HIGHLAND
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INSIDE NEWS Auditorium Renovation p. 3 FEATURE New Teacher Interviews p. 6 How to Eat Everything Locally OPINION The Infamous Policy 5516 p. 8 A&E Two-Door Cinema Review p. 3 SPORTS Freshmen Who Made It Big p. 8
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OCTOBER 2012
Pinwheels for Peace Charlotte Finegold
The project revolves around a paper wheel symbolizing childhood innocence and simplicity. By creating childhood toys, Pinwheels for Peace strives to help “students make a public visual statement about their feelings about war/ peace/ tolerance/ cooperation/ harmony/ unity and, in some way, maybe, awaken the public and let them know what the next generation is thinking.” This project, which has been implemented in schools in more than 40 countries, came to Highland Park Middle School from September 11th to the 21st. Says Ms. Falcone-McLoughlin, a middle school English teacher and the pioneer of the HPMS initiative, “It all started when I was reading an article in a magazine called School Arts about 5 years ago about the Pinwheels for Peace project. It seemed a great way to start the year and so I did it with my Read 180 classes. We used pencils and pushpins and I taped them all over the room. They loved it and so did I. We have been creating them ever since.” Last year, however, Ms. McLoughlin decided to suggest implementing the project on a larger scale. She was inspired after Mary Curran, the associate Dean for Local-Global Partnerships at Rutgers (and a Highland Park parent) spoke about Global Competence to the middle school staff, urging the teachers to incorporate global thinking into their lessons. Ms. McLoughlin approached the previous principal of the middle school first, but then after she left, ran the idea by Mr. Lassiter, the new middle school principal. Lassiter agreed enthusiastically, and over the summer, the two worked with Ms. Curran, the town council, Mainstreet HP, and Elsie Foster-Dublin.
Says McLoughlin, “Then it just grew and grew!” The team developed a two-part program. First, middle school homeroom teachers had their students craft their own pinwheels (they made 250), which were then sold at various HP businesses for $1 each. Then, art teacher Ms. Hawthorne incorporated the project into her plans, having her classes make 20-30 large pinwheels. These were then sponsored by groups, individuals, or companies, for $25 each. The middle school used the money raised to buy Heifer International Hope Baskets (this charity is the same one that Global Awareness Group fundraises for with its iLlama fundraiser in December). On Thursday, September 20, the entire middle school staff and student body made a human peace sign on the turf. When asked about the success of the program, McLoughlin said, “I think that this year went really well, considering it was a pilot program…I think it could easily become a district wide event as well.” The middle school sent the picture of their human peace sign to HPMS’s sister school in Mexico and encouraged a co-participation in the project next year. Says Julia Marks, a sixth grader, “I think that it was a great idea for our town to show people that we care about peace , and that it’ll make Highland Park stand out to people who drive through and see the pinwheels on the poles.” In these tense times of violence and unease all over the world, the middle school’s pilot program was a comforting sign that the wheels are still turning for peace.
The Mysterious Disappearance of Tigger Belle Gabel
“He brightened up my day,” says senior Violet Simonyi. She continues, “Whenever I was feeling down or bored in class, I would look over my shoulder and see him smiling down at me. I miss him...” Violet is not mourning the loss of a friend graduated or a pal transferred to another school; she is mourning the loss of a beloved mural. From its creation in 1994 (by a student named Brian) to its passing in 2012, an oversized painting of Tigger playfully reposed, mid-bounce, on the wall of Room 112. Most know Tigger, sized about 7ft in height for his classroom portrait, from his appearances in the A.A. Milne children’s book series Winnie the Pooh. Tigger, who has since appeared in a fondly remembered
movie of his own (The Tigger Movie), is known for being hyperactive, competitive, and mischievous, among other things. One could argue that the Tigger mural was a shrine to those undesirable classroom behaviors. Perhaps that is why Tigger was erased, but before Tigger’s disappearance can be questioned, his mysterious appearance must first be uncovered. In my US History II class, we were certain that a longgone HPHS student painted Tigger as a mental illness representation for an ancient Psychology class. The theory, which was as sourceless as an old wives’ tale, was that each character in Winnie the Pooh represents a different mental illness: Rabbit, Pooh’s prim, curmudgeonly neighbor who hoards carrots, has Obsessive Compulsive OCTOBER 2012, THE HIGHLAND FLING
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NEWS
NEWS CLIPS HIGHLAND PARK
U.S.
WORLD
HPHS Students Protest Policy 5516 On Tuesday, October 9th, a group of high school students attended the Board Meeting to protest the new electronics policy.
Vice Presidential Debate On Thursday, October 11th, Congressman Paul Ryan (Wisconsin) and Vice President Joe Biden met to debate their superiors’ platforms.
Radicalism Expands in France The French government has launched police raids aimed against young extremist Muslims in an attempt to quash radicalism.
Spirit Week Dates Changed Spirit Week was changed from the week of October 15-19th to October 22nd-26th. The Homecoming Dance is still on October 19th.
Tensions in Syria Escalate After months of civil war, the conflict in Syria has not abated. Violence between the rebels and government forces has spread and has affected many citizens.
Global Awareness Group Fundraises for Room to Read GAG has started its second fundraiser of the year, raising funds and awareness for Room to Read, which supports libraries and schools all over the world.
Israel Launches Airstrikes Following several rocket attacks from Gaza, Israel retaliated with airstrikes.
Board of Education Elections The last write-in ballots for the Highland Park Board of Ed were submitted the week of October 8th. The question of the three-candidate “slate” has sparked controversy throughout the town.
First Private-Owned Space Shuttles Launches On Sunday, October 7th, the first-ever private commercial cargo rocket took off for the International Space Station.
Hugo Chavez Wins New Term On October 8th, Chavez beat his competition to secure another term in Venezuela.
Senate Races Intensify Across the country, Senate races have heated up. In Massachusetts, Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren have debated several times. Their conflicting ideologies are evident.
Pew Poll Shows Romney Improving After his aggressive performance during the first presidential debate on Wednesday, October 3rd, Romney’s poll numbers have risen. Romney has already returned to Ohio to campaign with new vigor.
Middle School Puts Its Pinwheels Around Town HPMS has placed its oversized pinwheels around Highland Park in the past few weeks. A few can be seen along Main Street; others surround the turf.
Cloning Wins First Prize The Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine was awarded to one English and one Japanese scientist for their work on regenerative medicine (otherwise known as cloning).
HPHS Remodels Auditorium...But Not in Time for School New seats soon to come; for now, the auditorium is filled with scaffolding.
China and Japan Continue Territorial Dispute The two eastern Asian countries are fighting over fishing rights on a tiny pensinsula off the coast of Eastern Asia. The Chinese call it Diaoyu; the Japanese call it Senkaku.
Auditorium Renovation Charlotte Finegold
After numerous construction and planning delays, the auditorium construction is projected to be (finally) finished by December 31st. As of October 1st, the seats were gone, the ceiling gutted, and the area filled with immense blue and black scaffolding. The original renovation plan was first conceived around five years ago and was expected to cost around three million dollars. The planning committee drew up extensive designs for a new orchestra pit, additional balcony seating, a new dance floor, altered wings of the stage, and a state-of-the-art rigging system. However, the 2008 economic crisis quickly dented these grand hopes. The new budget came out to be $1.5 million, to be paid through private donors. The original plan included both aesthetic and functional projects; the updated plan has,
Sam Trub In the past few weeks, Highland Park residents have discovered roadblocks on their usual commute up Fifth Avenue (such an encounter almost made the writer late for the first day of school). It turns out that for the next 12-18 months, one of Highland Park’s most widely-used streets will become a one-way traffic nightmare for those heading northbound on South Fifth Avenue, because the HP Police Department has decided to renovate its station. The Fling sat down with Sargent Lancry and Detective Young of the Highland Park Police Department to find out more. Highland Fling (HF): Why is the Police Department being redone?
Reducing the Plan, Extending the Construction Time as Dr. Wood, the Highland Park superintendent put it, adopted more “functional and practical goals.” The focus is now on “core” items: improving the rigging of the stage and the ceiling, installing new seating in the main area, repairing the staging area, and making the auditorium ADA accessible. The term “renovation” might not be as accurate for the project—“update” might be more fitting. By the time that the construction is finished, the auditorium will be more up-to-date in a practical sense, and will, hopefully, be improved aesthetically. The drama club, which mourned the losses of a proposed orchestra pit and an improved stage, is still happily anticipating the new motorized fly system. Before, sets and shows were limited by old and unstable rigging. Now, if all goes well, the school productions will be capable of doing so much more. However, the rigging, as well as the rest of the auditorium, is a work in progress. Since funding problems prevented the original plan from being carried out, the planning committee decided to implement infrastructure that could be added to. For example, there will only be two motorized flies installed for the December 31st finish, but there will be room for 11 more, in order to eventually fill to the old 13-fly system. For now, students must content themselves with
Sargent Lancry (Sgt. L): The building was built in 1954, and it has never been renovated, updated or undergone any change since that time. Also, it doesn’t comply with ADA (American Disabilities Act) standards. We need more room to store things, and it needs major upgrading. . HF: What are the best new features of the Police Department going to be?
A view from the balcony of the auditorium: a member of the construction crew working on the ceiling renovation.
peeking through the doors and covered windows. Many student performance groups are unhappy about the unavailability of the auditorium, however. The fall play, Our Town by Thorton Wilder, is being performed in the Bartle School auditorium. Mr. Presty, director of the Highland Park Drama Department, purposely chose Our Town because of its minimalist production needs. The band, orchestra, and choir concerts will be held in alternate venues. The band concert, for instance, will be in the cafeteria. Says freshman band member, Hannah Burke, on an optimistic note, “the acoustics are pretty bad in the cafeteria, so that’s kind of annoying…But I think it’ll be worth it because I’ll have three and a half more years to play in a much better auditorium!”
GIRLS TENNIS HOME GAMES Oct. 17 & 19 4 PM Donaldson Park
SPIRIT WEEK Dress up to help your class win! Oct. 22-26 HPHS
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Obama vs. Romney Tuesday, November 6
GIRLS SOCCER HOME GAMES Oct. 15 (6 PM), 16, 26 4 PM Turf
HOMECOMING DANCE First dance of the year to celebrate school spirit Oct. 19, 7:30-10:30 HS Cafeteria
SECOND PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE Romney vs. Obama in a town-hall meeting-style debate Tuesday, Oct. 16, 9-10:30 Hofstra University, NY
BOYS SOCCER HOME GAMES Oct. 10, 12, 15 4 PM Turf
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES Early Dismissals! Oct. 24 & 25 HPHS
Below, the empty auditorium of the University of Delaware - the site of the first presidential debate. Many hope that President Obama can improve from his lackluster performance on Oct. 3rd
Sgt. L: The reason is simple: we need to ensure the safety for Bartle students. With all the construction vehicles that are going to be centered in that area, we want to limit the traffic and chances of an accident. South 5th Avenue is going to be a one-way street for the duration of this renovation by ordinance of the town council. The architects in conjunction with the town council thought that this would be the safest way to go about this project in the safest way possible.
HF: What other safety precautions are being taken to protect the kids other then securing off that block? Sgt. L: We will have two crossing guards on duty before and after school helping kids get home safely. We will have them walk on the side of Borough Hall if they are going South on 5th Avenue. HF: During construction, where will the police department’s headquarters be? Sgt. L: The Detective Bureau and the rest of the police force will move to Borough Hall during the construction. Currently, they are renovating the back of the police department which will become part of the Fire Department for the dispatcher. The dispatcher and the prisoners are the only ones who will stay at the current police department. It will not be knocked down as you might think because ultimately it will be part of the Fire Department’s building not the Police Department.
HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME Support the Owls as they take on Cardinal McCarrick Oct. 26, 7 PM Turf
HF: What kinds of renovations are being done to the Fire Department?
PSAT Sophomores & juniors - prepare to prepare for the SAT! Sept. 10, 24; Oct. 8 HPHS
THE HIGHLAND FLING, OCTOBER 2012
HF: Here it is the major question…why is 5th Avenue being closed down from Mansfield Street to Benner Street?
Sgt. L: Those will be used to park the construction vehicles when they are not in use.
THE REST OF THE WORLD
CROSS COUNTRY HOME MEETS Oct. 13, 4 PM Donaldson Park
Sgt. L: The new size will be a great advantage; the station will be two stories tall after the construction is finished. Also, we will have state-of-the-art technology and equipment. Another great thing is that we will be separated from the Fire Department by a road in the middle for exiting purposes only. This will help move traffic along in the back of the Police Department. Lastly, we will have a Sally port, which is a garage for patrol cars to unload prisoners into.
HF: I’ve noticed white parking lines outside on the street – what are they for?
UPCOMING EVENTS HIGHLAND PARK
Highland Park Carmaggedon
Sgt. L: They are receiving new windows, a new roof, and some other things that will make the Fire Department look nicer.
The auditorium as it was in August: an empty stage and an empty hall.
Despite the annoying traffic changes to come, it seems that the new police station will provided much-needed updates for our law enforcement and fire protection authorities. OCTOBER 2012, THE HIGHLAND FLING
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FEATURE
FEATURE New Year, New Faces Amy Wang
Have you been seeing unfamiliar adults around the school? Well, don’t worry, they aren’t dangerous intruders. The start of the 2012-2013 school year marked the entrance of three new additions to the HPHS community: Ms. Price, Mr. Lassiter’s replacement as assistant principal, Mr. Lisella, new math teacher, and Mr. Broadfoot, new History teacher. The Fling interviewed our new staff members to learn more about them and get their first impressions of HPHS. Highland Fling (HF): What classes are you teaching? Mr. Lisella: I’m a math teacher so I teach Algebra I and II, and Foundations of Calculus. Mr. Broadfoot: I teach US history I and II, and Justice& Society. HF: What did you do before coming to HPHS? Lisella: I was a flight instructor/pilot at Medford Lake, South Jersey. Broadfoot: Before HPHS, I taught at a school for students with psychiatric illnesses. Price: I taught 3rd-6th grade students with special needs at Hillside. Then, I was a chemistry class support in Piscataway
Q & A with Staff, Old and New
HF: What do you think about Highland Park High School so far?
Left, Mr. Broadfoot, HPHS’s newest history teacher.
Lisella: I really like it. The community is very tight and close and I love teaching. Broadfoot: This school is actually around the same size as my college, Bennington College. I like the small population and the students. Price: The district in general has been very welcoming and I really feel like part of the community already. HF: Any interesting facts about yourself?
Right, Ms. Price, Mr. Lassiter’s replacement as vice principal of HPHS. Below, Mr. Lisella, new math teacher and Mathletes coach
Well, now that you know more about these new teachers and administrator, be sure to greet them in the hallways and make them feel welcome!
O Lassiter, Where art thou?
Long-Distance Relationships
Oscar Lee
Sarah Cheng
As many upperclassmen have already noticed, Mr. Lassiter, the former assistant principal, has been noticeably absent. Some of the freshmen may have noticed that Ms. Dobrowansky, the former HPMS Principal, has also been conspicuously absent. No, this is not some magical coincidence. In fact, Ms. Dobrowansky moved on to a new job this year, while Mr. Lassiter replaced her as the new middle school principal. The Fling interviewed Mr. Lassiter to find out about his transition. Highland Fling (HF): Why did Ms. Dobrowansky (the former middle school principal) leave? Mr. Lassiter (Mr. L): Ms. Dobrowansky took another opportunity in another school district closer to home. HF: Why did this job appeal to you? Mr. L: I started my career in Highland Park in the middle school 18 years ago. I was the assistant principal for six years, so when the opportunity came to return to the middle school as principal, I was eager to take on this new challenge. HF: How is it as the new principal? Have you made a smooth transition? Mr. L: For the past two years, I doubled as the assistant principal of both HPHS and HPMS, so I already had the chance to make the transition. I am very familiar with the middle school faculty and students. HF: What do you wish to do as principal? Are there any things you want to change or keep the same? Any plans? Mr. L: I want to work with the faculty to assist our students in meeting proficiency on the state assessments. I am not looking to change a lot, but I really want to help establish a strong sense of school spirit in the middle school. I did change a couple of things at the start of school. For example, middle school students now have
THE HIGHLAND FLING, OCTOBER 2012
passport passes in their agendas and we no longer allow students to go to their lockers during homeroom so they can work on activities during that time like our recent Pinwheels for Peace project. I also hope to have the students make motivational quotes for hallway decorations. HF: Do you miss anything about the HPHS? Mr. L: I definitely miss the high school students and teachers. Even though I do not allow the high school students to come into the middle school, at the end of the day, I still care about them. I just can’t have the high school students interacting with the middle school students. HF: What do you foresee as your biggest challenge? Mr. L: The biggest challenge will be finding enough hours in the day to accomplish everything I need to do. HF: You have been a teacher in the middle school, assistant principal in the middle school, and assistant principal in the High School. How is your new job different from those previous experiences? How is it similar? Mr. L: I have always been an educator first and foremost. In every job that I have had, I have always looked to meet the needs of my students and the community. The only difference is in the level of responsibility I have for meeting those needs. As a principal, I have greater responsibility and a little more power to make things happen, I wouldn’t that say greater power leads to greater responsibility – I’m not Spiderman! We wish Ms. Dobrowansky and Mr. Lassiter the best of luck in their future endeavors, and, though we miss him, we are sure Mr. Lassiter will do extremely well as the new principal of the HPMS!
Local Love October
Andrea Boffice
for 3 years before becoming the dean of students.
Lisella: I’ve travelled to and lived in many places in the U.S., including Florida, Texas, and Colorado. Broadfoot: I studied at the London School of Economics. Price: I was on the varsity soccer team in high school and I also played bass clarinet in the band. I participated in all the school plays and my brother is on Broadway.
Let Them Eat Dirt
For most high school students, middle school teachers belong in that box of childhood memories. It sits in the corner of the attic, collecting dust next to the elementary school yearbook, filled with nightmares or fond recollections of the past which only a reluctant trip down the memory lane would recover. To some students at HPHS this year, however, that was not the case, because several teachers from the middle school are now teaching courses in the high school. Of the few are Ms. Anand and Mr. Carter (Sciences), Ms. Paparella and Mr. McCrae (Language Arts), and Ms. Giovannetti (Spanish). The Fling interviewed some of the teachers on how they felt about the transition. The Highland Fling (HF): Which courses are you teaching in the high school this year? Ms. Anand: Integrated Physical Science 2, a class which combines biology, physics, and art. Mr. Carter: I’m just teaching one class of CP Chemistry. Ms. Giovannetti: I have kids in Spanish I and Spanish I Honors. HF: Have you taught that course before? Anand: This is the first time I’ve been exposed to the course, but I’m certified to teach it and had an interesting time preparing for the new curriculum.
Giovannetti: Yes, although there’s a huge difference when teaching this material to sixth graders as opposed to high schoolers. HF: Do you recognize anyone you’ve taught before? Anand: It’s been a while, but I do see some old faces (although they probably won’t appreciate me calling them out in The Fling). Mostly, I have juniors and seniors. Carter: Yes, I definitely remember the kids. It’s funny to see how much they’ve changed in all these years.
To the average high school student, who is the most underappreciated person or group of people in the United States? An overwhelming number of people said janitors, first, and teachers, second. Less common ones were garbage men, firemen, doctors, coal miners, the working class, unpaid attorneys, women, and Ron Paul. I agree with most of these answers. Still, I had a group in mind that I am disappointed to say only made the list once: farmers. Unlike janitors and teachers, if this group were gone the price would be starvation. They provide us one of the three basic needs, yet they are in poverty. The United States is one of the richest countries in the world, yet we choose not to pay farmers decently. We all know that we should eat more fruits and vegetables. We know that as a country we have a weight problem, disproportionately affecting children. We know that this generation of seven year olds is the first to have an expected shorter life expectancy then their parents. I understand why. That soggy, tasteless tomato on the restaurant plate is disgusting, as is any sort of canned vegetable. The solution to these foods is complex: one must choose healthy foods both to serve one’s stomach and conscience, but not even organic foods signify healthy or kind treatment of animals. Most food production is controlled by only four major corporations, and frankly they are feeding us terribly. Thus, we should and must support local farmers, producers of healthier, more sustainable produce, whose entire clientele relies on people who want holistic farming methods for their produce, with decent treatment to animals and lacking harmful pesticides. When someone in New Jersey buys peaches from a California farm, only twenty percent (and much less if out of the U.S.) of the price paid benefits the farmer. The rest goes to preservation and shipping costs, which largely translates to money for oil companies. When you buy local, more money goes to the farmer. Plus, your food will taste better. Despite the fact that most of us aren’t in charge of feeding ourselves, teens should be interested in this issue. Soon, it will be our job to set our food demands for fair practices and kind treatment of workers and animals; or not. Many cite the supposed higher cost of local produce as an excuse not to buy locally. However, this claim is erroneous. People in the United States pay a smaller proportion of their income on food than any other country in the world, including those in poverty. One third of our
Andrea Boffice The ingredients for eating locally are the most well known in October. Automatically we think of apple cider and pumpkin pie. However, there are other ingredients like squash that make their prime in October, especially in soups. A great place to get local produce is at the Highland Park Farmers Market on Fridays, but hurry because they close for the winter.
Some examples of fall produce. Take advantage of what October has to offer!
health care costs are paid to try to rectify our bad eatinghabits. And if you do eat relatively locally, then you know that when zucchini is in season people practically give it away. Eating locally opens up a variety of food options. With the exception of pumpkins in October, not everyone realizes that produce has different seasons; and if you eat a fruit or vegetable out of season it is probably from somewhere far away and probably doesn’t taste very good. “Local Love” is a recipe column that will list what produce is in season for each month and simple recipes to go with these ingredients. Learning about local eating does not mean that you must give up your bananas from Florida, or eat exclusively locally, or eat less. However, I hope to give you the information you need to make an informed decision about what you eat and ensure that you are treating American farmers, livestock, and yourself better. Next June, ask your family’s shopper to buy peaches instead of apples. I guarantee, they will be the best peaches you’ve ever tasted. Better yet, accompany your shopper. Find out which markets in New Jersey sell local produce. We are lucky enough to have a superb market on Main Street, so take advantage of it. Make recipes that have in-season ingredients. Buy local because you want your produce to be free of pesticides, because you want kinder treatment of chickens, because you want to be healthier, because you want to contribute to the local economy and fair wages of farmers. If that doesn’t matter to you, then eat local because, as anyone will tell you, a tomato in season is absolutely fantastic.
A New Model (Advisor) for Model UN Grace Chong
HF: How do you feel about teaching a new course? Do you experience any difficulties? Anand: No, not at all; it would be the exact same thing as teaching any other middle school class. Carter: It’s been really good so far. I mean, it’s a process; sometimes if I forget my materials in the middle school, I have to send a kid all the way there to get it. Overall, though, it’s been great. It is normal for teachers to switch around courses and classrooms. However, there’s something especially nostalgic about seeing a teacher from over four years ago walking down the same hallway. Those students who do get the repeat experience may very well be the subject of the taunts of some and the envy of others.
Soon Going out of Season: Cabbage Cucumbers Eggplant Lettuce Melons Sweet Peppers
Baked Apples Serving size: One apple per person Cooking time: 40 minutes I love to put these in the oven on a cold day just before I eat dinner so they will be ready for dessert! The best part is that they are really easy to make. You can choose your favorite type of apple, just keep in mind that different sizes and types will have different cooking times. I recommend whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Ingredients: Your favorite kind of apples 1 tbl of butter 1 tbl of brown sugar Oats, sugar, honey, or cinnamon if desired. 1. Pre-heat oven 325 degrees. 2. Wash apples and take out the core. Put on a baking sheet. 3. Add butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon into the cavity. 4. Bake for 30-45 minutes until apples are soft. Serve while warm.
Holding strong as one of the strongest clubs in our school, the Model United Nations team is preparing to repeat its successes at the Rutgers Model UN conference next month. After six years of leadership, Mr. Mladnick, eighth grade Global Issues teacher, decided to step down as Model UN advisor. This year, Mr. Gold is filling Mr. Mladnick’s shoes. Mr. Gold has many goals for the club and is excited to maintain Highland Park’s impressive Model UN reputation. Highland Fling (HF): How do you feel about becoming the new advisor for the MUN club? Mr. Gold: I am very excited to work as the advisor for MUN in our school. I know that Mr. Mladnick has made this team very strong, so I’m eager to continue what he did. I have been involved with MUN for 10 years at IDIA [the organization which runs Rutgers Model UN] by running conferences, so I’m enthusiastic about bringing our students to these conferences with Ms. Wilson. HF: What are your goals for this team? Gold: My goal is to continue the success of the MUN team. I know that this team has a great reputation as a school, so I’m motivated to keep this team strong. Another goal that I have is to continue promoting the idea of global citizenship by having more open debates. Our team will also work together with GAG (Global Awareness Group) so that our students can bring what they learned from their conferences and take action for their cause.
Above, Mr. Gold demonstrates the intensity he plans to bring to the Model UN team.
In Season: Squash (Especially butternut) Cranberries Fennel Beets Tomatoes Grapes
HF: What is some advice you would give the members of the MUN team? Gold: I hope that our students will be more aware of international issues and become citizens in the globalized world. Also, I want our students to develop skills and awareness so that they can use what they learned in their lives and develop their academic careers. With Mr. Gold and Ms. Wilson in charge, our MUN team will definitely continue to prosper and grow at Highland Park High School.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Serving Size: Amount of seeds and size differ to different types of pumpkins. Cooking time: 10-20 minutes Save your pumpkin seeds and keep them a plastic bag so they don’t dry out before you roast hem. Put your favorite spices on them for a interesting, crunchy kick to the fall pumpkin flavor. Ingredients: Pumpkin seeds Olive oil Salt and pepper Seasoning (optional); cayenne pepper, thyme, and pepper or cinnamon, ginger, salt, and allspice. 1. Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees. 2. Wash the seeds with cold water and remove any pulp. 3. Place pumpkin seeds single layer on an oiled baking sheet, adding salt and pepper or other spices if desired. 4. Bake for 20 minutes, check and stir the seeds after 10 minutes. 5. Let seeds cool then serve or store. OCTOBER 2012, THE HIGHLAND FLING
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FEATURE
FEATURE
Seniors vs. Freshmen (Not Just in Spirit Week)
The Mysterious Disappearance of Tigger
Jana Choi
The start of a new year means a gust of incoming freshmen – new to the environment and expectations of high school – and the promotion of new seniors, who have settled into their high school lives. The difference between grades seems obscure when comparing freshmen and sophomores, or juniors and seniors, but what of the generation gaps that are forming between the students entering high school and the students that will be leaving? To put it into perspective, the freshman class was born either in late 1997 or 1998. Most of them don’t remember 9/11 taking place. Too young in 2008 during its peak, they have never had a MySpace page – some even ask “What’s MySpace?” Many plan on going trick-or-treating this Halloween, and college and graduation seem a lightyear’s time away. On the other hand, for this year’s seniors, the rigor of AP classes, tough teachers, and late night studying are commonplace. They’re making their post-high school decisions, preparing to fill-out college applications, and deciding on financial aid. Many can already drive, and by their next birthdays, will be legal adults with the constitutional right to vote. But still, they are all part of one student body, all an important part of the HPHS community. They walk the same halls, share the same classrooms, and eat in the same cafeteria. Many seniors and freshman are good friends, breaking the usual barrier that exists between lower and upperclassmen in larger schools. So how similar are the freshmen and the seniors? Or are they vastly different? Freshmen Nicolette Polos and Rina Mischel, both born in the summer of 1998, don’t
think there are too many differences between the classes of 2013 and 2016. When asked what she thinks of the generation gap and what defines her grade from the seniors, Nicolette says “age, work ethic, and freedom,” but still believes that freshmen aren’t unlike the seniors, and are generally on the same level. Rina agrees, adding “I know a lot of seniors, because my sister is one. Of course I don’t know all the seniors, but I think the seniors as a whole are just any regular group of kids who just happen to be older than us.” From the opposite perspective, seniors Daphne Szeles and Will Callahan think there’s more to the gap than just a couple of years. “I think the biggest difference between freshmen and seniors is maturity. Seniors, for the most part, are definitely wiser and more mature than freshman. This comes from three more years of high school than freshmen, and preparation for leaving high school into college or the workforce,” says Will. Daphne’s perspective is along the same lines. She says, “As the years go by, people who have their minds open to learning will learn, and seniors are more comfortable with and know more about how they do their best work.” Ultimately, the extent of the generation gap is defined by who you ask. Three years can mean both a lot and very little to different people. The freshman and senior classes may share the connection of the high school experience, but for seniors, this experience is almost over while for the freshmen their time here has just begun. The differences that exist between the school’s youngest and oldest grades grades are only pieces of information that reveal how we as students change over the course of our time at Highland Park High School. In a way, it makes you think about where you’ll be in three years and the type of person you’ll be in the future.
Continued from p. 1 Disorder; Winnie goes on various misadventures to obtain “Hunny,” so he represents an eating disorder; Eeyore is depressed because he is always morose and down; fearful Piglet displays an anxiety disorder; Owl is narcissistic because he believes he is the smartest creature in the woods; Christopher Robin spends all day talking to his stuffed animals, so he may have schizophrenia; Tigger, who bounds about all day, is a symbol for ADHD. While at the time this silly idea seemed worthy of a mural, it is now clear that my class subconsciously fabricated the story among ourselves, because we sought a logical reason to why a History/Psychology classroom would have a giant Tigger on the wall. The Tigger mural actually originated from an old club called TIGS. TIGS later became UP (United in Prevention), and like in UP, TIG members (TIGgers) would go to a weeklong leadership camp each summer. When the TIGS parent organization disbanded, TIGS was also disassembled, and this is one of the reasons Mrs. Barca had Tigger painted over. When asked why she chose to have the would-be nineteen-year-old mural removed, she explained, “Now that the group is over, the Tigger was just random and outdated. I decided to have it painted over in the spirit of change.” Barca, who considers herself a “proponent of change,” has nothing against murals in general (she, in fact, painted a mural in high school), and would in fact love to have a new, more relevant mural put in her room in Tigger’s place. Right, John Yang depicts Belle’s search for the famous bouncing tiger.
The Hunger Games: Not So Far-Fetched? Xuewei Ouyang
Left, some freshmen: (from right to left) Rina Mischel, Nicolette Polos, Donghan Ko, and Kichan Sung. Right, Daphne Szeles, senior.
The Other Side of TOMS Shana Oshinskie
The start of every school year brings new fashion trends to our school, and this year was no different. In September, brightly colored canvas shoes, made by TOMS, began popping up all over school. For those of you who are not familiar with the company, TOMS (an acronym for Tomorrow’s Shoes) sells all kinds of shoes and glasses. They promise that for every pair of shoes they sell, they will distribute a pair to a child in need. This idea in turn led to One Day Without Shoes, when people all around the world go barefoot to raise awareness and to “put themselves in the shoes” of the children around the world that feel not only the physical but the psychological effects of not owning shoes. The movement was only increasingly popularized with its star-studded group of supporters including Lenny Kravitz, Rachel Bilson, Kris Allen, Sara Bareilles, Parachute, and companies such as Nordstrom and Microsoft. The risks of not owning shoes are numerous: the discomfort of walking on hot asphalt or mud, splinters and cuts that in turn lead to infection. However, one lesser known result of not having shoes is that many students are unable to attend school because shoes are part of their uniform. Furthermore, TOMS is very prudent about distributing the shoes. They have means as to distribute only necessary sizes and to continue to give out shoes to children that will outgrow the ones they have now. All in all, TOMS seems to be a very effective and beneficial company. However, there are a few downsides to the “One for One” approach. First, many people in other countries say that they find all the charity demeaning—and thus a counter organization sprung up to One Day Without Shoes: A Day Without Dignity, which raises awareness of the fact that many of the people receiving handouts do not want the charity, but rather want to be treated as equals. They want to be involved in reducing their poverty. Furthermore, being given charity is not only mentally but also economically taxing. Clothing and shoes are available locally, and receiving donations from places like the U.S. puts many indigenous merchants under pressure or even out of work. For example, half of the recent (1981-2000) rise in unemployment in Africa was due to donations of used apparel. In Nigeria, 543,000 laborers have become unemployed due to clothing handouts. Additionally, if TOMS went out of business, what would the people who rely on the handouts do? Since organizations such as TOMS drive merchants out of business, where can people go for shoes? There is no easy solution. On the one hand, we cannot leave millions barefoot and pre-
THE HIGHLAND FLING, OCTOBER 2012
vent children from getting an education. On the other hand, however, we must promote sustainable humanitarian aid which does not destroy local business and human dignity. Becca Chant, sophomore, is a proud owner of a pair of TOMS. Becca said that she had never heard of any negative effects of purchasing the shoes. After we discussed both the pros and the cons, she said that although she would continue to wear her TOMS, she’d have to consider if she would ever buy a pair again. However, Piney Arp, freshman, said that even after hearing all the negative effects, he would still buy a pair of TOMS because it is important that all children get the necessary protection for their feet right away. Eventually, it comes down to the individual. What do you choose?
“May the odds be ever in your favor!” This catchphrase of the popular book and movie series, The Hunger Games, has begun to resonate with the 3.4 million seniors who are gearing up for college application season. Even for non-seniors, the concept of a “battle to the death” seems eerily familiar. Although the college admissions frenzy does not completely equate with the cruel killing of children, the cutthroat competition has its fair share of similarities. For many high school students, the odds of admission into the one of the top universities of the U.S. are nearly equal to the odds of the Hunger Games, in which one out of 24 children survive. Harvard University, for example, posted a 5.9% acceptance rate for 2012, its record lowest. As a result, students resort to deception and strategy as well as early preparation to beat out the rest. Sound familiar? In the country of Panem, the fantastical setting of The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, Districts 1, 2, and 4, the richest areas, train their children from an early age to win the Hunger Games, giving their tributes a major advantage over children from other districts. These children are known as the Careers. In the U.S., families with wealth, connections, or extensive experience start preparing their children for college admissions sometimes as early as preschool. An elite private pre-K is viewed as the key to a great kindergarten or K-12 school, which is in turn the key to admission to a top university. Not only do kids lose their childhoods as they are pushed to be smarter and more talented, but those who cannot afford to attend a private preschool or take ice skating, sculpture, harp, or piano lessons are at a huge disadvantage when it comes to college admissions later on. Although a few truly underprivileged students, like the heroine of The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen, can overcome the unfortunate disadvantages and demonstrate their genuine determination to learn and succeed, such individuals are rare. Meanwhile, the middle-class majority must compete against the tactics of the privileged without any legitimate excuses or advantages in the admissions process. All students cross their fingers while their applications are processed in admissions offices; the odds are certainly not in the favor of a high school student lacking the foundation and early training necessary for survival in college admissions. In addition to skewed chances, the competitive college admission process encourages deception and strategizing that turns children into the murdering victors. In order to survive, the victor of the Hunger Games must allow 23 other children to die. Similarly,
to be admitted into a top university, one must accept that many other competitors, including one’s own friends, will fail. Since students are directly pitted against each other, they turn to underhanded strategies to get an advantage over the others. From cheating on school work and tests to deliberate sabotage of others, students have become extremely cutthroat and vicious. Katniss, in the Hunger Games, defeats the Careers by destroying their supplies and dropping a deadly wasp hive on them. High school students often do not hesitate to covertly impair others’ chances of admission to the desired top universities, even at HPHS. One student told a teacher that another candidate for an office position of a club was taking five AP classes and therefore was too busy to handle the position’s duties. The student who then received the position failed to mention that she too was taking five APs. After a test, the first question students ask each other is, “What’d you get?” Competition is intense. In high school, students must select their weapons: instead of the bows and axes which the likes of Katniss and Cato select, high school students join clubs purely to include their participation on their college applications and take classes to which they are not often suited to appear more impressive than their classmates. High school is no longer an environment for growth and exploration, but rather a deceitful battleground for survival in the critical competition for admission to selective colleges. If college admissions seem to bring out the worst in most students, why do students continue to aim for the top universities? Why does our society continue to depict admission to those schools as the ultimate reward? Because, like in the Hunger Games, the victor supposedly receives lifetime glory and fame. The victor also receives, however, consequences which are not as visible to the rest of the world. Katniss, Peeta, and other victors continued to suffer from the horrors of the Hunger Games long after they left the arena. One tribute became so far gone in the competition that he ate the heart of another tribute. The victors of the college admissions competition often also suffer the consequences such as anxiety and an overwhelming sense of ambition which continue to persist during and after college, as the students enter the workforce. A recent news story revealed that competition at Princeton University has prompted some students to rip out answer pages in textbooks in libraries, so as to have an advantage over other students. The college admission process may not cause the gruesome murder of twenty-three children, but it does have serious costs that should alarm people about the direction towards which our society is heading.
A HPHS student sports a pair of the controversial shoes.
OCTOBER 2012, THE HIGHLAND FLING
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OPINION
OPINION
POLICY
HIGHLAND FLING OPINIONATOR
Section: Pupils 5516. USE OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS AND RECORDING DEVICES A Student Who Wishes to Advance into the 21st Century Your teachers have probably mentioned it, or at least pinned up the sheet with “POLICY” stamped across its head. In the name of the “integrity of the district’s educational program,” ECRDs – “electronic communication and recording devices” – have been officially banned on school grounds. Previously, teachers yelled at students to put their phones away, and sometimes administrators picked up phones and stowed them in their offices until parents came and begged for them back. Now, when a student has any type of electronic device, he/she is written up. If that student’s teacher does not immediately write up the offending student, the teacher too gets written up. But let’s back up a bit. This policy that’s the buzz of the school was actually created in January 2011. The Board of Education has only recently decided to attempt to enforce it. On Thursday, September 28, 2012, the faculty received an e-mail with the Board of Ed Policy #5516 (entitled “USE OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS AND RECORDING DEVICES”) attached, and were instructed to print out a copy and display it in their classrooms. Let’s break down this controversial document and see what we’re dealing with. The policy opens by condemning illegal video or audio recordings taken “of any pupil(s) or school staff member(s) for any purpose without the consent of the pupil, the pupil’s parent or guardian, and/or the school staff member.” This is fair enough: I would hate to see a video that I did not consent to posted on YouTube. The Board of Ed, however, decided that, because of these privacy issues, all ECRDs should be banned. An ECRD is “any device with the capability to audio or video record or is capable of receiving or transmitting any type of communication between persons.” That means no cell phones, cameras, pagers/beepers, laptops, e-readers, two-way radios, and portable fax machines. The funniest items on this list, to me, are the two-way radios –apparently, I am missing the students communicating with walkie-talkies – and portable fax machines – what are these, anyway? Also, the Board devoted five of the ten paragraphs of the policy brief to appropriate pager/beeper usage. I’ve always thought we were regressing, but it seems as though we have been transported back to the 1990s. One part of the policy talks about the acceptable use of pagers for students working with the volunteer fire/emergency response departments, which is a valid reason, but it seems like the three paragraphs that detail the process of obtaining the principal’s consent to use one’s pager are a bit excessive. According to paragraph two, “A pupil is not permitted to have turned on or use an ECRD on school grounds during the school day.” A student can only use an ECRD if the device is strictly written into his/her Individual Education Program (IEP), if it is being used for an official purpose (Yearbook, drama production filming, etc.), or if the teacher supervising a curricular or co-curricular activity gives his/her permission. The latter part of the quote above bothers me, and has been angering the student body. During class, the teacher should have the right to decide whether the class should be using laptops or iPhones to look up words, work on programs, listen to music, take notes, or do projects. Several classes have been recently redesigned to work primarily online – for instance, Spanish courses are now using an online textbook – and it would be counterproductive to universally ban laptops from these classes after the school has spent so much money buying the rights to computer programs. Lunch and study halls, however, are students’ time. If a student prefers doing homework while listening to music, that is his/her choice; if a student needs to bring in his/her laptop to do extra research or work on a project, that too is his/her responsibility. If, for instance, a gym teacher is absent, a student has the right to work on whatever device suits them best to complete their homework. It is all good and well for the administration to say that students can use school computers for these purposes, but in reality, these often cannot get the job done. The laptops in the school carts are slow and usually are not loaned out to students with free time. The Media Center’s computers cannot open PDF files and often are taken or not functioning well. Also, when a student goes out for open lunch, he/she should be able to listen to music. What was even more unbelievable was that one day after school had ended, I was waiting in Center Hall for a club activity, and I saw teachers yell at five students to put their phones away. I checked my watch, thinking that I had gotten the time wrong, and that school had not ended; it was 2:45. The school has decided that, for no observable reason, it is detrimental to the educational environment to use cell phones, cameras, iPods, and laptops after school ends if students remain on school grounds. Says Maggie Dominick, senior, “Using our iPods during lunch didn’t cause any harm. It’s also really ridiculous that they can be taken if we’re outside of the building on the school grounds and even if the school day is over. I think the consequences are blown out of proportion. The intensity of the consequence should meet the same intensity as the action.” This policy follows the idea that a few abuses of the system justify punishment of all the system’s users. The Board of Ed’s discussion that prompted this policy focused on whether the benefits of technology outweigh the costs. During a class, if a teacher finds a student on Facebook on their smart phone or laptop, the teacher should, of course, reprimand that student and forbid them to use the offending device again. The misbehavior of a few students, however, does not warrant the universal ban of all electronic devices. Additionally, this policy is completely unfair to teachers. Is a teacher on lunch duty or walking through the hallways supposed to carry around a bucket in order to confiscate the iPods of every student with earphones in his/her ears? If the teacher does not act, he/she is punished. Teachers have enough legitimately important work to attend to without these petty responsibilities.
Tornadoes? In Brooklyn?
Save the Bloodsuckers!
Maddie Hehir
Andrea Boffice
Growing up in Jersey, the closest I have ever gotten to a tornado was watching the opening twister scene in The Wizard of Oz. However, tornadoes aren’t just in Kansas anymore. On Saturday September 8, 2012, two tornadoes struck New York. The first tornado ran through a beach in Queens, causing great shock among scared and confused New Yorkers. Then, a second tornado hit Canarsie, Brooklyn, eliciting the same response. The New York Times published an article regarding these two tornadoes that was composed mainly of New Yorkers’ reactions, eye witness accounts, and war stories about tornadoes. Most of the stories followed the same format: account of the weather, where the tornadoes went, the amount of damage, and how shocked the people were. My reaction to hearing that not one, but two, tornadoes ripped through New York: fear. I was afraid that I would be one of those people who didn’t know what to do or where to go because they live on the East Coast where no one is prepared for tornadoes. I was afraid of the changing climate around us and how tornadoes in New York could be a sign that Mother Nature has become unhappy with our constant pollution and release of greenhouse gases. I was scared that one day, I would be sitting in my room, possibly writing a Fling article, when a tornado would rip through Highland Park and blow my house away, just like it did to Dorothy. I decided not to let that fear hold me prisoner. Instead, I wanted to use my fear for inspiration to learn what to do in case of a tornado. First, I made a mental list of everything I knew about these disasters and what to do in case one appears. Here is said list: tornadoes are made of air swirling around; they rip houses, patio furniture, etc. down; they only happen in the Midwest; and in case of a tornado, lock yourself in your basement. Needless to say, it was a pretty sad list. Next, I took to the Internet to find out the truth about tornadoes. A tornado by definition is a rotating air column that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. In case a tornado occurs, you should move to the basement if your house has one; if you live in an apartment, move to the lowest floor possible. If you are in a building, go into a staircase; if you live in a mobile home, get out immediately and seek shelter elsewhere. Always avoid windows no matter where you are and if you are in your car and you see a tornado approaching, do not try to drive home in hopes of beating the tornado; instead, get out of your car immediately. Finally, if you are outside and a tornado is approaching, try to find a low ditch or depression in the ground if you cannot reach shelter in time It’s easy to joke about a tornado hitting New Jersey, but if a tornado does in fact strike Highland Park, try and remember proper tornado procedure; you never know, it may save your life.
No one likes mosquitoes. They are annoying and their bites itch like crazy. I hate mosquitos as much as the next person—possibly even more than most since I never quite bought into the vampire obsession and I’ve never thought of bloodsucking as sexy. It seems that they exist for the sole purpose of ruining summer for those of us who wish to wear shorts and sandals. I admit that I have swatted at many mosquitos. However, I feel that there is a difference between swatting a couple of bugs out of anger and committing some sort of bug genocide. I found out about the large-scale mosquito spraying in Highland Park by accident when I was trying to access the school website. When I first saw the announcement, I immediately became panicked and fearful. Clearly there was some sort of malaria outbreak for it to be necessary to attempt to remove an entire species from the ecosystem of our town. The notice also told us to avoid being outside during the times of spraying and to wash the vegetables in your garden. I was not too fond of this, not only because one of the main reasons I grow vegetables in my yard is so I can avoid eating produce dripping in chemicals, but also because I do not like to breathe air that contains a chemical with the sole purpose of killing something. On a personal level, it felt invasive. On an intellectual level, it just does not work. I hate to break it to everyone, but a mosquito is not just a fly on the wall—it is meant to be here. Removing any bug would leave some types of plants without a pollinator and predators, such as spiders, frogs, and birds, without food. Spraying for mosquitos also kills innocent insects that are incredibly important to our ecosystem and environment, including the bugs that eat mosquitos. However, I admit that spraying the mosquitos does successfully remove those pesky mosquitoes from our lives. That is, if we only plan on living here for a year. Mosquitoes can now become immune to these chemicals we use to remove them. Farmers are experiencing this same problem, when the pesticides they are using on their crops are no longer effective at killing the bugs which devour their produce. The response is to use more and different types of chemicals which just add toxicity and kill other animals and insects…yet the pests still eventually adapt. Then what happens when nothing else works and then that unforeseen malaria outbreak creeps up on us? Ok, the malaria is unlikely, but in the end these chemicals will just lead to more chemicals in the atmosphere and the bloodsuckers still biting. It is not worth it. Was our situation really that dire that it was completely necessary to spread our town with chemicals to try to remove an entire species, killing many more animals on the way? Of course not. We live in New Jersey—no one is going to get malaria anytime soon, and though West Nile Virus was spreading down from Maine, it was relatively contained. So next summer, do not stand near open water, light citronella candles, apply personal bug repellent if you have to, but put that large sprayer away. Save it for when that malaria breaks out.
The Highland Fling would like to thank the Highland Park Educational Foundation for their support! HPEF recently granted The Highland Fling and Dead Center three laptops, complete with design software. This will save the writers and editors of each publication hours of nights’ sleep and frustration, as demonstrated below.
Left, on a day when their gym teacher was absent, three students take advantage of the free time to finish homework on their laptops. Above, a student works on an English essay during Study Hall. The identity of the students in the pictures has been concealed to protect them from punishment (for doing their work).
Adopted: October 2012 THE HIGHLAND FLING, OCTOBER 2012
*Thanks to HPEF, The Fling will no longer have to violate Policy 5516! OCTOBER 2012, THE HIGHLAND FLING
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The Campaign: A Political Satire
Playlist: De-stressors for the College Application Season
Avantika Yellapantala
We are currently experiencing the climax of American politics: the media is constantly bombarding us with all kinds of politcal propaganda, our teachers hold endless discussions about the presidential election, and we hear of some new political gossip every day. Even if you don’t appreciate political satire, The Campaign presents you with much needed insight into the mess of American politics. The movie is an incessant joke fest – and who better to play the two leads than Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis, two of this the funniest comedians of Hollywood. The movie tells the story of an intense political faceoff between a blundering congressman and an unlikely political newcomer in North Carolina’s 14th congressional district’s election. On the eve of an upcoming election, democratic congressman Cam Brady (Ferrell) makes a misstep that threatens to end his career in politics. Recognizing the opportunity to gain influence in the aftermath of the public gaffe, a pair of scheming CEOs handpick credulous tourism-center director Marty Huggins (Galifianakis) as Brady’s political rival, quickly shaping him into a viable candidate with the help of a cutthroat campaign manager. The villains are a pair of billionaires called the Motch brothers, played with brandy-swilling, cigar-wielding relish by John Lithgow and Dan Aykroyd. The voters of the district are posed with a formidable challenge: on the one hand, they have a four-term democratic incumbent ridden with sex scandals who sports a ridiculous haircut; on the other hand, they have the effeminate Marty Huggins, a God-fearing married father of two children. Huggins is the type of man who never utters an expletive in his life and dons a luxurious mustache. Often, he is too naïve to even understand what is going on behind his own campaign scenes. The film’s director, Jay Roach, brings the audience a world in which all sanity ends. Hilarity ensues and insults are flung; a baby is punched, and to borrow Mr. Higgins’s campaign slogan, “It’s a mess!” The film lampoons modern American elections and the influence of corporate money. It directly satirizes the Koch brothers with
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Hannah Weaver
another pair of ultra-wealthy siblings: the Motch brothers. Although the film is a satire of modern politics, there is comfort in the thought that the American people would never elect clowns like these into office…or would they? The Campaign is a movie for those of us who would love to see the true humor in politics, as you’ll probably spend the 85 minutes of the movie chuckling at the absurdities of the election and the raunchy sexual humor. The two main characters in the film are well played by Ferrell and Galifianakis, and the rest of the cast is superb as well. This comedy deserves an eight out of ten for its gaffes, goofball fun, overall silliness, and reminder of the absurdities of modern politics.
STUDENT ARTWORK
By Mao Ma
Love Love Love Avalanche City
Weekend
Class Actress
Helena Beat
Foster The People
Shake It Out
“Won’t Back Down” - Our Model for School Reform? Stefana Voicu
On the night after the opening, Won’t Back Down was given the smallest screening room in the movie theatre– and even so, barely half the room was filled. This could not have been influenced by the movie’s actual quality; it was probably due to the fact that there were no gunshots, sexy cars, special effects, or other superficial details that the majority of a contemporary audience think defines a “good movie.” But the lack of all these adrenaline-pumping aspects did not hinder the movie’s success in communicating its message: America’s schools are failing, and when these schools don’t even try to turn themselves around, the community has to take matter into their own hands without losing hope. The, story, based on “true events,” revolves around the decrepit Adams Elementary School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The teachers don’t teach, but instead shop online and use their phones while the children either struggle to read what’s on the board or just don’t try at all. As a result, seven out of eight students from Adams graduate without knowing how to read and only 2 percent of students eventually go to college. Outraged, the mother of a dyslexic student (Maggie Gyllenhal) and a teacher (Viola Davis) team up in order to fight against unwilling teachers, the teachers’ unions, and the Pittsburgh Board of Education. Even though Won’t Back
Down is based on a true story, the plot seems to be too idealistic for its own good. School reform is a sensitive topic, but the movie makes it seem black and white – the heroes are the parents, and the villains are the teachers’ unions. But as we all know, the situation isn’t as clear in reality, and the interests of the students and the teachers must be kept in mind while reforming school policy. Also, turning around a school is not as easy as the movie made it out to be – once a school becomes better, how can one make sure that it will not fail again? Beside the romanticized view of the movie, it managed to encourage hope and approval in the audience (some people even clapped at the end!). Highland Park should take inspiration from these two brave women who fought fiercely to improve their school. While the HP school district cannot relate to the statistics aforementioned and the dire situation of Adams Elementary, there is always room for progress. One of the rules that our own Board of Education just passed prohibits student use of personal computers, even if used for educational purposes. Mixed opinions have been expressed in regard to this issue, but as a Student Representative to the B.O.E, I strongly encourage that anyone who feels strongly about a particular school policy should make their voices heard by presenting their ideas at the Board meetings. Our school can and
should do better, but merely complaining will not help us get to that point. It is important to realize that we should take
advantage of our school’s potential and make it even better by collaborating openly with the entire school community.
The Walking Dead Review
Florence + the Machine Jake Callahan
Dreaming Of Another World Mystery Jets
We Are The Tide Blind Pilot
Lift Me Up
French Films
Don’t Slow Down Matt & Kim
Imagine falling into a coma in a world full of normal societies and normal people. Nine months later, you awake in an apocalyptic universe, where laws do not matter; where your primary goal is survival. If you have successfully entered this bleak imaginary state, you can now say you are living the life of Officer Rick Grimes in the TV show/graphic novel, The Walking Dead. One sunny day in a small, perfectly normal town down the road from Atlanta, Georgia, Rick and his co-officer, Shane Walshe, are called in to create a roadblock for two criminals in an ongoing hit-andrun. The criminals’ car veers off the road and flips over. The criminals emerge, pull out pistols, and begin firing at the officers. The two wrongdoers are quickly killed in the firefight; however, a third one emerges and shoots Rick in the back, plunging him into a coma. When he wakes
up in the hospital, he realizes nothing is what it used, due to the slight change that zombies have overtaken the society he once knew. Confused and disbelieving, Grimes begins to look for his wife and son in downtown Atlanta, and instead meets a group of survivors who were trapped in a department building and happen to have connections to Rick’s family. The rest of the story – filled with blood, action, and plenty of zombies – you will have to view on television. This is merely the beginning of a riveting, suspenseful, show that has been nominated for many awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Television Series. The first six-episode season of The Walking Dead, which premiered fittingly on Halloween 2010, documented Rick Grimes’s reunion with his family and friends. The second, longer season premiered on October 16, 2011 and
followed each character to find out how he/she was coping with the zombie apocalypse. The season finale of season two was watched by around 9 million people, making it the most watched basic drama telecast in history. On October 25, 2011 (two episodes into the second season), AMC announced a third season of the show to premier on October 14, 2012 that will consist of an extended sixteen episodes. Cynics might wonder why a show based on a seemingly ridiculous concept could be so critically-acclaimed. However, The Walking Dead is, in essence, a story which all viewers can relate to. Rick Grimes is a
man striving to prove his resilience and become a leader in the face of adversity – he just happens to be trying to achieve these things in a horror-movie world. The acting is superb: Andrew Wilson, playing Rick Grimes, excellently portrays a tough man who proves himself among the group of survivors and becomes a leader. Also starring Jon Bernthal and Sarah Wayne Collins, The Walking Dead constantly keeps viewers on their toes with its suspense. Check out the graphic novel or the first two seasons. But hurry, because season three is upon us.
Kinetic
The Cinema
This Is The Life
Two Door Cinema Club
Contribute your own playlist to The Fling! Contact thehighlandfling@gmail.com to fing out more Above, Highland Park seniors get into the Walking Dead spirit at the Asbury Park Zombie Walk. Right: Aedan Bell sports his Officer Rick Grimes T-shirt and pistol sheath. Left: Belle Gabel, Andrea Boffice, and Sam Dolan feast on the camera.
THE HIGHLAND FLING, OCTOBER 2012
OCTOBER 2012, THE HIGHLAND FLING
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Is DMX Really “Undisputed?” Greg Burdea
DMX’s artist name naturally provokes curiosity. Yonkers native DMX, or Dark Man X has earned his chapter in the book of Hip-Hop with his meaningful music and deserves to be heard. DMX’s track record should not be taken lightly. Starting his musical career in the 1980s, DMX gradually received notice in the late ‘90s. In 1998 he became the first artist to reach the Billboard 200 twice in the same year with two separate albums. In 2003, he set another sales record. With the release of “Grand Champ,” he became the first artist to have his first five albums reach number one. In his prime, DMX was nominated for BET awards, MTV awards, and Grammys and won American Music awards, Billboard Music Awards, and the Sammy Davis Jr. award (2000). DMX’s music revolves around many themes investigating human life, including its many trials and tribulations. DMX also explores his relationships with the divine and the demonic; speaking to God, Jesus, and even his personal demons. The artist’s many struggles are portrayed by his extensive drug use and criminal record. Most recently, DMX served time in jail for probation violation and drug possession from January to July of 2011. With his release, artists like Machine Gun Kelly recognized the returning mogul and offered to get him back on his musical feet. DMX’s newest album, “Undisputed,” released September 11th, promised to contribute some of its
profits to the afflicted families of victims of 9/11. The new album stands up to its name, as the fading rapper struggles to define himself as not only relevant to Hip-Hop, but as one of its skilled navigators. DMX introduces the album with a track called “Lookin’ Without Seein’” which sets the analytical tone for the album. This tone speaks through DMX’s many tracks about the harshness of the world, such as “Cold World (feat. Adreena Mills),” “Slippin’ Again,” and “No Love (feat. Adreena Mills).” These songs do what DMX does best: investigate the human experience. In order to create balance throughout his album, DMX has many hopeful songs promoting endurance and perseverance through hardships. The songs “Have You Eva” and “Head Up” achieve this effect. Above all, “Undisputed” contains many religious songs or “skits” dedicated to prayer and monologue to God. These tracks poetically suffice as DMX’s stamp of authenticity, as DMX reveals the inner turbulence of his soul. Overall, DMX successfully served the Hip-Hop community with his album’s meaningful content. What’s really undisputed about DMX after his latest album is that he still has the charisma and empathic ability that defines his artistic character. This rapper makes listeners feel him and put themselves in his shoes. For fans of DMX, the most exciting news may be his announcement of an upcoming gospel album.
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Two Door Cinema Club: A Band to Remember
Catchy Title Your Name Here
Interesting and insightful article concerning school news, events, or culture.
Above, Two Door Cinema performs at a concert.
Join The Highland Fling! The fastest way to see your name in print!
Elena Weissmann
When I walked into the Electric Factory in Philadelphia, PA, the first thing I noticed was the energy-filled atmosphere. There was a definite vibe emanating from everybody around me that was basically contagious, and I couldn’t help but become excited about seeing a band that I wasn’t even that crazy about: Two Door Cinema Club. There were posters and giant projectors lined up along the walls with an overhead bar for the adults and a standing area for the teenagers. Soon after we arrived, the opening band began playing. I don’t know what they were called and don’t want to know. They were so terrible that even a pack of excited teenagers refused to dance to their music. About forty-five minutes and eight muddled songs later, the defeated-looking lead singer and his disgruntled band left the stage and another opening band trooped onto the platform: Friends. The female lead singer had a good voice and was extremely energetic, and overall, they weren’t too bad. However, the crowd was getting pretty aggravated– more than an hour had passed and the main band hadn’t
made their appearance yet. I could hear chanting start from all around me: “We. Want. 2DCC. We. Want. 2DCC.” Finally, Friends packed up their things and Two Door Cinema Club appeared on the stage, enshrouded by fog and bright lights. The crowd went berserk, and their reaction was justified. The band’s short, simple indie pop songs were catchy, with their memorable lyrics and their punk rhythm and jangly guitar accompaniments. 2DCC also performed excellently live – they were loud, intense, and obviously connected to their fans. The band ended up playing three extra songs at the end because of the crowd’s incessant chant: “ONE MORE SONG. ONE MORE SONG.” The only problem I can speak of was the continuous stream of crowd-surfers; all around me, people were being hoisted up and onto the crowd, only to tumble back down on their heads a mere ten feet away. Overall, the experience was well worth the ticket price and hour-long drive.
GAMES & PUZZLES Difficulty: Easy
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Spirit Week Homecoming Dance: October 19th Spirit Week: October 22-26th Monday - Pajama Day Tuesday - Fairy Tale/Superhero Day Wednesday - Mismatch/Crazy Hat Day Thursday -America Day Friday - Color Wars
THE HIGHLAND FLING, OCTOBER 2012
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SPORTS
SPORTS
Freshmen Varsity 2012
Player Profile
Maverick Lin And Boning Zhao
As the summer quickly ends, fall athletes return for another successful season on our athletic teams! Like every year, incoming freshmen bring along a new set of skills and athleticism to our high school. Although the school’s varsity level is highly rigorous and competitive, various freshmen have succeeded in surpassing the pack of competitors and obtaining the varsity spot:
Name: Jon Baay Grade: 11 Sport: Soccer
Luke Schroeder- Varsity Football Cameron Petkov- Varsity Football Nicolette Polos- Girls Varsity Tennis John Buzbee- Boys Varsity Soccer Elisabeth Landis- Girls Varsity Soccer Renee Delameter- Varsity Cross Country
Simone Kusnecov
The Highland Fling (HF): What position do you play? Jon Baay (JB): I am a varsity forward HF: Have you ever played a different position? JB: I switched on and off from midfield to goalie during middle school. When I started scoring goals, they put me in as a forward.
Were you expecting your position on varsity coming into high school? Shroeder – “Not at all.” Petkov – “Not at all.” Polos – “No.” Buzbee – “No.” Landis – “No but I wanted to try out and see what happens.” Delameter – “Yes”
HF: When did you make varsity? JB: I made varsity this year, and I do start varsity.
Freshmen Luke Schroeder (left) and Cameron Petkov (right) make tough-guy football poses to demonstrate their Varsity talent.
Do you feel pressured as a varsity player?
How do you feel being part of high school varsity at such a young age?
Schroeder – “Yes since the seniors expects us to raise the level.” Petkov – “Yes since the seniors are counting on us and each mistake is crucial.” Polos – “A little bit, yes.” Buzbee – “Yes.” Landis – “I feel very pressured with the intimidating crowd.” Delameter – “No, not really”
Schroeder – “I feel good. It’s really exciting. Petkov – “I feel both excited and relieved.” Polos – “I’m enjoying it because the team and the sport are a lot of fun.” Buzbee – “Surprised and proud!” Landis –“Important, excited, and appreciative!” Delameter – “Nothing really.”
HF: Do you prefer to be a forward? JB: Yeah, I like being a forward, because I’m always in the play or in the action. When I was a goalie, I got bored sometimes just standing around. HF: Have you had any accomplishments so far in the season? JB: When we played Metuchen we won 3-1, and I scored 2 goals. When we played JFK I had the flu, and I got pulled out in the second half but scored in the first half. HF: Do you plan to play in college? JB: No, I think it will just stop with high school.
What your goals as a freshman varsity? Schroeder – “To make a good contribution to the team” Petkov – “To play more Varsity and to become a better football player” Polos – “To win any match” Buzbee – “To help the team make it to states” Landis – “To really help the team and become a team player” Delameter – “To improve my time” In what ways have you changed your attitude as you have progressed from middle school sports to high school varsity? Schroeder – “I must work harder” Petkov – “I need a better work ethic and need to manage my time better” Polos – “I need to work harder to keep in shape and practice more on the movements” Buzbee – “I will work harder.” Landis – “I must work harder and better manage my time.”
New and Improved Cross Country Grace Chong
As usual, HPHS is buzzing with excitement over its fall sports – soccer, girls tennis, football, and cheerleading have all received their due support. However, our Cross Country team is the most excited of all because... the girls’ team is back! Last year, there were only two girls in the XC team, so the girls were technically disqualified from every meet, even though one might get first place. But now, with a full girls’ team, everyone’s run will be counted. As the girls’ team grew, so did the boys’. There are many hopes for the XC team this fall. The Chant sisters – Becca and Emma - Hannah Burke, Camryn Kozacheck, Rona Etes, Renee Delamater, Megan Hoffman, and Adriana Diaz make us the new, full girls team. Meanwhile, Maverick Lin, Dan Siegal, David Issacson, Owen Fessant-Eaton, Zach Tinawi, Mikey Hoffman, Adam Leslie, Andrew Carnegie-Blackman, Joon Ko, and Yang Xu
are running on the boys’ side. They all have their goals set for this fall. Hannah Burke, freshman, David Isaacson, sophomore, and Dan Siegel, senior, all stressed their goal of breaking their personal records (20 minutes for David and Dan). Camryn Kozachek, freshman, said, “My goal is not to get last place.” Said Becca Chant , sophomore, “I’m hoping that I can get into the Meet of Champions and hopefully beat Owen. Also, I hope to improve my time, because Cross Country is all about improving yourself and going beyond.” Owen Fessant-Eaton responded, “I’m hoping to break 20 at the meets and always beat Becca.” When asked about the renewed girls’ team, Becca and Hannah both replied enthusiastically, “I’m so excited because there are so much more people in our XC team. Also, I’m so happy that our placings will count for the meets.” With more people on the team, our Cross Country team is only getting stronger! Good luck to Cross Country this fall!
Above, Elizabeth Landis fends off a Dunellen defender. Below, the Girls Tennis Team: Nicolette Polos, back row, farthest to the right, plays Varsity second doubles with Mary Yan, junior, pictured bottom row, second from the right.
Left, freshman Renee Delamater and sophomore Becca Chant; right, senior Dan Siegel during their last meet in South River.
THE HIGHLAND FLING, OCTOBER 2012
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SPORTS Name: Ashley Lozada Grade: 12 Sport: Soccer
Player Profiles
Zoe Temple and Annie McCrone
Ashley Lozada is the starting goalie of the varsity girls’ soccer team. She made Varsity as a freshman, was out her sophomore year with a torn ACL, and came back for a stunning junior year season. As of October 2nd, Ashley already had three shut-outs (that means that she did not allow the other team to score in three different games) and has led the Lady Owls to their 7-1 record (as of October 2nd). Thanks to improvements made by sophomore keeper Kiara Weinstein, Ashley has been able to leave the goal for a half of every game (if the Owls are winning) and play forward. During her time at forward, she has already scored two goals. We interviewed Ashley after one of her games.
HF: Is it hard to balance soccer and schoolwork? AL: Sometimes, especially if you’re taking honors and AP, but you learn to manage it and some teachers give you some slack. HF: How does soccer impact your life? AL: It taught me good sportsmanship and to keep my head up when I’m down. It gives you a lot of confidence, especially when you win. It gives you a sense of pride – and it’s fun.
The Highland Fling (HF): When did you start playing soccer? Ashley Lozada (AL): Eighth grade.
HF: What do you like about being a part of a team? AL: You make a lot of friends and hang out with people that you have a lot in common with and it teaches you how to work with others.
HF: Why do you like it? AL: Because it’s fun, a great way to stay in shape, and is unlike any other sport.
HF: What has been your proudest moment in soccer? AL: Saving a really important goal, a goal that can cost a game.
HF: What’s your favorite thing about it? AL: I like it because it’s an adrenaline rush and it unites everyone; the team is like a family.
HF: How does it feel to have three shut-outs already this season? AL: Great because it tells people that I’m a really good goalkeeper.
HF: Why do you play goalkeeper? AL: It’s the best position because it’s the only one where you can use your hands. As goalie, I can see the whole field and a lot of things that other people can’t. You have to be really tough to do it. Also, you can be loud and obnoxious and not get in trouble.
HF: Do you want to continue soccer after high school? College? Pro? Or just in your life generally? AL: I’m planning on doing it in college, and maybe a club team after college.
The Highland Fling Editors
Chief: Charlotte Finegold Online: Xuewei Ouyang News: Oscar Lee Feature: Amy Wang Opinion: Maddie Hehir Sports: Sylvia Marks A&E: Elena Weissmann Layout: Stefana Voicu Advisor Brett Roche Photographers Maggie Dominick, Zoe Temple, Jacob Choi, Aedan Bell, Tia Wangli, Amita Shukla
Staff
Writers Sarah Cheng, Belle Gabel, Boning Zhao, Olivia Draper, Simone Kusnecov, Grace Chong, Gregory Burdea, Sam Trub, Andrea Boffice, Jana Choi, Shana Oshinskie, Avantika Yellapantala, Jake Callahan, Maverick Lin, Zoe Temple, Annie McCrone
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Contact thehighlandfling@gmail.com Write, draw, and take pictures for The Highland Fling! Come to our next meeting!
OCTOBER 2012, THE HIGHLAND FLING