THE ENTRALIZERCentral High School of Philadelphia DECEMBER, 2019 C VOLUME 145, ISSUE #2 WINTER EDITION “Great Big Stuff:” Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Jessica Lvov (279) like there was no way we would be Editor-in-Chief ready in time. Somehow, everything just came together at the last Students, faculty, parents, minute; it was kind of miraculous. and more gathered in the grand This is definitely the most fun I’ve Central auditorium as the lights had doing Central’s musical we dimmed and the pit orchestra got an amazing group of people performed, revealing a massive wire together this year, and that’s what sculpture among colorful scenery, makes staying at school until 7pm choreography, and outstanding bearable.” acting. The audience laughed along Noe Bunster (279), who played with the comical remarks of Noe the classical Freddy, said, “The Bunster (279) as Freddy Benson, opening night, it just felt magical. gasped at Patrick Brinkley’s (279) The energy with the audience entrance as Lawrence Jamieson, cheering us on, it felt rejuvenating. and marveled at the singing of The entire cast bow after the performance. | PC: Jessica Lvov We made it the best opening night Anja Castro-Diephouse (279) as intense love tangle, fake disability, first time, participation in the show we ever had!” Christine Colgate. and the reveal of ulterior motives, kept the audience amazed. The show would not be complete Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a the woman in turn reins victorious Anja Castro-Diephouse (279), without the work of the pit orchestra, comedy musical based on the 1998 as she uses her wits and charm to the iconic Christine, wowed the playing impeccably during the film and the book of the same title defeat and eventually bring together audience with her angelic voice and entire performance, setting the by Jeffrey Lane. Central took on the two men. The overarching plot professional acting. When asked to mood and keeping the audience on this musical for the first time ever is peppered with multiple subplots, describe her experiences, she states, edge. Siobhan McAtamney (279), a in a marvelous performance that such as the love affair of Lawrence’s “I had a ball! It was pretty nerve- violinist in the orchestra, describes features two conmen, Freddy and manservant Arthur, that gave wracking for a while there– moving her perspective: “Being in the pit Lawrence, attempting to swindle Ms. the production depth and the pit the show to the fall meant we had orchestra was really cool.” Colgate out of $50,000. Through an orchestra’s performance and, for the less time than ever, and it seemed Continued on page 2 A Day in the Life of Mr. McKenna Turkey Bowl Grace Jickling (279) Anika Koruba (281) Editor-in-Chief Staff Writer On Thanksgiving day, 2019, Mr. McKenna is a Central legend, the annual homecoming football he makes the school what it is, and game was held at Central’s home makes the students who they are. field against its biggest rival: But, how many students are aware Northeast. Lancers felt prepared of what Mr. McKenna actually does? for the biggest game of the year His office is surrounded by mystery, after extra practices and training. a forbidden territory past the safety The team was hungry for a win of the main office. As a journalist Our president sits in his office, such a small room for so much responsibility. and felt confident going in. With and a senior, I wanted to uncover | PC: Grace Jickling government. I would go to graduate many fans coming out to support the truth behind Mr. McKenna, so I announcements and spending school one day a week at Lehigh, the two teams came an exciting shadowed him for a day to discover advisory doing paperwork and and four days a week I would be a and intense game that finished with more about our beloved president. addressing the tasks of the day, principal intern,” he recalled. He Northeast as the victors, 34-16. Here is what I found: Mr. McKenna moved on to one then became an elementary school Continued on page 4 The day began at 7:40 when the of his favorite tasks, his “rounds.” principal before he became the man himself entered the Central Interacting with students and principal of Furness High School High School building after dropping teachers is “the best part” of the where he taught for four years his four year old daughter off at job to Mr. McKenna. Visiting until Dr. Pavel, his predecessor, preschool. Mr. McKenna made his classrooms, he sees “the intellect and told him that he was retiring. Mr. way to the office and started his day connection that Central students McKenna thought to himself, “if with his usual banana and cup of have that other kids don’t have.” you don’t want to lead Central High coffee. He calls himself a “creature As we walked through the School after you’ve lived in the city of habit,” implementing certain halls, I asked Mr. McKenna how he your whole life, then you’re not in routines like reading ten minutes got to Central. After changing his the right business.” Mr. McKenna of news from CNN to ground his career at age 24 from business to became the fourteenth president of day and to help “create balance and education, he taught at a bilingual Central High School in 2011– he control apart from the chaos of spanish elementary school. During was intimidated at first, but he knew Central,” to “see what’s happening his sixth year he was “recruited to he would not regret his decision. in the world before focusing on the become a part of partnership with the School District of Philadelphia, After returning to his office, Students and teachers alike watch as the world of Central.” players stand proudly on the field. | PC: Lehigh University, and the federal Mr. McKenna was met with After making the morning Continued on page 2 Max Hall In This Issue Philadelphia Election Homecoming Spotlights Mr. Steinberg Basketball Page 3 Page 4 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 PAGE 1 THE CENTRALIZER Continued from page 1 such grand proportions, of course, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels many meetings over top secret Continued from page 1 with the help of the many stage information I am not allowed to crew members, the supervisors, “We get to see a completely report: namely, the eighth grade and the orchestra. Everyone different side of the musical. It’s applications. One of the biggest involved sacrificed many hours to very technical work so it’s hard, tasks Mr. McKenna faces at this perfect the performance and the and tiring, but it pays off. Seeing point in the year is the applications end result undoubtedly reflected the entire show with the audience for the 283rd class, each of which their dedication, the audience was four times and countless times in are individually examined by Mr. blown away. Maybe, Dirty Rotten rehearsals is awesome because you McKenna and Ms. Harrington, Mr. McKenna speaks at the pep rally. Scoundrels aren’t so dirty and rotten get to see it evolve into a finished with the help of Mr. Steinburg and | PC: Grace Jickling after all. product that’s actually decent. I Ms. Vanbuskirke. Mr. McKenna’s The meeting was followed by loved the music for this show and advice to the new students is to the Thanksgiving game pep-rally, the pit orchestra all became good “get involved with something, but a celebration of Central spirit with friends.” also learn to organize your time, all of the classes as well as alumni. If it were not for the directing and come to the realization quickly Mr. McKenna tells the current and supervision of Mr. Kelsey, Mr. that...time management is critical.” senior class as they prepare for the Blazer, Mr. Burns, and Mr. Francetti, With the decision of the future transition to college, “make sure you the musical would not have been of Central High School, the past move away, make sure you live on possible. Importantly, the help of returned. The day I shadowed Mr. campus– it’s a big part of growing. many stage crew members kept the Christine and the maids dance. | PC: Grace Jickling McKenna was young alumni day, You’re going to be a little nervous, production running smoothly. Judy when recent graduates flooded the but you should always go with the Luong (279), a stage crew member, halls. As we joined the now college confidence that you’re ready for says, “This musical was the funniest freshmen, members of 278, burying that campus. You should believe in one I’ve worked in and I’m so glad their time capsule in the south yourself. Continue to set goals, be but sad it’s my last one.” lawn, he noted, “people feel that confident that you’re prepared, live This year, the musical was even this school has taught them to learn away from home, and have fun.” more difficult to put together due what is important; the importance Mr. McKenna’s day concluded to the department’s time restraints. of hard work, the importance of there. From spending just a single In the spring, students and faculty dedication.” day with Mr. McKenna, I realized will travel to Puerto Rico to Christine and Freddy in ‘love.’ | PC: Grace Jickling After the ceremony, we had to how much he really does for our commemorate a job well done and return to the office for a meeting with school. Without Mr. McKenna, celebrate a successful year. This trip the construction workers to discuss Central would not be Central.