Inklings February 28

Inklings

February 28, 2014 Founded in 1933 inklingsnews.com

Thieves target cafeteria

Cows coralled in the library BLAKE RUBIN ’16 Staff Writer

PHOTO BY CHARLES SONENCLAR ’14

FOOD THEFT Student thieves blend in with the hustle and bustle of the cafeteria.

JORDAN GOODNESS ’16 Staff Writer

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ll a thief needs is a distraction, a quick swipe, and an escape to pull off a crime. Lunch periods are full of bustling students, crowded tables, and noisy conversations.

Given the large student body and the chaotic environment of the three lunch waves, there is theft right in the Staples High School (SHS) cafeteria.

“Theft has been an issue ever since man first walked the earth,” Principal John Dodig said. “You have to assume that out of the 1,900 students we have at SHS, a small percentage will steal something.”

Although theft can result in serious consequences, some students are willing to take the risk and steal food. Some students

even take it up a notch.

“I steal food in the cafeteria every day. I haven’t had money in my account for a while, and I need to get something to get me through the day,” an anonymous source said. “I just take cookies or a fruit roll up; anything that can fit into my pocket. It’s really easy in Staples because of the big lunch crowds.”

The mystery here is not whether or not students steal, but rather why students want to steal in the first place. The common belief about thieves is that they only steal because they can’t afford the items they want.

“We always ask why? You would be surprised to find that the majority of those who take food without paying are not starving or unable to buy food.

For most, it is just a thrill or they

are simply unwilling to wait in line to pay,” Dodig said.

“I once tried to take a water because I was negative, and while I was leaving, a lunch lady caught me, and said I had to put it back or I could be suspended,” Gigi Vallone ’16 admitted. “Obviously a water bottle isn’t really worth a suspension. I don’t think I could ever try to steal something again knowing that.”

Although one close call scares many students away from the idea of stealing, sometimes it’s not enough to get a student from stealing all together.

“I got caught once, but the lunch lady just warned me I would eventually get caught. I stopped for the rest of the year, but eventually, I didn’t have any money in my account, and I couldn’t succeed and function on

an empty tank,” the anonymous source explained.

Dodig says there are ways that he can keep an eye out for theft, such as the cameras in the cafeteria, but trusts those in the cafeteria to look out for thieves.

“Chartwells is a business and it’s up to them to deal with theft. When it is discovered, we become involved since the theft is being done by our students on school grounds.”

Director of dining services at Chartwells, Frank Rupp, could not be reached for comment.

Stealing can be an issue in any large community, and thieves usually know the consequence for their crime before they commit it.

“I know that it’s bad,” the anonymous source said. “But it’s not bad enough for me to stop.”

Rumors have spread across Staples High School regarding the availability of computers on wheels (COW’s) for years to come. The current sophomore and freshmen class will face a new system in the fall of 2015.

According to Principal John Dodig, The Westport School District is planning on moving towards a “Bring your own device” (BYOD) method.

BYOD suggests all students bring their own device’s to school, as well as removing COW’s in the classrooms. However, the library will have computers available to check out for any student who does not have a device to bring to school.

According to Dodig, the library will be supplying computers for about 20 percent of our student population, so there will be plenty of computers for student use.

“I can’t afford a computer to bring to school this year and it has already been a struggle. I can’t imagine how much of a hassle it will be when I will have to go to the library everyday to checkout a computer,” anonymous said.

Even though the BYOD method is not being used for another two years, students are wondering how they will cope with the upcoming system.

“My backpack already weighs a ton! It will be easier for me to just bring my laptop to school, but that means my backpack is going to weigh even more” Lauren Stefenson ’16 said.

However, many students already bring their computers to school so, this method would not affect them as much as others.

Administrators will continue to inform students about the BYOD system as we approach the fall of 2015.

Students choose drinking over promise JULIE BENDER ’15 & ELLIE GAVIN ’14 Staff Writers

GRAPHIC BY JULIA SCHORR ’16

Inside the Issue

“The Code of Conduct does not mean that much to me. It is merely something I have to sign,” an anonymous Staples athlete said. “I don't think that much about it.”

According to Athletic Director Marty Lisevick, for many years, every school in the Connecticut Interschool Athletic Conference (CIAC) has mandated to write and enforce an athletic Code of Conduct for it’s participating athletes. But for many, the effectiveness of that code is questionable.

According to one senior athlete, who asked for her name and

Second Period

Fueling up for the day

sport to remain unnamed, feels that if an athlete knows they are a valuable enough player, the feel they can easily get away with breaking the Code of Conduct. “[Some Athletes] know that they are so good that [the coach] would never call them out on anything to get them suspended from playing,” she said. “Every other weekend I saw pictures on facebook of them at parties, obviously breaking the code of conduct. Any time it is broken, there are no consequences. [Our coach] doesn’t want his team to disintegrate, so he doesn’t look for trouble. It’s a don’t ask, don’t tell policy where everyone wins.

[The coach] keeps his team and the girls get to drink.”

In contrast, Erica Hefnawy

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’15 feels that a certain level of trust between coaches and athletes is important. “I'm sure the Code of Conduct is broken a lot of times, but coaches aren't going to spy on their student athletes and make sure they're following the rules. The coaches trust their athletes, so they believe that mainly, the kids wouldn't do something,” Hefnawy said.

Lisevick has a similar opinion. “We don’t go looking for this, but if kids are at a party, and the police come, we get notified.”

To some, it may seem that the administration is unconcerned with enforcing the Code of Conduct on athletes. However, according to Principal John Continued on page 3

Billion dollar bracket

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2 News

Inklings / February 28, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

Changes in AP English classes welcomed LARRISSA LIEBERSON ’15 Opinions Editor

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or students, selecting junior and senior year schedules is a daunting task because they have to challenge themselves, while also pursuing courses they are passionate about. However, their horizons have been expanded upon for the 2014-2015 school year with the ability for both juniors and seniors to take either AP English Language or AP English Literature.

In the past, if a student wished to enroll in an AP English class during their junior year, they would take AP English

Language followed by the option of AP English Literature during their senior year.

“Originally, students were only allowed to take AP Lang as juniors because it was a more natural course to build in a research paper when that was the requirement during junior year,” Julie Heller, English department chair, said.

However, since the research paper was moved to sophomore year, there’s no reason to continue restricting which courses juniors and seniors can take.

“We wanted to give kids more flexibility with their schedules,” Heller said.

The two courses focus on very different aspects of English.

“AP Lang really teaches you how to manipulate language, down to a very technical level, in order to make a convincing argument,” Haley Randich ’14 said.

On the other hand, “AP Lit is an advanced, fast-paced, more in-depth look at literature, which is usually fiction,” Amanda Parrish, current AP English Literature teacher, said.

Although AP English classes will be filled with a more diverse group of students with different experience levels, the classes will still have a passionate atmosphere.

“Students do not generally sign up for an AP English class unless they possess an

interest in the subject material,” Heather Colletti-Houde, an AP English Language teacher, said.

And with strong interest comes great results. “I’ve always appreciated the reading side of English more,” Keanan Pucci ’16 said. “So when it came to deciding classes for next year, I’m much happier that I can put the extra effort into the side of English I enjoy more.”

This opening will also attract more students to take AP English classes.

“AP English Language is an awesome class, and it gives juniors who felt they weren’t ready to take it this year a chance to try it next year,” Jamie Swotes ’15 said.

Oedipus Rex God of Small Things

Hamlet

Jane Eyre

Heart of Darkness

The Metamorphosis GRAPHICS BY NATE ROSEN ’14

Westport determines education is best solution to deer overpopulation issue GRETA BJORNSON ’15 Features Editor

Westport has overcome town struggles in the past, but the issue of overpopulation of deer remains consistent in the town’s list of problems. There are 26 to 30 deer per square mile in Westport, according to a Forward Looking Infrared Survey carried out by Vision Air Research. The Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen has determined that the statewide average is 21 deer per square mile, putting Westport’s population above average.

The town has been considering solutions to the large herd since RTM meetings of Aug. 2011, as the animals have been posing issues such as the spread of Lyme Disease, consuming landscaping plants on homeowner’s lawns and threatening the safety of drivers; according to ct.gov, “several human fatalities have occurred from deer-vehicle collisions in Connecticut in the past 15 years.”

RTM member Steve Rubin attributed the lack of a quick solution to the hesitation of Westport citizens to harm the animals.

“People don’t want to kill the deer because of conservation or love for the animal—they don’t want to

see Bambi killed,” he said.

The Deer Management Committee of Westport has been working to create a solution to the issue of overpopulation and considered options such as the use of contraceptives or hunting them professionally.

Current RTM member Louis Mall was not on the board when the deer study was being done, but proposed that a conventional method to dealing with it would be to hunt the animals like other towns.

Weston, which allows deer hunting in the popular hiking location Devil’s Den from Nov. 20 - Dec. 10, is among many that have in an effort to control the population.

Mall explained that there is a problem and an ideal solution would be to hire professionals to thin the herds.

“The meat should be given to the homeless and the hungry of America,” he said.

Helena Giaume ’15, an A.P. Environmental student, agreed with Mall, citing that it was the “most cost effective way.”

Others, such as

Sarah Fox ’14, oppose the idea of hunting.

“Hunting is in no way part of our culture in Westport and I don’t think lifting the ban on hunting would be safe or effective,” she said. “Let each person make decisions for their own property. If the deer bother you so much, build a fence.”

However, as of now, the solution is primarily to educate Westport. Rubin explained that the plan is to make the town aware of the problem and how to become safer.

“The bottom line is to educate the population on what the options are and how t o

protect yourself,” Rubin said.

The issue has been and will continue to be discussed in Westport Public Schools to educate students about the dangers deer pose as well as make known how they are being managed. Kendall Mather ’15 currently takes A.P. Environmental Science, where the deer population has been a frequent theme of class discussions.

“My class talked about it and there were a lot of different opinions–some people want sharpshooters coming in and shooting the deer and some people don't want to do anything about it,” she said.

Although a specific time period has not been mentioned, no matter when Westport finalizes the ultimate solution to the deer problem, Rubin makes clear that the pressing issue is one that can’t be left alone.

“Because of overpopulation, people are being killed in automobiles and deer are being treated inhumanely,” he said.

GRAPHIC BY MEGAN ROOT ’15

News

Course Recommendations Take ’em or leave ’em MEGAN ROOT ’15 Staff Writer

Inklings / February 28, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

InBrief Local Headlines

Overrides in the Math Department

Don’t Drink the Water

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Feb. 28-March 2

Staples Players will put on three performances of their student-directed Winter Studio production at Toquet Hall. Tickets are available at staplesplayers.com for $10 or at the door twenty minutes prior to curtain.

Course Selections March 3-7 and March 17-21

Current freshmen and sophomores must sign up for an appointment with their guidance counselor to register for next year’s classes.

Freshmen will choose their courses between the third and the seventh and sophomores will pick their’s between the seventeenth and the twenty-first. Appointments can be made in the guidance suite.

GRAPHIC BY MEGAN ROOT ’15

hen choosing classes for next year, a student might consider their interests, potential teachers, and their maximum homework capacity.

Another factor is teacher recommendations. Staples’ course catalog often suggests having a recommendation before enrolling in challenging classes. But that’s just a guideline; students can always override into classes.

Though the final decision is the student’s, many teachers say accurate recommendations are important.

Math teacher Jennifer Giudice says that accuracy depends on a lot more than a student’s grade.

“It’s definitely not that black and white,” Giudice said.

Her personal process involves making early recommendations in the first and second quarters. Her official recommendation is based on those early recommendation and the patterns in the student’s grades, and effort.

If a student disagrees, Giudice will ask about other classes and extracurricular activities.

“If a kid tells me they are going to put all their eggs in the math basket, I might consider recommending them for a more challenging class,” Giudice said.

Chemistry teacher William Jones agreed that the rest of a student’s schedule impacts the difficulty they can handle. However, he says, sometimes a class is just too hard.

“No matter how hard you work, you might not be able to perform,” Jones said.

Jones thinks students generally agree with this, estimating that 95 percent of his students agree with his recommendations.

For the five percent who don’t, overriding is an option.

The process worked for Freddy Hertan ’15 in his sophomore year when he overrode into AP Spanish.

“I decided to override be-

CAPT Testing March 4-13

Results l off a statistical i i l analysis l i conducted d db by the h math hd department revealing li an iincrease in overrides in the department.

cause I had a real interest in learning Spanish,” Hertan said.

“It has worked out great.”

Hertan’s sincere interest is considered by some teachers to be a crucial factor. Alexander Miller, an English teacher, says it’s not only high grades, but also real passion that distinguishes students equipped for a more challenging course. “[Those students] don’t just want to know the way to do it, they want to explore the various ways it can be done,” he said.

In comparison, he says,

when “grade-driven” students move up a level, they tend to be less successful.

“I get a visit from the student’s new teacher, asking me why I recommended the student for AP. I explain that I didn’t,” he said. “The student winds up in my English 3 class.”

Dropping into a lower level class may seem like an easy solution when an override goes wrong, but English Department Chair Julie Heller said that sometimes there is no space to move to, and that moving can disrupt

the rest of a schedule. Furthermore, any bad grades follow students when they drop, minus the favorable GPA weighting.

Math Department Chair Frank Corbo said that given the risks, it’s good that overrides allow students to push their limits without putting the responsibility on teachers’ shoulders.

“In the end, the teacher will go with what their best opinion is, understanding that they could be wrong. That’s why we have the [override] process … we know that things change,” Corbo said.

Students disregard Code of Conduct Continued from page 1

According to Lisevick, the amount of reprimands per year can vary greatly, from two or three one year to being in the double digits the next. He also explained that students can be suspended for up to 21 days for getting caught in a Code of Conduct violation, especially if they are caught using of drugs and alcohol while they are inseason.

They can still be on the team, but they are unable to play. After that period of time, they can come back on the team as long as no other violations occur. If players violate the Code again, they are kicked off the team. Smoking cigarettes, even if the athlete is of the legal age, is a five-day suspension.

“You want your town to be proud of their teams, and the teams to represent the ideals of the town and school. Behavioral infractions take away from that. So, if the Code of Conduct doesn't influence my players, it should,” volleyball coach Jonathan Shepro said.

Sophomores will sit for the last CAPT test before the new Smarter Balanced Assessments are put in place for next year’s juniors.

Sophomores should report to school on time, but all other grades should reference the revised class and bus schedules on the Staples homepage for their start times.

Westport Library Winter Book Sale March 15-18

Everything from fiction books to cookbooks to vinyl records will be available for purchase in the McManus Room at this year’s sale.

Children’s books will be on clearance for $1 or less and more details can be found on the library’s website.

May SAT Registration Due April 4

Those interested in taking either the SAT or SAT Subject tests on May 3 must register online, by phone or by mail. Any late registrations will be subject to a fine. Staples is a test site and seating is limited.

Bite Back for a Cure April 6

GRAPHIC BY JULIA SCHORR ’16

Dodig, it’s not that they don’t take it seriously; it’s that often the irrefutable proof to reprimand suspected violators is missing. Even a photo isn’t good enough, as it could be doctored, Dodig said.

“I would hear from parents, ‘You people are hypocrites!’ Until [it’s proven] I can’t do anything,” Dodig said.

According to Dodig, the only evidence that can be completely trusted is if a student athlete or member of a large club comes and confesses, if an administrator is at the game and sees an athlete in the stands (violating the code), or if a parent witness calls.

However, if parents accuse a student who isn’t their own child, an investigation must occur.

“We have to make the judgment call if it’s reliable or a huge conspiracy,” Dodig said. If multiple sources come forward, and the accusations seem reasonable, the administration will punish the violator.

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The Tick-Borne Disease Alliance will hold its sixth annual run at Sherwood Park to raise funds for research and awareness.

Participants can choose between a one mile walk or three or six mile run. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and tickets can be purchased online for $25 per person or $70 per family. Onsite registration is available for $35 per person or $80 per family.

For updates check www.inklingsnews.com

4 News

Inklings / February 28, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

TALIA HENDEL ’16 Staff Writer

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yden Schattman ’16 was doing great in Algebra when suddenly her grade came crashing down. Did she fail a test? No. She received a two on one strand of the topics her class tested on throughout the semester.

Schattman is in one of the classes that began using Standards-Based Grading - a system where each skill is considered a “strand” and students take tests on various strands at a time. The student is then given a grade of one through four, based on how much the teacher feels they have mastered the topic. Receiving anything less than a three makes it impossible to receive an A. “That one two brought my grade down a lot, and with average based grading, not doing well on one small topic would not affect my grade at all,” says Schattman.

But there are various chances throughout the year to reassess (and therefore change the grade) on up to five strands at a time.

After experiencing this new form of grading for over a semester, many students agree that there are various pros and cons, but disagree on which system is better overall.

One of these students is Maggie Brown ’16. Brown says while her feelings about the system haven’t changed, they weren’t great from the start, “I didn’t love it at first and don’t love it now.”

Schattman added “It seems a little ridiculous to me that you could master 70/71 standards and not have an A in the class. I would understand why you wouldn’t de-

serve an A+, but that’s why there are different level A’s within the A range. I’d rather be on a regular grading system.”

In a survey of a math class that is using Standards-Based Grading, 46 percent of students said they preferred StandardsBased Grading, 42 percent of students said they preferred averaged based grading over Standards Based Grading, and 12 percent of students said that they did not have a preference.

Danielle Johnston ’16 is a student in a math class that is using the new grading system and feels that there are some pros to it. “Standards-Based Grading is good because it helps students pinpoint specific areas in which they need to improve on through the process of retesting on those certain areas.”

This is a part that students in the survey said they liked.

Almost all students surveyed said that they find it helpful in showing the student exactly which areas they are struggling with, therefore representing their knowledge more accurately. Almost all students also agreed that being able to reassess is the other major upside to this grading system.

Shannon Barry ’15 likes the reassessments because “you can always improve your skills and it ends up really helping your grade go up because of all the opportunities you have to retest.” Barry also thinks that some “people have stress only because you have to retain all the strands because you never know when they will appear,” Barry said.

Barry is referring to one of the only things that students have complained about with the retesting: the fact that other strands

DRAWING BY NOELLE ADLER ’15

A semester of Standards-Based Grading prompts questions

that didn’t need to be retested on could appear on the reassessment test. Therefore, while you have the opportunity to raise the grade of one strand, the grade on another strand could also go down unexpectedly.

Another frustration for many students is that homework and participation are not counted,

which many of the students surveyed said are important keys to succeeding in the course. Some added that when homework is not counted, it’s more difficult to motivate yourself to study.

Math teacher Ann. Didelot is using Standards-Based Grading in some of her classes. “I think that it is a good system that works

well for some classes and not as well for others.”

Student Diego Alanis ’14 agrees with this, “I like it. In my opinion it is much easier to get a better grade when compared to normal grading. I feel like mostly everyone likes it and those that don’t haven’t figured out how to use it to their advantage.”

Furthermore, Corbo questioned a computer’s ability to differentiate between a simple mistake and a conceptual error.

In contrast, CAPT free response questions are graded by humans.

“On CAPT, you can get something wrong and still get full credit if you only made a minor mistake,” Corbo said. “Is the computer really smart enough to realize the kid knows how to do the problem?”

He had some worries with the technology as well. “When somebody’s computer breaks down during the test, what’s going to happen?” he said. He is unsure whether one would have to start over. In addition, students will finish at different times, so it’s unclear what to do with the students who finish early. “You can’t start classes till all the kids

are ready to go back,” Comm said. “One concern is there’s going to be a waste of time for them while the others finish.”

However, there are those who support the new tests. Heller, for example, feels that not timing the test is good. “Students should feel a bit less pressure when taking it,” she said.

She also said that taking the tests on computers will benefit schools with a “reduction in time for getting scores back.”

And Comm said SBAC is more rigorous than CAPT. She noted one eighth grade essay question that was “a slightly less arduous version of an AP language essay from a couple years ago.” Heller agrees. “The questions themselves require students to think more critically and creatively,” she said.

New test sparks mixed reactions BEN GOLDSCHLAGER ’14 Web News Editor

Next year, students in grades three through eight and 11 will take Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBAC), set to replace the Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) in mathematics and English literacy. SBAC comes with many changes, but it also comes with concerns, staff said.

One big change is that the test will be taken on computers, which lets the test choose harder or easier questions when a student gets a question right or wrong, respectively, according to Math Department Chair Frank Corbo. For this reason, the test is untimed, Corbo said, it ends when a student is getting roughly half of all questions correct.

Of the half dozen or so staff

members interviewed, some had concerns that the technology of the test was not user-friendly; in addition, they were concerned that computers would not be able to correctly grade math free response questions. They also were concerned that the tests, if too long, might be too stressful for some students.

According to Director of Secondary Education Lisabeth Comm, who described herself as undecided on SBAC, the test could take four hours for some students. Additionally, some staff had concerns that the actual test content was poorly constructed.

Overall, among staff members interviewed, the majority felt negatively about the new test.

Many said they felt it was being rushed and needed to be revised.

Corbo pointed to a “mislead-

ing” question about airplane arrival times as an example. In addition, one anonymous English teacher called the test “confusing.” “There appeared to be no clear instructions for students on how to answer questions,” she said.

She also had some concerns with the technology. “It’s difficult to maneuver around the screen and to read text and answer questions about it,” she said. She said that time would have to be spent teaching students the “logistics” of taking the test, which she called “a wasteful use of curricular time.”

English Department Chair Julie Heller, who supports SBAC overall, agreed with this point.

As they learn to navigate the system, she said, “students will need some help.”

Inklinations

INKLINATIONS BY RACHEL TREISMAN ’15 AND JUSTINE SELIGSON ’1 5

The sophomore class will be the last class to take CAPT and the first to take SBAC. How does taking two years of standardized tests affect your motivation to do well?

“I don’t really care; CAPT doesn’t matter much either way, its just another thing we have to get done.”

-Diamantis Datil ’16

“I have no motivation. I know CAPT is a big deal to the state, but it doesn’t mean anything to me.”

-Jojo Adler ’16

“Its gonna motivate me to try my hardest and improve my schoolwork to be more successful.”

-Christian Melhuish ’16.

“I don’t feel like its necessary to take both, so I’m not going to work as hard as if I only needed to take one test.”

-Ana Bene ’16

News

Inklings / February 28, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

Board of Education debates budget proposals for next year ELIZA LLEWELYN ’14 Web Managing Editor

The Board of Education (BOE) has proposed a 2014-2015 budget that reflects an increase of nearly six or barely five percent, depending on whether or not the finance board votes to help reduce a recently-discovered shortfall.

The BOE continues to try to cover a nearly $2 million shortfall, which left a $600,000 healthcare account deficit, due to errors in forecasting and an overdrawn reserve. The amount of this year’s percent budget increase will depend on whether or not the Board of Finance helps cover part of the shortfall.

The overall BOE increase accounts for inflation and salary increases built into employees’ contracts. It includes some increases in programs, as well as cuts to areas like supplies and technology.

“My priorities were maintaining programs and health and safety,” Superintendent Elliott Landon said. “I’m quite pleased as any reductions will not jeopardize these areas.”

The $603,000 in increases includes: an expansion of middle school STEM engineering, an additional elementary school paraprofessional and also bus run changes, according to BOE chair Elaine Whitney.

The expanded STEM program introduces an engineering course once per week to 6th and 7th graders; 8th graders, who

participated once per week this year, will now have the class twice per week, science department chair A.J. Scheetz said.

Initially, the Superintendent’s proposed 6.15 percent budget had not cut anything from the past year’s budget, only adding increases. However, the BOE ultimately trimmed $699,000 from areas including technology and instructional supplies, cut one permanent substitute in each school, and deferred classroom refurbishments.

Although shortfall accounting and reductions in bits and pieces may not be directly felt by Staples students, this year’s budget feels painfully tight, Principal John Dodig said. “For the last six years, we have been unable to move the district forward. At the same time, we’re saying that we are transforming into a school of the future,” Dodig said.

Before Landon makes his initial proposal, he holds a meeting with administrators, who ask for certain supplies, according to Dodig. Many of these requests will never be fulfilled in order to keep the budget low. For example, Dodig’s request for supplies like chairs and microscopes was cut from the proposal.

The tight supply budget is felt further by teachers. The science department usually orders supplies at the beginning of the year and then orders a replenishment mid-year. “This year, we had to be very careful in what we ordered for the replenishment,” Sheetz said.

This trend of tightening the belt frustrates Dodig. “The stock market is up,” he said. “We need to make up some of what we lost over the past six years.” Whitney also noted the difficulty of cuts.

“It’s harder to find things that won’t harm students,” she said.

Board of Finance chair John Pincavage had a different opinion. “Nothing drastic ever re-

ally happens with the budget,” he said. “We only nibble around the edges.”

And BOF member Tom Laserson referenced the needs of taxpayers. “We look at maintaining a cost structure that is sustainable,” he said. “We can’t increase taxes at twice the rate of inflation. That’s the issue.”

The Board of Finance ulti-

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mately must decide whether to appropriate over $1 million to both pay insurance claims and to establish a reserve, all of which was requested at an early February BOE meeting.

The BOF will vote on whether or not to appropriate the money in March; later that month, the BOF must vote on the entire budget.

PHOTO BY JUSTINE SELIGSON ‘15

BUDGET PROPOSALS On Feb. 10, (from left to right) BOE members Michael Gordon and Jeannie Smith, BOE chair Elaine Whitney, and Superintendent Elliot Landon discuss next year’s school budget and the district’s almost $2 million shortfall.

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OPINIONS February 28, 2014

Fight the class system

I

n a world where seniors and juniors are in the same AP English class, catastrophe reigns. A junior boy tries to talk about an appeal

Inklings EDITORIAL

to ethos, but is drowned out by the unrelenting shrieks coming from the whistles dangling around the senior girls’ necks.

The teacher tries to speak, but is halted as a senior boy leads a barbershop quartet in his promposal to the nearest junior girl.

Silver Crown Award for Inklingsnews.com from Columbia Scholastic Press Association 2012 Silver Crown Award for Newspaper Columbia Scholastic Press Association 2012 Pacemaker from National Scholastic Press Association 2013

All the opinions, news, and features in this paper are those of Staples High School students. Inklings, a curricular and extracurricular publication, has a circulation of 1,800 and is uncensored. All letters to the editor must be signed. The editorial board reserves the right not to publish letters and to edit all submissions as it sees fit. The editorial board determines all editorial opinions, which are authored faithfully by the Editors-in-Chief. Inklings reserves the right to not publish advertisements that promote products that could be harmful to student health.

The paper is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association and supports the Student Press Law Center.

Cerberus, the snarling dog, guards what has been deemed the senior section of the classroom.

This may be a slight exaggeration, but when multiple grades are thrown into one classroom, it is going to affect the class dynamic.

Sometimes it seems like grades are at war with one another.

The recent curriculum change that opens up AP Language and AP Literature to both juniors and seniors brings this dynamic into focus: they were the last AP classes to be limited to a specific grade -- AP Lang was for Editors-in-Chief Katie Cion Hannah Foley Managing Editors Rachel Labarre Will McDonald Web Managing Editors Ryder Chasin Eliza Llewelyn Breaking News Managing Editors Sophie de Bruijn Aaron Hendel Social Media Editor Simon Stracher Graphics Coordinator Nate Rosen Photo Editor Liana Sonenclar Assistant Photo Editors Liz Hogan Justine Seligson

juniors and AP Lit for seniors.

But this isn’t new.

It’s just new to English.

Freshmen and seniors have painted next to each other in watercolor for years, and sophomores and juniors have shared a lab table in forensics.

At Staples, there are no eighth grade hallways or team pods like in middle school. It is impossible to weave through passing time without overhearing a conversation from at least a few members of the other species--we mean grades.

Even with this mixing, when juniors, who News Editors Bailey Ethier Claudia Landowne Claire Lewin Cadence Neenan Opinions Editors Alexandra Benjamin Jackie Cope Larissa Lieberson Claire Quigley Features Editors Greta Bjornson Zoe Brown Andrea Frost Sophia Hampton A&E Editors Caroline Cohen Olivia Kalb Emma Muro Katie Settos Sports Editors Claudia Chen Gabrielle Feinsmith Deanna Hartog Zach McCarthy

have 25 notecards for their research paper due Monday, hear about a sophomore’s US project, it’s hard not to feel like they’re on another planet.

Rewind a year, and the juniors were in the exact same position-freaking out about the causes of the Great Depression.

Fast forward a year and the juniors will think the research paper sounds like a nice break from their college supplements.

In the real world, four years shouldn’t feel like a huge age difference. But in high school, where evWeb News Editors Ben Goldschlager Jessica Gross Web Opinions Editors Abbey Fernandez Eliza Yass Web Features Editors Jimmy Ray Stagg Caroline Rossi Web A&E Editors Kaila Finn Nicole DeBlasi Web Sports Editors Bobby Jacowleff Kelsey Shockey Business Manager Elizabeth Camche Assistant Business Managers Kacey Hertan Jack Zeldes Creative Director Olivia Crosby Video Editor Grace Kosner

erything is a bigger deal than it should be, it does.

It’s important for seniors pushing their way to the front row of the bleachers to remember the days when they wouldn’t dare pull that stunt. It’s important for freshmen who just got cut in the sandwich line to remember that one day that will be you.

We hope this is a step towards greater empathy and being able to see things from someone else’s corner of the globe, but learning to see things from someone else’s corner of the cafeteria is a good start.

Advisers Mary Elizabeth Fulco Rebecca Marsick Julia McNamee Lauren Francese 70 North Ave. Westport, CT 06880 Phone: (203) 341–1994 Inklingsnews@gmail.com Decisions of Inklings are made without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability or any other discriminating basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law.

Opinions Inklings / February 28, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

College tours demystified EMMA BERRY ’15 Staff Writer

“

We have the best alumni database all over the country.”

“Our students have such special relationships with their professors.”

“We have every club you can imagine.”

Chances are, if you’ve ever followed overly-enthusiastic tour guides around their beloved college campuses, you’ve heard all of these glittering generalities.

If you’re visiting colleges, this is the anthem that every tour guide will sing to you.

After a certain point, to say it gets redundant would be an understatement. If you’re anything like me, your feelings towards

these cliché college promises will come in three stages.

Stage one is the first time you hear how unique their academic philosophy is or how nice the meal plans are. Considering that this information is all very new, it will be very exciting.

What school could possibly compare to one where the library gets quieter as the floors go up?

As it turns out, a lot.

Stage two occurs with the next two or three schools you see. Now it’s the big reveal. That first school with the high tech library full of crazy looking computers and cozy dorm lounges is knocked off its pedestal by all of the schools with the exact same amenities.

Finally, stage three: chances are you’re now four or five tours into your search and the perpetual repetition of the “unique” characteristics are beginning to become frustrating. You’re trailing behind your guides as they struggle to walk backwards, and you’re pretty convinced you could give the same tour just as well.

This issue is virtually unavoidable, because every tour guide you will meet will have the same case of college fever.

That being said, my best advice is to do your best to focus less on the repetitive chichés and more on making sure you warn your guide when she is about to walk into a telephone pole.

Where there’s a Will...there’s another Will WILL MCDONALD ’14 Managing Editor

It happens once every couple months.

I may have missed a class for a track meet or an illness, and when my teacher asks if I have the homework, I’ll respond that I missed class and couldn’t find the assignment on Schoology.

“Oh, but I emailed it to you, so you still could have done it,” he or she will respond with a tone that betrays a hint of an accusation, thinking they have just tried and convicted me on a charge of homework evasion.

The only problem is that I did not get any email. It wasn’t until the end of my freshman year, after several such incidents, that I realized why. My teachers were sending their emails to Will McDonald. Just not to the right one.

After getting several emails asking me to look into broken pipes or to attend a staff meeting, I realized that I did not have the distinction of being the only Will McDonald in the district.

Instead, I shared the honor with a very kind custodian at Greens Farms Elementary School.

I sent him an email, and he informed me that he had been just as baffled as I was and would try to see if the district’s tech spe-

cialists could fix the issue. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the district’s email system, in which emails are based on first and last names, no solution was possible aside from one of us changing our names.

Making matters worse is the fact that I’m entered into the system as William McDonald, while my custodian brother-in-name is registered as Will.

Since I’ve never gone by William for a day in my life, people seeking to email me inevitably see the option with “Will” in it and select that, without noticing that it isn’t even in the format that student’s addresses follow.

It’s truly a lose-lose situation for both of us. I don’t get most of my emails, while he gets most of his because people know him

by Will and typically select the proper option. But this comes with a plethora of my correspondence, from Google Documents made for English projects to dozens of Inklings articles intended for me.

While I may never meet my name twin, if I ever do, I’m sure that all of my emails he has received will ensure that he’ll already know a solid chunk about me. Until then, if you need to email me, please take three seconds and make sure you’re sending it to the right Will first.

wing colThe above graphic features the most commonly used words on the admissions pages of the following versity of leges: Vanderbilt University, Indiana University, Amherst College, Georgetown University, University Southern California, Cornell University, Miami of Ohio, and College of Charleston.

Seniors let the sun shine in MICHAEL MATHIS ’15 Staff Writer

Before the New Year’s ball had dropped, the halls of Staples were defi ned by a different atmosphere. The word “Common App” was typical vernacular. You could smell the sweating, stressing students as they stumbled across from class to class. It seemed as though there was some sort of cosmic imbalance.

But, when the halls filled for the first time in 2014, something had changed. It was as if all was right again. It was a new semester; new senior class.

Senioritis has hit Staples.

And I can hear the moans and groans of the underclassmen already. But I ask you one simple question.

And...?

You might find this laziness

repulsive and negative, but, as the great philosopher Lao Tzu once said, “Practice not-doing and everything will fall into place.”

The cosmic balance has been restored.

I mean, why focus on the negatives? These new seniors are beacons of sunshine!

They’re like TGI Fridays’ waiters; they are just unnecessarily happy. These days, I’m getting high fives from people I would have never dreamed of getting. They make jokes in classes. They aren’t focused on what clubs to join or which days are best for all-nighters. They are bound by one universal question: Why complete that three-page research paper when Ghostbusters 2 is cued up and ready for viewing pleasure on Netflix?

And on a Wednesday night.

That is gangster.

Most wonderfully, that la-

ziness is beneficial, but not infectious. The seniors that once prized their B plus papers are now chucking them in the blue bin. Grades may not be important to them, but here’s the chance for us, the underrated juniors, to gain some confidence. Now, my B’s in AP Euro are no longer cracks in shattered dreams, but badges of honor. The class average may be down, but not my spirits; that’s for sure.

As the great Phil Dunphy of “Modern Family” once said, “You’ll find yourself achieving your wildest dreams if you lower your expectations.

So let’s not break out the hazmat suits and treat Senioritis like a plague. It’s an event. It’s a time to bask in the warm luminescence of the senior smiles.

Stop casting a rain cloud on the situation, and, for the love of God, just let the sunshine in.

7

GRAPHIC BY MEGAN ROOT ’15

8 Opinions

Inklings / February 28, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

Skipping snacks has students running on empty KAILA FINN Web A & E Editor

I

f you saw a fatigued student in class, you would probably assume that person didn’t get enough sleep and not think much of it. But what you may not know is that this person hasn’t eaten anything today and needs a snack immediately if they want to absorb anything happening in class.

Food throughout the day is underratedly important in the halls of Staples. Take it from a girl who is similar to most students struggling with hunger and little energy in school.

Ellie Aronson ’16 woke up to the ringing of a shrill alarm, caught the bus in the nick of time, and hustled into class by 7:30.

As second period rolled around, Aronson watched the clock tick in Algebra. 8:27. 8:31.

8:36.

She started to feel the effects of not having breakfast as her stomach groaned for a few bites of an apple or crackers while finishing a worksheet. Aronson only had to make it another hour and 20 minutes until lunch. Her thoughts started drifting to her weekend plans and getting back home to her dog, Sophie.

By now, any of Ellie’s food from breakfast had long passed through the villi (small hair-like organisms that absorb the nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food in the small intestine). The body had converted this glucose to energy that can be stored.

However, according to Livestrong, the typical timing between meals should be three or, if necessary, four hours.

Without breakfast or a morning snack, Aronson hadn’t eaten since almost 13 hours ago, clearly almost depleted of any glucose the food from last night provided. ovided.

Nextt period, the long g hand on the clock lock struggled ed to reach h 11:20 A.M., seemingly hesitant to let each minute pass.

As the bell wailed, her torso o suppressed sed another ache, finally on its way to reprieve.

Lunch. ch. A vibrant display of foods, the smell off fresh-baked cookies, melty paninis, aninis and scarlet berry smoothies. Aronson waited to sip her first spoonful of Au Bon Pain’s Chicken Noodle Soup.

In the glorious cafeteria, with food in their stomachs, each of Aronson’s friends seemed a

little brighter. While munching on Sun Chips and bagels, they discuss courses for next year and Aronson’s favorite moments of “The Office.”

This haven is unfortunately temporary and soon Aronson

Second Period

FOOD GRAPHIC BY ANNIE HAROUN ’16

was back stuck in front of her desk and faced with an in-class Shakespeare essay. Aronson reckoned, looking tired already, “After lunch, I can’t think straight at all.”

The last two periods’ objection were using what little energy and brain power left to finish the day, catch the bus, and face a treacherous pile of homework.

Towards the end of the day, Aronson had last eaten three and half hours ago, and hears her stomach groan again again. According H to Everyday Health, blood sugar dips less than three hours after eating, presenting an answer to her fatig fatigued, weary body.

T story of The Aron Aronson’s typical day is mirrore rored by the lives live of most Stap Staples students. den While sometimes th is an octhere casional casi muffin bre more ofbreak, ten th than not, students go through the day completely without an any snacks or food breaks brea besides a meeger lu lunch.

Nurse Sus Susan Bosch said that, “We [n [nurse staff] abo 80 stusee consistently about reportin that “even dents a day, reporting about 10% a day is related to lack of food or lack of sleep.”

Some students, like Aronson, wonder where drowsiness and fatigue originates, unaware that healthy munching throughout the day is equally as impor-

tant as sleep.

Bosch compared lack of nutrition to cars saying, “If you’re driving your car and there’s no gas in the tank, it won’t go. If there’s no energy in your body, you won’t go. You simply won’t have gas to work.”

Aronson also recognizes that it is infinitely more difficult to assess well after not eating for an extended period of time. In the grades-driven society at Staples, students might want to pay a little more attention to snacking if they saw how it could affect their grades.

According to The United Nations System Standing Committee on Nutrition, not eating breakfast reduces test performances by four percentiles. You may be having this problem as well. While some may eat breakfast, those who eat at 7 A.M. will barely have enough energy to last the four hours until lunch.

Aronson, similar to the rest of the Staples population, has a host of reasons why snacking during the day would be impractical. She says that there is so little time in the mornings to pack a snack, teachers don’t allow it in classes, and it can be uncomfortable to eat in the middle of class.

But, all of the struggles boil down to this: are you willing to risk your health (and a four percent difference on a test) for not eating just a few bites of cereal in the morning?

Ellie wants to start bringing a snack.

Ms. Ginny Parker needs a makeover JENNA MCNICHOLAS ’15 Staff Writer

Each fall and spring, I manage to get a vigorous workout before practice even begins. Every day after school, my teammates and I are forced to flex our calves and tighten our glutes as we work in n a finessed trot to maneuver

GRAPHIC BY AUDREY SEO ’16

down the dirt slope that serves as the majestic entrance to the girls’ field hockey and lacrosse turf field, “Ginny Parker.”

Now, let me preface this complaint by saying that it is amazing that there is a field at Staples solely dedicated to these two girls’ sports. The field hockey and lacrosse teams are lucky

and grateful to have it.

Don’t get me wrong; I love Ginny. I respect Ginny and all she has given me, and because of this, I owe Ginny the respect of saying the truth about her. Ginny needs a SERIOUS makeover.

Sure, you could say she has a natural beauty to her, with the scattered litter on the field and the stench of the Port-O-John just a few feet away from the field hockey net, but compared to the other fields at Staples, she quite frankly looks like Cady Heron at the Halloween party in “Mean Girls” – out of place.

Ginny Parker is the only field at Staples without stands and easy access to the field.

Every game, my mom lugs

her torn-up beach chair down the muddy slope so she has a somewhat comfortable place to sit.

The only seating options Ginny has are BYO. It’s hard enough to get someone to actually come to the game, but then there’s the fact that there is nowhere to sit. I’d like to think this is why we don’t get many fans.

The few fans who do come, and are not as smart as my mother, tentatively sit on the wooden, splinter-filled fence at the top of the hill by the parking lot. It might give them a decent view and a place to congregate with other Superfans, but it also gives them easy access to their cars.

A.k.a. an easy way to leave.

Before half time even starts.

Even so, there are some perks to the unkempt hill. I can’t

even count the amount of times I have witnessed someone falling down that slope.

It’s funny when it’s a teammate, and it’s hysterical when it’s an opponent.

It’s hilarious, until it’s you being cackled at as you blindly tumble down the muddy hill.

I guess it’s also funny that Ginny stands out like a sore thumb, just like it was hilarious when Cady showed up to the party as a ghost bride.

Through these ambiguous “Mean Girls” metaphors, I’m just trying to ask in a cute and non-assertive way that Ginny get cleaned up and some sort of seating arrangement for our potential fans is configured.

Ginny is the only field at Staples that hasn’t been paid this attention, and I believe she deserves it.

Opinions Inklings g / February 28, 2 2014 / inklingsnews.com

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Vegetarian etiquette Coexist with herbivores KATIE SETTOS ’15 A & E Editor

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ut down your (pitch) forks please.

My biggest complaint as a vegetarian has not been the food – which I’ve found to be every bit as savory and satisfying as meat–but the ridiculous questions, strange looks and worst of all, aggressive interrogations from meat-praising extremists.

The 7.3 million of us who are vegetarians in the U.S. are unfortunately a misunderstood minority, which is why I bring you five things you need to know when dealing with vegetarians.

1. Shed the idea that we are tie-dye clad hippies who subsist solely on bean sprouts and granola. For whatever reason, there is this strong misconception that hat vegetarian culture is very ry bizarre. However, I think k it is safe to say that in my five five years and 205 days meat-free, free, I have never spent my free ree time hanging out with fruits uits and veggies in an open pasture. sture. Never.

2. Contrary ontrary to popular belief, many ny of us vegetarians are not malnourished. In fact, ct, I am living proof you don’t need meat to survive. ive.

So for all the mothers ers

of children I babysit, I am not going to die. Your extensive lists of supplements are thoughtful and appreciated, but I have a secret: gummy bear vitamins do the trick.

3. Sadly, pepperoni isn’t a vegetable. Do vegetarians a favor and save us some cheese pizza (and no, picking off the pepperoni and soaking up some of the grease is not enough).

4. Dearest omnivores (or carnivores, for you macho men who insist on being called ed so),

I am not going to bully you into o becoming a vegetarian, so cease fire. While you don’t have to feel self-conscious eating meat around me, you certainly don’t have to attack me with meat either. Secretly hiding beef in my meals or trying to toss chicken in my mouth while sitting across the dinner table is not a sport.

5. While trying to guilt me into eating your family meatball recipe is a definite no-no, taking in too much creative license on a meat-free m dish is just as much

of a crime. I cann tell you first hand that choking down an elaborate te egg, ke sausage casseketchup and fake role is not a very pleasant expe-

rience. F For o or future reference, serving your vegetari vegetarian guest the de default pasta option opti is preferable over a disastrous mock-meat concoction. concocti All II’m asking for is a little m mutual respect. You leave my ttofu and carrot sticks alone and I promise to spare you the icky details on where exactly your hamburger h came from.

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Good workouts strain more than your thumbs MEGAN ROOT ’15 Staff Writer

There is a woman at the Edge who works out like an MMA fighter. She is short and lean, with tight muscle outlines sketched into her calves and shoulders. I watched her pushpress a 50 lb. barbell one Thursday, fascinated by the jerky rhythm of her breath.

Exhale. The barbell drives up over her head. Inhale. It drops down behind her shoulders.

Matching this staccato tempo is the movement of her feet: they switch back and forth every time she breathes. The coordination is almost military in its precision.

About five yards away, a teenage girl is moving to an entirely different tune.

It’s not her breath that comes fast, but her phone messages.

Send. She bends for-

ward in her sit-up. Receive. She flops back to the ground.

I wonder if she knows an ab workout is more effective when uninterrupted

by Facebook chats.

I am not suggesting everyone should work out like the first woman: in a 30lb weight vest with 50lb barbells. I just think everyone should adhere to the definition of exercise: “activity requiring physical effort.”

As in, accelerated heart rate due to muscle exertion, not due to the news that Kim and Nick are Facebook official.

Zumba, running, weight lifting, spin, whatever. Different workouts are hard in different ways.

For example, I’m comfortable on a treadmill, but when a yoga teacher asked me to balance on my left foot and raise my right leg until it was level with my hips, it ended with me in

pain, on the floor.

I do those kinds of exercises in my room, where no one can see me. I don’t like falling over in front of strangers. So I get it if you don’t enjoy wheezing like an asthmatic or sweating like an Olympian in a public place. The woman who works out like an MMA fighter clearly doesn’t have that inhibition, but studies have found it to be fairly normal.

So feel free to avoid the toughest exercises when you go to the gym.

But if you are going to avoid every type of exercise, please don’t come.

Watching that woman push-press, run sprints, bike, and jump hurdle at high speeds makes me work that much harder.

Watching two girls sit and giggle over a YouTube video makes me wish I could move all my equipment into an empty basement that gets no cell reception.

A big thank you to: Coffee An’ Donut Shop The Granola Bar The Sono Bake Shop Fo donating to our bake sale . It For wa a great success! was

From all of us at Inklings

PHOTO DRAMATIZATION BY SAMANTHA SHEPPARD ’16

FEATURES

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February 28, 2014

Low enrollment calls for mixed-level classes CLAUDIA LANDOWNE ’15 News Editor

In elementary school, many students visit Connecticut’s colonial one-room schoolhouses.

Bewildered by the idea that so many children of differing ages and scholastic levels could all be taught in the same classroom, by the same teacher, they take relief in the knowledge that they would never be subjected to such conditions.

But now, in some French, German and Latin classes, the combined classroom experience of one-room schoolhouses is a reality.

This year, one French class houses both 5 A and 5 Honors students, one German class is teaching 4 A, 4 Honors and 5 Honors, and one Latin class is teaching to 4 A and 4 Honors.

This practice is necessitated by lower enrollment levels in classes that are higher up the course sequence and the fact that the education budget simply does not allow for smaller classes when combining levels is an option, according to World Language Department Chair Maria Zachery.

“It’s driven by numbers, it’s

GRAPHIC BY OLIVIA CROSBY

driven by budget and then the teachers are really the critical piece in the puzzle,” she said.

“They work really hard to make sure that they differentiate to the nth degree.”

Needless to say, this differentiation requires teachers to

manage the classes in ways the majority of students are not familiar with.

Some A level students said they are unhappy with the fact that they’re doing the most challenging work without having signed up for a higher level class.

“I don’t think it’s fair at all,” said French 4 A student Claire Noyer ’14 said. “I’m not getting honors credit, but I’m taking an honors course.”

It’s true that all students in the class share the same lessons and assignments, but higher level

Home Access is assessed LILY BARSANTI ’14 Staff Writer

Home Access Center allows the Staples students to have complete access to most of their grades at all times. For some, checking Home Access is like breathing-- even if no new grades are posted, just logging in can ease their stressed-out minds. On the other end of the spectrum, there are some who don’t even know they can access their grades online.

Which category do you fall under?

1. The Obsessive Checker You’ve seen one, known one… or maybe you are one. Before the bell even finishes ringing, their fingers f ly across the keyboard as they gain access to every test, quiz, and homework grade. Some find this absolutely terrifying, while this type finds it amazingly comforting. In the height of junior year stress, Rebecca Zlatkin ’15 takes solace in the comfort and security of Home Access.

“It doesn’t make me nervous. I’d rather know my grade before I get it back so I have time to process in a private setting,” Zlatkin said.

Similar to Zlatkin, Blair Gould ‘15 describes checking Home Access as a compulsive routine.

“I don’t even really think about it when I’m doing it. I check it before I go to bed, and as soon as I wake up in the morning,” Gould said.

Knowing the status of their grades helps to keep students knowledgeable about where they stand in a class.

(This can also help to soften the blow of that rant from Mom you know is coming when she sees that C- on your physics test.)

2. The “Only When I Take My Test” Checker The most common type among Staples, these students have a pretty

1.

laid-back attitude when it comes to grades. A few notches down from The Obsessive Checker, students like Anna Petrow ’15 only show their compulsive nature once in awhile.

“I check Home Access when there’s a big test going up, but other than that I don’t really feel the need to check it a lot,” Petrow said.

Along with many students at Staples, Katie Orlin ’17 does not get the daily anxiety that the Obsessive Checkers get.

Instead, she uses Home Access sporadically to help make sure everything is turned in on time. A nice middle ground, the “Only When I Take a Test” Checkers help even out the two other extremes found roaming the SHS hallways.

3. The “What’s Home Access?” Checker They lean back in their chair.

They take sparse notes. And more often than not, take 20-minute “bathroom” breaks whenever they please.

They’re the only person in class actually surprised by their grade because they aren’t really quite sure what Home Access is or why people feel the need to check it every five minutes.

Tommy Aldrich ’14 cites it as an unnecessary, stressful resource for the students.

“I don’t really have any incentive to because I generally know the status of most of my grades without Home Access,” Aldrich said.

Home Access causes this type of student more stress, and they would rather be blissfully unaware of their frightening calculus quiz result.

When Andrew Marriott ’14 was asked how often he checked Home Access, his answer was short, sweet, and typically expected of The “What’s Home Access Center?” Checker: “Nah.”

2.

3.

GRAPHIC BY NOELLE ADLER ’14

students have additional material, according to French 4 Honors student Maddy McCartin ’14.

Tests are also the same, but different areas are weighted more heavily for one level versus another.

McCartin said that while sometimes listening to repeated material can be frustrating, overall it has positive benefits.

“The more we hear a word the more likely we are to learn it,” she said. “It has become easier to learn.”

Despite the fact that most students would like to be in smaller, separate classes, they realize that their teachers’ hands are tied.

“I think they should probably offer them as separate classes,” Haley Randich ’14, who was in a combined Latin 3 A and 3 Honors class last year, said. “[But it’s] not our teacher’s fault, just a frustrating situation all around.”

Zachery empathized with students, but again stressed that the department was limited by resources.

“I would love to be able to offer separate sections, but the numbers and the budget just don’t permit us to,” she said.

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Features

Inklings / February 28, 2014/ inklingsnews.com

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY ANDREW’S ARMY

An army remembers Andrew Accardi

GOLFING ON THE GREEN An avid golfer, Andrew Accardi sets up his hit at Pebble Beach.

BELLA GOLLOMP ’15 Staff Writer

“

I don’t think he remembers not being sick,” Frank Accardi, father of Andrew Accardi ’11, said. “He was sick for 15 years and could get horrible news, ‘Andrew your cancer came back’ (it happened more than once). He would sit in his room for a while and then he would face the day and choose to go out; his illness didn’t stop him from being the normal teenage boy that he was. It truly amazed me.”

Andrew Accardi was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer at the age of five. Andrew passed away in October of 2013.

He battled his illness with the support of his close circle of friends, which mostly consisted of Staples alumni, Ethan Tassel, Sam Bender, Brett Adelglass, and Matt Labarre. Whenever the group would get together, one recurring subject that they would discuss was where they wanted to be in the future.

“We always thought it would be amazing to work together on something big, something we loved, and something that would change the world for the better,” said Tassel.

However, their aspirations were put on hold in 2012 when Accardi was diagnosed with leukemia on top of his prior tumor,

which took a turn for the worst and unfortunately led to his passing in October.

Remarkably within just a few days of his death, the guys found their answer: their life’s charity mission would be devoted to ‘Andrew’s Army’.

Andrew’s Army first took a ferry ride to Nantucket in August of 2007 when Rich Mitarotondo, a close friend of Mr. Accardi’s and who also battled cancer, decided that Andrew deserved a special day just for him that would also raise funds for Dr. Maris’ Neuroblastoma research efforts at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

Over the years, Accardi grew to love Mitarotondo and his wife Maura immensely, simply because they never let the potential success of the organization interfere in any way with what they viewed as the primary objective: for Accardi to enjoy the events that were in his honor and to feel cared for and loved by the people who attended him.

When Mitarotondo passed in 2009, Accardi was deeply affected.

“It is very fair to say that Rich and Maura just got exactly what Andrew was all about and loved him like their own.” Mr. Accardi said.

Accardi was always into sports

Support

of all types ranging from football to soccer, all at a competitive level. However, due to the multiple years of his illness, the chemo and radiation affected his growth. Accardi was always small for his age and never exceeded 105 lbs. His ability to keep up with the stamina of the other jocks was indeed a struggle, but one sport in particular stuck with him his whole life: golf.

The very First Annual Andrew ‘s Army Golf event was held at Redding country Club on October 22, 2007. The event was so

“I know that he would be proud.”

-Frank Accardi successful it gathered an “army” of supporters and was the single most profitable one day fundraiser in CHOP’s history, raising 135 thousand dollars.

In response to the event, Accardi told his father that it had been the best day of his life.

In his last days, Accardi’s biggest fear was that he would be for-

gotten, “He wanted the obstacles that he had encountered throughout his life to have a purpose, and to be remembered as someone who went down fighting but didn’t lose,” Mr. Accardi said.

Since his passing, his friends have been more than dedicated to making Accardi’s goal in life a reality.

“These guys came in with an incredibly creative plan,” Mr. Accardi said. “I never had to ask them to do anything, and if I did, it would be done that day–there was no hesitation.”

Together, they created a facebook page (facebook.com/FightForAccardi), to spread the message online and ask for support and donations for Neuroblastoma research. They are also currently in the process of setting up up multiple fundraising event in Westport this summer along with other opportunities to help out the cause, one of which will be hosting fraternity fundraising events at colleges around the country this semester.

“Now that we have found this opportunity with Andrew’s Army, I’m extremely honored to be a part of it and proud to say that I am helping carry out my friend’s legacy by finishing what he started,” Bender ‘11 said.

“I know that he would be proud,” Bender said.

To contribute to Andrew’s Army and support cancer research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: • Visit http://www.donationto.com/Andrew-s-Army to donate online • Send checks payable to “Andrew’s Army in Support of CHOP” Maura Mitarotondo 64 Shorefront Park Norwalk, CT 06854.

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Inklings / February 28, 2014/ inklingsnews.com

Pressure to impress colleges spurs club participation CLAUDIA CHEN ’16 Sports Editor

F

ive sophomores are huddled in a circle, their voices hushed and their eyes wide.

This is not a gossip session about the unexpected couple that just became Facebook-public or the most recent news on Justin Bieber.

This is a very tense conversation about college. And these kids, in their second year of high school, feel eerily close to the applications, campus tours and college applications that await them in the upcoming years.

Getting into college has become the scholarly version of the Olympics: competition is high. And word on the street is, beefing up on extracurriculars is the key to these games.

According to Princeton Review’s 2013 “College Hopes & Worries Survey,” 69 percent of participants reported high stress related to college admissions during high school.

Some students have become so consumed by this college craze that they see joining many clubs as something to put on their college application rather than participating in one or two activities that they genuinely enjoy.

“Kids get a lot of advice from well-meaning adults that isn’t always helpful,” guidance counselor Deborah Slocum said. “The message is ‘you must [do many extracurriculars] to get g into college.’” g Amanda Mezoff agreed Aman Am an ndaa M ezof ez o f ’1 of ’14 14 ag agre r ed re d tthat hatt st ha sstudents uddeen nt

feel pressured to beat the odds of getting rejected from college.

“The college admissions process has become so arbitrary that students want to do anything they can to improve their chances of getting in,” she said.

As a result, some Staples students join or start clubs with college on their mind.

“Colleges value things such as starting a club, [which] definitely plays a big role in why people start clubs, myself included,” Kyle Baer ’15, who started the Hiking Club this school year, said. “Since college is such a big part of our lives, you want to do anything you can do to get ahead, and starting a club is a way to do just that.”

He added that colleges appreciate starting a club because it shows leadership, motivation to create something beyond oneself, and initiative to get it off the ground.

But students have recognized that investing time and effort into something solely for college does not represent them well.

“People in Westport care too much about trying to fit the requirements a college wants rather than being themselves,” said Sabra Goodarzi ’15.

“Clubs are about more than just a resume slot; they represent a passion that you have.

Whether or not a college looks at it should have no impact on your doing what you love,” Baer agreed.

For some, it was simply a bonus that the extracurriculars they participated in helped with college.

“My varied extracurriculars were certainly helpful when it came to writing the [college] applications,” Mezoff, who is a part of TRIM Music Honor Society, Lit Society and will be attending Brown University this fall, said. “I think they definitely help to take some of the focus off of numbers - GPA and test scores - and draw attention to applicants’ characters.”

Goodarzi said that adopting the Barbeque Club as a freshman was not originally a way to help with college, but as it progressed, he decided that it deserved a mention on his application.

In the end, most people agree that joining or creating a club just for college can end up hurting the student in the end.

“Colleges can tell [if you’re doing it just for college] based on how many hours you put in and if you can talk about it in an interview,” Slocum said.

Nakia Letang, Associate Director at the Office of Undergraduate Admission at Fairfield University, said that colleges do like to see students who have shown ambition, maturity, courage and leadership in starting new clubs.

“We are aware that some students participate in and/or start clubs just to make their resumes look good,” Letang said. “However, it is important to know that involvement is only one factor of many when considering a student for admission.”

taples Tuition Grants upport success ANDREA FROST ’15 Features Editor

Now a freshman at the University of San Francisco, Fallon Bottone ’13 has settled into the renowned city, toured the steep streets, and walked the Golden Gate Bridge all while continuing her education. For Bottone, these experiences would be unimaginable without the help of Staples Tuition Grants (STG) making her dreams of college reality.

STG is an organization that provides financial assistance to Staples students who have enrolled in postsecondary education and need financial aid. Since 1943, STG has worked towards ensuring that no Staples High School graduate is deprived of a college education due to tough financial situations.

Last year, STG became the largest distributor of college tuition grant dollars in Westport. According to STG Student Committee Chair Karen Hess, STG awarded $317,000 to 122 students, with grants ranging from $1000 to $6,000, allowing an average grant per recipient of $2,598.

“We live in a community where the expectation is that all students should have the opportunity to go to college,” Hess said. “For many in our community, the activity often revolves only around which schools will accept them, but for some of their peers, financial realities make those dreams much more challenging.”

According to Bottone ’13, applying for a grant is easy: “Simply fill out the application on the staplestuitiongrants.org website regarding your school information, your family’s financial aid information, and the financial information regarding the school you plan to attend the following year,” she said.

Students are chosen solely based on their financial situation and must reapply for a tuition grant each year of undergraduate school.

The funding for the grants is donated by families, businesses, and other organizations in the Westport community; many individuals donate to STG to maintain their connection to the Staples community.

Specifically, Audrey Reedy ’13 received a donation from the Democratic Women of Westport, who she was able to meet with to thank for their generous contribution towards her education. “It was a great experience getting to know different members of the community and learning from some influential and incredible women,” Reedy said.

STG has given many former Staples students the opportunity to succeed and all students who have received grants are grateful of the support.

“I would not have been able to attend college if it weren’t for the grant,” said Audrey Reedy ’13. “STG has impacted me in a really positive way and allowed me to pursue my education.”

Features Inklings / February 28, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

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Multiple factors fuel college selection process JUSTINE SELIGSON’15 Staff Writer

I

n an era where freshmen sport the sweatshirts of their future hopeful universities, and online tours of practically every college are available, the academics of a college seem to sometimes be weighed down by the likes of gender ratio, campus size and geographic location.

Guidance counselor Deborah Slocum believes that a college’s non-academic factors are as important as the academics for a student’s decision on where to go.

“You only spend 15 hours a week in class,” Slocum said. “College is just as much about how you grow up, the friends you make and what you do while you’re there.”

Campus Explorer, a college choice help site, also stresses the value in choosing one’s academic and non-academic priorities in advance of looking at individual schools.

The non-academic reasons that students cite for picking certain colleges are as unique as the students who pick them.

One factor critical to many, according to Slocum and US News, is climate.

Brittany Silver ’14, who will be heading south to Vanderbilt University, is especially content with her future home where temperatures rarely drop below 40 degrees, compared to New England’s mass weather disparities through the seasons.

“In Nashville it seems perfect because it doesn’t usually reach any drastic temperatures,” Silver said.

Victoria Loiacono ‘14, a rising Southern New Hampshire University student, feels differently. She explained that while weather was not originally a major part of her college decision making, she is glad that she picked a place with the same

climate pattern as Connecticut.

“I wanted someplace that had weather similar to what I am used to now,” Loiacono said Another major college consideration is gender ratio. Slocum, on average, has one student each year that considers the option of a single-sex school. She understands the reason for the unpopularity of this option. “I think students are afraid that there won’t be a dating culture,” she said.

Jordyn Patterson ’14 is in the minority, pursuing the single-sex option. Next year, she is attending New York City’s Barnard University, which, according to Naviance, is one of 45 women’s colleges in the United States. Patterson explained that the gender ratio was not really a part of her decision process. Her most important consideration was location.

“Being in the city was my number one priority,” she said. Patterson’s need for this college type is rooted in the fact that she spent much of her childhood living in cities and she is most comfortable in such an environment.

But there are other unique aspects of a single-sex environment that attracted her to Barnard.

“It has a great network in which they’ll set you up with internships specifically from the perspective of women,” Patterson said.

Whether it is for the location, the weather or the gender ratio, Staples seniors have many different views on the non-academic factors of their future universities. Slocum encourages students to be critical of everything when exploring colleges.

“Something as simple as the food matters once you get there,” she said.

And, for students in need of the above, Bowdoin College is ranked top by Princeton Review for best food.

GRAPHICS BY OLIVIA CROSBY

INFOGRAPHIC BY JANE LEVY ’16

14 Features

Inklings / February 28, 2014/ inklingsnews.com

Where teachers were before Staples

Gomez

For two years before teaching at Staples, Gomez lived in a rural village in Malawi, Africa while working with the Peace Corps, an organization that helps people in developing countries. Gomez lived in a mud brick house with no access to running water and no electricity or water.

While teaching math and science in Malawi, Gomez was evacuated for seven weeks due to a spree of serial killing associated with witchcraft around Gomez’s village.

She was moved into a transit house in the capital Lilongwe, where she had access to running water, electricity, a phone and internet.

Gomez often shares stories and pictures during Communication Time about AMINA ABDUL-KAREEM her time in Africa. “Teaching in Africa Staff Writer has definitely changed my perspective about education and teaching in general,” ith one earphone in your ear, Gomez said. tapping your pencil on the desk to the beat of the music as you slouch in your chair, you stare blankly at your teacher, unaware of the life that he or she had before teaching. You never could have guessed that a decade ago, your teacher was prosecuting someone for stealing onions out of his mother’s garden or racing heavy weight super bikes or living in a mud brick house for two yyears porate or playing with the big boys in corporate America or working as a chemist for or cosountry metic products or traveling the country weekly as a public accountant.

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Fernandez & Miller Before becoming a social studies teacher at Staples, Mr. Miller worked as a lawyer in Ohio.

“My previous job helped me teach because it’s kinda the same thing. I did courtroom stuff; you are trying to educate and convince people to do things, which is kind of what you do as a teacher,” Miller said.

Miller recalls the “ridiculous” time he had to prosecute someone for stealing onions out of their mother’s garden.

Similarly, Mrs. Fernandez worked in corporate America and in investment banking. Fernandez often relates her experience with Wall Street to “The Great Gatsby” to her English 3 classes.

“I put a great emphasis on conciseness in writing and on handing work in on time. In business, no one wants to read through a lot of text to get to your point, and there are no excuses for failing to meet deadlines,” Fernandez said.

Messina Not long ago, Chemistry teacherr Mr. Messina was a chemist at Estee Lauder, er, a company that manufactures and markets skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products.

Messina tells his students that he is actually 60 years old, but looks younger from using Estee Lauder face creams and elixirs.

Messina does try to combine the ideas that chemists use on a daily basis such as quantitative-analytical techniques.

His previous job taught him the importance of wearing goggles. During the first lab safety introduction Messina stresses the importance of wearing goggles during lab, by telling his students a story of a former colleague who got sodium hydroxide in his eye and permanently went blind in that eye.

“Teaching, though, is so much more fun,” Messina said. “Here, it’s all about the kids...getting them to enjoy science thee way I do, opening my students’ eyes up om to the way the world works. To me, that’s what this is all about,, and it is so m much ding than logging my re more rewarding research every ery day.”

GRAPHICS BY OLIVIA CROSBY

Wilkes As a college student, Wilkes had many experiences as he sometimes had up to three jobs at the same time. He was once a carpenter, owner of a fence company, a landscape foreman, a tree climber, a motorcycle mechanic, a sergeant in the military, and a UPS delivery man.

In college, Wilkes loaded UPS packages every night, working from midnight to 8 a.m., His first class was at 9 a.m., which left him one hour of free time between his job and school. When he came home from school he would sleep until 11 p.m. and then go to the UPS in Stratford. He only had time to study in between classes.

When Wilkes first started teaching, he couldn’t afford not to work over the summer. He worked as a mechanic at a shop where they sold and repaired watercraft and motorcycles for two summers. His job was to put together new motorcycles or repair them. His favorite part of the job was to test drive the motorcycles that he built or finished repairing.

However, being a sergeant in the military led Wilkes to becoming a teacher. For his weekend job he would teach 50 scouts, so he put together a lesson plan before arriving. He learned from this job that teaching was his passion, which led him to be a math teacher. “[There are] a lot of real-world experiences where I used a lot of math on a regular basis. I try to incorporate it in math questions. More often than not, I simply have a different way of looking at things due to a diverse background,” Wilkes said.

Features Inklings / February 28, 2014/ inklingsnews.com

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PHOTO BY RACHEL MORRISON ’16

Students feel it’s time to Parents... turn off the technology have got it goin’ on

TYPING NOT TEXTING Not letting techonology get the better of him, Mike Mortiz ’14 likes the old means of communication, such as type-writers

Kelsey Shockey Web News Editor

L

et’s face it, if technology just randomly disappeared right now, you wouldn’t know what to do with yourself. People are so dependent on technology that the amount of times someone checks their email, Facebook or Twitter messages in one day is too many to count.

The scary part is that technology will keep advancing and society will never go back to the days of regular communication.

“I do text sometimes during lunch or passing time, although I don’t really do stuff like that in class. I use my iPad to take notes and do research in class a lot. If students use it in class for other purposes, it’s just a matter of being bored in class,” Zack Reiser’14 said.

However, for some students, technology is a thing of the past.

“I chose to use technology less because I just get bored by looking at my phone,” Mike Moritz ’14 said.

No matter where you are in school, there are plenty of students walking down the hall with cell phones in their faces.

“Instead of checking my phone, I’ve become more interested in observing the environment around me, and in doing so, it has made me come to the realization

that I was once a slave to my technology,” Moritz said.

Of course, there is no doubt that technology is a huge distraction from school work. Even when technology is not visible, most people still think in the back of their minds about who may be messaging them.

“To be honest, I don’t really have time for unnecessary distraction. Between school, homework, and sports, I only have an hour or two a day and I like spending that time doing the things I like, such as playing video games. Also, if I’m going to see my friends tomorrow at school, why do I need to talk with them on Facebook?”

John Ludy ’15 said.

It’s almost abnormal for someone not to be carrying around any technology, although it can be a burden at times.

“People recognize that I don’t use technology as frequently, but the people who comment on it say that it’s something that can be respected and that it’s a part of me. Technology is stress and if I’m looking at my phone and feel pressured by it, I stop looking at it,” Moritz said.

At the end of the day, it just goes to show that the habit of using your technology can in fact be broken.

Ludy added,“People who rely heavily on technology can’t imagine that a high school student can survive without it, but I am living proof that it’s possible.”

ABBEY FERNANDEZ ’14 Web Opinions Editor

Fountain of Wayne sings, “Stacy’s mom has got it going on.”

Big Sean raps, “I love me some of yo mama, oh true that.”

Will.I.Am asks, “Baby, where’d you get your body from?” Fergie replies, “I got it from my mama.”

This past June “The Today Show” held a “Hottest Dads Contest” in which more than 1500 dads entered to win.

All this evidence suggests that perhaps mothers and fathers, good ol’ ma and pa, can be hot?

Yes, you read that correctly. We’re talking about that mom who annoys you about grades, that dad who sweats profusely while dancing at bar mitzvahs.

They may grocery shop, undertake dreaded yard work, and even rock “mom jeans” or sensible shoes. Yet apparently, despite their A.C. (after children) status, some parents still got “it.”

It all started back in the 60s with the coveted Mrs. Robinson from “The Graduate.” Ever since then, the concept of hot moms and dads seems to have flourished, particularly in the media. Take, for example, the women on “The Real Housewives “series or Gloria from “Modern Family.”

The movement, “No Excuse Mom,” was established in 2013 and encourages mothers to make fitness a priority in their life.

The group even published a 2014 Swimsuit calendar filled with hot, fit and expert multi-tasking moms. It’s not just strictly moms, dads are in on it, too. Buzzfeed, a popular website amongst teenagers published an official “The 23 Hottest Dads of all Time” list in 2013. And recently there was a Yahoo article titled “David Beckham vs. Chris Hemsworth: Who’s the Hotter Dad?” The media appears to be accepting of attractive moms and dads, and apparently, this rare species can be found at the local level as well.

“Hot moms seem to be pretty common in Staples, likely due to the increased

amount of time and money spent on beauty and fitness,” Ian Barsanti ’14 said.

But is it just moms? Apparently not, according to Maggie Fair ’15.

“My friends always joke about my dad being hot,” Fair said, “they will say that they’ll only come over if my dad will be home or ‘how do I look before coming over.”

Daniella Mattera ‘15 is just one of Maggie’s friends who crushes on Matthew Fair.

“I always try to say things to make Maggie feel uncomfortable,” Mattera said.

However, it’s not always uncomfortable for the kids of these hot moms or dads.

For example, Camille Shuken ’15 is said to have a hot mom, Monica. Shuken explains that she is so used to her friends’ jokes by now that she is able to laugh about it. And apparently her mom does too.

“She thinks it’s hilarious when guys in my grade tell her they just broke up with their girlfriends,” Shuken said.

But for others, it’s not so funny. Stepsisters Sloane Cooper ’15 and Paige Murray ’15 agree that it can be pretty weird when their friends joke about their hot dad, Lee. Whether students with hot parents find it entertaining or strange, they can all agree on one thing for sure: it is awkward.

Amelia Heisler ’15 says it is quite awkward when her friends catch a glimpse of her attractive dad.

“When he picks me up people just give me a wide-eyed look and whisper ‘your dad,’” Heisler said, “how am I supposed to respond to that?”

It also can get awkward if the goodlooking parent ever overhears the admiring teenagers.

“One time my two friends were over and they were talking about how my dad is hot, and he walked in,” Cooper ’15 said.

Oof… awkward.

So research shows that the old ball and chain can occasionally be “hot.” Just remember though, those are the same people who once changed diapers, nag us about studying, and listen to WEBE 108.

Ain’t nothing hot about that.

A&E

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February 28, 2014

RĞĉĊė CčĆĘĎē ’14

QUICK AND EASY HAIR CARE TIPS YOU SHOULDN’T JUST BRUSH OFF

O SE EY DR AU BY G IN

Schulman said.

Nonetheless, great hair does not come without its caveats — and surprises. For Mellin, this comes in the form of people insulting him by saying his hair is “too nice.”

But for Schulman, his surprise came one night while hanging out at a club with a friend.

“Some guy came behind me and said, ‘Can I buy you a drink honey?’ I turned and said sure,” Schulman said. “When he saw my face, it was like he was expecting a girl or something, so I guess I’ve had guys hitting on me.”

As for Caetano, he says he’s faced a bit of an adjustment.

“My entire life, nobody ever said I looked like anyone,” Caetano said. “Now I can’t keep track of the list of people I’ve been compared to.”

Schulman says as long as he keeps getting comparisons to Brad Cooper, he’ll stick with shoulder-long locks.

“Ever since my hair has gotten long, I get better service at restaurants, people actually hold the door open for me now, game,”” and it has improved my basketball game Schulman said.

“Thanks to my hair, I’ll pass people in the hall, and they’ll tell me that I’m the best looking kid at Staples. Hands down.”

AW

high-paying jobs equal money; money equals success, and success equals happiness, obviously.”

Yet, to physical education teacher Michael Caetano and his now school-wide infamous hairdo — a head of hair that, according to him, hasn’t been fully cut in nearly a year, and a beard that was last shaved back around October 2013 — his hairstyle is not about material gain. It’s about personal discovery.

“I wanted to experience life from the longer side,” Caetano said. “It’s just me doing me. I don’t care what people think.”

Still, that’s not to say he doesn’t take pride in his hair care. Caetano says he washes his mane twice a day, with, of course, both shampoo and conditioner.

Schulman and Mellin, too, use the onetwo shampoo-conditioner punch, choosing to use a Red Herbal Essence and Aussie “Confidently Clean” variety, respectively.

Although their washing styles are consistent, the boys’ daily prep drastically varies. While Caetano says he does “absolutely nothing” but wake up and comb it, Mellin says he spends four to six hours in front of the mirror every morning — “give Schulman, still still, takes a difor take a few.” few ” Schulman dif ferent method entirely, showering each morning and subsequently throwing a hat on his head to mat his up-do down.

“It’s been working out great so far,”

DR

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hen it’s short, it’s a shock or a buzz or a cut or a coif.

When it’s long, it’s a mane or a mop or flow, or lettuce — in fact, in the case of lettuce, sometimes it’s a full house salad. When it needs to be tamed, it can get a trim or a shear or, most commonly, a dome slice. And when it needs to be washed, what better method than the classic “lather, rinse, repeat” for both shampoo and conditioner? Twice.

“Take care of what yo’ mama gave you.”Joey Schulman ’14 said, who has a head of hair that has been compared to that of Miranda Cosgrove and Bradley Cooper and even a dark-haired Ellen DeGeneres.

Schulman, who admittedly takes a brazen pride in his hair, says that despite all the emphasis girls put into their hairstyles, it’s really the guys’ hair that matters the most.

“Hair to a daily appearance is everything,” Schulman said. “When you sit down for an interview, you want them to think in their head, ‘Wow, this guy takes good care of his hair. He must be an amazing worker.

I think I’m going to hire him.’”

Fellow classmate Ethan Mellin ’14, ’14 whose hair, he says, has comparisons “to the likes of the biblical Samson,” agrees.

“Great hair equals confidence,” he said. “Confidence equals high-paying jobs;

’16

Web Managing Editor

Local hairstylist, Pam Dedona, gives the blow-down on how to have great hair.

Use the right shampoo. If you have colored hair, use shampoo for colored hair, even if you’d lather not.

1 2 3

Get a good blow dryer. It can make all the difference.

Don’t wash your hair every day. Every 2 or 3 days.

4

If you need a product, don’t be shy, use it! Have frizzy hair? Make your way over to the frizz control products.

5

A proper haircut from a professional is essential. No cutting your own hair with the scissors you found in the craft drawer. Comb on over to a professional.

SIDEBAR INTERVIEW BY JENNA MCNICHOLAS ’15

A&E Inklings / February 28, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

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Staples senior takes on a new role Nathan Francis ’14 directs the Spring Studio MĆėČĆĚĝ MĆĈCĔđđ ’16 Staff Writer

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ractice begins outside the auditorium. The environment is calm and casual as kids let their heavy backpacks collapse onto the ground and pull out their crinkled coffee-stained scripts. The buzz of conversation and laughter flood the space, only to be disrupted by a single commanding voice. The small talk dwindles away as the actors turn their attention to the person in charge— the director.

Only, in this Players’ production, the director is barely older, if not the same age, as the actors. Nathan Francis ’14, who has been involved with Players since he was just a freshman, is directing this season’s studio play, “Don’t Drink the Water.”

“Don’t Drink the Water,” by Woody Allen, chronicles a family who is accused of espionage after taking harmless tourist photos. They end up stuck in the American Embassy in a made-up country behind the Iron Curtain, and the play follows them and all the crazy people they meet as they try to escape.

Francis says some examples of these people include “a nun doing magic tricks, a communist policeman with anger issues, and a psychotic chef who is very proud of her cooking.”

Francis also describes the play as “crazy and wild with a lot of energy and action.”

Cast member, Justin Chen ’16, adds that it features a lot of “very zany, slapstick style of humor with a lot of witty, fast paced dialog.”

Only one or two studio plays are directed by a student each year. To be eligible, you have to take the directing class

either junior or senior year. Francis raved about the class, talking about how “you learn how to manage your actors, and you become a better teacher and leader in the process.”

Rachel Beck ’15, who plays a member of the family, said the atmosphere is much more “low-key” than when plays are directed by an adult.

When asked if it’s hard to balance being a student director, Francis doesn’t hesitate to answer.

“It’s 100% percent difficult. While it would be easy just to laugh and joke with my cast the entire time, I also need to be the one to be on task and really work everyone around me so they can be the best they can be,” he said.

He chuckles while saying, “I’m definitely more of a stickler for the rules now.”

Despite the obstacles, Francis’s passion for directing is evident as he discusses how it’s different from acting. As he begins to speak, he leans forward in his chair and his words start tumbling out quickly.

“I really like the creation and being able to develop the world as opposed to just contributing,” Francis said excitedly, “I’m manipulating, and designing, and creating.”

A slight smile spreads across his face as he adds, “I like being able to kind of call the shots and make my own interpretations.”

With Francis behind the scenes, “Don’t Drink the Water” is sure to be a lively comedy that will be coming to Toquet Hall on February 28st, March 1st, and March 2nd.

Renée Weisz ’17, a member of the cast, urges everyone to see it “to support Nathan and check out a Woody Allen script that is quite hilarious.”

THE MAN BEHIND THE SCENES Nathan Francis ’15 directs his first spring studio, “Don’t Drink the Water,” a “very zany, slapstick” comedy originally written by Woody Allen. The play opens Feb. 28th, and also shows on March 1st and 2nd.

PHOTO BY RACHEL TREISMAN ’16

Westport ditches fatty fast food GėĆĈĊ MĈCĆėęčĞ ’16 Staff Writer

If you had strolled through downtown a few years ago, you would have seen teens devouring cupcakes from Crumbs or shoving down grease-slathered pizza slices from Westport Pizzeria.

Nowadays, kids tout colorful smoothies or speed past Starbucks for an organic salad from Freshii.

Westport restaurants appear to be on a new health-kick with an abundance of organic spots opening up around town that seem to be all the rage, especially among Staples students. Students started the year resolving to eat healthier, and, with spring sports just around the corner, many Staples students say they are changing their diets to get fit.

“Freshii is the perfect place for me to not go crazy with junk food when I go out, especially with outdoor track starting soon,” Emma Finn ’16 said.

Healthy dining places around town include Freshii, The Granola Bar, Embody, and Garelick & Herbs. These calorieconscious places offer foods that are affordable and nutritious.

Not only is the food healthy, but it tastes better than fatty, fried food and doesn’t leave you feeling guilty like greasy food does, students said.

“Freshii is amazing because it’s healthy and affordable. I always get the spicy lemongrass soup, which is divine,” Finn said.

Some of the most popular items for students include the Teriyaki Twist Bowl and the Fiesta Salad, Jonathan Blob, Freshii owner said . Freshii is known for its wholesome menu which uses all fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, no added sugars, no microwaved food, and no GMO’s.

“You will never see us throw sugar into the blender,” Blob said.

Dana Noorily, co-owner of The Granola Bar, says her favorite item on the menu is the avocado toast with house cured salmon, a bestseller among students, she said.

Places like Freshii and The Granola Bar have a fresh interior design which appeals to students.

GRAPHIC BY RACHEL LABARRE ’14

A vibrant green color scheme splashes across the walls of Freshii, and the wooden tables and chairs give the room an organic vibe. A faux grass wall covers a corner of the room, and the periodic table of food covers the wall beside it, emitting a healthy vibe.

“There are so many people taking pictures with our nature wall and our periodic table of ingredients,” Blob said.

Up the road from The Granola Bar, the smells of freshly brewed coffee and bread hot out of the oven waft through the midst of buzzing customers.

Levitt believes their modern interior creates a welcoming atmosphere.

One of the biggest

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY JAMIE SWOTES ’15

surprises for The Granola Bar owners was how much students and their Instagrams have affected their business. During its opening weeks, students made up a large number of their customers, bringing with them their iPhones to snap pictures.

“We named a smoothie after all the Instagram mayhem,” Levitt said. “The first week we opened, we had lots of high school kids and, any time they would eat anything, they would Instagram it.”

Both Freshii and The Granola Bar try to appeal to students.

“The students are influential in our community,” Levitt said.

“If they are supporting us, that’s a great thing. We would change our menu for them.”

So will the healthy eating phase last, or will Five Guys and Shake Shack steal them all back?

18 A&E

Inklings / February 28, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

Freshman wins the “write” way JĊĘĘĎĈĆ GėĔĘĘ ’15 Web News Editor

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hen talking to James O’Brien ’17, it’s easy to feel a bit green with envy. His sunny disposition and red-hot confidence can make you kinda blue, especially considering his recent accomplishment.

“Orange” is O’Brien’s gripping science-fiction short story, and, out of all New England, O’Brien took third place in the Arisia 2014 Convention’s Student Writing Contest.

“Orange” was inspired by Manhattan, the story’s setting, and mentions the historic High Line and everyone’s favorite crooner, Frank Sinatra.

But in main character Lance’s world, the High Line is “one of the few surviving relics of the 20-21st century era” and Frank’s crooning is “long-gone.”

The U.S. is overrun with an apocalyptic disease.

While Lower Manhattan remains a haven for the healthy, Lance’s view across the Hudson River underlines just how fragile the safety is.

“Looking down what little street remained between him and the rising Hudson, he could see fires burning across the river in shells of old towers- silent to him, but constant. The stench of death hit him through the gusts of wind. He gagged.”

This chilling opening may seem a little bit far-fetched to some. It’s the power of the science fiction writer to create a world that still remains relatable and grounded in reality.

“I wanted to write something unique, as well as interesting and relatable,” O’Brien said. “So I thought, what people are really scared of is something they can’t control or understand. I thought a disease would bring some of that in.”

“Orange” began as an assignment for

O’Brien’s English class. When his teacher mentioned the contest, he couldn’t help but feel compelled to research the details and enter.

O’Brien modestly described his accomplishment as unexpected.

“I had no idea I would become a finalist, so I never imagined I would get to go.

Making third was a big surprise,” O’Brien said, especially when he learned his story was only about a third of the length of most of the others.

O’Brien won $100 and a free weekend membership at the convention. Excited to have the hard work of writing and the anxiety of waiting to hear back over, he could now kick back and enjoy his prize.

“Inside everybody was wearing a costume, everybody had a cool hat or shirt on, everybody was having these wonderful conversations,” O’Brien recalled fondly. “It was the most welcoming place. You could really feel the difference.”

“It was such a unique experience,” O’Brien said. “You can’t miss the people.

They love what they do.”

But the real prize wasn’t the cash, the free stay, or the cool people; it was knowing that O’Brien had made it all possible for himself.

“The best part was knowing in the back of my mind I never would have gotten to experience it without something that I was able to create,” he said. “The whole thing was a blast.

‘Though it’s clear O’Brien takes welldeserved pride in his work, he also makes it clear it helps to know the tools of the trade.

“I read somewhere that a story can have one or two of three things: extraordinary people, extraordinary events, or an extraordinary setting,” O’Brien said.

“To have all three just makes a bad story, to have none is boring, and to have one is alright. But to have two, and use them well, can make a story great.”

APOCALYPTIC AUTHOR James O’Brien ’17 won third place in the Arisia 2014 Convention’s Student Writing Contest with his story “Orange,” an apocalyptic science fiction tale set in New York City.

PHOTO BY JUSTINE SELIGSON ’15 GRAPHIC BY JULIA SCHORR ’16

Television “Scandals” entertain AĆėĔē HĊēĉĊđ H ’14

Breaking News Managing Editor Talks of the latest episode of any number of dramatic, frightening television shows can be heard in every room of every floor of the building, particularly among the second semester seniors of Staples High School. ABC’s “Scandal,” Sch HBO’s HBO O’s Game of Thrones, and the recently concluded Breaking Bad are three of o the many series students media to discuss, watch take to social s hours upon hours consecutively on Netflix (which has its popular shows of its own, namely “House of Cards” and “Orange is the New Black”), and a even host viewing parties at the start up pa of new seasons.

The appeal of these shows is obvious; s

INFOGRAPHIC BY DYLAN DONOHUE ’15

Information for the infographic was gathered from a February 11th survey of Staples students.

the specifics that make them so appealing, on the other hand, is much more obscure.

“They’re a little farfetched with their creepiness,” Meredith Hood ’14, a Scandal fanatic, acknowledged. “But they are so realistic too, which is what makes them so scary,” and thus so intriguing.

“Game of Thrones” enthusiast Ben Greenspan ’14 added, “The appeals of the shows are how the storylines are so unpredictable and will leave you wanting more when the episode ends.”

Of course, each specific show differs in terms of how it attracts viewers, yet there a few constant themes for all.

On “Breaking Bad,” a show about a teacher battling lung cancer who runs an undercover methamphetamine trade to pay his medical bills, Nick Massoud ’15 said, “I adore it because the show has many qualities of an explosive action film, and yet it keeps you (engaged) emotionally in the development of the primary characters.”

Massoud touched on another point that draws in such large audiences: the connections people feel with the characters.

One attraction of “Game of Thrones” is “the way the cre-

ators of the show make the characters so likable that fans of the show like me will root for certain ones,” Greenspan said of the series based on several books about fictional wars and mythological creatures, in a nutshell.

“I can identify myself with the characters,” Jake Santo ’14 added.

And of course, nothing is more important than the plot.

The plot of “Scandal” is primarily composed of how a makeshift lawyer, detective, and campaign manager splits her time between a relationship with the married president and deals with cases on behalf of famous clients.

“It’s a thriller,” Hood said.

“The intense detective work and other realistic components of the plot really draw me in.”

“The many plot twists shock you, but they aren’t too over the top,” Luke Foreman ’14 said.

Currently, all three shows are on a hiatus; Season 3 of “Scandal” resumes Feb. 27, after a nearly three month long midseason break, while Game of Thrones’ Season 3 kicks off March 31.

“Breaking Bad,” much to the dismay and sadness of its loyal viewers, has concluded.

“I can’t wait for “Scandal” to resume,” Foreman said.

A&E Inklings / February 28, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

19

Boys dress up their image JĆēĊ SĈčĚęęĊ ’15 Staff Writer

F

PHOTO BY RACHEL LABARRE ’14

ashion is a profound and critical piece of a boy’s definition. It is the shirt they wear that indicates their friend group. It is the pants they dress in that determine their personality. It is the hat they pick that signals their t passions. It is the socks they put on that tell their past. It is the snea sneakers they sport that decide their future. futu Thou Though most people may think at Staples don’t give a that the boys b about what goes into their thought a outfit in the th morning, they are wrong. at Staples, boy or girl, has Everyone a individual style, whether they their own in realize it or not. choose to re Garrick New ’16, for example, his style as a bit more dressy thinks of hi typical crowd of guys at Stathan the typ says his signature look would ples. New sa Crew shirt, a Cole Haan belt, be, “a J. Cr corduroys, a cardigan or v-neck H&M cordu shoes, and a light spray sweater, suede sue favorite Ermenegildo Zegna coof [his] favo logne.” us to understand that New helps he fashion helps help express individuality. It is the makeup to our personalities. Fashion helps people to discover who they want to be by refl r ecting their personas in their outfits.

Max Rothstein ’17 notes that most dress similarly to him. Like boys dre his favorite item of clothing many, h is “the ssweater,” while New does not Vines sweater look like the Vineyard V

“Ever yone should dress to impress” -Max Rothstein ’17 or any patterned shirt for that matter.

This, however, is the typical style of many male students. Outfits also tend to consist of sports jackets or patterned sweaters, corduroys or jeans, acquired tshirts from past events, and some kind of big named sneaker of high value. These are

the kinds of clothes that are “safe” to wear because you can’t be judged if everyone is wearing it. Although fashion may only be on the surface of your skin, it is so close to a person’s inner feelings that they tend to push it away.

Everyone tends to buy the same things, that is why trends occur. And as the trends change, all of the boys’ outfits change with them, with the exception of those who embrace their originality.

“Fashion changes like the weather,” Rothstein said. Because all fashion becomes unfashionable at some point.

Fashion has become a social agreement, the concurrence of people’s judgements and opinions. Most boys are conforming to it, while others wear it as a display of uniqueness and pride. It is important to find the fashion that suits you.

Players learn puppeteering from the pros KĆĈĊĞ HĊėęĆē ’16

Assistant Business Manager In the past 55 years of Staples Players productions, Staples students have transformed into characters onstage, but no one has seen a transformation quite like this.

With vibrantly colored skin, gigantic eyes, perfectly round noses, and some wacky hairdos, the Staples Players will appear not only as themselves but also in puppet form in the spring production, “Avenue Q.” As assistant director Vignesh Namasivayam ’16 explained, few of the Players have worked with puppets in the past and therefore found working with the puppets initially to be a struggle.

“It’s hard to figure out what exactly the puppeteer is doing to convey so much through their puppet,” Emily Ressler ’14, who will be playing Kate Monster in the show, said.

Adding learning to use a puppet on top of the lines, lyrics, and choreography the Players have to memorize, provides a challenge. Ressler described acting with a puppet while singing and dancing as “the ultimate multi-tasking.”

However, the Players aim to produce the same high caliber performance they’re

known for, puppets or not. So, director David Roth arranged to bring in some expertise.

Pam Arciero, a puppeteer who played Oscar the Grouch’s girlfriend, Grundgetta, on Sesame Street, as well as Rick Lyon, who created the puppets for and acted in the original Broadway production of “Avenue Q,” came in to work with the “Avenue Q” cast.

“Learning to puppeteer competently is just as hard as learning to juggle or tap dance or play football - it requires the acquisition of new skills and new disciplines,” Lyon said in an email interview.

Although the Players’ time is limited with the special guests, a little goes a long way. “Even after just one workshop, we’ve learned so many tricks to show some classic emotions, as well as going over some easily-overlooked, yet crucial basics, like remembering to make your puppet breathe,” Ressler said.

When asked the key to puppeteering, Lyon answered in one word, “believability.”

“From talking to walking to breathing to sneezing, we are trying to convince audiences that the puppet is a living being that is interacting and making real choices on stage,” Will Haskell ’14, who will be playing the character Princeton, said.

FROM TALKING TO WALKING Will Haskell ’14, playing the character Princeton in the Staples’ production, practices his puppeteering with professional puppeteers Pam Arciero and Rick Lyon.

PHOTO BY LIANA SONENCLAR ’14

Q&A with Pam Arciero, Sesame Street Alum What is the key to successful puppetry?

Successful puppetry involves learning the physical movement, the emotional life of the puppet, and the ability to “channel” the character. Your belief in the character and puppet is what makes the audience believe it is alive. If you don’t believe in its life, then it is just a dolly. Puppetry is different from acting in that you have to do everything an actor does with his body, face, voice and mind, and perform all of that from your elbow to your hand. What comes naturally, like walking or sneezing, has to be analyzed and created with just a limited part of your body, your arm.

Can you tell me about being on Sesame Street as Grundgetta?

Grundgetta had been performed for one season by another puppeteer, Brian Meehl, and I took over the character from him. At first, she was more like what Brian might have done, but she became all mine. She is a grouch, with a good heart. She is devoted to Oscar, but don’t ever tell him that. They have never gotten married because grouches hate to be happy. She is very independent, strong willed and has a wild sense of humor. It’s hard not to do a character for so long and not have them live somewhere in your heart.

20 Sports

Inklings / February 28, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

Freshmen athletes prepare for spring tryouts TAYLOR HARRINGTON ’15

her, Rubin says she will have a more difficult time grasping the racquet and controlling the ball that’s being carried by the wind, so she’s hoping for warm and sunny weather.

“Trying out for tennis as a freshmen was pretty intimidating,” Xenia Bradley ’15, a varsity tennis player, recalls. “The format for tryouts was only two games, so it was hard to show your best in just those two games.

But, I would advise freshmen to not worry so much. Just play your best in the games you do play and have fun with the tryout process.”

Many Staples athletes have been preparing year round for these tryouts.

Lucas Jackson ’15 said that the lacrosse team has been practicing together since the beginning of the school year.

Three days every week the team has been lifting in the Staples weight room where Coach Paul McNulty ran a mandatory offseason training session. Then, on Sunday nights, there was also an optional clinic in the Sono Field House where the majority of the team participated in an indoor league.

During the months preparing for the season, Jackson said it was important for freshmen to learn how to play with the upperclassmen because that’s the level

Staff Writer

I

n only a few weeks, Staples students will be lugging their sports equipment to school and chugging their electrolyte infused drinks for spring tryouts.

By now, upperclassmen know the drill. Some varsity sports don’t even require juniors and seniors to try out if they’ve been on the team in past years.

However, freshmen are still

“Just play your best in the games you do play and have fun with the tryout process.”

-Xenia Bradley ’15 anxiously waiting to find out if they’ll make the cut as a Staples spring athlete.

Tess Rubin ’17, hoping to make the tennis team, is one of many freshmen who is excited for the tryout process to be overwith. “What I’m most nervous for during tryouts is playing my best outside,” Rubin explained how difficult it is to play tennis when it is cold and windy. With cold hands and wind blowing on

GRAPHIC BY NOELLE ADLER ’15

they should aim to play at.

“Get as much work in with your stick as you can. You’re only as good as your [non dominant] hand,” Jackson reminded freshmen.

Olivia Troy ’17, also took advantage of the many opportunities available to students during the winter to keep in shape for the spring season. Troy played on Coach Ed Hydic’s basketball team at Staples along with a few other lacrosse players.

Meanwhile, Bradley

“Track and field is the only spring sport at Staples that doesn’t require any tryout,” said Tanzer. “Therefore, if a freshman is cut from their first choice team, they are still welcome to run track.” With tryouts starting on March 24th for most teams, student athletes need to start getting in the tryout mindset and pray for good weather.

Tanzer wishes freshmen the best of luck on their tryouts and reminds athletes to stay hydrated in between tryout sessions.

branched out from the Staples facilities and improved her tennis skills with several teammates at an indoor clinic in Trumbull and worked out at LA Fitness on the days she did not have tennis.

Despite Troy’s efforts to train during the winter months on the basketball team, she still fears she won’t be prepared enough for lacrosse tryouts.

Jamie Tanzer ’15, a track runner, reminds freshmen that if they do not make the team they tryout for there is another option.

Staples P.E. department finally receives the Carole M. White grant SOPHIE DEBRUIJN ’14

ery year,” said David Gusitch, the P.E. Department Chair at Staples.

“It wasn’t a cookie cutter process.

The restrictions change every year, but hopefully the end product is us being able to improve our program.”

The grant, which is just over $900,000, is written for all schools in the Westport district grades K-12 under an initiative called the Westport Wellness Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to spread what is being taught to students in the classrooms to families and the rest of the Westport community.

“We will be working with community based organizations and people with like minded goals and interests and hopefully instituting practice that will encourage people to live a healthy lifestyle and make healthy deci-

Breaking News Managing Editor

I

magine walking into the fieldhouse during the school day and seeing a physical education class fully engaged in a hardcore, sweat-inducing, body-blasting, reggae-pumping Zumba class. Thanks to a recent federal grant, this vision of fitness fun may become a reality sooner rather than later not only within the PE classes of Staples, but in all of the Westport public schools.

After applying for 3 years straight to receive the Carol M White Pep grant through the U.S. Department of Education, the Staples P.E. department has finally found much deserved success. “It was a very difficult process to apply for each and ev-

sions,” said Gusitch.

According to Gusitch, the $900,000 will be split between buying new equipment, professional development, and resources within the district for P.E. teachers. “Students will start to see the changes sooner rather than later,” said Gusitch. “We’ve already started buying equipment.”

Gusitch hopes to use the money to add to the current curriculum in order to incorporate new additions to make students excited about coming to P.E. class during the day. “We understand that it’s not a blanket type approach. The stuff we get may not apply to every student, but we hope to cater our program to reach each student and their interest,” he said. Potential units for underclassmen to look forward to

include rollerblading in the fieldhouse, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks in the pool, zumba, yoga, pilates, and even meditation and relaxation activities.

Students are excited about the impending additions to the curriculum and think it will spark newfound enthusiasm for P.E. within the Staples community. Senior Kelly Gore ‘14 is a huge fan of yoga and pilates and is disappointed she will be missing out on the benefits of the grant, but she is excited for the new opportunities for the underclassmen at Staples. “I think it’s a great way to get more enthusiasm and involvement in P.E. classes,” she said.

P.E. teachers are also enthusiastic about being one of two schools in CT to be awarded the grant. Nicole Ross thinks

the grant is a great opportunity for students and teachers alike.

“It will allow for a lot more options in our program,” she said.

“I’m excited to see the impact of the grant on our program and the benefits students will get from it.”

At the forefront, Gusitch hopes the grant will allow for new opportunities to make students enthusiastic about P.E. classes as well as teach students the importance of staying active during the school day. “Our goal as a program overall is to have students appreciate movement in whatever form. We want kids to realize the importance of coming down to P.E. and the benefit it has for them. We want to know our role in the overall education process, and we want that experience to be positive for students.”

$900,000 can buy...

00

$3

$90

$50

0

$15 3,000 Kayaks

18,000 Zumba Kits

60,000 Yoga Mats

1,000 Paddleboards

GRAPHIC BY RACHEL LABARRE ’14 AND HANNAH FOLEY ’14

Sports

Inklings / February 28, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

PHOTOS BY MEGAN ROOT ’15

Winter sports charge into States WILL DUMKE ’16 Staff Writer

CLOSING THE GAP At the State Open Championship, Victor Kolbin ’14 anchors the 4x800 to a 3rd place finish in a time of 8:13.16. This qualified his relay for the New England Championships.

The boys’ and girls’ indoor track teams head to New Englands tomorrow, wrapping up a fruitful season for winter sports.

More than a dozen athletes competed in the CIAC State Open Championships over break, and a number broke school and meet records along the way.

Although all teams worked hard this season, indoor track, girls’ gymnastics, and the ski team qualified for post-season competition.

Hannah DeBalsi ’16 led the pack for the girls’ indoor track Team as usual, winning first in the 3200 meters and setting a meet record; DeBalsi also came in second in the 1600 meter, setting a school record. Erica Hefnawy ’15 also set a school record coming in fourth in the 1000 meter, and Tyler Scanlin ’14 won the 600 meter. The girls’ team came in second overall.

All runners who came in sixth or better are now headed to New Englands.

Co-Captain Peter Elkind ’14 came in fifth in the 1000 meter, and T.J. Bravo ’15 sixth in the long jump while Bobby Jacowleff ’14 was seventh in the 60 meter hurdles. The boys’ team came in eighth overall.

Finally, the girls’ team came in second in the sprint medley relay. The boys came in third in the 4x800 and fourth in the sprint medley.

The boys’ team felt a little unsatisfied finishing in eighth place, according to Elkind.

“While a few events did not go our way this time around, I am still immensely proud of all of our individual and relay performances and am looking forward to only doing better come the

21

New England Championships,” Elkind said.

Another winning team was gymnastics, which competed in its FCIAC championship on Saturday, Feb. 15. Placing fifth in the event, senior captain Anna Violette ’14 said, “We could've done much better, but we messed up our last event.” This finish did not bring Violette down as she said, “it's an honor to go to States and be able to compete with these girls who are as good, if not better, than us.”

Other teams may not have experienced the same success, but athletes said they battled hard. Senior basketball captain David Katz ’14 said the team had worked hard in practice and in games but that sometimes there were lapses where the players dug themselves into holes very quickly, meaning they had to play from behind.

But the team continued to play tough, he said, with a lot of help. “I couldn't ask for a better coaching staff. Coach Devine knows what our goals are and what has to be done, and he does everything he can that is in his control to lead us in the right direction.”

Maybe it’s the rush from the Olympics, for the Staples ski team is looking to have a very good chance in its State championship. Captain Mike Gifford ’14 said, “Out of our four races so far, we've placed first for both varsity and junior vwarsity in three of them and second in just one.”

The team has high hopes for a medal this year, as Captain Timmy LaHiff ’14 said, “if everyone can put down some solid times, I think we have a shot.”

For the teams with games still coming, the temperature remains cold but the competition is heating up.

MAKING STRIDES A determined Luis Cruz ’15 chases a Ridegefield runner not pictured) in the 4x800-meter relay. His relay team finished third.

RECORD SETTING Track star Erica Hefnawy ’15 strides to a fourth place finish in the 1,000 meter run, breaking the school record by 1/100 of a second. Her time was 3:00.00.

22 Sports Students aim for the money shot Inklings / February 28, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

JIMMY RAY STAGG ’16 Web Features Editor

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weat drips down the freshman phenom as he carries the ball up the court, while the clock winds down, and his team attempts to swipe a win away from a high-seeded favorite.

He pulls up just beyond the arc and drains a go-ahead three as the clock ticks down, leaving mere seconds on the scoreboard.

It’s not enough time for the opposition to get a shot off. The crowd goes wild as people all over America groan for an upset and a blemish on their brackets.

A button is pressed, the channel is changed, and another highspeed, heart-pumping, groanworthy game flickers to life.

March Madness takes over Staples every year. Selection Sunday falls on March 16 this time around, so students are checking brackets and watching games on their phones and trash-talking friends about championship predictions and missed upsets. Jack Cody ’14 has an explanation for the heightened intensity around school.

“There's always a ton of money riding on March Madness with bracket leagues like the Big Dance, which is open to Staples students of all grades, and other bracket leagues. Winners can potentially get $1,000 or more,” Cody said.

This year, however, there’s a prize far above the $1,000.

Mogul Warren Buffett’s hold-

ing company Berkshire Hathaway and online mortgage lender Quicken Loans are offering a billion dollars to anyone who can fill out a perfect bracket. Billion. With a ‘B.’ However, the odds of predicting all 63 games is 1 in 9.2 quintillion (18 zeroes). Regardless of these odds, many students are creating their billion dollar shopping lists.

Self-acclaimed college basketball genius Ryan Baer

GRAPHIC BY JULIA SHORR ’16

GRAPHIC BY JULIA SCHORR ’16

’16 would wait until he was 21 years old and then buy the Utah Jazz. Adam Dulsky ’14 would pay off his parents’ mortgage, pay off student loans, and donate half to charity. Cody would buy tickets to each of the March Madness games to come.

Before they can cash in the big check, the students have to find a way to beat the ludicrous odds and form the flawless bracket. Some watch hours of film and spend hours checking stat sheets and doing extensive research to put the best predictions forward.

Other students have their own

personal rituals, like Dulsky, who says that he always puts a double-digit seeded team making it to the Sweet Sixteen. Despite all of their work, other students prefer to keep their tactics under wraps.

Whether or not any Staples students will attain the perfect

bracket is yet to be seen, but an undeniable fact about March Madness is that it is pure, unadulterated fun to watch, as communicated by Baer.

“Everyone loves an upset, everyone loves a Cinderella story, everyone loves Dick Vitale, and everyone loves March Madness.”

$35.00

Sports

Inklings / February 28, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

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Gymnastics team looks ahead SARAH ELLMAN ’15 Staff Writer With gymnastics teams throughout the FCIAC boasting rosters of around 20 athletes, Staples competes with a mere 12.

The goal is to perfect four different events that are showcased throughout competition season. These are the girls who make up the small, but strong and determined girls’ gymnastics team.

Competition season is in full swing as the girls have already competed at FCIACs and are preparing for Sates this weekend, which will take place on Saturday, March 1 at Pomperaug High School.

Similar to track and field, gymnastics includes four main events: floor, balance beam, bars, and vault. These four events require the mastering of many strenuous skills such as, strength, flexibility, balance, and speed. “Our skills have improved and the way we execute our routines has become better as the season has progressed,” captain Anna Violette ’14 said.

Last year, with only six girls on the team, each gymnast had to participate in all four events. “This year we had more than enough girls and had people who specialized in certain events,” coach, Kelsey Martin said. This let the girls hone in on events specific to their particular strengths.

Captain, Deanna Baris ’14 was able to place individually at FCIACs on floor with a fourth place score of 8.65. Baris also made First Team All FCIAC, while Violette and gymnasts Kacey Hertan ’16, Sophia Stanley ’16, Hannah

Rose ’17, and Andrea Mahieu ’15 all made Second Team. Additionally, Lexi Wetmore ’17 and Chandler O’Reardon ’17 both received honorable mentions.

“Every girl who competed in FCIACs received an award. This has never happened before, so that was exciting!” Martin said proudly.

Baris also commented on how hard her teammates are working, and how new skills have been achieved on almost every event this season. “They’re a great group of girls and I’m super proud of the progress everyone has made this year,” Baris said.

The team as a whole ended up coming in fifth place at FCIACs. According to Martin, the team was very successful in two and a half out of their four events, and showed significant improvement on both floor and vault.

The girls were unfortunate enough to face multiple snow days leading up to their biggest competition of the year, tightening the training schedule. Many also suffered from injury or were absent due to sickness. “We had very little practice the week before, so it was scary going into FCIACs with no preparation,” Violette said.

Despite all of these obstacles, the girls were able to keep their spirits up, and give their all on the spring floor, the bars, the four inch wide beam, and the vault. “Overall we did really well as a team,” Sophia Stanley ’16 said.

With the future in mind, the girls have no time to hang their heads. States is coming up this Saturday, so it’s right back to the gym with the ultimate goal of improving on their most recent finish.

STRIKE A POSE Gymnast Hannah Rose ’16 prepares for her floor routine at the FCIAC finals on Feb. 15th. The team finished in 5th place overall.

PHOTO BY LIANA SONENCLAR ’14

It’s fun no ‘mudder’ what JACK ZELDES ’16 Staff Writer

For many people, rainy or snowy days are reserved for the

occasional trip to the movies, tedious errands, or staying in bed and reading a cozy book. This is not the case for most Staples ath-

letes. Instead, some find themselves out on the field fighting for Homecoming or even for their season. In these cases, students

GRAPHIC BY CHASE EMILIO ’16

find themselves not only battling their opponents but also fighting the elements.

While this may seem like a hinderance to many, most athletes at Staples embrace the challenge knowing that the game may be one that they would remember forever.

The most memorable of these games happened in 2011, when the Wreckers football team took on Darien in a Homecoming game that nobody would forget. In a game that turned in an instant-classic, the Wreckers fell behind early to the Blue Wave in the midst of a blizzard. However, due to a sensational running game, the Wreckers were able to complete a comeback as they won by nineteen points.

“We won that game because we had mentally tough kids. We knew that we couldn’t let it affect the way that we played,” head coach Marce Petroccio said.

While players must have the mentality to not let the weather affect them, it does take a lot more concentration to do simple actions. Jackson Ward ’16, the center on the Wreckers’ football team, acknowledges that the elements do make some things more difficult to do.

“The bad weather conditions affect me quite a bit because I have to snap the ball, and when my hands are cold or the ball is

wet it makes it much more difficult to get the snap where I want it,” Ward said.

In a sport like rugby, however, playing in the rain or mud changes the way the game is played.

“Rugby changes because the ground is a lot softer and tackling or getting tackled doesn't hurt as much,” Rugby coach Joseph Barahona said.

Barahona also added that, “it looks pretty cool when the blood mixes with the mud.”

More recently, the boys’ varsity soccer team took on Newtown in the CIAC second round match at Blue and Gold stadium in Newtown. On a cold, windy, and rainy night, the Wreckers were able to prevail against the number seven team in the Class LL tournament.

“The weather made the game so much more intense. None of us wanted to lose in the rain, and the conditions definitely made the turf a lot slicker and faster,” 2014 soccer tri-captain Michael Reid ’14 said.

No matter if it’s rain, snow, wind or hail, there are always potential memories that will last a lifetime when a game is played in poor weather.

“I've always wanted to play a big game in the snow after I watched my brother play in one in 2011” Ward said.

E D I S N

The Wreckers

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ports

Page 23 Gymanstics team competes in FCIACs

Ludel takes down the competition ADAM KAUFMAN ’15

PHOTO BY EMMA FASCIOLO ’16

Staff Writer

Boys’ and Girls’ Indoor Track Teams Both the boys’ and the girls’ indoor track teams travel to Boston tomorrow, March 1, for the New England Championship meet, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Reggie Lewis Center. This represents the final test for both teams before the New Balance Indoor Nationals meet held at the Armory Track & Field Center in New York City starting on March 14.

Boys’ Swimming & Diving The boys’ swimming & diving team has some time to recover from this week’s FCIAC Finals meet before traveling to Hamden High School for the Class LL Championship meet, beginning March 12 at 5:30 pm with the diving finals. The swimming trials and finals are scheduled to soon follow on March 15 and 19, respectively.

Boys’ Ice Hockey

SWEEP THE LEG Staples wrestler Justin Ludel ’15 executes a “single leg takedown” during a practice on Feb 11. The boys practiced hard for their upcoming match against Trumbull High School.

Lustig ‘knocks down the shots’ PHOTO BY JUSTINE SELIGSON ’15

ON THE LINE Basketball star Abby Lustig ’15 lines up for a free-throw against Harding on Feb. 10 2014. Staples won the home game 46-32 to improve their record to 5-9 in the FCIAC.

Boys’ Wrestling Team The boys’ wrestling team travels to the Floyd Little Athletic Center at Hillhouse High School in New Haven today, Feb. 28, at 4:30 p.m. for day one of the CIAC Open Championship. The meet will conclude tomorrow, March 1, beginning at 9:30 p.m. Those who qualify will advance to next week’s New England Championships held in Providence, R.I.

W

restling since the dawn of seventh grade, wrestling Captain Justin Ludel ’15 spent his summer lifting weights and attending wrestling camp at Greens Farms Academy. His ten wins this season have earned him the Male Athlete of the Season Award.

Teammate Kevin Watt ‘15 says, “To the team, Justin is a rock.”

Watt says that Ludel is technically sound, rarely making mistakes, and executes each takedown or pinning combination solidly. Watt attributes Ludel’s success to his exceptional strength, which “gives him a good edge over anyone else on the mat.”

Ludel lived in the gym this summer, and his strong performance on the mat has been a testament to all of the work that he put in during the offseason. He boasts personal records of a 195 lb. max bench and a 225 lb. max squat.

Ludel says that being an upperclassman allowed him to come into the season more confident. He wrestled to a personal record of ten wins and five losses in the 138 lb. weight class.

Watt also compliments Ludel’s leadership qualities by saying that he is an exceptional leader, both vocally and once the whistle blows. “He puts in hard work every day and is someone all the young guys on the team look up to. He is an example of what it means to work hard” Watt says.

Ludel appreciates his teammates and says, “They are a fun group of guys,” and the season has been “a bonding experience, and I have gotten to know some of the younger guys pretty well.”

As for the future, Ludel has high expectations for his squad, saying that even though they don’t always have enough guys to fill a lineup, “My goal for the rest of high school is to win FCIACs and make a run at states.”

InBrief

After Abby Lustig ’15 dropped a career-high twentytwo points in a knock-down, drag-out game against New Canaan in late December, every team in the FCIAC began to take notice of a great talent on the Staples girls’ basketball team.

Still just a junior, shooting forward Abby Lustig ’15 has carried her team this season in earning the Girls Athlete of the Season Award.

Lustig, always willing to give credit to her teammates, said, “I'm just glad that I've been able to contribute to the team effort.” She says that positive attitudes, good body language, and keeping her head up helps propel the team to victory.

Head Coach Ed Huydic said that while the rest of the league may have been surprised by Lustig’s performance this season, he certainly was not. Huydic calls Lustig “unflappable” and a “go-to player.”

Lustig prides herself on never giving up no matter the score.

She says, “Good things happen when we work hard, stay aggressive, and don’t give up.”

This mantra proved especially true during another contest with the New Canaan Rams in late January. “When New Canaan took the lead, we knew we couldn't let the game slip after we'd fought so hard. One strong take, one made shot led to the next, and we ultimately emerged with a win” Lustig said.

Julia Bartimer ’16 says Lustig, who averaged doubledigit points, “is always able to take charge.” Bartimer points to a previous game against Ludlowe where a lackluster first half for the team led to an inspiring second-half performance from Lustig. “Abby started knocking down shots” and “gave the team momentum” Bartimer said.

Huydic compliments Lustig’s “coachability,” and says that he hopes Lustig will continue to improve with intentions of coming back next year as a positive senior captain.

The boys’ ice hockey team has qualified for the Division 3 State Championship Tournament by virtue of their record during the regular season, which concluded this past Wednesday. The Wreckers now await the announcement of the tournament’s pairings on March 8 in order to find out their opponent, with tournament play beginning soon after on March 10.

Ski Team After concluding the regular season this past week on Feb. 26, the ski team will travel to Mount Southington next week on March 5 at 4 p.m. for the State Open Championship.

The championship was originally scheduled for yesterday, Feb. 27, but was postponed because of multiple postponements with previous regular season meets.

Spring Sports Tryouts for all spring sports will begin on Monday, March 24 with the exception of baseball pitchers and catchers, who begin tryouts a week earlier on March 17. All aspiring Wreckers must turn in all required forms prior to the beginning of tryouts.The first competitions for all sports will begin on April 3.

For continual updates on upcoming sports event, check www.inklingsnews.com