Boston Latin School Volume XLVI — Issue I ArgoArgo November 2013 Spotlight Typhoon Hits the Philippines, Mr. Flynn Causing Worldwide Effects tional organizations and private sectors tal. By sending some Filipino-American MARIEL EHRLICH, II CONTRIBUTING WRITER have pledged to aid the devastated doctors who speak Tagalog, the most islands. Since the storm hit, the United common language in the Philippines, On the early morning of Novem- Nations’ Office for the Coordination volunteers will be able to assist with ber 8, Typhoon Haiyan hit the east coast of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has more than just medical care. Dr. Ro- of the Philippine archipelago. Locally taken control of compiling reliable berto Coganda says,“They’re helping referred to as Typhoon Yolanda, the information about the disaster. Person not just with medical support but with “super typhoon” is classified as the Joint Finder, an online collaboration between logistics [and] giving language lessons.” Typhoon Warning Center’s (JWTC’s) OCHA and Google, has cataloged over Humanitarian support is likewise com- highest intensity: Category 5. In fact, 100,000 records in order to help recon- ing from the larger Boston community. NASA experts suggest that it may be nect those affected by the storm. The Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley has the strongest tropical storm ever to have international community has organized directed Roman Catholic parishes hit land. Winds reached 235 mph and funds, medical support and other relief throughout the area to take collections BY CASSIDY GIACOPPO, II CONTRIBUTING WRITER destroyed buildings by tearing off roofs, efforts to help the islands. Many coun- during weekend Mass to help victims Everyone knows Mr. Malcolm Flynn. As the head of discipline, many students have been to his office. Whether they’ve had their phone taken away or started a fight with someone, a trip to Mr. Flynn’s office isn’t always a good one. What many people do not know is that Mr. Flynn was not always the head of discipline, and this year we are celebrating his fiftieth anniversary teaching at Boston Latin School (BLS)! You are probably wondering, “How did he survive this for so long?” Mr. Flynn actually loves what he does. His favorite part of BLS is the constant change. He enjoys seeing creative ideas because they show new approaches to old things. “It’s never the same; it’s al- ways evolving. It isn’t static; it’s becoming something better,” he explains. Mr. Flynn entered BLS as a tempo- rary English teacher in 1964. As its advisor, GLOBALPOST.COM he led the chess team to a state champion- THE DISASTROUS EFFECTS OF TYPHOON HAIYAN ship win, which motivated the impressed breaking windows and hurling objects. tries, including the United States and of the typhoon. headmaster to open up a teaching position In Guiuan, for example, every one of the United Kingdom, have sent in troops Support for the Philippines can to him. Thereafter, he was a chess advisor municipality’s 45,000 buildings had its to help distribute food supplies and even be found within the Boston Latin for 20 years; under his supervision, the roof blown off. As streets flooded with desperately needed fresh water. Un- School (BLS) community. The Filipino team won seven state championships water, many lucky people were able to fortunately, children make up a large Club and the BLS Red Cross will likely and one national championship. “I was find refuge atop buildings and on high contingent of the affected, so concerns be collaborating to hold a fundraising never a genius chess player; the students ground. This catastrophe, however, left of malnutrition persist. Nevertheless, event for Typhoon Haiyan relief. The made themselves good,” Mr. Flynn says a stunning 5,000 dead. Haiyan swept aid has helped to deal with the dead event would encompass information modestly. He was also the on-and-off across central and southern Philippines, and prevent more losses, while victims about the disaster and performances by advisor for Student Council for 25 years missing densely populated Manila in from rural areas are being transported BLS groups, as well as possibly provide and to the Argo for another 25. He has run the north, but still spewing damage as to larger cities such as Cebu where they food. Club Vice President Kara-Jianna the extracurricular fair since its inception far as China and Vietnam. The storm can be treated. Undag says, “If you’ve ever been to and continues to supervise the BLS Mock hit land five times, leaving its strongest Relief efforts are also coming Tet festival, it’s basically a smaller ver- Trial Team. He even served as a golf coach mark on the city of Tacloban where directly from Boston. Local hospitals, sion.” The school community can still during the 1960s and 1970s! During this storm surge water levels reached up- including Massachusetts General Hos- help out by simply raising awareness time, he taught English at each grade level wards of 17 feet. pital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical or donating. Undag feels as though “a for 34 years until he was promoted to his Although the storm only raged Center, have already sent doctors and lot of people still don’t know about [the current position as Assistant Headmaster. for a few hours, the road to recovery nurses to the island nation. Within the typhoon].” Luckily, Undag’s family in He is a member of the faculty senate and could take years. With 13 million people next two weeks, at least 60 more doctors the Philippines is doing okay, as far she is in charge of faculty and student affairs. affected and over $200 million worth are expected to arrive in the Philippines, knows, and others in the Filipino com- Furthermore, Mr. Flynn supports of damage to infrastructure and agri- hoping to help the Philippine govern- munity have been blessed with similar students becoming leaders. He promotes culture alone, many countries, interna- ment reopen a deserted Tacloban hospi- reports. student initiative, student government and student leadership because he believes that everyone has good judgment. “Student leadership is shown by going above and News Tidbits beyond the classroom. I love to do things >>> Congratulations to the 2014 Senior >>> Guess what? There will be no Students found it very enlightening. that give responsibility to students. [They] Class Officers! school Monday, December 23, so you >>> Have you been wondering why should have the freedom to study... and President: Kenneth Cruz can start your vacation off right! This you can’t log on to your SIS account? the freedom to express themselves and Vice President: Brian Mangilog will be counted as a virtual snow It’s because passwords have been develop their leadership skills.” Mr. Flynn Secretary: Allie Kennelly day, so everyone (except the seniors!) reset to students’ birthdays (mmd- likes working with students all the time be- Treasurer: Joshua Johnson will have to make it up at the end of dyyyy format). If you want to change cause they have distinct personalities and and to the 2014 National Honors So- the school year, which now ends on your password, log on to a school help him notice how times are changing. ciety Officers! Friday, June 20. computer with your birthday and Mr. Flynn is being recognized at the President: Jake Zhu >>> Poet Robert Pinsky came to visit it will prompt you to select a new Annual Awards Dinner for his 50 years of Vice President: Michelle Ng BLS this year for the second time to password. After you have chosen a dedication to our beloved school. The din- Secretary: Lauren O’Shea talk to some of the Humanities classes new one, you should be all set to log ner will be held on Thursday, November 21 Treasurer: Jason Chen about the definition of happiness. on to your SIS account. at the Boston Marriott Long Wharf Hotel. Page 2 Argo Boston Latin School Argo Editors’ Note Editorial Board Editors-in-Chief Friends, Romans, countrymen. sive showing of BLS student-athletes member how we said we’d give Alice Xiao, I Sixies who haven’t had to sit through signing letters of intent to Division 1 you pizza? Just ask all the new Mike Skerrett, I someone awkwardly declaiming this schools and a crossword of which we Argonauts who’ve joined this year. piece yet. Welcome to our first full are especially proud. The first person They’re literally swimming in pizza. issue of the 2013-2014 year! We know to complete it and come find us (home- It’s painful but delicious. This is just • Content • you’ve been missing your number one rooms 125 and 215) will get a special the kind of journalist we are. Painful student-run newspaper, and we’re prize. No cheating. but delicious. News Editors back even better than before. We’re Of course, the Argo wouldn’t Well, here we are. We’ve all got- Marcella Caruso, I really proud of this issue. We feel like be the Argo without some mention of ten older. One year closer to our ines- Sylvie Stoloff, II there have been a lot of important local just how late we’ve stayed here on a capable death. Anyway, hope you all Assistant News Editor stories that have surfaced over the past Friday night. Hey, we’re missing the like the issue! Isabelle DeSisto, II month, and we’re glad to have written hypnotist! It’s not like he comes every Your Editors- in- Chief, about them. And, since it’s the begin- year or anything. Alice and Mike Forum Editors ning of the year, there have been lots Shout-out to Mr.