents asking for the best public high school 10th grader News studied 21,069 public level coursework. BSGE’s paper and other things,” because we need to in Queens and the 6th best Solemia Gainza says her high schools in the United college readiness index is “counter the cuts to the budget.” Paper costs ap- in NYC. main concern when it came States. Their awarding st- 79.8. proximently $5,000 a year. This is only the to choosing her high school ystem had three stages that We are also listed Sentenced to 15 Minutes in Prison 6th year since BSGE’s was BSGE’s lack of recog- the high schools needed to on their top IB schools in founding and our school has nition and whether or not survive to be ranked. America. In effect on December 10th for grades 8-12 and December 15th for new students, BSGE of- ficials are implementing our late policy. Stu- Cheap, ... in this month’s issueLap- dents who arrive 10 minutes late or more (after Thought- ful Gifts Say ‘Hello’ tops 8:00am) will need to swipe their ID card, go and More to BSGE’s Instead to first period class, attend detenion, and their Holiday Founder of parents will be called. Detention will start at Ideas and Former Note- 3:15pm and students must sit in the detention pages 8 Principal, books Bill Stroud Super ‘Shallow’ page 3 room and stare at the wall. and 9 on page 5 16 Sixteen page 6 December 2008 Editorial page 2 The BACC Rag

I’mEDITORIALS Just Sayin’ Kendra Jackson’s Table of by Takesha Graham The election has been over for a while now and most people are looking for- Advisory On the Contents ward to January 20th when president elect Barack Obama is sworn into office as the 44th Page 1 president of the United States. Obama was making history even before winning the elec- BSGE Top HS tion. Mr. Obama has participated in one of the longest campaign runs ever to take place Respect Ripple BSGE Shorts in this country and some might even say he ran one of the smartest campaigns ever seen in American history. As the first black democratic Caught Smoking nominee for president he has definitely made a lot“People are still high Effect Weed of people in this country proud. On Tuesday Janu- from this Obama- by Mariam Bhatti by Lenny Herrera ary 20, 2009 he will be inaugurated as the first Af- This letter is to en- The “Ripple Af- Student Life- pg 3 rican American president ever in history. Reading mania.” courage the student body at fect” in our school would The Buzz about all his accomplishments can easily impress BSGE to be more respectful affect us in a great way. Be- people and give them a good outlook for our future in the next four years and maybe Melissa Hinson Re- towards others, themselves ing respectful is key, and if turns to Work even beyond. This type of trust can cause a lot of pressure. But if this man can campaign and their surroundings. One you are respectful to some- nonstop for nearly two years, avoid assignation attempts and attract more attention than individual can bring upon a one they will treat you with Word From the Real Bradgelina, Britney spears and the Olympics, you might say that he can handle it. change, although many be- respect. I have had my days World Or is that so? With our country in an economic slump and involved in a war lieve that it is false. Howev- when someone in school Wired to Cheat in Iraq can this 47 year old former junior senator of Illinois really help us turn it all er, with determination one is not respectful and that around? To me it seems a little bit too much. People are still high from this Obama-mania. Students Should Carry can. You need to learn how caused my emotions to go Laptops Americans are amazed that this relatively young man (compared to people like Bush and to respect others in order down and I found my day McCain) could be educated, speak so well and be black. This country is used not used to gain respect from them. being bad. If people in our to seeing smart black men. In other countries predominantly black countries people are No one likes to be treated school, and in other schools, Student Life- pg 4 used to seeing black presidents and prime ministers. People are accustomed to seeing unequally. Everyone likes would be more respectful it My Father’s Battle certain rappers and other public figures that embarrass the black race. So when Obama to be treated with trust, re- would make more people came around he refreshed the American public with his wit and charisma. It’s not entirely With Colon Cancer spect and dignity. This let- want to come to school. Help Rebuild New our fault. It’s just that we are not used to seeing people like him. It is also relief to many ter is a request to the BSGE Many students in people to see a young vibrant politician when all they mostly see are older Caucasian men family. Please increase the New York do not treat their Orleans and women all over MSNBC and C-span. amount of respect you have teachers with respect. A Though positive, all of these are components to the disease sweeping the nation for yourselves and others. teacher works had and he/ Bill Stroud- pg 5 Obama-blindness. People act as though as soon as Obama’s is inaugurated, world hunger One person can she wants you to get some will end, AIDS will be cured, we will win the war and our economy will miraculously 30 Minutes With change the ideas of another thing out of the class. So BSGE’s Founder be restored. Obama’s nomination has shown its ugly side a little bit in the past few days. peer and one by one it is if you disrespect them that Some people were not comfortable with minorities to begin with and now that we’re possible to create a better would obviously get them about to have a black president it just makes them more uneasy. Minorities have been classroom. A better class- mad and then we ask why Student Life- pg 6 targeted negatively in the name of Obama in many incidents these past weeks. Some have room in which students ig- teachers are so mean. Super ‘Sweet’ 16 had crosses burned in their yards and some people have actually been physically attacked. nore imperfections and look Students should Racial tensions have increased and some have paid fatally for it like an Ecuadorian man The Life and Times of at the positive. An environ- also be respectful to other Fred who was killed by seven teenagers when they decided to go out to “kill some Mexicans.” ment in which students for- students. I have seen shows I’m not Miss Cleo and I can’t tell you whether or not Obama will be a good president. All give and forget and treat where kids are afraid to go Life Lessons on the 1 I want people to do is reflect on their expectations and maybe reconsider a little bit. Who others the way you want to to school because class- Train knows maybe while he is our president some of the self proclaimed Bush haters might be treated. mates are disrespecting wish that he was given a third term. Yes the community is proud that this country finally I hope this letter them. Our school, from decided to elect a black president and a lot are ecstatic that it is Obama, but the question Entertainment- pg 7 has an influence on those experience, is good at this Kanye and the Killers remains; what will he do once he takes office? I guess we will all have to wait and see. reading and that they will be whole “respectful” idea. He certainly has his work cut out for him. aware that respect will cre- However, we can all admit Embarrasing Moments ate a calmer, more peaceful it can be better! We should Chihuahua Review and friendlier environment. all try to be a little nicer to Winona Ryder Steals If You Tinkle and Sprinkle Students are able to come each other. We are a fam- by Jolijt Tamanaha to school every morning ily. Holidays- pages 8, 9 This issue has been the hallway? To then turn ent has fully disapeared (I’d knowing that they will not each other because as we addressed many times. Yet around and refuse to flush is like to believe only half of be discriminated against Gifts By Personality get older we are going to when I visit the bathroom, the ultimate treachery. BSGE is evil, the other half and leave the building with How to Wrap a Pres- have to. desperate to empty my blad- I tried. I really did. just doesn’t understand that good feelings of mutual re- ent der and get to the next class, it hasn’t flushed fully). - I like “Word From the Figuring I could get back at spect. Thoughtful Yet Cheap I still find myself dodging in you, I went and didn’t flush. See any sprinkles Real World.” This news and out of the various stalls. I was washing my hands and of your tinkle? Wipe please! was absolutely shocking Gifts I’ll look into the toilet bowl, looked at my reflection. The If it’s your time of Letters to and I think it makes people Monkey Bread Recipe glancing quickly, careful not person I saw, staring back, the month, please throw your aware of what’s to come in Gingerbread Cookies to see too much. I’ve got to was not the girl that had en- pad into the grabage, instead the Editor the future. The embarassing look because going while tered the bathroom earlier. of on the floor (the adhesive -I like the ways to save the moments section was abso- the toilet bowl is filled with is not added so that you can Student Life- pg 10 No, this new girl was a “no Earth. They were really fun- lutely halarious. And I like a classmate’s pee (or more), stick it on the wall) and close flusher” and had sunk to your ny. The design of the news- the 7 Ways to Go Green, Old Holiday Flicks as much as I love all of you, the can lid so that our men- level. I couldn’t live with paper is overall appealing. especially since we’re in a Cheating is extremely unappealing. In that and quickly ran back to stral cycles wont be remind- paper shortage and Ameri- fact, a few days ago I walked ed of their presence. It makes me want to read flush. ca is basially running out of out of the first floor bathroom Washing your the paper and articles. I Student Life- pg 11 You sit there, read- money. in disgust at the treats I found ing The BACC Rag. Are hands is highly suggested, but think that the article about IB Say What? in all three stalls and had to you at peace with what you hey to each her on. As long the girl in college, “Word -I chose to write abou aricle Teacher of the Month: wait for 30 minutes until I did? You should be red with as you don’t use the sink as From the Real World,” is got to the nearest Barnes and shame, and your advisory your personal collect-hairs- good because it showshow 7 Ways to Go Gree. I think The Hof Noble. should be desperatly trying that-fell-out-when-I-brushed college life is. However, the article was a nice one You didn’t flush! to figure out whats wrong. bin. Or a let-me-spit-out-my- this issue was rather quite that opens up the minds Sports- pg 12 of students who read The Yes, all three of you bath- Don’t tell them, they’ll hate gum-because-the-three-feet- tragic (the drinking acci- Basketball Schedules room vandals should feel you too. to-the-garbage-is-to-far bin. dent). But good job. BACC Rag. I like that it horribly guilty. And not just Instead, ask to go Then look in the- talks about simple ways to Basketball Records about almost killing me to the ladies room. Practice. mirror, smooth your hair with -The “Word From the Real save the Earth. I think the Getting to Know Lady through overstressed blad- It’s quite easy to do, once a dab of water, think, “wow, World” article was inter- article was self-explani- Sting der. You should feel guilty I look good and I flushed!” you’ve got the hang of it. esting because Marisa said tory. It was all already there Getting to Know the about leaving the scene of Step One: do the deed. Step and be proud because you in the student’s minds but that IB was a lot harder. It BSGE Boys Team, the crime, sticking your Two: wipe. Step Three: reach no longer belong to the devil is also significant how she when it showed up in the peers with your mess. Do childeren that plague our around and push down the explains and tells us to be school newspaper, they de- Sting’s Season (so far) you not hug us every day in bathrooms. handle, hold until your pres- very carful and look out for cided to do it. December 2008 Student Life page 3 The BACC Rag The Buzz What is your new year’s resolution? Omar Noel- 12th Elizabeth Nicholson- Kevin Zaw- 8th “To graduate.” 9th “To be nicer to my “Hold on, I have to friends.” think, to become better at playing tennis.” Quotes Collected by Ana Maria Pa- mela Reyes Raymond Fu- 7th Kush Paul- 10th “To be the best magi- “To start a kingdom.” cian in the world.”

Melissa Hinson Returns to Word from the Work at BSGE by Kristen Spang Real World Melissa Hinson, kidneys are vital organs be- in the hospital for 6 weeks. can take her water gun with Marisa Reichel, a very valued member of cause they help clear out The 6 weeks were brutal, her and shoot the hospital University of Delaware our school community, toxins from one’s body in and she took every day as workers and others who are Hey everybody! Happy has come back to work at order for it to function bet- it came. When the doc- going through dialysis. end of the first semester. BSGE. She is not only a ter and be less susceptible tors finally released her and In the future, she I’m officially done with key player in the school’s to harm. told her she could go back hopes to one day get a kid- everything with the excep- technology, but Melissa With this in mind, to work, she knew she still ney transplant, which will tion of one final. It’s been is also close friends with she still tried to live just as didn’t have enough strength resolve many of her issues. a pretty stressful week many students and often she would without the prob- to put into the job. So, she At the state she is currently with papers and tests and spends lunch chatting with lems. However, when she decided that coming back in, even a simple cold could evaluations all due on the them. Working three days was so sick that she could part time would benefit her mean a trip to the hospital. same couple of days but leisurely pack for Winter a week, she is once again barely walk a block, she best. She has to have made a lot nothing I didn’t deal with in break. After my final on contributing to our school had to be put on dialysis. Throughout the of changes in her life, from BSGE. My final for English the 19th I come home back and putting smiles on our Dialysis is a way entire experience, Melissa her diet to her traveling, was a 7-page research paper to New York!! It’s a bit- faces. She has recently to help clear and filter your took everything as “some- which “sucks,” however; that was daunting to most tersweet time here because been through some hard- blood of toxins, something thing [she] just had to it is something she has no people in my class—but it everyone is excited to go ships health wise. her kidneys are unable to do.” In hopes of making choice but to adjust to. In has nothing on the Extended back home and eat home- A little over 3 years do. Every time she goes, the best out of things, she the meantime, she’s just Essay. It’s definitely been cooked meals, and sleep ago, Hinson became aware she has to sit for about 4 commented on how dur- taking things one step at a hectic week with a speech in their own beds but the that her kidneys weren’t hours while she is connect- ing dialysis, she and her a time. The one thing she to give and a paper due on University of Delaware functioning as they should ed to machines. The pro- group play pranks on one said she likes best about be- Monday, a Spanish essay has one of the longest be. And now has kidney cess is tiring and very long. another, play cards, and ing back at work is that it due Tuesday and two finals Winter breaks and we’ll all disease, which means that Through having joke around. She spoke of gives her something to do, on Wednesday! A good be home for just about two her body isn’t getting rid of dialysis, she developed a how she’s “looking forward which she really appreci- thing about living with months. It’s going to be wastes properly. A person’s blood infection, leaving her to the summertime,” so she ates. people in your classes is weird without seeing the it leaves a great opportu- people I’ve grown so close nity to study in groups. I to within the past semester. also utilized office hours But two months is enough Wired to Cheat? this week. That’s when a time to visit each other by Noreen Calin professor holds time for stu- as well as visiting other You’ve probably ies of allele 334, instead of of finding out if a guy is a es, now that you know dents to come to his or her BSGE friends with shorter heard the dark stories be- one, is the cause of four of cheater; wait till it happens, cheating is in the genes. office for any extra help or breaks at their schools. hind the steamy affairs of every ten men’s infidelity. if it happens. You will search for the if you have any questions. I’m also definitely going couples whether in shows This may be part of the an- In your life, if a clues, listen to the stories, Luckily all of that is done to come by BSGE and say like Gossip Girl where it swer to why statistics show guy cheats you may want to looking to solve the mys- by now and I have 9 days hi to everyone in person. has become part of the main that 50% of all American set your priorities straight. tery in the absence of a test. until my last final. I figured Good luck with college story line, from friends, or marriages end in divorce. If you believe in genetics, And one could always hope that gives me lots of time applications seniors and even from being involved Think of the situ- you will think twice about that genes will someday be to study, help other people all other work to everyone in a stormy relationship ation this way: the relation- handing out second chanc- changed. prepare for their finals and else!!! yourself. Well, it seems ship problems that men there is no light at the end have will, from now on, of the tunnel for those cou- be credited to their genetic Students Should Carry Laptops At BSGE ples. In early September, a make up, so it isn’t entirely group of Swedish scientists their fault. However, that by Megan Mehta discovered a gene variant doesn’t mean that whenev- Many schools in book bags and while they assignments in instead of ways, in class and at home, which could be the answer er a guy is caught cheating through out the US have are walking there is extra printing them out.” have their textbook without to why some people stay his new excuse should be been asking students from weight to their back, and One of the main needing to carry it. faithful while others cheat “But baby, my genes made grade 7th through col- also their papers sometimes reasons why laptops are Many seniors do in relationships. me do it!” lege to bring laptops to move from their place and better than heavy books use laptops in class but Is this just an- For those involved in a re- school instead of binders, rip. To keep your important in your bag is because it younger grades are not per- other excuse or is it a fact? lationship, you are prob- textbooks, and notebooks. documents safe you could weighs much less. Say mitted to. Many teachers It is true that there are ably thinking one of the Some reasons are: it’s more always use a laptop, and you’re on the subway with are against laptops. They many reasons for people two: where could I get my convenient, the documents store it in designated files. your book bag, and all the claim students would use to cheat while in a rela- partner tested for the vari- don’t get messed up, and That way I never rips, and if heavy books on your back, them to surf the internet tionship. However, studies ant of allele 334 or if you the main reason, it hurts you need to find something when you get up and turn or finish homework during have shown that men who are a male, where could your back way less, and it’s fast you could always go to, around, your bag turns and class hours. possess this gene variant I get tested? This answer easier to carry on subways, search for documents. hits people. If you had a We are the gen- are twice as likely to have might be rather disappoint- than carrying a book bag Laptops are bet- laptop in your bag, it would eration that grew up with lower levels of satisfaction ing. The researchers who and hurting everyone else ter for the environment too. be much more convenient, computers and we under- from their partner, higher identified the variants of around you. Student Ana Milijack says and easier for your back stand them. It would help risk of divorce, and more allele 334 do not suggest A laptop is better we should have laptops be- to handle. Plus you would the environment, save our marital or relationship cri- that it be used to predict an to carry around than books cause “all we would need have more arm space, for backs and prepare us for a ses in the past as opposed individual’s success or fail- in your bag because it’s for school would be on the your arms to move. Many work world in which, at the to those who lack the gene ure in a relationship. That more organized. Students laptop, and also we could textbooks are also available majority of jobs, computers variant. Having two cop- leaves us with the old way carry binders and textbooks save paper by sending our as PDFs so student could al- play a large role. December 2008 Student Life page 4 The BACC Rag My Father’s Battle With Community Ser- vice Spotlight: Colon Cancer by Amalia Carusone go home. At home, I saw all my uncles and Helping Rebuild aunts waiting in my kitchen. I still didn’t New Orleans know what by Taylor Martin was going on. I went into my In this project I who were still able to smile room, and I took a trip to New Orleans was followed even though they were liv- with a program called Na- ing in trailer parks because by my mom, tional Student Leadership older sister, they could not go home. Conference (NSLC). One Their smiles were what and 3 older of my counselors told us to made me want to help even brothers. It always smile and to ask the more. I wanted to go down was then when New Orleans citizens about and give families hope that my mom told their experience with Hur- things will get better and me that my dad ricane Katrina because they instead the family I helped died that day. I need to know that things gave me hope. They shared didn’t know will get better. their experience with us, how to react When we got to they cried with us, and they at first, -be the house everyone was sur- touched my heart. Just from cause I guess prised at how bad the whole being in New Orleans for a I was expect- neighborhood looked, week, I learned a lot about ing her to say there were houses knocked the people who lived there. it. Within an down, there was a small Amalia Carusone, her mother and late father. --photo courtesy of the Carusone family. To this day I find it amazing hour, my house jet in someone’s backyard, that they can still smile and As you may know, once my mom was States for flooded with there was mud and debris they can still go back to work you reach the 10th grade waiting for the right time more chemo. He told us family members crying everywhere. My group had and walk around their city in BSGE, you have to do to tell me. I knew that my that he would come back and coming up to me and about 17 people in it and we after the traumatic events a personal project. For my dad was sick and going into at the end of the month to hugging me. I still wasn’t worked on a house, owned they have gone through. I project, I chose the topic of surgery, but I wasn’t sure pick us up. He never ended emotional at this point be- by the Grimilliones. We have heard many stories of colon cancer. I chose this about what. up coming because by the cause I was in shock. There did demolition work on the what has happened to these topic because my dad died During the sur- end of August, the doctors were at least 50 people in house, tearing off the roof, citizens, all of them sad and from colon cancer 3 years gery, surgeons took out at found that his cancer got our house, and I didn’t feel tearing off the linoleum sid- unimaginable. ago. Also, colon cancer is least 20 inches of my dad’s more aggressive, and the like being with everyone so ing, taking out insulation, I can apply this to a serious issue that isn’t as colon, as well as lymph pains he had were unbear- I tried getting away by go- ripping nails out the wood- many life situations partly addressed as often the other nodes, which are little or- able. I was a little upset and ing to a bedroom and lay- work, chipping cement off because this just let me of bricks so they can be re- types of cancer. Part of my gans that contain a lot of scared, because my aunt ing down to watch T.V. I re- know not to take what I used. We moved wood and project is to have a series different cells. The most I didn’t speak English so it member walking into every have for granted because it shoveled out mud from their of articles in the BaccRag remember about the sur- was basically up to me to get room in my house and see- can all be gone tomorrow. house, and we took out win- talking about colon cancer gery was when he showed us on the right plane going ing it occupied with people For instance my education dows. At an- and my experiences with it, me where they cut him to the right country. When on their phones crying and should be valued because other house we took down so keep reading! open, which grossed me out we did get home around the telling others about their many kids did not have a the shed in the back yard, In December a bit because he still had the beginning of September, I bad news. I had no choice school to go back to, and and we took apart a large staples and stitches on the saw my dad completely dif- but to stay with everyone. when I went down there I 2004, right after I turned 11 work bench, we took down cut. The surgery was suc- ferent. He lost so much hair I missed the whole saw an enormous school but in October, my dad start- some more insulation and cessful, but afterwards the and weight, and his appetite week of school that week. it was closed down. I found ing feeling different than electrical wires. Then we doctors informed my mom completely changed. Doc- There was a wake on Tues- it amazing that a school that he usually did. He started had to shovel out more dirt that the cancer was at Stage tors put him on morphine, day and Wednesday, and big would be closed be- feeling nauseous, weak, and mud that was build up 4, its highest degree, and it which is the strongest pain the funeral was on Thurs- cause there must have been tired, and sometimes even around the house from the killer anyone can take. My day. The ceremony was so many kids and teenagers dizzy. When my parents already spread to the liver. Hurricane. There was also dad started spending a lot held in Astoria, where my who attended that school decided to go to the doc- About 6 weeks after the sur- an area where a fence had more time in the hospital, and now they have to go tor, the doctors ran many gery, the doctors scheduled dad grew up. There were so fallen down so my group different exams on my dad my dad for chemotherapy. which means I saw a lot many people at the funeral other places to get an educa- had to take the wooden tion. Also Mrs. Grimilliones because they couldn’t find He would have to go into less of him. My little sister that the police had to es- fence apart and shovel out told us that when she left what was wrong with him. the hospital for 4 days every (who at the time was 5) and cort at least 100 cars from the dirt that was under it. she did not expect the dam- After a few weeks, my other week. At this point, I I spent a lot of time at my the church to the cemetery. When I went to age to be that bad and she dad’s symptoms got worse knew what was going on uncle’s house because my I cried for the first time at New Orleans I had hoped only took blankets and a and he even started losing with my dad. I was a little mom wasn’t home to watch the funeral. It was also the to help a family that was few changes of clothes, but blood. He was hospitalized scared, but also a little con- us and we were too young to first time where my broth- affected by hurricane Ka- she did not take any pictures for a week in order for the fused. I didn’t know why it stay at the hospital with her. ers and sisters and mom all trina. I wanted to actually with her so all of her visual was happening to him, and We spent our last Christmas cried together. I remember doctors to run more tests. see what happened to the memories were gone. Even I wasn’t even sure how it with our dad at home, but on that day feeling really long, The doctors thought my area and how the hurricane to today I am still amazed at was happening. All I knew New Years Eve we stayed and all I wanted to do was dad had anemia, which is affected the people living in how the people of New Or- was that the chemotherapy at our uncle’s house and I go home and forget about it a disease where your blood New Orleans. When Hur- leans were able to smile and he was getting would help had to wish him a “Happy all. has a lower number of red ricane Katrina happened I continue to live their lives Birthday” and “Happy New Having my fam- blood cells than normal. In the cancer go away. I vis- saw on the news the water the way they use to. January of 2005, however, ited him in the hospital a Years” over the phone. ily and friends there with over people’s roofs, people On Sunday, Janu- the doctors performed one few times when he was me made the healing pro- swimming through dark If you are interested in find- ary 8th, 2006, I was play- more colonoscopy on my there, so I became used to cess a lot easier. After my water. I saw the families ing out more about this pro- ing with my cousins in their dad, and that’s when they seeing him pale, throwing dad died, my siblings and separated and people walk- gram, you can email Taylor: found the tumor in his colon. up, and losing weight. My basement when I heard my I have been a lot closer ing on the parkway to get [email protected] He was diagnosed with co- mom stayed at the hospital aunt tell my uncle that my than we ever were. Despite to the Superdome. There lon cancer, and it took them with him for however long older sister had just flew up work and school, we still were people who had noth- Also check out the programs almost over a month to find he had to be there. to New York from college. make time once a week ing more than the clothes on that helped set this program the tumor because it was While my dad was My sister went to college in to spend the day together. their back. When all of this up: hidden behind the colon. experiencing the side effects Georgia, so she never flew My friends have been sup- happened I told myself that The doctors scheduled my of chemotherapy, results up unless it was a holiday portive since the day I told I wanted to go down and National Relief Network dad for surgery in March of showed the doctors that it or an emergency. I imme- them about his death. My help New Orleans. http://www.nrn.org 2005. I found out about all was working. That summer, diately sensed something dad’s death really opened Through this ac- of this by overhearing my he came with me and my was wrong. My aunt came my eyes about cancer and tivity I learned that no mat- National Student Leader- mom on the phone telling a aunt to Italy. He stayed for downstairs and told my how we should take care of ter what happens, things ship Conference relative about what was go- a week or two, and then had little sister and me to get ourselves to help prevent will get better. When I went http://www.nslcleaders.org ing on. I was still young, so to come back to the United ready because we had to it. down there I saw people December 2008 Bill Stroud page 5 The BACC Rag

30 Minutes With BSGE’s Founder, Bill Stroud by Jolijt Tamanaha

Bill Stroud walks But Bill adds that motivated to create a school creased, mainly because he the halls of BSGE with the his real strength is his inter- because they play a role in doesn’t believe in the cur- swagger of a man come est in creating, researching how people use their minds rent driving force behind home. He’s stopped every and analyzing ideas to help and how communities cre- education. He says that the few feet by people excited “fulfill our mission as a ate democratic societies. “high stakes accountability to see him, much like Nick school.” He reveals that he believes, system” currently in place Jones walking through Bill explains that unlike adults, teenagers are does not result in progress. a horde of love struck “our responsibility in pub- curious, open and difficult He believes that tweens. After a quick con- lic schools is to think about rather than “jaded and cal- the system warps motives versation about his two what it means for the stu- lous” and that he therefore making education about sons, Bill moves on to the dents to grow up to be pow- felt a high school would be “attending to skill devel- next colleague desperate erful adult citizens and fos- the best medium for his in- opment narrowly defined for a “hello.” ter experiences to build that spiration. within some range of aca- “[I’m] undeserv- socially and intellectually,” When asked how demic competencies that ing of the attention I get,” and this concept inspired long it took to get an en- we’re measuring by each the founder and former BSGE’s mission. He con- tire school up and running student and highlighting principal of BSGE humbly cedes that public education he replies, “less than two and defining ways that you admits. BSGE however, fails to teach students to years.” No wink or smile score better as a classroom doesn’t agree. “If it wasn’t use their minds, adding that to recognize the absurdity teacher.” Soon classroom for Bill you and I wouldn’t if it did there would have of that last statement. Bill teachers will be evaluated be having this conversa- been a “mass resistance and Stroud seems to see no rar- on “how well their students tion,” college counselor and outcry” earlier on in Bush’s ity in his ability to turn an do on state tests, never once community organizer, Peter presidency. He says that “if idea into a school in the do we address issues of rac- Wilson rightfully notes. [the public school system] time it takes some to plan ism, sexism… and what we And not only for- did we would have a society a wedding. Super-school- are paying attention to as mer colleagues idolize Bill. where people were much founder Bill’s kryptonite? a larger district,” and then When asked what she thinks more thoughtful about their Bureaucratic details. He in- Bill added that “the degree of him, senior Monae Dud- own civic duties, their own sists that they’re only good to which any school is not ley, who still remembers actions in the community, for “help[ing] you fulfill paying attention to those the school’s early days at their expectations of what your mission as a school.” most fundamental issues Wagner High, says, “I love the government does, what Much of the is the degree to which they Bill, [he] was the greatest.” local government does, BSGE culture was estab- need to rethink to what Monae adds, “His dream what the state and national lished by Bill, consciously they’re doing and what was everyone’s dream.” governments do and would or subconsciously. Many their responsibility to the “Bill could sell have a sense of participa- teachers, for example, are world is.” sand to a man living in the tion in a much more demo- on a first name basis with Bill admits that desert,” says Peter Wilson cratic society.” their students. Our school his time “here was the most later adding that “he makes Though he isn’t is generally relaxed, calm gratifying work personally you believe because of his involved in the school and comforting and adults and professionally that I’ve passion.” Inspiring people enough to know the details, and students are friends, all ever been involved with.” is certainly not a struggle he gets the impression “that undoubtedly cultivated and Coming back reminds him for Bill. there’s lots and lots of good encouraged by Bill’s image of how much he misses Apparently nei- things happening here,” and mission. being here but “when you ther is basketball. from feedback and also be- Right now Bill is leave some place you love, At the student- cause a third of last year’s busy taking his culture and you have to let go,” Bill teacher game last year the class got the IB diploma; ideas and bringing them to says and then compares teachers “beat the students, a great feat for a relatively the rest of New York City. BSGE to letting his sons that was number one and new school. He happily ad- He is working as a Net- follow their own path. He two, Bill scored half the mits, “the school became a work Leader, in charge of says leaving was hard and points we made and I think much more powerful place a group of schools in one then breaks out into song. he just turned 50,” boasts than I had hoped to imag- of the boroughs. He admits “…don’t know what you humanities teacher Aly ine.” that his stress since leav- got till it’s gone, pave para- Lakhaney. He says he was ing has surprisingly in- dise put up a parking lot.” December 2008 Student Life page 6 The BACC Rag The Transformation of Life Lessons on the 1 Train “Sweet” 16 by Simran Vazirani by Meghan McCullough Expensive cars, parties have transformed candle, she usually gives flat shoes. But later, the Mentor: Heather Kristin Jake sat in a dingy over the top parties, par- from coming of age parties a short speech about the girl’s father changes her like “Jake”, but he realized ents who don’t know how person or people the candle shoes from flats to high 1 train contemplating how he that the girl hadn’t noticed with actual meaning to the had let two high school years to say no and let’s not for- represents. There is also heels, symbolic of her the tone in his voice. She sat superficial parties illustrat- wilt away, never once bother- get, spoiled brats who’ve the fairly common father- change into womanhood. down next to him and when ed in My Super Sweet 16. ing to be himself. The steady she looked at Jake again, he always gotten their way. daughter dance. This is called the shoe cer- Sweet sixteen parties actu- beat of the wheels rolling over smiled. Seeing his smile, her All these factors constitute In other cultures, emony. ally started out in England the tracks roared in his ears. face lit up, and she grinned the popular MTV show, around the 1700s as ‘Debu- however, there are different The age of sixteen As the car swayed back and back. My Super Sweet 16. In tante Balls.’ During ‘Debu- variations of the sweet six- holds importance in any forth, his thoughts drifted to “What’s you’re name?” she one episode, a Sweet 16- tante season,’ a young lady teen. In Hispanic culture, culture as it represents a girl the first day back from spring asked apprehensively. er travels to Paris, France would be presented to so- there is the quinceañera. becoming a woman. But in break, earlier that week. He “Jake, yours?” for one day to get a dress. ciety and there would be a This is a celebration of a popular culture today, the had entered the school and “Jake,” she murmured, lost in In another episode, a Sweet ball where multiple ladies girl’s fifteenth birthday. age of sixteen seems to be seen packs of girls moving thought. “My brother’s name 16-er is unhappy after her would be presented. One The quinceañera roots from another excuse to throw a through the halls, showing off was Jake. But he’s gone their new tans. Guys leaned mom gives her a 7-karat hoped that their daughter the Mayans and Aztecs. At lavish party and in refer- now.” on lockers, making jokes and diamond ring. She is only would have found a hus- the age of 15 in Mayan and ence to the My Super Sweet “Where did he go?” content when she gets the Aztec culture, a girl was 16-ers, show you are capa- spinning basketballs on their She looked up. “Heaven, I band by the end of this sea- fingers. Everyone’s heads newest Mercedes. This is old enough to get married, ble of something grand and think.” son. Being sixteen marked turned towards him, the girls exactly what Sweet sixteen take on responsibility, and lavish. The Sweet Sixteen Jake opened his the time a lady was ready abandoned their quest for at- mouth, searching for the right parties have come to rep- start a family. The quincea- culture has changed over to get married. Today, in tention, and the boys stared words to say. Her life seemed resent. The parties on this America, debutante balls ñera represents a girl turn- the years, but hopefully, it at him with open mouths. like a disaster. He shouldn’t show represent superfici- are still held. But mostly by ing into a woman, just like hasn’t become the shallow He had dyed his hair green. have to deal with this. But ality, materialism, and are those who belong to high the debutante ball did. culture one sees when they He thought that by doing then again, she shouldn’t ei- completely detrimental to society. The quinceañera see My Super Sweet 16. this he would make a state- ther. American culture. There are plenty has its own special tradi- Turning 16 is never about ment and “be himself.” He “You don’t have This is, however, of sweet sixteen traditions tions too. For example, at how cool your invitations hated the way he looked af- to say anything,” she said. not what Sweet Sixteens that hold significance to- a quinceañera, the dress the are, who performs at your ter he had morphed his once “Most people don’t, except have always been. Today day, however. There is, birthday girl wears is tradi- party or putting a huge dent sandy brown hair into a mop to ask how old he was when of green grass. Although he in American culture, sweet for example, the candle tionally white or pale pink in your parents’ wallets. It it happened. 18.” sixteen parties are simply to symbolize purity. The is about nearing adulthood had spent much of his time “I’m so sorry,” Jake lighting ceremony. The that week trying to change parties. But, originally a quinceañera starts out with and accepting responsibil- said. He meant it, and he felt birthday girl lights up 16 his hair back to normal, it sweet sixteen party was a a religious mass and the ity. So we should not think like she knew that. candles, each represent- still hadn’t worn off. People “Me too. So, what’s up with celebration of a girl’s vir- actual “party” begins with of My Super Sweet 16 the ing one person or a group on the train were stealing your hair? Is that its natural tue and transformation to a father-daughter waltz. At ideal of what being 16 is of people that have made glances at him too. But after color?” She asked. a d u l t h o o d . a difference in her life. As the start of a quinceañera, about. It is so much more that week at school, nothing Jake laughed. “No, Sweet Sixteen the birthday girl lights a the girl walks in wearing meaningful than that. could touch him. He was in- it’s naturally brown, but I capable of using his brain for dyed it.” anything other than replaying She gasped saying, people’s reactions. “You must have looked so The Life and Times of Fred The sounds of the good with brown hair!” train wrapped their way “Yeah, well I defi- by Mikael Muehlbauer around his mind as he tapped nitely looked better than this. his feet. He was brought I don’t really know why I back to reality when the train did it; the reasons seemed to stopped, the doors opened make so much more sense and the conductor obnox- before the dye kicked in.” iously announced that they “What were your had reached 116th street. reasons then?” she said. He craned his neck to look “I thought that by out the door when a crazed dying it green I would be middle aged woman came making a statement, setting running towards the train, myself apart from everyone screaming for the doors to be else in my school,” he said. held open. She was dragging “I wanted to be different, I along a young girl who had guess.” tight curly locks of blonde He hated having to hair that cascaded over her explain this to a girl whose shoulders. She didn’t seem life seemed so much deeper phased by the woman’s loud than his. behavior, showing no notice “But it’s only your of the passengers staring at hair that’s different now, her through the window. She right? Nothing else is differ- had obviously been through ent.” this before. “Well, yeah. That’s Just as the doors why this didn’t make sense began to close, the woman after all.” reached the train and shoved She sighed, stand- the girl through, at the last pos- ing up. “Let me give you sible moment. Jake glanced some advice,” she said. “If over at her, and she stared you wanna be different, just back. Through the window, act like you. That usually he saw that the woman had ends up being really different already turned her back on from everyone else. Anyway, the train. Chancing another this is my stop. I’ll see ya look at the girl, he found she around. It’ll probably be easy still hadn’t taken her eyes off to spot you if you’re hair is him. He pretended he didn’t still green.” She stepped off see her, and when that didn’t the train as soon as the doors work, he said, “Can I help opened. you?” in a way that he real- He hated to admit it ized sounded offensive. He to himself, but it hurt to see hadn’t meant to sound like her go. She was right — he that, the picture of the clas- should have just decided to sic obnoxious teenager was be himself from the start. He painted in those four words. had already wasted half of his He wanted to take it back high school career following somehow, to say something the crowd. Finally, he would that would make him sound start being himself. December 2008 Entertainment page 7 The BACC Rag Double Music Review: Kanye Embarrassing and The Killers by Kristopher Kesoglides November 24th, are slow tempo, with lyr- sides. Finally, their fourth 2008 was a big day for the ics that express his feelings album was highly anticipat- music industry. Two al- towards the way his life is ed by fans and the media. It by Solemia Gainza bums came out both from headed. The week follow- was their first studio album Stories big name, mainstream art- ing the release, 450,000 al- in two years, and held ten I was late to school yesterday and I woke up late again this morning. I ran out of my house ists: Kanye West and The bums were sold across the solid tracks. The first two and managed to run to the bus stop just in time to catch the bus as it was ready to leave. Killers. For both Kanye country., and debuted at #1 songs, Spaceman and Neon I had fallen asleep without doing my global essay so I did it on the bus. When it came and the Killers, it was their in the Billboard Top 100. Tiger were performed at a to my stop I ran out for the train. I heard the train so I ran even faster down the stairs I fourth album. On the rock side of concert in New York on didn’t see the woman who was walking towards me. I full on crashed into her and I fell. Kanye’s new the double release date, the July 30th for a special fan The train was there so I jumped back up ran under the turnstiles and hopped on. I was so smooth styled album, 808’s Killers came up with their club only. Around two embarrassed the entire train station’s attention was on me! and Heartbreaks had fans newest album Day&Age. months later, on Septem- - 10th grade questioning his production. It is argued that the album ber 22nd, their first single His first single off the new is mediocre, and the worst off the album was released. I was at Boston University one summer and I asked my roommate if she was going out album, Love Lockdown of the three previously re- Human caused more anxi- she said no so I didn’t bothering taking my keys to the shower room. I returned to my was first heard and - per leased. Their freshman ety among the fans because room with only a towel and I knocked and knocked but nobody answered. I asked my formed at the MTV video breakthrough album Hot of the up beat tempo, and floor attending for help but ended up going downstairs to get another copy. I was so music awards on Septem- Fuss, was a big hit around the style being similar to embarrassed walking around wet in my towel. To make it worse there were 2 really cute ber 7th, and immediately the country , and in the UK. that of Hot Fuss. In my college guys in the office. We made small talk but it ended up being about how Garnier gained popularity because Most people didn’t believe opinion, Day&Age was a Fructis is bad for your hair and Herbal Essences smells better. of how it differed from that it was possible to follow big success for the Killers, - 10th grade Kanye’s previous work. that sort of a success, and and contains some of their The album gradually leaked thought the band was going best work with inspiring In the middle of class one day I was feeling a stomach ache coming on. It was getting all over the internet, and to get too cocky to record lyrics, and interesting sto- pretty bad and I knew I needed to fart. I can normally tell if they’re going to be silent or most songs were heard long another successful album. rylines. Day&Age sold not but I guess I was wrong. I let it out and thank god only my table heard. I was still re- before the album was re- However, their sophomore around 193,00 copies in ally embarrassed! leased. Sources say the al- album Sam’s Town was the first week, and debuted -8th grade bum was influenced by the even more successful than at #6 in the Billboard Top death of Kanye’s mother, the previous album. Their 100. It was raining really hard on my way to school. I normally text on the bus which means and his separation from his third album was a mix of I don’t hold on to the poles. I didn’t realize that the floor was wet which probably would fiancé. Most of the songs previous tracks, covers, B- make it harder to balance. The bus took off and so did I except I went flying to the floor! It was horrible and to top it off my neighbor was on the bus and laughed at me. Puts the “Wow” In - 9th grade “Chihuahua”by Ana Miljack Winona Ryder Caught Just when you thought acter, a spoiled Chihuahua tries to get her as far away we didn’t need another talk- from Beverly Hills named from them as possible. Add a nervous Iguana and a dia- Stealing...Again. ing animal movie… Chloe. When her owner In “Beverly Hills Chi- goes on a vacation where bolic rat, who want to steal huahua”, Drew Barrymore dogs are not allowed, she Chloe’s diamond necklace, by Jessie Heller is the voice of the lead char- leaves her self absorbed, ir- to the mix. She had the perfect life. She money. When questioned Kleptomania is stealing for responsible niece, Rachel, Meanwhile, Rachel dated the guys most only about why she does not the sake of performing the What’s to look after Chloe. While realizes that Chloe is miss- dream about, was offered feel guilty about her crime, act, rather than for personal taking care of Chloe, Ra- ing, and calls her aunt’s so many lead roles in mov- Ryder said, “I didn’t have use or profit. Normal gardener and his ies she had to start reject- this tremendous sense of - Two out of three klepto- by Seong Ae Hong Chihuahua Papi, ing them, and she is praised guilt because I hadn’t hurt maniacs are female. Buying happiness, who happens to be for her chic sense of style, anyone. Had I physically - 5 percent of shoplifters offering pain in love with Chloe, sporting Chanel and Marc harmed someone or caused are kleptomaniacs. and enduring love. to come to Mexico Jacobs daily. Born Winona harm to a human being, I - Most kleptomaniacs can It’s not supposed to feel and help look for Horowitz, known to the think it would have been afford what they steal. right her. Together, they public as Winona Ryder, an entirely different experi- - Once an object is stolen, travel the coun- is not unlike most celebri- ence.” Yet how can she not it is generally discarded as but it does’t feel wrong try, trying to find ties. She is beautiful, fit, feel ashamed when there worthless. her. The plot gets and dates famous attrac- are people who cannot af- Ryder fits perfectly into the because it’s “normal” a little confusing tive men, including Matt ford any clothes, and she, category. She is a woman, around the middle, Damon, Johnny Depp, and who has enough money making the odds greater,

What can change your www.entertainmentwallpaper.com because there are many more. Yet there is to clothe hundreds of peo- she is a shoplifter and she standard of normal, chel decides to take a trip so many charac- something about her that ple, and has an excessive can easily afford what she to Mexico with her friends, ters and different story lines does not fit this conven- amount of designer gar- steals. Instead of judging is Habits and brings Chloe along. added. Also, the ending is tion. She is a criminal. She ments already, steals more her too harshly, the public The Basics When Rachel gives her the really mushy and predict- does not disturb the peace for herself? should recognize that she wrong type of dog food, able: Chloe discovers that with her ranting like Amy These kinds of is a textbook Kleptomaniac by Seong Ae Hong she runs out of the hotel, she is meant to be much Winehouse, or drink and thoughts tend to jump into case. If she in fact does Running away before only to get dog-napped by more than a spoiled lap dog drive like Paris Hilton and many peoples’ minds upon have this affliction, it is walking away a group of criminals who and starts dating Papi; the countless others. No, Wi- hearing the news. Although not her choice, just as it is Taking before offering run an illegal dog-fighting bad guys are captured; and nona Ryder, steals. we do not truly know Ry- not her choice to steal. The Loving myself before business. Delgado starts working as A multi-mil- der, we ridicule, praise and way she handles the situa- anything else The owners of the dog- a police dog again. Despite lionaire, with countless judge all celebrities. Their tion afterward however, it because “I” comes before fighting business pit Chloe all that, the movie is actu- unneeded job opportuni- feelings are left unthought- entirely up to her. Instead “u” (you) up against a vicious Dober- ally really good. Its cute ties, shoplifted clothing in of, as we do not think of of blaming the hotel she man named Diablo. Just and funny at times, and its 2001. She was found guilty them as people, but as claims she dropped the Lying before trying when Diablo is about to definitely not a waste of a year later and sentenced characters for our enter- jewelry off with for los- and Living before dying have her for lunch, a Ger- your money. to 480 hours of community tainment. So many over ing the jewelry, she should man Shepherd named Del- The acting/ voicing are service, three years’ proba- look the other possibility: come clean about her ac- “Survive” gado swoops to her rescue also good(cast includes tion, $3700 in fines, and that it is not her fault, as tions. With a reputation and saves her, releasing all George Lopez, Andy Gar- $6355 in return for her ar- it is simply out of Winona and business to uphold, the cia and Piper Perabo). So That’s what I learned- the other captured dogs at rest on shoplifting charges. Ryder’s control. hotel would not have stolen good, it actually makes you Nothing new the same time. Delgado and A light sentence compared Kleptomania is a the jewelry item. believe that dogs can talk. Chloe run around Mexico, to what others have paid mental disorder character- After dealing with the le- Until the movie ends, that because that’s how I was happy to have escaped. The for the crime: three years in ized by persistent failure to gal side of the situation, is. taught bad guys trail a few feet be- jail. resist stealing. Colin Allen it would be wise of her to “Chihuahua” may not because that’s how I sur- hind her, though. They re- Eight years later from “Psychology Today” get medical help. There is be a laugh-out-loud com- vived throughout my life alize that Chloe is valuable, and Winona is at it again. reports that the main be- medicine as well as thera- edy, but you certainly crack and send Diablo out to look This time, however, it is haviors associated with the pists to treat the disorder, a smile every now and then. for her. Delgado, an ex po- jewels. impulse control disorder and help patients take con- Maybe even a chuckle. and that’s how you’ll sur- lice dog, knows that they are Why did she are: trol of their lives. Rating: 1 1\2 tails up. vive throught yours trying to find Chloe, so he steal? She does not lack the - The essential feature of December 2008 Holidays page 8 The BACC Rag Gifts By Personality... Finding unique and fun presents for friends can be a challenge. But armed with the right attitude, amateur psychic abilities and a copy of The BACC Rag’s holiday issue (that’s this one) anyone can master the art of perfect presents. USB Heating Slippers- $29.99 Now your feet can be plugged into Most Likely to your computer too!! Just locate How to Wrap A be Featured in your USB port, connect the slippers “Triumph of the and slide your feet into Heaven like, Perfect Gift Nerds 3” marshmallow pillows for your feet. to: Wireless USB Missile Launcher- $39.95 www.eHow.com Connect your missile launcher to Christmas only comes once a year, but we still your computer, aim and FIRE! The give away presents year round for plenty of other reasons from: launcher will send missiles as far as and knowing how to gift wrap a present is therefore 15 feet away. always a valuable skill to have. These gift wrapping instructions are for a rectangular gift box, but can be ap- Tengu Sound Toy- $35.00 plied to any size or shape of box. Your new best friend, Tengu, can Creative Wrapping Paper Material: the sheet music of liven up all the long hours at the com- your favorite song, The BACC Rag, the comics section, puter. He syncs his colors and facial Most Likely to math homework, chinese take out boxes, sketches from expressions with the noise in the en- to: Bring World art class, cloth, wallpaper samples or aluminum foil. vironment so he will truly react to Peace To wrap a gift, first gather your materials and what you say. lay them out on a clean, flat work surface. from: Remember to remove the price tag from the 1. Tree-To-Be Kit- $26.95 gift before wrapping it. BSGE uses huge quantities of Place the box containing the gift along the printer paper. The least we can do length of wrapping paper and unroll enough for the enviroment is plant a tree. 2. paper to wrap it around the box, leaving at least This kit is the perfect gift for the a 2-inch overlap. Make sure there is enough envirometalist or the guily con- wrapping paper at each end of the box to cover cious.- www.wrapables.com the ends completely when folded over them. Whatever it Takes Tote Bag- $20.00 This eco-friendly black tote with silver Use a pencil to mark where this and gold drawings, designed be Kanye overlap ends and cut the wrap- Most Likely to Be West is sure to add style to any outfit and ping paper in a straight line at help save the world at the same time! 3. Featured On the this point. Fold the paper or use a www.karmaloop.com Cover of Sports yardstick to guide you in cutting a straight line. to:Illustrated Gap (PRODUCT) Eyeball the wrapping paper at the ends of the box. RED short sleeved Trim away any extra paper so that the remaining shirt- $24.50 flaps are long enough to cover the box but short from: This soft, figure flat- 4. enough to fold over smoothly into flaps.Open tering 100% cotton tee the paper you’ve just cut looks great, sends a and lay the box in the cen- message and a portion 5. ter of the unprinted side, Ticket Stub Diary- $12.00 of the money goes to- top down. This book is the perfect place to store wards the Global Fund your game day memories. The slots to fight AIDS. Bring one lengthwise edge of the wrapping pa- www.gap.com 6. hold all varieties of tickets and leaves per to the center of the box and secure it with room for comments. tape. Turn the opposite edge of the paper under approxi- Eat, Sleep and Train mately 1 inch and bring this to the center of the box as well T-shirt- $19.95 The Personalized Vertex Sling Sports so that it overlaps the first edge, and tape it down. This styln’ 100% Ball Bag- $36.50 cotton shirts will Position the gift box This bag is ideal for the frequent look great on any- so that one short end is athlete. Not only does the bag have one who can’t/ 7. facing you. Grasp the separate pockets for clean and dirty won’t stop work- left and right edges of clothes, you can also get it personal- ing out (then the wrapping paper and push the ized for those hard times when your again, most things sides in so that top and bottom firend forget how to spell his/her will look great on flaps are formed. Make sure the edges are pushed in as far name. them.) as they will go without ripping the paper. Tape Water In the Wild- Wa- the edges to the box. ter Bottle $17.00 Bring the upper flap down against the 8.side Printed Yoga Mats- $22.00 Water is so much better of the box, making sure the flap is sharply These sticky, nonslip yoga mats when it comes in a cute creased at its folds. Tape the flap to the box. feature Asian and nature bottle. This stainless Bring the lower inspired prints. Their peace- steel green (other colors flap up against the ful designs are sure to make too) water bottle does side of the box. those stretches even more 9. the trip. Crease and secure Zen then before. it as you did the upper flap. Lomography Diana F+ Camera- $49.00 These film cameras combine vintage style with great, soft photos and a great price. The Repeat for the opposite end of the box. camera adds artistic edges to all photos no Position the package so matter who simple the shot and how unexpe- 10. the seamless side is facing rienced the photographer is. 11. down. Urban Outfitters sells them. Wrap a long piece of ribbon around the gift 12. box lengthwise, then twist the ribbon at the lengthwise seam to wrap it around the box The Most Likely width-wise. to Be A Loner Turn the box over so that the seamless side Artist in a Studio is facing up and tie the ribbon into a bow on top of the present where the ribbons to:With No Money 13. cross. and Tons of “Cup If you have a card, slide it under the ribbon Personalized Rubix o’ Noodles” and secure it with tape on the underside. If Cube- $29.95 you have a gift tag, use the loose ends of This rubix cube displays 14. the ribbon to secure the gift tag (if it has a from: 6 of your photos for you hole in it), or adhere it directly to the gift (if it has adhesive to scrabble and fix. Munny Series 4 Toy- $25.00 on it.) December 2008 Holidays page 9 The BACC Rag Thoughtful Yet Cheap Holiday Recipe: Monkey Bread by Isabel Castro Gifts Christmas is al- For girls age ment at very low prices. At Not for everybody but you by Alexis Cotton most here and as you might 15- 18 consider make-up Toy’r US you find Barbie should know well who you My godmother is definitely not good at baking, already know our Styling head for $ 29.99 are buying for. economy isn’t or Barbie princess dolls I would suggest cooking, or anything else that takes place in at its best right for $ 19.99. Some Barbie’s before you head for a store the kitchen. But once in a while she is able to now. This means DVD are as low as $ 9.99. or shop online to look first make something that’s edible. When I visit my Christmas shop- Disney items are also very online and in your mail godmother in New Jersey during the holidays ping is probably well liked by girls this age. for discounts and coupons. we’ve made a tradition to bake a desert called something that’s Plenty to choose from at Stores are low in sales and not on the top of Disney Store, some items are trying to attract buyers monkey bread. The name doesn’t make any your to-do list. are pricier, but you can still as much as they can, offer- sense but it tastes good otherwise. All monkey But maybe it find some bargains, or dis- ing all kind of discounts bread consists of is pillsbury biscuits, cinna- should be! counted items during the and coupons, take advan- mon, sugar, butter, and more sugar. It’s both T h e r e Christmas season. tage of them. Compare quick and easy to make. are many things Girls younger then prices online, check dates, you can buy at four, go for toddlers play shop early. -x reasonable prices. sets, baby dolls with a stroll- For those with no creativity Since you probably don’t er or bot- consider sweets and treats, have time to bargain shop tle. Baby box of chocolates and can- all over city to find the per- Born at dies might work for most fect gift at the right price Toys’r US young people. for your mom, dad, brother is now $ If you are totally or sister, I have taken the 29.99, Wa- lost and have no idea or liberty of look some up and ter babies have no time to do all that, give out some gift ideas for are even consider the ultimate gift you. cheaper at idea “Gift Cards” or “Cer- For Boys in the $ 17.99. tificates”. Choose a depart- 13-18 years range you S t u f f e d ment store card to add more might want to consider toys and variety of choices or a spe- sport related items or animals are cific store that could carry athletic things such as a also well favorite items for your gift skateboard. Toys’r’US has r e c e i v e d recipient. skateboards as cheap as $ by girls And if you just 19.99, or basketballs from this young. don’t want to bother even Sport Authority for $ 15.00 F i s h e r with a Gift card, few bucks or some Converse shoes or price or in an envelop would work sneakers from V.I.M store items as gift. You can find leap frog are a little pricier wonders for most people. on Junction Bvld. in Co- makeup sets and articles in but are fun an educational. What you will need: rona, Queens. For younger just about any department Ingredients boys in between 7 and 12 store, like Target, Walmart, Gingerbread Cookies years old you might want JCPenney and even drug * 2 cans (16.3 oz each) Pillsbury Grands But- stores. Clothes by Megan Mehta termilk Biscuits are also anoth- During the holiday season, people get all excited and * 1/2 cup sugar er winning op- start baking. They bake gingerbread cookies, sugar cook- * 1 cup of packed brown sugar tion for teen- ies, chocolate chip cookies. The most famous baked treat agers, but you * 3/4 cup of melted butter during the holidays are gingerbread cookies. Here’s a got to be sure * 1 teaspoon cinnamon (or more if you want) quick easy recipe: of their tastes * 1/2 cup of walnuts, if desired or you will end Ingredients Materials up with a big •Ginger-bread mix (Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines) * Bundt Pan flop. V.I.M in •Water Junction Blvd * Serving Plate •Honey in Corona, * Large Ziploc Bag •Sugar Queens has a * Knife •Flour great selection •2 cookies sheets * Measuring cups of sweaters at •Cookie cutters (Snow-men, snowflake, Christmas tree, * Measuring Spoons good prices. etc.) If you want * Whisk(or a fork) •Icing (You might want different colors) to consider something dif- to stay away from clothes * Cooking Spray •A large mixing bowl ferent such as video games consider accessories, like •Butter for PSP, or Playstation, or purses, or belts, hair acces- Procedure the WII from Amazon.com sories, hats, scarves, legs or Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 F. 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. or Game stop where you arm warmers etc. You can Step 2: In your large mixing bowl pour out the ginger- can find new and used one get very affordable accesso- 2. Lightly grease the pan with cooking spray or bread mix, and gently mix with your hands. at great prices. Some of the ries, at stores like Walmart, butter. Step 3: Add 1 Tbs. of honey, use a spoon to mix together. younger one might enjoy Kmart, Claire, JC Penney 3. Cut each piece of dough into quarters until Step 4: Add 2 Tbs. of water. more hands-on games, like or Target. Step 5: Mix the batter for about 5-8 minutes. The result you have 16 pieces. building blocks, or legos. For younger girl should look dark, brown, shiny, and should be dough. 4. Take a Ziploc bag and pour in the cinnamon You can find them at Toy’r” age 8 to 12, there are some Step 6: Take plastic food wrap, and wrap it around the US starting at $ 12.00 or nice board games out there and sugar. dough, put it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. (Depending smaller sets at Target start- to consider such as “mad- 5. Take a couple of pieces of dough at a time on the size of the dough) ing at $ 10.00. ness” or “mystery date and shake them in the bag until each piece is Step 7: Take the dough out of the fridge, and take out For even younger and life” both available at your rolling pin. coated. boy, age 1 to 5, stay away Toys’r US. Videogames Step 8: Separate the dough into little tiny balls. Roll each 6. Arrange them in the pan as desired along from clothes, and stick to are also an option, or MP3 one by one till completely flat. action toys, or colorful and players. You can find MP3 with the walnuts. Step 9: Take your cooking cutter, and cut as many cook- sound making toys. Big Players prices now are very 7. Take your brown sugar and butter and mix ies as you possible can. selection of action figures, low, Toys’r US has MP3 them together. Pour in on top of the biscuits. Step 10: Cover the 2 cookie sheet in butter, and sprinkle like power rangers or trans- players as cheap as $ 15.00 with flour. You know when the liquid is at the right consis- former or wrestling figures right now. Step 11: Place your cookies on the cookie sheet, and put tency when it looks like maple syrup. can be found at K.B Toys or For even younger into oven. Toys’r US, in prices start- girls between 4 and 8 you 8. Bake for 30 minutes or until the are golden Step 12: After 20 minutes of baking, take the cookies out ing at $ 6 dollars. have a sure winner gift if brown. Set them out to cool in the pan for 10 of the oven, and let it cool for 10 minutes. After they are For girls it’s a dif- you stick to princess, fair- minutes. Turn upside on the serving plate. cool, you can start decorating your gingerbread men and ferent story but it might be ies, Barbie or Bratz items. women. 9. Pull apart the pieces and serve warm. even easier to find gifts for Target, Walmart and Toy’r them than for boys. US all carry a big assort- Happy Holidays!! December 2008 Student Life page 10 The BACC Rag Old Holiday Flicks Cheating by Emily LuShing by Bryan Levin As a high school is what many turn to in dire It’s almost the holiday season and you head to the library to borrow a nice DVD to watch over the holidays. Which one student, I always see stu- need of help. The biggest should you pick? Here are a few you should definitely watch: dents glancing at peer’s fear, in my opinion, than test papers when they are runs into ones’ mind is the desperate for answers. You fear of what our parents are can always tell that a stu- going to say when they see dent is about to cheat when a failing test grade. Par- you see the puzzled look ents put so much pressure It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) of frustration on his face. on their children to do well This is one of the oldest Christmas movies. It was watched by While using quick glances in school that sometimes our parents as little kids! This movie has great acting from the main at another’s test it is hard the pressure makes them stars, James Stewart and Donna Reed as George and Mary Bailey, and for the victim to realize do stupid things so their Lionel Barrymore who plays the evil guy in this movie. Henry F. Potter what is going on. If a stu- parents don’t become dis- also acts his part very well. However the plot is a bit confusing. George is dent is able to successfully appointed. Depending on a poor savings-and-loans manager that only appreciates life after experienc- cheat and not get caught it how one does on a test the ing a series of difficulties and attempting suicide. There is no talk about the becomes an addiction. The pressure either becomes holiday season until the very end. Overall, this movie is a good one to watch next thing you know stu- bigger or smaller. if you want to join in on the Christmas traditions of many Americans (this movie dents feel that they never The blame is not, plays continuously every holiday season). have to study for tests be- however, on our parents cause they made sure that for putting pressure on us Deck the Halls (2006) they will have a seat next to or the pressure of getting Usually when someone moves into a new neighborhood; their neighbors go over, the smartest student in the into one’s dream college, say hi, hands them a casserole. Then the new neighbor comes over to their house, class. They start to always these are not excuses. The says hi, tells them how delicious the casserole was and hands them the empty dish. rely on “the smart kid” to problem that is the origin From this a friendship usually starts. However, Steve Finch (Matthew Broderick) help them pass the test and to all of this madness is does this to Buddy Hall (Danny DeVito) and instead of a friendship, the two are never think about what the lack of time manage- soon fighting for the place of the Christmas Guy. They work to out-do each other would happen if they got ment. With many students with their house decorations and their wives and children leave (temporarily) in caught cheating. A survey having a lot of free time to search for the Christmas that their husband ruined. This movie has great cast and was conducted last March themselves in prior school a director who directs the extremely funny parts well. So, deck the halls with this and a “whopping 95 percent years, many find that this fun comedy; la la la la la, la la la la! of high school students say year there is more home- they’ve cheated during the work and projects that take course of their education, up a lot of time. I also hear ranging from letting some- about how many teenagers body copy their homework fight this change in their to test-cheating”, Rutgers life and not allow them- University professor Joan selves to adapt to the new Oleck reports. The number demands of their increased is jaw- droppi ng and the work load. Having a social need for its decrease should life is what teenagers live be a major concern nation- for, and when they feel they wide. are missing out on some- Millions (2004) Now to answer thing; they want to find the You may have never heard of this movie but the question of “Why do easiest and quickest way to you got to see it! This European movie is students cheat?” I found a get their work done so they one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. Sure very interesting response in won’t miss a thing. Once in it had parts that scared me a bit but it still an interview between Gary a while we [teenagers] ne ed impressed me. I especially love the way the Niels and Robert Kennedy. to tell ourselves, that taking main characters Damian (Alex Gary Niels who is the au- the easy way out, as much Home Alone (1990) thor of a high acclaimed as it works, will not prepare Etel) and Anthony (Lewis McGib- Caution: before leaving home for a trip check paper on cheating and ourselves for the outside bon) protrayed the growth of their to make sure you left nothing behind, es- Head of Winston Thurston world. In life there is not c a r e and love for each other pecially all the people going. Why? School in Pittsburgh stated always a button that we can throughout the mov- The movie Home Alone shows why. that the reason why stu- push to get ourselves out of ie. I am planning to This movie is a great comedy with dents cheat is solely based a certain predicament. Just borrow this movie wonderful actors like Macaulay Culkin on their “survival instinct.” think about being in a situ- again and again who plays Kevin McCallister and Catherine He goes on further to say ation where you have no and... well again! O’ Hara who plays his mom. Kevin is left behind on that the survival instinct choice but to go through a trip to Frances and his mom only realizes so on the plane there. “triggers a need to ‘save with it by yourself. What meanwhile, two robbers try to break into there house. Leave it to face.’” He says that sav- will you do then? Kevin to try and save the day (kind of). This is a family comedy ing face can include saving Parents and teach- without the family! yourself from your parent’s ers alike have to reminisce or teacher’s reactions to back to the times when your grades. Saving face they were teenagers and can also include “avoid- think back at how you al- ing embarrassment; it can ways wanted to be in on the mean economic survival action and never wanted or a perceived pressure be to be left out. Think back it self-inflicted or inflicted to all of the times you did 8 Crazy Nights (2002) by some other extraneous stupid things without even Adam Sandler rocks 4 roles in this spectacular holiday movie. You haven’t laughed force. thinking about the conse- until you’ve watched his talented performance as Davey, the grump, Whitey the old Nowadays, college quences and then see if you man who takes him in and even Eleanor, Whitey’s wife. acceptance is the major in- still can’t understand why stigator of this survival in- teenagers sometimes cheat stinct” (R. Kennedy). With on homework or tests. The the theory that everyone has years of being a teenager their own survival instinct, are the years of learning on Unaccompanied Minors (2006) it seems as if we are being your own to prepare your- Millions of kids fly by themselves to visit a relatives house around the holidays. This movie shows why compared to animals in the self for college and the real not too. That, along with its irresistible humor, great cast and funny storyline makes this a movie you wild, doing what is neces- world. If teenagers never should absolutely see. With everyone at Hoover International Airport stranded on Christmas Eve; Grace sary to survive. The only made a mistake once in a (Gina Mantegna), Donna (Quinn Shepard), Charlie(Tyler James Williams), Spencer (Dyllan Christo- difference between animal while, they wouldn’t be pher) and Timothy “Beef” (Brett Kelly) decide to make this the best holiday they can and put thier best survival and the survival in- ready for what is in store foot forward, right into trouble that is. While avoiding Mr Porter (Lewis Black) and Mr. Van Bourke stinct that students have to for them and for those who (Wilmer Valderrama), Spencer tries to find a doll for his sister Katherine (Dominique Saldana) for cheat is that it is not a life or disagree and feel that the Christmas. The whole cast is extremely funny, especially Charlie. This sure beats staying at Grandma’s death situation. This means world is a perfect place, house! that cheating should not be please wake up from your a n option even though this fairytale dream. December 2008 Student Life page 11 The BACC Rag IB Say What? Teacher of the Month: by Jolijt Tamanaha by Kelly V. The International and at least three at higher cates, like the diploma, of- The Hof Baccalaureate (IB) Diplo- level (HL). The standard ten count for college credits ma Program is a pre-uni- level courses consist of 150 in the subject they are for. versity diploma originally hours of instruction and the University Preparation designed for the children higher level courses are Marcelo Triana, of diplomats. Its world- typically about 240 hours BSGE class of 2008 admit- wide consistent standards of instruction. Two of the ted, “Looking back at the and curriculum allowed the standard level tests must be past four years, I under- children to move around taken junior year, the rest stood the fact that I devel- the globe and still get a full of the tests will be taken in oped a skill that very few education. senior year. The tests are other students had. An In- Over the past 30 administered in May. Stu- ternational Baccalaureate years, the IB Diploma Pro- dent must test in each of the education had given me gram has been adopted by subject areas: the ability to master discus- over 1,100 public and pri- 1. Language A1- typically sions and interpret readings vate schools for in a complex and all students and “‘Success in an IB program abstract manner. has evolved The spiel that into one of correlates well with success was constantly the finest pre- reverberated at university ad- at Harvard.’” me, from high vanced educa- school admin- tion programs available in English, your strongest lan- istrators, about the IB cur- the world today. “Send us guage. In Language A1 you riculum helping you in col- prepared students á la IB… study American and world lege was actually correct. It is the “best” high school literature. The pain endured during Mr. Hofer with 9th Graders Sofia Jimenez and Dominique Coticchio. prep curriculum an Ameri- 2. Language B- your for- my junior and senior years Name: Greg Hofer would probably bother sight stopped me from do- can school can offer,” said eign language were finally paying off...” Subject: Physics me…because trying to get ing that…oh well. Marilee Jones the Director 3. Individuals and Societ- The IB Diploma Grade: 9th back out might be difficult. of Undergraduate Admis- ies- the study of humanities and its intense work load Have you ever thought sions at the Massachusetts and Theory of Knowledge also helps students develop What do you think of the One word to describe your- about changing your job? Institute of Technology, 4. Experimental Science- time management, goal kids in your classes? self. I have changed my job so one of the nations top five lab work, collaborative setting and organizational I would say generally well- Loouud it’s not just thinking about Universities. learning, interdisciplinary skills. “The International behaved. There are some that, I’ve done that…it all The Director of group projects Baccalaureate [programs’] people who act up a little What do you do when depends what opportuni- Undergraduate Admissions 5. Mathematics and Com- em­phasizes critical think- bit or are not paying atten- you’re mad? ties, what comes up…you at Harvard University, the puter Science tion…but I find them pretty When I’m mad I get very know, I might change my nation’s top University, 6. Arts- a choice be- well-behaved. loud. job again, who knows. Marilyn McGrath said, “IB tween music, technology is well known to us for ex- and visual arts. What’s your earliest child- Whom do you wish you What’s your biggest ques- cellent preparations. Suc- Additional Require- hood memory? could meet? tion on life? cess in an IB program cor- ments Sitting eating a plate of Neil Armstrong…it would It’s why there’s so much relates well with success The additional require- eggs with a thunderstorm be very fascinating to meet hate…I just can’t compre- at Harvard. We are always ments make IB unique; outside. the first man to walk on the hend it…why there’s so pleased to see the creden- no other high school moon. much hate. tials of the IB Diploma Pro- diploma requires such Who is the most influential gram on the transcript.” an extensive amount of person you know? What was your favorite You wish you could… The Diploma Pro- high end individual work Hmm…it would be my school subject when you Be a lot thinner. gram begins in 11th grade and discovery. Besides the ing skills, increased content kids. I see what they’re do- were in school? and goes on through 12th. classes IB diploma candi- knowledge and an inter- ing and I guess that influ- The sciences and math…it Favorite kind of cookie? At BSGE, students par- dates must: disciplinary approach to ences me somewhat…their was something I under- Oatmeal raison. ticipate in the IB Middle 1. Write an Extended Es- ed­ucation not only prepare ideas and their thoughts stood, and understood how Years Program (MYP), a say which is a 4,000 word students for success at the and what they’re doing. it worked… and I found it Worst movie ever? preliminary to the Diploma original research paper on post-secondary level, but very interesting. The Attack of the Killer To- Program in the 7th through a subject of the student’s also for life and the world What’s the meanest thing matoes…it’s really bad. 10th grade. What makes choice. Each student will of work,” said Dr. Kath- you’ve ever done to any- Have you ever won any- BSGE’s IB Program unique get an advisor and will leen Plato, Supervisor of one? thing? Who taught you how to ride is the school’s assumption work on the paper over his/ Advanced Placement Pro- That was to my younger I won awards for my volun- a bike? that all students will partic- her two years in the pro- grams in Washington. sister when she was coming teering…things like that… My father…I fell and then ipate in the quest for a full gram. University Recognition up from the basement and I something that’s called in got up and kept riding until IB Diploma. Most other 2. Take at least 100 hours Universities around pulled the shirt I had over the Boy Scouts as the ‘Sil- I could do it alone. schools offer IB only to the of the critical thinking class the world are well ac- my head and swung the ver Beaver Award’ which top of their class. This puts Theory of Knowledge. Stu- quainted with the Diploma door open and went “boo” is for the volunteering that If you were stuck on a de- standards quite high for dents will need to write a Program and its benefits. and she almost fell down I’ve done in scouting. serted island and you could students at BSGE and some 1,200-1,600 word essay on Christopher Guttentag, Di- the stairs. only bring 5 things with buckle under the pressure. one of the 10 TOK subjects rector of Undergraduate When you were in school you what would you bring? The strain of the require- provided by the IB. Admission at Duke Univer- What superpower would would you say you were a Garlic; its always good to ments for the diploma can 3. And participate in at sity says, “one of the advan- you love to have? bully or that you were bul- have good spices…a book be overwhelming and it is least 150 hours of Commu- tages of an IB curriculum is I guess to fly…you can get lied? to read, or books, I don’t therefore important that nity, Action and Service. its struc­ture and quality. It a great view of the world I was bullied…in high know if you’ll let me have both students and their par- Students will need at least is a coordinated [program], around…you can get up school, very much so…be- more then one…a knife, ents fully understand what 50 hours in each of the three well established, well there in high altitudes cause I walked to the beat you gotta cut things down, to expect. categories and are encour- known and well respected. and then zoom up, zoom of a different drummer…I you gotta build shelter…a Classes and Exams aged to do more. The hours We know the quality of IB around…so you can see wasn’t an athlete, I just cup to drink out of…and a The curriculum are logged on official CAS courses, and we think the things that might not be did things differently and pan to cook things in. and its requirements are forms and submitted to the IB cur­riculum is terrific.” easy to see otherwise. it made other kids uncom- designed to create well International Baccalaureate Around the United fortable…so I got beat up, Any advice for us kids? rounded students rather Organization by January States most colleges con- What are you really scared especially by the football The world’s ahead of then throwing them into a of the student’s graduating sider IB Diploma classes of? Why? players. you…and opportunities series of courses. The IB year. university level and give I guess, would be, an ex- abound…but they’re not exams test knowledge not Certificates students college credits tremely confining space…I What was your dream job going to fall in your lap… necessarily speed or memo- If students do not based on exam results. mean very very very con- when you were younger? you gotta work for them rization. get the diploma they will be The higher end universities fining…being in caves Navy pilot…you know and you gotta be careful IB students must awarded certificates in the give credits for subjects in doesn’t bother me but an fly planes real fast, real with them…and you’re a study six different subjects, subject areas in which they which the student scored a extremely confining space high…I checked my eye- great bunch of guys. three at standard level (SL) test and pass. These certifi- 5, 6 or 7. December 2008 Sports page 12 The BACC Rag Basketball Records Boys Team, Sting’s Sea- Getting Lady Sting- son (so far)by Daniel Fridman To Know 3 3 Three weeks and 23-5, blowing their only played our best so far this The Wins Losses seven games into the sea- lead of the season in wide year, no doubt, but we need son, BSGE has yet to see a proportion. TRCS was led to learn to balance out our BSGE victory. The long and short by Tenzin Samphel who offensive game with our Sting- of this season has been notched 20 points and 3 as- defensive game”. Even in Boy’s seven losses, all by twenty sists. Justin scored in dou- their solid effort, BSGE 0 7 points of more. Mr. Ander- ble-digits again, dropping was outscored in all four Team Wins Losses son’s crew, mostly return- eleven. BSGE lost its third quarters of the game; fur- by Daniel Fridman *Games after press time were not included. ing players from last year, straight game, 33-55. ther explaining Shafir’s ref- - BSGE has begun has struggled to find a flow Game four once erence to a lack of defen- their season 0-7, the Sting Basket- on the offensive side of the again brought defeat to the sive and offensive balance. ball, with an overwhelming Sting, as they were trounced Monday, BSGE’s second consecutive amount of turnovers to start by Robert F. Wagner, 31-81. most recent spectacle, saw season they have done ball Schedule off the ’08-’09 campaign. The 50-point debacle came the squad surrender a sea- so. After finishing last year in their first road game of son-high 84 points to Infor- - Justin Greene is January 2009 with a hard-fought win, the the year for BSGE. The mation Technology HS on leading the team in Sting have yet to find their first quarter of the game their home court. The road Date/Time Opponent Location rhythm. concluded 7-24, as BSGE game was a rough one for rebounding, notching 1/7/2009 Academy of Long Island BSGE’s first game found themselves trail- BSGE, as they were only 19 in his most recent 4: PM American City YMCA of the season was also their ing immediately out of the able to register 35 points. effort. first at home; a 31-75 loss. gate. The loss was BSGE’s The Sting have only scored Studies - Vincent Dillon The Sting started off strong fourth straight, and twelfth more than 40 points once has the team’s only 1/9/2009 Pathways Pathways on the ball, trailing by only in their last thirteen. Steven this season. Three players double-double of the 4:30 PM College Prep College Prep nine in the first quarter. Edwards, Wagner’s all-star were in double-figures for However, the second quar- forward, finished with 49 Info. Tech HS, two notch- season, also coming in 1/12/2009 HS for Con- HS for Con- ter saw the game get blown points and 14 rebounds; a ing double-doubles. Law- his most recent game, 4:30 PM struction struction open, as BSGE found tremendous double-double. rence Rossianno scored 17 recording 20 points 1/16/2009 Queens HS of Queens HS of themselves outscored by Vince Dillon finished with and grabbed 20 (twenty!) and 11 boards. 4:30 PM Teaching Teaching fifteen. The third brought eight points for BSGE. rebounds. Rasheem John- only worse out of the boys BSGE had a season-high son scored 18 and picked - BSGE’s first starting 1/21/2009 Queens Voca- Queens Voca- in white; they lost the quar- 31 turnovers. up 17 boards, as BSGE five of the season was 4:30 PM tional Tec. tional Tec ter 25-5. The Redhawks’ The fifth regular-season found themselves tremen- Oren Shafir, Vincent John Galimi was the cata- Sting game came on the dously out-rebounded. 1/22/2009 Townsend Townsend Dillon, Justin Greene, lyst for the CTEA offense, road, taking the blueshirts While Info. Tech scored Jehan Shams and Mal- 4:30 PM Harris Harris scoring thirty points to go to their second consecutive in double-figures in four along with his eight assists. road match. The loss, a 24- out of four quarters, BSGE colm Hackworth. Lady Sting Bas- BSGE shot 12-30 from the 68 defeat, brought BSGE was only able to score 10 or - BSGE was not al- line, a 40% average. The another loss, their fifth of more in the first, then scor- lowed to bring any ketball Sched- Sting have not seen CTEA five. BSGE was simply ing 9, 8 and 8 to close out fan support into the since this game, going 1-2 outmatched by Aviation’s the game. While this game Newcomers’ home since the meeting and an well-formed offense from is a set-back, Wednesday’s ule January even 2-2 on the season. The the get-go. Jorge Soto performance saw plenty of gym, even while they Redhawks’ sit sixth in the scored 24 points, leading potential to build on, re- had over 60 support- 2009 division, two places in front Aviation in points. Justin gardless of the 84 surren- ers. It’s a fault on the Date/Time Opponent Location of BSGE. and Vince had 10 and 8 dered in this one. PSAL to disallow The second game points respectively. Avia- The boys in blue, opposing fans in away 1/08/2009 Academy of Academy of of the year brought a much tion had a healthy crowd white and yellow can look 4:30 PM American American better performance, regard- in the stands for the game, forward to their next few buildings, especially Studies Studies less of the identical result. a crowd that certainly did games and build off of the in a league with teams The Sting lost by only 22, not let up over the course strong performance that so close to each other. 1/13/2009 Grover Cleve- Grover Cleve- keeping the game close for of the game. Playing on the they put through in all four Fans interested in at- 4:30 PM land land Gym three of the four quarters road against a team with a quarters on Wednesday tending BSGE Sting 1/15/2009 Information Long Island of play. The second quar- distinct offensive system, night. BSGE sits eighth ter again brought misery to BSGE simply found them- out of eight in their divi- games at the Academy 4:30 PM Technology City YMCA the Sting, getting outscored selves outmatched. sion, a division with only of American Studies/ HS sixteen points for a seem- Wednesday was two teams over .500. With Newcomers building 1/20/2009 Queens Voca- To Be Deter- ingly insurmountable half- undoubtedly BSGE’s best thirteen games remaining, should contact PSAL, 4:30 PM tional Tec. mined time deficit of 24. Unlike performance of the sea- there is massive potential as will BaccRag, and the first game of the year, son, a game that starred a for the Sting to step up and 1/22/2009 Frank Sinatra Long Island BSGE came out of the half- big crowd, a dramatic pace get some victories; push inquire this rule’s lack 4:30 PM School of the City YMCA time break firing, outscor- throughout all four quar- the envelope for playoff of sensebility. Arts ing harsh rival Newcomers ters, and the bee’s first dou- positioning. The season - BSGE has 14 games 16-9. This was the first win- ble-double of the season that runs into mid-Febru- remaining, with two ning quarter of the season (Vince Dillion). Trailing ary still has plenty of life, games each against Come Support for BSGE. Sting nemesis 9-17 after the first quarter, and BSGE has a squad de- John Patrick Williams held BSGE battled back hard termined to grind out victo- Robert F. Wagner true to his name once again, and trimmed the deficit to ries. and Aviation, both of STING. notching 23 points and 6 as- only 7 points at the half. Sting had one more game whom the Sting have sists. Going into the fourth However, the Newcomers on Wednesday but it was already faced. Getting To Know quarter down 49-32, BSGE offense, combined with too late for press time so Lady Sting scored only 7 points in the BSGE’s 23 turnovers was the record is one game off. by Jolijt Tamanaha fourth quarter, losing with a too much for Coach An- final of 39-61. Justin scored derson’s crew. Individual - This is Coach Christo- - Sophmore Sarah Diaz is ten for the Sting, contribut- efforts shined in the Sting pher Potter’s second season a close second with an av- ing to his masterful season. 44-69 loss; Justin finished coaching the girl’s basket- erage of 12.06 points per Game three saw with 8 points and an aston- ball team. During the day game and a total of over 63 BSGE hold Renaissance to ishing 19 rebounds, a team the supercoach disguises points so far. only 55 points, their best and season high. Vince himself as the 12th grade - Sophmore Kristen Spang defensive performance of finished the game with 20 English teacher. has a 9.50 average and has the season so far. BSGE points and 11 rebounds, and - Sophmore Hannah Mc- scored over 57 points so went into the second half of Christopher “Kritty” Keso- Fadden holds the team re- far. the game with a lead of 16- glides surprisingly finished cord for average points per - Lady Sting is currently 13, their first post-quarter his scrappy play with eight game at 15.50. So far she 4th in the Queens B West lead of the year. Vincent’s boards. has scored over 92 points division. 15-point performance went Starting junior this season. This puts her - The BACC Rag predicts to absolute waste as the sophomore, Oren Shafir 23rd on the league’s top playoffs for the second year bee’s lost the third quarter said after the game, “We scorers. team.