Vol. 52 No. 06 The www.bcomber.org

25100 Fairmount Boulevardeachcomber Beachwood, Ohio June 2011 School District BreaksB Ground on $35.6M Renovation By Arielle Cohen Copy Editor put into place and assembled before any switch is made. The groundbreaking ceremony for Junior Masha Soprunova observed the high school renovation was held “It’s going to be interesting since there on Thursday, May 26th. A crowd of will be reconstruction. We will all be students, staff and parents attended. like freshmen trying to find our way.” The BHS band played, and commu- Ilana Blumin commented, “I’m nity leaders gave gave speeches with excited but worried about the noise.” key words such as “pride,” “excel- Hardis said that although students lence” and “community.” and teachers will have to deal with Students and staff mingled dur- a “constant low line of engines,” the ing the speeches, eating snacks and noise will hopefully not be overly dis- ice cream from Ben and Jerry’s. The turbing, and construction will cease event ended with the formal ground- during OGT week and AP testing. breaking. Attendees were invited to According to Hardis, new rooms come take a photo with the shovel af- will be spacious and more conducive ter the ceremonial picture was taken. to collaborative work. For the most BHS students and staff are very ex- Superintendent Dr. Richard Markwardt, School Board President Beth Rosenbaum, School Board part, floors will be tiled. cited about the prospect of a renovated Member David Ostro, Mayor Merle Gordon, Principal Robert Hardis, Board Member Dr. Brian Will teachers miss their old rooms? building. Student Activities Director Weiss, District Treasurer Michele Mills, Assistant Principal Paul Chase and Board Vice President English teacher Peter Harvan says no; Mitchel Luxenburg break ground. Photo by Marisa Simon. Craig Alexander said, “I look forward although he’ll miss the students he to the fall of 2013 when I can walk ing, “the new music suite will al- some challenges, though he is confi- taught in the room, the room itself is into a virtually new building.” low our music program to flourish.” dent we will be able to deal with any far from ideal. When asked about his biggest Hardis explained, “I think the biggest issues that arise. He is most worried Hopefully, construction will go hopes for the new building, Social wow factor will be the atrium. It will about teenagers climbing the construc- smoothly, leaving Beachwood with a Studies teacher John Perse responded be a place you can circle around and tion fence and getting hurt as a result. building that matches the caliber of “Air conditioning.” it opens to the cafeteria.” However, there should not be many the school itself; a building that por- Principal Robert Hardis said, “The However, Hardis admits that the problems with heating and cooling; trays those key words of “pride,” “ex- new library will be awesome”, add- constuction next year will present a new mechanical room will be fully cellence” and “community.” Marketing Students go to DECA International Competition By Haley Marblestone Staff Writer produced commercials for Arby’s and Things Remembered. This year they From April 30th through May 3rd, have marketed for Contemporary Cos- five of Marketing teacher Jean Getz’s metic Surgery and Chic-Fil-A. students went to Orlando, Florida, to Dr. Brian Michelow of Contempo- compete in the DECA International rary Cosmetic Surgery said, “Mrs. Getz Competition. The big congratulations and her class helped us understand the goes to Peter Kampf from Chagrin teen thought process when it comes to Falls, Kayla Breeden from West Geau- skin care and what was important to ga and BHS students Solly Poprish, them in product and services.” The Asha Clark, and Lily Lash who each company was so happy with the re- received Awards of Excellence at the Kayla Breeden, Solly Poprish, Peter Kampf, Lily Lash and Asha Clark enjoyed their time at Dis- sults that they paid the class double the competition. ney World. Photo Courtesy of Jean Getz. amount they were supposed to. “There are 16,000 juniors and se- marketing situations depending on the Poprish exclaimed, “Marketing re- The class also created a campaign niors from around the world that are level and the category in which they ally helped me meet a ton of new peo- and advertisements for Chick-Fil-A competing and there is just an air of are competing. Many schools have ple and it was so cool to go to school through promoting the school dodge excitement throughout the entire com- a separate club or class for DECA, with kids from West Geauga and Cha- ball tournament. The winners of the petition. It is very contagious and it is but Getz’s students only prepare for a grin Falls. We learned how to work to- won 54 free Chick-Fil-A sandwiches. something they will remember for the week. gether.” “Throughout the year we have rest of their lives,” said Getz. The students did not make it past DECA is not the only aspect in become more than just a class, we DECA is an international high the first round, but they enjoyed their which marketing students excel. Many are a family, said Lash. “Our creativ- school competition in which students time in the sun at Disney World and companies come to the marketing ity, knowledge, and skills put together apply their business and marketing lounging with other DECA competi- class for help on targeted marketing to- have created a very successful group skills. Students are given different tors by the pool. wards teenagers. In the past, they have of students.” Inside the Beachcomber Anime Club College Decisions Summer Music Tours Retiring Teachers High Gas Prices

Explore the behind-the- Where will BHS seniors be A guide to bands coming to Three teachers reflect on How are BHS students scenes of the club. headed next fall? Cleveland. their years at BHS. coping? Pg. 5 Pg. 6 Pg. 9 Pg. 3 Pg. 2

june2011.indd 1 5/31/11 4:18:41 PM News Gas Prices Impact Students, Staff, School District Budgets By Max Bleich Tech Editor switched cars in an attempt to save money at the pump. One dollar, two dollars, three dol- Receptionist Nancy Stanisa lives lars four… even further from BHS and only Although gas prices have be- gets 26 miles per gallon—which is gun to come back down in the last remarkable considering her 104 mile month, they are still high enough to commute to BHS every morning and affect BHS students and staff. her return home every night. None- New York Times reporter Jad theless, gas prices have not changed Mouawad attributes high gas prices her lifestyle. to fear of supply disruptions due to Science teacher Jamie Lader, who the situation in the Middle East. The lives in Solon, feels that gas prices crude oil price peaked at $125 per do make a difference. Lader com- barrel in late April, and at publication plains that the prices are far too high. is down to $109. At gas stations in His family operates on a budget, Beachwood, prices went well above Gas prices, still high, have begun to drop. Photo by Nicole Rubenstein. and everything he does during the $4.00 per gallon, although they are week is ultimately influenced by the now around $3.85. While many BHS students’ wal- the district spent $3.14 when gas was lets have not been directly affected, well over $3.50. gas prices. “Whenever I want to do Some students are not affected too something else during the week, like severely. Senior Ari Ashpis doesn’t it can be seen that their parents and Although being a freshman pre- other community members have vents him from driving by himself, fun things with the kids, it has to be really sweat the price change, since limited because of the prices.” Lader his parents pay for him. Ashpis drives been. freshman Danny Sheridan has strong Last year, the district spent opinions regarding the rise and fall feels that the reason for the rising gas to and from school every day, goes prices, if anything, is greed. “The to his girlfriend’s house and drives $117,328 on fuel for the buses, of gas prices. The rise of gas prices, and this year, according to Trea- according to Sheridan, has a positive whole problem in the Middle East, around Beachwood. that’s a bunch of [baloney].” Senior Or Bairey-Sehayek doesn’t surer Michele Mills, the district is effect on him, as he says that he has likely to spend at least $131,373. investments in the fuel industry. Although prices dropped pretty drive--he walks everywhere--to significantly in the last few weeks, work, to school (if he misses the bus, The average amount that the district Living further from BHS cer- spends on fuel for the last six years tainly doesn’t help out. Deaf / Hard they still fluctuate, but that’s nothing which occurs more often than not) to new. Until we find another reliable friends’ houses, to get food, etc. So, is $117,662. of Hearing teacher Sarah Thrasher The school district keeps their drives about 35 miles to get to BHS, energy , we will continue to as far as the rise in gas prices go, he’s pay the price to have the privilege of pretty much indifferent. fuel cost low by comparing prices which takes her about 50 minutes, from three gas vendors. In March, if she’s lucky. Thrasher has recently driving. Beachwood School District Braces for Budget Cuts By Scott Remer Staff Writer These numbers are speculative “lofty ideal.” Yet she is also skepti- cult financial climate. The fact that until the budget is finalized. cal, pointing out that the value-added Beachwood Schools has a balance of Governor John Kasich’s new As a response to these changes, approach to teacher evaluation pre- fourteen plus million dollars speaks budget, coupled with the Republi- the administration intends to tweak ferred by Republicans is problemat- to this strength. Such an impressive cans’ controversial Senate Bill 5, has current operating practices to maxi- ic, as it provides a “narrow measure balance does not happen by acci- roiled the Ohio political and educa- mize efficiency, reduce costs and of student performance in specific dent; this kind of reserve is the result tional scene. While the final version “enhance” students’ educational ex- areas.” Moreover, she said that “you of very intelligent and conscientious of the budget has not passed at pub- perience. Markwardt explained that can’t legislate objectivity.” stewardship. I only wish that all dis- lication, it is clear that State Repub- he hopes to employ a “scalpel ap- Markwardt said, “Taken as a tricts were as fortunate.” lican leaders are drastically cutting proach to paring the budget.” Mark- theoretical concept, I support [merit Both Markwardt and Mills de- school funding in order to eliminate wardt also pledged to streamline pay]. However, I’m not sure how cry the lack of clarity in the budget, the state’s multi-billion dollar short- administrative positions. meritorious teaching will be mea- which must pass through the legis- fall. Additionally, the administration sured and until I know the means by lative process and be refined into Beachwood will not be immune announced that layoffs of “limited which “merit” will be determined, actionable language for school ad- from cuts, although it is important to scope” may be pursued in the near I’ll reserve judgment.” He asked, ministrators. Mills stated that the ad- note that the vast majority of the dis- future. Markwardt defended the ef- “How are the teachers involved in ministration has “a lot of questions.” trict’s revenue comes from the com- ficacy of such layoffs to cut costs the process?” The faculty has a great deal of trepi- munity itself. and preserve the quality of educa- Teacher unions have frowned dation about possible cuts. Superintendent Dr. Richard Mark- tion by pointing out that there used on Kasich’s initiatives, particularly There is an overwhelming sense wardt wrote to the Beachwood Buzz, to be sixteen custodians in the high Senate Bill 5. Evan Luzar, President of flux. Mills attributes some of this “…[B]y their very nature, these re- school; today there are nine. Accord- of the Beachwood Federation of uncertainty to the fact that, “peo- ductions disproportionately affect ing to Markwardt, the high school Teachers, sent the following state- ple…are working harder than they wealthy districts with a strong com- is cleaner and more efficiently run ment to the Beachcomber: “Like ev- ever have [before]… education is no mercial base.” than ever before. However, to allay eryone else, I am deeply upset that exception.” According to the Ohio Depart- fears of draconian cuts, he hastened school funding is being cut. Schools Markwardt seconds this, captur- ment of Education’s analysis of to assure the public that the admin- are supposed to be the foundation of ing the zeitgeist of our age of auster- House Bill 153, Beachwood stands istration is “not contemplating any our meritocracy, not a solution for ity. “The field of education today is to lose around $2 million in perma- large-scale layoffs.” the state’s money problems. On a vastly more complicated than it was nent state funding reductions from Philosophically, Markwardt and positive, local note, I feel that both twenty years ago…Schools are asked fiscal year 2011 to fiscal year 2013. Mills have a nuanced outlook on the families and teachers of Beach- to do more, and, in many cases, the When all is said and done, this will Kasich’s educational reforms. Mills wood are very lucky. We are all part resources are not commensurate with constitute a loss of approximately believes that the basic principle of a district that is financially strong the requests.” 2% of base revenue (around $33 mil- of linking pay to performance is a and set up to thrive even in a diffi- lion). -2-

june2011.indd 2 5/31/11 4:18:44 PM Retiring Teachers: Leaving but Never Forgotten BHS is losing three teachers this year: visual arts teacher Allen Scott, science teacher Glenn Novotny and Excel TECC hospitality teacher Donna Diamond. Two other staff members, science teacher Jim Burton and technology coordinator Ron Matuszak are also leaving. Articles by Jeffrey Zuckerman. Art Teacher Allen Scott BHS students will remember vi- derful opportunity to interact with sual arts teacher Allen Scott most young people who are still searching for his kindness to all of his students for their place in life. I think, regard- and for his relaxed, open-minded less of the subject, if you are a per- approach to art. son who is caring and respectful and The Beachcomber asked Scott treat people fairly and with compas- whether, after 30 + years of teach- sion, you’re going to have a lasting ing, he would do it all over again. impression on individuals.” He said, “Once you discover your Sophomore Lizzie Bream ex- calling in life—what you’re meant plained, “Mr. Scott is the nicest to be—there’s no change. If I were teacher I know of, and he’s really to go back in time, I would still be- nice to the Anime Club. He lets us come a teacher because that’s who watch Anime loudly and lets us be I am and that’s what I was meant wild.” to do. In today’s realities, I think a “Mr. Scott is one of my favorite person has to go with gut feelings— Scott works the wheel. Photo by Daniel Sheriff. teachers. He is very calm and cool— what you’re really comfortable with, Scott doesn’t think of retire- confident that in the months ahead, I doesn’t yell at the class even when and not be influenced by economic ment as an end. He said, “I think will find potentially interesting and many kids are being obnoxious. He conditions or political situations. of just going to a new chapter—a exciting new opportunities.” is also a great adviser for the Anime When you’re true to yourself, this is new phase of my life. I was born Scott also explained his philoso- Club, and we all really appreciate when you are the happiest and most to work and I’m going to be look- phy of teaching: “When you’re a the flat screen TV in the art room,” productive and contribute the most ing for opportunities that will build good role model and a really sensi- said junior Maya Saab. to your family and community.” on my classroom experience. I feel tive/caring person—you have a won- Science Teacher Glenn Novotny With Science Teacher Glenn No- Sheryl Markowitz, a former stu- votny’s retirement, BHS is losing dent of Novotny, said, “Mr. Novot- decades of memory and experience. ny’s class was the most fun class I Novotny told the Beachcomber ever had in high school. His “off- about his first teaching experience: topic” stories were one of the many “The first class I ever [taught] was things that made his class fun for me when I was in graduate school—it and my friends as well. I’m very sad was a laboratory section in cellular to see him go.” physiology. I had taken the class Science teacher Jamie Lader said, before, and my adviser asked me “Mr. Novotny has been a great col- whether I’d be willing to teach it. league and he was also a great teach- I said okay. How well did I do?— er when I had him way back in the probably average at best. I had little mid-80s. I always used to love hear- prep time for very advanced mate- ing his stories in class, even if they rial. [Nevertheless,] I liked it—I were a little bit off topic. He was al- found it interesting.” Novotny stares into your soul. Photo by Max Bleich. ways a wealth of information and he Novotny started at BHS in 1975. really knew the class very well. As He had done some substituting in his teaching career, Novotny said lounge used to be a hotbed of ac- a colleague, behind the scenes, Mr. early 1975 at Shaker, Orange and in that there have been, “…too many tivity—nobody’s in there anymore. Novotny is probably one of the fun- Beachwood, and student taught at to mention and some that I won’t. Of course, smoking was allowed in niest people I know. He’s very dif- Beachwood Middle School. “I had A lot of it involves interaction with the building then as well. This place ferent, I believe, than when he inter- other job offers, but I liked the one staff. I could write a book about has a history that you wouldn’t be- acts with the kids in class. He’s been here at BHS, so I accepted it,” he stuff that’s gone on in this place. It’s lieve. Some of the other faculty and a great guy, a great friend, and I wish said. a little more sedate now than it used staff that are no longer with us in the him lots of luck in the future.” Regarding the funny moments in to be. For example, the teacher’s building could just make your day.” Excel TECC Hospitality Instructor Donna Diamond BHS Excel TECC Hospitality In- wedding. I also had students come structor Donna Diamond is leaving, back and tell me, ‘You’re right, col- but her philosophies on teaching and lege really is hard.’” learning will stay behind. “Mrs. Diamond’s class was one Diamond believes that the big- of the best classes I have ever tak- gest challenge in her career was en,” said Hannah Carmosino, one building unity. She said, “having of Diamond’s Excel TECC students students from nine different districts from Mayfield. and trying to unite them as a class BHS Culinary Arts Instructor [is a challenge]. They come as in- Kortez Wilson described Diamond dividuals, not knowing anyone and as, “a true asset to the profession of not knowing the school, and I think career technical education.” the biggest challenge is making Diamond feels that the person them into a cohesive unit—into one who is hired to replace her should class.” bring a genuine concern for stu- Diamond believes that the most Diamond poses for the camera. Photo by Jeffrey Zuckerman. dents. “I think compassion is one rewarding part of her career as a [quality] and also understanding of teaching was when “the ‘light bulb’ the differences that students come to moment occurs, where there’s a mo- ing.” who actually catered my wedding, you with. They should also embrace ment when you realize that you’ve Diamond also told the Beach- and I had another former student the students and encourage them to touched a student or gotten through comber that “I have a former student who created the ice carving for my grow.” to a student—I find that very reward- -3-

june2011.indd 3 5/31/11 4:18:53 PM Features BHS Grad Follows Dreams to Hollywood By Micah Josefovitz achieved a goal that no conventional mor, but I didn’t want to be a stand-up At the law firm, he was writing Staff Writer person can: he becoming a successful comic.” He found interest in movies, sample scripts in his free time, and in Jonathan M. Goldstein, a 1986 screenwriter in Hollywood. specifically, comedies. September of 1996, he gave notice, graduate of BHS, was once a normal Goldstein was born in 1969 to “HBO was kind of new”, said Gold- and the transition to Hollywood took high school student. He used to play Judith Berg and Richard Goldstein. stein. “We had just gotten cable when I about six months. the supporting role in drama club plays. Although they lived in New York, a was thirteen. I watched Airplane, Cad- He also wrote sample scripts for He used to write for the Beachcomber. tantalizing new job appeared on Mrs. dyshack, Blazing Saddles; all these Seinfeld and Frasier, which enabled He used to be the class clown. Goldstein’s radar: being the Princi- classic comedies, and I memorized ev- him to acquire an agent to find work. And then he went to college. pal of a Middle School - Beachwood ery line. That played a big role in lead- Goldstein now has amassed an im- Goldstein graduated from the Uni- Middle School. ing me out to Hollywood.” pressive resume of work with approxi- versity of Michigan with a degree in In high school, Goldstein spent his After graduating both BHS and un- mately 13 television series, including German Literature. Then he graduated time acting in the Drama Club pro- dergraduate college at the University the very well known and successful cum laude from Harvard ductions such as “How to Succeed in of Michigan, things heated up a bit for shows such as “Bones”, “Four Kings”, Law School and be- Business Without Really Trying”, and Goldstein. “The Geena Davis Show” and “The gan working at a “Cabaret”. Goldstein also wrote for “I made a decision when I got out New Adventures of Old Christine”. Law Firm. the Beachcomber. of college. I had a degree in German Goldstein additionally has three While it “I had a lot of friends on the Literature; not terribly useful when it movie scripts that are in production, may seem paper,” said Goldstein. “It was came down to getting a job.” co-written with his writing partner, ac- that Gold- a highlight.” He was then accepted to Harvard tor John Francis Daley. stein fol- However, it was not only Law School. “Horrible Bosses”, a comedy mov- lowed a con- about school. Beachwood was Goldstein explains, “I took a few ie written by Goldstein, John Francis ventionally a comfortable place to live; “In different jobs after college and lived Daley, and Michael Markowitz, will a m b i t i o u s some ways it was a perfect place in Berlin. I realized I needed to have a hit theaters on July 8th. The movie fea- career path, for me to grow up. I met a lot of qualification, and I figured law school tures Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston, he has now friends. Where we lived in upstate would be a good one.” In school, he Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Colin New York, I was one of a very had a friend who was writing a poten- Farrell and Jamie Foxx among others. small number of Jewish tial Simpson’s episode. So, “I thought, “Start writing. The more you do, kids.When we moved I should try that.” the better you will get at it”, advises to Beachwood, it was He continued, “I came out of law Goldstein. “Watch the kind of movies nice not to be in the school with $80,000 in debt, and I or TV shows you’re interested in, in- minority.” needed a job to pay it off. So I worked cluding ones released before you were Goldstein admitted, at a big firm for two years in New born. Dive in. It’s daunting to get a foot “I was kind of the York. I made enough money to pay off in the door of professional writing, but class clown. I knew I the debt, but I knew from the begin- it’s rewarding.” Photo Courtesty of The Oculus had the sense of hu- ning it wasn’t my cup of tea.” Students Still on the Hunt for Summer Jobs By Eva Muschkin get jobs and use the money for a va- Staff Writer riety of things that they want, while With the economy in its current others are looking for a way to pay condition, people are scrounging for for college. jobs, and teenagers are not usually Junior Rena Andrews explained, the first to be hired. “I work at the Lego store, and when There are many places that say I get my paycheck, I usually put $50 they have job openings, but they are aside to save, then spend the rest on looking for more experienced people food and clothes.” to take the open positions. Students Either way, many parents and report that local jobs at Beachwood teachers agree that having a job Place, Legacy Village, and La Place shows that the individual possesses a are taken or that managers do not sense of responsibility and reliability call back very many high school stu- for their place of employment. dents. When interviewing for a job, em- “My parents are forcing me to ployers say that they look for people get a job,” said Junior Izzy Golovan, who will take it seriously and will “But it’s a lot harder than I thought it Arielle Cohen. show up whenever they are needed. would be,” the job.” common among teenagers for those Guidance counselor Carol Grooms Since so many high school and Some students have extracurricu- who want to have meaningful expe- wants to make sure that students are college students are looking for full lar commitments, making it difficult riences. aware that anything worthwhile done time work, there is a lot of competi- to balance a job. Junior Carly Wohl- According to the USA Today, over the summer is great to put on a tion in the job market. feiler stated, “I am on two softball “The teen unemployment rate in resume because colleges like to see English teacher Evan Luzar, who leagues during the summer so May was hovering near 18% going that applicants are being productive manages the University Heights if I can’t get a job for the hours I into the summer. Last August, the in their three months off rather than pool, said, “There are about 40 posi- am free, I will probably work at my seasonally adjusted unemployment wasting their time. tions for high school and college stu- dad’s animal clinic.” During the rate for teen workers ages 16 to 19 dents but the number of applicants is summer, there are also many oppor- was 17%, up from 13.3% in August much greater, so it’s often tough for tunities to work as a camp counselor 1999.” me to tell people that they can’t have for younger kids. Volunteer work is Some teenagers have been able to -4-

june2011.indd 4 5/31/11 4:18:58 PM ANIME

By Rachel Lubinger CLUB Staff Writer If you were to walk into newspaper and the motion the art room Thursday afternoon, picture. They started to create The Anime Club would greet graphic books called manga, you with lively laughter and ex- which is a comic strip for all cited chitchat. As you step into the ages, with a broad variety of room, you will see the members subjects. In 1914, the Japanese watching anime, drawing manga, started experimenting with mo- and talking about this Japanese tion pictures, also called anime. form of art and entertainment. This form of entertainment has Sometimes, there is even a box produced shows such as Poke- of Pocky, a delicious Japanese mon, Bleach, Dragon Ball Z, snack. Wallflower, Narato, Avatar, The first order of busi- Yu-Gi-Oh, Kirby, Di-Gi-Mon, ness is to vote on which anime to Sailor Moon, and many others. watch. Later, while watching the The Anime Club is also movie, the members draw, talk to drawing their own manga based friends, or eat popcorn. on BHS. It features themselves But what exactly is An- and teachers as characters in their ime? Anime is more than just a work. The manga is extremely cartoon or a comic strip; it is Japa- detailed, although it is still in the nese animation with a lot of mean- process of being made. ing and hard work behind it. When senior member “A lot of people don’t Ahtera Dixon was asked why realize this, but you learn a lot she likes Anime Club, her re- about the [Japanese] culture, the sponse was, “we’re all really, language, and different subjects in really close and we have a lot school,” said Co-president Ariel of fun together.” Although the Douglas. “Anime is a story, only, members have a lot in common, instead of using real people, they there is also a great amount of use characters. Some of it can be diversity in this club. serious, and some can be funny, Many members agreed sad, or violent.” that their favorite parts of the club All featured manga by Maya Saab. Anime club members include being with their friends, enjoy vocaloid, a singing synthe- hanging out, and watching anime sizer system commonly used in movies. Sophomore, and dedi- anime movies, which can create cated Anime Club member, Kat any voice wanted. Lissfelt tells the Beachcomber, “I Anime and manga were think [people] should join [Anime developed at the start of the 20th Club] because you can make a lot century when Japanese graphic of friends and learn that you like artists were influenced by the something new.”

-5-

june2011.indd 5 5/31/11 4:19:03 PM Class of 2011 Alabama A & M Jeremiah Townes American University Ananya Marathe Baldwin-Wallace College Chelsea Glosser Boston University Benjamin Ducoff Bowling Green State University Alec Aaron Brown Elizabeth Mayers Mariah Parker Brown Aveda Institute Taylor Bell Capital University Matthew Axel Jason Edwards Case Western Reserve University Allison Debeljak Ho Jai Han Victor Tse Cedarville University Ahtera Imani Dixon Cleveland Institute of Art Amnon Carmi Cleveland State University Nicholas Bello Can Bolgi Good Luck Kevin Caputo Joseph Hendlin Kimberley Sabuneti Andrew Stead Columbia College Dior Stephens Cornell University Spandana Govindgari Cuyahoga Community College Ethan Reehorst Robert Coven Jacob Goldberg JoVon Harris Rachel Jaffe Joshua Jayapuram David Lurie Ashli Rogers Tanner Sanshuck Michael Schachtel Amy Gelman Bre’Anna Phoenix Troy Simmons DePaul University Cole Hersch Eastern Michigan University Amber Bogard Emory University Elliot F Angart Georgetown University John Carroll University Machon Maayan Semi- John Oliver Brown Laura Tramer Sophie Shapiro nary, Israel Maya Eddie Hampton University Jacob Weiss Rebecca Small Samuel Ginsburg Dennis Ross Kent State University Malone University Shulamit Medovoy High Point University Kevin Albrecht Jasmine Madison Daniel Noureddine Jordan Cohen Ariel Douglass Mercyhurst College Zachary Schulman Hiram College Jordana Hershman Sheldon Little Zachary Smith Christina Lissfelt Susan Reisman Miami University Matthew Boonyadate Howard University Telleisa Mattocks Lindsay Silver Collin Weiss Kristopher Kirkpatrick Spencer Tahsler Rachael Silver Max Steinberg Indiana University La Roche College Jacob Tepper Ohio Wesleyan University Ava Fagin Kelly L Rice Amelia Wester Jonathan Rodriguez Jonathan Fishman Lynn University Ohio University Pennsylvania State University Andrew Somogyi Jordin Luxenberg Jade Brown Alix Aboussouan Ariana Terman Logan Weisberg -6-

june2011.indd 6 5/31/11 4:19:06 PM College Decisions

The Ohio State University, Mansfield Emily Melton Cameron Earley The University of Akron Where in the country will the Class of 2011 be? Amber Jackson Blue denotes which states are being represented. Monae McDonald Zachary Mitchell Arielle Ginsburg The University of Findlay Kaulin Hooper The University of Tampa Joshua Schwarz The University of the Arts Cody Swanson Traveling in California Matthew Weingart Tulane University Sarah Irwin Ari Levine David Silver Undecided Xiaoshan Yu David Frisch Savannah Mislosky Jonathan Santos Brandon Shand Kharen Baduria Or Bairey-Sehayek Seniors Deion Bonton Caij Dixon Can you name the Top Six United States Air Force Academy Most Attended Schools for the Class Peter Amaddio University of Cincinnati of 2011? Ari Ashpis Go to www.bcomber.org to see the answers Marzell DeShjaun Atkins Michael Kaufman Brandon Larkey Matthew Riley Philip Schiavone Jacob Schlessinger William Wolkoff Ramon Fischer Phillip Jakubowitz Benjamin Tamarkin Isidro Cora Virdell Robinson University of Kentucky Brian Diamond University of Michigan Shira Rachel Barron Jessica Borison Monica Arkin University of Mississippi Jenna Gordon University of Toledo Yasmin Preston Vanderbilt University Taking the year off Nathan Sheridan Purdue University Sara Post Aaron Sciborowski Jasmine Stevens Emily Ganz Washington University in St. Louis The George Washington University Jason Zhang Quinnipiac University Jared Skoff Jordan Kaye Michael Bohm Chelsea Beytas Asha Imani Clark The Israel Experience Lisa Bolman Rensselaer Polytechnic West Virginia University Raven Luxenberg Zachary Goldner Institute Alec Jacober The Ohio State University Lily Lash Alexander Bruening Working Elizabeth Friedman Ari Meskin Rice University Olivia Bobincheck Chase Golovan Gabrielle Mitchell Bethany Qiang David Diller Chloe Hernane Solly Poprish Rochester Institute of Tech- Wittenberg University Alexandra Kelley Anand Rajan nology Anna Swanson Phillip Keselman Melanie Small Samuel Shiffman Yale University Sarah Newman Shauna Lee Tepper San Diego State University Samuel Lowenkamp Phoebe Kraus Alex Roth -7-

june2011.indd 7 5/31/11 4:19:08 PM Arts & Entertainment Open Mic Night Raises $900 for School in Haiti By Masha Soprunova Staff Writer received the most praise was a string trio consisting of juniors Tony Sapell With additional reporting by David Bohm and Sam Goldman and sophomore Jon Sender. Instead of playing the instru- On the evening of May 6th, Am- ments with bows, they plucked famil- nesty International, SADD, JCWA, iar songs such as Green Day’s ‘Bou- and Student Council sponsored Open levard of Broken Dreams’ and Guns Mic Night to raise money for Free the n’ Roses ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine.’ The Children. The event was organized by audience even began to sing along as Amnesty International, SADD and the three musicians played the mix of Student Council. songs. Amelia Wester, an Amnesty Inter- Yumi Matsuyama described the national Club member and a senior string trio saying, “They were sick.” who organized the event, said, “Obvi- She had seen a video of a previous per- ously Haiti is very poverty-stricken, formance on Facebook. “It was amaz- especially after the earthquake.” ing to finally see them play in person,” Junior Jessica Friedman and Senior David Lurie sing together at the said Yumi. Wester continued, “People relate benefit. Photo by Masha Soprunova. more easily to Haiti because of all the Sophomore Beth Moses said, press it’s gotten recently, and because when he was only four years old and about the efforts of Free the Children. “People really just need to be aware people know about it, they would was punished for being brave enough Next, students demonstrated their tal- of what’s going on around the world,” be more likely to come to the event. to speak out against child labor. ents: singing, playing instruments and and that this event was “a well put to- [Though] I’m not sure Amnesty plans Since then, the Kielburger brothers reading poetry. Senior Chloe Hernane gether fundraiser for a good cause”. to remain involved [in funding the have built over 500 schools in coun- sang two of her own original songs and Junior Evette Yedid added that “the cause],” she said, “I think some stu- tries such as Kenya, India, and Sri then joined junior Kei Hitomi and se- cupcakes made by SADD were unbe- dents are planning to host their own Lanka and have made improvements nior Anand Rajan. Sophomore Jessie lievable,” and that “there was a great events to help this cause.” to impoverished areas. Through Free Gill performed an adaptation of Lady mix of different songs and music.” Free the Children is a program that the Children, the organizers of Open Gaga’s song, ‘You and I.’ BHS’s Open Mic Night raised advocates for the rights of children all Mic Night wanted to raise money to Junior Jodi Fish said, “Everyone around $900 and, according to social around the world. According to the or- build a school in Haiti. has such a gorgeous voice and the studies teacher Greg Deegan, “a new ganization’s website, 12 year old Craig The event consisted of a raffle, art- whole performance was lovely.” school in Haiti costs $8500. So BHS and Marc Kielburger founded the orga- work, baked goods and performances Junior Luana Turovskaya was the Unplugged really jump-started the nization when Craig learned about the from multiple students. The night be- only one to recite a poem, which she fundraising that many of the organiza- murder of a young boy in South Asia. gan with an introduction from How- had written herself. tions hope to continue next year.” The boy had been sold into slavery ard Sobel informing the audience The performance that probably Review: 2 is the for You By Max Bleich Staff Writer sions and sometimes causes them to freak out. is not any differ- Let’s have fun—with science. ent. The atmosphere, although dras- ’s latest release tically different from the original, of their highly successful Portal line remains very eerie and quite diffi- of video games has finally been cult to handle all alone. However, it released and professional gamers is less so, thanks to the inclusion of a reviewed it, giving it high marks: new character, Wheatley, who greets 9.5/10, 96/100, A+, Incredible, the player and leaves him/her only Amazing. to return as a villain. All these ratings are not enough Perhaps the best thing about Por- to describe the true genius of Portal tal 2 is its rating—everyone ten and 2. up. Exposing the youth to games that Portal 2 is a first person puzzle don’t involve blowing things up and game. The player is a woman named Now you’re thinking with portals. Screenshot by Max Bleich. shooting everything in plain sight Chell, who is being used as a test is one way to prevent American so- subject for a company called “Aper- dimensional portals. The game has things back in place. ciety from becoming more violent ture Science Laboratories”. This is a a very close grasp on the laws of Although many people will argue than it already is. tie-in with the Half-Life series, also physics. tense and involves a more that the original Portal was flawless, So, should you buy this ad- made by Valve. In the first game, this interesting storyline. some things were obviously miss- vanced, multi-platform (PC, Macin- was the only story line—except for The new game opens with Chell ing. Letting previous aspects go, tosh, Xbox 360 & PS3), ingenious, the fact that the game’s villainous waking up from a hibernated state however, such as elaborate story vast, humorous, dramatic, intense Artificial Intelligence Host, GLa- to find that the laboratory is in lines and a large cast of characters, and mind-boggling video game? If DOS, tried to kill you. shambles and covered in vegetation doesn’t mean the game is going to you like video games that involve In the first game, Chell is assigned due to “apocalyptic circumstances”. be terrible. puzzles, adventure, humor and a to complete 19 test chambers, which The test chambers are found with To some, playing Portal alone in great storyline, than yes. only requires the player to get from the walls separated in many places the dark is very terrifying, and causes point A to point B using two inter- with GLaDOS struggling to put many players to visualize scary illu-

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june2011.indd 8 5/31/11 4:19:08 PM Summer Music Tour ‘11

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june2011.indd 9 5/31/11 4:19:09 PM Opinion Reflection: Looking Back at My BHS Years By Sam Lowenkamp Editor-in-Chief people who spent all of their time in a wheelchair to help him walk. Your 97% chance that I have judged you working on extracurricular activities friends are going through the same and a 69% chance that I’ve judged you As the Class of 2011 winds down instead of putting in time to their aca- thing and the four (or more) years of negatively. But I’m Sam Lowenkamp, and prepares to leave beautiful little demics. Everyone’s high school ex- high school can be pretty chaotic. Editor in Chief of the Newspaper, giant Beachwood, I have spent a lot of time perience is a little bit different; high But in this chaos, there is freedom. dork, and the guy who makes up nick- reflecting on not only my own expe- school is really about whatever you There is no structure forcing people names for himself, like “Sam “King of rience, but also the experience of my make it. to be academics, burnouts, or athletic the Universe” Lowenkamp.” So my class as a whole. I wish I could tell This can be looked at in two ways. knuckleheads. Nobody says, “you judgments don’t really matter to many you that high school is about “finding On the one hand, it leaves insecure must choose one group of friends and people. out who you are” or “making life long and undeveloped people without stay within that group.” Most of us To me, the key to happiness in high friends” or “furthering your academic much direction and opens them up have a tendency to do so, myself in- school, aside from blatant alliteration, career” or “partying all day”. Even to potentially negative peer pressure. cluded, but that’s a very limiting way is realizing that being judged by other more, I wish I could tell you that high people is not something to be overly school isn’t about any of those things. concerned about. When I realized that But neither of those statements would There is no structure forcing people to be academ- my own judgments of other people necessarily be true, which makes it ics, burnouts, or athletic knuckleheads. didn’t matter, I also realized that their “ judgments of me shouldn’t matter. So very difficult for me to summarize what high school is about. ” do your own thing. Be a little wacky, For me, high school was a time a little off, a little awkward. It makes spent learning, both about academics, The lack of direction can be frighten- to live. the journey more interesting. And, in and about myself. But I know people ing and disorienting. You may turn I understand why people like to the end, high school is really about who focused more on athletics than to a friend as a “crutch” to help them stay within their comfort zone; I’m what you make of the journey, because on figuring out, not to sound cliché, through, but this is the same thing as extremely judgmental. If you go to that’s all you’ll be taking with you to but who they “really are.” I also know the guy with no legs asking his friend Beachwood High School, there is a college and the rest of your life. High School Relationships: A Good Idea? By Or Bairey-Sehayek Cartoon by Arielle Cohen Staff Writer Anybody who’s a serious relationship].” spent time with the Having a high school What makes a relationship? Hon- average high school relationship is a lot like esty? Emotional intimacy? Physical couple knows that having surgery - it usually contact? What’s the line between good unless you happen doesn’t last very long and friends and a couple? These are ques- to be in a couple as hurts a lot when it’s over. tions that high school students are con- well, it gets pretty Most people are inclined stantly trying to answer by dating, and irritating. We’ve all to disagree with this view the answers are blurry. been there, talking because they see deep Unlike the “real-world” relation- to one of them and emotional connection as ships of adults, those of high school getting interrupted a necessity. They are, of students can’t make it past a certain mid-sentence by a course, entitled to do what- point of commitment. For example, passionate display of ever they wish. It must be most high school students can’t move salivary exchange… made crystal clear that this in together, they can’t have children, and then they look is not a condemnation of get married, or even make a joint finan- at you like noth- people who date in high cial decision. While it could be argued ing happened. High school, nor is it an attack that those aren’t prerequisites to being School students, being ther start boring you or driving you in- on any couples that exist close to someone, the fact remains that younger and less emotionally mature, sane fairly quickly. And of course this now - it is a retrospective snapshot, some of these landmarks in compan- are given to idealize everything about makes high school breakups sordidly a cross-section of relationships in the ionship serve to anchor the two people their partner and constantly want to dramatic, public, and scandalous. endgame that will hopefully be useful together and give them something con- be with them every minute of every School Psychologist Kevin Kemel- in avoiding a painful and unnecessary crete to stay together for. Since high day. It’s not a stereotype, it’s the truth. har said: “I think dating is okay, but a experience. The bottom line is, people school couples know that those things Ninety percent of the time (and for the serious relationship is something else. looking for a partner might want to don’t lie in their futures, they’re more other 10%, God bless). This correlates Most high school kids aren’t ready for reconsider their choice and ask them- likely to break up or at least make less to part of the reason most high school it, usually, and after high school people selves what will happen several weeks of an effort to make it work if there’s a relationships end quickly: if you go to go their separate ways and life moves or months from now. conflict. On top of that, college pres- school together you’re going to see on. Kids need to realize it’s temporary ents an almost certain expiration date each other all the time anyway, and - I don’t think they really appreciate for any relationship in high school. as a result, that person is going to ei- the implications and consequences [of

Corrections: The Beachcomber is: The Beachcomber, through its editorial pages, provides an open forum for student expression. This newspaper is equally dedi- Page 5 White and Gold photos • Editor in Chief: Sam Lowenkamp cated to affording an opportunity to all BHS students, staff, alumni, parents, and community residents to express their opin- from the april issue were taken by • Layout Editor (Print): Steven Janovitz ions on these pages. All unsigned editorials appearing in The Beachcomber represent the opinions of the editorial board. They David Litwin. • News Editor: Courtney Fishman do not necessarily reflect the views of the student body, the staff, or the administration of Beachwood High School. The Beach- • A&E Editor: Rachael Silver • Editorial Assistants: Max Bleich and comber welcomes all letters to the editor, whether critical, complimentary, or informative. They must be signed, although names Jeffrey Zuckerman will be withheld upon request in cases that may be awkward or embarrassing to the writer. Letters should be addressed to The Beachcomber, 25100 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood, OH, 44122, or delivered to the editors or a secretary in the main of- fice, attention Sam Lowenkamp. To contact Beachcomber adviser Josh Davis, please email him at [email protected] -10-

june2011.indd 10 5/31/11 4:19:12 PM Sports Relay to Compete at State Track Tournament By Emily Ganz Staff Writer in the Chagrin Valley Conference meet, taking second place. The weekend of May 20th, the Many of the individuals from the Beachwood Varsity Track team com- girls’ track team made it to the Re- peted in the OHSAA DIVISION II gional Track Meet. These individu- Regional Track Meet. Entering the als include Mayfield in long jump, meet, four girls had the goal of mak- Wilson, Perryman, Mayfield and ing it to States in the 4 x 10 Meter Milliner in the 4 x 100 relay and Relay: Olivia Mayfield, Traci Mil- Ginsburg in the 800-meter event. liner, Gabby Perryman, and Kyndal Commenting on the end of the Wilson. They achieved that goal season, sophomore Julia Friedman and also broke the school record. said, “I was very satisfied with the The BHS track team has had one way the teams’ season went. I think of its most successful seasons in re- the overall team was incredible, not cent memory. only because of how close we were One of the biggest meets of this William Wolkoff and Val Kovalenko stretch toward the finish. Photo by Jonathan Rodriguez. as a track family, but also how good season was the Chanel Moose Re- every individual was and how strong lays. The girls’ team ran against sev- Sullins) and the long jump relay ing second in the shot put relay as we were as a team.” eral challenging opponents, includ- (Mayfield, Gabrielle Perryman). well. Second place wins also includ- The 2011 BHS track team has ing rival Independence, but won the Aside from multiple first place ed the 4 x 100 meter relay and the surely seen one of the greatest years meet. Both senior Arielle Ginsburg wins, the girls also received second distance medley relay teams. The in its history, with both team and in- and junior Olivia Mayfield excelled place wins for shot put, high jump boys’ 4 x 1600 meter relay, sprint dividual victories. Friedman sums in their events, being voted top run- relay, distance medley relay, the 4 x medley relay, and the 4 x 800 meter up the entire team’s mentality; “I ning performer and top field event 1600 relay, the 4 x 200 meter relay, relay finished with third place wins. look forward to improving my times performer respectively. First place and the 4 x 800 meter relay. Junior Chris Lardie said, “So far, for next season, becoming even performances were won in the sprint The boys’ track team finished it is evident that with all our skills closer with my team, and also seeing medley relay (Ginsburg, Kyndal third in the Chanel Moose Relays. combined, other teams really don’t the improvement of my other team- Wilson, Mayfield, Traci Milliner), Seniors Isidro Cora and Marzell At- stand in our way of accomplishing mates.” 4 x 400 relay (Ginsburg, Hannah kins were top performers, winning our goals.” Richardson, Chenyu Zhang, Torrie the Discus Throw Relay and finish- Both teams did extremely well Daniel Sheriff Reflects on ‘A Day With the Tribe’ By Daniel Sheriff Staff Writer Plain Dealer. applied, I had actually been one of When I was given the flyer for the twenty-four selected to become “I can’t believe this. This is un- this contest, I was really excited, a “Reporter for the Day.” real.” These were the thoughts that but was hesitant to participate be- ran through my mind on May 10th cause I didn’t feel that I would be For the rest of the article, visit as Manny Acta, the manager of the good enough to get in. However, I bcomber.org Cleveland Indians, walked into the decided that I wouldn’t be able to press room and said hello to me and live with myself if I didn’t at least twenty-four other lucky students se- try. Two days later, I received an lected to be “Reporter for the Day” email from the Indians and couldn’t Daniel Sheriff shows off his Indi- by The Cleveland Indians and the believe it. Of the three hundred who an’s shirt. Photo by Marisa Simon.

RainBy Courtney Fishman “Slips Up” Spring Sports’ Season News Editor “It’s by far the worst [weather we temperamental, was surprisingly ultimately just cancel them. It’s raining, it’s pouring, BHS have seen]”, said assistant baseball 2.3 degrees higher than the 30-year “After the season starts, there is sports teams aren’t scoring. coach Todd Butler. “ There were a mean temperature of 47.6 degrees. only so much practice a team can This is not a result of poor perfor- few articles I read that talked about April’s weather had an extreme have”, said Wohlfeiler. “However, mance, but a consequence of Cleve- the science behind it. From March scope of temperatures ranging from when there was a garage sale, there land’s record-breaking rainfall. through April, about 61 days, there a low of 31 degrees on April 3rd to a was only one gym to use so we ul- Cleveland broke the 1961 re- were only 5 days that [the weather] high of 82 degrees on April 10th. timately had to cancel practice for cord for the most rain by .14 inches, was over 50 degrees and dry. This is “As a team we’ve had one of the those days when it rained.” La- amounting to a total accumulation the worst baseball season since the most talented teams we’ve had and crosse coach Jennifer Tramer further of 6.89 inches in April. This total is high school opened in 1961.” as a result of the rain we couldn’t es- explained, “We had less practice almost four inches greater than the According to softball co-captain tablish a rhythm,” explained Butler. time overall due to bad weather so average rainfall, which has resulted Carly Wohlfeiler, “this season has “In a four week period we played that can’t help but affect our ability in more cancelled games than usual. been different than past seasons four games when typically we would to master our skills and perfect our Both girls’ softball and boys’ because of the amount of rain,” play 15 games. We only played 17 game strategies.” baseball were forced to cancel nine explained Wohlfeiler. “We didn’t games in Cleveland and two [during With spring sports wrapping up, games due to the poor weather this get in that many games and I be- spring training] in Myrtle Beach, the sun is finally shining down on past April. Coach Erwin Hines said lieve that if we had more games we South Carolina.” Beachwood. One can only hope that that 50% of the varsity softball would have been able to progress as Not only were games cancelled, Cleveland can now break the record schedule was lost and an even high- a team and had a more successful but so were practices. With six teams for sunniest summer. er 80% of the JV season was can- season.” all fighting for two gyms, teams were celled. Cleveland’s weather, though pushed to have late night practice or -11-

june2011.indd 11 5/31/11 4:19:14 PM Profiles Have you ever wanted to find out more about your classmates? This section features students from each grade, so you can learn about everything from their favorite midnight snack to their dating preferences. Please email The Beachcomber on FirstClass if you would like to be featured. Photos by Sam Lowenkamp, Courtney Fishman, Asha Clark, and David Stern. Which TV character do At what age do you want to get What flavor of ice cream best you most identify with? married and how many kids do fits your personality? I really identify myself you want to have? Why? Moose Tracks, because with Chester the Chee- Moose Tracks is the answer tah from those Cheetos I want to get married when I’m to any question involving ice commercials. It ain’t twenty years old and have about fifty cream..duh. easy, being cheesy. kids. I aspire to be Mr. Althausen. You’re speed dating What is the last played song on your ipod? and you have one line Give the itinerary of the most roman- to attract the others tic date you can come up with. My iPod is too far for my attention. What do you laziness allow me to attain, say? 8:00- Meet up at the AMPM Gas Sta- but on my iTunes it was I’m I like to cook and memorize tion. Going Through Changes - house addresses. Eminem Describe your first 8:15- Eat there. If you were stuck on an kiss, in detail. 9:00- Go to my house watch a marathon of Star Wars island and could bring ERROR. DIVIDE BY one item what would it ZERO. be? Hmmmmm...any type of technology that would allow me to commu- nicate with the outside world and potentially be saved. Or some sun screen. If Hollywood made a film about your life who would play you? John Heder, just cuz he should be in every Victor Tse movie. Elena Ross What flavor of ice cream best Michael Dailey fits your personality? On a typical Saturday Cookies and cream because afternoon at exactly 2:36, that is one of my favorite fla- what would you be doing? vors and because it is different Sleeping and unique. What is your favorite hobby? If Hollywood made a film about your life who would Dance or playing the harp. play you? (Fill in the blank) Justin Oprah Bieber.. What teacher would you Justin Bieber thinks he is want to be stuck on an Usher but he’s really not elevator with and why? although he is still quite entertaining. Mrs. Hollingsworth so I can listen to her country If Hollywood made a film accent about your life who would play you? If a genie magically granted you 3 wishes Ariana Grande they would be? If a genie magically grant- Wish 1: an endless ed you 3 wishes they would supply of bacon be? Wish 2: To be a billion I would wish for everyone to dollars richer get along, people to accept Wish 3: Date with each other, and world peace. Megan Fox Would you ever date some- Why are Trix one with a hook? (Like only for kids? captain hook) Sure I guess it wouldn’t Because elderly people matter are too boring to enjoy them Haley Bogolmony -12-

june2011.indd 12 5/31/11 4:19:19 PM