March 2013- Penguin Press by Penguin Press

Friday , March 29th, 2013

North Korea - Mixed Messages - Xenia Rakovshik

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Activities ©AAS Dropbox

Kim Jun-Un looks over a map, noted in the Telegraph as “ostentatiously labelled ‘US Mainland Strike Plan”

©EPA

IB Column ©ibo.org

arch 30th 2013 – North Korea’s official news agency Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) broadcast a joint statement from the North’s government and ruling party, stating “From this moment, the North-South relations will be put at the state of war, and all the issues arousing between the North and the South will be dealt with according to the wartime regulations.”

Although the North’s war claims appear initially startling, South Korea’s reserved dipHigh School Stockholm lomatic response from the government based Syndrome in Seoul adds an ele©Marc Fogel ment of doubt as to whether the North’s war cries can bet taken Special thanks to super- seriously. “North Korea’s statement today visor Francy Johnson ... is not a new threat

but is the continuation of provocative threats,” the South’s Unification Ministry, which handles political ties with the North, said in a statement, indicating that there was nothing in the North’s latest statement to cause particular alarm. Yet, when proclamations of war are naught but a routine diplomatic transaction between the two Koreas, at what point should the public become concerned with the prospect of nuclear warfare? If one were to judge by the well-crafted and eye-catching headlines making the rounds of the media circuit, the North Korean threats could be anything between a throwback to the brinkmanship tactics of the early 1960’s to the beginning of a new series of inter-

national appeasement condemned by Seoul, tactics to stave of the Washington and the UN perils of nuclear battle. as a covert ballistic missile test. In response, With so much uncer- the UN Security council tainty, what is certain? passed a resolution on January 2nd 2013, tightFirstly, the feud between ening existing sanctions North and South Korea on the North’s military is by no means a recent capabilities, which two development, having days later was veritabegun in the 1950’s as bly spit upon by the one of the “hot spots” of north Korean National the Cold War. In 1953 Defense Commission, an temporary armistice which vowed to prowas signed that put the ceed with a “high-level conflict ‘on ice’, an ar- nuclear test”. In light mistice that declared no of U.S. deployment of longer valid by North two nuclear capable B-2 Korea on Friday, March stealth bombers on de30th of this year. terrence missions over South Korea, Kim JongLeading up to what has UN vowed to “settle been characterized as accounts” by preparing “bellicose rhetoric” by strikes to the US maina great many western land and military bases sources, North Korea in the pacific on the 29th had been building up of March. tension, most notably beginning in December 12, 2012 with the successful rocker launch

Theatre Festival

Window Into Our World - Julia Montieth

irst, a round of applause for the High School Theatre festival that took place in our school’s Maly theatre March fifth and sixth. Under the guidance of the twelve grade directors the underclassmen who are interested or perhaps even passionate about the miraculous world of theatre created seven performances all addressing issues of global importance. The performances varied in theatre styles so the audience got a chance to experience what may be referred to as traditional theatre, based on dialogue and something slightly more abstract, with excessive physicality and bright lighting.

Yuschak introduced the issue of chemical pollution and freedom of expression. One of the remarks that the audience noticed was the eerie voice of Tarjei, one of the actors in this performance, who introduced that very idea of a dangerous chemical being released at the start of the show.

tween the characters. ‘What isn’t your name?’ ‘George isn’t, was the line that demonstrated the true notion and purpose of Absurdist theatre. Elliot Roazen and Arda Kancat demonstrated the audience a complicated journey of a teenage boy. The first scene in Lions Don’t Lose Sleep over the Opinions of Sheep, with Liam demonstrating excessive grief both emotionally and physically was the strongest part of the entire performance that gave the audience a positive shock.

In Martina Mosna’s performance, Darling, Darling, Don’t Kill Me, the audience witnessed several tableaus with a series of various events. The costume of each figure depicted particular character features and guided the audience through the whole play. UNhelpful, written and directed by Alan MekiThe Speech, produced bel and Valerie Tsesaby Emma Leck sur- renko opened Wednesprised the audience day’s part of the festival. Invalid, written and primarily through the Done in the “Theatre directed by Stephanie clever dialogues be- of Cruelty”, the play

©courtesy of aas dropbox

n Thursday, March 6th, for a few hours our school was transformed into a festival where our community came together to watch performances, listen to beautiful music, and admire months of artwork. This event, Window on Our World, involves a night of coming together within the school community, through culture and the arts. Over the course of the year students in art, drama, dance, and music classes or clubs have been preparing for this night. The purely student based performances and displays included violin ensembles, dance performances, choir and band concerts, and art, all created by students ranging from elementary school all the way through high school. The band and choir students performed a variety of songs displaying what they have been practicing this year, and several dance perfor-

- Lola Borisseno

introduced a violent journey of a young boy and the family tragedy that eventually led him to death. Apart from the bright colors and intense fighting scenes, the audience remarked a particular part of the performance where the boy was walking to heaven. The two actors representing the Angels simultaneously blocked him the way, emphasizing on the boy’s sinful existence. The grief and suffereing that the audience witnessed in the previous performances was relieved with the joint production by Sasha Romashov and myself a comic view on man’s influence on religion. Divine Comedy presented six Gods of different religions all complain-

ing about the actions of humans. It appeared that the ‘Gods’ are actually patients of a mental asylum, obsessed with their divine notion. The Theatre Festival was culminated with Seifu Al-Midhadi’s Restroom. The performance was a clever metaphor for intimidation and desire for a sanctuary done in the Absurdist style. The role of the two actors in the chicken and horse masques was opened to audience’s interpretations, which further intrigued us while watching this play. Bravo to all the performance and thanks to the coordinators and organizers of this culturally and artistically rich event.

IB Column - Ghosts of Students Past (A Note From an Editor from the Graduating Class of 2012 - Irina Sordiya

©courtesy of aasdropbox mances were also featured. Meanwhile, art displays included work from all grades, including a collaboration between high school drama and art students involving audio recordings. A few IB art students also painted live, to allow people to see the process of creating art. All parents, teach-

©IBO

ers, and students were invited to attend and experience the more cultural and artistic side of our school that we do not often get to see. Window on Our World is an opportunity for us to unite our community and simultaneously encourage the arts as a way of expression. Furthermore, this event

was a chance for students to display the results of months of hard work. While this has been an annual event at our school for several years, this year the name was changed to shift the focus from being purely an art related night, but rather an evening in which we use art as a tool to reflect

on our world. If you didn’t get the chance to attend, be sure to watch the video on the school website: http://vimeo. com/61236890, and stop by next year for an exciting and inspiring evening.

he IB Column is a section that has been created as a response to a growing demand for clarification amongst students about a myriad of academic subjects. By adressing some frequently asked questions we hope to create a forum where students can voice concerns or give advice to one another to help facilitate a more cohesive and supportive learning environment. If you have any questions, concerns, or corrections, please write to us at aas.point@gmail.com.

hether its looming future or gloating reality many of us are stressed about IB. However, be enraptured and hear me! For I have discovered the ultimate cure, the placebo for your worries and stress! Lean in closer friends, for you are about to know how to conquer the system! HAH! JUST. KIDDING. I’d tell you not to procrastinate, but let us be honest since we’re all comrades in misery by now, would you be reading this article if you didn’t have anything MORE productive to do? YES? Stop lying. The best remedy is to ‘get real’ and do it, but

many of the blighted ones (ALL of us) seem to be convinced that we’re brilliant beyond help and the business IA can be done the night before its due. WELL... (guilty shifting ensues) We’re not Gods. Yet. Once wet get our hands on that diploma...the chaos shall commence. But before that you gotta pull through the English world lits, TOK, memorizing historians for your history essay, pulling yourself together to smile cordially at your EE advisor in the hallway instead of following the urge of running, juggling with your extra curriculars...and GOD BLESS YOU!

Someone in the audience! YES YOU! Did you just say...*gasp* BLASPHEMY – LIFE AND SLEEP? hysterical laughter from the rest of the audience. I don’t have a remedy, my friends, for if I did my psyche would not be suffering from sleep deprivation to an extent that I write an audience interacting article! So, suck it up and get your pretty face concentrated on your English presentation, and always remember you have the glorious night hours to finish prepping for your math unit test hysterical laughter from the audience does not cease.

Penguins in the Pool - Swimming

High School Stockholm Syndrome Marc Fogel - Social Studies Department

- Annie May

- Xenia Rakovshik

How do you think your teachers would have described you as a student during your highschool career? Back then would you have agreed with them? What about now? Wonderful, terrible, engaged, disinterested, bright, lazy, sarcastic, thoughtful…. I was a teen so I guess all the strengths and weaknesses were brought out during high school.

What unit in the current curriculum of one of your classes at the moment do you enjoy teaching the most? in my grade 10 social studies class. It is so relevant to our lives. My 6th grade field trip took me to the first oil well ever drilled near my childhood home in Titusville, Pennsylvania. That’s just up the river from the towns of Oil City and Petrolia! Some of my jobs have been following the oil trail and I find the topic fascinating. It covers economics, geography, geopolitics, and environmentalism and is connected to us in so many ways. There are loads of potential careers in the oil industry. I think the students also find it fascinating because of all those connections.

What was your social studies or history teacher like in high school (or if you had several, which one was the most helpful)? I had many but I have always remembered my world cultures teacher, Mr. Logan. He loved his job, he knew his topic, and his students loved the class. In another interesting scheduling change that seems to play a role in who I am was when I requested to take his world religions class. Since this was not part of the typical plan it was allowed under the pretense that I would have to be responsible because I had to miss the Wednesday class to go to a required Catholic education class.

Do you find the timespan you have to cover in your classes too vast? In your experience, what do you believe would be the most effective approach to teaching? The IB provides ample time to do more than just a survey course. I believe the Social Studies classes have the framework if a course was too vast the teachers would recognize that and make the necessary changes. Getting all the angles, mixing everything from geographic, economic, political, historical, linguistic with a variety of sources is a pretty solid way to deliver the material in humanities classes. I think travel is also one of the most

into the disco scene when it emerged and remember criticizing the dance fever disco music that became popular. After I got over my “classic rock” and opened my mind to some new music I just loved the British rock genre like The Clash and Police to name a few. I like edgy garage band rock and roll.

he high school swim team had a successful tournament in Budapest from February 28th to March 3rd and ended up bringing back a first place trophy! After months of intense practicing, the penguins were ready to face the competition. Contrary to what anyone may have thought, the absence of

a pool at the start of the year was not an obstacle for the swimmers and they trained to the best of their ability for the rest of the season up to the tournament. The 2013 team was made up of 14 swimmers, and consisted of both returning swimmers and 3 new members. Ellena Soule and Paul de Groot were swimmers at

their previous schools last year and Brendan McCoy has moved into his first year of high school. The swimmers will definitely be remembered by coaches and participants from other schools for their skill and determination. Records were broken by Filip Butula who has been a prominent member of the swim

team since first entering High School. The Team was not only made up of scoring swimmers who were eligible to win medals, but also exhibition swimmers who represented AAS and demonstrated their ability and grace in the pool. Anais Roger, Julia Monteith, Brendan McCoy, and Laurens Stinjen were excellent

representatives of the school and will hopefully go on to score medals at next years tournament. The 2014 CEESA swimming competition will be held in Moscow so all High School students are encouraged to try out. Hopefully, we can get first place two years in a row!

Success on the Court - Basketball - Annie May

he high school basketball teams were mostly successful, ending the winter season for sports on a high note. The Varsity boys had an eventful tournament in Warsaw and brought back a second place trophy. The players showed their skills and grace both on and off the court and were praised

by coaches upon return. The JV boys stayed in Moscow for the tournament and proudly led the school to the finals, ending up with first place. According to students who were on the bleachers during the games, the boys were confident and determined to win every game, and they did! Most of the games had a large point gap

between teams and the JV boys undoubtedly played their best. Special thanks to the Penguin Livestream team for streaming the tournament online for anyone who couldn’t make it to AAS to watch. The commentators did a wonderful job and made sure to keep the audience’s attention throughout the games. The varsity girls

travelled to Istanbul and played against some tough competition. They won two out of three games on the first day and continued to play with confidence until the end. Even though the girls did not bring back a trophy, they definitely played to the best of their ability. Katie Whyte was chosen as one of the all tournament players,

and her sister Lucy was the champion of the shootout challenge.The girls had fun and came back with wonderful memories. Overall, the teams came back with positive results and everyone is already getting excited about the 2014 winter season!

here did you attend high school and what were your favourite/least favourite and subjects? Butler High School in Butler, Pennsylvania. My graduating class had 975 students. I loved History, the social sciences, and mainly the liberal arts area although my cooking course proved valuable. I rarely enjoyed the left-brain stuff – math and sciences, outside of biology. Did you enjoy reading? What were your favourite books or authors back in high school? Reading has always been a constant in terms of enjoyment and escape. I mistakenly was put into a higher-level literature course in 11th grade and read Catch-22 as per the recommendation of my teacher Mrs. Virginia Hutchinson. I thought it was so cool my teacher recommended a book with

such mature themes and four letter words. It was memorable because I think I connected to me how literature and music which I loved played such a significant role in writing funny, sarcastic, and important views on politics and society. I have loved that aspect in all forms of the arts and media since. What were your main hobbies or interests during your years in high school, or university for that matter? Favourite bands, music, etc? I worked in restaurants about 20 hours a week during my junior and senior year of high school. I played basketball and baseball in community leagues, went to public parks to swim, play frisbee, and do outdoorsy stuff. In high school and university I saw tons of concerts ranging from Frank Zappa to ZZ top to The Who to James Taylor. I refused to buy

effective approaches to teaching history, which really makes me excited about Discovery Week. If you could change one thing about the high school what would it be and why? I think the long class after lunch does not work very well. Most educational research would back that up. I call it the “127 Hours” class, after the movie. One has to endure. Besides the length of the class I find students are glass eyed and a bit lethargic when they arrive at their next class. If you could choose to be any historical figure for a day who would it be, on what day and why? You’re so limiting with the one day one character fence you have straightjacketed me with. I think I would go for an explorer who cared more about the discovery than conquering, so I want to put in more of a theme on a specific day. Maybe being Hiram Bingham rediscovering Macchu Picchu or Henri Mahout with Angkor Wat or David Livingston with Victoria Falls or Monty Python finding the Holy Grail. Traveling has provided some of my favorite educational experience for me. So I like the travel adventure side of things knowing that the journey rarely goes without a flaw and the struggles are a part of the experience as a whole.

Technology Update - PS4 Reveal

Musical Notes

- Alexander Rakovshik

Screen Shot of PS4 system © bmUploads and Sony Entertainment

n February 20th 2013, Sony held a big press release in NYC of specific details of the PlayStation 4, previously named “Orbis”, and what capabilities it would hold upon its launch. Countless gamers had been waiting for PS4 details ever since its teaser released in 2010 (yeah I know, it took 3 years for Sony to have a conference on the PS4) which consisted of a confidential video set in a secret base, where a test subject tries to play the console, and ultimately stops because it was

so overwhelming and intense for him. This teaser also hinted that the PS4 would feature 3D gameplay. Now the PS3 has a good run with a relative 6-7 years from first being launched in Japan in 2006, and now Sony is ready for their new console to take the baton and sprint into the new HD age of gaming. Alright, before we go ahead, I have to say there will be no backwards compatibility on the PS4, meaning that you will not be able to play PS3 gems such as Red Dead Redemption,

which is quite a shame considering they would be restricting games being played that people know and love. Now back to the conference. The console was revealed to have a singlechip custom processor, as well as eight x8664 AMD Jaguar CPU cores. So this set-up is reminiscent of your average PC setup, allowing easier programming of video games, but unfortunately the equipment isn’t exactly “next-gen”, as the AMD Jaguar is slower than Intel’s high-demand processors. The PS4 will also feature 8 GB of GDDR5 (similar to RAM) making it VERY fast and capable of smoothly running games; it will also feature a new feature, the “PlayStation 4 Eye” which are essentially cameras that will cover the new controllers that the PS4 has set up. Sorry, did I not mention that yet? Damn Fringe is getting to my head (got to say though, love Walter Bishop). The new controllers developed will feature a Vita-like touch pad on the top where you swipe or tap to affect gameplay on-screen. They will also have special

color indicators on the front, which is where the PS4 Eye comes in, distinguishing movement and identification of players. The controller also has upgraded vibrations and motionsensors. Now we get to the juicy stuff, the console itself and the games to follow. Now before many of you ask why I may not go into that much depth of the PS4, I have a limited space to write and my editor gets very frustrated when it does not fit the margins, so I’ll keep this to the point. The PS4 will ditch the XrossMediaBar from past operating systems and will go with a more Xbox-like structure, which includes the shopping page among other sections. They are also introducing a feature where someone from online can take over gameplay and help you get through a certain level or just get collectibles. It will also let PS Vita join in and include PlayStation Move. Now, there has been a list of games to be released alongside PS4, and they’re MINDBLOWING (I kid you not). At least

three of the most hyped games to be launched are Killzone: Shadow Fall, Bungie (made by the creators of the Halo series), and the all-glorious (and one of my top games) Watch Dogs. These games among many more will feature the great growth and next-gen action of PS4. This game is scheduled to come out “Holidays 2013”, and rumors suggest that it will be sold for $450/£399. It also seems like that they will not allow second-hand games to be played on the PS4, requiring that the game be new and not registered to other consoles, which unfortunately prevents you from borrowing video games (*cough* snobs *cough*). Further details are to be released of this game, when specifically, I do not know, but I will be among one of the many to buy this console and test out its features, that’s if I manage to save my money long enough… But anyways, looks great so far, and I will bring more information when it releases this year.

Advertisements PTO-Book Swap

Donate your books to the Swap! This is a great chance to clear out your shelves. Every book donated will be swapped for a “Book Buck” which can then be exchanged for any book at the Used Book Swap. (Original DVD’s and puzzles are also accepted.) Please take your books to the school library, where they will be exchanged for “Book Bucks”. To take place on April 9-10 in Maly Theatre. Tuesday, April 9: 8:00-17:00, OPEN TO STUDENTS ONLY. Maximmum 10 books per child. Wednesday, April 10: 8:00-17:00, open to all – students, staff, and parents! No limits! If you can help during this busy and very popular event, please contact Amanda Deasy: deasysathome@yahoo.com (+79672841910)

- Lincoln Pigman

Nails have announced an extensive world tour spanning from 2013 into 2014. With five festival dates already announced, the new incarnation of Trent Reznor’s brainchild will feature an all-star line-up with members of Jane’s Addiction, King Crimson, and Telefon Tel Aviv as well as previous Nine Inch Nails members.

ter after a lengthy trial in Prague that spanned most of last month. The metal singer, who was accused of causing the death of 19-year-old Daniel Nosek in 2010 after Nosek died of internal bleeding, has expressed sympathy for the young man and his family, whom he visited after receiving his verdict. Nosek received his injuries after being Lamb of God’s Randy pushed off stage, an Blythe has been found unfortunate event that Emerging from a four- not guilty of manslaugh- has spurred a debate year hiatus, Nine Inch or the first time since his stay in rehab, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong returned to the stage on March 10th. Armstrong performed an intimate show with Green Day at Pomona, CA’s Fox Theatre, performing over 20 songs, including cuts from the band’s beginnings. Green Day will visit Moscow for the first time on June 21st.

over concert security and regulations since Blythe’s initial arrest in July 2012. Stone Temple Pilots have fired long-time vocalist Scott Weiland, issuing a statement that read “Stone Temple Pilots have announced they have officially terminated Scott Weiland.” Weiland, whose history of drug abuse and turbulent relations with bandmates – those from Stone Temple Pilots and

Velvet Revolver – has made him into a music tabloids star, did not show great concern over his “termination”, stating in an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine that he was “not sure how [Weiland] could be ‘terminated’ from a band he founded, fronted,” and for which he “co-wrote many of its biggest hits.”

Upcoming Releases

Upcoming Gigs for April 03/04 Obey the Brave @ Plan B (600r) / 03/04 The Soft Moon @ Artplay (600r) / 04/04 Silverstein @ Plan B (900r) 04/07 War from a Harlots Mouth @ Plan B (600r) / 10/04 Morcheeba @ Arena Moscow (2,000r) / 13/04 Ahab with Fen @ Moscow Hall (1,400r) / 14/104 Cockney Rejects @ Plan B (1,200r) / 14/104 Ill Niño @ Moscow Hall (1,500r) / 17/04 Peter Hook and the Light @ Moscow Hall (1,200r) / 04/18 Paul Gilbert of Mr. Big @ Moscow Hall (1,500r) / 04/18 Nouvelle Vague @ MIR Concert Hall (1,500r) / 018/04 Skunk Anansie @ Arena Moscow (1,800r) / 20/04 Tankard @ Moscow Hall (1,000r) 24/04 Animals as Leaders with Vildhjarta, Uneven Structure @ Plan B (1,100r) / 27/04 In Flames @ A2 (1,500r) / 27/04 Amaranthe @ Moscow Hall (900r) / 30/04 Drowning Pool @ Moscow Hall (1,300r)

Advertisements Stu-Co Butler Auction

t’s here, the annual StuCo fundraiser where students can buy er services. These include home baked goods, dinners, afternoon teas, serenades and much The auction will take palce on April 26th. Bring your wallets, these prices have been known to rocket sky high.

teachmore.

Culture Corner

Word Search - English IB Command Terms

- Sasha Parodi

- Xenia Rakovshik Analyze – break down in order to bring out the essential elements of structure

AAS Hosts its own “Maslenitsa” celbrations with the help of Guest: Russian Ensamble “Raspevy”

you can learn about the history of Dior through the photos of the wellknown fashion photographer of Partick Demarchelier. Come one, come all: Manej, Manejnaya square, 1. Entrance fee: 200-300 rubles. End date: 3rd of Dior Couture by Patrick April, 2013. Demarchelier is a mustsee exhibit for those On the 14th of April be fashion and photogra- sure to check out a very phy enthusiasts. Here elcome to spring in Russia people, where winter is going long and strong. If you’re looking for activities that don’t involve snow and cold, here are a few for you:

unique new type of exhibit that was developed in St. Petersburg three years ago. The exhibit acts a type of photograph swap. People come and hang their photos using laundry clips (coincidentally the event is named PhotoLaundry) and you can then take a photo in exchange for hanging one of your own. In addition

you can meet the other photographers and talk to them about their work. If you don’t want to participate in the actual exchange, you can just show up and look around, enjoy the artistry and creativity that is sure to be there. Stop by the Moscow State Museum of Architecture of AV Schusev on Vozdvijenka st., 5.

If you feel a need for a taste of summer – visit the greenhouses in part Tsaritsino. Here you can get a chance to learn about a large variety of plants from all across the globe, as well as about plants from various historical eras. Come and enjoy the beautiful scenery and warmth at park Tsaritsino!

a way that uncovers the assumptions and interrelationships of the issue

Comment – give a Explain – describe givjudgement based on a ing reasons given statement or result of a calculation Explore – undertake a systematic process of Describe – give a de- discovery tailed account Interpret – use knowlDiscuss – a range of ar- edge and understandguments, factors, or hy- ing to recognize trends potheses. and draw conclusions opinions or conclusions from the given inforshould be presented mation clearly and supported by appropriate evi- To what extent – condence. sider the merits or otherwise of an argument Evaluate – make an ap- or concept. opinions praisal by weighing up and conclusions should the strengths and limita- be presented clearly tions and supported with appropriate evidence and Examine – consider an sound argument. argument or concept in

Advertisements Art Exhibition

lease join us for the IB Art exhibition, consisting of the work AAS seniors have produced in the two years of the IB Art program. from April 2 - 5 and the opening event on Tuesday, April 2, 16.0018.00 in the Hall of Flags.

Custom T-Shirts

Penguin Press

o you want custom t-shirts made for your team, class, activity, or event? Absolutely no Photoshop knowledge required! We can work with you to design these t-shirts to your liking. For more information (prices, sample designs, sizes, etc.), contact Sergey Mann at: sergeymann@gmail. com.”

ant to submit an editorial piece? An advertisement? Suggestions, comments or concerns? Send us an e-mail at aas.point@ gmail.com

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AAS empowers each student to: Respect Self & Others, Love Learning, and Contribute as a Globally Aware Citizen in order to achieve individual academic and holistic excellence.

â&#x20AC;&#x153; Fatherhoodâ&#x20AC;?, by Eva Khan (Grade 12)