Issue No. 1
Is It Worth it? COLE HUNTER ‘ 16
On Tuesday, January 14, Mayor Marty Walsh announced that Boston school officials and union leaders have agreed to extend 60 of Boston’s public elementary and middle schools’ academic days by at least 40 minutes. It is estimated that the longer school days will cost about $12.5 million. Walsh stated that the reasoning behind this extension is that students are more likely to succeed when they spend more time learning. Not only will this new schedule allow students to learn more, Walsh contends, it will also be beneficial for students who may not have a place to go after school. A good number of students in the city do not have a place to go after their academic day due to their parents’ work hours. Adding more time to the school day would give these students a place to stay while their parents are at work. Also, it could better keep children and teenagers on task, and out of trouble. In that time slot parents will know where their child is and that he or she is safe. Although the idea of making the school days longer has its fair share of benefits, there are drawbacks as well. In an article from the Sleep Foundation, a website that consists of sleep statistics, the facts presented state that students, teenagers in particular, are
seriously sleep deprived. The statistics then go on to say that students should not begin the school day before 8:30 am. With Walshs’ school day extension plan, however, there is no trade off. Students will still be required to wake up and go to class as early as they normally would. But now they are also expected to be attentive and absorb information for a longer period of time. The vast majority of teenagers find it difficult to stay awake and fully attentive during a regular school day, so Walsh’s extra 40 minutes will make that an even bigger problem. Teenagers need their sleep to reach their full potential, and an extension to the academic day will make reaching that potential even more difficult. Mayor Walsh, along with the Boston school officials and union leaders, thought up the idea of extending Boston public schools’ academic day with good intentions, but one could argue that the drawbacks may not be worth the benefits. Walsh has high hopes that this additional time will help students learn more, but if these students are sleep deprived, they will not be able to retain the information being taught to them. With the longer school days costing a near $12.5 million a year, and the final result uncertain, many people are left wondering “is it worth it?”
A-Fraud GRAHAM MCOSKER ‘16
Alex Rodriguez. What comes to mind when his name squeaks through the spaces between clenched teeth? Arrogant? Cowardly? Dishonest? Any combination of some of the worst personality adjectives certainly does the trick. In early August of 2013, after denying that he was ever involved with steroids or any type of Performance Enhancing Drugs, he was banned for over 200 games when it was proven that he indeed had taken PEDs and blatantly lied about his usage. Rodriguez apologized for lying and admitted that he had made an enormous mistake, acknowledging that his image will be forever tarnished. He then went on to appeal his suspension. During this process, Rodriguez was permitted to play by baseball commissioner Bud Selig, although he had the power to remove this ability immediately. By the time Rodriguez’s appeal was finally upheld the, 2013 season had ended, thus his suspension had been reduced to the 162-game 2014 season. Now that the 2014 season has come to a close, A-rod is permitted to take part in games again. His situation sets a bad example for young athletes all over the world. He cheated and lied multiple times, forever changing the game in a way that cannot be undone, and now he is allowed to return to the field as if nothing happened. One should have the honesty to refrain from cheating as a professional. If he or she does cheat and is caught, then he should at the very least have the courage to accept his mistake. The fact that A-rod violated the rules and is now able to play again is concerning. Yes, second chances are a good thing, but in this situation, I believe the Major League Baseball should have used this case as an example. If the MLB had banned Rodriguez from the game for good, the message that PEDs should not be used would have been more powerfully made. This would have been a major step in the right direction, as steroid use is still common in professional sports. Although his career is not over, A-rod’s PED use has left a damaging mark on what had previously been his admirable legacy.
SMART Team: It’s not just for Genuises MICHAEL LIAPIN ‘16
SMART Team in its essence is a coalition of passionate students discussing a research topic in the field of Biology. However the “smart” does not denote, at least intentionally, our intelligence level; it is an acronym, instead, for “Students Modeling a Research Topic.” This year, the team is working on Papilloma Virus E1 helicase, a protein which helps in the replication of HPV DNA. Researching the protein, the team has studiously been reding articles on the protein, in anticipation to presenting at ASBMB (American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) in Boston on March 28th. Also we are ecstatic to host a SMART Team conference, where SMART Teams from different schools will converge upon our dear campus on March 27th for a poster session, lecture, and dinner. Recently, the team traveled to Boston on November 19 to visit Vertex Laboratories to discuss our questions and findings with team mentor and scientist, Ernst ter Haar. After arriving in Boston, the team made its way to Vertex labs. Remember how I noted that the “smart” in SMART Team doesn’t denote the team’s intelligence? Well the team spent a few minutes debating on whether to use Vertex Lab’s side or front door. And once decided, the team, save for one fabulous member, could not operate an automated revolving door and got stuck, an experience one caprine member will not live down. ..... Our visit to Vertex was an enjoyable, educational, and thought-provoking experience. Ernst ter Haar discussed his team’s findings on the
structure and functions of helicase and answered our questions, elucidating some hypotheses the team had on the mechanism in which helicase works. Dr. ter Haar also showcased a model of the protein on the protein modeling program, Pymol. The model was comprehensive, detailed, color-coded, and simply beautiful to see. It showcased each of the protein’s subunits, ATP binding sites, and even showed conformation changes in the protein. The model left the team in awe and left some students wanting to use the interactive Pymol program instead of the program (Jmol) SMART Teams traditionally use. In addition to presenting his team’s finding, Dr. ter Haar took us on a wonderful tour of the facility, showcasing the company’s state of the art equipment and explaining the techniques used in the lab. After a wonderful promenade through the lab, the team took off their fashionable lab coats and chic goggles, and Dr. ter Haar ’s colleague showed the company’s cutting edge structure-based drug design methodology. The trip was a wonderful experience. Dr. ter Haar and his team inspired, motivated, and taught our team useful information about the protein. We left, reluctantly, especially without stopping at Starbucks, a missed opportunity some are still bitter about, with a newfound motivation to work on our project. And even as the team was returning to campus, we all knew this trip to Vertex would not be our last. We now continue to delve into the secrets of Papilloma Virus E1 helicase and model the protein,
Photos: Mrs. Rokous
1
E DI TOR IA L S THE GOVERNOR January 27, 2015
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: Mikayla Greeley ‘15
Hansika Iyer ‘15 Abby Katz ‘15
M A NAG I N G EDITORS: Cole Hunter ‘16 Chloe Lee ‘16
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Mrs. Rokous Wikipedia.org
S TA F F W R I T E R S : Taha Mert Bilirgen ‘17 Katharine Gaillard ‘15 Elias Dubus ‘15 Garth Robinson ‘15 Graham McOsker ‘16 Michael Liapin ‘16
FA C U LT Y CONTRIBUTOR: Mr. Satow FA C U LT Y A D V I S O R : Mr. Bobrowskas
Police Brutality, Again CHLOE LEE ‘16
Yet another police shooting is belatedly spotlighted: A New Jersey police officer shot the passenger who was in the car that violated the traffic signal. The press, including AP and NBC, reported that on December 30th, 2014, Jerame Reid (36) was shot dead by police in Bridgeton, NJ. When the officer stops Reid and his companion, Leroy Tutt, Tutt is driving and Reid is in the passenger seat. Shown clearly on the video by police car dashboard camera is a Jaguar stopping according to police instruction. Next, Bridgeton officer Braheme Days, approaches the passenger side door to ask for Reid’s ID. Until that point nothing appeared unusual. However, Officer Days seems visibly startled, warning Reid by saying “I’m going to shoot you.” Days’s partner, Officer Roger Worley also approached the driver’s seat. Tutt had his hands atop the open window on his side of the car, and it was not clear what Reid was doing. The video then shows Days commanding Reid to hand over a silver object that appears to be a gun. He repeatedly warns Reid not to move, and it is unclear what Reid was saying. Then, as soon as Reid stepped out of the car, Officer Days shoots Reid. Officer Worley also fires. Six shots are fired altogether, killing Reid. Officers then immediately order Tutt out of the car. Tutt steps out, and lies down on the street. The officers then find a gun in the car. But still, on the video, there was no clear evidence of Reid threatening the officers. Reid, Tutts, and Officer Days are black; Officer Worley is white. Controversy dealing with police brutality was one of the biggest issues of last year. Body camera on police was one of the suggested solutions of police brutality. Currently, more than 1,000 out of 18,000 U.S. police departments across the country, including New York City, are starting to wear body cameras. However from this case, body cameras are clearly not the perfect solution for US police abuse problem. Police brutality exposing racial profiling was another keyword. Although the case consists of an unarmed black man, it is not clear if this case has anything to do with racial profiling. But there is a larger issue than just racism. In any order, there must be no more innocent victims of police brutality. The video does not quite show the situation clearly, but it is evident that Reid has his arms raised and yet he was gunned down by the police officers. There should not be additional victims, and therefore a better solution is needed.
THE GOVERNOR 2
What is Intellect?
F E AT U R E S
THE GOVERNOR 3
A Time To Amend The First Amendment?
MIKAYLA GREELEY ‘15
Truth be told, there isn’t a practical definition that fully captures what it means to be intelligent. At the Governor’s Academy, everyone here has worked very hard to succeed. We often compare our brains to those around us. But why? Shouldn’t working hard always be enough to be considered “intelligent”? Students for generations have thrived in the supportive and caring, yet challenging academic environment. Whether you are a senior counting the days to graduation, or a freshman still learning something new about the Academy every day, it is your own unique intelligence that has allowed you to blossom into who you are right now. Within the first few weeks of last September, freshman learned that hours of homework are assigned, every night, and that sleep is a beautiful, beautiful thing. Within the coming months and years, these same freshman will learn even more skills to get them through the next four years and beyond, and find their own reasons for loving Govs. Hitting your stride here is important, whether your thing is art, music, history, language, English, math, science, sports etc. Everyday you will be faced with a new challenge. My advice; find a way to relax and don’t ever forget your Netflix password. No matter how high your GPA is or what score you got on your last math test, this is my reminder that we are all intelligent and that we can offer something unique. Effort and
determination can be found in every student and teacher, and continues to develop even once we graduate. In my AP Psychology class, we have been studying what it is to be intelligent. There are many factors that determine “intelligence”- some, you may not even think you have. To some, certain verbal, social, and practical knowledge, and a range of scores on an Intelligence Quotient test determine intelligence. But no matter how one defines “intelligence,” we are all passionate, expressive, and motivated people who know what it means to give our best to everything we do. As my time at the Academy comes to an end, I find myself thinking primarily on the future. What am I going to study in college? And what do I want to do with my life after college? No one knows the answers to these questions, but we all learn skills at Governor’s that show us that, with a little help, we will find our way. We are so fortunate to have faculty who care about us and want to see us succeed. We are all very intelligent people who are fortunate to be here. Don’t forget this next time you compare test scores or GPAs. Be proud of what you bring to this community, and share your voice with those around you. We have all brought our intellectual abilities here and share it with our peers every day. Your unique intelligence is just as significant as everyone else’s, even if it is not nearly the same.
A Public Apology EDITORIAL BOARD
Before Thanksgiving break, restaurants nearby reported some student’s inappropriate and rude behavior when ordering food. As a consequence, the entire community lost privileges of ordering food to dorms and to the student center. Because no students came forward and apologized for their actions, the authors of this letter took it upon themselves to take responsibility for the behavior of their peers. It goes without saying that teenagers will be teenagers, but that is no excuse for the treatment and disrespect directed towards those working in the restaurants. To Whom It May Concern, On behalf of the Governor’s Community, we want to publicly apologize for our misconduct and inappropriate actions towards your businesses. It is a shame that some of us at Governor’s were irresponsible and impolite in addressing your employees. As high school students we should know better. The students who have acted impolitely towards your establishment need to accept responsibility for their actions and our campus as a whole is
remorseful for the way some students represented our community. We love the privilege of purchasing delicious food in the comfort of our dorms and having that taken away has been horrible. Although we are a small community, we greatly value your services. We wish that we could offer a reason for why this happened, but there is no excuse for how we acted. We take responsibility for our actions completely and fully because no person should ever be treated poorly. We cannot even begin to imagine the terrible pain that we might have caused because of our selfish actions. Although we are sorry that is not enough, you all deserve better. This experience has taught us all a valuable lesson in the treatment of all humans and how everyone is equal no matter their race, sexuality, or circumstances. We hope that someday soon we will regain your respect and the ability to order from you, but only pending our ability to act with the utmost respect for your business and employees. Sincerely, The Students of The Governor’s Academy
MR. GARY SATOW
I love the HBO show, Newsroom. Despite clear lack of political objectivity, the show delves into some terrific issues regarding the freedom of the press and its responsibility to the public in contemporary society. As the cliché goes: there is nothing more important in a democracy than a well-informed electorate and the mechanism in the United States for ensuring that democratic literacy: the free press. A free press is protected by the First Amendment in the United States Constitution and the power of the free press has been upheld time and time again by the Supreme Court. The free flow of information has almost always been upheld despite the nature, content and reasonable value of that speech. I’ll go full Uncle Ben in Spider Man and write that “with great power comes great responsibility.” The press is singularly one of the most protected and powerful institutions in the United States. Yet, as I watched coverage of recent incidents in Ferguson, I was reminded of the coverage of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School and of the Boston Marathon Bombing. I couldn’t help but be disheartened by some of the coverage. In all of these stories, the press possessed both the power to inform and the undivided attention of the American populace. However, it exercised an appalling lack of responsibility in the nature and accuracy of its reporting. Recent debates with both my 9th and 11th grade classes prompted me to think about the context of the Bill of Rights. At the time of the ratification of the first ten Amendments to the United States Constitution, we are granted a window into the thought process of the men who founded the nation. The main proponents of the Bill of Rights, the Anti-Federalists, understood that the most efficient way to ensure that their new government would not become oppressive would be to permanently grant rights to citizens that the government had no authority to corrupt. The establishment of a free press in the First Amendment was a response to the British colonial government which regulated and censored colonial newspapers and publications. The free press would be the final assurance that the actions of a government would be as transparent as possible, and that bad behavior would not go unnoticed and undocumented. On December 14, 2012, Adam Lanza forced his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The shooting spree ended in the deaths of twenty students and six adults. A police leak reported that the shooter was Ryan Lanza – because apparently Adam was carrying his older brother’s identification. News reports quickly scrambled to identify the shooter as Ryan Lanza based on the unauthorized and unconfirmed police leak. This scramble was completely misguided because the actual name of the shooter should have meant absolutely nothing to anybody except those who personally knew the Lanza family or the individuals within the school. Instead, Ryan Lanza’s Facebook page lit up. Facebook groups condemning Ryan Lanza to hell and threatening him bodily harm sprang up. Twitter exploded. To label anyone other than the actual perpetrator as the antagonist in such a heinous event is beyond negligence. In short, you are not allowed to get that one wrong. The search for an identifiable name of the shooter is not the purpose of the latitude given to the free press. The damage inflicted upon Ryan Lanza far outweighs the public importance of being the first news network to identify the shooter. On April 15, 2013, two bombs exploded at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Amid panicked speculation, the same news agencies that streamed to Sandy Hook scrambled to Boston. While Boston Police and Federal investigators
sifted through the clues to find the responsible parties, the news outlets were once again feverishly trying to identify those responsible. They were desperate to break the news first. Throughout the harrowing days of the manhunt, the various news agencies inaccurately reported that a Saudi Arabian male was in custody, despite official police statements that there was no suspect in custody. Another news outlet speculated that the perpetrator was Sunil Tripathi, a student at Brown University, who had been missing for over a month and who unfortunately was found dead in the Providence River on April 23, eight days after the attack. The FBI, in an attempt to curb the misinformation, released a statement for the press and social media to only report official confirmed information. The most prominent mistake was the New York Post’s inaccurate headline “Bag Men: Feds seek these two pictured at the Boston Marathon” which was featured on the front page and implied that two men in the picture were the suspects. As it turns out, the two individuals were Salaheddin Barhoum (16 years old) and Yassine Zaimi (24 years old), not the eventual suspects. The two brought civil suit against the New York Post and on October 2, the Post agreed to a settlement with the plaintiffs. What issue of national importance was exposed by incorrectly identifying two men as terrorists? What grief was compounded on the already grieving Tripathi family by this negligent assumption of his potential involvement? My point here is not to disparage the free press or to denigrate its potential importance. Investigative reporting has proven integral to exposing corruption at all levels of society, public and private. The free press was integral in the abolition movement which eventually ended slavery. It exposed corrupt political and business practices during the Gilded Age. It uncovered illegal military operations during the Vietnam War. It blew the lid off the Watergate Scandal. Most recently, it disclosed extensive domestic spying by the National Security Agency. In all of these instances, there existed a wrong, which, when exposed by the free press, brought to light issues of real national importance and provided an important check on the government by a skeptical public. These instances were specifically what the First Amendment was put in place to protect. But in the Sandy Hook Massacre and the Boston Marathon Bombing, the simple question is: what public service or benefit was provided by publishing a name before the other competing news networks? Was it in pursuit of exposing government tyranny? Should the press be protected when it incorrectly, albeit unintentionally, identifies an innocent individual as a mass murderer or a terrorist, as it did during the two above incidents? I don’t believe it should. I believe there is far more merit in reporting a story correctly than reporting it first. This is what the free press should be striving for. The simple message for the press is to get back to doing the real work that the First Amendment expected it to do. Expose corruption, generate meaningful conversation, and demonstrate to the American public what should be of real national importance to us. With great power comes great responsibility. I think the same men who gave the free press First Amendment protection would agree. Jay Caspian King, “Should Reddit be Blamed for the Spreading of Smear?” (NY Times, from nytimes.com, July 13, 2013) FBI.gov (http://www.fbi.gov/boston/press-releases/2013/no-arrest-made-in-bombinginvestigation) Eric Wemple, “New York Post settles ‘Bag Man’ defamation suit” (Washington Post, from washingtonpost.com, October 2, 2014)
‘Twas the Year after We Won the World Series” MARCO DIBLASSI ‘15
‘Twas the year after we won the World Series, when all through Fenway Park Not a Red Sox fan was cheering, Yawkee Way went dark; Past Pennants were hung on the back stop with care, In hopes that a win in 2015 will soon be here. The players were all ready for spring training, As thoughts of Sandoval and Ramirez brought a good feeling, John Henry with his check book and Ben Cherington with his stats, Were determined to beef up 2015 with new bats. When out on the field, a mob appeared; Red Sox Nation came out of nowhere. Their cries echoed everywhere. “Now, you promised us good pitchers, Where are Materson, Lester, and the Scherzers? Without them, last place is for certain; As the bullpen will likely worsen. Go back to your list and make this right, As we deserve another victorious World Series night.” John Henry leaped from his chair and made everyone hear, “I am willing to pay the luxury tax next year!” Everyone cheered that faithful night, And, they hugged each other tight. With bonuses and salaries out of this stratosphere, It should be another championshipyear.
N EWS
THE GOVERNOR 4
THE GOVERNOR 5
Our Oscar Predictions
Already Changing the World
ELIAS DUBUS, GARTH ROBINSON, STEPHEN DAMIANOS ‘15
KATHARINE GAILLARD ‘15
Imagine boarding a school bus, knowing you may be killed for it. Imagine living where education is seen as a castle of gold—an enchanted place where only the most fortunate enter and exit to accomplish great feats of philanthropy, enhancements in science, discoveries of mathematics, or innovation in the world of art. This is where Malala Yousafzai grew up— Swat, Pakistan. Malala and her friends used to use henna to draw complex mathematic equations on their hands rather than the customary, abstract designs for ceremonies. She recounts that she and her classmates would sit in class with “big dreams in our eyes” as the teacher taught them what they needed to know. Striving for only the most complete understanding, Malala and her friends wished to make their parents proud and prove to all that they could learn and succeed just as effectively as their brothers and male cousins around the world were. This was Malala’s initial dream, but when she was only ten, her dream became a literal fight. The Taliban arrived, destroying more than 400 schools as they came to her hometown, transforming this place of “tourism and beauty” to one of “terrorism”, according to Malala. As Malaya recounts, “Women were flogged. People were killed. And our beautiful dreams turned into nightmares… Education went from being a right to being a crime.” This change brought a change in Malala’s mind as well. Bravely, She decided either to “remain silent and wait to be killed” or “speak up and then be killed.” She chose the latter. In 2012, Malala and her friends boarded a school bus and were attacked by the Taliban. Several were shot; including Malala, but all survived and continued protesting louder than before. Malala humbly recalls, “Though I appear as one girl, one person, who is 5 foot 2 inches tall, if you include my high heels … I am not a lone voice … I am many… I am those 66 million girls who are deprived of an education. I am not raising my voice, it is the voice of those 66 million girls.” She feels this
way due to her experience, knowing her story is not unique. Many tales more tragic than Malala’s are the realities of her friends and neighbors. She paints a picture of this place we in the United States can only imagine. Her words give light to a horrible reality. For all of her work and courage, Malala received the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, 2014. In her acceptance speech, she outlined her plan to use the prize to build schools beginning in Swat, but only stopping when “I see every child in school, it is my wish and my commitment, and now my challenge to build (a secondary school in Swat) so that my friends and my sisters can attend school and get quality education and to get this opportunity to fulfill their dreams. In the end, Malala wishes for her Nobel prize to grant the world with the start to “this ending … together… today… right here, right now. Let’s begin this ending now. With this ambition and incredible courage, Malala reminds us of what a gift we have in The Governor’s Academy. How fortunate we are to be here—not fearful of being killed, or not working to keep our house or food on our plates. Next time you wish you didn’t have homework on the same night of a hockey game, or when you have more than one test on a Friday, think again. How many others are out there who would give anything to be here? About 66 million.
“This award is not just for me. It is for those forgotten children who want education. It is for those frightened children who want peace. It is for those voiceless children who want change.” - Malala Yousafzai Top Image: Swat, Pakistan. Malala’s home. Below Image: Malala Yousafzai
http://w w w.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2014/ yousafzai-lecture_en.html http://time.com/70822/malala-yousafzai-2014-time-100/ http://w w w.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2014/ yousafzai-facts.html http://www.theamazingbuzz.com/regions/swat-pakistan/
When Petroleum Meets Politics TAHA MERT BILIRGEN ‘17
Petroleum, like any natural resource, is a strategic tool used to influence countries that are dependent on it. Hoping to put an end to breaches in international law, members of groups of major world economies, including the US and Saudi Arabia, have shown a determination to keep prices down. It all started with an a meeting among the organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, for short, in November of 2014, when Saudi Arabia sent oil prices plunging to nearly $70 a barrel from around $150 a barrel just months before. While the Saudi’s claim they kept prices low to retain their market share, many key figures didn’t buy into this excuse; Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, aired his own view on this move, stating, “What is the reason for the United States and some U.S. allies wanting to drive down the price of oil? To harm Russia.” Just last year, when Russia invaded the Ukraine, the US imposed sanctions on Russia, which have proven largely ineffective. On the other hand, the dramatic effects of low petroleum prices have already been seen in Russia, and this effect remains true today, where it is having a similar impact. Going back to the 1990s, Russia suffered from mounting debts due to cheap oil, and was forced to give up its political influence and control over its satellite states, such as East Germany, and The Hungarian People’s Republic, in return for one hundred billion in loans from the United States. In 1998, the election of Putin, Russia’s current president, was immediately followed by skyrocketing oil prices due to rising demand from the Pacific Rim. This economic boost is cited as one of the reasons Putin has been able to maintain power. Today, with oil at nearly a third of what it was months ago, the Russian economy is taking a hit, and it is estimated that its economy could shrink by as much as 10%. Just as the USSR had been forced to give up its political influence in its satellite states in the 1990s, it can be predicted that Russia will be forced to give up Crimea and any other dreams of conquest in returns for loans. Similarly, Iran has been under pressure to rein in their nuclear enrichment program. Although the Iranian government claims it is enriching uranium for peaceful purposes, it has been known to resist US demands. The dropping price of oil is building pressure on oil-dependent nation Iran, and the nation might be forced into cooperation with the US in terms of their nuclear program. While Saudi Arabia may be able to ride out lower oil prices with its stockpile of $740 billion it could live off of for many years, this certainly won’t be the case for Russia or Iran. Even so, only time can tell if the plot of declining oil prices will play out in favor of US interests, or possibly the already political landscape of US relations. Despite the uncertainty of the issue, one thing is for certain: Pumping gas into your car has never been as patriotic as it is now, with each drop of oil driving a nail deeper into the heart of Iranian and Russian economies.
I M AG E S B Y W I K I P E DIA . ORG
Best Picture Nominees: American Sniper, Birdman, Boyhood, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game, Selma, The Theory of Everything, Whiplash.
Birdman Should Win: Richard Linklater, Boyhood Was Robbed: Damien Chazelle, Whiplash
Stephen’s Picks: Will Win: Boyhood Could Win: Birdman Should Win: Birdman Was Robbed: Calvary
Garth’s Picks: Will win: Richard Linklater, Boyhood Could win: Alejandro Iñárritu, Birdman Should win: Alejandro Iñárritu, Birdman Was Robbed: David Fincher, Gone Girl
Elias’s Picks: Will Win: Boyhood Could Win: The Imitation Game Should Win: Boyhood Was Robbed: Locke Garth’s Picks: Will win: Boyhood Could win: Birdman Should win: Birdman Was Robbed: Top Five Best Director Nominees: Alejandro González (Birdman), Richard Iñárritu Linklater (Boyhood), Bennett Miller (Foxcatcher), Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel), Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game).
Stephen’s Picks: Will Win: Richard Linklater, Boyhood Could Win: Alejandro Iñárritu, Birdman Should Win: Richard Linklater, Boyhood Was Robbed: Damien Chazelle, Whiplash Elias’s Picks: Will Win: Richard Linklater, Boyhood Could Win: Alejandro Iñárritu,
Best Actor Nominees: Steve Carell (Foxcatcher), Bradley Cooper (American Sniper), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game), Michael Keaton (Birdman), Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything). Stephen’s Picks: Will Win: Michael Keaton, Birdman Could Win: Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything Should Win: Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything Was Robbed: Brendan Gleeson, Calvary Elias’s Picks: Will Win: Michael Keaton, Birdman Could Win: Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything Should Win: Benedict Cumberbatch, The Imitation Game Was Robbed: David Oyelowo, Selma
Garth’s Picks: Will win: Michael Keaton, Birdman Could win: Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything Should win: Michael Keaton, Birdman
Was Robbed: Nightcrawler
Jake
Gyllenhaal,
Best Actress Nominees: Marion Cotillard (Two Days, One Night), Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything), Julianne Moore (Still Alice), Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl), Reese Witherspoon (Wild).
Stephen’s Picks: Will Win: Julianne Moore, Still Alice Could Win: Reese Witherspoon, Wild Should Win: N/A Was Robbed: Emily Blunt, Into the Woods Elias’s Picks: Will Win: Julianne Moore, Still Alice Could Win: Felicity Jones, The Theory of Everything Should Win: N/A Was Robbed: Rosario Dawson, Top Five Garth’s Picks: Will win: Julianne Moore, Still Alice Could win: Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl Should win: Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl Was Robbed: Amy Adams, Big Eyes Best Supporting Actor Nominees: Robert Duvall (The Judge), Ethan Hawke (Boyhood), Edward Norton (Birdman), Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher), J.K Simmons (Whiplash). Stephen’s Picks: Will Win: J.K Simmons, Whiplash Could Win: Robert Duvall, The Judge Should Win: J.K Simmons, Whiplash Was Robbed: Channing Tatum,
Foxcatcher Elias’s Picks: Will Win: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash Could Win: Edward Norton, Birdman Should Win: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash Was Robbed: Anthony Quinonez, The Grand Budapest Hotel Garth’s Picks: Will win: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash Could win: Edward Norton, Birdman Should win: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash Was Robbed: Channing Tatum, Foxcatcher Best Supporting Actress Nominees: Patricia Arquette (Boyhood), Laura Dern (Wild), Emma Stone (Birdman), Keira Knightley (The Imitation Game), Meryl Streep (Into the Woods). Stephen’s Picks: Will Win: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood Could Win: Meryl Streep, Into the Woods Should Win: Laura Dern, Wild Was Robbed: Jessica Chastain, Interstellar/A Most Violent Year Elias’s Picks: Will Win: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood Could Win: Emma Stone, Birdman Should Win: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood Was Robbed: Agata Kulesza, Ida
Garth’s Picks: Will win: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood Could win: Emma Stone, Birdman Should win: Emma Stone, Birdman Was Robbed: Jessica Chastain, A Most Violent Year
R EV I EWS
THE GOVERNOR 6
Elias and Garth’s Picks ELIAS DUBUS ‘15 AND GARTH ROBINSON ‘15
Elias’s Movie of the Year: Boyhood, filmed periodically each year over the course of twelve years, is the lone flawless film of 2014. It depicts the fictional life of protagonist, Mason from age six to eighteen. Focused on the universal themes and events of any normal childhood, Boyhood is perhaps the most relatable movie ever made. The fascinating story is bolstered by tremendous performances from the onscreen parents, Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke. With Boyhood, Richard Linklater (the mastermind behind School of Rock and Dazed and Confused) has finally made his masterpiece with one of the finest pieces of cinema of the past 25 years. Garth’s Movie of the Year: Birdman About fifteen minutes into Birdman, I realized that the first scene will never end. Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s film contains only a handful of noticeable cuts; the rest of the movie appears to be one continuous shot of several days in the life of washed-up actor Riggan Thomson. Although Birdman’s ‘one long take’ premise could have easily descended into the gimmicky territory of Boyhood’s ‘twelve years to film’ approach, the method instead pulls the audience deeper into every other component of the film. Michael Keaton shines as Thomson, his earnest eyes and gruff delivery adding surprising depth to a fairly familiar character. Edward Norton struts across the screen, challenging the audience with every line to consider the motivations behind his complete crude and disrespectful character. Antonio Sanchez’s minimalist score, composed almost entirely of percussion, creates such propulsion that it is nearly impossible to tear one’s eyes from the screen for even a second. All the while deconstructing the nature of art and honesty, Birdman simply does not stop.
Elias’s Album of the Year: Black Messiah - D’Angelo While my true album of the year is Run the Jewels 2, Black Messiah is a close runner-up. After a 14-year musical hiatus, D’Angelo’s surprise release of Black Messia h at the end of 2014 was the 56 minutes of experimental R&B that the world of music needed. A political, sensual, and relentlessly funky array of musical passion, D’Angelo proves that he hasn’t lost his touch, and that he’s only gotten better with time. With Black Messiah, he delivers the kind of thoroughly listenable album that appeals to fans of all musical genres.
Garth’s Album of the Year: Run the Jewels 2 - Run the Jewels In a year marked by missing indictments and racially fueled riots, Run the Jewels 2 feels essential. Rappers El-P and Killer Mike are relentless and paranoid, their rhymes knocking against the sides of listeners’ brain until dissatisfaction and anger have been successfully inspired. Along with D’Angelo’s masterful Black Messiah, Run the Jewels 2 is so knowingly critical of its time that it cannot help but be important. Although defined by its message, the album succeeds, thanks to the sheer musicality. El-P, working double duty as rapper and producer, puts his 20 years of experience into every beat, and, yes, everyone is phenomenal. Killer Mike’s raps are smooth and soulful, always put in perfect contrast next to El-P’s skewed, aggressive verses. Their perfectly symmetrical chemistry renders the album the best hip-hop collaboration in years.
Elias’s Song of the Year: “Lie, Cheat, Steal” - Run The Jewels I could have chosen any song from Run the Jewels 2 but “Lie, Cheat, Steal” is the true highlight. Coming in at the heart of the album, this song finds Killer Mike and El-P at their most politically charged and lyrically tenacious. El-P begins the song with a fierce verse asserting his position as a Hip-Hop superpower. Once Killer Mike starts his verse, the album reaches its true peak. He discusses MLK and the ironies of black-on-black violence, targeting Don Sterling and the corrupt powers behind current world issues. With the vigor and aggression of each verse, backed by a relentless, pounding beat by El-P, “Lie, Cheat, Steal” sets itself apart from the rest of the album of the year, as the song of the year. Garth’s Song of the Year: “I’m Not Part of Me” - Cloud Nothings The first single from Cloud Nothing’s terrific third album, Here and Nowhere Else, is current punk at its best. The guitar is loud and snarling, the drums incessessant, and Dylan Baldi’s voice stark, yet confident. Somehow, Baldi manages to stuff a half dozen melodies into a five minute song, spreading them thick over several verses and two completely different choruses. His lyrics are razor-edged, honed down to be simple and effective. “I’m Not Part of Me,” like fellow “Here and Nowhere Else” standout “No Thoughts,” triumphs through its ability to be loud and abrasive while still leaving the listener with more than one undeniably catchy hook.
Fashion ABBY KATZ ‘15 AND HANSIKA IYER ‘15
The urge to throw on leggings and hope no one notices is directly proportional to the temperature outside. In other words, when it’s cold, we like to dress both warm and comfy. As the temperature drops, we understand the struggle with finding dress code appropriate pants to wear. At barely 5’, Hansika’s life revolves around finding petite clothing, especially pants. And for Abby, being a professional long-legged person is the ultimate problem when choosing pants that aren’t obnoxiously short. We can’t even begin to count the number of stores we sometimes search through to find one pair of pants that fit. After all of these years of searching, we have found the perfect pants. The pants that can fit the tallest and the shortest of girls out there, whatever size you may be. The pants that let you embrace your figure and look awesome. And best of all, the pants cozy and cute enough to make it through those chilly February days. Fashionable, comfortable, affordable, and most importantly, dress-code approved. J.Crew Dannie Pant These pants may be the pants from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. They are made out of a soft chino material, skinny but not skintight, high-waisted, ankle length, featuring a fashionable exposed zipper in the back. This allows the front of the pant to lie flat on your hips and be extra sleek. The pants have two back pockets, which are also very sleek. In short, they are a dream come true. They are available in black, navy, and dark loden, which is a warm olive green. They come in sizes 00-16 and lengths petite, regular, and tall. The regular length is versatile for anyone. Hansika’s two pairs are a regular length and come just barely above her heels. Abby also has a pair of these in a regular, and for her, they rest just above the ankle. The best part: although these pants usually retail for about $90, during special in-store sales they are
as low as $18. That’s right. These J.Crew magic pants for under $20. If you would like to check these out, I recommend hitting your local J.Crew during one of their amazing winter sales and snagging a pair. You won’t regret it. American Eagle Denim X American Eagle has always been well known for their wide selection of denim, but recently they’ve released additions to the Denim X line. At first the line was only in-store, but now you can find any of the pants online in a variety of sizes and colors. The last time I was in the mall finding pants, I spotted them with Hansika and marveled at their beauty. Let me tell you why! First, you can buy them in different hip rises: sky high, hi-rise and regular. If you have a major size difference between your waist and hips or just like a certain fit, these pants can basically guarantee what you’re looking for. Second, they are one of the first pants that has ever fit me in regular length! If you’ve ever struggled to find pants because of length, I’d highly recommend trying these on. The line comes in sizes 00-18 and lengths short, regular and long (up to a 34” inseam), promising your perfect fit! It is important to note, however, that not all of the sizes/lengths/rises are sold in-store. Third, they are made of the softest, comfiest, sent-from-the-heavens material EVER. A mix of cotton, modal, and polyester paired with 2% elastane allows a gorgeous body hugging fit. My only complaint is the dark and medium denim wash pants fit slightly differently, so make sure to try them on if you get the chance. The price can vary from $40 to $60, but I promise you they’re completely worth it. There they are: the magical pants! We hope we’ve made the search even a tad easier. Be sure to read our article in the next edition, we’ll be sure to give more tips, advice and reviews. In the meantime, stay warm everybody!