HE CHREIBER IMES TPaul D. Schreib er HSigh School Port Washington, NewYork Volume LXTI No. 4 December 2010

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 4QPSUT 2 THE SCHREIBER TIMES NEWS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010

I N THIS ISSUE... ! e Schreiber Times

N!"#. Editor-in-Chief Mid-year budget cuts p. 3 Sahil Doshi Port Night Out p. 4 Swastika in temple parking lot p. 6 Managing Editor Leah Nash

O$%&%'&#. Copy Editor Grading participation p. 7 Laura Werle Drug Surveys p. 8 Less commercial holiday season p. 9 News Editor Matt Heiden F!()*+!#. Assistant Editors Volunteering p. 11 Hannah Fagen Neopets p. 14 Max Kraus Health Awareness p. 15 Opinions Senior Editor A,E. Blake Mergler Narnia p. 17 Editor MTV p. 19 Sophia Ja- e Michael Jackson p. 20 Features Senior Editor S$'+)#. Reid Mergler Gymnastics p. 21 This photograph was taken by junior Gabrielle Davidoff during the summer as part Editor of an assignment for her AP Photo class. She was at the beach in Southold, NY, and Calling the Shots p. 22 Katya Barrett decided to photograph her dog as it came out of the water Assistant Editor A day in the life of a wrestler p. 24 Dan Miller

A&E Editor N EWS BRIEFS Morgan Quigley Assistant Editors Natural Helpers club reinstated create new o/ cer positions for the club. toys were also collected in boxes in the lobby Bethia Kwak . e Natural Helpers club was renewed . e new positions will include a secretary, and during health classes. Kyle Manzione this year with a new advisor, social worker a community support team, a fundraising Club members spent time sorting the gi2 s Ms. Adriana Najera-Pollak. In previous support team, and a communication this week, before they were picked up to go to Sports years, this organization had been regarded support team. the event. Editors as a program within the school. With its . e Natural Helpers Club retreat is an . e toys collected will be distributed to Brett Fishbin new status as an o/ cial club, Ms. Najera- annual event designed to introduce the orphans and foster children in Nassau County. Drew Friedman Pollak decided to make several necessary club to potential members and rea/ rm Although many service organizations Will Zhou changes to rede0 ne its image and recruit the goals of the club. Last year, it was held participate in the collection, the Key Club new members. at the St. Ignatius Jesuit Retreat House is usually the main source of gi2 s. Toys will Graphics/Photo “We want to choose people who have a near Christopher Morley Park. be distributed at a holiday party held for the Editor sincerity to help others,” said Ms. Najera- “Before I went on the retreat I thought it children and their families. Loren Giron Pollack. “Members have to be willing to was going to be really weird and awkward Starting a2 er break, the Science Honor help anyone.” but it was actually really fun. . rough this Society will be collecting personal hygiene Business Ms. Najera-Pollack’s 0 rst initiative was experience I met a lot of other students I items to donate to the Interfaith Nutrition to create a logo. . e new insignia depicts may not have met otherwise,” said junior Network (INN) in Hempstead, N.Y. . ese Manager four overlapping circles and seven people Heidi Shin. items will be distributed to underprivileged Paul Tasnady standing together on the inside. Overall, the Natural Helpers are Long Islanders. Assistant Business Manager Natural Helpers are selected in one of grateful that their group is reinstated as a . e English Honor Society has also been Adam Pollack two ways: by recommendation from prior club. running its own drive, to collect books for members or sta- , or by an anonymous “It’s really fun,” said junior Genevieve children through Williamsburg “Y” Head Sta! Assistants school-wide survey. . is year, however, Bellon. “Everyone is together in one place Start. It has already collected books, and is Daniel Bialer the club started o- late so no survey was and we meet lots of new people. We learn planning to extend the drive into the new Kaia de Bruin given. about what to do if anyone confronted us year. Kristin Yu “I was inducted in 10th grade because I with any problems they have.” With a greater focus on charity in high was elected by my peers. Natural Helpers ~Eleanor Kim schools everywhere, Schreiber clubs have is a special group. We are picked by our lent a hand to bring some joy for the holidays. peers for our natural ability to help others Club charity drives ~Hannah Fagen and taught how to further help teens. I’m Several school clubs have been at work sure I speak for everyone in the group doing charity work this holiday season. ERRATUM: when I say all of us in Natural Helpers are As part of a drive for Nassau County In the November issue, Natalie Ciappa honored to be there,” said senior Alanna Social Services, Key Club members was incorrectly stated to have attended Bethon. spent much of December collecting toys. Massapequa High School. She attended Ms. Najera-Pollack has also decided to Members brought toys to meetings, and Plainedge High School.

Sta! Writers: Victor Dos Santos, Chad Edelblum, Katie Fishbin, Georgia Goodman, Published by the student body of Paul D. Schreiber High School. Letters to the editor Jess Greenwalkd, Eleanor Kim, Minah Kim, Kerim Kivrak, Dan Miranda, Sarah Paul, should be addressed to The Schreiber Times, 101 Campus Drive, Port Washington, New Alexa Pinto, Brendan Weintraub, Hannah Zweig, Hannah Zweig. Contributing Writers: York 11050. The editors reserve the right to refuse, print, edit, return, or not return any submitted material. All letters must be signed by each author. We have a circulation Juliana Beall, Dan Bidikov, Aaron Bialer, Alice Chou, Jacob Eisenberg, Jeremy Eule, of 2,000 copies per issue with subscriptions available for $12.00 per school year. We Katie Garry, David Katz, Celie Sze, Cameron Tait-Ozer, Nicole Zweiner. Cover: Loren accept camera-ready ads or will design ads to your speci! cations. For information, Giron Centerfold: Sahil Doshi, Leah Nash. Backpage: Will Zhou. call our business o" ce at (516) 767-5862. Subscribe to The Schreiber Times! Subscriptions cost $12.00 for the 2010-2011 school year NAME Francis Banta, principal Mail to: Schreiber Times, Attn. Craig Medico or Evelina Zarkh ADDRESS Craig Medico, Evelina Zarkh, advisers 101 Campus Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050 © 2010, The Schreiber Times Make checks payable to: Port Washington Schools CITY STATE ZIP THE SCHREIBER TIMES NEWS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010 3 School district faces ! scal crisis, but remains a" oat Economic issues at the state and county levels create problems for Port schools is, we have worked together with Assistant at several Board of Education meetings. opportunity to present their cases about BY Hannah Fagen Superintendant Mary Callahan, the Board “$ ere are a lot of things that need state aid and unfunded mandates to the Assistant News Editor of Education, and all of our administrators to be done right now. $ ere are general New York State government. and faculty to build up funds, through " xes that need to be made, which will In the future, although the " nances of A! er years of " nancial prosperity, the cost-cutting,” said Dr. Gordon. “$ e be di& cult under these conditions,” said the district may be uncertain, students eduction system has taken a beating from reserves that we have built up are good for senior Tommy Doyle, a Student Council can rest assured that the district is the current economic climate. Fiscal two more years, which means that even if issues at both state and county levels are the state does a mid-year cut, our strategic now threatening to disrupt the " nances plan put us ahead of the curve, so we’re COMPOSITION OF A $130 of school districts, including our own. okay.” $ e Nassau County and New York State $ ese reserves are collections of funds legislatures are planning to have a mid- that the school district has accumulated MILLION BUDGET year budget cut. Such action would a% ect by under spending on the budget. $ ey the Port Washington school district and can and have been used in the past to pay others throughout Nassau County during for extra costs not originally accounted the middle of this school year. for in the budget, such as the construction “$ e state, unfortunately, is in a " scal of the new track. crisis, so it appears that there is going to “We count on being smart by under $100 be a mid-year budget cut, which would spending our budget and using the state mean that we would get less state aid,” said aid to help build up our reserves,” said Dr. $30 million Superintendent of Schools Dr. Geo% rey Gordon. Gordon. With a decrease in state aid, the school million In order to pay o% their debts, the state district will now have less money to of New York and Nassau County will be contribute to the reserve funds. Although providing less aid to the Port Washington the current reserves can maintain the school district in the years to come. $ ey school district at its current state for the will also be increasing the costs of basic next two years, there is no telling what services. One area that will be a% ected will happen if the economy doesn’t turn is the district’s required contributions to around. employee health plans. $ is contribution “I feel safe knowing my education will has increased by 15 percent, which is an last the way it is now for at least two more extra cost of $2 million. Additionally, the years, but I’m not completely at ease,” said district is now required to contribute an freshman Jackson Shain. additional $2.5 million toward employee “Our school district is in excellent pensions. " nancial shape, all of our audits have been $ e district will be responsible for outstanding. $ e county and state are paying new property tax refunds and pushing across their problems down to taxes on the county sewers, which will the schools throughout New York. And cost more than $4 million. Unfunded that, of course, puts school districts in a Of the approximately $130 million of the Port Washington School District budget, mandates, which are costs the district is bind,” said Dr. Gordon. required to pay, are also being increased $ e district has had very stable for the next year by both the county and " nances up until this point. At this point, state. the Board is not expecting to cut any executive board member. doing everything they can to prevent $ e additional costs facing the district student programs. In order to make a statement against cutting educational and extra-curricular will total approximately $8 million. $ is In addition to the year-to-year costs of new state policies that act against the well- programs. is a signi" cant portion of the $30 million running a school district, unexpected costs being of the school district, both the Board “Every student has the right to earn of the district’s $130 million budget that is o! en arise. Currently, improvements are of Education and Student Council are success, which is why we have so many controlled by the Board of Education. necessary at several of the school district considering participation in Lobby Day in programs in the arts, and sports teams, “I sensed this problem eight years ago, facilities, such as leaking roofs at the Albany later this year. During Lobby Day, and so many course choices,” said Dr. a! er the crash of 2000. So the good news middle school, which have been discussed students and other participants have the Gordon. Assemblies on cyber bullying warn about Internet dangers

BY Annelise Meyding activity nationwide. According to his impact of the events, and as to whether have told more incidents about cyber " gures, 43 percent of teens in the United or not the students take these assemblies bullying that have happened in real life. Contributing Writer States have been cyber bullied and 55 seriously. I would’ve liked more examples rather percent of teens in the United States have “Yes, I believe that people do take the than constant lecturing which ended up In an e% ort to combat the dangers been cyber bullies themselves. Among assembly seriously. If they don’t, they being pretty boring,” said freshman Abby facing high schoolers, the school district those who have cyber bullied, 81 percent should start to,” said Glicksman. Harrari. recently brought in a speaker from the said that they did it “because it was funny,” Students learn about issues such $ e Nassau County District Attorney’s Nassau Country District Attorney’s o& ce or “just for the fun of it.” Additionally, as cyber bullying repeatedly in venues o& ce has conjured the acronym, “STOP to hold an assembly regarding cyber including health class and various then send.” STOP stands for “Study bullying. assemblies presented by the school. For content, $ ink about others, Only send On the mornings of Dec. 6 and 7, many students, however, the information if appropriate, Pictures are forever.” $ is two separate assemblies were held for has become repetitive. part of the acronym is designed to help the under and upperclassmen, both led “I felt that the information given by teens to decide if what they are posting on by Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Glicksman was all previously taught, so it the Internet is appropriate, and it allows Glicksman. wasn’t as e% ective as it could have been. If them to recognize the signs of cyber Glicksman has been conducting he had used di% erent facts it would have bullying. this presentation for about " ve years, been a better assembly,” said freshman Overall, the assembly provoked mixed traveling to over 30 di% erent schools in Avanti Shro% . reactions from the student body. Nassau County. During his career, he has Towards the end of the assembly, “I feel like the presenter was out of prosecuted in many cases relating to cyber Glicksman made a reference to the recent touch, and a bit hypocritical. He alternated bullying. craze of making cartoons as pro" le between talking about the Internet’s “Cyber bullying has become a huge pictures on the popular social networking anonymity and how he could then track issue in our society today and many people site Facebook. He revealed to the students you down, without even acknowledging do not realize how serious the problem is,” 18.7 percent of teens in the United States that the initial idea was actually a plot the simple ways around it,” said junior said Mr. Glicksman. who have cyber bullied think that the created by pedophiles. $ is fact, by far, Michael Schweitzer. “He talked about A large portion of Mr. Glicksman’s victims “deserved it.” was met with the most passionate and ‘those poor girls’ who had their pictures presentation was statistics. $ ese statistics, With a growing number of assemblies surprised reaction. spread around, then says he’d charge them which may have been shocking to some, relating to social issues facing high school “$ e assembly was interesting but the for distributing child pornography. It was show increasing levels of cyber bullying students, debate has emerged about the District Attorney giving the speech could very disconcerting.” 4 THE SCHREIBER TIMES NEWS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010 Sales, festivities, and town unity usher in winter season Holiday shoppers come by land and by trolley to participate in the !rst annual Port Night Out

BY Max Kraus and Kristin Yu the Town of North Hempstead. temperatures on the second night. At Carnel’s Printing, children were given “I think it was a great idea for a “We had face-painting and trumpet the opportunity to have their pictures Assistant News Editor and Staff Assisstant number of reasons,” said Ms. Dvora players, and were supposed to have taken with Santa Claus. !ese pictures Troshane, a member of the Residents jugglers on the $rst night,” said Mr. Juliano could then be printed on media that !e cold chill and rainy weather did for More Beautiful Port Washington and Petriello, an employee at Gail’s Stride Rite. ranged from t-shirts to co#ee mugs. !e not hamper the holiday spirit of local a store owner on Main Street. “When “It was really worth it, even though it was Dolphin Bookstore hired local singer Je# shoppers. On Dec. 1 and Dec. 15, stores store owners come together it’s great raining.” Sorg to perform for children while their o#ered promotions and special features for the community. It’s good for both !e trolley was not the only feature parents browsed the shelves. to liven holiday business throughout Port the community and business owners, sponsored by the event’s benefactors. “I’ve been involved in the store for Washington. !is event, known as Port especially in this economy. We wanted to On Dec. 15, the Annual Tree Lighting many years,” said Mr. Sorg. “It is good for Night Out, aimed to create a “magical keep people shopping in town instead out Committee hosted a traditional Christmas the town and there is a community sense shopping experience” by combining at malls and large stores.” presentation. !is presentation featured that comes from the event.” festive store discounts with the annual A trolley service sponsored by the the lighting of the Christmas tree located Schreiber students also participated in decoration of Main Street with holiday Business and Tourism Development in Blumenfeld Park next to the Landmark, Port Night Out. Singer and song-writer lights, Christmas trees, and carolers. Corporation of the Town of North as well as a Nativity presentation. senior Ava Anderson was invited to play Port Night Out, the brainchild Hempstead transported residents along In order to do their part in contributing for an hour at Bluetique. She performed of several community and business Main Street. !is free service dropped to the winter festivities, store and original songs and covers of popular bands organizations, heralded the holiday season and picked up holiday shoppers at $ve restaurant owners along Main Street held like Paramore and the Kings of Leon. with singing, cultural dances, and sales. locations. As the temperature dropped promotions. !ese promotions included “!e atmosphere was very merry,” said !e event was a result of the joint e#orts and the sun sank below the horizon, storewide discounts, pictures with Santa Anderson. “!e experience was very fun. of the Residents for a More Beautiful Port residents took full advantage of the trolley Claus, refreshments, classical music, I would love to perform at an event like Washington, the Greater Port Washington service. Mid-a%ernoon rain showers product ra&es, and even free massages. this again.” Business Improvement District, the Port on the $rst night at the beginning of the Entrée Designer Boutique featured a Schreiber student organizations such Washington Chamber of Commerce, and month posed a challenge, as did the frigid trunk show of the latest Lionette jewelry as Key Club and Chamber Choir also got collection by designer Noa Sade and involved in the event. fashion business associate Vanessa Lee. “Our entire group set up shop on the !anee !ai hired traditional !ai corner of the Mediterranean Marketplace dancers to perform for its customers. !e and sang carols and hanukkah songs for Baltimore Design Center hosted a jazz an hour,” said chamber choir member combo and served free wine and cheese senior Annabelle May. “!e reactions on both nights. were great. We had people standing in the “!e weather didn’t really a#ect cold weather just to listen to us.” business,” said an employee of the Despite the weather, the suggestion Baltimore Design Center. “!e people that Port Night Out be expanded and expect the holiday weather. We had nearly continued in the future was seemingly 100 people the $rst night.” unanimous. Several of the promotions were set up “!e event was wonderful in my as a way to donate to charity. opinion,” said Ms. Judy Ray from Carnel’s Bluetique held a runway fashion show Printing. “It would be nice to also have it on both nights and donated a portion in the spring so shoppers will have better of their pro$ts to Kids In Distressed weather to walk around in.” Situations (KIDS). Impulse Boutique “Anything that brings the community donated a share of the event’s revenue together is wonderful thing,” said Ms. to the charitable cause of lung cancer Troshane. “I’m really grateful that we Courtesy of Mr. John Spezio research, in memory of a close friend they have such wonderful organizations that Members of the Chamber Choir, under the direction of Mr. John Spezio, performed lost to the disease. are trying to make Main Street a more Port Night Out catered to the needs vibrant place to shop and become more and delights of both adults and children. beautiful.” Latin Club celebrates Saturnalia with food, competitions, and elements

Avatar: !e Last Airbender, each based Mr. Mickus. “Saturnalia was a great opportunity BY Celine Sze on an element, were incorporated into the All of the time, e#ort, and preparation to hang out with the students outside of Contributing Writer theme. Latin classes before the event were spent on deciding on a theme, painting the classroom and get away from talking dedicated to preparing for the festival. the banners, and organizing games by about declensions and grammar,” said Ms. To celebrate the holiday season, the Each grade used its creativity and the Latin Club members was evident and Gri'n. Latin Club hosted its annual Saturnalia artistic skill to construct a banner that helped make the party a success. festival. !e festival is based on a holiday combined its element, characters from which was originally observed by the Avatar, and Roman mythology. At ancient Romans to praise their god Saturn Saturnalia, the posters were judged by just before the winter solstice. To honor a panel of adults, which unanimously this tradition, the club held a themed party declared the sophomore banner the on Dec. 16, where Latin students dressed winner for its creativity and appearance. up in togas and costumes, gathered to Other activities such as musical chairs eat food, and participated in various and limbo also gave grades the opportunity competitions against the other grades. to win points as they competed to be the Interim Principal Dr. Francis Banta and champion of the festival. Assistant Principals Mr. David Miller and “I thought it was a fun night where Ms. Julie Torres were in attendance as well we were able to laugh and come together as several languages other than English as a grade to compete in the games,” said teachers. !ese special guests aided in junior Nina Devas. judging the games. To the surprise of A%er all the competitions were many students, Mr. George Mickus, one over, club advisor Ms. Elizabeth Gri'n of the Latin teachers at Weber also came announced that the sophomore class to visit his former students. had won by achieving $rst in the banner Every year, the party is focused around competition, wheelbarrow race, and a Latin-related theme. !is year it was limbo. Although the sophomore class the “elements” from classical thought. gained the most points, the seniors were !e freshmen, sophomore, junior, and named honorary winners infor the sake senior classes, each represented earth, of tradition. Dan Miller water, $re, and air, respectively. To “I was amazed at how much spirit the heighten the interests of the students, the students had and how everyone pitched in Senior James McCallen limboes successfully as other participants, Interim four kingdoms of the popular TV show to help make this a great Saturnalia,” said Principal Dr. Francis Banta, and Italian teacher Ms. Meredith White look on. THE SCHREIBER TIMES NEWS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23 , 2010 5 Music groups showcase talent in Uniondale performances

BY Minah Kim ensembles also took some time to showcase their pieces as separate ensembles. !e Staff Writer orchestra performed “!e Sentimental Sarabande of the Simple Symphony” and !is month, the school’s music the choir performed “Elijah Rock” and ensembles were o"ered the unique “Maoz Tzur.” opportunity to perform at a distinguished “I loved playing Christmas songs,” venue. said junior Grace Kim, a cellist in the !e symphonic orchestra, mixed symphonic orchestra. “It was really fun choir, and women’s choir performed at and it spread Christmas cheer to the the Reckson Plaza, formerly EAB Plaza, audience.” in Uniondale on Dec. 13 as part of a !ey performed for about an hour in #eld trip. !e groups were accompanied Reckson Plaza’s atrium to an audience by Mr. Anthony Pinelli, the orchestra of mainly senior citizens, parents, director, Mr. John Spiezio, the director professionals working in the o$ces, of both choirs, and Ms. Sheri Suzzan, the and visitors. !e performance attracted district creative arts director. viewers as it progressed; some individuals Reckson Plaza, the headquarters of stopped on their paths to listen from the RXR Realty, is the largest o$ce complex %oor above. in Long Island. Similar to Rockefeller “It felt great performing for the

Center in New York City, Reckson set community and giving some of the senior Courtesy of Mr. Anthony Pinelli up the largest Christmas tree on Long citizens in the audience a chance to listen Island and opened an outdoor skating to a live orchestra,” said senior Dainn Woo, Mixed choir, women’s choir, and symphonic orchestra students pose with rink for the winter season. It is renowned a violinist in the symphony orchestra. “I teachers Mr. Anthony Pinelli and Mr. John Spiezio at the Reckson Plaza, where for its wintertime entertainment for also loved doing a joint performance with they performed on Dec. 13. both employees and locals. Schreiber’s the choir.” ensembles were invited to be a part of Mr. Spiezio has made it a goal to symphony orchestra. way to get into the holiday spirit,” said Reckson Plaza’s winter concert series. increase the amount and variety of “I thought the trip was fantastic. It sophomore Delia Van Praag, a student in “We are always excited to #nd new performances for the student ensembles. was great to spend time with everyone the mixed choir. performance venues to showcase our “With the time spent learning and in a unique setting, and it was the perfect musical abilities,” said Mr. Spiezio. perfecting skills, we don’t perform !is trip was one of the #rst enough. Giving students opportunities opportunities for the choirs and the to perform is special because it enhances Possibility of new police station orchestra to unite as one ensemble. !eir musical growth and can be cherished for a collaborative performance consisted of lifetime,” said Mr. Spiezio. BY Matt Heiden emphasized that the money would be holiday music including “Jingle Bells,” At this point, there are no further well-spent if it helped augment aging and “Deck the Halls,” “Two Christmas music #eld trips planned. “I really enjoyed News Editor inadequate facilities. Lawrence stated that Favorites,” “Away in a Manger,” “Let It this trip and I would love to go again,” it would cost an estimated $18 million Snow” and “White Christmas.” !e said junior Jennifer Kim, a violist in the Most students put little thought to bring the current station fully up-to- into the location of the police station, date regarding equipment, parking, and which has remained at its address on space for police sta". !is would have to Port Washington Boulevard for over 50 be done by demolishing and rebuilding years. However, ever since a 2000 study headquarters. THE WRITING CENTER determined that the current station lacks To purchase the land, the police the space and utility necessary to function department used saved funds and asset “The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe.” e$ciently, the police department began forfeiture money, which are they funds considering renovation or expansion. from the federal government in exchange —David Hare So, when two of the three police for con#scated property. !e contract did commissioners voted to purchase 4.75 not require taxpayer dollars, but they will acres of land in Port Washington North on be needed if the project goes ahead. Channel Drive, worth approximately $2.5 million on Oct. 13, not many students or Land Ownership Port residents were aware of the plan to expand. Before the Port Washington police !e purchase, paid with surplus had bought the land, the town of Port funds, has a 90 day period in which Washington North was also interested in the police can cancel the deal and get developing it for a new Village Hall and its money back if most residents are Village Club. Some hybrid proposals have opposed. Before the Jan. 13 deadline been suggested including creating a Village when the contract becomes permanent, Center attached to a police station on the the candidates for police commissioner same building. One police commissioner, held a public meeting in the cafeteria on Angela Lawlor-Mullins, voted against the Dec. 2 to inform taxpayers and debate the purchase because she felt that accepting proposals. Many Port residents opposed the contract went behind the Village Board the plan for #nancial reasons during these of Port Washington North and Mayor Bob hard economic times; others emphasized Weitzner. !e other two commissioners the need for adequate police facilities. supported the plan because they felt that Here is a breakdown of some of the police had been looking for a place to the issues surrounding the proposed expand for almost 10 years. !is is when A place where any student can go for expansion that are in consideration. they #rst became aware of the space issues and handicap inaccessibility of the current help with any writing assignment Cost police station. Although the purchase cost about Di!erent Police Districts/Streamlining $2.5 million, additional funds would be required to develop the land into a If the Port Washington Police functioning police station, bringing the Department were merged with the Nassau WHERE? Room 212 estimated total cost of the project to $10 County Police, which services most of million. Because the town is still in a Nassau County, the district would have harsh economic climate, some question to sacri#ce the school resource o$cer, whether the timing is right. Detective Tony Guzzello, nicknamed by Others note that over the past two students as “O$cer Tony,” but taxpayers WHEN? Every day during 4-1/4-2 decades police personnel has increased would save several hundreds of dollars per by approximately 30 percent and is year in property taxes. expected to continue to grow. At the Some feel that the location might help meeting, architect Mr. Richard Lawrence responsiveness and safety in that area. 6 THE SCHREIBER TIMES NEWS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010 Temple vandalism prompts debate and re!ection in community Shortly after the vandalism was noticed BY Juliana Beall by a cantor working at the synagogue, Contributing Writer the Nassau County Police Department immediately responded by sending police On a recent Saturday night, two to patrol the area. students were arrested for the crime of “aggravated harassment,” for allegedly duty checked out at 12 a.m. that night, creating a 12-by-12 foot swastika out the suspects returned, smashing in two of 28 folding chairs they found in the windows and vandalizing the building parking lot of a local synagogue. with spray paint. According to the Nassau County The synagogue has many Port Police, a rabbi discovered the symbol Washington congregants. soon after 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 19 and “There were various and diverse then called the police. Later that night, reactions to the event. Some people the Nassau County Police arrested both wanted to show the vandalism to their students and charged them. children, to remind them that anti- This is not the only anti-Semitic act Semitism is present in this world, and there that the Port Washington community has were other people who wanted the whole thing to go away,” said Rabbi Jodie Siff of the Reconstructionist Synogogue. “There were those that wanted to severely prosecute the perpetrators and others who didn’t want to prosecute at all.” Similar reactions are felt towards the Courtesy of the Nassau County Police Department perpetrators of the most recent act in Two students allegedly created a 12-by-12 foot swastika after dark out of 28 Great Neck. The debate concerns where folding chairs in the parking lot of a Great Neck synagogue on Nov. 19. to place the alleged perpetrators on the wide spectrum of potential charges that Other educators agree that acceptance remains a hurtful sign to the Jewish ranges from an act of vandalism to a hate should be taught in schools. For instance, community. crime. Jericho Middle School has taken on this “When you think about discrimination, One important issue in considering task through creating the “Seedlings” most forget about it until it appears again. how severely to punish the students is the year-long program, named after the This incident made me realize that hate degree of calculation behind the act. Both national program SEED (Seeking for Jews is not gone and might never of these events strike the general public as Educational Equity and Diversity), be, but you can never stop ignoring it surprising. intended to instill an appreciation for and keep going on with your life,” said faced in recent years. In August of 2007, “There are always intolerant diversity through school hallways by junior Emily Rosenthal. “What was two young adults, one minor and one over people amidst a tolerant community. We learning about parts of other cultures such done can never be taken back no matter the age of 21, painted a swastika on a door need to continue to educate people about as food and language. how disgusting the act was; however, we of the Reconstructionist Synagogue of the acceptance and diversity, not tolerance,” For the time being, however, the should keep going as people and survive North Shore, located in Manhasset. said Rabbi Jodie. creation of a swastika on temple grounds off the good, not the evil.” THE SCHREIBER TIMES OPINIONS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010 7

Should participation count in students’ grades? ideas. ! ese skills will make a profound humiliation in front of their teachers and BY Brendan Weintraub BY Alice Chou di" erence when we are older. peers. Students who are afraid of voicing Staff Writer ! e ability to express yourself clearly Contributing Writer a wrong or inaccurate answer would and con# dently is essential in the real rather not contribute to class discussions Most teachers grade their students on world. For example, a promotion is Although students may not realize at all, sometimes to save themselves from their tests, quizzes, essays, and home- more likely to go to someone who is able it, teachers are grading them during the condescending glares of the “know-it- work. But don’t forget the all important to e" ectively communicate his or her every class period, not only when alls” in the class. participation grade. ideas rather than someone who stays in grading tests or reading papers. Side Reluctance to participate may relate Some students argue whether or not the shadows. conversations with friends and other to personality. ! ere are always students we should have a participation grade Have you ever noticed how painfully behaviors will result in a reduction in a who are more introverted than others count at all in our class grade. We class drags when no one participates in student’s participation grade. In most and do not feel comfortable speaking should. Participation is a key part of the discussion? On the other hand, the hour cases, however, the quiet students in the in front of a class on a daily basis. learning process; it allows you to get in- seems to & y by when various students class face the largest disadvantage even Grading participation essentially rewards volved in class discussion and shows that are o" ering unique insights on the topic if they have a good understanding of the outspoken students while penalizing you’ve prepared adequately for class. at hand. A participation grade encour- class material and perform well on other those who prefer to assume a quieter role ManyYES teachers agree that class par- ages students to volunteer more in class, assessments. in the classroom. ticipation should be part of a student’s which bene# ts the overall class dynamic. Evaluating participation is a It produces an inherent disadvantage grade. ! ey want to give each student the Participation is a very important and subjective process. In many cases, for shy students, who must deviate from a chance to do his or her best in the class. necessary skill that all students should participation grades are based upon a mindset that they have held for years and ! e fact that they can get a boost in their try to master. Speaking in class makes teacher’s intuition or how the teacher venture into unfamiliar ground in order grade for participating gives students you an active learner who can better feels about a certain student’s behavior. to satisfy participation requirements. an incentive to participate and get more understand the material. ! e standards of the teacher, however, Forcing students to leave their comfort involved in class discussions. In addition to all of these bene# ts, can be drastically di" erent from those of zone can be counterproductive and In English classes, it is especially im- participation will even boost your grade. the students. Is the participation grade in most cases will not result in more portant for students to be a part of class So, just remember to raise your hand relative to the rest of the class? Is it based e" ective learning on the students’ part. discussions. next time you’re in class, and you won’t on a certain standard that a particular A lack of participation does not “! e ability to verbalize ideas does have a problem. teacher sets for the course? necessarily translate into a lack of not come naturally, and it takes practice,” ! e answers to these questions understanding. A student’s decision to said English teacher Dr. Sara Brock. are hardly ever adequately answered remain quiet during class is not a sign “! rough discussion, we clarify and partly because of the vague language that the student is not learning. Each extend our ideas. Discussion is important in participation rubrics. Even though individual responds to di" erent teaching preparation for writing.” many teachers provide guidelines for styles. While some like to voice their Various students excel in di" erent students, describing “good” participation, ideas and “think out loud,” others prefer subjects and aspects of school. Some may these descriptions are o$ en too broadly to listen to the teacher or the outlooks of be better at science, and some may be de# ned for students to fully understand other students and integrate these ideas better at English. ! is idea also applies what is expected of them in class. with their own. to how students learn. Some can do I am not denying that class Allowing students to adjust to the all of their homework perfectly and get participation is a signi# cant learning environment in a way that best good grades on tests, but they might not part of the learning process, suits their needs results in a higher degree participate well. but contributing to class of success in the class as a whole, even Others do not do very well on quiz- discussions and activities if it means that some students will not zes and tests, but they come up with is not vital to a thorough verbally participate as much as others. very interesting ideas and are able to understanding of the Although the quality of student express themselves articulately. course material. responses during class is an apparent Including a participation grade al- Also, knowing that a indication of a student’s understanding of lows teachers to reward those students grade is at stake may put the course material, there are other ways who are really trying. A teacher can too much pressure on to measureNO progress. Improvements in calculate a participation grade to help students to say the perfect test grades or in the quality of written students who are actually trying to thing and discourage work provide tangible evidence of do well in the classroom, but seem to students from assuming academic growth and development. struggle with the tests. a more active role in the Students who work hard outside of class “Students’ active participation classroom. and are prepared, attentive, and respectful shows their interest in class and helps Demanding that in class should not be penalized if they keep the class interesting for other stu- students participate are not inclined to speak. dents around them. Not only can class can be intimidating. “I think it’s unfair that a person who participation be helpful to those excel- Students feel compelled works hard is punished because he or she ling, but also to those who are strug- to provide a correct and is shy and would rather not speak in front gling with tests. By actively engaging thorough impromptu of a class. It’s really di% cult for timid in class, teachers would be able to see Loren Giron response or else face students to overcome their shyness,” said those who are truly working hard despite junior Alexis Fessatidis. low test results,” said junior Isha Gupta. Excluding a mark for participation Participation does not just have to from the grade book won’t necessarily apply to English classes. If you have a discourage students from contributing question in your math class, chances are during class discussions and activities. that someone else has the same question. Some may argue that because there is Asking questions demonstrates your cu- no incentive to participate, students will riosity and attentiveness. Remember the “Students are expected to participate in classes. It should not be factored into one’s grade.” refrain from doing so. On the contrary, it cliché: there are no stupid questions. -Isabella Goetze, junior removes the pressure from the situation “Motivation to do well can be much that had previously discouraged timid more valuable than simply good grades,” “Participation should be included in a student’s grade, because part of learning is asking students from speaking in class. If said Gupta. questions and doing classwork. If students don’t do what’s required of them in the class- participation is not included in a student’s A participation grade encourages room, they should be penalized and those that do put in the e! ort should be rewarded.” grade, there will not be as great a barrier students to voice their opinions and be -Samantha Palmer, senior to surmount. more con# dent in communicating their 8 THE SCHREIBER TIMES OPINIONS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010 Online language translators translate to laziness Students rely too heavily on websites to do their LOTE homework chairperson Mr. John Placella. or something else do your work, it is time without having to know anything. BYAaron Bialer For example, when one types a basically cheating and deserves a It is the same with language transla- Contributing Writer paragraph into a translator and zero,” said Mr. Placella . tors. ! e answers are right there and can translates it to another language When someone cheats o# of easily be looked up without having to A major part of learning a foreign and back, it comes out di# erent. another person’s test, the only try to $ gure anything out whether it is a language is translating. However, overuse ! e grammar is o" en wrong thing the student learns is French passage or an Italian dialogue. of online language translators takes from and the vocabulary and that it is not necessary to Some language students understand this valuable step in the learning process. tenses are usually slightly pay attention during that these translations are o" en wrong Many students rely on translators to o# . Wrong translations re- class. ! e answers are and, therefore, use it minimally and only complete their homework. ! is makes sult in points o# of projects right there, ready to to look up words that the teacher has it evident that kids feel that the use of and make it apparent that be taken, and they already gone over. When a student actu- online language translators, such Google the student is not actually can use it any- ally knows a word and does not recognize Translate, is a fair and easy way to obtain completing the assignment. the translation at all, he or she knows translations. “I use Google Transla- the translation is not the one he or she is In fact, some students even use these tor rarely. Most of the time looking for. translators to translate whole paragraphs. it is extremely helpful, but When a student temporarily forgets Some say the use of such translators is sometimes the translations a word, language translators can be cheating and that using them for as much are inaccurate,” said fresh- extremely helpful if a dictionary is not on as one word is immoral. man Jack Weinkselbaum. hand. But since they are not always the Realistically, language translators can Online language most reliable, translators should be used be used minimally without blame, but translators also destroy at students’ discretion. translating full sentences and paragraphs the learning process. For a less morally ambiguous is corrupt. Students no longer solution, teachers o" en suggest the Students o" en employ translators to have to pay attention usage of dictionaries. Handheld use words that they have never learned. during class to be able dictionaries are a good alterna- Doing this takes away from the learning to understand the tive to online translators. process. homework. ! ey cannot translate whole Furthermore, online translators are ! ey can simply paragraphs and stories for highly unreliable. Translators o" en look up a word on a students, but they can still do not translate everything correctly. translator when they o# er some assistance, which Students o" en have no way of telling don’t know something. is appropriate in the learning whether the translation is correct, as they ! is practice only process. have never seen the word before. Howev- fosters laziness when In total, online translators er, when teachers review students’ work, doing schoolwork, for can be inaccurate, are consid- it is apparent if students used the transla- language classes and ered cheating, and are, on the tors excessively, due to the mistakes. others as well. Students whole, the same as dictionaries. “When one uses a translator he or who use the translators Translators should be allowed for she, on most occasions, receives a wrong are cheating themselves minor translations, but not for translation. It gives tenses and vocabu- out of the learning sentences or paragraphs. lary that the student has never seen. It process. Overall, language translators also undermines the logical progres- “Since it is not valid can be used only up to a certain sion of language instruction,” said the and since it provides a extent, but they should not be Languages Other ! an English (LOTE) way to have someone Isaac Batbayar doing your homework for you. An inaccurate attempt at surveying the teenage drug scene positively to questions regarding self- teenagers seem more likely to make up admittedly widespread dishonesty of the BY Sarah Paul esteem, friendships, and constructive responses and play around with the ques- student body. How can accurate statistics Staff Writer behaviors when they, in fact, gain their tions when answering serious surveys be determined? chief pleasure from drugs and other than other age groups. “Students are honest when respond- It’s high school. ! e time to take risks, destructive behaviors. What reason do they have for being ing; however, when the survey is longer, to discover who you are. Unfortunately, For many teenagers, silly as it may honest, anyway? What do they care? It’s less attentiveness occurs as students ‘rush many students pick the wrong risks to sound, talking about drugs is provocative simply an hour without class, and it can- through’ the questions,” said Interim take. Substance abuse in high schools is a and exciting. ! ey want to “brag” and not possibly be of any service to them. Principal Dr. Francis Banta. very pressing issue. seem “cool.” ! ey get a type of rush out Right? Because of the dishonesty of students ! rough health education, we learn of it, not unlike the rush felt when getting “I don’t think the survey was neces- when $ lling out questionnaires, we may the facts, but not always the strategies. high. sary or helpful, because many students never be fully aware of teenagers’ destruc- What can be done to prevent our devel- ! ey feel like adults don’t understand take these surveys as a joke and do not tive behaviors. oping minds from seeking such harmful what being a teenager is like. Or maybe, provide legitimate answers,” said senior However, since substance abuse is still practices? they are just being immature and simply Andy Lieberman. “! ere are many outli- an important issue in all high schools, A survey about substance use was having fun. ers that skew this data.” e# orts should be made, regardless of the conducted earlier this month. A" er a But the point is: how honest are the Lieberman brings up a crucial point: drug survey results, to alleviate the nega- “passive” consent procedure, all students subjects? How accurate are these results? the results are skewed because of the tive e# ects of drugs and risk taking. participated and were given an hour to “I think, complete questions such as: “How many like all surveys, times have you had alcohol in the past there is a mix of 30 days?” and “How many hours do you responses, both participate in a" er school activities per honest and dis- week?” honest. But there ! e $ nal question asked students if is also some truth they were honest when $ lling out the to it,” said Assis- survey. Were you? tant Principal Dr. “! at’s a fact: no one was honest,” said Brad Fitzgerald. sophomore Zach Baer. Guaran- ! is seems to be the conclusive opin- teed, there is a ion of the student body. For whatever risk inherent in reason, students decide to answer the conducting any questions dishonestly. ! ey say they are survey: there is addicted to drugs when, in reality, they no assurance that may not even know what the drug looks the responders are like. being completely On the other hand, others responded truthful. But Jane Nolting-Kolb THE SCHREIBER TIMES OPINIONS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010 9 Holiday fun free of ! nancial burden Congested supplies available at home. you will be helping. BY Heidi Shin If you must give store-bought cards, For busy high school students, computer labs Staff Writer try to buy them from places that will time can be a huge issue. If work or donate the money to charity or people babysitting hours must be reduced and BY Hannah Zweig When it’s time to turn calendars to in need. Many businesses advertise such someone cannot earn enough money, Staff Writer December, most people frequently ask programs around this time of year. set limits on how much you spend on themselves, “How many gi! s do I need Spending a lot of money can also presents. to buy?” If you’re worrying about what cause stress about a family’s # nancial For example, Secret Santa, which is Picture this: you just got out of Eng- to get your family and friends, remember situation. " is added stress is unwelcome a fun way of giving gi! s to your friends, lish and realize that you have an essay that you are not actually required to and can make people forget the more usually allows a general range in the price due tomorrow, and now you have an o$ spend lots of money to spread holiday important aspects of the holiday season. of gi! s. period. Naturally, like any dedicated cheer. Giving coupons to charities or to Work with your friends to set a range student, you want to use your o$ period " is season, keep in mind that putting those who are struggling # nancially is where presents are inexpensive, but the to your advantage and type up the essay. magic into the holidays takes a creative thoughtful and helpful, celebration is still enjoyable and But, a! er hu% ng and pu% ng up the three vision, not a spending spree. According especially during the creative. & ights of stairs to get to the library, you to statistics, most people feel that holiday season when “When people do Secret race over to the computer lab only to see spending less money on gi! s will money is an issue. Santa during the holidays, it’s the discouraging sign saying “CLASS IN actually help the gi! -buyer and receivers If spending money really fun, and also, you don’t SESSION.” focus more on the true meaning of the becomes a must, have to spend so much money As the world of technology revolu- holidays. Plus, many would doubtlessly shovel, babysit, or because there’s usually a price tionizes homework assignments, the like to have a more simpli# ed holiday do odd jobs around limit,” said junior Ashley necessity for computers at school has season a! er a year of economic troubles. the neighborhood Oelbaum. “And because skyrocketed. Unfortunately, it is becom- Creativity, not price tags, inspires the in order to there’s a price limit, some ing more and more di% cult for students most memorable presents and is truly the earn enough people might get stuck with to get on the computer during school essence of good-gi! giving. " is year, money to buy what they should buy, so hours. think about how you could make a gi! they just make their friends One of Schreiber’s greatest assets is more memorable. a really nice card or bake the fact that it factors in o$ periods into “I think most of the time, people them sweets.” students’ schedules, a bene# t that other usually want to get their friends and A less commercial school districts lack. However, it is dif- family really expensive gi! s, but it doesn’t holiday season is # cult to make constructive use of this seem sentimental,” said junior Rakina important especially extra time without the use of computers. Imam. “It seems like they just wanted when people tend to “When I try to be productive during to get them something really expensive forget about the my o$ periods, as the school suggests, it instead of thinking about what the other special meaning is di% cult because of the lack of resourc- person might really like or want.” of spending es. It makes completing assignments For many people, the joy of the winter time with more di% cult,” said sophomore Miles holidays is lost in a ceaseless bustle as those you Kurtz. they are consumed with doing, spending, love. According to school librarian Ms. and getting at a frantic pace. A gi! " e Mary Seligman, the classes are gener- that you have made yourself is usually winter ally scheduled by teachers who cannot treasured far above a store-bought one, holidays can use their own department computer lab, even if it is a bit rougher around the Risa Choi be seen as the or who need to use the SmartBoard or edges than its commercial counterpart. time of year library resources. " e number of class Instead of spending money, be to be more appreciative of what you have periods that the computer lab is occupied creative by making your loved ones hand- presents. Keep in mind, though, random and the loving people around you. So varies from day to day, according to Ms. made gi! s or baked goods. Such gi! s acts of kindness are always priceless. be more thoughtful when giving gi! s Pat Baglio, the Information Technology show e$ ort and care. Holiday cards can Maybe doing more good deeds should by being more creative instead of just Assistant. Classes are designated to com- also be expensive and environmentally be considered a New Year’s resolution. spending money. puter labs based on the size of the class. wasteful, so be eco-friendly and use cra! " ink of it as a present to everybody that Due to the demand for more comput- ers by students, there should be a limit on how many classes can sign up for the computer lab per day. It is outrageous Blocking complaints of blocked websites that the library is sometimes scheduled " e di$ erence between widely known plained about the # ltering system, it with classes the entire day, making it BY Katie Garry websites such as Facebook and infor- would not be taken down as doing so much harder for students to get comput- Contributing Writer mational blogs is clear. Administration would be breaking the law. er-based work done. With all of the work knows that the well-known websites If blocking a website creates an teachers require students to complete Nobody likes to be told no. We are are not educational, but determining inconvenience to students but also as- on a computer, it is crucial that students told no by our parents, teachers, bosses, whether blogs are more of a bene# t or a sures them safe Internet searches, that are able to make the most out of their o$ peers, and in this era, even our comput- corruption to students always results in a is a compromise the school is willing to periods. ers. Whenever we are told no, we try to grey line. make. Fortunately, many in the Schreiber At the same time, it is important get around it, whether it involves asking Are many blogs and websites blocked community, including Mr. Miller, can not to intrude on class time, which, in the other parent or restructuring our actually useful for school work? Of admit that the system “is not perfect” and the end, takes priority over o$ periods. proposition. However, there is no way course. Are many blogs and websites understands some blocked websites really " erefore, another solution would be to to get around the omnipotent computer. blocked actually dangerous and irrelevant are useful. more e% ciently use the computers that " erefore, let’s be realistic and compro- to education? Of course. " e problem “" e possibility exists that it would we have. mise our Internet sur# ng for our safety. lies between determining which website prevent students from getting informa- Our school has many computers Signing onto the school’s computer goes into which category. For the most tion,” said Mr. Miller. “If the website is in locations other than the library and system, you may come across a whole part, if administration is “i$ y” about a legitimate, we can contact the technology the English and social studies resource group of non-accessible websites. Yes, website being safe, it will be blocked. department.” rooms. " ese include the computer labs this group includes Facebook, Twitter, Have a problem with this # ltering " is is not the most ideal solution, as in the science and technology wings. YouTube... all the addictive stu$ . system from the get-go? Understand that it requires coordinating the administra- While teachers schedule class time in While it is appropriate that these not having the # ltering system would be tion, the technology department, and the these other labs for some periods, this websites are blocked in the school breaking federal law. " e federal govern- department using the website. According does not necessarily mean that the environment, several blocked websites ment gives “E-rate money” to reimburse to Ms. Pat Baglio, unblocking websites labs are full all the time. If these other are actually informative and useful for schools for the costs of telecommunica- can be a di% cult process, depending on computer labs were open, students could student research. tion and Internet access, according to Mr. the website. Over the past month, three redirect themselves to these locations Knowing of this “fault” in the system, Miller. In accepting E-rate money, the or four websites have been unblocked at when the library is occupied. one can easily become curious. Why school must provide online # ltering. teachers’ requests. While the school has enough com- block websites that bene# t education? Although the school commends the " ere are websites currently blocked puters to suit the needs of its students, Why have this Internet # ltering system in # ltering system for protecting students on the school’s system that may eventu- computers should be made more avail- the # rst place? " e answer is easy: safety. against Internet danger and keeping them ally be unblocked and there are some able. By limiting the class periods in “" e goal is to have open access of more focused on educational websites that will be blocked permanently. " e the library computer lab to a few a day information that follows federal law rather than Facebook and the beach read # ltering system is far from perfect, yet and opening up other computer labs for while having safe Internet searches for of the Internet, the system was not the the ability to request websites to be student use, this problem can be solved. students,” said Assistant Principal Mr. school’s idea. unblocked gives students and teachers no If you are asking why, just compute the David Miller. Even if every sta$ member com- reason to complain. bene# ts. 10 THE SCHREIBER TIMES OPINIONS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010

Also, the last week of vacation is usu- as the reckless, ignorant, and downright ally %lled with teachers rushing to %nish stupid actions of a few, but it inherits a their lessons. Many teachers want to get legacy of oppression over 2,000 years old in their last test right before vacation, so that unfortunately continues to the pres- that they don’t have to test students on ent day. material that they will most likely forget In times when the president of Iran over the vacation. It is just more conve- can still win supporters by denying the Other than ensuring that they are nient to start a new lesson plan with the Holocaust and lasting peace for Israel Drive respectfully ready to drive to school, students should new year. seems to remain an intractable obstacle, it also be respectful of others once in the Since many teachers tend to pack a is hard for Jews to rest easy when they are in Monfort Lot parking lot. Students should follow the lot of material into the last days before reminded that the echoes of hardship and same conduct in the parking lot as they vacation, students would appreciate hav- strife continue so near to them. do each day on the road. ing parties in their other classes that want !at this act occurred not just in a Unfortunately, since the beginning of !ey should recognize that just to throw parties. !e relaxation of some neighboring town but in a house of wor- this year, there have been a few incidents because they might know the people class parties would balance out the pre- ship is inexcusable. !e Schreiber com- involving seniors parking in the Monfort driving around them, the rules of driving vacation chaos of other classes. munity is right to be disgusted. lot. and against road rage still apply. !e administration also claims that !erefore, !e Schreiber Times would In their hustle and bustle to and from As peers, students should be respect- parties have no instructional value. like to harshly criticize the vandals re- school each day, students, who are young ful of one another when entering, parking However, parties further solidify stu- sponsible for this hurtful and indecent act drivers, have been getting into accidents in, and leaving the lot. Students should dents’ understanding of the lesson they and urge the Port Washington and Long that could have possibly been avoided. not yell and excessively honk at one are learning. Island Jewish community not to lose faith Recognizing these accidents in the another. !ey should not fool around or Especially in the language classes, in the humanity of others. parking lot, !e Schreiber Times urges engage in horseplay while driving either. getting a taste of the culture that they It is important for Jews to recognize drivers to take extra caution when going Due to the recent accidents, !e are learning about enhances students’ that the event encompasses not just the to and from school. Schreiber Times wants to urge students connection to the culture, and, therefore, narrow-minded attitudes of a few, but Part of the caution taken could be to to drive with caution, respectfully, and gets them more interested in what could also the solidarity of a strong community wait to start driving to school until one responsibly in the Monfort lot to avoid otherwise be a generic, forgettable lesson. of Jews and non-Jews. gains experience and feels comfortable further problems and costly incidents. It seems that this new policy is far too !ere can be no doubt that the crime with parking and maneuvering in tight strict. Once in a while, students deserve serves as a harsh reminder of the past, but spaces. to relax and enjoy an in-class party. the swi$ and uncompromising reaction While passing a road test does Wanted: In-class Most classes do not even have parties, of police and school o#cials also show- indicate someone’s competency to drive, and even the ones that do have parties cases the respect for human decency that it is obvious that the more experienced a holiday parties do not usually last the whole period. is a fundamental right for all religious driver is, the more comfortable he or she Students can bring in their relevant- groups. will be with driving and parking his or to-the-class treats, pass them out, and !is was an isolated and universally her car. Recently, the administration has made enjoy them while listening to the teacher condemned action of two misguided It is important that students get used it a priority to eliminate in-class parties. continue the curriculum. students. Although it is right that this to driving on their own in wide, open !is has become an issue, especially now, !e administration wants to maintain vandalism not go unpunished, the Port spaces before they drive on their own as the winter vacation approaches and normalcy in the classroom, but normalcy community should most importantly in the tight, cramped spaces of the lot. many classes opt to throw parties with o$en turns into dullness. focus its energies on trying to understand While the road test does assess one’s food during the last days of school. School is already all about routine. such a sensitive issue with an open mind ability to parallel park and do three-point Earlier this month, Interim Principal Our six day cycle becomes much too and a willingness to forgive those who turns, it does not assess one’s ability to Dr. Francis Banta asked all the teachers to repetitive, and !e Schreiber Times make mistakes. park e#ciently while rushing to get to refrain from having parties during class. believes that in-class parties add just the It would be unreasonable to expect school on time. !e administration argues that if right amount of &avor into a student’s this to be the last intolerant incident that !e stress associated with getting to many classes are having parties before schedule. a"ects Port Washington. But if we follow school on time can cause road rage and vacation, kids will ask themselves why the brave example of empathy from most actions that would not happen in a calm they should even come to school at all for people in this town, !e Schreiber Times environment. the last day before break. Anti-semitism will remain proud of its diverse, under- !e Schreiber Times contends that However, !e Schreiber Times realisti- standing, and supportive community. while driving to school can be exciting, cally recognizes that as winter vacation condemned seniors should wait until they truly be- approaches, students tend to mentally Interested in writing for come comfortable, perhaps a few weeks “check out” anyway. !ere is little value Opinions? Then come to the next a$er they pass their road test. Whatever in teaching students lessons that they Anti-semitism has a long history. the length of time, students should use will not fully absorb anyway and quickly !e recent incident of arranging folding newspaper general meeting on their judgment before driving to school. forget once the 3:05 bell rings. chairs into a swastika can be written o" Jan. 6. All new writers are welcome! The Hart Knock Life or contain unfounded charges. The Times Times Policy Statement reserves the right to shorten letters if doing so does not alter their meaning, and to The Schreiber Times’ primary purpose is choose a representative letter from a group to inform its readers of events, issues, and of related ones. Letters do not necessarily ideas affecting Schreiber High School. The reflect the opinions of the editors. We will Times also serves as an open forum in which not print any anonymous letters. members of the Schreiber community may Editorials printed in this publication express their ideas and opinions. reflect the opinion of the majority of the The Times will report all news accu- editors. If the situation warrants, minority rately, honestly, and fairly. We will not give editorials will be published. Editorials do preference to any group or individual. We not represent the views of the Port Wash- will respect the rights of all information ington Union Free School District. sources and any errors will be corrected We will not publish advertisements promptly. if they are deemed libelous, obscene or We will print submitted materials on the likely to incite criminal activity. Prices of basis of their quality and significance as advertisements are standard and price determined by the editors of this publica- schedules are available upon request. tion. The editors reserve the right to print, Advertisements do not necessarily repre- refuse to print, or return any submitted sent the views of The Times. materials. The editors also reserve the right We will establish new policies if the to edit any submitted articles. need arises. Until such a point occurs, We will print letters to the editors if The Times will follow the policy described judged to be of sufficient quality and impor- in this space as well as the guidelines of tance on a space-available basis. We will common sense and reason. not print letters that are obscene, libelous, THE SCHREIBER TIMES FEATURES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010 11 Plethora of opportunities available to those eager to help More than half of students !nd positive ways to dedicate free time Key Club is involved with many BY Kaia de Bruin di!erent organizations in the community. Staff Assistant With over 150 members, the club is full of Schreiber Speaks students who are eager to help in any way. For students who are interested in Some events involve many volunteers volunteering, the choices are practically while others only take a few, so all students limitless. Do you volunteer (in or outside Does the school do enough get a chance to participate. Port Washington is home to numerous of school) on a regular basis? to help students find ways to "e Key Club’s members suggest charities, foundations, and organizations volunteer? ideas at meetings so they can take part that exist to organize volunteers to help in activities that are meaningful or the community. interesting. Outside organizations and Many of these, like the Public agencies keep in touch with club advisor Library, the Port Washington Education Ms. Janine Kalinowski. Foundation (PWEF), and the Helen Keller “"e Key Club board is also responsible Center, among others, allow students to for researching volunteer opportunities in get involved. the community. "is year, we’ve had events Quite a few students also do volunteer to sign up for every week at meetings, work through religious groups or other YES YES which shows the growing reputation Key activities in which they are involved NO Club has developed in the community,” outside of school. NO 52% 54% said Ms. Kalinowski. While many students perform 46% Nearly everyone who takes part in community service over the summer, 48% volunteer work on a regular basis cites it both locally and in other parts of the as a very positive way to dedicate time. world, fewer students participate during “It is a great way for students to learn the school year as well. the joy of dedicating their time to helping "ere are a few dedicated students others,” said Ms. Kalinowski. “Students who spend time volunteering throughout Katya Barrett who are active in community service the year, however. Seniors Jeremy Eule, establish much greater con$dence and a Yestle Kim and Jacob Shevrin volunteer strong self-concept.” for the PWEF. However, not everyone thinks that “We help third graders from all of the More than one half of the 205 students surveyed volunteer on a regular basis, the most bene$cial part of volunteering elementary schools in Port Washington and even more agree that the school does enough to help interested students is the reward that the volunteer feels a#er with their schoolwork and homework,” find ways to volunteer. According to these statistics, the percentage of Schreiber helping someone else. said Kim. “I’ve been volunteering there students who volunteer is more than 20 percent higher than the national rate of “I think that nowadays volunteering since tenth grade, but you can start volunteering among 16-19 year olds (Source: www.volunteeringinamerica.gov). has become almost mandatory because freshman year.” The majority of students agreed that because of the community service fair and so many high school students believe that In addition to helping younger students Schreiber’s many clubs, the school offers plenty of assistance to those looking you need it to get into college,” said Kim. with their work, volunteers for the PWEF for a way to volunteer. When compared to the results of last month’s polls, it While it is true that many volunteer also set up special projects for di!erent is clear that volunteering is much more popular among students than having a as another way to add to their college occasions. For "anksgiving, they regular paying job. resumes, in the end, they still learn decorated candles and made bookmarks something about how it can feel to help for the kids to take home and use. friends from di!erent schools. I think every year as well. At this event held others out. While volunteering is helpful to the that that aspect makes it easier for them to during lunch periods, students can learn “Volunteering in high school provides community and whoever it bene$ts, it can adapt in Weber as well,” said Kim. about local organizations that help the students with the opportunity to take be personally rewarding as well. Doing Students looking to take part in community and sign up to work with initiative. It helps provide students with a volunteer work does not have to feel like community service will $nd that the them. stronger tie to their school and helps them an obligation and it is o#en enjoyable for school o!ers many resources. “I believe that community service fairs to see the impact of their volunteerism the students who take part. Schreiber’s Compact Committee has a are a great way for people to see how they on the larger community,” said Ms. “It’s a lot of fun when you have friends community service guide on the school’s can help out their community,” said senior Kalinowski. “Furthermore, it encourages volunteering with you, and the children website that lists local organizations that Samantha Palmer. “"en, they can get the development of one’s moral and are fun to work with. It feels rewarding take student volunteers. It includes nearly involved and really make a di!erence.” ethical character—traits that are valued to know that I’m spending my own time 40 organizations in addition to clubs at the Many of Schreiber’s clubs take part in our society and help one grow as an to help the third graders expand their school that take part in volunteering. in community service, but Key Club is individual.” knowledge and to help them make new A community service fair takes place probably the most popular. Students in the dark about importance of turning o! the lights

BY Cameron Tait-Ozer variety of steps to save energy. Its main e%ciency, can reap high rewards,” said “We want the school to use the smallest quest is to $nd out and reduce the school’s Mr. Ristano. amount of energy possible without Contributing Writer carbon footprint. "is will enable the club Other simple steps, like setting a hindering education,” said Ms. Barbieri. to accurately gauge exactly what the next temperature limit for the heat and air "e Treehuggers Club also strives to Although global warming is a step should be. make students conscious of how important worldwide problem, it is possible to make While solar panels would be one of and bene$cial it is to be aware of energy a di!erence on a local level by recycling the most e!ective ways of shrinking our “It’s really important to consumption by publicizing worldwide and conserving energy. "ese simple carbon footprint, the cost, in addition events such as Earth Hour. ways of helping the planet, however, are to other factors, make this an unlikely raise awareness about energy “"e aim of Earth Hour is to bring o#en overlooked, particularly in busy improvement. awareness to world energy conservation, places like schools. Energy reform is di%cult to accomplish conservation because people which is a vital cause,” said Ms. Barbieri. For this reason, the Treehuggers in a building like Schreiber, the age of which Earth Hour, which is observed every Environmental Club is taking action to makes the idea of changing fuel sources don’t realize how big an March by people all over the world, urges lower the building’s overall energy use essentially impossible. "ere are many people to turn o! lights and appliances, to ultimately reduce the school’s carbon smaller improvements, however, that can impact they actually have on and thus save power and reduce light footprint. be made to bene$t the environment. pollution. “It is really important to raise awareness Much of the school’s energy is consumed the environment,” said club Although climate change cannot be about energy conservation because by heating, air conditioning, and many stopped immediately, even a small amount people don’t realize how big an impact necessary educational appliances, such treasurer junior Rachel Cohen. of energy conservation can have a positive they actually have on the environment,” as computers, projectors and printers. long-term e!ect. said club treasurer, junior Rachel Cohen. Director of Facilities and Operations "rough promoting events such as “People don’t know that the simple Mr. James Ristano has done mechanical conditioning, could greatly decrease Earth Hour and conserving energy within things they do can actually make a big maintenance to increase the e%ciency the amount of energy the school uses. the building, Treehuggers hopes to remind di!erence.” of the appliances and communication Turning o! computers at the end of the students just how easy and important it is "e Treehuggers Club, run by ESL devices throughout the school. day, which also saves energy, is already to turn o! the lights. teacher Ms. Julie Barbieri, has taken a “Small investments, like increasing required by the administration. with the general student body. In an ture. each other’s di# erences are involved with and community together,” said Ms. De- event held earlier this year, students from “! ere are de" nitely a lot of tables in this club,” said club adviser Ms. Marisa Marco. language classes joined together with ESL the cafeteria that are made up of the same DeMarco. “Students from all backgrounds In addition, civil rights activist Ruby students to enjoy a day of cultural aware- ethnicity, but most tables have a mix of all come to club meetings to voice their ideas, Bridges is coming to speak to high school ness. races. I rarely just sit with ‘white’ people,” opinions, issues, and concerns, whether it students this March. “Anything Schreiber does to recognize said senior Jason Hubsher. be on a personal, local, or international ! e club is also hoping to develop these kids helps them feel at home at large, “People at Schreiber don’t usually mix level. Many club members have joined in collaborative projects bridging together not just within the ESL department,” said with those of di# erent cultures,” said se- the hopes of gaining global awareness and elementary and high school students Ms. Barbieri. nior Andrew Oh. “You see the Asian engaging in positive activities that bene" t through a Mentorship program. Investigating Last year, an attempt was made to cre- students together, the Hispanic students others.” “With this program, we are instilling ate an ESL Alliance in which a mainstream together, and then you see a whole lot of ! is club hosts a variety of guest speak- a sense of love, acceptance, and tolerance student would act as a mentor to an ESL Caucasian students.” ers and holds events to reach out to the though an inter-generational approach,” student. However, the students that were ! is social segregation, typical of any school community and bring about multi- said Ms. DeMarco. responsible for coordinating this alliance high school, might result from peer pres- cultural awareness and appreciation. have graduated, and this mentorship pro- sure and other social expectations. Recently, six students attended the gram remains in its initial stages. Cur- “It always surprises me how segregated “ERASE RACISM” Conference to meet Integration the cafeteria looks because the setup does various students on Long Island and to Written by Sahil Doshi and not re& ect who I think people happen to become leaders within the school com- Leah Nash be friends with,” said Ms. Torres. “On a munity and promote tolerance. one-to-one basis, students are more com- “! e goal of the club is to tie the school fortable breaking through social barriers than in a large group setting, like the caf- eteria.” SCHREIBER’S ETHNIC BREAKDOWN Not only are there social groups based size of the international student body. It parameters of the ESL department. goes,” said Ms. Barbieri. on cultures, but there are many groups mainly consists of students from Central “! ey are separated from the main- When students come at an older age, based on various academic and extracur- America as well as several Italian, Asian, stream because of their language abili- it is usually more di% cult for them to ricular interests. and Israeli students. ties. Many spend a majority of their day adjust. However, the abundant extracur- “I think our school is pretty accepting, ort Washington has long been rec- “We are kind of like a big family. ESL learning English and other academics in ricular opportunities o# ered at Schreiber but that does not mean that people don’t ognized for its cultural diversity, and with students hang out in the ESL resource sheltered classrooms. As a result, they are eases this transition. stay with groups of people who have com- 15% Pa vast spectrum of ethnicities at Schreiber, room, prefer to go to ESL teachers for ex- not integrated into academic classes,” said “I liked being on the swim team. Here, mon interests,” said junior Rachel Cohen. all kinds of holiday spirit have transcend- tra help, and we have our own little cel- Ms. Barbieri. swimming is more competitive, but in a Although it is natural for students to ed into the school’s hallways. ebrations for di# erent cultures,” said Ms. Generally, a$ er their " rst year at Sch- positive way,” said ESL student freshman socialize with those with similar interests, 3% “I think Schreiber is fairly diverse. Barbieri. reiber, ESL students are integrated into Anna Piona, who moved from Italy this this is further enhanced by the school’s ! ere is certainly a broad range of cul- “Some students take great advantage of math classes and a$ er the second year, summer. “! e girls on the team helped scheduling system in which students are tures and nationalities represented in the the resources that ESL provides, yet those into science classes. It is not until they me. It is di% cult here, but I’m learning, rently, new ESL students are paired with o$ en in classes with the same groups of student body,” said ESL teacher Ms. Julie that do not may " nd that they continue to achieve an advanced score in a year- and I’m happy.” other classmates of the department to peers. Barbieri. struggle,” said Ms. Torres. end examination that these students are “Unfortunately, a lot of the ESL kids help them become adjusted to the school. “Although within each group there is Despite this distinguishing aspect, stu- Although the department provides placed into regular English and social have to work a$ er school long hours, and “When a new kid comes in, we put diversity, within di# erent interest groups, 66% 16% dents still seem to surround themselves a tight-knit group to welcome these stu- studies classes. they are not able to participate in a$ er them with another kid in ESL. Whereas students do not mix. Overall, academic with those they are most comfortable dents and enable them to become accli- “When I " rst came here, I did not school activities. Many of them have a$ er if it were done by a student from the stu- groups do not mix, yet there is diversity with, whether it be friends, sports teams, mated, the ultimate goal is to make sure know any English and I felt shy,” said ESL school commitments, which presents an- dent body at large, the new student would within those select groups. I feel that stu- or clubs. Students, and the school overall, the students are integrated into the entire student sophomore Franklin Moran. “I other road block,” said Ms. Barbieri. have a connection and integrate from the dents at Schreiber are segregated by extra- have not taken full advantage of the pos- Schreiber community. thought it was the worst situation and I However, some students in the ESL beginning,” said Ms. Barbieri. curricular interests,” said Ms. Torres. sibilities of such a multicultural student A few years ago, this goal was endan- felt homesick, but when I learned from department do not have many others to body and learning environment. gered by the prospective physical isolation the ESL teachers, I started to speak Eng- immediately associate with. Junior Zobia Student Interactions Multicultural Appreciation “I’m surprised that we as a school do of the ESL classes. Most of these classes lish better. Now I can have a conversation Iqbal is the only Pakistani student in the not celebrate cultural diversity as much as were located right across from the ESL re- with people easily and talk with them. department. While Schreiber is free from overt rac- With such cultural diversity, it is sur- we could,” said Assistant Principal Ms. Ju- source room. ! is would have essentially Students like how I speak.” “Many people in the department speak ism, some social groups remain relatively prising that the school does not have an lie Torres. “Our celebrations are not fully made an “ESL wing.” However, when it comes to social in- Spanish, so I felt awkward at " rst. In the exclusive by race. established event that celebrates interna- de" ned as a real expression of cultural “We discussed that those classes teractions, individual students must ad- beginning, it was di% cult because I had “I do not notice any intolerance in tionality. Many schools across Long Is- pride.” should not all be in the same place. We just to the school community. no one to speak with. My counselor re- class,” said English teacher Ms. Jennifer land have held such celebrations, includ- WHITE AFRICAN AMERICAN moved ESL social studies classrooms to “It depends on the student. People ally helped me and my teachers support Sacha. “I " nd students to be open-mind- ing a multicultural talent show. ESL/International Students the social studies wing, the English classes with outgoing personalities tend to in- me a lot. Now, I am feeling better because ed during discussions.” “Other schools have a multicultural to the English wing,” said Ms. Torres. “All tegrate quickly without any hindrances, I have a lot of friends,” said Iqbal. Although the school is fairly tolerant, talent show night where they showcase HISPANIC ASIAN Schreiber’s diversity is evident in its we did was to help create a schedule of a but that is only a few kids. A majority of One of the distinctive features of the there have been several occurrences re- all cultures in such an exciting way. All large population of international students. mainstream student. We did this to bring students are more comfortable expressing school’s ESL services is its resource room. sulting from racial bias. di# erent students and people would be at- Yet, the tolerance of its atmosphere is also the ESL students out of that little corner in themselves in their own language. Natu- ! ough this does not necessarily help the “! ere are always going to be a hand- tracted to come to celebrate cultures,” said put to the test with these students, espe- the building and help them feel part of the rally, they are more comfortable to spend students integrate, it helps them transi- ful of kids who have deep-rooted issues health teacher Ms. Meghan Harding. Do You Believe Our Student Body cially those whose " rst language is not bigger school.” time with others of the same country and tion and gives them a place to congregate. and biases against some cultures, but I do “In my own district, I know of these English. Despite this attempt by the adminis- culture. It’s the same in New York City In recent years, celebrations such as feel an overwhelming amount of students events in which students are able to share Is Racially Integrated? Over the years, the ESL department tration, many ESL students are still seg- with sections such as ‘Little Italy’ and National Hispanic Heritage Month have are tolerant,” said Ms. Torres. their heritage through venues such as the has expanded to accompany the growing regated and choose to remain within the ‘Chinatown’; that’s the way immigration attempted to acculturate these students In health classes, these issues are fre- Chinese yo-yo, Indian cultural dance, and quently addressed. Although there is Irish step-dancing,” said Ms. Kosiba. not a speci" c unit in the curriculum, the Last year, several students led by ’10 health teachers stress the importance of alumna Christina Vlahos and Ms. Torres Yes acceptance and tolerance. planned the school’s " rst Multicultural “Every single day, every single les- Night. At the event, students performed son, we address these issues,” said Ms. acts representing their culture including Pat Kosiba. “In my classroom, I promote an Indian-Latino dance number, and a No tolerance, yet in the halls I have seen dis- Korean instrumental performance. Ju- respect.” nior David White light-heartedly dis- When cases arise of student harass- cussed his experience transitioning into ment regarding ethnicity or religion, each America from Ireland. Additionally, food incident is handled on an individual basis. from many cultures was o# ered. Should Our School Have More “I have been presented with lots of bul- “Last year, we had this event called lying instances. Sometimes it is based on Multicultural Night. It was really excit- Multicultural Celebrations? races, and other times it is based on sexu- ing and fun to highlight underrepresented ality. I handle each situation either on a cultures and their corresponding tradi- one-on-one basis or by involving all par- tions. Hopefully we can continue the tra- ties,” said Ms. Kosiba. dition this year,” said senior SonYon Song. Yes To get any student adjusted to Sch- “Events like these are important be- reiber, there are many resources and many cause they help educate the student body ways to reach out and help. about various cultures,” said senior Katha- “I’ll reach out to students. If I recog- rine Fields. nize people’s special abilities or talents, I It remains to be seen if this event will No will try to get them involved with those be held this year and eventually become

Courtesy of Christina Vlahos activities in which they can utilize these an annual tradition to recognize the Courtesy of Ms. Marisa DeMarco abilities,” said Ms. Kosiba. school’s cultural diversity. Left: Seven members of the Bridging The Gap club attended the “ERASE RACISM” Conference on Nov. 11. The focus of the conference was to promote tolerance and Although the school is certainly more One club that works on uniting the acceptance. Students all across Long Island came together to learn about becoming leaders within the school community. diverse than many other Long Island ar- student body is Bridging ! e Gap. = 20 people eas, the typical high school cafeteria setup “Students interested in celebrating Students were able to interact with each other and experience traditions of cultures from around the world. is very much a part of the Schreiber cul- each other’s similarities and embracing 14 THE SCHREIBER TIMES FEATURES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010 !ink Facebook is a distraction? Try Neopets

BY Jeremy Eule and Kristin Yu accumulated 9.5 million Neopoints since Pennsylvania, to which she was recently “Melissa has not completed any of her he began playing on the site. accepted. "is acceptance may be partially work recently, which I hear is due to her Contributing Writer and Assistant News Editor Still, others play Neopets as part of attributed to her dedication to Neopets. unhealthy obsession with Neopets,” said the growing Neopets trend and peer Due to Shro#’s success, Mr. Jeremy Kla#, Naschek’s AP United An epidemic is sweeping through the pressure. many seniors are States History teacher. student body, a#ecting students from “I only play Neopets when Timo considering adding Naschek has vehemently denied these every grade. "e majority of those a#ected Santala is online. His username is Neopets to their claims. are seniors. AnimalToast. It’s an anagram. He’s applications and Mr. Kla#, however, does not have a "is epidemic is none other than a clever kid. Add him,” said senior resumes. Neopets username and has never played Neopet-itis. Increasing numbers of Stella Kim. Neopets playing Neopets. students are becoming re-addicted to the Kim can o%en be found on is not exclusive to the In response to Mr. Kla#’s comments, popular website Neopets. Neopets for hours at a time, senior class, however. several students are planning to petition Neopets is a website that allows players according to the Neopets’ “Friends An assortment of for the creation of a Schreiber Neopets to create usernames and virtual imaginary online now!” noti!cation. juniors have caught Appreciation Club (SNAC). pets. To some, Neopets is a means of Users may buy, sell, and collect some escape from the immense pressures of the thousands of items Neopets has of high school work and college created and sells in their various shops. applications. Reactivating Neopets Users may also paint their Neopets with accounts is a new symptom of the disease exclusive paintbrushes, and play virtual commonly known as “senioritis.” games. Other symptoms of senioritis include Neopets was originally popular among procrastination of major projects, not elementary school and some middle completing assignments a%er, or even school students. before, being accepted to college, and A widespread Neopets craze occurred simply ceasing to care about anything in the early 2000s as young students found school-related. hours of amusement, countless challenges “Instead of applying to colleges, I and a major vehicle of procrastination on decided to play Neopets for three straight the virtual site. hours last Tuesday night,” said Senior Nikki Zolli was senior Michael Graf. among those students who Graf also o#ered a participated in the !rst wave high-!ve, a symbol of Neopets fanaticism. of the popular “I used to play Neopets and commonly when I was in third grade,” uttered phrase, said Zaolli. “I took a “Seniors ’11,” hiatus until recently when also pronounced one of my friends told me “Senyas ‘11.” about their new Neopets N e o p e t s Mark Choi and Brian Seo account.” playing may also However, not all Neopets be viewed as a sign on to the trend. "e mission of this proposed club users are as enthusiastic to of intelligence and "e majority of the sophomore and would to be increase public awareness, publicize their love of the achievement. freshmen classes have not yet recognized recognition and appreciation of the many site. Senior Aditi the merits of playing Neopets. Such bene!ts of Neopets playing. Another “"ere is no Shro# allegedly bene!ts include social isolation. focus of the club would be to celebrate the chance in heck that wrote “Neopets” “Neopets is much more exciting than variety of wonderful and exotic Neopets I’m going to be in a under the socializing,” said junior Melissa Naschek. that exist. Neopets article,” said extracurricular Naschek has not le% her house for “People should play Neopets because senior Timo Santala. section of her three consecutive weekends. all the cool kids are doing it,” said Kim. Santala has application to Another feature of Neopets playing is a “Seniors ‘11!” the University of decline in grades. With cautionary measures, school stays safe and sound “I usually come into school through a shorter trip.” entrances, or places where students o%en BY Katya Barrett the entrance near the atrium, but when Although students may complain that congregate. Features Editor I come in late because I have !rst period keeping many of the entrances and exits “I think having teachers on hall duty o#, the door is locked,” said junior Elyse to the building locked throughout the is bene!cial because in case anything ever A student is running late. In an attempt Belarge. “"is is frustrating, particularly day is inconvenient, the administration did go wrong, there would be a teacher to get to math class as quickly as possible, when it is cold or raining outside, because continues to maintain that it is necessary. there to deal with it,” said junior Sean he or she runs to the side entrance of the it makes my walk longer to have to enter “"e inconvenience is secondary to Mintz. A-wing, but !nds out the door is locked. through the lobby.” students’ safety,” said Mr. Miller. “Our "ere are 17 hall duty posts in ranking "e student must now go around to the Making visitors sign in and out at number one job is to make sure that order of priority, although they are never main entrance. While the locking of the table in the lobby is another way the everyone is safe.” all covered at once. entrances may be frustrating, it is done administration remains knowledgeable of Observant students may have noticed During any period on a given day, the for a reason. who is in the building at any time. recently that the doors that connect the maximum number of posts being covered “Having so many doors around “We don’t want just anyone to be able main staircase to the circle have been is eight. the building is a signi!cant issue,” said to walk into the building,” said Mr. Miller. replaced. “We simply don’t have enough sta# to Assistant Principal Mr. David Miller. "e doors that cause the most "is change was necessary because cover all of them,” said Mr. Miller. “We “Since we can’t have personnel at each controversy when they are kept closed the previous doors were extremely old created that number of posts, however, so all the time, locking them is necessary to are the ones that provide access to the and could not lock properly. that in an emergency, teachers could be maintain a secure environment.” cafeteria from outside. Many students "is created a security threat for directed to go to precise locations.” "e reason for keeping certain doors maintain that the amount of time it takes everyone during the day and for school From monitoring entrances and exits shut throughout the day is simple; it to walk around to the main entrance, an property at night. to keeping an eye on the hallways, the allows the administration to have control action made even more di$cult when Keeping doors shut, however, is just administration and sta# are constantly over access to the building. carrying something heavy, is a reason why one aspect of the administration’s plan to working to keep the school secure. "is Despite its necessity, the regulation these doors should remain open. keep the school secure. A common sight goal, however, does require a degree of of school exits remains confusing, and “I don’t think that there is enough of a throughout the school is teachers on hall cooperation from students. sometimes even frustrating, as many are reason for these doors to be locked,” said duty. “Everything we do, we do to protect opened or closed at di#erent times. freshman Simon Shapiro. “It shouldn’t While hall duty may seem unnecessary, students,” said Mr. Miller. “When you While the main doors are open all day, have to be a big deal if someone wants to it is actually another key component of think about it, walking ten feet to go other entrances, such as the ones in the use a shortcut to get to lunch faster, or if maintaining a safe environment. around to the main entrance is not that back of the school, are only open until someone carrying a heavy box full of food "e hall duty posts are strategically inconvenient.” approximately 8:15 a.m. from Bayview, for example, wants to make located near high tra$c areas, THE SCHREIBER TIMES FEATURES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010 15 !e nutrition facts: beyond protein, carbs and fats

physical education has on students, she BY Blake and Reid Mergler Turkey: Lean has seen an improvement over the last ten Whole Wheat Tomato: Senior Opinions Editor and Senior Features Editor years. Bread: High in protein Lycopene According to Ms. Cooper, there is With the national obesity rate around an increasing awareness of health issues fiber 30 percent, according to the Center among students due to the media, the for Disease Control and Prevention, number of gyms per square mile, the most students have likely encountered spread of yoga and pilates studios, and the somebody who is obese, whether it is popularization of healthy foods. their loved ones or strangers. “Students don’t care now about what But contrary to the media’s messages, goes into their body. "ey believe they are skinny does not automatically mean invincible and that they won’t get cancer, healthy. diabetes, or be overweight. Kids think Facing what many consider to be an in the moment and the bad behaviors epidemic in this country, students are now continue unless someone at home or close becoming aware of the bene!ts of being gets sick,” said Ms. Cooper. health-conscious, the myths associated Health teachers have interacted with with health, and the consequences of a various types of students including those sedentary lifestyle. who think thin equals healthy and those who do not recognize the consequences of Education in Health and Nutrition poor nutrition and lack of exercise. "ere are major di#erences between Lettuce: Physical education and health the ninth and eleventh grade classes, education, both of which are required in which older students make more Chlorophyll classes, provide students with a base of independent food choices. and V.itamin Cheese: knowledge before they graduate. “"ey are starting to drive, and In these two departments, many socializing more at restaurants and Mayonnaise: Calcium faculty members are passionate about thus probably eating out more,” said Vitamin E, raising awareness about how to live a health education teacher Ms. Janine healthy lifestyle through nutrition and Kalinowski. “With this new freedom Healthy Oils exercise. and lifestyle change, they are faced with www.cafemom.com “By virtue of what I’ve devoted my life decisions about food that they maybe did to, just teaching physical !tness classes not have to make before. It could be a big the family and consumer sciences at Schreiber, there are other aspects of is how I promote health,” said physical change from when Mom or Dad packed department, including Food and Nutrition the school that are worthy of increased education teacher and coach Ms. Robin their lunch or when the majority of their and Culture and Foods, that students can attention. Cooper. “"ere are always conversations meals were spent at home.” take advantage of throughout their high “We need to !gure out how to expedite during class regarding what we are doing, Part of the challenge in teaching high school careers. the %ow through the cafeteria’s deli and I welcome questions, give advice, and school students about healthy living is sandwich and salad bar lines. We would o#er information to all.” students need help breaking poor habits !e Nutrition Committee like to have pre-made sandwiches and Meeting with each class twice per cycle, that have developed. salads available for a grab-and-go purchase physical education teachers try to promote Health teachers strive to bring In Schreiber, there is an increasing in the Commons. In addition, we need to an active lifestyle and its bene!ts. nutritional habits to the forefront and e#ort to address the nutritional needs of have improved vending choices that are For students who might not have address the cultural impact of foods. students and teachers. According to its consistent with the newly signed Child any activity in their lives, however, the "ese professionals address cultural mission statement, the Port Washington Nutrition Reauthorization Act, which minimum state requirement for class habits regarding nutrition and exercise. Union Free School District Nutrition requires the USDA to update the national meetings might not be enough time for Encouraging each individual to make Committee members advocate for high nutrition standards and regulate the teachers to instill the value of exercise. slight or major improvements in his or her quality, %avorful, and visually appealing sugary beverages and unhealthy snacks “Our students can be introduced life seems to be the most e#ective method cafeteria selections that are nutritionally found in vending, a la carte items, and to activities, yet they cannot become of instilling healthy values in students. sound and consistent with School Food elsewhere on school grounds,” said the pro!cient,” said Ms. Cooper. “Our classes “Students come to health class with 14 Reform and in keeping with the federal District Nutrition Committee member. and choices are great, and we have an to 17 years worth of nutritional habits; it’s Child Nutrition Program and Child amazing and diverse program; we just a matter of getting them to wake-up to Nutrition Reauthorization Act. Administration don’t have it o$en enough.” their habits and what drives their choices,” About 10 years ago, the HSA position Although Ms. Cooper believes that said Ms. Kalinowski. was to act as a liaison between the Food While the school administration has there is a limit to how much impact "ere are also electives given through Service Management Company (FSMC) many other issues to deal with, it still and the school. focuses heavily on the overall health and "e nutrition representatives attended wellness of students. monthly meetings to review the lunch In conjunction with the District Café additions without additives menu and to work with the food service Nutrition Committee, the administration BY Nicole Zwiener Due to the e#orts of the Nutrition company to improve the lunch options. sets guidelines for everyday practices to Contributing Writer Committee and administration, the salad According to a member of the Nutrition adhere to a district-wide promotion of bar is a popular new feature that has just Committee, at that time, the menus nutritional awareness and healthy habits. "e cafeteria is !lled with information been added to the cafeteria. "e salads included typical “fast food:” processed According to Assistant Principal Mr. about how to make healthy choices when are just as good as restaurant salads and food including chicken nuggets and a Craig Weiss, non-healthy food items deciding what to eat for lunch. are de!nitely cheaper. variety of frozen pizza options, canned (i.e. bake sales, candy, soda) may not be "e salad and sandwich bars in the "e cafeteria o#ers a variety of choices fruits and vegetables, and even an option sold until 30 minutes a$er the last lunch cafeteria provide healthy, inexpensive of salads—the classics that everyone can to “super size” the entrée. period and instead, non-food fundraisers choices that will bene!t the body and enjoy such as Greek, Caesar, harvest and “Over the past 10 years, the HSA are encouraged. take a load o# the wallet. BBQ. "ese tasty and delicious salads nutrition representative position not Classroom celebrations with unhealthy "e sandwich bar is located on the start at $2.75. only continues to represent its school at food items as well as the use of food as a right side of the cafeteria and has various "e make-your-own option is priced monthly meetings, but also helps bring reward are also discouraged. Although options from which to choose. For at $4.00, and students can pick four more opportunities for nutrition education the administration has not changed in its bread, students can choose from a wrap, toppings, including chickpeas, peppers, to the students,” said a Registered Dietitian views on nutrition from year to year, it fresh roll, whole wheat or white bread. tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, and other and Nutritionist and district Nutrition has implemented a salad bar in the hope For protein, students can choose healthy options. Committee member who wishes to remain of directly helping students make healthy from Boars Head turkey, salami, ham, or "e administration thinks that this anonymous. choices for lunch. roast beef. And for added taste, students addition is bene!cial to the students and "rough the e#orts of this committee, By supporting the creation of the can add lettuce, tomato, peppers, mayo, faculty. there have been “sample days” and Healthnuts Nutrition Club and by mustard, and a variety of dressings and “We love the salad bar!” said Assistant improvements to the menu to o#er encouraging parents and faculty to cheeses. Principal Mr. Craig Weiss. “Students diversity and better quality. follow health-related guidelines, the "ere are no added oils or fats of really seem to be taking to it to the point "e committee has ensured that fresh administration is taking many proactive which students are unaware. "ese that the cafeteria is struggling to keep up fruits and vegetables as well as a salad bar steps. sandwiches are normally $2.50 (extra with demand. "e faculty seems to like are available daily. “As society becomes more aware of $0.50 with cheese). it too.” Even though these adjustments were food and nutrition issues, so does the an attempt to to alleviate the health issues Schreiber community,” said Mr. Weiss. 16 THE SCHREIBER TIMES FEATURES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010 Being a double does not always cause trouble Quest for a new BY Georgia Goodman and Alexa Pinto principal Staff Writers

BY Reid Mergler Don’t worry, you’re not seeing double. As you walk down the halls, you’re only Senior Features Editor seeing the many pairs of twins that attend Schreiber. With the retirement of Principal Mr. Although twins may not dress and Jay Lewis last summer, the district has accessorize in the same way as they begun searching for a new principal to used to in elementary school, they still lead the high school. sometimes cause confusion in the school While Interim Principal Dr. Frank community. Banta !lls the void temporarily this year, "ere has been a general increase in the selection committee will spend the the number of twins or siblings walking upcoming months !nding the perfect around the hallways. While there are only match. a few twins in the senior and junior classes, “All of us have worked very hard to there are about eight sets of twins and one make Schreiber one of the best high set of triplets in the sophomore class, and schools in the United States. "erefore, we more than ten sets in the freshman class. are looking for an outstanding educational "e Spirit Week Committee jokingly leader who is either proven to be a very used the high number of twins to set up an successful principal in the past, or has event for the school’s most recent pep rally. Loren Giron the growth potential to lead such a high In the wheelbarrow race competition, Working together, seniors Boris and Lenny Joutovsky defeated sophomore achieving district,” said Superintendent of the Joutovsky twins of the senior class Haussman twins in the wheelbarrow race during the October pep rally. Their Schools Dr. Geo#rey Gordon. “As you can triumphed over the Haussman twins of the matching outfits attracted attention from the student body. tell from the teachers we have hired, we sophomore class. "is gave the Joutovsky only hire the best people for our students twins an opportunity to work together in together, yet the girls feel that there is an personalities,” said Ms. Zove. and community.” front of the entire student body. advantage to having a sibling or twin in Although health teacher Ms. Pat "e process to accomplish this task “Together, we were one, and we won, the same school. Kosiba has never had twins in the same involves many stages. First, Assistant together” said the Jourtovsky twins in “We would rather not have classes class, she feels has confessed that she is Superintendent Dr. Kathy Mooney unison. together because we see each other already “name challenged,” and that this received approximately 40 applications. "e school does not have a policy enough at home,” said Darby Drukker. has been a common problem among her Next, the assistant superintendents regarding putting twins into separate “It does bene!t us, because you’re never students in all classes. interviewed the top 16 candidates. "is classes. Although there is no set rule, alone. "ey’re always there to help you.” “"e only issue I would have with stage is known as the screening process, guidance counselors usually meet with Although sophomore twins Taylor twins in the same class is that if they were and helps with selecting those most the students and their families. Whether and Jacob Eisenberg don’t have any identical, I would have trouble telling suitable for the position. or not the twins feel comfortable in a class classes together this year, they seem to them apart,” said Ms. Kosiba. “Stage 3 is that the committees of together is the make-or-break point for feel the same way. Last year, when the AP European History teacher Mr. Alex parents, administrators and teachers creating their schedule. two sophomores were freshmen, they Sepulvida agrees with Ms. Kosiba. To him, are selected, briefed by Dr. Mooney, and “Whether it involves twins, triplets, were both in band. It did not matter that teaching twins together in the same class interviewed,” said Dr. Gordon. “If any or siblings, what we try to do is !nd the they were in the same class, but Taylor is not a hardship. Sophomores Emily and candidates are selected by the committees, best format for their schedule. We want feels that, as a general principle, teachers Lani Hack are in one of Mr. Sepulvida’s then they are interviewed by me, a to know how they are di#erent and have o%en treat one di#erently when he or she classes, and they are the !rst set of twins committee of students and the Board of them work towards enhancing those is by himself. that he’s ever taught at the same time. Education.” di#erences and individual strengths,” said “A lot of the time, twins are compared “I mix them up all the time,” said Mr. Finally, if a candidate has a signi!cant Director of Guidance Mr. Hank Hardy. in terms of grades. My teacher probably Sepulvida. “I always confuse them, yet consensus of support and passes a Some of the twins in school face slight thinks of me more as an individual in it is !ne. When twins are in di#erent background check, then in accordance con$icts when and if they are put into the a class without my brother in it,” said classes, it is easier for me to pick up on with state mandate, Dr. Gordon makes a same classes. Because the students are Eisenberg. some characteristics to help delineate recommendation to the BOE. "e BOE identical, teachers o%en get their names "e views of some teachers di#er from between the two.” has the !nal approval power. confused. students regarding this topic. Spanish When it comes to it, twins will o%en “One reason that our schools are At times, this may be humorous, but teacher Ms. Nancy Zove teaches a pair of face con$icts when in the same class, so highly rated and getting stronger in many students feel uncomfortable with twins the same subject during di#erent or even school—names and faces are student achievement is that we have a their siblings in the same class. "ey want periods. She would rather twins be in routinely confused. However, twins have rigorous selection process to pick the to build their own identities instead of separate classes than be together. the choice and can decide for themselves very best candidate for our students and becoming known simply as “the twins.” “I think, personally, twins should how they want to identify themselves and community,” said Dr. Gordon. Freshmen twins Darby and Dillon spend more time apart in school to whether or not they want to bring their "e process involves three di#erent Drukker prefer to not be in any classes develop their independence and own family life into the classroom. committees to include multiple perspectives. Whether one is a teacher, administrator, or parent, each has Twin Talk with Mr. Kla! expertise to make the decision. Senior Features Editor and identical twin Reid Mergler interviews A.P. U.S. History teacher Mr. Jeremy Kla# about his view on “With a position as important as High twins at Schreiber. Last year, Mr. Kla# became a father to twins, Brendan and William Kla#. School Principal, I look for a candidate whom all three committees support,” said Reid Mergler: How do you try to grade twins di#erently? Dr. Gordon. “Parents want someone who Jeremy Kla!: I don’t look at twins as being the same person, especially if they are fraternal, of course. When you are grading papers communicates well to parents and students or tests, you only see the name at the top, and not the face. as part of the home-school partnership. Administrators want a colleague with RM: As a father of twins, do you think Schreiber should encourage separation in classes or keep twins together? whom they can share ideas and who is of JK: I have had twins in the same class, and also in di#erent classes at the same time. I think it should be up to the luck of the schedule, the highest professional level. Teachers as I think twins should be treated like everyone else. If there is a class that they fall into at the same time, I don’t see why the school want someone who supervises them to be would pull one twin out and rearrange their schedule based on DNA. a real educational leader.” Recently, the assistant superintendents RM: Do you think you can tell the di#erences between your identical students and how long does it usually take you? screened 16 applicants and have JK: To be honest, I still have no idea which Mergler is which Mergler. I have a good idea who the Eisenbergs are. recommended !ve candidates to be interviewed. RM: What do you think of the increased prevalence of twins at Schreiber? Although this process is demanding, it JK: I have thought about this, and here is my biological explanation. Let’s say one person has the twin gene. "ey have two kids. has been used in the past and has proven Now these two kids have the gene. Each of these kids have 2 kids — now 4 more people have the gene! I think it’s only a matter of to be thorough and bene!cial, according time before twins take over the world. to Dr. Gordon. “I am very proud, that while no system RM: Any additional comments? is foolproof, this model has worked JK: I encourage twins to get di#erent haircuts for the !rst day of school. tremendously well for our district,” said Dr. Gordon. RM: "anks so much and good luck with your twins! JK: No problem Reid. Wait...which one is Reid? THE SCHREIBER TIMES A&E THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010 17

!e magic comes alive but the plot fails to impress A poor script and average acting make the third Narnia nothing more than a family movie

BY Katie Fishbin of thrill. and Lily Weisberg A new journey was presented, Staff Writer & Contributing Writer and it was the characters’ duty to Based on the fantasy series by C.S They must complete a voyage for Lewis, the movie The Chronicles of the survival of Narnia. With the Narnia: the Voyage of the Dawn Treader help of both recurring and new is a magical adventure. Through special characters, the children’s long effects, this unrealistic plot line feels real despite the fact that it takes place in a far throughout Narnia. away and magical land. In addition to Throughout the movie, the these life-like effects, the actors greatly characters are at sea with a enhanced the viewing experience. courageous crew led by Prince In this sequel to the prior Chronicles Caspian (Ben Barnes). He is vital of Narnia movies The Lion, the Witch, in this story and very close with and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian, Edmund and Lucy. the setting starts off in the real world, The ship sails from island to see the two younger siblings Edmund collect the seven swords. (Skandar Keynes) and Lucy (Georgie All we are told is that the Henley), along with their dreadful cousin seven swords can do great things Eustace (Will Poulter). when they are aligned together. Eustace’s negative attitude toward his These tools are associated with cousins leads to an unexpected adventure. seven men who had a very close www.movieweb.com While teasing both Edmund and Lucy connection with Prince Caspian Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) and Edmund (Skandar Keynes) have a friendly discussion about their discussions of Narnia, and his father. as they prepare for their mission to save Narnia from evil. something strange occurs. With determination, the Prince The painting in their room becomes sets out to track down these tools a reasonable amount of credibility. Due Unfortunately, the way the characters a bridge into their fantasy land, Narnia. with the help of Lucy, Edmund, Eustace, to the fact that the plot line is extremely are portrayed in the movie works to the Although this transition occurs quickly, and the rest of the crew. enchanting, in order to visualize it, the actors’ disadvantage. There is not a lot of we had expected something out of the Because the characters are in a very ordinary. different land, the special effects are a The set directors did a great job creating these actors to fully embody their roles. Like the other Chronicles of Narnia vital aspect of the movie. The technicians the backdrop and using the special effects After a very weak sequel, this movie movies, this introduction instilled a sense must create amazing vistas and yet sustain in order to make the movie come to life. opened to low expectations. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was the best Oscar nomination for its special effects. of the three, and Prince Caspian was the We would suggest watching the movie in worst. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 2D because 3D does not add positively to it at all. In addition to the scenery and effects, from Prince Caspian. It was still a good the costumes and makeup were very effort, but if it were to be the last movie well done. Many people had to look like of the series, there are some plot lines that fantastical creatures, and through the use are left hanging. of makeup, this was achieved well. Along with the immortal creatures, the enjoyable and light-hearted family movie extras were perfectly dressed to give off that was a change from the normal action the right effects. Overall, this aspect of or comedy one found in theaters. Similar the movie was very enjoyable. to Harry Potter, the fantasy genre captured However, the movies are rather our interest and allowed us to escape from immature compared to the books. While reality for a little while into the world of they do mostly follow the plot lines, the Narnia. concepts are “dumbed” down to appeal to While we do wish the movie well the younger audience. This takes away because of its “feel good” vibe, it is in from the likeability of the movie for older no way comparable to the Potter series. viewers or fans of the books. We would not necessarily recommend it The casting was very well done. Each for thriller fans, but if you are looking to spend a pleasant two hours relaxing in www.allmoviephoto.com the movie theater, this would be a good Lucy (Georgie Henley), Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes), and Edmund (Skandar movie, each actor has become better and choice for you. Keynes) discover more about the adventure they have embarked on Narnia. more experienced. 18 THE SCHREIBER TIMES A&E THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010 Franco gives a winning performance in a touching movie

BY Jess Greenwald camera work and visuals are both frustrat- until Ralston ing and irritating to watch and take away actually gets Staff Writer from the rest of the "lm. Although a good trapped in the "lm, 127 Hours could have been much desert. 127 Hours is the true story about Aron better movie in the hands of a di$erent It almost Ralston, an outdoorsman who in 2003 director. seems as if there had his arm pinned to a boulder while !e "lm starts with Aron Ralston’s are two sepa- rock climbing in the Utah desert. !e weekend hiking trip through the Utah rate movies: one "lm takes you through the nerve wrench- desert. !ere he meets two young women before the ac- ing, hard to watch 127 hours of Ralston’s and ends up acting as their tour guide for cident and one survival while isolated and deserted with the day. As a surprise Ralston decides to a#er. !ey seem limited food and water. take the young hikers to an underground to be very sepa- Directed by Danny Boyle (Slumdog lake which lies beneath the Utah Moun- rate and distinct Millionaire) 127 Hours could have been tains. from one an- an incredible movie but unfortunately In one of the most memorable scenes other and don’t loses some of its appeal from a disjointed of the movie, Ralston shows his tour group %ow together and slow buildup which deals with a lot of that while climbing and pushing through smoothly. split screen angles which become nause- the mountain crevice they can simply let A l t h o u g h ating a#er awhile. go and fall the long way down into the the "rst part of www.allmoviephoto.com !ese problems come about as a result lake. Although an incredibly awesome the movie was The audience is able to experience Aron Ralston’s (James of Danny Boyle’s directing. Some of his scene, the movie does not actually start a slow build up, Franco) journey through Utah while getting insight into his 127 Hours picks personal memories and the lessons he has learned. itself up in the second act and becomes an intense and take you into the characters past. !e gut wrenching drama that keeps you on movie also takes you through the brutal the edge of your seat. realities of the situation such as when James Franco gives his greatest perfor- Ralston has to drink his own urine in or- mance to date as Aaron Ralston, a young der to stay hydrated. enthusiast, in over his head outdoorsman. 127 Hours is not for the light hearted Without a strong lead performance, the or for the squeamish. As many know movie would have fallen %at on its face. Aaron Ralston resorted to amputating his Luckily Franco saved the movie with what right arm with a dull knife in order to free is sure to be an Oscar-nominated role. himself from the boulder. !e "lm mainly deals with the psycho- Do not think that knowing what hap- logical aspect of Ralston’s 127 hours in the pens will ruin the movie. Knowing what Utah desert. 127 Hours is a one man act happens in advance actually makes the that has very little supporting roles. Most "lm even more di&cult and unsettling to of the "lm deals directly with James Fran- watch. As a warning the bloody graphic co and the videos he makes on his cam- detail of Ralston’s escape is sure to turn corder while pinned to the boulder. !is some viewers o$. gives the movie a very isolated and claus- For those who have the stomach to get www.allmoviephoto.com trophobic undertone. through the last part of the movie, 127 Aron Ralston (James Franco) made many mistakes with his ex-girlrfriend Rana !e "lm takes you through Ralston’s Hours will make you leave the theatre (Clemence Poesy). After his accident, Ralston re-evaluates what went wrong in gradual slip into insanity where you see glad to be alive. Although there are some the relationship. certain %ashbacks and hallucinations that annoying aspects of the "lm, 127 Hours is a must see. Dark and sinister, Black Swan has twists and turns that shock the audience

BY Victor Dos Santos you are probably going to want to take a which causes Nina to change into a totally are in a state of confusion and you are con- break from psychological thrillers. di$erent person than she was before. stantly thinking about what you just saw. Staff Writer !e "lm tells the tale of Nina Sayers Black Swan can be seen as both a char- It is something Aronofsky manages to do (Portman), a kind hearted and seemingly acter study of Nina, as well as Aronofsky’s well with all of his psychological thrillers Darren Aronofsky has always been innocent ballet dancer. A#er landing the sick, twisted vision of Swan Lake. Aronof- and this is what makes them seem intelli- known for making movies that can really role of the Swan Queen in her company’s sky uses a tremendous amount of symbol- gent. !is style allowed for greater insight mess with your head, both visually and production of Swan Lake, she is over- ism referring to the ballet. He also incor- into Nina’s confused psyche. mentally. He manages to do exactly that whelmed by the stress of preparing for the porates a fantastic musical score by Clint !e cast of Black Swan did a terri"c with Black Swan, the new "lm starring upcoming show. Mansell, which is very subtle at times but job. Portman, especially, should receive a Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, and Vin- In addition, a new member of the at other times, it is music directly from nomination for her role because it is this cent Cassell. A#er watching this movie, company, Lily (Kunis), is “following” her, Swan Lake. "lm that really shows what a great actress !is makes the movie a bit predictable she can be. if you’re familiar with the story of Swan Kunis is fantastic in this movie as the Lake, but Aronofsky manages to take that seductive Lily. Her character is very be- story and "lm a mind-bending, intense, lievable and she does a great job with it. psychological thriller out of it. He man- Even Winona Ryder as Dying Swan is ages to keep the beauty and true meaning great in the small role she had. behind Swan Lake. !e music by Mansell is amazing and Aronofsky also allows us to see Nina’s even touching. His music "ts every scene character at the brink of insanity and what and while most of his music is from the is truly happening inside of her head. score of Swan Lake, he adds his own little !ere is a great depth to her character, touches to it. thanks to the screenplay by Mark Heyman He manages to make scenes more sus- and Andres Heinz, which really allows the penseful as well as dramatic. !e music audience to get to know more about her used during the end scene was perfectly character and understand how a person composed by Mansell, and it really makes acts when under an immense amount of you appreciate the scene and understand pressure. the meaning behind it. !e thing that makes it most interest- Overall, Black Swan is a beautiful and ing is that you see her as just a normal brilliant retelling of Swan Lake from the girl who is gradually becoming more and mind of Aronofsky and an extremely well more insane, and this progression is ex- done character study. www.allmoviephoto.com tremely well done. It has fantastic performances, terri"c Lily (Mila Kunis) stays focused to get into her role while everyone around her is Another great thing about Black Swan music, gripping drama, and some scenes - is how Aronofsky never allows you to ac- that will have you covering your eyes as sence of Lily. tually understand what is going on. You well as at the edge of your seat. THE SCHREIBER TIMES A&E THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010 19 MTV brings back quality TV a! er years of trashy programs

BY Dan Bidikov shows to come goes by the name Contributing Writer of $ e Buried Life. $ e Buried Life MTV (aptly renamed from MTV: Mu- is a reality docu- sic Television) has been su" ering a bit of mentary in which an identity crisis lately. $ e American a group of four television network has been broadcast- 20-somethings at- ing neither music nor what many people tempt to complete would qualify as television. With tele- a bucket list while vised blunders like Teen Mom and Jersey improving the lives Shore, it has grown increasingly di% cult of people along the to take MTV’s network lineup seriously. way. $ e program From glamorizing teenage pregnancy is motivational and and underage sex, encouraging alco- clever. Its content holism in youth, and poking fun at Ital- provides a sharp ian Americans, the network has put out contrast to the oth- content full of shock value but lacking in er shows MTV is depth. airing, and marks Although its programs receive astro- an upward trend nomical ratings (more than six million for the network. people watched the season & nale of Jersey Although this is Shore), they haven’t exactly reached the an honorable e" ort zenith of critical praise. on MTV’s part, Nor has the network been classi& ed as it must be asked: family friendly. $ eir televised romp of why? self-described “guidos” has been contro- With highly versial to say the least. Despite the outcry, successful shows www.mtv.com Jersey Shore is both wildly popular and, to on air that catch The Buried Life many, wildly entertaining. It has become millions of view- a driving force in pop culture since its in- ers, why risk drops ception and has been the basis of advertis- in revenue and losing a huge audience rapper, a professional poker player, a surf- in the future as MTV slowly incorporates ing campaigns for unrelated products like with a delicate venture like $ e Buried er, and many others. At the end of most music back into its repertoire. pistachio nuts. Life? episodes, you come to realize that these Perhaps MTV is trying to improve its MTV, at least, seems to be aware of its World of Jenks is another show that re- people who seem to lead such exotic lives image. Or maybe, MTV wants to reverse credibility de& cit. Recently, the network ally seems to have an impact. In it, young are very similar to regular people. $ ey all its corporate greed. In a bizarre fantasy, has been trying hard to undergo a “re- & lmmaker Andrew Jenks chronicles the have normal problems. it has come to the conclusion that putting naissance” of sorts. Its ' agship series that lives of various people in what most would $ is show is the & rst on MTV that re- out the highest possible quality content is leading the way for, hopefully, more consider an exciting profession, such as a ally does not glamorize fame and money is more important than resorting to dra- as most other shows tend to do. Both of matic stunts for ratings. these shows are very interesting and both If we are lucky, MTV has come to have a deeper meaning. $ ey are a far cry terms with its power to shape entire gen- from what we are used to on MTV. erations and hopefully it would like to 2010: A year for the ages One thing that MTV has needed to provide stable role models for the chil- BY Bethia Kwak also ended when the now-ex-judge Simon bring back is music. TV shows like $ e dren of the future. And maybe Mike “$ e Cowell le! the show to start his own talent Seven and MTV Unplugged are featuring Situation” will come to his senses and re- Assistant A&E Editor show, $ e X-Factor. di" erent artists in an e" ort to get music alize that naming his abdominal muscles Glee also reached out to millions of back on MTV. While the music on MTV was not the brightest idea. To say the least, this was a year of sur- viewers when the second half of its season is still very limited, look for it to increase prises. From popular summer movies to started in the beginning of 2010. Since smash hits in the winter, there was never then, the show has grown into a cultural a dull moment in 2010. $ ere were highs phenomenon bringing a more realistic and lows in entertainment and unexpect- twist to the popular High School Musi- What’s HOT What’s NOT ed stars emerged. cal. Its second season is well under way Even though Ke$ha stormed into the and the show shows no signs of stopping Tablets Netbooks mainstream with her song “Tik Tok” in due to its high ratings. Ever since the release of the Now becoming old technol- 2009, no one could have foreseen the rec- It would be impossible to sum up 2010 iPad, companies have joined ogy, netbooks do not provide ognition she would earn in 2010. $ ere without mentioning the Internet sensa- the race to create the best tablet the multimedia services and was never a moment when one of Ke$ha’s tions. Facebook has become embedded yet. Other than the iPad, choic- features that are available in songs was not on the charts. into most of our lives and its creator is Unexpectedly, Arcade Fire came out bene& ting from this more than ever. $ e es include the Dell Inspiron Duo newer tablets, especially now with one of the most praised albums of hit movie $ e Social Network proved still- and the Lenovo Ideapad, both of that netbook/tablet hybrids are the year, “$ e Suburbs” which was unique further the rampant success of Facebook which include full keyboards. available. and artistic. $ e band proved, as it want- and how quickly the site achieved its om- ed to, that it was an “album band,” rather nipotence. Motion controlled than a “single band.” $ e music on “$ e Other websites have also reached high Suburbs” could not be appreciated unless recognition. YouTube, as always, provided gaming Nintendo Wii it was listened to all at once. a basis for people to have their 15 minutes XBOX 360 and Playstation 3 With the new technologies avail- We also faced the end of a genera- of fame. $ e most famous video watched have just successfully followed able in motion control gaming tion when Toy Story 3 was released. $ e this year, as most of you have probably in the footsteps of the Wii, creat- from overall better systems, the movie was one of the highest grossing of seen, was “$ e Bed Intruder Song,” while ing their own motion controlled Wii seems to be getting more the year and touched the hearts of many. an array of popular songs racked up Inception was the hit of the summer, daz- millions of views with their music vid- gaming systems. and more outdated as other zling the audience with its twisted plot eos. $ e website also provides artists with systems catch up. lines and successful cast. a free venue from which to reach out to Pillow Pets $ e much-anticipated seventh Harry their fans and show their creativity. We The most comfortable product Snuggie Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Death- saw the ultimate example of this with the on the market right now, pillow Losing its initial appeal, many ly Hallows, was recently released and has band OK Go, which achieved fame a! er topped the box o% ce ratings. Fans await releasing viral and quirky videos. pets are appealing to both customers have found out that the bittersweet end to the series as anoth- 2010 was an unforgettable year with young and old. Different pets the Snuggie is not as conve- er cultural era ends with the release of the talented celebrities delighting us and in- include lady bugs, pandas, and nient as advertised. Pillow pets eighth and last movie this summer. competent & gures providing blunders. bees. A new winner was crowned on Ameri- We can now only await for the surprises alternative. can Idol when Lee DeWyze narrowly de- next year will bring us. feated Crystal Bowersox. $ e Cowell-era 20 THE SCHREIBER TIMES A&E THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010

!e lost legend makes a comeback with his "rst posthumous album Now, he would never be given the chance And unfortunately, we should expect to prove to the critics that he still had even more of these albums to be released. “it.” Ever since his death, there were !ere were many collaborations within talks of releasing posthumous albums of the album including the highly hyped unreleased songs. “Hold My Hand” featuring Akon. !e Controversy has been surrounding song gives o$ a sense of hope and is suited Michael ever since the announcement of for radio play, but it doesn’t quite have the its release. Rumors were speculated that pounding e$ect that songs like “Man in some of the songs were not even sung the Mirror” and “Heal the World” had. by Michael Jackson. Jackson’s family has One song that stood out in an accused the record company of fraud, unconventional way was “Breaking News.” claiming the voice sounds nothing like Jackson’s lyrics hold too much truth and Jackson. Celebrities like Will.I.Am have the content is very similar to Britney even released public statements calling Spears’ hit song “Piece of Me.” !e song the release disrespectful. re&ects on his struggles as a celebrity Upon comparing the album to other that is always under the harsh limelight. artists’ albums, Michael is well done, as With lyrics like, “!ey wanna see that I BY Bethia Kwak expected, but it lacks that special pizzazz fall ‘cause I’m Michael Jackson,” he puts a Assistant A&E Editor that came with previous Jackson albums clear message across that he knew people like !riller and Bad. !ere was clearly a always wanted a scandal from him. To say that Michael Jackson is talented reason why these songs were unreleased. Catchy songs like “Hollywood Tonight” would be a huge understatement. Known Jackson has always been known as a and “Behind the Mask” hook the listener as the “King of Pop,” he has touched the perfectionist and the album de"nitely in. While they have the stylistic beats and hearts of many with his passionate songs missed his touch as it was far from perfect. make you want to dance, the songs are www.blog.nj.com and strong messages. His dancing amazed It is highly unlikely he would have ever just not comparable to the brilliant “Billie us and his singing le# us speechless. approved of Michael. !e movie, !is Jean.” Michael Jackson was constantly on the front page Is It, would have been hated by Jackson Regardless if the songs were truly of gossip magazines, being criticized as well. It displayed videos of sloppy sung by Jackson, the vocals were done for his “alleged” crimes. One of the rehearsals which Jackson probably would beautifully. As a fan, I thought the singing most recognizable musicians of all time, have cringed at if knowing it was released sounded authentic. Songs such as “Keep Jackson has sold 750 millions records to the public. Your Head Up” and “(I Like) !e Way You music he le# rather than the rumors that worldwide. !e fact that this album, the movie, Love Me,” featured Jackson’s angelic vocals. were spread around about him. A year ago, tragedy struck as the and even videos games are being put on It is unfortunate that Jackson received We should not focus on whether the legend passed away. What shocked sale just seems like a way for the record a lot of the recognition he deserved as death was a “murder” or not, or if it could most of us was that he was on the brink company to milk money out of Jackson’s a performer a#er his death. Suddenly, have possibly been a suicide but instead, of a comeback with his worldwide tour. death. people who just simply saw Jackson as “that honor the life he lived. Michael Jackson pedophile” claimed they loved his music was a "gure who inspired us all with his all along. He should have always been music. remembered and seen for the standards of Classic Album: Tom Waits: Rain Dogs simply percussion accompanying Waits’ vocals, but in this case, “percussion” entails an almost overwhelming variety of instruments brought out of their usual position in the background. Waits does, however, make full use of collaborating guitarists Keith Richards and Marc Ribot on tracks straying from percussion or the piano. Rain Dogs is best remembered for being the pinnacle of Waits’ musical experimentation. Rain Dogs marked a distinct turning point in Waits’ career. He began to drift away from his previously prominent use of the piano. In Rain Dogs alone, there was polka, gospel music, BY Kerim Kivrak ballads, gritty blues-rock, country and

Staff Writer “a New Orleans thing with a trombone” – each not without Waits’ own personal Tom Waits’ raspy voice is one of few contribution to the genre. in music that is entirely unmistakable. Above all, Tom Waits is a purveyor of This, coupled with his distinctive use of bardic urban tales of bizarre and grotesque instrumentation, made his 1985 album characters in an equally bizarre setting. Rain Dogs a unique masterpiece. Waits would later clarify the metaphorical At this point in his career, Tom Waits already deeply invested his the characters he described in the album experimentation with different styles were akin to the directionless, disoriented of music, leading him through a variety dogs that would roam the city streets of different instruments and recording during a storm. Waits drew most of his techniques. Waits blatantly rejected the inspiration and imagery from New York, soulless, mechanical direction that music, walking around the city with a tape with the help of new technologies such recorder to capture its essence and inject as drum machines or synthesizers, had it into his music. been moving towards. When urged by his Tom Waits’ style on Rain Dogs is producer to use a drum machine, Waits incomparable to even his own work. It said he would rather hit objects around would almost be sinful for any fan of the studio with a two-by-four to obtain the music capable of enduring (or even sound he wanted – and that’s exactly what enjoying) Waits’ rugged voice to ignore he did. Rain Dogs – Waits’ unrivaled magnum Several of the tracks on Rain Dogs are opus. THE SCHREIBER TIMES SPORTS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010 21 Girls gymnastics enters new season with new team With early victory over Roslyn, team looks to send gymnasts to state quali!ers

!e best way to do that is to train hard BY Will Zhou and make sure everyone is in top condi- Sports Editor tion for competition through safe training and careful practice. !e varsity girls gymnastics team has “It’s important that we minimize inju- seen a large increase in popularity in the ries this year,” said D. Kim. “!at really 2010 winter season. Although the past hurt the team last year.” season only had a team of 12 girls, this !e team’s "rst meet was on Dec. 16 year, the team "nds itself with about 25, against Roslyn. Although the team fell with many younger students "lling the short of its goal of scoring in the 130s, it ranks. was o# by only a few points with a score of !is year, the only two seniors, Doro- 124.75, cleanly beating Roslyn’s 117.3. thy Kim and Sherry Kim, are also the co- At the meet, junior Jessica Megdalia captains. scored "rst in uneven bars with a score of “Both are very responsible athletes,” 6.1, over Roslyn’s best of 5.5. On balance said head coach Ms. Melissa Havern. beam, sophomore Carly Grieco scored “!ey are good role models for the team, a 6.5, with co-captain senior Sherry Kim and their work ethic is admirable in school taking second with 6.2. and during gymnastics practice.” “Jess is a very strong junior,” said Coach !e new members of the team, albeit Havern. “She competes consistently in young, bring new talent and potential. three events, the vault, $oor, and bars, and Elana Galassi “!e freshmen as well as other new is one of our stronger competitors. Carly Senior co-captain Sherry Kim poses on the balance beam at the Dec. 16 meet girls on the team this year are extremely also performs very well at competitions; against Roslyn. Along with senior Dorothy Kim, she plans to bring the team to talented and we de"nitely want to be on she’s someone who really puts her heart state qualifiers and to prepare the talented underclassmen on the team. top of our conference this year,” said D. into it.” Kim. “We want to try to get in the high Of course, the overall success could not 130s or low 140s and possibly send a gym- have been met without the help of both nast to the state quali"ers.” Havern and assistant coach Ms. JoAnn Captain’s Corner: “KC” Ozcayir !e Lady Vikings compete in Confer- Patterson. ence II, alongside rivals Cold Spring Har- “Coach Havern really helps us to push BY Dan Miller together. bor, which placed at the top of the confer- ourselves during practice,” said sopho- DM: What aspects of your game have ence last year, Roslyn, Garden City, and more Emily Hack. “She and Patterson Assistant Features Editor you been working hardest on this sea- Great Neck South, among other schools. give us good workouts and make sure we son? Last year, the Vikings came out of the do our best.” Dan Miller: Mr. Ozcayir, I appreciate KC: I’ve been focusing on the 360 de- season with a 5-5 record, which they look !e girls’ next meet will be against you penciling this interview into your un- gree through-the-legs acrobatic dunks to improve upon this season. South Side on Jan 5. believably tight schedule. that I usually do. Just kidding. I’ve been “KC” Ozcayir: No problem. working really hard on my one-on-one DM: How do you feel about the team’s defense in the post and becoming more of Varsity basketball faces tough season, 0-1 conference record? a team-oriented player. KC: We’re getting better. We’re a new DM: What are the chances we see a team and we are just starting to get used to Murph-to-KC alley-oop? looks to recoup from early losses the new o#ensive system, which is pretty KC: Any time that Murph and I step to pull of a win yet. Until Feshbach (9.8 complex and not easy to learn. on the court together there is a very high BY Dan Miranda points per game) and senior KC Ozcayir DM: What do you feel the team needs chance of that happening. Staff Writer (9.6 points per game) step up to the plate, to improve on to turn the season around? DM: When the fans have a “white out,” the Vikings will have di%cult times sus- KC: We have to limit turnovers and what does that do for the team? Cheered on by an excited crowd of taining wins. have more energy on the court. Some KC: Seeing that sea of white gives us students dressed in white, the Vikings While scoring has been a problem, more Kanye on the warm-up CD would more energy and that kind of atmosphere played their hearts out but fell just short Port will compete in Conference AA-II, also be a huge help. is great for the team. I hope we have more to the Syosset Braves. on Dec. 9 A&er one of the top league’s in Nassau County. DM: Is it true that Paul Tasnady is re- of those this season. the "rst half, Port Washington was down !e road behind the squad was di%cult, sponsible for the team’s warm-up music? DM: How di%cult is it to pull o# a eight; they never would come back. but it will continue to get harder. KC: Yes, DJ Pauly T is the team’s music trick from NBA Street in a game? On Dec. 13, while playing Malverne, the Adam Ep- guru. I select- KC: I mean, it’s not that di%cult; I Vikings faced a similar outcome. !ough stein, ‘10 alum- ed him because could always throw the ball o# of my op- they eventually ended up losing, there nus, played var- if Murph did it, ponent’s head then jump o# a teammate’s were several bright spots for Port during sity basketball we’d be listen- back at the three-point line and dunk it. the game. !e captains played with ease in Port Wash- ing to “What Actually, I’m pretty sure I’d get benched as junior Josh Feshbach and senior Mi- ington for four is Love” over for that. chael Murphy both made their way into years, taking and over again. DM: So now that Amar’e has brought double-digit scoring. head coach Sean Paul has a pret- the Knicks back to a respectable level of To add to this successful play from the Dooley on the ty good taste in play, how do you feel about professional two starting guards, the Vikings showed coaching ride music, though. basketball? real potential with their season-high 23 of his career. DM: How KC: Amar’e was one of my favorite points in the fourth quarter. !e thing go- Now at North much training players when he was in Phoenix and I’ve ing for Port right now is that they have yet Carolina State, do you do to been a Knicks fan for a long time so I’m to play a league match – the only games Epstein watches prepare for the very excited about the NBA, especially that mean something in the annual run from afar and season? here in NY. for the playo#s. remains faithful KC: Indi- DM: If you had to compare your game Entering the Manhasset Tournament, to the Vikings vidually, I usu- to a current NBA player’s, which would it the Vikings looked for a win; however program. ally go to the be? they le& without one. A&er a defeat to “Dooley and weight room or KC: A combination of Turkoglu and Hempstead on Dec. 17 at the tournament, Sutz will "nd just run in my David Lee, with maybe a touch of Kobe. Port experienced another nail-biting loss a way to make neighborhood DM: Last but not least: LeBron, super- to a tough Roslyn team, 54-52, on Dec. the program a lot. Subway friend or supercoward? 18. work,” said Ep- before practice KC: Supercoward but amazing player. Although the team has an unimpres- stein. “I’m aware also helps me Turkoglu is better though. sive overall 0-5 record, it is scheduled that they already prepare. As a DM: I’m not going to start that debate. to play just one conference match-up implemented a team, we just (Let’s Go Nets?) But thanks for chatting through Dec. 20. new o#ense for try to go as with me today. I can’t wait to see that On average, the Vikings have scored this season. In Elana Galassi hard as we can dunk. just around 45 points a game, or less than time, the o#ense Captain “KC” Ozcayir practices his shot. He in practice. If KC: You’re welcome, Neville. !anks 11 points every quarter. !is statistic will produce plans to use the team’s new offense and im- we improve to- for having me. I also can’t wait to see my sheds light on why Port has been unable positive results.” prove its record as much as possible. gether, we’ll win own dunk. 22 THE SCHREIBER TIMES SPORTS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010

Taylor Titcomb Emily Rosenthal competes in winter and spring track. His Rosenthal looks up to many di#erent BY Chad Edelblum BY Jacob Eisenberg abilities in cross country translate well to people in her life, and each and every one Staff Writer track as he leads the 4x800 meter relay Contributing Writer contributes to how well she succeeds in team to many victories. He also runs the sports, as well as everyday life. Her parents Junior Taylor Titcomb is a star runner one-mile run and at the last track event, A!er contributing to the girls varsity have been the most in$uential by teaching for the boys varsity track team. He has he ran the mile in 4 minutes and 12 sec- lacrosse team’s undefeated Conference her that with hard work comes great been on varsity cross country and track onds coming in "rst in the event. Championship last spring and leading the accomplishments. And, while many people since his freshman year. He began his Although Titcomb did not run at his soccer team to a "!h place "nish this fall, help guide Rosenthal towards success, she, running career back at Weber. best during the winter track team’s most junior Emily Rosenthal is poised for the in turn, is a role model for the rest of her Although he is a naturally skilled run- recent meet, he plans to work hard to get 2010-2011 basketball season. team. ner, with hard work and training, Titcomb back into top shape. In the 2008 and 2009 seasons, “Emily is a role model for all of us; she has transformed his gi! of speed into “I am going to work hard and am de- Rosenthal scored 111 points and 142 is there to help us improve and encourages something of great use. As a freshman termined to be the best I possibly can be,” points, respectively, and received All- us to play to the best of our potential,” said and sophomore, his ability was slightly said Titcomb. Conference honors both years. Her sophomore Ali Seltzer, one of Rosenthal’s overshadowed by the likes of ‘10 alumni It was also his "rst time running with overall goal is to score more than 500 teammates. Marco Bertolotti and Jacob Levine. a new team in the 4x800 relay. By the end points in her high school basketball Whether she is scoring points, or Titcomb has quali"ed to race for states of the season, he thinks that they will be career. She is well on her way, as she is motivating her team to victory, Rosenthal every year including this year where he one of the best 4x800 teams in the coun- just over halfway there with a current total will be an exciting player to watch led the team. Taylor was All-Division, All- ty. of 253 points. Rosenthal will continue throughout this entire basketball season. County and All-State as a junior and looks this season towards not just her personal to lead a young team to a state title. goals, but desires for the team as well. “%is year we have a very strong dis- “I want to make it to the playo#s and tance team and a couple very good sprint- beat our longtime rival Herricks as well ers so I am pretty optimistic about this as Baldwin who is state ranked,” said season. I feel we could make a good run Rosenthal. “All three would be great at states with our team,” said Titcomb. accomplishments for Port Basketball.” He was also the MVP of the cross Rosenthal has already started the country team as awarded by Coach Jeremy season strong, contributing to a 2-0 Kla#. Titcomb was able to run a 5K race start by securing victories against Great in 16 minutes and 14 seconds. Neck North and West Hempstead. She is “Taylor runs some of the most grueling currently the leading scorer on the team workouts of any athlete in the county. An with 22 points, along with seven steals. above-average runner in the schools’ best “Emily is a terri"c athlete and her mile time would be his workout mile time competitiveness is unmatched,” said Head four consecutive times in practice. He has Coach Dennis Trottier. “She’s a great Elana Galassi such a great work ethic which makes him Elana Galassi teammate and mentor to younger athletes. Junior Emily Rosenthal focuses during one of the top runners in the state,” said Junior Taylor Titcomb is making waves It has been a pleasure coaching Emily for practice, in preparation for the game Coach Kla#. in his conference, recording impres- the past three basketball seasons and I against Herricks on Dec. 21. Along with cross country, Titcomb sive times in several events. believe she has a fabulous future ahead.” Calling the Shots: Normally overlooked, free agency becomes dominant in sports

the sport for years to come. %e prob- other than the Knicks because the other a franchise tag. Under this set of rules, a BY Brett Fishbin lem with this scenario is not Miami win- team will know that Anthony will simply team is entitled to “franchise” one player Sports Editor ning, but the fact that players can use free depart into free agency at the end of the per year, who is about to become an unre- agency to create dominant teams. %e season. stricted free agent for a designated salary. When you think of sports, the "rst level of competition in an average game In the MLB, there is a reason why %is not only enables the team to prepare things that should come to mind include has gone down because of the imbalance contracts have skyrocketed. It is because for the next season (with the knowledge scoring a touchdown, hitting a home run, of talent among teams. players are able to match teams up against that this player likely will not return), but or nailing a three pointer. However, there Another scenario in which a player each other in a bidding war, referencing it also enables it to have the opportunity to is a force that controls the state of profes- can abuse his powers with free agency past contracts of players of that stature. possess its star for at least one more year. sional athletics that dominates any pos- %e culture of designing a winning base- While this rule certainly has its $aws, it is a sible on-the-"eld accomplishment: free ball team has shi!ed from scouting young great stride toward limiting the power that agency. About 25 years ago, it was players, developing home-grown talent, star athletes possess, and preventing teams About 25 years ago, it was typical for an and generating team chemistry to spend- from being crumbled from a star player athlete to play on one team for his entire typical for an athlete to play ing the most money available on a few key leaving without any notice at all. career, with very little "nancial $exibility, on one team for his entire players. %e next scenario in which a team’s but nowadays a!er about four years of ser- Aside from players having too much fortunes can be decided by free agency is vice, a player is compelled to test the open career, with very little financial power, the system of free agency has also a team centering an entire season (or mul- market. had a sour e#ect on entire franchises. tiple seasons) on the possibility of signing a %is is not to say there is anything flexibility, but nowadays after %ere are two basic scenarios by which a star. %e most obvious example that comes wrong with a capitalistic approach to team can be torn apart from this system. to mind would be the Knicks, who were sports, and it is completely understand- about four years of service, a %e "rst and most obvious one ap- willing to practically forfeit three entire able for an athlete to want to be the most player is compelled to test the plies to teams such as the Texas Rangers, seasons with the sole purpose of signing "nancially comfortable he can be, but Cleveland Cavaliers, and Toronto Rap- LeBron James. %e Knicks were so cer- there are several problems with this dan- open market. tors. %e thing that all three of these clubs tain that they could acquire this player that gerous trend. While a free agent splash is have in common is that they all watched they almost gave up three full years of bas- an absolute thrill to a fan base, there are their best player walk away while receiv- ketball just to attempt to sign one player. many problems with the system that can is what Carmelo Anthony of the Denver ing next to nothing. You do not need me to tell you how many leave a franchise in absolute ruin. Nuggets is currently doing. Anthony is While I am not discrediting a player’s things are wrong with this scenario, espe- In a system that encourages star ath- set to become a free agent at the end of right to take the best deal available, I am cially from a fan’s standpoint. letes to have complete control over which the season, and has made his intentions simply stating that free agency should not Overall, I believe that commissioners in teams they play on, it is incredibly easy to of departing from Denver quite obvious. have this huge of an a#ect on a team. %e each sport should do everything they can see athletes take advantage of their power, Because of this, the Nuggets are doing all amount of wins that a team earns should to prevent this trend. Although there are causing an unfair balance of power in a they possibly can to trade him in order not be so heavily reliant on how much players unions that will do anything and sport. to at least get something from his depar- money it is willing to spend on a core everything they can to prevent this system %is season, for example, star basket- ture. But, Anthony is interfering with group of stars. from ending, there are ways to negotiate. I ball players Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, these e#orts, stating that he will only sign %e best way to "ght against this sys- hope that the future of professional athlet- and Chris Bosh all signed with the Miami with the New York Knicks. Because of tem has already been developed in the Na- ics will slowly "nd its way back to the old Heat, creating a team that will dominate this, Denver cannot trade with any team tional Football League, and this is called ways. Except for Anthony, Go Knicks! THE SCHREIBER TIMES SPORTS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010 23 FIFA surprisingly chooses Qatar to host 2022 cup #e second major reason was Qatar’s BY David Katz vast wealth. At !rst, FIFA was reluctant Contributing Writer to give Qatar the World Cup because of its desert climate, where summer tem- Many thought that this was it: that peratures can reach an astounding 106 2022 would be the year that the United degrees Fahrenheit. FIFA’s report on the States would !nally host the FIFA World country even cited, “A potential health Cup. Experts predicted the victory and risk for players, o$cials, the FIFA family the profound impact that it would have on and spectators.” both the youth and the culture of United However, the country’s wealth gives States’ soccer. Qatar the necessary funding to construct We sent billionaires, actors, and even several air-conditioned and domed sta- former presidents to the voting conven- diums to house both the competitors and tion all in the hopes of securing the honor spectators for the duration of the competi- of hosting the World Cup for the !rst time tion. in more than a quarter century. However, Finally, the last reason why Qatar was on Dec. 2, the predictions were proven awarded the cup was because of Moham- false and the hard work was for naught as med Bin Hammam. Bin Hammam, a we watched Qatar earn the honor of host- member of the executive committee and ing in 2022. president of the Asia Football Confedera- Many were ba"ed by the outcome of tion, represented Qatar in the convention, FIFA’s convention, but in reality, Qatar was giving it the in%uence needed to sway the awarded the 2022 World Cup for three ma- votes in its favor. jor reasons.#e !rst incentive was and is While the United States chose to send FIFA’s continued goal to increase soccer’s former president Bill Clinton and actor popularity worldwide. #is past summer, Morgan Freeman, Qatar chose a delegate www.FIFA.com it awarded South Africa the World Cup, with signi!cant leverage in the interna- FIFA President Sepp Blatter shocks the world as he announces that the 2022 making it the !rst African nation to host tional soccer community. #is was just World Cup will be played in Qatar. Countries such as the United States were also the event. the advantage it needed to secure the in the running, and were disappointed that they lost their bid for the Cup. During the convention, FIFA also World Cup. voted on making Russia the !rst eastern For those of you who had never heard tion located just north of Saudi Arabia that soccer’s popularity in the American cul- European nation to host the tournament of the small nation of Qatar before it made juts out into the Persian Gulf, and it forms ture. in 2018. Finally, FIFA’s decision to give headlines when it “stole” the 2022 World a peninsula about the size of Connecticut. American football has replaced global Qatar the 2022 World Cup, which would Cup from the United States’ grasp, a brief Qatar is one of the most oil-rich countries football in our society and the only thing make it the !rst Middle Eastern country summary of the nation may help put the in the world, and this forms a cornerstone for Americans to do now is hope for the to host the event, shows its staunch desire three reasons stated above into perspec- of its booming economy today. honor of hosting the World Cup to come to make the sport of soccer more global- tive. At the moment there seems to be little to them in 2026. ized. #e State of Qatar is a desert-!lled na- that the United States can do to increase An average day in the life of a varsity wrestler Grueling practices and a rigorous diet ultimately pay o! on the mat

BY Drew Friedman tire team in the wrestling room. Follow- ing that, you get into dynamic warm-ups Sports Editor which include sprints, cartwheels, and a series of takedown moves. You’ll practice Six minutes does not seem like a long them until they become second nature. time. !at is, unless you’re a varsity wres- Next are skill drills. One thing you’ll tler. If you are, six minutes, the amount of be practicing this time are escapes because time allotted to each match, can seem like your opponent in a match isn’t going to be an eternity. kneeling there politely while you try to Each match is six minutes of battle, six take him down. He’s going to be all over minutes of pushing physical limits and you, and eventually he’s going to put you then beyond in an attempt to prove that at a disadvantage. You need to know how the Vikings want victory just a little more to get out of it. than the opponent does. Another thing you’ll be doing during But, your preparation starts long be- skill drills is practicing pinning combina- fore you ever get to see your opponent, tions. Usually when you pin an opponent, long before you take your place on the it’s not with a single move. You need to be mat. Weeks earlier, you committed your- able to perform a series of moves that will self to a daily regimen that begins each day lead to a pin if you do them just right. If at the moment you wake up. Your friends you don’t, your foe may end up pinning can chow down on anything they want for you instead. breakfast, from maple syrup-soaked but- At this point, the coaches may go over termilk pancakes to a nice big mug of hot some of the moves they have collected in chocolate. the course of their successful wrestling ca- But, it’s your responsibility to follow reers. !ere’s nothing like experience and a strict diet of carefully controlled por- they have plenty of it. If these moves have tions, checking every single bite to make worked for them, they may work for you sure you don’t accidentally jump a weight too. class. !e next part of the practice is devoted You do the same thing at lunch. No to hand "ghting. If you know what you’re high-calorie food for you, and de"nitely doing, you can win a match with your no sweets. You’ve got to watch everything hands by keeping your opponent from you eat so you don’t put on any body fat getting ahold of you the way he wants to. at all. !e only weight you can have is !e keys to this aspect of the sport are muscle. speed and proper stance. All day long, in every class, you’re Of course, not every practice goes thinking about the practice ahead of you. smoothly. Sometimes the coaches aren’t You may love it or you may hate it, but happy with the amount of e$ort the team you’re de"nitely not going to forget about is putting in. Sometimes the guys aren’t it. It’s always there, waiting for you every focusing the way they need to. At these day. times, you go into spinning. A#er a little !en the school day ends and prac- of that, the coaches de"nitely have every- tice begins. Practice is where you prove body’s attention. to your coaches just how devoted you are. Next you “go live.” !is is the part of Practice is where you’ll have a chance to the practice that’s the most demanding. demonstrate your skills through an array You pair up with a partner in your weight Elana Galassi of physically and mentally demanding class and wrestle in short bursts, trying Junior Noah Tanenbaum and sophomore Christian Castillo prepare for their home match workouts and exercises. to pin him down !is is as close as you on Jan. 5 against Long Beach. Going live is just one part of their training regimen. !e "rst exercise you take part in is can come to the intensity of a real match a 10-minute run either inside the school without actually being in one. It’s a gruel- into extreme conditioning, which consists Varsity Wrestling Team Update building or outside on the track, depend- ing series of clashes that show the coaches of sprints, push-ups, sit-ups, foot "res, So far, the Vikings have wrestled in ing on the weather. !at’s just your warm who’s determined to get the upper hand high knees, buddy carries, leap frog and one tournament. !e team had several up. A#er you’re " nished running, you and who’s just trying to hang in there. whatever else the coaches decide to throw third and fourth place winners, and senior do a three-minute stretch with the en- When you’re done with that you go at you. It’s during this part of the practice Harry Weinstein made it all the way to the that you’re in so much "nals, where he took second. Overall, the pain you think you team ended up taking third in the confer- can’t move. !is is what ence and sent seven wrestlers to the Nas- many coaches call “the sau County Championship Tournament. pain zone.” You feel like !e team roster is essentially the same as quitting but you don’t, last year’s with the exception of All-Coun- you can’t. You push ty contenders, ‘10 alumni Luke Klumpp through somehow be- and Mike O’Brien. cause you want to break Despite the loss, Schreiber has a young that barrier so you can and talented team this year. !e team endure more pain than hopes that, under the leadership of cap- your opponent. tains seniors Boris and Lenny Joutovsky, Finally, a#er weeks Harry Weinstein, and Lev Pinkus, it will of this torture, it’s Game be able to do well in the absence of last Day. year’s stars. !ere is a lot of pressure on !e Vikings lace up this year’s wrestlers. their shoes, go out on “But you’ve got to put all that out of the mat and stretch out. your mind now because you’re lacing up !ey prepare for six your boots and thinking about your op- minutes of pure battle, ponent. Your match is just minutes away. pure intensity, to show You’re a Schreiber Vikings varsity wrestler the results of their hard and you want to win this next match,” said work. junior Wayne Baker.