s e o u l i n t e r nat i o na l s c h o o l
Tiger Times VO L U M E X LV I I
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August/September 2015
ISSUE 1
T T O N L . O RG
National security threats highlight necessity for safety protocols
hough further conflict with the North has been averted with 40-plus-hour talks, altercations between North and South Korea are increasing in both aggression and frequency. Since the “axe murder” incident in 1976, the sinking of the Cheonan and the bombardment of Yongpyong in 2010, North and South Korea have been engaging in brinkmanship for nearly 60 years. Though threats seemed to be predictably unpredictable in the past, recent events have heightened concerns regarding questions of safety and security. While the South Korean government blasted propaganda into North Korea through loudspeakers near the DMZ, citizens of South Korea took matters into their own hands. According to Yonhap News Agency, nearly 2,145 citizens sought residence in refuge camps and other sheltered areas for fear of potential attacks from the North. Though space was limited and rooms cramped and uncomfortable, people
were willing to sacrifice comfort for safety and security. “Even though we are used to threats from North Korea, this time the aggression seemed real,” David Yoo (10) said. “The threats started to worry some people and I can see why. The tension between the two Koreas was palpable and now it seems as if no one can deny that danger seems to be imminent.” According to Amy Valerio, middle and high school vice principal, SIS is prepared for various emergencies. In case of an emergency, the elementary school will evacuate to the auditorium, middle school to Tiger Gym 1, freshmen to the band room, and all other upperclassmen to Tiger Gym 2. “[In the case of any emergency], the first priority at this school is for everyone to be as safe as possible,” Dr. Valerio said. “SIS has its own generator and gasoline for emergency use, as well as a supply of drinking water. We have an excellent way to reach out to parents through text message
and email. As far as transportation goes, the bus system is ready to accommodate more people. The school has certain guidelines that can be implemented and adjusted depending on the circumstances presented.” Despite the fact that the school practices fire drills multiple times per year, because there is not much information regarding safety protocol in the student handbook, it is unclear what actions students should take during potential crises on a national level. Some students, like Mimi Yoo (11), have voiced their concern regarding student awareness of safety protocols during emergencies. “I have never really thought about [the dangers of a national emergency] because I never thought we were in any type of real danger,” Mimi said. “However, now that I think about it, I’m not really sure what to do if a national emergency does occur. Though I have only attended SIS for two complete years, I’ve never heard of any pro-
tocol that occurs if a national emergency does happen. It might be a good idea for the administration to educate students on what to do in case such an event does occur.” Though a fragile peace between North and South Korea has been achieved through talks between the two nations, it remains unclear whether it will last, especially because the two countries have been in a perpetual state of war ever since the 1950’s. “I’m not really terrified of the idea that there will be a national breach in security when I am at school because I know that I’m going to be safe,” Lauren Kim (10) said. “The teachers and other staff will keep us safe, and I’m pretty sure I’m not going to die while I’m at school even if there is danger. However, I do think that it would be beneficial to just review the protocol once or twice in order to let students know what to expect.” By Ryan Jang Sophomore, Photographer
Editorial
Elitism: A Double-Edged Sword
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litism is defined as the advocacy or existence of an elite as a dominating element in a system or a society. As a result, the word is commonly associated with negative connotations such as snobbery and arrogance. This is not a completely unfounded idea, as it is true that an excessive amount of elitism in any society can quickly become toxic. This universal principle applies to any community, and can create separate distinctions between groups of individuals and causes both mental and physical division. However, while such dominance of one group should not to be promoted, this does not imply that all forms of exclusivity are to be condemned. In fact, a certain dose of exclusivity seems to be necessary, especially at schools like ours where students are academically competitive and participate in similar extracurricular activities. Without it, nothing is prestigious. It is safe to say that when something starts to lose its value in such a manner, people can quickly lose interest. Moreover, exclusivity can encourage healthy competition as those who are not included in the group might feel motivated and incentivized to improve themselves. For the sake of conversation, let’s consider a top tier school such as Harvard. If Harvard suddenly decided that it would accept all of its applicants into the incoming freshmen class, would it still be considered the most prestigious school? Would it still be the most sought-after? Frankly, no. Similarly, if an honor society accepts so many members that the majority of the student body is included in the group, its ‘honor’ inevitably is devalued. Moreover, such exclusive groups at SIS exist in order to distinguish students’ various interests and niches. Just because one student doesn’t get into the National Art Honor Society doesn’t make them a less qualified student. Rather, it may give them the opportunity to explore different areas and find talent. In a logical sense, there is some value behind reducing elitism. Doing so takes away the notion that a certain group of individuals dominate and allows for opportunities for more people. However, there is a certain paradoxical drawback to reducing elitism. It is that a more inclusive approach ironically creates more exclusivity. For example, lowering standards for receiving a spot in an honor society or a spot on the honor roll becomes less about rewarding the students who deserve such an honor; rather, it becomes more about ignoring the students who don’t even make that particular standard. Increasing the inclusiveness of a club simply makes people want to distinguish themselves even more – this time, in other ways. If a student feels that he or she does not receive the recognition he or she feel deserves, then they will simply find another way to find it. No matter what you do, some students will create their own form of exclusivity and recognition. Granted, these drawbacks may not apply to every attempt at reducing elitism. Though it is true that each scenario is different, one thing is for certain: while elitism may not be completely desirable, a certain dose of it provides motivation and creates a sense of prestige.
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2 VIEWPOINT Resistance to same-sex marriage demands response
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n a resounding victory for gay rights, the US Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that states could not refuse to marry same-sex couples. Ruling that “the right to marry is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of the person,” the majority opinion of the Obergefell decision paved the way for the immediate issuance of marriage licenses for same-sex couples across the nation. Unfortunately, despite this new interpretation of the constitution, some local judges have continued to refuse marriage licenses for same-sex couples by using religious belief as a justification. For example, in Hood County, Texas, County Clerk Katie Lang refused to issue marriage licenses by citing “religious liberty,” according to ABC News. Ironically, in this situation, whether the principle of same-sex marriage is justified is not the issue. It is that refusing compliance with the highest judicial authority goes against the very principle of the rule of law. Public servants are free to disagree personally with the court’s decision, but that does not excuse them from complying with it. To prevent setting a dangerous precedent in which court decisions hold no weight, the federal government has an obligation to sue entities that refuse to comply with the Obergefell ruling.
The primary argument of objectors has been religious freedom, and how the issuance of marriage licenses potentially goes against the beliefs of the clerks. Granted, religious freedom is a key value that has formed the bedrock of American society, and respecting the plurality within the population includes allowing individuals to practice their own personal faiths. Yet religious freedom does not apply in this case. Compared to a situation in which a private church could legally refuse to marry people who have been through a divorce, a religious individual working for a secular government cannot let personal beliefs get in the way of public duty. Public employees, specifically court clerks, are paid by taxpayers to do their jobs. Government employees do not have a constitutional right to choose which members of the public they wish to serve, regardless of personal beliefs. Such is the consequence the employees must face after swearing an oath to uphold the Constitution. Similar parallels to this situation can be drawn with previous controversial court decisions, in which officials would cite personal religious beliefs to defend all manner of discrimination. Religious beliefs were referred to in Loving v. Virginia, in which Supreme Court struck down laws banning interracial
marriage in 1967. The end result was a ripple of resistance in the South that was quickly subdued by the federal government using a surge of lawsuits against local governments unwilling to comply. Today, history vindicates the federal government for taking the hard stance against non-compliant local governments, and the federal government must take similar actions today. As students ourselves, we have seen in history the countless times the Supreme Court took controversial progressive stances, from the desegregation of schools in 1954 to the legalization of abortion in 1973. Yet, at the same time, the consequences of a federal government that fails to enforce its laws have been clear for centuries, with the warning of the Founding Fathers about the necessity of a Supreme Court to have the final say on constitutional issues. It is contradictory that local governments, while claiming to uphold the Constitution, are in fact weakening its essence. The Constitution’s protection of religious freedom cannot include the right to ignore its ultimate arbiter, and it is high time the government took strong legal action to act on such a principle. By Nicholas Kim Sophomore, Reporter
Value of student resources unrecognized, ignored A hagwon a day keeps yelling moms and bad grades away, so goes a common misconception among many Korean students. SIS has provided the student body with a variety of easy-to-access educational resources in order to enhance students’ writing skills. Specifically, the Writing Center is open every day during both office hours and activity period to all high school students wanting to improve, receive useful advice regarding writing assignments from English department staff members, and even form closer bonds with teachers. Unfortunately, students often ignore this valuable school resource and turn instead to hagwons, which subsequently can lead to a lack of independence. There is no question about the benefits one can receive from going to the writing center. Yet, many students choose to hagwons –which, needless to say, costs money – over resources available at school. This is a prominent issue in Korea, as the educational culture here often triggers students to value hagwons over school. Such problems can not only degrade teachers’ reputations and educational values but also create a barrier that obstructs student-teacher communication. Admittedly, an increasing dependence on hagwons cannot be extinguished overnight. Hagwons are generally open for longer hours and allow students to acquire additional help when needed. However, students should realize that writing centers are worthy opportunities that
should be taken advantage of, as they allow students to gain a better understanding of what school teachers specifically want. Hagwons in Korea, on the other hand, exist for only a few purposes:
“Students should be able to face challenges on their own and be able to receive feedback from school teachers themselves.” to pinpoint important details, help students with their school work, and give further guidance on the subjects than classes in school can within a short period of time. This is the crux of the problem. Students should be able to face challenges on their own and be able to receive feedback from teachers themselves. Although
school may assign difficult assignments from time to time, they are meant to be manageable with the use of school resources. Using them will bolster students’ independence and prevent them from relying too much on outside resources. The only possible way students might start using these school resources more often would be if the school actively promotes the benefits of such resources. For example, through the writing center, teachers can help students overcome struggles regarding their writing. This would decrease the overreliance on hagwons as a place where all problems can be solved. Once the problems are settled, students should utilize school resources more frequently, as they offer interaction with teachers and teach independence. By Grace Yang Sophomore, Reporter
Tiger Times August/September 2015 Tiger Times Newspaper
Tiger Times The Tiger Times exercises the right to report on and editorialize all topics, events or issues, including those unpopular or controversial, insofar as they affect or interest the school, community, nation and world. We refrain from publishing material that advertises illegal products or services, is obscene, libelous or invades privacy. We refrain from publishing material that creates a clear and present danger or the immediate material and substantial physical disruption of the school.
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Viewpoint Feature:
The unignorable gap between teachers and students When was the last time you talked to your teacher regarding an issue that was not related to when the next quiz was? Have you ever asked them how their day went or what they did on the weekends? Cartoon by Yeaji Park
#GreedyforGrades: The foundation of teacher-student relationships
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ords have different meanings for different people. Let’s look into a couple common ones: You say “Monday,” I say “the start of another dreadful week.” You say “summer in Korea,” I say, “never going outside.” Similarly, in the SIS student lexicon, the word “teacher” means something completely different from what it would mean to a high school student attending school somewhere else in the world. In schools where student-teacher relationships are more liberal, it is relatively common for students and teachers to have lunch together, engage in casual conversations outside of class, or generally discuss various topics unrelated to the class material. At SIS, however, teachers simply teach. Most student-teacher conversations are about grades, quizzes, and nothing else. As expected, Confucianism can be used to explain the fundamentals of “The Barrier,” an imaginary wall that stands between student and teacher communities. The whole pyramid of headmaster to teacher to student is a fixed power structure in the minds of many students. Our perception of teachers as people who must be kept at a distance, people who are there to teach academics but nothing beyond textbook-approved curricula, comes from subtle cultural and environmental influences, to a certain extent. And there is, of course, the sheer fact that the teachers and students at SIS have grown up in different surroundings. Differences that exist between the mindsets of students and teachers are certainly at the core of obstructing better understanding and communication.
However, teacher-student relationships are affected by much more than the standard adult-child hierarchy. Peer-pressure – or, more appropriately, peer discouragement – is another factor to consider. We all know high school students have the capacity to be particularly cruel to each other, in a judgmental-teenager sort of way. Part of this process includes implied abuse against those who fight against The Barrier: kids who raise their hands often in class, “chat up” teachers outside of class time, or actually talk to teachers during office hours could occasionally be viewed as “suck-ups” by others. Even if a student genuinely wants to communicate with teachers more, when in Rome, you must act as the Romans do. Once ingrained as a sycophant, your high school life is bound to be doomed for all eternity. So what’s it like from the teacher’s perspective? As opposed to the Confucian concept of students simply keeping teachers at a distance, teachers sometimes feel ignored or blatantly insulted. The unease starts on their very first day. Excited about the bright bunch of students from our dazzling school website and our school’s great academic reputation, new teachers stroll in, looking forward to an year of passionate learning and sharing of ideas. “Hi, My name is Ms./ Mrs./Mr._____, and [a short life biography and details of what he/she did over the summer]. So what did everyone else do over the summer?” The long silence that follows this speech only begins to paint a picture of the awkwardness that generally continues until the end of the year. There are the usual symptoms of The
Barrier, such as discussions that are awkward at best and completely nonexistent at their worst, never-ending complaints about a fraction of a fraction of a point, and rude emails sent at 3 a.m. in the morning demanding extensions. But there is another evil force lurking in the background: hagwons. Of course, school is supposed to foster a love of learning and encourage creative output in children in their most ideal state, and at SIS students’ desire to excel via practice is, to some degree, expressed in the time they spend at hagwons in attempt to better comprehend content. (Not that this justifies hagwon culture – that’s a whole other issue and argument.) Nevertheless, in a world where students have sold their souls to the wicked power of these intensive academies, teachers feel less valued. Working on their hagwon and regular school homework every night until 4 a.m., tired students doze off in class, or worse, complain about test questions marked “wrong” based on whatever they heard at hagwons. As always, however, there are two sides to this coin of hagwon culture; hagwon culture is often exaggerated to generalize about the entirety of SIS. At SIS, there is this image of the student who goes to two hagwons per subject and stays locked up in a windowless building for most of the day or the student who gets all homework done under the “assistance” of hagwon teachers. In reality, however, it is more likely for a student to be busy because of the many club responsibilities they have to juggle, the sports they practice to better themselves, or simply the time spent un-academically to maintain what remnants of
social lives they still possess. Still, many teachers automatically assume that any extra knowledge comes from hagwons. Granted, such an assmption is quite justified given the prevalence of hagwon activity here at SIS. However, whether in the form of a “Where did you learn that?” or a suspicious glance, conspicuous displays of and even the existence of suspicion does not help breaking down The Barrier. Hagwon culture, inevitably, is part of SIS culture. Instead of condemning an already prevalent issue, teachers should find a way to interact with students despite the issue. At first glance, the future seems bleak. The combination of stereotypes and assumptions that impede better relationships between teachers and students seems complex and quite unsolvable. However, all of this doesn’t mean that there is no hope. There are, occasionally, teachers who students go to and classrooms that are always filled with socializing students. We know we can be a little difficult, but this struggle arises from differences between what the teachers are used to and what the students are comfortable with. An open heart and mind can go a long way on both sides. Gradual wearing down of the walls could begin now, at the beginning of the year, when we are not yet all settled into the SIS mindset. It’s a long way to go, but there are definitely more entrenched problems in the world. By Ariel Lee Junior, Copy Editor
4 NEWS ZEITGEIST Three girls escape London for Islamic State By Jaeha Kim The recruitment of young Europeans into the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) continues, as police have recently confirmed that three Muslim girls from London traveled to Syria to join the jihadist cause. The three girls, Kadiza Sultana, Shamima Begum, and Amira Abase were originally reported as missing in Nov. 2013, and were eventually spotted at the Gatwick Airport on Feb. 17, the date on which police suspect that they traveled to Turkey with plans to enter Syria. According to the New York Times, the actions of these Muslim students paralleled those of many other determined Muslim women in European society, spurring various de-radicalization efforts within Muslim communities. “I think that the three teenagers joined ISIS because of the discrimination toward outsiders that exists in a variety of European countries,” said Juhyung Park (11), MUN member. “During my stay in England, for instance, I felt a subtle form of racism against minorities innate among many British communities. As females living in a minority group in London, the girls must have felt a sense of detachment from British society, leading them to give in to the welcoming messages of ISIS.” According to CNN, the vulnerability of such Muslim girls to radicalization can be attributed to the identity crisis that many struggle with during their teenage years. Trapped between a liberal environment and an extremely conservative family, these teenagers often feel as though they
do not entirely fit into European society. The compelling idea that they can be part of the “norm” if they join ISIS is often the motive that impels young Muslim girls to enter Syria. “ISIS’ growth can be traced down to its propaganda,” said Jay Min (11), former inhabitant of Tunisia. “While it claims to be the one and only true Islamic State that exists for Muslims, the group is hypocritical in its own nature in that it kills a lot of its own people. In order to stop the recruitment of teenagers, Islamic nations around the world should clear out the fact that IS does not represent the religion, shattering the misconstrued perception that many teenagers receive from ISIS propaganda.” With currently over 4,000 Westerners who have traveled to join ISIS, 550 of whom are women or girls, the recruitment effort of ISIS still remains a significant issue. According to the New York Times, women associated with ISIS may become the central targets of the international counterterrorism movement, as they are strategic assets that are necessary for ISIS to grow and wield more influence. Serving as mothers, wives, and recruiters for the group, these women maintain a presence in the state that will allow the group to become more than a simple terrorist group with financial power. While several de-radicalization organizations such as the Active Change Foundation are active in Muslim communities, more work is necessary as of now to stop the influx of young teenagers joining ISIS.
Production of ‘Sound of TOP LEFT: Acting out a scene with Simon Williams, drama teacher, Sunny Oh (10) participates in the Sound of Music play audition on Sept. 1 in the auditorium. BOTTOM LEFT: John Arthars, social studies teacher, and Kallina Chin, high school choir teacher, help evaluate the auditions as judges. RIGHT: Katherine Lim (11) sings ‘Sixteen Going on Seventeen’ for the auditions. Photos by Kelly Kim
The iconic movie, “The Sound of Music,” will be performed as a play by students on Nov. 12-13. Simon Williams, drama teacher and production director, held auditions, in which middle and high school students tried out for various roles. “The Sound of Music” is a classic musical that narrates the story of the von Trapp Family singers in Nazi-occupied Austria. Adapted from “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers,” a memoir written by Maria Augusta von Trapp, the movie became wildly successfully in the 1960s. The fictionalized movie, which follows Marias’s experience as a governess for Captain Georg von Trapp’s seven children, has been remade into a number of stage plays and television series. According to Mr. Williams, because “The Sound of Music” is based in truth, this performance is notably more mature than previous SIS drama adaptations, such as “30 Reasons not to be in a Play,” “Pink Panther,” and “High School Musical.” “The last couple years have been good plays, but they were extremely high energy, and designed for younger students,” Mr. Williams said. “This one is
more mature because it is based on real people and you need to have respect for them. When the Nazis came in, real people were executed and real people died. The approach has to be more mature because it’s not just Disney, like High School Musical.” This year’s more sophisticated play will contrast strikingly to previous uplifting plays put on by the drama department. Nevertheless, many students showed genuine interest in participating in a more mature production. “I hope that the ‘Sound of Music’ will provide a similar experience to the drama department’s
FBLA makes comeback as official club with competition victories
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fter a brief absence, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) was re-introduced to SIS last year as an unofficial club composed of 30 members. Although the club had suffered from a lack of members and support from the administration in its previous years, FBLA is now an official club at SIS with an executive team that works to foster a collaborative yet rigorous environment for students interested in business. As the only business-related club at SIS that has the unique purpose of developing and constructing business dreams for students, members compete in various competitions, such as the biannual KAIAC business tournament and the Global Enterprise Case (GEC). “Market analysis, stock pitching, business consulting, and case study are a few of the many business-related activities we practice in the club,” said Brian Kong (11), FBLA member. “Though our weekly meetings tend to be focused on preparing for
the KAIAC tournament at the end of each semester, the executives are also making substantial preparations for competitions outside of school.” FBLA’s success as an academic club was evident this past summer, as students from the club placed first in two national business competitions: the Korea Mock Investment Competition (KMIC) and the GEC. Each of these tournaments involved nearly 30 groups from all over the nation that also had similar business-related interests. According to Dongin Kim (12), winner of the KMIC and co-president of FBLA, the club’s feats at both of the national competitions were especially unexpected due to the large number of contestants from the other participating schools who had similar interests in business. “This was the first year that the Korea Mock Investment Association hosted a competition for students,” Dongin said. “From giving presentations on specific business clients to buying and selling
stocks within the market, we had to showcase numerous professional skills throughout the course of the two-day competition. Considering our members’ relative lack of experience and insufficient time spent working and practicing together, we didn’t expect to be very successful, but thanks to our hard work, we were able to place first.” The GEC, a tournament equally as competitive as the KMIC, was also held this summer from June 13-14. A globally recognized competition, the GEC is a twoday competition in which participants are required to create and present their own businesses based on a specified topic released only on the first day of the competition. This year, Garam Lee (12), co-president of FBLA, led a group of seven other SIS students to first place with the development and presentation of a therapeutic light bulb. “There were many conflicts between the members during the two days the competition was held because we were under
a lot of pressure,” Garam said. “Everyone was sleep-deprived and losing focus, but through this experience I was able to not only learn more about the intricate field of business, but also find leadership within our younger members. I am hoping that this will help our club be successful this year.” Regardless of its numerous achievements, FBLA is continuously reforming its system in order to work toward higher rankings. According to Dongin, the more experienced members of the club will give lectures on the foundations of business every few meetings, and gradually, fewer members will be eligible to participate in larger competitions held outside of school such as Business Black Box, hosted by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania counterpart in Korea. By Sarah Kim Junior, Reporter
Tiger Times August/September 2015
Music’ to cater to mature audience
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News Briefs by Diana Nakyoung Lee
Science labs renovated over summer break
One of the most significant renovations made for teachers and students over summer break was the revamping of science classrooms. “I get to teach in a larger room, with more accessible labs,” said Brian Mellon, science teacher. “The labs are all connected to electricity, a new floor, and even three sinks with clean, running water.” The updates have not only increased accessibility, but have also introduced the issue of class safety. “In all situations, safety is first and foremost,” said Debora Kim (12), co-president of Science Club. “The renovations, such as the addition of flame hoods and safety showers, are significant in ensuring safe environments to explore science in.”
Paul Anderson to visit for science workshop previous productions,” said Sky Park (10), an aspiring participant. “This time, however, the play has more depth and maturity as the overall tone of the play is quite different. We will have to portray it in a more serious way, so that we depict the film’s message carefully and accurately.” Even with this drastic difference in the approach that the play takes in presenting material, the quality of the musical will not be changed, according to Mr. Williams. The drama department aims to make “The Sound
of Music” on par with last year’s production of “High School Musical.” “I don’t know if ‘The Sound of Music’ is going to be better, but it will be just as good,” Mr. Williams said. “It’s like trying to compare apples and pears. They’re both fruits, and delicious, but they’re both very different.” In order to ensure a high quality production, the drama department will be working with the greatly remodeled and equipped auditorium. The backstage crew can create new visual effects with the upgrades that were made to the
auditorium’s lighting and speaker system. “This year, we have a lot more options, since the digitally controlled LED lights are so much more versatile, and we have many more tools like new sound systems to make the production more grand,” said Kevin Kwon (12), head of the backstage crew. “None of the students nor the faculty can work with the sophisticated system yet, but we are learning.” By Justin Chang Sophomore, Layout Artist
RACE TO 2016
istic needs of—” “—I’m sorry, I only know Donald Trump and that Clinton dude.” “Please, sir. It’s 2015. There are two Clintons.”
“Excuse me, do you know who Bernie Sanders is?” “Who?” “He’s a presidential candidate for 2016, who works for the common good of society rather than catering to the individual-
Although he may not be a frontrunner and certainly is not the most noticeable among the 22 presidential candidates for 2016, Bernie Sanders, a self-declared democratic socialist, is drawing energized crowds with his fiery anti-billionaire rhetoric. Originally a Democratic Senator from Vermont, Sanders is the most liberal of all candidates, supporting LGBTQ rights, abortions for wom-
en, criminal justice reform, est fear, income inequality, and a solution to instituSanders would implement tional racism. an even steeper progressive Sanders’ main concern, tax, which would compel however, is economic, dealthe rich to pay increased ing with taxes in order income If a financial institution is too to support soinequalibig to fail, it is too big to exist. called “socialty and anyist” programs. body that is I think many people have These proexcessively the mistaken impression grams, such as rich— that Congress regulates Wall Obamacare and banks, Social Security, Street. Wall Street regulates billionredirect colthe Congress. aires, Wall lected funds to Street—and corporate greed poorer citizens and in general. Hillary Clinton relieve them of the burden may say she’s the “everyday of paying for what may American’s champion,” be argued as basic human but Sanders is the only necessities. candidate acting as one. In By Andrew Ham order to combat his great-
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Paul Andersen, host of “Bozeman Science,” a Youtube channel with over 300,000 subscribers, will visit SIS on Sept. 20-21 for a science education workshop. “When the next generation of science standards came out, he broke them down for teachers,” said Peter Kahl, Administrator for Instructional Services, “He is renowned internationally.” This will be Mr. Andersen’s first visit to Korea. Although he will only meet teachers on Sep. 20, he will step into classes the next day. “It is amazing we get to have such an accomplished scientist,” said James Gerhard, high school principal. “It will be an especially interesting experience for science students.”
Cafeteria deli removed Returning students found that the J&J Catering deli had been replaced with more lunch tables. “The high school student population increased too much this year,” said Sooyeon Kwak, J&J nutrition specialist. “We had no place to accommodate additional tables, so the deli had to go.” However, the sudden change and a lack of communication have left the student body and J&J staff members confused. “I have no idea why the deli has disappeared,” said Bora Lee, J&J server. “We assumed that it was a corporate decision. They did not let us know that it would be gone.”
WELCOME to the
E M A WELCOME TO THE G G The Cultural, Economic, and Social Aspects of Animal Hunting By Jaeha Kim
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hot. Skinned. Beheaded. The Internet went wild over the death of a single lion on July 1. Walter Palmer, an American recreational big-game hunter, had killed a beloved lion named Cecil, a major attraction at the Hwange National Park in Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe. Due to Cecil’s reputation as the most recognized animal in the park, the death sparked immediate outrage against recreational hunting in the global community. However, some local Zimbabweans were confused as to why the outside world was so concerned with the death of the lion, when in actuality the killing of the animal made life much more safer in the region. Such views about hunting have allowed the global community to reflect upon the cultural and economic impacts of hunting animals. “I believe that all types of hunting can or cannot be justified based on the perspective from which you view it,” said Sarah Hahn (12), Korean Animal Service Association President. “There does not seem to be one complete and cohesive consensus about when ‘hunting’ becomes ‘poaching’ and when hunting should be excusable. While it would be difficult to construct one definitive claim as to whether or not we must ban it, it is clear that a well-thought out cost-benefit analysis needs to be conducted by the governments that wishes to implement certain measures.” There are a variety of cultures worldwide that al-
low the hunting of certain animals, sometimes even in specific circumstances. For instance, in the Faroe Islands, it is part of an annual festival to round up dolphins and kill them. According to the Guardian, ancestral Norsemen believed that children viewing the killing of these dolphins were necessary rites of passage. Similarly, the fishermen of Taiji, a relatively small village in Japan, consider an annual dolphin hunt as part of their village tradition. Although animal activists have criticized such practices, many governments do not regulate them. “The act of killing such animals should be illegal because cultures that promote immoral practices should be restricted, even if we were to say that all cultures should be respected and appreciated,” said Jeffrey Park (11), MUN member. “For example, the Saudi Arabian culture of degrading women is not tolerated even if it’s a cultural practice. Laws banning polygamy also exemplify this, as some Mormons consider polygamy a necessary traditional practice. Therefore, if certain traditions go against the fundamental morals of society, it is essential that governments actively prevents the continuance of those activities.” Another reason that animals are hunted down is due to the economic benefits that accompany certain types of recreational hunting, now known more commonly as “trophy hunting.” A scientific study in the journal Biological Conservation suggests that
trophy hunting is of “major importance to conservation in Africa by creating economic incentives for the conservation of vast areas.” In other words, by selling more hunting permits and sacrificing a few of its animals, Africa could potentially save a lot more animals by establishing national reserves with the financial profits gained from such activities. However, a study conducted by The Telegraph states that “less than three percent” of the funds gained this year from trophy hunting are actually channeled into local conservation efforts, and concludes that “trophy hunting” must be banned at all costs. “I think that the fact that animals are killed to promote the conservation of more animals is essentially hypocritical in its very nature,” said Ashley Sohn (11), Forensics member. “It is true that allowing such activities may bring certain economic benefits for the conservation of other species. However, the fact that the government permits such activities completely opposes the basic idea of coexistence between humans and other organisms in our environment. Animals must be protected in the world for the sake of biodiversity and for the existence of human populations to be possible.” As of now, there is no clear answer to whether or not animal hunting is justified. However, there exists further room for discussion regarding the ethics and moral responsibilities of implementing hunting legislation.
GAME Layout by Grace Lee
Ambiguities in animal abuse terminology spark moral debate By Claire Kim
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resident of Florida, Jason Falbo, recently decided to run a couple of ducklings down with a lawn mower after he failing to drown them in a pond. His actions led to a one-year prison sentence, which sparked heavy controversy over a prevalent, controversial topic: animal abuse. While animal rights’ activists were relieved to see “criminals” like Jason Falbo go to prison, many were shocked that a person could be sentenced for committing a crime against animals. Halfway across the world, the killing of Cecil the Lion also recently made international headlines, as many questioned the legality and morality of American dentist and hunter Walter Palmer’s actions. Although Walter Palmer had a permit to hunt in the region and was therefore not charged, the Zimbabwean nationals that facilitated the hunting expedition and baited the lion out have been charged. “If people can make enough money by taking someone hunting to feed their family, then it is a human rights issue, not a cultural one,” said Alex Lopez-Barton, history teacher. “The reality is that even in a world in which it is not politically correct to say another culture is not as worthy, we should not treat culture as something that is static. The argument that nothing can be done because something has been part of our lives is a logical fallacy, as we as humans always change social and moral values.” There is no current international law on the
rights of animals. In other words, although there is a United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the only animal protection laws that exist are decided upon by individual governments and local jurisdictions. “It is quite troubling that there is no international consensus on animals’ rights,” said Alice Kang (11), animal rights activist. “Imagine what would take place in this world if human rights were also left for individual nations to determine. We would see the mass discrimination of minorities. The only way we can actually protect animals is by implementing international laws.” Countries are given not only the right to decide what rights animals have, but also the power to determine whether animals have any substantial rights at all. In South Korea, for example, the Animal Protection Law (APL) outlines the management of stray animals and sanctions the creation of Animal Protection Wardens and of other protection facilities. Regarding the killing of animals, the APL states that unless preapproved by the Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture that any “act of harming an animal for the purpose of gambling, advertisement, entertainment, or amusement” is strictly prohibited. Similarly, many governments around the world allow their citizens to “violate” animals’ “rights” for cultural purposes; however, this begs the question of whether such a cultural value can be regarded as absolute.
Especially for activities like bullfighting, it remains a controversy whether such practices should be protected against the concept of “cultural absolutism.” “Domestication for consuming animals is an inevitable need, so there is nothing we can do about that,” said Brandon Ra (12), Korea Animal Service Association member. “But when it is human entertainment to watch animals kill each other, that is no longer entertainment.” In the United States, the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) determines the standards of animal treatment. The AWA implemented minimum standards of care for animals, which included the right to a veterinarian and the requirement of proper licensing. Interestingly, under the AWA, certain animals that the general populace may perceive to be animals are not included within the law’s protections, meaning that animals like mice or rats are not protected by the AWA. The concept of violating animals’ rights being an inherent human right has been, is, and will continue to be a topic of discussion in years to come. Already, conversations have been initiated by recent events, especially after the extra kick social media has provided. Setting a definite limit on an abstract concept, exploring the moral implications of an inter-species issue, and ruminating the human power on the environment remain major issues in an increasingly human-dominated world.
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LIFESTYLE
Thinking at 0 m/s
Novelty leads fight against Space
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o explore outer space today, sacrifices must be made both politically and financially. Space exploration organizations like NASA are beholden to parent organizations like Congress. NASA is also on a strict budget. Recently, corporations have entered the fray, trying their hand at the space race. Indeed, Elon Musk’s SpaceX is set to transport NASA astronauts to the International Space Station in the near future. But Musk, like NASA, is held back by something incredibly fundamental: the laws of gravity. The limitation comes with the fact that, to reach the stars, humans resort to flinging ignited fuel on the ground at high speeds. But what many people do not realize is that the technology to bypass this hurdle is not new—it’s the idea that’s novel. The solution is the space elevator. While the idea has been around for a long time, it has only ever been science fiction. In fact, the idea of a space elevator was first conceived as early as 1895 by Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, a Soviet rocket scientist. By constructing an extremely tall structure made of ultra-light and ultra-strong material such as Kevlar or diamond nanothreads, humans could theoretically transport spacecraft into orbit without having to go through liftoff. This could save billions of dollars spent currently on space programs. The idea is still theoretical, but the design is practical, the materials have been synthesized, and opportunities evaluated. But the idea is still just that—an idea. And this is not a result of our limitations, but instead due to a fear of everything novel. The crux of the matter is that space exploration is also a theoretical idea. In Congress, it has bi-partisan support. Republicans and Democrats alike agree that spending money on space exploration is a key part of what makes the US a technological powerhouse. But the politics have undermined the agreement. Both parties agree that it’s a great program, but both parties also agree that any failures are indicative of government inefficiency. A missed rocket test, a failed launch, or a botched mission plan all become significant political weaknesses, and neither Democrats nor Republicans wish to take the risk of being the scapegoat in a political scandal. The fear of such novel ideas is not unwarranted. Some dispute the feasibility of the space elevator, citing technological hurdles we have yet to pass. But the response to such concerns has not been renewed investment into the program, researching possible solutions. It has been woefully lacking and misguided. The facts tell the story. The 10-year Pluto mission launched by NASA cost $720 million at the end of the day. It has answered questions about planetary physics and dwarf-planet composition. In contrast, the US Bank Stadium, housed in Minneapolis, cost over $1.06 billion to construct. It’s contribution to society? Entertainment value from watching athletes batter themselves against one another. Of course, the question of space exploration has never been an easy question to answer. Critics have historically pointed fingers at the government as if to say, “Spend the money on Earth, not elsewhere.” But it is high time that even the staunchest opponent of space exploration concedes that a little investment can go a long way—upwards. There will always be opposition to progress, but world leaders should learn to grab the chance for progress when a technological leap lends tremendous opportunities. In this case, it is not a question of whether science and technology can assist mankind in making progress. It’s a question of whether we are smart enough to take the chance. By Michael Kim and Sang Ho Lee Senior, Project EIC and Production Editor
Chefs Heat Up Entertainment Industry Recently, chefs have been devouring the Korean television airwaves with their frequent appearances on both cooking and reality shows. From programs with straightforward titles such as “Three Simple Meals a Day” to more nifty concoctions, including “My Little Television” and “Teacher Baek’s House Rice”, the television entertainment industry has been cooking up quite a number of interesting food-related programs that are thriving with growing audiences. The purpose of these programs is quite simple: to cook all types of simple cuisines and demonstrate the cooking process to the audience as vividly and scrumptiously as possible. While the central
concepts may be similar, the shows are as diverse as the various dishes the chefs cook. Some shows have chefs from different culinary fields, who compete with each other to showcase their cooking skills with mouth-watering “do-it-yourself-in-fiveminutes” segments. “Take Care of the Fridge” is a show in
which professional chefs compete against one another to cook the most well made dish within 15 minutes, while only using ingredients taken from a celebrity guest’s refrigerator. Not only do these scenes illustrate how skillful the chefs are at creating dishes from almost anything, but they also demonstrate how many different types of food, ranging from simple pastries to fancy
noodles, can be cooked right at home. People are attracted to these new shows related to cooking because of the vicarious nature of the culinary arts that these chefs are now bringing to the screen. Audience members feel great pleasure simply by watching the chefs perform cooking procedures with great finesse. As more and more chefs have started to expand their profession on screen, more people have begun to recognize the need and viability of pursuing more creative career choices. “It’s obvious that people love watching these programs because these skilled chefs provide useful information,” said Elaine Kim (11), viewer of cooking programs. “The more important aspect, however, is that these shows essentially hint at
how different jobs have their own values, not just those standardized jobs that Korean people tend to think are the only pathway to success.” According to a report from The Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program, “foreign students disproportionately study law, medical, and business fields,” accounting for roughly 67 percent of all majors declared for these students. As these statistics show, many Asians prefer jobs that are society traditionally views as more valuable and highly educational. Even though such solid motives catch the audience’s attention, the whole presentation of these shows is not without its flaw. Some of the chefs are becoming too busy to take care of their private restaurants, thus losing their original motives. “I understand how people want to become celebrities and earn both the economic benefits and reputation,” Timothy Kim (10) said. “But I think these chefs from cooking programs should focus on their actual job and not slip away into stardom.” Although some audiences may find discomfort in watching how chefs are abandoning their original purposes of occupations, the general public still seems to find these programs riveting. The chefs are still likely to dominate the entertainment industries in Korea while gaining popularity on their own and spreading indirect acknowledgement of ingenious jobs. “I think that a homogeneous culture such as ours is becoming more open-minded towards different occupations,” Leo Lee (12) said. “People are more willing to explore their passions rather than just adhere to social norms about jobs that are considered valuable and jobs that are not. Social prestige is no longer the reason to choose a job. Your actual passion is what matters.” By Grace Yang Sophomore, Reporter
Think about the one person you trust the most. What kind of person is he? He can admit his mistakes and keep his promises Isn’t this the kind of person he is? One you know who will always follow rules: This is the kind of person you can trust.
Tiger Times August/September 2015
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New legislation combats sexual harassment in Korean schools
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he harsher “one strike” policies the Korean government passed in April as a response to a series of sexual harassment cases at schools were implemented for the first time on Aug. 16. These policies aim to prevent further cases and ease public outrage by strengthening previously lax regulation and addressing the prevalence of “hush-up” culture in schools. Punishments listed in the new zero tolerance policies apply equally to first time offenders. Firstly, civil servants, including teachers, are to be immediately suspended if they are accused of or implicated in sexual harassment. They will only be reinstated once a court acquits them. Secondly, offenders’ names will be
made publically available. Lastly, the ban on reinstating offenders sentenced to jail will be extended to apply to reinstating those sentenced to fines. “[The new policies] are very strict, which is important, but some parts don’t allow for a discussion of what really happened,” said Michael Colaianni, Director of School. “It would not be fair to immediately suspend anyone. We take this seriously, but sometimes, perceptions vary. SIS would support hearing both sides, having meetings -- separately with the student, counselor, and the parent, then the accused.” One case that particular received public attention began this July, when around 130 students and faculty members testified to having been sexually
Certified yoga instructors at SIS believe yoga can benefit students
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oga is not just for hippies anymore—people ranging from doctors to CEOs seek yoga for benefits such as strengthened muscles and lowered blood pressure. According to the Huffington Post, the amount of American yogis (yoga practioners) has risen 29 percent in four years. Within the teaching community at SIS, there are two teachers whose expertise goes beyond the subject they teach in class: both Cindy Presse, aquatics teacher and varsity swim coach, and Angelika Lin, Chinese teacher, are certified yoga instructors. Ms. Presse began yoga about 10 years ago when she was looking for a low-impact exercise to stretch out her muscles, which were strained due to the other sports she was playing. “All exercise is great, but yoga goes beyond all of the others because it includes a mental aspect,” Ms. Presse said. “You are moving with a purpose; each movement has a breath. It gets you to think, not just move mindlessly, and you become aware of each muscle’s movement. Yoga made me more conscious of my body.” Ms. Lin, who first attended a yoga class with her co-workers before coming to SIS, practices yoga for its mental and spiritual benefits. Experiencing the calm and relaxed feeling on the mat pushed her to further pursue yoga. “Yoga is like a mirror—you can see yourself and become a better person,” Ms.
Lin said. “I want to be a positive influence everywhere I go. I believe that by introducing yoga to other people, they can also benefit from it.” The Yoga Alliance Website states that aspiring yoga instructors must complete a training program of about 200 hours to 500 hours before registration. Additional skills such as CPR are also valued for the position. “The most difficult part about the training program was learning Sanskrit, the traditional language used for yoga,” said Ms. Lin. “All yoga instructors have to memorize each pose and know how to speak the Sanskrit involved, as there is a speaking portion on the instructor test.” Both teachers believe that SIS students would greatly benefit, both physically and mentally, from practicing yoga, just as they themselves have. “Yoga is good for swimming because it helps prevent possible injuries by stretching out different muscles to counter the repetitive strokes,” Ms. Presse said. “Also, it is obvious that many SIS students receive a great amount of stress from being pressured by their parents, their teachers, their peers, and even themselves. Learning how to take a breath and practicing breathing techniques, even for only ten minutes a day, could help them significantly.” By Marie Park Sophomore, Reporter
harassed by five teachers from a Seodaemun-gu district school over two years while the principal turned a blind eye. “It’s horrible and unimaginable that such a thing would happen,” said Eugene Sung (10), a new SIS student from a Korean school. “It’s horrible that teachers and students had to keep silent to maintain their jobs and grades. There should have definitely been quicker intervention.” Similar public outrage culminated with multiple protests around Seoul. On Aug. 6, parents gathered in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and called for harsher punishments for the Seodaemun-gu teachers and principal. According to the Korea Times, previous lax regulation had allowed 123 out
of the 231 teachers who had committed sexual harassment between January 2011 and this June to keep their jobs. “The newest government policies make public opinion official, which is almost always ‘guilty’ regarding sexual abuse accusations,” said Alex Lopez-Barton, high school history teacher. “It legitimizes public opinion, which isn’t always a good source of facts. Policies should focus on prevention, because reality is, once a student is sexually harassed, that can’t be turned back. Firing and imprisoning a teacher won’t do anything for the person who’s already become a victim.” By Diana Nakyoung Lee Sophomore, Reporter
‘Beauty Inside’ leaves lasting emotional impression on viewers 김대명 도지한 배성우 박신혜 이범수 박서준 김상호 천우희 우 에노 주리 이재준 김민재 이현우 조달환 이진욱 홍 다미 서강준 김의원 이동 욱 고아성 김주혁 유연석
Beauty Inside LOVE HAS MANY FACES
GRAPHIC BY: PATRICIA SONG SOURCE: NAVER, KOREA HERALD
MOVIE RELEASED IN:
11 countries
MAIN CHARACTER PLAYED BY:
5 actresses & 16 actors MOVIE BASED ON:
2012 US social film:
“The Beauty Inside”
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hat would happen if you woke up with a different physical body every day— one day as a 70-year-old man, another as an 11-year-old child, and the next as an obese woman in her 20s? This ridiculous yet thought-provoking situation is depicted in the movie “Beauty Inside,” a Korean romantic comedy that was released on Aug. 20. With 21 different actors playing the role of Woojin, a furniture designer, the movie seeks to portray love as an emotional process rather than a mere attraction to physical beauty. Woojin is a man at heart but starts to experience this strange phenomenon at age 18. Though confused at first, Woojin quickly adjusts to his new lifestyle. The love story begins when he spots I-soo Hwang (Hyojoo Han) and falls in love at first sight. Woojin confesses his feelings for I-soo on the day he deems himself the most attractive, and the two fall in love immediately. Although I-soo is willing to accept the fact that she is meeting a man whose appearance changes every morning, her relationship with Woo-jin turns out to be more difficult than expected. The movie follows this dynamic roller coaster of love as the two face various struggles that branch from Woo Jin’s constantly changing physique. The film, despite its somewhat clichéd and unrealistic plot, definitely leaves a resonating impression on its audience. It
is not the typical romantic comedy, the sole purpose of which is entertainment. Rather, “Beauty Inside” touches upon the obstacles in love with more gravity. Though the film’s depicted situation is odd, the audience can empathize with the familiar emotions felt by the characters. Regardless of its intent, however, the movie fails to successfully deliver its message that a loving relationship does not depend on one’s appearance. Ironically, only the most attractive men star in the film’s romantic scenes, and the actress playing the role of I-Soo Hwang is deemed one of the most beautiful women in Korea. Such contradiction with the theme makes it hard for the audience to extract the point that director Jongyeol Baik sought to make. Although the public has shown conflicting responses to the film, “Beauty Inside” is certainly a film of high quality, as it delves into the complex emotions that a unique couple encounters. The beautiful scenery and intricate plotline serve to depict the story of two lovers who must overcome the limitations of their relationship to discover what will make them truly happy. Despite its minor flaws, “Beauty Inside” is an extraordinary film that deserves public acclaim in the weeks to come. By Sarah Kim Junior, Reporter
Varsity volleyball teams participate in Korean Classic Tournament for first time
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n Saturday, Aug. 29, the varsity volleyball teams participated in the Korean Classic Tournament for the first time, playing against Taejon Christian International School (TCIS), Yongsan International School of Seoul (YISS), and Korean International School (KIS). According to Ivan Atanaskovic, Athletics and Activities Coordinator, the Korean Classic Tournament is a series of friendly games that occur before the season begins so that teams get a better sense of how things work on the court. SIS first took part in the Korean Classic Tournament three years ago with the varsity basketball teams. However, this is the first year that the varsity volleyball teams participated in this tournament. “The experience with basketball was pretty positive, and it was good to have teams play three or four friendly games before the season started,” Mr. Atanaskovic said. “It gives teams some time to work together on the court and figure out what’s best for the team. That’s
why we decided to try it for the first time with volleyball.” According to Mr. Atanaskovic, the Korean Classic Tournament’s benefits of building teamwork and allowing players to become familiar with an actual game is a versatile practice that can be applied to sports other than basketball. Seeing no reason why the volleyball team should not participate in this tournament, Mr. Atanaskovic decided that the team would begin to do so, starting this year. “Last year, I was on the JV Girls Volleyball team, and we never got the opportunity to participate in an event anything like this,” said Karen Joo (9), varsity girls volleyball player. “Having several consecutive friendly games is a great way to start off the season, as it gives not only ourselves, but also our coaches a sense of what positions each individual should play to benefit the team.” The varsity girls team won both sets against TCIS, won two out of three against KIS, and lost all sets against YISS in two matches. The
varsity boys team, on the other hand, lost all four games that day. Nevertheless, both coaches of the varsity volleyball team hope that their teams’ participation in the Korean Classic Tournament will continue in the future. “I think the Korean Classic Tournament helped me get to know my players better, helped our team bond together, and definitely built confidence in our team,” said Alyssa Shelby, varsity girls volleyball team coach. “A lot of people on our team said that their team goal was to beat our rival KIS and we did, which is awesome. We’re starting out really strong but I don’t want us to go in overconfident because we’re playing against KIS again, on Saturday. It also gave us a chance to see how teams play before our actual season begins. I definitely hope that our teams can participate for future seasons. It was a long day, but it was worth it for sure.” By April Kim Sophomore, Photographer
Tiger Times
SPORTS
August/September 2015
Korean baseball player recognized in MLB
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fter batting an average of .379 with 13 extra-base hits in July, Jungho Kang was crowned the US Major League’s Rookie of the Month award on Aug. 4. This prestigious title, never been received by a Korean, has not only distinguished Kang for his unique performance, but also opened a gateway for other Korean athletes to be inducted into Major League Baseball. Displaying a .356 average in his last year with the Nexen Heroes in Korea, Kang signed a 4-year, 11 million-dollar contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. While there have been well-known Korean Major League pitchers such as Hyunjin Ryu, Kang enjoys the unique status of being the first position player transferred directly from the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). Because pressure often accompanies such distinctions, many Pirates fans like Yoohyun Kwon (11) initially doubted Kang’s potential to succeed after joining the Major League. However, Kang’s impressive performance in July coupled with his unorthodox plays have captivated his fans and transformed him from a national to a global sensation. “I initially thought Jungho Kang would fail under the pressure he was receiving both from his country and his coaches,” Yoohyun said. “However, his recent success regardless, has made me firmly believe that he will become a very valuable player for the Pirates later on in the year.” Others however, doubt that Kang’s strong performance in July will last long. Whilst applauding
Graphic by Yeena Yoon
Kang’s statistical success, some, like Major League follower Brian Sohn (11), feel that Kang’s “recent hype” comes not so much from his ability as it does from his unique status as a Korean field player. “Because all players experience ‘monthly booms’ at some point in their careers, it is too early to distinguish Kang as a star player,” Brian said. “The question that will answer this is whether or not he can maintain this level of ability.” Yet another group sees the far-reaching implications Kang’s successful induction in the Major League can have upon others wishing to play abroad. Baseball scouts
Source: ESPN.go
from the US have recently shown more interest in players from the KBO, and many believe this heightened interest in Korean players, initially propagated by Kang’s flourishing Major League career, reflects a trend that will continue. “Though I enjoy watching the MLB, I do wish to see more Korean players,” said Andy Kim (10), an avid KBO fan. “There are so many talented players who are similar to Kang in skill but are simply overlooked for playing in a league that isn’t as publicly noticed.” By Daniel Shin Junior, Reporter
Bidding for 2022 Winter Olympics sparks controversy After reviewing the bids of applicant cities, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on July 31 that Beijing would host the 2022 Winter Olympics. The two final candidates in the bidding process were Almaty, a major financial and cultural hub in Kazakhstan, and Beijing. Beijing received a total of 44 votes, over Almaty’s 40 votes, becoming the first city that will hold both the Summer and Winter Olympics. Before the IOC finalized the bids, Chinese president Xi Jinping stated that the Winter Olympics would help increase communication between China and other countries. Furthermore, Beijing pledged to address problems concerning air pollution to prepare for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Despite China’s optimistic outlook on the Games, however, there has been concern about China’s lack of snowfall, which may interfere with the Winter Games. As a country that does not receive much snowfall during the winter, Beijing announced that they would compensate by using artificial snow. In fact, during the selection process, the Almaty council pointed out Beijing’s lack of
snow with their slogan “Real snow, real winter ambience, real winter Games.” “I think the IOC has a huge problem with deciding locations for any of the Olympics, whether it be the summer or winter event,” said Jeffrey Mun (12), student athlete. “Even for the upcoming Rio 2016 Summer Olympics, we are hearing that the bodies of water surrounding the area that are to be used for the open water swimming events are filled with pollutants.” Furthermore, other controversial issues such as human rights were discussed during the bidding process. Activists have argued against the IOC’s decisions and requested that the organization reject Beijing’s bid, as supporting Beijing could potentially promote the Chinese government and its violations of human rights. In the bid of the 2008 Summer Olympics, the IOC had previously investigated China’s records with human rights violations regarding their executions of criminals and violent suppressions of student protest. “The fact that the IOC allowed Beijing to win the bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics is atrocious,” said
David Kim (12), MUN member. “Currently, governing bodies of international sports must be cautious with their acts as the unveiling of the history of corruption within FIFA should serve as a warning that other organizations may soon follow FIFA’s fate. To a certain degree, the IOC’s actions can be seen as a tacit approval of Beijing’s record.” However, in response to these claims of human rights violations, Beijing has stated that the Olympics being held in China will help improve the current situations in the country. The city explained that the event would enhance the economy and the social sectors of the country, which includes issues with education and human rights. “I don’t think that the event is going to improve the current problems in China,” said Alex Lopez-Barton, social studies teacher. “The only way we can see change in politics is through turmoil within China that forces change. China is not looking to improve itself with the Olympics. Rather, it wants to host the Winter Olympics as a status symbol.” By Cody Kim Senior, Copy Editor
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Varsity tennis teams adjust to new changes
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ew courts to practice on, new coaches to practice under, and fewer2 teammates to practice with—these are among the many adjustments that have been made to the varsity tennis teams. Some changes, such as the renovations, have been going on for a while others, such as the new coaches, came with the new school year. In previous years, the tennis teams practiced at the school’s off-site location at the Seongnam City Courts. However, due to the current renovation of turning the original clay courts into hard courts, the team is temporarily practicing at Gacheon University. After the renovation, the team will return to Seongnam City Courts mid-season. “The new hard courts will allow us to have more players on the courts at once, which will save a lot of time,” said Cinji Lee (10), varsity girls tennis player. “They also allow us to play with more ease, as they have the appropriate amount of friction. The university’s courts that we are currently using are too worn down and have too limited of a space to share between both varsity teams.” In addition to the renovations, both the boys and girls varsity teams will welcome new coaches Ricky Green and Kendall Sadler, respectively. Coach Green coached tennis for two years in New Zealand and has been learning tennis for the past four years. Coach Sadler was an assistant coach for three years at her previous school in Maryland. Both were impressed by the SIS team members’ dedication. “[The SIS tennis teams], compared to my previous team in Maryland, are much more competitive,” Coach Sadler said. “They get a lot of training outside of school. Since their skills are already built up a lot, I’m focusing more on building the team members’ endurance and stamina, implementing more cardiovascular training.” Another major difference in the varsity girls tennis team this year is the lack of female tennis players. While about 10 female athletes competed for a slim opening of spots last year, the tryouts were less competitive this year. The varsity girls tennis team is currently composed of seven players, but the ideal number would be nine. There are five positions that make a full team of three single players and two double-player teams. If there are not enough members to fill these positions, it is difficult to compete against other schools—usually the doubles teams’ games get forfeited. Due to this, it is crucial to have every team member, even in the relatively independent tennis. “I want to work on building the actual team,” Coach Green said. “I want team members to support and cheer for each other. Our goal this season is to win the championship. I want to make sure each team member is focused every game, because I know they have the ability to win, but they may come into the game being overconfident or too nervous. Overall, I’m very positive about the upcoming season.” By Marie Park Sophomore, Reporter
Any Cushion
The more you pat, the prettier you get
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SMALL TALK
FAUX NEWS By Jungho Daniel Choi
GOP candidates Unpartisan anchorapprove caught inof wake campaign of Brian Williams fiasco HSSC promises
HSSC election debates took place on Aug. 21, in which several candidates made speeches and campaign promises, hoping to be elected to student government. Campaign promises included a pledge to fire all school nurses and an effort to ban the administration from interfering with school curricula. Because of such bold and “realistic” promises, this year’s elections have garnered significant attention from several candidates of the US political party, the Greatly Outraged Party (GOP). The GOP is also holding debates for candidates that hope to be elected to office, and several of them expressed their blatant approval of the statements made by HSSC candidates. According to Corey Upshun (12), the current HSSC executive president, the HSSC very much appreciated the praise given by the GOP and hoped that their campaign promises would earn further approval from the party. “I have been in love with the GOP since day one,” Corey said. “The GOP’s ability to constantly gain voters despite repeatedly breaking promises and screwing over their constituents is admirable. I aspire to the same goals and hope that under my leadership, HSSC can one day reach the same golden standard of uselessness and corruption that the GOP has achieved.” Dumb Trump, GOP candidate frontrunner, outlined for Faux News the reasons why he had praised the HSSC candidates so profusely, though he refused to talk to any female reporters because he was afraid that they would “ask [him] unnecessarily targeted questions” because females often “felt crabby at certain times of the month.” “I felt that HSSC candidates made some really good points when they
discussed the need for us to repeatedly and unilaterally bomb the campus of Immensely Sickening International School (ISIS) so that they never do the same to us,” Mr. Trump said. “ISIS poses an immense threat to SIS and the rest of the world. SIS should also build a high wall around its campus so that no poor people can get into the school. These are very important campaign promises. TRUMP 2016!” Dead Cruz not only complimented the stances taken by HSSC candidates, but also the tactics that the candidates used to address questions during the debate. “I like to think of myself as a great debater, but these candidates just blew me away,” Mr. Cruz said. “The skill with which these candidates avoided and dodged questions is better than anything that I could have done. If they were asked a question about improving unity, they talked about bringing back lock-in. If asked about fundraisers, they talked about senior privilege. Brilliant!” Third Bush, another GOP candidate, also expressed his approval of the campaign promises, but made important recommendations as to how those promises needed to be carried out. “I liked that they wanted the seniors, the elite of SIS, to stop paying the activity fee, and have the lower classes carry the rest of society’s burden,” Mr. Bush said. “I also liked the proposed plans to fire all nurses so that health care was not dictated by the administration. The administration cannot be too powerful by providing nurses and dictating educational curricula! However, the HSSC needs to ensure that none of these promises are actually carried out. Otherwise, they’ll actually be achieving something! And we don’t want that, do we?”
Photo of the Month
Photo by Kelly Kim Articulating her vision during the HSSC election, Sohee Ahn (10) ran for sophomore president on Aug. 21. “I felt pretty nervous and my legs were shaking,” Sohee said. “I tried to imagine that I was talking in front of my friends and I felt better because of the support they gave me.”