ALL THE NEWS THAT’S FIT TO TATTLE June 2015 • Estd. 1892 • Vol. 123 #5 • Published Monthly • www.ihstattler.com Ithaca High School, 1401 N. Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY 14850 • FREE
Students Lose Internet on Personal Devices, Temporarily
ICSD to Eliminate Digital Media Position; Community Responds By NICHOLAS BOGEL-BURROUGHS
By JAMES LOVETTE, Staff Writer
In mid-April, without any warning, the school Wi-Fi became inaccessible on students’ phones and laptops at IHS and LACS, which students quickly noticed. This had happened a couple times previously during the year, and initially, this instance was dismissed as a recurring problem with the crowded school Wi-Fi. However, as days passed without accessibility, it became clear that the Wi-Fi might be permanently locked for students. The lack of Wi-Fi caused discontent within the student body, but despite our generation’s dependency on connection to the Internet, there was little outcry against the new policy itself. Instead, complaints have been directed towards the lack of communication from the administration to the students. The real cause of the change to Wi-Fi has been hotly debated in the hallways and in classes. Explanations range from Continued on Page 4.
Mr.Cass provides one-on-one support to a student.
Steve Cass left Oswego High School in 2012 to work as the Audio and Visual Media Engineer at IHS. “He inspired me to pursue a career in television,” says Jonah Restuccio, a former student of Cass in Oswego. “After he left, everything just seemed to stop.” Now, IHS students may have to deal with the same loss if the Board of Education follows through with its plan to terminate the AV Media Engineer position. “I have to look other places,” says Cass, who majored in technology education and received his master’s degree in vocational teacher preparation from SUNY Oswego. “I love what I do, I love working with stu-
dents, and I’d love to stay, but it’s hard to take a $28,000 pay cut.” In the fall of 2013, Cass became a full-time television production teacher at IHS. He was also able to continue as the part-time AV Media Engineer, a position the board now plans to eliminate. For the past two years, Cass has held both jobs, enabling him to arrange college credit for the course, collaborate with community organizations, and work with students outside of school hours. In recent years, ICSD’s costs have consistently outpaced revenue, leading the district to make cuts. In the last two school years Continued on Page 4.
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June 2015
OPINION
Editorial
Teaching and Learning in the Heat Wave With spring in full swing and summer just around the corner, in-school temperatures are starting to rise. This heat can certainly be an annoyance, especially as it reaches its full intensity near the end of the day. It is common to overhear students complaining about sweltering conditions in classrooms. In the past several years, however, this seemingly small issue has expanded into a problem that not only students but also teachers are beginning to speak out against, speaking for their education and well-being. This increasing complaint threatens to become an issue of anger and backlash if the school does not commit to improving conditions. While the heat is certainly apparent in various locations of the school, perhaps the most-affected areas lie in the upper floors of G- and H-buildings. The heat there is appalling. According to social studies teacher Phil Jordan, a teacher who measures the daily temperature and humidity of his classroom, the temperature in upstairs-G consistently remains in the high 80s during the late spring and early summer months. Such readings are just short of being marked for “extreme caution” by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The build-up of heat indoors over days only exacerbates the problem. High temperatures can last for hours even without the presence of the sun— even overnight. As a result, the vast majority of classrooms in upstairs-G and H have at least two fans, purchased by teachers with their own salaries. Still, they ultimately provide little relief and only bring more complications. The loud whirring of the fans often proves to be noisy and distracting to classes. Some of the older built-in “air conditioners” are broken and only churn out lukewarm air. Providing new air conditioners for the school is a decision that would be eagerly supported by both students and staff. Yet issues like cost deter the district from providing air conditioners. The district has not provided air conditioners for any classroom. Adam Piasecki, president of the Ithaca Teacher’s Association, acknowledged the fact that providing air conditioners to the school, even only one section, would be costly. The Tattler is the student-run newspaper of The district did attempt to provide suitIthaca High School. It was founded able air conditioning at one point in the in 1892 and is published monthly. 1980s when agreements were made with As an open forum, the Tattler Cornell University that were regrettably invites opinion piece submissions never fully carried out. In exchange for and letters to the editor from all running water pipes over ICSD propcommunity members. Drop off erty to cool its own facilities, Cornell submissions in E25 or email them was to install air conditioning in IHS as to: well. The placement of the pipes proved editor@ihsTattler.com to be awkward, however, missing a good part of the school, and only K-building Mail letters to: and a few other locations ended up reThe IHS Tattler 1401 N. Cayuga St. ceiving such benefits as a result. Ithaca, NY 14850 Students are quick to protest for better classroom conditions. A common The Tattler reserves the right to edit complaint among students in classes all submissions. Submissions do not that receive large amounts of sunlight necessarily reflect the views is that they feel less focused, less moof editorial staff. Continued on Page 10
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June 2015
NEWS
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What’s Up With This Weather? By PEARSE ANDERSON IMAGE BY ADRIE CLARK
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“let’s talk about climate change” @adrieclark writes on Instagram about these snowcovered flowers.
Photography Editors
I recently approached Mark Nelson, the Environmental Science and Zoology teacher here at IHS to try to find answers to the “crazy weather” everyone has been talking about. When asked why he thought the weather was fluctuating so much in the past few months, Mr. Nelson said, “Because winter is over. And we’re approaching summer, AKA spring.” The class giggled at his dryness. “Nailed it!” he shouted after a moment. No, but really, what is up with this weather? Ithaca is known to fluctuate in temperature. Just in the month of June, our record high was 92 degrees Fahrenheit in 1952 and our record low 33 in 1980. IHS has had many snow days deep into spring before—some in April, and even in May. However, this transition from winter to summer has been noted by students to be particularly strange. This April, we went from 18 degrees to 77 in less than two weeks, and in March, we went from -9 degrees to 52 in less than two weeks. Current graphs of our May forecast show that we are 10 degrees off normal temperatures. “My qualitative, anecdotal experience of it is: it’s spring. I don’t know what’s ‘normal.’ There’s always fluctuations. Was it the same as last year? No, but last year wasn’t the same as the year before,” Mr. Nelson explained. Nelson’s insight is often forgotten by students—normal is constantly being redefined. To determine if our weather is becoming the new normal, one must look at climate. The most likely candidate for the cause of weather alterations, climate change, show several symptoms of appearing in Ithaca. For one, the winters and summers would be harsher under the influence of climate change. These past winters have not been so rough; only two of the past five years have had more snowfall and colder average temperatures than the Cornell-deemed “normal.” The summers have Continued on Page 5.
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June 2015
NEWS
ICSD to Elminate Digital Media Position; Community Responds Continued from Page 1. alone, the district has run a deficit of more than $8.5 million, forcing them to draw from their reserves in order to bridge the gap. Board members have voiced concern about upcoming expenses as well, such as the associated costs of Governor Cuomo’s new teacher evaluation process that requires an exchange of certified evaluators with other buildings or districts. The board’s decision to cut the AV Media Engineer position, which came to light a little over a month ago, has attracted an impassioned response from the community. A petition in favor of keeping both positions was circulated by Cameron Burbank ’15 and, in four days, was signed by 23 parents, a handful of faculty, and over 120 former and current IHS students. Emails requesting comment from board members—first sent on May 22—have not been answered. “This is one position and one program,” says Superintendent Luvelle Brown. “I’m thinking about dozens of others. People need to be mindful of that because all of these are very difficult decisions that are impacting young people.” Currently, the AV Media Engineer is responsible for acquiring and maintaining equipment. Next year, the school will outsource technology maintenance to the Central NY Regional Information Center, which is run by BOCES, a move Cass says will increase the waiting period for repairs and reduce student interaction. In his time at IHS, Cass has also started streaming events— such as graduation—live on the school’s website. Karen Seifert, a mathematics teacher at IHS, says that “many of these functions represent milestones in the lives of students,” and that, by broadcasting the events online, Cass has helped “to alleviate some of the obstacles that are associated with being economically disadvantaged.” While Dr. Brown notes that he cannot discuss specific personnel, he says that “the [digital media] program has accomplished things that we couldn’t even imagine.” Some of these accomplishments will extend beyond the high school. Next year, five IHS students plan to attend the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College, and 12 students will be pursuing digital media in college, a number Cass says “is just unheard of after only the second year.” Cristina Bevia is a senior at IHS and will be attending NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in the fall. “Without Mr. Cass’ direction and resources, my opportunities would have been scarce when applying to such an esteemed institution,” says Bevia, who worked with Cass as part of an independent study. The two met weekly, one-on-one, discussing how to write, edit, and direct films for her portfolio. “He helped me achieve my dream of attending NYU, which I’ve had since I was 10 years old, and he can help others do this as well.” Students are not the only ones who want to see Cass stay. Some IC faculty have also been outspoken critics of the board’s decision. “The move is very short-sighted of Dr. Brown,” says Dr. Steve Gordon, who teaches television and radio at IC. “If students and student learning are his priority, he is not demonstrating it here.” Another television and radio professor at IC, Dr. Jack Powers,
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is also the father of two IHS students. He wrote the following via email: As someone involved in multiple searches for production faculty at Ithaca College, I can attest to just how rare a find Mr. Cass is. If the AV Media Engineer position is eliminated as planned, then the powers-that-be—despite significant student and public dissent—will have played a complicit role in forcing the leader of the digital media production program out the door. What concerns Cass most is the potential loss of student access; he worries that “students won’t be able to work in the studio after school, or in the morning, or on weekends.” When I spoke with Cass, we sat on stools at the desk of the refurbished studio, which he praises as one of only a handful of comparable high school studios in upstate New York. We sat surrounded by bright green walls and three high-tech cameras that were trained on us, but were shut off. While keeping an eye on the students working in his classroom next door, Cass said, “I have to look out for myself, which I hate doing. Seeing the possibility of this going away is heartbreaking after all the time and effort spent to get it built.”
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Students Lose Interent on Personal Devices, Temporarly Continued from Page 1. anticipation for increased Wi-Fi use from the Chromebooks next year to overcrowding the bandwidth, and even a response to inappropriate use in the library. However, lead IHS Information Technology personnel Dominick Lisi asserted that the change is only temporary. The revision of the school Wi-Fi policy was due to “multiple network outages and significant speed delays,” said Lisi, which resulted in setbacks during instructional time. According to a study done by the Technology Department, over a third of the bandwidth was occupied by students’ personal use, which in turn slowed tasks that are more important. The ICSD Wi-Fi remains inaccessible by most students. However, some students have found an alternate way to connect to the Internet. They connected to the guest Wi-Fi, but rather than entering their student information, which does not work, they created a temporary account by submitting their full name, cellular number, and provider. This, however, does not work for every phone, and students must repeat this process each day, as the method only allows a temporary Wi-Fi login account. Nonetheless, not all hope for student-accessible Wi-Fi is lost. The improvements to the current plan are predicted to finish in July, meaning that students will once again have access to Wi-Fi in September. Students can look forward to a faster, improved connection, hopefully without the occasional outages that were experienced before the change. Despite the brief interlude in connectivity, the change will be beneficial in the long run.
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NEWS
June 2015
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What’s Up With This Weather? son to doubt Cowett’s. Continued from Page 3. Freak weather, and more fluctuations in present weather, been hotter, but this could be a result of natural fluctuations, is predicted to increase in occurrence if climate change exists as Cornell has observed in the past. Mr. Nelson noted that one and is changing Ithacan weather. Much like how economists can really only judge climate change in hindsight. “Are we ex- cannot tell if the nation is in a recession until they look back, periencing global warming right now? I don’t know. Ask me in scientists cannot judge climate change until years afterward. a hundred years.” If climate change were the verdict, then these These short fluctuations that students are experiencing are 40-degree switchbacks from frosting to summerlike mornings most likely just particularly weird spring weather that should would be another symptom. fit with the dozens of particularly weird people and things These times of brutal weather also damaged the environ- Ithaca has to offer. We can only cross our fingers that the next ment. Cayuga Bird Club President Paul Anderson said, “This year doesn’t pose the same set of climatic battles as these past year, as the open areas of water shrank, the birds’ months have. options for foraging shrank too. I imagine the bottom of the lake was vacuumed clean of all edibles below those open areas.” He went on to describe watching a Canada goose give up living on the ice of Cayuga Lake. The cold snaps have killed many crops to boot, and the salt sprinkled on roads to melt snow could have salinized already-dying roadside forests. Fred Cowett, a postdoctoral associate at Cornell Horticulture Lab, had more radical opinions about Ithaca’s weather WITH THE TATTLER! which he voiced at a lecture about the Natural Systems and Email ads@ihstattler.com Landscape of Cayuga Heights at the Cayuga Heights Town Hall. Using specialized software, Cowett was able to illustrate his views on the future of Tompkins County. Climate change was estimated to increase the maximum temperature about eight degrees for all months of the year in the county. Cowett made a special note to focus on the future storms. Rainfall events, such as storms, will become more intense but have a greater interval of time between them. Due to the impervious surfaces that Ithaca offers, such as roofs, roads, and parking lots, a lot of this rainwater will run off and be channelled into storm drains to be washed into the lake. An environmentally superior alternative would absorb the rainfall into the soil to become slowly moving groundwater. One might see this phenomenon if they were to look at a neighboring road during a hard rain and watch a river develop out of it. With the emergence of bigger, rarer storms and infrastructure designed to flush these surges away from the plants that need it, dry periods may soon accompany the flashing beat of storms and cold snaps. All of this is scientifically sound, and although computer models will change Tompkins Country is shown here with projected temperature changes of around 5 degrees. predictions, there is little rea-
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IMAGE BY FRED COWWETT
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June 2015
Opinion What is the Patriot Act? By MAX FINK
Insecure Keylogger Threatens Student Security
IMAGE PROVIDED
By JACOB SILCOFF
Bush 43 signing Patriot Act into law
As we prepare for Regents exams, fret about college, and dream about the summer ahead, the Washington political machine presses onward. The fundamental role of government is to serve the people, and that’s exactly what our representatives are doing down there in Washington: dealing with taxes, roads, ethics—all the big stuff. Perhaps the government’s most important “service,” however, is its job of protecting the people by guaranteeing them freedom and security. The largest breach of American security in recent memory was 9/11, which prompted a huge response from the government. The subsequent War on Terror and increased security measures led to the passing of a bill known as the Patriot Act which is up for renewal this summer. The Patriotic Act passed into law in October 2001 to strengthen national security and anti-terrorism measures. Its full title, USA PATRIOT Act, is actually a backronym (an acronym adapted to fit a phrase) that stands for “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism.” The Patriot Act has passed its renewal vote without much debate every year since 2001, and the next vote on the Patriot Act is coming up this June 1. Continued on Page 10.
Have you logged into a personal account using a school computer in the last two months? Now think about what would happen if your passwords got into the wrong hands. Let’s say a malicious student got a hold of your Google login information. What can this student do? Firstly, they can lock you out of your account, change your password, and remove any way of getting back in. Then, they can get into any website that you’ve used this email for—Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Edmodo, Amazon, PayPal, you name it. All of these websites have a forget-your-password feature that enables anyone who can get into your email to change your password and lock you out. At this point, every major account you have on the internet is entirely under someone else’s control. They can read your messages, talk to people under your name, and they can spend your money if you have an account linked to a credit card (like an iCloud, Amazon, Snapchat, or PayPal account). You may be familiar with a program called LanSchool, a software program set up on computers in the Technology Labs at IHS, designed to control and monitor computer activities. One of LanSchool’s lesser-known capabilities is its keylogger, a program that takes everything you’ve typed— usernames, passwords, and private messages included—and records them. This isn’t that bad by itself; there are legitimate reasons for a school to be keeping tabs on its students, and after all, the district has no malicious intentions. But the problem lies in its implementation. Stoneware, the company behind LanSchool, has a reputation for not caring about the security of its products. Before version 5 of the software, commands sent across the network were insecure, meaning anyone, students included, could take control of or surreptitiously monitor other people’s computers. Although this was later fixed, the keylogger remains a glaring security flaw. The keylogger data file for a computer, where recorded keystrokes are stored, is accessible to any user of that computer. Stoneware claims that this file is encrypted, but the encryption is trivially easy to break. It is little more than a “subContinued on Page 11.
OPINION
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The Invasion of Texas By PJ FINLAY
From July 15 to September 15, the U.S. Military will be conducting a series of routine military exercises throughout the Southwest, primarily in Texas. This is because the deserts of the Southwest are similar to the conditions that American soldiers would be likely to face while fighting overseas. There is nothing out of the ordinary with these exercises. However, a group of tinfoil-hat-wearing conspiracy theorists on the Internet recently became convinced that these military exercises are a cover operation for Obama to invade Texas, impose martial law, and take away freedom-loving Americans’ guns. According to this theory, abandoned Wal-Mart stores would be used as guerrilla warfare bases, prisons for Tea Party supporters, and exits for an extensive pre-existing tunnel system that would allow Obama to move troops easily throughout the state. I cannot fully convey the ridiculousness of this theory in this article. The existence of this sort of conspiracy is nothing out of the ordinary—after all, crazy people think crazy things and publish them on the Internet. However, what is unusual is that Greg Abbott, the Republican Governor of Texas, believes this theory and has ordered the Texas State Guard to monitor the exercises in case there is an invasion attempt. As ridiculous as this conspiracy theory and the Governor’s response are, the invasion of Texas is just another addition to a growing list of the Tea Party’s ridiculous beliefs such as opposing a mosque at Ground Zero, claiming that Obama was born in Kenya, denying climate change, and shutting down the United States Government in an attempt to defund Obamacare. These events are evidence that a wing of the Republican Party has become increasingly detached from reality in its opposition to the Obama administration.
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Gender-Neutral Bathrooms a Necessity at IHS By ABBY KATZ
Despite the emphasis on dignity for all students at ICSD, an alarming number of pupils in the district cannot use the restroom without fear of harassment, discomfort, and punishment. This may sound extreme to most—everyone knows that school bathrooms can be gross, but dangerous? For gender-nonconforming students, however, it is a very legitimate concern. It is because of gender-nonconforming people that gender-neutral bathrooms—one-stall restrooms that anyone can use, regardless of sex or gender—have become more and more commonplace in the USA. Sometimes also referred to as “gender-open” or “all-gender” bathrooms, these facilities are most Continued on Page 10.
June 2015
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The Writing on the desk The Writing on the Desk: An Ode to Friends By CARVER JORDAN, Staff Writer
It’s come to that time of the school year that everyone in the graduating class both prays for and dreads. Next year, we seniors will be going on to the “new and exciting things” that we have planned for ourselves; however, we will also face the stress of having to leave behind those who we’ve grown to love and care for over the last four years, only hoping that we can revert back to our natural state come next summer. It’s unlikely that friends who aren’t very close will stay in touch. While I have every intention to maintain certain relationships, it’s possible that even one’s closest friends will not be so in a year’s time. There will be conflicts, and plans to meet for coffee may fall through. We all have to accept this. Friends and their relationships may change over time. That is not the note I wish to end the year on, though. There is no telling what the future holds for any of us, and even if friends do lose touch for a bit, what is important is holding onto the memories you have with them and appreciating what great people they really are. Nobody’s perfect, and as I pointed out in the article I wrote last month, “Judgment (Every) Day,” people’s flaws are usually the first things we notice about them. Isn’t it interesting that those with the qualities that most offend us are often the ones we’re closest to? Maybe it’s just my judgmental mindset that causes me to notice and analyze what I find to be the most annoying aspects of people in the first place. It’s different with people we don’t know well because we see them as one-dimensional: no depth. Strangers are liked, disliked, or ignored based on little or no criteria. On the senior trip a few weeks ago, if it had just been me and people I don't know well, sleeping on the bus would have seemed like a better alternative than getting involved. Friends make bad situations bearable. They are individuals: unique, frustrating, but ultimately retaining their status as friends because of the things we do like about them and the things they like about us. We all have friends who make us mad; that’s not news. How could they be our friends if they didn’t aggravate us, though? We need people whom we can be honest with, and Continued on Page 11.
June 2015
OPINION
Music and GPA: Let It Count By TRISTAN ENGST
IMAGE PROVIDED
It is commonly noted that students who take music classes tend to fare better than many of their peers in other classes. However, playing an instrument in school is not necessarily beneficial to one’s grade point average (GPA). It is all a matter of lost opportunity. Students who fare worse in core classes may view electives such as music as a chance to pull their GPA up, but unlike most classes, music classes don’t affect students’ GPAs. Students are able to take only so many Just an example. classes in a day. A student taking a class that doesn’t count towards their GPA loses the opportunity to take a class that could bring it up. This puts many students taking music classes at an academic disadvantage to their non-musical peers. And for what? There’s little rationale behind not letting music classes affect a student’s GPA. After all, music classes are certainly worthwhile and important. Taking such a class makes one a more well-rounded individual. Additionally, studies by the German Institute for Economic Research, Emory University, and many others have linked playing music to a host of cognitive benefits in school and later in life; attaining these benefits should be encouraged. Moreover, while the Internet abounds with studies that have positive conclusions—and it seems that merely playing an instrument for some amount of time is all that’s required—few other academic subjects can promise more than benefits to employability later in life, and then only for students who master the subject. Cognitive gains made in music classes are retained, whereas adults in America are laughably bad at math, for example. (The staff at BuzzFeed scraped a mere 50.4 percent on 5th-grade math material.) MuContinued on Page 12.
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Presidential Candidates: The 2016 Elections Ted Cruz, “Wacko Bird” By SARAH COUILLARD
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Cruz displaying his avian resemblance.
First off, who is Ted Cruz? He is a Republican currently serving as the junior United States Senator for Texas. And he’s a “wacko bird.” At least, so said Senator John McCain, while criticizing Cruz’s 21-hour filibuster of Obamacare. Cruz’s political views are not the only source of controversy in his candidacy for President. Cruz was born in Canada to an American-born mother and a Cuban-born father who at the time was not an American citizen. This has led to much discussion regarding his eligibility to run for President. The Constitution declares that a candidate must be a “natural born citizen,” but Cruz was not born on U.S. soil or to two American citizens. Nevertheless, on March 23, he was the first presidential hopeful to announce his candidacy. Although some may have hoped that Cruz’s Hispanic background would influence his opinions on immigration, a brief look at his voting record would quickly disillusion them. In 2013, Cruz voted in favor of an amendment which would have prohibited the reconsideration of illegal immigrant status until such a 700 mile fence along the U.S.-Mexico border was completed. His voting record reveals other unpleasant surprises, including his vote against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in 2013 and his vote against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013, which prevents employers from discriminating on the basis of gender or sexual identity. (Both of those acts passed anyway.) Ted Cruz has some interesting opinions about his possible predecessor, Obama. He said at a U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce forum last month that Obama has “inflamed racial tensions” in the United States. He supported his claim by citing an unrelated statement (about Wall Street, with no mention of race) by Joe Biden and failed to provide an example when asked. Continued on Page 12.
OPINION
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The Best Ice Cream Shop
Purity: The Superior Sweet Treat
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The Best Ice Cream Shop
Sweet Melissa’s: I Scream, You Scream By MADDIE WISSOKER
IMAGE PROVIDED
IMAGE PROVIDED
By JONATHON HAWTHORNE, Staff Writer
June 2015
An Ithacan Institution.
A Summertime Standard.
Purity is the backdrop to the quintessentially Ithacan experience. Ask any Ithacan about an ice cream–related experience: their first scoop of ice cream in the summer, their first bite of a waffle cone. The first taste of Purity’s ice cream that one experiences as Ithaca’s heat waves roll through is truly a blissful experience. Be it a milkshake after a grueling concert or a triple scoop of mint chocolate chip after a graduation ceremony, Purity houses a magical quality of being the ideal station to reflect upon memories. Not only that, Purity serves as an ambitious project. Its ice cream is a paragon of flavor—a testament to creativity and intuition. Its cool interior beckons those who enter to experiment with the dazzling selection of ice-cream flavors. Stemming from its creativity, Purity has continually put forth renovations in order to show its willingness to change with the times. Purity’s tantalizing ice-cream concoctions reign superior over everyone’s tastebuds. Molly Swarthout ’16, although not a fanatical supporter of Purity’s design choice, insists, “its fishy interior decoration does not prevent its ice cream from being delicious.” Clearly, Purity serves as a living and breathing spectacle that, despite cosmetic changes, always remains constant in its delicious beauty. Purity is not without opponents. Laypeople claim a place known as Sweet Melissa’s to be the better option. Frankly, those who make such rash assertions fail to take into account Purity’s versatility. Sweet Melissa’s might be a good ice-cream store, but it is nowhere near the level of novelty that Purity represents. Sweet Melissa’s is a place of soft serve—emphasis on the soft. For the student who wishes to sit in the blazing heat for a soft-serve cone that will inevitably melt quite fast, Melissa’s is the ideal spot. Continued on Page 12.
As the temperature outside climbs, so do appetites for ice cream. We ask ourselves: What flavor do I want? What size? What toppings? Cone or dish? But the overarching question is always “Where should we go?” The decision comes down to Sweet Melissa’s or Purity, but it is Sweet Melissa’s every time. In the simplest terms, the ice cream tastes better. No matter what the flavor, it’s always creamier than Purity’s. You can almost taste that it’s made carefully, in small batches, as if just for you. Although Sweet Melissa’s may not have the extensive list of flavors that Purity does, theirs is made locally, it’s gelatin free, and the flavors are always changing. While they often have classics like chocolate chip cookie dough, the owner’s creations are endless, ranging from lemon ricotta to blondie cookies ‘n’ cream. Additionally, there are always vegan hard ice cream options, making Sweet Melissa’s a great choice for everyone. The creativity doesn’t stop with hard ice cream flavors. Sweet Melissa’s also serves soft serve. Along with the classic twist, chocolate, or vanilla, you can order black raspberry yogurt, red raspberry sorbet, or a combination called a two berry twist (which I highly recommend). All of their soft flavors can be dipped in sprinkles or one of their three hardening sauces, adding a delicious outer coating. If it’s a classic that you want, you can easily find it at Sweet Melissa’s as well. Whether it’s a shake, float, or banana split, they have them all. While Purity has an infamous board of countless flavors, a newly renovated air-conditioned seating area, and long hours, not everyone wants to eat there. Purity contracts out to a supplier that uses fish gelatin in the ice cream. Because of this, vegContinued on Page 12.
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June 2015
Heat Editorial Continued from Page 2. tivated, and crankier from excessive heat, and become less likely to obey directions or participate in activities. But the people who are the most disadvantaged by the district’s inaction are the teachers. Their job is made more difficult when the work environment in which they must engage their students is, as math teacher Karen Seifert put it, “too damn hot.” More than slightly dissatisfied with the level of service provided, teachers have gone out of their way to help students cool down of their own accord, many urging students to bring water to drink and a few even providing paper fans and Popsicles for classes. During the previous school year, teachers often reserved York Lecture Hall to take advantage of the room’s cooler temperature. Attitudes towards the situation are irate at best; responses range from teachers bringing in thermometers to measure temperature highs, as Mr. Jordan and other teachers have done, to outright blame of the school for “not doing anything for us.” Health issues are also a rising concern. While problems such as mild dehydration or heat exhaustion can be avoided with enough water, many more serious issues persist. English teacher Lauren Mellander has been pregnant for several months. Despite her condition, she is expected to remain teaching on the second floor under intense heat and humidity, conditions that have been shown to be outright dangerous during pregnancy. Resentment and protest are increasing, and yet little remains accomplished. For students to learn and teachers to educate, it is crucial that they have access to what all individuals should be provided: positive, encouraging environments that support the attainment of knowledge for everyone. Unfortunately, in this case, it is evident that IHS has failed to do exactly that. This controversy of heat conditions isn’t just a recent problem; it
OPINION is one that has been going on for many years and is only now coming to a head. Adam Piasecki said that “this has always been an issue in our schools.” The very fact that students and teachers must endure such conditions reveals a truth: that the school does not have a sufficient grasp on the imminent needs of its staff and students.
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What is the Patriot Act? Continued from Page 6. This might not seem like such a big deal. Politics as usual. It is for national security and the War on Terror, after all. However, several of the Patriot Act’s provisions have raised controversy for the extensive liberties they provide the government. One problem is Section 215 of the act, which essentially states the the government can ask for “any tangible things … for an investigation to protect against international terrorism.” The glaring issue is that this bill provides the government the right to confiscate literally anything as “evidence” under almost any circumstance. Even Section 215 alone opens the door to huge amounts of government surveillance. NSA, anyone? The legality of these confiscations is overseen by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC). The FISC reviews requests for surveillance warrants and evidence collection against suspected terrorists and foreign service agents overseas. Some have even called the FISC “a second Supreme Court” due to the large amount of power it holds. It has essentially given Section 215, and the Patriot Act overall, the go ahead: it allows the government to store and track everything from tangible documents to emails to phone records on every U.S. citizen with no real restrictions. Due to this, the NSA and its partner programs are totally legal under the Patriot Act. The NSA scandal, which revealed that the NSA was collecting the telephone records of Americans, has of late horrified millions of Americans, and as the Patriot Act comes up to be voted on once again, we must question:
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how much freedom can we have with security? How much privacy is it possible to have while still remaining secure? What limitations are you willing to accept? How far does government surveillance actually go? What are your rights? Should the Patriot Act be renewed? It is perhaps best, and simplest, to paraphrase John Oliver and say that having national security and having privacy is like having both an amazing pet hawk and an amazing pet hamster; they won’t both survive unless you are willing to accept some limitations on them both. Think about it.
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Gender Neutral Bathrooms Continued from Page 7. often cited as being useful for transgender individuals who are unable to use or feel unsafe using facilities that match their gender identity, as well as people who identify outside of the gender binary. I have seen many gender-neutral stalls in public buildings and college campuses that I’ve toured. While there are gender-neutral bathrooms at IHS, few even know they exist. If you walk down F-hallway, through several unmarked doors, then through a meeting room, you will find a cramped stall with a paper sign reading “unisex” taped to its door—provided it isn’t locked at the time. The others are in the main office and in the nurse’s office, both out of the way. No student should have to walk halfway across the school and interrupt a meeting to avoid harassment when using the bathroom. IHS Gay-Straight Alliance President Jax Mello ’15 explained, “It’s very important that kids who aren’t comfortable in gendered restrooms feel like they have a safe place that they can go.” This sentiment was echoed by Noel Bentley ’17: “I feel like people don’t accept me in [the boy’s bathroom] ... I would definitely use the gender-neutral bathroom if it were more accessible.” In the interest of the safety and well-being of gender-nonconforming students and other marginalized groups at our school, the administration should work towards establishing legitimate facilities accessible to students of all genders. While creating such facilities may not be easy or straightforward, doing so is necessary.
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OPINION
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Insecure Keylogger Threatens Student Security Continued from Page 6. stitution cipher,” a type of encryption that has been breakable for hundreds of years. Any competent computer scientist would find this a trivial task, and it is easily possible for an AP Computer Science student to create a program to decode the keylogger file. Theoretically, a well-educated high-school student could crack the encryption in only a few hours. (Of course, to actually do so would be a violation of school policy and could therefore result in disciplinary action.) Dominick Lisi, head of the Technology Department, confirmed that the district is aware of the ability to hack into LanSchool. Anyone with a little computer science knowledge would be able to successfully retrieve time and username of any login, as well as every keystroke and the name of the program in which the keystroke was typed. Although LanSchool attempts to detect and censor passwords, it is largely unsuccessful. Often, the password is only partially censored, and sometimes it isn’t censored at all. This means an attacker could easily find usernames and passwords of students’ personal accounts. Many students use their school passwords for online accounts, such as Edmodo or SchoolTool, so it would not be difficult for an attacker to figure out how to log in to a student’s school account. Despite Stoneware’s claim that LanSchool records only 50,000 characters, it in fact records up to an entire megabyte (about a million characters), or about two full months of keystrokes. Due to these concerns, the district should immediately stop using LanSchool’s keylogger. Luckily, Lisi said that the program is not scheduled to be in use next year. Although the problem will be addressed by discontinuing use of the program, the fact that it was in use for so long in spite of the district’s knowledge of its insecurity is deeply concerning. One would sincerely hope, especially with the integration of Chromebooks next year, that the district steps up its security game. Security vulnerabilities such as this one have no place in our school’s future.
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June 2015
The Writing on the Desk: An Ode to Friends Continued from Page 7. no one can be completely honest without starting a few fights. Maybe a friend puts you down sometimes and compares themself to you to make themself feel better, or shares facts that may be common knowledge because they want people to consider them smart. Maybe they make you feel like they have such a better understanding of life than you, or that they’re smarter than you because they claim to know something in retrospect after having asked the question. You’ve put in time with them because, despite the character traits you like least about them, they’re pretty amazing. They’ve stuck by you and you by them. Let’s be honest—sometimes you compare yourself to them as well, and you share ideas out of books you’ve read because maybe you want people to know you’ve read them, and you might feel like you’ve got a better grasp on life than others because your dad walked out, and you’d like to think that you’re smarter than you actually are sometimes. They’ve probably noticed the same things about you, but whom else would you otherwise associate with? Would the squad share your occasionally mindless humor or your interest in fashion? Could you have walked to Wegmans at two in the morning in ninth grade and talked about the same things with anyone else? Who would buy you the GQ with Kanye and Kim on the cover when you were mad for a reason that seems trivial now? Can anyone else can make you laugh using only a Facebook sticker, because you know exactly what they meant by it? It's hard to imagine a world without good friends, their flaws and all; I'd like to think they’re an important part of life. Every relationship or friendship is a trade-off, in which you must take a person’s bad to get to their good. It doesn’t matter if they don’t always follow the same train of thought as you, because if they’re a person with whom you can lay on a hammock, in utter silence and with a fluttering heart, and just watch the trees rustle gently above you, your differences don’t matter. So, sure, you can be pissed off with people all you want, but if you define a person by their faults, you’ll never get to know anyone. And honestly, a world experienced alone isn’t worth experiencing.
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June 2015
OPINION
Presidential Candidates: 2016 Elections Ted Cruz, “Wacko Bird” Continued from Page 8. Rather, he repeated that Obama “exacerbated racial tension.” To him, at least, this must have seemed sufficient: he went on to hold Obama solely responsible for the recent riots in Baltimore. Cruz also hates Obamacare. In September he compared it to the policies of Nazi Germany and claimed that “millions … have lost their health insurance” as a result of it. This claim is apparently contradicted by an Urban Institute report cited by USA Today stating that the Affordable Care Act accounts for 10 million Americans newly insured between September 2013 and December 2014. In spite of this seemingly contradictory evidence, Cruz introduced the “Obamacare Repeal Act” in February of 2015. The best part of it, though, is that despite his contempt for the system, Cruz announced in March that he and his wife are planning on signing up for it, even saying there’s nothing ironic about it. Here’s a few more fun tidbits about Cruz:. He used taxpayers’ money to pay for portions of his campaign trips and doesn’t deny it. He said last July that same-sex marriage is “a real threat to our liberty.” He told a radio host in March that abortion access is “a manifestation of a war on women.” And, The Wall Street Journal has quoted him saying that Democrats want to repeal the Free Speech Amendment. Heard enough yet? Me too. Good thing most polls show him at consistently unfavorable ratings.
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“Presidential Candidates” is a recurring column that anyone can write. I Scream, You Scream Continued from Page 9. etarians can’t enjoy the countless flavors and are restricted to ordering something that isn’t ice cream at all. Purity is set right on noisy Route 13 where the highway divides, so getting there can be a problem. Parking is also often hard to find. And who wants to sit next to a highway? However, at Sweet Melissa’s, the picnic tables are set far back from the road, there is always parking, and it’s easy to get to. So when going out for ice cream, step up to the window at Sweet Melissa’s.
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Purity: The Superior Sweet Treat Continued from Page 9. However, one in search of deep and enjoyable flavors will be turned off by its atmosphere. Sweet Melissa’s may fill its own niche. This niche, however, is nowhere near the throne from which Purity reigns. Purity will remain an Ithacan classic. Sweet Melissa’s is just the new kid on the block. Purity sticks to its glorious ice cream, but throws in curveballs to create a new atmosphere for future generations of Ithacans to explore. Needless to say, in a world full of mediocre ice cream, Purity remains a force committed to sweet ice cream justice.
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Music and GPA: Let It Count Continued from Page 8. sic is an extremely valuable class—people are paid thousands of dollars a year to teach it—so why shouldn’t it count towards a GPA? In addition, not counting students’ grades in music classes can bring down their GPA. Consider the following table, showing two students’ grades in the stated courses and their unweighted GPA (average of grades for classes that count towards the GPA). Their classes are the same, except Edison takes a technology class and Beethoven takes Orchestra. Notice how their grades are the same, while their unweighted GPAs are not: Englsih
History
Math
Language
Science
Name
Technology
Unweighted
or Music
GPA
Edison
90
95
92
97
96
97
4.00
Beethoven
90
95
92
97
96
97
3.93
While a difference of .07 points seems small, it’s still unfair for Beethoven to be penalized for taking a valuable music class. The difference becomes more significant when applied to grades that are closer to the median: Name
Englsih
History
Math
Language
Science
Technology
Unweighted
or Music
GPA
Edison
80
85
82
87
86
97
3.44
Beethoven
80
85
82
87
86
97
3.26
This presents a more serious problem: not only is not counting the positive influence Orchestra would have on Beethoven’s GPA unfair, but it also makes him look like he’s a worse student. (Obviously, Edison could do poorly in his technology class and drag down his GPA. However, the class gave him the opportunity to bring it up.) Additionally, most students aren’t aware of this problem. Many whom I asked incorrectly believed that Orchestra counted towards their GPA, and a few admitted they didn’t know. One student who did know the truth didn’t realize until the middle of his sophomore year. In essence, students are not able to decide between grades or music when they sign up for music classes. Students aren’t told this information, nor is it easy to find. What should be done? The answer is simple: let music count towards students’ GPAs. The need for this is not so material as it is ethical. In general, students in music classes perform very well academically and are not at any sort of academic risk. IHS should recognize both the work these students put into their classes, and the fact that music classes are extremely valuable. Penalizing students for taking music devalues music classes and the work students put into them. Music is valuable and students shouldn’t have to choose between it and a potentially better GPA. It’s important, and it should count.
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June 2015
13
features Water, Water Everywhere
Kulp Auditorium
In a last-ditch effort to leave the school a bit more informed than we entered it, we took on the bladder-bending task of sampling nearly all the water fountains at IHS to bring you the best and the worst of our school’s aquatic offerings. We made it like the AP exams and gave each fountain a score out of five in different categories: taste, temperature, stream arc, filling time for a 22-fl-oz water bottle, and structural quality/cleanliness. Through our pseudo-scientific procedure and evaluation, we obtained both bellyaches and the following results.
A-Building
IMAGE BY ELISE REYNOLDS
Sorry, music kids. Don’t be fooled by these fountains’ sleek exterior. The only thing worse than your water’s mediocre temperature and taste is its awkward, non-ergonomic design. However, if you wish to have a bottle full of the stuff, these fountains’ filling times are nearly unparalleled.
Taste: n/a Temperature: n/a Arc: 0.5 Filling Time: n/a Structure: 4 (a little bunged up, but the mouthpiece is clean) Verdict: The mouthpiece is clean because it is impossible to drink out of this fountain, unless you want to get intimate with the faucet. A for effort, though.
Black Box Theatre
Taste: 2.5 Temperature: 3 Arc: 3.5 Filling Time: 17.54 s, but only to the 20-oz mark due to the low arc Structure: 5 Verdict: These fountains are the same make and quality as the ones backstage. Apologies to the show-going public.
B-Building
Luckily, Activities is small, as there is only one working fountain to be found. If you bring your own ice to compensate for the lukewarm temperature, the higher fountain becomes nearly perfect. Lacking a source of coolness, however, we’d recommend hydrating elsewhere before hitting up the ping-pong tables during lunch or heckling Mr. Mellander about one of the 10,000 things that fall under his job description.
Activities, outside Mr. Mellander’s office Outside the orchestra room
Taste: 2.5 Temperature: 3 Arc: 3 Filling Time: 17.78 seconds, but only to the 20-oz mark due to the low arc Structure: 5 (clean, but the small push button makes it unergonomic) Verdict: The higher fountain has a slightly better taste, but the lower fountain is colder. The location of the button can make water bottle filling awkward.
IMAGE BY ELISE REYNOLDS
By ELISE REYNOLDS, Staff Writer, and SOPHIA SHI
Taste: 5 Temperature: 2.5 Arc: 4.5 Filling Time: 23.23 s Structure: 5 Verdict: Although there are two fountains in this hallway, this data is only representative of the higher one because the lower failed to produce any water. Continued on Page 22.
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June 2015
FEATURES
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Top 5 Things to do in Ithaca this Summer
By DANIEL XU
By LUCA GREENSPUN and EMMA ROACH
IMAGE BY JOHN YOON
IMAGE PROVIDED
The Resistance: How to Play Mafia, but Better
The Resistance: who really are your friends?
The lake provides a location for numerous summer activities.
While Mafia reigns supreme in the world of party games, my friends and I have been engrossed for the past months in a similar, yet far lesser-known game—The Resistance. Like Mafia, the game is one of strategy and persuasive deception, but it offers far more depth and gameplay experience while being as simple to set up and play. All you need are five people and a deck of ordinary playing cards. Alternatively, if you are somewhat attached to the storytelling in Mafia, a sixth person can serve as a narrator and also circumvent the need for a deck of cards.
The seat of Tompkins County, Ithaca was founded in 1804. Since then, Ithaca has grown from a small town to a mini-metropolis of sorts. Home to Cornell University as well as Ithaca College, Ithaca often receives national attention. Ithaca placed 4th on TravelersToday.com’s “Top 5 College Towns in the Country” in June 2014, 1st in Business Insider’s “Top 10 College Towns in America,” and a 2013 study conducted by Lumosity determined that Ithaca is “The Smartest City in America.” These accolades are just a few of many that our town receives almost yearly. But in this time of year, when classes are winding down, students are reviewing for finals, and everyone is ready for summer, there lies the eternal question: “What should I do this summer?” There's always an option to take a trip somewhere else, but when you live in a city like Ithaca, there's plenty to do right in our own backyard. So, if you’re sitting around this summer wondering what to do, it shouldn't be hard to find something worth your while. Compiled below is a list of the five best things with which to fill your time while spending a summer in Ithaca, ensuring that you won’t be wasting your three months of freedom.
Rules of Engagement
The Resistance is built on a rather cliché story, but if you’re reading this, you’re probably looking for a fun game rather than an original novel. In a five-player setting, three are randomly chosen to be members of a resistance against some unknown oppressive empire, while the other two are imperial spies who seek to destroy the Resistance from within. The spies know each other’s identities, but the Resistance has no knowledge of any identities. Here is where the game begins to differ from Mafia— the goal of the Resistance is not strictly to figure out who the spies are, although determining identities certainly does help. Instead, victory hinges upon a series of five missions that make up the crux of the game. To begin, the roles are assigned, usually by dealing out cards to the players. Once the spies secretly acknowledge one another, the scene is set for the first mission. One player is randomly chosen to “lead” the first mission, which means that they choose the players who are going on that mission. Generally, the first mission involves three players, the second, two, the third, three, etc. The mission leader can choose themselves, although Continued on Page 17.
1. Swim.
When people come to Tompkins County, they often come for the Finger Lakes. Ithaca sits at the southern end of Cayuga Lake, which is the largest of the 11 Finger Lakes. Most obviously, Cayuga Lake offers a nice way to sit by the water, have a picnic, watch the sunset, eat and have fun with friends. When it’s not mobbed with a massive crowd of hipsters, East Shore is a great spot to swim. If the lake isn’t your thing, there are a hundred waterfalls within 10 miles from downtown, so a spot to cool off, enjoy nature, and have a little cliff-jumping fun (if you dare) shouldn't be hard to find. When the temperatures start reaching the 90s, there is nothing better than taking a swim in these natural, beautiful bodies of water. Continued on Page 21.
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FEATURES
June 2015
15
The Hall Monitor
Interviews and Photographs by BRIDGET FETSKO
Seniors, what is your best piece of advice for high-school students?
Jenna Burger ’15:
“Find friends that bring out the best in you.”
Stephanie Hoyt ’15: “Make time to take the electives you want to take.” Aisha Hussain ’15:
“Think about your career early. … You want to look at the requirements and make sure you can do those things before you go to college.”
Mattie Hause ’15:
Cali Newman ’15 and Ally Mirin ’15: “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”
“My advice for underclassmen, and all people, is to not be afraid to be different and be yourself and not care what people think about that.”
June 2015
FEATURES
Restaurant Review:
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Restaurant Review:
Red’s Place
Hawi Ethiopian Cuisine By SAMMY DIETL
IMAGE PROVIDED
By OLIVIA SALOMON and SOPHIA SHI
Red’s Place opened last year on North Aurora Street, which is colloquially known as Restaurant Row. It has had to compete with establishments like Viva Taqueria, Mahogany Grill, Ithaca Ale House, and Mercato. We found ourselves at Red’s one Monday evening, interested in trying this new restaurant. The outdoor dining area was nearly filled, so we opted for a seat inside. We were seated quickly and looked around the restaurant: quilted booths, a wood-paneled accent wall, and drinks written out on a chalkboard column definitely lived up to the “unique dining pub” claim. The menu was very casual, featuring appetizers, salads, flatbreads, burgers, and sandwiches. We started with the “Pot of Gold,” which featured charred ciabatta with ricotta and chili tomato sauce. It tasted like a cross between pizza and bruschetta; tasty, but not outstanding. For the main dish, we ordered the farm salad and the turkey burger. The salad was a huge portion—we definitely recommend sharing. The vinaigrette dressing was a little too heavy-handed, but we loved the crunch from the sunflower seeds. Also included in the salad were peas, green beans, peppers, bacon, and gouda—an unexpected combination that nevertheless felt classic. The turkey burger was undoubtedly the star of the meal; in fact, it was one of the best we’d ever sampled. Topped with arugula, tomato, and garlic aioli, there was cheddar and honey mustard mixed in with the meat. The result was a curious but deliciously sweet, warm burger, which helped offset the sharp, sour salad dressing. We were sad to polish it off. As a side, we chose sweet potato fries (it is a universally acknowledged truth that you cannot go wrong with sweet potatoes). Usually, burger-and-fry portions are too generous, but the size of this dish was perfect: filling, but not stuffing. Red’s also offers desserts, but we decided to pass this Continued on Page 21.
IMAGE PROVIDED
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Hawi Ethiopian Cuisine opened in early March on South Cayuga Street, and has been thriving since then. Upon my arrival at 8:30 p.m. on a Wednesday night, my date and I were confronted with a strong, delicious aroma of spices and the upbeat rhythm of Ethiopian music being played subtly in the background. We were soon greeted by a host and given the choice of where to sit among about 35 guests in a 50-guest space. Due to the dim light coming from single tea lights on every table, my date and I chose to sit closer to the window for more adequate lighting. After being seated, feelings of claustrophobia began to arise as the tables were only about a foot-and-a half apart; however, our table was clean and set with menus, napkins, glasses, and a pitcher with water. Within minutes, our waitress arrived, explaining the confusing menu, the various ways to approach ordering chef ’s specials, and different combinations made with meat and vegetables with the option of sharing between guests. We chose the meat combination that entailed two meats and three vegetables. We planned on lamb marinated in wine, beef seasoned with Ethiopian spices as well as onions and jalapeños, chickpeas stewed with onions, collard greens, and finally mixed vegetables seasoned with garlic and ginger. The lamb dish was too expensive to be included in the combination, but our waitress was very knowledgeable about the different dishes and was able to describe another lamb dish to our liking. Ten minutes after ordering, our meal arrived on a large platter lined with injera, an Ethiopian bread, with additional injera on a smaller platter. Our waitress explained how to use the injera in the place of utensils by ripping off a piece of bread and using it to scoop up the food with our hands. The injera was moist with a very sour aftertaste, but in Continued on Page 21.
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Lexical Laboratory By STERLING WILLIAMS-CECI
Today, it can be hard to maintain an extensive vocabulary as teenagers: however, knowing a broad range of terms is always useful. Vocabulary helps not only on standardized tests but also in general conversation. However hard it may seem to learn new words quickly, summer provides a great opportunity for catching up on practicing your memorization of prefixes, suffixes, and just really uncommon words. This section will give you a head start on your summer studying, because every word counts in the end! Pulchritude: (n.) physical comeliness. Snow White is a classic example of pulchritude, admired by the prince and envied by the Queen. Arcane: (adj.) secret or mysterious: known or understood by only a few people. A lot of the words tested on the SAT and similar tests tend to be very arcane to today’s generation of students. Comatose: (adj.) in a state of profound unconsciousness. A friend of mine has been comatose ever since her concussion. Capricious: (adj.) changing often and quickly; especially often changing suddenly in mood or behavior. The teacher was capricious: he would treat me nicely and give me positive feedback one day, but scowl at my questions the next. Enthrall: (v.) to hold the attention of by being very exciting, interesting, or beautiful. Many call The Fault in Our Stars an enthralling book, one that holds the reader’s eye from the beginning to the end. Auspicious: (adj.) showing or suggesting that future success is likely. The most auspicious way to start improving IHS’s facilities is to present the issues to the Board of Education. Stoic: (adj.) a person who accepts what happens without complaining or showing emotion The stoic child barely flinched when he got his first flu shot. Impregnable: (adj.) not able to be captured by attack: very strong. The IHS Brain Team is practically impregnable with its track record of countless victories over surrounding areas’ teams. Anecdote: (n.) a usually short narrative of an interesting, amusing, or biographical incident. The lockdown on the first day of school became a widely-told anecdote. All definitions by Merriam-Webster. The “Lexical Laboratory” is a monthly installment. If you know any wonderful words you think people should know, email features@ihstattler.com.
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June 2015
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The Resistance: How to Play Mafia, But Better Continued from Page 14. they are not obligated to. After each mission, the player to the left of the current mission leader becomes the new mission leader. Before each mission begins, the five players vote for or against the mission. This phase is very important (which will become clear later if not at present). A majority in favor will pass the mission; in the event that the mission does not pass, mission leadership changes as it normally would but the number of players going remains the same (in other words, if a three-player mission is voted down, the next mission leader is also responsible for a three-player mission). Missions proceed with a vote concerning only the players who are on the mission. Each mission-goer secretly votes either for the mission to succeed or fail by indicating with the color of a card that they place. Although Resistance members must vote for any mission they are on to succeed, spies can choose whether to vote for a success or a fail. A single vote for fail condemns the entire mission to failure. Why is this important? The spies win the game if three of the five missions fail. The Resistance wins if the aforementioned condition is not met.
The Fun Part
Herein lies the devilish and intricate entertainment that The Resistance provides. The first few missions may pass relatively innocently, but by the third—and especially the penultimate—missions, tensions and debate rise as each Resistance member attempts to convince whomever they believe to be their allies that they know who the spies are. Shouting matches are frequent. Sometimes, a mission leader goes in circles, struggling over the decision of who exactly to pick for the crucial mission. The spy game is very difficult to play correctly: failing a mission too early or in conjunction with your comrade spy will quickly give away identities and lead to an easy Resistance victory. To maintain your identity, careful play and acting are of paramount importance. Some players may be good at playing the Resistance side, but terrible at playing spies if they cannot act as if they are not, in fact, a spy. Odd mannerisms can give away a spy: they may be more shy than usual, or talk a bit too much. More frequently, however, an observant Resistance member will notice a spy based on trends in earlier missions in which they participate with another suspicious player. They will, of course, still have to convince the other players that said suspicious player is a spy. It’s all in how you play the game, and that is one of the best parts of The Resistance. Each game feels fresh and new, even when you play continuously with the same group of people, and bringing in new blood can only make the scene more exciting. So get out there and teach your friends and family!
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June 2015
Kalil Hendel
While some embark to college with hopes of higher education, I’ve found myself drawn to a pilgrimage of the spirit. I’ll sell my belongings, grow my beard, and traverse the American canvas; I’ll drink from the sap of the Redwood tree, dance naked under the shivering moon, and with the heat of the heartland fire at my back, I’ll dip my toes in the bottomless Pacific and truly know how it feels to be a stranger.
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Mattie Hause
Center Spread
Next year I’ll be doing what I’ve dreamed of doing since seventh grade: attending Ithaca College to work towards a bachelor’s in music education. Eventually, I’d like to become a music teacher in a high school or college. I wasn’t initially able to attend IC for financial reasons, but I have been blessed with connections which have helped make it possible. It’s honestly a dream come true.
Asiya Toorawa Interview by NICO HIRSCHL
Asiya will be attending The School of the Art Institute of Chicago next year, seeking to “positively influence the everyday lives of people.” She said it was not until she took a design class in the Human Ecology Department at Cornell that she knew she wanted to continue studying art.
Josie Waisbrot
After high school, I plan to attend The Culinary Institute of America for my bachelor’s degree in baking and pastry arts and management. Until I start college in December, I plan on working at The Statler Hotel at banquets. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I hope to work as a baker or pastry chef and eventually open my own bakery.
Cole Clemons
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June 2015 that I will never forget 19 My experience at IHS is something and will cherish for the rest of my life. After my graduation, I will be attending Bryant and Stratton College to major in criminal justice and to run track and field. In the future, I hope to be a social worker.
Jessie Liu
After IHS, I’m planning to head to Columbia to study computer science with the goal of eventually working to integrate programming with sustainability or design. While I’m working towards that, other plans of mine include learning how to make a pizza that doesn’t suck, picking up some bartending skills, and owning a dog. But honestly, I have no idea what the future will hold!
Seniors' Post-High School Plans By JAMES YOON and NICO HIRSCHL, IMAGES PROVIDED
Richie Burke
Katie Henderson
Next year I will be attending Queen’s University, a Canadian school on the shore of Lake Ontario in Kingston, Ontario. I plan to study chemical engineering and to continue playing the flute. I hope to apply the knowledge of chemistry and problem-solving skills that this degree will give me to conserving the environment after I graduate.
In the fall I will be attending Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio. I will continue to wrestle in college, striving to become the National Champion. Wrestling has made me a resilient athlete, a consummate teammate, and most importantly, a better student. I know my college life will present both academic and athletic challenges, but I am prepared to set lofty goals, work hard, and utilize my support system to excel.
Cristina Bevia
Interview by NICO HIRSCHL
Cristina will be attending New York University to study film. She said she is looking forward to “meeting people and making connections” with others also pursuing her interests.
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June 2015
FEATURES
Combined Class Has Tea; Experiences Victorian Era
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Victorian lady swatting cake onto the ground in a large spray of chunks and crumbs, all in a fit of annoyance. Although cake had been sacrificed for the sake of the play, there was a lot of other delicious food, and tea, to consume. We snacked on various baked goods, from cakes to cookies to biscuits and everything in between, as well as a delectable Victorian oddity: cucumber sandwiches—slices of bread with cucumber, vinegar, and mayonnaise in between. Like all good things, the event came to an end, having lasted only three hours.
By TRISTAN ENGST
IMAGE PROVIDED
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“It’s … it’s … the tops of her feet! How utterly scandalous!” (laughter). I heard several variations of this phrase at the Victorian Tea, an event held by the Honors English 10–Global 2 Combined class (co-taught by Ms. Mellander and Mr. Ballard), wherein students rewound the clock 150 years to experience elements of Victorian culture at Cornell’s picturesque A. D. White House. The phrase mocks what students in the class considered to be excessive Victorian prudery, and shows just how much times have changed. We wore clothes that would be considered excessively formal today, and—prepare to be shocked—spent three hours without touching a video game. For the most part, we found other, Victorian forms of entertainment like dance, parlor games, music, and eating—all surprisingly enjoyable. Students had positive reactions to waltzing. Noel Bentley ’17 found it to be “something new and interesting, but also fun,” while Max Fink ’17 said, “I thoroughly enjoyed dancing.” Parlor games followed. We played two; one was similar to charades, the other was “Passing the Smile.” This amusing game involved sitting in a circle and trying to get others to crack a smile or laugh. After a period of listening to Victorian-era music, namely, a part from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado and piece by Mendelssohn, we enjoyed a spectacularly-presented excerpt from Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, regularly punctuated by giggles from the audience. While anyone reading the play’s script can see the humor in Wilde’s dialogue, the actual play—put on by students in our class—went another two or three steps further into hilarity. Imagine a supposedly demure
IMAGE BY TRISTAN ENGST
Erin Hilgartner ’17 and Christian Henry ’17 as Lady Gwendolyn and Lane.
Max Fink: Dapper as ever.
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Top 5 Things to do in Ithaca this Summer Continued from Page 14.
2. Eat.
According to the Downtown Ithaca Alliance website, Ithaca is home to more restaurants per capita than New York City. They are also all within walking distance of each other (granted, you’ll have a few hills to climb if you walk; it is Ithaca after all). The great thing about food in Ithaca is the diversity. If you're feeling pizza, in the Commons area alone you have five options all within a few blocks of each other. If you’re feeling like impressing a hot date, making visiting relatives envious, dressing up and sipping fine wine, or if you just enjoy dabbling in fine cuisine, John Thomas Steakhouse runs about $100 per entree and its steaks would make even the most devout vegetarians’ mouths water. Madeline’s is a fine choice as well, as is Mercato. Either way, as a living, breathing Ithacan, you owe it to yourself to get out and enjoy all the great food you’re too busy to enjoy during the school year. Whether you want Mexican (Viva Taqueria), Italian (Gola Osteria), Vietnamese (Saigon Kitchen), or even Ethiopian (Hawi), you have no shortage of options. If you’re looking to make food at home, or want to experience the farmers’ side of Ithaca, stop by the Farmer’s Market on the weekend. With great food to snack on while you wander, there are also great local vendors. Plus, there are plenty of fresh fruits and veggies to make fantastic food at home. Don’t forget to get some ice cream on your way home, too.
3. Party.
Ithaca Festival, Grassroots, and all the other festivals and events that seem to spring up in or around our town when the weather gets warm are all great outlets to express your inner party animal. The Summer Concert Series at Taughannock Park is an activity offered throughout the summer. This year the program offers a wide range of genres of music, including Thousands of One, Kevin Kinsella, and the ever-popular Gunpoets. There is a parking fee, but people are free to bring food, blankets and friends and enjoy the music. This starts in July, and runs on Saturday nights through August. However, that doesn't mean you can't make the party happen on your own. Be “the man” (in the proverbial sense) and throw that party everyone will remember until their hair starts falling out. Take advantage of the great food and the beautiful landscapes and have a great time with your friends outdoors. And if it gets too hot, take the party to a gorge, dam, waterfall, or lakeside swimming hole.
4. Explore.
Walking through town, the ability of Ithaca’s surroundings to intrigue and fascinate is perpetually surprising. The abundant summer foliage that comes full-bloom is effortlessly inviting. Knowing there is a city beneath the miles of plush greenery makes the idea of exploring Ithaca even more enticing. Whether it be a creek, an old abandoned building, an underground hideout, or just a new view, each one is just as exciting as the next. During the summer, when Ithaca is at its finest, one would be making a grave mistake if they did not step outside at least once and explore the inviting mysteries that sit before them.
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5. Fall in Love or Find a Date (or two).
The flowers bloom, the sun starts to shine, music plays almost nonstop with live performances in neighborhoods and parks, the waterfalls roar, and the smells of over 80 local restaurants unfurl in the air. Find someone in Ithaca’s 30,000, take them on a date, and see how it goes. If it doesn’t work out, find another date. No matter their GPA, anyone who passes up on these perfect conditions to have an archetypal summer fling would be a fool. There will always be something new to do every day in our 10 square miles. This is just a place to get started, and you are truly only limited by your creativity. Anything can be fun in Ithaca, and there are so many more places to visit. Just remember to grab your friends on the way and make the most out of your summer before returning to school in September.
Restauraunt Review: Red’s Place Continued from Page 16. time because (a) we were full, and (b) none of them seemed to offer any unique flavors. Overall, this appears to be a recurring theme with Red’s Place: a hit-or-miss gamble between something outstanding and something underwhelming. Everything is $15 or less, making it a solid choice for those on a low- to mid-range budget. We’re interested in trying more of the menu, though. All we need is for the Tattler to create a dining allocation to sponsor our culinary adventures. … Red’s Place 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Su–W; 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m., Th–Sat (607) 319-4486 107 N Aurora St, Ithaca, NY 14850 www.redsplaceithaca.com
Restraunt Review: Hawi Ethiopian Cusine Continued from Page 16. general, the whole meal was the perfect balance of different textures and levels of spice. The amount of food given was able to fully satisfy two people for a very reasonable price; however, the lack of dessert was disappointing. Overall, I was satisfied with my experience at Hawi Ethiopian Cuisine and would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking to escape into a different culture for an evening. Hawi Ethiopian Cuisine 12 p.m.–10 p.m., Tu–S (607) 277-4294 113 S Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY 14850 www.hawiithaca.com
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Water, Water Everywhere Continued from Page 13.
New Gym
Taste: 4.5 (had notes of unrefreshing cucumber) Temperature: 1 Arc: 2.5 (higher fountain), 5 (lower fountain) Filling Time: 26.83 s (higher fountain), 21.77 s (lower fountain) Structure: 5 Verdict: If you’re in Q, the lower fountain is the way to go, with a great arc and a filling time of 21.77 seconds. However, both fountains are barely colder than room temperature—expecting more from the nearly brand new fountains, we were so surprised that we almost spat the water out.
C- and Q-Buildings
IMAGE BY ELISE REYNOLDS
Despite their locations outside the gyms, these buildings’ fountains provide little relief for sweaty students. Perhaps PE periods would be more refreshingly and effectively spent if students jogged to K for some real water.
D-Building
Bliss Gym
IMAGE BY ELISE REYNOLDS
Taste: 3.5 (feels prickly in the throat) Temperature: 1.5 Arc: 2 (extremely variable) Filling Time: 29.08 s Structure: 3.5 Verdict: Located near the old trophy cases, the lower fountain’s water quality is better than the higher one’s in both taste and temperature. However, the higher fountain can fill a water bottle more quickly and fully. The buttons were slightly smashed in, making it difficult to drink comfortably.
IMAGE BY ELISE REYNOLDS
D stands for Don’t even bother. Few things are worse than warm water, as any thirsty art student surely knows. Despite the fact that the surrounding fountains aren’t much better, the short walk to the E-Building fountains will reward you with water that’s colder than room temperature. Perhaps art students can make these fountains their next projects; they’d surely be more useful as sculptures.
D-Hallway
Taste: 5 Temperature: 1 Arc: 1.5 (inconsistent) Filling Time: 33.09 s, but only to the 20-oz mark due to the low arc (higher fountain), 44.08 s to 18 oz (lower fountain) Structure: 4 Verdict: Once again, the arts get the short end of the stick. The button is hard to use. The temperature, like this review, is lukewarm. Why would you ever drink from these? It’s not that far of a walk to E, anyways.
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E-Building
June 2015
quickly, and the water will remain cold for periods unless you’re sitting in the sun-soaked Quad. F-hallway can be busy between periods, but using this fountain doesn’t make you obtrusive to other students. All in all, a solid choice. IMAGE BY ELISE REYNOLDS
If you’re in the area, the E-building fountains provide a solid option for quenching your thirst, perhaps during a Code Red build session or after a particularly hairy physics test. Despite their old-fashioned exteriors, the cool water flowing from them ranks them above any fountains closer than G-Building.
Closer to the cafeteria
Cafeteria bathrooms
Taste: 5 Temperature: 4 (higher fountain), 2.5 (lower fountain) Arc: 4 (higher fountain), 2 (lower fountain) Filling Time: 24.10 s (higher fountain), 28.31 s, but only to the 20-oz mark due to the low arc (lower fountain) Structure: 4 Verdict: Don’t use the lower fountain if you can avoid it.
IMAGE BY ELISE REYNOLDS
Taste: 4.5 Temperature: 5 Arc: 4 (splatters) Filling Time: 24.40 s Structure: 3 (dented vent; the button is on the right but it’s harder to push than the traditional bars) Verdict: Located in the brick hallway at the far end of E, this is a solid but strange-looking fountain—it has a little alcove for your head that makes you wonder if you’re going to be hydrated or guillotined. It has the best water north of the cafeteria, though.
IMAGE BY ELISE REYNOLDS
Taste: 4 Temperature: 4.5 Arc: 2.5 (wavers) Filling Time: 27.55 s Structure: 4 Verdict: This fountain is pretty ideal for drinking, but less so for water bottle filling. It’s a great pit stop between lab periods.
Bowels of the school
F-Building
The ice-cold water bottles in the vending machines may seem like a tempting alternative to the fountains, but if you’re willing to make the trek to the library hallway, the water flows freely and is pleasantly cold. The cafeteria fountains themselves are simply blah—so blah that we never knew that there were fountains just outside the lunch lines before commencing this review.
F-hallway, near library
Taste: 4 (not offensive, but present) Temperature: 5 Arc: 4.5 (though it splatters, it is high and consistent) Filling Time: 23.52 s Structure: 4.5 Verdict: This is one of the best places to fill your water bottle if you’re in a hurry. The high arc fills the bottle
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Cafeteria
Taste: 3 (higher fountain), 4.5 (lower fountain)
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Temperature: 4.5 Arc: 4 (very consistent) Filling Time: 26.37 s Structure: 4 Verdict: In this case, the lower fountain is slightly better than the higher one. But we’d still recommend going to the bathroom fountain to get your H2O fix.
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to the low arc Structure: 3.5 (no side buttons) Verdict: Water like this shouldn’t be insulted by such faulty mechanics. If you don’t mind getting up close and personal with fountains, you should consider drinking from this one. Otherwise, just walk around the corner.
G-Building
IMAGE BY ELISE REYNOLDS
IMAGE BY ELISE REYNOLDS
Located in one of the busiest buildings, these water fountains are well-loved—and they show it, with punched-in buttons and questionable cleanliness. Stopping for a drink between classes at one of these fountains is perilous at best due to the heavy hallway traffic. However, risk aside, we were impressed by the the taste and temperature of every one of the G fountains. They may not be the best place to fill your bottle, though, considering the low flow and possibility of being jostled by a passerby.
Laurel Detert ’16 fills her water bottle.
Outside G216
Outside G104
Taste: 5 (no aftertaste!) Temperature: 5 Arc: 3 (consistent, but low) Filling Time: 28.50 s Quality: 3.5 (there’s a stain) Verdict: The side buttons are harder to press than the middle one. Don’t fill your bottle here, but it’s great for a quick drink.
Outside G111
Taste: 5 Temperature: 5 Arc: 1 (pitiful) Filling Time: 41.72 s, but only to the 20-oz mark due
Taste: 5 Temperature: 4 Arc: 3 (consistent, but not too high) Filling Time: 26.13 s, but only to the 20-oz mark due to the low arc Structure: 2.5 (vibrates and clicks) Verdict: If you’re looking to have something to listen to while drinking, this is the fountain for you. The faucet here looks a little worse for wear. The right button is also missing—in general, G is not great for side-button aficionados.
Outside G203
Taste: 5 Temperature: 5 (cold!) Arc: 3 Filling Time: 26.61 s Structure: 5 Verdict: The button is easy to push and the water is refreshing. This is the recommended fountain for upstairs-G.
H-Building
FEATURES
Is it a coincidence that the science-building water fountains taste so metallic? We’re not sure. If you’ve got the time, head over to G for cleaner-tasting water. If not, be prepared for an array of aftertastes, depending on your fountain of choice.
IMAGE BY ELISE REYNOLDS
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Temperature: n/a Arc: n/a Filling Time: n/a Structure: 0 Verdict: This is the saddest water fountain we’ve ever seen. It looks like something that Wall-E would have discovered as he excavated post-Armageddon Earth.
Outside H203
Taste: 3 (chlorine aftertaste)
June 2015
Outside H107
Taste: 3 (long, weak aftertaste) Temperature: 3 (cold, but not refreshing) Arc: 3.5 (slightly variable) Filling Time: 23.70 s Structure: 5 Verdict: The buttons are easy to press, and the design is streamlined and reasonably clean. If you’re in downstairs-H and need a drink, choose this fountain.
H114
Taste: 1 (strong, metallic aftertaste)
IMAGE BY ELISE REYNOLDS
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Temperature: 4.5 (cold and refreshing) Arc: 3 (wavers slightly, but high enough) Filling Time: 25.44 s Structure: 3.5 Verdict: This is the coldest water fountain in H, but its chlorine aftertaste makes you wonder where the chemistry sink pipes really lead. However, if you need a drink in upstairs-H, hydrate here before you dehydrate some compounds.
Outside H225 IMAGE BY ELISE REYNOLDS
IMAGE BY ELISE REYNOLDS
Taste: n/a
Temperature: 4 Arc: 3 (consistent but splattering) Filling Time: 24.73 s Structure: 3 Verdict: Don’t even think about filling a water bottle here. The side buttons don’t work, and the hard-topush button makes it difficult to keep a consistent height and will ultimately leave you with a sore hand and several cups of poor-tasting water.
J-Building
The water fountain in J-hallway may appear to have a monopoly on the administrative wing, but don’t be fooled. This fountain supplied mediocre water that will make you head to nearby H-Building for a drink. Trust your instincts: even the slightly metallic water there is better than what these fountains provide.
J-hallway
Taste: 2 (a pronounced taste that lingers) Temperature: 4 Arc: 5 Filling Time: 23.47 s Structure: 4.5 Verdict: It’s strategically placed, but provides sub-par water. If you’re entering from outside, wait until you reach H-Building, and if you’re leaving for the parking lot, plan to fill your water bottle before hand. The borderline sewer taste isn’t worth it.
K-Building
The Spanish students are muy afortunado; they get the opportunity to use the Language Lab fountain without going out of their way. The school clearly wants you to work for your water, with the best fountain of all found at the farthest end of the farthest building. Its slightly slanted structure will quickly be forgotten the second the crystal-clear, ice-cold water passes your lips. If you’re thirsty and have some time to kill, it’s worth every step and then some.
Outside K1
Taste: 2 (tastes like the bathroom smells) Temperature: 4 Arc: 4 (consistent, but bobs after a while) Filling Time: 29.08 s Structure: 1 (clunky; don’t use side buttons) Verdict: This fountain is tucked away in a small corner, only visible to those leaving K. If you didn’t know it existed, you’re not missing much. For once, we wish the olfactory and gustatory senses weren’t so closely linked. Make the quick walk to the other K water fountain.
Language Lab
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June 2015
Taste: 5 Temperature: 5 (this should be a 6; it’s amazing) Arc: 4 Filling Time: 26.49 s Structure: 2 (skewed basin, doesn’t fully drain) Verdict: It doesn’t look like much, but this is truly the hidden gem of all the water fountains in the school. The low-resistance (pièce de résistance?) button allows you to obtain high quality water with the pressure of only
one finger. The water is chilled, clear, and silky smooth. In the moment the first sip passed our lips, we swear, we were infinite. There always seems to be a discarded lunch tray on the floor near the fountain, but it’s worth braving a small amount of chili to reach your cold, refreshing dreams.
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IMAGE BY ELISE REYNOLDS
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ALL THE NEWS THAT’S FIT TO TATTLE
June 2015
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aRTs IHS Art Department’s Brave Undertaking
Mad Max: Fury Road Review By HUNTER HAZELTON
In today’s world, it seems as if we are rocked by global turbulence every time we pick up a newspaper or check out Twitter trends. Trains are suddenly derailed, the people of Baltimore will not stay quiet, and in Nepal, the earth is quite literally shaking. As high-school students sheltered in ten square miles of familiarity, how can we react to these worldwide catastrophes? Whether we are slightly unsettled or passionately, fist-shakingly enraged, do we have a forum through which we can express these reactions to peers and community members? While many Social Studies teachers claim to set aside time for discussion of current events, very few times throughout my school career have I actually been encouraged to talk about current events and issues, whether or not they are disturbing. Thankfully, the IHS Art Department has had the bravery to set up a platform designed precisely for students to express their feelings about international issues occurring today. As is written on a sheet by the display: “The Art Department invites you to express your thoughts, hopes, fears, prayers, wishes, about these events …” Located in D-hallway amidst the art rooms, this large paper display is open to all IHS students for contribution. Already hung up along the perimeter is the artwork of several studio classes. These stenciled images depict faces surrounded by thought-provoking words, such as “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” “Don’t be afraid to fight,” and “#BlackLivesMatter.” In the center of the display, directly on the paper, several students have already added their own words. The phrase “EvContinued on Page .
IMAGE PROVIDED
By EMMA KARNES
Mad Max is teeming with powerful characters and huge explosions.
I decided to take a trip to Regal Cinemas to view what seemed to be an action-packed film with a solid cast. Little did I know what was about to unravel before me. Mad Max is one massive post-apocalyptic race in which unlikely enemies become trusted allies and a world of hideously powerful creatures fight to obtain pure human lives. If I had to sum up the movie in three words, they would be strength, survival, and sacrifice. This film is absolutely insane. You will leave the theatre somewhat stuck in full-on action mode, wanting to fight off powdery, cannibalistic human beings. Continued on Page 29.
Gunpoets: A Review By CHLOE WRAY, Staff Writer
No matter the time of year, listening to Sim Redmond, The Blind Spots, or The Gunpoets brings me back to Grassroots, where once again I’m suddenly soaking in the sun or swaying under the stars. For this reason, I grab at any chance to see some of the best local music Ithaca has to offer. On May 8, the Gunpoets performed their first show of the season at The Haunt, welcomed back from a long winter by a vibrant crowd of Ithacans of all kinds. The Gunpoets are a group whose primary style is hip hop, although they aren’t limited to it as their music can be a mix of a multitude of genres, drawing influence from all around. They do not shy away from experimentation, and with a seven-piece band (including vocals), they always go all out when it comes to their songs. Based in Ithaca, the music of the Gunpoets is heavily intertwined with the culture of the town, citing Grassroots, messages of social justice, and all-around positive vibes frequently. One of their albums, I-Town Remixes, took some of their most popular songs and reworked them to feature vocals and accompaniment Continued on Page 29.
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June 2015
Chicken Soup for the Angsty Soul By CLAIRE SALOFF-COSTE
“Anaesthetic”: Thomston This is a fairly unknown song, although I can’t imagine why. Thomston's voice is atmospheric and melodic, and the song provides an eerie sound that lends itself best to late-night listening. “Drop the Game”: Chet Faker “I've been seeing all, I've been seeing your soul/Give me things that I've wanted to know/Tell me things that you've done.” If that’s not angsty, I don’t know what is. “Sea Creatures”: SOAK Unique, catchy melody with a solidly angsty music video. “1965”: Zella Day There’s a Lana Del Rey–esque dreamlike quality to this. “To The Hills”: Laurel Listen now and be amazed. “Genius Next Door”: Regina Spektor A storyline only Regina could think up. “Work Song”: Hozier It’s deep. It’s dark. Another great single from Hozier. “What Kind of Man” and “Ship to Wreck”: Florence and the Machine This is from Florence + The Machine’s new album, the rest of which has yet to be released. Give it a listen; Florence still has it. “California Gold Rush”: Sara Jackson-Holman This one is also mysteriously unknown. Jackson-Holman’s voice is deep, rich, and completely amazing. “I Can’t Make You Love Me”: Bon Iver I swear it’ll make you cry. “Teen Idle” and “Happy”: Marina and the Diamonds Marina’s voice has not only a brilliant range but also an amazing depth and quality that resonates with many people. “Happy” is from her new album, Froot, and ends us on a bit of a happier note. It’s still angsty though, I promise.
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Hip-Hop Binge Playlist By JAMES YOON
“AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted”: Ice Cube Ice Cube. Energetic, aggressive, old-school. What more could you want? “Maybach Curtains”: Meek Mill ft. Nas, John Legend, Rick Ross A side of Meek Mill that not many have seen—live instruments, John Legend, and so much groove. “Tek Nuh Chat”: Sam Binga ft. Redders Ever heard of Sam Binga? Redders? Probably not. But Redders’s voice and Sam Binga’s beats intertwine seamlessly. Give it a shot. “Duck Down!”: The Roots From the start, The Roots’ vigorous beat will hit you in the face. Duck down! “Goosebumpz”: Mac Miller Mac Miller’s vocals may be mediocre at best, but Diplo’s trap and EDM-inspired beats, characterized by funky brass instruments and trunk-shaking 808s, will definitely keep your head bobbing. “Hurt”: Yung Lean Produced by Suicideyear, this Yung Lean track is great for calming down and shutting down all bodily functions. “All Day”: Kanye West, ft. Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom, Paul McCartney This track got me excited for Kanye’s next album, more so than Black Skinhead did. “Bitch I'm Lugubrious”: Lil Ugly Mane Don’t judge a track by its album cover. “Wake Up”: Notorious B.I.G. ft. KoRn If you throw Notorious B.I.G., KoRn’s guitar riffs, and hardcore rock in a bowl, this is what you’d find afterwards. “A Minute for your Son”: DMX ft. Big Stan, Drag-On, Jinx Da Juvy, Kashmir, Loose, Mic Geronimo, Mysonne Classic DMX. “Insane in the Brain”: Cypress Hill Who doesn’t love this song? “Pimp Tha' Pen”: DJ Screw ft. Lil’ Keke It’s about time to lay this track down like a “fresh set of dominoes.” “Monster”: Kanye West ft. Jay Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Bon Iver The biggest collaborative track in Kanye’s 2010 album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. “Drop it Like it’s Hot”: Snoop Dogg ft. Pharrell Williams It’s timeless.
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IHS Art Department’s Brave Undertaking Continued from Page 27.
Mad Max: Fury Road Review Continued from Page 27.
ery life matters,” written in black sharpie, seems to be a response to the “Black Lives Matter” hashtag, and is evidence of the success of the project’s intentions: action, reaction, and counteraction. By fostering this type of sensitive, yet important discussion, the hallway presentation serves as a platform for anonymous artistic social dialogue. The sheets of instruction posted around the displays encourage any type of appropriate addition to the presentation: taped artwork, or simply words written directly on the white paper. Any line, verse, or word, quoted or original, will do, as long as the essence of the text pertains to the contributor’s reaction to current events. The project is optionally anonymous, because artistic credit is not the point. Rather, with this radically open forum, the art department hopes to gather the unheard voices of the students and articulate them in a way that is clean, tangible, and most importantly, honest. Everyone can benefit from an open forum such as this one. With its base in the arts, this project utilizes the sincerity of artwork to strengthen the voices of the students. This is the outlet for those who wish not to continue to regard today’s events passively. Grab a marker and add what only you can to this school-wide combined art project and conversation. Important events deserve to be acknowledged, and you deserve to have a voice with which to do just that.
The cast includes Max, played by Tom Hardy, who initially seeks solely freedom, but inevitably decides to change his ways. The beautiful Charlize Theron plays the sharp female protagonist, Furiosa, who is death-defying, violent, a respected leader, and a total badass. It’s great. Other actors you may recognize include Nicholas Hoult and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. As for techniques, I felt as if I were hallucinating almost the entire time. There is an endless supply of explosives and fast cuts. Shots that are meant to show detail are almost overly zoomed in. On the contrary, shots that are meant to show the entire situation so one can fully realize what is happening are overly zoomed out. I found many moments where the characters themselves are caught marveling at the epicness playing out in front of them along with the audience. The soundtrack includes a constant, intense drumming, and some electric guitar performed live by Mr. Creepy No Face. I also couldn’t help but notice how voices are enhanced in this film. Even though the characters should sound distant when far away, they are always hauntingly right there in your face. Every word spoken has a meaning and is crucial to the plot. There is no funny business or pointless conversation. Mad Max is one of the best action films I’ve seen in a while. In a world where poverty-stricken people lie hopeless in a desert, the traditional battle of good versus evil rages on for a full two hours. You don’t want to miss this one.
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GunPoets: A Review Continued from Page 27. from some of Ithaca’s most beloved bands (Sim Redmond, Donna the Buffalo, and The Horseflies, to name a few). With band members actively involved in the community and dedicated fans plastering their bumper stickers wherever they can, The Gunpoets in recent years have earned themselves quite a name and a reputation expanding over many generations of Ithacans. The show on May 8 was opened by Stone Cold Miracle, a soul ensemble, and Sammus, a female rapper who will also perform during the HerStory event on May 30. Setting the mood with two distinct acts, The Haunt was full once The Gunpoets took the stage; people spilled in from the back dock to crowd the dance floor in anticipation of one of their well-known songs. The dark
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venue was illuminated by the beams of light and lasers overhead, constantly changing as they flashed in sync with the music, getting the crowd more and more excited. The audience ranged from high-school students to 20-somethings and plenty of middle-aged and older adults. This didn’t make the situation awkward; rather, I think it embodied what any typical Ithaca event is—a community of all ages. The band fed off of the energy, excited to be performing for their hometown in their opening show of the season. This show was worth the long winter’s wait, as it proved to be no letdown. The crowd and the band were equally excited, and the atmosphere of The Haunt complimented it all. Despite measuring up to the performance I had hoped, the experience left me yearning for July … and the countdown to Grassroots began.
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ALL THE NEWS THAT’S FIT TO TATTLE
June 2015
Sports By QUINTINA KNIGHT
In the 2013–14 school year, Coach Begent began his career as the Varsity Softball Team’s assistant coach, working alongside Coach Stone. When he wasn’t spending time on his multiple other jobs or filling up the water bottles, he was practicing with the girls to improve their skills. With the end of last season and the farewell of not only the seniors, but also that of Coach Stone, Coach B took the opportunity to become the head coach of the team. This transition, however, has not been without challenges. “The biggest thing is the numbers. A lot of other teams have bigger numbers. It’s not about cutting people but building them up,” he said. Throughout this past season, Coach B not only worked on improving the girls’ communication skills and keeping a positive mindset during a game, but also on properly respecting one another. During the girls’ games against Maine-Endwell, after every inning the girls would greet each other with either a high-five or a pat on the back for a job well done. In a recent interview with the co-captains, Eliza Sherwyn ’15 and Emily Powers ’15 both agreed that Coach B changed the way they felt towards the game and team. “I think that Coach believed in us when no one else did—changed our attitudes for the better. He put a lot of care and effort into us, and that was very admirable,” Sherwyn said. “Coach did really good at stepping up, and taking us up was a challenge—because we are a challenge, and he learned how to deal with girls when he was used to guys,” Powers said when asked how well Coach B did this season. At the girls’ last practice, Coach B decided to play kickball and bond with the girls before they said their final farewells. The team laughed, playfully joked and cheered their teammates on to get a home run. Although this season was good, Coach B is optimistic about next year’s season to be even better. “Hopefully with the progression the girls made this year, more people will be motivated to come try out next year. Get our program growing,” he said.
IHS Football: Will the Team Improve on a Winless Season? By MARLO ZORMAN
IMAGE BY KAMBRIAL STVAN
Coach Feature: Coach Begent
What is the future of IHS Football?
For as long as I can remember, the IHS varsity football team has performed poorly. In the three years I’ve been in high school, I can’t remember our team winning a single game. In fact, since 2004, Ithaca has won a total of 13 games. The program has become a joke to the players and students alike. But why? IHS has produced dozens of D1 athletes in just the time I’ve been here and has proven to be a perennial powerhouse in most other sports. So why then, have we not won a single varsity football game in years? A combination of several factors has led to the ongoing losing streak. A lack of athletes on the team and poor coaching are chiefly held responsible. Towards the end of this year’s injury-plagued season, there were even rumors that the team wouldn’t legally have enough players to finish its last two games. “Not everyone that’s meant to play does: that’s a big problem,” said Anthony Henry ’16. This lack of depth leads to problems both on and off the field. It’s inevitable that players get injured or tired during games, so what happens when there’s no one on the roster to replace them? Small injuries become season-ending and even the best athlete’s abilities fall when they have to play every snap of the game. Not having enough players can hurt during practice, too. No one can practice properly when there aren’t enough people for a scout team. The biggest problem is trying to get athletes who are interested in footContinued on Page 32.
NFL Draft Recap
SPORTS
By THEO COWETT, Staff Writer
After 57 consecutive years of being held in New York City, the 2015 NFL draft was held at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago. Although the draft was not center-stage amidst the bright lights of NYC, the night was just as special for those whose dreams of playing in the NFL became reality. Throughout the months leading up to the draft it became quite obvious that Jameis Winston of Florida State, despite his off-field issues, would be picked first by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—his ability to throw out of the pocket with good accuracy and leadership on the field contributed to this projection. As draft night drew nearer, the second overall pick was still in question. The Tennessee Titans had the rights to the second pick, but received inquiries from many teams wanting to trade up including the Eagles and Browns. Both the Eagles and the Browns offered to trade players and draft picks to the Titans for their 2nd overall pick. The Browns’ quarterback problems started with their firstround pick from 2014, Johnny Manziel, who entered rehab for unknown reasons this past offseason. They also lacked a reliable starting quarterback. In Philadelphia, Eagles coach Chip Kelly had raved about Marcus Mariota since his days at Oregon, where Kelly coached Mariota. This offseason, the Eagles traded their starting QB from the 2014–15 season to the Rams in exchange for their quarterback, Sam Bradford. Many believe that this move was in a calculated effort to potentially move up in the draft and select Mariota. The Eagles were reportedly offering quality players Brandon Boykin, Fletcher Cox, Michael Kendrick, and several draft picks to the Titans in exchange for their number two pick. The Titans declined both offers from the Browns and the Eagles and ended up drafting Mariota for themselves. Mariota has great size for the quarterback position, is deceptively fast, and is a great decision maker. The reason he was not selected number one overall is that many believe he has not proven that he can excel as a pocket passer, while Jameis Winston has. With the third pick in the 2015 NFL draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected arguably the best all-around edge defender in the draft: Dante Fowler. Although Fowler lacks a quick first step compared to others in the draft, his versatility and athleticism give him great potential. The Oakland Raiders, who had the fourth pick, selected Amari Cooper from Alabama, and for the second straight year, it appears that they have made a great decision. After puzzling many by drafting quarterback Derrick Carr last year, Carr’s growth on the field and ability to pass made him worthy of the pick. By adding Cooper, the Raiders now have one of the most polished college–wide receivers ever. While not a single receiver
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on the Raiders gathered more than 700 yards last season, Cooper had 1,727 yards and 124 receptions last season at Alabama. To me, this was one of the best picks of the entire draft. The Raiders added a quality receiver that their future franchise quarterback can throw to and grow with for years to come. In contrast, there were several picks throughout the draft that were not the best. With the tenth pick, the Rams selected Todd Gurley from Georgia. It is very rare that a running back is selected in the first round, let alone in the top ten. My concern with this pick is Gurley’s durability after suffering a torn ACL during last season. There is a strong possibility that he will not even be ready for the first couple of games next season. The Rams also had a promising young running back in Zach Stacy, who demanded a trade following the selection of Todd Gurley.
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Number 1 draft pick Jameis Winston hurries oppenent during regular season game.
The Broncos selected outside linebacker Shane Ray from Missouri with the 23rd overall pick. Ray has one of the quickest steps on the defensive side of the football and is a relentless pass rusher. Although he has great talent, off-the-field issues caused him to fall far down in the draft. A couple weeks before the draft, Ray tested positive for marijuana, and this lead teams to pass on him. Taking players with off-the-field issues can pan out, but more often than not, these issues persist throughout professional careers. I also dislike this pick because the Broncos already have strong edge rushers in Von Miller and Demarcus Ware. They could have added WR Breshad Perriman from UCF to give the aging Peyton Manning a vertical threat. The 2015 NFL draft was full of surprises: two running backs were selected in the first round and blockbuster trade speculations are swirling in the air. The charismatic Jameis Winston was selected first overall by Tampa Bay and the calm, cool, and collected Marcus Mariota was surprisingly selected by the Titans second overall. With over 250 players drafted, with each player’s name announced, these players’ dreams inch closer to becoming reality.
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SPORTS
June 2015
IHS Football: Will the Team Imporve on a Winless Season Continued from Page ball to actually play. “No one wants to play for a losing team, and that’s okay; I get that,” said Jack Cesari ’16. “But until people decide to come out for the team we’ll never get a winning record.” This catch-22 of players not wanting to play is one of the biggest factors holding the program down. So how can the team attract more athletes? “We need to start winning games; we’re not going to win every single one, but if we have a few good transitional years, more good athletes will be interested,” said Henry. While I was interviewing players, I realized that there is a significant “us vs. them” mentality between the athletes and coaches. There’s a divide between the players and coaches that’s more akin to an employer-employee relationship than one of a mentor and student. “The coaches take their jobs too seriously and are never open to players’ suggestions. It’s always their way,” said a player who wished to remain anonymous. On top of the disconnect between the coaching staff and the rest of the team, players I interviewed made it clear that the coaches were doing everything but playing to the team’s strengths. “We have great running backs and the potential for a decent line,” another anonymous player said, “but the coaches implement this pass-heavy offense that our QB just can’t execute.” Henry, this year’s starting running back, ran for more than 850 yards in just five games, scoring a total of seven times. Instead of playing to the strength of the team’s running back– heavy roster, the coaches created a pass-heavy offense that relied on the QB’s ability to make quick decisions and accurate throws. With no real depth at the quarterback position and underutilized running backs, the offensive scheme fell short. If the team implemented a split-back formation (two running backs during a play) or even made use of the fullback position, it could have been a much more successful season on the offensive front. Despite more than a decade’s worth of losses, there is hope for varsity football. If the players and coaches can start to communicate and play towards the team’s strengths, IHS will begin to win games. After a year or two of actually winning a couple games, more athletes will seriously consider playing, leading to a deeper roster, and overall, a better team. While there is no immediate fix for the abysmal state of our school’s football team, there does seem to be a light, if only a small one, at the end of the tunnel.
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Athlete Feature: Lauren Trumble By JOHN PETERSON
Lauren Trumble ’15 fell in love with competitive running when she was first introduced to it, and it has been her number one passion ever since. Trumble started running in 7th grade because her parents forced her to do a modified sport. “I chose cross country because Trumble, running ahead of the pack this past season. my dad is a runner,” said Trumble. “I also just love the feeling of satisfaction that running gives me. After a long run or hard workout, I feel as if I can accomplish anything.” Trumble runs both cross-country and track, and each has helped her grow in various aspects of her life. She feels it is a sport that truly follows the idea of “getting out what you put in.” Trumble said that if one works hard and is determined to succeed in the sport, they would see that hard work translate when it comes time to race. As many already know, sports take up an extreme amount of time, and Trumble said that running has helped her to manage her time better. She has also loved being on the cross-country and track teams, where she has met some of her closest friends. This year has gone exceptionally well for the Little Red track team, as they have won more invitationals than they have in many years; they are also divisional champions. Trumble says that the girls’ team is the strongest it has been in over five years, and she has thoroughly enjoyed watching the girls succeed meet after meet. Trumble recently broke the school record in the 3000-meter run. She has also been focusing more on the 1500-meter run this season and fell half a second short of breaking the school record in the event just a few weeks ago. Trumble’s family is extremely important to her and her success in running. “My parents and sister come to nearly every meet to cheer me on. They are so supportive of me. My dad was also a phenomenal runner, which has had a large impact on me. He ran for Ithaca College and coached both track and cross-country at IHS. He has taught me so much about running and I really owe a lot of my success to him.” In addition to her father, Principal Jason Trumble, Lauren feels that most of her success has come from the people around her, especially her coaches and teammates. “I have the most amazing coaches, friends, and teammates I could ever ask for,” she said. In preparation for this season, Trumble ran five to six days a week and lifted weights three times a week. Pre-season workouts are very important for personal performance, which in turn helps the entire team. These workouts help build strength and avoid future injury. As far as pre-season training, Trumble said that “pre-season is really important for building a good base for a successful season.” Trumble will be attending the University of Vermont in the fall, where she plans to major in biology on a pre-med health track while also running on both the track and cross-country teams. She hopes to make an immediate impact and bring as much success as possible to each program. IMAGE PROVIDED
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June 2015
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Senior Recruiting Wrap-up: Where Will They Be Next Year? BY WILL STROMINGER
As spring sports come to an end, the athletes from the Class of 2015 complete the final sporting events of their high-school careers. While for some IHS athletes these final competitions are their last on a varsity sports team, many students from a variety of sports have set their sights on competing in varsity sports at the college level.
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Clara Karastury ’15: Crew, Northeastern University Karastury is a multi-sport athlete at IHS, competing in both crew and hockey. She has participated in Nationals in crew. After graduating, Karastury plans to attend Northeastern University because of its location, crew team, and academics. Karastury hopes to make top boat in college. Dan Dracup ’15: Cross-Country, Columbia University Voted future Olympian by his peers, Dracup is one of the most prestigious athletes of the Class of 2015. Dracup is a three-time Section A champion who holds five school records. In Dracup’s senior season, he represented IHS at Nike Nationals in Oregon. Dracup will be challenged academically at Columbia University, a place he fell in love with during his official visit. Dracup strives to break four minutes in the mile and get into graduate school. Elliot Place ’15: Track and Field, Ithaca College Place has participated in varsity track and field all four years of high school. He was a state qualifier as a part of the 4x1 relay. While Place has been challenged with multiple injuries in his career at IHS, he hopes to stay injury-free at Ithaca College so he can continue to improve his speed. The physical therapy program at Ithaca College is a major factor in Place’s decision to attend.
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Elora Becraft ’15: Soccer, SUNY Geneseo Becraft helped lead the girls’ soccer team to sectionals in her senior year, which was her second year as team captain and her fourth year starting on the varsity team. She was named to three STAC All-Conference teams, and she has scored 38 goals in her career. Becraft’s future ambitions are to maintain good grades and contribute to the team at Geneseo. She also wants to go to the SUNY Athletic Conference championships. Hannah Bollinger ’15: Swimming, Cornell University Bollinger was a part of a swim team that placed fourth at states. She hopes to continue that success at her father’s alma mater, Cornell University. Bollinger said she “fell in love with everything” at Cornell and told me, “Continuing the tradition has been something I have wanted to do since I was in elementary school, when I fell and broke my arm at Schoellkopf Field.” Next year she hopes to swim and get to the finals at Ivies while discovering what to do in the future.
ITHACA JOURNAL
Cecile Browning ’15: Swimming, University of Chicago Browning is an 11-time Southern Tier Athletic Conference All-Star and a 14-time sectional champion. She was a state qualifier all four years of her high-school career, and she was part of a team that went undefeated in all dual meets. Next year, Browning will be attending the University of Chicago, which she described as “the perfect fit.” She chose Chicago because of its great academics and team. Her goal is to make Division III Nationals.
Henry Ellis ’15: Crew, Cornell University In his own words, Ellis said he “won a lot of very big races,” in high school crew. He considered schools that had lightweight men’s rowing teams and ultimately chose Cornell because it had a culture he connected with the most. Ellis also cited its size and resources as factors in his decision. He looks forward to joining a lightweight team that has been undefeated for the past two years while preparing to attend graduate school.
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Jakob Markwardt ’15: Track and Field, Ithaca College Markwardt was a pole-vaulter on the IHS track and field team and a member of the boys’ swim team. He plans to pole-vault for Ithaca College. In high school, Jakob won sectionals as a junior, and he wants to be a contributing member of the college team by his junior year.
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John Peterson ’15: Baseball, Ithaca College The 2015 spring season was Peterson’s third and final season on the varsity baseball team at IHS. He started playing on varsity as a sophomore and batted over .300. Peterson would bat over .300 again his senior year, after missing his junior season due to shoulder surgery. Ithaca College was John’s choice for college, because he already had a good relationship with the coach and the school has a well-regarded sports media program. John wants to make the Ithaca College varsity baseball team as a sophomore and intern with a professional sports organization before graduating. Julian Korfine ’15: Wrestling, Cornell University Korfine had a very successful wrestling career at IHS. He was a section champion, state qualifier, placed second at Northland Youth Wrestling Association States, and was awarded a Brute All-American certificate at Brute Nationals. Korfine chose Cornell because out of all the places where he was accepted, he had the best relationship with Cornell’s coaches. Korfine cited Cornell’s top-ten Division I wrestling program and top-five investment banking program as other reasons for choosing it. Making lifelong connections, becoming a D1 All-American, and learning about specialized areas of study are what Korfine looks forward to at Cornell.
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Justin Milner ’15: Tennis, Daemen College The boys’ tennis team had a stellar season this year, not losing a set as a team all year. Milner was a big part of its success. As a junior, he was a state qualifier and made the Round of 16. When Justin visited Daemen College, he loved the school. He plans to help its tennis team improve and hopes to reach the Round of Eight in the NCAA tournament.
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June 2015
Lauren Trumble ’15: Cross-Country and Track and Field, University of Vermont Trumble will be a multisport athlete in college, just as she was in high school. In cross-country, Trumble is a four-time state qualifier and a three-time MVP. As for track and field, she is a three-time state qualifier, threetime MVP, and Girl MVP for the 2015 Ithaca Relays. Trumble also holds the school record for the 3k and the 1500-meter run events. Lauren wants to “score points and be a contributing member of the team as a freshman” at the school where she “fell in love with the campus, the people, and the team.” She looks forward to researching and majoring in biology. Lili Delotsang ’15: Volleyball, Skidmore College D elotsang was a two-year varsity starter for volleyball at IHS. She also played varsity lacrosse. Skidmore College is her destination next year due to its good location and academics. Delotsang wants to do well in school so she can get a job after college. She also looks forward to playing volleyball and wants to continue to improve at her sport.
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Marci Huddle ’15: Lacrosse, Onondaga Community College Huddle won sectionals with the girls’ lacrosse team as a junior. She was part of a team that strived to do the same again in the 2014–15 school year. Huddle will attend Onondaga Community College, where she plans on playing lacrosse and maintaining good grades. Paige Johnson ’15: Lacrosse, University of Tampa Johnson has made an all-star team every year that she played varsity lacrosse. She won a sectional championship with the varsity team as well. Johnson chose the University of Tampa because she likes the campus and
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because the school has a good government and world affairs program. She hopes to be an Academic All-Conference lacrosse player. Richie Burke ’15: Wrestling, Baldwin Wallace University Burke holds the record for the most Section 4 titles in IHS history with five of them to his name. He placed fifth, fourth, and fourth in the state during his sophomore, junior, and senior year. Burke finished his highschool career with 213 varsity wins. He will attend Baldwin Wallace University. He said, “It felt like home as soon as I got there,” and “The team is very close and bonds all the time.” At Baldwin Wallace, Burke wants to become a national champion and “make his hometown proud.” He also wants to take advantage of the academics at his school to become a good businessman or athletic trainer.
ITHACA JOURNAL
Sammy Meminger ’15: Basketball, Ithaca College Meminger made sectionals in both basketball and baseball his senior year, but plans to only play basketball at Ithaca College. During his final year at IHS, Meminger was part of the basketball team that beat Binghamton High School, on the road, for the first time in 25 years. He was also named STAC Division All-Star for basketball. Meminger’s appreciation for the variety of career options at IC, along with his love for Ithaca, was an important factor on deciding to attend. He plans to maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA. Samwise Caward ’15: Lacrosse, Adams State University Caward was named captain of the boys’ varsity lacrosse team his senior year, his second year on varsity. Caward was accepted by multiple schools for lacrosse, but chose Adams State University because it was his favorite school that he visited. He wants to reach the championships with the team while balancing sports with academics. Thomas Johnson ’15: Lacrosse, Cornell University Johnson was a captain for both the IHS football team and the IHS lacrosse team during his senior year. For football, Johnson spoke of a night during his freshman year when “we beat Vestal by two on their senior night. This win came in a rainstorm, being down by double digits in the fourth quarter.” As for lacrosse, Johnson was a part of multiple state playoff runs. He chose Cornell because “a Cornell education, along with being part of a blue-collar athletic program that has a long history of championships and winning while staying in my hometown was something I could not pass up.” In college, he will strive to maintain excellence both in the classroom
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and on the field. Thomas Moesch ’15: Lacrosse,
Baldwin Wallace University Moesch will receive his third varsity letter this year for lacrosse. He has started on the team since his junior year and was a section champion his sophomore year. Moesch was accepted by Baldwin Wallace University, and chose the school because of its marine biology program and the comfortable, friendly feel. Joining the ROTC and the military are Moesch’s plans for the future. IMAGE PROVIDED
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Zach Johnson ’15: Lacrosse, Nazareth College Ever since his first year playing lacrosse at IHS and going undefeated in JV, Johnson had the support of his teammates to continuously improve the team. Johnson will be attending Nazareth College next year, where he can remain close to home and take advantage of the school’s academic programs. He felt welcomed on his visit and hopes to be successful in both lacrosse and school. There are many talented athletes in the IHS class of 2015, but unfortunately, not everyone could be included in this article. There are more IHS students who will be playing sports in college next year and they, too, deserve recognition for their accomplishments. However, this compilation shows the quality of athletes IHS produces every year.
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backpage Horoscopes
Gemini (May 21–June 20): E.T.’s going to crash your birthday party. Have Reese’s Pieces on hand.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21): You will be the hero Gotham deserves this week. Go you!
Cancer (June 21–July 22): The force won’t be with you. Sorry. Leo (July 23–Aug. 22): Say your name Bond style on June 20. Something may or may not happen, but either way you’ll feel suave. Virgo (Aug. 23–Sept. 22): You’re going to need a bigger boat. Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22): Make ‘em an offer they can’t refuse (but not on Tuesdays, because on Tuesdays they’ll refuse anyway. You’ve been warned.) Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21): Avoid burgers for breakfast. It’ll only end in death.
Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 19): “You met me at a very strange time in my life” will become really relevant really soon. Aquarius (Jan. 20–Feb. 18): You’ll feel the need—the need for speed. But never when it’s convenient. Darn you, Pacer. Pisces (Feb. 19–Mar. 20): Choose the blue one.
Movies Referenced: 1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
2. Star Wars 3. James Bond
Herstory
4. Jaws 5. The Godfather 6. Pulp Fiction
Body cameras for IPD
7. The Dark Night 8. Fight Club
Aries (Mar. 21–Apr. 19): "Named must your fear be before banish it you can." Wise words from a short, wise gentleman.
9. Top Gun
Taurus (Apr. 20–May 20): Not to play favorites, but the force will be with you. No offense, Cancer.
12. Star Wars
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No rain @Ithacafest Parade
Lil B #TYBG
10. The Matrix 11. Star Wars
AP Summer work
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