October 6 Issue

Inklings

October 6, 2011

Oct 6, 2011

Founded in 1933

inklingsnews.com

Parties With Parents Where to draw the line CHEYENNE HASLETT ’13 ƭ JACKIE KERAMES ’12

Web Features Editor & A&E Editor

I

t’s a Friday night. Girls can be found crowded in front of a mirror, mascara tube in one hand, cell phone in the other, guys can be found crowded in front of an Xbox, controller in one hand, cell-phone in the other. It’s only the opening scene of a familiar drama known as high school parties.

But for some, this is where the common path to partying takes a slight detour. This is when the mother joins her daughter at the mirror; the father takes a seat on the couch in front of the Xbox. It’s the start of what an anonymous student has dubbed “reliving their glory years.”

It’s parents who party.

Called “awkward” and “uncomfortable” by most students, others have said that it’s “chill.” Whatever the feelings, a number of Staples parents participate in parties hosted by their own children.

Freshman health is devoted to educating students on its risks, TAG has built itself on raising awareness about its effects, and Principal John Dodig informs the student body multiple times each year that it is illegal, yet underage drinking at Staples continues to be supported by the parents who engage in it.

Party Fouls Westport Youth Detective Serenity Dobson is familiar with the issue.

She recalls an incident just last summer in Wilton where parents served alcohol to minors. In the time she

has worked for the town of Westport, Dobson has yet to confront a similar conflict but believes that it is “unacceptable, irresponsible, and doesn’t show good judgment.”

Although Dobson, and perhaps other Westport police, has yet to encounter this issue, multiple Staples students say it slips beneath the radar: they have drunk, played drinking games or smoked weed, with parents present or participating.

One senior girl granted anonymity recalls a party where parents mixed and served cocktails to students who were generally used to drinking just beer and straight hard alcohol.

The student remembers the situation with feelings as mixed as the drinks. “Obviously [parents] know [drinking] happens, but it’s weird when they do it with us.”

The same student was at a party without parents, and when that changed, so did the party atmosphere. “The parents came home and literally took shots with us,” the student said. As the night progressed, the parents participated in drinking games, such as “Ruit,” and continued to warn the kids that they needed to stay quiet to avoid attracting attention from neighbors. Ultimately, the girl said she felt uncomfortable. “It freaked me out.”

An underclassmen girl expressed a similar reaction to parents who watched her and her friends play drinking games. The idea of an adult watching her engage in something clearly illegal made the student feel awkward. “It’s as if [the parents] can’t let go of their glory days,” the student said.

Continued. on pg. 2

Inside Secret Life of the American Teacher — 11

Review of Shake Shack — 15

LOOKING AT THE

Soccer Finds New Leaders — 24

PHOTO BY MADISON HORNE ’12

NEWS

2

October 6, 2011

C Counties, Red and Whites Raffle Rumors Debunked R

GRAPH U CHEL G IC BY RA 3

ETTA ’1

AMANDA PICCOLINO ’12

Staff Writer orry and confusion have circulated throughout the junior and senior class along with the conflicting rumors about whether or not ticket distributions to the 74th County Assembly and Red and White Charity Balls will

W

be determined by lottery.

According to President of the Board of directors Gabby Stevenson, ticket distribution will be determined on a first-

come, first-serve basis, not by a random ndom drawing.

“Junior and senior girls who wish to receive an invitation [to the dances] must register during the appointed date. Like previous years, these dances are not sponsored by Staples,” Stevenson said.

Board member Lindsay Duggan clarifies that the decision has always been a matter of efficient organization and liability.

“Since these dances are not run by Fairfield County high

schools, there has been past consch fusion in the process of collectfus ing names and controlling postal delivery of invitations,” Duggan de said.

“Because no one is necessa sarily accountable, lotteries have sa helped avoid any disarray.” h Many students are relieved that ticket recipients will not th be b decided by a random-lottery drawing, which has been the d case in some previous years, but c some agree that such a system s would reduce the pressures that attendance often entails.

“There is too much hype too soon,” said Chris Tacopina ’13.

“If tickets were randomly distributed, there would be none of this ridiculous pressure.”

Other students, particularly males, are indifferent about attending the Winter Charity Balls.

Walker Marsh ‘13 describes his initial reaction to the lottery rumor.

“When I first heard that there was possibility of a lottery, I really didn’t think anything of it. But it is certainly nice to know that now, everyone will have a chance to be included in a funnight,” Marsh said.

The clarification of the lottery-rumor has enhanced anxieties of upperclassmen girls.

Alexandra DeFoe ’12 recounts the disappointment she felt after hearing that there would, in fact, not be a lottery.

“I personally have never really cared much about these

dances, but I had hoped that there would be a lottery, because then-you could just lie and say you weren’t chosen,” DeFoe said.

She continues to explain, with a grim smirk, her frustration with hearing the nonstop “babble” about whose going with who to the Red and Whites dance for seniors. “A lottery was definitely a better option.”

Anna Fiolek ’13 seems to be a typical example of whom DeFoe is describing. Having never attended a high school dance as a junior, Fiolek remembers her disappointment after hearing the lottery rumor.

“My friends and I were definitely worried. Counties is something that made us look forward to our junior year. It would be unfortunate if anyone got left out after waiting for two years,” Fiolek said.

But Stevenson provides some simple words of relief: “You do not need a date to subscribe. And as long as you meet the deadline to sign up, all [junior and senior] girls will have the chance to attend,” Stevenson said.

While this is reassuring for many, Stevenson stresses that there will be no exceptions made for those that miss the deadline.

By this time, junior and senior girls who plan to attend this years County or Red and Whites Assembly should have registered in the cafeteria on Sept. 22 or 23.

InBrief 10.11.11 University of Wisconsin, Madison

Middlebury College West Virginia University University of Michigan 10.12.11 Princeton University Emory University University of New Hampshire

Whitman College Skidmore College University of Southern California

Gettysburg College

PSATs On Sat., Oct. 15, Staples will be hosting the PSAT. Juniors can take this practice SAT, which is also the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship.

4-Day Weekend There will be no school on Friday, Oct. 7, because of a Staff Development Day. There will also be no school on Monday, Oct. 10 because of Columbus Day.

Twelfth Night Beginning Oct. 11, Westport Country Playhouse will begin performing “Twelfth Night, Or What You Will.” The show will continue until Nov. 5. Tickets can be purchased on westportplayhouse.org.

The Voice of the PartyGoers Not all students experienced the same discomfort. A junior girl who wished to remain anonymous says a parent can seem social and friendly by participating in parties. One night at a friend’s house, a parent asked the student if she had any “weed,” and from there, it progressed into smoking marijuana with the middle-aged Westport mother of a friend. “She was chill, and really nice,” the student said. “Everybody loved it.”

But a freshman who asked to be anonymous did not feel so happy with a similar scenerio.

“If my parents partied with me, I’d be really embarrassed and ashamed.” It’s more than personal humiliation, he said: “Parents shouldn’t be drinking with 15 year olds – that’s just creepy.”

Gwen Beal ’12 agreed. “I don’t know that I would really want to hang out with my friends’ parents at a party,” Beal said.

Another student who asked to remain anonymous agreed that a parent at a party can protect students from danger: “People are much safer if parents are there and know about drunk driving, because then the parents collect keys.”

“The parents came home and literally took shots with us.”

Overall, the approach of supervised partying has its pros and cons, experts say. While it is legal for a minor to drink with his/her own parent’s consent, it remains illegal for other students to drink without their own parents consent, whether or not an adult is on the premises. No matter how regulated the drinking is, the scenario can lead to major legal repercussions.

A Westport mother granted anonymity due to the illegality of the actions said she would rather her child not drink at all due to studies showing that the earlier a child drinks alcohol, the higher the chances are of alcoholism. “With that being said,” said the mother, “I think supervised drinking by a responsible grownup would be safer than unsupervised drinking.”

To Host or Not to Host Whether parental supervision makes high school drinking safer is a matter of opinion, but a senior girl granted anonymity said she felt safer at a party where parents were present. While the teens gathered in the basement, the parents and their friends remained upstairs, fully aware of the drinking going on below them. This knowledge aided the parents in the decision to have everyone who drove sleep over.

“No one was going to drink and drive home, which is most A Stricter Approach parents’ fear, but they trusted us, Joyce Sixsmith, a Westport and it was very organized,” said mother and a substance abuse the student.

counselor, has built a career trying to keep teens safe. She believes the most important thing is for parents to talk with their kids and have an open relationship but to never support substance abuse.

“I’ve seen the tragedies that happen that start in the casual parties,” Sixsmith said. “I do see the positive vendors in [parental supervision of drinking parties].

They’re trying to keep it contained. The problem is… there is just so much risk and liability.

Sixsmith’s concern, she said, is “the kids, of course, but also the parents, their family life, and their future.”

Chris Lemone, outreach counselor at Staples, said he has seen all different parenting strategies for dealing with this tough situation.

“In my experience,” Lemone said, “I would venture to presume that there is a good majority of parents who kind of agree with the law and would prefer that their kids don’t drink until they’re of legal age.”

But the majority does not always rule, and Lemone believes that there are still other parents, maybe not as many in number but in just as powerful of a position, who believe that they are the parents, they make the decisions, and the state or government should not tell them how to run their child’s life.

Lemone has seen this parenting perspective many times in his practice and has found that it can lead to different outcomes.

Many parents justify it because they believe that if a student is in high school, they’re old enough to make decisions on their own, Lemone said.

PHOTO BY MADISON HORNE ’12

Continued from pg. 1

A PARENTS STAMP OF APPROVAL: Some parents condone teenagers’ consumption of alcoholic beverages But Lemone, a parent as well as experienced substance abuse counselor, has a different view on the controversy. “I would be unbelievably pissed if another parent gave my kid alcohol when I don’t do it in my own home. There would be a problem-and-a-half.”

There are many different approaches to dealing with underage drinking, parents, students,

and others said, and no right answer. As Sixsmith said, “Everyone has their own way and opinions on what’s okay and not okay in terms of underage drinking.”

Dodig said he has dealt with this issue in adolescents for over 40 years, but the problems remain.

“If I could come up with a safe solution to underage drinking, I’d be a millionaire.”

News

Inklings / October 6, 2011 / inklingsnews.com

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PHOTOS BY ANDREW BOWLES ’13 STUDENTS HARD AT WORK: 21 students listen intently as Social Studies Teacher Daniel Heaphy teaches

NOTE WORTHY: Nick Vega ’14 takes notes on the American Revolution

Jumping the Gun Sophomores Participate in AP U.S. History Course HAYLEY RANDICH ’14 Staff Writer

E

very year in Staples’ AP classes, a few lone sophomores appear amongst the hoards of college-bound upperclassmen. But this year, one particular AP class has just sophomore.

The AP U.S. History (APUSH) class pilot has 21 sophomores. These students are ready to take this college-level class right out of freshman year.

According to Daniel Heaphy, Sophomore APUSH teacher says the class allows select studious, history-savvy sophomores to take AP U.S. History.

“The only difference is me giving more guidance when I

present. To be honest though, it is a very insignificant difference,” Heaphy said.

Heaphy has warned the students that it will be a difficult year due to the high expectations.

“The first few grades are a bit of a shock,” Heaphy said.

Brielle Hutchison ’14, an APUSH student, weighed in on the demanding curriculum: “I think some people in the class struggle with the workload.”

Fortunately, Heaphy seems very optimistic about his new students and their success in the class.

“I expect them to meet the goal,” Heaphy said, “The kids are very motivated. I would say these are kids who have a very high level of skill, they write well, they

think critically.”

While he praises his students on their talent, he thinks the main reason they were selected for the class is their passion for history.

“They’re the type of kids that will laugh when I make really lame jokes about obscure historical facts and figures,” Heaphy said.

Heaphy believes that this kind of student should be taking AP classes as sophomores.

“If someone is not academically mature for a course yet, they should wait,” Heaphy said, “I worry about there being a push to take AP too early.”

For those who are academically mature and thinks one AP could be beneficial.

“It’s good for some to get a

head start.” Heaphy said. “Junior year has a bad reputation because kids jump from high school courses to two AP courses.”

‘I expect them to meet the goal,’ —Daniel Heaphy Several nearby high schools, however, don’t have an AP classes for sophomores.

According to Sarah Dietzman, a senior at Weston High School, there are no AP classes are offered solely for sophomores.

Though she thinks sophomore

AP classes is a positive thing.

“It gives students a chance to push themselves to different and higher levels academically,” Dietzman said.

Wilton High School also doesn’t offer AP classes for sophomores. Regina Heit, a sophomore at the Wilton, has a different opinion on sophomores taking AP classes.

“I think it’s a little too much, considering sophomores have CAPT testing which takes up a lot of our time,” Heit said.

The future of sophomore-only AP classes at Staples remains undetermined, but Heaphy, while cautious of a push to take AP classes too early, is confident that his students will meet the challenge.

Concept Trumps Content

Changes to AP Courses Shift Focus from Memorization to Themes JORDAN SHENHAR ’13 Opinions Editor

The days of cramming for AP tests and agonizing over memorization may be coming to a close.

AP courses, in recent years, are starting to modernize their curricula to reflect changes in college classes. eplacing facts with concepts and applications.

At the beginning of the school year, the College Board made significant changes to the curricula of AP French and AP World History. It also announced that changes to AP Biology and AP Spanish Literature classes will take effect next year.

AP French was the subject of the most radical changes. The official name of the course changed from French Language to French Language and Culture, and the curriculum is mostly new this year.

According to AP French teacher Natalie Clay, grammarspecific questions were entirely eliminated from the AP test, and grammar will no longer be a major component of the class. Half of the new course is understanding and analyzing modern French culture and politics, and the rest will consist of speaking and writing tests.

Clay is looking forward to the changes, but is also expecting the first year to be challenging.

“Personally, I enjoy teaching the cultural aspect. It puts the class in real time and makes it more modern,” Clay said. “But we are the pilot class. I’m hoping the graders won’t be too harsh.”

The revisions to AP World History are much more subtle.

The only change is that the first unit, which spans about three thousand years of history, has been streamlined to cover certain concepts like transportation and architecture in less detail.

Longtime AP World teacher Carol Avery was pleased with the revised course guide.

“It was a huge sigh of relief that I didn’t have to cover everything,” Avery said.

Avery hopes that the changes, which will only impact the beginning of the year content-wise, will enable her to teach more vividly about art and culture.

Social studies department chair James D’Amico also supported the changes to AP World.

“It really makes you think of the big picture, which it supports by grabbing smaller amounts of content to make you think,” D’Amico said.

Former AP World student

GRAPHIC BY CONNIE ZHOU ’12 Taylor McNair ’12 adds, “There was just so much info. It was the entire world in just a few months.

I definitely wanted to go in depth into some topics.”

While the changes to AP French and AP World are the only ones going into effect this year, the changes to AP Biology and AP Spanish Lit will have a similar impact next year.

AP Biology is shifting away from an information-based curriculum in favor of a more comprehensive system.

According to science teacher Joel Kabak, this will include removing the systems of the human body and other details from the

AP test in favor of more conceptual questions. Additionally, labs will change to be “more inquirybased,” although specific details have not yet been released.

Many students who have taken AP Biology support these changes.

“You take in a ton of material every week, get tested, and completely forget it all right after the test,” Kyle Murray ’12 said.

Murray also hopes that the changes to AP Bio will help the class’s teachers.

“The way it is now, teachers don’t really have much time to say anything. They just have to read from the Powerpoint to pre-

pare us for the test,” Murray said.

“Hopefully this will help make classtime more meaningful.”

However, not all the changes to AP courses are viewed as positive. While AP Spanish Lit teacher Donna Kenny agrees with some of the changes that will be made to her class, she fears that the difficulty of the test could be problematic.

The AP Spanish Lit test now includes a speaking section about the course material, in addition to the analytical essays that made up the test in years past.

“It’s an awful lot to ask students to extemporaneously compare classical literature,” Kenny said, “Not only will they have to write perfectly and analyze perfectly, but [now] they have to speak perfectly as well.”

The books students are expected to read in Spanish Lit are also going to change next year.

Instead of focusing on “magical realism,” Kenny said that the course is turning its attention to “more interesting, in-style books with distinct modern political views.”

However, Kenny believes that the course will not be too difficult for her students.

“If anyone’s going to pass, it will be our kids,” Kenny said.

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News Inklings / October 6, 2011 / inklingsnews.com

New School Policies for 2011–2012 Year BRYAN SCHIAVONE ’13 News Editor

A

new policy prohibits the removal of unsealed food from designated areas, which includes the cafeteria, kitchen, and picnic tables. Last year, culinary students were permitted to leave the classroom with fresh food covered only in thin cellophane. Now, they must bring their own plastic containers.

Cecily Gans, chef instructor, calls the rule an “easy equation”: unsealed food yields pests. Because of its simplicity, she has had no issue enforcing the rule.

Meghan Fox ‘14, a first year culinary student, respects and follows the policy yet believes that students should be allowed to eat outside of the cafeteria.

“I’ve heard of rodents in the school,” Fox said, “but I don’t think that eating lunch in the hallway outside the cafeteria is going to affect the problem.”

In order for the policy to succeed, Gans says, Staples needs to become an community in which “everyone respect[s] their environment.”

Sexual Harassment “It’s no laughing matter. It’s illegal. It’s not a joke. It’s not flirting.”

This is the slogan on the Staples Sexual Harassment pamphlet this year. The pamphlet emphasizes the fine line between harassment and flirting. It advises students to either confront their attackers or report them to an administrator.

Richared Franzis, Sexual Compliance Officer and assistant

principal, has already addressed one case during the first three weeks of school.

He defines verbal sexual harassment, as the most common form of harassement.

“Any comment of a sexual nature that makes it a hostile work environment.”

“It’s no laughing matter. It’s illegal. It’s not a joke. It’s not flirting.”

A gay student at Staples, who wished to remain anonymous due to the nature of the subject, says the harassment was consistent and relentless throughout middle school. Students would shout gay slurs and make comments about his genitalia.

He says that, although he received help from school counselors, nothing could stop the harassment.

“I was the first gay kid out in the whole school so they found it hard to deal with the bullying,” he said.

Fortunately, the harassment tapered off in high school, and he was able to gain acceptance from his peers.

Remy Ilana ‘11 says that, throughout her four years at Staples, she witnessed very little sexual harassment. She adds that it’s hard to identify with harassment victims because they “tend not to be very vocal about it.”

However, for Franzis, the line is clear.

“A lot of it does start out as a joke,” Franzis said. “But it’s all in the eyes of the receiver.”

Bullying During the second week of school, Staples students were handed pamphlets detailing the new bullying policy, enacted by the Connecticut Senate and House of Representatives on July 1. The policy emphasizes the seriousness of all cases, including those that occur off campus or on the internet. In light of many recent teenage suicides, bullying policies have been strengthened nationwide.

“Kids don’t want bullying on their record,” assistant principal Patrick Micinilio said.

Although Micinilio calls bullying an “issue” here at Staples, he says that many students are reluctant to report it.

“There’s always been a fear of, ‘If I report it, what comes next?’” he said. “Students might also be confused about what bullying is.”

Victoria Loiacono ‘13 supports the policy, which requires all school employees to report bullying, but suggests it may be hard to identify it.

“It might not be that obvious because a teacher might think that you’re just joking around and not look at it as a sign of bullying,” Loiacono said.

According to Micinilio, once it is reported, it is “dealt with quickly and justly.”

“You can always come to seek out help from an administrator,” Micinilio said.

ON THE JOB Richard Franzis is the school’s harrassment officer

Mice need only a 1/4–inch hole to access a place that they think may have food.

-United Wildlife Control

81 percent of students will experience some form of sexual harrassment at some time while they are in school, with 27 percent experiencing it often.

-New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault

Almost 30 percent of teens in the United States (or over 5.7 million) are estimated to be involved in bullying as either a bully, a target of bullying, or both.

-The National Center for Victims of Crime

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OPINIONS October 6, 2011

Mom and Dad, Stay Upstairs

P

eter Pan famously sang, “I don’t want to grow up.” But some Staples parents have taken this lyric a little too literally.

Despite the common practice of teens partying without supervision, there have been instances of parents being present at house parties. We believe the way they choose to conduct themselves can make all the difference in the safety of the children.

“Crown Newspaper Finalist” Columbia Scholastic Press Association 2011 First Place “All-American” from National Scholastic Press Association 2008-09

Inklings EDITORIAL

Once parents start to participate in the party itself, they are crossing a very fine line. It is unclear why parents choose to drink and party with the friends of their children, but no excuse is justified.

If they are trying to be the “cool” parents by drinking with kids, it isn’t working. It’s like when adults text “OMG,” or when dads wear shirts that are unbuttoned way too low.

If they are trying to recreate the past, using their kids to feel young again, that is lamer still. This is the same parent who got a little too involved in his child’s Little League base-

GRAPHIC BY CONNIE ZHOU ’12

ball game, desperately wanting to relive his glory days on the diamond. But this is way more dangerous.

If they are trying to live vicariously through their children by playing beer pong at a high school party, they need to grow up.

These parents can play drinking games with their own, appropriately aged friends if they have to, but they should not put the safety of other children at risk just, so that they can feel young again.

Another excuse is that the parents want to reconnect with their children.

They believe that sharing alcohol and parties with their kids will create a family bond. But there are other,

more constructive ways to do this. If the family bond is that strained, maybe they should institute Family Game Night.

Instead of flip cup, try Scrabble.

Ultimately, it is the kids who suffer when a parent participates in the party. There is an immediate lack of responsibility, and the scene can quickly turn dangerous. If someone passes out, or gets sick, who is going to take care of them? Even worse, what if the adult gets sick? Should a 16-year-old have to take care of a 45-year-old?

Underage drinking is not going to disappear anytime soon. Even Principal Dodig admits that there

is no clear solution to the problem. Some parents have made the conscious decision to supervise these parties, often taking car keys away from students and then staying upstairs while the kids drink in the basement. While this strategy may not be legal, it is in the best interest of everyone involved. It offers a safety net similar to Saferides: obviously, it would be preferable if the kids did not drink at all, but a sober parent upstairs can be a less risky alternative.

If parents are going to allow a party to happen in their house, they should only be supervising. Plain and simple. Anything else is grossly irresponsible.

It’s Hard to Be This Indie

Let’s be honest: being indie is a full time job.

Out of all the labels in Staples High School (or the world), indie people have to work the hardest to be themselves. It’s very time consuming; do you have any idea how long I spend every morning on my outfit, trying to make it look effortlessly artsy?

There’s a lot more to our kind than pink dip-dyes and nose piercings. I’m being real here.

I hear the word “indie” a lot these days, but the sad thing is that many people don’t even know what it means.

“An indie person is someone who walks around with a camera around their neck. But it has to be one of the old ones, with the film,” said Liam Smith ’13. I have a couple of those I bought from a vintage store. None of them work, but I still like the feeling of being dragged down by a clunky Pentax that has not worked since the 80’s.

“Silver Crown Award” for Inklingsnews.com from Columbia Scholastic Press Association 2011

“I think it’s about clothes, and taking pictures is also a big part of it,” says Jessica Adrian ’13.

This is the problem that we encounter. People think that we’re all about appearances but in reality, we run much deeper than

The best thing about being indie is being unique. Only certain special people can spend more money to make it look like you have less. “An indie person is someone who goes against the norm. They try to be as different as possible, and whoever is the most ridiculous is the most indie,” said Maggie Kniffin ’13. We had this interview at an underground music venue. You’ve probably never heard of it.

We understand that you all want to be like us. We’re an elite group of people, and it’s hard to be this cool. You want to be different. I get it.

All right guys, but in all seriousness this madness needs to end. “Indie,” and “hipster” are just words. “I personally don’t think I’m indie, I’m just Maggie,” said Kniffin. “I’d much rather be called ‘creative’ or ‘interesting.’

I don’t want to deal with having a label to my name.” There’s no GRAPHIC BY HANNA AHLGRIM ’12 need to try and brand yourself.

The great thing is, there that. is nothing more different and Being a hipster is about re- unique than exactly who you are. jecting all conformity. The indie There’s no one in the world who way of life is taking the road less is exactly like you. So embrace it traveled and being free of conven- and reject the labels. tionality. We’re completely indeIndie people are too mainpendent. stream anyway.

All the opinions, news, and features in this paper are those of Staples High School students. Inklings has a circulation of 1,800. The paper is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the Natioanal Schoalstic Press Association and supports the Student Press Law Center. All letters to the editor must be signed before they will be published. The editorial board reserves the right not to publish letters and to edit all submissions as it sees fit.

Editors-in-Chief Eric Essagof Stevie Klein Managing Editors Julian Clarke Alix Neenan Web Editor in-Chief Isaac Stein Web Managing Editor Emily Goldberg News Editors Rachel Guetta Alicia Lourekas Ben Reiser Bryan Schiavone Opinions Editors Molly Barreca Hannah Foley Jordan Shenhar Jamie Wheeler-Roberts Features Editors Leah Bitsky Danny Cooper Carlie Schwaeber Nicolette Weinbaum Arts & Entertainment Editors Jackie Kerames Rachel Labarre Deanna Schreiber Sammy Warshaw Sports Editors Ryder Chasin Kelsey Landauer Will McDonald Julia Sharkey Graphics and Photo Editors Madison Horne Nate Rosen Business Manager Charlotte Breig Video Editors Katie Cion Elizabeth Coogan Advisers Elizabeth Humphrey Julia McNamee Stephen Rexford Correspondence and Subscriptions:

Inklings 70 North Ave. Staples High School Westport, CT 06880 Phone: (203) 341–1994 Inklingsnews@gmail.com Printed on recycled paper

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Opinions

Inklings / October 6, 2011 / inklingsnews.com

Bring Back the Written Test

I

’ve never been quite sure which scenario is more embarrassing: failing the road test on the first try or passing the road test and then failing the written test.

What I do know is which one is more disappointing.

I’ll never forget the day, Aug. 24, 2010. I had gotten so close to obtaining locomotive freedom when it was suddenly revoked because I failed the written test.

To better illustrate the intensity of emotion triggered by such a detrimental defeat, I’ll admit, I had a temper tantrum: I stormed out of the DMV with tears streaming down my face, sat in my mom’s car, and bawled for a solid five minutes.

Little did I know that I would be allowed to retake the test in only a week’s time, but the reaction was appropriate at the time.

As a victim of such a travesty, a similar sensation of hysterics returned to me when I was informed that the Connecticut DMV no longer requires 16 and 17-year-olds to take a “second knowledge test,” also known as

GRAPHIC BY BEN REISER ’13 the test responsible for crushing my self-esteem.

An explanation as to why such a decree was made is unattainable, an indication that the elimination of the test was for the convenience of the DMV. As much as the DMV employees would like to reduce the amount of time needed to complete the license test, the entire population of Fairfield County would like to

never come within a fifty-foot radius of the building.

With a nationwide reputation as the cruellest institution, I am baffled as to why the DMV would give people yet another reason to detest it.

Aside from bitter teens like myself, the new policy has aggravated people from a whole other angle.

The logic is simple: To elimi-

nate an entire half of the license assessment makes it twice as easy to pass the driver’s license test on the first try. This means that the large percentage of teens who truly do not understand the rules of the road are less likely to receive the indication that they need to practice more before getting behind the wheel on their own—also known as failing.

Yes, shortening the test may

reduce the probability of humiliation, but it also greatly reduces the safety factor of the public roads. We have the old geezers who can’t legally see or hear anymore, the over-confident drivers who perform multiple tasks while [usually] holding onto the wheel, and now the 16-year-olds who passed half the license test—all out on the road together.

Who’s gonna hit you first?

DMV Disorganized, Moronic, Vapid

Thirty classroom hours of drivers education.

Eight road hours.

A 42-page manual.

If that’s not enough of a nuisance, the DMV has some other wonderful things in store for you.

As of August 12, 2011, all knowledge and vision testing was moved to the Bridgeport, Waterbury, Wethersfield and Willimantic DMVs. This means that the convenient-to-Westport Norwalk location will no longer be accessible

to those desiring their permit or license. Frustrated parents and kids will now have to travel even further until they are able to finally begin their experience at one of the least desirable places known to mankind: the DMV. The fact is, the DMV has always been associated with large amounts of long waits for simple tasks. Like updating your license. Like replacement of license plates. Like registration renewal.

Now, the DMV has really defi ned “large amounts of long waits.” So, you should probably be expecting a one-hour wait at the absolute best. During this one hour you will most likely be faced with impatient and obnoxious customers who are only thinking about their own prob-

lems. Some unfriendly employees are defi nitely a possibility as well.

The DMV is a never-ending game of line-switching and waiting. You would have to be a fool to expect to be pleased by the service that you will be receiving. Tude is almost inevitable.

Jon Wormser ’12 is a perfect example of an innocent teenager who received what he called the “bobbing head” numerous times from impatient employees. This was the fi rst time he had stepped into the DMV. Rude.

The workers could care less if your proof of residence is outdated or if you wrote down your social security number instead of bringing the actual card. Any minor mistake on your part, and you are kicked out of line.

Come again. If you dare.

Oh and going to the DMV at lunchtime is probably one of the worst ideas I’ve had in a while.

You can expect there to be two workers on duty.

Two workers on duty plus hundreds of stressed out customers does not equal a pleasant situation.

But, I have some good news.

Well, actually, for those people who take drivers ed at the Fairfield Driving School or through Continuing Education, unfortunately, this news is not for you.

But, for those of you Top Drivers out there, this “good” news is for you guys. Instead of being Top Drivers, you will soon be All-Stars.

Recently, Top-Driver

merged with All-Star Driver of Connecticut. All-Star will provide its customers with transportation to the testing site.

For a fee of course.

However, keep in mind that this transportation will not permit you to cut all of the lines, change the employees’ moods and make people less pushy.

I guess getting a ride to the DMV makes everything better though, right?

I’m so lucky to have been able to spend my sixteenth birthday at this establishment. Why would someone ever spend time and money planning a sweet 16 when you can spend five and a half hours at the Bridgeport DMV? My 16th birthday will defi nitely be an unforgettable one.

GRAPHIC BY CARSON EINARSEN ’12

Opinions

Inklings / October 6, 2011 / inklingsnews.com

What You Crave But Can’t Have

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R

ecently, a Yahoo! News blog released a story about a 290-pound man named Martin Kessman who is suing White Castle because he cannot fit into the booths.

The White Castle devotee is taking them to federal court, claiming they have violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. He’s comparing himself to pregnant women and the handicapped.

No matter how hilarious this may be at first, I am so envious of this man. Why? He actually has a White Castle to go to.

For all you mathematical geniuses out there, here are some noteworthy ratios. The banksto-White Castle ratio in Westport is 29 to zero. The Starbucks-toSonic ratio is four to zero, and the Dunkin’ Donuts-to-Panda Express ratio is also four to zero. The lack of fast food chains around here is ridiculous. (No, Shake Shack doesn’t count, though it’s incredibly good.)

But let’s focus more on White Castle for a minute. For my generation, who grew up with Harold and Kumar as their Batman and Robin, the absence of White Castle is particularly aggravating.

How are we supposed to follow in their footsteps without a White Castle around?

This mention of Harold and

GRAPHIC BY LESLEY MATSON ’12 Kumar brings me to my next rant. It is no secret that there is plenty of alcohol and marijuana in Westport. A few teenagers around here may even use these substances. On the weekends, after Five Guys closes at 10 p.m., there is only one fast food place for all of the inebriated kids to go if they’re hungry, and that’s the McDonald’s at the intersection of Roseville and the Post Road.

Late on Fridays and Saturdays, McDonald’s becomes a congregation of the intoxicated; a Mecca for the obnoxious and half-conscious. This can be quite irritating when you just want a late-night burger. All we need is a few more fast food chains around here to put these poor McDonald’s employees out of their misery.

And don’t get me started on the Arby’s. A disco roller rink in

My Coke Addiction Hi. My name is Emily Kowal, and I am a Diet Coke addict.

There is no real evidence to prove that people can be “addicted” to diet soda, but there is no doubt that caffeine withdrawal exists.

You can call it an obsession, a preference, or anything you like, but Diet Coke is like my water–it’s cold, refreshing, and energizing.

I would say at this point I drink about three cans of Diet Coke a day, which is a small amount compared to some of my fellow Diet Coke lovers who down at least two liters daily.

Don’t get me wrong, I have tried to quit, but absolutely nothing can replace it.

During freshman year, I made a new year’s resolution that I wouldn’t drink Diet Coke, and in return, my mom promised me a new pair of jeans.

I couldn’t even make it for a month.

Just like any energy drink or coffee, Diet Coke has caffeine; withdrawal can include headaches, dizziness, and even mood

downtown Westport would have more customers than that place.

It’s always empty.

I spoke to Tim Holmes, a 16-year-old who lives on Long Island, three minutes from a White Castle. He describes their food as “mouthwatering, delicious burgers.”

“I’m not sure what I would do if my local White Castle shut down”, he explained. “It’s a ma-

Why this fizzy delight is my drink of choice swings.

While I have never experienced these side effects to the extreme, or really at all for that matter, I don’t want to take that chance.

“Asking for a Diet Coke with my meal is like a reflex.”

GRAPHIC BY CARSON EINARSEN’12

jor hangout spot for me and my friends. The food is consistently delicious, which is why we always go back.”

The bottom line is, for kids around here, White Castle shouldn’t be more difficult to access than dime bags and 40s.

Plus, if you want to attract that hot girl in your English class, there’s no classier place to take her than a White Castle.

The fact is, it just makes everything taste better.

I look forward to popping open a cold can of Diet Coke, hearing the bubbles, pouring it into a glass filled 2/3 with crushed ice, and watching as the fizz fades away.

No, I was not born drinking Diet Coke, and I actually didn’t drink it regularly until middle school.

My sister was hooked. She was drinking it all the time and I simply followed by example.

It started off as a can here and there, but it quickly developed into a habit.

Sometimes it’s hard to get through a school day when the

only drinks that Staples offers are water, juice, milk, or strange “healthy soda.” I would rather not each lunch at school and wait until I get home so that I can wash my food down properly.

Asking for a Diet Coke with my meal is like a reflex.

I don’t even need to think about what I want when I’m thirsty because I already know the answer.

I will be at a restaurant and before the waiter even asks me if I would like anything to drink, my friends interrupt and order me a diet coke.

I always shoot them a glare, but I don’t protest because we all know I was about to order one myself.

Or, if I know I’m eating dinner at a friends’ house and I am not sure what beverages they have, I bring my own can.

No joke.

My friends don’t let me get through dinner without making fun of me, but satisfying my craving is worth it.

I think sometime in the future I’ll give it up and really quit, but for now I will remain faithful to diet coke, the only drink that can quench my thirst.

8 Opinions

Inklings / October 6, 2011 / inklingsnews.com

Spray Tans, Fake Teeth and Diapers

Toddlers should not be subject to the cruelties of the pageant world

I

t first came to my attention one Friday night in August, in the midst of watching “Shark Week” on Discovery Channel. I was pulling the usual check-every-channel-to-see-if-anythingworth-my-time-is-on, when all of a sudden an abnormally tan girl, plastered in makeup, wearing a wig that looked about twice her size, came on the screen.

This girl turned out to be about 6-years-old.

According to ABC News, she was the one of the estimated 250,000 children to compete in a pageant in the United States each year.

There was something wrong with that picture.

As disturbing as this sight was for me to see, it was also intriguing, and so I proceeded to find and watch another episode of the famous TLC hit, “Toddlers in Tiaras.”

What I saw in that hour was one of the most shocking things I’ve ever witnessed.

I got to witness a day in the life of Peyton, a 2-year-old pageant girl who got her first spray tan at 11-months-old.

She hadn’t even cracked the 1-year mark.

Peyton’s mom continued to take her to over 50 more spray tan sessions in the hopes that it would increase her chances of

GRAPHIC BY ERKINA SARTBAEVA ’14 winning the pageant title.

This one scene alone was very troubling to me. Although spray tanning is supposedly one of the safest methods of getting a

tan, I found it hard to believe that getting 50 spray tans in two years could do no damage at all.

So as I researched the effects of obsessive spray tanning,

I came across the fact that “Only 11 percent of all substances used in cosmetics have been tested and approved by FDA,” according to Spray Tan Byron Bay.

Not only have they not been tested, but also many spray tanners contain up to 45 different ingredients. It’s hard to believe it is safe to put that many chemicals on the skin of a toddler up to 50 times.

But that was only one of the troubling segments I witnessed in the hour-long show.

When I was a toddler, I enjoyed my days of dressing up as a princess for Halloween, and wearing the ever so popular Snow White costume.

But I can honestly say that never in my princess obsession phase did my parents suggest that fake teeth would be the perfect complement to my white and red dress.

Yes, fake teeth are part of the extent these pageant parents go to to make their children-or should I say dolls-look flawless.

In a world where media makes a person’s image seem like the only thing to live for, these parents are sending their children on a downward spiral.

If celebrities like Lindsay Lohan crash and burn in their early 20s, then these toddlers, who are essentially being told that they are not attractive without a wig, fake teeth, and a spray tan, must be headed for a mid-life crisis at age 10.

Obsessive pageant parents, Barbie’s were a fad when you were 12. Your 4-year-old child should not be treated like that life-size Barbie you used to have.

So toddlers, put the tiaras down. Please?

FEATURES

9

October 6, 2011

New COWs prove utterly reliable New laptop computers are granted to Staples students ELIZA LLEWELYN ’14 Staff Writer

A

fter years of wear and tear, Staples’ portable laptops have been replaced due to a cycle that updates the computers every three years.

The old laptops were missing parts and often malfunctioning. “The teachers were at wit’s end,” said Principal John Dodig.

The replacements are thinner, lighter, and housed in creatures named Flossie, Suzie Q, Lulu, Babe, Bertha, and Maggie Moo. Staples’ new laptops are HP Probooks. According to students, the new computers are faster and fresher than their battered predecessors.

“It’s nice when the ‘R’ key isn’t missing,” said Meghan Elliot `13, who used the computers in her Research and Literature class. “So far, none [of the new laptops] have died on me.”

The computers’ new charging cart has made it easier to access fully charged, working laptops.

“It’s nice when the ‘R’ key isn’t missing”

PHOTO BY ELIZA LLEWELYN ’14 NO COWING AROUND: Ariana Sherman ’14 works on a new laptop computer which costs about $900.

— Meghan Elliot ’13

According to Fran Evan, a secretary in the English department, the carts allow teachers to better view which laptops are charging, ensuring that the batteries are fully powered.

However, with the school charged about $900 per laptop, some questioned the necessity of such an expensive set of new computers.

“It’s nice that they have finally updated [the computers],” Jessica Oestricher ’12 said. “But I don’t know if it was necessary. I think the money could have been used to give new COWs to kids in Bridgeport.”

However, the money for the computers was already included in the budget approved by the Board of Education.

With hundreds of different students using the COWs, the equipment is turned over every three years.

According to Natalie Carrignan, Director of Technology for Westport Public Schools, this cycle is actually economical.

Carrignan eplains this is because it allows for machines with better memory and Windows 7 compatibility and can guarantee that most of the laptops are in working order.

Carrignan says the cost of a new set is less than upgrading the previous set with memory and Windows 7.

With many lesson plans

GRAPHIC BY CONNIE ZHOU ’12 based on the use of computers, the school depends on its laptops. “We can’t run a 21st century school without technology,” Dodig said.

Although a survey conducted last year by the school reported that 86 percent of stu-

dents have their own laptops, the school set has preloaded software that is uniform and applicable to the classroom.

Though not necessarily the most fashionable, the HP Probooks are functional in a school setting and, according

to Carrignan, were chosen as the most economical option.

The use of the old COWs is budget friendly as well. The school system “[cannibalizes] the computers and laptops for parts we can use in other equipment,” said Carrignan.

The replacement cycle milks the old laptops for even more than just parts.

The Board of Ed sponsors a computer refurbishment program where old school computers are lent out to qualifying students.

10

Features Inklings /October 6. 2011/ Inklingsnews.com

CLIQUES AT STAPLES Are you in or out?

ALEXANDRA O’KANE ’13 Staff Writer

“L

et me tell you something about Janis Ian. We were best friends in middle school. I know, right? It’s so embarrassing. And then she dropped out of school because no one would talk to her, and she came back in the fall for high school. All of her hair was cut off and she was totally weird.”

As the dramatic words of Mean Girl’s Regina George suggest, people in high school can be mean.

News flash: Cliques do exist.

Students do feel excluded. And groups of friends do have a huge influence on one another.

At Staples, many downplayed the malice of cliques, saying they genuinely believe that students purely associate with one another due to common interests. “Why would I sit with people I don’t know?” Colin Davis ’13 said.

Emily Eisenberg ’12, described herself as judgmental because she also chooses her groups of friends based on their interests and personality.

“Cliques can form around a common source of interest like a sport, game, or even class they might all like,” agreed Erica Hefnawy ’15.

In the cafeteria, this can translate to tables of similar students. But others like Maggie Walsh ’15 say that they are comfortable sitting with anyone who is in their class.

GRAPHIC BY ALIX NEENAN ’12 “The cliques at Staples are not as extreme as in middle school,” said Amelia Heisler ’15.

Eisenberg agrees. “Over the four years of high school, the cliques in middle school have really spread out. In middle school the cliques were very labeled, and now they are more based on interests.”

In middle school, the cliques were much more based on status, Hefnawy explained.

“There were the popular girls, the popular guys, and then groups leveling from there,” she said, referring to the perceived status that people had. In high school, these cliques are not as defined, Hefnawy said.

Sinead May ’12 has a very unique outlook, believing that people create groups because it makes them more comfortable.

“I really like to people watch, and I have come to realize that even

when people try to act differently, they are all really the same,” she said.

May thinks that people act exclusive because they think it’s cool, but they fail in being mean because deep down they are nice.

“People want to be like the cliques on TV.” Labels other than the common jock or nerd can define groups of friends, some said.

“Every year, I have a few kids

who come to me who have made a decision to abstain from drugs and alcohol who, as a result, feel excluded from the Westport social scene,” said Student Outreach Counselor Chris Lemone.

Annika Skjoldborg ’13 agreed. Whether people drink or not affects whom people hang around with on the weekends, and then weekend plans become what groups of friends talk about.

A junior girl who wished to remain anonymous explained that groups of friends become “extremely cliquey” to the point that they are mean to those who are not in the clique. “The only way to get into their groups is if they think you are cool enough,” she said.

Skjoldborg moved to Staples for her sophomore year and explained that the groups are so tightly knit that it becomes hard to fit into a clique. “The girls judge and question the new people,” she said. Lemone agreed with these sentiments and advised people not to be quick to judge.

“A lot of people don’t invite me over when they hang out even though they act nice at school. I then find out I was excluded when they post tons of pictures on Facebook and it becomes really awkward,” the junior girl said.

While it is not always perceived as intentional, many people would agree with the junior girl when she says that clique members just “don’t go out of their way to be nice to other people.”

GRAPHIC BY CHIARA PUCCI ’12

Features

Inklings / October 6, 2011/ Inklingsnews.com

CHLOE BAKER ’13

Web Opinions Editor s the piercing bell of last period rings, students take a deep breath of relief and rush out of their dreaded classrooms as quickly as possible.

Some take the time to gesture goodbye to their teachers, who are still sitting at their wooden desk, waiting for when they get to finally escape.

Some students may imagine their teachers sitting there for hours, perusing essays and grading tests.

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11

Come dinnertime, students imagine, teachers shuffle to the cafeteria and purchase a grilled panini or chicken fries.

After updating Blackboard or Jupiter Grades on the school’s desktops, they finally carve a niche under their desks where they fall into a deep slumber.

This is hardly the case.

“Students have this image that teachers aren’t human beings...and I thought exactly the same when I was in high school,” math teacher Mr. Wilkes said.

“The thing is, we do have lives.”

The 18th Century Stiles-ist When imagining members of the 5th Connecticut Regiment from the American Revolution, patriots clad in blue and red coats hiding behind muskets comes to mind.

Not many students would think first of librarian Robin Stiles.

As an avid member of the Southbury Historical Society, Stiles signed her house up as a part of a historical house tour. A group of people who toured her house were the members of the regiment, and that was the night her husband enlisted.

Stiles goes with her regiment to reenact any battles that their 1770s counterparts took part in. They travel exactly to where the battle occurred; this has included trips

to Delaware, upstate New York, New Jersey and even San Juan, Puerto Rico.

In an attempt to make their house authentic for the time period, Stiles and her husband transformed their dining room into a 1780 tavern by replacing the large table with small, wooden tables and Revolutionary decor.

“I have to look like a private’s wife following the army. This means wearing no jewelry, and after hand sewing my outfits, I have to dirty them a little bit to look realistic. Also, my usual prescription glasses are too modern, so I purchased Ben Franklinesque prescription spectacles,” said Stiles.

Kim Palcable Joins the Party

You Thought You K n e w

THEM

HOTO CONTRIBUTED BY KIM PALCA

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY JULIA STILES

structor?

Palca had been hearing a lot of buzz about Zumba, about how it has a “party” atmosphere and is not just another exercise class.

After seeing advertisements for Zumba classes in her town, she and a fellow teacher decided to finally try it.

Palca said, “The mix of international music Some students’ biggest paired with dancing really fear is running into their didn’t feel like a workout teacher out of school, wheth- at all; I was having fun er it’s at Carvel or Stop & and exercising, and that was new to me...After that Shop.

But what if they walked first class, I was hooked!”

After Zumba became into a fitness class at their gym to see their English a part of her daily routine, teacher as their Zumba in- taking three to four class-

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY CAROLINE JAMES

James on a wire trapeze, an activity the resort pro-

Most students would be astounded if one day they saw their math teacher walking down the hallway on her hands.

Caroline James’ students better prepare, because that’s what they get to see later this year.

James has always been a naturally gifted gymnast. But in 1998, she was in Club Med and decided to try flying on the

vided.

She was very disappointed to hear that she wouldn’t be able to “fly” back in America.

It was over 11 years later when she decided to Google “trapeze school NY” and found classes that take place on a rig over Pier 80.

After showing a lot of interest, the instructor suggested that she sign up for an an intensive flying workshop that would take place two hours a week for 30 weeks straight.

“This was the first time I really did something just for myself,” said James.Just last summer she completed a challenging ropes course and zip line at Catamount Ski Resort.

“The reason I walk on my hands each year is to show my students that I am a human being,” James said.

“You have your interests, and I have mine. I want to share something with them that they’d never know.”

es a week, Palca listened to the advice of some instructors suggested who suggested that she get a certification to instruct classes herself.

After vacillating, Palca decided to complete the eight hours of training.

Just as when she teaches, she focuses on making the class as fulfilling and fun as possible for the entire hour.

After a seven-hour day of teaching students how to analyze literature and memorize vocabulary, Palca spends her afternoons teaching her other students the steps and gestures to Latin music.

Watch out: Veenem-attack

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY KRISTIN VEENEMA

If students knew their English teacher was a blue belt in kickboxing and had skills in Filipino stick fighting, maybe they would think twice about texting in class.

Veenema started kickboxing in her hometown gym while she was in high school.

During her first year as a teacher, she began training with a boxing coach near New Haven, and then for five years took kickboxing classes at many different gyms on her own.

That was until fellow English

teachers M.E. Fulco and Beth Humphrey began training as well and invited Veenema to join them.

The trio train together at the “dojo” in Fairfield called Stryker Martial Arts. They specialize in Muay Thai kickboxing because they find the training to be so intense.

Veenema has gotten to the blue belt level and “spars” with other students regularly.

Her most recent venture is Doce Pares, a kind of Filipino stick fighting.

“There is a contagious energy that makes you want to push harder. Plus, every few months I get to crack a board in two, which is pretty cool,” Veenema said.

Veenema also enjoys socializing with other teachers outside of school. Whether it’s walking dogs with Brian Tippy, going to dinner with Elizabeth Olbrych, or practicing kickboxing, her life outside of school is always busy.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY DAN WOOG

Mara-Theron Walker Theron Kissinger teaches on a fast pace. His explanations of limits come out almost as fast as he walks.

Kissinger is a professional race walker. After finishing fifth in a marathon in Albaquerque, N.M. by power walking, a female trainer asked Kissinger if he would like to learn how to race walk.

Accepting this offer led him to years of race walking success.

After training for three consecutive weeks, he qualified for the 20K in New Orleans. He finished in the top 10 in brutally hot and humid weather.

Kissinger qualified for five Pan Am Cup teams and three World Cup teams.

For these races, he travelled to Miami, Tiajuana, Poserica, Ecuador, Peru, Germany, Italy and Spain.

When in Tiajuana, he spent two and a half hours signing autographs for Mexican racewalking fanatics who all purchased pictures of him speedwalking.

From 1999 to 2008, he was sponsored by New Balance.

“After the AP tests are done, I take my AP Calculus classes outside and teach them how to race walk. It’s a lot of fun,” said Kissinger.

Students can only dream that the month spent training in speed walking will lead them to a sneaker sponsorship and eight international competitions.

More facts about teachers outside of school English teacher Sue O’Hara has spent many summers staying with a host family in Spain.

She met this family through hosting it’s son as a foreign exchange student when she was in ninth grade.

Bill Wilkes of the math department used to race motorcycles and would place in the top five on a regularar basis.

Asst. Principal Patrick Micinilio is an avid fisherman- in an hour with his son he caught over thirty large mouth bass.

Chemistry teacher Will Jones spent Memorial Day weekend 2011 at a three-night Phish concert at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, where Woodstock took place.

Spanish teacher Joseph Barahona has been on television seven times. He was in a Biohazard music video, a No Doubt music video, the talk show “Maury” twice, a Cinemax commercial, and twice on MTV for the series FANatic.

12 Features

Inklings /October 6, 2011/ Inklingsnews.com

c k s. ir backpa in in from the I feel pa y ll a n o si a ’t c n c o “O t I d ’t 3 kpack, bu c ’1 a s. b R c E e ck y t l le P a h A m p O ig d O e i back from ,” said ,” e w DANNY C Editor g about itt lessen th in o th d y “T s in n b re a e tu o v d Fea pack, I lea 3. ng-tterm in my back when I drop a Wrubel ’1 id the lo come id e a sa m o s h s se t u a u R be don’t n- ers t can ects day, but I to the Co ff t e a g just ju th m in h ia rd ss lt L o a a ,” he Acc Com- cl ious than ld them rio o e ty s h fe a e to S re r o e ct m ring du y lock much in of wea sumer Pro ere are m . e pain t te th id a i ia sa ), d e C 3 S ’1 m u P h st it the im mission (C 500 emergency Sm to Staples pack.

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PHOTOS BY CARLIE SCHWAEBER ’12

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Features

Inklings /October 6, 2011/ Inklingsnews.com

CARLIE SCHWAEBE R ’12 Features Editor

Wha hatt wa wass on onccee a mean a s of ttr tra an nssp po orrti t ng bo ti boo ok kss fro om cla cl asss ss to class cl ss ha h s now becomee an an inin-d de dep ptth h deci cission ion n an nd d a fas fasshio hion n sta sta t tem teemeen ent nt..

Thin ink k about it iit.. Ther ere re ar a e many im mp p po orrta tan ta ntt ffac accto torrss th t ha at t go intto in o b bu uyyin ing in g a backpack. For inin sta st an nc ncee,, the backpack sh sho ou uld ul ld d at a lea le asst st get the stu s ud st deen ntt through the year wi w itth tho ou utt b brre rea ea ak kin k ing in g,, it it should b bee the rig righ ht ht color lor,, siz siz izee,, an and d of of course, the ri rig gh htt st h styyle le. le. Ev Eveen n the si sim mp ple ple lesstt of b ba acck kp pa acck kss ha havvee a thought process be beh hin ind in d them.

Take a loo look around th thee sch school lib li brrra arry. y. S Scca att tteere tt red d a all ll ov oveerr the ground aarree ssim imple ple,, so sol oli lid idd-co colo lor lorred Jansport rt,, Nort rth hfffac ace, e a an nd d E Ea assttsport backpacks, s, ye yett th thee de deccis isi is ion o n process behin hind d p pu urrch chassin ing g the bag is no nott sso o sim simp ple ple le..

For example ple,, Al A le lex ex x Elias ia ’15, who has a green Ea sts stsp po porrtt ba b ckpack, re rea all llly lyy ha had d to to consid ideerr wh w at woul uld d work b beesstt fo forr hi hiss firs rst t year at St Sta tap ap ple les less. So, he ch cho oo ossee a bag that is bo bot oth th h effi ef fici cieen nt nt and has a lot lot of o pocket etss to ho hol old ld d al alll of h his is m ma ate at ter eri rial als. ss..

“Wit ith h this ba bacck kp pa acck k I have easy ac accceessss to an anyyth thing ing I use in cla cl assss. s.”” s.

Y t, if Ye if you are a gir g rl gi rl, l,, yo y u know purch pu rcha assi a sin ing ng gab ba acck kp pa acck k is n no ott jjus ust about effi ef fici cieen enc ncy cy. y.. If yo you u wa wan ntt to t loo lo ok k ““fl flyy”” in fl in the hallw llwa ay ayss,, as Ca C ar ro o olin li nee Sm Smi mith th ’12 ’12 ex exp xpla la ains ins,, it’s it’ t’ss impor-

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tan ta antt to have a backpa ck that can who once carried the ver y popumatc tch any outfit. lar Hervé Chapelier tot e bag, com“I made sure to ge t a solid monly seen hanging off the shoulcolor lo because it goes with ev- ders of teenage gir ls at Staples, e yt er yth hing I wear,” said Smith, recently discovered tha wh t she was ho ca c rries a maroon No rthface ready for a change. Wh ba ackp ile it was pack that she purch ased at fashionable and mediu Easte m in size, it stern Mountain Sp orts. “I also ended up causing more pain than got itt be b cause it’s a sooth ing color compliments. and it doesn’t show dirt.”

“I just got frustrated bec Then, of course, T ause there are it’s really heavy to have on one the stu students who went for a funk- shoulder,” she said. ierr st ie styylle l this year.

So, after carrying thi “Heroes in Training s bag ” are the for four years, she decided that words stamped right on the front she should sw itc h to a Northface of C Co oll ol lle l en McCarthy ’12 ’s Toy backpack so that she Sto St could have orry ry b bag, which only co st $10 an easier time carrying dolla all of her llarrrss at Walmart. senior work around.

“Itt looks sweet, an “I d I love When chemistr y tea feeeli fe llin ing ng like a little cher kid even Kristen Scott, was in high school, though it’s filled with college however, there was not much apps, work from AP classes, and thought proces s going into the th he other stressful things that purchase. Backp acks had just one come with senior year,” McCar- purpose at her high school, and thy said. that was to carry sch ool materiAnother student wh o chose als. to show off her goofy side through “We wore our backpack her backpack choic s une is Erin Gan- til they were worn,” said Scott, delman ’14, who ha s a $52 Shark who also said that most students backpack from yesst yle.com. she knew growing up carried “People just come up behind around Jansport backp me or tap me on the acks. shoulder and So, whether a studen put their hands in t prethe jaw part fers a plain, sim ple backpack, or and make it look lik e they’re get- a goofy Disne y movie backpack, ting eaten,” Gandelm an said. one thing is for sure, the students But, has fashion ov errode ef- at Staples High Sch ool walk the ficiency? halls in style.

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Features

Inklings /October 6, 2011/ Inklingsnews.com

SAMI BAUTISTA ’13 Staff writer

The term “sweet” is typically associated with candy and sugar. But don’t expect Staples’ new security guard, David Sweet, to match that definition.

Sweet’s extensive experience as a policeman has earned him a reputation of being strict and tough among licensed students.

Before coming to Staples, Sweet worked as a policeman at the University of New Haven for 15 years and Yale University for five years.

Sweet acknowledges the effect his job history has on students’ reactions.

“When kids hear that I was a police officer they’re like, ‘Uh oh, maybe we have to think twice before we try to pull a fast one over him,’” Sweet said.

Many students have changed their habits because of his arrival. Ryan Kirshner ’13 says she doesn’t have a parking sticker and has refrained from parking at school ever since Sweet became the new security guard.

“I exercise more caution because I heard he’s very strict,” Kirshner said, “Last year I used to think I could get away with everything. Now I get dropped off by my mom because I don’t want to risk it.”

Sweet takes pride in doing his job seriously. He wants to be consistent and strict, but fair at the same time.

“We don’t wake up and say, ‘Gee, let’s make their lives as miserable as we can,” Sweet said.

He does not go out of his way to get students in trouble, but his job is to take the necessary and appropriate action required when students break the

rules.

“I’ve heard that he’s much better than our prior security guard,” Will Streiter ’12 said, “He does what he’s supposed to do.”

Sweet starts his daily routine by monitoring the entrances and making sure that the majority of cars use the side entrance as the proper drop-off in order to avoid a traffic jam.

Between the hours of 7:30-

“We don’t wake up and say, ‘Gee, let’s make their lives as miserable as we can,’” 10:30 a.m., Sweet surveys the grounds and looks for parking violations.

If a student is parked without a sticker or is in the wrong lot, he writes them a $15 ticket.

From 10:30-2:15 p.m., Sweet is stationed at the main entrance to make sure students are leaving with the proper documentation.

If a student leaves the school grounds without an administrator’s permission, he or she receives one Saturday detention and the loss of parking privileges for at least one month.

Sweet says the biggest problem that he encounters 99.9 percent of the time is parking.

On average, he has been giving 11-13 tickets a day. However, to him, this statistic is nothing compared to the 100 tickets he had to issue each day on college campuses.

“We totally need this guy because there needs to be con-

Facts 1. Loves dog training. His favorite dog is a German Shepherd because they are a “fantastic, intelligent, loyal breed.” Sweet has his own German Shepherd that is 11-years-old.

2. Speed freak. Sweet loves rollercoasters and fast cars. Once when he was driving his car, an officer pulled Sweet over because he was going over the speed limit. Sweet pulled out his police badge, which proved he was a police captain.

Because of his higher rank, the police officer apologized and said he never should have pulled him over.

3. Big football fan but is supportive of all sports.

Enjoys watching Staples games.

4. His wife always says that he doesn’t take enough credit for the good things that he does.

He likes to do good deeds because he wants to, not for the credit.

5. His most memorable arrest was when he caught a serial rapist while working at the University of New Haven. It was the closest he ever came to shooting someone

PHOTO BY MADISON HORNE ’12 WHERE DO YOU THINK YOUR GOING? David Sweet patrols the Staples campus as the new security sequences for breaking universal rules,” Greg Salamone ’13 said, “We rely on him to keep our parking community safe and to handle all immature school antics that can jeopardize the learning environment.”

Sweet says that so far his time at Staples has been great.

He says both the students and the staff are wonderful, and his goal is to try and get to know many of the students on a fi rstname basis rather than on a negative basis.

He wants to be a positive role model and encourages students to ask him for advice if

they ever need help.

“I have no complaints,” Sweet said.“ Cops as a rule tend to be suspicious and paranoid.

I joke with my wife that it can’t be this great. I keep waiting for something to happen but I’ve come to realize that maybe things can be this good.”

15

A&E October 6, 2011

Famed Shake Shack Comes to Westport

A

fter months of anticipation, burger chain Shake Shack opened its Westport location in mid-July.

The Shake Shack concept was developed by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, which owns and operates New York City fine dining restaurants.

The first Shack opened in Madi-

son Square Park in 2004, and has since expanded to eleven other locations, including others in New York City, upstate New York, Washington, D.C., Florida, as well as in Dubai and Kuwait.

The suburban Westport opening marked the first modernday “roadside” burger stand for the company.

Having been to Shake Shack several times in New York, to say that I was looking forward to the Shack’s arrival in Westport is like saying that Johnny Drama from “Entourage” would like a role in your next movie.

I hoped and prayed that when the Shack arrived in Westport, it would live up to the experiences I had at the locations in New York City.

Suffice to say, parking at the Shack sucks. The parking lot is very, very tiny and very, very difficult to drive through, and I had to compete with someone else for a spot.

Sadly, the woman who I defeated would later back into the bumper of an innocent Range Rover and never make it into the Shack. Not fun.

But when I walked up the

steps to the outdoor patio on a recent sunny Saturday afternoon, I felt much more comfortable.

The sun beat down on me, but the entrance is air-conditioned, and an occasional breeze blew out. There were parents meandering around the patio with their laughing kids on their shoulders.

The line was surprisingly not that long for a weekend afternoon. I’ve seen it snake out through the entrance, across the patio, and down to the parking lot before, but this time, it ended at the doorway.

The 15 minutes I waited to order was considerably shorter than the 35 minutes I’ve spent in line before, and since the line was short, but the dining room was packed, I assumed the wait for food would be quick, too.

And yet, I was wrong. So very, very wrong. Although it was thankfully easy to find a table, 20 minutes is a long time to wait for fast food.

By the time my restaurant buzzer rang, the line that was short when I arrived had slithered all the way down to the park-

The Burger The Shake

I have been both extremely pleased and extremely disappointed with a ShackBurger, mostly due to the sometimes chill temperature of it.

It doesn’t matter how organic and fresh and amazing the ingredients are on any burger; if it’s cold, I’m out.

The sharpness of the perfectly melted American cheese blended flawlessly with the proprietary mix of beef in the patty.

The subtle crunch from both the fresh green leaf lettuce and plum tomato, and the creamy tanginess from the mysterious Shack Sauce; it all comes together for what I may forever call the best burger I’ve had.

I was told the New York Dog was the best to choose from the list of four flat-top dogs that Shake Shack offers, and I was definitely not let down.

The hot dog itself was split down the middle and griddled until it was crisp on both sides, and then placed in a potato bun with Scholler & Weber sauerkraut.

Although there was too much bun in the bun-to-dog proportion, which created an unnecessary doughiness, the crunchiness from both the sauerkraut and the hot dog complemented each other, and the kraut added a really nice tang to it.

Obviously, you can’t call a burger joint Shake Shack without having great shakes. And I mean just that.

I ordered the black and white, which is a mix of the Shack’s vanilla and chocolate shakes, and I have to say, hands-down: best milkshake ever. The chocolate to vanilla ratio was way out of balance, leaning more toward the chocolate side, but that’s something you certainly won’t ever find me quibbling about. It was obviously chocolatey and vanilla-y, but there was also a hint of nuttiness to it. It was so creamy it was almost like a chocolate-vanilla froth.

Shake Shack also offers what they call “concretes,” which, according to the menu, is “dense frozen custard blended at high speed with toppings and mix-ins.”

I ordered the Sasco ‘Crete (a nod to the Westport/Southport area), which is vanilla custard with a mixture of seasonal locally baked pie (from Michele’s Pies downtown!); I also added a mix-in of shortbread cookie.

For my palate, it was too sweet. Both the pie and custard tasted fresh, but the dish as a whole was cloying. Definitely add the shortbread to whatever concrete you order, though; it was buttery, crunchy, and actually my favorite part of the concrete.

16

A&E

Inklings / October 6, 2011 / inklingsnews.com

The Complex Staging of ‘West Side Story’ RACHELLE LABARRE ’14 A&E Editor

K

nife fights. Multiple murders. Dancing like nothing you’ve seen before.

The fall 2011 Staples Players production of “West Side Story” will treat its audience, but to do this, it must cha llenge its performers. “ W e can’t go into autopilot; we have to think it through and do it full out,” says Tyler Jent ’13, who will be playing Bernardo in the show.

Over 50 years ago, “West Side Story” was brought to the Broadway stage; now in 2011, Staples Players is working hard on the powerful scenes of violence and large dance numbers to kick off a successful year by bringing this musical, winner of 11 Academy Awards, to our stage.

Most exciting, actors in “West Side Story” must master stage combat scenes. The skill is taught in the Theater Two classes, so the actors are prepared – constantly doing forward rolls, punches, kicks, and spending 15 minutes after school every day to do push-ups. But this show has more murders and fight scene than most, and Staples Players never reject a challenge, said David Roth, the director.

“We do not water down our shows so the rumbles and murders will be portrayed as they are written,” Roth said..

THEATER BEAT

PHOTOS BY RACHEL LABARRE ‘14 JETS VS. SHARKS: West Side Story, opening Nov. 11, requires careful choreography to master dance and fight scenes. Below, players prepare for rehearsal.

Chris Smalley, who staged the fights in Players’ “Romeo and Juliet” and “Jesus Christ Superstar,” will be staging these fights, too. Smalley is working particularly hard on mastering the first scene in which Ryan Shea ’13 is flipped over by multiple actors.

Recently, Shea fell on his elbow and was out of commission for several days. This experience provided the actors with a learning experience; they realized they have to pay close attention at all times.

said August Laska ’13.

Stage combat is just the start of excitement in this show; “West Side Story” is also famous for its dancing. President of Staples Players, Sofia Ribolla ’12, who is one of the two cast members playing Anita, says that some actors actually get private rehearsals with the dance captains.

“I’m not a dancer, so my leg doesn’t extend as high as I want it to when we do our kicks,” Ribolla said. However, she has had multiple two-hour rehearsals to work on her dance skills and overcome this difficulty.

In addition, Bradley Jones, a former Player and a performer in “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “A Chorus Line” on Broadway, has been brought in to help with the big numbers.

“We rehearse every moment we have free time, and we even have been doing ‘push-up rumbles’ after school to gain some muscle,” Jent said.

Jent says that the fight scenes are mostly in the victim’s control.

In order to make sure that no one is being hurt, the “victim” takes the action, and the other actor has to make the scene believable through his or her reactions.

Another method Smalley uses is starting each fight scene going at 25 percent speed. Once the actors have nailed it that slow, it is sped up to 50 percent, then 75 percent, and finally 100 percent.

“We are doing real, and most importantly, safe, stage combat,”

and

English Class Brings Fear To Students Courtesy of Daunting Titles SARA LUTTINGER ’13 Staff Writer Desks tremble under the 560-page paperback and its nearly as lengthy glossary.

It’s The Odyssey.

Some teachers, like Kim Palca, “just slam the whole book on the desk,” as she put it. Freshmen, teachers say, are alarmed by the sheer size of Homer’s epic.

“They are overwhelmed by the size of it and the sheer length of it,” agreed Heather Colletti-Houde.

It’s pretty much a necessity for a student to buy a second backpack just for the one book.

Christine Amacker ’14 is not scared to admit the length had terrified her from the start. Jake Hirschberg ’13 can further pinpoint his feelings, “I hated the texture of the book cover when it rubbed against my hands.”

Ninth graders are fresh out of the cozy abode of middle schools with their little lockers and student artwork. The 120-page novel called “Night” is pretty much the norm page length, students said, with the exception of the occasional dictionary- reading eighth grader, who enjoys the lengthiest of the lengthy. The flying leap from

120-pages to 560-pages is definitely not the easiest hurdle to overcome.

In fact, language in The Odyssey sometimes requires a dictionary, held in the hand not trying to support the hefty weight of The Odyssey. “I didn’t like it because it sounded like Shakespeare, which is not my kind of groove,” said Joe Greenwald ’13. Words like “vexed,”, “bade,”, and “harbour” -- spelled with the questionable “u” -- does not make everyone’s eyes illuminate with excitement.

And yet many fi nd themselves giving the book two thumbs up once they read it. “I thought it was going to be a really hard book to read, but after the fi rst 20 pages it got so much better,” said Sarah Kleine ’12.

Olivia Kapell ’14 shared parallel opinions; by the end of freshman year, she said, she had positive feelings towards the once dreaded Odyssey.

It’s pretty much 100 percent accurate to assume many students would be shocked to know that the eyes of a teacher are extremely capable and can see the exaggerated eye rolls that follow the announcement of a bad book. Chris Radler knows very, very, very well that students do not always love to be hauled on

the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

“Huck Finn is a hard sell sometimes because it is a difficult book that students think they know, but in reality they don’t,” Radler said. Palca found a variety of reactions to the book.

“But every year that I taught it, I found that there were always

The flying leap from 120-pages to 560-pages is definitely not an easy hurdle to overcome two kids that don’t like reading who liked the book.”

How about “Lord of the Flies, “by Will Golding? Jackson Yang ’13 found it an intriguing book students should be honored to have the opportunity to read. Emily Ashken ’12 agreed.

“Lord of the Flies is a relatively easy read. We had fascinating class discussions and watched the movie, which was helpful.”

A key aspect involved in

whether or not “Catcher in the Rye” is liked by students is their reaction to the main character, Holden Caulfield. “There is a split between liking and disliking Holden,” said CollettiHoude. “Some fi nd him relatable others fi nd that he can be whiny.”

Kleine, for example, was able to connect with the casual tone which Holden tells his stories in. An anonymous student even admitted having a crush on the “cutey” Holden.

English teacher Jesse Bauks also notices which books students like and which they do not (made especially clear by the heads thrown onto the desks when a “bad” book is assigned.)

Bauks noted, “Students most often enjoy the adolescent, coming of age type of book.”

High School consists of 10 letters, but 182 days mostly spent slaving or breezing through books. No one agrees on everything, and it is for sure that there is not one defi nitively dreaded or one defi nitively loved book. “The Odyssey,” “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” “Catcher in the Rye,” and “Lord of the Flies” are just some of the thousands of books out there and everyone reacts differently to them.

The Most Dreaded The T Odyssey Homer 8th Century B.C.

Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad 1902

Shakespeare’s Various Works 1589-1613 W Woman Warrior Maxine Kingston M 11975 S Sense and Sensi-b bility JJane Austen 1811 E Ethan Frohme Edith Warton E 11911

A&E Inklings / October 6, 2011 / inklingsnews.com

17

Fall Brings New Dimensions to the Music World Audiophile Analyzes Music’s Most Anticipated Season

F

or years, I’ve equated the increasingly cold weather of the fall with excellent album releases.

Artists work on great albums throughout the spring and summer, and then they release them in the fall. Right?

Well, things aren’t quite the same this year.

While I am beyond excited for the new Drake album, most of the other upcoming releases are not as thrilling. We’ve got a new album by Björk, the Scandinavian singer that no one really understands.

Lady Antebellum has a new album coming out. It’s probably about love and being in love in the middle of the night and singing about it, but only a few people will listen to the album and then it will win a Grammy for some unclear reason.

Coldplay is coming out with an album called “Mylo Xyloto,” which no one knows how to pronounce. Finally, Nickelback is releasing an album called “Here and Now,” which might win a Grammy for Worst Album Title Ever.

“Take Care”

“Here and Now”

by Drake

by Nickelback

Drake is famous, he’s rich, and he’s sold over 1.4 million copies of 2010’s “Thank Me Later,” but now he’s lamenting the fame and fortune a little bit.

“Take Care” is more methodical and far less “thrown together” than his previous work. Even as one of the five songs that have been leaked, “Marvin’s Room,” begins with a distorted phone conversation between Drake and a female friend, it feels like it was done for a reason, not just to get an album out and make money.

Yet Drake is grasping for things.

He wants it all but he doesn’t want to lose everything that he had before.

He used to live in Toronto, now he lives in Miami. “You don’t know this city anymore,” is the chilling refrain of a track called “Free Spirit.” Let it be known that each and every song gives me goosebumps. The titles say it all: “Dreams Money Can Buy.” “Headlines.” “Trust Issues.” Paranoia is a widespread theme, along with sex, drugs, and cough syrup.

It’s shocking and beautiful and terribly satisfying. Thank Me Later? This time around, I think we’ll be thanking Drake pretty soon.

Release date: 10/24

Nickelback: Everyone’s favorite Canadian act, right below Justin Bieber, Sum 41, and Shania Twain. Nickelback is a band made up of lead singer Chad Kroeger, lead singer Chad Kroeger’s luscious golden locks, and someone else.

I for one am completely unexcited for Nickelback’s latest offering, “Here and Now,” not to be confused with “There and Then.” I have been highly underwhelmed by their work in the past, and I can’t wait to hear how their music sounds now.

The lead singles are called “Bottoms Up” and “When We Stand Together.” Rest assured, Nickelback is sticking true to roots of Naming Songs After Things like: romance, being famous, drinking alcoholic beverages, and photography. Finally, some companions for “Photograph” and “Rockstar.”

Only time will tell if Nickelback has crafted a masterpiece. For now, you can satisfy your appetite for Canadian pop-rock by repeating the following refrain: “Look at this photograph.” Every time I do, it makes me laugh.” Release date: 11/21

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’1 2 CUBE: Coldplay’s much anticipate “Mylo Oxyl Oto” (Top). Nickelback’s new fall release. “Here and Now” and rapper Drake’s highly touted album “Take Care.”

“Mylo Xyloto”

by Coldplay

Yes, Coldplay is making another album. I have nothing against the band, but I must admit that I never want to hear “Viva La Vida” in a commercial again.

Unfortunately, Coldplay did not see much commercial success with this album’s lead single, “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall.” As far as I can tell, Mylo Xyloto appears to be less rock-influenced and more electronic-influenced than most of Coldplay’s previous music.

Whether the album does well is anyone’s guess. However, the band recently released the second single, “Paradise,” and informed the media that Rihanna will be featured on the album.

Considering the fact that every song or album featuring Rihanna does well, it is reasonable to assume that Mylo Xyloto will be a hit. Release date: 10/24

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A&E

Inklings / October 6, 2011 / inklingsnews.com

Welcome to the Renaissance of TV

GRAPHIC BY NATE ROSEN ‘14

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ith the quality of most programming today, it is hard to believe that television wasn’t always this great.

In the most popular shows were all multicamera sitcoms, like “Saved by the Bell,” “Seinfeld,” and “Friends.” Sure, the jokes were funny, but none of it was particularly smart or groundbreaking. Seinfeld was actually referred to as a show about nothing. Entire episodes would be dedicated to menial problems, like buying soup from a special restaurant, or paying the rent. The camera angles never got creative, the plotlines were never that deep, and viewers were just allowed to be passive. The audience did not really

TV REVIEW

have to be engaged in what they were watching.

In short, there wasn’t much of an art to the whole enterprise.

But, that all changed in 1999, when HBO released the seminal hit, “The Sopranos,” a show about a mob boss just as he is starting to seek therapy.

This show was something different right from the beginning. For one hour a week, audiences across the country would tune into a program that rivaled Hollywood movies in both production quality and plot themes.

This show introduced one innovation after the other.

With it’s mature content, “The Sopranos” practically invented the TV-MA rating. It was not uncommon for viewers to see a character’s brains drip down wall of a New Jersey apartment, or to hear curse words f ly out of actor’s mouths like fighter jets over a baseball stadium after the National Anthem. And it wasn’t even just vulgarity and gore for the sake of it. All of this content was essential in driving the plot forward, and gave the writers more f lexibility in their plot development.

Examining the Current State of the Medium The show was also able to advance the art of television through cinematography. Each episode was able to tell the story through camera angles, something that had previously only been done on the big screen.

The use of the cinematic style engaged viewers just as much as any actor or bit of dialogue could.

Since HBO was a subscription service, no topic was off limits, and there were no rules to follow. The writers and producers had full artistic license.

The creators of the show took a huge risk, and, thankfully, that risk paid off. The show saw huge success, both critically and financially, allowing other channels to follow in its path.

Pretty soon, every major subscription channel, like Showtime and Starz, had its own high-quality television show. Series’ like “Weeds,” and “Dexter,” redefined what made a television show. Not only did these shows look pretty. They also required the viewer to think. Intricate plot details that would have confused most viewers years earlier were suddenly

accepted with open arms by the television viewing community.

“Weeds,” tackled the issues of marijuana prohibition, as well as what it means to be a good mother. “Dexter,” took the classic detective story and turned it on its head by making the main character a serial killer.

The subscription model of television let creators think outside the box and provide a refreshing look to the medium of television.

This effect even trickled down to the network channels, like ABC. This network threw down $14 million just to film the pilot of “LOST,” a bizarre program about smoke monsters, a magical island, and magnetic forces. A decade earlier, this kind of gamble would seem absurd, but audiences latched on, and the show became a huge hit.

Today, every network has caught on, and television has had a full-blown renaissance.

The best example of this radical change is the reboot of the seventies classic, “Hawaii Five-0.”

Originally a kitschy crime show shot in studios with very few subplots, the modern remake

is a highly stylized drama with multiple personal side stories interwoven into fast paced action.

Even sitcoms have improved in quality. NBC’s critically acclaimed sitcom, “Community,” uses a more aesthetically pleasing single-camera style, and features introspective episodes about money problems, infidelity, race stereotypes, and drug abuse, all while keeping a comedic tone.

Just as subscription channels allowed shows like “The Sopranos” to succeed, all these network shows would not have been possible had it not been for the Internet. Before a website like Hulu or Netf lix, viewers could either watch their favorite shows when they aired, or not at all. This meant it was more difficult to follow complex plot lines across episodes. With online streaming services, audiences can watch each episode at their leisure, and multiple times.

One can only hope that the next improvement in technology will continue to bring more art to the medium.

A&E Inklings / October 6, 2011 / inklingsnews.com

2010

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19

SPORTS

20

October 6, 2011

HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF: Kicker Robbie Wolf ’12 and special teams line up for a kickoff against Brien McMahon on October 1.

PHOTO BY ERIC ESSAGOF ’12

New Talent, Veterans Populate Gridiron CHARLIE GREENWALD ’12 Web A&E Editor

L

ast year, the Staples Wreckers football team never quite caught a break. One of its best players never rebounded from an Achilles tear. Its star quarterback was taken down by the same injury halfway through the year. Several of their best linemen got concussions and missed important games.

And yet, the Wreckers nearly won the FCIAC Championship.

This year, with a reloaded and new defense, an ominous trifecta of running backs, and a healthy quarterback in Jack Massie, ’14, the Wreckers are looking to blow out their competition.

In Staples’ first game of the year, it conquered St. Joseph 21-7. Running back Joey Zelkowitz ’13 rushed for 206 yards and threetouchdowns on only 14 carries. Since then, the Wreckers have throttled Bridgeport Central 48-8 and eked out a victory against Brien McMahon 24-21 on a last-second field goal.

“We’re looking forward to a great year, and I think we’re all really excited about the season,” Zelkowitz said.

“We have a lot of great athletes this year,” said Head Coach Marce Petroccio, now in his 19th year. “We have got some great running backs that are all threats. We got a good quarterback who has some experience. We have continuity in the offensive line. If we keep kids healthy, we’re just going to get better and better.”

This year, the Wreckers face a tough schedule and three road games right off the bat. Captain Peter Bonenfant, ’12, the starting tight end, acknowledged this schedule, but isn’t afraid.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge,” Bonenfant said. “We have some returning starters, and I think we have a chance against anybody.”

Jon Heil, ‘12 is confident that the rushing game will be a big part of Staples offense this year. Heil is one part of the three-pronged running teamn that is the backfield, along with Zelkowitz and Nick Kelly ’13.

“We’re just looking to perfect our assignments,” Heil said.

The team has several new players this year, such as Vasili Tziolis, ’12, and Eric Lederer, ‘13. There is also nose guard Andrew Pfefferle, ’12, a transfer student from Berkshire Academy, who will make a big impact defensively this year.

“I think Tziolis, Lederer and Pfefferle all have skill, and they’ll have great years,” Petroccio noted. “Robbie Wolf will also come up big for us this year. These guys can all rush the passer and create problems for our opponents.”

Petroccio had a hard time estimating which players will have a big year. “We have so many, you can’t count them,” Petroccio said.

“You got Joe Zelkowitz, Jon Heil and Nick Kelly running the football, James Frusciante as a target receiver, Alec Kaplan at down lineman, the Gibson brothers as linemen, Peter Bonenfant at tight end, Greg Strauss at cornerback— it’s all there. We have some real weapons.”

In terms of what the Wreckers need to

FREEͳSCIANTE: Wide receiver James Frusciante ’13 breaks free for a 43yard dash to inside red zone.

PHOTO BY ERIC ESSAGOF ’12 work on, Petroccio seems to think it’s just about keeping safe and intact.

“It’s a Catch 22—you always have to go hard in practice, but you need to be smart about it,” Petroccio said. Quarterback Jack Massie, who as a freshman last year filled in halfway through the season when Chester Pajolek, ’11, went down, seems to think he now has the experience and focus to carry a team on his shoulders.

“As a team, we expect as much in ourselves as possible, even though we are facing a tough schedule,” Massie noted. “But I think the team is looking really good.”

With all the young talent and athleticism, Staples could be a dark horse this year.

As for new players like Tziolis, it’s an honor to be playing on the squad, a team that has made the state playoffs all but one season in the last decade. “It’s great to be a part of the team, and we expect to continue the success of the program,” Tziolis said. “We have a number of starters, new and old, who will fit right in for the guys we lost.”

With a career win percentage of .751, Petroccio could lead this team to another big year, if the Wreckers play up to their potential. He seems to think his team has all the right ingredients.

“We have so much talent on this team.

If we keep guys healthy, we can be very competitive; there’s no reason this can’t be another great year of Staples football.”

A BOOST UP: Wide receiver James Frusciante ’13 celebrates with teammates after a fourth down TD. at Brien McMahon.

PHOTO BY ERIC ESSAGOF ’12

Sports Inklings / October 6, 2011 / inklingsnews.com

21

Beating the

HEAT

GRAPHIC BY JULIA SHARKEY ‘13

How the Wreckers Stay Safe in Triple-Digit Temperatures

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t’s mid-July at Staples stadium. The orange morning sun glows yellow around its edge, radiating against the artificial turf.

Empty metal bleachers pack heat in each bench, light shining too

bright to look at for too long.

Suddenly, the benches rattle.

A chorus of metal cleats hitting cement steps echoes throughout the stairwell leading down to the field. Incompletely padded, 250-pound behemoths lumber towards the gate, helmets in hand.

At 101 degrees Fahrenheit, and even hotter on the turf, the football players shield their water bottles under the bench—the only shade they have on the open field.

Out alone in the blazing dog days of summer, the Staples football team runs training camp.

“Some days were almost unbearable,” captain Peter Bonenfant ’11 said. “The temperature would often be over 95 degrees, and then including the heat that the turf absorbs, it would feel as though we were running in temperatures over 100.”

Those extreme conditions are exactly what caused Tommy Aldrich ’14, among others, to leave the sport. In national news this summer, there were a handful of incidents involving heatrelated deaths for players and coaches during the summer football workouts. Also, for Aldrich, waking up at 5:45 a.m. was a tough task.

“I went to every summer workout—four, sometimes five days a week,” Aldrich said. “The workload did affect my decision not to play anymore, but I don’t have blame for the coaches. It was a decision I made.”

For Head Coach Marce Petroccio, the summer workouts are a part of the football regimen that holds great importance.

“The expectation here is you have to participate in these workouts,” Petroccio said. “The risk of injury if you don’t participate is just too high.”

Petroccio said the main focus of these summer workouts can be

broken into three parts: flexibility, endurance, and agility. The coaches approach this player development, according to Petroccio, with caution and research.

The coaches use tactics engineered by the University of Illinois and the University of Connecticut to implement their own summer program. According to Petroccio, the average workout is four days a week and consists of about 45 minutes of outdoor conditioning, followed by an hour of weight training.

Football isn’t the only sport that trains during the summer.

According to Boys’ Cross Country coach Laddie Lawrence, the summer months are especially important for the team.

“The main idea behind the program is to establish a strong cardiovascular base through running hundreds of miles during the summer months,” Lawrence said.

“It is commonly known among all high school runners and coaches that the two most important words in a cross-country training program are July and August.”

The girls’ soccer team shares this belief in the importance of summer conditioning in order to

be prepared for the fall season.

“Being fit is the base of the sport, and soccer practices should be devoted to improving this fitness or maintaining it, not starting from scratch,” said team captain Shannon Lesch ’12 in an email interview.

“One footballrelated death is too many.”

- Marce Petroccio

Lawrence, as well as being concerned with the benefits his runners get over the summer, also keeps an eye on his players’ health—a concern he, Petroccio and other coaches share.

“We wouldn’t come out on the first day and make the kids do something so strenuous they would get sick,” Petroccio said.

“We are extremely cognizant of the conditions, and based on the weather we will change what we do on any given day.”

Petroccio said that if the

PHOTO BY SAMMY WARSHAW `12 SWEATING BULLETS: Henry Wynne ‘13 pushes through a workout.

weather, hits triple digits, the team will make its way into the field house to try to escape the heat, if for only a little while.

Player health, is his number one priority.

“In the 19 years I’ve been coaching here we have not seen a player suffer from heat exhaustion,” Petroccio said. “One football-related death is one death too many.”

Head Athletic Trainer Deiso Gaetana is in agreement with Petroccio.

“I can’t remember any real heat illness situation past mild heat cramps,” Gaetana said. “The coaches do a really good job keeping the kids safe in the heat.”

Soccer captain Lesch said she has never suffered from heat stroke though there are times when girls need a break. “Of course, when this happens, they are encouraged to take a break and drink water/get in the shade until they are feeling better.”

According to Gaetana, there are three stages of heat illness.

The first, and least severe, is heat cramps. The next most severe is heat exhaustion, where the body becomes flushed, and the patient is thirsty and sweating. The most severe of the three is heat stroke, which can be deadly. The sweating ends, and in its place the patient becomes cool and clammy.

Symptoms of this stage are vomiting, dehydration, and inconsistent consciousness.

“If it ever got to that level, it would require immediate hospitalization and a call to 911,” Gaetana said. “But thankfully we’ve never had a really horrible situation.”

However, according to Gaetana and Petroccio, if players exhibits any of these symptoms they are sat down for the rest of the day.

“If for any reason you begin to feel weak, take yourself out of the drill,” Petroccio said. “We don’t want any heroes here.”

To avoid any players feeling weak, the coaches give lots of

water breaks during the practice, and if a day is particularly hot, they will wet down the turf before the players take the field. Although these actions may sound trifling, Petroccio insists that they are well worthwhile.

“We take every precaution we can possibly imagine,” Petroccio said. “It behooves us to get these kids into great shape. It only hurts us if we work them so hard it does damage.”

“I’ve been on the team for three years, and I’ve never seen anyone come close to a heat stroke,” Bonenfant said. “Our coaches push us to our limit, but they know what they are doing and give us plenty of time to rest and drink water.”

Each year, to better the protection against the summer weather, Gaetana talks to players about nutrition and other ways to avoid heat illness. She says its the best method of precaution. “The knowledge is basically going to protect everybody,” said Gaetana.

When she tends to the players on the sidelines in extreme conditions, Gaetana also prepares ice towels and extra water, just in case. According to her, the preparedness of the Staples system has been the main factor in how they’ve been able to prevent anything too serious.

“When we first began conditioning in the summer, the workouts took a huge toll on us physically and mentally,” Bonenfant said. “But as we continued through the summer we got better and better every single day.”

And to Petroccio, that’s the bottom line.

“We’re extremely proud of the fact that in this day and age, where everyone wants quick and easy, this is one place where you have to work to gain your benefits,” Petroccio said. “But at the end of the day, the benefits you reap are unparalleled.”

22 Sports

Inklings / October 6, 2011 / inklingsnews.com

REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION OF STAPLESSWIMMING.COM

In-Verity-bly the Best How a sophomore swimmer has risen to the top CHARLOTTE BREIG ’12

Business Manager s a freshman, star swimmer Verity Abel ’14 achieved what most student athletes spend their entire high schools careers striving for – a state record. The milestone moment took place at the 2010 Class LL Championship Meet at Wesleyan University, where Abel took first place in the 100-yard backstroke

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with a time of 57.61 seconds.

While ninth grade seems early for such a huge accomplishment, the record was actually 10 years in the making. Abel began racing at the age of five with the Westport Water Rats, primarily because both of her older brothers, Larry Abel ’10 and Joss Abel ’12, were competitive swimmers, and has been training hard ever since.

When she was 12, Abel moved to the Wilton YMCA Wahoos. “They’re a much bigger program, and they really have some amazing swimmers, so when I joined the team, I started to take swimming a lot more seriously,” she said.

Most of Abel’s free time is spent at swim practices. Since moving up to the National Team, the highest training group on the Wahoos, she spends around 20 hours each week in the pool, plus an hour of dry land training or weight lifting every day.

At each practice, which can be up to 2.5 hours long, Abel typically swims around 8,000 yards, or the length of the pool 320 times, in a combination of long distance and sprint exercises.

The rest of Abel’s life is scheduled around her intensive training. “Swimming consumes most of my time,” she said. The rest is spent doing homework late at night or hanging out with her friends on the weekends when she doesn’t have a meet.

Her commitment has not gone unnoticed by her coaches, Coach Mike Laux from Staples and Coach Randy Erlenbach of the Wahoos. They both described Abel as determined, hardworking, and motivated, and said that these traits have helped her succeed thus far and will continue to serve her well in the future.

“She can be very good, depending on her motivation and goals,” said Laux. Luckily, Abel has made it clear that neither of those is in short supply.

“I look forward and remind myself of the time and effort I put into the sport, which drives me to persevere through all the exhausting practices and meets,” she said. “You have to stop and think for a second, and imagine if you quit right now then how much you would be giving up.”

She is also a strong believer in setting goals to maintain motivation.

“At some point in my high school swimming career, I would love to win Opens,” said Abel, who placed second last year. But that’s not even her loftiest goal: “Beyond high school, my goal is to make Olympic Trials.”

No matter what she achieves personally in the future, there is no doubt she will be an asset to any team she swims for. To Laux, her versatility is her greatest contribution; to Erlenbach, it is the way she interacts with her teammates every day at practice.

“She is a sincere person, so when she speaks, others listen. At practices, she speaks in a positive way which really encourages her teammates,” he said.

This makes sense, since Abel’s favorite part about swimming is training with her team. “You make so many amazing friends when you’re on a team and it’s nice to have the feeling that you are all in it together,”

she said.

Outside of her teammates, Abel’s support system also includes her family. Her brothers continue to play a big role in her swimming career. “My brothers and I joke around with our swimming, but we all support each other as a family,” she said.

According to Abel’s older brother Joss, most of the sibling rivalry is avoided because they swim different events. “Sometimes I will check up on her to make sure she isn’t getting too close to me,” he admitted, but also said that his sister is a better swimmer because her state ranking amongst girls is higher than his amongst boys.

The support of Abel’s parents has also been crucial to Abel’s success. “My parents always make sure they come to my meets and help me be as prepared as possible for every swim,” she said.

They are “kind of unsung heroes,” said Joss, “always there to take her to the 5:15 a.m. practices during the school week.”

While Staples eagerly waits to see what comes next from the sophomore standout, Abel has adopted a simple and focused mindset to guide her upcoming seasons.

“My coaches always tell me to just try my best because if I don’t do well, it’s not the end of the world. That sounds very cliché but it couldn’t be truer.”

VERITY ABEL’S

Day in the Lane 4:30 a.m.–Wake up 4:45 a.m.–Drive to Wilton YMCA 5:15 a.m.–Wahoos practice 7:30 a.m.–School 2:15 p.m.–Drive to Wilton YMCA 3:15 p.m.–Wahoos practice 5:30 p.m.–Weight lifting/Dry land training 6:45 p.m.–Drive home 7:20 p.m.–Shower and eat dinner 8:00 p.m. –Start homework 11:00 p.m.–Go to sleep

WATER WRECKER: Abel set a state record as a freshman, and hope this schedule can keep her on track to swim in the olympics.

REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION OF STAPLESSWIMMING.COM

Sports

Inklings / October 6, 2011 / inklingsnews.com

23

Digging for Gold V-Ball Dominating FCIAC STEVIE KLEIN ’12 Editor-in-Chief

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hey have already beaten two of the top teams: Greenwich and Fairfield Warde. Staples Girls Volleyball, or SGVB as they have abbreviated on their shirts, are coming back this year stronger than last.

“We haven’t beaten Greenwich since I’ve been in the program, so that was a really big win,” said tri-captain Kenzie Roof ’12.

The success of the season thus far and the predicted success of the remainder of the season rests on the chemistry and hard work of the team.

“We’ve been working really hard in practice, the preseason was very successful, and the girls have come together a lot,” said Head Coach Jonathon Shepro.

Shepro feels that one of

thing up.”

Shepro feels another challenge is that there are so many players, so it is hard for everybody to make their mark. He says that players are going to have to have a role and accept that role in how successful they are going to be.

But the captains, Roof, Grevers and Anna Link ’12, have been doing a great job according to numerous players and Coach Shepro.

“The captains are really motivating and strong leaders,” said Lily Rappaport ’13.

The remaining seniors have really stepped up to the plate, too. “The other seniors on the team are right up there with them,” Rappaport continued. “There is no real distinction between them besides the title. They all take leadership roles and help the team in anyway they can.”

Shepro feels the same way, saying that seniors like Gradoux-Matt, Amanda Pacilio ’12 and Kosinski have taken up a leadership role on the team along with the three captains.

There is also fresh talent, such as the only sophomore on the team, Amelia Brackett ’14.

“Amelia has played a lot in our first two games and she is doing amazingly,” said Roof.

SGVB looks like they are headed for a title. And Roof already notices the different spirit on the team. “Last year I think we fell short in that we didn’t feel like we were going to win. We have a lot more confidence and that mentality will be the key part of going into these more challenging games,” she said.

NEXT HOME GAME PINK OUT

Oct. 17 Staples vs.

Ludlowe 4:00

Chemistry leads to success the best aspects of the team this year is balance. “ W e can really attack you anywhere on the f loor: we don’t have one superstar, and we don’t have one weak spot. Whoever is in the front or the back, it doesn’t matter. We’ll always have hitters in the front and passers in the back, no matter who is there,” he said.

Roof agrees but notes that to beat teams like Darien, notably the biggest competitor in the FCIAC, Ludlowe, Danbury and New Canaan, the team has to make sure that the defensive positioning stays strong.

“We have a lot of great hitters like Joosje Grevers, Augie Gradoux-Matt and Anna Fiolek. Jossje, Augie and Danielle Kosinski have also been blocking very well,” she said.

Kate Platt ’13 concurs saying, “We have an extremely powerful front row, but I think to beat these teams, we are going to have to make sure our defense is ready to get every-

Above: Kenzie Roof ‘12, Joosje Grevers ‘12, and Anna Link ‘12 wait to recieve the incoming serve.

Below: Augie Gradoux-Matt ‘12 bumps the ball.

PHOTOS BY STEVIE KLEIN ’12 Roof ‘12 hits the ball down as Grevers ‘12 and Gradoux-Matt ‘12 cover for her.

24

port s TThe he W Wreckers reckers

PHOTO BY ERIC ESSAGOF ’12

Filling the Void

Boys’ Soccer’s Challenge of Keeping Pace with Strong Past ERIK SOMMER ’13

Staff Writer ast year’s boys’ varsity soccer team was undeniably special in talent and accomplishment; eight of the players from the 2010-2011 squad are now playing Division I soccer.

Due to the graduation of many seniors, new players will be taking on old roles. Many players that were once in the shadows, will be taking on positions in the spotlight; Woog expects big things from them.

Jake Malowitz ’12 and James Hickock ’13 replace graduates Frank Bergonzi ’11, Brendan Lesch ’11, and Sean Gallagher ’11 as captains.

Tucker Rizzi ’13 has been impressed by the way Hickock and Malowitz have already filled their new roles.

“Jake and James are doing a really good job leading the team, and coaching players who maybe needed work to be ready for the season,” Rizzi said.

According to the captains, the style of play this year will be altered in order to make up for the loss of last year’s stars.

“We’re going to win as a team and we’re going to have to work as a team; it will be much more about the team’s play than any individual’s,” Malowitz said.

Despite the need for more offensive balance this year, Woog maintains that the team will continue to prioritize defense.

“Staples teams always are built from the back with defense first. It’s easier to win a game 1-0 than 5-4,” Woog said. Malowitz also feels that the team has been showing positive signs thus far. He was initially concerned about the team’s ability to score with the absence of established players, but feels that this has not been a problem so far, as shown in scrimmages against teams like Bethel and Wethersfield.

Although there is still room for improvement, Malowitz agrees that the team is ahead of schedule in terms of preparation.

“We are being underestimated but we’ve set out a goal to prove everyone wrong” says Espizoto. In fact, Coach Woog says that he is happy the team is under the radar, and hopes that people are still underestimating the squad at the end of the season.

“Nobody on the team will be satisfied with anything less than an FCIAC and a State Championship at the end of the season,” Malowitz said. “If we keep working hard and listening to our coaches, we will be a force in the FCIAC and in the state.”

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Staples Athletes’ Diets

Winning begins at the dinner table AARON HENDEL ’14 Staff Writer

High school athletes will do whatever it takes to get an edge. Athletes know that, if they work hard enough, games can be won off the field—whether it’s in the weight room, on the treadmill, or even at the dinner table.

Dozens of Staples competitors consistently follow strict eating habits from when they wake up until they crash onto their bed after practice. In order to gain strength, speed, and endurance, they keep up crazy diets all year long. Work ethic like this shows how desperately some students want to play sports in college, but moreover shows just how much they want to stay in shape.

As boys’ soccer coach Dan Woog loves to say about his players, “They train very hard to be the best that they can be.”

To most, that means eating right all the time.

Breakfast “Two or three eggs and a banana every morning,” Robbie Wolf ’12 said, “never cereal.” Breakfast is the kicker to a strong diet, especially for a linebacker, kicker, and running back like Wolf.

Just like Wolf, girls’ swim tri-captain Gabby Weimer ’12, prefers a banana, as well.

But for Jake Malowitz ’12, co-captain of the boys’ soccer team, “something substantial, like two or three bagels” is the breakfast of choice.

The carbohydrates that Malowitz receives from his bagels are also strong sources of energy, something Malowitz knows is important during the 80 minutes of his soccer games.

Eggs are another one of the healthier breakfast foods, generating around 12.6 grams of protein per one hard-boiled egg. Protein is the centerpiece to Wolf’s diet, as well as lineman Pieter Hoets ’13, who also eats 5 meals a day, “to keep [himself] running.”

Protein Hoets has, “a high protein diet to maintain strength and weight during the season.”

To maintain that strength and weight, he likes to indulge in buffalo steaks and guzzle down muscle milk.

Linebacker Austin Lazar ’12 also thrives on protein. “Steak, broccoli, spinach. I do it big,” brags Lazar.

Malowitz on the other hand prefers chicken. But regardless of specific selection, one thing’s for certain: they all have a tremendous amount of protein.

But what’s so vital about protein? Muscle growth. With four days a week (at least) of weight lifting for the football team in the offseason to go along with in-season training, the players want to maximize their strength at all times.

“Protein is needed to balance out blood

GRAPHIC BY NATE ROSEN ‘14 sugar,” says in-town nutritionist Karen Laramie ’77. Laramie says that she doesn’t believe in stimulants, so amino acid drops, such as carnitine— made up of several amino acids—are one of her preferred methods of obtaining protein.

Another popular choice is the power bar. Defensive lineman Andrew Pfefferle ’12 always has a power bar before practice. Lazar is also a fan of power bars, which typically contain more than 20 grams of protein in each bar.

Of course, after a protein bar, thirst quenching is key. However, the proper way to hydrate is often scrutinized.

Hydration Every team at every level is always trying to figure out the best way to stay hydrated. Woog makes it a team policy to “drink water, never Gatorade.”

Caroline Koenig ’14, a member of the girls’ track team, is in concurrence with Woog, hydrating only by water—and lots of it.

However, is there a drink that solves the hydration issue while still providing an energy burst?

Head Football Coach Marce Petroccio has seemingly found the solution.

“We are one of only a few high schools to have it,” he proudly notes.

It is called UCAN, and is utilized by NFL teams like the New England Patriots, world-class track stars, and American tennis player Mardy Fish. It stabilizes blood sugar, doesn’t have a crash, and maintains a high and steady energy level throughout activity.

But, from athlete to athlete, hydration depends on personal preference.

Malowitz, however, does indeed reflects his coach’s views, as he likes to drink water on whatever day he has a game, and even the night before.

“Throughout the whole night I am constantly drinking water and water only.”

Dinner Some players take their own initiative when it comes to gathering carbohydrates, but for others they rely on the infamous pasta dinners that so many teams hold.

Pasta is a strong way to go for obtaining carbs, which play a huge role in energy storage and glucose transmission.

That is why Petroccio organizes pasta dinners the night before games.

“We are very tuned in to all this nutritional stuff,” Petroccio said. “We teach the guys how to eat right.”

And in the department of eating right for football players, carbohydrates are paramount.

“I carb it up the night before a game,” Pfefferle, who hauls in close to 50 grams of carbohydrates in some meals, says. Many of these can come from one plate of pasta, which Wolf will also typically eat three hours before a game.

Still, in some cases, they got a little help from their mothers.

“There’s nothing better than my mom’s home cooked meals,” Lazar said.

However, Laramie warns athletes about what she calls “carb-loading.”

“To deprive your body of carbs or calories, then carb-load? That’s very hard on the body,” Laramie said.

Laramie also recommends wholegrain foods to build carbs. But this recommendation comes with a disclaimer.

“If you’re not used to whole grain, the last meal before a race or event is not a good time to start a new habit,” Laramie said.

Now that the players have all trained hard throughout the week and gulped down a big dinner, they are ready for their respective competitions.

Game Day It’s half an hour before game time at Staples Stadium. The bleachers are packed, speeches are being given in the locker room, and most importantly, the FCIAC could be on the line.

Before the players suit up and head out to the field, there’s one last piece of nutrition, a fruit, that almost every player wants to make sure they have: the common yellow banana.

It’s difficult to get more natural than a banana, something Petroccio has shown is important to him. 30 minutes after that banana, all the hard work, on and off the field, is about to be showcased.

Commitment For such strict diets and such utter dedication, a lot of restraint must be shown. Wolf listens to his coaches, and abstains from fried food and junk food, except for the occasional weekend trip to McDonald’s.

Although it seems simple, it is unassumingly hard work. Players need to learn their body types, like their metabolism rate, and even have to know how they process certain food groups.

“I follow this diet strictly every game day,” Malowitz said.

And once an athlete starts a diet, there are very few times where it’s a good idea to switch it.

“A good time to introduce different nutritional food to a diet is during the offseason, when you’re training,” Laramie said.

But for now, the athletes will stick to the habits they’ve chosen—some delving into their power bars and protein shakes, while others feast on steak, broccoli, and spinach—like Lazar.

“I eat,” Lazar said. “But I eat healthy.”