The Lightning Strike- Jan. 2011 Issue

THE

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Dr. Michael M. Krop Sr. High • 1410 Countyline Road • Miami, Florida 33179

January 25, 2011• Issue 3 • Volume 13

TECHNOLOGY

Social networkers abuse their rights

By Alexandra Feuerman editor-in-chief Four-hundred million people have a Facebook account. On average, people spend about six hours per month on social networking sites. That leaves about 2,400,000,000 hours, just on Facebook, that have the potential to be misused.

In Washington, a 17-yearold student was arrested for a Facebook post that said he wanted to “murder everyone.”

Following an investigation, the student was arrested and charged with the misdemeanor of Aggravated Harassment in the second degree. In Lebanon, two men were arrested for creating a Facebook page criticizing the Lebanese president. In Florida, a 19-year-old mother faced legal trouble after posting a picture of her baby smoking out of a bong. And, in our school, we have the “Gossip Girl” who, like other social networking users, may not have known the repercussions of the postings.

However, because the

incidents are done out of school, it is legally outside of the administrators’ jurisdiction to act on them.

“Unless someone comes forth and says they’re a victim, I can’t really do anything about it,” Principal Matthew Welker said. “I don’t want people to feel bullied or threatened.”

Therefore, unless a person who was victimized by “Gossip Girl” reports to Principal Welker, there is nothing that can be done.

A few students have been wrongly accused of starting the libelous blog, which has affected their personal and school lives.

“It’s more dangerous than gossip, because it goes further than the school,” law teacher Connie Higgins said.

According to Higgins, it was different when students would write offensive material on pieces of paper, but now, students have access to the Internet. “They’re putting stuff on there that never goes away,” she said. “Your parents can see it and the rest of the world can

see it.”

Yet the misuse of social networking sites does not only stem from writing offensive material or hate speech. Posting inappropriate images or false information can lead to one’s investigation and arrest.

The Internet has been misused since social networking sites were developed; however, cyber-bullying and other internet abusage have recently attracted the media and schools nationwide.

False, private, or vicious information/images also bring up the issue of First Amendment rights. The First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech, does not protect speech that leads to illegal activity or violence, obscenity, defamation and libel.

“I hope students realize the negative impact they can have on somebody’s life after posting something, even if it’s just one word,” special education teacher and crime educators sponsor, Kim Ferriera, said. “I’m also hoping that the issues the bully has are dealt with.”

If you feel like you have been a victim of cyber-bullying or any other form of harrassment, please send a text message to CRIMES (274637). Your text will be anonymous.

Illustration by Chris Dougnac

COMEDY

Snap or die: the latest trend

By Devin Rosario co-entertainment editor

“Maybe I can stop ripping on you when you stop wearing American Pigeon,” senior Marc Drouinaud said. “Somebody punched him in the head in 5th grade and his eye brows never came back up.”

To many, the quotes above may sound like bullying. But to the fans of “Snap or Die,” these lines provide daily entertainment that has turned into a school-wide sensation.

In Snap or Die (SOD),

participants say on-the-spot insults at each other. Making a “snap” with their hands after every diss. If you don’t snap, you “die.”

In their breakout year, Snap or Die, a loose knit group of roughly 15 seniors, yielded thousands YouTube hits through a mini series of eight episodes.

Founder senior Devonte Forbes recalls the origins.

“Back in 9th grade we used to make jokes on each other just to pass the time, an extracurricular activity, if you will,” Forbes said.

It wasn’t until this year that

Movie Review: page 7

Black Swan

Snap or Die’s cameraman senior Shaq Williams decided to start filming the sessions and posting them on YouTube.

“I started watching them and thought they were hilarious,” Williams said. “I never saw it getting this big.”

That seems to be the overall feeling of the group. To them, SOD was just a way to pass time at lunch, and it turned viral.

“We’re just making high school memories, that’s it so far.”

Williams said. ► see “SNAP OR DIE,” page 14

DEVIN ROSARIO

HUMOR: Students of Snap or Die gather during lunch to exchange humorous insults.

Students videotape the jokes they perform during lunch and later upload the videos to Youtube. Snap or Die has been public since the beginning of this school year, and has attracted many admirers.

SOME Whipped Cream turns alcoholic

.. .

More Inside: Vitamins disrupt sleep, page 15 Basketball team first in the state, page 17

page 16

History of senioritis, page 14

Feature Page 12

The Lightning Strike • January 2011

GAME SHOW

Student competes on Teen Jeopardy

By Anthony Cave web editor

The Elias’ seem to have the game show gene. The mother and daughter duo of social studies

teacher Ellen Elias and junior Raya Elias-Pushett each have game show experience.

An avid fan of the show, Raya was selected as a Jeopardy!

Teen Tournament contestant after

Ellen Elias

AND THE ANSWER IS!: Raya Elias poses with host of Jeopardy, Alex Trebek, during the after party. This was her first time ever competing on a game show.

ANIMAL PREJUDICE

Dog eat dog world:

Locals work to rid the Pit Bull of its bad name

By Leigh Martrowitz staff writer Coco had never hurt anyone.

He was a family pet who had the misfortune of being born a Pit Bull, and his remains now sit in an urn on his family’s living room mantle.

One day, Coco was taken away from his back yard by animal control on the basis of Colorado BSL ordinances and was trapped in a 3 by 5 foot cell for two months.

According to the documentary, Beyond the Myth, during the two months of Coco’s imprisonment his family fought in the courts for his freedom, but because they could not free their dog, they had to make the decision to put him out of his misery and let him be euthanized.

His last day alive was spent in a double cell where his family said their goodbyes. The next day they picked up his remains in a black trash bag.

Breed Specific Legislation, or BSL, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), is the term for laws that regulate or ban certain breeds of dogs in the hopes of reducing dog attacks.

There is a campaign against BSL in Miami Dade County, spearheaded by the Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation (MCABSL). The supporters of this grass roots movement believe that banning a specific breed of dog for the actions of individual dogs is both

inhumane and ineffective.

The breed targeted most by BSL is the “Pit Bull,” a slang term that lumps together breeds like the American Staffordshire Terrier, the American Pitt Bull Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Dog trainer and Director of MCABSL, Edel Miedes, explained that there are aggressive dogs but targeting an entire breed is not the solution to protecting the community from aggressive and dangerous dogs.

Miedes believes that ordinances should be made stricter across the board, and more responsibility should be placed on dog owners instead of the dogs.

Pit Bulls are stereotyped as aggressive dogs but, according to a Miami Dade County police officer, those pits who are aggressive were not born dangerous.

“Dogs are a product of their owners, just like a child is a product of their parents,” said the police officer. “It’s sad to blame a dog for humans who are inflicting such treatment.”

According to Lisa Scherre, the head of Pet Rescue and Adoption Center Inc., Pit Bulls are the most misunderstood and over-bred dog breed. “[Pit Bulls] attract the wrong clientele because they are known for their strength,” Scherre said.

This type of clientele, according to Scherre, are gang members who fight pits and abuse them in

she completed the online test in February. For anyone else, the testing location might have been an obstacle.

Raya was at a study abroad program in Israel, where she had to take the test at 4 a.m.

Israeli time on a “shaky” Internet connection. She had taken the test and auditioned at The Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood Beach a year prior, but she thought she fared worse this time around.

However, months later on a teen tour around the country, Raya received an email from Sony Pictures Entertainment that said she was selected for an audition.

Eager to spread the news, Raya called her mother despite the “no parent” contact rule.

“I forwarded her the email, and she had to send in the paperwork because it [the response] had to be within 24 hours,” Raya said.

The audition was held in

Chicago in August and consisted of a written test and practice rounds of three contestants who answered questions in their best “game show voice.”

“It’s not just based on intellect, it’s personality also,” Raya said.

It was not until late October that contestants found out if they were selected. When Raya received “the call,” she wasn’t able to stay in her seat.

Raya and her mother, Ellen Elias, were flown out to Los Angeles for four days in December for the show’s taping. Ten shows were taped in two days and the contestant’s winnings determined how long they progressed.

Other than a review of the 2011 New York Times Almanac, a Jeopardy! study resource, Raya had little preparation before the show.

Much like her mother, she

just “knew the game.”

Ellen Elias was on Wheel of Fortune in 2001. She was selected randomly from a Wheel of Fortune audience when the show was in Miami. She won $10,000 in route to the bonus round.

Ellen Elias attributes Raya’s knowledge to having her watch only the news, Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune growing up.

“Since she was little, it’s always been our routine.”

While Raya’s ultimate progress on Teen Jeopardy won’t be revealed until the show’s air date in February, Ellen Elias is already proud of her daughter.

“There is no greater joy than seeing your child do something wonderful,” Ellen Elias said.

The 2011 Jeopardy! Teen Tournament airs on Feb. 17 at 7:30pm on ABC and continues until Mar. 2. Raya’s quarterfinal

horrendous ways for money.

There are numerous myths associated with pit breeds that increase prejudice against them.

One such myth is that they can’t be around kids.

“Pits were actually considered the nanny dog for many years because parents would leave their kids with them,” Miedes said.

Another myth is that Pit Bulls have a locking jaw, which would constitute a jaw that clamps shut and cannot be pried open. According to Miedes, this is untrue because Pit Bulls’ jaws are anatomically the same as other breeds.

Miedes explained that Pit Bull bites, with 7 to 900 pounds per square inch of attack. The pressure, actually have people who less pressure than a usually have German Shepherd bite a Pit Bull of 8 to 1100 pounds per beyondthemythmovie.com.

MAY HE REST IN PEACE: Coco’s remains square inch of pressure. are preserved in the urn above and sits on use them as There are far more their front desk. “He will remain in our hearts guard dogs, dangerous, naturally and thoughts forever,” Coco’s owner said to and until those beyondthemythmovie.com. people can be aggressive dogs who responsible have not been banned with Pit Bulls,

by BSL like the Presa Canario and the Fila Brasileiro, they should not be allowed to own whose bites have the pressure of 14 them.”

But, not all youth believe the to 1700 pounds per square inch.

There was a reported story myths about the breed.

“Pit Bulls could hurt you if you in which a woman was killed by her Presa Canario while she was train them the wrong way, but if you bathing him. The dog bit her in the train them properly, they are just as good as any other dog,” junior Joel jugular and she bled to death.

According to Miedes, the Presa Smulevich said.

From 1965 until 2001, Pit Bulls Canario is the deadliest dog in Florida because it is the most have been blamed for 2.48 human naturally aggressive. However, it is fatalities per year, a number less than almost every other breed of not banned while the Pit Bull is.

The fear surrounding Pit Bulls dog, according to the MCABSL. can be seen in youth who are MCABSL also says that most incidents regarding other breeds are ignorant of the breed.

“I think they are a naturally rarely reported.

“The media intensifies the hatred aggressive breed,” Junior Gina Rossman said. “As a police officer, of the [Pit Bull] breed,” Miedes said. my dad has been in altercations with “Reporters have point blank told us people who have used Pit Bulls to that if the story does not involve a

Pit Bull then they’re not supposed to air it.”

In one particular situation described by Miedes, a man’s American Bull Dog got loose and started to bark at a police horse.

The dog then jumped on the horse and scratched it. There was a media frenzy and animal control came in and took the dog.

When the media arrived and found out the dog was not a Pit Bull, but an American Bulldog, they left immediately.

Organizations like MCABSL use positive media to counteract this negative publicity toward the Pit Bull breed.

The media director for the MCABSL, Stephanie Sarkissian, is currently working on a documentary that she said will “showcase the brighter side of bully breeds.”

In order to appease the public’s fear, but prevent innocent dogs from suffering, Sarkissian believes that dangerous dogs should be dealt with on an individual basis as opposed to as a whole breed.

Feature

Page 13

The Lightning Strike • January 2011 TESTING

Website calculates college chances

By Pablo Storch business manager

Seniors no longer have to wait those long three months to hear their college admissions results. With the help of a website called mychances. net, seniors like Asif Khan, can calculate their chances of admission to various universities in seconds.

Mychances.net was started by Yale graduate James Pirruccello when he applied to medical school and wished to get a better sense of his chances at admission than just the raw acceptance rates. He created such a system that focused on the undergraduate admission process rather than medical schools to reach a greater number of students.

Six years later, the website has made 372, 547 predictions for 78,074 students, with an accuracy rate of 88 percent.

To get predictions, students must fill out an application similar to Common Application. It includes detailed questions about standardized tests, GPA, AP exams and ethnicity. This data is then compared to the 78,074 students on the website through a technique called machine learning, which makes predictions based on the outcome of previous applicants. Then predictions are displayed through acceptance ranges between zero and 100 percent.

As he completed his application at mychances.net, Khan noticed that the program missed senior grades, community service, extracurricular activities and the quality of the essays and interviews.

Khan has found another tool of the website, the community predictor, to be the true gem of the site. This prediction is based on a look at an applicant’s profile. Khan notes that the only down side to the tool is that it takes weeks compared to a computer prediction, which takes seconds.

Despite his preference of the community predictor, Khan is still content with the computer prediction as it gives him more than a 50 percent chance of acceptance at prestigious schools such as John Hopkins, Rice, Brown and the University of Florida. The fact that the computer does not give Khan an equally high prediction to this top choice, Harvard, does not bother him.

“All and all, a 28 percent chance of getting into Harvard seems slightly better than the bleak seven percent chance,” Khan said. “I’d take it [mychances.net] as a tool to use, but not an absolute truth.

SCHOOL STORE

School opens snack store after school

By Carla Hasson copy editor

It was intended to supplement student lunch options with Starbucks and Subway, but the south pavilion never fulfilled that purpose. Sports booster clubs now use the area to raise money for their teams by selling food during sports events held on campus.

When food was allowed in the Lightning Dome during a game, the area was often left littered. The south pavilion presented an opportunity to move the eating elsewhere.

“The south pavilion was becoming crowded while people waited for games, so we wanted to create an atmosphere there,” Athletic Director Coach Kypriss said.

So the Shiffy Shack, which sold snacks to raise money for boys’ and girls’ volleyball, was closed and the south pavilion concession stand opened. Any sports booster club may petition Activities Director Michelle Russell to sell food during a game.

“It’s fairer now; all sports

have the same opportunity,” Kypriss said.

The Lightning Pride Spirit Store has moved into the Shiffy Shack. Students may buy hats, visors, polo shirts, tie-dye and hoodies. The money goes to the athletic department.

Sophomore and swimmer Gabi Hasson recently purchased a sweatshirt emblazoned with

Krop’s logo.

“I love my Krop hoodie,” Hasson said. “It’s comfortable and when I wear it I feel like I’m representing my school.”

Having recently spent $7,000 on new football uniforms and suffering from a 2010-2011 depleted budget, Kypriss is offering sports the opportunity to raise money on their own.

MARIA CARLACANIZARES OTERO

SHUFFLE TO THE SHIFFY SHACK: Sophmores Khambrel Mccoy and Woodelyne Desoguste wait for the slurpee they puchased at the Shiffy Shack store after school. The stand offers all kinds of snacks including hot dogs, nachos and cheese, soda and an assortment of chips.

MOVIE

Student brings the magic on set of new movie 11/1/10

Date: She moved from Miami ending movie,” Thomas said. “I beInsertion nice, fame is not all that Client: Keiser-Ft. Lauderdale to Atlanta to be closer to believe people will be moved important,” Thomas said. “It’s Job Number: 233-9105-MMKSHS-search relatives, but this lasted for by the characters in the film. what gets peopleMichael in trouble.”

M Krop Sr. High S Product/Pub: Revision 1 when she Revision I’m 2 Revision Revision 4 Size: 4x 4actors and only two months almost in 3tears every time To hopeful MFrecommends Production: receivedCreative a call last summer I see the edits.” actresses, Thomas Proofer 1: AS Proofer 1: Work Date: 10/6 informing herProofer that she got Thomas’ having an agent and not Creative 2: AS Proofer 2:future plans are to the role. She would start in stay relevant and make acting giving up if an audition goes Miami the next morning at her long- term career. She hopes poorly. Many celebrities went 8 a.m. She had not heard to star in other movies and TV through hundreds of auditions from the director in over a shows and dreams to one day be before getting their break, year since auditions and was on her favorite show, Degrassi. but Thomas said that it is all shocked.

“Although fame would worth it in the end.

She packed for Miami expecting to film only during the summer, but the unfinished movie kept her here in Miami the following school year.

“It was a bit upsetting knowing I had to go back An exciting education and stay for the entire school year versus just the summer,”

www.sfltimes.com Thomas said. “I didn’t know THE MAGIC WITHIN: Main character, Amiya Thomas and her co-star look over the city of Miami, posing for the

movie cover of “The Magic City.” This is Thomas’ first big production movie. what to say to my friends.

I definitely didn’t want to come out and say I was in a culture shocked after she movie or people would try

By Daniela Guenoun moves from Tampa to Miami’s to be my friends for the wrong opinion editor “ghetto,” as she meets sisters reasons.”

PrePAre FOr A degree In: Freshman Amiya Thomas Lashay and Katrina whom she She has learned that acting is Health Care u Business u Legal Studies u Criminal Justice recently revealed the star within helps with their struggles. not as easy as it seems. While at to her classmates. Featured in Computers & Technology u Interdisciplinary Studies Thomas auditioned in 8th school and on set, Thomas is her Call for a complete list of programs the movie “The Magic City,” grade when her stepdad told normal, talkative self. But when Call toll free to speak with an Admissions Counselor Thomas hopes to bring her her about the try-outs. He knew she is in front of the camera she magic to the theatres in spring she liked to act and without any must transform herself into a Admissions Hours: Mon - Thurs 9am - 8pm, Fri 9am - 5pm, Sat 9am - 2pm of 2011. prior experience or agent, she depressed persona. www.KeiserSuccess.com In the film, Thomas becomes auditioned on her own.

“It’s not your typical, happy

Your Search Is Over!

1.888.438.5504

Feature

The Lightning Strike • January 2011

Page 14

MEDICAL ILLNESS

Depression affects teens on a larger scale

By Maria Carla Canizares Otero photo editor

A

mong young people ages 15 to 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death after unintentional injury and homicide.

Although some of the causes are still unclear, this mental disorder affects nearly all ages-the numbers for teenagers rising more rapidly than in past decades.

Statistics show that one in every eight adolescents is clinically depressed. Statistics also show that approximately 80 percent of those with depression are not receiving treatment.

Adult depression can be quite obvious at times, but when it comes to teenagers, symptoms change. Teens often manifest depression with irritability, anger, sensibility to criticism and withdrawing from friends, some of which can be confused for typical teenage mood changes. But when this bad humor extends over an elongated period of time and changes the teen’s personality, it may indicate depression.

In the case of Stephanie Tanner*, her parents were

divorced and her mother suffered from depression. After changing cities, she became depressed as well.

“I was really attached to my friends, and leaving them to adapt to a new city and environment was not easy,” Tanner said.

Treatments vary from medication to therapy with a counselor.

“I entered a program with a really cool hippie psychologist, and attended a group with people who were going through similar problems,” Tanner said. “Instead of medication, I did yoga, meditation and talk sessions, which really helped.”

By the year 2020, it is estimated that depression will be the second most common health problem in the world, affecting people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, gender and religion.

The good news is that depression is a treatable illness with approximately 8090 percent of those seeking treatment finding relief.

Take the following quiz answering “yes” or “no” to know if you or someone you know may be suffering from depression. *names have been changed

Are you depressed?

• Are you able to sleep through the night?

• Have you gained or lost weight recently, but not by dieting?

• Have your grades gone down since the last grading period?

• Do you feel irritable?

• Do you feel worthless or insignificant?

• Is it difficult for you to concentrate on your school work?

• Have you quit enjoying things that used to bring you

pleasure?

• Do you feel angry or anxious but don’t know why?

• Do you feel tired all of the time?

• Have you started or increased use of drugs or alcohol?

• Do you entertain thoughts of suicide?

If you answered “yes” to two or more you might be experiencing depression.

If you feel you have no one to talk about this issue, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-784-2433 where counselors are available to speak with you 24/7.

TIMELINE

Source: http://teens.lovetoknow.com/Depression_Quiz_for_Teens compiled by Maria Carla Canizares Otero

NEW TREND

Snap or Die The history of senioritis takes center stage Senioritis, the phenomenon that leads second semester lack of motivation, has been around for a long time.

According to Stanford University education professor Michael Krist, senioritis dates back to the 19th century, a time when the United States was an agrarian country and 80 percent of American seniors knew that they would end up on a farm after graduation.

However, as the United States has shifted from agrarian to industrial, so has its view on senioritis. In 1973, two teachers from Hartsdale, N.Y. , Andrew Courtney and Toni Abramson-Matthews, created a program called Wise Individualized Senior Experience (WISE) that encourages seniors to complete part of their credits by participating in unpaid internships, thus keeping seniors motivated.

By theearly 1990s, Courtney and Matthews started to expand their program. Today WISE operates in over 60 public and private high schools in 12 states.

Non-profit programs, such as WISE, are not the only organizations fighting to “cure” senioritis. In June of 2000, the federal government joined in, when U.S. Department of Education announced the establishment of Commission on the High School Senior Year. This commission, then headed by Kentucky Governor Paul Patton, convened together educators, experts, and students to change the senior year experience and curriculum so that seniors are more engaged.

But not everyone seems to join in “the crusade against senioritis.” The popular rock band, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, has a song titled “Senioritis” as a part of their 2009 “Lonely Road” Album. In this song, they urge to “skip classes, take chances, have fun cause when it’s over, it is done.”

► “SNAP OR DIE” continued, from front page

Unfortunately, the topic of bullying is quickly associated with SOD, mostly because it’s based on insults. When asked if they saw SOD as harassment, the group (nine at the time) was shocked.

“If anything, it’s the opposite,” senior Lloyd Jean said. “We learn to laugh, even if it’s at ourselves. You’re going to meet people in life who don’t like you; you have to learn to not take things so serious.”

Though noted as the founder and head of SOD, Forbes shares the credit with everyone in the group. Protégé Devin Edmond has quickly risen as the “Snapping King.”

With motor mouth capabilities, Edmond has become quite the favorite of onlookers and people commenting online.

For Edmond, this is great publicity for his chosen career.

“I want to be a comedian.

This can’t hurt,” Edmond said

Videos from other local schools have already been posted online, with younger members claiming to be “The Snap or Die Next Generation.” According to Edmond, it’s gone as far as his little sibling’s friends calling his phone and trying to “rip” on him.

“People have already started to imitate,” Williams said.

“They might try to continue it, but you can’t remake the original.”

One outstanding feature of SOD is the lack of drive for fame. Most of the members agreed they didn’t care weather the camera was on or not.

“Most of the best lines happen off camera. It can happen anytime and anywhere when we’re all together,” Drouinaud said.

The group shows no sign of slowing down with hopes of merchandise sales in the future.

“My goal is ten-thousand views with one video,” Williams said.

With the recognition they’ve received so far, that doesn’t seem too far out of reach.

Science & Health Page 15

The Lightning Strike • January 2011 PORTION SIZES

VITAMINS

“Supersized” portions are to blame

Multivitamins can curtail sleep

for obesity in America

By Helen Goldstein and Alice Neira science and health editor and staff writer It is no secret that obesity has become an epidemic in America.

In fact, the U.S. is ridiculed for being one of the world’s fattest industrialized nations. Perhaps one of the biggest contributors is the portion sizes Americans are accustomed to. Large portion sizes, which are accompanied by high calories and low nutrition, make overeating almost inevitable.

1. An average croissant in a Parisian bakery weighs slightly more than an ounce. But at Au Bon Pain, a croissant weighs more than two ounces and at Mrs. Fields, a butter croissant weighs about three and a half ounces. Triple the size equals triple the calories.

2. In Mexico, a quesadilla with chicken and cheese is usually wrapped in a five-inch tortilla and contains around 540 calories, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. In America, quesadilla fillings are often stuffed into ten-inch tortillas, doubling the caloric content.

Not only are serving sizes much greater in America than in other parts of the world, but they have also been increasing over time, and America’s waistbands have reacted accordingly.

1. The Hershey bar debuted in 1900 at 0.6 ounces. Today, its smallest “single” bar size is twice as big, and a Hershey bar also comes in sizes up to eight times as large.

2. Twenty years ago, movie popcorn contained five cups of popcorn and contained 270 calories. Today, a tub of movie

By Stephanie Liu spread editor

popcorn contains three times as much and around 630 calories.

3. Twenty years ago, a McDonald’s Cheeseburger contained 333 calories. Now, “supersized” portions at fast food chains are two to five times larger. Today’s McDonald’s Cheeseburger is 590 calories and has increased in size by 500 percent.

4. The USDA says that a burrito should weigh five ounces, but a chicken burrito at Chipotle weighs 21 ounces and delivers four times the calories.

5. When bagels were first introduced by Jewish émigrés, they were three inches in diameter and 140 calories. Today’s average bagel counts for three servings of bread and is now five to six inches in diameter and 350 calories.

According to Nation Master, 30.6 percent of Americans are classified as obese, which make

the U.S. the leading country in these statistics. In order to diminish both obese and overweight population percentages, Americans must learn to eat more with their minds and less with their taste buds.

People can’t rely on a scale to calculate how many pounds to lose, because cutting down some pounds is not as easy as it sounds.

Desperate to lose weight, people resort to absurd diets, even starvation, but in actuality these methods provide no results. Ironically, improper diets can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle.

Research shows that inactive lifestyles, cheap food production and the restaurant industry are some of the factors to blame.

Also, people do not control portion size nor calorie intake per meal, both key to a healthy, balanced diet.

Graphics by Alice Neira Cortez

Statistics on obesity in America Nearly 34 percent of adults are obese, more than double the percentage 30 years ago.

68 percent of adults and nearly onethird of children are considered at least overweight, with a body mass index of 25 or higher.

African-American adults have the highest obesity rates — 37 percent among men and nearly 50 percent among women.

Hispanic and black children have higher rates than non-Hispanic whites.

of equal or lesser value. One coupon per customer visit. Not valid with any other promotion or offer.

Mississippi has held the title of the fattest state for the fifth consecutive year with an obesity percentage of 33.8 percent.

70% of the children who suffer from the problem of obesity are bound to develop at least one of the major cardiovascular diseases in the future.

By Helen Goldstein science and health editor

Ten percent of all human beings ever born are alive at this very moment.

Expires 3/1/11

Astronauts cannot belch – there is no gravity to separate liquid from gas in their stomachs.

Millions of Americans take multivitamins daily, looking to get health benefits from them.

But when it comes to a good night’s sleep, can these pills do more harm than good?

Reports suggest that the intake of multivitamins shorten sleep and can lead to more frequent awakenings in the middle of the night. In a 2007 New York Times study, researchers recruited hundreds of subjects and investigated their sleep habits and use of vitamins and medications.

They then kept sleep diaries for two weeks.

After considering age, sex and other variables, the scientists discovered a slightly high rate of poor or interrupted sleep in people taking multivitamins.

However, because they found only a correlation, they could not rule out the possibility that people with poorer sleep are simply more likely to seek out medications.

If there is an effect, the problem is separating the impacts of individual vitamins. There is evidence that B vitamins may play a large role. Some studies have shown that ingesting vitamins B6 before bed can lead to vivid dreaming, which can wake people up. B6 helps the body convert tryptophan to serotonin, a hormone that affects sleep. Other studies have shown that vitamin B12 can affect melatonin levels, promoting wakefulness.

For those who suspect their multivitamins may be curtailing sleep, the best solution may just be to take the pills in the morning, or at least several hours before sleep.

Contrary to popular belief, there are actually thirteen (13) official zodiac constellations.

Ophiuchus the Serpent Holder is often left off the list.

Each person sheds 40 pounds of skin in his or her lifetime.

A sneeze generates a wind of 166 km/hr (100 miles/hour).

The Earth spins at 1,000 miles per hour, but it travels through space at an incredible 67,000 miles per hour.

Every hour, the Universe expands by a billion miles in all directions.

Rabbits and parrots can see behind themselves without even moving their heads.

Female black widow spiders eat their males after mating.

As well as having unique fingerprints, humans also have unique tongue prints.

courtesy of http://immenseknowledge.blogspot.com/ and http://www. sciencekids.co.nz/

Science & Health Page 16

NUTRITION

Eat This, Not That

By Helen Goldstein science and health editor People aren’t always aware of what they are consuming since large restaurant chains work hard to cover up the nutritional information of unhealthy products. Here are some food items sold at popular local restaurants and foods they can be replaced with. They may surprise you in their calorie and fat content.

1

Lays Classic Potato Chips contain 150 calories and 90 calories from fat per serving (about 15 chips).

Substitute this snack for Jensen’s Orchard Veggie Chips which contain 130 calories and 64 calories from fat per serving.

2

Half and Half Cream has 315 calories and 250 calories from fat per serving.

Replace this with evaporated milk which only has 40 calories and 18 calories from fat per serving.

Evaporated milk works the same as heavy cream in creamy soups.

3

Dark chocolate has 180 calories and 108 calories from fat per serving while cocoa powder has 100 calories and 0 calories from fat per serving.

Instead of baking with chocolate try cocoa powder. Cocoa powder has a deep, dark chocolate flavor but with less sugar, fat and calories.

4

Your Burger King BK Big Fish Sandwich contains 640 calories and 32 grams of fat.

Swap that for a McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish. A McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish contains 380 calories and 18 grams of fat.

5

A large Dunkin’ Donuts Frozen Cappuccino with Skim Milk contains 550 calories and 0 grams of fat.

Replace this with a Venti Starbucks Espresso Frappuccino Blended Coffee which only contains 290 calories and 3.5 grams of fat.

The Lightning Strike • January 2011

Alcohol whipped cream: the new fad

By Helen Montero staff writer

The issue of teens getting extremely intoxicated without realizing how much alcohol they have consumed has presented itself again.

“To experience CREAM you must be of a legal drinking age,” warns the front page of Givemecream.com. The site asks for your date of birth and, if below the age of 21, a message will appear denying access to the webpage due to your country’s regulations.

CREAM is the latest of alcoholinfused whipped creams. The 375 mL bottle contains 15 percent alcohol and comes in classic flavors like caramel, cherry, chocolate, orange, raspberry and vanilla.

If those five flavors weren’t enough to satisfy, then Whipped Lightning’s Whipahol might catch your interest. Whipahol is advertised as being the first of alcoholic whipped creams and contains a slightly higher alcohol content than CREAM, ranging from 16 to18 percent. Whipahol is available in a variety of flavors like hazelnut espresso, amaretto, spiced vanilla, tropical passion and coconut.

While this seems like a risk free addition to your hot chocolate or ice cream, there are dangers.

Researchers warn about the risks of masking alcohol with sugar, exemplified through Four Lokos.

Weeks after banning Four Lokos, regulators began to observe the alcoholic whipped creams in terms

of safety.

Although alcoholic whipped creams are not sold in some states, they can also be found at most online liquor stores; a list is available on their product websites.

Its easy accessibility contributes to the problem of underage alcohol consumption.

According to Whipped Lightning’s website, “whipped cream is not just for kids anymore.”

Those concerned with underage drinking could not agree more.

Apple’s iPhone and iPad coming to Verizon in February

By Anthony Cave web editor The world’s third largest mobile platform, Apple, and their popular handheld electronics, the iPhone and iPad, are “taking their talents” to Verizon Wireless.

The move ends AT&T’s stronghold over the iPhone and iPad as Verizon will become the first CDMA carrier, beating out competitors Sprint PCS and Metro PCS, for Apple’s flagship devices.

Current Verizon customers can get their hands on the iPhone 4 on Feb. 3, while new customers will have the opportunity to purchase the phone a week later.

The price is $199 for a two year contract with heavy fees if the mobile customer decides to terminate their contract.

For those who complain about AT&T’s poor service and expensive pricing, Verizon’s iPhone plan runs for $40 at the basic end, which includes 450 minutes. Data and texting is an additional $20 each.

The 16GB iPad is also available for $630, but includes a wireless hotspot.

This feature, which is also available on the iPhone, allows up to five people to have Wi-Fi access from any internet-compatible device.

“I can’t wait to get an iPhone when my [Verizon Wireless] plan ends,” senior Zohar Peleg said.

This transition also restores hope for a Metro PCS iPhone. Any CDMA phone can be “flashed” to Metro PCS, a process that allows a consumer to have any phone, including the iPhone, for $40 a month with unlimited calls, text and data.

However, some are hesitant

to switch.

“I am going to stay with my AT&T iPhone until I can see what Verizon can offer me,” science teacher David Buncher said. “I’m in no hurry to switch companies.”

While rumors are that Apple will refresh their iPad and iPhone lineup this summer, pre-orders are already pouring in on the Verizon Wireless website. In fact, Verizon gained more than 862,000 subscribers in the last quarter alone, even before the iPhone announcement. “iPhone 4. Verizon.

It begins,” the Verizon homepage reads.

Restaurant Review: Lifefood Gourmet

By Nicky Minski co-entertainment editor As a long-term vegetarian, I’m constantly on the lookout for new and innovative restaurants to accommodate my special mealtime needs. On my search, I came across Lifefood Gourmet, a vegan and raw food eatery that is devoted to serve customers healthy and natural foods.

Lifefood serves food without strange indigestible protein, runaway sugars, rancid fats, allergenic foods, dairy (casein/ whey), wheat (gluten), or other starchy hard to digest constituents.

All their ingredients are handpicked, thoroughly inspected, decoded from harmful EMF, and

mixed with the highest quality components available & at our disposal. This may sound like a lot of nonsense but this restaurant wants their customers to know that only the finest ingredients are used in their meals.

I entered the narrow but cozy restaurant and gazed up at the enormous menu that brightly hung over a long counter where all the ingredients were stored and prepared. An array of seasonings, dressings, vegetables, and fruits were neatly stored behind a glass so the diners can customize certain orders.

The prices were reasonable however I would have preferred a wider selection of foods to choose from. After deciding on a

vegetable pizza, I paid and took a seat at a table across from the register. My anticipation was cut short by a speedy waiter carrying over my delectable smelling pizza.

Immediately after my first bite I could taste the difference between any ordinary pizza and a pizza made with all fresh ingredients. The natural flavors danced along my taste buds in a fashion I have never experienced.

I left no evidence of ever even ordering a pizza, it was too delicious to leave for leftovers.

I departed Lifefood Gourmet Restaurant with a full stomach and a smiling face. The all natural ingredients were not only healthier for me, but good for my well-being.

Sports

The Lightning Strike • January 2011

Page 17

By the Numbers:

Basketball team chases the dream

4,000

dollars raised by coach “Shakey” used towards the Marriot Invitational tournament in Atlanta

84

“Shakey’s” winning percentage at Krop (173-32 record)

73

MICHELLE KIREL

Taking charge: Junior guard Darren Nagar drives past three defenders en route to a lay up last Thursday night at the Thunder Dome. The Lightning won 83-32.

consecutive boys basketball wins in the Thunder Dome

67

combined overall wins for Krop winter sports

26

combined losses for all Krop winter sports

Michelle Kirel

Winning streak: Junior guard Leeroy Rivera shoots a field goal in the Lightning’s 73 consecutive win at the Thunder Dome.

By Nathalie Prieto staff writer Ranked first in Florida as of Jan. 2011 by Max Prep, the boys’ basketball team has one thing in mind this season: the state championship.

Earlier in the year, several polls like the USA Today sports, ranked Krop’s boys’ basketball team among the best of the nation. Although they lost several games over winter-break, they are still ranked high in the polls.

Athletic Director Michael Kypriss talks about one factor that contributes to the success of the team.

“I give tribute to the coaching staff and the hard work players put in all the time for the success of the team,”

Kypriss said.

In order to face more rigorous competition, the team accompanied by Rodriguez and Kypriss, flew to Miller Grove, Georgia for the weekend where they played the Miller Grove Wolverines, the No. 2 nationally ranked team. With a triumphant effort, the lightning defeated the Wolverines 70-63.

“We’ve now beaten four teams in the top 25 in the country [Dwire, Miller Grove, Winter Park, Monrose]” Rodriguez said. “It makes a statement that we could play with anyone in the country.”

Aside from high rankings, Coach Marcos “Shakey” Rodriguez is more focused on getting the team to the end of the year’s state championship.

But the team tries not to let

the high rankings distract their focus on playing hard.

Senior co-captain Patrick George sees his teammates’ skill, positive chemistry on the court and “the best coach in the state” as reasons for their success.

Guard Trevin Torell envisions the team winning first place at states.

Torell views the intense practices and dedication to the sport as key roles in the team's success.

“When practicing, we not only want to better ourselves but make every teammate better,” Torell said.

After the team made it to semi-finals the previous year, they are determined to make it to the March state championship held in Lake Land, Florida.

Sports Former student follows his passion

The Lightning Strike • January 2011

Page 18

by Alexander Stella sports editor

Lynn University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability and/or age in administration of its educational and admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and /or other school-administered programs.

As most students graduate high school, they prepare for the end of a chapter in their lives and look forward to the future. For one Krop High graduate, the future looks bright.

Class of 2010 alum Blake Yagman received the opportunity of a lifetime as he entered his freshman year at the University of Miami, a spot on the Miami Hurricanes football coaching staff.

“I got the position by submitting my resume to [Head] Coach [Randy] Shannon’s secretary,” Yagman said. “as well as help from a couple close friends who are currently NFL Coaches that recommended me to a couple of the coaches on staff.”

Yagman is driven and dedicated so it is no surprise that he finds himself as the assistant Special Teams Coordinator and Tight Ends coach of a celebrated college football program.

“I started out coaching flag football,” Yagman said. “I was lucky enough to end up where I am today because I was able

Google.com

The coach looks on: Former Krop graduate, Blake Yagman, looks on as Tight End Asante Cleveland catches the ball in practice. Yagman was given his dream opportunity as a member of the Miami hurricanes coaching staff.

to make connections from coaching in just flag football, but at a high level.”

In his first year, Yagman’s responsibilities were but not limited to organizational work such as compiling playbooks and watching game film to conduct weekly scouting reports.

“In football, the job title never really includes everything that you are

responsible for,” Yagman said.

Krop staff are not surprised about Yagman’s success.

“I’m thrilled for him.”

Athletic Director Michael Kypriss said. “Blake always wanted to get involved sports, if he wasn’t going to play, he was going to be involved in some capacity.”

Kypriss feels this experience is a stepping stone for a long and prosperous

coaching career, either at the collegiate or professional level.

Of course passion and commitment are not enough to achieve this kind of success.

Yagman excelled academically in his four years at Krop.

He gained the admiration of his teachers who deemed him a bright student, full of potential.

“Blake was always hard

working in the classroom,” Yagman’s former chemistry teacher Carlos Montero said.

“His work ethic is sure to help him reach his destiny in the sports world.”

As for his work over the past few months, Yagman describes the experience as invaluable.

“For me, the experience was priceless because not only did I double my knowledge of the game itself, but I learned what the lifestyle of a collegiate or pro coach is actually like,” Yagman said.

Yagman believes that his respect and commitment give him the upper hand in pursuing his position.

“A lot of people try to get into this field for the wrong reasons, and because of that it is very competitive; however, the people who are the most passionate and most dedicated will end up being the most fruitful,” Yagman said.

“Start early and focus on your work ethic more than anything else; you need to treat everything you do as if it is your Super Bowl, because you never know who is actually watching.”

LY NN UNIVERSITY

Consider what sets Lynn University in Boca Raton apart: • financial aid packages that make a private college education affordable • one-on-one attention from faculty • finish your degree in 3 years with Lynn Degree 3.0 • an environment that emphasizes campus involvement and exploring your potential • a value-added experience through outstanding internships and connections

Stay Closer to Home.

GO FARTHER IN LIFE. 3601 N. Military Trail | Boca Raton, FL 33431 | www.lynn.edu

Selected areas of study: Aviation Management Biology Business Communication Criminal Justice

Come to an open house

Education Fashion Management Hospitality Management Psychology Sports Management

Saturday, Oct. 16

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 17

5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 11

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To schedule a personal tour call 561-237-7545 or go online to www.lynn.edu/stayclose

The Lightning Strike • January 2011

Fun and Games Page 19

Try to fill in the missing numbers.

Use the numbers 1 through 9 to complete the equations.

Each number is only used once.

Each row is a math equation. Each column is a math equation.

Remember that multiplication and division are performed before addition and subtraction.

.. . . .. .

More than ten people a year are killed by vending machines.

The game Monopoly was originally circular.

A portion of the water you drink has already been drunk by someone else.

While leaving the bottle, Heinz ketchup travels at the speed of about 25 miles per year.

In Quitman, Georgia, it is illegal for a chicken to cross the road.

Rubber is one of the ingredients in bubble gum.

Ninety-seven percent of all paper currency in the United Stateshas traces of cocaine on it.

www.funfactz.com

News

tops Page 2

KROP’S

Junior Ariel Snihur appeared on Deco Drive Jan. 25 to promote and perform songs from her album “Rhythms of Life.”

Congratulations to the following students for their work in the Scholastics Art Awards Competition: Senior Gabriela Epellboim First Place- Gold Key Senior Yolanta Chikova Second Place- Silver Key Senior Lia Zamor Portfolio Finalist Junior Jessica Vachon Junior Michelle Zuchowiki Sophomore Mariajose Rincon Freshman Diane Amaya In photography: Senior Lauren Henschel Gold Key Portfolio Finalist Francheska Martinez Gold Key Portfolio Finalist and Silver Key Finalist Senior Janella Melendez Senior Anna Milczewski Senior Arianne Milhem Senior Giovanni Numpaque Senior Kassandra Pasa Senior Amanda Senft Their work will be displayed at the Miami Art Museum until Feb. 13.

In ceramics: Senior Paige Rawitz First place- Gold Key Senior Michael Karp Second place- Silver Key

As of January 2011, boys’ basketball is ranked number one in Florida.

Girls’ basketball won the first round of the GMAC’s. They have now progressed onto the top four.

Invisible Children has been approved as a club, part of SHAPE. The first meeting will take place on Jan. 31.

Officer elections will take place in a later specified date.

Special education teacher Kim Ferriera is planning a presentation on “sexting” in order to educate students of its danger.

Compiled by Eric Eidelstein

Lightning Strike •January2008 2011 The LightningThe Strike • September

From local to global:

What’s going on around the world?

United States: Actress Anne Hathaway has been chosen to play Catwoman in Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises.” The film will be the final chapter to the critically acclaimed “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight.”

Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier as been charged with corruption, embezzlement and wrongful association.

Rome, Italy: Mt. Etna, a volcano in Italy, began spewing lava. Scientists claim that the volcano’s minor eruption does not pose a threat to people.

Geneva, Switzerland: The United Nations, at a meeting, declared 2010 the warmest year ever - tying with 2005 and 1998.

Idaho, United States: A 29-year-old woman with two children won the $380 million Mega Millions jackpot. She is the second person to win.

New York, United States: Apple has announced their best quarter year ever, selling about $26.7 billion of merchandise.

Jerusalem, Israel: The wife of Israeli President Shimon Peres, Sonia Peres, passed away at the age of 87 in her home.

United States: An application is available that allows iPhone and Blackberry users to pay for Starbucks from their phones.

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil: A landslide in Brazil, considered one of the worst landslides in decades, has left 207 people missing and 727 dead.

Los Angeles, United States: Hundreds of tarantulas were shipped to the United States by a German man who now faces charges for federal smuggling.

Madrid, Spain: The police force in Madrid discovered the largest cocaine lab known to date in Europe.

Iran: Software downloads will now be offered by Google for people in Iran. sources: CNN.com MSNBC.com

Compiled by Eric Eidelstein

NETWORKING

By Lauren Maldonado staff writer Chris Hughes, co-founder of Facebook and chief digital organizer for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, launched Jumo, which he describes as a social network for social activism.

On Nov. 30 2010, his website was initiated. He is on a mission to make charities easier for people to learn about.

Jumo, which means “together in concert” in Yoruba, a west African language, is a nonprofit

: organization providing people with the opportunity to share their opinions on issues happening across the globe.

“The more connected an individual is to an issue they care about, the higher probability there is they will stay involved over a longer period of time,” Hughes said.

The purpose of the site is to raise awareness for charities and organizations. As of now, Jumo supports 3,500 charities dealing with over 200 issues around the world such as poverty, human rights and

Florida mathematics assessments go digital

By Alexandra Garfinkle managing editor The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) and subject specific testing will, for the first time in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, be taken online.

This shift from paper based testing is driven by a change in Sunshine State Standards, which were first adopted in 2007.

This will ultimately lead to the institution of subject-oriented exams rather than more general ones like the FCAT. Math teacher and department chair Andrew Kearns sees the change as an opportunity for increased attention to the curriculum. “[In the new subject tests,] the curriculum drives the test as opposed to the test overtaking

the curriculum,” Kearns said.

Four tests will be taken online, including two incarnations of the FCAT: FCAT for re-takers and the final administration of the regular tenth grade FCAT. Unlike previous years, this year’s regular FCAT will have no extended response or short response, allowing for machine scoring. The other two tests are the subject specific Geometry and Algebra I exams. The Geometry exam is an experimental “field” test, while the Algebra I test is a requirement.

“Currently, all ninth graders – and anyone enrolled in an Algebra I course – will be required to take the Algebra I assessment,” Kearns said.

For Algebra I students, the results of the exam will account for 30 percent of their final grade.

Students will have the

the latest in social networking wildlife preservation.

To sign up, you must have a Facebook account. Facebook links Jumo to your account and answers a section on issues that most concern you. Once those questions are answered, Jumo gives the user the opportunity to select issues and organizations they want to follow.

Once the user decides which projects they want to follow, they receive the latest news and updates for that issue. YouTube videos as well as Twitter posts are added. Anyone can add a project to the site; however,

donations can only be made if the administrator of the cause qualifies for tax exempt status.

Jumo does not hound its users for donations at the start. First, they let the user find organizations they are interested in and later, they may make donations.

“I don’t believe you can start a donate page and expect people to whip out their credit cards and click donate,” Hughes was quoted in a Nov. 29, L.A. Times article. “It takes time for people to get to know a cause or an organization.”

Hughes is reaching out to “friend” the nonprofit world.

“

“

[In the new subject tests,] the curriculum drives the test as opposed to the test overtaking the curriculum.

opportunity to experience online test-taking before May, as the math department will be schedule a professional development. Additionally, the administration is scheduling “simulation” days for students to have exposure to the testing program.

Some students are concerned about this shift from traditional methods of testing.

”

“Different kids learn in different ways,” senior Valeria Ayala said. “How can you put everyone on a computer? They may not be able to process the information in the same way as they would on paper and will then not do nearly as well as they might have.”

This information is as of January 18. It is subject to change.

PHOTOs OF THE MONTH Monday

Tuesday 2

1

7 On this day in 1926 Carter G. Woodson created Black History week.

14

8

Valentine’s Day 21

Social Studies Honor Society at 2:25 in 2228 Gay-Straight Alliance at 2:25 in 2243

9 Best Buddies at 2:35 in 2215

Genshiken Club at 2:25 in 2259

Step Club at 2:25 in 2254

ELF at 2:30 in 2244

15

In 1923 Bessie Smith came out with her first recording on this day.

22 Best Buddies at 2:35 in 2215 Step Club at 2:25 in 2254

Thursday

Wednesday

16

4

3

Rosa Parks was born this day in 1913 .

10

In 1966 Andrew

Brimmer became the first African American governor of the Ferderal Reserve on this day.

17 FBLA at 2:25 in 2186

Anti-Bullying District Presentation in the Auditorium.

Friday

Creative Writing Society at 2:30 in 2235 Debate at 2:25 in 2228

23 Class of 2012 Ring 24 Ceremony in the Debate at 2:25 in 2228 Auditorium. Creative Writing Society at 2:30 in 2235

11 National Honor Society at 2:25 in Auditorium MARIA CARLA-CANIZARES-OTERO

18

No School Teacher Planning Day 25

Hirman R. Revels became the first African American U.S senator on this day in 1870.

28 In 2002 Vonetta Flowers

on this day became the first African American gold medalist of the Winter Olympics.

RETURNING HARVARD ALLUMNI: Silver Knight winner for General Scholarship in 2010, Ethan Addicott visited Krop during his winter vacation to help current Silver Knight nominees with their applications. “I owe this institution a debt of gratitude, because it offered me the opportunity to succeed in Harvard, both academically and in extracurriculars,” Addicott said.

Celebrate Black History Month

MANUEL QUIROGA

SPREADING HAPPINESS: Best Buddies took their members to Pirate’s Dinner Adventure and Islands of Adventure in Orlando on January 20, 2010 for their yearly friendship fieldtrip. “ Friendship is something that benefits the buddies, peer buddies, and chaperones, so everyone wins with the trip,” SPED teacher Manuel Quiroga said.

News Page 3

The Lightning Strike • January 2011

CAFETERIA

UPDATE

Every morning kids pile into the cafeteria for the free breakfast provided for students, but leave untouched cereal containers behind. Science teacher Fredrick Goldman does not want unopened cereal boxes in the garbage.

Goldman began to collect the uneaten cereal in September and by Dec. 19 was able to donate 300 individual bowls of cereal to El Buen Vecino (The Good Neighbor) Presbyterian Church in Kissimmee.

“I just glean the tables, picking them up,” Goldman said. “With all the hungry people around, I don't think they should go to waste.”

The donation was given to the Church’s Good Samaritan Outreach Program, which every month serves food to the needy living in the Osceola Community.

Goldman is now collecting a second set of 300 cereal containers to donate to the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA).

By Ariana Rogers feature editor

Unopened cereal boxes Haitian election donated to the hungry causes friction The outcome of Haiti’s Nov. 28th elections had the nation in disarray about controversies as accuracy over the results were questioned.

The election left former First Lady, Mirtande Manigat, with 31 percent of the votes; member of President Rene Prevals Inite Party, Jude Celestin, with 22.28 percent; and Haitian pop star, Michel “Sweet Micky” Martelly with 21.84 percent.

These statistics were inconsistent with the published results of the National Election Observation Council, as well as with reports by official U.S. observers.

Reports of stuffed ballot boxes, trashed poll stations and people voting multiple times pointed to sabotage on the part of the government in the

Students work for community

-SHARON SABBAGH

Spanish Honors Society uploads classic book to YouTube

By Maria Carla Canizares Otero photo editor One of the most translated books of literature, Don Quijote de la Mancha will now be available on YouTube, read by Spanish speakers all over the world, including Krop students Ivan Levi-hara and Kevin Gerszuny. It is a classic 17th century novel portraying the adventures of a man gone crazy with his dreams about chilvary.

The Real Academia Española (RAE), an official association of the Spanish Language, in union with You Tube has created a reading of Don Quijote in which people sign up and receive a paragraph of Don Quijote they must read. They then record themselves reading it, and afterwards upload it to YouTube. The Spanish Honor Society made this activity public to the members as a community service activity.

“I liked uploading the video because I feel that Don Quijote is a novel that connects all Spanish speakers since it is one of the most read novels in the world,” Gerszuny said.

Students will be reading up to seven chapters of Don Quijote, due to the time constraints of an AP class.

election. Disorganization on the part of the government had both candidates and citizens demand a recount. On Election Day, 12 of 18 candidates, including Manigat, held a news conference that called for the results to be suspended.

People took to the streets, especially those who were upset that Martelly wasn’t one of the top two for the run-off.

They protested for three days straight. After results were released on the 28th, Martelly’s supporters barricaded Petionville restaurant, where tallies were announced. Rocks were thrown at people who walked by and shots were fired.

Disorganization during the election left some nations reluctant to donate money to Haiti’s unstable government after the disastrous earthquake.

The run-off is scheduled for Jan. 16.

“Don Quijote is important to the Spanish literature because it has influenced the works of modern Hispanic writers such as Nobel Prize winners Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Mario Vargas Llosa,” AP Spanish literature teacher Gilda Nissenberg said.

The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha was originally published in 1605 and 1615 in two volumes. With 500 million speakers worldwide, Spanish is often called “the language of Cervantes,” due to the impact the novel had on the Spanish language.

“I enjoy reading El Quijote for its many satirical interpretations and meanings behind the story,” VicePresident of the Spanish Honor Society Pablo Storch said.

“It can be interpreted as a satire for not only the Spanish kingdom, but also the novels of knighthood.”

Don Quijote de la Mancha may have been written over three centuries ago, but it includes topics such as beauty, liberty and justice, germane to society today. RAE and members of the project are not only celebrating the Spanish language, but also these universal truths which remain immortal in the pages of this novel.

The second Monday of each month, six students sit at a head table surrounded by their peers. Their goal: to give the youth a voice in their community.

These students make up the Youth Advisory Board (Y.A.B), a city council composed of students in grades five through 12. Y.A.B. members meet at the North Miami Beach City Hall to organize community service projects.

“The Youth Advisory Board provides students with personally meaningful projects that give them a sense of fulfillment that they wouldn't find by filing papers in an office,” junior Aubrey Steiger, Y.A.B Vice President, said.

Board members hosted a non-profit open mic night last year in order to promote culture and student expression.

The Knowledge Bowl, an academic competition sponsored by the board, occurs each year. Different elementary, middle and high schools compete in a trivia challenge to win trophies and pride for their schools.

Along with conducting community projects, the board works closely with councilmen and city directors. They witness the underground workings of the city and gain hands-on experience.

The Krop students who are already involved with the board are pleased with what they have gained.

“A lot of kids complain about the city. Being on the Youth Advisory Board, if you have a problem, you can take it directly to someone with real authority,” sophomore Megan Miller, Y.A.B historian, said.

-LEIGH MARKWOITZ

CORRECTIONS: On last issue’s front page, we said Gonzalez died in Iraq; he died in Afghanistan.

On the second page, under “Krops Tops” we said that the Audio Visual Club had recorded videos of after school activities. As of now, the Audio Visual Club has not been recording after school.

On the calendar page, the “Winter Crossword was missing numbers and instructions.

Editorial

The Lightning Strike • January 2011

Page 4

STAFF EDITORIAL

To let go of the “N word” is to let go of history In My Opinion Ariana

Rogers feature editor

I’ll be the first to admit that I still get a queasiness in the pit of my stomach whenever I hear the “n word” being used in any context. Maybe it’s because the lingering images of slaves being lynched and whipped to death still haunt me to this day. Or maybe it’s because I’m not ignorant to the pain this word caused my people in the past and its purpose to demean my ancestors in order to make an entire race feel superior to another. To this day, the word still causes tension, bringing up memories of a time when African Americans were hosed down and attacked by dogs in the middle of the street, just for being so called niggers.

Most people see this as reason enough to eliminate any evidence of the use of the word. This is the opposite of what should be done.

Recently, Mark Twain’s scholar Alan Gribben of Auburn University decided to remove 219 references of the “n word” in the novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and replace it with the word “slave” instead.

But taking this word out of its context is diminishing the story of its true value.

It is my belief that Twain didn’t use this word in his writing to offend his readers, but to reflect the reality of the past. The story comes from a time where this term

was commonly accepted. Instead of taking offense to the use of the word in the text, we should see the lesson behind the reference and address the hard questions readers are sure to have. In fact, this text can be used as an introduction to the history of the word and why African Americans were called this in the story.

In an attempt to mask the hurt the word caused in the past, recent generations have changed its meaning to the point where it’s a commonly used as a substitute for the words “brother” or “friend”. Griebben is, in a sense, doing the same by trying to replace the “n word” with the less offensive “slave.” Huckleberry Finn reminds us of its past purpose- to humiliate African Americans and remind them of a time when they were treated and thought of as less than human.

Like it or not, this book shows the history of the “n word” and we must take from it what we can.

These are our roots; this is what America was built on. It’s nice to paint the pretty picture of the pilgrims and Native Americans having Thanksgiving and gaining our independence from Britain, but it’s another thing entirely to introduce a book like Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that brings us back to a time when African Americans were terrorized.

The fact that we want to shield our youth from it by taking any mention of the word out is disturbing on so many levels.

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The Lightning Strike is the student newspaper of Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School: 1410 Countyline Road, Miami, FL 33179; (305) 652-6808 Ext. 238. Opinions expressed in the editorial section do not reflect the viewpoints or official policies of the school. The Lightning Strike welcomes readers’ opinions on all topics. However, we will NOT print anonymous letters.

Please keep letters under 150 words and saved to disk if possible. The editors reserve the right to reject, edit and condense letters. All letters should be turned in to room 2-233.

CHRIS DOUGNAC

Letters

Midterms should be given after winter break Dear Krop Administration,

I would like to thank you for having the midterm exams after winter break, as this made taking the grueling two-hour-long exams that much more fun. By allowing us two entire weeks to forget material that was taught four months ago, the tests gained a certain level of spontaneity and suspense, each question a chance to be confused and bewildered by information that I didn’t understand.

Moreover, I think psychologists and health insurances will be grateful for the scheduling change. Students were supposed to study during their winter vacation. Obviously, they did not because that would defy the purpose of a VACATION, but had to deal with the nagging reminder that they would have six tests when school started again. Psychiatrists report an influx of Krop students displaying classic symptoms of stress and a medley of other disorders due to overexertion. I’m sure their revenues increased.

To summarize, postponing the midterms was a great idea, so thanks.

Andrea Platt Grade 11

Teachers should take time to acknowledge MLK

Last Monday was Martin Luther King’s commemoration, yet to many students it was merely a day off.

Many teachers fail to emphasize the importance of this day due to our busy curriculum, but I believe that King’s history should be taught. A simple conversation about the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. King’s association would be significant, as our generation is losing the importance of major figures of the past. We are a school with such a diverse population, which gives teachers a bigger reason to review Black History and especially Martin Luther King Jr. One must remember that it was Dr. King who opened the door for integration. King’s speech foresees the state that Krop is in.

Maria Paton Grade 11

Portables are not suitable for science classes Science classes in the portables are such a bad idea. There is no room to do anything. The portables are already small and adding 28 more kids creates a big problem. At the beginning of the year, we were asked to pay a four dollar lab fee. However, in my science class we can’t even do labs because it is too crowded and there is no room to move around desks. The portable classrooms don’t have projectors, which is also a problem. The teacher sits and gives an oral lecture at the front of the class, but when it’s time for a test we don’t have notes cause we did not know exactly what to copy.

Traevon Cooper Grade 9

Opinion

The Lightning Strike • January 2011

Page 5

TECHNOLOGY

Xbox Kinect sex program promotes indecency In My Opinion Sebastian

Elejade staff writer

The new controller-free motion sensor Kinect for the Xbox 360 is the latest technology at risk of being marketed for the wrong reason. A gaming company called ThriXXX is currently developing a sex simulation game that they hope will be certified for the Xbox console.

The problem with this is that ThriXXX, which specializes in 3-D adult games, is just another attempt by a pornographic distributor to cash in on an innocent, family-friendly gaming system.

Players get enough virtual reality and 3-D as it is without having to worry about the addition of using their consoles for smut. With ThriXXX, the younger generation using Xbox Kinect will be exposed to a whole smorgasbord of games that would either be released or sold over the counter due to their Adults Only rating.

When new devices like Kinect are released, it is not long before investors find a way to use it for a different purpose than it was intended. Xbox developer Microsoft is trying to accomplish what video games have long since been lacking: physically interactive entertainment. Some folks like ThriXXX, however, are taking this message to a new extreme.

Granted, Microsoft has already said that the idea of Adults Only content for Kinect will not get the green light, but this hasn’t stopped ThriXXX’s vice president from

announcing the release of a working demo for the game as early as April 2011. They are almost as persistent as they are inappropriate.

The demand for such a game will depend on the general public’s morals. Some will be disgusted at the idea of sex simulation as a video game; others will see it as a great advancement for Xbox, the console which already markets violence and even murder. Companies like ThriXXX can instigate all they want, but in the end it’s a matter of what is right for Microsoft and the gaming consumers.

STUDENT LIFE

Snap or Die trend: How far is too far?

In My Opinion Gabriela

Mckenzie staff writer

Many students have heard or witnessed the term “Snap or Die” lurking throughout their classes.

For those who have not heard about the infamous “Snap or Die,” it is an insult war that goes on between two or more people.

The person that says the harshest remarks about another person and makes other students laugh at their remarks is considered the best.

Students who cannot “snap” or insult others with the most offensive comments basically “die,” or take the harsh treatment while being laughed at.

Although there are acceptable shows like “Roasts” in which contestants are insulted, they are meant for entertainment. The real question is whether “Snap or Die”

is a form of bullying.

It may seem like fun and games to the student who watches, but what if a participant is feeling ashamed or embarrassed by the comments thrown at them?

A typical dialogue might

sound like this: “Yo acne so bad it looks like a volcano erupted on yo face,” yells one person.

“Yo teeth so big and crooked

STUDENT OPINION

Have we progressed since the Civil War?

it look like it got ran over by the metro bus,” shouts another.

“You so fat it looks like all you eat is mayonnaise,” hollers one more. All the students surrounding the circle roar with amusement.

So is this funny or does it hurt?

The battles I have seen in class are ruthless and some of them get personal. Even though most

Sports editor

Paul Graham, 12

“Racism has decreased because there has been more diversity and Obama is president.”

Sonya Guimet, 12

“I’d say racism has lessened, but not as in the open as before.”

Anthony Onalaja, 12

“The punishment for sexting should be harsh so that kids realize the consequences that it will have on their futures. Sending a naked picture of oneslf now can end up forever on the Internet. The law should impress upon them the severity of this concept.”

Jessica Fishbein English

“If a child is caught doing it, they will be labeled a sex offender forever. They need to take it seriously because the label will follow them for the rest of their lives.”

Linda Wills Language Arts and Reading

“You might catch a computer virus but not an STD, so in a way, it’s safer.”

Carlos Montero Chemistry

“Persons who forward images of themselves are likely trafficking in child pornography.”

John Zoeller Social Studies

Learning from lost lives is essential to all Alexander Stella

“I think racism is worse in schools, but not as bad in politics.

People still treat black people differently, but it’s not as bad as it used to be.”

Ashley Goldman, 10

Teachers speak out on “sexting”

OBITUARY

In My Opinion

“Racism has become worse.

Why else then, would they stop every Indian or Middle Eastern for random checks at airports?”

students that partake in “Snap or Die” will tell you it’s your choice if you want to battle, I’ve seen instances where someone singles out a student or “victim” to start insulting, and the pursuer follows them even if the student tries to walk away.

On Youtube.com, videos of Krop students participating in “Snap or Die” battles depict how targets are singled out. Students are even trying to establish a “Snap or Die” movement in order to involve students from other schools.

Maybe if students toned down the insults then these exchanges wouldn’t be so bad, but this movement will continue to gather supporters as it becomes widespread.

Students should remember the effects their words can have on a person and keep in mind a message President Obama once said, “Talk with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds.”

FACULTY

As a journalist, I find that there is nothing more mundane than the “In Loving Memory” obituary. No matter the amount of grief one feels, words always come up short in conveying the agony of death. And yet it never ceases to amaze me that death is a learning experience – for a time.

McKoy Clarke….Camilo De La Loza….Christopher Belle….Gedeon Preval. A moment of silence please for those who entered this school with me in August 2007 and will not walk on that stage in June.

Each of these tragedies were followed with the expected thoughts and prayers for the families, financial donations

and thoughts of one’s own morality and that fine line between life and death. But then we carry on as if the loss of life was no more than an overlooked tabloid.

It seems simple enough.

However, even the passing of fellow students seems insufficient in showing kids how fragile life is. Everyday, I witness students who take foolish and unnecessary risks.

Alcohol abuse, swerving through traffic, even momentarily driving in an on coming traffic lane just to get ahead of one car. To students reading this, it sounds like a paranoid teenager, but perhaps they fail to realize that one too many or one split second mistake could be the one that they will never be able to take back.

With youth, there is an essence of invincibility that goes along with the “that will

never happen to me” attitude.

This arrogant mentality leads to more risk taking and poor decisions by this care free generation.

We need to seize a new respect and appreciation for the simple advantages of life, such as running water and indoor plumbing. I don’t deny the importance of enjoying and living life to the fullest; but not at the risk of life itself.

If we get too carried away taking chances and making bad decisions for short term gains, we’ll have nothing to live for in the long run.

It’s far too cliché to say that we should be thankful for the things we have. I think it’s more appropriate to say we should understand the ephemeral nature of life. We should understand and appreciate this small amount of time and don’t disrespect it with reckless risks and choices.

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Entertainment

The Lightning Strike • January 2011

Page 7

MOVIE REVIEW

Black Swan graces the silver screen

“I had the craziest dream last night, about a girl who was turned into a swan. But her prince falls for the wrong girl and she kills herself,” says Natalie Portman’s character, Nina Sayers, at the beginning of the film Black Swan.

As a ballet company under the direction of the flirtatious Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassell) begins production for the renowned Swan Lake, Sayers, a fragile but brilliant dancer, is chosen for the lead, a role that requires her to play both the white and black swan. She is perfectly fit for the innocent white swan, but has difficulty mastering the seductiveness required for the black swan.

Director Darren Aronofsky has perfected his craft in creating strong-willed protagonists who battle and eventually succumb to their internal conflicts. In The Wrestler he introduces us to an aging man unwilling to retire from a career that leaves him isolated. In Requiem for a Dream, he shows four drug-addicted people desperate to reach their goals but destroy themselves in the process. Black Swan is no exception when it comes to obsession and destruction.

From the start one can tell that Sayers suffers from obsessivecompulsive behavior.

She picks her fingernails and scratches her back to the point of infection. In addition, Sayers’ mother (Barbara Hershey), a smoldering and controlling woman, attempts to live through her daughter after pregnancy forces her to abandon her own ballet career.

Shortly after getting chosen for the lead role, Sayers’ life turns to madness.

In comes Lily (Mila Kunis), a sensual dancer from San Francisco who is a threat and possible love interest to Sayers.

After the way Leroy so easily replaced his former lead dancer, Beth MacIntyre (Winona Ryder), Sayers becomes afraid that Lily is out for her role, which adds to her paranoia.

As the date of the show approaches, Nina becomes more fearful, and in a Kafkaesque manner, she finds herself turning into a swan. Her back sprouts razor-sharp feathers, her legs become disgustingly distorted, and her eyes

and the physical dedication she put in is impressive. Her performance however, as an actress, is what makes the film so spectacular.

Taylor Silver contributed to this article

. . .

Fast Facts: Black Swan

Natalie Portman was chosen for the lead role before the movie was even finished being written.

She had trained in ballet for the role years before the movie’s release.

Mila Kunis, who plays the role of Lily, was chosen for the part without an audition.

She was suggested by Natalie Portman.

By Alexandra Feuerman editor-in-chief

Deadmau5 In an interview with MTV news, Joel Thomas Zimmerman, Deadmau5, told how he chose his stage name: “A mouse went into my computer and died, and I found him in there when I was changing a video card. So, I was talking to people online about it, and everyone started calling me that dead mouse guy, so it just stuck. The five is just because I couldn’t spell out d-e-a-d-m-o-us-e because it was too long of a name to have in that chat room, so I had to trim it a character, so I put a five there.”

Plain White T’s Tom Higgenson and Dave Trio, the two original band members of Plain White T’s, chose their band name after having a bunch of other names because of the image it represents. “We sat on the name the Plain White Ts and thought about the image it represents and what it has represented over the past 50, 60 years of pop culture.

www.associatedcontent.com

Marilyn Manson Brian Hugh Warner took on the stage-name “Marilyn Manson” because he wanted to express how he felt about the music industry. He took the names from Marilyn Monroe, a movie Wiz Khalifa star, and Charles Manson, a serial killer. According to Cameron Jibril Thomaz, a.k.a Manson, “I picked that as the Wiz Khalifa, took the stagefakest stage name of all to say name Khalifa, from the Arabic word meaning “successor,” and that this is what show business is, fake. Marilyn Monroe wasn’t wisdom, which was shortened to Wiz. Khalifa told spinner.com even her real name, Charles that the name “Wiz” came from Manson isn’t his real name, and being called “young Wiz ‘cause now, I’m taking that to be my I was good at everything I did.” real name. But what’s real? You can’t find the truth, you just pick the lie you like the best.”

s.co m

news editor

fella

Eidelstein

film

Eric

disturbingly bloodshot, but is it all real? Or has the pressure of the role gotten to her?

Although the film may seem melodramatic, it successfully displays elements that make it a fantastic psychological thriller. The film deals with the common archetypes of young vs. old, black vs. white, and good vs. evil. In fact, the film is so relevant to the field of psychology, I wouldn’t be surprised if psychology teachers Michael Fass and Judith Gelber encourage their students to see it.

Despite being a little racy for an average audience, Black Swan has been critically and financially successful. It has Fox Searchlights highest pertheater average gross ever, and ranks 21st on the all-time list of highest-per-theater average gross.

The key to its critical acclaim is the performance of the lead star Natalie Portman.

Portman trained 10 months for the role and lost 20 pounds in order to pull off the anorexiclike physique required to play Nina Sayers. Most of the ballet stunts are her own footwork,

ww w.th e

In My Opinion

BLACK SWAN: Pictured is Natalie Portman as her character, Nina Sayers, a ballerina in Black Swan. The film was nominated a record 12 awards at the Critics Choice Awards.

The Black Eyed Peas Bruno Mars Peter Gene Hernandez adopted the stage-name Bruno Mars from a nickname his father gave him. He added the name Mars to make it name stand out. “I felt like I didn’t have no pizzazz, and a lot of girls say I’m out of this world, so I was like I guess I’m from Mars,” Mars said in an interview.

Atban Klann, which consisted of will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Dante Santiago, changed their name after the death of their owner, Eazy-E, to Black Eyed Pods.

They later changed their name to Black Eyed Peas because, according to the front cover of the Monkey Business album, will.i.am considered their music “food for the soul.”

Entertainment Page 8

The Lightning Strike • January 2011

YEAR IN REVIEW

A look back at 2010

By Gabriela McKenzie staff writer

From natural disasters, to gadgets, to sports and pop stars, 2010 was a year of major headlines.

A YEAR OF DISASTERS

 For 86 days, the BP oil spill ravaged the Gulf of Mexico in the largest accidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry. A sea-floor oil gusher exploded on April 20, spilling 53,000 barrels of oil per day into the Gulf until it was finally capped on July 15.  Multiple natural disasters took place such as snow storms in the Northern U.S., massive floods which consumed a fifth of Pakistan, an unyielding heat wave that destroyed onethird of Russia’s wheat crops and an earthquake that killed 300,000 people in Haiti.

NEW FACES IN POP CULTURE

 According toYahoo.com, the top ten searches of 2010 were the BP oil spill, the World Cup, Miley Cyrus,

Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga, iPhone, Megan Fox, Justin Bieber, American Idol, and Britney Spears.  The letter “I” became a hot commodity with the iPhone 4, iPad, iPod Nano and iPod Touch, selling out in mega quantities, especially during the holidays.  Tween pop sensation Justin Bieber made musical history as the youngest solo artist to have two albums in the U.S. Billboard Top 200 and the youngest solo male to hit the top spot since Stevie Wonder.

With a sold out tour and his albums My World and My World 2.0 going platinum, 16-year-old Bieber made the girls and music industry swoon for him.

A YEAR OF REVOLUTION

 The people have spoken and the government has answered. With the health care bill, recalls in products and food, finance reform and unemployment at an all time high, the government is scrambling to find a decision

that suits the needs of all people.

SPORTS TRIUMPHS

 Thanks to the FIFA World Cup in Africa, June to July 11, soccer jerseys became fashionable as fans were exposed to 127 buzzing decibels of a vuvuzela, the plastic horn that came to symbolize the 19th world championship for men’s football, or soccer.

Spain won against the Netherlands1-0, making them the world champs.  In another coup, Pat Riley managed to land the “Three Kings,” making the Miami Heat a force to contend with.

Presently, they are second in the Eastern Conference behind the Boston Celtics.

Like any other year, 2010 has brought changes for the better and the worse.

“With all the events that occurred in 2010 a tsunami of emotions came along with them,” junior Fils-Aime said. “I just hope 2011 turns out to be better.”

THEATER

Spiderman hits Broadway

By Taylor Silver staff writer At $65 million dollars, the new Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark musical is said to be the most costly and intricate production in Broadway history.

Based on the popular Marvel comic books, the show tells the story of teenager Peter Parker and his transformation after being bit by a genetically-altered spider.

Turn Off the Dark, a rock musical, is directed by Julie Taymor (Across the Universe, Frida) and U2’s Bono and The Edge composed the music and lyrics.

During its first preview performance, audience members waited on five occasions while the show stopped for technical problems. Actor Christopher Tierney broke four ribs, cracked three vertebrae, and had to undergo back surgery as a result of a fall during a show. A stunt man fell 30 feet during rehearsal and actress Natalie Mendoza decided to leave the show

after suffering from a concussion.

Reviewers’ opinions of the show have been overshadowed by its web of technical difficulties.

Freshman Blake Mars saw the production in December and said that the producers came on stage before the show and warned the audience of the dangerous stunts, but said they were confident the show would run smoothly. “The show was really awkward with all of the pauses in between songs…

I would have preferred a more simple show that focused on the storyline and music instead of focusing on dangerous and unpredictable stunts.”

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Enrique Iglesias Hard Rock Live February 10

Salt-N-Pepa James L. Knight Center February 11

George Lopez Hard Rock Live February 25 Ozzy Osbourne Bank Atlantic Center February 20

Complied by Nicky Minski Illustration by Stephanie Liu

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The Lightning Strike • January 2011

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The Lightning Strike • January 2011

Racism in America:

Blackistory H onth M

How far have we come?

And how far do we have to go...

In

In My Opinion Sharon

Sabbagh

pinion

staff writer

1957

20th - 21st Century

Black History Month honors people such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. In the 21st century, we acknowledge civil rights heroes in February because they represent the black threads that have been sewn into American history merely 47 years ago.

The Supreme Court, in Board vs. Brown in 1954, declared segregation unconstitutional. Our parents, our grandparents, even our teachers, have witnessed the recent history that has followed after the significant ruling passed. Students today will also be part of the continuing progress of acceptance and equality.

In fact, when I tell my nine-year-old cousin about the Civil Rights Act of 1964, she is startled that it happened so recently. She stares at me wide-eyed when I tell her about white and “colored” water fountains. This is because children of modern times, like her, have been taught to treat everyone equally. Therefore, education has and will continue to play a part in diminishing racism.

While discrimination and segregation can be prosecuted in the U.S., the truth is racism has not completely vanished.

Yet, we can still use black history as a motivator to continue protesting injustice.

staff writer

Although it’s crammed into a single month, it still allows us to pause and see how racial and ethnic acceptance has blossomed in America.

We have gone from white colonial men who acquire slaves to a having an African American president in the year 2009. Think about it: a black person could not even vote 50 years ago. Barack Obama’s ethnicity will be forever recorded in history books, but he was elected for what he had to offer, not his skin color. This proves the evolution of acceptance; it’s not about distinguishing skin color.

Rather, it’s about recognizing everyone for their talents and accomplishments.

The Hate Crime Prevention Act signed into law by Barack Obama in 2009 makes it inevitable to notice the decline of racism in America. It is another stride the U.S. has taken to remove inequality.

Additionally, according to WordPress.com, only 36 percent of Americans in 1978 approved interracial relationships. By 2002, 65 percent of Americans approved of mixed couples. The rise of interracial marriages in the U.S. serves as evidence of how much we’ve overcome.

I have hosted Poetry Nights for the past three years. Every time, I am introduced to new people in my community who come together to not only express themselves emotionally and culturally, but listen to others as well. This shows how words are a simple, yet major contribution to the improvement of equality.

The road to racial equality has been an extensive and grueling trek. While the finish line is within reach, ignorance and bigotry still hold us back.

Forty-three years after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., we may hope to live his “dream,” but a poem written about President Barack Obama by Johnny Spencer from Kentucky called “The Sniper” is a harsh awakening.

The poem is about a “patriot” who assassinates the president solely because of his race. It contains hate speech such as “DIE negro DIE.” The poem refers to Obama as a “monkey” and to his wife as an “old negro broad.”

Spencer pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening the life of the president and was sentenced to 33 months in prison.

The poem was published on Newsaxon.org, a social networking website created for people of European decent who identify with the National Socialist Movement (NSM).

Among the NSM’s core beliefs are the protection of the rights of white people everywhere, the preservation of European culture and heritage, and the promotion of white separation. Membership is open to all non-Semitic heterosexuals of European descent. In order to be eligible to join NSM, one’s account must be reviewed and approved by an administrator.

The website uses a Swastika atop a shield that resembles an American flag as its symbol, and goes by the slogan “An online community of whites by whites.”

Newsaxon.org currently has over 1600 users.

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery 145 years ago,

but there are still provincial nuts who prance around believing the color of their skin defines them as superior.

While Jan. 20, 2008, the day of Obama’s inauguration, was by no means “Victory Day,” it allows us a sigh of relief, that at least 51 percent of the American population did not stand behind Spencer’s poem. Still, the fight against racism is far from over. Americans have not yet completely embraced equality.

Pubrecord.org reports that threats against the president have increased by a record 400 percent since George W. Bush stepped down from the presidency and Obama took office.

Too many cars are plastered with bumper stickers that read, “Somewhere in Kenya a village is missing its idiot.” Facebook is also flooded with degrading pages such as, “All black people start their orders with ‘Lemme get uh’” and “NIGGA PLEASEEE !!”

That old “sticks and stones” rhyme taught to us in nursery school is a fallacy. Words not only hurt, but also poison people’s minds.

Spencer admitted to being influenced by this poison while in federal court at Louisville, KY. He claimed it was the words of other New Saxon members which intensified his hatred for Obama.

“I took things they said a little too far,” Spencer said.

Prevailing racism inflicts hate and havoc into the heart of our nation, and that hampers the promise that is the United States.

Racism is rooted in ignorance.

How long will it take to expunge ignorance from one’s mind? For Spencer’s sake, I can only hope its 33 months.

1960 2006

Significant black history events that have occurred within the last century:

Compiled by: Gabriela Mckenzie www.infoplease.com/spot/bh www.zylottieuv.com/img

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Niera

A month to remember and celebrate...

1955

The decline of racism in America shows an evolution in M O acceptance

Alice

Pictures --Compiled by: Stephanie Liu www.affrodite.com

Black History Timeline

Racism persists in modern day America

2009

EmmettTill,a 14 year oldAfricanAmerican boy,was brutally beat,shot and thrown into a river for allegedly whistling at a white woman in a grocery store.

Nine black students are blocked from entering a high school on the orders of Governor Orval Faubus (Sept. 24). Federal troops and the National Guard are called to intervene on behalf of the students, who become known as the “Little Rock Nine.” Despite a year of violent threats, several of the “Little Rock Nine” manage to graduate from Central High.

Four black students in Greensboro, North Carolina, begin a sit-in at a segregatedWoolworth’s lunch counter (Feb. 1). Six months later, the “Greensboro Four” are served lunch at the sameWoolworth’s counter.

The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) is founded, providing young blacks with a place in the civil rights movement (April).

1967 The Supreme Court rules in Loving v.Virginia that prohibiting interracial marriage is unconstitutional. Sixteen states still have anti-miscegenation laws and are forced to revise them.

In Parents v. Seattle and Meredith v. Jefferson, affirmative action suffers a setback when a bitterly divided court rules, 5 to 4, that programs in Seattle,WA. and Louisville, KY., which tried to maintain diversity in schools by considering race when accepting students, are unconstitutional.

Barack Obama, a Democrat from Chicago, becomes the first African-American president and the country’s 44th president.

On Feb. 2, the U.S. Senate confirms, with a vote of 75 to 21, Eric H. Holder Jr. as Attorney General of the United States. Holder is the first African American to serve as Attorney General.