vol88i5 by The Newtonite

Newtonite

Non-proﬁt org. US postage paid Newton, Mass. Permit no. 55337

Newton North High School, 360 Lowell Ave., Newtonville, Mass. 02460

◆ Thursday, April 9, 2009 • Volume 88, Issue 5

Feeling the pinch

See sports pages 13-16

Recession has effects in school community MATT KALISH ELLEN SARKISIAN enior Maura Liebendorfer said that where she works, the supervisor has started cutting back on people’s hours. Junior Ali Halloumi said the recession has reduced the availability of jobs in the city at businesses that used to be staples for a teen-ager looking for work. “I’ve tried all the supermarkets, the smaller Newtonville stores, the pharmacies—noone’s offering job spots,” he said. Sophomore Spencer Alton said he does mostly odd jobs, and that the recession has affected his ability to ﬁnd customers. “I tend to bounce around from job to job, doing whatever families need me to do,” he said. “With the economy the way it is right now, more families are just doing handiwork themselves, so the market for that kind of work has deﬁnitely dried up.” The recession is affecting students’ and teachers’ daily lives and their plans for the future—including the summer months. According to a study by researchers at Northeastern’s Center for Labor Market Studies published in the Boston Globe February 28, the unemployment rate has risen for people in the country under 30, with teen-agers the hardest hit. Thirty-three percent of U.S. teen-agers had work in 2008, compared to 45 percent in 2000, according to the study. In Massachusetts, the percentage of working teen-agers was 38 in 2008, compared to 48 in 2000. The Globe reported Saturday that according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. unemployment rate was 8.5 percent last month, and the rate would have been 15.6 percent if it had included workers who have given up looking for full-time jobs or settled for parttime jobs. BY

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Teddy Wenneker

Boys’ tennis: Senior Andrew Whittum, a co-captain with senior Ben Cassidy, plays ﬁrst doubles with freshman Parker Swiston. Today, the Tigers visit St. John’s/Danvers.

$2.7 million more in next year’s budget MATT KALISH When the School Committee votes on superintendent Jeff Young’s revised FY10 budget Wednesday, the total will be $166.8 million—or $2.7 million more than expected, said assistant superintendent Brenda Keegan. “The mayor has promised the school system that he will give back the $1 million he borrowed from the School Committee last year,” she said. “All of the mayor ’s money must be used for one-time expenses such as new computers, science equipment and instruments.” Another $1.7 million is coming from a federal stimulus package, Keegan said. “This money can only be used on student service areas, which include special education and guidance counselors,” she said. “The additional money we are receiving will allow us to not cut as many teachers, which is good BY

news. “We will be able to take some of the money that we had originally allocated out of the first proposed budget and use to it to lessen cuts in other aspects of the system.” Keegan said she does not know which areas of the school system will receive fewer cuts. School Committee chair Marc Laredo said that people understand the financially difficult time this country is in. “Overall, the School Committee has experienced great support, and people know that we are working under a very tight budget,” he said. “It is important to know that teachers will still be cut. “Considering what other towns are facing, Newton is probably facing a better situation than some other communities are.” The School Committee will meet Monday for the final time before the final budget vote, Laredo said.

news analysis lead on handling the speciﬁc cases with the students responsible.” According to a report from the School Committee last month, the cost per meal here has risen to $1.75 this year from $1.48 in 2008. Although athletic fees are not projected to rise next year, athletic director Tom Giusti said he has seen an increase in waiver and reduced fee forms. The current athletic fee per sport is $210, except for ice hockey, which is $260, he said. “Despite the economy, we will not turn away student athletes because of failure to pay,” Giusti said. “We will probably need to make some adjustments next year to absorb the loss. “The amount of non-conference games may need to be reduced, as well as the amount of scrimmage games each team has.”

Teachers’ contracts

Cheryl Turgel, president of the Newton Teachers Association, said the economy is affecting the contract negotiations. “Having the budget developed with a zero-percent cost of living adjustment for NTA members puts us in a negative position from the get-go,” Turgel said. “We are treading slowly and carefully but trying to move forward in a positive way. “Also, we want to see how Newton fares with the stimulus package and the ﬁnal budget. “There are a lot of unknowns out there that are tugging at us from many directions.”

Looking toward the future

Meanwhile, the recession is affecting students’ decisions about college, said career center director Brad MacGowan. “The applications are not

affected so much as the decisios about where to go,” he said. “In the past, if a student had a favorite school but it was more expensive, the student would pay the extra money to go there.” “This year, more might to go with the cheaper institutions. “I would hope students would be able to go to one of their top choice schools.” The ﬁnancial situation has “always come into play,” but might do so more this year than in the past, MacGowan said. “People are looking toward in-state institutions where they get a break on tuition,” he said. Recruitment and retention in the armed forces has also been affected, said counselor Larry Allen “Armed services in general are meeting or surpassing their recruiting goals because of the lack of job availability,” he said. “Also, bonuses that are being offered to retain individuals are an incentive to stay as well.”

Looking toward summer

Commenting on summer prospects, parks and recreation commissioner Fran Towle said that Newton camps are ﬁlling up “faster than usual.” “I foresee that people are going to enjoy Newton more and not go away,” Towle said. “I see more people attending recreational activities. “Some camps are already full, and we’re already ahead of schedule on others. “So one of the effects of the economy is that people are enrolling in camps more so than usual. “I know that the economy is having an impact on families. “We are trying to help families enjoy their summers here.” Ben Plotkin contributed to this story. ◆ See editoral page 2.

Students’ daily lives

Sandy Guryan, the chief budget ofﬁcer of the Newton Public Schools, said there are an additional 25 students in the Newton schools out of 11,570 who qualify for free or reduced lunch this year. But Rob Clickstein, Newton’s food service director, said there are probably more students who could qualify but don’t inquire for various reasons. Clickstein noted that reports of theft in the cafeteria have increased this year. “Thefts have been more evident this year than in the past, with students breaking into the kitchen, vandalizing vending machines and stealing lunches,” he said. “We are doing as much as we can to prevent the theft from occurring. Locks have been changed on the fridges and freezers, and machines have been bolted. “The school has taken the

See Technology in Tiger classrooms pages 8 and 9

Puloma Ghosh

opinion

2 ◆ Newtonite, Newton North

When it’s hard to ask for help

n these economic times, people can find themselves facing unexpected difficulties. The loss of a job or a home can hit without warning, but the real challenge comes after the fact, when they are deciding what to do. Nearby, in Westport, for instance, students have been losing their homes and parents their jobs. Some students who live on their own and have to pay for themselves are also having difficulties, according to the Westport High School newspaper, the Villager. The crime rate has gone up in the town and in the high school, the Villager reports. At this school, the effects of the recession show to some extent through the increase in students asking for free and reduced lunches and the increase in requests for waivers for athletic fees. It also shows through the choices some students are making about the future. Although they may have a favorite school that they’ve applied to, financial

concerns may lead them to choose less expensive institutions. We believe that it’s inevitable that some students, when faced with the need for financial assistance, are ashamed to ask for it. Others may not know how to ask for help because they have been put into a “new place”– their lives have been changed because of job loss or a financial setback. Agencies reach out within communities and let people know that they can get help if they need it, and even if shame is a factor, some contacts can be anonymous. Counselors are aware of the impact of the recession on the Newton school community. They can serve as helpful resources to consult, whether it’s how to ask for fee waivers, field trip support, scholarships, free and reduced lunch or even shelter. We hope students will take the steps they need to take.

TO THE EDITOR:

ground of our house system. We have come a long way with many ups and downs, believe me. Our present housemasters, D’Orazio, Aaron Sanders, Mark Aronson and Michelle Stauss are doing a masterful job. Thanks again. TY VIGNONE, SOCIAL SCIENCES

Newtonite The Newtonite, founded in 1922, is the newspaper of Newton North High School, 360 Lowell Ave., Newtonville, Mass. 02460. Editors in chief — Eli Davidow, Matt Kalish, Ellen Sarkisian News editor — Marena Cole Arts editor — Alicia Zhao On campus editor—Olivia Stearns Feature editors — Emily Amaro, Jay Krieger Sports editors— Meredith Abrams, Josh Bakan Photography editors — Shira Bleicher, Gaby Perez-Dietz, Teddy Wenneker Graphics managers — Prateek Allapur, Peter Taber-Simonian Advertising managers — Joe Connors, Chris Keefe Business manager — Chris Welch Circulation managers — Caleb Gannon, Dan Salvucci Exchanges editor — Georgina Teasdale Adviser — Helen Smith Production advisers — Sue Brooks, Tom Donnellan

Creativity in the art room

editorial

Nice job covering house systemletter

ongratulations on the “Housemaster describes his responsibilities” article in your last issue. It was clear, concise, articulate and right “on target” regarding the housemaster’s role in our large school. To quote Jamie D’Orazio, our school “has a pulse to it....a central nervous sytem.” Of particular interest was your 50-year historical back-

Thursday, April 9, 2009

News staff — Rebecca Harris, Rebecca Oran Features staff — Jacob Brunell Sports staff — Evan Clements, Nicole Curhan, Emmett Greenburg, Jeremy Gurvits, Elliot Raff Arts staff — Eliana Eskinazi, Kate Lewis News Analysis — Kellynette Gomez Art staff — Julia Belamarich, Puloma Ghosh, Anna Kaertner, Hannah Schon Photography staff — Anna Gargas, Helen Gao, Jaryd Justice-Moote, Lucy Mazur-Warren, Jesse Tripathi Circulation staff — Spencer Alton, Jackie Assar, Rebecca Kantar, Sydney Massing-Schaffer, Stoddard Meigs, Brooke Stearns, Daniel Tabib Production staff — John Synnott, Alison Wu

The Newtonite staff brings 16 issues a year to camera readiness for a circulation of 3,000 and goes on line daily during the academic year. To place an ad in the Newtonite or contact us by phone, please call 617-559-6274. Yearly subscriptions cost $20. Readers can also reach us at Newtonite@newton.k12.ma.us. To ﬁnd the Newtonite online go to www.thenewtonite.com

Teddy Wenneker

Making a message: Sophomore Emily Hutchinson works on a project in Art Major 1, a collage of newspaper covered by a painting that conveys a message, inspired by Shepard Fairey. He designed the “Hope” posters for President Barack Obama.

How to avoid harm from sun TO THE EDITOR:

xcessive exposure to the sun damages the skin, even though the skin may look glowing and healthy. Light skin populations are especially susceptible, but according to Panta Rouhani’s study in 2008, “Melanoma in Hispanic and Black Americans,” sunlight can be the cause of the onset of melanoma in all three populations. The Mass. Department of Public Health has reported that exposing the skin to the sun has been associated with ﬂare-ups of cold sores, damage to the immune system, faster aging of the skin and cancer. Information from the National Cancer Institute says that you should Newtonian not avoid the sun Rozanne altogether as it Milner is good for your bones. Five to 10 minutes of exposure to the sun is sufﬁcient time to help the body synthesize vitamin D, which helps create strong bones. According to the American Cancer Society on its website, there are two types of rays that the sun emits: “UVB rays are short, powerful and harmful rays that affect the outer layers of the skin. UVB causes sunburn and produces melanin, which gives people a tan.

Puloma Ghosh

letter It also damages DNA in the skin, which causes skin cancer. “UVA rays are long rays that penetrate deep into the skin. UVA damages the skin causing wrinkling, sagging and premature aging. It may also have a role in causing skin cancer.” Also, the American Cancer Society cites the International Agency for Cancer Research, which is part of the World Health Organization: “Lights used in tanning beds and sun lamps give off mainly ultraviolet A rays. UVA was

Editors’ work on line in Student Press Review

Editors of this newspaper have articles online in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Student Press Review. They covered the stories while at CSPA’s convention in New York last month. Authors and their topics: ◆sophomore Eli Davidow on reporting about trends, a presentation by the New York Associated Press bureau chief, Howard Goldberg ◆junior Matt Kalish on using the

web for research, a presentation by Stephen Miller of The New York Times ◆junior Ellen Sarkisian on libel and the internet, a presentation by Adam Goldstein of the Student Press Law Center, and ◆junior Alicia Zhao on writing about contemporary popular music, a presentation by Michael Lydon, an author and musician. To see their work, go to cspa. columbia.edu.

classiﬁed as a probable human cancer-causing agent by the International Agency for Cancer Research in 1992, according to the Swedish study.” Practicing sun sense is all it takes to keep a healthy skin. Another source, Guide4Living, cites the Australian campaign of SLIP! SLAP! SLOP! Slip on a T-shirt, Slap on a hat and Slop on screen of SPF 15 or higher. Basically, what the American Cancer Society says is to ◆Minimize your exposure to the sun. Rays are most intense between 10 and 4. ◆Take precautions when you go outside. Wear clothing that covers or shades your skin and wear sunglasses to block ultraviolet rays A and B—to prevent cataracts. ◆Choose the right sunscreen for your skin type. Reapply every two to three hours. Remember to apply after swimming. ◆Be aware of special conditions that make you more susceptible to sun damage. Certain medications such as antibiotics, foods such as celery and limes, and some perfumes can increase the damage of sun rays. ◆One bad burn in childhood or adolescence can double the risk of skin cancer. If you have any questions about tanning, or if you are not sure about an unusual mole on your skin, please contact the health ofﬁce at 617-559-6401. For more information, please visit this site: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/skin. —ROZANNE MILNER, SCHOOL NURSE

Letters Readers are invited to submit guest articles and letters to the editor. Letters should be put in the Newtonite box in Beals House or emailed to newtonite@newton.k12. ma.us. The Newtonite reserves the right to edit all letters, which must have the writer’s name, class and homeroom. The Newtonite serves as a forum for student opinion.

news

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Newton North, Newtonite ◆ 3

Mexicans visit in exchange

Sightseeing to include Harvard, Peabody Museum and Aquarium EMILY AMARO OLIVIA STEARNS Guillermo Valenzuela said he likes Boston’s skyscrapers, and Helen Gutierrez said she likes the food. “The family I am staying with is Indian, and one of my favorite things is the cooking,” Gutierrez said. A host, junior Rob Benner said he especially enjoys being able to speak Spanish outside of the classroom. “I also enjoyed having my exchange student prepare Mexican food for my family at home,” Benner said. “My exchange student, Guillermo, and I love having someone to talk to and hang out with at home.” Another host, sophomore Monica Reuman, said her experience has been “amazing.” “My exchange student Isela Guerrero and I like to speak to each other, and I want her experience here to be as great as the one I had in Guanajuato.” Since their arrival Saturday, March 28, the students from the Escuela del Nivel Medio de Guanajuato have been staying with host families, attending classes and touring the Boston area. “The Museum of Science was a big hit,” said Emilio Mazzola, a teacher of Italian who is leading this year’s Mexican exchange,with world language department head Nancy MarBY

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Teddy Wenneker

Going green: Junior Chris Annas-Lee helps senior Ariel Yofﬁe on the last Walk/Ride Day. Yofﬁe stamps senior Rachel Gore’s hand, indicating her participation in the event.

Walk/Ride Day comes to Main Street via AP Bio.

REBECCA HARRIS MARENA COLE Two more Walk/Ride Days are ahead, and the first one went well, said senior Ariel Yoffie, who coordinates the events here. On the first Walk/Ride Day Friday, March 27, participants wore green and walked, rode a bike or took public transportation to school, Yoffie said. During lunch block Yoffie had a table on Main Street. She gave participants a stamp on their hands and prizes including cookies and green apples, along with T-shirts Green Streets Initiative donated. “I never expected so much genuine interest in what I was doing,” Yoffie said. “The enthusiasm that I received from people really surprised me because I didn’t expect so many people to have that willingness to go green. “There were many moments when I couldn’t stop smiling.” The events here are part of an environmental service project for Yoffie’s AP Biology class. Science teacher Zach Snow set up the project parameters, she said. For the next Walk/Ride Days BY

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EDCO team to go to Nationals

MARENA COLE After ﬁnishing second in the Regionals, the EDCO academic bowl team will compete in the Nationals this vacation, said Ed Mulligan, the director. Students from this school competed at the Gallaudet University Northeast Regional Academic Bowl against 15 other high schools and won second place, he said. Placing ﬁrst was the New York State School for the Deaf at Rome. The Newton team will compete at the Nationals from Sunday, April 26 to Tuesday, April 28 at Gallaudet in Washington, D.C. Team members are senior Janay Mitchell, junior Gilberto Richardson, sophomore Tom Ansill, and freshmen Kellynette Gomez and Ben Hollingsworth. “Questions come from all disciplines, including art, history, BY

Wednesday and then Friday, May 29, Yofﬁe said, she hopes enthusiasm will grow. “Maybe people will have heard of it and think, ‘I get free stuff. Why not do this?’ “I hope we’ll have stores to sponsor the event. I’m also hoping to offer a big prize at the end of the year. “Our mission is to make a healthier, safer and greener community. “This is the only environment we’re going to have, and if we’re going to preserve it, we have to start treating it better, especially considering the detrimental effects of pollution on health. “In terms of safety, when there are fewer cars driving around the school, it’s less likely for there to be an accident. It’s already very hard to cross on busy roads. “As to health, you get your daily exercise and your commute all in one.” Green Streets Initiative, an organization that aims to promote the use of alternative transportation, sponsors Walk/Ride Days on the last Friday of every month, its website says.

in brief math, literature, deaf studies, current events and science,” Mulligan said. “ We’re very proud of the students for their outstanding achievement.” Coaching the team are speech specialist Joan Dale-Siskind and EDCO lead interpreter Melissa Phair.

NewtonWorks helps students to search for jobs

MARENA COLE Students may be able to ﬁnd jobs through NewtonWorks, said work-study coordinator Molly Gadenz. “We are testing a program that’s a customizable web based tool for us to use for students to ﬁnd job opportunities and volunteer work,” Gadenz said. With a NewtonWorks account, BY

Newton’s Department of Health and Human Services and the Community Safe Routes to School program has also been coordinating city-wide Walk/Ride Days, said Jean Fulkerson, the community safe routes to school coordinator. Cambridge, where Green Streets Initiative began, also has Walk/Ride days. The Walk/Ride Days here are for Yoffie’s Environmental Service Project for her AP Biology class. Science teacher Zach Snow set up the project parameters, she said. Science teacher Henry Lafert, who is substituting for Snow while he is on paternity leave, said Environmental Service Projects are a yearly project for AP Biology students. “Students are responsible for coming up with a plan to somehow help the environment,” Lafert said. “The main idea is for students to give back to the environment in some capacity.” Projects have included advocating for endangered animals and Charles River and park clean-up, he said. students could do a job search, post a résumé and contact potential employers, she said. “The school is partnered with TeenLife, a local media c o m p a n y, t o launch this test program,” she said. Students interested in setting up acNewtonian counts should Molly come to an Gadenz informational meeting next Thursday X-block in the film lecture hall, she said. “We’ll see how many students are interested,” she said. “At the beginning of next year, we’ll evaluate whether we can expand and make it become more permanent.”

Monica Reuman “My exchange student Isela Guerrero and I like to speak to each other, and I want her experience here to be as great as the one I had in Guanajuato.” rinucci. “There are tons of things here in this country that the students have never seen before, such as the skyscrapers and the subways. “Boston is a fairly large city, which is something that not all of the students are accustomed to.” Today the group will explore Harvard University and the Peabody Museum, he said. The exchange students will also visit the Museum of Fine Arts, Salem and the New England Aquarium before they leave next Friday. Exchange students in the past have always enjoyed the Aquarium, Mazzola said. “Few of them have ever been to an Aquarium before in their lives, let alone one as big as the one in Boston,” he said. The exchange with the school in Guanajuato began in 1997. Newton students visited Mexico in February. —E LI D AVIDOW CONTRIBUTED TO THIS STORY.

Showcase to feature student activities MARENA COLE Programs, clubs and organizations will promote their work at the second annual student showcase Thursday, April 30 from 5-9. “It’s a way of presenting all clubs and organizations to the general public,” said parent Maureen Sullivan, a coordinator. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for incoming students to see what they want to get involved with once they get to the high school.” The student showcase raises money for the Educational Excellence Campaign, Sullivan said. “Last year, around 1,000 people attended and we raised about $3,000,” she said. “The PTSO used the money we raised last year to buy interactive whiteboards, and books for the school library. “Our goal this year is that more people will have heard of the event and that we will raise more money.” The money will purchase new interactive whiteboards and library books, she said. “We want to create a community spirit at Newton North,” she said. The PTSO plans to have a bigger rafﬂe with more items, which the group hopes will attract more BY

people to buy tickets, she said. A new part of the showcase this year will be a store where clubs and organizations can sell various items pertaining to their activities, Sullivan said. “It’s a great way for clubs to raise a little money for themselves,” she said. “There’s just a lot going on this year. “The Tiger’s Loft and the culinary arts program will provide food, and the robotics team will have a robot that they built for a competition. “Child development will have face painting for younger children. “Theatre Ink and musicians will perform. This year, we have four separate locations for performing.” Sullivan said those interested in participating can find her contact information on a faculty information sheet available in the main ofﬁce. Christian Grannan and Claudia Wu are the other North parents working with Sullivan on organizing the showcase. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for students and $25 for a family pass, and will be available at the door.

arts

4 ◆ Newtonite, Newton North

BLAC Talent Show communicates message of hope

Where Everyday is a Special Occasion

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Bringing its energy into the show, the band Top Flight performed three times, featuring senior Mark Ward on drums, and three musicians from Berklee, Darryl Best on percussion, Evan Coniglio on bass, Chris Miller on guitar, along with Alexi Paraschos ’05 on keyboard and vocals. The group, which got an enthusiastic reception, ﬁrst played Lenny Kravitz’s “I Want to Get Away,” a song that gave a sense of liberation, setting the night’s relaxing feeling. Best provided emphasis on the bongos and tambourine. Another song the band played is Omarian’s “Entourage” featuring a catchy, distorted guitar from Miller and an Afro-funk thump by Ward on the drums. An overall polished act, Top Flight kept the audience in good spirits during the whole night, from when they began the show, to when they closed it.

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Learn how to maintain your

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Greater Boston’s Jewish Community College Fair Sunday, May 3 2:00–4:00 p.m.

Rapping another highlight

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Open to students and parents Free of charge RSVP szemlak@hebrewcollege.edu 617-559-8806 Directions hebrewcollege.edu/directions

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�� The College Search: Admissions and Financial Aid

Top Flight band brings energy, polish

PROZDOR HIGH SCHOOL OF HEBREW COLLEGE

Join other Boston-area teens as you meet admissions and Hillel staff from colleges and universities around the country, as well as representatives from national Jewish fraternities and gapyear programs!

ELI DAVIDOW ith hope as a central theme, the Black Leadership Advisory Council Talent Show communicated energy, sincerity and skill. There was music, poetry and dance— all to appreciate. Before the show started in Lasker Auditorium Friday evening, March 27, three of the leaders of the BLAC, senior Paris Mongo and juniors Vanessa Atocha and Latifah Smalls, spoke about the group’s mission. “It’s a safe place for kids to discuss issues pertaining to race,” Mongo said. “In BLAC, we connect with each other, laugh and cry together. It’s like our own little family at school. It’s always something to look forward to.” The show’s emcees were juniors Darryl Jackson and Jose Morgan, who over the course of the night kept the crowd entertained. BY

Gifts

327 Auburn Street

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Greater Boston’s Jewish Community College Fair presented by Prozdor, Gann Academy, Maimonides School and CJP

Another highlight was the rapping by junior Bohan Leng under the stage name Phinale. He had a slick delivery, and his rhymes were true and from the heart. In one song, “Trying,” dedicated to those people who would do anything possible to achieve their dreams, Leng prowled around the stage as if to protect his message. “All you got in life is a dream,” Leng said towards the end of the song. The second rap Leng performed called “Hip Hop and I” had mainly a dark and twisting piano melody for the beat, and the lyrics were about his love of hip hop. Junior Tyler Large also performed a rap accompanied by the beat-boxing of Taylor Carpenter, the wife of English teacher Adam Carpenter, the BLAC adviser. Large’s lyrics were quick, quirky and to the point. Along with music during the evening, the audience appreciated the poems and the students who recited them.

Convincing poetry reading

To begin the second act, junior Andre

courtesy Vanessa Atocha

Emceeing: Junior Darryl Jackson hosts the BLAC Talent Show with junior Jose Morgan.

review Donegan read a poem he had written called “Who am I?” about self-discovery, in a digniﬁed and convincing manner. Mongo also recited a poem she had written about her Latin American and African-American heritages, mentioning that she represents “300 years of slavery,” and that she likes both “rice and beans, and collard greens.” “Because I am Latina and AfricanAmerican, I am twice as strong,” she exclaimed. Junior Adam Schaffer also read an original poem called “My Secession from the Demographic,” in which he described being stereotyped as a Jew and how he sees “stupidity” in stereotypes. The talent show also featured well choreographed dances. Juniors Tiana Jordan and Teraja Sullivan performed a step routine in which each stomp and slap was completely in sync, wowing the audience.

Seekers of Knowledge receive deserved ovation

The Seekers of Knowledge, a group of girls aged 6-12, danced, which got a large and loud ovation from the audience. Once the lead girl dressed in silver clothing began to dance as if there were no tomorrow, the audience stayed amazed by the girls’ young age combined with talent. The show ﬁnished to the sounds of Top Flight playing “Need You Bad” by Jazmine Sullivan to which the audience reacted with loud applause.

arts

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Newton North, Newtonite ◆ 5

Six win spots in festival Playwrights to present their work in June

JAY KRIEGER Featuring original work, the Playwrights Festival aims to have students show off their skills and interests pertaining to theatre, said senior Gabe Nicholas. He is coordinating the event with senior Rachel Stubblefield. “Most productions start with the play already written, and all that a group has to do is perform that play,” he said. “But we start with nothing, discover ideas, write a play and then perform that play. We build it from the ground up.” A board of teachers was involved in deciding the finalists from 15 plays, Nicholas said. The six plays this year are “Absence of Words” by sophomore Skylar Fox, “Chickadee” by junior Seth Simons, “Cotton Candy Eyes” by senior Dan Abromowitz, “Dial” by Nicholas, “The Getter” by senior Will Feinstein and “Inspector Shale Reports” by junior Jordan Ascher. Nicholas said he and Stubblefield will decide on casting Monday, April 27 and Tuesday, April 28. The festival will be in the little theatre at 7:30 Thursday, June 4 and Friday, June 5. Nicholas said he and Stubblefield are still looking for costume, publicity and props team members. Interested students can sign up at the callboard opposite 132 for an interview. Nicholas, who will edit the plays with Stubblefield, said he enjoys the editing process. “We get together with the most updated version of each play and brainstorm about adding or taking out certain parts,” he said. Danny Kessler ’08 started the festival last year. BY

Teddy Wenneker

Family Singers: The group rehearses its pieces for Springfest, which will take place in Lasker Auditorium next Tuesday.

Musicians to present Springfest ALICIA ZHAO Five music groups will perform in Springfest Tuesday evening, ﬁne arts department head Todd Young said. Concert Choir, Family Singers, Orchestra, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble will present their selections starting at 7 in Lasker Auditorium. Music teacher Richard Travers will direct Concert Choir and Family Singers. Concert Choir will sing “Three Folk Songs” by Johannes Brahms, and Family Singers will sing “A Jubilant Song” by Norman Dello Joio and “The Pavane” by Gabriel Fauré, Travers said. “‘A Jubilant Song’ is an acknowledged choral masterpiece with a dynamic and exciting piano accompaniment,” which junior Nathan Harris will play, Travers said. Orchestra’s program includes three pieces featuring solos, with BY

music teacher Adam Grossman conducting. “The soloists were selected through competitive auditions,” Grossman said. “The pieces they will play are the ones they auditioned with. “Every year, we feature different students, so the personalities of the soloists are a big part of these performances. “But there also needs to be a balance between soloists and the orchestra. The orchestra has to be flexible while staying together and in some ways, accompanying is the most difficult playing the orchestra does all year.” Senior Patrick Alves, a clarinetist, will solo in the first movement of Carl Stamitz’s “Clarinet Concerto,” one of the first solo works for clarinet and orchestra, Grossman said. “I chose this piece because it’s one that I’ve heard all my life,” Alves said.

“It’s an honor to play it with an orchestra and a great way to finish off my year at Newton North.” Senior Sandra Chan, a flutist, will solo in the first movement of Carl Reinecke’s “Flute Concerto in D Major” and senior Elizabeth Cooke, a violinist, will solo in the second movement of Max Bruch’s “Scottish Fantasy.” “It’s nice because you don’t get a lot of opportunities to solo with a full orchestra,” Cooke said. “This way, you get to experience the full score.” Young will direct Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. Symphonic Band will play Peter Warlock’s “Two Dances from Capriol Suite,” which dates from the Renaissance, Young said. Also on the program is Mark Williams’ “Mirrors,” which Alves will conduct. Wind Ensemble will play “Aria for Winds” by John Caca-

vas, a selection different from the style Young said he normally teaches. “Usually, our pieces have a kind of energy stream, but this selection focuses on color, melodic line and phrasing,” Young said. “It’s very lyrical.” The ensemble will also play “The Ascension” by Robert W. Smith, with whom two Ensemble members, junior Nikolai Klebanov and sophomore Carissa Lin, performed in the All-State Festival Saturday, March 28. “This piece really builds up,” Young said. “It’s quite energetic, and it explores fast rhythms with emphasis on choral and percussion lines.” Tickets cost $5 at the door. Children under 12 and senior citizens are free. “The proceeds go directly to the ﬁne arts department to help with scholarships and additional resources,” Young said.

Students to visit Jingshan, give concerts over vacation

Tour to include home stays, excursion to Great Wall KATE LEWIS ALICIA ZHAO While visiting the Jingshan School in Beijing this month, 17 musicians will attend classes, sight-see and perform short concerts, ﬁne arts department head Todd Young said. “The main point of the trip is for students to immerse themselves in the Chinese culture,” he said. Accompanying the students are assistant principal Deborah Holman, music teacher Sheldon Reid and Young. The group will depart for Beijing next Thursday and return Sunday, April 26. Trip expenses, which are $2,300 per student, include airfare, a reception at Jingshan and an excursion to the Great Wall, Young said. Living with Chinese families during the trip will be one of the most exciting parts, he said. “I say to the students, ‘There’s a good chance that in your life BY

AND

Gaby Perez-Dietz

Preparing for the exchange: Sophomore Annie Gombosi, a violist, practices in Orchestra before she leaves for Beijing.

Todd Young “The day-to-day living experience will stay with students and faculty alike for years to come. It will be a rich experience.” you will travel to Beijing again, but it’s doubtful that you will be able to live with a Chinese family again,’” he said. “The day-to-day living experience will stay with students and faculty alike for years to come. It will be a rich experience.” For performances, the students from this school will put together a 20-minute program, Young said. Then, the Jingshan students will perform for the same amount of time. “We’ll have members from band, orchestra and the choruses on this trip performing together, tackling different styles,” Young said. “It will be uniquely American, starting and ending with gospels and spirituals. “We’ll also be exploring genres

like jazz, Broadway and American chamber music throughout.” This exchange formed as a shorter version of Newton’s 23rd annual four-month exchange with the Jingshan School. “There was an idea to have a shorter exchange, and when I was hired over the summer, I was asked to be involved,” Young said. “In the fall, we’ll host musicians from Jingshan.” Young has prepared for the trip with assistance from Donna Fong, the chair of the NewtonJingshan exchange. “She helps us to get a better idea of what to expect, and to get our heads around the cultural differences,” Young said. “We’re also learning a little Chinese to help us get around.”

6 â&#x2014;&#x2020; Newtonite, Newton North

Thursday, April 9, 2009

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Thursday, April 9, 2009

Newton North, Newtonite ◆ 7

Improv troupe amuses, engages audience Spontaneous Generation presents contests, games, music ALICIA ZHAO houts and laughter resonated in the little theatre as the audience participated in Spontaneous Generation’s contests, games and musical numbers. Seniors Gabe Nicholas and Nathan Wainwright directed this school’s improv troupe in lively performances Wednesday through Saturday. Wearing jeans and yellow Tshirts topped with black vests, the cast included seniors Dan Abromowitz, Rebecca Daniels, Michele Kaufman and David Waldinger, juniors Chris AnnasLee, Eddie McAuliffe and Seth Simons, sophomore Mercer Gary and freshman Graham Techler. Junior Nathan Harris accompanied at the piano. BY

Gabby Perez-Dietz

“Stop!” Freshman Graham Techler interrupts a conversation between junior Chris Annas-Lee and senior Dan Abromowitz.

Dental ﬂoss poetry

In one interactive scene that got laughs, Nicholas invited an audience member, senior Alice Howe on stage for a television talk show. The audience decided that she would be an expert on dental ﬂoss poetry. “Dental ﬂoss is a way of getting out things that have been weighing you down all day,” Howe said as Nicholas interviewed her. They then talked about her 34 volumes of dental poetry, and she even got so into the part that she read one of her favorite pieces, “The Car.” For commercial breaks, Annas-Lee, Gary and Simons acted as the show’s sponsors and advertised words that the audience chose. The words were: “spooky,” “quickly” and “apple-dub-dub.”

Gaby Perez-Dietz

Timing matters: Senior David Waldinger uses a stopwatch to time one of the scenes.

Rhyming game

Another highlight was “Doo Run,” in which Annas-Lee, Gary, McAuliffe, Nicholas, Simons and Waldinger competed against each other in a rhyming song game. Audience members agreed on a name and clapped along as the six players took turns making rhymes to that name in a catchy and repetitive song. Those who ran out of rhymes faked a dramatic death, while the remaining few started a new game, rhyming to different name. The audience sang along in the choruses, joining in the fun. One of the songs was about John, a man who mows lawns, eats prawns and has a baby of whom he is fond.

Gaby Perez-Dietz

Setting the pace: Senior Gabe Nicholas introduces a game.

‘That’s harsh’

Later, Gary, Techler and Wainwright improvised a scene about commuting. The story started with Wainwright’s and Gary’s characters condemning Techler’s character, who forgot to pack the toothbrushes, and thus would ruin their Girl Scout camping trip. “That’s it, you’re out of Girl Scouts,” Wainwright shouted as he and Gary turned around to leave. As the two start walking away, Techler ’s murmured, “That’s harsh.” Hearing these words, the two turned and regained their respect for Techler. It turned out that there was a new badge called the harsh badge, and being able to recognize something harsh proved Techler worthy of being a Girl Scout. Waldinger timed the group, who improvised the scene in one minute, 30 seconds, 10 seconds and one second, respectively. By the time it came to the onesecond scene, the three just pointed at each other and yelled, “Harsh!”

Gaby Perez-Dietz

Taking a break: Seniors Michele Kaufman and Dan Abromowitz watch from the side during one of the acts.

review

‘Freeze’

In “Freeze,” Abromowitz and Kaufman began the ﬁrst scene working out in a gym together. When Nicholas yelled “Freeze,” the two paused in place. Nicholas took over Kaufman’s position. He and Abromowitz then started moving again and improvised a different scene, where they acted as a married couple

Gaby Perez-Dietz

Scene game: Senior Nathan Wainwright, junior Eddie McAuliffe, sophomore Mercer Gary and seniors Gabe Nicholas and David Waldinger act out a scene about sandwiches. Spontaneous Generation had shows Wednesday through Saturday. physically stuck to each other through a wedding ring. The game continued as audience and troupe members excitedly took turns shouting “Freeze.” By the end, the scene was about James Bond. But the best act was at the show’s ﬁnish.

Musical improv

From the audience, Linda

Mares, a psychotherapist and a writer, came on stage for an interview. After carefully noting her answers, the troupe portrayed Mares’ life in the form of a musical. The members humorously depicted amusing incidents, from Mares meeting her childhood best friend to getting yelled at by an academic adviser.

As she watched the action from the side, Mares smiled and laughed with the audience. The song numbers ranged from a melancholy ballad to one comprised of shouting and stomping. In sequence, the songs were “Final Goodbye,” “It’s Time to Throw Down,” “Push it to the Line” and “There’s Nothing More Important Than Me.”

8 ◆ Newtonite, Newton North

Thursday,

Technolo in Tiger class Design and Visual Communications

Technical Engineering: Sophomore Benji Nitkin makes modiﬁcations to a robot.

Sometimes tech works well; other times it’s unnecessary PRATEEK ALLAPUR REBECCA ORAN his school has some of the best technology available—right in line with colleges and even ahead of industry in some cases, faculty say, so students who learn to use it here have a distinct advantage. On the other hand, sometimes it works best just to sit quietly, take notes and listen while a great teacher explains an idea from literature or describes a period in history. Maybe he’ll tell a story or two—or even make a joke about his own experience—to go along with his theme. For instance, when Allan MacDougall, now retired, spoke in an English class about Sen. Huey P. Long, he was “completely interested in his stories and knew exactly what he was talking about,” said senior Tiffany Hamann. “He didn’t have to refresh himself and the class was entertaining. He was really interesting.” Seniors and faculty described two different kinds of situations: a time when technology here was helpful for a class, and a time when a lack of it worked best. BY

AND

Seniors

Miriam Beit-Aharon said PowerPoint presentations work well when doing a project, but that technology can interfere with creative work in English. Melanie Greene said although Microsoft word helps her when she has a typing job to do, in music courses it is “better just to learn from each other.” “Music is actually very mathematical, but you can’t learn it from a textbook or an article online,” she said. “It’s something you have to learn by doing. “We have great music teachers and really talented students here, and you’ll learn more from them than you ever will using plain technology.” Hannah Jernstedt said she prefers using math formulas to learn the concepts instead of plugging into a calculator. “Using a computer or an iTouch, anything that can get you onto the web from school” is beneﬁcial, according to Ian McGoldrick. “But there are times,” he said, “when you need to get away from the world and learn about important ethical and social values that you can’t learn by sitting in a chatroom all day.” According to Angelina Zhou, PowerPoint presentations help in a class when students need to learn visually, but she said she doesn’t like “online stuff with websites in which it takes forever and it’s easier if people just tell you.”

Faculty

According to math teacher Karly Braden: “The interactive white board allows you to do more things like moving lines around. All of the transformations that we do are more interesting overall. The board only makes things better. Newtonian “When I want students to Karly understand basic concepts and Braden why certain things occur, working things out forces students to think about these concepts, rather than plugging numbers into the calculator.”

mass interview Science teacher Peter Hamel said, “My Moodle site allows me to have discussions with my class that I can’t fit into class time. We can discuss broader issues, as it allows students to learn on their own time frame. “Sometimes the computer is too automatic and doesn’t allow students to learn and analyze data themselves. “They get a final product but don’t understand where it came from.” According to English teacher Richard Jones, “Computers can be useful for editing texts. “However, I have so far not seen significant effects regarding technology and teaching of Newtonian literature. Richard “Students get a better sense of Jones the process of creating effective sentences by actually writing them in a way that the current technology doesn’t allow.” Math teacher Rachel Mingos said, “We can use programs to show trigonometry functions. “But when the computer crashes or freezes, it hinders my teaching.” Photography teacher Ron Morris said, “My whole field is technology. In photography, it’s a very special situation. “Troubleshooting a computer is a lot more difficult than running a darkroom. It can get very Newtonian complicated and takes a lot lonRon Morris ger, whereas if an enlarger isn’t working you need to tighten a screw. “Now, it’s a lot more labor intensive.” Suzanne Putzeys, a teacher of French, said she had a student who moved to Japan, and she was able to keep in touch with him through e-mail. According to chemistry and music teacher Sheldon Reid, “Often the sheet music is done on the computer. I can e-mail it to students, I can extract a part— maybe just the alto part—and they can play it back to themselves on the computer. “Sometimes, it’s very important for my chemistry students to look at math concepts instead of using the calculator, so they can see where they came from, instead of just plugging numbers into the magic machine and seeing what comes out.” According to biology teacher Melissa Rice, “When you are covering detailed information, it is useful to have animations and ways to represent it visually.” History and social sciences teacher Susan Wilkins said, “PowerPoint is useful for students who are primarily visual learners. Newtonian “It brings history to life in a Melissa way that a lecture doesn’t.” Rice “As a history teacher, I don’t see that a SMART Board does more than I currently do. “A problem is the availability of wireless internet in the building.” —JOE CONNORS CONTRIBUTED TO THIS STORY.

Gaby Perez-Dietz

Chemistry: Science teacher Peter Hamel demonstrates the use of his interactive whiteboard.

Electronic Music: Fine freshman Jared Masint

World History: Using an interactive whiteboard, history teacher Greg

April 9, 2009

Newton North, Newtonite ◆9

ogy

Building a foundation calls for new equipment MARENA COLE echnology literacy is essential in preparation for a post-high school education and the work place, said career and tech ed department head Diana Robbins. “Think of the job market,” she said. “What’s going to set students apart is having technology literacy skills to be competitive. “Technology literacy is the ability to use technology, including knowing how software functions. It’s so much more than just turning a computer on and off. “For students who are preparing for the workplace, this is an important part of their toolbox. You need to have a foundation of tools and knowledge. “In every area, there’s so much technology, from automotive to graphics, it’s just infused everywhere. ‘Whether you’re in career and tech ed or not, these are life skills everyone needs to know. You are going to use technology more and more. It’s an integral part of the future.” Looking at current facilities and plans for the new building, instructional technology specialist Chris Murphy said interactive whiteboards may become more abundant in the new building. New teacher laptops, interactive whiteboards and Moodle will all make a difference to students and faculty, Murphy said. Fourteen interactive whiteboards are in use here now, and the technology department is investigating the wide variety of emerging technologies, Murphy said. Currently, he said, there are difficulties with using interactive whiteboards with the teachers’ laptops. “The laptops we have now can’t run some of the software needed, so we have to do extra steps to make them work. “I’m trying to test what may happen in the new building, but it’s difficult with what we have right now. It’s a bit of a tough situation.” Murphy said that new laptops are needed because there have been a lot of technical problems with the current ones. The whiteboards are one of the most important ways teachers are implementing interactive technology in the classroom, he said. “Teachers are able to take a special pen and annotate a lesson,” he said. “The computer can capture that image as a file. If a student missed a class, there are the notes, and the student can refer to the notes later. “It benefits teachers because they can save any lesson they just had. Students can access the lesson to review and to see what they miss if they’re out. “Another teacher can look at a saved movie. It can be more collaborative. We’re really able to be extremely efficient. “It’s more fun for students. You can’t argue with the fact that they love it.” BY

srooms

Teddy Wenneker

e arts department head Todd Young works with ton on a computer.

◆ Interactive whiteboards can save both audio and visual parts of a lesson, according to instructional technology specialist Chris Murphy. ◆ Five teachers are using Moodle, a free, opensource software package that allows students to post links to videos documents, and forums, according to Murphy. ◆ World language teachers from Newton and other communities took an eight-week training course to learn to use such tools as blogs, podcasts and wikis in the classroom, according to world language department head Nancy Marrinucci. ◆ Drafting uses Revit, a program that constructs models of buildings, and Inventor, a program that creates models of assemblies, according to Drafting teacher James Gray.

news analysis Murphy also said ﬁve teachers are currently using Moodle, a free, online, open-source software package on which they can post class-related content. “There can be documents, links to videos and forums for students to comment on, making an active dialogue,” Murphy said. “Students can visit the Moodle and look at the online calendar, and see there’s a test on the 16th and a guest speaker on the 18th. “It helps prepare students for college as it’s similar to what you ﬁnd in colleges. Brandeis, for example, uses Moodle. “The idea is to have class be more student driven.” World language department head Nancy Marrinucci said she and 18 colleagues from Cambridge, Newton and Somerville took an eight-week training course to learn how to use web tools in the classroom. “We learned about using podcasts, wikis, blogs, voicethread, Google Earth, Google Docs, and ePals,” Marrinucci said. “It’s helped us implement new technologies that make our classes more interactive.” Marrinucci said language podcasts give students more opportunities to hear a language, and that her students will be making their own podcasts.

Drafting course has newest software MARENA COLE rafting has some of the best software in the industry, said James Gray, the teacher. Two new programs are called Revit and Inventor. “After graduating from college, students could possibly work at a firm where they may be the most experienced people working with this software,” Gray said. “Revit is a software that constructs three-dimensional models of buildings. “Inventor allows you to create three-dimensional models of assemblies, such as a group of Legos, or an engine or a clock.” Gray said that three-dimensional renderings are more effective than two-dimensional drawings, and that instead of having separate files for different views of a draft, there is one file for the entire draft. “Before, if you had to change the windows, for example, there was no way they were all connected. It was easier to make mistakes. “With these programs, they’re all in one file. There are advantages and disadvantages to that. “It’s all together, but it’s a huge file, so computers have to be very fast and sophisticated to run it. “Now, you can just take your imagination to so many different levels. Instead of drawing lines to depict what they want to show, students really get to design.” BY

Teddy Wenneker

gory Drake circles a location in Europe.

Design and Visual Communications

Drafting: Sophomore Rolli Jameson-Dudu uses Auto-CAD.

10 ◆ Newtonite, Newton North

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12 ◆ Newtonite, Newton North

Thursday, April 9, 2009

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sports

Thursday, April 9, 2009

In Power Lifting Club members can work out together daily

MEREDITH ABRAMS To do core lifts that give people a workout, the Power Lifting Club meets every day in the weight room, said junior Eddie Pang. “We want to make people aware of how to live healthier, lift weights and work out,” Pang said. Currently, the club is “great, but there’s always room for more students,” he said. “People should learn how to work out right so they can do that over the summer. “We want people to have fun while getting healthy. Also, we want to see progression in strength and overall ﬁtness, and to develop a sense of teamwork among friends and peers.” According Newtonian to physical eduMike Bower cation teacher M i k e B o w e r, goals are “to have students learn correct techniques and how to perform power lifting exercises that can enhance strength, power and skill-related ﬁtness.” Other aims are that students “continue to work out and enhance strength and technique as well as leading newcomers and teaching them,” Bower said. The club does not compete against other schools or have regularly scheduled competitions. “Competition is more within the people in the room, when they compete against each other, but also against one’s self,” Bower said. “Self-competition is good, where they’re pushing themselves and their friends to improve. “Expectations are that students gain an understanding of how this is going to affect the way they perform in sports, the way they move around school and that doing this will make life movements easier.”

Intramural

CLUBS

Sailing Club plans to race other schools on the Charles

JOSH BAKAN Students don’t need to know how to sail to join the Sailing Club, said assistant principal Richard Ballou, the adviser. “The best way to learn how to sail is to race, and our league’s emphasis is on racing,” Ballou said. N e w t o n North is a ﬁrstNewtonian year team in Richard the Mass. Bay Ballou League, and it will race about 20 other high schools at Community Boating Inc. on Charles River in Boston, he said. “We race in the spring,” Ballou said. “The fall is for teaching kids BY

Newton North, Newtonite ◆ 13

and organizations

Teddy Wenneker

Ultimate Frisbee: Sophomore Mark Ingram prepares to haul in the frisbee as junior Dan Barter and senior Sam Schauer watch. The team practices at Burr Elementary School. how to sail.” Members can learn on Cape Cod Mercurys, which are 15-foot boats that fit up to four people. More experienced members can use 420s, which are 14-foot boats that fit two people, Ballou said. Meetings are in M19 and they are scheduled through e-mail, Ballou said. To receive notifications, students can sign up in Ballou’s office, M8. “We just started, so it’s not too late to join,” Ballou said. The club costs $150 to join, and scholarships are available, he said.

Ultimate Frisbee aims to build experience

MEREDITH ABRAMS Aiming to build experience, Ultimate Frisbee strives to develop fundamental skills and teamwork throughout the year, said the coach, science teacher Matt Anderson. “We’ve got lots of enthusiasm and a good attitude, so we’ll use them to form a cohesive team and build athleticism,” Anderson said. “One of the biggest things is athleticism. You can always teach someone to throw and catch, but what’s up to them is running hard, playing aggressively and running fast.” Tomorrow, the Tigers host Somerville. “They are a second-year team, but they have some athletic playBY

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ers,” Anderson said. “But because of our experience we’ll hopefully have the advantage.”

Monday, the team visits Weymouth, which Anderson said will be “pretty evenly matched because they generally have an

athletic team.” Wednesday, the Tigers host Holliston. “They’re generally very athletic, and they draw a lot on soccer players,” Anderson said. “It’s going to boil down to their athleticism against our ability to play a good fundamental game.” When the club hosts South Monday, April 20, Anderson said, he really wants to beat them. “We’ve only lost to them a couple times, and last fall was one of them,” Anderson said. “They’re pretty fast and make good connections. We’re gearing up to avenge that recent loss to them.” According to sophomore Evan Zhang, a captain with senior Ian McGoldrick and sophomore Dylan Wolff, “The team is really new this season, so a main focus is to get everyone really experienced and aim for a good season. “I expect everyone to work really hard and finish all the runs.” “Everyone on this team enjoys playing, but we need to step it up and work as a team. “I want to get everyone to come to every practice, and get everyone a lot of playing time so we can win at least two-thirds of our games.”

sports

14 ◆ Newtonite, Newton North

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Boys aim to make States

JEREMY GURVITS As a young team, boys’ tennis needs to work on fundamentals, coach Phil Goldberg said. “I’m not setting goals, win-loss wise,” he said. “We just need to work hard and progress as the season goes on. We’re not as good on paper as we were last year, but we should still be able to compete with some of the better teams.” Two of seven starters are returning from the 20-0 season last year, said senior Ben Cassidy, a captain with senior Andrew Whittum. Cassidy plays ﬁrst singles, junior Dan Stein, a Bay State Conference all-star last year, plays second and senior Dan Stevins plays third. BY

Whittum and freshman Parker Swiston play ﬁrst doubles, and senior Parv Mital and sophomore Zev Cariani play second. Today, the Tigers visit St. John’s/Danvers for a challenging match, according to Goldberg. After a relatively easy match Monday in Braintree, the Tigers host Framingham Tuesday. “They’ll be one of the top teams in the league,” Cassidy said. “They had a very strong team last year and they’re returning all their starters.” After hosting Walpole Wednesday and Weymouth Friday, the team visits Wellesley Thursday, April 23. “Wellesley is loaded,” Gold-

berg said. “We’ll do our best to be competitive with them. They have a good assortment of talented freshmen and sophomores, so they will be very good.” Then after a relatively easy match in Milton Monday, April 27, the Tigers host Brookline Wednesday, April 29 “From what I hear, Brookline has a really good squad so that will be a tough match,” Goldberg said. “They are able to move people around, and they have a lot of depth.” The Tigers beat Norwood 5-0 at home Tuesday. “Norwood was overmatched,” Goldberg said. “We beat them pretty easily.”

Girls’ coach predicts good year

MEREDITH ABRAMS Girls’ tennis is in for a good year, coach John Gautschi said. “We’ve got a competitive team in terms of our conference, so we should be right there with Brookline and Needham,” he said. “Our singles teams are strengths this season, but in doubles play we have to have a more aggressive style than we had last year.” Last year the girls finished 6-10. At first singles, junior Lee Ford is “possibly the best player in the state,” said senior Peri Silverman, a captain with senior Anitra Kloczewiak. “She’s unbelievable. We expect really great things from her this season.” Competing to play second singles are Kloczewiak, Silverman and sophomore Emily Kelly, and competing for third singles are junior Anna Crosby and freshBY

Teddy Wenneker

Playing ﬁrst singles: Senior Ben Cassidy is a captain with senior Andrew Whittum. The boys aced Norwood 5-0 Tuesday.

man Emily Chen. Silverman and Kelly are currently the first doubles team. Contenders for second doubles are Chen, Crosby, juniors Micah Dornfeld and Katy Lasell and freshman Emily Schacter. “We want to develop our game and make it to the State Tournament, and we also want to work to play together as a team,” Silverman said. “Over the course of the season, we want to give everybody experience in match situations, and have everybody improve in them. “We have the potential to be a very solid team, but only time will tell.” From her teammates, Silverman said she is looking for “a good attitude and lots of effort. Our record is secondary. We just want to have fun and make the most of the season.”

Monday, the Tigers host Braintree for “an interesting match,” Silverman said. “We beat them last year, but we have been switching people around a lot.” Visiting Walpole Wednesday and Weymouth Friday, Silverman said that both teams “had always been pretty good, but they lost players from last year.” The Tigers host Milton Monday, April 27. “Every team we play is very solid, but they’re all working with new players just like us. It should be a good game,” Silverman said. Wednesday, April 29, the Tigers visit Brookline for a match that is “kind of unknown, because Brookline has an all-new lineup,” Silverman said. The Tigers defeated Norwood 5-0 Tuesday in Norwood.

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sports

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Girls’ lacrosse works on its transitions

Veterans boosting softball Tigers to visit Saugus today

MEREDITH ABRAMS Softball has been looking to its returning players for experience and leadership, coach Lauren Baugher said. “We need to push each other and continue to get better, and improve in game situations,” Baugher said. “So far, we’re doing really well and enjoying the game. I have very high expectations for this team.” Senior Allison Clott, a captain with juniors Rae Copan and Leanne Preccopio, said that the Tigers are an all-around, talented team. “We generate a lot of runs, we play smart in the ﬁeld and we all try really hard,” Clott said. Although games through Tuesday this week were rained out, the Tigers visit Saugus today for a game Baugher said could be difﬁcult because Saugus was “a good team last year.” Hosting Woburn Saturday, the Tigers face “one of the toughest games of the year,” Baugher said. Monday, the Tigers visit Braintree for a game that “will be a good challenge,” Baugher said. “They have a good pitcher and a good team, and we were beaten by them last year, so we must play well against them now.” Baugher said that Wednesday’s game in Walpole will be “another tough one” for the Tigers. In Weymouth Thursday, the Tigers will need to be prepared, Baugher said. “We’re going to have to come ready to play,” she said. Hosting Lincoln-Sudbury Saturday, April 25, Baugher said, the team “will be playing a nonleague game for the challenge of it.” Monday, April 27 the Tigers host Milton, which “had a really good history,” Baugher said. The Tigers anticipate a surprise when they visit Brookline Wednesday, April 29. “They’re kind of on the upand-up, but everyone in our league is really good, and Brookline is always excited to play us,” Baugher said. NICOLE CURHAN CONTRIBUTED.

Newton North, Newtonite ◆ 15

ELI DAVIDOW By learning basic skills, girls’ lacrosse, 0-2, will grow into its full potential, coach Kim Keefe said. Thus far, problems that face the Tigers deal mostly with sluggish play and a lack of aggressiveness, Keefe said. “We’re getting beaten a lot with simple ground balls,” she said. “Whoever has the most possessions of the ball during the game wins.” The Tigers have been working on transitions, which will help prevent turnovers, Keefe said. “It’s frustrating watching from the sidelines sometimes,” Keefe said. “The other team doesn’t really earn the ball.” Keefe said the Tigers’ defense has improved immensely since the beginning of the season, especially in terms of communication. To help the team pinpoint where it needs to improve, Keefe said, she will videotape games. The Tigers have challenging games ahead Tuesday in Weymouth and Wednesday in Milton. “Every team will be a challenge this year,” Keefe said. “There is no such thing as an easy win.” An under-rated Brookline BY

Teddy Wenneker

Inside because of rain: Junior Brittany Jaillet, a captain, passes the ball as senior Jolyn Wiggen works on defense.

squad will host the Tigers Friday, April 17, Keefe said. “Their program has gotten a lot better,” she said. “Everyone always says, ‘Oh, it’s Brookline,’ expecting a big-time win, but it’s not like that any more.” The Tigers resume their games after vacation, hosting Needham Monday, April 27. “Lacrosse is really popular in Needham,” Keefe said. “They have a good youth program.” After Framingham defeated the Tigers 17-3 in Framingham Tuesday, March 31, the team knows what to expect when it plays the Flyers for a second time Wednesday, April 29, Keefe said. In recent action, the Mustangs beat the Tigers 15-2 in Norwood Thursday. Junior Kim Gillies, a co-captain with seniors Alyssa Hansen, Amanda Taylor and junior Brittany Jaillet, said that although the Tigers experienced some difﬁculty within their ﬁrst games, the team is still “working to keep a positive spirit.” “After every game, we’ve had a team meeting, and we’ve shared some constructive criticism,” she said. “It’s still fairly early in the season, so I know that we can do well.”

Boys’ lacrosse to face major competition MEREDITH ABRAMS Boys’ lacrosse, 1-2 Tuesday, needs to be more aggressive, coach Bussy Adam said. Arlington, Weymouth, Brookline, Lincoln-Sudbury and Needham will all present major competition, Adam said. “We have good catching and passing, but we have to work on things, especially ground balls,” Adam said. “Skill development is another area we’re working on. “As a team, we’re progressing pretty well. Once the younger players get some experience, they’ll have more contributions.” Tuesday, the Tigers host Weymouth, and according to the Wildcats’ coach, Robert McCarthy, the game will be good competition. BY

“We have not played consistently well so far, but we continue to work hard and try to improve,” he said. “Newton North has a great team. “As a turf team, we have a lot of trouble picking up ground balls on natural surfaces, so the grass will be the biggest challenge for us. “We have a lot of outstanding players. Players who do their best and work to get better are all outstanding in my opinion, regardless of the results.” Looking toward a visit to Milton Wednesday, Adam said its team is fairly new. “We beat them last year, but there are new players this season,” he said. “Shooting well, possessing the ball longer and having fewer turnovers will be

goals.” Next Friday, the Tigers host Brookline, a “pretty tough team,” Adam said. “Traditionally, they’re pretty skilled.” Lincoln-Sudbury, which visits Wednesday, April 22, is a strong, skilled, well-coached team, Adam said. Friday, April 24, the Tigers visit Arlington, which won 8-7 last season, and when the Tigers visit Needham Monday, April 27, they know that they will see a topnotch opponent, Adam said. “Needham is one of the better teams in the conference,” he said. “They’re well skilled and athletic, so we’re going to have to improve to beat them.” Framingham plays the Tigers for the second time when the Fly-

ers visit Wednesday, April 29. The Tigers won in their ﬁrst meeting, beating the Flyers 9-6 Tuesday, March 31 at home. Senior Brian Tully, the captain, said that the Tigers’ success might depend on their need to understand the mental aspect of the game, and understand how the game ﬂows. “How we work as a team, especially to overcome adversity, and playing as one unit instead of individuals, is important,” he said. Thursday, April 2, Norwood defeated the Tigers 11-6 at home, after North Andover beat the Tigers 10-4 Friday, March 27 in North Andover. The Tigers were to have hosted Walpole yesterday.

Boys’ volleyball aims to avenge its loss to Brookline

JACOB BRUNELL Going up against Brookline here Monday, boys’ volleyball is hoping to avenge last year’s loss, coach Richard Barton said. Last year, Brookline beat the Tigers 3-2 in an extremely close match, knocking them out of the State Tournament, Barton said. “This year, we have an almost entirely new group of players, so we have a clean slate coming into this game that will hopefully help us win,” he said. The Tigers will try to establish a fast offense so that their foes will be caught off guard, Barton said. “Because most of the players are new to the team, we are playing a different type of volleyball than we have in years past, trying out new strategies to see what works and what doesn’t in order to win,” Barton said. “We are coming together fairly quickly as a squad because evBY

coach Richard Barton “Because most of the players are new to the team, we are playing a different type of volleyball than we have in years past.” ery player on the team has the drive to turn this team from inexperienced to a legitimate contender.” Seniors Jon Lee and Chris McCann and junior Maicen Young are the only returning varsity players. Until the Tigers host Needham, Wednesday, April 29, they have relatively easy matches, Barton said. Friday, April 17, the team will host Braintree. “We beat them twice last year,” Barton said. “However with Braintree, it is important to never underestimate them because they always have a bunch of good athletes on the team.”

The Tigers host Weymouth Monday, April 27. “Usually we tend to beat Weymouth pretty handily every year,” Barton said. “However, this year, they have beaten everyone. Against us, it will be a very close match.” Lee said the team has “a lot of guys with a lot of potential. All we have to do is find that potential.” “As a team and as individuals, we want to improve this season, and we want to be able to show what we have to offer.” “What is most important is for our team to improve together “We’re progressing already, and halfway through the season

we will be really good. We just need more time on the court and more time to get to know each

other.” Monday, Natick beat the Tigers in Natick 3-2.

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Thursday, April 9, 2009

Girls’ outdoor track builds team chemistry B MEREDITH ABRAMS ad weather set back the girls’ track team, so the Tigers now have “a lot of work to do as far as technique,” coach Joe Tranchita said. “We’re trying to develop how we identify talent-wise, and improve conditioning and technical components,” he said. “The team is still picking up members, but the team chemistry is really outstanding. “We are getting down the ﬁeld events, and there’s a lot of learning taking place.” Focuses of the team are “just trying to get cohesive training and get into essential ﬂow, with one day building on the next, to

get continuity and consistency,” Tranchita said. “We are really happy with what we see,” Tranchita said. “We’re just trying to put it together. There’s a tremendous amount that makes up the team effort. “Team chemistry is a highlight of the season. We have some nice kids. I rate it is just as important as talent. “The team bonded the first couple of weeks, which is a positive. Distance runners and hurdles are also strengths.” Tuesday, the Tigers visit Weymouth, “a much stronger and more balanced team then we are at this point,” Tranchita said. “It will be competitive, but we’re go-

ing in the underdog.” In recent action, the Tigers defeated Brookline 112-24 Tuesday at Brookline. “They’re a young team that is growing and developing, so we outmatched them in talent,” Tranchita said. Last Wednesday, the Tigers won in Dedham 99-37. “We were just the superior team,” Tranchita said. “They didn’t have the numbers or depth to match us.” According to senior Michele Kaufman, a captain with seniors Sophie Duncan, Emma Kornetsky and Carolyn Ranti, the team is still getting “into basic running shape, and after that working on each speciﬁc event.”

JOSH BAKAN ELI DAVIDOW oys’ track, 2-0, will bring momentum into its meet at Weymouth Tuesday, said senior Dan Hamilton, a captain with seniors Sam Arsenault, Tony Chen and Jared Forman. “Weymouth will be a tough challenge for us,” Hamilton said. “We beat them by only one point in indoor track.” A major contributor to shortdistance events, junior Ben Kiley, will not be able to run at Wey-

mouth because he is out sick. In the past, Norwood, which hosts the team Tuesday, April 21, has not been a tough opponent for the Tigers, coach Jim Blackburn said. Tuesday, April 28 the Tigers visit Braintree, which has “some pretty good members,” he said. The Tigers face challenges because they have no returning members in the javelin and triple jump, Hamilton said. “We’ve been working hard, mostly training guys in events they haven’t done before,” Ham-

ilton said. Tuesday in Brookline, the Tigers won 81-64. Highlights were sophomore Ezra Lichtman finishing first in the 800 at 2:09 and Hamilton finishing first in the two-mile at 10:03, Hamilton said. Arsenault, who missed Dedham with a foot injury, placed second in the javelin. Wednesday, April 1 in Dedham, the Tigers won 106-21. “They didn’t have many very good runners,” Blackburn said. “We won almost every event.” ELLIOT RAFF CONTRIBUTED.

Boys’ track to visit Weymouth BY

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Teddy Wenneker

On Lowell: Sophomore Ellen Goldberg and junior Jen Liu run in front of the school’s main entrance.

Pitching a focus for baseball team

Tigers to visit Braintree Monday

JOSH BAKAN ore skillful pitching will be crucial for baseball, coach Joe Siciliano said. “We have a lot of kids without experience,” he said. “They have to learn how to pitch off-speed, and they have to get the ﬁrst pitch in for a strike about 66 percent of the time. They’ll be great once they start doing that. Leading the pitching are seniors Adam Hollenberg, Max Martins and Charlie Pappas, said senior James Krasker, a captain with seniors Alex Clark, Lenny Tocci and Billy Uberti. “Hollenberg is a relief pitcher,” Krasker said. “He’s a crafty lefty who throws hard and has a good curveball. “Martins and Pappas are starters. Martins is a lefty with a bunch of good pitches. Pappas has a great fastball.” Hitting and ﬁelding are the team’s strengths because there is a good group of position players returning from last year, Krasker said. Uberti, a Bay State Conference all-star last year, is starting the season with an ankle injury, Krasker said. “The offense will be led by Clark,” he said. “He’s our catcher. He hits leadoff and he’s a very good contact hitter.” Competition will get stronger in the next few weeks, culminating in a game at Xaverian and then here against Catholic Memorial starting Thursday, April 23. “They’re in the Catholic Conference, which is the toughest league in the state,” Siciliano said. “Both those teams always have outstanding athletes and players.” This Monday, the Tigers visit Braintree, a school with “a great baseball tradition,” Siciliano said. Wednesday, the Tigers host Walpole, which has “great pitching and great defense,” Siciliano said. “That’s how they win.” Next Friday, the Tigers host Weymouth. “They have three outstanding pitchers,” Siciliano said. “They have enough speed and off-speed pitches to keep hitters off balance.” Monday, April 27, the Tigers visit Milton, which features “great pitching,” Siciliano said. “They graduated a lot of pitchers, but they’re still very good,” he said. Wednesday, April 29, the team hosts Brookline. “They’re a very big team,” Siciliano said. “They have seven or eight guys who can pitch fairly well.” Brookline coach Joe Campagna said that the Warriors’ strength is their experience. “We have 14 seniors,” Campagna said. “It’s always a tough match-up, but we look forward to the game.” In recent action, the Tigers tied Framingham 8-8 after nine innings at home in a game postponed due to darkness. The makeup date is unknown. “Martins pitched well,” Krasker said. “He got eight strikeouts and he was able to pitch out of some jams. “We also had some timely hitting and we were able to drive in a lot of runs.” The Tigers were to have hosted Norwood Wednesday, April 8. BY

Teddy Wenneker

At practice: Sophomore Ryan Donovan prepares to throw the discus Monday in the SOA.