PAGE 4 COMMON SENSE EARLY MARCH 2009 PAGE 4

AND THE PASSWORD IS: JOTUCK By Kristina Jaku The computers at HSAS have senior, Sara Yancovitz('09), who become a widely used resource for stated that, "the administration is typing up homework, researching, slack" for not following up on

checking email, or even playing renewing passwords or even reminding students that they have games. To do all of this, students now use their own username and their own personal file within the computer system to hold their work. password to log in. But is this

"convenience" of creating a personal, private space for students Lismelia Vargas('12) enjoys really helpful, or just a nuisance? the perks of a personal Common Sense investigates. account because she "prefers About three years ago, this privacy" to the large, shared system was implemented after "student" account. getting rid of the simple "Student"

account, where all anyone had to do The only grade which seems to was type in the word "Student" and have no problem with the system is press enter. the freshmen. A result of the well Jordan Tucker’s(‘09) user name and password is what many Computer technician, Mr. run research program with Ms. students use to logon to school machines. Rockfeld, says: “For security Wong. purposes, we decided to give “happy to be doing the kids at this process of handing out user names Students like Lismelia Vargas('12) everyone their own names. We school a favor while simultaneously and passwords? Or will "jotuck" enjoy the perks of a personal account didn’t want college students who doing no work.” For those of us who naturally turn into the next because she "prefers privacy" to the take night classes here to use the forgot our passwords, or had it reset "Student" account? large, shared "student" account. computers.” and never received a new one, we Students like Julian Watts('10) As a result, many students have Surprisingly, it seems not to have definitely appreciate the "service" say that they "don't even use it" turned to other methods of gaining been used in the way the Jordan has provided for us. because of the reset and lack of access on the computers. The administration has meant. Senior Timothy Narine(’09) redistribution of passwords. infamous "jotuck" user name is used When asked if he used his agrees that this practice is a It seems as though the students by almost every senior, and probably student account on the computers, convenience because “most of us do at HSAS have resisted the system, every other grade in the near future, Matthew Berdeguez ('11) not like spending time figuring out and have called for a new way to because of its lack of a password. responded, "no, I didn't even know what our passwords are when a settle their computer woes. When asked if he minded the we had one." simple word and the enter key can abuse of his username, Jordan This response evoked a feeling in log us in.” Tucker('09) stated that he was So can we expect a more efficient

Continued from page 3 STUDENT GOVN’T ROCKS… th took place on February 11 , 2009. planned to cost $3 had to be reduced The event, although student to free, and was plagued by setbacks government sponsored, was mostly from the beginning. the brain child of student Representative Alex Miller(‘12) government member Dennis shared that: “It sucked that the Golin(‘09) who shared his thought school didn’t allow a singer to process with Common Sense. come, and that they didn’t let us use the lower café for the concert. It “They didn’t let us use the could have been a lot better.” lower café for the concert. It Alex is referring to the absence of could have been a lot better.” Nikita Yakimov, a student that transferred out of the 2009 grade

last year, who was restricted from Dennis shares that: “For a while it participating. seemed like all the school did was Thomas Mason(‘09) had to add dances and bake sales, and a lot of that “not only did (Mr.) Rodriguez people felt left out of that, because not let us use his drums, he wouldn’t the rock and roll community of our even let us practice, or store Dennis’ school are largely ignored in school (Golin(‘09)) drums in there, so events.” School Spirit Rocked on February 11th Dennis had to bring his drums from The event that was originally his house in the (Washington) Heights.” SPRING SEMINARS ARRIVE AT HSAS By Daniel Karaban(’09) While it is true that seniors get to about “Italian movies and culture.” When asked why the Every semester the students of administration placed these HSAS have a chance to take a leave early on Friday as they can opt Other seminar options for this out of selecting a seminar, some semester include: Animal Rights, restrictions on the concert, Principal seminar of their choice and enjoy a Mr. Weiss replied that “the café relaxing end to the week. Common students don’t understand. Homework Help, Game Theory, would have been open to college Sense investigates. She “enjoys leaving early.” Wandering with Halabi, Journalism, Tennis, Intro to Psychology, Stress students at that time, and the concert At the end of each school week would have disturbed them.” He Cate McCourt(‘12) stated that Relief, Stamp Collecting, Chess, we are graced with shorter periods added that Nikita wasn’t allowed in, seminar is “fun” and is “a good way Crosswords, Horticulture, Knitting, on Friday in exchange for a period “because it’s city policy, in the same to try out new things” while, on the and Origami. of origami, chess, or other way an HSAS student can’t walk other hand senior, Amanda When Mr. Blitz was confronted activities, depending on what into another school, and participate Manu(‘09), simply stated that she about if he would consider teaching seminar you choose. However, in the band.” “enjoys leaving early.” a seminar he replied, “HECK, there are mixed opinions about Mr. Rodriguez refused to While there are students who like FREAKIN NO.” This reporter did having this class. comment as to why he didn’t let the and dislike seminar, it seems that not follow up with Mr. Blitz. Matt Forrest(‘10) states that “it band borrow his equipment or room. teachers also have mixed feelings No matter what our opinions on (seminar) is not worth it” and that Nonetheless, the concert, which about teaching an extra seminar seminar, whether you think it’s a he “can’t wait till I get off seminar was played for an audience of about class. waste of time or a fun experience, it as a senior.” 40 students, composed mostly of When asked about seminar Mr. still fills that last stretch of time Sarah Armstrong(‘11) believes sophomores and freshman, was what Sacchini, our friendly neighborhood before the weekend, and it will that “seminar is a nice way to end Dennis hopes will be “the test run pre-calculus teacher, excitedly stated hopefully occupy that period for the the week, and Friday would suck for a better series of concerts.” with full periods” that he plans on teaching a seminar rest of time at HSAS. COMMON SPORTS EARLY MARCH 2009 PAGE 5

PAGE 5 DODGE BALL HOMECOMING TOURNAMENT WORTH REPEATING IN 2009-‘10 By C. Ubozah(’09) Every year, the student-body the event was a success. She said “It administration organizes a special was good. It was funny to watch event to take place right before the teachers pegging students with balls. Thanksgiving break. Last Autumn, Mr. Baker was especially funny to it was a Homecoming watch.” When reminded that her Alumni/Faculty v. Students Dodge brother, Adam Diker(’07), was Ball Tournament. Several teams of easily taken out of the game by this current HSAS students were reporter, she said, “it was funny organized to compete against a watching Chinaza take my brother team of alumni and faculty out.” members. Landon Goldfarb(’11) didn’t seem So what did HSAS students think too happy with the dodge ball game. about the event? Was it a great “I was on a team,” he told Common success? Or was it an epic failure? Sense. “I thought that the opposing Common Sense wanted to know. team was unevenly matched. Also, I Dodge Ball Homecoming Tournament 2008-09 wanted to go against all the teachers. When asked by Common Sense what he thought about the event, That would’ve been cool.” When Ukari Bakosi(’12) said: “It was asked what teacher he wanted to see pretty good. It was fun to watch.” most, he said, “Mr. Elinson.” However, he seemed too shy to Common Sense wanted to know further explain himself. So we let what the student-body administration him go. thought of how their special event turned out, so we went to Vice “I thought that the opposing President Katie Adrian (’10). She told us “It was a big success. I’m team was unevenly matched.” happy with how everything turned out, especially since I had a big hand Julian Watts(’10), who was on in planning the event. I think such an the winning student team, told event should be an HSAS tradition.” Common Sense: “It was a lot of Apparently, the Homecoming fun. It’s something that we should Alumni/Faculty v. Students Dodge definitely do again. We got to see ball tournament was a success. old friends again as HSAS alumni HSAS students enjoyed it, and agree returned. It was all great.” that it’s definitely something that Tova Diker (’09) also agreed that should take place in the future.

By A. Bell-Baltaci(’12) ’S MEN OF STEEL

New York, NY— ith 35 seconds to longest play of Super Bowl History, W play in an unforgettable Super Bowl rumbling by countless defenders for a 100-yard interception return to XLIII, , composed as ever, threw a strike to turn what could have been a 4 point lead for the Cardinals into a 10 point the right corner of the end zone on a third down and goal. The Arizona lead for the Steelers. Many people tend to forget that Cardinals had shocked the world, just as the New York Giants had the the play at the end of the first half was a net potential of 7 points, year before, by overcoming the Falcons, Panthers, and Eagles to get which turned into a 7 at the other end of the field. to the Super Bowl. They were leading by 3 after a What set up the final two drives was a mistake that could easily have throw by veteran Quarterback Kurt Warner and a running catch by Larry proved costly for the Steelers. Up 20-14 and pinned on the shadow of Fitzgerald who sprinted all the way home. This happened just about two their own goal line, Ben SPRING 2009 MLB PREVIEW By Eric Lee(’09) minutes prior to when General Roethlisberger stepped back to Roethlisberger had marched his men throw and completed a huge pass. With baseball season starting in they need to get done." to that third and goal situation. but Steelers center Justin Hartwig April, Common Sense decided to Not everyone is a Yankees or The ball hung in the air, spiraling was called for a holding penalty in see what HSAS students think will Mets fan at HSAS. Lamine toward , who with the end zone, causing an automatic happen this season. Gueye('09) is one of these people outstretched arms, left his feet. At safety against the Steelers, giving up Billy Bushell('11) started by who said: "I think the Cubs are that moment, the 70,774 in the 2 points to the Cardinals and trash-talking the Mets, saying "I gonna end their 100 plus year crowd, a crowd of mostly Steelers possession, trimming the score to think the Yankees are gonna win drought and finally win the big one. fans, held their breath, and all eyes 20-16 in favor of the Steelers. their division (American League Carlos Zambrano (a Cubs pitcher) were on the ball. And then it landed Kurt Warner, on the ensuing East) and the Mets are gonna choke will go 3 for 4 batting in Game 7 of in the air with Santonio Holmes, possession and the second play from again." the World Series to win it." who touched down with both feet in scrimmage, threw a pass short to the A slightly less belligerent On a team-neutral front there is the end zone, and gave the Steelers a center of the field in stride with Matthew Rodriguez(’12) added: “I the steroid issue. When asked how sixth title, and himself a Super Bowl Larry Fitzgerald, who blew by a hope the Yankees get off to a good steroids would affect baseball, MVP award. mob of defenders and watched start. I don’t think they are an Officer Castro told Common Sense: The Cardinals made it a game, but himself steal the lead on the automatic to win it all, but I hope “Steroids are bad for the game and made one key mistake that was the Jumbotron and put the Steelers in they do.” bad for business. It puts players who difference in the game. With a few difficult position, trailing by 3. Katie Adrian('10), representing don’t use them at a disadvantage.” ticks of the clock left in the first half, Roethlisberger was able to compose Mets fans, said: "Hopefully they He also added that “there should Kurt Warner threw a pass toward the himself, and eventually, give the (the Mets) don't disappoint me be tests for steroids on a regular end zone with the Cardinals down Steelers a record sixth raising of the again. They have the potential. basis, and those that use them should by 3. This was when linebacker famed Lombardy trophy. “Oh my They just need to get things done be punished.” James Harrison stepped in front of God, I don’t believe it,” Harrison when the pass and began the said. “They won us the game.”