MATES Messenger

Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science Volume 10 - Issue 2 MATES Messenger Tuesday, February 15, 2011 Principal’s Message Rock-A-Bye Baby Spring 2011 by Mary Gibbs and Nick Zebrowski

Reflection is an essential part of teaching and learning. As we Recently, the junior class was required to accomplish 24 hours begin the spring semester, it is imperative that we take a few mo- of parenting. Teen pregnancy is a growing issue in the United ments to reflect on our progress thus far during the 2010-2011 States; therefore, the junior class was assigned the task of parent- academic school year. While reflecting, we must refer back to our ing a child for 24 hours. The baby project was designed to teach goals and objectives that were established in September. How are students about the responsibility and time required to take care of we doing academically? How can we continue to encourage high a child. It also encouraged students to make smart decisions in and clear expectations for all? What is needed to accomplish our order to prevent pregnancy. The purpose for taking home the goals for the remainder of the year? ‗babies‘ was for ―students to understand the responsibility and Students, in order to have a successful, well-rounded high time that it takes to care for an infant, specifically how it affects school experience, I encourage you to re-evaluate your opportu- their life as a high school student,‖ said Mr. Coen. nities: The doll simulated everything a human baby would do during its infancy. Whenever the baby cried, one of four keys had to be 1. Revisit your academic goal (s) and make necessary adjust- used. One represented changing its diaper, one represented the ments to achieve them before the end of this school year. bottle, one represented burping, and one represented giving the 2. Get involved in extracurricular activities by joining a team, child attention. The baby‘s crying was based on a program and club, or community service organization. each student was given a random program. What the parent had 3. Define your role as 21st Century Learners and reflect on what to do when the baby was crying was to find the correct key to it will take to be successful as you move towards the end of com- stop the crying. Every time a key was used, the time was logged pulsory education. on a sheet of paper to verify that the child was not neglected. 4. Be prepared to be a life-long learner. Education does not stop Also notable about this simulation was the fact that if the ba- on graduation day; it is a continuum that spans throughout our bies were shaken, held upside-down, or hit, a light on its back lives. would go off. This notified the instructor that the baby was Finally, allow me to express how incredibly proud I am of our abused. If the parent tried to take out the battery pack, a light students and faculty as they continue to be recognized for their labeled ―Tamper‖ would go off to show that the parent had tried numerous accomplishments. Each day we have the choice to to take out its batteries. These lights further helped prove which make incredible and interesting opportunities for ourselves, or to parents were correctly taking care of their baby. sit idly by and let nothing happen. I am proud of you because you One couple from each class was to receive a drug addicted make the choice to get out and get involved in experiences that baby while the other couples received normal, healthy children. will change your life and the lives of those around you. The babies from mothers who were using drugs during their pregnancy had a different cry from the normal babies. Junior Kevin Keep focused and keep working hard – your success is the Boyles described this cry as, ―bad—almost as if dinosaurs were ultimate goal! crying.‖ It was a challenging task for everyone to take care of the ―infants,‖ but the junior class was very successful. Hopefully, Sincerely, every student learned that teen parenthood is much more difficult than it seems.

Mrs. Alison L. Carroll Principal Left: Nick Zebrowski and Mary Gibbs with their ―child.‖

What’s up at Page 2 MATES Messenger Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Winter Semi-Formal The Giving Tree by Dylan Everett by Greg Kamback and Udara Fernando

On December 3rd, MATES hosted its fourth annual win- Every year, MATES rings in the holiday season with ter semi-formal dance, with students, guests, and a few several community service projects. One of the most im- teachers in attendance. This year, the dance‟s theme was portant projects is the annual Giving Tree. The Giving Tree “Starry Night,” so the hallway and cafeteria were accord- is sponsored by the Spanish Club and takes place through- ingly decorated with shiny silver stars, streamers, and out the month of December. It gives students and faculty lights. A DJ played a wide selection of music, ranging from the opportunity to donate toys to less fortunate children in current hits to party classics. The dance was organized by the local Barnegat area; over the past few years, the Giving the seniors, making it one of their last events before gradu- Tree has proven to be a great way to spread holiday cheer. ation. Rob Start, a senior who helped to run the dance, said, It is a nice way to brighten a child‟s holiday and make that “We knew it was one of our last big events to run at MA- child feel special. TES, so we wanted to make sure it would be really memo- This year, over 80 presents were donated to the less for- rable!” Sr. Wellner, the senior advisor, mentioned that tunate. These presents were delivered to Saint Mary‟s aside from the dance, the seniors‟ last event will be the tal- Church in Barnegat. Señor McNamara, one of the advisors ent show that they are hosting with the sophomores on of the Spanish Club, expressed that he was “amazed at the March 4th; he was “very pleased to see that the dance was a generosity of the MATES community, especially during great success.” such harsh economic times.” Ashley Louth, president of the Many students brought friends from their home schools, Spanish Club, stated, “The entire Spanish Club would like allowing MATES students and outside students to meet and to thank everyone who participated in the toy drive of mingle. Also, some upperclassmen came to their first MA- 2010. It was the best toy drive to date with a grand total of TES dance that night, proving that it is never too late to over 80 toys collected! We are very proud of the MATES start attending the school‟s events; for example, Matt Kol- community for donating.” busz, a junior who had not been able to make it to any pre- The support for the Giving Tree this year truly was vious dances, said that “from the entertainment to the dé- spectacular. For all of the students that did donate a toy, cor, this year‟s „Starry Night‟ winter semi-formal was bril- expect a reward of an hour of community service. For those liant event that gave all of the attendees a chance to break who did not, there‟s always next year! ¡Prospero año nue- free from their daily stresses and move to the beats of their vo! favorite hits… the seniors organized and executed the dance very well.” Another junior, Annalee Tweitmann, said, “I truly enjoyed my night under the stars, and a good time was had by all!” Thanks to the seniors for organizing such a successful event!

The Giving Tree A group of seniors at the semi-formal What’s up at Page 3 MATES Messenger Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The Rain Garden: MATES’ Biggest Project able to make use of the Rain Garden. Teachers will be by Veronica La Du and Barry Lathrop able to conduct classes using the resources available here. However, it is not only people who will benefit The Rain Garden project has been an idea on the from the revitalization of the Rain Garden, but native minds of MATES students before there was even a species of plants and animals will also thrive in the MATES building. In 2006, a class who would never new environment and enhance its natural beauty. attend the new building started working on this mo- As for new additions to the Rain Garden, the plan mentous project while the building was under con- is to keep them coming. The Student Council is con- struction. They planted flowers, various species of structing new benches, trees were planted just a month trees, installed benches, bluebird boxes, and a lecture ago, and new plants will be added in the spring. The stand for students to use. Since then, many additions only problem encountered so far is that near the fence, to the rain garden have been made. In 2009, the sen- the sunlight is blocked from the growing plants, so iors that year, amongst others, planted a multitude of they will not grow. trees. Numerous MATES clubs have been involved Student Council President Joe Convery, a senior, with this environmental project such as the Class has seen the Rain Garden grow, and he says “The rain Councils, the National Honor Society, and the Student garden project will hopefully never be completed. In Council. The Rain Garden started as an empty with no the years to come, I hope that students will continue to environmental benefits whatsoever. But, through the make additions to the rain garden in order to boost its years, it has evolved into an asset to our MATES envi- benefit to the environment and the student body. The ronment and is on its way to becoming a hands-on rain garden had so much work put into it in 2006, and outdoor classroom. it's great that students today continue to have an inter- So what exactly is the purpose of the Rain Garden? est in such a great cause. I really hope that this project Why is it so important to us and the surrounding envi- turns out to be a success because we have already put ronment? The rain garden has been growing with our so much work into it and secured donations to benefit school and now, this barren basin is a useful piece of the project.” Hopefully the Rain Garden will continue land. The three main goals of the current and revitaliz- to grow and flourish. We’ve seen bluebirds! Take a ing project are that it must be aesthetically pleasing, look, everybody! useful to students, and have a boosted ecological benefit. By planting native flowers and trees like bayber- ries, pitchpines, and oaks, more nutrients will be ab- sorbed during rainstorms before ultimately reaching the bay. Also, by planting native flora, As a double benefit, the flowers and trees will be pleasing to the eye and the ground will become more aerated, which will further better the environment. The outdoor classroom will have benches, a black- board, and plenty of shade to block the glare from students’ eyes. The Rain Garden will be the perfect environment for any lesson whether it be Biology, English, or Math. The Rain Garden will be available for everyone to use when completed. Students of all grades will be The Rain Garden What’s up at Page 4 MATES Messenger Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Raise $1,200 in only 1 month? The Secret’s Uncovered Freshman Class: A Day at the Aquarium by Udara Fernando and Matthew Kolbusz by Monica Douglas and Hannah Glen

The most vital event of junior year (that keeps the Junior On January 10-11, 2011 the freshman class visited Jen- Class Council extremely busy) is prom. As many of you kinson’s Aquarium in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. Before know, the Junior Class Council has been working very co- arriving at Jenkinson’s, the classes were split into groups of hesively to raise enough money to lower the price of the five or six students. Half of the groups took a behind-the- prom bid. Thanks to the marvelous fundraisers hosted by scenes tour while the other half began a scavenger hunt the Junior Class, the council and Mrs. Conti are planning a around the aquarium. very extravagant prom! Over $1,200 were raised with just In the behind-the-scenes tour, the freshmen were given two fundraisers! an exclusive look at all of the work behind the aquarium. The first fundraiser hosted by the Junior Class Council Students viewed the feeding and filter area above the At- was the 2010 Magazine Drive. Students were strongly rec- lantic Shark tank, the kitchen, and the quarantine quarters ommended to raise money by asking people to order maga- in the basement. A staff member explained the processes zine subscriptions. The magazine subscriptions were guar- which keep the aquarium functioning smoothly. After go- anteed to be the lowest and to have the best deals, accord- ing on the tour, Danny Torri said “It was very exciting see- ing to American Publishers©. American Publishers is the ing different aquatic species.” company that runs magazine drives throughout the nation. During the scavenger hunt, groups of five or six fresh- For every three subscriptions a student sold, one tree would men searched the aquarium for answers to the question be planted in the school’s name. This part of the drive was sheet by reading signs and asking aquarium staff members. sponsored by Plant-it 2020©. The magazine subscription When asked about the field trip, Rebecca Paulikens re- prices ran from $10 to $45, and the Junior Class Council sponded “It was very educational and I was flabbergasted kept 40% of the profits of the sales. Students had the sim- when I saw the penguins sitting in 70° F water.” Mr. Wer- ple option to order directly online on the OCVTS account. ner stated that “The trip was a huge success this year. The After three weeks, the sales were recorded and the final students learned a lot about the species as well as filtration count was made. The class council made $2,500 in sales. processes.” Overall, the freshman class left Jenkinson’s This meant that the council made $1,000 in profit. This un- Aquarium with newly acquired information and another expected amount was achieved with only 100 magazine lasting memory of MATES. subscriptions. The second fundraiser was a competitive fundraiser called Penny Wars. Basically, students from each grade put coins into four different jars; each jar represented each grade. Students placed pennies into their own jar to gain points and they added “silvers” and dollar bills into other jars to take away points from the other grades. The value of the coin or the bill in pennies was the number of points taken away from the grade whose jar possessed them. This fundraiser went on for two weeks, and councilmen walked around during lunch every day. Students were motivated with a “cool prize” on the line. In the end, the junior class won. The council made $243.12 from this fundraiser. To reward the juniors, free ice cream sandwiches complemen- tary of the Junior Class Council were handed out. It looks like the Junior Class is making some terrific business deals. Mrs. Conti and the junior class are going to be sure this A group of freshman at the aquarium year’s prom is a rockin’ good time! Competitions

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Science Olympiad Mock Trial by Neha Syal and Sapna Syal by Gregory Kamback and Sapna Syal

The Science Olympiad regional tournament was held at Imagine that you are “Ladies and Gentlemen of the Camden County College in Blackwood, New Jersey on Jury.” The case you will hear involves events that took Saturday January 8, 2011, for High School Division C. place on November 4, 2008. On that date, Jordan Pederson Science Olympiad is a competition designed to allow stu- sustained a closed-head injury among other injuries after dents to expand their knowledge in scientific fields and J.E. Moody struck her with his car. Jordan Pederson has work together as a team. Miss Zatta, the advisor of the Sci- sued J.E. Moody for the injuries she received. Jordan Ped- ence Olympiad team at MATES, helped the students pre- erson, however, failed to observe the crosswalk before pare for the competition. crossing the road and suddenly appeared in front of J.E. There are many different events in the competition that Moody’s red corvette. J.E. Moody, on the other hand, was students may choose. The events for Division C that MA- distracted by his cell phone while driving, which caused TES students participated in were Anatomy and Physiolo- him to momentarily take his eyes from the road. You must gy, Astronomy, Dynamic Planet, Experimental Design, decide, Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, who is more Forensics, Mousetrap Vehicle, Protein Modeling, Sounds negligent? of Music, Technical Problem Solving, Tower Building, This was the case of Pederson vs. Moody. The Wind Power, and Write It/Do It. There were eighteen MATES Mock Trial Team had to be prepared to convince teams that participated in the competition. you that Pederson was more negligent. The team also had One of the events that junior Marissa Nelson participat- to be prepared to convince you that Moody was more negli- ed in was Experimental Design, and she stated, “It was ex- gent. Therein lay the challenge. Team members stayed citing and nerve-wracking at the same time. My lab part- after school for two hours a week for months to dissect and ners and I did not know what we were going to do in ad- analyze the case. The students showed interest in certain vance, so we really couldn’t prepare for it. However, our parts, such as the role of attorney or witness, and tried out team did very well and I am certainly looking forward to for those parts. Fellow Mock Trial members scored the next year’s competition.” Senior Kevin Hess stated, “I performance and then teacher coach, Mr. McNamara, made thought as a team we did pretty well. We all worked very the final decision as to who would play what part. With a hard and diligently to perform our events.” plaintiff’s team in place for Pederson and a defendant’s Overall, MATES finished in fifth place, which will team in place for Moody, it was time to get to some serious hopefully take them to the state competition. Miss Zatta work. Each side had to develop a strong argument to prove stated, “I am proud of everyone on the team. Their hard to the jury why the plaintiff or the defendant was more neg- work really paid off. Hopefully, we will go to states where ligent in order to win the case. the students can challenge themselves even further.” The Ross Haimowitz and Anthony Bucci were the at- students are hoping to place even better in next year’s com- torneys representing the plaintiff, Jordan Pederson. Peder- petition. Thank you to Miss Zatta and Dr. Wnek for sup- son was played by Maggie Rice. Testifying on her behalf porting the students at the Science Olympiad competition! were eyewitness, Morgan Kristy, who was played by Neha Syal, and expert witness, Dr. Delany Jones, who was played by Jim Geddis. Gregory .Kamback and Sapna Syal were the attorneys representing the defendant, J.E. Moody.

Moody was played by Dylan Everett. Testifying on his behalf were eyewitness, Chris Mills, who was played by Science Olympiad Team Jessica Sansone, and expert witness, Dr. Haley Comman, who was played by Michelle Predi. Udara Fernando, Anju Malhotra, Shawn Barry, Conner Giles and Barry Lathrop were the jurors. (Continued on next page) Competitions

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(Continued from previous page) ing the defendant and Mon Don representing the plaintiff, the trial began. For over two and a half hours the MATES team members battled against the countless objections and The jurors constantly provided advice to team- complicated questions presented to them by the Mon Don mates during practice and partook in spirited discussions in team. Similarly, Mon Don team members had to contend the jury room with jurors from other schools during the with tough questions, legitimate objections, and excellent competition. After many hours of reading the Mock Trial opening and closing statements delivered by the MATES handbook and practicing, the team was prepared for a team. In the end, after a lengthy deliberation, the judges dress rehearsal just one week before the actual competition. declared Mon Don the winner by “a narrow margin.” They headed to the Island Heights Municipal Court to ex- “I am very proud of the performance this year’s perience what an actual courtroom would feel like. There, team delivered,” stated Coach McNamara. He also stated, they met Elizabeth J. Leahey, Esquire, their attorney coach “For the first time, MATES won three trials in the prelimi- who played the judge. During the trial, Mrs. Leahey pro- nary and semi-final rounds and was a contender for the vided constructive criticism and scored the performances of county championship. Bravo!” The team is excited for next the attorneys and the witnesses. In the end, the judge’s year’s competition. “Mock Trial was a great experience,” score resulted in a tie. The score was verified by MATES stated Udara Fernando. She also said, “It was exciting math teacher, Mr. Bixler, who was present during the trial watching the MATES team compete against other teams. I and helped inspire the team. With this dress rehearsal under can't wait for next year! Even though we lost this year, I their belts, the team members were prepared to take on the feel like this just fuels us for next year. Now that we know competition the coming Saturday. what to expect, we can only get better!” The preliminary competition took place on Satur- The Mock Trial team thanks Mr. Bixler for attend- day, January 29, 2011. Around 8:30 AM, the team mem- ing the dress rehearsal, Dr. Wnek for attending the compe- bers gathered at the Ocean County Justice Complex in tition on Saturday and Monday, and Ms. Held for attending Toms River, where the competition was to take place. Pre- the competition on Monday. viously, the MATES team had made it to the afternoon Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, and rounds during this preliminary competition, so the pressure MATES Mock trial team hopes you will join us next year. was on the members to repeat what had been done by their Perhaps then you can take on the role of an attorney, a wit- predecessors. And the team was prepared to deliver. Many ness, a juror, or simply a spectator in the court room sup- parents and friends came out to watch MATES compete. In porting the team. the preliminary morning competition, the MATES defend- ing team went against Toms River South High School and won. In the next trial, the MATES plaintiffs won again against Jackson Liberty High School, which took MATES to the semi-finals. Fortified with pizza from Capone’s Res- taurant, the team was ready to battle in the semi-final competition later that afternoon. The MATES plaintiff’s team won yet again, against Central Regional High School! With this third win, MATES had gone further than it ever had gone in the competition. As a result, MATES would participate in the county championship round for the first time, and it would have to defeat Monsignor Donovan High School (Mon Don). After one day of rest, the final competition arrived. On Monday, January 31, the MATES and Mon Don teams 2011 Mock Trial Team in front of the courthouse faced one another in historic Ocean County Court Room No. 1, which dates back to 1850. With MATES represent- Competitions

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MATES 2011 Shore Bowl Competition by Walker Davis

On February 5, 2011, the MATES Shore Bowl team came in second place in the regional Shore Bowl competition. Tom Zdyrski, Sean Leibowitz, Ted Mishura, Stephen Mershon, and Walker Davis, Stephen Mershon, Shandrea Hickock, Matthew Dentroux, as well as coaches Tina Held and Jason Kelsey, ventured to the Douglass Campus Center at Rutgers University for a rigorous day of oceanographic questions. Shore Bowl is split up into two main sections: buzzer Shore Bowl A Team consisting of Ms. Held, Walker Davis, Sean rounds and challenge rounds. A match begins with a six Leibowitz, Tom Zdyrski, Ted Mishura, and Mr. Kelsey minute buzzer round, where both teams try to “out-speed” Leading the MATES TSA each other for points and the ability to answer a bonus question. Once the first buzzer round has concluded, two by James Priestley and Yifan Zhang worksheets are given to each team to complete in a speci- fied amount of time. Topics covered in the challenge On November 23, the executive board of the MATES rounds ranged from primary production to tides, with a Technology Student Association went to a leadership con- heavy emphasis on marine policy. The match is then ference at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). The execu- capped by a final buzzer round. tive board consisted of President James Priestley, Sergeant- Shore Bowl is an all day event, with the actual competi- at-arms Yifan Zhang, VP Nick Lavrov, Secretary Emily tion taking place between 8:00 AM and 5:30 PM. An initial Keppen, Treasurer Walter Church, and Reporter David round robin is used to thin out enough teams so that the Etler. After an exciting ride through some cranberry second stage, a double elimination tourney, has the proper bogs— “Never get directions from Jimmy,” Mrs. Quigley amount of teams for smooth rounds. In the double elimina- regrets— the executive board arrived at the conference just tion tournament, the MATES team made a valiant effort in time for the opening. In the opening, the state officers during their showdown with MAST; however, MAST eked and advisor discussed the role that technology has on the out a narrow victory. Determined to continue, the team world today. After the opening ceremonies, everyone was drove through other teams until the final rematch with broken up, and small seminars were held to discuss the lo- MAST. Unfortunately, the match ended with MAST victo- gistics of running a chapter. The executive board is eager to rious, and MATES in second place again. share these new and exciting ideas with the rest of the After having been asked for a comment, Coach Tina chapter and the school at large. Held responded “It was another gill-biting and fin-grabbing The closing of the conference was a Design Challenge. year for our seasoned Shore Bowl team against the best Reunited, the executive boards of each school were tasked teams of NJ, PA, and NY, especially against our rival ma- with a problem to solve while the advisors finished up their rine academy competitors, MAST. As always, we endured closing ceremony. Using only mundane items including a against all the other teams, and in the final matches we had meager few sheets of paper, a single roll of tape, and a deck MAST swimming in fear and coming up to the surface only of cards whose box was confiscated, the executive board with enough time to gasp for air, question after question. It had to construct a freestanding tower to hold a meatball (a was so very close, but unfortunately, in the end, it was painted tennis ball) for ten seconds. Mrs. Quigley boasts “I MAST who had the control and took the gold away from was very proud of the way our e-board represented MA- MATES, leaving us with the silver and another year to TES at the TSA conference.” Through ingenuity and crafts- grow another ring of calcium carbonate onto our team shell manship, MATES came out on top, beating other schools only making our shell bigger and stronger for next year.” such as MAST, High Tech, and BTHS with a tower height of 74.5inches. Not bad for our first year. Outside MATES

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It’s a Strike! Save the Seals! Harbor Seal 5K Run/Walk by Michael Oden by Monica Douglas and Hannah Glen

The P.E. department decided to have a bowling trip On Saturday, November 6, 2010 runners and walkers on December 7, 2010. Twelve students and faculty mem- th bers attended the event. Student’s paid a small fee of alike came out to the 13 annual Harbor Seal 5K run/ eight dollars, which paid for two games and shoes at walk in Seaside Heights. Each participant donated twen- Manahawkin’s Thunderbird Lanes. ty five dollars to benefit the Marine Mammal Stranding Mr. Coen, Mr. MacDonald, and Mr. Holland defeated Center (MMSC) of Brigantine, New Jersey. The MMSC all of the students, most of whom could not even break is a non-profit organization located in Brigantine, New double digits in the first game. Everyone improved dur- Jersey that rehabilitates stranded animals. The diversity ing their second game and despite their scores they all of the animals ranges from many species of seals to had a good time. Krisjin Wagner bragged to the teachers, “Look! We got 300… collectively!” The event was sup- Humpback Whales. posed to be over at five in the afternoon; however, the This fundraiser was held to raise money for the ex- second game was done almost two hours ahead of sched- pansion of the facility and for the care of the animals. ule. Ashley Bromiley shared the many coupons she had Participants from the MATES community included stu- brought with her, so just about everyone was able to play dents and faculty members. The race began at ten a third game for free. o’clock in the morning, and the results came in after all Advisor Mr. Coen stated, “It’s always a good time of the participants finished. After completing the run, and it allows students and teachers to hang out with each other on a social level.” The only downsides to this trip Matt Kolbusz said, “The MMSC 5K Run was my first were the many gutter balls and lack of food at the alley. ever daring 5K Run. After months of preparation, cross- Even so, there were smiles on everyone’s faces. It is ing the finish line in under 30 minutes was definitely one highly recommended that you go next year. of my greatest attainments; it has motivated me to run in a marathon in the future. Also, I couldn't have spent my time with better MATES students than those who ran alongside of me! Congrats guys!” Awards were given to the top runners in each age cat- egory and overall male and female divisions. Members of the community, including local Girl Scouts, came out The logo of Thunderbird Lanes to volunteer by handing out water during the race. Dona- tions from different businesses, families, and volunteers really helped to make this fundraiser a success.

Participants in the Harbor Seal 5K Outside MATES

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In the Heights Spanish Club Trip raise the most money. There were several ways that the In by Anju Malholtra and Jessica Sansone the Heights crew was raising money. For instance, the crew used collections buckets and the sale of pictures with Jordin On Saturday, November 13, 2010, Spanish Club mem- Sparks. Many people in the audience donated to this won- bers had a blast on their trip to New York City to see the derful cause and helped In the Heights with their little com- Broadway play, In the Heights. Prior to the play, the mem- petition. bers had lunch at Meson Sevilla, a Spanish restaurant. The The next thing on the Spanish Club’s agenda was a visit Spanish Club finished off the night by taking a walk to Rockefeller Center to see the holiday decorations, in- through Times Square and Rockefeller Center. cluding the 74 foot Christmas tree. The tree was not com- The day started off with lunch at Meson Sevilla, a small pletely decorated and was surrounded by scaffolding; how- Spanish restaurant with a cozy Hispanic atmosphere and ever, the students were still amazed with the size of the delicious food. Students were able to listen to fun, Spanish Norway spruce. They walked past the ice skating rink that music as they ate their delicious food. The meal started off sits under the tree and the many flags surrounding the rink. with an appetizer of soup or salad. Then, the students had a After visiting Rockefeller Center, the group walked to choice of several delicious entrees, including garlic shrimp meet their bus. On their way, they walked through Times and penne with garlic. Lunch was finished off with coffee, Square. Many of the students were amazed by the sight. flan and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. With their bellies full Jake Convery said, “I have been to Times Square before of delicious Hispanic food, the Spanish Club made their but I still found it incredible. There were so many people, way over to Richard Rogers Theatre to see the play that stores, and lights!” While some of the students, like Jake, they had all been waiting for, In the Heights. were caught up in Times Square, others had their attention As the curtain was raised, the breathtaking scenery grabbed by who they saw on the street. The Cookie Mon- brought the audience to Washington Heights, a small ster, Elmo and Spongebob Squarepants were just some of neighborhood with a tight-knit community in Manhattan. the cartoon characters that were spotted. Several lucky stu- “The set was well crafted and intricately designed,” says dents were able to get their picture taken with Elmo. Maggie Rice, a student on the trip. The students were able The eventful walk came to a conclusion when they met to see Jordin Sparks. She played the main character, Nina, up with the bus, but their fun was not over yet. On the bus the first girl from the “barrio” to go to college. The play ride home, the whole bus joined in singing “The 25 Days of kept the crowd laughing at jokes (both in English, and Christmas” in Spanish. Everyone had a wonderful time on Spanish), crying over the beloved grandmother, Abuela this interesting trip. “It was an outstanding day with the Claudia, and overall wanting to know more and keep students from MATES representing our school in an exem- watching. The integration of the Spanish language made plary manner,” said Senor McNamara. The same thought the play cultural and very appropriate for a Spanish Club seemed to be with the rest of the students and teachers in- trip. “The Spanish Club trip to see the breathtaking and volved in this Spanish Club trip. inspirational play In the Heights was one of the most mov- ing experiences I have felt at MATES, and I couldn’t have been more honored to have been in attendance. Congratula- tions Spanish Club on a job very well done!” exclaimed Matt Kolbusz. In the Heights is definitely a play worth see- ing! At the end of the performance, the cast talked to the audience about a fundraiser called Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is a nonprofit organization that raises money for AIDS patients. This fundraiser started in 1988 and has helped raise over $195 million. The fundraiser has become a friendly compe- A billboard for In the Heights tition between the Broadway shows to see which one can Reviews

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Hawthorne Heights: Live in New Jersey chase their newest album, Skeletons. Also, you can catch by Shandrea Hickok Hawthorne Heights in Philadelphia on February 3, 2010 during their first ever acoustic Stripped Down to the Bone My Rating: tour. Hawthorne Heights is an alternative-rock post hardcore band from Dayton, Ohio. They formed in 2001 and just released their new album, Skeletons, on June 1, 2010. The band’s most popular songs, Ohio Is for Lovers and Nikki FM, are off their first album, Silence In Black And White. These singles are played at every show and are known worldwide. In 2007, Hawthorne Heights experienced the loss of their guitarist/vocalist, Casey Calvert. They expressed their emotions about his death in their third album: Fragile Future. Although JT Woodruff (lead singer), Mi- The band, Hawthorne Heights cah Cali (lead guitar), Matt Ridenour (bass guitar), and Eron Bucciarelli (drums) have lost a friend and band member, they still play today. Starting on November 26, 2010 in Dayton, Ohio, the band began a U.S. tour alongside The Story Changes. On December 11, 2010 at Hangar 84 in Vineland, NJ, I had the chance to see Hawthorne Heights, The Story Changes, and several other local bands. I arrived two hours before the doors opened at the venue to guarantee a front row spot. The opening bands started the show out right, but the sus- pense of Hawthorne Heights’ performance grew throughout the night. The atmosphere was relaxed and security wasn’t very strict, unlike previous shows I have seen. JT Woodruff was even standing at the band’s table during breaks in the show. When Hawthorne Heights finally played, everyone The publicity flyer for the concert moved closer to the stage. Alongside me in the front row were a few other girls who had also been influenced drasti- cally by Hawthorne Heights’ music. We all sang, cried, and danced together as their music played. The overall set list that night was incredible; there was a variety of music played off their past and present albums. Personally, I felt like the best song they performed was Dissolve and Decay, which is off their first album. After the show, the band took down their equipment, signed autographs, took pictures, and had conversations with the fans. When asked about the show, JT Woodruff said, "Our time in Vineland at Hangar 84 was dance-tastic! We love Jersey.” I recommend that everyone check out the band’s first album, Silence in Black and White, and pur- JT Woodruff of Hawthorne Heights and Shandrea Hickok Reviews

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A Prelude to (Hopefully) Better Things to Come ble collection of intense sequences drive the story along by James Priestley and Yifan Zhang at an adequate pace, while emotional scenes like Godri- c’s Hollow and Ron’s return add a new level depth and feeling to the characters we have grown to admire. While Harry Potter fans and moviegoers alike have been it definitely feels like a prelude of much better things to through a lot these last nine years. Since the Sorcerer’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets, the famed trio of Harry come, Deathly Hollows Part 1 is a commendable feat of Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley has cer- filmmaking in its own right. tainly matured from their childish beginnings at Hog- warts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Gone are the playful, adolescent themes, with the newer films taking on a darker backdrop as the wizarding community is thrust into conflict. Director David Yates performs admirably with re- spect to his predecessors, commanding the audience’s attention during the high points with fluid scripting and filming, all above the pulsing foundation of Alexandre

Desplat’s score. All of this holds true for many of the emotional highpoints and action sequences throughout Publicity photo from Harry Potter and the the film, be it Hermione leaving her parents, the scenes Deathly Hallows at the Ministry of Magic, or the confrontation at Malfoy Manor. But aside from these highlights, the large middle portion of the film is essentially a drawn-out camping Mozart, Mutter, and Rihm trip. by James Priestley and Yifan Zhang The seventh installment in the Harry Potter film fran- chise is unique in its setting; gone are the stone walls of the castle we have come to love so dearly. The Dark World-renowned virtuoso violinist Anne Sophie Mut- Lord, Voldemort, has risen to power once more, quickly ter took the stage in New York last November as the suppressing the government. Harry Potter and his friends New York Philharmonic’s Artist in Residence, perform- are left to seek refuge in remote locations while search- ing for the horcruxes, objects which contain the remain- ing a selection of three Mozart violin concertos and the ing fragments of Voldemort’s soul and are the source of world premiere of Lichtes Spiel by German composer his limited immortality. Lost and without direction, the Wolfgang Rihm. Ms. Mutter took to the concertos with three young adults camp in various remote locales—a her customary eloquence and skill; her distinctive harsh good forty minutes of the movie details the adventures of tone accented the Mozart works beautifully. Mutter and Harry, Hermione, and Ronald camping. The quick pace the Philharmonic made an excellent pair, with their dy- established earlier certainly slows down here, where the namic interaction flowing back and forth, easily transi- film inherits some of the flaws of its source material. After the story-telling lull in the middle, the pace tioning between soloist and orchestra. picks up again amidst scenes at the Ministry and Malfoy Manor. The result is an emotionally satisfying conclusion to this penultimate installment. While its low points (continued on next page) are clearly evident and drag on a bit too much, the siza- Reviews

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(continued from previous page) takes. There is a constant danger to a runner in the maze. There are beasts called Grievers that have many spikes Michael Francis joined the stage to conduct the or- that if a runner touches, he will be driven to insanity. chestra as Anne Mutter was featured in Rihm's new aton- The Grievers are less active during the day, but are al piece. The world premiere resulted in thunderous ap- always active during the night. Fortunately, the stone plause from the packed hall, earning the performers a walls enclosing the central town protect the Gladers but if a runner does not come back to the town before the lengthy standing ovation. Anne Sophie Mutter has reaf- walls close, he is considered dead. When the runners re- firmed her position as one of the greatest virtuoso violin- turn from the Maze, they create maps of the area which ists of our time, while Rihm and his avant-garde compo- are later interpreted to find a possible solution for getting sitions have established him as one of the world's premi- out of the Glade. ere composers. A short while after Thomas arrives to the Glade; a girl named Teresa also arrives. This is very shocking because a girl has never shown up in the Glade; it has always been males. From this point on, everything goes crazy. The food that has been supplied to the Glade from an unknown source every week has disappeared, and worst of all, the walls of the town do not close anymore, which allows Grievers to wreak havoc through the night.

This pushes everyone to their maximum potential to try and find a solution to the maze. Thomas knows that he has a strange connection to the Glade, and more im- portantly, a major connection to Teresa. Trouble awaits Violinist Anne Sophie Mutter performing them all as they race to find a solution to the Maze. James Dasher did a great job writing this book, and I would highly recommend it to anyone. The Maze Runner by Rahul Syal

When Thomas wakes up in a confined box that is rap- idly ascending, he knows something is wrong. He re- members nothing except his name. As the mysterious box comes to a halt, he enters a new world called the

Glade. In the Glade, there is a central town enclosed by walls that extend to the sky, and there is a maze outside of these stone walls. Each day, the walls open and then close at night. After the stone walls close, the walls that make up the maze shift to form a new pattern. There are many other boys just like Thomas who are teenagers and unaware of their past. The boys, also Cover from The Maze Runner by James Dashner called Gladers, are assigned jobs to keep the Glade running, such as cooks or janitors. However, the most important job is a runner. A runner goes out into the maze during the day and explores it, memorizing every path he Creature Feature Page 13 MATES Messenger Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Gemini Gorillas Here Comes the King by Nick Zebrowski by Hannah Glen

Rwanda’s greatest tourist attraction, the mountain goril- King crabs have recently made their way along the las, can chalk up two more members to their declining pop- warming waters of the Antarctic Peninsula, which could be ulation. On February 7, 2011, an extraordinary event oc- a threat to the unique ecosystem on the seafloor. These curred. Twin mountain gorillas were born! This species of shell-crushing creatures are expected to harm the native gorilla is endangered, with less than 800 individuals known species and invade their homes. For 40 million years, king in existence. These twin males were born to a mother crabs have not lived in these shallow coastal waters be- named Kabatwa, and have caused quite a commotion cause the climate has always been too cold, but “the waters across the country. around the Antarctic peninsula have begun to get warmer. Twin mountain gorillas have only been born five times The air temperature has jumped 6 degrees Celsius (10.8 in the past 40 years; previously, there were none recorded. degrees Fahrenheit) since the 1950s, while the average This is an astonishing event. Rwanda’s poor economy will ocean temperature has increased by 1 degree Celsius (1.8 likely be aided by tourism to visit these gorillas. In the degrees Fahrenheit) over the same time” (Niiler). end, this birth is a beautiful sign of hope for the waning This species of crab have large, red, shell-crushing population of mountain gorillas. claws, which will be destructive to the bottom-dwelling creatures, such as mussels, brittle stars and sea urchins because they have thin shells and have not developed any de- fenses. Sven Thatje, an evolutionary biologist at the Uni- versity of Southampton in England said, “The pace of changes that we are observing here in the Antarctic, which is the remotest continent on this planet, is quite frighten- ing.” The increasing water temperatures on the coast have lowered the psychological barrier in these crabs that kept them in deeper waters, off the coast. If the water temperature is too low, the crabs cannot process the magnesium, Above: Kabatwa holding her twin babies in her arms the mineral they absorb from seawater, in their blood. This then effects the crab’s movement, which is causing them to invade the shallow coastal waters. “Scientists say that barri-

er may soon fall, as global climate change continues to im- pact wildlife at the polar regions” (Niiler). It is predicted that when the surface waters warm up, the king crabs will vanquish the defenseless species in this ecosystem. Sven Thatje and his team of U.S. and Swedish scientists have been exploring the Antarctic shelf, and the population of king crabs is constantly growing, and they say “this is the last pristine marine system on Earth and it could get de-

stroyed" (Niiler).

A King Crab

Creative Corner Page 14 MATES Messenger Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Snake Christina Jacob

Snake on a Stick Michael Schulman

Creative Corner Page 15 MATES Messenger Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Shark Michael Oden

Leaves Alex Traxinger

Frog Lauren Bouthillette Creative Corner Page 16 MATES Messenger Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Origami by Evan Zodl

Have you ever wanted to try origami? If you have ever wished to learn more about the ancient Japa- nese art of origami, please visit: http:// www.youtube.com/ezorigami for many of my instruc- tional origami videos ranging from ‘very simple’ to ‘fairly complex!' Whether you are a beginner or an advanced folder, there are several videos perfect for you! Also, if you are interested in viewing any more of my work, please visit: http://www.flickr.com/ ezorigami

All origami created by Evan Zodl