Volume 74, IssueThe 2 RAMPARTThe Official Student Newspaper of Fordham Prep February 2014 Messier Meets The Prep Hockey Players By JOHN MIKUS The KNIC introduced their bold ambition to he Bronx is known for community at a Saint Nicho- the Botanical Gardens, las of Tolentine Church rally. , elevat- While discussing the project’s Ted railroad lines and the world’s financial aspects and goal of largest metropolitan zoo. How- introducing talented athletes to ever, the Kingsbridge National hockey, KNIC recognized Ford- Ice Center Partners (KNIC) and ham Prep as the first institution Mark Messier, National Hock- to sign a letter of intent, promis- ey League All-Star and six-time ing future purchases of the cen- Stanley Cup Champion, look to ter’s ice slots. Symbolizing the add to that list by constructing school’s commitment, Fordham the largest ice-skating facility on Prep’s Hockey Varsity Captains, Earth. They plan to convert the Connor Smith, Vincent Paler- currently vacant 750,000 square mo, and William Wrotniak pre- foot Kingsbridge Armory into sented Mark Messier with two intent of attracting more hockey munity center, office space, and the Kingsbridge National Ice custom-made Fordham Prep athletes, figure skaters, and- in health and wellness services, al- Center, which would house nine Hockey jerseys. terested individuals to ice sports. lowing students to participate in separate sheets of ice, with the CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 The facility will boast a com- community outreach programs. College Decision The End of Soviet Era Kiev: By AUSTIN PARISI apply for. There are three major Ukraine Uprising types of admission processes: early decision, early action, and By ALEX MAIER regular decision. n school we are taught that the The early decision and ear- Union of Soviet Socialist Re- ly action deadlines are usually publics, or the USSR/Soviet around the same time, the be- IUnion, formally “fell” in 1991. ginning of November, but there In a formal matter that is cor- is a very big difference between rect; however, formal doesn’t the two. To apply early deci- mean right. What happened in y this time of the year, sion, students, their parents, and 1991 is, in reality, the Soviet most Fordham Prep se- the guidance counselor have to Union became the state of mod- niors have completed sign a binding agreement that ern day Russia controlling the Btheir college application process states that if the student were former members of the Sovi- and all the juniors are looking to be accepted, he would attend et Union. The Soviet Union is at their future college choic- the school. Early decision can still around today; but instead es. When students are creating be tough for many students who of having a formal union you their lists of schools to apply are unsure of where they want have states controlled by Russia to, one of the most important to go to college, but it can be scattered around Eurasia. Some distinctions that they have to especially luring due to the fact are under the direct control of make when applying to school that acceptance rates tend to be Russia because they are federal is which admission type they much higher. A large downside dependencies, such as Chechn- for early decision applicants is ya. Others are puppet states, like that they do not see their finan- Ukraine. They appear to have cial aid package, if any, until af- independence and no associa- ter the admission decision. This tion with Russia. It is not hard uncertainty causes some people to see through this weak illusion Photo Credit: npr.org to shy away from early decision that Russia is pulling the strings ic revolution that consisted of and choose either early action or Front Page | 1 on the majority of what happens civil disobedience, strikes, and regular decision. The only dif- in these puppet states. Ukraine sit-ins by anti-corruption revo- Student Life | 2 ference between these two pro- has been a victim of Russian lutionaries led to the revote or- cesses is the admission deadline Entertainment election rigging and corrupt ma- der by the Ukrainian supreme and admission decision dates. nipulation. court. This civil and democratic & Politics | 3 Early action deadlines usually In 2004, the citizens of revolution was named the Or- come out around mid Decem- Sports | 4 Ukraine decided to take action. ange Revolution. Fast forward- ber, compared to early April for Ukrainian presidential elections ing to 2013/2014, protests that regular decision. These admis- had taken place and had been are even larger than the Orange sion processes are not binding stained by Russian corruption, Revolution are taking place. It and allow for greater flexibility voter intimidation, and direct began with the European Union when choosing a future college. electoral fraud. A democrat- CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 2 Student Life Fordham Prep’s 20th Anniversary of Carnevale By GREG HYER the past eighteen years, and ap- proximately twelve are expect- arnevale is a yearly cel- ed to attend. In addition to the ebration before Lent festivities, the Italian Club will held in Italy. It can be be honoring Borgatti’s Pasta, Cthought of as an Italian Mardis Joe’s Deli, Mike’s Deli, and Gi- Gras. Fordham Prep’s Carnev- no’s Pastry Shop, all on Arthur ale is also a celebration of the Avenue, who have generously Fordham Prep Italian Club’s donated to the event. Silvio’s in heritage and culture. This year’s Yonkers will be providing a full celebration will be Mrs. Sim- dinner with a main course, sal- eone’s eighteenth year of or- ads, and deserts. The music for ganizing the Carnevale. It will the night will be performed by a feature prominent Italian Amer- DJ and a Prep student led by Mr. ican alumni as guest speakers LaGama ’09. Mrs. Simeone and and a multi-course meal. More- the Italian Club look forward to over, Mrs. Simeone has invited another successful Carnavale all Italian Club presidents from and hope many can attend. Welcome Ms. Bell! Ms. McCarrick: By MATTHEW SALTZMAN Ms. Bell’s competitive spir- “Who Says Math Is Difficult?” it doesn’t just come out of no- A lot of Prep students dis- where. In high school she was By JOHN MIKUS like math and that’s not a se- a cheerleader. Cheering on the cret. Some find it trivial, even sidelines was fun for a year, but ephemeral. But Ms. McCarrick then Ms. Bell continued on to promises that when her students a private stunt team where the ask, “’Why are we doing this?” competition gets fiercer and the they find their “aha” moment. stunts more extreme. On top of So if you’re a frustrated fresh- that, Ms. Bell ran with Rockland interviewed Ms. Bell at the man, hang in there because it all Road Racers and rowed compet- s. McCarrick is the beginning of the school year, makes sense eventually. itively in college. She was also newest addition to and from that moment I knew This interview wasn’t was a competitive figure skater. Fordham Prep’s math Ishe’d be very happy at the Prep. only about mathematics though. Clearly, Ms. Bell is very driven Mdepartment. In getting a chance She’s fun, loud, and if I had to We spent a lot of time talking and athletic. to interview her, I was able to guess, she probably had broth- about extracurriculars and the From an administrative get a real glimpse into her pas- ers. She seems to have an innate Prep in general. Ms. McCar- standpoint, she loves the sup- sion for teaching. Ms. McCar- sense of the inner workings of rick spent six years at Cardinal portive netting that the assistant rick said that, “teachers inspired the back and forth jarring that Spellman and has been a HAP principals and department chairs me… and I always had a feeling go on at an all boys’ high school. veteran for a while now. So the provide. She is also really excit- for math”. Most teachers can Ms. Bell was always inter- Prep, and Catholic school in ed about the service aspect of pinpoint a specific time or place ested in teaching but didn’t find general, wasn’t unfamiliar when the prep. She says, “I personally when one of their teachers truly out what subject she wanted she first arrived. However, her worked very closely with Ron- inspired them and, coming from to teach until she was in high opinion of the student body sur- ald McDonald House and Make the Prep, I think we all can re- school. She had a chemistry prised me a little bit. Ms. McCa- a Wish Foundation, so I hope to late. teacher who she said, “made me rrick said that she didn’t expect be able to bring my service ex- Ms. McCarrick’s interest in realize that I could do anything an all-boy environment to be so perience to this school.” Most math is an impressive one to I wanted. She was very interest- quiet. I don’t know what classes importantly, she thinks “the kids say the least. She opened our ed in how many women didn’t Ms. McCarrick teaches exactly here are awesome, it’s nice to be discussion on it by saying, “I go into science [and challenging but, if any one of her students is in a classroom where kids want do not think math is scary, but that stereotype], so from that reading this, you guys need to to learn and are interested in some people do.” Obviously, day I was very dead set on going step it up. learning.” Welcome to the Prep high school math can be very into science.” Experiencing Emmaus Ms. Bell! intimidating, but Ms. McCar- rick never saw it that way. She and being able to, “see students Staff remembers “seeing a lot of other outside of the classroom” has people struggle with it and felt made Ms. McCarrick genuinely News Team I [she] would be able to explain excited about the Fordham Prep John Sullivan...... Editor-In-Chief Paul Carroll John Levine it in a way that could help peo- community. Some of you may Matthew Saltzman..Student Life Editor Brian Cornyn Alex Maier ple.” Throughout my entire in- not realize it yet, but Fordham Coleman Kraemer...... Politics Editor Kenneth Dillon Thomas Matera Prep is an incredibly powerful Michael Guberti...... Sports Editor Michael Dillon John Mikus terview with Ms. McCarrick, it atmosphere. Ms. McCarrick Michael Filardi Nicholas Natale seemed as if she never stumbled Mr. Dwyer...... Moderator Reed Horner Sam O’Driscoll upon teaching as career choice, knows that, and it’s safe to say Greg Hyer Austin Parisi but instead it came naturally to that she’s found a home here. Austin Lee Alex Trovini Neville Lee Andrew Van Hoek her at an early age. Entertainment & Politics 3 Godspell True Detective: True Brilliance ye for the way of the Lord” and case had on them, which builds in- By KENNETH DILLON By AUSTIN LEE caused the death of the aforemen- terest in the case before it is even tioned Messiah. In this production, presented. However, the most de- the FPDS also waves goodbye to fining aspect of this show is in its its only two 4-year members, Andy characters, more specifically, Rust. Dillon ’14 and Chidi Anyata ’14, as Rustin Cohle is one of the most in- they graduate to bigger stages and teresting and mysterious characters bright endeavors in their college fu- on television, and his character is tures, but this time without the di- played flawlessly by McConaughey. rection of director Mr. O’Sullivan As soon as he comes on screen, the and producer/music director Mr. viewer knows that Cohle is a one of Otis to remind them about ALAC- a kind character. Everything he does, here may be a new reason to RITY! Kenny Dillon ’14 also leaves from the way he walks to the way he turn in that Economics home- very once in a while, a tele- behind his three-year career pulling vision show comes around talks, makes watching him riveting. work on time- Mr. George ropes and managing the crew which His backstory alone is worthy of its TFebles is the father of the Messiah. that raises the bar for other he did with co-manager Andrew Etelevision shows. First it was The own TV show. Rust often goes on Mr. Febles’ son, Paul Febles ’15, Schrynemakers ’15, but leaves his Wire, then Breaking Bad, and now rants about the futility of existence, took on the role of Christianity’s black clothes crusaders with high feebleness of humanity, and how the own Jesus Christ in the Fordham True Detective. True Detective, cre- expectations for the future. Godspell ated and written by Nic Pizzolatto, development of compassion in hu- Prep Drama Society’s presentation met the Leonard Theater with one of mans is a “tragic misstep in evolu- of Godspell on February 7th and 8th is HBO’s new police drama. It stars the highest attended opening nights Matthew McConaughey as Detec- tion”. His monologues are examples in the Leonard Theater. Parables and where Brian Vullo ’15 of the pro- of the well-thought-out and care- lessons were taught and explained tive Rustin Cohle, and Woody Har- duction staff even had to seat people relson as Detective Martin Hart. fully planned writing on the show. through such methods as twerking, in the balcony. Mike Dmytryshyn Rust may initially be thought of as listening to what foxes say, and even The show takes place in two time ’14 also played his final riff as the settings, 1995 and 2012, both set in offensive and rude, but as the view- throwing up on some poor members band’s longest lasting student mem- ers learn more about his peculiar of the band. Pop culture reared its rural Louisiana. In 1995, partners ber, breathing a sigh of relief that he Rust and Marty are assigned to in- and tragic past, his beliefs become (plastic surgery enhanced) head evi- survived the close proximity to Mr. understandable and justifiable. -De dently in this production as a vehicle vestigate the murder of a prostitute. Otis for years on end. Godspell was The 1995 story is told through de- tective Hart, on the other hand, is a through which all those who took the a hit with a message, a thought-pro- traditional police officer, with a lov- show in could ride into a more fluid scriptive flashbacks that take place voking laugh, and a reminder: God in 2012. In 2012, Marty and Rust ing wife and two kids. He is the per- understanding of Christ’s teaching. presents himself to us in many ways fect character to have opposite Rust. Kyle Plunkett ’14, doubling as both are both retired and are being inter- throughout history and especially viewed about this case because the He represents the general public of Judas Iscariot and John the Baptist today…but only if you turn in your Louisiana, unfamiliar and scared of (what a pair, eh?), both “prepared files on it were supposedly lost in Economics homework on time. Hurricane Katrina. However, it is Rust’s unorthodox beliefs. Matthew clear that the two former detectives McConaughey (Rust) and Woody aren’t being questioned for a review Harrelson (Marty) are both giving Hop Over The Hobbit of the case. Something has changed, the performances of their lives. Both The movie jumps around from By MICHAEL DILLON bringing a serial killer from seven- actors turn their character into deep, character to character at such a fast teen years prior back into relevance. memorable people who don’t seem rate that you can’t even tell what’s In a genre full of bland police like characters on a television show, going on. The movie has the atten- procedurals, True Detective vi- but real, living people. When the tion span of a sugar-fueled eight brantly stands out and above other cinematography, writing, and act- year old, and at times it seems that it shows. Everything about this show ing of True Detective come togeth- was written by this aforementioned is brilliant. Firstly, its cinematogra- er, it creates one of the best shows eight year old. Some of the dialogue phy is beautiful. Sweeping shots of on television. True Detective also exchanges are so poorly written that the Louisiana countryside showcase stars Michelle Monaghan, Alexan- you wonder who approved half of it the beauty of the state. The narra- dra Daddario, Michael Potts, and to be unleashed on the unaware pub- tion style is also unique. Showing Tory Kittles. It airs on HBO Sunday lic. This movie is also ridiculously the same characters in two differ- nights at 9pm from January 12th to violent, even more so than the previ- ent years displays the effect this March 9th. ous Lord of the Rings movies, which depicted several wars. The charac- ters themselves are all 2D cardboard Ukraine Uprising he Hobbit: The Desolation of cutouts defined by how unlikable CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 for a truly independent Ukrainian Smaug is one of the most dis- they are. Bilbo, the protagonist, is offer of an amazing European inte- state. From protest signs to the cordant and random movies I a crazy ring addicted kleptomani- gration deal to Ukraine, yet some- forced removal of the Lenin stat- Thave ever seen. This movie is so fun- ac. Despite being the “protagonist” how it apparently failed to pass. ue in Kiev, Ukraine’s capital, it is damentally flawed that I’m not even of this movie, Bilbo gets less than The demonstrations by protest- now obvious that the Soviet era will sure where to start with explaining three scenes of screen time. Special ers began to show support for EU cease to exist in Ukraine. While the it. Well, it certainly isn’t a good ad- effects guru Peter Jackson has fall- integration; however, after the ap- majority of Russian state controlled aptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic en far, as many special effects shots parent failure of the deal, demon- media, that airs in both Ukraine and book The Hobbit, as every theme, seemed to have leapt out of Ninten- strations have turned into rallies for Russia, paints these demonstrators motif, and plot point present in the do 64 era video game. A few scenes removal of President Yanukovych. out to be nationalist extremists, the book has been violently stripped do stand out as being well-made and He has close ties and a friendly his- people of Ukraine know the truth. away. Well, since it obviously fails some at least capture the feeling of tory with Russian President Putin. Ukraine is rising up from the ash- as an adaptation, what does it have the original Lord of the Rings mov- Putin has purchased the majority of es that Russia has kept it at. The to show on its own? Filler and only ies. It is sad to see the once great impactful media platforms, such as question isn’t will Ukraine get EU filler. How much of it? The amount Lord of the Rings trilogy being re- VK (Russia’s Facebook) and large integration, but, what great things of filler successfully rivals those duced to Peter Jackson’s “Big Fun amounts of various media outlets, will become of this new Ukrainian of hamburgers unapproved by the Filler-FestTM”. Give this “One and then put them under state con- State? FDA. Ring to rule them all” a miss. trol. The demonstrators are asking 4 Sports Donnie Walsh Court Dedication By REED HORNER team. He was then selected in the eleventh round of the 1968 NBA Draft by the San Francis- co Warriors, but never ended up playing on the professional n November 19th Ford- level. Mr. Walsh then turned his ham Prep dedicated the attention to coaching basketball newly constructed gym on the college level. He was an Oto alumnus Donnie Walsh (Class assistant coach on a number of of ‘58). The night was full of college teams and was also an excitement and anticipation as assistant for the Denver Nug- local and national news net- gets. He got his first taste of NBA works clamored into the gym. coaching when the Denver Nug- Mr. Walsh was front and cen- gets finally decided to give him out the state. Donnie Walsh took with the Indiana Pacers. Mr. ter, surrounded by his friends the reigns to the team in 1979 as a lot of heat for taking Miller Walsh (class of ‘58) is a proud and colleagues, as he graciously their head coach. Donnie Walsh over Alford, but it proved to be alumnus of Fordham Prep and is thanked the Fordham Prep com- is best known as a General Man- a great decision because Mill- well-deserving of the court ded- munity for the court dedication. ager, first with the Indiana Pac- er is in the Hall of Fame and ication. The dedication of the The court dedication was well ers and then with the Alford only ended up playing court will immortalize Donnie deserved and a great way to Knicks. Donnie Walsh is praised four years in the league. While Walsh’s name and legacy. Ford- honor such a prestigious career by his colleagues for having the with the Knicks, Donnie Walsh ham Prep will forever be proud and former Prep student. courage to choose Reggie Mill- also orchestrated the trade that to call Donnie Walsh an alum- Mr. Walsh grew up in Man- er in the first round of the 1987 brought NBA superstar Carmelo nus and his career and achieve- hattan. He became a notable ath- NBA draft over Steve Alford, Anthony to New York. ments are great examples of lete during his time at the Prep who at the time was the star At the age of seventy-two, what a Fordham Prep student and earned a spot on the Univer- player of Indiana University Donnie Walsh is now semi-re- can accomplish. sity of North Carolina basketball basketball and beloved through- tired and holds a consultant job Messier Visits The Prep Obituary: Ariel Sharon By ALEX TROVINI n January 11, 2014, for- mer Israeli special oper- ator, Defense Minister, OForeign Minister, and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon died raeli settled had to be part of a while in a permanent vegetative future Palestinian state. He was CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 what’s the most important aspect state at the age of eighty-five always wanting of peace, but Messier visited with Ford- of leadership? It’s impossible to years old. Sharon was a contro- knew from his time in Special ham Prep’s Ice Hockey players answer that question, but for me versial figure, hailed as a hero Forces when to strike militar- this past November in the Leon- personally it was about trust. by Israelis and some Western- ily. However in 1982, Sharon, ard Theater, where he spoke It was about trusting and find- ers, but decried as a genocidal as Defense Minister, convinced about the Kingsbridge National ing a deeper level of a relation- blood-hungry monster by some; Prime Minister Menachem Be- Ice Center: “Kingsbridge is re- ship with my teammates than a champion of democracy and gin to invade Lebanon to elimi- ally going to open up an oppor- just a professional one.” Lastly, peace to some, an agent of vi- nate Palestinian terrorist groups tunity for all players of all ages the esteemed skater described olence and tyranny to others. there and install allied Lebanese to experience hockey in whatev- Game Six of the 1994 NHL Some disagree, but Sharon, the Christian militias. One of the er form they would like, and I Conference Finals at Madison “Butcher of Beirut,” was proba- militias massacred many inno- think to me that is really the in- Square Garden against the New bly the best hope there ever was cent men, women, and children, spirational part of this endeavor Jersey Devils. After predicting a of resolving the Israeli-Palestin- turning an entire village into a that we are embarking on---to win in interviews the night be- ian conflict and creating a Pales- ghost town. Sharon, though not change the way we look at ice fore, Messier led his team out tinian state. What made Sharon aware of the act until the whole sports in the metropolitan area.” from under a three goal deficit, a hero and (somewhat) an inter- world knew, accepted responsi- The All-Star went on to recount proceeding to score a hat trick, national pariah at once? bility and resigned. This made many of his professional hock- including an empty net goal in Sharon was an Israeli pa- him a pariah until his ascent to ey experiences, emphasizing the the final minutes to seal the vic- triot, but he was also a realist. the premiership of Israel. To importance of team leadership. tory. Although Messier no lon- He knew that the argument of understand the full picture of the He highlighted how his leader- ger points the path to success for “right-to return” of descendants recent Israeli-Palestinian devel- ship qualities helped him guide NHL teams, he now spends his of Palestinian refugees to lands opments, I would recommend two NHL teams to six Stanley time persuading Bronx officials they had/have never known nor reading Tested by Zion, by El- Cup Championships. Reflecting to allow for the successful fin- never been to was nonsense liot Abrams, a former adviser to on the nature of such leadership, ish of the Kingsbridge National and, while a supporter of Is- Presidents Ronald Reagan and Messier was quoted as saying, Ice Center’s construction, which raeli settlements, he knew that George W. Bush. Rest in peace “People ask me all the time, looks to be completed in 2017. in land that was mostly non-Is- warrior of liberty.