February 2012 - Penguin Press by Penguin Press

The Penguin Press Issue VI

aas.point@gmail.com

13 February, 2012

Mr. AAS Pageant - Sasha Parodi

F Current Events

Arts

`Features

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unny, brave, charming, enthusiastic, talented. Each contestant of the annual Mr. AAS contest undoubtedly had at least one of these qualities, but who was worthy of the title of Mr. AAS? In this grueling competition, 6 contestants battled to prove to the population of the kingdom of AAS, that they would be the most fitting prince. From sumo suits to scuba gear the competition was never dull. The show was a great success, but what went in to the preparation of it? One Wednesday in January, the NHS president, Sam decided it was time to begin preparation for the pageant of the year. Weeks before rehearsals for the actual show began, a number of NHS members faithfully gathered votes for the possible Mr. AAS candidates. The chosen six were revealed to the school later next week, their beautiful portraits, which hung throughout the High School walls, allowed a peak into what was to come. Rehearsals for the big day soon began of the Malyy. Sashes needed to be made, scripts needed to be written, lights needed to be figured out. The theater was a whirl of NHS members running around in order

to bring to the people of top of a hat, the fantasthe school the wonder- tic gymnastics of Wyatt ful and funny Mr. AAS. Hughes, the beautiful singing of Diego GaFour events, six con- viria and Sam PC and testants, three judges the fascinating fashion and quite a few memo- choices of Rubin Derable moments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this is Bruin â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the judges and not a day anyone will audience were clearly soon forget. The sing- impressed. ing and dancing knight in shining armor, Sasha But who, in the end, was Romashev, who saved chosen to be Mr. AAS? Princess AAS (or shall we say, Prince), the hi- Although all of our conlarious answers of Alex testants had something Botashev to questions to offer, and the choice thrown at him from the was obviously a diffi-

cult one, Sam PC prevailed and was crowned the prince of the kingdom of AAS So there you have it, the full glory of Mr. AAS in a nutshell.

When Even the Cold Can’t Stem the Tide - Xenia Rakovshik

oscow – On February 4th, 2012, antigovernment protesters congregate in the heart of the city, bundled in furs, ushanki and woolen gloves as they face the bitter winter air, making their way to Bolotnoya Ploschad. Lanky university students, unrecognizable in a sea of scarves and buttoned up jackets, carry humorous signs, accompanied by a pair of marching drummers joyously beating out a syncopated rhythm as they march through the grey sludge. The Saturday protest is the third of its kind following the outrage over government-interference in election results back in December of 2011. Although the crowd estimations vary depending on the source – Moscow authorities reporting an estimate of 36,000, whilst organizers counted an average of 120,000 – it is more likely the figure rested around 100,000 or so.

The pro-government demonstration held on the same day culminated in an average of “138,000” reported local sources, although this number has been generally accepted to be greatly over exaggerated. All three of the demonstrations call for a chance for fair voting and as a result, a Russia without Putin. Despite the near certainty that Vladimir Putin will win a six-year presidential term in the upcoming March elections, Muscovites have embraced their right to make evident their distrust of federal regulations, a promising development that provides a glimmer of hope for a more ‘liberal’ institution. “It’s clear nothing will change, but at least we can demonstrate — six months ago nobody could have imagined it in Moscow,” said Marina V. Segupova, 28 in an interview with The New York Times, “We want

the military and the police to come over to our side. We will show our good will; we will show that we’re kind.”

selves as active competitors. Yet despite an impending Putin regime, thousands of Russians congregate in peaceful displays of camarade“We are a snowball,” rie amongst a variety of she said, “and we are individuals, from tenrolling.” year-old activists to elderly couples. But rolling where? Although protestors are Maksim Trudolyubov, clearly calling for hon- the editorial editor of est election results and Vedomosti commented rally against prominent on the protests as havabuse of political pow- ing a greater impact in er, does that necessarily successfully signaling mean that Putin will not to Russian officials that emerge victorious come Mr. Putin could not conMarch? With a month tinue to rule in the same before presidential elec- highly centralized style. tions, polls indicate the Putin is far ahead of rivals, Gennady Zyuganov (Communist), Sergey Mironov (A Just Russia), Vladimir Zhirinovsky (Liberal Democratic), and Mikhail Prokhorov (Independent), by a fair margin. In truth, participants in the anti-government protests admitted to having little hope in a Russia without Putin, as the other candidates have yet to prove them-

“We are standing at a really important threshold for this country,” Mr. Trudolyubov said in an interview. “Right now, if nothing extraordinary happens — a black swan, or something — he is of course the president in March. But in March, he will be a very different president, a president with a different level of legitimacy.”

IB Column - Univeristy Searching - Kayla Fayh

t’s that time of year again, where eleventh grade students are frantically trying to decide their futures as they start to feel the pressures of IB and university searches. Having been through the process myself, I know that it can be really frustrating when nobody knows exactly where to start. Do you look for a school near home, or as far away as possible? What do you want to major in? How many international students do you want in the university? How much will it cost? Whereas all these questions are valid (and very important to some people), there are so many questions that need answering that it can become overwhelming. So, I have a website which will help to find a university which is just right for you, if you wish to go to the US.

Name: The College Prowler. Slogan: “College Search. By Students. For Students.” And that is exactly what it is. The College Prowler contains a database of hundreds of universities all across America with ratings in various categories. And the best part? They are rated by students at the university, not professors, not admissions councils, but the students themselves. You can search universities by majors, by match to your personality, or by the different categories – best Greek life, most attractive guys/ girls, weather, academics, etc. There are infinite possibilities, and the website also can calculate your chances of getting in once you input some simple information (GPA, SAT/ ACT scores, extracurricular activities, etc).

Unfortunately, the website is only for universities in the United States. If you want to check it out, go to www.collegeprowler. com. Happy university searching!

Advertising Evening with the Arts

Eco Fair

February 16 from 5:30 in the Bolshoi, Malyy and Hall of Flags.

Friday, April 20th The organizers of the fair are inviting all students to join and share their ideas on the planning committee. This is a great CAS opportunity for all IB students. For more details, please see Mr.Assimakopoulos

Come and support the Arts and your community!

Ping Pong Ping Pong Club is still active. Sign up, get involved and complete your CAS requirements.

High School Stockholm Syndrome Bryn Will - Counseling Office - Xenia Rakovshik

here did you attend high school? Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, CT (as a day student). Check it out: www.loomis.org (it’s pretty).

What did you want to become upon leaving high school? I had absolutely no idea. I just knew I wanted to learn Russian. I also thought that I might study animal behavior How would your and become some sort teachers describe you of environmental scienas a student? tist (I really liked Jane I think they saw me as Goodall). a good student. A few times my parents got As a high-school counthe comment, “Bryn selor what is the most would be a great stu- common mistake student if only she weren’t dents make in regards friends with....”, but to college preparation? for the most part I re- Focusing on the “name” ally liked school and of the university, rather did well in class. At the than looking at the atend of 11th grade, my mosphere and really Pre-Cal teacher told me thinking about whether to “kick Chris’s butt” on or not they would be the final (he was always happy in that environgetting some of the top ment for 3/4 years. Also grades in the class) and PROCRASTINATION. as a result I was the only This process doesn’t person to ever get 100% happen TO you, it reon her exam. So I guess quires a lot of work and I rose to the occasion preparation over time. when I needed to. How would you deWhat would you have scribe your experidone differently hav- ence as you applied to ing the experience as a schools? teacher you have now, I had an older sister, so as a student then? I felt like I knew what Not much. Maybe I the whole process enwould have worked tailed. My parents also harder? But I was pret- pulled the car over into ty stubborn (and often any campus we passed lazy) in high school. if we were travelling I definitely would somewhere, so I saw have taken Russian A LOT of schools. I class when I wanted would say I could have to rather than listen- done a little more “soul ing to my advisor who searching” before doing said I shouldn’t take a my applications, benew language late in cause even when I had high school because I submitted everything I wouldn’t get into a good still wasn’t exactly sure university. I should what I wanted out of the have studied what I college experience. The wanted to, not what I school I ended up going was told to. to (Haverford) was one

that my mother forced me to apply to (because it was on common app and I onlyl needed to make a photocopy of what I had already written) and it took me until spring of senior year to realized that she probably knew what I needed and wanted better than I did. I cried twice when I opened acceptance letters--my first one (because I was so relieved I would be going to college) and Haverford. That’s when I knew I should probalby go there. How does being in the counseling office help you understand students? My favorite part of the movie “Bowling for Columbine” is when Michael Moore asks Marilyn Manson what advice he would have given Eric Harris and Dylan Kelbold if he had had a chance to talk to them before they started their killing spree at Columbine High School. He said, “I wouldn’t say a single word to them I would listen to what they have to say.” (that’s word for word from IMDb). I think that is one of my favorite things about being in the counseling office is having a chance to listen. Sometimes there are things the counselors have to tell students too, but I like the luxury of hearing people’s stories and learning about their hopes and aspirations for the future.

What are some of your favorite things to do to blow off some steam? I like being outside and being active. In the summer I sail, swim, play lacrosse. In the winter I like X-country skiing, going for walks in the snow. I also really like beer and have started to make my own (it’s usually better than Sibirskaya Korona or Baltika).

so how great would it be to get to work at a pool all day?? If you could change one thing about the AAS high school what would it be? I wish we could have a sailing team... Can’t we do something about the short fall and spring?

Do you have any advice for current high school students? If you could do any oth- You get out of this exer job for a day at AAS perience what you put what would you choose into it. to do? I would be a lifeguard. I was watching them do a unit with ES kids in rubber rafts and it looked like a lot of fun. Basically most things related to water are fun for me,

Concert Corner - Josephine Rees

hether you’ve bought your tickets or not, we want to make sure you’re up to date with upcoming Moscow concerts! 16th February: UB40. First formed in the late 1970’s in Birmingham, England, UB40 is a reggae band that has achieved immense success since they first started. Composed of band members who have remained friends since long before the band started, their hits include “Red Red Wine” as well as “Can’t Help

Falling in Love” and “Food for Thought”. They are sure to draw a large crowd, and will be playing at Stadium Live Club. 13th April: Simple Plan. Originally from Montreal, Canada, Simple Plan formed in the early 1990’s and is a pop-punk band. Its band members include Pierre Bouvier, CharlesAndre Commeau, Adrian White and Philippe Jolicoeur. Some of their most successful songs include “Addicted,” “Shut Up!” and “Welcome to My Life”. Cur-

rently on tour, they will iski Stadium for what to catch this alternative be playing at Moscow is sure to be a fantastic rock band in the upcomArena. concert! ing summer holidays! 18th May: Black Sabbath. Also formed in Birmingham, Black Sabbath is a heavy metal Band originally from England. With lead vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, the band is further comprised of Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. Included in Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, Black Sabbath is considered a pioneer in Heavy Metal. Be sure to catch them in a few months at Olimp-

22nd July: Red Hot Chili Peppers. Red Hot Chili Peppers – who hasn’t heard of them? Originally from Los Angeles, this band consisting of Anthony Kiedis, Michael Balzary, Chad Smith and Josh Klinghoffer has been together since the early 1980’s. Famous for songs such as “Scar Tissue,” “Under the Bridge” and “Californication”, they have had an immensely successful tour thus far. Be sure

of things to see there including: fun gadgetry and a display explaining how astronauts survive in space.

the best Russian paint- Chamber are, Faberge ers.Taxidermy is the eggs, royal carriages main focus in this mu- and thrones. seum.

Museum Exhibitions - Katie Baker

items are gold artifacts he Pushkin Memo- of the Scythians, manrial Museum: uscripts from before the sixth century, and Located on Old Arbat a longboat excavated Street: It features Al- from the banks of the exander Pushkin and Volga River his wife, Natalia Goncharove’s house in its The Moscow Memorial slightly modified state. Museum of Cosmonauts: The State Historical Museum: It is open from 10 am to 6 pm.The displays trace Located in between Red the history of space exSquare and Manege ploration, specifically Square. Some notable Russian.There are many

The Kremlin Armory Moscow State Univer- Chamber: sity Zoological MuIt is located within the seum: Kremlin.Tickets cost It is open on Tuesdays 700 rubles. Tours with through Sundays, ex- audio-guides are availcept for the last Tues- able along with touch day of the month and is screens with additional open from 10 am to 5 information in exhibit pm.There is a large col- halls. Some things to lection of art by some of be seen at the Armory

Spirit Week - Sophi Loge

ebruary Break is almost here, and it’s Student Council spirit week! Show your school spirit and gain some spirit points for your grade! Monday, February 13th: Monochromatic Monday

Tuesday, February 14th: Teacher Twin Day Wednesday, February 15th: Pajama day Thursday, February 16th: Denim Day Friday, February: 17th: Fan Fair Friday

February Horoscope - Sophi Loge

AQUARIUS: An older friend or colleague will give you some excellent advice, and if you are smart you will listen and learn. Their basic message is that there are more important things in life than material success. PISCES: One-to-one relationships are under both helpful and challenging stars at the moment, and which version you get to experience depends largely on your own attitude. ARIES: You can get more done in the next 24 hours than you managed to get done in the

whole of the past week. But that does not mean you have to burn yourself out, focus.

Let them know what they are doing wrong how to put it right. Don’t worry that you might dent their egos – TAURUS: Don’t be put it’s not your fault they off if someone you meet are so sensitive. seems a bit too detached emotionally. Make the LEO: You may be tryeffort to break through ing hard to deny your their outer reserve. It feelings but is it worth will be worth it. the effort? If you suppress your emotions GEMINI: There are in one place now they times when you say will burst out in another things simply to shock place later on. those around you. It might be no more than VIRGO: Although this a bit of fun to you, but is a very good time for make sure you are ready you, certain events may for the backlash. have taken some of the gloss off your achieveCANCER: Be honest- ments over the past with family and friends. few days. But what of

it? You’ll get another unexplained force holds you back. Take the hint chance to shine soon! and recognize this is LIBRA: Don’t worry if not the right time to be the party spirit seems moving in that particuto have passed you by lar direction. of late because it’s your inner spirit that mat- CAPRICORN: Avoid ters. Think deeply about people and places that your life and where it is depress you. You need happiness and laughter, headed. Then act. not glum faces and surroundings that make SCORPIO: You may you feel down. not agree with what certain people are up to but it is not your place to question their actions. Ignore them and get on with your own life. SAGITTARIUS: Every time you try to get started on something an