G r a c e
Volume 44 Issue 1
Upcoming
Events
September 20 Voting for Homecoming Court
September 22 Voting for Homecoming Court King and Queen
September 24 Grace King vs. Reed @ Yenni 7:00 p.m.
September 30 Grace King vs. Springfield @ Yenni Stadium 7:00 p.m.
September 30 Homecoming Pep Rally
September 26 Homecoming Week
September 29 First day of Rosh Hashannah
K i n g
H i g h
Turnaround: school officials shed light on process By William Weisler News Editor
With the start of the new school year, the term Turnaround Program has been thrown around by students without much clarity on what it really means. Every school is given benchmarks by the state that they must reach, measured by a School Performance Score (SPS). A school’s SPS is a gauge of it’s potential based heavily on their End of Course and GEE test scores, as well as Graduation Rate Index, a grade given to a high school based on it’s ability to graduate a student in four years. Due to King’s inability to progress as rapidly as expected in achieving these benchmarks, it was subsequently selected by the school board to participate in the Turnaround Program in order to facilitate overall school improvement. School Board President Michael Delesdernier said, “I came to know some of the students and faculty at King. These students and faculty were aware that King could and should be doing better. I wanted King to have a chance to reach it’s potentional and I did not want to wait.” The program was designed by parish principals and leadership teams utilizing University of Virginia sanctioned coursework and instruction, tailor-made to accommodate the specific needs of Grace King. The program is designed to keep students in the classroom, reduce test anxiety, and eliminate distractions that prove detrimental to learning. There is also an effort being made to improve the connection between staff and student to create a feeling of familiarity and support between the two. “I need to focus on positive student-teacher relationships,” said Principal Meg Griffon, “how to foster students having at least one adult on campus they can go to.” There are also measures being taken to cater to the individual student within the classroom by encouraging teachers
to consider projects and assignments designed with the student’s unique interests in mind. “I think the environment for learning has improved greatly this year.” science teacher Sharon Johnston said when asked what she felt about this year’s changes. The ultimate goal of these improvements is to keep students in school, improve their learning environment, and encourage a timely graduation. Included in the program’s criteria was the need to hire a turnaround officer, the replacement of 15 percent of Grace King’s staff prior to the start of this school year, and the establishment of sanctions and incentives designed to create dramatic positive changes in the school within 2-3 years. Gary Barras, a former Nicholas de la Torre principal at Ehret and Principal Meg Griffon consults with Dean of Students Stephanie Scott during state education official, has lunch on Sept. 13. been appointed turnaround officer overseeing the improvement of the four high the country, directed specifically towards 5000 low schools, Bonnabel, West Jefferson, and John Ehret performing schools in the nation, according to the University of Virginia’s model. in addition to King. Despite initial resistance from students, school According to the Louisiana Department of administrators are confident that King is making Education, Grace King’s baseline SPS in 20072009 was 85.2 points, with a goal of 91.5 for the great strides towards significant improvements. 2009-2010 school year. Despite expectations of “We’re going to come out on top of this,” said growth, King’s SPS that year was 82.1, a loss of 3.1 Griffon, “and it’s because of the students that we’re points. Similar turnarounds are taking place across going to succeed.”
Beloved student’s organs provide hope to seven strangers By Eric Sheu
Homecoming dance
Layout Edttor
October 6 King vs. Riverdale @ King 4:00 p.m.
October 11 King vs. Cabrini @ King 4:00 p.m.
Talent show tryouts
Report cards issued
4301 Grace King Place, Metairie, LA 70002
Friday, September 23, 2011
October 1
October 21
S c h o o l
Courtesy of Shawn Lawler
A young Salvatore celebrates a birthday at home with his family.
As many King students are now aware, Salvatore Nami’s life was cut short just weeks before school started. He will be missed by many students and faculty. His mother agreed to speak with us in an effort to pay tribute to his memory. As an organ donar, Salvatore Nami has, in all likelihood saved the lives of seven people. His liver saved the lives of an eight-month old girl and an elderly man. He left behind his beloved family of mother, Shawn Lawler; step-father, Sal Lawler; older brother, Anthony Nami; brother, Miguel Nami; and sister, Juliana Lawler. Shawn Lawler, reminisces about how compassionate and sociable her son was. His brother Miguel jokes about how his brother was
always just the slightest bit cocky. “Sal was a great brother and he was always there for me,” said Miguel Nami, Sal’s younger b r o t h e r, “Whenever there was a situation he would be there to help me. Now it’s hard to believe that he’s gone, and it’s a lot more different.” Either way, the family enjoys sharing in the memories they had with Salvatore. Not only has Salvatore left behind precious memories for his family, he has also made his mark in the lives of Grace King students as well. “Sal’s humor
was something I looked forward to laughing at every day. I’m so lucky to have ever known someone so alive and so real,” said senior Jen Smith. Fellow senior Crystal Hebert said “He’s a good person. He was very open minded. If he was happy, everyone was happy.” The Chick-fil-A restaurant at Lakeside Mall, where Sal had worked, was recently accepting donations. They offered a free milkshake with any donation of one dollar or more. All proceeds went to Sal’s family to help with his burial. “Arguments were nothing because we would always be fine two hours later,” said Miguel, “I miss him.”
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Friday, September 23, 2011
News
Irish Eyes
bring a plate of food to be shared. Freshman class elects new officers The 2011-2012 Freshman Board officers are as follows: President, Zamzam Al-Madhrahi; Vice President, Monica Crain; Secretary, Sabra Burge; and Treasurer, Frank Macluso. Theater presents first play of the year Grace King Theater Department announces their first play of the school year, “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder”. The play will be held on Oct. 21 & 22 at 7p.m. Tickets are $4 for students and $8 for adults. Compiled by Eric Sheu Layout Editor
Sophomore Board sells class cards The 2011-2012 Sophomore class cards are on sale now for $15. With purchase, the cards offer entrance into all school dances for a discounted rate. See Ms. Biggers in room 20-B to purchase your class card today. Junior Board sells class cards The 2011-2012 Junior class card is on sale now for $25 until November 1. Purchase of a class card will get any junior into the Junior Ring Dance for free. See Ms. Levin in Room 230 to purchase. Culture Club meeting being held soon Culture Club is planning on holding their first meeting in the month of September during lunch. If you wish to join talk to Ms. Levin in Room 230. All students wishing to join must
Extracurricular clubs seek members Recruiting for Quiz Bowl and Academic Games, applicants should see Dr. Steen in Room 227. Best Buddies accepting members Best Buddies is an organization dedicated to helping peple with intellectual and development disabilities. Sign up at bestbuddiesonline.org then e-mail Lily Wang at m3nhlm@aim.com 4H planning on holding book drive The President of the 4H club is Diane Ottallah. The club is planning a book drive this month. Books will be donated to the Children’s Hospital and the United Babtist Hospital. ROTC takes field trip to Alabama On Sept. 9 the ROTC took a field trip to Mobile, Alamaba to see the U.S.S. Alabamba.
Nicholas de la Torre
Mailea Halstead uses soft pastels on brown paper bag for shading to contrast negative and positive spaces in Saundra Lewis’s Talented Art 3 class.
New discipline team seeks to reestablish order on campus By Donquelle Theodore Ads Manager
Upon hearing they would have a new discipline team, students probably experienced a variety of emotions such as curiousity, apprehension, and relief. As enforcment of the skirt policy, which mandates that the lengh of the skirt be no shorter than two inches above the crease at the back of the knee and that the only sweatshirts that are allowed are the current and official Grace King sweatshirts has drawn recent criticism, Vice Principal Sandy Phillips is described by many students as friendly and open, yet she still commands respect from the student body by enforcing Nicholas de la Torre Assistant Principal and Dean of Discipline speaks with students during lunch school policy. Phillips has an eight year history in during the first week of school.
elementary education, has been a dean of student services for a year and also assistant principal for four years. One of the many reasons that Phillips may have been offered the job is that she is able to strictly enforced the rules, given she was once a hearing officer, but she was reluctant to discuss details about this job. While maintaining a reputation as a strict administrator Phillips also tries to interact with students as much as possible, by walking around and talking to students, she tries to make them feel as if they could talk to her about anything, which is a welcome change from what many students were used to. Less then a month into the school year, several students have commented on her approachable demeanor. According to senior Tevin Key, “She is the coolest administrator here.” Even though Phillips has not been at Grace King for a long period of time, she has made a great impact on the school, and she is greatly appreciated by students and faculty who want to restore order in the school.
News
Irish Eyes
3
Friday, September 23, 2011
Celebrating Latino Culture By Leonel Castell Features Editor
Leonel Castell
Maricruz DeLage performs a Mexican dance called “Jarabetapatio” on Sunday, Sept. 11
Oscar Avila salutes the flags of countries, (from left to right) Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Belize, and Mexico.
Grace King is one of the more culturally diverse schools in Jefferson Parish and features a large Latino Community. 27 percent of the school’s population is of Latino origin. Jefferson Parish’s Latino Community is one that makes itself visible and is rooted in culture, food, and music. Kenner has a thriving Latino community that’s only been growing in the last decade. The city is full of Latino businesses that typically specialize in serving authentic Latin food however others extend themselves to construction and automotive work as well as dressmaking. Businesses in the area include Norma’s Bakery and Selena’s Supermarket. The Latino Community is known for being very involved with the local churches and hosts elaborate Sunday and Saturday Mass and celebrations. They’re a hardworking community where the people who came with poor families have really made a good living for themselves. It’s a very tight-knit and social, family oriented community where everybody seems to know everybody. Community activist, Oscar Avila has been supporting his culture in the area. Avila, an architectural engineer, has been organizing Latino heritage events for over 20 years. “I really enjoy working with people and helping out.” He represented Honduras as part of 3 day festival in The French Quarter celebrating Central American Independence and also helped to coordinate a vigil in protest against deporting, where 1,600 people were in attendance. He also helps to
keep Honduran people that students take the best of both cultures and hold on to here aware of what their language by speaking Spanish at home and reading happens in their home in their own language. Retana preserves his culture by country and allows participating in Spanish festivals held at his local church them to vote for a new as well as cooking his native food. president whenever an The Latino Community is growing by leaps and bounds election arises. “I’m in Jefferson Parish and is gaining more influence outside Leonel Castell Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, just really proud and of the community. Businesses are spreading out across enjoy showing off our and beyond the Parish and its borders and more figures rich culture.” Other that represent the community are gaining prominence. A community activists like Rafael Saddy, who is the number of Latino students will be graduating from Grace president of the Latin American Civic Association of King this year and continuing this trend. Louisiana, has also worked with Avila and is heavily involved with community events. Saddy, who also produces the Spanish Program “Hablemos Claro” is a retired Navy Veteran and was elected to be the first Hispanic chairman of the Kenner Planning and Zoning Commission in 2009 after sitting in the commission since 2003. Senior, Ricardo Retana, who came from Costa Rica, explains the trouble of going from one way of life to another. “It’s a whole different point of view when you’re a pure Spanish person in an American community.” Spanish teacher, Walter Sologaistoa encourages Leonel Castell latino students to embrace Dancers perform an original Honduran dance. The dancer on the right simulates life in the their culture. He advises field.
2222 Clearview Parkway F Metairie, LA 700012437
504.454.8819
4
Features
Friday, September 23, 2011
Irish Eyes
Khan Academy reinvents tutoring through internet By Eric Sheu Layout Editor
To the many frustrated parents attempting to help their children with math homework, Salman Khan could be considered to be a savior. Khan, valedictorian of the class of 1994 , with degrees from MIT and Harvard began tutoring his cousin over the phone in late 2004 . He then began to tutor other cousins over the phone. As it became harder to tutor over the phone, he started posting his videos on YouTube for his cousins to view. By 2007, Khan started his own domain, and in 2009, he quit his job as a hedge fund analyst, who follows investment markets, and started focusing on his website Khan Academy. As of today, his videos have received more than 50 million views. The site still offers more than 2,400 videos covering most subjects. Salman Khan has been recognized by many such as CNN, NBC Nightly News and the National Public Radio. Khan Academy has also recived attention from Bill Gates
and Google. The were safe.” Khan attended Project 10 to the Grace King and graduated 100 by Google has as a valedictorian. donated $2 million He went on to graduate to Khan to help with an MBA from Harvard create more courses, Business School. Khan then translate videos and went on to obtain three more to hire additional degrees from MIT, a BS in staff. The Gates math, a BS and master’s in Foundation, which electrical engineering and expands educational computer science. opportunities and Khan and his access to information wife,Umamia, currently t e c h n o l o g y, h a s resides in Mountain View, recently given Khan California with their two a two-year grant. children. He hopes that one Khan was also a Courtesy of Masooda Khan day, Khan Academy can be speaker at the 2011 Salman Khan began tutoring in late 2004 and continues to tutor to this day. Above, an institution where people T E D c o n f e r e n c e Salman Khan sits with his 2 and a half year old son, Imran Khan. can learn at a high level, with which features a real learning experience. innovative people around the world to mother Masooda Khan “and so basically “Basically I’m very proud that he’s a good I made sure they didn’t get involved with human being,” said Ms. Khan “and that’s give a 20 minute talk. His mother was a very strong presence the bad kids. The second thing I did as a the reason he quit a very lucrative job being in his childhood due to the fact that Khan mother, I used to watch them, I used to a hedge fund guy to start a non-profit and to lost his father in middle school. “I am follow them, I even eavesdropped on their educate the world, and it’s a free education, the father and the mother,” said Khan’s telephone conversation to make sure they A-class education.”
Recent additions to dictionary modernize English dialect By Anna Whitaker Editor-in-chief
When your not so tech savvy friend asks you to define exactly what a “tweet” is, you no longer have to stumble over your words while trying to create your own definition because “tweet” now has its own definition in the MerriamWebster Collegiate Dictionary. “Tweet” takes place among approximately 150 other newly included words that reflect the high-tech advances to the social relationships of this age. “Why would they add new words like ‘tweet’ to the dictionary? It’s just slang,” senior Anthony Tortorich said. The new entries were picked after several years of monitoring and watching for references in a variety of sources, such as mainstream media outlets. Some words, like “tweet”, recently became prominent due to celebrities, politicians, and news outlets embracing the new terms. “Before, we wouldn’t need the word because it wasn’t invented yet. For example, ‘pancreas’ wasn’t added until we knew what it was,” English teacher Kelly Casey said. Casey also comments that the “slang” added to the dictionary tells a story about culture.
“These new words show a lot about our generation,” Tortorich said, “which isn’t always good.” Other new words include cougar, an often unflattering term for a middle-aged woman on the search for younger men, which almost didn’t make it to the dictionary because of its slang roots, but became too widely used to overlook; Americana, a mixture of roots musics formed by the confluence of the shared and varied traditions that make up the American musical ethos, which gained enough widespread attention through well-known musicians such as Steve Earle, John Hiatt, Levon Helm and Emmylou Harris recently to be placed among other new dictionary entries; fist bump, the act of bumping the front of a closed fist against that of another person, which was described as “the first bump heard ‘round the world” when President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama boosted its popularity with their knuckleknockings. The Concise Oxford English Dictionary was also recently updated to include several other 21st century terms, such as “sexting” and “retweet”, neither of which
*Class Rings *Diplomas
*Cap & Gowns *Announcements
*Awards & Trophies
Photo Illustration by Anna Whitaker
have found their way into Merriam-Webster’s College Dictionary. “Facebook” or the Facebook term “friend” also haven’t made the cut.
Features
Irish Eyes
5
Friday, September 23, 2011
Drumline breathing new life into struggling band By Brianna Payne Opinions/Entertainment Editor
The Grace King Fighting Irish Band is back! Not that they went anywhere. The band is back with new members and a new attitude. With an ensemble of 35 people, the band is working hard preparing for the football season. Some of the new editions to the band seem excited and ready for the upcoming season, although many have never played along with a band before. Students may have heard that Principal Meg Griffon was the one who pushed the band to perform. However, according to Mrs. Griffon that is not the case. She said she did nothing but simply expect that Grace King had a band. “Mr. Jackson and the kids did it all. At the game on Thursday Sept. 8 they played beautifully, it brought tears to my eyes. Mr. Jackson is a fantastic band director.” The band’s Drum Captain, senior Dequan Alonzo claims to have been the person to get a lot of the new members interested in the band. “I told my peers that if we were willing to work hard and be dedicated we can make this year fun, and play music the students are interested in. We could break away from the reputation the band has and become one of the best.” Alonzo also added we are working hard on new music such as songs like Super Bass, Grenade,and I’m on One.
Band director Mr. Jackson hopes the band can grow to an outstanding performing group. When asked says he is pleased with what he is seeing from the band so far because it’s a very young group and they are performing well. I’m sure everyone was wondering how Mr. Jackson and other members got people to join the band when asked Alonzo said, “ Nothing was done the music will speak for itself.”
Anna Whitaker
Lewis Jackson leads his band in “ The Hey Song” during the first pep rally of the year on Friday, Sept. 2. The band also performed at the football game against Pearl River Central on Thrursday, Sept. 8. Eric Sheu
Drum Captain Dequan Alonzo practices with the drumline. Jackson hopes student interest in the instrument will help promote the band.
New Orleans Arena drawing high-profile musical acts By Destiny Ponville Copy Editor
Photo Illustration by Anna Whitaker
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Located at the threshold of one of America’s most exciting cities, the New Orleans Arena is the premier destination for top-rated concerts and events in the Gulf South. Within the past few years, the Arena has hosted concerts for artists such as Lil Wayne, Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, and even Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, which included the arena’s largest crowd ever, for any event. “New Orleans’ location has always been a plus because of its position between two larger markets; Dallas/Houston and Miami. Most shows will travel from Texas to Florida, and will many times stop in New Orleans in between,” said Mike Schilling, Assistant General Manager of the New Orleans Arena. The New Orleans arena is located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, adjacent to the Superdome.
While the Arena hosts many sporting events, such as the New Orleans Hornets basketball games and the New Orleans Voodoo arena football games, it is also a great venue for many high-end concerts and events. The arena can seat up to 19,000 people per concert, depending on the stage setup. It also includes a total of 56 privately owned luxury suites located in the 200 level. Flexible seating combined with an intimate atmosphere equals the perfect setting for any event. Over the years, the Arena is becoming even more popular for many artists’ performances. “The New Orleans market has proven to be very competitive with other markets concerning ticket sales and gross ticket receipts. Bottom line; if you can consistently sell tickets for all genres of music, the promoters will steer shows to your market,” said Schilling. Upcoming events include Chris Brown, Jay-Z and Kanye West, and Taylor Swift, who’s event is sold out.
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Friday, September 23, 2011
Irish Eyes
Spot
The Digital A
With the speading influence of technology modernizing the most iconic forms of entertainment, are we leaving outdated mediums behind us for good?
Influence of e-books lightens load of backpacks By William Weisler News Editor
Portable, compact, affordable, and stylish. The popularity of e-books, electronic books, has increased dramatically across the nation since their introduction. E-books, such as Barnes and Noble’s Nook, or Amazon’s Kindle have proven themselves more than a match for traditional print and are frequently used to download books, newspapers, and magazines. They’re often no bigger than most any book you’d find on a shelf, and can be taken anywhere with ease due to their light weight and long battery life. Cost efficiency is one feature e-books provide to avid readers, and after enough books purchased, seem to pay for themselves. The Nook edition of New York Times Bestseller, James Patterson and Marshall Karp’s “Kill Me If You Can” sell for $12.99, compared to the listed hardcover price of $27.99. These savings of more than 50 percent are commonplace amongst the e-book counterparts to popular reads. E-books and tablets are also making their way into campus life, as more and more schools begin to incorporate the devices into their routines. The ease of use and portability compared to armfuls of textbooks seem to be why some schools in and around the area are so eager to utilize this new technology, such as St. Scholastica Academy in Covington introducing their students and staff to Apple iPads, with 7 more schools in the Archdiocese of New Orleans soon to join them. These tools will be replacing laptop computers as the medium of choice for the students and staff at the 8 schools participating, and there is a lot of excitement over the switch. “It’s not a mandate, it’s an evolution” says the head of the St. Scholastica Academy technology department Rick Brocato. Approximately 3,500 iPads are to be purchased and distributed amongst the 8 schools throughout the 2011-2012 school year. They will be paid for through tuition, or technology fee as St. Scholastica has done. Teacher Marcelle Delaune, as her class of freshmen recieved their new iPads, remarked “It’s like Christmas.” As technology continues to impact our daily lives, e-books are bringing one of the oldest and most iconic forms of media into the 21st century, and appropriately bringing with it great convenience and opportunities.
Photo Illustration by Anna Whitaker
Kindle
Nook
Screen size:
6 in
7 in
Touch screen:
No
Yes
Online video stream By Anna Whitaker Editor-in-chief
Memory:
4GB Battery life:
4 months (approx.)
Price:
$189
8GB 8 hours (approx.)
$295 Statistics provided by PC World
Photo Illustration by Anna Whitaker
Movie rental stores could be on the road to as online subscriptions and online streaming o take over. The video rental industry is being bom digital-age competitors: pay-TV, free digital TV gaming consoles and phones that can be used to and play movies. Between 1997 and 2007, the number of traditi stores nationwide fell by 30 percent, from 23,036 according to U.S. census data. Traditional video stores saw their share of the rental industry fall from 51 percent in 2009 to 3 in 2010. IBIS World analyst Ed Butler predicted rental industry would be one of the worst perf 2011, with revenue expected to fall an average 2 a year over the next five years. The industry has been putting up a fight, how industry introduced the more convenient DVD ren placed in areas such as shopping centers, and began offering home deliveries by mail. Redbox, owned by Coinstar, soon became a n in the market. Redbox is a kiosk-style rental ser kiosks are placed at fast food restaurants, supe and discount centers. Renters can reserve a title at the kiosk. The fee is $1 per night; there are no and no membership fees, and the movie can be r any Redbox kiosk. Each of the 22,000 kiosks a United States in 2009 held 700 DVDs (200 titles) expected to double the number of kiosks by 201 By 2009, Blockbuster, one of the once domin rental industries, was putting out its own version to compete with Redbox. However, Redbox w making an impact on the industry, one about major studios were not pleased. In 2009, both Universal initially refused to deal with Redbox
tlight
Irish Eyes
Age:
Friday, September 23, 2011
7
consumers responding to change in traditional forms of media
New age of video games leaves discs and cartridges behind By Leonel Castell Features Editor
The days of arcade cabinets and cartridge based video games are long behind us. 16-bit has evolved into 1080p HD and video game budgets now rival those of blockbuster films. Video Games are a booming industry. Bestselling franchises like Call of Duty ship millions of copies within hours of their release, Super Mario is still considered the face of video games 25 years later, and innovative games like Minecraft are considered a staple of pop culture. These interactive experiences have advanced faster than any other form of media and achieved a level of graphical fidelity and player immersion that wasn’t possible 10 years ago. Media is prone to change and the video game industry is no stranger to that. Digital distribution is becoming an increasingly popular way to buy and play video games. Juggernauts in video game retail like Gamestop that have risen to power over the last decade and even made the Fortune 500 are being threatened by popular services like Valve’s Steam or the budding OnLive. Valve, known for making acclaimed PC games like Half-Life and Portal, launched their Steam service in 2003 and it has been rapidly gaining momentum since its inception for its convenience, ease of use, and very competitive prices. OnLive, which Gamestop sees as a direct competitor, has been slower to get on its feet, but is introducing an era of subscription based video game streaming, a sort of video game equivalent
to netflix. The popularity of cheap downloadable games like Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja, available on Android Phones and iPhones, has introduced millions of people to video games and proves to be a great place for up and coming developers to get started. Even the three major video game consoles on the market have their own growing digital distribution of classic and independent video games with Sony’s Playstation Store, Nintendo’s WiiWare and Virtual Console, and Microsoft’s Xbox Live Marketplace.
Digital distribution has also proved to be beneficial to developers since it eliminates the need to make physical merchandise like cases and instruction manuals and guarantees the sale of a new product as opposed to a used one. This allows developers to make a profit off of every game sold as opposed to the sale of a used game where all of the money goes back to the retailer. This also allows for a variety of smaller low budget game studios to make a name for themselves and compete with the more seasoned game studios.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves has a graphic quality that makes it virtually indistinguishable from most big budget blockbuster films.
ming challenges rental services
extinction of movies mbarded by V channels, download
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new player rvice. Red ermarkets, e online or o late fees returned to around the ). Coinstar 12. nant video n of kiosks was clearly which the h Fox and x, claiming
that the company severely undervalued its product by renting new releases for $1. The studios placed a 30 to 45 day hold on new releases before turning them over for distribution in Redbox vending machines. However, when Redbox, which buys 300,000 to 500,000 of each title, filed suit in August 2009, the studios acquiesced; Redbox agreed to a multimillion dollar settlement to pay for the right to sell the studio’s products immediately on release. Despite these moves, the outlook for the traditional neighborhood video rental store was not good as technological advances in media delivery continued. As more homes become equipped with broadband Internet access, rental stores face an additional threat from Internet services that offer customers the ability to download movies onto their computers and portable electronic devices. Netflix began marketing online DVD and blu-ray rentals, and others, including Wal-Mart, Blockbuster, and Best Buy, soon followed. According to a Pew Internet and American Life Project report, by the end of 2004, nearly 60 million Americans had high-speed Internet access at home, and 69 percent (roughly seven in ten Americans) have used the internet to watch or download video. “It is definitely without a doubt an efficient way to watch movies. I love more than anything coming home, and watch HD quality movies on my computer instead of driving to the movie theaters or Blockbuster to rent a movie. If you feel like watching a fairly new movie that you never got the chance to see, you can always watch movies in the middle of the night with great sound quality and amazing video quality on your computer! It definitely changed a lot in my life and I am forever grateful for this new, cheap way to watch my favorite movies,” senior Lina Burhan said. Netflix, which provides both online and by-mail delivery of movies, grew rapidly in popularity and revenues. With ten million subscribers in 2009, the company offered customers the chance to select from over 100,000 movie
Linda Lin
This Blockbuster on 850 Veterans Memorial Blvd. is one of the few remaining Blockbusters in the area that still gets a reasonable amount of business.
titles online. Subscribers paid a monthly fee (as opposed to tradition “pay-per-movie” fees) which the amount of which was dependent on how many titles they want to check out at a time. In the late 2000s, Netflix cut a deal with TiVo so that customers, using TiVo’s latest equipment, could record 12,000 Netflix titles directly to their televisions. In August 2004, Blockbuster entered the online subscription market, going head-to-head with services like
Netflix. Its online service added 700,000 subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2006 alone. With its 7,100 company and franchise stores in over 20 countries. Blockbuster in 2008 posted $5.29 billion in revenue. However, Blockbuster filed for bankruptcy in 2010 and was auctioned for $320 million to Dish Network in April 2011. Blockbuster’s game plan for its remaining 1,500 stores involves giving customers easier access to movies, creating more value for their money.
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Sports
Friday, September 23, 2011
Irish Eyes
Each month, corky’s awards a $20 gift certificate to a male and female athlete who display superior ability in their respective sport.
By: d e r o Spons
www.corkysbarbq.com
4243 Veterans Memorial Blvd. Metairie, LA 504-887-5000
Players of the Month Leonel Castell
By Eric Sheu
The volleyball team competes in the gym during the Grace King Tournament held over the weekend on Sept. 9 & 10.
Layout Editor
Alonzo Proyer Sport: Football Position: Running back/ outside linebacker Grade: Senior Favorite Athlete: Taylor Mays Favorite Food: Egg rolls Favorite Class: Math Favorite Music Artist: Lupe Fiasco
“Alonzo Proyer is the best football player that I have ever coached, and he is an even better person” - Coach Ruckman
Crystal Freeman
“Early in the season, and she is showing great leadership!”
Sport: Volleyball Position: Setter Grade: Senior Favorite Athlete: Brees Favorite Food: Grilled chicken Favorite Class: Gym Favorite Music Artist: Lil Wayne
- Coach Candilora
Law Office of Mitchell-Gibbs
Marillac Castell Secretary
By Eric Sheu Layout Editor
The Grace King High School Lady Irish Volleyball Team started the 20112012 season out strong with a winning streak. During the team’s first game against Lutheran High School, they won the game. The game was played with best three out of five matches, with each match being played up to 25 points. This year, the volleyball team lost nine players due to last year’s graduation. This year, the team will have six players returning from last year to play out this year’s season. The new addition to the team this year also includes incoming freshman and new upperclassman. “They want to learn,” Coach Liz Candilora said, “They’re enthusiastic about the game. We don’t have individual players; we have each student athlete playing as a team.” The 2011-2012 volleyball captain is senior Crystal Freeman. Freeman has stated that she helps everybody out and guides them. “I’m a captain and a leader, so I lead my team.” The Lady Irish Volleyball team had
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also recently played in the Grace King Tournament on September 9 and 10. The annual tournament has been held by Grace King since 1975. 16 schools attended the tournament this year. The tournament is played out by four different pools. The Lady Irish came out second in their own pool with two wins and one loss. Each match played by both teams is won by reaching 25 points first, and each game is played best two out of three. In the final match, Slidell High School won, defeating De La Salle High School. This year, the team has been dropped from rank 5A to rank 4A. The decision was not affected by the football team’s own drop. The new change means that they will now be playing in district games. This drop creates difficulties with scheduling among the team. “We would like to have an extended season.” Candilora said, “We would like to come out first or second in the district so we can play in the state playoffs.” Nonetheless the team continues to practice every Monday through Friday. “I think the team’s phenomenal,” said freshman Isabella Cross, “It’s really fantastic!”
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Lady Irish volleyball team place second in host tournament
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Sports
Irish Eyes
Friday, September 23, 2011
Wrestling team gearing up for the season By Destiny Ponville Copy Editor
While the official wrestling season does not start until the beginning of October, the team is already working on getting better, including practices almost everyday, and working in the weight room to get stronger. While the team won district team champions last year, several students also won district champions in their weight classes, including Ricky Retana, Angello Medina-Perez, and Eric Broussard. “It felt great to win district. We were the first team since 1997 to win. And this year we plan on winning district again,� said junior Aiman Hamide. Some of the wrestlers on the team are even ranked in the state, including Medina-Perez, ranked second in the state at 113 pounds; Aiman Hamide, ranked fourth in state at 152 pounds; and Michael Rizzo, ranked fifth in the state at 285 pounds. Coach Roberto Furtado is very optimistic about the upcoming season. “I’ve got a lot more kids interested in wrestling, and they are in a much better shape than they were in years past. They
are also smarter as far as their technique on the mat.� The team is already off to a good start in the season. A few members of the team competed in a camp/ competition in Colorado this past summer. “It was a grueling, intensive camp for the kids. They spent about seven days working out intensively on some skills such as running up mountains. There was also three solid days of competition, so they were pretty worn out afterwards,� Furtado said. The team learned discipline, different methods of training, new techniques Nicholas de la Torre from college coaches, and had an opportunity to Junior Christian Heninburg trains on the peg board as part compete against schools of his crosstraining with members of the track team. from Colorado. Grace King was the only Louisiana school that to pinpoint one person who will shine this season. I have some leaders, such as competed. Teamwork was also something the Retana, Medina-Perez, and Ernesto Perez, team learned while in Colorado. “It’s hard but they shine as a group,� said Furtado. Nicholas de la Torre
The wrestling team traveled to Union Junction, Colorado over the summer. They had the opportunity to speak with national wrestling champion in Arizona State University s t u d e n t A n t h o n y Robles.
At the match with Megan Megan Waguespack
Managing Editor
Besides me, has it ever made anyone else wonder why students like to bash the Grace King Football team? If you are dissatisfied with the team’s performance and think you can do better than what the team is doing then join! Stop complaining and bashing this wonderful team and help them out by joining. Personally I think helping them out by supporting them with spirit will help. That’s all those boys want is for the school to be behind them while they do what they love. As Vice President of School Spirit this year, my job is to do exactly this. You don’t have to go to all of the games, although that would be nice, but even a nice “good luck at the game this week� will help. Yes I understand the football team hasn’t won in years, but what football team doesn’t go through a losing streak every now and then. Playing sports isn’t all about winning. Everyone has their bad days and their glory days. You can’t put them down just because of a few lost games. People just need to give this team the time to show the school what they can do. It’s like the saying ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day.’ Something as great as being a championship winning sports team takes time. Take the New Orleans Saints for example. Back during the years before and even after Hurricane Katrina people disliked the Saints so much because they were not winning. Then all of a sudden come February 7, 2010 every person in New Orleans jumped on the bandwagon because the New Orleans Saints had become Superbowl champions. I believe that just like the Saints, with the love, support, and spirit of the school, Grace King football can make an awesome comeback. Keep up the good work boys! You boys will always have my undying support!
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Friday, September 23, 2011
Opinions
Irish Eyes
Technology becoming obsolete at ever-increasing rate Without a doubt, this generation is seeing rapid advances in technology. From the Motorala DynaTACs to our new iPad 2s, we have taken a step towards a more effecient future. But these advances don’t come cheap. In my freshman year, every freshman was given a laptop for school and home use with the promise of continuation until senior year. It was said that every incoming freshman group (starting after the 2008-2009 group) would also be receiving laptops for school and home use. Unfortunately, this promise fell through. When sophomore year began, we did not receive our laptops, nor did the incoming freshmen. Instead, each hallway had a “laptop cart”. Teachers had to schedule days for their classes to use these laptops, and no student was allowed to bring one home. On the other hand, teachers were given laptops for school and home use. Now that senior year has started, the laptop ordeal is the last thing on my mind. But that doesn’t stop me from asking myself, “What happened to the laptops?” The laptops we once saw in “laptop carts” were nowhere to be seen in the school. As I know how much those laptops cost, I can see that it would take a lot money to provide for the technology program. Those laptops were said to have cost around $2000 each. With that price multiplied by around 1,300 students in the school, the program would require millions to provide the laptops and more to upkeep every one. In this day and age, nearly 80 percent of Americans say they never leave home without their cell phone, and a wireless device is carried by four out of every five teeangers. 57 percent of them consider their cell phone to be the key to their social life. My average bill is usually around $70 a month. Because of growing up financially stressed, I know just how much money that really is, whereas some people would consider that a very low bill because most people’s average bill is usually around $120. That amount would now include unlimited calling, unlimited messaging, and a data plan. The good thing about how technology advances is how technology has become more affordible consumerwise. I remember my dad spending around $2000 on an old desktop that ran Windows 95, and that was considered the average price you paid for a computer. Now, you can buy a well equpped computer for around $400.
WHAT?! My phone bill is $60?!
Anna Whitaker
Student expresses qualms over Apple products Eric Sheu
Layout Editor
I, like many, love Apple’s products. They’re probably known as one of the most innovative companies who introduce some of the best designs, but to me I feel there are a couple disadvantages to owning an Apple product. For one, the price of their products. Retail, the newest iPhone 4 starts at $650, unlocked and without a contract. If your buying it with a contract from AT&T or Verizon, its considerably lower, but you’ll be paying almost the same price with that two year contract your locked in and the required data and messaging plan. Plus, It doesnt even cost near $600 to make one iPhone. From
aTime Magazine article published in May of 2011, they broke down what it cost to make the iPhone 3GS. $61 of the cost was found to be from Japan, $7 from China, $11 from the U.S., $30 from Germany, $23 from South Korea, and $48 was unspecified. If you round up those figures and add labor, it totals up to $179. Deduct that from the original 3GS price of $500 and Apple makes around $321 everytime they sell an iPhone. Second, is the longivity of Apple’s products. I have seen Compaq laptops from 1998 still working while my 2004 Apple iBook G4 wont open sites like YouTube, Facebook and other many others. If you own Apple’s orginal iPhone or iPod Touch, you probably already know that Apple’s newest software updates are not supported on your device. Those products were released in 2007, only four years ago and Apple has already excluded them from any improvements. Last is how fast your product becomes the “old” iPhone or something like that.
Apple’s laptops are usually revised like any other company, but their iPhones or iPod are revised almost every year! Take the iPhone, during its introduction in 2007, we have seen three new iPhones in four years and we might see the fifth one very soon. This isn’t too drastic at first, but once you drop $500 on the phone then you notice that it isnt economical to buy one a new one every year and when the newest one comes out, you feel like could have waited just a little bit longer for it. Im not here to say that Apple is ripping you off and that you shouldn’t buy their products. There are positive reasons with buying Apple. I own an iPod Touch and a Macintosh and my Mac has been dropped on the floor two times. I feel their operating system, to me, works better than Windows, and their customer service is amazing. When my iPod had a problem it was fast, easy, and they replaced my iPod. All I’m saying is you should probably consider another brand than just Apple.
Senior has an appreciation for helpful criticism Leonel Castell
Features Editor
I’ve always fancied myself to be a bit of a media buff. My first and current job is at a video game store which ties in well to my hobby of collecting video games as well as movies, music, and pretty much all media in general. It’s always been the kind of thing I’ve been fascinated with as well as entertained by since I was just a little kid. That’s typically pretty normal for a lot of people my age, but what always set me apart is how particularly critical I am of media even if I really liked it.
It’s never satisfied me to just say “this is bad” or “this is awesome” and just leave it at that. I can’t help, but analyze everything and look for a number of reasons of what makes it bad or what makes it good. It comes to the point where I continually expect more and more from the things I review. You would think I’d hate this and that it just ruins things that I would otherwise like, but it really doesn’t. I think its fun to analyze media and point out what makes it as good as it is or vice versa. I tend to share these opinions with the people around me, for better or for worse, who typically don’t criticize everything nearly as much as I do. I listen to critics much more than anyone I know and usually don’t buy anything until I’ve read a couple of reviews. In fact I’ve frequently been told to become a critic which is becoming an increasingly lucrative career to me. A lot of people I know seem to generally not
WHEW! My phone bill is ONLY $60!
like critics of anything, especially when they give something they like a negative review, but I always found criticism to be a powerful and useful tool when used properly. Going into something you know nothing about only to find out that it’s bad and a waste of time and money is never fun. Reading reviews of something ahead of time that tell you what you are about to buy is really bad can save you a lot of trouble and you’ll probably end up being thankful for it. I usually always try to find the good in the things that I review and search for something that redeems it. As much as I try to remain objective it’s always hard for somebody to completely overcome their preferences. In the end though people just need to realize that a review is an opinion which is exactly what critics give, their opinion.
Irish Eyes Volume 44 No. 1 Irish Eyes is a monthly publication in conjunction with the journalism program at Grace King High School. It is a member of the Quill and Scroll Journalism Honor Society, the Columbia Scholastic Press Assocation, American Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association and the Louisiana Scholastic Press Association. Letters to the Editor are welcome and should be submitted to room 20-G. Irish Eyes reserves the right to edit any submissions. The views expressed in columns are those of the columnists. The views expressed in the editorial are those of the Editorial Board.
Editor-in-Chief Anna Whitaker Managing Editor Megan Waguespack Copy Editor Destiny Ponville Layout Editor Eric Sheu News Editor William Weisler Features Editor Leonel Castell Ads Manager Donquelle Theodore Opinions/Entertainment Editor Brianna Payne Photographer Nicholas de la Torre Adviser Thomas Curran
Student worried about safety during class change To be honest, I like the changes of this year. Lunch is shorter, but it has become less crowded. Now you don’t have to wait twenty minutes in line to get a sandwich, and you can walk outside without running into someone every five seconds. One major problem that we need to fix is the three minutes only rule. People sometimes have to get from one end of the school to the other and go to their lockers within three minutes. I am not saying it’s not possible, but I think it’s a bit dangerous for peopl e to be running in the halls, which, for some, is the only way to get to class on time. Jun Li, junior Athlete concerned about sport equipment I am a wrestler for this school and been at this game for four years. Every single day we get our mats, lay them out, and clean them with a mixture of water, chlorine, and mat soap. we make sure our team stays clean and clear to wrestle. Having our mats in the back by the old equipment is going to get our mats really dirty. With our mats being kept in such a filthy environment will harm our wrestlers and leave them ineligible to both wrestle and attend school. All I ask for is just to let the mats sit back in the corner so they will be clean. We are very well organized thanks to our Coach Furtado. Ricky Retana
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The three minutes to get to class; I have to run to be on time!
Mariam Khan
junior
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Drewcilla Steib
senior
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* In order to maintain the integrity of open forum, we are acknowledging the letters may not represent a balenced view.
Editor-in-Chief
Each and every one of us are known for something, rather it be true or false. These reuptations given to us by the immediate population can work magic or create disasters. I thought I had always been “the inivisible kid”. I felt as if I were doomed to live in the shadows since elementary school. I was never known for anything, really. I was smart, but never the smartest. I was funny, but never the funniest. The
list goes on. Because I never had that one extremity, I was just another face in the crowd. I blended in. But now in high school, things are different. You don’t have to have one extremity to be known anymore. More people know me now more than ever, but it’s not all for the same reasons. Some people know me as “the salutatorian” or “the overachiever”. Others know me as “the N64 nerd” or “techie”. Some even know me merely because of a slanderous rumor that went around about me. The point I’m making my way to is that in my high school experience, I’ve noticed that I’ve been judged based on what other people have said or heard about me. And I’m not standing for it anymore. My name is Anna Mozelle Whitaker, and I’m just a normal teenager trying to
figure out life. I’m not perfect, and I’m not a disaster. With the reputation of being “the overachiever”, I get attacked by peers if I don’t make a high grade on a test. With the reputation of being “perfectly innocent”, I get exaggerated shocked responses from peers when I let a not so innocent word slip from my mouth. The point is, these reputations I possess cause me enormous amounts of unnecessary stress. It makes me feel that I can’t truly be myself around anyone because they all expect me to behave in a certain manner or expect me to know certain things. Teachers, students, faculty... Anyone who’s really listening, please never judge a book based on its cover. There could be more or less than meets the eye. Please, take the time to get to know the person before jumping to conclusions. Thank you.
I like Independent Study because it gives me a chance to do my fourth period homework. Kashen Scott
sophomore
Upset senior discouraged by false reputations Anna Whitaker
The shoes because I bought two pairs of shoes for school and now I can’t wear them.
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Freshman concerned over being tardy to class My comment about this school is the amount of time we have between classes. My first block is on one end of the campus and my second block is on the other side. I am having some trouble getting to second block on time. I have to run from class to class to make sure I am not tardy. I just got my locker but I am unable to use it because there is no time between classes. Unless the school starts letting us go to out locker before school and/or during lunch, I do not know if I am ever going to actually use my locker. Also, I think the school should extend time between classes to five minutes so I am not trampling over everybody trying to get to class on time. Stephanie Dix, freshman
Which change had the greatest impact on you this year?
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Junior concerned over lack of math teacher I feel compelled to express my disappointment in what I consider to be one of the most capable public schools in the greater New Orleans area. Despite my attempts, there is nothing I could think of that could excuse Grace King’s inability to provide a math teacher capable of instructing its top students. I also don’t understand the recent changes in dress code. Dickies? Really? I have been a student her for the last two years and have never had to wear specific brand of khaki pants. After all of the hard earned money that my parents spent buying uniform shirts, pants, etc. for myself and my sister. Wearing a specific brand of pants for reasons not understood seems ridiculous. My mother just lost her job; she can’t afford buying new uniforms. I also don’t understand why I won’t be allowed to wear my Grace King student King student council sweaters that I bought from the school, last year. All evidence to the contrary, I can understand that the administration at King is trying to turn my school into a safer, more nurturing learning environment.
I just think we’re all going about the wrong way of doing it. Instead of focusing on minute details such as the issue concerning the pants, it would be more productive in the long run if the administration focused on the bigger picture and dealt with the problem accordingly. Instead of concentrating on whether or not your students are wearing the right brand of khakis, why not work on getting that math teacher that we so desperately need? Alex Korominas, junior
Speak Out
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Letters to the Editor Senior disappointed in changing administration Jefferson Parish thought they were doing Grace King a favor. Changing every administrator has only made students feel uncomfortable and distract them. On Thursday, Sept. 1, during Block 1, all the girls were called out of class and had their skirts measured. I personally felt violated and degraded. After, it was impossible to start a new lesson, which was the plan, because everybody was livid. To give over 300 detentions in the first hour of school is just a little bit ridiculous. It’s as if there’s nothing better to do. There should be plenty, due to the fact that we are now a turn around school. Enforcing the uniform will have no effect besides rebellion and anger. It’s the person inside the uniform you’re trying to change. You can’t teach kids who don’t want to learn. I feel embarrassed and disappointed to say I am graduating from Grace King. Senior year is the year that everyone looks forward to. I honestly can’t wait until it’s over. I couldn’t wait for the pep rallies, the ones student council work so hard on. We spend hours after school and now they’re cut short. I couldn’t wait to see the freshman officers get pied and even that was taken from us. I thought this year was going to be spirited? That’s a joke! Today, I served my first detention in my life. It’s unusual for someone in the top 10 percent of the senior class involved in so many activities to get detention Since my skirt was too short, the hem is now out and it will be stapled everyday. During detention, I could have been at home studying for the ACT on my only day off of work. Since I probably won’t do better than I did last time, I would personally like to thank you, Grace King, for wasting my time and ruining senior year. Shelbie Ford, senior
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Friday, September 23, 2011
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Opinions
Irish Eyes
The no hooded sweatshirt because I bought one for every club!
Alissa Bonnicksen
senior
12 Friday, September 23, 2011 Entertainment Students express musical creativity By Nicholas de la Torre Photographer
Grace King has a thriving music scene. From bands and artists like Awaken December, Jump the Sky, Carpe Diem, Walking Underwater, Last Flight Home, Alex Quintero, Reggie Carter, or Michael “MiC” Chatelaine, there’s no shortage of musically driven students at King. Junior Joey Dufrene and his band Awaken December are quickly gaining popularity in the local music scene. They have recently played at local venues like The Howling Wolf, The Bad Monkey, Ohana Pier, The Canvas venue, and The Cypress. They’ve won two battle of the bands at Ohana Pier and The Howlin’ Wolf. Their popular hardcore style of music already has a large base around the city and fans quickly took to them. Dufrene has been playing for four years. His main inspiration comes from family and friends. “The best advice was from my friend’s band called To Crown a King. One of their lyrics says ‘I’ll keep my head high.’ And that really tells me to hold my head high no matter what troubles I am going through because my friends and God will always be with me,” Dufrene said Like several other bands at King, Dufrene’s band plays hardcore music, a heavier version of rock music often using two vocalist, one who performs a mix of growls and screams and another clean vocalist. Determined to get their name out there, and start touring with some of their favorite signed bands on the Vans Warped Tour like “The Devil Wears Prada”, in the near future, they have an EP titled “Welcome to Waggaman”, a single called “Excuse Me Ma’am” and another single to be released in the near future. Freshman Alex Quintero is an eclectic musician who has been playing a variety of instruments. Some include
Irish Eyes
the guitar, harmonica, and piano. Quintero is also a vocalist you can find at lunch strumming away and singing some of his favorite songs. He also plays rhythm guitar and vocals for his church’s worship band. “Keep practicing, make sure you surround yourself with people who are better than you, and make sure you take breaks,” Quintero said. “ I take alot of my inspiration from Jeremy Mckinnon, and his band A Day to Remember, theres just so much talent behind Nicholas de la Torre them and I love their lyrics they have a song for every Drummer Joey Dufrene from Awaken December performs their new single, “Excuse Me Ma’am” situation, defiantely the at The Cypress. soundtrack to my life.” On his own Quintero mostly sings acoustic pop music said. Chatelain has been serious about music since his using and acoustic guitar and sometimes a keyboard set. Quintero makes covers of his favorite songs on Youtube freshman year and has already put out a professional and will be making his first trip to the studio soon to start music video for his song “I Cant Move” featuring former King student Tiara Thompson. Chatelain has even opened recording an EP. Michael “MiC’’ Chatelain is an up and coming MC, for big acts such as Twista. Chatelain’s genre of music is already putting out singles and a mix tape called “On popular especially in New Orleans. Chatelain’s goal is to Edge”. He has performed a couple times at venues such be signed by twenty one From drummers in a hardcore band just playing for the as the House of Blues and City Bar. “I want to revolutionize the rap industry and show thrill, all around musicians who play everything from the you dont have to talk about hoes and money to blow to guitar to the piano, or rappers trying to make the big time, make good rap music. all you need is the truth,” Chatelain you can find them here at King. Left: Michael Chatelain’s debut album “On Edge” was released in 2011.
Right: Awaken December performs “Twelve” at The Cypress, located at 3612 Hessmer Avenue.
Nicholas de la Torre
Irish Illustrations:
Student reflects on ‘missed’ past lunch
I hate this new lunch! Last year’s lunch was so much better! Don’t you remember?
Yes.
Illustrated by Marley Olavarrieta