February 2015 by The Highland Fling

FEBRUARY 2015

THE

HIGHLAND

VOLUME LXIV, ISSUE 4

FLING LII Am I Fat? Annie McCrone

“Look, mum. All you’ve got to do is eat less and take a bit of exercise.” “Sweetie, if it was that easy, everyone would be doing it.” These lines from the BBC series Absolutely Fabulous comically captures the essence of what it takes to be healthy. Today, however, we worry about looking thin. We worry about our body mass indexes (BMI) and our body fat and our calorie intake. Whatever happened to just staying active and eating right? Do we need all of these new measurements? There are several truths about weight in our country that surprisingly exist all at once. On the one hand, about a third of school-children and adolescents are obese. On the other hand, anorexia is the third most common chronic illness among young adults. We have a problem on both sides of the weight spectrum. What does it even mean to be healthy? In the dictionary, healthy is synonymous with fit, which isn’t much easier to define. However, The Fling learned a lot about the flaws in the way fitness, health, and obesity are measured from sound bites from doctors, New York Times articles, blogs, and health websites.

INSIDE

First, let’s get familiar with body mass index (BMI). This method of dividing one’s weight in kilograms by the square of one’s height in meters was originally developed in the 1800s by Adolphe Quetelet. In recent years, it’s been the talk of the town—the new way to measure health. The trouble is, this measurement doesn’t distinguish between fat and lean tissue. This means that it is possible to feel and look fatter even as your weight stays the same because fat takes up four times as much space as muscle tissue.

It also means that it’s not a good indication of obesity. The classic example is this: Take a 25-year-old man who is 6’ 5” and 280 pounds. Is he obese? Well, if he was your average person, the answer would be yes. But if he were an athlete? Say, a linebacker for a professional football team? He would be all muscle, and not obese. Here’s a line from a New York Times article that all athletes love to hear, “thinness is not necessarily healthy.” In fact, sometimes those with a lower BMI suffer from malnutrition, cancer, or anorexia. Sophie Gillerman ’15, an athlete, said she knows she’s fit, “I am no size 2; but if you compare leg muscle, I have something on you.” There are studies that suggest a better way to measure health and fitness is by the percentage of body fat a person has. To be in the ideal range, according to one chart, 18-year-old men should have about 10% body fat, and 18-year-old women, about 20%. As a general rule, men whose body fat is over 25% and women whose body fatbis over 35% are obese. Let’s go back to basics. Doctors say that the best way to stay in shape is to exercise. More importantly, while aerobic exercises are great—like running or dancing—it’s even more vital that you do weight training in order to build and maintain muscle. Kiara Weinstein ’15 said that while working out is important, there are fourteen and fifteen year olds “lifting weights when their bodies haven’t fully developed, and it’s not healthy.” Then there’s an obsession with calorie intake. People have this idea that fewer calories equals less fat. What’s important, however, is that it’s the kind, not the amount, of calories that affect your health. For example, chips and chocolate have calories that are not useful to the body because

they are processed too quickly. That’s why protein, like meat, is better for you. Your body can break down those calories to be used and stored. The same principle applies to carbohydrates. The dreaded “carbs” are actually very important to your body and brain, which rely on a constant supply of glucose (which comes from carbohydrates in fruits and vegetables) to function. It’s difficult to gauge the student body of Highland Park High School in terms of body image and health and fitness, because the topic can get very personal. However, it does appear that a number of students are embracing health and different body types. Sophie Gillerman commented that someone’s weight is not an indicator of their fitness level, and you can’t judge someone’s health at a glance. In some ways, it’s easier for the athletes to acknowledge different body types because they see so many fit and healthy people - like their teammates - who all look different, but are all healthy. The truth is that everybody’s body is different, and what is true for one person may not be true for another. That’s why while there are many methods of determining health and fitness on a large scale, they are essentially useless to the individual. These measurements and health fads attempt to help the individual through methods that are designed to target millions, and that can be dangerous. How many times have you picked up a magazine, a newspaper, or turned on the television to see that some company has claimed to know the secret to a fit and healthy body that is so simple anyone can do it? As it turns out, there’s an easy answer. Eat right and exercise often. You’ll be fine.

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news CHARLIE HEBDO Exchange Student in Paris

Brush Is Mightier than Sword

Becca Chant

Dawn Park

n January 7th, 2015, two gunmen entered the building of French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. The gunmen, later identified as brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi, who were members of an Al Qaeda branch in Yemen, opened fire at the headquarters of Charlie Hebdo killing 11 people and injuring 11 more. The brothers escaped the building, shot another policewoman and fled Paris, initiating the two-day long manhunt across France. The newspaper had previously published critical cartoons of the prophet Muhammad, which landed them on Al Qaeda’s hit list. The gunmen were eventually killed in a standoff with the police. Two days later, a hostage situation occurred at a kosher market in Paris involving an associate of the Kouachi brothers. Amedy Coulibaly, a pledged member of ISIL, killed 4 people upon entering the market. He died from a gunshot wound later that day. Sylvia Marks, HPHS class of 2013, is spending her sophomore spring semester abroad in Paris. She arrived on January 9th, just days after the initial attack and during the hostage situations. The Fling interviewed Sylvia to discuss the current environment in Paris.

mothers (host and American) not to go alone, so I used the opportunity to see Paris’ most famous sites since it was my first time in the city; it was easy, since the metro was completely free the day of the demonstration. Has increased security made travel difficult around the city? The increased security hasn’t really made travel around the city more difficult, but there are a lot of soldiers walking around places with a lot of people like the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame. I felt a little anxious being around the soldiers holding their semi-automatics at the ready, so I’m sure others (tourists and residents alike) feel the tension as well. Are people still anxious/scared of more attacks or are they just relieved the police caught the gunmen? If people are still anxious, how long do you think it will be or what will have to change? To me, the French have shown more strength than fear. I think it says something when a million people come together for a demonstration for victims. People also continue to ride the metro and go about their lives, which, to me, says that they’re not willing to sacrifice anything for fear of terrorism.

In the few days before you flew to Paris (after the attacks) did you or were you advised to take any extra precautions in your travels?

hen it comes to French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, the saying “the pen is mightier than the sword” certainly applies; only this time, the pen is a brush, and is supported by many other drawing implements. Together, these implements areso mighty that a multitude of offended swords barged in with murderous intentions. On January 7th 2015, ten workers and two policemen were killed by two terrorists who stormed into the magazine’s headquarters in Paris. During the attack, the gunmen shouted “Allahu akbar,” which translates to “God is great” in Arabic. The combatants were infuriated by an offensive cartoon the magazine had published which ridiculed the prophet Muhammad. The attack has been called a “terrorist attack of the most extreme barbarity” by French President Francois Hollande. Despite the massacre, Charlie Hebdo continues to publish work and is more successful than ever. In the aftermath, debates over the right of freedom of speech ignited. Some argued that one does not have the right to repeatedly say something that can offend others. Others suggested that any censorship of provocative speech goes against the complete idea of such freedom.

These supporters have started to use the phrase, “Je suis Charlie,” (French for “I am Charlie”) as a symbol of free speech. The phrase has been viewed as a rallying cry for resistance of armed threats and as a proclamation of the freedom of self-expression. A single cartoon started a phenomenon that has sparked international violence and heated debate. The pens of the magazine have dealt enormous damage throughout the country. The new editor in chief of Charlie Hedbo, Gerald Biard, explained that the main purpose of the magazine is actually to defend the freedom of religion. In an interview for NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Biard stated: “Every time that we draw a cartoon of Muhammad, every time we draw a cartoon of a prophet, every time that we draw a cartoon of God, we defend the freedom of religion.” During the interview, Biard pointed out that the publication satirizes religion not for its sanctimonious teachings, but for its politicization. “Because once religion injects itself into the political debate, the political debate becomes totalitarian.” But if that is the case, did the magazine truly succeed in sustaining peace if it triggered terrorism?

No, not really - besides my mother laying into me about obvious things and informing me that she would “probably not be visiting” me later in the semester (she will, don’t worry)! I received some emails from the American embassy, my program, and my school that warned me to be vigilant. And I was specifically warned not to argue with the Air France airport employees if they wanted to make me pay for a bag that was a pound over the limit out of courtesy for the situation. Did you notice anything different about airport security in your travels to Paris? I did not notice airport security being any tighter than usual, though I flew out on the day during which the hostage situations were occurring. Though I did get a stern talking to by one of the TSA workers for having a Chapstick in my pocket… she was probably more stern than was necessary, and she made a big show of opening it, sniffing it, and handing it to another worker to do the same thing. Besides that, videos of the attack and constant updates were all that were being shown on the screen in the waiting rooms. Have you encountered any protesters in the streets of Paris so far? I did encounter huge hordes of people on the metro on Sunday, the day of the demonstration. I was warned by both THE HIGHLAND FLING, FEBRUARY 2015

“Je Suis Charlie” In consideration of the recent events in France, Gabrielle Rosenthal ‘16 showed her solidarity with the Charlie Hebdo victims and took part in the “Je Suis Charlie” movement in support of free speech and creativity.

news

Board of Education Update Michelle Fan

tudents, prepare to say goodbye to the district website you all know and love. Or actually don’t love, as evidenced by the recent Board of Ed meeting on January 20th, 2015. Student Representatives Annie McCrone ‘15 and Vivek Puduri ‘15 presented a long list of complaints about the district site, and numbers to match. Using results from the surveys that over 300 students took in the past year, the two seniors illustrated the most critical parts of our district site and how to improve them.

If it’s ever taken far too long for you to find what you’re looking for on the district site, don’t worry; you’re not alone. More than 1/4 of those who use the site struggle to find what they need, according to the student survey. Why is this so problematic? 80% of students use the website at least once a week, and a third of that percentage uses it every single day. The inconvenient and difficult information retrieval reflects itself in missing assignments, confused and disoriented students, and miscommunications between teacher and student. (“What do you mean you didn’t do the summer assignment?” “I couldn’t find it!”)

So how will the district fix this? “The tech department has made plans to work with a vendor that will power the new website,” explained Puduri. This vendor will be able to incorporate the suggestions made by the students into the new site. The goal is to create an organized, user-friendly website that cleanly presents student resources right on the main page. Students hope to see the district calendar expanded to include sports games, concerts, and club events. One anonymous student explained specifically what they wanted to see: “Improve the design and make the design more unified across the district schools. It can have a more organized file access. Unify text boxes and eliminate overlap in the info.” They even suggested a FAQ page for parents to reference if confused about delayed openings, schedule changes, and other dates. “As student reps we can only advise the board,” McCrone added, “but hopefully we’ll be seeing this update soon.”

Visual Breakdown Student Congress polled the Highland Park Student body, asking the question “Are you able to easily find what you need from the district website?” A measly 25% answered in the affirmative.

Park Grant News G

et ready for some exciting new projects around town! The Park Partners Grant, established last year, gives programs and projects of different categories the opportunity to receive up to $2,000. The winning projects, chosen by residents in early January, cover a wide variety of topics, including arts, environment, health and wellness, safety, and culture and diversity. Jamie Atschinow ’16 is one of the winners of these grants. Her family started the project “Cutting Out Hunger” in June of 2013. Last year, “Cutting Out Hunger received the Park Partners grant kickstarting the program, which uses coupons to buy food in bulk for less money, allowing them to make large donations to the Highland Park food pantry. As for the impact of this year’s grant”, Atschinow says, “It’s mostly for sustaining the project, but we’re trying to think of some new ideas that we might be able to do with it.” Winning the environmental category is HPHS’s environmental club, lead by Sarah Leibau and Hailey Conrad ‘16. The project, called “HP Enrich”, breaks down into two parts. First, “HP Enrich” will be screening three documentaries at the Public Library: “Trashed” “Blue Gold World Water Wars”’, about the privatization of water, and “Blackfish”, about the mistreatment of marine life at sea parks. These screenings will take place throughout the month of April. The second part of the program involves inviting Mark Dixon, the creator of the documentary “Yert” to Highland Park High School. He will be screening his movie and participating in a discussion with students which will take place in June. Leibau believes that this project is an important educational opportunity for students. “‘Yert” is a really inspiring documentary that focuses on the good in today’s climate effort… Students are aware of the bad that

Gabrielle Rosenthal goes on… but they don’t know any of the good. They think that the only thing an individual can do is recycle, and that is simply not the case.” Highland Park High School’s Orchestra is another recipient of a grant in the arts category. The money will be used to fund the club’s trip to National School Orchestra Championships at Lincoln Center in early March, making the trip less expensive so more students can attend. The orchestra will be performing an original song composed for them. Any extra money will be used for other community performances. In addition to the recipients within the school, the grants will be funding other exciting projects in the community. “Community Library for Touchstone Discussion Project Groups” was chosen for the Culture & Diversity category, and will involve discussions about culture and race through touchstone groups. The community center called “The Cave” also won a grant. This will allow them to equip their “Family Den” with tumbling mats and materials to allow kids to play more safely. The Park Partner grants are a great way for Highland Park to start interesting programs and projects, such as last year’s “Rethink HP”, which brought speakers and panels to the school to incite discussions. 2015 is sure to be filled with interesting new opportunities to look out for! Youth Initiative (Fromt top to bottom) Highland Park High School’s Orchestra, lead by Mrs. Hsin-Ting Feng, shows off their string skills; sisters Jamie and Kate Atschinow address hunger in their community with coupons; Sarah Libeau and Carolyn Hart push forward the Enivionrmental club’s agenda to raise awareness about sustainable living.

FEBRUARY 2015, THE HIGHLAND FLING

opinion SHUKLA SHARES

CHANT RANT

Across the Void

A Match to Be Made

Amita Shukla was ready for a break in the cold, gray allowing you to send Snapchats to 50 monotony of winter—I just didn’t ex- random people around the world, an unpect that it to walk up in orange exer- precedentedly tension-free way to reach cise shorts. out. The chat service Omegle has been doing the same with instant-messaging That is, I ran into a true character at for years. Dunkin Donuts. I was tempted to take a picture of her and get a quote for the If a stranger at a donut shop really intermittently updated Humans of High- thought it was worth discussing her land Park (for those who don’t know, it well-reasoned, clearly thought out, and is a play on Humans of New York, which amicably shared political views and adhighlights interesting or idiosyncratic in- vice with the next generation, then was dividuals). She was wearing one of the that really such a bad way to do it? It’s most meteorologically incongruous out- unlikely that anyone would have givfits I’ve ever seen (bright orange exercise en her a good segue into her topic of shorts and a wide-collared fur coat) and, choice; most people in public places shy soon enough, began a conversation akin away from unnecessary interaction with to performance art. In her ensuing mono- strangers. logue, she talked at length about how her generation is stifling my generation with But those types of discussions are worth its bias and superiority complex. having, if hard to start—we can’t all talk about the weather forever. The New The sentence “In this time of disagree- York Times recently ran a column about ment over something as seemingly the work of psychologist Arthur Aron, straightforward as birth control, we who is becoming infamous should all get metaphorical condoms on the Internet for his against the Republican-Democratic postulate claiming that clash” was said. Much of her reasoning asking a set of 36 was well-argued, supported by examples prewritten, infrom political scientists and literature (I creasingly probquestions later fact-checked some of these; they ing were correct). She quoted Machiavelli is enough to verbatim and attributed correctly (“Pol- make people fall itics have no relation to morals”). She in love. It works under knew the date of the government shut- the assumption that most people are willing to fall in down (Oct. 1, 2013). love, and that if you are willing to ask The other people at my table left, or the questions, you are likely to get a stopping listening. That made me won- successful response. der— to what extent are we obligated to listen to other people, once they make Which brings us back to “dmcs”: if most people a r e the effort of reaching out? To what willing to have meanextent are we obligated to be the ingful conversations, ones reaching out? if you ask for them and are likely to get And more importantly, how them, does that cancel does one reach out? I’ve out the “weird factor”? been hearing the Can you engineer social phrase “dmc” more interactions to mean and more lately more, and have it be (deep meaningful less scary to reach conversation). Interacross the void? Can estingly, increasingwe carry over our sucly common also seems cess in doing so from the to be “Let’s have a dmc,” online realm to the real an explicit invitation to a world? And how about in our soul-searching. It seems everyday interactions— not improbable that anything just with the loves of our meaningful would be lives, but also with ranable to be that engidom people, in random neered— except applaces, who are willing parently it works. to share a little bit of The app “Fling” has themselves? recently been on the rise as well,

Becca Chant

editorial board editor-in-chief managing editor layout editor news opinion feature arts sports

Jana Choi Sarah Cheng Jisu Jeong Rebecca Chant Amita Shukla Shana Oshinskie Tia Wangli Annie McCrone

advisor

Brett Roche

ith Valentine’s Day approaching, the six million Americans who plan proposals for their partners on February 14th prepare themselves for “the worst possible scenario”—rejection. Likewise, high school seniors who have spent the majority of the first semester writing “proposals” to the schools of their dreams prepare themselves for that devastatingly thin letter of apologies. They are all just playing in the manipulated college application game, led on by teases hyped-up by the ultimate judge—US News Colleges Rankings. The US News R a n k i n g s mainly focus on what US News desires most in a school, no surprise there. This includes faculty resources, financial aid, and graduation rate—all worthy aspects. However, the rankings are heavily flawed as well. Easily exploitable factors are included in the algorithm. A quarter of the schools’ oversimplified score is essentially made up. US News asks each school’s top three administrators to rank peer institutions, meaning similar colleges, on a scale of 1 to 5 or “I don’t know”. Not only is it ridiculous to rank any school in a less-specific manner than the judges rate dishes on Food Network’s “Chopped,” but there are hundreds of schools administrators must rank. This makes it impossible for administrators to be familiar enough with each of these schools to have an idea on how to rank an institution. US News ranks Princeton and Williams as two of the top colleges in the country (and not to bash on any Princeton or Williams bound students, you are all

wonderful people), but these schools, along with the next 20 or so that follow, are very well-known universities and would fare well in the “peer review” category purely on name recognition. If anything, this reflects a

school’s ability to maintain a certain public image, which is not something colleges should really be focusing on. Overall, the rankings favor private institutions, yet 75% of college graduates come from public schools. They give high school students, teachers, and the general population a false impression of what values to look for in a school, and put a simple number on a very complex topic. So this brings me back to my initial topic—Valentine’s Day. Just like couples, high school students and colleges are just looking for a good match. And I apologize for this sappy romantic cliché, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. One of Highland Park’s previous guidance counselors, Jodi Longo, once told parents that “college is a match to be made, not a race to be won.” College rankings distract students from searching for what they value in a school. To the next batch of seniors drafting their proposals and vows in fall of 2015—pay close attention to the school you fell in love with. Every school is looking for something different and rejection from one only means there is a better match out there, waiting for your application.

writers, illustrators, & photographers Gab Rosenthal, Camryn Kozachek, Michelle Fan, Sendy Lin, Jake Callahan, Maverick Lin, Jamie Atschinow, Adelina Branescu, Olivia Estes, Dawn Park, Olivia Bridges, Eli Copperman, Elisha Eanes, William Chen, Amiri Tulloch, Warren Yee, Julia Brennan

the official newspaper of highland park high school highland park, new jersey 08904 . thehighlandfling@gmail.com . issuu.com/thehighlandfling . facebook.com/hpfling THE HIGHLAND FLING, FEBRUARY 2015

feature Highland Park Student Abroad: Danielle in Drohn, Deutschland Danielle Benesch

WORLD TRAVELER (from left, clockwise) Danielle at the Bastei Bridge, bike riding 70km along the Elbe River, a landscape view of the Bastei Bridge, an inside wall at Gymnasium der stadt Rahden (Danielle’s school).

Special thanks to our guest writer, Danielle Benesch ’16 for participating in our Student Abroad Spotlight initiative. There are a number of Highland Park High School students currently pursuing a semester abroad, and we hope to hear from each of them in coming issues.

or those of you who don’t know, I would have been a junior at HPHS this year if I hadn’t applied to study abroad in Germany for eleven months. That may sound like a serious commitment, and it is, but it isn’t necessarily as scary as many would think. I still have many months to go but that doesn’t scare me at all; it’s actually a really comforting thought. I would have been really upset if I had to leave after first semester. I haven’t experienced homesickness yet, and I honestly don’t know if I will before I’m back in New Jersey. But this isn’t unanimous among all exchange students. I know of many people that are struggling through this experience, some that are contemplating going home early, and three that have done so already. I knew that I had been away from home for a significant amount of time before without any problems, but I still didn’t know exactly what to expect. In the orientation before I was sent to my host family, I was asked to draw a mood chart of my anticipated feelings over the next year. I drew a very complex roller coaster, and according to my chart, I’m due to have experienced some serious downs by now, but I haven’t. I think a huge part of this is because I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by so many wonderful and supportive people here, especially my host family. Not only do I get to experience another country’s way of life, but another family’s way of life, and I love the way they live. I don’t think I am capable of fully expressing the fabulousness of my host family, but let me try to give you an idea. They accept, if not appreciate, each other’s quirks and always support each other. There’s so much positivity in this house; not a day goes by without at least some singing and/or dancing. We always have really interesting discussions, whether at mealtimes or random congregations at the foot of the stairs. I have so much love and respect for the way they live. They strive to live according to their values by being conscious consumers of food and other products. I have already learned a lot from them, and I think I will continue to. Throughout the process, I’ve avoided quite a bit of culture shock. This was possibly because I had researched Germany’s culture (which is not too different from ours) before arriving. One aspect I read about was sex, which isn’t as taboo of a topic as it is in America. In Germany, it is gen-

erally seen as normal for couples to sleep over, even under their parents’ roof. In fact, my host sister’s boyfriend has been living with the family since my host sister was in her last year of secondary school, after they had been together over the internet for a couple years. I’m happy to have him here as my host brother, and he’s happy to have someone else in the house that’s worse at German than he is. Another difference is the school system. There are three different types of secondary schools in Germany that are based on students’ performance in elementary school, called the Hauptschule, Realschule, and Gymnasium. Sometimes they are all combined into a Gesamtschule, more similar to an American high school. I attend a Gymnasium, where those who graduate get their Abitur, the key to getting into a German university (which is free to attend). I can’t fully explain the implications of separating students by skill at 11 (although they can always switch schools, even after graduation), but I can tell you that it’s nice to go to a school where other students have similar goals. After age 16, students are seen more as adults than children. In Gymnasium, students begin the Oberstufen, and teachers respectfully address students with the formal “Sie” form of “you.” Students are also expected to take more of their learning into their own hands; I have yet to witness a teacher actually check the homework. In the 10th year, students also begin fundraising for their Abi-ball, the German equivalent of prom, with parties in large dance halls complete with bouncers, photographers, and a DJ. These events are advertised on social media and in school with professionally printed posters, even though they aren’t run by the school and are open to the public. During the last two years of Gymnasium, grades begin to count towards students’ Abitur. Students choose two subjects that they are most interested in, which range from Art to Physical Education to Physics, and spend more time in these Leistungskurs classes. Excluding Leistungskurse, most classes are 45 minutes long on one day of the week and 90 minutes on another. This is another aspect of German schools that I like; I find it easier to remember what to bring for my classes when the schedule is based on the days of the week rather than a numerical system. I can have up to 7 classes a day, but if I have free periods at the end of the day I am allowed to leave earlier. If I didn’t

take the bus to school, I would also be able to come in later when I begin my day with free periods. There are also half hour breaks after 90-minute blocks. Students can spend free time in between classes however they like, as long as they manage to make it back in time for the next class. Despite the language barrier, I find it much easier to focus here with these breaks. That might also be because I find my classes really interesting here, particularly philosophy, world studies, sociology, and theater. In addition to the breaks during school, there are also 2 week fall, winter, and spring breaks, in between exams. Exams are only 4 times per year and are not necessarily in all subjects; there are no yearly standardized tests. Teachers can choose to give additional tests, but most do not. For the most part, American schools are seen as very strict here. Neither teachers nor students are required to follow a dress code. The doors are unlocked and do not have alarms. One of my teachers studied abroad in the US and found the idea of a “bathroom pass” amusing. Another one of my teachers here speculates that the difference may be in that America has generally militaristic values, and Germany “isn’t allowed to be militaristic anymore.” Even though there is nobody at the doors in my school regulating who comes in and out, and there aren’t strict attendance rules (e.g. no such thing as detention in Gymnasium) people are still motivated to come and learn. When my English teacher was out of school on paternity leave, we didn’t have class for a month on Mondays. I thought my classmates would be happy to have 4 extra free periods. Instead, they were upset that they missed 4 periods of learning Germans also learn English at an amazingly high level. German media is filled with English words, most people listen to American music, and many even watch movies and read books in English. I’ve actually learned things in my English class here. I didn’t realize how important English was before I came here. I cannot recall a time in my life where I’ve been happier than now. It’s been an amazing half year in Germany, and there’s just so much to say about it. If any of you want to know more the application process, feel free to contact me. It would be my pleasure to help share this experience with as many people as possible. FEBRUARY 2015, THE HIGHLAND FLING

feature

Valentine’s Day: Bliss or Miss? Adelina Branescu & Olivia Estes

What advice do you have for love-sick high schoolers who’ve got that special someone in mind?

olate and flowers on Valentine’s Day, even though he knew that I didn’t like either of those things. Flowers, I think, are a waste of time because they die easily. Also, when you sniff them, you are putting your nose in the reproductive organ of a plant. MM: I feel so bad... but this one time, in college, my roommate got expensive roses for Valentine’s Day and had them in front of the heater. When I came back to the room, because I’m always cold, I put the heater on full blast. By the end of the day, the roses were dead. Do you think that Valentine’s Day is more of a commercial holiday, like a marketing strategy, or is it really about love?

Keisha Stephen (KS): It’s not about how big a gift is or how outlandish your gesture is. It’s about how much you show it--what you do versus what you say. Money comes and goes, but feelings stay. Michele Maher (MS): If you don’t know what to say to someone, show them you care by getting them a card! If you can’t say it yourself, then buy someone else’s words. What’s your opinion on Valentine’s Day? KS: Money grabbing and business! Valentine’s Day was set up because Hallmark wanted to make money. MM: I like it! I think that it’s necessary to keep relationships fresh and new. You have to show someone you care--we fall into a pattern of just assuming we love and care for one another.

KS: HALLMARK HOLIDAY! I mean, it really is nice to have a special day where you look up to your loved ones, and some people actually need a reminder that they need to say “I love you.” It’s important for people to go out at least once a year and have a special date. But, I think that each person should choose their special day and not be forced into a specific day that Hallmark made for us. I don’t think there is much historical meaning behind it. MM: Honestly, I think both. I’ve kept every single card that my husband has ever given me. He would sometimes, when we were dating, leave them on my windshield when I came out of work.

What’s the weirdest experience you’ve ever had on Valentines Day? KS: This isn’t weird, per say, but I always think to myself, why were roses $20 last month and now $80? Personally, a weird experience, was when this guy came to my door in college with choc-

Valentine’s Day is a Christian holiday that was originally made to remember the Saint Valentinus (there were actually three). The holiday’s common association with love was not solidified until the Middle Ages.

Love Around the World Camryn Kozachek & Gabrielle Rosenthal

very year, couples, friends, and families in the United States swap over 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards. However, there are several countries around the globe where exchanging cards is far from the norm. Citizens in these countries engage in longstanding traditions that encompass everything from lovespoons to a “love bus” for singles.

who lived in Wales, witnessed this tradition firsthand, and said, “People don’t really give each other lovespoons anymore - at least kids don’t. It’s more of a housewarming gift, for adults to give to other adults. Not so much romantic love, it’s more family love.”

France France leaves a lot about love up to chance. A longtime tradition is the “loterie d’amour,” or “drawing for love.” This strange custom involves singles entering a house opposite theirs, and pairing off with whomever they meet there. The men can leave their match if they are dissatisfied, though, and find another girl. Women then create a huge bonfire, burning pictures of the men who had rejected them. These bonfires became so uncontrollable, with cursing and swearing about opposite gender, that the French government was forced to ban them.

In China, Valentine’s Day is not traditionally observed on the 14th of February. Instead, people celebrate with a festival that falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the Chinese calendar. Accompanying the festival is an old legend; it recounts the forbidden love between a weaver and a cowherd. Sissi Chen ’16, a native citizen of China, said, “They fell in love, they get married... and they have two little kids, a boy and a girl. Someone separated them, and they can only meet once a year, so there are some birds making a bridge so they can meet each other for only one day.” The festival occurs on the one day the myth says the lovers can be together.

Wales

Estonia

In Wales there is a tradition of giving your loved ones intricately carved spoons, or lovespoons, on Valentine’s Day. Beginning in the 17th century, men would carve spoons with intricate handles to demonstrate their woodworking skills. Symbols are incorporated into the designs with meanings related to love and family. Today, although still given on Valentine’s Day, the spoons are less about romantic love than family love, and can be passed down through the generations. Becca Chant ‘15,

In Estonia, Valentine’s Day has a different focus. Instead of focusing on romance, Estonians honor friendship by celebrating “Sõbrapäev,” or “Friend’s Day,” where they give presents and celebrate with friends and family. However, there is still some emphasis on romantic love. Singles can ride a “love bus” with others in order to find a partner.

THE HIGHLAND FLING, FEBRUARY 2015

China

Lunar New Year Trivia Tia Wangli While the rest of the world rings in the new year on January 1st, various countries in Asia do not begin festivities until February 19th in a celebration called Lunar New Year. While Lunar New Year, often referred to as Chinese New Year, involves copious amounts of food, festivities, and family interaction like traditional New Year’s Eve, its methods of celebrating could scarcely be more different. How many of these Lunar New Year customs and traditions can you correctly identify?

True or False? 1. Before the holiday, all homes must be cleaned so bad luck from the previous year will be “swept” away to welcome the good luck of the New Year. 2. Lunar New Year festivities last for 15 days. 3. The number 4 is thought to be lucky in Chinese and red envelope money is often gifted in multiples of 4. 4. Chinese New Year originates from a traditional practice meant to scare away a mythical monster called the Nian, which would each crops, animals, and children. 5. Watches are popular gifts as they symbolize longevity. 6. Private usage of firecrackers has been banned in many countries due to safety issues, such as the loss of body parts and severe burns; however, many countries lighten or overlook the ban during New Year celebrations. 7. Greeting others in bedrooms is considered unlucky, thus all family members must gather in the living room during Chinese New Year. 8. Fish and dumplings are popular dishes at this time as they symbolize wealth and prosperity. 9. Washing hair during the first three days of the new year is a taboo as hair is a homonym for luck and doing so will wash away luck for the new year. 10. Getting a haircut near Lunar New Year, however, is encouraged to remove bad luck from previous years.

1. T 2. T 3. F 4. T 5. F 6. T 7. T 8. T 9. T 10. F

alentine’s Day: A day for people in love, florists, and those who just simply enjoy eating chocolate. Though it began as a religious feast, it slowly evolved from a holiday for celebrating loved ones to a marketing strategy. The Fling wanted to find out more about this curious holiday. We took to the classrooms of Highland Park High School to interview Mrs. Maher and Mrs. Stephen about what they thought all this was really about.

arts Poppin’ Podcasts Julia Brennan & Shana Oshinskie

ith quiet installments but big ideas, radio is enrapturing the nation for the first time in a century. This sudden surge in popularity is due to smartphone growth, easier access to podcasts with various apps and formats, and an outburst of new subject matter. Many students want to listen to podcasts, but don’t think they have the time. Luckily, there are many opportunities to listen that present themselves in daily life. Tune in to a podcast while doing laundry or the dishes, for example, or while going for a run, getting ready in the morning, or walking to school.

Ms. Marionni spoke to The Fling about the convenience of podcasts, saying, “[They] offer you a way to continue learning in the moments in between. If you’re on a bus ride or train ride or if you are waiting for an appointment, you can always be enriching yourself.” Darcy Thompson ’15 agreed with Ms. Marionni’s sentiment and said he enjoys podcasts “because they are a very simple way to get information and enjoy comedians or intelligent people you like while you are doing something else. It’s good for when you’re doing manual labor or anything like that. It’s better than music because you can actually learn something from it.”

Besides convenience, radio and podcasts appeal to many because of their differences from television and the internet. A number of students, including Hallie Lerner ’17, expressed their appreciation for the imagination that goes along with podcasts. “They let your creativity stream because you don’t have images, like with TV. You get to imagine the images as they go along with the podcast.” Ms. Barca agreed and said that, “Creativity comes with just audio. Specifically with Serial, I found myself creating mental images of the characters.” Beyond convenience, podcasts possess extreme diversity. There are currently over 115,000 podcast episodes broadcasted in the English language, and one billion podcast subscriptions in the iTunes store globally. Podcasts touch on nearly every issue, big and small, facing the world today, while also delving into current philosophical and psychological debates. Not every station, however, takes on serious issues. Countless hosts focus solely on comedic topics, and others conduct celebrity interviews; everyone from Anna Kendrick to Kendrick Lamar to Lamar Odom has been the subject of a podcast at some point in their careers.

Other stations focus on wellness and offer a wide variety of programs to choose from. There are programs for workouts, yoga, dieting, and healthy eating among others. Many of the physical exercise programs give step-by-step instructions for various kinds of workouts, which can vary from short five minute ones to intense hour-long sessions. Healthy living podcasts can range from daily eating tips to providing strict diets for those trying to lead a more healthful lifestyle. Overall, podcasts are a very useful tool for anyone trying to better their health. Despite their diversity in subject matter, podcasts are not consumed by an economically diverse group. Forty percent of podcast listeners have a household income of over $75,000. (To put this into perspective, consider that the median household income in the United States is only $53,000.) Podcasts are also created by a fairly non-diverse group; seventy percent of the most popular podcasts are produced by men. While the causes are not entirely understood, the effect is slightly unsettling. Altogether, while podcasts are not consumed or created by an extremely diverse group, they still offer tremendous benefits. Though they draw off one of the oldest forms of entertainment, podcasts’ fresh format, appealing content, and immense diversity ensures their lasting popularity.

TEACHER’S PICKS Mr. Kruger

Ms. Barca

Ms. Krubski & Mr. Ruck

Señor Esteban

Radiolab | Science Friday

The Jerry Barca Podcast | On Being

Serial

Freakonomics

POPULAR PODCASTS

* Writers’ Favorites

Invisibilia*

This American Life*

Criminal

TED Radio Hour*

WTF with Marc Maron

One of the newest podcasts on the market, Invisibilia seeks to explore how unseen forces affect lives.

An hour long show that tells stories, fictional and nonfictional, on topics from prison to babysitting and everything in between.

This show focuses on “stories of people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle.”

Podcast plus TED. The result? Hour-long themed episodes packed with innovative ideas and entertainment.

Comedian Marc Maron discusses topics both light and heavy with celebrity guests like Anna Kendrick, Mike Myers, and Judy Greer.

Radiolab*

Serial*

Freakonomics*

Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me!

Welcome to Night Vale

Radiolab is an acclaimed blend of science and storytelling. Shows average 45 minutes and range often from touching to fascinating.

This popular program reexamines the 15-year-old murder case of Hae Min Lee, a high school senior in Baltimore, Maryland.

Freakonomics is a half-hour show that explores “the hidden side of everything” from education reform to baby names.

It’s a game show, it’s a news report, it’s… both of those things, combined, for a funny and instructive hour.

Unique in that it focuses on a fictional story, this weekly podcast tells the story of the spooky goings-on in the town of Night Vale.

FEBRUARY 2015, THE HIGHLAND FLING

arts

A Walk to Remember

PLAYLIST

Eli Copperman

Sarah Cheng & Tia Wangli Whether you’re into publicly displaying your love all over the hallways or keeping a low profile, this list goes out to all those happily in love. “My Boo” - Usher and Alicia Keys

“Countdown” - Beyoncé

“How You Get The Girl” - Taylor Swift “Same Love” - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Mary Lambert “Still Into You” - Paramore If you are single and NOT ready to mingle, you’re ironically not alone - listen to these foreign artists sharing your sentiment around the world. “Tous Les Mêmes” - Stromae “Just Be Friends” - Megurine Luka

“Me Río De Ti” - Gloria Trevi “I Don’t Care” - 2NE1 “Reise, Reise” - Rammstein Valentine’s Day is not limited to simply romance-take this opportunity to celebrate the marvelous relationship you share with your friends. “Umbrella” - Rihanna ft. Jay-Z

“Bromance” - Chester See and Ryan Higa

“Big Brother” - Kanye West “For Good” - Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel “Oath” - Cher Lloyd ft. Becky G.

THE HIGHLAND FLING, FEBRUARY 2015

ebruary is Black History Month, a time when people around the world remember black historical figures that fought for their rights. One of the most wellknown is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a man who fought for independence by co-leading the 1965 marches from Selma to Montgomery. In order to honor this historical event, Cloud Eight Films has produced a movie adaptation. So far, the movie has gained huge praise from critics and audiences. Rotten Tomatoes users have given it at a 99% approval rating and summarized it by saying, “Fueled by a gripping performance from David Oyelowo, Selma draws inspiration and dramatic power from the life and death of Martin Luther King, Jr. — but doesn’t ignore how far we remain from the ideals his work embodied.” A key aspect of this movie is its historical accuracy. With a focus on Dr. King’s fight for the rights of blacks, the movie not only covers a wide range of events that occurred in Selma, but it also recreates the moments to look authentic and realistic. Selma depicts events such as the Birmingham church bombing of 1963, the crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and the fate of the activists with a tone of brutality, depression, and hatred, characteristics of Selma in the 1960s. Actor David Oyelowo’s portrayal of Dr. King in the movie is truly phenomenal; Oyelowo’s expressive emotions add depth to his character and embody Dr. King’s determination for civil rights and loyalty to his people. Although the

other characters have considerably less screen time, they still shine in their roles. While there have been some complaints regarding the movie’s portrayal of President Lyndon B. Johnson, for the most part, the characters appear authentic. Despite the fact that Dr. King’s speeches had to be re-written due to copyright issues, they are still amazing. Whenever a speech by King is delivered, its power comes through and the audience is able to glimpse Dr. King’s historical bravery and influence. Additionally, the cinematography by Bradford Young is magnificent; not only does the movie look visually clear in terms of screen quality, but the shots of Selma are also extraordinary, from the town itself, to the Edmund Pettus Bridge, to the houses, and even the White House itself. Paired with actors that closely resemble their historical roles, it is difficult for the audience to believe they are not actually looking back at Selma in the mid-1960s. Overall, Selma is a beautiful representation of the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery. Its harsh and violent tone may make it difficult to watch, but the movie does provide valuable content with its historical accuracy, solid acting, beautiful cinematography, and ability to bring famous figures to life on the big screen. Selma is a transition from history to cinema done correctly.

sports Hall of Champions: Sue Anderson Shana Oshinskie

“

“Well, I would just say that anybody reading this now needs to be aware of how different it was. I graduated in 1966. And as an athlete, there were no sports for girls. There just weren’t.”

ighland Park High School alumna Sue Pitt Anderson ’66 sat down with The Highland Fling to discuss her career as an Olympic swimmer during a time when female athletes were extremely rare.

The gender gap, however, is not the only thing that has changed about Highland Park. In the 50s and 60s, students were separated by area until the seventh grade. Northside students attended Hamilton (now called the Center School); Southside students, the Lafayette School; and the Triangle students, Irving.

Anderson, then known as Sue Pitt, made it to the Olympics twice, in 1964 and 1968. Her prime, however, fell right between the two games. During this time, she held world records and was a national champion. She attended the Olympics as a relay alternate, but doesn’t remember being really nervous. “I was 16,” she said, “it was my first trip overseas, and it was just insanely fun.”

The different sides of town first meshed in the seventh grade, and by that time students firmly believed the reputations that had been silently set. “The Northsidekids were considered like the nerdy, brainy kids. The South Side [were] the party kids. The Triangle [were] the jocks and the greasers,” Anderson explained, “and that was the way it was. So when we all came together in the seventh grade you’re like ‘Uhhh I don’t know about those South Side kids...’”

After the games, Anderson returned to an overly warm Highland Park greeting—a huge assembly. “I mean it was really nice, but you can picture it in the auditorium, right? I was like, ‘Oh my God, make this stop.’”

Despite the differences in school set-up and entertainment, Anderson has noticed a few constants throughout the years. Upon revisiting a few months ago, she noted how similar the school looked, particularly the gym hallway “I mean that… that was like walking into a time capsule cause it looked the same.”

Even after the assembly, though, Sue continued to feel somewhat awkward in school. “I was different. I think that everybody got that... So yeah, I was kind of a freak I guess. The Olympic Freak.”

Beyond the tangible parallels, she remarked on the continuing diversity of the town and school. Highland Park, she said, helps prepare you for the real world, because you learn how to interact with people of all types.

Still, she followed advice she still gives to this day, “Understand that everybody’s a freak. And if you’re really good at something, pursue your passion. Go for it and don’t try and hide it to fit in with everybody else. Your friends are still going to be your friends even if you’re different.” Anderson was different though, not just because she competed at an international level, but because she competed at all. She was decidedly a tomboy, but before the creation of Title IX, a piece of legislation that ensured equal opportunities for all genders in sports teams, there were few outlets for girls’ athletics.

AN OLYMPIAN IN OUR MIDST (Top) Anderson in summer 1965, before senior year, at Highland Park High School. She had just won the national championship (100 m butterfly); (Bottom left) Anderson crowned queen at the 1966 football dance.

She watched as her older brother joined team after team, while she silently observed from the sidelines. Eventually her father noticed that she needed an outlet and turned to a friend for advice. The friend recommended swimming, something girls could “do” at the time. Unfortunately, the closest club with a quality coach was almost 30 miles away in Summit, and the closest Olympic-sized pool was in Wayne, 20 miles further than that. Regardless of the distance, she trained with her coach Frank Elm for 10 ten years, traveling to Summit during the school year and to the Olympic pool in Wayne twice daily during the summer. She led a “double life,” participating in school activities and then doing homework by flashlight en route to swim practices, uncharacteristic for a girl of her generation.

”

Still, not every similarity is as positive. She quietly reflected on the frustrating nature of small towns, “At some times I wished I went to a bigger high school, where you weren’t so pigeonholed into ‘This is who you are’... You couldn’t meet anybody new.” Yet Sue Anderson still reflects positively on her days in Highland Park, noting what a unique and fun community it was to grow up in. Today, she lives in her childhood home, a fact that would have shocked her high school self. “I would have never in a million years thought I’d end up here, especially not in the same house,” she said, “but that was just the way it worked out.”

SENIOR PORTRAIT SMILE (Caption originally sourced from 1966 Albadome yearbook) [nickname] Sue [future job] Teacher [character] Scholar, Athlete, Olympic envoy to Japan, Creative, Seamstress, Well-liked by all, always active [activities] Honor Society; Homeroom Officer; S.A.T. Representative; Future Teachers of America; Foreign Exchange Club; Volleyball Club; Assembly Committee; Girl’s Athletic Club, President; Girls’ Basketball and Field Hockey Teams; Junior Prom Committee, Intramurals; Latin Club; Albadome Editorial Staff

Sue Anderson’s story remains literally close to home but figuratively so as well. Though we, as students, may never make it to the Olympics or even out of New Jersey, we are presented with endless opportunities to do what others say we cannot and to work until we receive the very thing we want the most.

FEBRUARY 2015, THE HIGHLAND FLING

“

sports

Playing for College M

any young athletes dream of taking their skills to the next level. This year, a few seniors have the opportunity to do so. The Fling talked to Sophie Gillerman ’15, Maverick Lin ’15, and Becca Chant ’15, to discuss the next step in their athletic careers: playing for a college Some students, like Sophie, began playing their sport as early as six years old. Becca and Maverick, on the other hand, both began their sports—track and tennis, respectively, in middle school. “I started tennis around 11,” said Maverick, “which is considered a very late age relative to many of the players I have played with.” Why continue at such a competitive level? Becca said, “I really just love track and cross country.” Maverick, on the other hand, thrives in competition, and said, “I love to compete at a high level and push myself to the limit. It just seemed logical to follow that passion and play for a Division I program.” At HPHS, there are a variety of athletes who find pleasure in different aspects of their sport. For example, Maverick

Annie McCrone enjoys the independence of playing singles as a tennis player, while Sophie likes the family-like quality of her soccer teams. Becca has the best of both worlds, as she runs both as an individual and for her team.

All three athletes have met their teammates. To be ready, the students have to prepare. Maverick, for example, practices tennis for hours every day after school. Sophie frequents the gym and will get her summer workout criteria from her coach in the upcoming weeks. The application process was different for everyone. Maverick, for example, was recruited, while Sophie attended multiple ID clinics to get recognition. Becca, simply sent coaches her times and to see if she was in their range.

Maverick will attend Cornell University; Sophie, Drew University; Becca, Oberlin University. How did they pick? For Maverick, the choice was easy. You don’t say no to recruitment from a Division I tennis program at a top college. For Sophie, the quality of the sports program was vital to her college choice. “During the process I really paid close attention to the type of coach I want[ed],” she said. Becca said that it didn’t help if she didn’t like the coach or the athletic department, “but it was always academics first.” And after college? Will you go pro? This was met with a laugh from Sophie and Becca, but Maverick responded seriously, “Any professional sport is certainly not easy, but I definitely want to try to play professionally after college.” Through hard work and dedication, these seniors have the opportunity to pursue an athletic outlet that can positively shape their future. Some students, like Maverick, are recruited for their excellence. Others, like Sophie and Becca, make themselves noticed through ID camps and emails. But regardless of their application process, these three seniors aren’t just students anymore. They’re athletes.

Bulls-Eye

Camryn Kozachek

lthough archery dates back to the Stone Age, most people today primarily associate the sport with the bestselling series The Hunger Games. With help from the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), Highland Park aims to bring it into the gym curriculum. Unlike most gym activities, archery is unique in that people with inherent athletic abilities don’t have a significant advantage. Many students are excited to channel their inner Katniss Everdeen, including Farhan Rozaidi ’16. “It’s a change that I would love, as not only is archery completely different than normal gym activities; it is also a sport not many have a chance to learn, which is exciting.” Since its beginnings in 2002, the NASP has cited its primary goal as student improvement through the promotion of archery. According to the program, the benefits of school archery programs include enhanced focus, improved motor skills and behavior, in addition to augmentation of motivation and self-confidence. Conservation agencies also hope archery will foster a sense of connection with the outdoors in students. The division of Fish and Wildlife of New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) got involved with the program in 2005. Since then, the program has expanded into over 140 New Jersey schools. “This is the really cool part,” says HPHS gym teacher Ms. Schmon, who spearheaded the project, “Archery can be a really expensive program, but the state has actually bought equipment that they will let us borrow, so we get to borrow the equipment for nothing, we get to bring archery into the schools for the price of the teachers going to get trained, and they don’t even charge us for that, so it’s a fantastic opportunity.” Despite the excitement from some over this new program, others have their qualms. Sarah Taylor ’18 believes ensuring student safety may be a long shot. “I think it could be dangerous, definitely, but I think it’s cool, it’s something different, and new, and everyone would have to have the right training.”

Students at HPHS can expect to see this program’s implementation before the end of the school year if everything happens on target. “If not the end of this year, the beginning of next year,” promises Ms. Schmon. THE HIGHLAND FLING, FEBRUARY 2015

GIRL ON FIRE Jess Dresch ’17 demonstrates her archery form while waiting for the bell to ring before 1st period. Can a bull-eye make the time pass any faster?

sports

Highland Park Hoops T

Amiri Tulloch

his offseason, all boys’ and girls’ basketball teams at Highland Park High School moved down a division—from blue to gold—in the Greater Middlesex Conference. The move came after years of difficulty for Highland Park’s basketball teams, which faced very talented schools. The new division, however, has changed the outlook of both boys’ and girls’ teams and has provided Highland Park basketball with more fair opposition. “We wanted to get back to being competitive on a nightly basis,” Washington understandably reasoned. The switch from the blue division to the gold division was a move that lowered the competition level for Highland Park’s basketball teams, but in turn raised the expectations for the teams to produce results. With more equal ground opponent-wise, Coach Washington said, wins are now more tangible goals than ever. “I still think we can win 8 or more games this season on the varsity level,” Washington admitted. “That would be a great improvement and a step in the right direction.” Renewed expectations also create a more confident atmosphere on the teams, one where players can expect and be prepared for opponents with similar skill sets. In the Gold Division, Highland Park basketball now can prepare for opponents on an even slate, instead of constantly concerning themselves with compensating for a lack of skill against better teams. “Last year, in many games, were just mismatched in a lot of areas, so there nothing we could really do,” said forward Matt Ambrosio, ’16. “This year… we are able to match up with our opponents much better.” All in all, the change in divisions represents a move that will give Highland Park’s basketball teams viable and fair competition. In the Gold Division, Highland Park’s new counterparts are much better suited than their old opponents, a change that has given new life to many players and coaches and has led to resurgence on and off the court. Players, both young and old, are reaping the benefits of playing on a fair court every day, a novelty often taken for granted. “I completely agree with the division change,” said the girls’ captain, Carly Aversa ’15, “because it is much better for a team to compete in a division that they deserve to be in, rather than a division they are having extreme difficulty in. I think this move was the best thing for the team. We’re doing great, and building towards the top!” SLAM DUNK (right) The girls’ and boys’ varsity basketball teams win against Piscataway Vo-tech and Timothy Christian respectively. (bottom left) spectators to the girls’ winning game on 1/23 show support for their fellow owls. (bottom right) Rachel Beyer ’15 and Elizabeth Landis ’16 show the court their hops.

FEBRUARY 2015, THE HIGHLAND FLING

sports PLAYER PROFILE

Name: William Jacobs-Perez Grade: Senior Sport: Basketball

Name: Gabriela Sanchez Grade: Freshman Sport: Basketball

Julia Brennan William Jacobs Perez ’15, better known as Willie, is the Boys Varsity Basketball captain. He plays forward/center and so far is averaging 14 points a game! Sadly, this is his last season with Highland Park Basketball. The Fling caught up with him to talk about his aspirations for this season and beyond.

What’s your biggest achievement as a captain?

When did you start playing basketball and why?

How do you train during the basketball off-season?

I don’t completely remember, but I feel like I was eight and it was because I was tall and I was better at [basketball] than soccer.

I usually try to play basketball all year round if I am planning on playing for real. I play with different people, sometimes tournaments or just some pick-up games. No matter what I am doing, I always try to make time for some basketball through the off-season.

What do you enjoy most about playing basketball? Basketball is an extremely rewarding sport. Not only do I stay in shape during the season, but I also form bonds on the team and learn a lot about teamwork. Basketball really has helped me to develop teamwork skills which I will take with me through life. In what area, as a player, have you improved the most? I would say my offensive game, mostly back to the basket stuff. I’ve become a much more consistent scorer and my foul shooting has gotten better. I’m currently averaging fourteen points a game which is a pretty good representation of my improvement as a player.

I would say my biggest achievement is winning a couple games because it validates all the hard work we’ve put in as a team. Also, because it’s a big improvement from where we were at last year.

What are your goals for the team this year? We are already doing better than we were last year since we’ve won two games. So I am hoping to just continue on that progress. I’m really proud of the team for working as hard as they have, so I think that our goals for this year can be far beyond last year’s season. What are your athletic/academic goals and plans for next year? I’m not playing in college. I will probably play intramural, but I’ll do it more as a hobby as opposed to a full-time sport. Academically, I hope to major in political science.

Amiri Tulloch Gabriela (Gabby) Sanchez is a multi-sport athlete, and a freshman at that. She excels at soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter, and track in the spring. The Highland Fling spoke with Gabby about her involvement in athletics and more. Which sport do you enjoy more—basketball or soccer? That’s a tough question because I really like both sports equally. Although I have been playing soccer a lot longer than basketball, I really enjoy working and improving in basketball. What are the similarities and differences between the sports? The two sports both involve lots of intensity and teamwork. Also, they require a great amount of physical fitness. One difference is that soccer requires more running because of the size of the field, even though more players are on the field. In basketball, the court may be smaller than a soccer field, but you are constantly moving and hustling up and down the court. While, they are both contact sports, soccer is more physical because you are fighting for possession of the ball and tackling the other players. In basketball, the most contact you have with other opponents is blocking a shot or stealing the ball from the other player without getting fouled.

What is the biggest difference you’ve noticed with gameplay from middle school to high school athletics? The biggest difference I noticed was that I have to constantly compete to play because there are so many good players. Also, the practices are a lot harder because competition is greater from the other schools. Is it difficult to balance playing two sports during the year and also handle your school responsibilities? It is difficult to balance several sports with my schoolwork and the long practices and late games. In fact, I gave up winter swimming to focus on soccer and basketball and now I just swim in the summer. I also hope to join track in the spring. Fitting in time to do sports and schoolwork requires a lot of planning, but I am able to make it work. During the busy basketball season (as it is now), do you have time to do any soccer work? It is hard for me to find time to work on soccer, but if it is not too cold I will go over to the turf to play around with my dad and brothers. What do you enjoy most about playing sports for the high school? I really love bonding with all my teammates and being able to play with them almost everyday during the seasons. I always like learning new ways to improve in both soccer and basketball.

Thank You, Student Congress! for voting for The Fling’s very important historical preservation project. We are excited to reveal the completed Highland Park High School newspaper archives, which date back to 1926, soon! Keep an eye and an ear out for more information! THE HIGHLAND FLING, FEBRUARY 2015