June 2014 • Estd. 1892 • Vol. 122 #5 • Published Monthly • www.ihsTattler.com Ithaca High School, 1401 N. Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY 14850 • FREE
A Tattler UPDATE ON GOOD THINGS: POWERS AND THE BUDGET By RUBIN DANBERG-BIGGS
As a paper, we have been somewhat impassioned over the past few months, and as a dedicated reader, you have probably been fired up with us. We are level-headed and reasonable people, but the idea that our school might oust its principal, Jarett Powers, or that our community would vote down the $113 million budget option was too much for some of our writers to handle. In the last month, both of these issues have come to a head and been resolved. On a brief but happy note, IHS principal Jarett Powers was unanimously awarded tenure by the BoE. It is district policy for educators to go up for tenure Continued on Page 4.
In this Issue Teacher Feature: Mr. Reiff
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HerStory
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Humans of IHS
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Teachers’ advice to seniors 14–15 Godzilla: A Review
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IHS Boys’ Tennis Team
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The Nosanchuk attendees pose with New York senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
PROVIDED
The Nosanchuk Leadership Seminar By KALIL HENDEL and OLIVIA SALOMON
As some students may have noticed, several of their classmates were mysteriously absent from May 18 to May 20. They were not skipping, dead, or suddenly invisible, but were rather taking part in the Nosanchuk Leadership Seminar, a trip sponsored by the Nosanchuk family to conclude its 30 years of generously nurturing IHS student leaders and activists. Nosanchuk is a name with a lot of weight in IHS history. It stems from David Nosanchuk, an IHS senior who died tragically in 1983. Since then, his parents have hosted a lecture series at IHS to commemorate David and his lust for learning. These lectures were reformatted to a three-day seminar in Washington, D.C. to mark their 30th anniversary. Fifteen students were selected from a large applicant pool, and on a dreary Sunday morning, the students and numerous chaperones set out for Washington. On the agenda was a personal meeting with Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who graduated from Cornell in 1954 and student-taught at IHS. Other activities included a full tour of the cemetery and battlegrounds at Gettysburg, a visit deep into the bowels of the Library of Congress, a mixer with former IHS graduates currently living in D.C., a visit to the Senate chamber, a guided tour of all the major D.C. monuments, and a VIP tour of the United States Treasury Building. How did the organizers manage to gain such extensive access to D.C.? EveryContinued on Page 5.
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June 2014
OPINION
Editorial The Root of the “Girls in STEM” Problem This year, the IHS Technology Education Department tried to bring more girls into technology classes by creating a section of Design and Drawing for Production (DDP), the entry course of the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) sequence, solely targeted towards female students. However, the new “Women in Engineering—DDP” class doesn’t seem like it will make a huge difference in the number of girls who take tech education. While well-intentioned, efforts to increase the interest of girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers by creating single gender classes is misdirected and unlikely to succeed. By the numbers, the male advantage in K–12 STEM subjects has been shrinking. Today, the ratio of boys to girls who score above a 700 on the mathematics section of the SAT is 3:1, compared to 13:1 thirty years ago. A study from Brigham Young University showed that, by adding more rounds to math competitions, the gender disparity decreased: boys did well in one-shot events, but made costly mistakes during rematches, allowing the girls to catch up and even outperform them. And nationwide, girls’ grade point average in math and science classes is 2.76 out of 4, whereas boys reel in an average of 2.56. Surely, girls have the potential to excel in the STEM fields. The thing is, they don’t have the aspiration. A University of Alabama study asked a representative sample of ninth graders, “are you likely to pursue a scientific career?” Of the 11 percent who said yes, 61 percent were male. This trend continues at the college level, and does so at an even more dramatic extent in the workplace—as of 2009, women hold only 24 percent of science and engineering careers in the United States, and despite earning 41 percent of the PhD degrees in STEM fields, they make up only 28 percent of the tenure-track faculty in the STEM subjects. And of course, there is also the social stigma that causes people to view STEM careers as too masculine for women to partake in. Is the lack of aspiration naturally in every woman and girl? Or is it part of some larger societal flaw? Enter Women in Engineering— DDP. “We wanted to open up the opportunity for female students to feel The Tattler is the student-run newspaper of Ithaca High School. It was founded more comfortable in a very male-domin 1892 and is published monthly. inated field,” said Scott Breigle, chair of the IHS Technology Education DeAs an open forum, the Tattler invites partment, who was part of the group opinion piece submissions and letters that proposed the course addition. It’s to the editor from all community true that many people feel more at ease members. Drop off submissions in E25 or email them to: when surrounded by individuals that editor@ihsTattler.com they can relate to. However, girls do not necessarily avoid taking technology Mail letters to: courses because they are wary of the The IHS Tattler prospect of a male-dominated environ1401 N. Cayuga St. ment. Indeed, more ninth-grade girls Ithaca, NY 14850 signed up for the regular, co-ed DDP class than the all-girls one. The truth The Tattler reserves the right to edit is, fewer girls sign up for technology all submissions. Submissions do not classes because fewer girls are interestnecessarily reflect the views of editorial staff. ed in technology right now. Less than 25 percent of students enrolled in secContinued on Page 3.
2013 – 2014 Editor-in-Chief
Rubin Danberg-Biggs ’14 editor@ihsTattler.com
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OPINION
2014 – 2015 Editor-in-Chief
Owen Zhang ’15 editor@ihsTattler.com
News Editor
Kalil Hendel ’15 news@ihsTattler.com
Opinion Editor
Olivia Salomon ’15 opinion@ihsTattler.com
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Continued from Page 2. ondary and post-secondary STEM courses are female. With only eight periods in a day—nine counting zero period—students only choose electives that appeal to them. “I took DDP because I was interested in a career in technology. The reason that more girls don’t go into technology is not because they’re intimidated by the men; I think it’s just that not many girls are interested in it,” said Jacy Hollander ’15, who was one of three girls in her freshman DDP class. At IHS alone, anyone can join Science Olympiad, Brain Team, Technology Student Association, Code Red Robotics, Math Team, Aquarium Club, RC Club—you name it. At the national level, the Society for Women Engineers (SWE) supports female engineers of all ages. All of these programs encourage girls who already intend to enter STEM fields. The question is, how do we let girls know that it is okay to even consider, and hopefully pursue, a career as a physicist, computer scientist, or mechanical engineer, if they don’t think so already? People tend to be interested in a subject if they believe they will excel in it. Shelley Correll, a sociologist at Stanford University, studied the self-assessment of ability by both men and women. In two rounds, with 20 images in each, subjects were asked to choose whether or not black or white rectangles dominated the area of an item. Because all of the items had either equal or nearly equal black and white areas, there were no right answers. Every subject was told that he or she scored 13 out of 20 in round one and 12 out of 20 in round two. They were then asked to assess their aptitude in performing the task. When told that men performed better on the task, women on average graded themselves 15 points below men. However, when told that there was no gender difference in performing the task, the two groups graded themselves equally. Thus, it appears that the reason that less women study STEM subjects is because there is a gender association that is deeply rooted in the belief that women will not be able to compete with men. Of course, this is entirely untrue. The solution is twofold: encourage girls to develop their mathematical, scientific, and technological ability, and in doing so, make the culture more receptive to girls in STEM. Using a growth mindset—the idea that intelligence can be developed— as opposed to a fixed mindset—intelligence is static—promotes achievement in STEM subjects. In 2005, Carol Dweck, a social and developmental psychologist at Stanford University, studied two different groups of adolescents. One had been taught that math thinkers had innate abilities (fixed-mindset), while the other had been taught that math thinkers were interested in and worked hard to accomplish mathematical contributions (growth-mindset). All participants then took a difficult math test. The girls who had been taught with a fixed mindset scored significantly worse than their male counterparts, whereas the girls who had been taught with a growth mindset performed equally well. In 2009, Dweck followed a calculus class at an elite university. The female students who felt that the class communicated a fixed mindset were less likely to express interest in continuing to study mathematics than the female students who believed that the class communicated a growth mindset. It seems that a growth mindset, in addition to supporting achievement, fosters persistence in subjects as well. In the end, forming a separate class for girls who would like to take DDP will probably not encourage more girls to take technology classes. A growth mindset appears to be the most effective way to inspire more female students to study STEM subjects, and one DDP class will not remedy the gender gap that exists in STEM careers. The most glaring problem with the Women in Engineering— DDP course, however, is this: it treats female engineers as females first and engineers second. Girls don’t need to be taught separately from boys. Girls should not be encouraged to enter STEM fields just because they are female, but because they express a genuine interest in it and demonstrate their potential. And a regular DDP class can do that just fine.
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June 2014
NEWS
ICSD to Host 2014 E3 Conference By KALIL HENDEL
This summer, on July 30, ICSD will host the E3 Conference—no, not the video games; the three Es stand for “educate, engage, empower”. The district anticipates that the event will be “an engaging conversation about creativity and innovation in education.” Ken Robinson, an internationally recognized author, lecturer, and advisor on education in the arts will be the keynote speaker at the conference. Robinson is known for the TED talks he gave in 2006 and 2010, and is currently
Eighth Annual Equity Report Card By NICK BOGEL-BURROUGHS
In April of this year, ICSD teamed up with Village at Ithaca, an organization founded in 2002 that advocates equity, to release the Eighth Annual Equity Report Card. Under the motto “Holding Ourselves Accountable”, ICSD released the report to gauge its progress and maintain transparency with students and families. Kate Patterson, communications coordinator for ICSD, said that the Equity Report Card “is evidence of the district’s commitment to eliminate race, class, disability, and gender as predictors of academic performance, co-curricular participation, and discipline.” The most recent report card, which analyzes data from the 2012–2013 school Continued on Page 5
speaking around the world about potential solutions to problems faced by businesses and educators. The conference will be hosted by ICSD superintendent Luvelle Brown, well known as a proponent of technological integration in schools, which is one of the major themes of the conference. Additional speakers include the education expert Derek Cabrera (known for his theory that the process of thinking is based on “DSRP”—distinctions, systems, relationships, and perspectives) and leadership expert Cheryl Dobbertin. The conference will be sponsored by Imagine Learning, a software designer that creates language and literacy programs for students from pre-K to sixth grade.
WRITE
Anyone is welcome to write for the Tattler! Email editor@ihstattler.com
A Tattler Update on Good Things: Powers and the Budget Continued from Page 1.
after three years of working for the district, at which point the district either decides to provide the individual with tenure or is forced to let the individual go. This leaves no middle ground, and means that Powers would not have returned to the high school had he not been given tenure. No principal has received tenure and remained in the district after being granted it in over 30 years, excepting a couple of interesting cases that can be read about in the April issue of the Tattler. Powers was given a standing ovation when the vote
was cast, and the Tattler would like to congratulate and thank him as well. Due to a wide variety of factors (which can be read about in the May issue of the Tattler at www.ihsTattler.com), major budget reductions will be necessary in the upcoming school year. The Board of Education (BoE) responded by proposing a budget of $113 million that, while including some cuts, would not reduce the services provided by the district as drastically as would some of the other proposed budgets. Continued on Page 5.
NEWS The Nosanchuck Leadership Seminar
Continued from Page 1. one the Nosanchuk students met was, in fact, a graduate of IHS. The group was given the privilege of meeting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance Mary Miller, Legislative Director for the Minority Whip Thomas Mahr, and Chief of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division at the Library of Congress Mark Dimunation. The students also accidentally ran into New York senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a
welcome surprise. A highlight for many members of the trip was the sampling of some of the rare books housed at the Library of Congress, curated by Dimunation. The books and documents shown included the first book printed in the United States, a printing of the Federalist Papers with notes by Thomas Jefferson, an original copy of the Declaration of Independence, and the Lincoln Bible. “Mary Miller had a poster in her office titled ‘Treasury Women Making History’, and it was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen,” said Olivia Salomon
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’15. Anna Deichter ’17 said she enjoyed talking with IHS graduates at the reception Monday night. “The trip was educational, enjoyable, and pretty often just plain cool,” said Kalil Hendel ’15. Everyone else involved seemed to echo the sentiment. All in all, the Nosanchuk Leadership Seminar was a valuable learning experience for the entire group. The Nosanchuks hope that the students bring back some of the passion and skills of the IHS graduates they met and begin making a positive difference at IHS.
Eighth Annual Equity Report Card A Tattler Update on Good Things: Powers and the Budget Continued from Page 4.
The budget required a large tax increase, so, in accordance with New York State law, it needed the approval of at least 60 percent of the community in order to pass. The budget passed with 62.17 percent of voters in favor of it, and will go into effect in the 2014–2015 school year. A (sad) record number of people—19.66 percent of registered voters—turned out to vote. Interestingly, of the 12 polling places in the district, only seven voted over 60 percent in favor of the 113 budget: Varna, Caroline, Danby, Enfield, and the Franziska Racker Centers did not. Fortunately for proponents of the budget, those polling places had some of the lowest raw turnout in the district. Also included in the vote were the reelections to the BoE of Christopher Malcolm, Seth Peacock, and Patricia Wasyliw, all of whom ran unopposed. Additionally, Proposition 2 passed with a 67.94 percent majority, and will allow the district to spend $1,017,004 from its capital reserve on, among other things, new busses for the district and new pavement for South Hill Elementary School.
Continued from Page 4. year, showed a slight improvement in overall graduation rate—from 78 percent to 82 percent. This jump is significant, as the ICSD graduation rate now exceeds the state’s expected rate of 80 percent. However, the graduation rate for African-American, Latino, and Native American students—minorities that the district lumps into one category—was only 68 percent. While these minorities are still trailing white students (85 percent graduation rate), the rate is up from 59 percent in the 2011–2012 school year. The most positive improvement in this year’s report card was certainly for students with disabilities. Students in special education experienced a graduation rate increase from 33 percent to 55 percent in the last two years—a significant improvement. Unfortunately, the graduation rate for Asian students decreased from 93 percent to 82 percent, the lowest for Asian students since the 2007–2008 school year. Absenteeism has been a problem for the district in past years. This year’s report card boasts the lowest absence rate for students with disabilities and economically disadvantaged students in the last eight years. This decrease is most likely due to increased use of SchoolTool Parent Portal, which allows 3,700 parents and guardians to be notified of their student’s absences. The most startling statistic released in the report card is the extreme suspension rate of students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students, and students of specific races. In the 2012–2013 school year, students with disabilities were more than twice as likely to be suspended than the average student. African-American, Latino, and Native American students were also more than twice as likely to be suspended when compared to the average student. In addition to race and disability, 7 percent of students who qualified for free or reduced-price lunches were suspended, compared to 3.7 percent for the average student. For the most part, ICSD seems to be on the right track. Gaps are closing, and overall achievement is increasing. Of course, we are by no means at the end of this struggle, as the data clearly show. ICSD should be applauded, however, for releasing this information and illustrating that it is attempting to minimize the association between race, disability, and economic status and higher suspension rates, in addition to allowing Ithacans to see the progress made for themselves. Luvelle Brown, ICSD superintendent, said, “I am encouraged by the recent significant achievement gains in many areas and look forward to leading the improvement in areas needing fresh thinking.”
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June 2014
OPINION
Does Porn Have to Be Misogynistic? By KALIL HENDEL
From paleolithic paintings to ancient indigenous fertility statues, from erotic papyrus in ancient Egypt to explicit murals on the walls of Pompeii, pornography has existed throughout all of human history. The motion picture was patented in 1894, and the earliest surviving erotic film was made in 1896. Many consider the Google Glass ban on porn apps a death sentence for Google’s AR eyewear. Porn exists, has always existed, and will always exist. It’s not just going to go away, but one question remains: how do we work with porn? Alright, maybe not the only question. Another good one would be “is porn feminist?”, but the answer is, as expected, unsatisfactory. The quick and dirty of it is that porn itself is not inherently anti-feminist, but does contribute to an anti-feminist culture. That’s the fault of the current attitude towards porn, not the actual act of filming, writing, or photographing erotic material. Without a doubt, porn has insidious
effects on our culture. The disproportionate amount of objectifying and demeaning porn perpetuates the idea that all women must be submissive during sex. Additionally, in heterosexual porn, the camera is almost always focused on the female porn star and hardly ever shows much of the male. Some women may enjoy it, but it’s undeniably tailored for men. When men view pornography that suggests that women should be submissive and that women’s sexual desires are unimportant, they’re more likely to ignore a woman when she resists sex in real life. When actors and actresses are coerced, pressured, or forced into any sexual acts that they’re uncomfortable with, then that porn isn’t feminist. Rape porn isn’t exploitive if the actresses are consensual and enthusiastic about acting non-consensual and reluctant. Sexual consent is undeniably imperative to feminism. What we know for sure is that porn is great in its potential for contribution to sexual liberation: it allows people to privately explore and freely enjoy their own sexuality. Guilt-free personal enjoyment and sexual fulfillment was one of the core concepts of the Sexual Revolution and second-wave feminism
Chocolate Mocha Has Something to Say By APRIL CARROLL
I have been described in many different ways: a young lady, a loud talker, an interesting person, but most importantly, a caramel chocolate mocha. I kid you not—freshman year, a teacher of mine tried to compliment me by saying I reminded him of the delicious, overpriced Starbucks drink. My skin, my voice, and I have always been put into a certain light, just because I can have the voice of a gospel singer, the attitude of a Baptist preacher, or skin the color of a rich treat. All my life, I’ve had to deal with these types of encounters because of my “differences”. I’m different because I’m not “black enough”. I’m different because I act “too white”. I’m different because I find the use of the N-word highly offensive, and I don’t think it should be used as a term of
in the ’60s. If porn advances sexual liberation and if sexual liberation is a key concept of feminism, then porn can be a feminist tool. Porn genres like rape porn, gonzo porn, and porn that generally objectifies women are mostly reactions to the huge sexual repression that persists in our culture. This isn’t to say that these genres shouldn’t exist; if an actress chooses to be dominated, that’s her prerogative, but certainly, this face of porn wouldn’t be so ugly if porn weren’t so taboo. The current perception of sex is largely that it’s a male-dominated and almost shameful act. In reality, sex is a collaborative, liberating experience. Porn has real power to progress feminism, but only if we first change the public’s attitude towards sexuality. Until that point, a lot of porn will always carry disgusting undercurrents of misogyny, and the vicious cycle will continue. Note: The Tattler welcomes letters in response to all articles. Send letters to editor@ihsTattler.com.
endearment. “I have a bunch of black friends and they all use it, but I mean, like, when am I allowed to use it? I hope that didn’t offend you!” I’ve been told this many times. Being a young African American, one of my unsaid responsibilities is responding to friends’ questions like these. I have really never understood why I have to give advice about it—“it” being the N-word— but I realized later in life that the responsibility kind of just fell upon me when I was born with darker skin. The N-word has been used as a slur for darker-skinned people, primarily African Americans, for centuries. Slave owners verbally abused their slaves with this word, tormenting them day and night with the thought of being a “N-word”. In the 1960s, black power movements brought about the idea of “reclaiming” the N-word. People allied with such movements hoped to overcome oppression by using the words of their oppressors. Instead of cringing at the word Continued on Page 8.
OPINION
AP Students Need Help By SASCHA PACUN
It should come as no surprise that Advanced Placement (AP) courses are quite challenging. They move quickly, cover more material, and require more work than regular Honors or Regents courses. Not only are the courses demanding, but students enrolled in them also generally have to juggle homework, a social life, and multiple extracurricular activities. This leads to a tricky situation for those who fall behind in AP courses. Due to the pace of the classes, if a student does not gain an understanding of one subtopic in an AP course, he or she may not understand connected material and quickly fall behind. This leads to demotivation and students believing that they can’t possibly recover within any given unit. The students who are mired in this sort of situation often find it hard to solve. Teachers only have so much instructional time; studying confusing material alone is an exercise in frustration, while studying with friends can be difficult to coordinate. Therefore, for everyone to succeed, it is necessary for the environment within AP classes to be one of collaboration. Not that all AP classrooms have a competitive environment—far from it. However, it is necessary that the students take the struggles of their classmates as seriously as they take their own. Without this, students in all classes—especially AP classes—will feel like they are being excluded from the learning that takes place there. This is the greatest loss for those students. An atmosphere of collaboration would also work to ensure that students do not just study immediately before the test. That strategy is quite risky, because it means that, in order for it to be successful, a student must already possess a good understanding of the material. Studying the day before, the day of, or the period before the test will not generally yield good results. It is a far
better strategy to study regularly, and this can easily be done by collaborating with classmates during or after class. You and your friends need not spend four hours individually one day preparing for a test when you can spend 15 minutes studying after school each day. When students struggle to do well in AP courses, they lose out by not reaping the benefits of a more rigorous course that provides opportunities to advance students’ knowledge beyond that of the standard curriculum mandated by the state. For the AP courses to succeed in that goal, the students within those courses must support each other.
AP Chemistry: A Pleasing Experience By ELISE REYNOLDS
There are no baby manatee dissections in AP Chemistry, although rumor—conveniently propagated by Mr. Tuori, teacher of AP Chem—has it that that’s what goes down in AP Biology. Beyond the ecological and moral soundness of AP Chemistry, though, Mr. Tuori’s class is a pleasant and rewarding experience. So you took Honors and did pretty well, liked it alright, but you’re not so jazzed by redox, and moreover, you’re worried about your grade slipping in AP. You can’t possibly see why chemistry really even matters (read Napoleon’s Buttons). The “AP” label and horror stories of the 12 test tubes lab are making you wary of setting foot in H203 and selling your soul to the periodic table for a year. Most of these concerns are valid; however, it is entirely possible to succeed in AP Chemistry and, more importantly, have some fun in the process. The diversity
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of material covered in the 57 topics of AP Chemistry ensures that there will be something that you will find pleasing; equilibrium is math-heavy, while quantum mechanics contains no equations whatsoever. Not every topic may be the “easiest of the year”, as Mr. Tuori always seems to promise, but it is nearly guaranteed that one topic or another will resonate with you—especially with handy mnemonics such as “SO4-2ws love mud except CaBaSrPb.” “I think the course is accessible—all students can get a decent grade without really killing themselves,” said Mr. Tuori. Yes, tests can be challenging, but the key to AP Chemistry is simply doing the homework (www.tuorichem.com— thank me later). Not only is it your only chance to independently practice concepts from the notes, but the daily credit is enough to outweigh even the most objectionable of test grades. Plus, after poring over your APUSH textbook, you’ll be savoring problem sets like they’re ice cream after brussels sprouts. Even if you struggle with the course material, the class itself is enjoyable. A large part of the course is centered on collaboration. Students are allowed to choose their own lab groups, which makes doing labs a pleasurable, if sometimes unproductive, experience. In the second half of the year, when course material becomes more advanced, quizzes are also given in groups. In terms of opportunity to work (i.e., break glassware) alongside friends in a classroom setting, AP Chem is nearly unparalleled. However, the real fun begins after the AP exam. “There’s no pointless Continued on Page 8.
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June 2014
Chocolate Mocha Has Something to Say Continued from Page 6. as they had in the past, African Americans embraced it and used it as a synonym for “brother” or “friend”. Today, what possibly began as a rebellious act has turned into a worldwide debate over one single word. Is it rude to say? How should it be said? With an -er ending? With an -ah ending? I’m white; can I say it? I’m white but I have black friends; when can I say it around them? Can I say it around them? Can anyone say it at all? To be plain and simple, I don’t think the N-word should ever be used except in historically accurate films or novels, where it can show the harshness of the time and/or how this word was used in the past. I’m sick of hearing “Well, everyone else says it” or “It doesn’t mean what it used to” as an excuse. I am not your moral compass; I can’t really tell you if one thing is okay or not. I’m just one person who always seems to have an uncomfortable response to your questions. I know erms and ums won’t get everyone to stop using it, because, just like any curse word, it’s for some reason irresistible. Let me just leave you with one story, which is behind many of the reasons I feel as though this word will never be forgotten as a hurtful and awful part of my ancestors’ lives. Once, when my sister was 11 or 12 years old, she was walking to school as usual when she heard people behind her. Three boys had begun discussing the Black History Day event occurring at school that day, and after noticing my sister in front of them, one commented, “See, as long as we keep having Black History Day, n***ers like her will always think that they’re something special, even though they’re complete s***.” We need to eliminate this word from our vocabulary, because words of hate are not worth making excuses for. The question shouldn’t be “Do I have a right to use the N-word?”, but “How do I get myself and others to stop using the Nword?” If only one person were to still use it this way, we’d know that that one person still believes that darker people are inferior to him or her. So just don’t do it.
OPINION AP Chemistry: A Pleasing Experience Continued from Page 7. busy work at the end of the year,” commented Mr. Tuori. On the contrary, students have Sweet Melissa’s ice cream, Thai food, and plenty of reading in the sun to look forward to. While these six weeks may not (but perhaps should) be a contributing factor when contemplating your scientific future, the fact that the last
weeks of the year are essentially free is relieving when you’re facing standardized testing and finals in other classes. Ultimately, emphasis on effort and collaboration make AP Chemistry not only conquerable, but gratifying. To put it in Mr. Tuori’s ever-eccentric words, “It’s a fun way to exercise your brain—like solving a Rubik’s cube.” Can’t you see? Isn’t it obvious?
Summer in Ithaca
should be on the website soon. This website also posts about other fun events in Ithaca. Ithaca also has tons of opportunities for summer jobs and volunteer work. Lifeguarding at one of the many pools in Ithaca is a very popular job for high-school students. There are also summer camps that offer camp counselor positions to high-school students. Volunteering at the SPCA, Loaves and Fishes, the hospital, and at nursing homes is an awesome way to give back to the community and earn community service hours and job experience. Even if you don’t like any of these activities, you can still find fun things to do. Spend time with your friends and just enjoy the sun! Read as many books as you can, have a party for no reason, or try to do something different every day. There are lots of different things to do in Ithaca during the summer; you can always find something. Have a great summer!
By BRIDGET FETSKO
Being in Ithaca for an entire summer may sound boring, but there are many things to do to keep your summer fun. Ithaca has lots of summer activities and good places to hang out at with your friends. If you don’t know what to do this summer, make plans with friends and keep an eye out for events. Ithaca’s parks and waterfalls are great picnic spots. Many of these places also have good swimming or sports areas. The parks are awesome places for spending a day in the sun with friends. Ithaca has many summer concerts. A lot of these concerts are held in the parks or downtown; you can find the free summer concert schedule online at www.visitithaca.com. The 2014 summer concert schedule is not posted yet, but it
JOHN YOON
Buttermilk Falls State Park, one of Ithaca’s most well-visited parks, has a small lake, hiking trails through woodlands and along the gorge, picnic areas and playing fields to relax in.
June 2014
Teacher Feature: The Life of Reiff By NICHOLAS BOGEL-BURROUGHS
On a Monday morning in mid-May, I joined Michael Reiff in the classroom he shares with Mr. Anderson. Wearing a textured gray tie, navy pants, and a white dress shirt with rolled-up sleeves, Reiff offered me a seat at a desk and sat down in front of me with a New York Times travel mug. Reiff grew up in Fredonia, New York, a small town about an hour south of Buffalo. He attended the public high school there, and is grateful for the “intimate but not exclusive” population. He describes his main friends as the “nerdy, outcast group of people who like comic books and like to read fantasy novels and well in school. . . . primarily because they accepted [him].” Acceptance of others is a characteristic he attributes to his parents. Although Reiff grew up under relatively comfortable circumstances, his parents always made sure he recognized that many of his peers worked at the local factory or hunted to provide income for their families. He says his parents told him that this was “just a different type of life and should be respected.” Most of all, Reiff loved the comic book shops and bookstores in Fredo-
nia. “I feel pretty lucky I grew up in the ’90s, when that kind of stuff was fading and we realized it was fading, so we cherished it a little bit more.” Now, the comic book stores are closed, the local bookshops sparse, and the factory where many of his friends worked is shutting down. Reiff attended college at SUNY Geneseo, a setting which he describes as “the classic college town.” He worked for the school newspaper, the Lamron (“normal” backwards), as the arts and
It’s a wonderful Reiff. [movie pun; credits to Nick]
entertainment editor. He also studied abroad in Manchester, England, surrounded by raucous streets and pub fights for three months, an experience he says was “a wake-up call”. After graduating from SUNY Geneseo, Reiff immediately started working toward his master’s degree at the University of Buffalo; he began teaching in Niagara Falls around the same time. He received his master’s in media studies in 2010, the year he got married. He
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taught in Union Springs, Weedsport, and Auburn before coming to IHS two years ago. Teaching has been a passion for Reiff “since eighth grade at least.” Currently, he teaches English 10, Film Studies, Creative Writing, and Digital Media. Outside of school, Reiff watches many movies. He started a film series in Auburn and also writes reviews of productions. “You could say I watch movies all the time, or you could say it’s for research, and they’re both true.” He also runs every other day, collects books, enjoys relaxing with his wife and cat, and cooks—although apparently not as well as his wife. Because he and Mr. Anderson share a room, I asked about their relationship. Reiff describes Mr. Anderson as “a legend; an old-school English teacher who knows everything. The real deal.” Reiff is clearly a determined, busy person committed to being the best he can JOHN YOON be. He says his biggest struggle is that “there isn’t enough time in the day,” and that is clear when one looks at all the things he does. “I have a hard time understanding when people say ‘I’m bored.’ I’m constantly stressed out because there are so many cool things to do. I’ve got this stack of awesome stuff and can’t get through it.” Michael Reiff is an ambitious man on a mission to better IHS by inspiring every student who comes through his door.
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June 2014
FEATURES
What to Do with Your Summer Vacation: Grassroots! By OLIVIA SALOMON
The festival will be held on the Trumansburg Fairgrounds, and runs the extended weekend of July 17–20. Started in ’92 as a fundraiser (fun-raiser) for “arts, education, and the fight against AIDS,” Grassroots is a four-day festival celebrating music, dance, and the old hippie spirit. Visitors can rent a campsite for the weekend or arrive fresh each day with a weekend or day pass. The musicians at Grassroots are mostly local and generally unknown. Local celebrities such as the Horseflies, Thousands of One, and the Gunpoets are regulars. There are four “stages” spread across the fairground—the Grandstand, the Infield, the Dance Tent, and the Cabaret Hall—and visitors roam freely among them over the course of the day and into
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the night. Music genres present include zydeco, which is a fiddle-heavy variation of rhythm and blues, as well as folk, country, reggae, and rock. If you aren’t a fan of those genres, there are plenty of other recreational activities to take part in. Tents are set up for face painting, hula hooping, and yoga. Vendors from local restaurants and stores sell food and clothing, the most important being, in my opinion, Diamond’s Indian, Solaz Burritos, and the man who sells belts studded with bottle caps. The most notable recreational activity at Grassroots has to do with the blatant drug culture. College kids and aging hippies alike are seen swaying to the music and passing blunts to their neighbors. Harder drugs come out after dark, and visitors must be careful to remain safe if they choose to stay into the night. However, the drug culture is not all-consuming, and many festival-goers manage to have fun by just hanging out with their friends and listening to the music. Providing great food, great music, and a chance to let go of some inhibitions, Grassroots guarantees a great time for all. Day passes range in price from $33 to $55 and weekend passes cost $115 to $130 for everyone over 16.
Grassroots offers spectacular performances, music, and activities.
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FEATURES
June 2014
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HerStory By OLIVIA SALOMON
On Saturday, May 31, Strong Women Impacting Society (SWIS) hosted a soiree-style community event that raised over $1,000 for the Advocacy Center. The theme of the night was “a personal history of feminism”. After guest performers spoke, attendees had the opportunity to share their own personal histories with one another as they ate, drank, and listened to music from the IHS Jazz Combo. Check out these images of performers, SWIS members, and guests.
SWIS members and guests danced after the performances ended. HerStory took place in Saint Paul’s Methodist Church, which comfortably fit all 120 attendees.
PHOTOGRAPHS PROVIDED
Guests were asked to fill out these pink cards on their way in—to finish the prompt “What is feminism?” on one side and “I became a feminist when . . .” on the other.
The IHS Jazz Combo, consisting of Archie Cowen ’14, Jasper White ’16, Max Shuhan ’15, and Tuli Kuckes ’16, played before, after, and between presentations.
Maddie Vandenberg ’15, Elisheva Glaser ’16, and Keara Byron ’15 are SWIS members and talented singers. They sang a version of Beyonce’s “Pretty Hurts”, which is about the high standards our culture gives women and the effects it has on women’s self-confidence.
April Carroll ’15 shared a series of funny, relatable, perceptive anecdotes that made up her own “personal history of feminism”.
Lyn Staack from the Advocacy Center read her story, titled “Boobs, Blood, and Body Hair”.
Olivia Salomon ’15 and Elise Reynolds ’15, active SWIS members, welcome the audience and introduce the night.
Tamar represented the population of college feminists. It was so interesting for SWIS members to hear what was in store for them!
Drinks were mixed to order by SWIS members Caoily Andrews ’15 and Malama Sokoni ’15. Some drink options include the “Susie B Iced Tea”, the “Marie Cranberry”, and the “Shirley Temple”.
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FEATURES
June 2014
Humans of IHS Interviewed and photographed by LINDSEY YUAN
What are you doing this summer?
“I am going to be working as a camp counselor all summer for seven- to twelve-year-olds at Camp Casowasco, which is on Owasco Lake. I only get days off on Saturdays, so I’ll be back in Ithaca on Saturdays.” — April Carroll ’15
“This summer I am working, bussing tables, and hopefully just hanging out and relaxing. I am going to Grassroots for all four days, so I’m really excited.” — Rori Henderson ’15
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned this year?
“I learned that there are tons of amazing people I need to meet and that life is unpredictable.” — Erika Uchigasaki ’14
“How to not suck at drums.” — Tuli Kuckes ’16
“This summer, I am going to a three-week program at Syracuse University for musical theater!” — Lisa Podulka ’16
“Nothing.” — Jason Wang ’17
What’s the hardest thing you did this year?
What are you going to miss most about IHS? “Definitely chem. I personally found it really interesting, but it’s also confusing and somewhat challenging at times.” — Ben Monaghan ’16 “I’ll probably miss most of the people. Even if they’re not my best friends, they’re usually pretty good people.” — Sandrine Duboscq ’14
“Walking to school.” — Prisca Hoffstaetter ’14
“Probably that high school can be both a blessing and a curse, depending on how you spend it.” — James Yoon ’17
FEATURES
June 2014
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THIS MONTH IN SCIENCE By JENSEN LO
1. Inequality is nothing new.
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The United States has been moving towards greater income inequality for the past several decades, but the roots of inequality run far deeper—even prior to the advent of civilization. Scientists had previously theorized that inequality began with the rise of agricultural civilizations and the social hierarchies that arose to manage them, but new research suggests that humans managed to screw each other over even before then. Archaeologists have discovered that, in hunter-gatherer societies located around Keatley Creek—an area in Canada known for its salmon runs—higher-status families controlled better fishing spots and, more importantly, were able to maintain their dominance and wealth over many generations. The cause of historical inequality was essentially the natural concentration of resources in nature, whereas resources are artificially concentrated in modern times.
2. Potential malaria vaccine. Malaria has long defied attempts to find a cure. The parasite that causes it, Plasmodium, infects red blood cells, reproduces inside them, and then bursts out. However, researchers have recently discovered an antibody in some malaria-resistant Tanzanian communities that slows down the disease by preventing the Plasmodium from bursting out. This essentially traps it inside, at least for a while—a small step towards the solution to a major problem affecting the world’s poorest countries.
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3. Children with three parents.
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Genetic disorders involving mutant mitochondrial DNA can cause lifelong problems. Such risks may be enough to dissuade parents with a high risk of having a child with one of these disorders from having children. However, researchers have developed a way to implant female DNA from one egg into another woman’s egg. When this egg is fertilized, the resulting embryo has DNA from the father, nuclear DNA from the mother, and healthy mitochondrial DNA from the donor woman, creating a healthy child with genetic material from three people.
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“Wherever you go, find a mentor. Or two or three. They’ll open your mind and open doors. And call your mom. She misses you.”
“Be good to your body and your planet.”
Sharon Gublo, guidance counselor
“Never sacrifice integrity for gain—either for financial gain or status. Only you can destroy your self-respect, and you do it by sacrificing your integrity.”
“Don’t get too big for your britches, because from what I’ve seen in life, you will have to put them on a few more times!” Lana Craig, world languages department leader
Shirley Kennedy, English teacher
Svante Myrick, mayor of Ithaca
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“Keep your spirits up, love your“You create your own weather; follow “Exercise the body and the mind.” self, make healthy decisions.” PROVIDED
your heart and never stop dreaming.” Samantha Little, South Hill Elementary
William Asklar, English teacher
Susan Eschbach, Beverly J. Martin Elementary School principal
“As you go forward, do not feel that you always need to follow a straight path. Instead, focus on collecting different experiences with an open mind, and gradually discover who you are and what you value along the way.” Larisa Droll, world languages teacher
Centerspread
“Be quick to ask for help. Use your professors’ office hours. That’s what they’re for.” Benjamin Kirk, math teacher
“Read, read, read.”
Gwen Freeman, English/AIS teacher
Dear Seniors TEACHERS’ ADVICE TO THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2014
Interviewed by CONNOR COUTTS Photography by JOHN YOON Unless otherwise noted
“In the words of Dory, of Nemo fame, ‘Keep on swimmin’. ” Nan Bell, librarian
“Although you have achieved much in graduating, these next years should still be a time for more questions than answers. Try new things and a variety of experiences. Keep a very open mind. In college, include courses in topics you have had no exposure to. Take a year to travel or work or volunteer. These many perspectives will help you know that the calling you choose is right for you, and not just chosen by default.” Severin Drix, math teacher
“Graduate!”
Jarett Powers, IHS principal
“Be flexible, be brave, be kind. You are
“Don’t lose track of who you are inherently lovable, and the people who belong in your life will see this and where you come from.” Lauren Trichon, English teacher
if you let them.”
Arti Jewett, science teacher
“Ask questions instead of giving answers.”
Nicole Benenati, science teacher
“Never say you can’t do something.”
“Work hard, play hard, and don’t think about one when you’re doing the other.” Dave Cornell, food services manager Jean Amodeo, English department leader
“Always be willing to do something that scares you just a little.” Alexis Lord, English teacher and WISE coordinator
“Learn how to use a physician’s scale.” Sharon Ordway, nurse
“Don’t let fear of failure stop you from trying something new that you really want to do. People have more regrets about missed opportunities and the things they never did than they do about having tried and failed.” Claudia Miettunen, Spanish teacher
“Life is short, so live your life for yourself and never look back at ‘what if ’s. You are your own future.” Heidi Nichol-Woodmansee, senior typist
“Do YOU!”
Cassidy Fisk, social studies teacher
“Four- or two-year colleges are outstanding next steps, but don’t assume college is the right place to go.” Michael Reiff, English teacher
“Take responsibility for your decisions. If you make a mistake, learn from it. If you fail, try again.”
“Take time to smell the roses.”
Sheila McEnery, special education department leader
Barbara Bergman, family liaison
“Turn it up, home slice.”
Megan Kruger, social studies teacher
“It’s okay to be a late bloomer.” Carrie Brindisi, earth science teacher
“To absorb as much as we can of other countries, cultures, and flora and fauna of different habitats will always enrich your life and broaden your views of the world.” Lindy Gustafson, senior typist
“The two most important decisions in life are what you do for a living and whom you choose to partner with—these have the biggest influence on your happiness or unhappiness. Choose wisely!” Lori Bruce Jawo, chief excellence officer
“Make it an adventure.” Todd Noyes, math teacher
“Dream.”
Jim Slattery, science teacher
Godzilla: A Review By NICHOLAS BOGEL-BURROUGHS
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The greatest kaiju of them all.
After hearing mostly positive reviews from other students, I ventured out to Regal to see the new Godzilla. Having anticipated an exciting and authentically acted movie, I was disappointed after two hours of recycled blockbuster dialogue and computer generated imagery (CGI). Godzilla boasts many popular actors, including Bryan Cranston (Walter White from Breaking Bad), Elizabeth Olsen, and Ken Watanabe. Unfortunately, Gareth Edwards’s direction of his sophomore film fails to do the performers justice. In a film like this, the cast’s job is to look shocked and distressed about the destruction of their city—and not much more. While the stars completed their roles fully, the same repetitive open-mouthed gaze at impending doom is not enough to satisfy an audience. While the opening few scenes give the audience a look at the monster’s origin, the film attempts to be something it is not: a drama with action scenes instead of an unapologetic battle of monsters. The movie ends up lost between the two genres; there are frankly not enough Godzilla scenes, and the film’s ending leaves the audience unsure of the solution to the damage caused by Godzilla. Although the movie does stay true to the more recent remakes by portraying Godzilla as a havoc-wreaking but misunderstood monster, there are serious flaws in Godzilla. This most recent film may be a decent movie for relaxing on a Friday afternoon, but it is an underwhelming experience. Save four bucks and pass on the 3-D. It’s not worth it for Godzilla.
An Introduction to Lucid Dreaming By PEARSE ANDERSON
George R. R. Martin once said that “a reader lives a thousand lives before he dies; the man who never reads lives only one.” This sounds wonderful, but you don’t have time to read: you have APs, sports, and a job. Here’s how to live ten thousand lives on the schedule that you currently have. You’re asleep for a third of your life. It’s best to get something out of all those “wasted” hours. In dreams, physics are warped, leaving some loopholes you can use. In reality, count your fingers and every time you remember, ask yourself if you’re dreaming. It’s essential to make this a habit. Eventually, you’ll do a “reality check” in a dream and suddenly realize the truth. This is a lot to take in, especially for your “dream brain”. Often, people will realize they are dreaming and scare themselves out of it. As a preventative measure, try doing some basic arithmetic and spinning around in your dreams. No time to explain how this works, but it does. Continued on Page 18.
Katzenklavier (Cat Organ) By PEARSE ANDERSON
The Katzenklavier is an abomination of an instrument that is painful to describe. In short, the infamous cat organ is typically a series of eight or more cats lined up according to the pitches of their meows. The tail of each cat is stretched out and hit when the corresponding key is pressed, which causes the cat to cry out in pain. When played correctly, the cat organ and its yowling cats can sound quite harmonious. That was the bad news. The good news is that the Katzenklavier may have never existed, with reports of its existence ranging from believable to bizarre. Confusion over descriptions of the cat organ are still debated in the worlds of journalism and music. Athanasius Kircher is believed to be the creator of this dastardly piano, which he reportedly made for an Italian prince going through a melancholy time in his life. This was not the first time the Katzenklavier was allegedly used to entertain a monarchy, as a cat organ had been described in the book Musiciana; extraits d’ouvrages rares ou bizarres, anecdotes, lettres, etc. concernant la musique et les musiciens, a French writer’s work that featured descriptions of strange musical inventions. (A bear allegedly played a 16-cat Katzenklavier atop a chariot as wolves, monkeys, and other animals danced to the cat-produced music—if you can time-travel Continued on Page 18.
A&E
June 2014
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An Evening Under the State By PEARSE ANDERSON
During the last rehearsal of Once Upon a Mattress, I was invited to the State Theatre to observe the cast of the Running to Places Theatre Company (R2P) working double time to get the musical ready. As the clock ticked down, with 23 hours until opening time, I took a break from staring at song numbers and listening to witty banter. I walked out of the theater, took in downtown Ithaca, and let myself relax for a minute. Even with all the doors closed, I could feel something great happening behind me. Let’s jump back to before this. The State was close to desolate: waves of empty velvet seats waited undisturbed, fixed in position. Slowly, students from Trumansburg, Groton, Ithaca, and other places shuffled in, their voices loud and warm. Joey Steinhagen, founder and director of R2P since 2007, gave the now-seated teens a penultimate speech. “This community that we’ve been building these last seven years I am very proud of, because it is a safe place for everybody to be. This is a place, I will speak for myself, where I can feel like a freaking weirdo and feel safe. You fill my heart with lots of pride and joy, and I thank you for that.” R2P is a theater company for middle- and high-schoolers, and this coming season, no teenager involved since the beginning of the program will remain. It will be the start of a second generation improved upon from all the experiences of the first. Sharon Nelson, project coordinator of R2P, later explained the visions of R2P to me. “We want to make sure that any child—grades 6–12, homeschooled, anywhere in the region—has access to youth theater,” she said. The company offers scholarships to children, as well as sponsorships, and has a wide reach across Tompkins County. R2P can be a youth empowerment group, and Nelson hopes to broaden it to become a community center through collaborating with Just Be Cause, a local nonprofit community action center. Backstage during intermission, I learned just how much of a community the cast really is. Cast iron stairs led me under the State to a place that seemed to parallel the Roman catacombs and tombs I walked through years ago. Under the State, as concrete rooms push back into the underground, they become progressively full of bottles of coconut water, iPhones, binders, clothes, and makeup cases. At any vague reference to a show tune, the catacombs, full of actors and actresses on break, burst into song. Hardly anyone seems to have privacy or modesty, but no one complains. “This is exactly a family. It’s a family,” Elisheva Glaser ’16 told me. Riding on the wave of the brilliant production Legally Blonde, the theater company was in high spirits. “We’re not very different. When we’re all together, it’s pretty cray,” explained Loie Faulkner ’16. From the last seat of the last row of the balcony, I watched Continued on Page 18.
You get the green light to party like it’s 1925.
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Rad Prom Playlist By LINDSEY YUAN
Sequins, chiffon, tuxes, and corsages, oh my. Senior prom is right around the corner, and to make it the best party jam session that it can possibly be, here’s a playlist filled with quirky and underplayed songs that are the perfect fit. 1. “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)”: Fergie, Q-Tip, GoonRock The beginning of a dance is always awkward unless you have a great track to break it down. To really get it bumpin’, play this—the best song from an amazing soundtrack, merging jazz and house and featuring a dubstep breakdown. Party on. 2. “Heads Will Roll” (A-Trak Radio Edit): Yeah Yeah Yeahs, A-Trak This track will have you bouncing in electronic heaven. A-Trak really knows how it’s done. 3. “XO”: Beyoncé Beyoncé, as always, showcases her amazing vocals. Mrs. Carter has made the perfect dreamy song to make you raise your hands and sing your heart out. It also happens to be my personal favorite off of her newest visual album. 4. “Soul Bossa Nova”: Quincy Jones Who loves jazz flute? Ron Burgundy certainly does, and you should too. This song will bring out your inner Austin Powers, with disco-V-past-the-eye and scuba dance moves. Groovy, baby. 5. “Lip Gloss”: Lil Mama Lil Mama, one of the lesser known Lils (behind Lil John, Lil Wayne, and Lil’ Kim) has made one of the catchiest superficial songs in history. Put on your lip gloss, clap your hands, Continued on Page 18.
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June 2014 An Introduction to Lucid Dreaming
Continued from Page 16. Once you reach the point of stabilization and realization in the dream world, you’ve climbed the mountain of lucid dreaming. The vast expanse is yours for however long the dream lasts. Summon up friends, family, or genies to grant you wishes. Teleport, bend the world, slow down time itself. I woke up two years ago and instantly remembered living nine months in my dreams, in the course of which I joined the military and made new friends. If you can recall the plot of Inception, think of how time developed in the course of that movie. In a similar way, time can
Rad Prom Playlist
Continued from Page 17. and sway to the two-stomp bass of this song. 6. “Alors on danse”: Stromae You can never get enough jammin’ saxophone. Smooth French and a great percussive beat make this a must for any dance or party. 7. “The Moon Song”: Karen O, Ezra Koenig A very simple slow song that features only two indie artists and an acoustic guitar. Wrap your arms around your date and sway. (Moonlight is optional.) 8. “Hey Ya!”: OutKast You always need an early 2000s jam, and why not this one? This song answers life’s greatest question along with a groove to make you shake it like a Polaroid picture. Anyways, what’s cooler than being cool? ICE COLD. Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright. . . . 9. “You Make My Dreams”: Hall and Oates What does it feel like to be alive? To be in love? This song sums it all up in its catchy guitar strokes and uplifting beat. Twist and shout your way to happiness. 10. “Levels”: Avicii This is the ultimate song. A playlist with just this song would be the perfect playlist. Dance your face off, fist pump the night away, jump around, jam. This is the best song to end a prom with.
A&E slow in the dream world. Christopher Nolan, director of Inception, is a lucid dreamer himself and based much of the movie off of “real-world” experiences. There is no point in going through all this work if you can’t remember your experiences. Everyone should have a dream journal, not necessarily for pursuing a lucid dream, but for having a ready source of entertainment and self-discovery. As you’re recording your dreams, you begin remembering more of them in more detail. Countless times, I’ve woken up on a Monday morning dreading school, but the adventures I had the previous night (catching criminals, hang gliding, vacationing) help me get up. I’ve gone to An Evening Under the State Continued from Page 17. Once Upon a Mattress play out. All the performers were fantastic and gave all their energy to their parts; this was especially evident in the performances of Brendan Coyle ’14, Maddie Vandenberg ’15, and Cali Newman ’15. From up high, the ladies in their flowing medieval gowns looked like vibrant paint on the palette of some giant artist. None of this would have been possible without the contributions of the crew. Noah Elman ’14, described to me the intricate roles of light ops, sound ops, assistant stage managers (ASMs), scenery creators, the stage manager, and many others in the production. The crew provided the massive support network of eyes, ears, and muscles that gave the crowd a chance to observe and take in the art. Of course, R2P is not without problems. The lack of a consistent choreographer, budget troubles, and in-company drama seriously impact the company, but at the end of the day, the list of pros and cons is overwhelmingly weighted on the side of good. What’s next for the R2P company? As Steinhagen revealed on the day of my arrival, the upcoming season is full of fantastic acting opportunities. R2P will be putting on Fame, 13, The Wizard of Oz, Little Women, and a niche crossdressing parody show
first period with earworms of songs that only exist in my dreams, indescribable by our standards. I’ve consulted dreams for the endings to conflicts, playing out how certain confrontations might work while I sleep. You can type your dream journal or speak it, or write it down—whatever. Just do it immediately after waking up. Waking up around four gets a lot of people results, as they’ve just been thrust out of a dream rather than slowly coming out of it like we usually do in the morning. You have the whole summer to experiment, and there are a lot of resources and tools to help. Email arts@ihsTattler.com for more information, questions, or comments. called Daisy Pulls It Off. By the end of my stay in the theater, I was convinced by what I had seen in the past hours. No matter what they tackled next, the family at Running to Places would be ready to pull it off. Katzenklavier (Cat Organ) Continued from Page 16. to any time, travel to Brussels in 1549. Get your jam on to a Katzenklavier.) Alternatively, since the Renaissance, there have been more advances in the study and building of cat organs. Johann Christian Reil, a pioneer in psychiatry, hypothesized that the cat organ could help snap chronic daydreamers back into reality. The idea of an instrument so crazy, Reil thought, would help the ill stop daydreaming. In 2010, a fake Katzenklavier was constructed using squeaky toys, and a video is available online if you wish to view an approximation of what the cat organ sounded like. Or, if you wish to view other animal-based pianos, look into the porco-forte, an organ of hogs created by an amateur inventor trying to please Louis XI, which was rebuilt in 1839 in Cincinnati. PROVIDED
The Katzenklavier: Do, re, meow
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June 2014
Raising a Racket: The IHS Boys’ Tennis Team By SOPHIA SHI
You may have seen them warming up after school in their bright golden uniforms, a color that makes them stand out from the sea of burgundy athletic attire. It may not get a thunderstorm of media coverage, but the IHS boys’ tennis team is quietly stoking a fire that has been burning for three years—namely, its undefeated streak against the other Southern Tier Athletic Conference (STAC) schools. That’s right: the boys’ tennis team, collectively, has not lost a single match since 2012. This spring its final record in dual matches is 17–0; the team bested Johnson City 7–0 in the STAC semifinal and Maine-Endwell 6–1 in the final. A large part of the team’s success is due to both individual and community support. “We’ve had some very dedicated players, and the top players have been good role models for the less experienced/skilled team members,” said Arthur Falkson, the team’s coach.
Many members train on and off the court throughout the offseason to maintain their level of play. The team has had access to Cornell University’s Reis Tennis Center to support its indoor practices during the unpredictable spring weather as well, thanks to a generous donation from the IHS Sports Boosters Club. This has been crucial to its success. According to second singles player Kevin Huang ’15, “Relative to the other teams in our area, [Ithaca has] a much more developed tennis culture. . . . In many other areas, they don’t have indoor courts to train in [during] our long winters, but here, it’s a great opportunity for everyone to get better.” Most of the boys who join the team already have basic tennis comprehension, allowing them to delve directly into honing their strokes and serves. During practice, Falkson sets up gamebased drills and practice matches in order to simulate real gameplay while isolating certain skills. The secret to their domination is not really a secret at all. Doubles player Louis Latham ’15 said, “Both teams that made it to the STAC finals have really strong doubles players, whereas a lot of the others who do better in states have a lot of strong singles players.” IHS has both. “We just have a lot of depth, generally,” he added.
Swimming in Ithaca By BRIDGET FETSKO
Ithaca is home to many beautiful bodies of water. If you only swim at one or two each year, expand your options this summer and explore more local swimming treasures! We all know about Cayuga Lake. Even if you don’t have a boat, you can go swimming in places along the lake such as Myers Point and Taughannock Falls State Park, among others. If you have a boat or know a friend who does, there are also many nice areas in the lake where you can swim off your boat. Ithaca is known for its beautiful waterfalls and creeks.
The team’s entire starting lineup will be returning for next year’s spring sports season. This fact, coupled with the large number of male tennis players at the middle-school level, bodes very well for the future of the boys’ tennis team. Keep an eye on the team next year, when it will hopefully continue its newfound legacy.
BRIDGET FETSKO
Steven Carman ’16 nails his serve.
Buttermilk Falls, Flat Rock, Six Mile Creek, Taughannock, Treman State Park, and other areas are extremely popular swimming locations. Many of these places are also great hiking spots. Treman is unique because of its large swimming area, which includes a diving board. There are also many pools in Ithaca. Indoor pools such as those at the YMCA and the Cascades Indoor Waterpark at Greek Peak offer year-round options for swimming. Cass Park boasts a great pool to go to if your family has little kids. There are lots of areas for young children, as well as a slide and a diving board. There is also a lap lane for adults. The Ithaca Swim Club also has a pool that is good for families. The Country Club of Ithaca has a nice pool, lap Continued on Page 21.
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June 2014
SPORTS
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Spectators eagerly wait for the results of the Rutabaga Curling Championship.
Wacky Sport: Ithaca’s Tumbling Tubers By PEARSE ANDERSON
You may have heard of Scandinavian cheese curling, but we have an even better sport here in Ithaca. The International Rutabaga Curling Championship began nearly two decades ago at the Farmers Market. The annual competition started in December of 1996, when a few vendors who were huddling for warmth decided to stage a spontaneous faux-curling competition right then and there. Everything from cinnamon rolls to frozen chickens was thrown as the vendors
Summer Workouts By LILY COLBERT-CARREIRO
Summer is finally here in “gorges” Ithaca, New York. I’m sure all you IHS students are dying to get to swimming, relaxing, and doing all your summer reading! As we all know, school sports end along with the school year. For those of you who don’t know what to do to stay active, here are a few suggestions and tips. Participating in team sports is always fun; luckily, Ithaca offers many summer leagues for soccer, basketball, lacrosse, and others. If you’re looking for some fun solo workouts to get you fit this summer while staying cool, one obvious choice is aquatics including water jogging,
attempted to hurl their own food item the farthest. Since the humble origins of rutabaga (“yellow turnip”) curling, the sport has expanded to great success. Yoshio Otsuka, a Japanese vegetable store owner and “vegetable athlete” came to Ithaca in 2011 to compete in the rutabaga curl with two other Japanese athletes. NPK, a Japanese public broadcasting show, dubbed this, along with several other worldwide trips, part of a “variety documentary show”, which was aired in early 2012. Otsuka won his place in the rutabaga curl after competing against professional bowlers and curlers, only to toss his turnip to the direct base of the marker—a perfect hit in rutabaga curling terms. I have been to the rutabaga curl once. I saw Otsuka, wearing short-shorts during an Ithacan December, throw his famous tuber. At the end of the competition, he shouted, “Ithaca! Banzai!” In addition to the Japanese presence in the games, the Vociferous Cruciferous Choir appeared during the four-hour event and sang “Rutabaga Chorus”, a parody of Handel’s famous opera piece. A turnip toss has been held in past years for those too young to handle the weight of a rutabaga. Steve Siergk, founder of the curl, said, “You really can’t control your rutabaga that much, so it takes sort of the athletic element out of it to the point where, even if someone’s brand new to the sport, they can do pretty well.” This may explain why no one, according to public records, has taken gold in the International Rutabaga Curling Championship twice. Since the early 2000s, the rutabaga curl has grown in popularity, despite a group for the “ethical treatment of rutabagas” setting up shop during the curling championship to protest the rutabaga-rolling. While the date has not been officially set, the 17th International Rutabaga Curling Championship will most likely be held in December, right here in Ithaca.
swimming, and treading water for increased periods of time. Aquatic workouts are a great way to work some cardio into your daily routine or during fun with friends. It’s important not to get caught up in the idea that exercise has to be 30 minutes long; 10 or 15 minute bursts throughout the day add up! Another suggestion is jogging in the evening. Evening jogs are an ideal workout, as you don’t have to worry about the sun or heat like you do in the daytime. This way, you can run longer distances without sweating. If you’re like me and don’t have the stamina or interest for long jogs, you can always enjoy the outdoors in your own backyard or at one of Ithaca’s many parks by doing circuits. For a productive and rewarding circuit, I suggest that you first stretch your
arms and legs and then jog for five to ten minutes at a medium pace. This warms up your muscles, allowing you to do a more intense workout without injuring yourself. After your warm-up, consider any combination of side shuffles, burpees, dips, and speed skaters. Then, depending on your fitness level, complete ten to 50 sit-ups, crunches, push-ups and, if possible, pull-ups for upper body and core strengthening. To finish off your workout, cool down with a light five-minute jog and add in some quick stretches for any muscles that feel tight. Remember: you can always mix up your routine and change its intensity to make it more enjoyable. Don’t forget to drink lots of liquids! Drinking water— even if you’re not thirsty—prevents dehydration. Most importantly, have fun!
SPORTS Swimming In Ithaca Continued from Page 19. lane, diving board, kiddie pool, and playground. Members and their guests also have access to golf, a restaurant, a snack bar, locker rooms, and a workout room. There are also pools at BorgWarner, in Ellis Hollow, and in many neighborhoods. Many of these pools require memberships, but during hot summer days, these memberships are
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worth it. All of these pools are great to swim in, and many of them hire high-school students as lifeguards. No matter what atmosphere you enjoy, you can always find a swimming place that works for you in Ithaca. Swimming in the lake, beneath a waterfall, or in a nearby pool is a great summer activity to do with friends. Have fun, be safe, and stay cool this summer!
BRIDGET FETSKO
Dare your friends to be the first one to jump into Cayuga Lake!
Lifeguarding is a great way to help the community while soaking up some sun.
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Patrick, As you join the West Point C/O 2018, we want you to know that we are so proud of the man you've become. In the words of another USMA cadet, "Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy." — General Norman Schwarzkopf All our love, Mom & Dad
Congratulations John! Mom, Dad, Jimmy, Alex, Snickers, Abigail, Piper, and Chris
Congratulations John!
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Corinne, Congratulations on all of your accomplishments in the classroom and on the field! We are so very proud of you and look forward to the next chapter in your life! All our love, Mom, Dad, and Nicole
June 2014
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Congratulations to the Class of 2014! And especially, to all of these young girls. It has been a joy watching you grow into beautiful young women. Good luck to the seniors as you venture on to new experiences. Dream Big! Thank you for the memories.
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Congratulations Peter! I hope you will write the insightful and unbiased “WIN� column for the Hobart & William Smith Herald next year.
Sincerely, Tom Brady
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Deuces By LINDSEY YUAN
As Stewie Griffin famously said, “What the deuce?” Indeed, Stewie, what is the elusive idea known as “the deuce”? “The deuce”, more commonly known as “deuces”, is the awesomer ’90s kid version of the Kpop peace sign. First, in order to form the deuce correctly, make a peace sign. Then, make it cool by turning the fingers curved over your palm in the direction of your body. The person whom you are directing the deuce at should
only see the back of your hand and two fingers pointed upwards. Lastly, accompany this hand sign with a blank face and a slight head nod. Once you have become a formation pro, usage is the next level of deuce mastery. There is never a situation in which it is inappropriate to chuck the deuce. Recognize someone walking down G hallway? Deuces. Make eye contact with your friend across Steve’s classroom? Deuces. Everyone laughs at something hilarious you just said in class? Double deuces and a round of fistbumps from your esteemed colleagues. In fact, the deuce is quickly becoming the coolest way to greet some-
RANDOM HUMANS OF IHS By LINDSEY YUAN
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one. I expect Mr. Powers, in his neon sneakers and sweater combination, to begin chucking the deuce in the hallways when greeting students and faculty. I am watching, Mr. Powers; I am waiting.
PROVIDED
An example of perfect deuce formation, courtesy of Bill Nye’s Instagram.
Rejected Prom Playlist By LINDSEY YUAN
What’s your favorite sandwich?
If you didn’t like my “Rad Prom Playlist”, feel free to use this one to really get the party started.
“A turkey panini with tomato, provolone, lots of spices, and mayo.” — AJ Stensland ’17
1. “Gangnam Style”: Psy 2. 30-second video of Miller dancing to “Happy” by Pharrell Williams 3. Pokémon theme song 4. “Gangnam Style” (played at half speed): Psy 5. “Cotton Eye Joe”: Rednex 6. “Cotton Eye Joe”: Rednex 7. “Cotton Eye Joe”: Rednex 8. “Cotton Eye Joe”: Rednex LINDSEY YUAN
“You know the Cayuga Croissant from CTB? So it’s a croissant, avocado, mushrooms, sprouts, garlic sauce, and tomato.” — Jessie Liu ’15 LINDSEY YUAN
9. 26-second video of Mr. Powers dancing to “Happy” by Pharrell Williams 10. Audio clips of Jason Derulo singing his own name
Gemini (May 21–June 20): ’Cause you’re Slim Shady, yes the real Shady. All the other Slim Shadys are just imitating. So won’t the real Slim Shady please stand up? Please stand up. Please stand up?
Horoscopes Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21): Three, six, nine—dang, you’re fine. Move it so you can sock it to me one mo’ time. Get low. (×7)
Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21): Snap ya fingers! Do ya step! You can do it all by yo self! Let me see you do it! Ay! (×2)
Cancer (June 21–July 22): All you do is win, win, win no matter what. Got money on your mind and you can never get enough. And every time you step up in the building, everybody’s hands go up. And they stay there.
Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 19): It’s going down. You’re yellin’ “Timber!” You better move. You better dance. Aquarius (Jan. 20–Feb. 18): I’m so three thousand and eight, you so two thousand and late.
Leo (July 23–Aug. 22): First things first, you’re the realest. Drop this and let the whole world feel it (let them feel it).
Pisces (Feb. 19–Mar. 20): Tonight, you’re gonna have yourself a real good time. You feel ali-ii-iiii-iiiiiiiive! And the world, it’s turnin’ inside out. YEAH!
Virgo (Aug. 23–Sept. 22): You are toned, tanned, fit, and ready. You turn it up because it’s getting heavy. Wild, wild west coast, these are the girls you love the most.
Aries (Mar. 21–Apr. 19): You’re back with your new invention. Something grabs a
Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22): 2 CHAINZZZ.
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Songs used: 1. “The Real Slim Shady”: Eminem 2. “All I Do Is Win”: DJ Khaled ft. T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross 3. “Fancy”: Iggy Azalea 4. “California Gurls”: Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg 5. 2 Chainz in every song by 2 Chainz or featuring 2 Chainz 6. “Get Low”: Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz 7. “Snap Yo Fingers”: Lil Jon 8. “Timber”: Pitbull ft. Kesha 9. “Boom Boom Pow”: Black Eyed Peas 10. “Don’t Stop Me Now”: Queen 11. “Ice Ice Baby”: Vanilla Ice 12. “Gangnam Style”: Psy
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Mr. Powers’ Tenure Ithaca Festival
#YesAllWomen
Dodgeball on Field Day
The Budget Passing
Centerspread is Back
Kanye and Kim’s Wedding
Provo, Utah
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Taurus (Apr. 20–May 20): Oppa Gangnam style. Gangnam style. Op, op, op, op, oppa Gangnam style. Gangnam style.
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hold of you tightly, flow like a harpoon daily and nightly. Will it ever stop? Yo, I don’t know.
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Solutions to May’s Sudoku 9
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Reiff Moving the Desks to the Back of the Room
Comic Sans