Park Tudor Tribune Issue 2 May 2014 by Park Tudor School

Park Tudor Tribune

Issue 2 May 2014

Table of Contents The Need for Creating the Tools of Action

Student Diversity Leadership Conference

A Freedom Rider’s Journey

My Trip to Red River Gorge

iOS7 is the Best

Apple Drools, Android Rules

Five Best Homework Apps

A Freshman’s Perspective

How to Study for Finals

Global Online Academy

Zero Tolerance Policies

Pokemon X/Y Review

What We’re Listening To

Panther Profile

Editors Douglass Boshkoff Amy Cohn Dan Fu Joseph Komari Margaret Kosten Amanda Li

Angela Li Meredith Mannix Mattie Shepard Alexus Sims-Barnes Emily Stark Alayna Weiss Mia Zhao

Contributors Tala Ali-Hasan Douglass Boshkoff Amy Cohn Zeba Kokan Erin Krull Amanda Li

Jack Lloyd Keenan Rhodes Alayna Weiss Aidan Wiesinger Mia Zhao Michelle Zhu

The Need for Creating the Tools of Action by Keenan Rhodes

As I reflect on black history month I think about the progress that we’ve made but also the numerous steps that we still have to take. As I review these thoughts, the message that comes to mind is that what we’ve done is simply not enough. With the numerous systemic issues that create the issues that we see daily, the need for nothing short of a social movement is necessary to bring about fundamental changes to problems that plague our communities. Two personal stories come to mind that speak to such injustices that we face.

led many into either the prison-indus- cause with only a lunch, the difficult trial complex or into the grave. and more strenuous conversations that give context to why these foods As disheartening as seeing how he’s are a part of black history month archanged and how his decisions are en’t had. What this speaks to is the negatively impacting his future, the watering down of true cultural signifmore disheartening aspect of his sto- icance into nothing more than novelry is that there are thousands of young ties. This relates to the issue of the black men who face this similar fate. ‘colorblind’ society we live in. The colAlthough personal responsibility has orblindness of America has become its role in every young man’s story, we a justification for overlooking the can’t ignore the systemic oppression systemic problems that cause these that creates an environment of young types of issues. black men preying on each other and their community. When given context, A soul food lunch isn’t enough. We his story is one outcome of years of must broaden our lens and have real oppression of black people that has discussions about the context for culOne experience that I’ve had is re- created this toxic environment. tural values as well as power strugconnecting with a relative of mine gles in society that affect our lives, that I grew up with. He and I share Another experience is the black his- including my relative I mentioned many childhood memories togeth- tory month lunch that was served in above. er, and we’ve February at Park watched each “We must broaden our lens Tudor. The school As described by Michelle Alexander other grow up. and have real discussions provided a soul in Chapter 6 of The New Jim Crow, However, we food lunch to its the hard work of our ancestors and about the context for lost connecstudents as an at- civil rights activists will be in vain if tion about two cultural values as well as tempt at celebrat- we proceed without having the conyears ago and power struggles in society ing black history versations that discuss our societal drifted apart. month. Although oppression. Discussion is a tool for that affect our lives.” This young man soul food is a sta- action, and having these conversamay be one of ple of black cul- tions is but a start to a social movethe smartest people I know, but he ture, the lack of context makes the ment to create an equitable world for us to live in. has become almost addicted to the lunch offensive. streets. He’s chosen a route, one that many young black males have taken The soul food lunch is an ‘easy’ way and continue to take today, that has to celebrate black history month be-

Student Diversity Leadership Conference by Zeba Kokan

There are certain times in our life when we come to realize that simply continuing to exist will not cut it anymore, when the idea of truly living takes root in our hearts and our heads. As students we are constantly told that we are America’s tomorrow and that we can make a difference in the world. This is easier said than done. The Student Diversity Leadership Conference also known as SDLC opens the door to high schools students so that we can learn how to help make a better tomorrow. Around 1,000 students come to SDLC from independent schools all across the world to discuss issues involving

oppression and empowerment. The central theme is diversity. At the start of the conference, the head of the organization, Rodney Glasgow, who is a gay African-American man, invited everyone in the audience to “tell their story.” Three students came and talked about their struggles in life and what they wanted to achieve. The atmosphere of SDLC is full of life. During lunch, at the most random times, big groups of students would start dancing and chanting like one nation.

gay rights, equality, life, religion, socio-economic classes, and much more with complete strangers. So that we could get to know each other better, we were sorted into different levels of groups. First there were the family groups. Then there were the affinity groups, which were based on how you identify yourself in terms of your ethnicity. There we get to discuss issues that people of our ethnicity go through and hear about other people’s stories. The beauty of it all is you are in an open-minded environment free of judgment.

At SDLC, I spent two days having dynamic conversations about racism, Through the many snaps and signs of peace (literally) you realize that maybe equality and justice for everyone can happen. Many people go into SDLC thinking it’s a conference, but in reality its more than that it’s the training of an army to fight the ongoing war called hate which arrives in many shapes and sizes. The students that left SDLC did not leave motivated they left determined.

Students at a restaurant in Maryland during the SDLC conference. Pictured (from right to left): Priya Mirmira, Annie Dora, Zeba Kokan, Dominique Harrington, and Logan Abernathy. Image courtesy of Zeba Kokan.

A Freedom Rider’s Journey by Amy Cohn

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day I had the opportunity to participate in the city of Bloomington’s commemorative ceremony. I spoke about community service in our community, including service opportunities at two organizations that I volunteered at-the Boys and Girls Club and the Midwest Pages for Prisoners Project, which sends reading material to prisoners. I also led the audience in a peace pledge (given below), which asks individuals to strive to help create the “beloved community” that Dr. King envisioned. I am an associate to the commission that organizes this annual event and that also works with other civil rights groups in Bloomington to promote racial justice and equality throughout the year.

would give to students today who are interested in promoting racial equality and justice. He said that if you see something wrong, you should do something about it—that you should be active and stand up for what you believe is right. This echoed the concluding remarks of his speech. “After 50 years, that dream of old has not been tarnished and it has lost neither its tone nor its tint,” Mr. Thomas said. “It still stands glimmering through the veils of yesteryear. We the Freedom Riders, we saw something wrong and we did something about it.”

I found his speech to be deeply inspiring. It was very moving to hear from someone who had been on the front lines of the Civil Rights movement. Text of the Peace Pledge: “I pledge to do my utmost to be a model of ethical behavior, integrity, and good citizenship; to treat others with the respect with which I wish to be treated; to go out of my way to be kind to others, and to contribute in any way I can to create the “beloved community” envisioned by Dr. King.”

Before the program, I had the opportunity to speak with the keynote speaker, Hank Thomas, one of the original Freedom Riders, who challenged segregation on interstate buses during 1961 and as a result faced police hostility and mob violence. Eventually with the intervention of the Kennedy administration, the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) banned segregation on interstate buses and facilities under its jurisdiction. I asked Mr. Thomas what advice he Hank Thomas (left) and Amy Cohn (right) Image courtesy of Amy

My Trip to Red River Gorge by Douglass Boshkoff

Images courtesy of Douglass Boshkoff

“You are not a true climber until you have been to Red River Gorge.”

Last year I had the pleasure of visiting one of the most famous climbing locations in the Midwest, Red River Gorge. The gorge serves as an important initiation point for indoor rock climbers into what some

might call “real” rock climbing. You are not a true climber until you have been to Red River Gorge.

Bouldering entails climbing without ropes up a wall which may range from 10-15 feet. Climbers place a crash pad underneath themselves There are three types when climbing as the of climbing that you can only protection from the find at Red River Gorge. ground. The next type

of climbing is top-roping. When most people think of climbing this is what they think of. A climber is on a rope secured to an anchor at the top of the route, and, when finished, he/she is belayed back down the wall. This is most likely the safest climbing at the Red and the most beginner-friendly. The third and most advanced type of climbing is lead climbing. Lead climbing is the process in which a climber takes up about a dozen karabiners (called quick-draws) and attaches the rope to different bolt holes throughout the route. This effectively moves the anchor of the route as you are climbing. This is the most dangerous climbing because you fall farther when climbing between places to attach a quick link. All climbing gear is brought by the climbers, and there is a wide variety of places where one can go in the park. At Red River Gorge, I participated in mostly top-roping since it was my first time. My brother-in-law and I were traveling with two of our more experienced friends. After getting a good night’s sleep, we woke up at 8 o’clock in the morning and set out to the gorge. The climbing was much slower than I was used to. Groups moved through the routes, always courteous, but it left long periods of time for us to sit and enjoy nature. When we did get on the routes, the climbing was excellent, and the view was to die for. There is no greater feel-

ing than being suspended fifty feet in the air on a sunny day. The routes are completely unmarked which leaves a great sense of physical and mental accomplishment upon completion. When finished with our day we headed to the famous Miguel’s Pizza. This is the place that any climber will tell you “serves the best pizza in the world.” Possibly only because I was wiped out, but on that day I was inclined to agree with them. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the sight of hundreds of tents stretching out behind the pizza place, all climbers camping out. There were climbing ropes for sale and fingerboards on the walls. It felt surreal to be surrounded by people who were all intensely interested in the same thing I was. Whenever I wear the Miguel’s Pizza sweatshirt I bought there, it serves as a secret

message to all climbers. I have been to Red River Gorge, I have eaten a slice of pizza at Miguel’s, and I am a climbing aficionado.

iOS7 is the Best by Erin Krull

It’s hard to say what I like most about you can find thousands upon thouthe iOS7, which is the new software sands of stations dedicated to genres and design for iPhones, iPods, and of music and different artists. Best of iPads everywhere. The best new features include the design, the control center, iTunes Radio, new app icons, dynamic wallpapers, and AirDrop. Apple has completely redesigned the iPhone with the iOS7. Everything that meets the eye is new and exciting. This includes the apps, the wallpaper, and the lock and home screens. Apple has added dynamic wallpapers, which sense movement and move along with you. They made everything brighter and more attractive. The lock screen is different, which is a nice change after more than 5 years with no modifications. Apple has also added two new extremely cool built in apps, AirDrop and iTunes Radio. AirDrop is an easy way to send photos and videos to friends and family. Just pull up a photo you want to share, click on AirDrop, click on the person you want to send the photo to, and send it away. It’s fast and extremely easy, and all you need is a WiFi connection. I have found that a lot of people don’t know about AirDrop. Sadly, it’s only available to people with iPhone 5 and later or the new iPod Touch. iTunes Radio is an internet radio run by Apple where

“iOS7 is an effective and high-quality operating system. I recommend it to everyone.” from the bottom of the screen, and suddenly you have access to frequently used features. These include features like music adjustments, sound, brightness, airplane mode, WIFI, Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb mode, lock screen rotation, sound mute, flashlight, alarm, calculator, camera, AirDrop, and brightness. It can be very helpful and a lot faster. It is probably my favorite feature. iOS7 is an effective and high-quality operating system. I recommend it to everyone who has and iPhone 4 and later, iPad 2 and later, and iPod Touch 4 and later.

all, advertisements are far apart and short. It is a free way to listen to music you like and get introduced to new songs and artists. Last but not least, there is the control center. It makes using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod easier. All you do is pull up

“Apple has completely redesigned the iPhone with the iOS7. ”

Android Rules, Apple Drools by Amanda Li

Which type of phone is better: Android or to easily customize their home screen, or Apple? There has been much competi- go back a single page. Overall, the layout tion over these years between these two of the Samsung galaxy is much more efmajor types of phones. Each type has its own flagship phone: Apple has the iPhone, while Android has the Samsung Galaxy. Most people believe that Apple is far superior to Android; however, this is not true. The features and layout of the Samsung Galaxy surpass those of the iPhone by a long shot. The layout of the Samsung Galaxy is more sleek and unique than the iPhone’s. Apple claims that the Samsung Galaxy copied the same look as the iPhone; however, if one closely analyzes both phones, one can see that they actually have many differences. On the back of the iPhone, there is a camera and a tiny LED flash hole. The Samsung Galaxy, on the other hand, has a much larger camera than the iPhone’s, a speaker, and a flashlight hole on the back. Also, the iPhone has its lock screen button on the top right of the phone; the Samsung Galaxy has its button on the right side of the phone. Furthermore, in addition to the home button on the bottom of both phones, the Samsung galaxy has “soft keys” on the sides of the home button that allow one ficient to use than the iPhone’s. The Samsung Galaxy’s features are also more unique and useful than the iPhone’s. One feature that is very helpful is the bar at the top of the screen that shows all notifications; furthermore, if one drags that bar downward, it brings up a shortcut screen.

“The features and layout of the Samsung Galaxy surpass those of the iPhone by a long shot.”

“Android phones are much better than Apple phones.”

of the Samsung Galaxy in its most recent iOS 7 update. Another advantage is that the Galaxy has many distinctive features. Some of these include facial recognition and split screen viewing, which allows the user to run to programs at once. However, one of the biggest advantages of the Samsung Galaxy is its customization abilities. The layout of the iPhone is rather simple: row after row of apps laid out linearly on pages. The Samsung Galaxy, on the other hand, allows one to place apps wherever one wants. Also, there are many unique widgets that the user can place that have many unique functions such as the media hub, favorite apps and contacts bar, GPS, and many more! These widgets make accessing certain features of the phone much more efficient. One can move around these widgets and apps however they want to! This gives the user much more freedom with the layout of the phone.

It is not hard to see that the features and layout of the Samsung Galaxy is far superior to those of the IPhone. The overall layout of the IPhone is relatively simple, and is not hard for beginners to use. However, the Samsung Galaxy allows the user to customize the phone in whichever way they find most efficient! Furthermore, the Samsung Galaxy has many unique abilities that the iPhone does not This screen allows one to easily adjust have. All in all, Android phones are much the brightness, turn off wifi, or switch to better than Apple phones. driving mode in a touch of a button. The iPhone only recently copied this feature

Five Best Homework Apps by Tala Ali-Hasan

Homework is boring. And tedious. Second, myHomework is the app for These apps will help with studying, the student that is just too lazy to buy syncing papers, and make the hassle of homework a little easier. Since a vast majority of PT students have iPhones or at least one Apple product, these apps are available in the App Store. Also, these apps are all free! No need to waste money on apps that you’re going to delete after this year, even though you won’t delete these, because they’re awesome. an actual planner but still wants to First, all you Google Drive users will remember their homework. Add your be happy to know Google has a free classes and it syncs across iPhones, app that allows you to edit and create iPads, and is accessible online. The word documents, powerpoint presen- best part? It supports the block tations, and excel spreadsheets on schedule we have at PT. That’s right, the go and save them to your Drive, you can add letter days and see your allowing you to access them from schedule in the app. No more boring anywhere. Its called Quickoffice and schedule wallpaper! it’s great for those moments when you write a paper and need to access This next app is one of my personal or edit it from a mobile device. favorites. It’s called ShowMe, and the name is pretty self-explanatory. If you’re struggling with a certain subject in a class, say function notation in algebra, search ShowMe and watch a few videos with example problems to help clear it up. This app has videos for every subject, and many of the users who make the ShowMes are teachers too. This app

is only available on the iPad. These days, we’re all about syncing pictures, files, and just about anything possible across multiple devices. Bump makes it fun. Lets say you open up an email from a teacher on your phone and you need it on your computer or vice versa. Open the file in the Bump app, go to the Bump website on your computer, and “bump” the spacebar. Now you have your file on your computer or phone. Witchcraft? Not quite, it just makes syncing a little more interesting. Lastly, pulling out a boring calculator and typing in numbers for a math problem can get a little mundane, which is why this next app is great for basic calculations. MyScript Calculator isn’t just a calculator, it’s an app that allows you to write out with your finger what you want to calculate. That iPhone calculator app is no longer relevant once you download this app. It gets even better: trigonometric functions are supported when you write. Homework isn’t so tedious anymore.

A Freshman’s Perspective by Michelle Zhu

Image taken by Alayna Weiss

High school is a new chapter of a person’s life. In the time before high school everyone thinks about what they’ve heard concerning high school. They think about the new freedoms, the new opportunities and the new experiences of entering high school. As middle-schoolers, when we think of high school, we think of it as a looming, freakishly scary place, but once we are in the summer right before freshman year, we get excited for the future that is to come. We think of the stories that we have been hearing about high school since our years in middle school: the legends, the excitement, and the horrors. We think of what it will feel like to be in the “big leagues”.

The freedoms that I get now are being able to go the Lily Orchard, wandering the campus during free periods, and double lunches. Although there are many freedoms gained from entering high school, there is a lot more burden: more homework, higher expectations and not many second chances. The free periods may be a time to enjoy myself, but they are mainly for homework, doing my projects and studying for tests. The teachers are much more serious and expect much more from us than in previous years. When I first walked into the high school, I was scared by the vastness of the high school. Middle school was simple. A single hallway. One teacher for every subject teaching everyone

in the grade. Now, high school is a different matter. It is a maze of hallways with many different teachers for each subject. Luckily, once I had gone to school for a week, I knew my way around fairly well. At the beginning of the year I feared the many rumors about “ranking” where the upper-classmen could steal your stuff and kick you from your lunch table and so on, but I found that this was not quite true. It is just something said to worry and scare the freshman. As I learn more about the real world of high school, I become more comfortable with it. I have experienced the freedoms and the burdens of high school. I look forward to the next four years.

Global Online Academy by Alayna Weiss

This past semester I took Global Health with the Global Online Academy (GOA) that Park Tudor recently partnered with this year. It is different than any other class that one could take at Park Tudor and so I would recomend a Global Online class to anyone that is interested. So why should you take a Global Online Academy class? Without further ado this is everything you should know about taking a GOA class:

class discussions take place during decides not to work. From an interacvideo chats and sometimes on discussion boards (like the ones some teachers use on Blackboard.) So far our class has had one video chat together.The hardest part is coordinating time zones with the teacher and other students so that everyone can meet at one time.

The Online Part: The technology is pretty self-explanatory. The class itself consists of watching videos and reading various articles. There aren’t lectures from our teacher that we have to watch, other than 2-3 minute introduction videos that explain the lesson briefly. The class does have a fair amount of assignments because it is the only way to make sure that everyone in the class is keeping up with the assignments. The assignments include anything from commenting on voicethreads to researching statistics. Its a new way of learning and engaging in the subject matter because the class is not centered on taking notes from a powerpoint slide. Our

tive standpoint, it is difficult to make sure I get my questions answered on assignments because I can’t just The Time Commitment: As in all class- walk into class the next day and ask es it is important to not get behind my teacher in passing. and to complete assignments, GOA classes are no different. There is not The Other Students: There are an obscene amount of work and you around 18 other students in my class are not expected to spend hours on it give or take a few. They are mostly a night, but rather to dedicate a small from all over the United States, but time frame each day to work on it. there is one who lives in Japan, and When you work on the class is largely one who lives in the Philippines, beup to you, so if you are a good time cause of this I feel that they are more manager, major props but if not just worldly compared to myself. Our first try to procrastinate a little bit less. assignment was to post an introduction video of ourselves and so that The Teacher: My teacher is nice and is how I have gotten to know some pretty understanding when it comes of the other students. Additionally I to not being able to get an assignment just finished a group project with two done on time due to technological dif- other students. It was a challenge ficulties, a busy schedule, or whatev- to work on a group project in which er it may be. This has been especially the group couldn’t work in the same helpful to me as the times that I need room, but it gave me insight into how my internet most, is the times that it businesses collaborate with teams

“My advice is to take a Global Online Academy class.”

“In Global Health, I have learned about public health issues in other parts of the country that I didn’t know even existed.”

How to Study for Finals by Amanda Li overseas. The students as a whole are very motivated and genuinely interested about the topics covered in class. The different backgrounds that all of the students have lead to different perspectives on topics that can’t be gained in a class at Park Tudor. In Global Health in particular, I have learned about public health issues in other parts of the country that I didn’t know even existed. My advice is to take a GOA class but not just for the sake of taking one. It is important to take a class in a subject that sparks your interest and that you are passionate about. The skill of communicating online via writing and video chatting is a must-have in today’s society and so a GOA class is a great way to develop these skills and pursue a subject that interests you, killing two birds with one stone.

Image courtesy of Alayna Weiss

It’s almost May, which means that summer break is in sight! However, before break is one of the most dreaded times of the school year: finals. During finals, students are often tested not only on what they learned in the second semester, but also the first! In addition, finals count for a whopping twenty percent of your semester grade: it could greatly help, or hurt your grade. Preparing for finals may seem like a stressful task; however, with a few tips in mind, it may not seem like such a tedious task after all. First of all, it is very important that you do not procrastinate! Start studying a few weeks ahead of time, even if it’s just thirty minutes to an hour a day. This way, you will retain the information much better as opposed to many hours the weekend before finals week! With six or seven classes to study for, cramming all the information to short term memory will definitely not help you when test day comes.

Furthermore, by studying earlier, you can see if you have any questions about the material; this way, you have plenty of time to make an appointment with a teacher. Overall, not procrastinating will definitely reduce the level of stress when finals week arrives. Another important tip is to read through your textbooks. Although it may seem that just going over your notes is enough, reading the textbook will serve to further solidify your knowledge. It will make up for the information not written down in your notes! The textbook also often times explains concept in a clearer manner. In addition, it is important to do the reading checks or exercises at the end of each section in the textbook: this way, you can see if you truly understand the information. You’d be surprised at how much the textbook helps! Finally, the last, most important tip is to not be nervous and try your best. Fretting over the tests will only cause you to not achieve your full potential. You’d be surprised by how much information you still have remembered from the previous two quarters! By keeping these tips in mind, and by persevering through the weeks, success will be within your reach.

Zero Tolerance Policies by Tala Ali-Hasan

In Florida, a young boy held his hands up in the shape of a gun, pointed them at the teacher, and was expelled. Zero tolerance is defined as the refusal to accept potentially threatening behavior, typically by strict and uncompromising application of the law. This policy has been instilled in a vast majority of schools in the United States, but they have only served as a quick fix for behavioral problems. When children who were “victims” of this policy grow up, they are likely to experience many signs of depression, lashing out, more violence, and dropouts, as well as less opportunity for education.

in New York was arrested for writing “I love my friends...” on her desk due to the school’s zero tolerance policy. It may seem that she was treated like a criminal for a case that could have been handled with a trip to the principal or a talk with a teacher, however the school & the administration has to deal with these issues indiscriminately. There are children being arrested for violating a zero tolerance policy when a vast majority of these moments could have been very useful teaching moments. Some might argue arresting a child for essentially acting like a child does not do much more than impact their school record and in some cases lead them to School officials support zero toler- make more dangerous choices later ance policies because they’re capa- on in their life. ble of “keeping children in line.” Of course, that statement is subjective. In Boston, a girl was demoted from Does keeping children in line mean her position as captain of the high they just hear less about them break- school volleyball team and suspending the rules? There will always be ed for five games for answering a someone breaking the rules, so it is friend’s call for help. The friend was drunk and needed a ride home from a party. Many maintain that she did the right thing since the friend could have easily hurt herself or the people around her. Others, however, disagreed and she is being punished based on a black and white policy that needs to be enforced in worth it to implement a policy that order to prevent accusations of dismight end up doing more harm than crimination. Some say she was not good later on in their life? A young girl in trouble for helping her friend, she

“Zero tolerance policies have only served as quick fixes.”

was in trouble because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time; a place where there happened to be

“Is it worth it to implement a policy that might end up doing more harm than good?” alcohol. The administration needs to amend their policy in order to avoid another such mishap, many say, and they should apologize for the result of this incident. Whose side are you on? Should schools do away with zero tolerance policies? Should each case be judged separately? Or should there be a black and white answer for everything? Though these policies seem to be a more equal and consistent method of addressing these kinds of issues, should bystanders and unfortunate timing be handled the same way? It seems to be a matter of opinion, how far administrators will go to “discipline” children.

Pokemon X/Y Review by Mia Zhao

In elementary school, everyone is more or less the same. Then you get older and split off into cliques and social groups and whatever, with nary any interaction among your separate spheres. But there’s one thing that unites us all, and it isn’t procrastination—it’s Pokémon. Many of us fondly remember the original Gameboy games where we named our rival mean things and laughed at him when we pummeled him with our superior ‘mons, or when we agonized over choosing Charmander, Squirtle, or Bulbasaur as our stalwart companion for our journey through the world of Pokémon. The franchise documented our growth through the years as we bought new consoles and got our hands on the next installment of the series. Eventually, some of us grew out of Pokémon probably around the Diamond/Pearl generation, but I bet you the school tuition that there’s still a soft spot for it in their hearts. October 12th launched the Pokémon

world into revolution—or rather, re- old Pokémon getting type revamps. generation. Pokémon X/Y is the fran chise’s first mainline entry for the 3DS, and arguably the best game in the whole lineup. Yes, you heard me. It beats Emerald. X/Y introduces the same which-oneshould-I-choose dilemma with its three starters, and it only gets worse after that: about an hour into the game, the suave new French professor (no, really. The new region is based on France.) offers you a choice between the original Kanto starters. Disregarding even that, there are so many new Pokémon in the expanded Pokédex that it’s a real struggle to pick only six for your team. A new type, Fairy, has been added as well to shake up type matchups, with many

“Cutscenes and animations are absolutely beautiful, and the plot is much stronger and more connected.”

Probably the most startling difference (continued on the next page)is the appearance of the game. Everything is gorgeously rendered in 3D, and you’re no longer just a pixelated sprite running around. That’s right, you’re in 3D too! And as if they want you to keep admiring the beauty of

“There’s one thing that unites us all, and it isn’t procrastionation—it’s Pokémon.” Image courtesy of Mia Zhao

your trainer, for the first time in the franchise’s history you can change your appearance. Haircuts, clothes, eye color, it’s all included. Cutscenes and animations are absolutely beautiful, and the plot is much stronger and more connected. The battle system is new and improved, with a battlefield that matches the environment you’re currently in, resulting in a much more natural look. Also, if you surf with a Lapras, you can actually see yourself riding on its back!

less features have been greatly expanded too, making trading, battling, and just friendly interactions in general much easier and appealing than in previous generations.

If you thought Black/White was impressive, X/Y breaks the mold like no game ever did. It delivers the same core experience while energizing the classic gameplay with new elements and much-improved old ones, making it a must-have for anyone who owns a 3DS and dares call themself The Pokémon Amie feature has final- a Pokémon trainer. ly made our dreams into reality (or at least mine). You can pet your Pokémon with the stylus, play with them, and feed them to gain affection and deepen your friendship. You might be thinking, “Okay, it’s nifty but also kind of useless.” Ding dong, you’re wrong: affection helps Pokémon evolve, and the more they love you, the more likely they are to land critical hits, Image courtesy of Mia Zhao dodge attacks, shrug off status ailments, and tough through one-hit KO moves. I know I always wished I could interact with my Pokémon more, and Amie lets trainers do just that. Wire-

What We’re Listening To Dan Fu Everything is AWESOME!!! The Lego Movie Untitled Self-Potrait The Lego Movie West Clark The Boxer Simon and Garfunkel Sound of SIlence Simon and Garfunkel Hotel California The Eagles Blackbird The Beatles Aidan Wiesinger Bulletproof Doctor P

Panther Profile: Robert Gerdisch by Zeba Kokan

Robert Gerdisch (left) and Zeba Kokan (right). Image taken by Alayna Weiss.

The three letters in “act” mean different things to different Park Tudor students. Some will be reminded of “Act Care Tell.” Others, the ACT. Others still, the art of acting. Robert Gerdisch is one of these students. He has been acting since he was four and has performed in numerous roles. I sat down with Robert to discuss some interesting aspects of his

acting career. Zeba: Why did you decide to pursue acting at a relatively young age? Robert: When I was really little my parents and I would always go to California Pizza Kitchen. I was kind of a charismatic kid, I guess, and one day I went up to people and asked them

how their dinner was. It just so happened that I went up to someone who was an agent. I asked her how she was and how her food was. She went over to mom and told her to bring me in to audition to be one of her clients. My mom had been in actress in community theatre when she was younger, so she was into it and understood what was going on.

Zeba: What was one of your first jobs to theaters, I was in Let’s Go to Prison acting? was my first feature movie. I was also in Superman: Man of Steel. I was on Robert: The first movie that I per- the set of Contagion with Matt Daformed in was the work of some mon and actually got to meet him, college students at Northwestern but my part was cut from that film. University. The movie was called the Outpost. It was really fun. While film- Here’s a list of the most popular ing the movie, I learned a lot about things I’ve done: how movies are made, so that was exciting. I was one of the main char- Theater: acters and was on set a lot. I got to -Lookingglass Theater- The Brothers know the people involved with the Karamozov (played Karatashov) movie. Throughout my acting career I -The Goodman Theater - A Christmas have gotten to know adults and have Carol (played Peter Chratchit, Ignoworked with adult actors. Typically, it rance, and boy Scrooge). is cheaper to higher an adult actor than a child actor. So I’m very used to Voice-over (radio): McDonald’s, Ninworking with adults. tendo, Kraft, Hallmark.

Robert: I played a kid named Whitney Fordham. He was one of Superman’s bullies in elementary school. In every movie, they record a lot more footage than they are actually going to use. So a lot of it ends up getting cut, so the final movie isn’t too long. The feature film version of Superman was ultimately 2 hours and 45 minutes. They actually ended up cutting my line from the movie, but originally I was going to be teasing Superman as a kid, with the red headed kid who instigates the fight. You can still see me in like two seconds of the drowning scene of the bus in the movie.

Zeba: What types of different acting TV: fields have you worked in? -SyFy (Children of the Corn, played Preacher Boy) Robert: Pretty much everything! I’ve -NBC (Chicago Fire, played Jacob) done print, radio, commercials, mov- Mad TV ies, and TV shows. Film: Zeba: Specifically what movies and -Warner Brothers (Superman, played TV Shows did you act in? Whitney Fordman) -Universal Studios (Let’s Go to PrisRobert: I was in the TV show Chicago on, played Billy) Fire. The main character of the show rescued my character after being hit Commercials: by a train. It was a fantastic experi- Under Armor, Sara Lee, Triaminic, ence because I was able to work with Build-a-Bear Workshop a very talented group of actors and Modeling: used prosthetics to emulate the in- Gap, Jacobson’s, Right Start Magajury. It was also interesting because zine. for almost the entire shooting of the scene I lay under an actual train. Zeba: What was your part in Superman: Man of Steel? As far as feature films that have come

Robert: I met the director Zack Snyder he worked with us on the film. I ended up meeting Henry Cavill, the guy who plays Superman, at the screening where they show the movie for the first time to the actors and for the people who worked on the film at Warner Brothers Studios. I also met the woman who plays Superman’s mother.

Zeba: Who did you meet from the cast of Superman?

Zeba: What would you say to people who are interested in acting at this age? How should they try to get into the field? Robert: Acting is a matter of perseverance. You are going to go to a lot of auditions and not be called back. You might get a call back and then not get the role. But every once in a while there is a role that is perfect

for you and matches your life completely. There are certain stories that fit perfect with your personality and just work for you. So it is really just a matter of finding those roles that really fit. You also have to keep in mind what the director and casting directors are looking for. For instance, you might not get a part just because you don’t have red hair. But that doesn’t mean that you should stop acting. It just means that they were looking for someone else. Zeba: Approximately how many years have you been acting again? Robert: 12 years. Zeba: How has acting and school affected your life? Is it hard to juggle? Robert: Yes. Acting and school are very hard to juggle. Luckily, I have been doing acting for a very long time. So it has kind of become a part of how I do things. When I performed in plays in middle school, I’d miss about three months, only coming to school on Fridays. I would come to school on Friday get all the homework for the week and then do it for the next Friday. And so on. So to juggling acting and school has been a combination of self-tutoring and just staying on task. To answer your first question, acting has definitely changed my life. It has allowed me to explore a lot of different ways of living. When you become someone else as an actor, you have to understand how they work, how they live, and why they do the

things they do.

me is like…think of someone who has played hockey his or her entire Zeba: If you were given the opportu- life. Hockey would be a part of that nity to direct a movie would you? person. Similarly, as I have been actRobert: Definitely! It is nice when an ing since I was little, acting is a huge actor becomes a director because an part of me. actor understands what they want from the director. There are certain As far as careers go after high things that a director says to an actor school… Acting is a very difficult cathat really click and there are meth- reer to follow because you could ods that directors use that really work spend two months being completewith actors. Being an actor and then ly unemployed not getting any monbecoming a director would allow you ey. A lot of actors I meet are holding to understand what really works and down two or three other jobs. That is how to direct people. I would definite- not necessarily a bad thing, if they ly love to direct a film. I would like to are happy being an actor and don’t be on the other side, just kind of put- mind holding the extra jobs to have a ting everything together, and working steady income. I would rather have a with the other actors. little more stability in my life, I guess. After high school, I am going to look Zeba: You are known for your com- at acting as more of a hobby, a partputer science skills. I don’t know a lot time thing. I am planning to pursue of people who are interested in both computer science as a profession, computer science and acting. Which just because it is more stable. It’s do you have more passion for? Which something that I enjoy just as much option do you see yourself pursing a as acting. serious career in? Robert: Computer science is a newfound passion. Acting has been part of my life for a much longer time. I’m really very passionate about both, though in different ways. Computer science has been an active passion for me—something that I am exploring right now. While acting for

Photo Credit: Emily Stark