Apr 18, 2011

the eye Singapore American School

www.saseye.com

April 18, 2011

December 23, 2010

Promposals say a rose and a smile may not be enough

photo by Celine van Zadelhoff MORE THAN ENOUGH. Seniors Phillip van Zadelhoff and Julia MacMeekin stand atop chalked hearts that Zadelhoff drew. MacMeekin accepted the yellow rose and the invitation, one of dozens of creative prom-posals in the weeks leading up to the big night. Van Zadelhoff had his sister and her friends blindfold MacMeekin and guided her to the circle of chaed hearts. A huge sign that said “Le Prom” greeted her as she was unblindfolded.

SAS musicians and their music

The Beat Goes On. IPAU had its beginnings with two members of The Old Kings, Sean Nerney and David D’ranjo (fourth and fifth from right) and friend Andrew MacPherson. Stories on pages 10-11 trace IPAU’s beginnings and feature some of today’s SAS music-makers. Photo courtesy Old Kings

Facebook blues. High school use slows down entire network. Page 2

Eye Online in Pacemaker finals Professional journalists have sent the Online staff into the finals for scholastic journalism’s most prestigious award, the Pacemaker. This is the Eye Online class’s first year. www.saseye.com Vol. 30 No. 5

FEATURING MOMS. Online reporters Sharon Yoo and Hyo Jin Lee interview Booster mom Cheryl Van Tilburg for the story “P.E. classes your mother wouldn’t recognize.” Photo by Anbita Siregar

Prom season sees creative promposals

By Anbita Siregar Three boys in matching red Speedos dressed Baywatch-style strutted into swimming practice, stopped in front of the team and held up three red floaties with “Maya, prom?” written in tape. Junior Stephen Long ran in on cue, hurled his goggles to the side, and halfdived, half-flipped into the pool. He swam towards junior Maya Kale and gave her a hug after she accepted his extravagant prom asking, or “promposal.”

Since the announcement of the prom venue and theme the week before spring break, boys have spent hours preparing to ask their dates to prom. The idea seems to be the more elaborate, the better.

Each promposal follows a basic recipe with an added twist. The name of the proposee, the question “prom?,” and a bouquet of flowers are necessities, but the creativity of how the question is asked is what makes a promposal special. Some girls do not care how big the proposal is as long as the boy asks in a personal way.

“I would rather the guy ask me in a way that shows he knows who I am and what I like,” senior Jess Lin said.

Junior Vincent Wu got his promposal idea from the story “Sadako and the 1000 Cranes” about a girl suffering from leukemia after the Hiroshima bombings who makes a wish. The perfect idea after the Japan earthquake, Wu and his mom spent three hours a night for six nights making a thousand cranes to ask Japanese junior Rin Okumura to prom.

Seven students helped Wu place the oragami cranes during their free, spelling “Rin, prom?” on the cafeteria patio.

After her last class, Okumura followed a line of cranes from her classroom door, through a cheering crowd, and into the arms of Wu, when a rain of origami showered the couple.

From paper cranes to Baywatch parodies, promposals have gotten significantly bigger. Wu thinks most girls appreciate the effort of being asked creatively.

“The best I could do was give her something she could remember.”

Interim changes likely Reporters talk to students, teachers, parents and administrators in look at Interim. What might stay, what might change? Page 4

www.saseye.com • 40 Woodlands St. 41, Singapore 738547 • www.sas.edu.sg/hs • (65) 6363 3404 • MICA (P) 130/04/2010

April 18, 2011

Briefs

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Dr. Mutsch tells community he wishes to leave after 2011-22 school year

By Anbita Siregar Superintendent Dr. Brent Mutsch announced to the Board of Governors, parents and faculty that he will be leaving SAS in June 2012.

A search committee consisting of Dr. Mutsch, Jonathan Auerbach, Oral Dawe, and Rudy Muller will supervise the hunt for a suitable replacement for Dr. Mutsch.

The Search Committee is in the process of examining private search firms who will assist in identifying candidates. If an adequate successor is not found, Dr. Mutsch will keep his position until one is.

“The future of this school is of the utmost importance to me,” Dr Mutsch said in an email to SAS faculty and staff.

Rush to pay for Islander parent ads gets attention of Singapore government

Facebook a real drag

Heavy use slows network for all other SAS users

By Alex Wong Eye Onlline Facebook failed to pass the IT department’s tests for reasonable educational use. As a result, it is being punished and is not allowed to take up more than a certain amount of the school’s internal bandwidth. Despite this, Facebook’s recent sluggishness at school is not the direct result of any action taken by the IT department.

IT has demoted the domain www.facebook.com to “low priority.” That means that of all the requests for website access from within the SAS network, Facebook is one of the last requests to be sent. In addition, Facebook is limited to a certain percentage of the school bandwidth; once it reaches this assigned “choking point,” then all requests for the web page must enter a queue.

This technique of limiting bandwidth is called “throttling.” Facebook is one of the few websites that have been throttled back. It was given this lower priority status mid-way through first semester because the IT department realized that the high volume of Facebook access during school was slowing down the network, and inhibiting legitimate, school-related access to the web.

Computer teacher Paul Welsh feels that the main reason that Facebook might run slowly at school is because the bandwidth limit which is assigned to Facebook is often reached by students at school. Such an overload would result in the site running slowly at school.

IT Statistics show that students accessing Facebook from their laptops from 1 - 3 p.m. every day are maxing out Internet connections. According to Ed Gilbreath, director of information technology, the school’s Internet traffic rarely exceeds 30 percent of the

available 50MB bandwidth capacity. In spite of this, he signed an agreement with StarHub to double the currently available bandwidth to better manage the Facebook spikes. That change took place on April 15.

Jay Atwood, high school technical coordinator, is more concerned with how the overuse of Facebok affects learning at SAS, rather than how it affects socializing.

“Internet access is provided as an educational tool, yet many [high school] students seem to be treating it as an entitlement,” Atwood wrote in an email to the Eye Online. “Now our use has interfered with students in other divisions, so it is our responsibility to make the situation better.”

Atwood said that instead of blocking Facebook as some have suggested, he would rather “investigate... and educate to change rather than take draconian measures” against the abuse of school bandwidth.

“We do not block Facebook, and I am philosophically against doing so. However, we have a big issue now that [high school] student use of Facebook in particular is having a negative impact on the rest of the school.”

If throttling and general Internet shortages are not the only reasons for Facebook’s slow loading speed at school (in contrast to its high speed in our homes, on our mobile devices or even at free public WiFi spots), then what is the cause? Could SAS students really be using Facebook too much during school? wong19410@saseagles.edu.sg

By Rachel Jackson In late January, Islander adviser Tate Sonnack opened an email from Pay Pal’s Compliance Department noting that automatic security measures had flagged the Islander’s Pay Pal account.

The account, which receives payments from parent ads and corportate ads, saw a large increase in deposits on Jan. 30 as parents rushed to meet that deadline for yearbook parent ads. When the account hit $7,500 it was automatically flagged by Pay Pal in accordance with Monetary Authority of Singapore standards designed to monitor the movement illegal funds, specifically “money laundering and terrorist funding.”

Sonnack was not allowed to change, or withdraw funds from the account but was able to receive funds and send payments to vendors. The account funds were released after Sonnack authenticated his legitimate intentions for those funds.

Obamas join Facebook’s anti-cyberbullying campaign

By Hannah L’Heureux On March 9th, Barack and Michelle Obama posted a video on the Facebook Safety page joining Facebook in an anti cyberbullying campaign.

“While technology has allowed us connect as never before, and that’s a good thing, it shouldn’t affect how we treat each other,” Barack said.

A few changes have been made on Facebook to take steps toward reducing cyberbulling. A “report” button has been added where users can report cyberbullying.

When a user finds a picture or a post that is offensive, users are given the options to block the offender as a friend, report them to Facebook, message the offender about the problem and alert friends and family to help them out.

This social reporting functionality is only available for pictures and posts but Facebook has also beefed up its safety center with informational videos on how to stop cyberbullying.

CORECTIONS In the “New AP Revisions Coming” story from the March issue of The Eye, we reported mean scores of 3.5 for AP U.S. History and 4.5 for AP Biology. Those scores, as indicated, were taken from “SAS Student Profile” on the Counseling Office website and quoted correctly.

Two teachers either wrote or commented to staff that our numbers were wrong.

The Eye checked with counselor Dale Ford who checked that website data and discovered an error there.

Clarification with the counseling department revealed that the data supplied by the student profile was actually inaccurate, possibly drawing some exam scores from older sources. The profile has now been updated online and the current link on the counseling department’s site reflects these modifications.

In last issue’s staff editorial, “As long as you don’t get caught...,” the writer wrote “He admits things happen on interim that will never come to his attention, because just as students protect each other, teachers protect their colleagues,” in a paragraph that spoke of Dr. Stuart’s knowledge of interim misbehavior.

Dr. Stuart, in fact, did not say the italicized clause above. That clause represents the writer’s interpretation.

We apologize to Dr. Stuart and to our readers.

theeye

April 18, 2011

An Eye Staff Editorial

Excused, excused, excused . . .

The hearbeat of quarter three On paper third quarter looks like any other: Lasting from Jan. 10 to March 18, 42 school days interspersed with a few late start days and national holidays. But with winter break at its front, spring break at its back, and interim semester breaking it up in the middle, quarter three is excused absence paradise.

The 91 participants in second season IASAS, who returned to school on Jan. 30, had just two and a half days before Interim to get caught up on three days of missed work. As the students returned to school after Interim on February 14, an additional 24 were preparing for a trip to Beijing for the AMIS music conference which left on February 16.

Well perhaps everyone was in class the week after. Almost. But with IASAS Math on Wednesday Feb. 23, about 100 students missed first period.

No big deal ? It’s only one block, right?

A week later, another 64 students headed off for Cultural Convention, missing an additional three days of school.

With teachers trying to plan lessons, give quizzes, administer tests and grade homework, the added work of make-up notes, quizzes, tests and homework for absent students piles up quickly.

About 300 students missed school for one of the six school-sponsored events in quarter three. But school approved absences aren’t the only things keeping students out of class. With post-interim illnesses, field trips, family emergencies, unapproved senior skip days and last minute college visits, there has never been a school day in which all 1152 high school students were present.

Few people participate in all of these activities, but almost all teachers have dealt with the scheduling problem. Making up lessons missed isn’t a huge problem. Proactive students will have the added notes by the next class. If the teacher scheduled a test, though, it could take a week before the missing students find the study time and the hour and-a-half to make up the test. In the meantime, the teacher can’t hand back the test until all students have taken it so students who were in class wait for the results of a test taken two weeks prior.

Fourth quarter did not start off any better with 56 students missing school on the first Monday back from spring break.

In a perfect world, bereft of the unexcused absences that plague all schools, the excused absence would be manageable. After all, participants in IASAS, AMIS, and the AMC represent our school and learn many lessons that cannot be taught in classrooms.

In a perfect world.

But our world lends itself well to imperfection. It is the challenge of those who craft the schedule to anticipate human imperfection. Though it is undeniably hard to make a schedule that works for all six IASAS schools there are things that can make the schedule better.

Perhaps schedulers could allocate one weekend per season for sport exchanges. For example, in third season the track, badminton, and softball exchanges could be on the same weekend so that more people would miss one day of school instead of three smaller groups of people missing three separate days of school.

Or we could take better advantage of weekends and school holidays. In fourth quarter, third season sports could leave for IASAS on Saturday and come back on Wednesday instead of leaving on Sunday and coming back on Thursday as they are this year. With AP mocks on the Good Friday holiday and prom the same weekend, when will the upperclassmen participants make up four days of missed work?

First season sports could occur over October Break as they did last year.

Students wouldn’t miss school and teachers could be compensated with extra paid-vacation days to make up for the missed holiday.

And perhaps Cultural Convention could be moved to quarter two which contains no major IASAS event yet. Or if Cultural Convention participants need more time to prepare for their events, Interim could take place in quarter two.

The board has tried to fix the calender problem for next year by getting rid of teacher in-service, late-start, and early-release days. They say this will give students 41 more minutes in every class. But the problem can’t be solved by taking out the already sparse number of late-start days.

It would take some reorganization for sure, but a better balanced schedule would make sure all quarters carry the same academic weight.

the eye Singapore American School 40 Woodlands Street 41 Republic of Singapore 738547 Phone: (65) 6363-3404 Fax: (65) 6363-6443 eye@sas.edu.sg

All-American

Pacemaker

Gold Award

International First Place

It’s the “biggest crisis Japan has encountered in the 65 years since the end of World War II.” World.

War. Two. Do you know how Jennie Park many people died in World War II? A lot.

The economy collapsed, lives were lost, families destroyed. This sounds all too familiar. In the wake of the catastrophic event that has sent quakes through every aspect of Japanese life, again, we seem more passive than ever.

I’m drinking a cappuccino, with coca powder on top - it’s in the shape of a heart. Jimmy is playing Fast and Furious on his PSP, and Susie is stalking a cute boy’s Facebook photos.

Meanwhile, people in Sendai are praying that they will have clean wa-

the eye

adviser’s note

The blue box to the left of this is the staff editorial, a regular feature on The Eye’s opinion and editorial page and on the same page in newspapers worldwide, whether The New York Times, Pravda, Financial Times or South China Post.

While usually written by one person, The Eye’s editorials represent the editorial board’s opinions. That board is composed of our page and managing editors. On several ocassions, the entire staff has brainstormed editorial ideas.

Editorials are always unsigned because they represent the institutional position of the newspaper. They are

Passivity in a time of crisis

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Reactions to Japan’s quake reveal disconnect from others’ suffering ter to drink. Those in Tokyo scramble to get away from potentially lethal radiation. The rest of us cross our fingers and hope that friends and family are safe - hoping that they will not contribute to the tens of thousands dead.

It’s population control. Right?

Our population is growing at an exponential rate. This is merely Mother Nature’s way of dealing with it. A shoutout to my homeboy Darwin. It’s all about survival of the fittest, baby.

Me? Heartless? Maybe. But you are too. Our passivity says that we truly believe the Japanese earthquake to be an act of population control.

That sounds so Adolf, (whose already less than stellar reputation didn’t survive the Beerhall Putsch), so why are we agreeing with him?

We do not have the luxury of ignorance in this era. All around us, re-

sources are plentiful. We are among the privileged, the spoiled and the knowledgeable. Yet we let chaos unfold around us so long as it does not permeate the bubble that is our life.

We will spend hundreds on the latest i-whatever, but will politely refuse the donation box at lunchtime.

Why save lives when you can get a french manicure?

I wonder what would happen if a similar disaster were to strike and seep into our bubble. Would we cry out for help? Would we expect the donations of others despite our refusal to donate? Would we be plagued with guilt? Would we realize that man is selfish?

I think we knew that all along.

And now, in the wake of such a crisis, we know that more than ever.

park32567@sas.edu.sg

The Eye’s voice. And, that anonymity allows the writer to freely express opinions without fear of being singled out by students, teachers or principals who disagree with the paper’s position.

Standards for the editorial writer are as high as those for reporters, often higher. Because the staff sometimes takes strong positions likely to provoke the ire of readers who scrutinize every detail of the editorial, it has to be well researched, the information confirmed by three, four, five or more sources, and words well chosen.

Contrary to speculation, I do not and have never written an editorial in my 12 years as the Eye’s adviser. In fact, the three scholastic journalism organizations who evaluate our issues every year forbid advisers from writ-

ing editorials.

I have never read an Eye editorial that I thought was not legitimate and fair comment, and many of the students’ editorials have resulted in positive actions being taken by the administration. A recent example is the student forum whose creation Dr. Stuart has credited to an Eye editorial. Another is an upcoming Interim review inspired, we think, by our last editorial.

The staff takes their advocacy role seriously. Editorial and opinion writers believe that they are expressing student concerns, preserving student privileges and ensuring students’ health and safety. They believe that they are your voice in our community.

You gotta love ‘em for that.

mclemens@sas.edu.sg

Campus ‘toons

Editor-in-chief: Sophia Cheng, Managing editors-in-chief: Phil Anderson, Gretchen Connick, Anbita Siregar, Op/ed editor: Becky Kreutter, A&E editor: Olivia Ngyuen, Sports editor: Hannah L’Heureux, Layout editor: Jennie Park, Photo editor: Leonel De Velez, Design chief: Leonel De Velez, Reporters: Phil Anderson, Viraj Bindra, Sophia Cheng, Gretchen Connick, Leonel De Velez, Erica Huston, Rachel Jackson, Becky Kreutter, Hannah L’Heureux, Emily Nelson, Olivia Ngyuen, Ash Oberoi, Jennie Park, Anbita Siregar, Tyler Stuart, Megan Talon, Michael Too, Adviser: Mark Clemens

by Jess Lin

The Eye is the student newspaper of the Singapore American School. All opinions within these pages are those of their respective writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Singapore American School, its board of governors, PTA, faculty or administration. Comments and suggestions can be sent to the Eye via the email address, eye@sas.edu.sg. At the author’s request, names can be withheld form publication. Letters will be printed as completely as possible. The Eye reserves the right to edit letters for reasons of taste and space.

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April 18, 2011

Interim Review: Tinkering with the untouchable With a comprehensive review of Interim promised, the community weighs in on what to keep and what to change about the program

By Becky Kreutter and Viraj Bindra tarting this spring a group of board members, teachers, parents, students and administrators will meet to discuss Interim Semester. This comprehensive review will look at the strengths of the program as well as brainstorm ideas on how to better meet the goals of Interim Semester.

“We want to make sure we are producing the best possible experience for our students,” said Dr. Timothy Stuart, high school principal.

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motes bonding between students and teachers in a less academic setting than school.

According to the 2010-2011 Interim Presentation, “Students interacting with faculty in a unique setting” is designated as one of three chief objectives of the program.

Deputy Principal and Interim Coordinator Doug Neihart cited the bonds he has formed with students over Interim as one of the program’s greatest benefits.

“They can see that I’m human,” Neihart said, adding that the experience allows for a “much richer relationship” between him and individual students.

A Quarter Credit of Learning

While learning on Interim takes place outside of the classroom, students are still in school and receive a quarter credit for their work. This means Interim is weighted as much as one quarter of school although it lasts about a week.

Dr. Stuart said that time does not equate to learning.

He said that the learning that takes place in preparation for, during, and after Interim is equal to that which takes place in a quarter of an elective course.

What to keep: Free Time Math teacher Julie Goode disagreed. Goode said that As the group discusses what to tweak, an important An Appropriate Amount of Work the credit is probably not equivalent learning but that the aspect to preserve will be free time for students. After a weighting helps kids’ GPAs when they get As on Interim.

Interim requires all students to complete some kind of long day of hiking, language classes, house building, or Paul Chmelik, former SAS high school assignment as a major component of their museum touring, students need time to rest and unwind.

I met a couple Principal, wrote in an email, “I think we all To Dr. Stuart, free time allows kids to take control of experience and grade. The work varies know that some courses are tougher academiof people I’d depending on the type of trip and location. their own learning. cally than others, but I believe that if potenThere is no consistent grading rubric “[If] they’re never given the opportunity to be selfonly said ‘hi’ to tial learning is to be valued, a quarter credit directing, then we’re actually hurting their learning op- for teachers to use on interim, nor any in the hallways for Interim is reasonable.” identical project for students to complete. portunities.”

In this view, free time is as instructive as the guide or Work can range from journals to reflecat school, and ReSPONSORbility tive essays to short videos to photo diateacher-led moments of Interim. now we’re really Teachers take on a lot of responsibility Students bond with the members of their trips in a way ries. when they sponsor an Interim trip, so the good friends.

Singh said, “It’s nothing that’s too that they wouldn’t in Singapore. amount of work and constant vigilance de- Freshman Katie Wilhoit “The one thing that is hardest to do is not have any intensive, but sometimes it doesn’t feel manded of them is immense. phones, computers or iPods or anything and do something worthwhile either. It feels like busy Science teacher Michael Cox does not to relax,” said sophomore Klara Auerbach, who hiked the work.” generally find Interim to be an enjoyable experience, sayBut according to math teacher Paul Terrile, the amount Routeburn Trek in New Zealand. ing that at this stage, travel should be the parents’ responAuerbach said during the sibility, not the school’s. five hours a day she had free “From a teacher standpoint, I after hiking her trip played have great difficulty with being cards, talked, went on little forced to become a surrogate parexcursions, took naps, and ent for 20 high school kids and simply hung out. taking them somewhere for what “It was a whole new exmay or may not be an educational perience.” experience,” Cox said.

The question up for conCox finds the seven days he sideration may be the approhas to take away to be an inconpriate amount of free time. venience, cutting into family time Senior Sejal Singh, who and placing too much responsiwent on city trips all four bility on teachers’ shoulders. years, said that on some of English teacher Doug Mabie her trips she has had hours to talked about stressful sponsor just shop. duties, such as taking care of stu“If we’re spending so dents sick until the late hours of much money and time and the night, or ensuring that kids effort to go to someplace don’t sneak out. Situations like else,” Singh said, “maybe these make the job of an Interim that’s not the most valuable sponsor a round-the-clock reHAIR CHAIN. Juniors Sabrina Chen, Kayla Utama, Stefanie Chan, and Megan O’Neal use of time.” sponsibility. braid each other’s hair in New Zealand. They spent time with native Maori tribes in Bonding Abroad “When we go on Interim SeMeeting of The Nations. Photo courtesy of Islander.

A large part of what mester, we’re working 24/7,” makes Interim memorable Mabie said, “so you really don’t for students is the interaction sleep well for a whole week.” that they of work has grown too big for teachers to organize and Drinking on Interim I think we all have with one other on their trips. The students to do. Years ago, he had his students do presentaunique locations, along with small, Student misbehavior has consistently been a problem know that tions. close-knit groups of students, are the with Interim in the past few years, and casts the program “I could tell 99% of them just printed something off some courses perfect setting for student relationin a bad light. Some teachers question the compulsion certhe internet, came in and read it, and I don’t blame them,” ships to develop. are tougher tain students have to abuse the opportunity they are given.

Terrile said.

“I met a couple of people I’d only “If students can’t go one week without a drink, they’re academically Now, Terrile advocates the assessment of students said ‘hi’ to in the hallways at school, alcoholics,” Goode said. based on their involvement and especially their behavior than others, and now we’re really good friends,” The issue has prompted some teachers to seek harsher on the trip rather than on an assignment completion. freshman Katie Wilhoit said. punishments as a deterrent. but I believe “I don’t think there is anything wrong if you have Although student bonding is not “I’d like to see more rigid penalties if people are that if potential one of the official goals of Interim, twenty great kids to give them twenty As.” caught breaking the rules,” Terrile said.

Muller shared part of the board’s perspective in sayit has now become an integral part learning is to But what about when teachers break the rules, by ing that, “The appropriate level of work should enable of the program, encouraging support. drinking or setting an inappropriate example in front of be valued, a students and sponsors to communicate to themselves, the Board Chairman Rudy Muller cited students? administration, and their parents what they learned or acquarter credit Interim as one of the most positive Michael Cox maintains that he would not personally complished during the trip.” things his children have taken away have alcohol over Interim for fear of compromising his for Interim is Auerbach believes this can be best accomplished from their time at SAS. ability to be responsible. through writing journals over Interim. Auerbach said writreasonable.

“My daughter, Natalie, created “When I am in charge of a group of students, I have a - Former principal ing a journal can also be a tool used to show parents what some very strong bonds over her inresponsibility as the supervisor to be totally in control,” Paul Chmelik students learned during the trip. terims,” Muller said, “both with peoCox said.

“I give up my computer for a week; if I can do “Our parents are paying a lot of money for this,” Auple she was already friends with and that I can give up drinking a glass of wine for a week.” erbach said. “I think they should know what their kids are with people she had barely talked to. It’s easier in a difThat being said, Cox does not hold other teachers to doing.” ferent setting.” the same standard.

In addition to mingling among students, Interim pro-

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April 18, 2011

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SNOW FIGHT. Social studies teacher Clay Burell gets snow thrown in his face by two playful students in the Austria and Hungary trip. Photo courtesy of Islander.

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From a teacher standpoint, I have great difficulty with being forced to become a surrogate parent for 20 high school kids and taking them somewhere for what may or may not be an educational experience.

- Science teacher Michael Cox

“I resent some commentary that maybe teachers should be more responsible, because having a glass of wine doesn’t mean irresponsibility,” said Cox. “And if a teacher does that, that’s fine, but that is their situation, and I don’t think anything can be imposed on them; after all, they’re adults. We know what responThe one thing sibility means. If teachers can handle that is hardest to [alcohol] and still be responsible, then that’s fine.” do is not have

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A Need For More Service any phones, computers or Teachers, students, and administrators generally liked the program iPods or anything and had little to change. Of all the and do something changes proposed, service and location were the most common and the to relax.

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- Sophomore Klara Auerbach most significant.

“Whatever we value most, we’d like to see more of,” Neihart said.

If this is true, then the importance of service is undervalued on Interim while the importance of location is overvalued.

The problem with service is how to incorporate it into the program. Should each trip have a service component, or should people be required to sign up for one service trip during their four years on Interim?

Dr. Stuart said the latter is a possibility for the program’s future.

“Instead of kids doing four years of adventure courses, they would be encouraged to do one year of service, and one year of culture, one year of adventure, and then an elective.”

But SAS does not have to come up with a new type of Interim from scratch. If the school decides to pursue a more service-oriented Interim, it can draw on the programs at other international schools.

During ISKL’s Global Action Program which started two years ago, service must be a component on each trip.

In the fall, freshmen and sophomores travel, while juniors and seniors can choose to stay behind to work on IB Es-

says or college apps. The other major difference is that all students travel within Asia.

Current ISKL Superintendent Chmelik said, “We are trying to offer diversity yet at the same time keep our travel miles down for environmental reasons.”

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“It’s always kind of in the back of your mind,” said AnLee Cox, mother of freshman Melina Cox and alumnus Austin Cox. “What would happen if there were an emergency; would they be able to get out; would they be able to have Medevac there?”

The administration acknowledges that safety is one of Location, Location, Location the biggest challenges with Interim, and I don’t think that the potential benefits of the trip are The American Embassy School in New always weighed against these concerns.

Delhi offers another example of how Interim there is “There is a balance between the could be changed, this time in respect to loanything wrong learning experience and a reasonable cation. Mabie said AES’s Interim equivalent if you have amount of risk; the challenge is that anonly offered trips in India. ything could go wrong, instantly, with“The idea behind it was that if you are a twenty great out any indications” Dr. Stuart said. student who is going to school in India, you kids to give Neihart said the administration’s are darn well going to learn something about biggest concern is that everybody India,” Mabie said. them twenty As comes back safely. “It’s a tremendous Mabie would like to see a similar program - Math teacher Paul Terrile responsibility,” Neihart said. here with students only visiting countries in Safety is the top priority for both Southeast Asia.

Visiting Asian countries would still build school com- the administration in evaluating a trip’s potential and the munity but wouldn’t cost or pollute as much as trips to board when it discusses Interim.

“There are a few things that the board commonly talks Europe.

“I’ve stayed in Singapore and I’ve gone far-afield, and about when looking at possible Interim trips” Muller said. it isn’t so much about the place,” Mabie said. “It’s about “The first question is always whether or not the trip is safe getting SAS students together to have an experience out- for sponsors and students.” side the classroom. You can just as easily do that in VietA Comprehensive Review to Come nam as you can in Warsaw.”

But parents and kids continue to push for more trips in A plan is in the works for a complete re-evaluation of more places. Neihart said a common complaint he hears the Interim program, which will include voices from the about Interim is about the lack of exciting destinations for administration, teachers, board members, parents, and stufreshmen. dents.

The purpose of the reassessment is to “make sure that Safety as a Priority we are continuously meeting the needs of our community Safety became a relevant issue this Interim Semester, - and those needs change,” Dr. Stuart said.

No matter what comes out of the comprehensive rewhich occurred during a time of tumultuous upheaval in the Middle East. The school responded accordingly, can- view this spring, the changes will not happen overnight.

Neihart said, “next year, I would say, is going to look celling the trip to Egypt and monitoring other Middle Eastern countries closely as the rest of the trips proceeded very similar to this year.” kreutter13269@saseagles.edu.sg as normal. Despite such precautions being taken, parents bindra41049@saseagles.edu.sg worry.

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theeye

April 18, 2011

$600

A Modest Prom-posal For Ensuring A Good Time For All At Prom 2011: “Big City, Bright Lights,” Without Disregard for the Less Fortunate Students Who Cannot Afford the Prodigious Cost of Attendance.

Walk into the Marina Bay Sand’s ballroom this year, and you may be surprised to see considerably fewer attendees than the expected 400-500. On the most part, students will be elegantly tuxedoed and dressed up. Yet, there will be some, despite the usually unreasonable challenge of affording everything that is needed, who may not be as economically fortunate as their classmates, but still manage to swaddle their bodies into cheap suits and dresses just for the sake of taking part in the valuable, once-or-twice-or-thrice-at-most-in-alifetime experience of Prom. Nevertheless in the big picture of things, a considerable amount of SAS students are quite deterred from going to Prom mainly because of the expense.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to partake in Prom - the timeless adolescent ritual.

Why should money be the limiting factor that decides who goes and who stays home?

I propose not just to provide for the less fortunate who struggle to put forth the necessary means to pay their way through the night; I aspire to do something even better: make prom significantly more fun.

The current average Prom night at SAS costs approximately $500 per person. Most planning to go intend to spend $150 - $300 on their outfit, $50 - $100 on dinner (per person) and $50 - $100 on an after party.

Take the median of these numbers, and top that off with a $90 ticket ($170 for two if you’re a couple), and each prom-goer is nudging against a $500 bill. That’s not accounting for expenditures on hair and make-up, transportation, flowers or photos.

$100

There are about 550 upperclassmen in high school. Of these, 61 percent plan on going to Prom - about 335. Now, of the remaining 39 percent who do not plan on going, half say that it is because they cannot afford it. That is approximately 65 students who are missing out on prom as a result of its substantial cost!

“

How can we help those 65 or so to have the chance to experience Prom as it ought to be experienced? Of the 335 students who say they intend to attend, 25 percent should be deployed to subsidize the costs for those who cannot afford it.

is straightforward by-product of jewelry, sports cars, tailor-made outfits and fake tans; all easily acquired with the adequate financial support.

What Prom has failed to do in the past, however, is provide for its attendees beyond the ballroom. Private after parties seem fun, but they are always too exclusive, and not everyone gets to share in on the fun. What Junior Council should now focus on is planing an after-party so colossally epic that students will regard that night as the benchmark for all fun.

Thankfully, South East Asia offers plenty of opportunities for creating fun.

Private yacht and cruises are available for charter that will take 300 or so adolescents out to sea for a night. Helicopter rides and private jets are also options, that can take us anywhere from Hong Kong to Bali (the second of which is obviously preferred for the sake of the seniors’ familiarity with the island’s bounty of culture and luxury).

I’ve done the math: approximately $410 per person to hire a fleet of private jets to fly out to Bali and back, adding in the $85 each for the overnight cost at a villa (of the highest quality), it sums up to just over $170,000 to account for everyone. Nevertheless, these expenses can easily be covered by the wealthy parents of the SAS community. Even if only half of the families with children participating contribute, it averages to less than $1350 a family for both the cruise and the Bali trip. That’s less than half the cost of Interim! Perhaps even a Prom-AfterParty-Extravaganza Fund could be started by the PTA for future years. For Prom, the never-again-in-my-life-will-I-get-to-do-this night, it is so worth it.

I am open to suggestions from all who want to offer refinement to my scheme, I realize that the details may not be perfect, but in essence, the idea is second to none. Please refrain from trying to convince me otherwise because believe me - I have heard it all: make Prom more down-to-earth: pick a simple theme and a simple location so as to downplay on glam: cuts costs by wearing a cousin’s dress or an older brother’s suit or being driven by parents or having dinner at home: Japan is struggling to provide clean water to its people, help save lives instead of selfishly inflating fun-levels of a single night: speaking of lives, did you hear that $500 can but 48 Cambodians sleeping mats and mosquito nets that will prevent malaria, Cambodia’s deadliest disease, and that the same cost of sending ten students to prom could also send 125 children in the Philippines to school for a whole year through the Wish For Kids foundation: just make Prom affordable so that no one is left out, and if the rich kids want to play with their dear toys, then let them do so in their own way.

No one should miss out on, or not be able to fully enjoy, the valuable, once-or-twiceor-thrice-at-most-in-a-lifetime experience of Prom.

But wait, there’s more. Robin-Hooding the situation will get more kids into the Ballroom, but might not guarantee them a good time.

After stalking one of my Facebook friends from the States, I found photo evidence that Prom should be immensely more fun than anything SAS has ever seen. From my research, the most successful Proms incorporate all of the follow attributes: a captivating theme, an energizing location, glamorous attendees and extravagant after parties.

The theme, “Big City, Bright Lights,” is captivating. The Sand’s Convention Centre is definitely an energizing venue. Glamour

”

theeye

April 18, 2011

Prom

7

PROM dress-me-up

Choose your price and cut along the dotted lines

Look to past proms for prom-savings ideas Who are we trying to impress?

by Gretchen Connick ‘Tis the season of promposals, flowers, up-dos, spiffy tuxedos and big spending. With prom right around the corner, students are beginning to plan their twice in a lifetime night. Once a year students indulge in fancy dinners, distinguished desserts, elegant outfits for what is considered to be the most elaborate night of their high school lives.

This year’s senior Brandon Meehan took a romantic approach taking his date on the Singapore Flyer for dinner and treating her to a view of the city. Two other couples joined them.

“The guys in the group analyzed several options and the Flyer seemed like the best idea,” junior Alistair Chew, a member of this group said.

Meehan and Chew said they spent an estimated $350-$400 per couple.

“I really wanted to do something that not everyone has done before, and I really wanted to impress my date,” Meehan said.

The same motivation, to impress, probably pushed senior Rauson Clower to rent a limousine for his group of eight. He said they spent about $300 per person on prom night.

Money doesn’t always buy happiness Despite the common trend of high-class meals and traditions on prom night, many students interviewed have agreed that big spending is not the determining factor for a great prom experience.

“I think the value of the people you have the experience with is much greater than the value of what you spend on, but spending never hurts as long as it’s worth the money,” Clower said.

Jamie Lim, a 2010 graduate, strayed from the expensive path and cooked an extravagant dinner of pasta and bruschetta followed by a dark chocolate dessert for his date.

Keeping it simple proved to be enough for senior Kelly Schuster. She said that it was made to look like an upscale restaurant with a table equipped with candles and flowers on the balcony.

“It’s a lot more personal, which I think is great for close friends or couples but I think that if you didn’t know your date that well, a restaurant is probably a better option,” Schuster said.

Students agree that prom is more than just a time to spend, but Schuster said she could understand the desire to dine in a nice restaurant.

“Considering how much beautifying we do to look fancy that day, lots of people probably want to go somewhere.” connick35815@saseagles.edu.sg

$175

“Why take a limo with just two people?”

– Senior Jerone Abueva (on Transportation) “I don’t think I’ll get them done, although they really are in need of a touchup.” – Junior Cameron Noble (on Nails)

on Prom

“My hair will be elegantly disheveled.”

– Senior Rodrigo Zorilla (on Hair)

“I didn’t buy one last year so I felt like I could spend a little more money on a dress this year.” – Senior Alyssa Rhodes (on Dresses)

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theeye

April 18, 2011

PROM EATS

by Sophia Cheng

Sophia’s choices: Top three restaurants in Singapore worthy of the occasion Prom, prom, prom. As ladies panick over getting the perfect dress and guys over their wallets, someone’s got to make sure your million-dollar prom dinner is worth it. Let Sophia Cheng decide for you, introducing some of the latest gems in Singapore’s food scene.

#1Forlino

Italian Price/pax: $100-150 One Fullerton Road +65 6877 6995

F

orlino is probably one of the most beautiful and romantic restaurants I’ve been to in Singapore, a true gem on a pile of

rocks.

It is also one of the few finedining restaurants that I go back to.

Forlino lives up to its expectation and name in every way – whether it’s its impeccable service, food or décor.

With its ultra-dim lighting, black and white marble floors, narrow passageways and ceiling-to-floor windows, everything about it oozes a sense of majesty and opulence – the kind of place that you’d imagine Ital-

French Price/pax: $90-100 80 Collyer Quay, Fullerton Bay Hotel +65 6597 5288

C

lifford did not impress me in the beginning, feeling more like a hotel lounge than a fancy French restaurant. But I realized later that Clifford didn’t need fancy interior decorations - the panoramic view of the Singapore River and Marina Bay skyline were their equivalent of a million-dollar renovation. Anything fancy would compete with the view.

There is something about the combination of simple wooden chairs, the

white marble floor, high ceiling and Sinatra’s smooth crooning - I almost thought I was in Rue de Paris.

I believe a restaurant should not be judge by the vintage of its wines but by the content of its breadbasket.

Clifford’s bread - a sweet basketful of baguette varietals - was pretty decent.

Nothing exceptional, but at least it’s hot. Note to bakery: reshaping the baguettes into buns will still make the bread taste like baguettes.

I was looking forward to some pain au levain and ciabatta. But what compensated for the lack of bread choice was the dipper that came with it: duck rillete – mashed up, shredded duck with orange zest. For those who are looking after your waistline - ask them to take it away – once you get started you won’t be able to stop.

For starters, I highly recommend

#3Sky on 57

French onion soup with Gruyere cheese. The chef does an excellent job in balancing the cheese and the thickness of the soup – you don’t feel bloated after. I opted for the baby chicken as my main. Bad mistake – it was a complete waste of calories.

In fact, I stopped eating a quarter way through. I felt like I was eating cardboard – tasteless, rough and takes forever to chew. Their truffle fries were decent, although they have yet to master PS café’s recipe. They were a little stingy with the truffle oil .

The best part of the Clifford experience is their complimentary passion-fruit marshmallow. Coated with a thick layer of passion fruit powder, the marshmallow melts in your mouth within seconds, leaving a fruity after taste – exactly the way you would love to end a meal.

Sky on 57 Price/pax: $100-120 Marina Bay Sands +65 6688 8868

P

erked on the highest point of Marina Bay Sands, Sky boasts more than a breath-taking view of Singapore’s charming city lights. It is also the most recent masterpiece of Singapore’s most celebrated chef – Justin Quek.

This 12,000 square feet all-day restaurant seems suffers from an identity crisis. The prices and location indicates fine dining, but the furnishing and décor implies casual chic.

Even the restaurant manager seems to be confused. When asked, he hesitated for a second and said, “casual

ian mafia bosses meet at.

Forlino serves classic Italian food - no fancy fusion twists or attempts of molecular gastronomy.

Their bread – warm and fluffy with a slight hint of basil, sprinkled with a few dices of freshly grounded sea salt – is so good that it’s a sin. For optimal taste I would give it a generous soak of olive oil and a quick dip of balsamic vinegar.

For starters I recommend the classic and popular Prosciutto e Melone.

No other restaurant in Singapore will serve finer Parma ham or give you a more handsome portion. If you’re up for something more adventurous, I recommend the Fegato d’Oca e Amarene – pan roasted goose liver drizzled with apricot sauce and morello cherry. The goose liver was made to perfection – the outside was firm and crisp while the inside remains

juicy and tender. For mains, opt for its Stinco di Vitellino – milk-fed veal shank with Vin Santo Wine and forest mushrooms ragout. If your stomach has room to spare after everything, end your Forlino experience with their Molten Lava Chocolate Cake with banana gelato and rum sauce.

For those who are planning a oneon-one prom-dinner date, request the tables by the glass-clad window. If you’re going in a group with more than six couples, I highly, wholeheartedly recommend booking their private dining rooms Gaia or Serena.

Both dining rooms are decorated with heavy leather chairs and polished black-marbled tables.

Whatever part of the restaurant you are at, you’ll always have the Merlion, Singapore River, MBS and Esplanade as a backdrop.

#2Clifford

fine-dining.”

“Sky on 57 has a winning combination of refined cuisine, accessible prices and spectacular views,” Marina Bay Sands president Thomas Arasi said during an interview with ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants.’ “It completes the overall dining experience on the Sands SkyPark, and gives our guests more reasons to return to Marina Bay Sands.”

Sky relies too heavily on its location and spectacular view. Renovation appears to be low budget, just like the rest of MBS. But you do get a sense of what Quek was aiming for: simple and chic design, nothing too extravagant to interfere with the view or food. What his team forgot is that simple does not equal cheap.

Quek may have been away man-

aging French restaurants for the past six years, but the menu does a nice job marrying South East Asian ingredients with European influences.

There are not many Asian fine-dining restaurants out there – so for those who prefer rice over pasta, suckling pig over steak, Sky is your calling.

For starters I highly recommend JQ’s Signature Foie Gras Xiao Long Bao. Those baos will probably be the best types of baos you’ll ever have in your life – the skin is thin enough, allowing just the right amount of soup to spill into your mouth before the foie gras hits your tongue with a burst of flavor. For main course, ditch JQ’s signature roasted crackling suckling pig and opt for his Sautéed Maine Lobster “Marco Polo.”

eye

theeye

April 18, 2011

in focus

M•U•and S•Isas •C

The times they are a changin’ Indie musicians shake windows and rattle walls of major labels, big names

By Jennie Park ount to sixty. In that minute, Miley Cyrus made about 340 USD, or roughly 8,160 dollars per day. Comparably, the average Joe makes about 50,000 dollars a year, as reported by the US Census Bureau as of 2009.

In less than one week, Miley Cyrus will have made more than the average American earns in a year.

But for every Miley Cyrus there are hundreds of musicians who choose to take an alternate route-- the independent one.

With the rise of small-scale independent music as a force to be reckoned with, and piracy rampant, will the music industry see the triumph of the underdog?

C

The Age of Pirates

graphic by Leonel De Velez

This is an era of thieves; the era of you and me.

The average person’s mp3 player holds 800 illegally acquired songs (as reported by The Sunday Times). In 2008, a reported 40 billion songs were downloaded illegally. This can be attributed to the rise of tools such as Napster, LimeWire and Transmission-- user-friendly ways to obtain any movie, song or even computer game, with the click of a mouse.

Arists and record labels alike are suffering from the frequency of illegal file-sharing, and there is no easy fix on the horizon.

Lily Allen, a UK pop-artist known for her bubbly pop tunes, not too long ago spoke out against piracy. When the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) failed to pass legislation that would punish music pirates, she was incensed.

“File sharing is not good for British music. We must find new ways to help consumers to hear and buy music legally, Obviously I will benefit from combating piracy, but without fighting it British music will suffer.” Allen said in an article she wrote for The Sunday Times.

Allen began an online crusade with the creation of the blog “It’s Not Alright” which voiced her opinions and those of other musicians who felt that piracy was an issue that needed to be addressed and not just pushed to the side. The site has since been shut down by Allen due to the criticism she received over her strong views on piracy.

The past decade has validated Allen’s concerns. The music industry has seen a plummet from 2000’s revenue of 14.6 billion to 2009’s 6.3 billion dollars.

While Allen asserts that it’s not the lost money she cares about, there is a significant amount of money that artists lose due to piracy.

But despite all the negativity surrounding music piracy, could it impact the music world for the better?

The Rise of the Independent Artist A group ascended the stage, not in the traditional glitzy garb of the Grammy’s, but in kitschy, mismatched prints, and poodle-hair. Hesitantly, they approached the mic to receive their award. The audience looked as dumbfounded as the recipients.

This year at the Grammy’s, Canadian indie group, Arcade Fire, took home the Best Album of the Year award.

For some, Arcade Fire’s win was an upset. Fans of Katy Perry and Lady Gaga and Eminem were shocked. A Tumblr site called “Who is Arcade Fire” was created within hours. Posts included: “Who is RK FIRE?!” and “Have the grammys lost their mind?!”

But for industry insiders, this was the change they had all been waiting for-- an appreciation of the downtrodden, independent artist.

Scott Roger, manager of the Arcade Fire, defended the credibility of the band’s win in an interview with “Rolling Stone” magazine.

“They made the best album. If the award was named ‘Album Sales of the Year,’ there would be no discussion. Eminem made a big-selling album, but it was far from being his best work. Katy Perry made a big pop record that simply didn’t have weight or credibility. Gaga’s ... was a repackage of the main release.”

The Arcade Fire’s triumph might have maddened the masses, but oddly enough, it represents the lucrative future ahead of artists like the Arcade Fire who will never achieve popularity a la Hannah Montana. It may sound counter-intuitive, but it is their unpopularity that helps them economically.

Piracy as Benefactor Enter piracy.

Filesharing sites such as Piratebay.org offer an infinite volume of music and the more popular the music, the easier it is to find and download. It also includes more “seeders” (people who you acquire the bits of data from in the download process), thus making it much easier for you to acquire.

What does this mean? It means that the lesser known, independent artists come out of the piracy ordeal somewhat unscathed. As their music is harder to find, it is consequently harder to download from the Internet.

A study done by Dr. David Blackburn, a professor of economics and monetary systems at Harvard University, validates this claim. Dr. Blackburn’s findings show that 75 percent of all artists profit from filesharing. This 75 percent is made up of the independent and the more obscure artists. The other 25 percent, the top 25 percent, don’t make much money at all. Their record sales stagnate as pirates easily steal their albums online.

Another reason why the indie artist benefits from piracy is simply because when the music is free, listeners, from an economic standpoint, have nothing to lose. They do not have to risk buying a 14 USD album off iTunes based on 30 seconds of song. park32567@sas.edu.sg

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theeye

April 18, 2011

CALLING IT A NIGHT. One Degree North prepares to exit the stage after playing rock covers for three hours at the Prince of Wales Pub at Boat Quay.

One Degree North

Not only do they know something about history, biology, what a slide rule’s for, but these cats can play

CLUB MIXING. DJ Noyzfera2, a.k.a. Firdaus Bahri, practicing in the studio.

Photo by Ungku, Ardent Images

Media Lab Manager Lives Double Life Firdaus Bahri turns into club DJ Noyzfera2 when the sun goes down. and Facebook to promote his music.

By Olivia Nguyen “It’s easy to market yourself and It was 1998 Singapore DMC Competition. DJ Noyzfera2 stepped get noticed,” Bahri said.

Bahri won numerous awards inonto the and looked into the crowd of waiting people. He was nervous. His cluding the Best New English Alpalms were sweaty, and he felt like bum at the A.I.M. Awards in 2003, and third place in the Singapore the whole world was going to end.

“I had that ‘I’m ready…I’m not DMC competition in September.

Although music dominates the ready’ kind of feeling.” DJ Noyzfera2 free time in his life, Bahri put down said.

He didn’t make it to the finals that his headphones as Noyzfera2 on year. But four months later, his hard hold to go back to school in 2004work paid off. DJ Noyzfera2 won his 2006. After finishing a master’s degree in mass first local battle in communications, Phuture [Zouk], Bahri jumped not only winning back into the stuthe competition dio to practice. but also winning “For me to against the batget back into tle with his stage DJ-ing, it was refright. ally tough but I What most managed to pull people don’t through,” Bahri know is that DJ said. “I sacrificed Noyzfera2 lives a one whole year double life. Durto get back into ing the day he shape. It’s going works as a Firreally well, espedaus Bahri, SAS - Firdaus Bahri, Media Lab Manager cially after getMedia Lab manting third in the ager, but when the sun goes down, he starts scratch- DMC competition, because I didn’t expect that. I was really happy with ing, beat juggling and mixing.

Bahri’s love of music started myself, and right after that I got shortly after he saw VHS tapes of more gigs.”

Today, Bahri is regularly practic1997 DJ competitions. He then started buying equipment and working out at ing and spinning around Singapore. home. One year later, Bahri debuted He has performed at places such as as DJ Noyzfera2, entering in his first Cafe Del Mar, Versus and in April local DJ battle. He describes it being he will be playing at Disco Vendetta [Zirca]. For his future plans as an “nerve wracking.”

Years of practice led Bahri to im- artist: “I’m just doing it right now beprove as an artist and also as an entrepreneur. By taking advantage of free cause it’s fun and for the love of it. sites such as MySpace, Sound Cloud So we’ll see how it goes.”

By Anbita Siregar Sixth-grade counselor Ben Robertaccio never wants to stop playing music. As a child, he played the saxophone and listened to classical jazz. He learned to play the guitar and started writing his own music.

He was the guitarist of a band called Decatur (“like Decatur, Illinois,” he said) when he was living in Washington D.C. got signed by a label, and produced three albums.

When the band broke up, he produced an acoustic album with one of his bandmates.

Robertaccio found his place in One Degree North, a band of SAS faculty playing song covers around Singapore when he became the sixth grade counselor at SAS. “The band does covers of songs, but I used to play my own music. I had to learn around 60 songs before

our first gig,” Robertaccio said.

Middle school band teacher Brian White, intermediate school counselor Carmine Filice, former high school technology counselor Jerry Szombathy and sixth-grade teacher Steve Zeilinski made up the original One Degree North.

Filice, inspired by idol Bruce Colburn, started playing the guitar 30 years ago. Like Robertaccio, he played in another band, a Beatles tribute band, before becoming guitarist and lead singer of One Degree North.

Zeilinski played in three bands when living in Minnesota - Electric Mud, Guru Stew and Uneducated Nettle Eaters. He wrote and played his own original music in all three.

He joined One Degree North as the bassist.

Unlike his bandmates, who have two or more decades of experience

“ I sacrificed one

whole year to get back into shape.

It’s going really well, especially after getting third in the DMC competition

“

Music both sublime, Devine for sophomore No pain in long hours when doing something he loves

By Tyler Stuart Phuzzyy started recording his new songs around noon and continued until 6 p.m. when he took a two-hour break.

He then played into the night. Unsatisfied, he decided to start from the top. All Sunday he repeated the process until he was pleased with the music.

Sophmore Faran “Phuzzyy” Hannani picked up bass guitar in 7th grade and has been in love with music ever since. He plays the guitar, drums, bass, keyboard and the Indian tabla. He also plays double bass for the SAS String Ensemble.

Hannani said he did not wake up one day and decide to

with their instruments, White started playing drums just four years ago.

He previously played the trumpet and guitar and played rock and blues while attending Wesleyan University.

In 2007, SAS held a talent show for both students and faculty. White knew other faculty members shared his love of music, so he talked the group into playing together for the talent show.

“We played so well, and people started asking us to play in private functions, so we decided to stay together,” White said.

One Degree North now play gigs around Singapore. They have played in the Prince of Wales Pub, Muddy Murphy’s Pub, Blooies Bar Roadhouse Grill and several private functions.

In May 2008, the band was asked to play in the pilot episode of Asia Uncut - an Asian talk show picked up

by Star World.

“The best feeling is when you don’t even have to think about playing. You just go with the music,” White said. siregar14018@sas.edu.sg

be a musician. He has many mentors, who have influenced his music.

“My brother, he is the one who taught me to play everything,” Hannani said. His brother is an alum of SAS. He says that Muse, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Strokes have influenced his music. He mentioned Julian Casablancas, lead singer of The Strokes, as a significant role model in the world of music.

“All his ideas have gotten lodged into me,” he said.

This passion for music requires commitment and perseverance. Hannani puts many hours into the composition of his music.

“For now, the demos I record myself, it takes me around four hours,” he said.

Keep in mind that Hannani is a high school musician juggling schoolwork, extracurricular activities and music for String Ensemble.

Hannani finds only a few moments to focus on his music. He and his band, The Divines, can only meet certain days of the week, because it is difficult to schedule around school.

“It is inconvenient to have one day of the weekend where everyone comes over and then it takes like five hours,” he said.

Hannani is not content that his music only reaches his ears and the ears of his band. He wants to be known.

“My band, The Divines, have recorded an album worth of songs and we are going to be trying to get it into some radio stations in Singapore,” he said.

For New Years 2011, Hannani and The Divines were invited by Art Wallah to play at an event in Bintan, Indonesia. Their ferry, hotel, and meals were all paid for by the company and they were paid 600,000 rupiah for their performance.

As his passion for music grows, the quality and creativity of his music will only increase. stuart42156@sas.edu.sg

theeye

April 18, 2011

11

IPAU: A story of defying elitism

THE OLD KINGS: Roman Tarasov, Bryan Crabtree, Patrick Linton, Sean Nerney and Dave D’aranjo poses for an album shot. A decade later, members of the Old Kings remain passionate about music. D’aranjo is currently studying at the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Bostn, Nerny toured around Japan with Linton as part of the band “The World of Spy” for two years and is now producing his own music. Tarasov, a tall Russian who speaks Singlish, is a guitar teacher who sometimes teams up with Nerney. Photo courtesy of the Old Kings

Ten years ago, three SAS students came together.

All three of them with the same passion: music.

By Sophia Cheng

Artist’s Union (IPAU).

The Beginning – 1998-2002

Bringing Together the Passionate

Dave D’aranjo was frustrated.

He was frustrated because every time there was a school music show it was always SAS Singers, strings or band dominating the stage. Don’t get him wrong - he liked the shows. The problem was that a lot of the musicians that were performing were there because they had to be. Not because they were eager to perform.

D’aranjo was part of SAS Singers, Jazz Band and several independent student bands. He was aware of great talents in contemporary and rock genres, not just classical. He felt that they were not supported by SAS’ music program, never offered a piece of the stage during school time.

He started thinking. He thought about having a “collective” of contemporary musicians that didn’t include classical musicians. But former Band Coordinator Charles Angelo disagreed. Instead he taught D’aranjo something more important “Why snub anyone at all?” Angelo said.

Angelo taught him the answer to elitism is openness, not more elitism.

So three best friends – Dave D’arango, Andrew “Bud” McPherson and Sean Nerney, all bonded by the love of music, came together and formed the Independent Performing

They sat down at the end of their sophomore years and began composing what would later turn into their most valuable legacy to SAS. They gathered people with similar interests and salvaged old, unwanted sound equipment from all over the school.

By the start of their junior years, they created SAS’s first and only student run organization dedicated to performing artists.

IPAU was ignited by passion members joined because they loved and wanted to share their music no one was there because they were forced into it; no one was there just to glam up their college applications.

“You were there because you wanted to be there; so you really did your best for it,” co-founder Sean Nerney ‘02 said.

Sean Nerny: I Hate This Place Nerney is an example of the kind of fired-up-music-die-hard-fans in IPAU. The kind that feeds off music for life.

Nine years after graduating from SAS Nerney is still pursuing music.

He combined his two interests: music and technology to create this electronica/pop band - I Hate This Place (IHTP) - and has released seven albums to date. His latest album,

“

“Shiny One,” is available in online music stores and iTunes.

Although IHTP is not a wellknown band, Nerney said sales has been decent and that it has been successful enough for him to carry on with it. This year marks IHTP’s seventh anniversary.

“Music becomes one of those things you need,” Nerney said. “It’s been with me for as long as I can remember.”

Keeping IPAU alive

Students come and go – so do clubs. Most clubs in SAS have a lifespan of less than three years, many dying after founders graduate. This year marks IPAU’s tenth anniversary. The secret for longevity? Find sponsors who share the same interest and passion.

In the earlier years, former Band teacher Charles Angelo, former English teacher Brian Coole and Theatre Engineer Paul Koebnick sponsored IPAU. All three sponsors had soft spots for rock music.

Today, Koebnick remains the sponsor of IPAU. Paul Koebnick – Turning what you love into a career The first things that catches your eyes in the theater office – a techie’s hideaway – are the rows and rows of concert passes above Koebnick’s

Music becomes one of those things you need.

It’s been with me for as long as I can remember.

- Sean Nerney

desk.

Back in the days, Koebnick used to teach math and science courses in middle school.

He has always been interested in the technical side of music, so he taught himself how to record, control sound systems… everything involved in the technical aspect of music. He became the high school theater engineer in the year 1999.

Many students know him as the teacher that “helps out at all concerts in Singapore.” Many also recognize him as “the teacher wit the Harley Davidson and leather pants.”

Koebnick is more than just a sponsor in IPAU – he is what keeps it strong and alive.

At the most basic level, it is his interest in music that keeps him attached to the club.

“He is a rock star at heart,” Nerney said.

But it was something more than that – something more than just love for music. He is passionate about seeing kids pursue their musical interests; passionate about watching people perform – he loves to see people love music.

He can talk about old IPAU members for an hour. He can name talented muscians at SAS off the top of his head. He can spend hours decorating and advocating for the jam room After the interview Koebnick racked out a ten-year-old album by “The Old Kings” - the band that the co-founders of IPAU were in - in a matter of minutes.

He looked at those autographed albums as prized possessions.

“This is my only copy - signed and everything,” Koebnick said. “Make sure it doesn’t get lost or scratched!” cheng32355@sas.edu.sg

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In pictures: Cultural

Convention

Students travel to three IASAS schools to participate in arts, forensics

By Michael Too Imagine in the next decade, all the worlds’ rising celebrities: politicians, actors in Hollywood, dancers on MTV, or musicians signing with Universal Records. If any of them were to come from our school, they would had been probably found in the 29th Cultural Convention.

Drama, dance, debate, and forensics traveled to Kuala Lumpur. Art and music traveled to Jakarta.

Each IASAS dance team is required to create a piece up to twenty minutes long. One piece stood out from the other pieces. Taipei American School’s dance piece, contrary to the other schools’ choreographic technique, took pride on having anything but technique. Their limbs were twisted awkwardly, bodies tense, and their feet were unflexed. Essentially, they went against anything a typical ballet instructor would ever teach. It was well received by the audience.

A workshop introduced a new hybrid between acrobats and yoga, coined AcroYoga Students used each oth.ers’ bodies to balance in air. Both dance and drama participants combined to learn AcroYoga.

Drama performances included a piece by ISKL that was unusual – a 45-minute drama without a word of dialogue - creating more of a movement piece than anything else. The piece was an adaptation of “Metropolis,” an adaptation of German director Fritz Lange’s 1927 film, “Metropolis” a sci-fi product of German expressionism.

“I thought it was an incredibly risky choice which was really admirable. If you went into it looking for a movement piece, then it was moving, but if you went into it looking for a drama, then you left the theater feeling a little shortchanged,” said senior Kelly Schuster, a three-year Cultural Convention drama participant.

When the actors were not performing, the workshops were emotionally intensive. In one workshop, the actors were asked to get into groups to share the saddest moments of their lives.

“They asked us to pick one of the stories and perform it for everyone. There were stories of everything from betrayal of best friends to a person gone missing, a family member diagnosed with AIDS and even a car accident,” junior Kate Penniall said.

Along with each team came one technical theater crew member. A workshop was provided for them teaching them how to create stage set pieces.

“We were given a lesson on how to make props out of Styrofoam and everyday items. The [International School of Bangkok] props coordinator showed us the steps he took to create everything from mushrooms to trees and pirate ships,” junior technical theater crew member Cian Leow said.

If the Forensics participants were not watching dance and drama performances, they were either preparing or present-

ing. Events included impromptu, extemporaneous speaking, original oratory, and oral interpretation. Senior Alex Amstrup won first place for oral interpretation, and Klara Auerbach, also representing SAS, won first place for original oratory.

“I read through two or three books of short stories, and when I found my piece ‘Tobermory,’ I really liked how it was both humorous but dark and macabre at the same time,” said Amstrup.

Leading up to the convention, Amstrup said he practiced for an hour every day with oral interpretation coach, Nanette Ruhter.

Auerbach said she knew immediately she wanted to talk about feminism when it came to choosing a topic.

“Feminism, for me, has been something that I’ve always been very passionate about, and I’ve always been that girl who gets made fun of for actually speaking up when someone says ‘Go make me a sandwich,’” Auerbach said.

Debate combines aspects from original oratory, im-

promptu and extemporaneous speaking. Debate members received the prompt prior to traveling: When forced to choose, a just government ought to prioritize universal human rights over its national interest.”

“We prepared at first by doing a lot of mock debates against e a c h other and

having lots of discussion with Mr. Baker about different ways and perspectives to look at the resolution,” senior Emily Lin said about preparing. “ [Elizabeth Creech] and I were really scared about what sort of stuff people would throw at us since both of us were first timers,” Lin said.

“But all our hard work ended up paying off.

Winning third was awesome, especially because it was our first time at Cultural.”

Lights, camera, action! Seniors Kelly Schuster and Cameron Noble perform “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings,” a play based on the short story of the same name. SAS English teacher Dr. Michael Clark wrote the script and directed the play alongside Tracy Meyer. This will be Meyer’s tenth and last year directing for SAS. Photo by Erica Huston.

Senior Mary Lieberman sings her solo.

Lieberman aspires to be an opera singer when she is older. Photo by Michael Cox.

Seniors Ben Teo and Jem Magbanua choreographed and perform their duet for the dance piece “Framed.”

The two portrayed a young, engaged couple. Photo by Erica Huston.

Sophomore Klara Auerbach scores the gold medal for Original Oratory for her speech on women’s rights. Senior Zach Nelson placed third with his speech on Helicopter Parents.

This is Auerbach’s first year attending Cultural Convention.

Photo by Michael Cox.

Senior Becky Ruan takes cue from the conductor as she plays her violin. This is Ruan’s second and final year participating in Cultural Convention. Photo by Michael Cox.

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April 18, 2011

Father Gonzaga, played by Phil Anderson, explains to Consuelo, played by senior Barbara Hoffer, and Camilla, played by Natalie Bina, that he is writing to the pope concerning the old man.

Photo by Erica Huston.

Senior Alex Amstrup clenched the gold medal for Oral Interpretation reciting the short story “Tobermory” by Hector Hugh Munro. This is Amstrup’s second year participating in Cultural Convention but his first time placing. Photo by ISKL yearbook staff.

Senior Jerone Abueva prepares an art piece for packing. Five art delegates, one photographer and four artists, represented SAS in Cultural Convention this year. Photo by Michael Cox.

After a day of band practice, Junior trumpet player Ruby Hohensee catches up on missed school work. All students participating in Cultural Convention missed two and a half school days. Photo by Michael Cox.

Seniors Kendall Covington and Avery Lim perform “Framed,” a dance piece revealing the secrets behind a perfect family portrait. Photo by Erica Huston.

Junior Oliver Kim practices his trombone, preparing for Cultural Convention. Students auditioned for a spot in the ensemble travelling to Cultural Convention. Photo by Michael Cox.

Senior Preeti Varathan plays violin with the entire strings ensemble. The art and music delegates travelled from the six IASAS schools to Jakarta International School. Forensics, dance and drama delegates travelled to International School of Kuala Lumpur. Photo by Michael Cox.

SAS Singers performed “Wade in the Water” by Eva Cassidy as their final performance. Each singer sang a solo and attended workshops throughout Cultural Convention. Photo

by Michael Cox.

14 M

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April 18, 2011

y parents don’t know the password for my PowerSchool account.

In fact, they don’t even know about PowerSchool. They never ask me how I’m doing in school; I have to casually bring up the subject during dinner, if I feel like it that is. And, no matter how many honor roll certificates I bring home, their excitement lasts only long enough to make me feel like I did something right, and then the certificate is lost, only to be rediscovered weeks later in the back of my closet.

The idea of hovering over my every activity has never even crossed their minds, and when it comes to school, the policy is “don’t ask, don’t tell - unless I want to. ” Amy Chua’s book, “The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother,” is more of a piece of fiction than a how-to book.

But in no way is my parents’ lack of involvement proof of bad parenting.

In fact, the amount of trust that they bestow upon me is monstrous, and the guilt of failing them motivates me in almost every aspect of my life.

They trust me to deal with my problems and keep my grades up without feeling the need to harass my teachers because “he really is a good person, and he is trying SO hard.”

My grades improve proportionally to the amount of freedom they give me, a steady incline through the years.

Our mutual trust has created a bond between my parents and I. They trust me to do my work; I trust them to be happy with the work I produce.

And even when I produce grades that are sub-par, they don’t ground me. They have never grounded me. They’ve never had to.

They give me the liberty that I need to be able to grow, the liberty I need to make my own decisions and mistakes.

Ever since I can remember, they have supported me in all my choices.

When I told them that I wanted to become an actor, they allowed me to join a Florida community theater production of “Annie.” When I wanted to play a sport, I started playing soccer, then swimming, then playing basketball, then tennis, and finally, American football. When I wanted to play an instrument, they enrolled me in piano and then drum classes. With martial arts, I tried judo and karate. I was even a Boy Scout for a year.

I quit all of these activities with the exceptions of tennis, which I never stopped playing, and acting, which I left after the “Annie” perform a n c e , encouraged by my ineptitude with

Vitamin Water: Can something this good be that good for you?

By Madeline Mitchell & Tan Kabra Eye Online Students have found a tasty new favorite among the colorful selection of enhanced waters offered at school, but they may be misled by the drinks name and advertising.

Junior athlete Katy Kaestner avoids Vitamin Water to hydrate herself during sports, because she heard the healthy components said to be in the drink are not actually present.

“They say vitamins, which implies that it’s good for you, but all the ‘vita-

IS YOUR

MOM A

TIGER

MOTHER?

Who needs Tiger moms a tiger mom, always know anyway? what’s best

By Phil Anderson

the English language and a squeaky, prepubescent voice.

My parents have driven me to every class, every rehearsal, every practice. They have watched all of my performances and games, even the small performances that no one ever shows up to watch.

They always encouraged me to keep going, told me I was the best in the group. And they never once made me continue an activity I wanted to quit. They gave me all the freedom to choose who I wanted to be.

I don’t rebel. I don’t sneak out. I don’t raid the liquor cabinet. I don’t need to do any of these things because breaking that bond of trust would be devastating for all of us.

So my parents let their children learn from their mistakes.

I don’t have a curfew (as long as I kiss my parents good night when I get home) and as an eighteen-year-old, second semester senior, this is an invitation for severe alcohol poisoning.

But one occurrence was enough to discourage further behavior. Not because of the consequences of the following morning, although that wasn’t fun, but because of the guilt trips and speeches that followed.

They know I’m responsible, and they’d rather these type of things happen now, when I’m still in the nest, than later on when they can’t protect me. They want me to learn from my own mistakes, even if it takes me a couple of blunders for the point to get across.

Everyone has a limit; I have already discovered mine. anderson33674@saseagles.edu.sg

mins’ are synthetic, so it really isn’t healthy at all,” Kaestner said.

According to Subway, the only vendor of Vitamin Water on campus, they order six cartons with twelve bottles in each of Vitamin Water a day to meet their demands.

“The title is deceiving because the name Vitamin Water makes it sound healthy, but it’s just water with sugar in it,” senior Rachel Khan said.

Vitamin Water, produced by commercial giant Coca-Cola, is loaded with up to 42 grams of sugar per 420ml bottle as compared to a bottle of Snapple mango madness which has 25 grams per 240 ml.

“According to health regulations, companies have to include everything on the label but when they add a long list of big words on a small label, people don’t understand what is says so they drink it

By Olivia Nguyen

M

y mother checks PowerSchool everyday.

I come home, sweating out of every pore awaiting to see her reaction on the grade I received for my chemistry test. Before I even take two steps through the door she’s already waiting at the table, arms crossed and death glare intact.

“You got a B- on your quiz.”

She can see my GPA dropping before her eyes, my Columbia rejection letter within reach.

“Mom, I studied. You saw me.”

The Asian rage begins.

“Obviously you didn’t study enough. You are grounded.”

Grounding is not an unfamiliar experience for me. On average, I get grounded once a month; restricted from leaving the house, from using my phone, and, worst of all, Skyping.

Even the smallest infraction can result in house arrest. Speaking my mind at the dinner tabletwo days. Breaking curfew by even a minute- a week.

Whenever I’m confined within the perimeters of my house, my mother doesn’t allow me to waste any time. She signs me up for piano lessons, in hopes that I become the next child prodigy. She makes me work out for up to two hours a day, running laps around the complex, lifting weights and checking the scales.

The amount of time I’ve wasted trying to play Sonata No.8 is pathetic, but my mother still believes it will happen. If, during a YouTube search, she finds a child prodigy playing a flawless

anyway,” P.E. teacher Frans Grimbergen said, Many students and faculty drink Vitamin Water regularly, despite knowing that the drink has little nutritional value.

“I know it’s not healthy, but I drink it anyway,” junior Athelia Paulli said. “It does not contain a lot of vitamins and it has a lot of sugars, so I would stick to water, athletes.”

Some argue that the drink is at least better than drinking soda, but the primary difference is Vitamin Water’s selling point as a healthy diet choice.

“Vitamin Water is delicious. It is no worse for you than a can of soda,” said Islander adviser Tate Sonnack, a faithful advocate of the beverage.

In an April 2, “Weekend Today” article, “The truth about ‘health water,’” reporter Laura Barton wrote that enhanced waters are almost as unhealthy as

Canon D, she has something to say to me.

“This child plays so well, only 9 years old and better than you!”

I sigh and shake my head in self-pity. I never stuck to piano long enough to master it.

Despite my mothers harsh criticism and its crippling effect on my self-esteem, I love music. I love music because my mom pushed me to play every day.

Although I didn’t stay with piano, singing became a new hobby. Singing was a way to relax and to nurture my secret desire to be famous. I joined my elementary school choir. My mother, who didn’t class singing up there with playing in a world-class orchestra, was indifferent.

On the night of my fifth grade concert, my mother dropped me off in front of the Brookwood Elementary steps saying she’d come back to see me sing once she dropped off my brother off at soccer practice. I searched through a sea of people for her face, but to my disappointment she wasn’t found.

An hour after the concert ended, my mother finally picked me up waiting in the principal’s office, where I sat, the last kid left at the school.

With no apology she told me to get in the car, and we drove off to pick up my brother.

My mother’s tough-love parenting could come off as harsh, but despite the occasional missed concert, performance or rehearsal she taught me if I loved doing something enough, I would find a way to do it - and I did.

I persisted, and by sixth grade I convinced my mom to enroll me in private singing lessons after school. I became a part of St. Bernadette’s youth church choir for three months before moving on to private lessons and eventually recording a demo.

After years of trying, eigth grade became the apex of my singing career. I learned how to control my diaphgram, run through scales religiously, and find my own “genre of music.”

Today, I have a feeling of achievement I can attribute to my mom’s constant cajoling. Today, I believe her intentions are good, though I still think her methods are flawed. Today, I know that all the insane actions she takes are out of love, and no matter what I do I know she’ll be proud.

In the words of Amy Chua, my mother and I are “good buddies in a weird way.” nguyen35543@saseagles.edu.sg

soda pop.

“The problem with the enhanced water market is, in part, one of perception – as consumers, we associate the words vitamins and fruit and even preservativefree with a healthy diet, and give little thought to less desirable ingredients.”

Consumers are often unaware that companies like Coca-Cola can advertise products as pretty much anything, including healthy.

“I would like to think that there is some farmer in California adding all the natural vitamins by hand,” said Paulli. “But I guess it makes sense that it’s really produced by Coke and that the name is there to make people buy it.” mitchell41658@saseagles.edu.sg kabra31578@saseagles.edu.sg

SUGAR DOES THE LIFTING. Celebrities like Ellen, 50 cents, Lebron James have appeared in Vitamin Water ads.

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April 18, 2011

Players perform script adaptation by SAS teacher Garcia Marquez short story allows Dr. Clark creative reign in creation of dialogue for play

TO THE WINGS. During a Saturday rehearsal, junior Jisoo Lee inspects the Old Man, played by junior Athelia Paulli, as junior Cameron Noble writes down what Lee says.. This was the first Cultural Convention for all three of these actors. Photo by Kate Penniall

By Ash Oberoi A winged creature walked slowly down the aisle towards the stage.

Onstage it sank to the ground pulling its wings around its body. It moaned and began speaking in an unknown tongue. The lights fade out.

This is the first scene of the play “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings”, adapted for stage by Dr. Michael Clark from a short story of the same name by Gabriel Garcia Mar-

quez. Drama students performed the play twice: once for the SAS students and faculty and another time for the 2011 Cultural Convention.

“Garcia Marquez has always been one of my favorite writers since I was in college and [“A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings”] is in the anthology that we read in A.P. Literature,” Dr. Clark said. “So having taught it a couple of times and talked about it with students, it sort of fell out that it

might be interesting to adapt for the stage.”

Dr. Clark said he wanted to make the play more than just an adaptation; he wanted it to stand apart from the short story. He did this by blocking the play into short scenes. After each scene the lights faded; rising again on another day, week, or year.

The narrative tells the story of a husband and wife who encounter an old man with large wings. The couple (junior Cameron Noble and senior Kelly Schuster) are unable to communicate with this strange man as he speaks an unknown, foreign language; a neighbor (junior Kate Penniall) informs them that the man is an angel sent to collect their sick child.

Unsure of what to do with this angel (junior Athelia Paulli), the couple lock him in their chicken coop.

News of the angel’s appearance soon spreads and the entire community comes to see this freak show.

They mock him and jab him with sticks. Meanwhile, the angel’s health continues to deteriorate and his death is imminent. Years pass until one day when the angel miraculously grows new feathers, leaves the chicken coop and flies away.

The short story is dark and includes scenes of extreme physical cruelty; however, the cruelty was toned down to make the play acceptable for high school actors and audience. “[Dr. Clark and I] agreed that the dimension of the extent of the cruelty [towards the angel] would take the play to a place that we didn’t really want it to go,” Tracy Meyer, high school drama teacher, said.

Dr. Clark had the liberty of working with a short story that had no dialogue; allowing him to re-invent the characters in the process of adapting the story into a play. This gave him the opportunity to portray them as he saw fit, in an attempt of bringing them to life, on stage.

The progression of animating these characters and heightening the production process was propelled on one particular day that Dr. Clark recalls: “We had one day where it was just one of those amazing days that you can’t really reproduce where we ended up just doing all the sort of physical movements and we actually listened to a lot of the music that I was listening when I was drafting the script and at that point the cast just re-

ally kind of clicked,” he said.

Still. The hardest character to identify with is the angel. Meyer said that it would be over-simplistic to define and label the angel as just one particular thing. He is an enigma because of the mystifying glow that surrounds him; this allows each character to connect with the angel in different ways.

The experience was difficult and demanding, but Dr. Clark said he couldn’t have faced this challenge without “a cast that was so dedicated, willing to play, willing to take risks and willing to keep trying until they found a place where they were confident.” oberoi16616@saseagles.edu.sg

SPOTLIGHT. Dr. Michael Clark and Tracy Meyer run a saturday rehearsal three weeks before the play goes on stage. The play, written by Dr. Clark, was based on a short story by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Photo by Jisoo Lee

Singapore hosts musical phenoms, Justin Bieber and Bob Dylan

Side-by-side and one-on-one looks at musical legend and would-be musical legend JUSTIN BIEBER

Bieberisms: Bieber Fever, “I’m a Belieber” Age: 17 Genre: R&B/Pop Total Youtube Upload Views: 1,466,656,717 Most popular lyrics: “Baby, baby, baby, oh”

By Tyler Stuart Sound the alarms. Find shelter. There will be a mob-like mass migration of female adolescents on the 19th. Leave it to Bieber.

Let’s keep it real: Bieber is not the brightest crayon in the box. He expresses little interest in anything other than girls.

We must keep in mind that Bieber is only 17 years old. It is not fair to expect a teenager to write riveting revolutionary lyrics.

So why is this dirty-blond ditz such a big deal? Two reasons: His looks and his voice.

From a young age, Bieber’s musical talent was recognized and encouraged. During his childhood he learned to play multiple instruments and developed his voice.

Growing up below the poverty line with a single mother, there is no doubt Bieber overcame these hardships through adversity. He has grown up to be a kind, respectful young man; the perfect boyfriend to take home to your parents.

Wherever Beiber is, you can expect a mob of mindlessly screaming girls. His young age and his looks have helped him achieve such a notable name in music.

“I am assuming that for the middle school girl it is more about sex appeal than musical talent,” High School Strings Director Stephen Bonnette said.

However Bonnette said that one cannot fault Bieber’s popularity.

“It’s just catchy and infectious and it’s fine. I don’t particularly like it, but he didn’t write it for me,” Hill said.

Ultimately it does not matter that people like Hill don’t enjoy Bieber’s music. He has managed to hit all the right notes when it comes to popularity. He can dance, dress, sing, and look better than most teenagers in the world.

Make sure to see Justin Bieber, a current idol, live in Singapore.

BOB DYLAN

Nicknames: Jack Frost, Bob Landy, Elston Gunn Age: 70 Genre: Folk/Rock/Blues Total Youtube Upload Views: 12,366,378 Most popular lyrics: “The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind”

There is a stir in the ‘older’ community of Singapore. They will gravitate to the Marina Promenade on the 15th. Bob Dylan is coming to town.

Let’s keep it real: Dylan is not the most talented singer. In recent years he has ‘croaked’ his way through hits.

We must keep in mind that Dylan is nearly 70 years old. It is not fair to judge an old man for having an old voice (although his voice was not impeccable in his prime).

So why is this frog-voiced man such a big deal? Two reasons: His poetry and his ambiguity.

Dylan was a very bright crayon. From a young age and throughout his career he has tackled large concepts with witty and clever lyrics, whether they were politically or emotionally motivated.

Dylan was not born a poetic connoisseur. During his teenage years (the age Bieber is now), he read volumes on history, art, philosophy in Greenwich Village where he began his music career.

Despite his intelligence, Dylan avoided the public eye to a great degree, only letting the people see his true self through his songs.

“He is a pretty ornery guy. He wrote his own music and if you liked it great and if you didn’t, well, too bad,” High School Band Director Brian Hill said.

Though Dylan’s lyrics remain timeless, his voice has proved otherwise.

“I liked the earlier Dylan better than lately just because he actually used to be able to carry a melody,” Bonnette said.

Ultimately it does not matter that Dylan’s voice is failing him. He is a legend. Dylan was never famous for his tantalizing voice. He didn’t have one. The 70 year old musician will attract listeners as long as he is writing the music.

Make sure to see Bob Dylan, a timeless legend, live in Singapore.

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PEP TALK. Coach Baker talks to athletes before the start of the day’s events. Per Eagle tradition, the athletes met under the SAS Eagle Sign for a cheer before starting the events.

Photo by Jisoo Lee

”

RUN WITH A SMILE. Junior Solange Majewska runs the 3000m with seeming ease with teammate senior Radhika Agarwal close behind. She clinches bronze in the event. Photo by Jisoo Lee

RECORD BREAKER. Junior Emma Graddy watches her shotput land past SAS’s school record. Graddy broke the record with a new distance of 10.01m. Photo by Jisoo Lee

All will take away memories of heat and intensity of exchange

By Erica Huston and Chris Choo TRACK The SAS Track Invitaional started out with plenty of heat. Participants in the invitational were the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) Panthers, International School of Manila (ISM) Bearcats, Intertnational School of Bangkok (ISB) Panthers, Jakarta International School Dragons (JIS), and SAS Eagles.

The girls 400-meter hurdles was the first event of the meet. Sophmore Atikah Scott, senior Hannah Goode, and junior Carolyn Koh started and ended the race strong with Goode leading the group. All three girls led the entire race with competitors from ISKL and ISB trailing. Koh placed second and Goode placed first. Scott earned bronze, and credited her mentality during practice for her performance.

“In practice, I’ve been really focused and, like, give it my all each time I run the hurdles. Each time we practiced the hurdles, I pretend it’s like a race and I run my hardest every single time so that when the race comes, I know what I’m prepared for, my body knows what to do and eve-

rything,” Scott said.

Boy’s 400-meter hurdles followed the girl’s 400-meter hurdles with a total of two heats. In heat number one, SAS freshmen Will Senior and Joe Park came from behind to lead the heat. Senior placed first in the heat.

The second heat included SAS runners Richard Vargo, Sam Wright, and Andrew Lydens. Wright and Vargo led the pack of runners at the start of the race. In the last 100 meters of the race, Vargo edged a competitor from ISKL for first. Vargo placed first and Wright placed third in the overall standings of the event.

The girl’s 3000 meter race was won by junior Ruby Hohensee who beat the school record and was within three seconds of the IASAS record (10:59.28) with a final time of 11:02.63. Sophomore Margaret-Anne Smith placed second and junior Solange Majewski placed third in the race.

Athletic director, Mimi Molchan Hohensee come close to breaking the record.

“I saw Claire, from JIS, set that record and it has to be over ten, twelve years ago so that record has stood a long time,” Molchan said.

“

EYES ON POINT. Senior captain Alex Amstrup runs up to the line to release the javelin. Amstrup began throwing javelin this year. Photo by Jisoo Lee

When you go to exchange and IASAS, there’s this, Mr. Baker calls it this IASAS power, it’s just like this adrenaline, you don’t even know where it comes from, it kind of helps you a lot. - Emma Graddy The boy’s 3000 meter race had 23

SAS competitors. Peter Hunt took the lead early in the race and fought for first place throughout the race with a competitor from ISM. Halfway through the last lap, Hunt surged towards the finish to win gold. Sophomore Oscar Guerrero earned him the bronze. This was Guerrero’s first year in Singapore, first year of track, and his first track exchange, ever.

“It was really great, for my first exchange in track, and I think I did really good for my first year. I’m going to try my hardest to be at the top,” Guerrero said.

By noon, the heat had picked up and Girl’s and Boy’s 800 meter run was up. Senior Linda Kim was quickly in first but was overtaken in the final stretch by a JIS competitor.

Freshman Ananya Subrahmanian coasted behind Kim to place third.

Subrahmanian earned the bronze while Kim took silver in the race.

In the Boy’s 800 meter run, junior Andrew Milne started the race off quickly and was in first for the majority of the race. In the last lap, a competitor from JIS overtook Milne for gold. Milne earned the silver medal for the event.

The Eagle girls repeated their hurdle victory from earlier in the day in the 100 meter hurdles, earning the top three positions. Senior Hannah Goode, juniors Emma Graddy, and Isabella Shaulis earned the bronze, silver, and gold, respectivley.

“It really didn’t come to a surprise that SAS would get the top two, but I wasn’t expecting them to get third, too,” Scott said.

FIELD Emma Graddy swept away the competition in the girl’s shotput.

Graddy broke the exchange record and the school’s record a total of four times. Although Graddy was capable of throwing farther the record during practice, she didn’t match the record during a friendly meet on March 9th, but did during the exchange.

“When you go to exchange and IASAS, there’s this, Mr. Baker calls it this IASAS power, it’s just like this adrenaline, you don’t even know where it comes from, it kind of helps you a lot” Graddy said.

”

Even though Graddy holds the record, she says that the successes of her teammates are just as important.

“I’m always still worried about these other schools and I know that, it feels good to have my name up there, but what’s most important to me is being able to teach the other throwers what I know so together, we can make all the points,” said Graddy.

In the boy’s long jump, senior Alex Amstrup placed second and freshman Vincent Favati placed third for the event.

By the end of the long day of events, the Eagle athletes took home well-earned medals and a fiery sunburn to remind them of the day.

“Any kid that goes out and works hard in any of our sports, I respect, because I know the academic load that these kids have and adding extra curricular activities that are huge commitments, it’s a lot of time and effort out side the school day. so they have our respect from this office,” Molchan said. huston16831@saseagles.edu.sg