December Issue

The official newspaper of the Hackley student body Politics

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All-American, All-Hackley, Apple Pie

Hackley goes on the radio

On the day before Thanksgiving break, the atmosphere in the dining room at the All-American Apple Pie Bake-off was festive and fun. “I know pies, and this is some good pie,” junior Charlie Kilman said as he took a bite of the first place red apple-and-raspberry pie created by senior Marie Brooks and freshman Phil Brooks. SEE PAGE 14 Seniors Kyle Kallman, Teddy Seem, Austin Pidoriano show off the All-American Apple pie baked by Kyle’s grandmother.

Throughout Hackley’s history, admissions advertisement has been primarily reliant on print media such as education supplements in the Journal News. However, the admissions office has recently extended its advertisement to the radio for the first time. Hackley had a 30-second spot on WNYC (93.9 FM), a public radio station in New York City that carries a mixed news and varied music format that reaches more than one million listeners each week and has the largest public radio audience in the United States.

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293 Benedict Ave

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THE INSIDE SCOOP

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SEE PAGE 6

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Vol. 112, No. 4

December 2010

tuned in

students and their unhealthy use of electronics

H

e rubs his eyes with the back of his hand, wiping away the crust forming at the edges. His eyes are bloodshot, focused solely on the glowing television in the middle of the pitch-black room. The joints of his fingers grow sore as they rapidly click the red and green buttons. He looks up at the clock.

Four hours have passed since he started his gaming “break” before homework. “Maybe one more game,” he thinks, pressing the start button.

For some Hackley students, electronic media such as gaming, texting, and instant messaging have morphed from an enjoyable form of entertainment into a problematic distraction. A growing body of research suggests potentially long-lasting effects on attention span, sleeping habits, and academic performance.

Sophomore Michael Di Milia plays video games at least three to four hours a day on the weekends. “I usually get a lot less sleep during the weekends than during the week,” he said. In general, he gets an average of five to eight hours of sleep each night.

Michael, who once failed a test the day after playing a new game all night, knows the risks of spending too much time in front of the gaming console. “It affects my schoolwork when I don’t get enough sleep because of video games,” he said.

Senior Aspen Mori, dubbed the “most likely to lose sleep over his favorite television show” by the senior class, confessed to spending too much time on electronic devices as well. “There’s just so much to do with electronics, all of which is more appealing than homework,” he said.

The phenomenon is not limited to teenage boys. Junior Ariana Lavelli admitted that she loses homework time because of electronics, particularly when using her computer and cell phone.

“Sometimes when my friends are having problems and I’m trying to help resolve those problems, I lose study time,” Ariana said. “I feel that my friends are more important,” she added.

Ariana’s focus on electronics and friends can sometimes be detrimental to her schoolwork. “I once video-chatted for four hours, and I had a comp the next morning. I figured I’d study on the bus, but I fell asleep on the bus because I stayed up too late video-chatting,” she said, laughing.

English teacher Raegan Russell spends eight to nine hours a week using electronic devices, solely the “fun stuff.” But she, too, has experienced some of the negative effects. “If I play too late before bed, I get too hyped up and am unable to relax,” she said.

In general, Dr. Russell claims that fewer people at Hackley than at her previous schools seem to have gaming addictions. “A lot of people don’t pick the habit up [at Hackley] because of how much

work we have,” she said. “We’re not really a nerdy population here.”

But nerdy or not, students can fall into patterns of digital addiction, according to Matt Richtel, author of the New York Times article “Growing up digital, wired for distraction.” “Unchecked use of digital devices…can create a culture in which students are addicted to the virtual world and lost in it,” he wrote.

The effects, according to Richtel, are long-term: digital addition can decrease students’ attention spans and brain functions. “The risk, they say, is that developing brains can become more easily habituated than adult brains to constantly switching tasks—and less able to sustain attention,” Richtel wrote.

Studies around the nation have yielded similar conclusions. In a study conducted by Dr. Peter Polos from John F. Kennedy Medical Center, 40 students from a high school in New Jersey were studied, observed and questioned. The results also pointed in the direction of long-term detriments: “Kids who texted or surfed late into the night were more likely to say they suffered from anxiety, depression, ADHD, and learning difficulties,” Dr. Polos reported.

But the most immediate and common impact of digital addiction is sleep deprivation.

“The impact of this over time is accumulative sleep debt, which is very hard to pay back,” Dr. Polos said.

In order to combat this addiction and its detrimental effects, Sophomore Nick Ambruz, another avid gamer, has learned to exercise self-control when he plays. “I usually just play on the weekends for an hour or two,” Nick said. “I have a policy that I don’t play during the week.”

Psychologists trained in this area, such as Dr. Polos, advise this type of daily balance between work and electronic play.

That is a lesson that has not been lost on freshman Alex Wolf.

“If it’s [a homework assignment or] something I have to read, I go away from electronics,” he said. This self-control can be successful in providing a healthy and productive routine for students.

“I think it’s best to schedule times to play,” Dr. Russell advised, suggesting that students can even set a timer.

Story by: Jackie Yang and Daniel Hoffman Design by: John Rapisardi and Will Ginsberg

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Students want answers before March exams

S

anta Andy has visited Hackley. This time last year teachers were beginning to compile information to put on the dreaded midterms.

Thankfully, Upper School Director, Andy King has saved us from the exams directly after the winter break.

The administration has done students a favor with the trimester test system. By eliminating the need to “study” or even worry about midterms, students can enjoy time with family, recharge, and get well during the vacation. It is important that the two weeks of break are used for recuperation and not stress, because the workload at Hackley keeps students busy while school is in session. The change of system should benefit the students, and if the students are not informed early on about the exams, and the teachers do not work together, this will not happen.

But it appears that so far the administration and faculty haven’t thought beyond December. Teachers have not discussed in class what will be on the March exams, or even whether or not content from the first trimester will be included. Teachers should discuss this with students as soon as possible, and work out ways to make the tests equitable across all sections. Tests in all sections should be of the same difficulty, even when the classes are taught by different teachers. Since students do not have the option to choose their teachers it would not be fair to make the test easier or harder for a particular class.

If the test includes information discussed in the first trimester, the test material is increased by 16% compared to

the semester system. This increase in testing material calls for specific guidance for studying from teachers.

Depending on the weight of the trimester test grade, study habits of students change. If the test is worth a large portion of the students’ grade, they can be overwhelmed studying for the particular test and end up only cramming the information into their minds for a limited time, forgetting it after the exam.

In contrast, if the exam is worth a smaller amount, students may not take it seriously, and in some cases not study at all, or very little. A balanced grading system is necessary for the trimester test; to keep students focused, yet at ease, and to make sure that students learn and comprehend the material.

If exams cover September onward, an increase in review days is recommended. An option for the teachers is to test the students on the broadened skills from the first trimester, and the specific information from the second. Testing students on specific material from the first trimester will cause problems for the unorganized students who may have lost their notes.

If each student is not given an equal chance on the exam, it contradicts the motive for the test itself. This is why a study packet or something of the sort is necessary for the teachers to make for the students.

If students are given the proper tools to study from, the testing experience can be more beneficial than stressful for both students and faculty. Teachers should put a lot of thought into the preparation for the tests, as to make the first trimester exams a positive starting point for the trimester system, rather than a negative one.

if the test includes the first trimester material it will be

16% bigger than last year’s exam

review days:

Feb 28 - March 3

exam days:

March 4 - March 10

End of trimester grading hysteria Tears rolled down the cheeks of anxious seniors and shrieks were heard in the hallway in response to what can only be called the “November Surprise.” The introduction of graded progress reports mid trimester, which gave students an approximate grade, was supposed to be a step towards transparency in the grading process.

However, when students received their grades, many were shocked.

Students need a clear understanding of their grades, including the math behind them. If students understood the way grades were formulated and where their specific grades came from, there would be fewer surprises and students would have little or no excuse for complaints at the end of the trimester.

This transparency would be possible if teachers stated their grading rubric at the beginning of the year and all grades were posted online in real time.

Some Hackley teachers enter grades into Grade Book Pro or Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, only revealing them to students in mid-October

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and at the end of the semester. When teachers state their grading rubric clearly in the course syllabi, the grades they give do not come as a shock to the students. But when teachers leave their grading process unclear, students are often confused and dissatisfied when they receive their grades.

The technology that would promote greater grade transparency is already available. Faculty Access, the system that teachers use to input grades, could be adjusted and made accessible to students through Hackley Online, according to Director of Technology Jed Dioguardi. But he said that such a large change to Hackley’s grading process would require the approval and support of the Academic Committee.

History teacher Shachar Link uses the online grading system Engrade, which allows students to see their grades posted in real time, as well as the math behind them. This system has also been an extremely popular system with his students, as it allows for transparency in the grading process, which otherwise can be confusing and stressful.

Hackley’s new mascot?

From cockroaches in the freshman hallway to mice in the Dining Hall, it sometimes seems as if these animals have more spirit than us Hackley Hornets. They might not be the Fieldston Eagles, but these critters should surely be exterminated.

Editor-in-chief johnrapisardi

Senior Editor maddieberg

Politics Editor mattmacfarlane

Lifestyles Editor ariannafirpo

Copy Editor Policy annatskhovrebov Opinions expressed in staff editorials reflect the majority view of

Managing Editor alexbarg

News Editor marcbyrnes

Sports Editor jasonyang

Arts Editor danielhoffman

Adviser jennielyons

Assist. Managing Editor randikramer

Feature Editor bensheng

Sports Editor peterbarrett

Design Editor willginsberg

Op-ed Editor maddiginsberg

Adviser scottboehnen

Feature Editor jackieyang

Assist. Sports Editor shaneweisberg

Photo Editor paulrapisardi

The Dial Editorial Board. Opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the author and do not represent the views of Hackley School, its administration or its staff. The Dial invites and encourages its readers to write letters to the editor or submit contributions. We reserve the right to edit any submission for clarity and brevity, and to correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation when necessary. We refuse to publish submissions which are unsigned, libelous, or plagiarized.

Letters and submissions can be emailed to dial@hackleyschool. org. The Dial is the official student newspaper of Hackley School.

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Political bias and its proper place in the news Keith Olbermann was suspended by MSNBC in November for donating money to the campaigns of three Democrats running in the recent election, a violation of his contract with the network. He was reinstated after only two days of suspension.

It seems like Mr. Olbermann’s suspension was a technicality. The network must enforce its contractual agreements with its employees. It also must maintain the appearance of neutrality, since news networks are theoretically meant to be unbiased. Giving financial support to any party or candidate would undermine their objectivity.

But it is no secret that MSNBC leans left, or that Fox News leans right. Every journalist has a different point of view, so total neutrality is virtually impossible. Political bias is certainly present in most news reports. Few networks or newspapers present stories impartially.

Having different opinions circulating is not a bad thing, however. Constructive criticism of another’s position creates discussion that can lead to compromises and solutions. The problem with political bias arises when opinions are stated as facts, or when a story is told incompletely to favor one viewpoint over another.

The purpose of the media is to present people with facts. The media’s secondary role is to provide opinions based on those facts. If information is not presented properly, however, then the entire system of journalistic media becomes baseless.

That is why news networks (like MSNBC) must take measures to ensure that their reports and reporters seem factually correct. Political bias is often associated with facts that are skewed. Punishing Mr. Olbermann was not an attempt by MSNBC to shake off their left-leaning reputation, but rather an assurance to the public that political bias does not interfere with their role as providers of information.

-Kathleen Sullivan

Two prominent political anchors, Keith Olbermann and Joe Scarborough, were recently suspended by MSNBC for making illicit donations to Democrats and Republicans in midterm elections.

The suspension of both of these broadcasters illustrates the shrinking line in the media between news and opinion. MSNBC, a predominately liberal network, has led the charge in this distortion of news. On election night in November, MSNBC used their left-leaning, partisan stars Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow, Chris Matthews, and Ed Schultz to cover the midterm elections. On the other hand, CNN and Fox News didn’t use their partisan top rated hosts such as Bill O’Reilly or Glenn Beck to anchor election night coverage.

The most outrageous moment of the MSNBC broadcast came when Chris Matthews interviewed GOP Republican Michele Bachmann. Instead of focusing on Bachmann’s victory, Matthews spent the entire five-minute interview chiding her for comments she made about investing un-American attitudes in Congress. Matthews’ mishap illustrates that partisan commentators have no business delivering news to the American people. When show content isn’t clearly labeled as opinion, whether it on Fox or MSNBC, the viewers are left to make the distinction between news and opinion.

While some believe that that this information crisis is not a threat to the American people, they are mistaken. Politically spiked news has had an enormous impact on American politics as Washington now stands in its worst gridlock in years. The American people need honest, nonpartisan news to make intelligent decisions in elections.

Keith Olbermann reads the Dial during his visit to Hackley on Alumni Day. Photo by Paul Rapisardi

-John Rapisardi

Flavored water: to drink or not to drink?

Bottoms up!

Hackley’s latest drink option, called Waterworks, is a definite go-to for me during lunch or dinner.

The refreshing flavor and crispness of the water is definitely a good contrast from the regular tap water, along with the lack of added sugar.

Unlike the other drinks that the cafeteria offers, such as cranberry cocktail or passion guava juice, the naturally flavored water doesn’t have all of the added sugar that most other drinks do. For many people, the lack of sugar or strong flavor turns them away from it, but for me, I’ve always enjoyed the simple hint of taste. So, kudos to Flik for offering the subtle, yet refreshing, flavored water that is a great alternative to all of the other drinks.

-Natania Greenspan

Don’t bother

My question about the flavored waters in the cafeteria is, “why?” Since I have been at Hackley I have put up with a selection of drinks that is composed mostly of choices I have no interest in drinking, from watery hot chocolate to artificially sweetened fruit drinks. I was momentarily excited by the new jug in the drink lineup, until I realized what it contained. Putting fruit – or vegetables, in some cases – into water is (a) not a new drink, and (b) altogether unpleasant.

I can only assume that this is another part of the cafeteria’s drive for healthy food, which has become increasingly ridiculous (I promise that putting normal food on whole wheat bread will not make anything, particularly chicken patties, healthier). My message to the school – which can be applied to everything in the cafeteria, not just the beverages – is this: everyone likes something new, but unless it’s an improvement over what is already offered, don’t bother.

-Tommy Heffernan

C

Letter from Council

ouncil has attempted to create a new atmosphere for the Upper School community. We want to create a new version of a Hackley council, Council 2.0, where the few community events we are allowed to plan become memorable moments of reprieve for all the students. Considering we’re dealing with a blank slate, I think we’ve done a pretty good job. I think we can all agree that Field Day was a ton of fun; the body paint definitely jazzed it up. Spirit week was a success as well: I loved how we showed off Hackley’s particular spirit. Forget the wacky hats, our advisories looked legit. Add that to our black-clad freshmen next to our dapper Upper Classmen, and you have the summation of what Hackley is. Oh, and a shout out to our Powderpuff queens: this year’s seniors rocked the competition two years in a row.

I don’t want to beat up on last year’s council because I understand the difficulty of organizing all these events; they did a decent job. But of course, my aim is to be better. I think this year’s council has tapped into the nuances of our community with more precision than last year’s. That has helped us to get more participation and enthusiasm for council events; did you see Kyle on Field Day? Or our senior girls on Dapper Wednesday? I felt like I walked into a particularly high-class cocktail party. The only reason a council can be labeled “better” would be because the people we represent have “better” spirit.

First thing to look forward to is definitely the NEON RAVE coming up on December 10. We have a sick DJ coming in and you won’t be able to recognize Allen Hall after our dance crew is done decorating. Apart from that, council will have small treats to get our class through the days leading up to the winter release: candy grams, compatibility tests and some other surprises.

Considering our December 10 dance goes as planned, we have a second dance date saved for a theme to be decided by your representatives.

As for other events, there’s still a dodge ball tournament and a Pi day to be added into the mix along with any other things you can think of and propose to your representatives.

-President Bryan Hahm

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RAVE in Allen Hall

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managing editor This year’s school dance had a new theme: rave.

School President Bryan Hahm has never been to a Hackley school dance before, having heard they were “pretty low-key and not very upbeat.” But Bryan liked the idea of a rave as way to bring “something new, something fresh” to the student body. The senior class was particularly enthusiastic about the rave theme.

Bryan and seniors Will Ginsberg and Nick Dipietrantonio handled most of the preparation, including hiring the DJ, arranging the setup, and developing the concepts involved with a rave. These include strobe lights, black lights, neon decor, and glow apparel.

Council also has played an active role and has come up with a list of changes, most of which were approved

by Upper School Director Andy King.

The event was scheduled to begin at 8:30 pm, after the basketball games ended, and end at 11:00 pm. The scheduling of the dance post athletic competitions was an attempt to increase attendance.

“Council is the support behind the whole dance project,” Bryan said. “They make posters, vote on spending and debate in order to ensure that all grades and groups are heard and taken into account.” They hired a guest DJ from DJ Bronf Entertainment, secured the location of the dance in the traditional venue of Allen Hall, and inquired about flashing lights, lasers, and a fog machine. They had been planning the décor for weeks, with ideas to black out the windows with reflective materials to increase the effects of the neon lights.

Originally Council tried to change the position of

the dance from Allen Hall to the Chapel, however Mr. King was concerned about the limited capacity for both food and dance. Allen Hall guaranteed room to spread out and dance, which is necessary after a sweaty basketball tournament. The vestibule of Allen Hall also provided a place for food and conversation, two commodities unavailable in the Chapel. There was also some uneasiness from the school administration concerning the fog machine, which was quickly nixed.

“It [had] to be a Hackley dance with Hackley rules,” Bryan planned, adding that those rules would still permit a lot of fun.

A potentially greater obstacle was the Jingle Ball, the z100 radio station concert, which was scheduled for the same night. Some underclassmen complained about the scheduling of Hackley’s dance, but Bryan was undeterred. “[Community Council] [felt] sorry that those attending Jingle Ball [would] miss out on this new take of a Hackley dance,” he said.

DJ Bronf planned a mix of mainstream music and hip-hop, but also a lot of techno and dance. Council put aside $400 for the occasion, $350 of which will pay the DJ. With this large budget Council was able to promise no entrance fee or charge for the highlighters that were passed around, although there was a small charge for food.

For the fashion-conscious rave patrons were instructed to wear neon or white clothing. With the more specific instructions for attire, the Council hopes that the first-ever rave revived the tradition of Hackley dances.”

Hornets move to a new Nest in the Tuck Shop The HPA Hornets’ Nest relocates to the Tuck Shop, but not all students are buzzed about the change halleyweinreb

staff writer Like a real hornets’ nest, Hackley’s apparel shop has moved from place to place, always in search of the perfect niche. Originally located in the gym selling items ranging from school supplies to clothing, it later relocated to the space currently occupied by the photography lab.

Now located in the Tuck Shop, the Hornets’ Nest solely sells Hackley apparel every Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Hornet’s nest moved to the Tuck for a variety of reasons. “It was so much work for the Buildings and Grounds men to get all of the boxes up to the Grille Room,” said Jennifer Tillis, a volunteer for the Hornets’ Nest. “The space was inconvenient so we decided to switch to a more suitable location.”

Prior to the change, the merchandise was stored in the basement of the Upper School and required Buildings and

news bites Students start taking Nature Day Walks once a cycle

Once a cycle, during last period free, there will be Nature Day Walks. The first was held Dec. 9, devoted to bird watching at Hackley’s own bird feeder.

The group will meet on different days in the cycle throughout the year. Those who wish to participate in the future should remember to dress warmly and meet in the US office.

PSAT scores arrive in December

Sophomores and juniors who took the PSAT in October should be on the lookout for their scores which are set to be released in December.

Grounds to heave it upstairs every other Thursday.

The Hornets’ Nest clothing is now stored in a back room behind the store. Compared to the previous location of the Hornets’ Nest, it is much easier to move the apparel.

“Because of our location, we [the parents who run the Tuck] are now more self-sufficient since we can set up the apparel ourselves,” Mrs. Tillis said.

Mrs. Tillis also noted that the move is beneficial to students. “It was more of a natural fit since the Tuck is the hangout place for the kids.”

Students have reacted with mixed feelings. Senior Yuna Tsuji noted that the change was more beneficial for the underclassmen, who have more time to hang out at the Tuck. “Upperclassmen aren’t there,” she said.

Senior Brandon Alini agreed, “I knew it changed, but I haven’t really visited it.”

Chamber Orchestra Trip

Thirty students from the Chamber Ensemble, Chamber Choir and the Wind Quintet will be spending Jan. 7 at the Metropolitan Opera for a dress rehearsal of Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca.

Trips to Japan and France planned for Spring Break Students will be heading to Japan and France over Spring Break. Those who journey to France will participate in a home stay in the region of Alsace-Lorraine and take classes at the Lycée Fabert in Metz. While there is no more space on the French trip, students interested in hosting a student from the Lycée Fabert should talk to French teacher Mary Farrell. The group will also spend time in Paris and Normandy.

Students on the Japan trip will be hosted by alumnus Koichi Itoh ’59, who was last year’s Commencement speaker, and they will travel to Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima.

History teacher Steven Fitzpatrick has said that students will explore modern architecture, technology as well as the older Shogun culture, Buddhist and Shinto traditions, and Samurai traditions.

Hackley’s pool and geodesic dome get a make-over

Construction workers were the most frequent visitors to the Allen Pool this past autumn.

They repaired an approximately 50 foot tear in the geodesic dome caused by the failing of the adhesive in one of the seams. At the same time, the pool was acid washed and its surfaces repainted. The total construction took three weeks, concluding on Oct. 31 with the refilling of the pool. Director of Buildings and Grounds Bill Smith noted that the dome was a difficult structure to fix because of the size of the tear. There weren’t any delays in the swim team’s ability to begin practices for the winter season.

Freshman Aley Longo supports the change. “I just feel that I’m already here, and a lot of kids come here a lot so people will see the merchandise,” she said.

However, senior Emily Schwartz feels that “having the Hornets’ Nest in the Tuck makes it even more crowded then it already is.”

Despite the crowding, students are buying. “It’s much more practical to purchase apparel,” sophomore Gabby Urken said.

“Since I’m there more it’s easier to buy stuff, and at the old spot I would pass by it and forget to buy things,” said sophomore Henry Molner.

But for junior James Curland and Gabby the real benefit goes beyond fashion. “I like to represent my school,” she said. James added, “We’re proud to distinguish ourselves as Hornets.”

DIAL

QUOTES HEARD AROUND CAMPUS

Andy Hunter: I would found a children’s day care center for the sole purpose of convincing each one of them that their names are not the names they were given by their parents.”

Mr. Clark: “What is the square root of two?”

Will Johnson: “Andrew Jackson!”

Maddie Berg to Dr. Boehnen: The plural of goy is goyem.

Maddi Ginsberg to Maddie Berg: Do you speak Chinese?

Maddie Berg: No, that was Yiddish.

Ms. Kelley: “I do not like to eat anything that lives in water.”

Demelley Batista: “Really, Ms. Kelley, not even seafood?”

Mr. Van Leer: “Who was the greatest president ever?”

Drew Kilman: “Bryan Hahm!”

If you want Dial Quotes, remember to submit them to Dial@ hackleyschool.org or drop them off in the Dial Quotes Box in Ms. Coy’s office.

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Flik’s new additions spice up the lunchroom harrisonwetzler

staff writer Cuisine, much like fashion, thrives on change. With trends such as mini hamburgers and gourmet macaroni popping up, food has an ever-adjusting style of its own. In response, Hackley’s food service, Flik, is busy serving up new ideas and trying to predict the next big thing for the Hackley palette.

To ensure freshness and good taste, as well as follow the “eat local” trend, Director of Dining Services Marco Morales explained that Flik buys from local vendors as often as possible. “Most, if not all, of our food is from the U.S.,” he said, adding that Flik features local foods each week with a special display near the items.

Some of the food is organic, following another national trend in food consumption. But most of Flik’s ingredients are not organic, “since we don’t have an organic program,” Mr. Morales explained.

This year’s menu includes more specialty salads and sandwiches. Unique to Hackley is “the Hornet,” a new sandwich featured about twice each month. An especially popular item,

the Hornet consists of chicken, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and a special sauce. Sophomore Josh Terry appreciates this new item. “It’s really good!” he said, while attempting to grab another.

The “waterworks” program offers another well-received change. Every day a water container is filled with a different fresh fruit or vegetable as a means of infusing the water with a subtle taste. “It’s a healthier alternative to juices such as the cranberry juice, which have added sugar,” Mr. Morales said.

Old favorites continue to be served by popular demand.

The grilled chicken at the salad bar, which premiered last year, remains a hit, as do the perennial favorites of pizza, chicken patties, and breakfast for lunch. Fish selections, however, remain at the bottom of the food chain, humorously noted last year in senior Andy Hunter’s Community Council campaign promise to eliminate Cajun catfish from the menu.

In another attempt to spice up lunch, Flik continues to host traveling booths with varying ethnic foods from time to time.

One change is not so obvious—Flik dishwashers have gone green. The soap and rinse now come prepackaged in biodegradable cellophane, rather than in plastic, cutting down on waste.

Changes are frequently the result of diner comments and requests—for example, a second microwave and more wholegrain options. “We are implementing whole-grain demos now, and there seems to be a positive response,” Mr. Morales said.

“We love hearing new ideas and we want to keep people excited about lunch and about Flik,” he added. “So far, it seems to be working.”

Suggestions also come from Mr. Morales’ staff. After the school lunch periods end, Flik workers eat what they have just served to the students. “We want to serve the students what we ourselves want to eat,” he said. “After all, we end up eating it anyway.”

fruit snacks grilled chicken

This grilled chicken, offered as one of many hot foods, has proved a worthy and delicious choice on the diverse Hackley lunch menu.

whole grains

This addition to the menu is emphasized to stress the importance of a healthy meal. Whole grains such as rice, whole grain bagels, and whole grain frenchbread pizza are some examples of the new additions.

Each day, fresh fruit such as apples, bananas, pears, and oranges are offered to students and faculty in the entrance of the lunchroom.

waterwork fruit water

This new refreshment is filled with different fruits and vegetables each day, meant to combine a healthy and natural drink with a subtle but delicious taste.

the hornet

The Hornet, a fan favorite since its arrival this year, was originally created at the nearby deli. This sandwich consists of lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and chicken.

6 Dial Hackley makes its radio debut on WNYC sports

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jasonyang Sports Editor

hroughout Hackley’s history, admissions advertisements have been primarily reliant on print media, such as education supplements in the Journal News. However, for the first time, the admissions office has added a more creative means of advertising. Recently, Hackley had a 30-second spot on WNYC (93.9 FM), a public radio station in New York City that carries news and a variety of music, reaching more than one million listeners each week—the largest public radio audience in the United States.

According to Director of Admissions Chris McColl, the radio has proved to be a positive influence on admissions, even though it is difficult to determine exactly how successful a specific method is in attracting new students.

“Unless you do something extraordinarily creative, it’s hard to get noticed. I was talking to some students about Facebook the other day, asking them what it is that they notice and the first thing that came out of their mouths was: videos. When you’re appealing to different senses through different media like visual or audio, for example, there’s a greater chance that people are going to react to it. It is a fresh way to get people’s attention.”

“WNYC is the second most listened to radio station in the Westchester County,” Mr. McColl said. “We put ads on during both the morning and the afternoon drive time periods, increasing our chances to be noticed.”

“

Not only does the radio increase the range of audiences that hear about Hackley, but the very concept of a radio ad also sparks many families’ interests. “I’ve heard from other families who heard us on the radio that they liked the association with WNYC,” Mr. McColl said. “So that to my mind means that we’ve made an impact in a way that I don’t know that we have with our print advertising before.”

The radio advertisements appear to have significantly increased the attendance of the open house on October 2. An estimated 398 people registered for that open house, which was, according to Mr. McColl, probably the second largest crowd at any open house, the largest one being two years ago.

“There were also some interesting geographic changes,” Mr. McColl added. “We saw more families that were looking at us from within New York City than we traditionally have at our open houses; we saw more families looking at us from across the bridge in New Jersey than we typically do, and we saw more families looking at us from further north along the borders of Putnam County and even Duchess County.”

He attributes part of this broader radius of people to the WNYC advertisement. “It seems to have made an impact. I would like to know more conclusively that families who ultimately apply and end up here were influenced by WNYC, but I am certainly favorably inclined to try it again.”

Stephanie Rubin ‘13

I think it would be cool if we had a Hackley Radio Station like a college station and we could record songs from concerts or plays. I would try to really emphasize the community here and the slogan, “Enter here to be and find a friend,” because it really is true.”

“

“

Ms. Abraham

How would you advertise Hackley?

“

Ben Pundyk ‘12

I would probably use Youtube videos. Maybe make videos of the campus and of Hackley’s personalized, small classes and send them around to appeal to the visual aspect of Hackley.”

If I were to choose a medium to advertise Hackley, I would use a television commercial because it would allow me to transmit not only the ‘homey’ feeling of the place in an audio sense, but the visual components of it such as the beauty of the campus and the happiness of the people and students in general.”

“

Camille Schmidt ‘14

I think I would make a TV advertisement and put it on Disney Channel. But probably, more likely news channels because more people watch those.”

I would definitely use Facebook: everyone’s on Facebook, there’s no way you could miss it.”

“

“WNYC is supported by Hackley School, a K12 day and boarding school on a 285-acre campus in Tarrytown, just 30 minutes from New York City.

For over 100 years, ‘challenging students to grow in character, scholarship, and accomplishment.’

Open House October 2nd. More information at hackleyschool.org.”

I would rent an airplane and skywrite: ‘Go Hack! Apply Now!” Either that or rent out all the cheerleaders at the next Jets game and have them spell ‘H-A-C-K-L-E-Y’ at halftime.

I’m pretty sure that would work.”

Nikki Miller ‘12

Dan Laufer ‘11

Actual 30-second spot

“

Ms. Coy

I would definitely put something on a TV channel like FOX or other popular ones among the young because it means that the actual potential student and not the parent will see the ad and, if it’s attractive enough, the student will be the one to ask the parents to come to Hackley.”

Science teachers keep an “eye” on Hackley wildlife jennygelbman

contributing writer Hackley teachers have been spying. But they aren’t spying on the students. They are spying on the other campus wildlife.

Upper School science teachers Andy Retzloff and Tessa Johnson have set up cameras that give students a glimpse into what lies upon the Hilltop.

The cameras were installed last spring and take photos when movement is detected, even at night. Commonly used by hunters, the cameras are located along deer trails off the Buessow Nature Trail and near Salamander Pond, where animals are likely to travel. In addition to taking photographs, the cameras also tell the moon phase, temperature, time, and barometric pressure. This information helps to piece together data like what kind of animals come out at what time of day and is available to seniors interested in basing their senior projects upon these subjects.

The project was inspired by an ecology class field trip to Teatown Lake Reservation, according to Ms. Johnson.

The cameras at Teatown photographed a fisher, a species of weasel unusual to this area.

Mr. Retzloff and Ms. Johnson decided to see if there were previously unidentified species on campus.

The goal of this project is to “look at the forest and determine what is going on out there,” Mr. Retzloff said. So far, photographs have shown mostly the expected white tailed deer, raccoon, and

grey squirrels. However, a few coyotes, bucks fighting, and curious students peering into the lens have been documented.

To attract different kinds of animals, Mr. Retzloff and Ms. Johnson are considering using an animal carcass or hunting lure. The equipment is checked once a week and pictures provide other information, like the growth of vegetation, in addition to the types of wildlife on the grounds.

Also being conducted on the Hilltop is Project Feeder Watch through Cornell University. Bird feeders have been put up around campus, and the species and numbers of certain types of birds are recorded weekly. So far, the bird most commonly sighted has been the chickadee. This information is then added to data that other schools around the country have collected to compare environments and seasonal movements of birds.

In the ecology classes, students are conducting hands-on activities and projects like tree identification and mapping, salamander transects, and learning to identify birds by calls alone. In the spring students will be spending the majority of the time outside, sampling water quality and macro invertebrates of the vernal pools. “Ecology has opened my eyes to the nature I take for granted everyday,” said senior Demelly Batista of the projects.

[Clockwise from top left] A deer is captured traipsing through the forest after dark. A ferocious bear (or maybe Mr. Retzloff?) is spotted growling into the camera. A lone turkey wanders by (hopefully it wasn’t anyone’s Thanksgiving dinner). A curious middle schooler peers into the camera during Mr. Retzloff’s science class.

Photos courtesy of the new biology camera in the woods.

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The photos of the month are submitted by photographers in the three levels of Foundations, Intermediate, and Advanced Photographies, and are voted on by their peers to choose the pictures that are best.

Senior Khelsi Clarke’s self-design project from Intermediate Photography Photo of a lake in mountains.

Sophomore Melissa Warshauer’s close-up project from Foundations of Photography.

Photo of wooden fence.

David Ecker comes to iTunes paulrapisardi

photo editor He opened his e-mail on an ordinary day, expecting the usual assortment of spam advertisements for online pharmacies, weight loss products and online colleges. But he received something different—an e-mail from iTunes with the subject line, “YOUR MUSIC HAS BEEN ACCEPTED.” He sat back in his chair as a wide grin crossed his face.

Pianist and 2010 Hackley alumnus David Ecker is turning his dream into a reality.

This past month he got his two jazz singles “Here All Along” and “This Strange Land” onto the iTunes Store. He has worked on both singles as he completes therapy for leukemia.

Although getting music onto iTunes may seem difficult, David describes the musical composition as the toughest part. “Where it gets more complicated is the production and marketing of a single,” he said. “In this day and age, anyone with a computer can put a song out there, but not everyone can write and record a song worth listening to.”

The musical process for David usually spans a few weeks. “Often once I begin recording, I realize how far from ‘finished’ it really is. Tweaking continues throughout the recording process, right up until I upload the final product,” he said. “Once the process is complete it takes all of about an hour to upload the single, upload the album art, and

fill out the online paperwork.”

In his music on iTunes, David recorded himself playing piano and added computerbased instruments, such as drums and bass.

This is a departure from traditional jazz, usually played with live drums and bass.

David said that his new songs are “about coping with unfamiliarity,” an experience that he says is universal. “The piano solo is intentionally disorienting, representing the initial descent into the dark woods,” he said. “We’ve all felt disoriented, whether facing new challenges or opportunities, so I think the metaphor applies to everyone.”

But iTunes is not the only platform that has taken notice of David’s music. He was featured on the jazz standard “Body and Soul,” which was played on 95.5 FM’s “Jazz City” program.

David advises other aspiring musicians to work on making contacts within the musical community. “In music, as in any field, it’s really important to make lots of talented contacts who keep you in the loop,” he said.

“If you’re amiable, responsible, and able to consistently deliver at a high enough level, then you will be the one they call when an opportunity opens up.”

In the future David is not planning on a full album, but he will consider it later in the year after he has finished chemotherapy and his first Columbia midterm.

student spotlight:

Senior Markus Edegran’s self-design project from Advanced Photography.

Photo of sunset over water.

Sweatshirt with logo–out of dress code.

Grey jeans– out of dress code.

Sneakers–out of dress code.

Nick DiPietrantonio willginsberg

design editor Those who know him call him Dipi, those who vaguely know him call him “the kid who is never in dress code,” and those who really don’t know him probably think he’s out of his mind—a judgment based on his irrepressible enthusiasm for self-expression in art, music, and clothes. Part John Lennon and part Vincent van Gogh, senior Nick DiPietrantonio is an artistic standout even by Hackley’s demanding standards. Nick’s most recent artwork is both eye-catching and thought provoking. His A.P. Art Studio concentration portrays humans with robotic features.

These figures perform acts ranging from basketball to shaving. (The shaving man is in fact Nick’s self-portrait, minus the robotic parts.)

Perhaps his most controversial piece yet depicts a man holding a needle and beer can with a tattoo reading, “Hollywood Here We Come.” Nick’s childhood friend, whose life spiraled out of control while aspiring to become a “Hollywood star,” inspired this work.

Nick is also the only student at Hackley who produces songs played in nightclubs.

He has signed with a new Sony-associated record label and has even produced his own music video. The yet to be released video for “Sunshine,” an upbeat techno song, depicts Nick as one of three friends who are going to a party and end up together on a beach at the end of the day.

A self-taught producer, Nick established his production company, The District, with his business partner Calvin Harris. They have had great success, and have “recently blown up,” according to Nick. Music groups around the world have already reached out to The District via Facebook, MySpace, and e-mail. They typically want Nick to remix their songs. He worked with the group “High Definition” on a track named “The Last Time” which received 1,600 downloads within the first two weeks of its release.

Nick is working on releasing the first of a trilogy of mixtapes. The first, named “Apprentice,” will feature gritty rave-techno music, with influences of hip-hop and pop appearing. He also hopes to hit the main stage one day. “My ideal dream would be working with my inspirations, Britney Spears and Benny Benassi, in a studio on one of my tracks.”

Nick’s art is currently on display near the art studio, and his tracks can be downloaded from MySpace. “Nick’s work in both music and art are impressive,” fellow senior Taylor Holland said.

“He harnesses a lot of inspiration and will go far.”

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Best of the 2010 Fall Play

Nadya Klimenko (above) carries a jar of water through the black set. Arielle Gordon (above left) plays a drunk who encounters King Midas, played

by Conor Mook.

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Director Jennifer Rhoads aimed to “create the world that the playwright created, so that these big ideas of people eating their foot or falling in love with their father seem true.”

Alcyone, played by Mae McColl (above) searches for her lost love, Ceyx, played by Kyle Kallman (left). Ceyx is killed

by Poseidon in a dramatic shipwreck scene (right).

Photos by Paul Rapisardi

Hackley’s own Jarecki directs murder mystery

W andyhunter

contributing writer

hile finishing a math p ro b l e m , I received an unusual invitation from Upper School Director Andy King and the Development Department.

As a movie enthusiast and sometimes critic, I was summoned to a Nov. 4 private screening of the film All Good Things, a full month before its general release.

Following the screening, I would meet Hackley alumnus Andrew Jarecki ’81, the film’s director and producer. I had seen his first film, Capturing the Friedmans, which I thought was incredible, so I had high hopes for All Good Things. This new film focuses on the marriage of David Marks (Ryan Gosling) and Katie McCarthy (Kirsten Dunst) and Katie’s subsequent disappearance.

The film is based on a true story and was taken straight from recent headlines. The character Katie is based on Kathleen McCormack, and the fictional character of David Marks is based on the very real Robert Durst. Suspected of committing several crimes, Durst was recently tried for the murder and improper disposal of Morris Black (played by Phillip Baker Hall as Melvin Bump), although he was acquitted of some of the related charges. This story started with Kathleen’s sudden disappearance in January of 1982. Just nine years ago, this case was on every news channel and in everyone’s mind, but still she remains missing.

The film lived up to all of my expectations and more. It was so gritty and thrilling that it was hard to believe it was based on a true story. It was psychologically exciting, yet complex and well-paced.

The casting on the whole was exemplary, but Ryan Gosling (The Notebook and Half Nelson) stood out of the crowd. As the horrifying sociopath David Marks, Gosling stretched himself far beyond his previous roles.

The timeline is interesting, spanning 30 years over the course of around two hours. Each character ages before the audience with the help of special makeup techniques that Mr. Jarecki noted as new to the screen. The film seamlessly blends homemovie style super-8 footage, news coverage, and conventional cinematography. Many films try to accomplish this mixture, but few succeed. Overall, I thought the film was great, and although not the best date movie, it is a must-see.

I was lucky enough to get a chance to talk to Mr. Jarecki and his assistant after the film. He described the difficulty in producing a period film that takes place over the course of 30 years without the big budget most Hollywood films have. (The film cost about $25 million.) The film did encounter some turbulence close to its release because their studio, The Weinstien Company, ran into some financial trouble. Nevertheless, the film is set to come out on Dec. 3, and Mr. Jarecki and his assistant are working tirelessly to make that go off without a hitch.

The story in the film was made much more real after the showing, when I found out that the reallife brother of Katie McCormack, Jim (also seen on screen), was in the theater with us. He and his wife have been doing everything they can to get some closure on his sister’s mysterious disappearance. Mr. McCormack has been on crime shows such as America’s Most Wanted talking about his sister and Mr. Durst, in hopes of finding out, one way or another, what happened to his sister.

Though that mystery may never be solved, All Good Things remains an exciting story that’s almost too strange to be true.

Suspect of three murders, Robert Durst, played by Ryan Gosling (above), told the New York Times that he actually liked the movie. Durst said that his part was played “Close...[but] not as good as the real thing,” referring to himself.

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Passion for fashion: winter trend report ariannafirpo

lifestyles editor As temperatures drop and snow begins to fall, fresh beginnings are created: the transition into another season, the start of a new trimester, a long vacation providing time to relax, and most importantly, the introduction of the latest styles and trends in the winter season.

The most essential article of clothing for the winter is, of course, a coat. It keeps you warm and adds flair to a bland outfit. Although the classic down jacket is an old-time favorite for the snow and cold temperatures, many new stylish trends have emerged. While it may not be as snug as a down coat, a shearling aviator jacket is a popular trend this winter.

Another outerwear look for a more elegant occasion this winter is tweed. And for the chilliest of days, the warmest fashion trend is a blanket coat.

Another vital aspect of a winter outfit is the perfect pair of boots. Riding boots and over-the-knee boots, both trendy during the fall season, are sticking around for the winter season. These two styles, perfect for any occasion, are available in anything from

a rugged design to a classic and sleek look. If neither of these styles pleases you or if you happen to be tired of the continuing trend, try out moccasin boots, also very popular this winter.

Although the “grunge” look is emerging this winter, perpetually chic femininity is important to keep in mind.

Feminine elements, such as skirts with circle silhouettes, girly blouses and long-sleeved dresses, are popular trends.

For an extra edge, pair these feminine styles with rugged or masculine components such as cargo pants and cable or alpine-knit sweaters to create the perfect outfit.

In terms of general patterns or colors, a similar concept applies with the mixture of feminine and masculine.

Sophisticated lace patterns and warm, neutral colors along with tan, taupe and dark burgundy are the perfect feminine elements this season.

On the other hand, leather and corduroy in chocolate brown and army green, and plaids and stripes are great to channel your rugged side this winter.

When you become bored of the classic down jacket and are looking for a change in terms of outerwear, try a shearling aviator jacket. This jacket provides a casual, put together look with a rustic shearling collar and lining, providing both warmth and style.

top look:

This over-the-knee boot is a continued trend from previous years that has yet to fail fashion lovers. This boot also has the perfect buckle detail on the top and side, giving it the rugged element that is ohso-popular this winter.

This chic off-white longsleeved dress paired with these trendy moccasin booties is a great outfit choice this season. The dress contributes a perfect amount of femininity with its soft color and cascading ruffle detail while the boots provide more of a grunge feel to the ensemble, giving it the perfect mixture of style this winter.

This dress is also very versatile. It can be paired with an attractive blazer for a more conservative occasion, or can be left as is, creating a more casual look. If you are unable to bear the cold with a dress, try pairing it with tastefully patterned or solid tights. The moccasin boots can be worn in several different ways as well. They can be worn with anything from a dress like this for a more formal look or jeans, a white T-shirt and a colored scarf for a very relaxed look.

This cozy cable-knit sweater is an essential for the winter season. Its chunky texture and crew neck provide a more masculine feel while its soft color and side slits keep it feminine.

The perfect scarf is a crucial accessory for winter. This simple color is a great choice since it would go with almost any outfit. On the other hand, the pattern makes it the perfect accessory to add some style to a plain outfit.

What’s going on in NYC? maddieberg

senior editor By the time I could spell “mall,” I was already bored with The Westchester. Ever since then I have been searching for a more unique and exciting place to do my holiday shopping. And while New York City is lined with shops featuring everything from feathered hats to gourmet chocolates, I find the holiday fairs at Grand Central Station and Bryant Park provide the perfect mélange of styles and products. Both feature dozens of vendors selling everything from funky headbands to innovative toys. Be sure to bring extra cash for a gift for yourself.

Grand Central Holiday Fair, Nov.15-Dec.24, Grand Central Station, 87 E. 42nd Street Holiday Shops at Bryant Park, Nov. 5- Jan. 2, Bryant Park, 41 W. 40th Street

Sure, it sounds cliché, and the hipsters of Hackley may find it disgusting in its conventionalism, but Christmas time in New York City would not be Christmas without a visit to the tree and a spin at the ice rink at Rockefeller Center. While the line for the rink can be long in November and December, it disappears come January, and the tree, lit until Jan. 2, provides the perfect distraction from the wait. Skates are available to rent, so some courage and your skating tutu are all you need.

If you think that bowling went out of style with poodle skirts and McCarthyism, you have never been to Lucky Strike Lanes. With sleek lounge furniture, funky fluorescent lighting and gourmet snack foods (think fried mac and cheese), Lucky Strike revolutionizes bowling. With the Hollywood branch visited by celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson and Ashton Kutcher, this hot spot oozes glamour. Just make sure not to go too late—after-hours, the lanes turn into a nightclub for the 21 and older set.

Open until April 2, Rockefeller Center, 5th Ave Between 49th & 50th St

Lucky Strike Lanes, 42nd St and 12th Ave, 646829-0170, bowlluckystrike.com Mon-Fri closes for minors at 5pm Sat-Sun closes for minors at 7pm

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er m s a r p K i i t d n a q u i c k ose the best holiday gift with R how to cho

A classic gift for any guy would be something in the electronics category.

If you are hoping for something within a smaller budget, look for a game similar to one he likes or grab a gift card. Some good gift card choices are GameStop, for the video game lover, or iTunes, for the music lover.

Another option is one season of a TV show you can tell he will think is hilarious, or the DVD of a movie he hasn’t seen. A comfortable sweater is nice, especially if it’s in dress code.

When he wears it to school, he can say you gave it to him.

Places to shop: GameStop, iTunes, Amazon, J. Crew, Rugby, Gap

The go-to gift for girls is jewelry. If you can find an exceptionally beautiful and special piece (that fits in your budget), full speed ahead! If not, and if you were hoping for something a little more unique, here are some options.

Cozy slippers are mandatory for the cold winter months, and there are plenty of festive, holiday ones out there. A nice scarf or a pair of gloves is also a good choice. An easy option is a feel-good movie about the holidays that you can watch together. If she’s an activist, there are a couple of options for do-good presents. Presents for Purpose has plenty of cute, inexpensive objects that she’ll appreciate.

Places to shop: Pink by Victoria’s Secret, J. Crew, Gap, Amazon, Madewell, Bloomingdales, www.dotsgloves.com, www. presentsforpurpose.com

A heartfelt gift is really all they are looking for, so don’t go spending a lot of money. Offer them breakfast in bed or make them coffee in the morning during the holiday season. A painted piece of pottery will be fun to make with your friends, and will serve as a nice gift your parents can display.

Frame a family picture for the wall or for your parent’s desk at work. Check out a bookstore for the “must-reads” of the year. If your parents are fans of classic rock, Keith Richards’ new book Life or Bruce Springsteen’s new box set (with never before heard material) The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story could be a good choice.

Sweaters for either parent are another nice idea.

Places to shop: Paint Your Own Pottery Inc. in Scarsdale, A. I. Friedman, Borders, J. Crew, Gap

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BERG

Talking culture, life and style with Maddie Berg

As a little kid, I listened jealously to my friends’ tales of Santa Claus, reindeer and stockings. For as they munched on frosted gingerbread houses and peppermint bark, I ate latkes, the potato pancakes which my mom insisted on making healthier by adding zucchini. And while they got to trim the tree with colorful ornaments, tinsel and a sparkling star on top, the only way I expressed my creativity was by choosing which colors of candles to use in the menorah. Rather than getting a surprise truffle in an advent calendar for the 25 days preceding Christmas, I got a few pieces of simple gelt for eight nights. And while their families gathered around a large feast on December 25, mine noshed on some egg rolls and chicken and broccoli from the local take-out place.

I tried not to kvetch, seeing these differences in tradition as unfair facts of life, but how could be expected to be content singing “Dreidel, Dreidel,” while my classmates were rocking out to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and Bruce Springsteen’s

“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”? Despite how much I tried to play it off, I had to face reality: I had a bad case of Christmas envy.

I knew my holiday was just as rich in traditions and family; I probably even got the same number of gifts. But Hanukkah lacked flair. I just could not see why some of my friends were entitled to their holiday full of stories, decorations and spirit, while it was hard to even find a decent Hanukkah card. One day I finally had the chutzpah to ask my mom if we could have the one part of Christmas I wanted most: the tree.

“We can even use blue and silver decorations,” I pleaded.

“Oy vey, absolutely not,” was her firm response. “So not kosher.”

Despite my begging, even my dad did not give in, agreeing that my suggestion was facacta. While the commercialized Christmas, along with all of its glitzy tchatchkes, may be the more appealing holiday on the surface, they explained that if our family celebrated it, it just would not feel right.

As I have grown older, I have come to see eye-to-eye with them on this. For as schmaltzy as I feel belting out nerdy Hanukkah songs and as silly as I feel jumping up in victory when my dreidel lands on gimel, I know that the moments we spend gathered around the candles (which I carefully chose, as decorating the tree is still

editorial

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an ultimate fantasy) are the way my family is meant to spend their holiday season.

While we may not devote a whole day festivities, I look forward to congregating as a family, along with all of our mishigas, such as the many times there has been fear of the house burning down, at the end of a long day.

As we joke about gag gifts or show our love with sentimental notes, I have realized that the holidays are not about whether you light the eight candles or the strings of bulbs around your tree, but about the family time. And in that case, I guess we benefit from another family tradition, because who doesn’t love some greasy (yet delicious) lo mein and a funny movie on December 25?

Yiddish-English Dictionary

nosh = to snack kvetch = complain chutzpah = guts or nerve facacta = ridiculous tchatchkes = knick-knacks schmaltzy = hokey mishigas = craziness

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releases you should hear LUNGS florence and the machine

LOUD rihanna

Rihanna’s latest record, LOUD, holds much more of a techno-rock sound, with the Barbados-born singer reaching higher notes than ever and even incorporating some acoustic guitar into the track “California King Bed.” The strongest songs are definitely the single “Only Girl (In the World)” and the moving piano version of “Love the Way You Lie.”

Florence and the Machine is the latest and greast UK pop import since Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen. Florence has had a good deal of buzz, but this debut proves she is here to stay.

Florence’s marquee sound, a mix of jazz and folk and blue-eyed soul is both new and innovative.

It would be premature to crown Florence the queen, but she is well on her way.

DARK TWISTED FANTASY kanye west

When Mr. West left the limelight after the “Taylor Swift-gate” back in 2009, many critics wrote off his career.

His prior release, 808s and Heartbreaks received only mixed results from fans. After four studio albums, it seemed Kanye was finished. But West’s latest release, My Dark Twisted Fantasy, puts these critics to rest. The rhymes of The College Dropout, the orchestral production of Late Registration and the backbreaking drum sequences of 808s and Heartbreaks turn this album into what may be the first hip-hop masterpiece.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS j cole

Cole’s latest mixtape, Friday Night Lights, was released last month, as one of the most anticipated mixtapes in years. Friday Night Lights caters to both underground and mainstream fans as Cole’s production are both moving and enchanting. Cole is one of the most compelling rapper/producers in hip-hop since Kanye West, and fans should look forward to his first studio album release scheduled for next year.

Reviews written by Maddi Ginsberg and John Rapisardi

delicious peppermint bark

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melissawarshauer staff photographer

Whenever I think of the Christmas season I think of peppermint. My peppermint bark is a festive treat that is easy to make, mixing two favorites, chocolate and peppermint.

Ingredients: • 1½ pounds of white chocolate • ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract • 12 candy canes Makes about 30 pieces

1) Put all the candy canes in a plastic bag and crush them with a hammer.

Sift the peppermint pieces over a bowl, and save the smallest pieces to use as sprinkles for the top.

2) Fill the bottom pot of a double boiler halfway with water, and heat it to a boil.

3) Empty the bag of white chocolate chips into the top pot of a double boiler, making sure not to get any water into the chips.

4) Once the chips are smooth and creamy, take the pot off the heat and pour in the peppermint chunks.

5) Add the peppermint extract into the melted chocolate and stir.

6) Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper, and pour the chocolate mixture onto it. Spread out the mixture so that it is about ¼ of an inch thick.

7) Refrigerate for 45 minutes, then take out and break the bark into pieces.

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field day flavor ice

$31.53 $

Community Council Budget $41.03

60 60 86.30 tailgate club

$

$

field day spray paint, face paint

field day donuts

buckets of paint

51.63

100 $

paintball club

$40.00

Projected Near-term Revenue Sources:

- Hive shirts - Candygrams - Food at dances - Compatibility reports

$

tailgate club

400

$

field day buckets

december rave

initial reserves $3,014.67

Community council funds student groups harrisonwetzler

staff writer In student government, as in all politics, policies involving money inspire lively debate. The latest flashpoint occurred in October when Council committed $100 to the newly formed Paintball Club to cover the cost of ammunition for their periodic excursions. The measure was approved by a narrow vote of 12-10 after hours of debate spanning the course of several weekly meetings.

Opponents of the measure to subsidize the Paintball Club point to the off-campus nature of the event, arguing that the club does not benefit the school as a whole. “I feel that the approval of spending on the Paintball Club was unnecessary,” explained Council member senior Will Ginsberg. “The money only benefits the few people who go on the paintball trips and when divided among them, each person only saves about $5.”

Proponents of the measure are quick to respond that the Council would purchase ammunition in bulk at a discounted rate. “It would save the students much more than $5 each,” said Junior Secretary/Treasurer Marc Byrnes. “Without Council support, members would have to pay for ammunition individually, and people with equipment capable of high rates of fire would be at a disadvantage financially,” he said.

“Paying individual rates, they could easily end up spending $10 to $15 out of pocket on ammo. That’s in addition to the base cost of $35.”

Many Council members who supported the decision to finance the Paintball Club did so not so much out of a love for the sport but out of a desire to give back to the students.

“Community Council is a group established to support the students,” senior grade representative Jason Yang said. “We

subsidize groups so they can go out and do what they love, not for our own financial benefit. If the Paintball Club founders took the time and initiative to come to a Council meeting and make a legitimate proposal, I feel that it is wrong to deny them.”

Jason points to the healthy state of Council finances in support of subsidizing individual clubs and activities. “The Council has over $2,000 in its reserves left over from last year, so spending $100 on a student group is not a big deal,” he said.

The recipients of these grants agree. Nick Colon, one of the leaders of the Paintball Club, said, “I’m happy that Community Council has finally taken the initiative to get clubs like this one off the ground.”

The club’s first outing was scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 13, but it was canceled. One of the reasons that the Paintball Club was forced to cancel was that they lacked the information that they needed to plan ahead. The club was forced to wait for Council to finally agree on whether they would be allocated funds and how much would be given. By the time they received a definitive answer, the club wasn’t able to arrange the rest of the logistics in time for the trip. A small outing was scheduled, but Council will not provide money, instead funding a larger future event.

Secretary/Treasurer Matt MacFarlane believes that with funding of the Paintball Club, Council has established a new principle for its financing of school activities. “It is unfortunate that the paintball outing won’t happen,” he said, “but that does not diminish the fact that for the first time the student government listened, worked with, and committed

to a student group organizing off-campus.”

Council has also committed money to other groups. The Tailgate Club received $100 also, some of which paid for their upcoming grill-off. Council is also considering giving to Unity to cover the cost of a “World Fair” event.

Some students are skeptical of Council’s increased spending, but the Council members who support this increased spending hope that these recent opportunities to support student groups will be the first of many. As more clubs continue to request funds, the debate rages on.

“World War II,” one of 14 paintball fields at Liberty Paintball, and a favorite of Hackley students.

Bryan Hahm enlists non-council help for student government bobbygrusky

staff writer When School President Bryan Hahm needed to find “a go-to guy for a party mood,” he turned to senior Nick DiPietrantonio.

Given his musical talents and irrepressible personality, Nick was the logical choice to help plan and promote the first-ever Hackley “rave” on Dec. 10. But Nick’s appointment to the planning committee represents a change in the way Council works.

This year’s Council is striving to involve students like Nick, who do not serve on Council, in both the planning and execution of events. The goal is to make events more “community-oriented, and as a result a lot more fun for everyone involved,” Bryan said.

According to Bryan, the strategy of recruiting non-council students attempts to address the Council’s limitations. “Council is only 30 kids, so we can’t really represent everybody,” Bryan said. “We don’t have every single different type of person that’s in the Hackley community in the Council.”

Bryan takes Field Day as a successful example of the new strategy. ”The people that were chosen were leaders in the Hackley community in terms of sports and rallying other kids, so that had its own positive effect on the event,” he said. Those who helped out both planned and helped run the event.

Among the Field Day volunteers was

senior Eddie Makinde. “I was part of the organizational committee, so I helped pull things together,” he said. “I made sure people were in the right place at the right time, moved equipment, stuff like that.”

The decision to pitch in wasn’t hard for Eddie. “Bryan Hahm is one of my close friends, and so when he asked, I was willing to help out,” he said. “Field Day is one of my favorite events, and I just wanted to help out.”

By selecting volunteers for Field Day, Bryan was able to play to individual students’ strengths. “You know what kind of people will be good for what kinds of events,” Bryan said. “You know the big football guys will be

good for the large events like capture the flag.”

For other events since Field Day, the Council has changed the method of having just Bryan pick. For the girls’ flag football game, for example, the Council voted on whom they thought the girl leaders should be.

School Secretary/Treasurer Matt MacFarlane agrees with the Council’s new shift in policy. “The more people we can reach out to and get involved in the process, the more good we can do for Hackley students.

I hope to see even greater strides towards more Council interaction with students as we move forward.”

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Students give council high marks

82%

Presidential approval rating

Do you somewhat approve, strongly approve, somewhat disapprove, strongly disapprove, or have no opinion of the student government’s overall performance such far this year?

Key: one figure represents approx.

2.5% of respondents. dark blue = strongly approve, light blue = somewhat approve, grey = no opinion light red = somewhat disapprove, Only one percent of respondents strongly disapprove .

Behind the community council’s mandate mattmacfarlane

politics editor Community Council President Bryan Hahm’s 82% approval rating makes him more popular with his constituents than the Council as a whole, each grade council delegation, and all Washington politicians—even those who voted against the stimulus, auto bailout, and TARP. The juniors view their grade officers as favorably as they view their school president, both registering 77% approval. Grade officers in all other grades registered significantly lower support than did the school president. The senior, sophomore, and freshman grade delegations were viewed favorably by 67%, 53%, and 58%, respectively.

It is important to note that in most grades the majority of those who did not view their grade officers favorably indicated that they had no opinion, with a minority in each case having an unfavorable view. The freshman grade council delegation registered the highest disapproval level, at 33%. 7%, 5%, and 27% of respondents viewed the senior, junior, and sophomore grade council delegations unfavorably, respectively.

Senior Mark Graham was one of the majority of seniors to give the Council high marks. “Compared to last year, they are much more interactive,” he said. Mark referenced both Spirit Week and the Council’s commitment of $100

to the Paintball Club as successes of the student government. “I really didn’t think the Paintball Club would be given any money,” Mark said.Junior Brady Burkett echoed Mark’s assessment. “I think money is being better spent this year on clubs and activities,” he said.

While the student body overwhelmingly supports Bryan’s leadership in the Council, the Council itself was torn when it came to approving many of the measures supported by many of the students questioned for this survey. The measure to commit funds to the Paintball Club for an outing that was delayed indefinitely passed by a 12-10 vote—a narrow two-vote margin despite the school president’s steadfast support of its passage.

The decision to hold the December dance in Allen Hall, as opposed to the Chapel, where the school president intended it to be held, was made following a vote in the Council, which supported Allen Hall over the Chapel.

The vote was 13-7.

Many underclassmen know little about the student government, and they were much more likely to say they had no opinion on the student government. A staggering 75% of freshmen and 50% of sophomores reported that they had no opinion on the student government’s performance

thus far this year. “I don’t really have an opinion on the student council,” freshman Cara Petrucci said. “We don’t really hear much about them in our everyday life at school, and I haven’t heard a lot about what they have done.”

“All I’ve really learned from what they have done is get us a couple of dress down days, which are great,” Cara added.

Of course, there are underclassmen who support the Council. Junior Vice President Chris Breen calls underclassmen the Council’s “base” when it came to attendance and participation in Council events, such as dances.

Sophomore Paulathera Stone is a member of this socalled “base.” “I approve what the student government has done thus far,” she said. “Spirit week was amazing, and I can’t wait to see what the dance is like.”

Methodology:

91 students from grade 9-12 were questioned for this survey. Respondents were chosen randomly and messaged over Facebook. This survey has a margin of error of ± 9%

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as apple pie

As

marcbyrnes

news editor On the day before Thanksgiving break, the atmosphere in the dining room at the All-American Apple Pie Bake-off was festive and fun. Bakers explained their ingredients and baking style to grateful students as they sampled slices from the ten pies. “I know pies, and this is some good pie,” junior Charlie Kilman said as he took a bite of the first place red apple-and-raspberry pie created by senior Marie Brooks and freshman Phil Brooks.

And it’s all thanks to the Hackley Conservatives club.

In 2008, among the mounting excitement over the presidential election, two student-led political groups formed at Hackley, but only one remains. Although the Hackley Republicans’ Club has evolved into the Hackley Conservatives’ Club, it still exists, while the Hackley for Obama Club has ended.

The Hackley Conservatives’ Club is a group of about ten students who promote what they consider traditional values. They no longer espouse the right-wing ideas of the old Hackley Republicans’ Club, according to senior co-head Alex Retzloff.

“In all honesty, Hackley Conservatives are really moderates, but in perspective, when you put it against the rest of the Hackley [student] body, we are really conservative,” Alex said.

When co-heads, seniors Kyle Kallman (a self-pro-

claimed Libertarian), Nate Oh, and Alex Retzloff were installed as leaders, they knew they did not want to be associated with some of the ideas and rhetoric that the club had previously promoted.

“We didn’t want to be attached to a party,” Alex said.

While the liberal students at Hackley have a nascent inactive Progressive Action League (PAL), according to History teacher Vladimir Klimenko, these are focused groups with agendas that can be seen as liberal, such as Hackley’s Earth Action League (HEAL) and the GayStraight Alliance (GSA).

Another reason for the outspokenness of the Hackley Conservatives is their relatively small size. Faculty Adviser to the Hackley Conservatives’ Club and English teacher Scott Boehnen said, “Often times, in organizations, it’s the smaller groups who feel that they want to gather together as a distinct group and that they want to be better recognized.”

In the Conservatives effort to move towards the middle, gain members, and be recognized as less of a fringe group, they are beginning to run events like the All-American Apple Pie Bake-off and America Day. The Bake-off was judged a success, drawing eleven submissions and a huge crowd of pie-loving Americans.

The first, second and third place winners—Marie

and Phil Brooks, Junior Natania Greenspan and Senior Sydney Alabaster—received Tuck Shop gift certificates.

Natania’s pie also received an award for creativity, the Brooks’ pie won the award for looks, and the pie created by seniors Angelina Noriega and senior Margaret Blackburn won the award for taste. The winners were chosen by a panel of six teachers who sampled each pie before it was torn apart by students.

The Hackley Conservatives hope to have debates and discourse in the future with liberal students, but a date has not yet been set. “We would like to see a Community Time or something like that, based on debate,” Alex said.

These efforts are to remind people of what is important, because, as Kyle says, “If you wake up in the morning, and smell the air and think, ‘Gee, I am so lucky to live in the USA,’ I would love to talk politics with you, regardless of you hating the government, some laws, its past actions or its current actions.” These events are more about what the Hackley student body has in common, rather than celebrating political diversity and what makes people different, according to the club leaders.

The PAL group was not left out of the Apple Pie festivities; they submitted their own apple-and-nut pie which did not win any awards.

Senior Sidney Alabaster, who placed third place in the contest, cuts a slice of her pie (above). Senior Conservative Club leader Alex Retzloff (far left) samples a piece of pie. Seniors Teddy Seem, Kyle Kallman, and Austin Pidoriano (bottom) left, also got a taste of the competition.

Photos by Paul Rapisardi

Photos by Paul Rapisardi

The winners of the all-american apple pie baking contest:

1st 2nd 3rd

Phil Brooks ‘14 and Marie Brooks ‘11

Natania Greenspan ‘12 Sydney Alabaster ‘11

creativity looks taste

Natania Greenspan ‘12 Phil Brooks ‘14 and Marie Brooks ‘11 Angelina Noriega ‘11 and Margaret Blackburn ‘11

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Class of 2011 dominates girls’ flag football game nickhallock

staff writer As the ball soared through the air, junior Nikki Miller sprinted down the field. She caught the ball, scored, and the crowd cheered.

However, her touchdown in the last seconds of the girls’ flag football game was not enough to make up for their massive deficit to the seniors, who won 36-6.

The seniors played very well, with five touchdowns and three two-point conversions.

The juniors did not play as well, with only one touchdown. Seniors Sydney Alabaster and Katie Philpott scored touchdowns in the first half, and seniors Krista Lancione, Sophie Mayeux, and Metika Ngbokoli, as well as junior Nikki Miller, scored in the second half.

Senior Sophie Mayeux says the senior team had a lot of strengths. “We are very athletic,” Sophie said, “and we all worked really well together.

We didn’t really practice, but we knew from last year we could wing it and be able to win.”

Junior Nikki Miller says that the junior team’s biggest problem was that few people on the team knew how to play flag football. “I think a lot of people didn’t know what to expect—we went into it blind. Next year the team will be more excited, more organized, and we will have a lot of fun.”

The game, although not very close, was extremely popular, and athletes and fans alike enjoyed themselves. “It’s class bonding,” Sophie said. “It’s fun to beat up on the juniors and of course, it’s really fun to win.”

photos by paul

Sophomore photographer Paul Rapisardi captured shots of Girls’ Flag Football, Boys’ Varsity Soccer, The 3-on-3 Tournament and a Pickup Football Game. 1. Seniors Chandler Keller and Jared Kaminetsky reach for a pass. during a pick-up football game 2. Senior MVP Alex Barg attempts to capture junior Carolyn King’s flag during the Girl’s Flag Football Game. 3. Senior Tommy Heffernan rips a series of acrobatic back-flips during a post-goal celebration. 4. Senior Austin Pidoriano goes up for a layup against senior Marquis Wilson during the 3 on 3 Tournament.

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Fall 2010 Top Impact Players:

TOMMY HEFFERNAN soccer

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21 Goals

Katie embodies the spirit of “animal” in every way, shape, and form.

—Trish Gorman ’12 She is irreplaceable —Kendra Epstein ’11

MARQUIS WILSON football

20 Goals

4 Goals

5 Touchdowns

ANDY PHILLIPS cross country

ALLY MUELLER cross country

CORINNE ALINI tennis

14:33 2.5 mile time

Andy is the most dedicated person on our team, and even though he is not a “captain,” he is a leader of the team and gets us motivated for races and being part of the team as a whole.

—Jordan Klein ’12

Caroline always leads by example. Every minute that she is on the field, she is working her hardest, even though she has been injured.

—Kathleen Sullivan ’12

17:00 2.5 mile time

Ally is awesome! She works really hard and this year she started to get serious and push herself to do great things that she was capable of doing, but never did until now.

—Alice Sun ’12

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KATIE PHILPOTT

CAROLINE ELLIS field hockey

Tommy’s overall attitude and effort has rubbed off on the entire team, leading us to the Ivy League championship.

—Max Mayblum ’12

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Marquis took Adam Parker’s place when he got injured and did a great job. He scored five touchdowns and really helped our team.

—Mustafaa Dais ’14

10 -1 season record

Corrine’s record and dedication this season truly make her one of the greatest assets to our team.

She has the innate ability to encourage every one of us, no matter the score of the match.

—Alex Barg ’11