Volume XVIV, No. 4
Thursday, January 7, 2010
San Rafael, CA
10 things to know about the upcoming year Pages 6-7
Top 9 in entertaiment of 2009 Page 10
New Years’ resolutions Page 3
This Year’s new clubs Page 5
Designed by Nishant Budhraja and Sarah Strand, background used with permission from Design With a Thought
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News
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Model UN prepares for Santa Barbara conference Max Weiss Sports Editor Model United Nations has begun preparations for its upcoming conference that is set to take place in Santa Barbara. The conference, which is scheduled for January 29th, will be the first of the year for the Marin Academy team and has generated excitement among the growing club. “I am really excited for our next conference,” said senior Emily Pascal, who has attended two Model UN conferences. For the Santa Clara conference, the team has been assigned to represent Iraq and the Russian Federationon on the topics of United Nations environmental program, Legal Council, Security Council, and the World Health Organization. This offers an interesting and challenging opportunity for the budding diplomats. “The more people you have, the better country is assigned to you,” said Pascal.
The club, which consists of 18 members, is split up into pairs of two. Each is assigned a topic and a UN committee, which they must study prior to the conference. In preparation for the conference, each team researches its country’s respective position on the assigned topic and writes a paper from the point of view of that country. During the 4-6 hour committee sessions, each team gives its speech to the other schools attending, or the delegation, and attempts to win over its opponents and gain support for its point of view. “[A good delegate] is someone who is aggressive and thinks on their feet. They need to convince other people that their point is correct,” said Senior Connor Van Gessel, who joined the club to put his “obsession with
what’s going on with the world to good use.”
will be voted upon and possibly approved by the other countries at the conference. Awards are presented to individuals by the moderators—college students— based on the accuracy of representation, the oratory skill and eloquence of the speakers, and the level of participation of team members. At last year’s conference, club leader Amanda Levensohn sat on the UNDP committee and debated the global hunger crisis as well as the development of mega cities as a delegate of Armenia. Her performance earned her the highest award possible: The Gavel. Despite past success, the club has struggled with lack Amanda Levensohn of funding. However, this setback has now been remThe purpose of the debate is to edied, as the MA administration ultimately write a resolution, with now directly finances Model UN. the help of allied countries, which
This support comes not only on the fiscal level but the emotional one as well. “The fact that the school is supporting us motivates us to do well and take the conference more seriously,” said Pascal. The administration’s support for the group comes in the form of Dean of Students Lynne Hansen. “It’s my first year involved, and I agreed because…I think the kids need to know they are being supported,” said Hansen. However, while Hansen assists Levensohn with the logistics that are involved in heading the group—such as making hotel reservations and submitting the necessary paperwork—she has nothing to do with helping the students prepare material for the conference. That responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of the students involved.
Additional reporting by Staff Writer Ruby James
New Year’s resolutions: students and faculty take on 2010 Eric Slamovich and Jacob Salant Staff Writers
To get yoked. - Patrick Ebke To get more exercise and spend more time outdoors. - Betsy Muir I want to sky dive. - Cindy Nguyen To treat my family with respect. - Dashon Harris I promise to add more specimens to my rock collection. - Lawrence McDonald To swim at least three times a week. - Kevin Reese Achieve the grades needed to stand out for lacrosse recruiting. - Sommer Stein To get better at jerking. - Nachi Conde Farley To learn how to do a cartwheel.- Jazzy Hulett To read 40 books this year, so after 25 years I’ll have read 1000 books. - Peter Poutiatine To focus more and procrastinate less. - Daniel Pulgram To get enough sleep. - Talia Krahling To dominate basketball. - Davey Oseroff I will be the ultimate second semester senior. - Danielle LaRoy To organize a bike race in Marin. - Gray Bender To enjoy myself as much as possible and to eat as much as possible. - Emily Lewis
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Features
January 7, 2010
Romance on campus: the nature of today’s relationships
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(PDA). “It is an important part of any relationship,” said junior Miles McCreary , “because when a couple shows PDA it demonstrates that those people are comfortable enough with each other and with their relationship to be affectionate, even in public.” There is, however, a widely accepted limit to what is and is not appropriate for school. “There is a certain boundary oto
As the temperature cools down, romance on campus is heating up. The second semester begins with couples throughout all four grades at Marin Academy. These love-birds can be seen on their way out to lunch, spotted canoodling in the hallways or changing their relationship status on Facebook to “in a relationship.” “Anytime you get 400 young people together for an extended period of time relationships are bound to happen,” said Dean of Students Lynne Hansen. The reason for wanting to be in a relationship during high school varies from individual to individual. “I wanted to be in a relationship to have someone who cares for me [who] I care about in return,” said junior Nancy Degnan. “The feeling of stability that comes with being in a relationship is something that I really like.” “[My girlfriend and I] watch anime movies on the late nights, play ping pong, and eat food together,” said senior Davey Oseroff. While the reasons for wanting a partner differ, the expectations of being in a relationship are generally consistent. In a generation that has been frequently characterized by lack of monogomy, it is important to understand the difference between “hooking up” and “going out.” “Hooking up is purely sexual,” said senior Nachi Conde-Farley, “but when people are interested in each other for more than just
physical relations and truly care for the happiness and well-being of their [partner], then that is going out.” According to some students, commitment is one of the most important aspects of being in an exclusive relationship. “[My girlfriend and I] are exclusive,” said sophomore Keegan Cohen “We both like each other and it is more than just physical attraction.” When a couple is going out, it is common that the affection is expressed through public displays o f a ff e c t i o n
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Katie Eiseman Staff Writer
of what is acceptable to show,” said junior Desiree Wattis, “and when that boundary is crossed, it is devaluing the emotion behind the action because it is no longer sacred or private.” In the eyes of the faculty, the PDA boundary has yet to be crossed. “I can’t remember the last time we had a serial PDA offense,” said Hansen. “People get it here,” said Senior Dean and history teacher Bill Meyer. “There is so much respectful open physical interaction between friends and couples that I wouldn’t want to sacrifice in order to crack down on inappropriate behavior.” The freshmen have also noticed the respectful and loving tone that the older grades have set as an example. “Hugging and PDA are part of the culture here,” said freshman Sam Korol. A relationship at MA is, in many ways, similar to a relationship at any other high school. “The starting dynamic [of a relationship] is always the same no matter what school you are at,” said Alex Jacks ’11 “It is going to be awkward and intimidating!” However, because of the size of the school, parts of a relationship are different than at a larger school. “Relationships outside of school are essentially between two people,” said junior Lauren Phipps . “At MA, they are between two individuals… and the other 400 students here.”
5 Tips for Healthy High School Relationships 1. Communication “Communicate, because otherwise the relationship just fails completely. It’s all about getting to know the person really well, so you should always start by talking.” - senior Margot Reisner 2. Honesty “Always be honest. Acknowledge your relationship for what it is and establish a basis for always being honest. That way, there is not mounting tension about something that is not said.” - senior Will Fraker 3. Spontaneity “Keep it interesting. Don’t fall into a routine where you never have anything to talk about and are always doing the same thing. Go on fun and interesting dates.”- senior Dex Carvey 4. Question the state of your relationship “Do you feel like you honor yourself when you are with them? Do you feel safe? Can you tell them when you are uncomfortable?” - Dean of Multicultural Life Sanjai Moses 5. Making time for each other, but also have your own life “It’s important to have time to just hang out and see each other, but it’s also really important to have time where you can be alone/with other friends. Both of those in moderation, I think, really help.” - junior Sam Abernathey
A typical high school relationship timeline compiled by Op-Ed Editor Amanda Levensohn
The physical attraction between you and your crush is undeniable. It may appear as if you have developed a twitch, as you will constantly be looking over shoulder to see if that special someone happens to be looking at you. 1 week: The random hook up
You and your special friend are not dating, but it is clear that your relationship is exclusive and budding. This is a period where you begin to receive awkward stares and smiles from your peers.
1 month: The exclusive hook up
For the two people involved in the relationship, this will be the most fun part of the relationship, however, it is painful for everyone around them. The constant PDA (public displays of affection) and always being seen with each other begins to annoy friends. This can result in extreme or permanent damage to friendships. Cell phones are key, as you must have a picture of your significant other and be accessible via text messaging and phone at all times. 6/7 months: The hopeless romantic stage
At this point a couple knows whether they are make it or break it. College in the near future poses a dark shadow over the relationship. Couples are no longer overly obsessed with each other and can enjoy hanging out with each other and friends at the same time. Most couples will choose to stay together indefinitely, break up after graduation, or have an open relationship until after college. 1-2 years: Make it or break it
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January 7, 2010
Operations staff keeps campus functioning properly Neha Budhraja and Marshall Levensohn Staff Writers Ever wondered who picks up that cafeteria cup you left in the hallway? Who sets up all the chairs in the gym for special assemblies? Why your jacket always ends up in the lost and found? You can thank the operations staff- the true heroes of our school. MA’s campus is larger than average high schools. Throw in 400 teens all thinking, questioning, and creating at once and the mess is inevitable. Luckily, the operations staff, comprised of the maintenance and janitorial crews, is well equipped to tackle a plethora of duties. “We, as a team, are responsible for the daily operation of the school as well as its short and long term care,” said Michael Morris, Director of Facilities, Operations, and Outside Services. “Maintaining the school’s mechanical systems, organizing energy conservation and sustainability efforts,
and running the in-house safety programs are only a few of the jobs we perform.” The janitorial and maintenance personnel function on complex
pus and are commonly recognized as, “the guys who ride around on golf carts”. The four of them have to be ready on a moments notice to fix any mechanical issues and they
schedules in order to complete all the necessary repairs around the school. The maintenance employees work specifically on the cam-
also maintain the school’s plants and beauty. “We do a little bit of everything,” said Maintenance Supervi-
sor Alejandro Higareda. “Broken windows, plumbing and electrical issues. Set ups for events are also a big part of it.” The janitorial crew, which is
Graphic by Anna Kelly
employed from Building Care Systems, works a different shift, arriving at school at 5 p.m. and occasionally working until passed
midnight. “Each of the six employees is assigned to an area of the campus as they help sanitize the bathrooms, halls, classrooms, and all the other buildings on campus,” said Morris. The staff tends to lock the doors once they start cleaning, but they accommodate students and teachers that need access to the buildings. The Maintenance and Janitorial staffs work hand-in-hand to insure that daily events run smoothly. “Situations do come up where they can’t get to a certain area before an event, say a concert in the theatre at 3 p.m. That’s before [the janitors] shifts so we have to go in and clean the bathrooms, any floors, and vacuum the carpets in the theatre,” said Higadera. Many on the operations crew share a passion for the work that they do daily. “To come in to work at MA everyday is one of those things I look forward to,” said Higadera. “And I like to think of what I can do to improve it even more.”
New clubs on campus GROW, causing students to THINK Anna Kelly Staff Writer This year, two new clubs known as G.R.O.W. and THINK are being introduced to Marin Academy. Global Role of Women, or G.R.O.W., lead by juniors Olivia Howard and Ruby James, and advised by science teacher Celeste Zimmermann and human development teacher Charis Denison, was designed to create a safe environment where students can talk about issues pertaining to the role of women in society and is not an affinity group. “The objective of the club is to generally promote discussions about gender, both in our community and around the world,” said Zimmermann. Howard and James were inspired to start the club after seeing that there was a lack of conversation about gender roles in the school’s community.
“We realized that we needed to start a club to really be able to facilitate these discussions about gender roles.” said Howard. “Also, Ruby and I both did our museum projects on women’s rights, which really inspired us to get involved.” There was a large turnout at the club’s first meeting, and both of the leaders were happy with the outcome. “Olivia and Ruby are very organized and passionate, and because of their efforts the first meeting went great,” said Zimmermann. The leaders have also set some goals for Photo by Anna Kelly the future of the club. Ruby James and Olivia Howard, founders of the G.R.O.W. club.
“We are planning to create a pen pal organization with a girl’s school in Africa, which will hopefully bring our efforts to a global level,” said Howard. THINK is another new club on campus and is lead by senior Jackson Wolf and junior Lucy McCullough. It was designed to create a place where students could openly talk about their political views. “The goal of the club is to promote diversity of thought at MA,” said McCullough. “We decided to start a club that really asks the members of the school to think deeply and
diversely because a lot of the opinions here are very similar.” The club has had two meetings so far, which have mainly introduced the norms of the club’s discussions and beginning to have general conversations. “We are planning on covering more specific [topics] during the next few meetings,” said McCullough. The leaders of THINK hope that by facilitating these discussions about political views, students will feel comfortable sharing possibly controversial ideas. “We really hope that by forming this club and asking the MA community to think critically, we will be expanding the overall diversity of the school,” said McCullough. “Also, we hope to gain some publicity surrounding THINK club and hopefully gain some more members.”
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Scheduled for Feb. 9-13, this year’s Macworld Expo is highly anticipated due to the potential unveiling of a new Apple product: the iTablet. This famed device has already seen numerous fan-made renditions, and websites like macrumors.com claim to have insider information confirming its existence. Magazines such as Wired have gone so far as to create content that will be suitable for the device prior to its official announcement by Apple. Set to be priced somewhere between an iPod and a MacBook, the iTablet will supposedly be a flat, portable computer, and is said to operate on a touchscreeen interface, much like the iPhone and iPod touch.
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The Olympic Games will be held in Vancouver, Canada, and will take place Feb. 12-28. The Vancouver Olympic Committee has gathered 25,000 volunteers to help facilitate the games, and the Canadian government has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to update venues and transportation systems. Notable athletes from the United States include snowboarder Shaun White and figure skater Sasha Cohen. In the 2006 Olympics, White earned a gold medal in the Men’s Halfpipe event. After winning a silver medal in the 2006 Olympics, Cohen will be looking for her first gold medal in an Olympic event.
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In June 2009, the MA Strategic Planning Task Force adopted a strategic plan for the next five years. 2010 will be the first full year that this plan, due for completion in March, will be in place. The strategic plan focuses on the five lenses of sustainability: 21st Century Education, Citizenship, Community, Environmental Stewardship, and Financial Stewardship. MA’s goal is to achieve financial sustainability, which includes growing its endowment so that the school can continue to deliver quality education while making that education financially accessible to all students who are a good fit for MA. The school strives to teach students leadership skills and citizenship ethics and to make the curriculum interdisciplinary, collaborative, and experiential. The plan will also include an outline of new school facilities sustainably designed by Ratcliff Architects.
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April 9, 2010 is estimated to be the day when the world population reaches exactly 7 billion people. By late 2009, the world population was estimated by the US Census Bureau to be 6.8 billion people and is expected to keep growing. Two years ago the world population was estimated to stop increasing by 2050, but recently the United Nations predicted that it will continue to build. This is due to an increase in rates of childbirth throughout the world and especially in industrialized nations. Today, the three countries with the highest populations are China with 1.3 billion people, India with 1.2 billion people, and the U.S. with 300 million people.
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President Obama’s first State of the Union Address will likely focus on the central undertakings his administration has championed over the course of the past year. Key topics will likely include: healthcare reform, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the war in Afghanistan, and the United States’ deteriorating relationship with Iran. President Obama has announced that he will mainly focus on the current economic state, especially the growing deficit. A central piece of his speech will likely be rhetoric on reducing the national debt, which is already over 12 trillion dollars.
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In 2001, the European Union initiated the 2010 Biodiversity Target, causing the increasing loss of biodiversity around the planet to be thrust onto the global stage. According to the EU, the Target aims to “achieve a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss” on a global scale. The Biodiversity Target has become fully integrated into the Millennium Development Goals, a list of eight goals to better the world adopted in September of 2000 by the United Nations. The environmental sustainability goal, in which the 2010 Biodiversity Target is incorporated, falls seventh on the list, between combating HIV/AIDS and global partnership. Because of the Biodiversity Target, the UN named 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity. In doing so, the UN is seeking to raise awareness of the importance of conserving biodiversity and enhance public knowledge of how to combat threats to biodiversity.
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Constitutionally mandated every ten years, the U.S. Census determines, by population, the number of seats in the House of Representatives per state and the number of electoral votes allocated to each state in the presidential election. It also determines how $400 billion per year in federal funding will be distributed among the states. The 2010 Census is surrounded by controversy over Obama’s decision to have the White House oversee the census rather than the Commerce Department, which has traditionally managed it. Opponents to this decision call it an attempt to politicize the census, or skew the results in favor of blue states, particulary in a year where Republican states have shown the most growth. New statistical techniques, such as sampling, will be used to estimate unaccounted people (those who are not at home or who are undocumented immigrants) and urban minorities. Another change this year is that same-sex couples who self-identify as married, regardless of their legal status, will be counted as such. The Obama administration also repealed the policy that prohibited the Census Bureau from reporting data on same-sex relationships.
There are two movies coming out in 2010 that will be sure to gross millions of dollars and attract a large amount of media attention. “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 1,” and “Eclipse,” the third installment of the Twilight movies, are virtually guaranteed to be box office hits. “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 1” is scheduled for release on Nov. 19, 2010 and “Eclipse” is scheduled for June 30, 2010. The most recent Harry Potter movie grossed $301.9 million while the newest Twilight movie, “New Moon”, grossed $247.9 million in it’s opening weekend. “I definitely like the Harry Potter books and movies better than the Twilight series. I have been reading Harry Potter since I was really young, so I have been a fan for a long time. I do like the Twilight series though because they’re fun to read and the movies are good, but they still aren’t as good as Harry Potter, ” sophmore Sharanya Venkataraman said.
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On Nov. 2, 2010, the entire House of Representatives and 36 seats of the Senate will be up for election. A recent nationwide poll conducted by CNN revealed that 75% of voters disapprove of the current Congress’ performance. A poll conducted on Nov. 22, 2009 by Rasmussen Reports, a major polling organization, revealed that for every five people that would vote for a Democrat in Congress, six would vote for a Republican. This result is a complete reversal of the ratio from a year ago when Democrats swept the congressional and presidential elections. The shift in voter sentiment may indicate dissatisfaction with President Obama’s agenda. If these trends continue through November 2010, Democrats will likely lose seats in Congress, thus affecting Obama’s ability to move forward his initiatives.
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The FIFA World Cup is an international men’s soccer competition hosted every four years. In 2010, the 19th World Cup will take place in South Africa from June 11 to July 11. This will be the first time that the tournament has been hosted by an African nation. However, the FIFA World Cup promises to be more than a sporting event. The South African government has taken advantage of this opportunity to invest in the infrastructure of the country in order to ensure that the event is a resounding success. In Nov. 2006 the African Legacy Program was developed in order to ensure that the country meets one of its greatest goals for the World Cup: creating a legacy for the African continent. The program has pushed the preparation for the World Cup to be a continent-wide endeavor. To further ensure that the games have a lasting impact, South African host cities and organizers have pledged to make the World Cup a green event.
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Written and compiled by Claire Fox, Jamie Muresanu, Olivia Powers, and Sarah Tillman Layout by Nishant Budhraja and Sarah Strand
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Opinion
January 7, 2010
Past, present, and future, student campaigning As the next decade dawns, it is natural to look into the future – but it is equally important to consult and learn from the past. The events of 2009 inspired students to reach a new level of involvement in the school community as well as the world around them.Whether the issues were global or more confined to Marin Academy, it is valuable that this activism continues into the new year and beyond. But, a happy medium must be reached in covering issues and dissecting them. If students are over immersed in topics their activism will only decline. MA has always been an involved community, and members care about a wide variety of subjects and causes. In 2009, the involvement of students was amplified with the Presidential Election. People volunteered relentlessly for the Obama campaign, wore Obama paraphernalia, and kept up-to-date on any Obama related news. After he won the
election, the whole school gathered to watch the inauguration in lieu of regular classes. As Obama settled into the White House, political engagement at MA bagan to dwindle — but the awareness of the world outside our school remained. Student activism reached beyond politics as well. Recently, there has been a clear resurgence in major school organizations such as EcoCouncil and Peer Resources. EcoCouncil’s second annual Green Festival was a great success, yet the group also took on a new event: 350. EcoCouncil encouraged students to reduce their environmental impact in hopes of returning to the healthy level of 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Peer Resources’ Communications Evening was also well supported, overflow-
the addition of the BBLC, and they have taken it upon themselves to preserve the quirky energy MA has seen in its students for years. Unfortunately, MA is not necessarily on course to preserve these developing aspects of the community. Another major aspect of 2009 was the fatigue students exhibited after hearing the same issues over and over again. Amanda Levensohn Though most students have been taught to care ing the theatre and exposing many about the environment, important issues. they avert their ears when it is time The most over-arching aspect of to listen to yet another EcoCouncil 2009 was the resurgence of school announcement. Similarly, students spirit: sports bleachers were not as became so overwhelmed by all the empty, senior camaraderie was ram- political activity during early 2009 pant, and the Circle was reborn. This that many have now taken a hiatus year’s graduating class was the last to from any involvement at all; Young experience long-term head Bodie Bri- Democrat’s Club had to shut down zendine and the school grounds before due to lack of student interest. An-
other saddening observation is that students seem to pick between MA and the world around them. They have time for global issues or school spirit, but exhibiting both concurrently is often too much to bear. Overall, 2009 has represented interesting shifts in attitude; many issues have pulled students off campus and into world awareness, while others have kept students insular in their personal school environment. But, a dichotomy cannot be drawn between localism and globalism – members of the community can find aspects of both in their lives. If anything from 2009 carries into 2010, it should be the interest and balance people have found between their own niches and the greater world around them. However, care must also be taken to the nature in which school and world issues are covered; they must be dealt with in moderation. After all, we heard it the first time.
Party at the podium: the president’s view from the top marin academy voice 1600 Mission Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901 http://courses.ma.org/voice/voice.html The Marin Academy Voice is a student-run newspaper published free from faculty or administrative censorship or prior review. Unsigned editorials represent the views of the entire staff. Columns represent the views of the writer, not necessarily those of this paper. If you have any questions or would like to receive The Voice, please send a request to voice@ma.org. Staff Editors-in-Chief Sarah Strand Nishant Budhraja News Editor Olivia Powers Features Editor Julia Herbst Op-Ed Editor Amanda Levensohn Sports Editor Max Weiss A&E Editor Sara Morgan Faculty Advisor Mary Collie
Hossain Albgal Neha Budhraja Riley Champine Katie Eisemen Claire Fox Avery Hale Ruby James Jennifer Katz Anna Kelly Marshall Levensohn Olivia Lloyd Andrew Miller Jamie Muresanu Berk Norman Sam Pritzker Isaac Scott Eric Slamovich Lauren Thomas Sarah Tillman Alec White Jackson Wolf
Nishant Budhraja Editor-in-Chief I have viewed MA from various perspectives. I have seen MA from the viewpoint of an 8th grade shadow, I have seen MA from the viewpoint of a Crossroads teacher, and I have seen MA from the viewpoint of an athlete. Yet, of all the different lenses from which I have examined the MA community, my favorite point of view is at the podium where I help kick off assemblies. Believe me, it can be difficult being up in front of the entire school at assembly. When I decided to run for Student Body President, I never really took into account how hard it is to try and direct 400 of your peers in an assembly format every other day. I am still working on my public speaking skills, and have yet to develop the force necessary to silence our boisterous assembly crowds. Quite frankly, I still get nervous every time I go up to the front of assembly. Recently, however, I’ve taken
a little bit of a different approach with regards to running assemblies. You may notice that often times I simply stand at the podium and look out into the crowd as I wait for people to settle down. This lazy gaze seems very nonchalant, but in reality, I am watching you all quite intently. Why? Because what I see astounds me every single time. When I stare out from the podium at the front of assembly, I see a cohesive group of high school students, who, though they are different in so many ways, find a way to build a sense of camaraderie and community that is unique to our school. I look out into the crowd and I see friend groups intermixed and dispersed throughout the bleachers, random people giving each other high-fives, and teachers and students chatting it up. I see ridiculous costumes (even on nonSpirit Days), crazy banners and signs, and lots of hugs and happiness. I see energy, excitement, and enthusiasm; I see laughter, love, and liveliness. It could be the day
before Thanksgiving or the middle of Review Week, but the joie de vivre that our community brings to every assembly never fails to astonish me. This level of sheer happiness and sense of community is one that defines the MA experience. High school students can so easily become wrapped up in all of the inconsequential details: the drama, the grades, the colleges. While MA certainly is not immune to obsession with minutia, students here are at least cognizant and appreciative of the more important things in life: the friendships, the experiences, and the happiness. This understanding is at its height during assemblies, where students actively participate, whether listening intently in the crowd or speaking up at the podium, in building a community of lifelong relationships. To be able to see this process in action is one of the greatest privileges that I am granted by the view from the podium.
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Opinion
January 7, 2010
Green movement dichotomizes students Hossain Albgal Staff Writer Imagine the quintessential environmentalist. What is this person wearing? What is this person driving? What about this person makes her such a loved child of Mother Nature? Money. Today, the “green” in the green movement refers to more than just trees. The green movement has evolved from an effort to protect earth into an elitist culture. Today, green is the new black; green fashion includes $250 pairs of organic-cotton pants and $100 shoes made of sustainable fabric. The $35,000 hybrid is not so much an energy-efficient car as it is a badge of cultural identity, an article of fashion that says, “Hey look. I’m hip. I’m current.” The green culture has become an exclusive community
that requires a lot of money to gain acceptance to. One of the best examples of how money and environmentalism work together is carbon offsets. Can you drive a Hummer, eat nothing but imported food, and take monthly vacations to Aus-
tralia while remaining carbon neutral? With carbon offsets you can. By purchasing these intangibles, anyone can obtain a guilt-free pass, regardless of how ungreen his or her lifestyle may be. When a person purchases these offsets, the money is used to fund projects aimed at helping the earth. Carbon offsets deafen the calls to change because, as it stands now, people don’t need to change. They can continue to ravage the air with the emissions of their Hummer, just as long as they have enough money to buy these intangibles. Environmentalists often pride themselves in their di-
etary localism, but on a larger scale, the system envisioned by these self-proclaimed “locavores” is not only expensive but also impractical. For farmers, it is much too expensive to go through the necessary requirements to maintain a green-movement-worthy farm. Feeding cattle grass instead of corn, obtaining a license from the FDA, maintaining an environmentally friendly farm - all incredibly expensive to do. Thus, locally grown meat tends to be very pricey, and if large-scale communities were to demand it, there would not be enough to accommodate all of them. “Preposterous!” my environmentally friendly readers will say. “You’re not required to participate in the movement. “ Au contraire. I am required to stand under a blazing hot sun crammed between my English teacher and a freshman to form a 350 during a global movement that I never asked to participate
in. I am required to sit through an assembly where my school’s cafeteria is featured in a movie to raise environmental awareness, but I am not included in the film because it costs money. It costs $8.50 a plate to be seen on the film, and I was once again forced to remember that I couldn’t afford to help the earth. I am required to think about the green movement every time I walk into the cafeteria or parking lot. Until environmentalism is reformed on a systemic level, it will remain downright elitist to shove the movement down people’s throats. I’m not asking the MA-environmentalist faction to discontinue its efforts in behalf of good Mother Earth, but please stop throwing the high price tags of the green movement in our face, knowing full well that some of us cannot afford to buy into it. Graphic by Anna Kelly
Independent study explores the roots of capitalism Sydney Weisbach Guest Writer The world is currently going through one of the most influential economic upheavals in history. The recession is constantly on the news and the front pages of newspapers. Hearing so much about the economic meltdown sparked my interest in what exactly created the crisis. Since our school does not offer an economics class, I created an independent study course: Globalization and Economics in the 21st century, to try and answer some of my questions. Through my research I have discovered that the crisis was not entirely due to predatory lending as the media has made it out to be, but has its roots in fundamental economic theories. In 1723 Adam Smith was born in Scotland, and became one of the first contemporary economists. He theorized that to attain wealth
for the whole nation, not just the monarchs and aristocracy, a system of perfect liberty needed to be developed. This system was called Capitalism. Smith believed that if every man was “atomized”, or individualized, they would follow a career for their own selfinterest and security. Instead of the privileged minority dictating what would be made and how, the consumer would decide what they wanted to buy and what services they needed. Hence the market would be self regulated by the demand and production, creating a system that was dependent upon consumerism. Today, society encourages us to consume beyond the capacity of what the earth can produce, in order to have a profitable and growing economy. In the recent collapse, a major problem that the market must facing is that people are consuming less because they can no longer afford to buy as they
had before. People are only buying the necessities, and are cutting back on items that they can live without. Capitalism however thrives off people consuming large quantities; now that we aren’t buying as much, the system is faltering. For the world to become sustainable, changes must be made in order to reduce the dependency of economic growth upon human consumption of natural resources. The world has reached the brink of self destruction because humans are straining the Earth’s capacity to provide for all of its inhabitants.
is actually exacerbating the situation more by feeding the linear system of consumption. Although buying these products that are less harmful for the environment is helping reduce the impact of the environmental crisis, the core of this issue is our consumer based lifestyle that is perpetuated by our economy. Smith never foresaw the Industrial Revolution and the effect it has had on the rapid growth of population and wealth. Maybe his theory brought too much wealth to the whole nation and it has given us the opportunity and excuse to consume the way we do. What you buy may Amanda Levensohn be “green” and “sustainable” but the current system As we buy electric cars, recycled of capitalism is as dirty as paper notebooks, organic produce, burning coal. and eco-friendly cleaning supSubmissions are not edited for plies to save the environment this content and structure
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A&E
January 7, 2010
Top 9 of 2009; the best in cinema, music, and literature Movies Precious Who: Starring Gabourey Sidibe, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz and Mo’nique. Release Date: November 6, 2009 Why you should see it: Mariah Kerry can act. Who knew? Yet her powerful performance is only one of many acting gems in Precious. First time actress Sidibe is stellar in her portrayal of a 16-year old girl named Precious, pregnant by her father for the second time. Mo’nique is also strong as Precious’ abusive mother. While the pacing of the movie is often extremely slow, the raw emotions captured by this unlikely group of actors makes this a must-see movies of 2009.
Albums The Rebirth Who: Lil’ Wayne Release Date: December 21, 2009 Why you should buy it: Lil’ Wayne’s latest album marks an artistic evolution for the Grammy Award-winning rapper. Eschewing his trademark hip-hop for an electric guitar, Lil’ Wayne uses The Rebirth as a platform for a whole new style of music that takes his newfound skills on the strings and pairs it with his digitally enhanced voice. If you were a fan of “Hot Revolver”, this album will have more of the same rock/hip-hop fusion. If you were looking for something more along the lines of Tha Carter III, Weezy has you covered too. With a track list 20-songs long and an infusion of multiple genres, this is a must-own for any Wayne fan.
The Fame Monster: Who: Lady Gaga Release Date: November 18, 2009 Why you should buy it: It’s hard to believe that Lady Gaga only entered the pop spotlight in 2008; with her catchy lyrics, strong personality and, extremely, um… memorable outfits, she’s rocketed to stardom in a remarkably short time. While her lyrics may not be revolutionary, there’s not denying how catchy her songs are. Standout songs in “The Fame Monster” include “Bad Romance” and “Telephone” which features the illustrious Beyoncé. The quirkiness of Gaga’s personality and the strength of her work as a performance artist make this album a 2009 essential.
Written by Nishant Budhraja
Where the Wild Things Are Who: Directed by Spike Jones, staring Max Records Release Date: October 16, 2009 Why you should see it: Spike Jones and the cast of “Where the Wild Things Are” had a terrific challenge at the outset of production of this movie. Yet they were able to turn a short picture book by Maurice Sendak into a full-length movie without disappointing their nostalgic fans. In this aspect, the film was a clear success. It was true to the original plot while and engaging with witty dialogue and sincere acting. The frequent frightening moments mean this movie is not appropriate for young children but for everyone else, this movie is a definite essential movie for 2009.
Writing by Julia Herbst
Up: Who: Starring the voices of Edward Asner, Christopher Plummer, Bob Peterson and Jordan Nagai. Directed by Pete Docter. Release Date: May 29, 2009 Why you should see it: Pixar and Disney have done it once again. “Up” is a charming story about an old man and a young “Adventure Scout” who travel to Paradise Falls, South America in a house held airborne by thousands of helium balloons. . The engaging plot, funny dialogue, spectacular animation and comical characters such as the pack of talking dogs make this movie a treat for moviegoers of all ages.
It’s Blitz (Deluxe Edition) Who: Yeah Yeah Yeahs Release Date: March 10, 2009 Why you should buy it: It is hard to to label the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I’ve heard their music them labeled “alternative”, “avant-rock,” and “art-punk”. But none of these labels seem to adequately express exactly what the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s do. Their latest CD “It’s Blitz” alternates between pounding disco rhythms (see tracks “Zero” and “Heads will Roll”) and delicately meandering acoustic numbers such as “Little Shadow”. The solid drumming by drummer Brian Chase and guitar playing of Nick Zinner lay a powerful backdrop for the flexible voice of lead singer Karen O. Overall, his CD is a brilliant next step for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs as it eloquently depicts the synergy the group has developed since their first EP in 2001.
Books Beautiful Creatures By: Margaret Stohl, Kami Garcia Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Fiction Beautiful Creatures is set in South Carolina, in a town called Gatlin. One protagonist Lena Duchannes lives there and for generations, her family has struggled with a power that Lena must keep secret. The other protagonist, Ethan Wate, is a senior in high school who desperately wants to leave Gatlin. When Lena moves to a house close to him, Ethan is drawn to her. Beautiful Creatures includes historical references such as description of old plantations and a focus on a locket from the Civil War. If you are interested in southern history, or mystery, this is the book for you.
The Maze Runner By: James Dashner Genres: Horror, Science Fiction In this novel, the protagonist Tom awakens and realizes that he has forgotten everything except his first name. He discovers he is not the only one suffering from memory loss when he meets other boys who have no recollection of their past. They welcome him into the Glade, a green area in the center of a labyrinth. When a girl arrives in the Glade adventures follow quickly. In a way, The Maze Runner is similar to Lost because it involves characters in mysterious situations who do not know their future. So for those who like suspense, science fiction and Lost (or would if all the questions were answered,) this is the book for them.
Writing by Alec White
Olive Kitteridge By: Elizabeth Strout Genres: Family, Fiction This book won the 2009 Pulitizer Prize for Fiction. It consisnts of a collection of thirteen intertwined short stories focusing on the life of Mainer Olive Kitteridge and her family over the span of 30 years. The book begins when she is a 7th Grade math teacher while her husband is a pharmacist. The story also follows her son Christopher as he becomes a man, gets married and starts a family. Olive Kitteridge flourishes with intense feelings, whether it may be depression, regret or love. Even when a short story appears to have a sad ending, there is always a bright spot of hope. This book would especially appeal to those who care about family and want a deep serious read.
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A&E
January 7, 2010
Poetry Slam moves forward after recent controversy Olivia Lloyd Staffwriter
Students and teachers shuffle into the theater. The lights go down. Seniors Tennessee Mowrey and Melanie De Shadarevian take the stage, triggering applause and enthusiastic yells. The crowd and the performers surge with energy. The Poetry Slam Finals begin. Since its foundation in the spring of 2001, the Poetry Slam and its culture have been constantly evolving. Alison Park, a former English teacher, and veteran English teacher and current Poetry Slam faculty advisor Jim Baldwin started the Poetry Slam as a small competition between their poetry
classes. After two years of small slams between classes, alumni Phil Robinson ‘01 and Maya Craig ’02 introduced Poetry Slam to the rest of the community. During the Literary Festival of 2003, Poetry Slam gained attention and became more of a schoolwide event. “There have been people back through the years who have sort of taken over the student leadership role with no Anna Kelly official go ahead,” said Baldwin, “They just love it, and so they do it.” Modeled after the National Poetry Slam, a competition where poets are scored by judges from the audience based on both the nature of their writing as well as how
well they present their message in the performance. Poetry Slams are meant to provide students with the opportunity to practice writing and performance skills in front of a peer audience. Though each new leader has had a different perspective on the image Poetry Slam should project, the core values have remained. “After that first slam that I participated in spring of sophomore year, it became like a drug,” said current Poetry Slam co-leader Melanie De Shadarevian, “Honestly doing the slam once gets you hooked.” Since current co-leaders, Tennessee Mowrey and De Shadarevian became involved with Poetry Slam in their sophomore years, the spirit of the event has transformed. “Students were using the slam to shock others and just make the slam a complete scam and circus,” said De Shadarevian. Controversial issues are still brought up at the slams, but slammers have become more conscious of what words are and are not necessary to get the point across. Now, slammers are making an effort to
use offensive and controversial language only when it is imperative to communicate the message of the poem. “I see poetry slams as legitimately performance poetry,” said Mowrey, “as opposed to an opportunity to say, even in a way that’s social commentary, things that you want to be provocative.” The shift in the Poetry Slam policy is the result of a couple of incidents in past years where poetry was deemed inappropriate. Mowrey, De Shadarevian, and students who frequently participate in the slams met with Head of School Travis Brownley, as well as Baldwin, to establish what is appropriate in a Poetry Slam in a school environment. The Poetry Slam will continue to allow its poets creative freedom, free of censorship. Before slams, students often seek the advice from the leaders on how to improve their poems, but there is no mandatory review process. “We have a great opportunity here, but it could disappear in a moment if we abuse it,” said Baldwin. “We’re just throwing the
responsibility back to the poets and saying ‘this thing will live or die on how well you take responsibility for what it can be.’” In recent years, the popularity of Poetry Slam has increased. About two hundred people regularly attend slam finals. Although some of the appeal of Poetry Slam remains the occasional scandalous moment, now people are coming because they appreciate the topics that have more substance. “We are trying to start a community that believes in this stuff,” said Baldwin, “I’ve taken to calling it Slamnation, MA chapter.” Baldwin believes that because students and teachers have listened to more poetry, the audience has become more sophisticated. Poetry Slam has become a large part of MA pop culture, and now students think it is cool to go to poetry slams. In return for a more understanding audience, more people are willing to write. “Our school has so much talent,” said De Shadarevian, “and as more and more people let their voices be heard, the slams will become more and more popular.”
Bundle up, look good: trends in outerwear this winter Sara Morgan A&E Editor The word winter conjures images of freshly fallen snow, steaming cocoa, and holiday décor. However in the Bay Area, while we may enjoy the beverages and holiday cheer associated with winter, we are seriously lacking in terms of weather. The sparse crown of snow that graces Mt. Tamalpais once or twice every year is about as close as we will ever get to a white Christmas. Yet even though we are cursed (or blessed depending on which way you look at it) with a mild winter, students are not deterred from sporting winter styles.
Here’s a look at two trends in outerwear that have recently surfaced on campus:
rescent color pallet? 80’s Jackets Besides appearances, these When 80’s style died, many were glad to see it go. However it jackets also have a lot to offer in seems that many students are the terms of comfort and price. “People like these fleeces beexception to the rule, at least when it comes to 80’s fleeces and jack- cause they are super comfortable and they ets. This usually wacky find them s t y l e in conworks on signment both genstores so ders but is they are not necespretty sarily for cheap,” everyone. s a i d “ I S c h e e r. think that Sara Morgan So, if you people eiCora and Jessica love their 80’s fleeces want to ther really like 80’s jackets or really don’t, ” keep cozy and dazzl passerby this winter, these jackets are right said junior Maddy Scheer. Yet for believers, the onset of for you. cold weather is a welcome excuse Tip: This trend may be cool and to bust out these gloriously tacky retro today but let’s leave the rest numbers. What better way to light of 80’s style where it belongs: up a dreary day than with a fluo- locked in the closet.
warm and it kind of goes with Leather Jackets Whether it is sandals, Keds, anything”. You also don’t need to spend jeans, or a skirt, almost any outfit hundreds of dolwill look good lars on authenwhen paired with tic leather. Artia leather jackficial leather or et. Now that the “pleather” looks balmy summer almost identical months are long to the real thing gone, both male and is less likely and female stuto cost you a fordents are looking tune. towards leathTip: When sporter jackets as a ing a leather jackquick fix to the et, be sure that “chilly” climate. your other garDifferent styles, including biker Avery Hale ments are made of different maand aviator cuts, Jonah is fierce in leather terials. An outfit are present all consisting of a leather jacket, throughout the school. “I think that leather is just leather boots, and a leather belt something that never goes out of will have the tendency to give you style” said sophomore Lizzy El- a Hells Angels look. liott, “I always wear my leather Additional writing and jacket just because it keeps me reporting by Avery Hale
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Sports
January 7, 2010
Girls’ Basketball coach seeks to impart wisdom, win Jackson Wolf Staff Writer William Leong is no stranger to the hardwood. For over 25 years, Leong, a San Francisco native, has coached basketball for University High School, The Urban School, and numerous other teams around the Bay Area. This season, Leong has brought his tremendous enthusiasm for basketball to the campus as the new girls’ varisty basketball coach. After a day of work as the CEO of pre-trial programs for the city of San Francisco, Leong makes his way across the bridge and brings his experience to our court. “I enjoy working with the other side of my brain. I thoroughly enjoy this [coaching]. This is my fun,” said Leong. Initially drawn in by “our community’s standard of excellence” and simply the op-
portunity to coach the team, Leong has eased into his niche as a coach. The first few weeks of Leong’s coaching tenure have allowed him to further his understand- Leong (right) proudly stands with his promising Varsity team ing of the team’s “Whether it’s the cafeteria or characteristics and chemistry. the campus, I’m discovering new Most remarkable in Leong’s resides of this school all of the time,” flection on this time at MA is his said Leong desire to be engaged as both a Philosophically, Leong brings coach and as a new member of the the understanding that success in community.
basketball can be traced to a team’s ability to analyze a situation quickly and accurately and react accordingly on the court. “At the end of the day, you can run, you can shoot, [and] you can catch, but it’s less about what plays you can run than teaching the ability to make decisions and slow the Heather Wilson game down,” said Leong. Hoping to continue the trend of successful MA athletic teams, Leong has set the bar high for this season. In addition to settling into his roll as a coach, making the game fun for both players and spectators, and developing
the team’s talent, Leong hopes for a winning season. Aside from his desire to win, Leong’s years of experience have informed his belief that the game is really about appreciating the journey of each season. This belief brings him back to the game year after year with the same energy. Right before tip-off at his first game as the new MA coach, Leong said to himself, “I’ve only coached what? A thousand games? But hey, look at me, I’m excited!”
Coach Leong’s Goals for the Season: 1.) Play with consistent energy. 2.) Learn how to make decisions on the court. 3.) Win.
Wildcats of issue hit the trey, break the backboard Dashon Harris
Isaac Scott and Jennifer Katz Staff Writers
IS: What made you decide to start playing basketball? DH: I didn’t start playing basketball until I was in ninth grade, actually. I tried it, made the team, and I decided to go with it. IS: Who is a professional basketball player you see as a role model? DH: I’d have to say Carmelo Anthony because he’s aggressive, he has multiple skills, and he is a really good team player. IS: How do you balance basketball six days a week with your schedule? DH: Well, practice is at five until seven and I don’t get home until eight. So I only have a couple hours to do homework before bed. I usually do my homework any time I have, during either lunch or my free period. Avery Hale IS: Is it challenging to get from the East Dashon Harris shows off his reach. Bay to practice on Saturdays? DH: I don’t see it as a challenge because it doesn’t take that long to get there. Maybe twenty minutes at most, because I get there by car. IS: How do you focus yourself before a game? DH: There’s a routine I do. I take an hour-long nap before. I put on all my gear and shoot around. Then I go to the bathroom and take a twenty-minute nap. Then I go out and play.
Erin Wilson
JK: When did you start playing basketball? EW: I started playing basketball in the third grade in Novato Park and Rec League. JK: What’s your favorite position and why? EW: I mostly play guard. I guess shooting guard because I think it’s really easy to get into a Alison Wilks rhythm. JK: Why do you like playing Erin Wilson (left) fires a shot from beyond the arc. basketball? EW: I played a lot of sports when I was younger, and basketball is a good team sport. You just have five players, and with the smaller team level, it’s really easy to bond with your teammates. There’s a strong connection to the five players that you’re relying on during the game. JK: How do you think the loss of last year’s seniors will affect the team? EW: The seniors last year were definitely key players with some heights and strengths, but I know this year we’re going to have a pretty young team. So hopefully, we’re going to be able to come together and work and develop the team more so we can take on the strong competition. JK: What are your goals for the team this year? EW: We’re all pretty new. We don’t have a whole lot of returning players from the program last year. So, we’re definitely going to have to come together very quickly. If we can learn each others’ strengths and weaknesses and how to play together and use the knowledge of our teammates to our advantage, I think we’ll be able to do well.