December 2012

HIGLAND

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THE

FLING DECEMBER 2012

Above: Mr. Colmon, the director of the HPHS Concert Band, acknowledges the audience’s applause before beginning the concert.

Take a Bow Zoe Temple

INSIDE NEWS Israel-Gaza Conflict p. 3 FEATURE Winter Fashion p. 4 Local Love p. 5 OPINION DPOV: Smartphones p. 7 A&E The Hobbit Review p. 11 SPORTS Winter Sports Previews p. 16

At their winter concert, the Highland Park High School band knocked it out of the park again with another fantastic performance! Though the set-up was not ideal (they performed in the cafeteria), the band powered through and played it cool – or should I say cold? Their first song, “Lullaby From a Distant Star” by Richard Saucedo, featured senior soloist Rachel Kim on flute. The song, spacey and dreamy, flowed until it finished on a single note. The next song changed the atmosphere completely: “A Klezmer Karnival” by Philip Sparke started loudly, with a very bright and lively sound, making the audience bounce in their seats. Different themes make up the piece, like different events at a carnival: a higher, lighter part, sounding magical; a slower, rhythmic part, building suspense; a call and response between sections, sounding like a tightrope walker’s steps. Rolling drum beats and short, quick notes kept the song busy and exciting. The third song slowed down with “Silent Night in Gotham” by Julie Giroux. A slightly sadder, darker twist on the well-known carol, this version included a drum line that reminded me of wind. The band then played “Sleigh Ride”

by Leroy Anderson, a Highland Park band winter classic. The band made the season come alive with sleigh bells, the clopping of horses’ hooves, and whip-like cracks! The musicians’ enthusiasm was obvious and contagious. Before the band’s last song, “Reindeer Rag” by Mark Williams, the seniors presented a bag of gifts to Mr. Colmon. In their “Hurricane Sandy Survival Kit,”

they included a black belt, a portfolio, a hat, an All-Access Pass to the middle school in case of another natural disaster, and gold star stickers. As Mr. Colmon promised, the last song was fun, with a steady rhythm and clowny sounds.

After the show, the audience reaction was largely positive.

Freshman Sarah Liebau said, “It was great. I loved it.” Riley Ernest, a senior and tuba player in the band, remarked “I’m crying because I never have to play ‘Sleigh Ride’ again. They’re tears of joy – just kidding!” Another audience member called the concert “unbelievably good” – so good, in fact, that she thought the only thing they can improve on is to allow the audience to see the musicians’ faces! The critiques from the crowd were based mostly around the song selection and order. Olivia Wolansky, a freshman, loved “Silent Night in Gotham,” but thought “Reindeer Rag” was juvenile and young. A recent Highland Park High School graduate, Vesna Miletic wished the band had played “Sleigh Ride” last because “that’s how it always is.” She also enjoyed the second song, “A Klezmer Karnival,” because she played it when she was in band – and she was not the only one.

It seemed that “A Klezmer Karnival” was the crowd’s favorite song. The band did a great job of adjusting to the new space and pulled off another successful concert.

Fun Fact: HPHS Has an Award-Winning Chess Team Stefana Voicu

As evidenced by the number of trophies in the gym hallway, HPHS recognizes its athletes. But in the past few years, a group has won several championships without being sufficiently recognized. These mysterious students make up the Chess & Gaming Club After getting to chat with Alexander Ilnytsky and the other boys in the chess club, I realized how successful they had been in their competitions over these past few years.

Highland Fling (HF): When and how did you start playing chess? Why do you like it?

Alexander Ilnytsky (AI): I started playing when I was around eight years old when my grandfather started teaching me. I did

not like it at first, but after playing (and winning) more and more chess matches against my grandfather all those afternoons in Ukraine, I came to love it!

HF: Do you play chess every day? For how long?AI: Yes, I play every day, depending on the amount of school work we have, or whether there is a soccer match on TV. I play chess with my friends and my father, and sometimes I play on Chess. com when no one else is available. continued on p. 6

DECEMBER 2012, THE HIGHLAND FLING

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NEWS ‘Cuz You’re Hot and You’re Cold Avantika Yellapantala You start out your day in the cozy warmth of Ms. Maharana’s room. You shake off your scarf and sweater and grab a sip of water. Once the bell rings, you walk up the stairs, and encounter a very rude shock. Ms. Havas’ room could be compared to the Arctic. With your winter jacket on, you head down to Dr. Molitoris’s room, only to become cozy and warm again, making you curse bringing the silly jacket in the first place.

The lunch bell rings, and as soon as you enter the cafeteria, you wonder how you could possibly survive in a place so cold that bacteria would freeze and die. Why all this uneven heating? Why does one room need three windows open and another need six to seven properly working heaters? As with many things this year, it all comes down to Hurricane Sandy.

Around the end of October, we were informed of a very harsh storm, christened Sandy, coming our way. The night it came, it deprived us of our dearly held power and sent us hurtling into the primitive era with no phones, no television and the horror of no Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr! As the storm cleared up, we saw the damages it left behind – trees collapsing houses, power lines ripped, and

flooding in the coastal regions of New Jersey. Highland Park suffered particularly bad damage to power lines.

The week after the high schoolers returned to school – or set up a temporary home in the middle school – power returned to the high school and students returned to their daily routines and normal school hours. The only disconcerting factor was the heat. The entire school was stuck in a huge ice block.

However, a month or so later, while walking into Ms. Maharana’s room, a senior noticed, “That room is so hot, I was sweating in the first five minutes with all of her windows open. It’s crazy in there!” On the other side of the spectrum, an anonymous sophomore told The Fling, “Ms. Havas’s room is cold. It’s just cold.

You’d probably get frostbite.” They added, “My day is crazy. I start out with the cold history room, then I get really hot in the gym, and then the cafeteria is just freezing. I get headaches with these annoying temperatures.”

The temperatures in different parts of the school were varying throughout the school a few weeks after Hurricane Sandy.

However, the school heating system has slightly evened out with repairs being made to many classrooms, so hopefully, you will no longer need to keep that winter jacket around with you anymore!

Above: Senior Riley Ernest in the heat and humidity of Ms. Wilson’s Room.

Happy Holidays!

From The Fling Staff

THE HIGHLAND FLING, DECEMBER 2012

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NEWS We Got Sandy’d Julia Kaplan

This school year got off to a rough start with the sudden arrival of Hurricane Sandy this fall. Some might call it a blessing, as it allowed students an extra week-or-so to catch up on assignments (and sleep). However, there were some academic repercussions to this seemingly serendipitous break. Sandy wiped out the transformer on Abbot Street, causing a lack of power and a significant dilemma. No power, no space…no spring break? The system did its best to remedy the situation, shortening the duration of both the middle and high school days to fit both student bodies and reducing the number of necessary days off. It got the job done and saved us a week of make-up days, but the learning process was set back.

Some parts of the curriculum had to be eliminated due to the lack of time. Furthermore, the reintegration period detracted from the flow of things. Students had just gotten somewhat adjusted to the schoolyear schedule when it was interrupted. It took some effort to stay on track in terms of school in spite of all the chaos and damage.

In all likelihood, Sandy will not ravage Spring Break, unless, of course, New Jersey is hit with a series of blizzards this winter. The same, however, cannot be said for President’s Day. Thanks to the cooperation and effort on both the parts of the students and the faculty, we were able to emerge from the disaster relatively unscathed, and surge forward into the school year with a newfound sense of academic ambition.

Showdown in the Middle East Grace Chong

Two Cultures, Both Alike in Light Charlotte Finegold

On December 7, 2012, Highland Park Main Street hosted its first Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting between the now-departed Charlie Brown’s and Midori Sushi. The tree and the menorah stood side by side, separated only by a tent to shelter the musicians playing at the event. The tree was, in fact, made up of several shrubs, entwined by strings of colorful lights.

The menorah, made of white pipes, stood almost as tall as the tree. The entire night was full of holiday cheer.

Carol singers wandered up and down Raritan, stopping outside PJ’s, Aposto’s, and Rite Aid to serenade those walking by. The night was dark, but the singers were well-equipped with their holiday songs and headband lights. At 6:30 PM, the town gathered to hear the words of outgoing Main Street Highland Park board president, Walter Deutsch, and councilwoman Susan Welovits. The pair spoke about uniting the town’s cultures with this new

tradition. Then, HPHS’s own a cappella groups, Amandala and Acappellics Anonymous, performed some holiday favorites, including arrangements of “Carol of the Bells,” “Oh Chanukah,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” and “Noel.” As the night grew steadily darker, Rabbi Shava Shagolow of the Chabad of Central Jersey at Rutgers University, clambered up a ladder, struck a road flare, and lit the menorah as he told the story of Chanukah. The event showed the meshing of cultures and traditions in Highland Park, and will hopefully be the first of many of these events. Says Jamie McCrone, of Main Street HP, “This was the first time Highland Park has ever done something like this, and it was successful, thanks to everyone who participated.” On the first day of Kwanzaa (December 26th) the town will also add a Kinara. The event, hopefully the first in many years to come, demonstrated Highland Park’s ethnic and cultural diversity, and will give HP residents three sources of cheery light to look at on these cold winter nights.

Above (clockwise from top left): the three trees, strung together by lights; the two holiday icons side-by-side; Rabbi Shava Shagolow lighting the menorah with a road flare; the menorah lit for the fifth night of Chanukah.

Above: senior Ariel Glueck shows her support for Israel during the conflict.

The current conflict in Gaza between Israel and Palestine is not based on a new dispute. Israel has controlled the borders of Gaza and has enforced blockades many times in history, leaving Gaza civilians in poverty and starvation. In order to help the Gaza civilians, many Palestinians military groups, most notably Hamas, have been fighting Israel. The history of Palestine and Israel is dotted with alternating fighting and ceasefires. The latest exchange began on November 13, 2012, and lasted about eight days until there was a ceasefire on November 21st.

Hamas had cracked after more borders were imposed, and began to fire rockets on Israel against the Israeli military. According to The New York Times, before the actual conflict began, “Hamas was estimated to have amassed an arsenal of 10,000 to 12,000 rockets.” Many Israeli officials have calculated that, 135 rockets were “fired from Gaza at Israel on Monday [November 12th], of which 42 were intercepted by the Iron Dome, most of the others landed in open areas”. The conflict has not been one-way, either. Israel responded with bombs of their own, killing 11 Palestinians. In the deadliest single attack, an Israeli rocket killed nine members of a single family. Israeli forces took action to launch 40 attacks on the entrances and interiors of tunnels connecting Egypt and Gaza.

These attacks caused considerable damage.

There have been many casualties and deaths on both sides. According to The New York Times, “The Hamas Health Ministry said on the evening of November 12 that a total of 107 people had been killed since Wednesday morning, when Israeli airstrikes began, following months of Palestinian rocket fire into Israel.” The rockets that were fired by Palestinians forces wounded at least 79 Israelis and have affected regions as far north as Tel Aviv. From Israeli’s attacks, 22 people were reported killed, including several Palestinians killed in strikes by warplanes. It seemed as though neither side was willing to give up. One Gaza civilian said, “Our message to Netanyahu is that we will defeat you like we defeated your ancestors. We still have so much in our pockets and we will show you if we have to.”

On November 21st, the U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and the Egypt’s Prime Minister finalized a ceasefire between the two sides. However, the peace is fragile; the leader of Hamas has already “dared Israel on Monday to launch a ground invasion of Gaza and dismissed diplomatic efforts to broker a cease-fire.” Also, Iran’s nuclear program that is growing day by day is another threat to Israel and is becoming another concern.

There are many students at HPHS with family ties in Israel, who have felt the effects of this conflict acutely.

Senior Ariel Glueck said of this conflict, “The conflict has been going on too long and has taken too many lives.

Both sides need to find a way to make peace, but the world must understand Israel’s right to exist as its own country. The constant missile threat makes it hard for Israel to compromise because Hamas has the open goal of destroying Israel. I have family there whom I visited this summer. My cousins were in and out of bomb shelters every day for a week.” Senior Lance Shopowich voiced his thoughts: “Israel has the right to defend itself.

Palestinians were given this land by Israel and unfortunately a small faction of terrorists are ruining it for the Palestinian population. I have cousins in Israel, and I also have a good friend from middle school in Israel. I’m always worried about him when I see news like this. I hope they’re alright.”

This drama between Israel and the Palestinians has been going on since Israel was founded in 1948, and no one knows when it will be over.

DECEMBER 2012, THE HIGHLAND FLING

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FEATURE Hannah Weaver

What’s Hot (Cold): Winter Fashion 2012

Yves Saint Laurent once said, “Fashions fade, [but] style is eternal.” This famous quote applies in the cutthroat world of fashion design, the competitive field of modeling, and even in a small-town high school like HPHS. Styles fluctuate as years pass, but those who ignore the ever-changing fashion “rules” and live in their own skin tend to prosper more – why do you think we have the “best dressed” category for senior superlatives? That being said, however, styles do change.

And Winter 2012 brings new (or old, depending how you look at it) trends to the streets.

Winter fashion generally tends to veer more towards “comfort” than not. Cold weather demands layers, which are both practical and comfortable. Knits such as sweaters and scarves have been popping up everywhere; the stereotypical “ugly sweaters” have become less “ugly” to the fashion-forward. Infinity scarves have also appeared in the loop – these scarves keep in the warmth without having to be readjusted. To a high schooler, one could say the ‘90s “grunge” look has been reappearing: lace up boots, oversized flannels and sweaters, leggings, and denim paired with denim have all recently been making a comeback in teens’ closets.

For the classier tastes, the newest fads might as well have come off the horseback trails. Leather boots, skinny pants, and button-downs have all recently appeared in stores. Riding capes are especially popular this winter, in addition to vests and

Above (from left to right): Freshman Hannah Burke, rocking rainboots and layers, freshman Jamie Atschinow, looking stylish with a flowing top and boots, and sophomore Becca Chant, continuing the trend of lace-up boots and collared shirts.

layered sweaters. A more controversial trend, fur, is also all the rage this winter; stores like Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters offer a less controversial alternative, faux fur, in vests and other outerwear and accessories.

To the average high schooler, “getting

dressed” means rolling out of bed and pulling on whatever’s comfortable; most teenagers nowadays throw on jeans and Ugg boots with a jacket, and possibly adding a scarf. That’s the great thing about winter fashion – comfort trumps the aesthetic appeal. But the next time you

oversleep and have nothing to wear, try a sweater instead of a hoodie, or a headband instead of a hat. Standing out can be good – nobody wants to fade into a crowd – and isn’t standing out the point of fashion?

Be Appy: The Top 10 Apps for High School Students Shana Oshinskie and Olivia As evidenced by this month’s DPOV, Androids, iPhones, and other Smartphones have been popping up everywhere in our school lately, mostly used to kill time.

Like ‘em or hate ‘em, there are thousands of apps available on one device, and there are many useful student tools among the games. If you have a Smartphone, these apps are great to have on hand: 1. Edmodo- Teachers, such as Mrs. Sanders, Mr. Gold, Ms. L. Wilson, as well as various clubs use Edmodo to publish grades, assignments, and upcoming events. With the Edmodo app, you can access everything wherever you are!

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2. Free Graphing Calculator- Most math teachers require one, but graphing calculators are expensive and extremely easy to lose. This app allows both basic and advanced tools for free, saving money and stress.

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3. SAT Question of the Day- Brought to you by the College Board, the SAT QOTD is a free app that allows you to answer one SAT prep question per day. It spans all three topics: Math, Reading, and Writing, and gives a brief explanation for the correct answer.

4. Free Pano Tuner- An essential for every orchestra or band student, the Pano tuner tells you exactly how many hertz sharp or flat your instrument is; plus, it’s free!

5. Nike + Running App- Just as the Pano tuner is essential for musicians, the series of Nike apps are essential for every athlete. They offer features such as tracking your running distance and organizing “Power Playlists” to pump you up as you exercise.

6. Pandora - Pandora is a free Wi-fi radio with hundreds of stations to choose from.

It’s great to listen to while studying or

What iPhone and Smartphone apps can you not live without?

Let us know at thehighlandfling@gmail.com!

even just for fun. Pandora can also be used as an alarm clock, so you can wake up to your favorite singer every morning.

individual or group projects and share them with other students or teachers, perfect for homework on-the-go!

7. Virtuoso Piano - This app is also an essential for band and orchestra students, as well as choir students. But this app is fun to play around on whether you’re a musician or not. On Virtuoso Piano, you can pick to show the letter (or number) of the piano keys, so it’s great for beginner piano players.

9. Merriam-Webster Dictionary - A dictionary is always a nice thing to have, but sometimes there isn’t always one on hand. With this app, you can constantly look up a new word or pronunciation when needed.

8. Google Drive - With the Google Drive app, you can create and store documents, files, or even pictures. You can easily edit

THE HIGHLAND FLING, DECEMBER 2012

10. Google Translate - For all students taking foreign language classes, Google Translate is a great app to have on hand when you need to look up a word or check pronunciation. Just don’t try to write your whole essay with this app!

Which of these ten apps are already on your phone? Collect them all!

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FEATURE Local Love

December: Holiday Edition Andrea Boffice

This time of the year is one of everyone’s favorites,, because everything we love about winter returns: Christmas trees, festive music, and the Farmers’ Market! Yes, the Farmers’ Market has returned for a limited time only. Between chocolates and candy canes, you can sample some delicious tangerines or pears, which are just as sentimental and pretty as the baubles on the tree. Many years ago, people used to put tangerines and pears in stockings and decorate the tree with a string of popcorn and cranberries (a surprisingly difficult task). Traditions vary across cultures and families: some eat turkey for their Christmas dinners, while others eat rabbit; some spend their free time making latkes, topping them with sour cream or applesauce. But good food unites all different cultures in the holiday season.Whatever or however you celebrate, try adding some new food traditions this year!

Foods in Season for December:

Apples Brussel sprouts Cranberries Dates

Grapefruit Leeks Oranges Parsnips

Roasted Chestnuts Cooking time: 35 minutes Yes, these are real – people actually do eat chestnuts after roasting them on an open fire. I warn you that chestnuts taste a little bit different than the nuts we are used to, a bit sweeter and softer, but nevertheless these are a delicious Christmas tradition. It is actually a common Dutch tradition to eat boiled chestnuts. You can boil them or roast them, but somehow the best ones always seem to come from the street vendors in New York.

Ingredients: 2 eggs 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 tbsp dried parsley 1/4 tsp pepper 1 tsp salt 1 quart of water 1 cup of uncooked short rice 11/2 cups dried breadcrumbs 2 cups olive oil 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, in cubes

Ingredients: Chestnuts (about 1/2 a pound, but I recommend doing a few first to see how you like them) 1 cup of sugar if making caramelized chestnuts. You can do half regular and half brown sugar if you wish.

1. Preheat oven to 425 ºF. 2. Leave chestnuts with the shell, but cut slits into them. This is very important. If you do not cut slits into them, the chestnuts will literally explode. It is funny, but an experience I would not want to repeat.

Put them into the pan with slit side up.

3. Cook chestnuts for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. They get very hot so wait until they are warm to peel the shell. However, if you wait for them to get too cool, they will be difficult to peel.

Alternatives: If you wish to boil the chestnuts instead, simply put the chestnuts (with the slits) in boiling water for about 10 minutes. This way is faster, but in my opinion, they do not taste as good or smell as amazing as roasted chestnuts.

Caramelized chestnuts: 1. Heat one part sugar and two parts water into a heavy pot on medium heat and slowly melt the sugar.

2. After cooking the chestnuts the same way as above, but for less time, about 20 minutes, remove from their shells.

3. Pour chestnuts into the caramel mixture and cook only for a few minutes. Put candies onto wax sheets and remove excess caramel from the pot while it is still warm.

(Note: cooking caramel has the tendency to ruin pots, so if you have difficulty cleaning the pot afterwards, use boiling water to ease the caramel off. Or just use an old pot.)

Italian Rice Balls Cooking time: 2 hours In my family, it is traditional to have a feast of seven fishes on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, neither my sister nor I like fish very much. So I make rice balls instead They are a bit labor intensive, and the first time I made them, I swore I would not cook them again—until we ate them.

They are unbelievably delicious. They are actually a bit more of a New Year’s Eve tradition for Italians since they represent prosperity. On Christmas day, Italians also eat lentils to represent money and wealth.

The easiest way to make rice balls is to use leftover risotto.

Pears Persimmons Pomegranates

Sweet Potatoes Squash Tangerines Ingredients: 6 (12-ounce) cans evaporated milk

1. In a bowl, whisk eggs, cheese, parsley, pepper, and 1 tsp of salt. Cover and put in the refrigerator.

2. Pour water and 1 tsp of salt in a large saucepan and bring to a boil.

3. Stir in the rice and reduce the heat to low. Cook rice until the water is almost absorbed, stirring often.

4. Remove from heat and slowly pour in egg mixture, stirring rapidly to prevent egg from scrambling (it sometimes helps to have two people) 5. Allow rice mixture to cool for an hour.

6. Pour breadcrumbs onto a cutting board.

Take two scraps of rice mixture, adding a cube of mozzarella cheese before rolling rice into a one-inch ball. It helps to have oiled hands. Roll each rice ball into breadcrumbs.

7. In a deep skillet, heat olive oil and very carefully fry the rice balls a few at a time, turning to get all sides. If you’re not familiar with frying things, than maybe have an adult do it or just be really careful that the oil doesn’t splatter on you or touch water. Note: The Fling cannot be held responsible for any fires started by inexperienced fryers.

8. Allow to cool slightly, but make sure to eat them while they’re warm!

Matzo Ball Soup Cooking time: 1 hour Highland Park is a melting pot of cultures. Though Chanukah may be over, it’s a great idea to incorporate different cultures into your holiday traditions! If you celebrate Christmas, invite a friend over to help decorate your Christmas tree, or, using this recipe, make Matzo ball soup!

Ingredients: 2 (10 ounce) packages matzo crackers 1/2 cup butter 6 eggs 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 2 onions, minced 5 ounces matzo meal 96 ounces chicken broth 1. Bring a large pot of water to boil.

2. Break matzo crackers into small pieces and place in a large bowl. Add water to cover and allow them to soak for a few minutes, until soft. Drain off excess water.

3. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat and stir in drained matzos. Stir until mixture is dry and slightly brown.

Remove from heat, and mix in eggs, salt, pepper, parsley, and onions.

4. Mix in just enough matzo meal to make mixture hold together. Roll one golf ballsize matzo ball. Place matzo ball in the boiling water to test the mixture.

Above (from top to bottom): Roasted chesnuts, Mexican Hot Chocolate, and Matzo Ball Soup

5. In a large saucepan, bring chicken broth to a slow boil over medium heat and add balls to broth. Serve soup as the balls rise to the top of the broth.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cooking time: 1 hour When I first tried Mexican hot chocolate, I couldn’t decide if I loved it or hated it.

But, I persevered and now I love it! If you like this hot chocolate, Lindt makes a brand of chocolate with hot chili powder in it.

Ingredients: 6 (12-ounce) cans evaporated milk 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 tbsp vanilla extract 1 tsp ground nutmeg Pinch cayenne pepper 2 (12-ounce) bags semisweet chocolate chips

1. In a large pot over medium heat, whisk together milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and nutmeg. Add chocolate chips.

2. Stir until chocolate is melted. Cover and turn heat to low for 5 minutes.

3. Enjoy!

DECEMBER 2012, THE HIGHLAND FLING

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FEATURE December’s Not Just About Christmas Elizabeth Murphy

Ever wonder if something exists or not?

Ever experience something incredible and wish there was an entire day to acknowl-

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edge that something, almost like a birthday, or Thanksgiving? Well, you might not realize the holidays you wished for, are in fact holidays. Check out this list of December Holidays – bet you didn’t even

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know half of them existed! Some may have already passed, but mark the date for next December.

Count how many of them you know.

Personally, I cannot wait for December

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24th, for an excuse to celebrate chocolate.

Many are ridiculous, but some are pretty ironic. For instance, December 21st, the day many predict to be the apocalypse, is “Look on the Bright Side” Day.

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-Eat a Red Apple Day -World Aids Awareness Day 2

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-National Fritters Day -National Roof-Over- -Santa’s List Day Your Head Day -Wear Brown Shoes Day

-Christmas Card Day -Human Rights Day -National Pastry Day

-National Choco-National Maple late-covered-anything Syrup Day Day

-Roots Day

-National Noodle Ring Day

-Bathtub Party Day -Repeal Day

-Poinsettia Day

-St. Nicholas Day -Put on Your Own Shoes Day

-Violin Day

-Bake Cookies Day -Look for an -Go Caroling Day -National Roast Suck- Evergreen Day ling Pig Day -Oatmeal Muffin Day

-National Chocolate Day -National Eggnog Day

-Christmas Day -National Pumpkin Pie Day

-Boxing Day

-Make Cut-Out Snowflake Day -National Fruitcake Day

-International Civil Aviation Duty Day -Letter Writing Day -National Cotton Candy Day -Pearl Harbor Day -National Bouillabaisse Day

-Forefather’s Day -Humbug Day -National Flashlight Day -Look on the Bright Side Day -Card Playing Day

-International Childrens’ Day -National Brownie Day

-Bill of Rights Day -National Lemon Cupcake Day -National Date Nut Bread Day

-Pepper Pot Day

-National Bicarbonate -Make Up Your Mind of Soda Day Day -New Year’s Eve -Unlucky Day

Fun Fact: HPHS Has an Award-Winning Chess Team (cont.)

Stefana Voicu

HF: Did you create the current chess club? Are you the president?

HF: Do you participate in any competitions? And if so, is the club successful?

AI: No, Jimmy Tu, Daniel Zhu, Igor Bich, and I created the Chess Club together.

There was a Chess Club before, but it was unofficial - the members would meet in the library. We wanted to make it official and create a competitive team.

AI: We compete in chess tournaments. The four most important tournaments we participated in are 2010 National Youth Action, where we got 2nd team place, (I got 5th individually), NJ GRADE SCHOOL 2010 team 1st (2nd individually), NJ Grade School 2011 team 1st (2nd individually), and NJ Grade School 2012 team 1st (2nd individually). We hope to participate in more championships in the future.

HF: When are the meetings and how can someone join the club?

AI: The meetings are every Wednesday after school until 4 pm. If someone wants to join, they should just come and play!

We welcome anyone who is interested!

HF: Do you need any experience to join?

AI: No, one does not need any experience to join, but it would be helpful to know the basic rules. In any case, we can teach you!

HF: Is there anything else you would like to add?

AI: The chess club was created to get people from other grades, primarily 9th and 10th, to join, and improve, so that we can start winning tournaments in other sections, and that we would do better on nationals. So if you’re interested in chess, JOIN!

Right (from left to right): juniors Igor Bich, Daniel Zhu, Alexander Ilnytsky, and Jimmy Tu, holding a trophy from one of their many victories.

THE HIGHLAND FLING, DECEMBER 2012

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OPINION The Portal to the 21st Century

Pulling Us Apart by Our Fingertips

Sylvia Marks

Elena Weissmann

Above: junior Miranda Safir uses Google Docs on her iPhone during a lab in AP Biology

Above: senior Dimitra Xenopoulou is absorbed in her iPhone as she walks down the hallway.

So, I’m strolling through the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City toward the gate where I will board the bus to New Brunswick and am, naturally, checking my phone for the bus schedule. It’s 4:25 pm.

Next thing I know, I’m sprinting up the escalator to the fourth floor. According to the schedule on my phone, the bus is scheduled to leave in five minutes. These are the types of things that one is able to do with a smartphone these days. Whether you are traveling and need to access information quickly, or you have company at your home and you want to pull up a photo in the moment, your smartphone is always there for you.

Smartphones have become a thing of the present. One can have news updates, weather reports, and traffic coverage all at the comfort of their fingertips. In a recent New York Times editorial, Eben Moglen, a law professor at Columbia University, said that smartphones “are robots for which we — the proud owners — are merely the hands and feet.” Yet, hasn’t rapid technological advancement in the light of the 21st century called for a need for remaining connected at all times and the greater functionality of our portable devices?

I remember those days when my mother had a beeper for the times she was “oncall” as a doctor; the number to call would scroll across the teeny screen leaving her no choice but to leave behind whatever she was doing and make her way to the house phone to call back the hospital.

Now, with fast capability to attach large data files to an e-mail or to send a url of a web page in a text message, sharing is faster, information is more accessible, and my mother no longer has to rely on a beeper.

Students tend to use their smartphones exclusively for Facebook and Twitter.

However, the average high schooler scrolls thorough a largely-untapped resource. My Google Drive application has been endlessly helpful in letting me update my college essays from anywhere or to check my grades. The calendar helps me keep track of after-school activities; the Webster’s Dictionary app is simply one of the most useful apps in existence for any sort of essay writing or to look up words. The BBC News app on my phone has actually encouraged me to keep up with current events... I really have no excuse for not knowing about the latest advances in the war in Afghanistan now that the information is streamed right to my phone!

The term of “frictionless sharing” in which one passively shares his or her photos and information with social media sites is something to watch out for; allowing access to your photos and turning on the GPS tracker gives people and companies access to your location, but there are settings to turn these functions off.

You should always be careful with the information you sync to the Internet and what you share with people whether it is on purpose or not. These so-called “mini trackers” are just another setting that anyone with practical sense can manage responsibly to avoid conflict.

Smartphones take the many useful functions of computers and compact them down into one tiny device that is easy to take with you in the car or to the park.

And of course, I cannot forget to mention the simplicity of capturing that candid photo with a crystal-clear 12-megapixel camera of the electrified expression your friend takes on while eating a jalapeno pepper, and uploading it straight to Facebook for the world to see.

Imagine this common scenario: you are out with your friends at a restaurant, and someone checks their Smartphone for texts. Before you know it, everyone around you is on their phones, scrolling through Facebook, Snapchatting other people, or just playing Tetris. Out of sheer boredom from watching others watch a screen, you whip out your own phone.

Now what, pray tell, is the point in going out with friends if you are going to spend that time on your cell phone?

Why not just stay home and stare at that little screen by yourself instead of forcing others to watch you text? As someone who neither has nor particularly yearns for a Smartphone, this phenomenon particularly bothers me. Not only is it incredibly annoying, but also the consequences of such social interactions are formidable.

By pulling out your phone whenever there is a lull in conversation with friends, for instance, you make it harder for others to connect with you face-to-face. After a while, you will be so used to simply using your phone as a distraction during any silent moments that you will not know how to carry on a conversation properly.

Yes, the bright colors and interactive games of any Smartphone are super cool, but it is really not worth the damage you inflict upon your social life when you pick texting over real life social interactions.

Smartphones have been proven to cause extremely negative consequences, but people refuse to listen. Long-term users often have a crippled ability to stay in the moment and retain learned ideas, while the brain’s capacity for memorization shrinks every generation due to the girth of information literally available at our fingertips. Children growing up with Smartphones already show an increased amount of restlessness and less empathy

than older generations. This technology affects the way we think, solve problems, and deal with others socially; and yet, we happily hand over large stacks of money to phone companies every month just so we can stay connected.

But, you may say, the Smartphone is just so productive, so functional. Actually, it may be the opposite. I am not going to deny the obvious advantages of an amazing piece of technology – the fast communication, maps, and scanners are just a few – but the idea that they save time is simply nonsense that’s passed on by companies like Apple. According to a recent U.S. digital consumer report, 81 billion minutes were spent on social networking sites in 2011 with 58 percent of users accessing the site through mobile phones. Another study found that phone calls trail behind Internet browsing, checking social networks, playing games, and listening to music. I would not call any of these activities necessarily productive – a giant time-suck, maybe, but not productive.

It is truly amazing how much we deceive ourselves with these devices.

Commercials advertise Smartphones as these bright, glowing little machines that will instantly connect you with your friends and give you a lively, exciting social life. On the contrary, studies have shown new technology may be making us lonelier by blocking true intimacy. Rather than calling each other these days, we text. Rather than hanging out with others, we Facetime. The truth is, all this digital socializing is alienating humans from one another. Smartphone providers fool us into thinking that we will be united by the ever-expanding online world; in reality, we are being pulled farther apart from one another.

It’s Testing Season!

But don’t stress - visit the Prep Book Drive in the HPHS Media Center New and Old Books, from $3 to $8

All Proceeds Benefit Global Awareness Group’s Fundraiser for Room to Read DECEMBER 2012, THE HIGHLAND FLING

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GIF All-Purpose Holiday Gift Guide Maddie Hehir

Although it’s the most wonderful time of the year, holiday shopping can become stressful when you can’t find the right gift for that special someone. No worries, The Fling has created its very own “Gift Guide” to solve any holiday shopping woes.

1. Bake something: Nothing says the holidays more than a fresh batch of Christmas cookies or a homemade pumpkin/pecan/sweet potato pie. By baking a dessert for someone, you are showing them that you took the time to do something nice or “sweet” for them. People know that baking, especially from scratch, requires time, patience, and love. Don’t think you’re a good enough baker? Then start with a simple recipe. Try making a batch of chocolate chip cookies instead of a baked Alaska. Even if the dessert does not turn out perfect, remember it’s the thought that counts!

2. Buy their favorite movie: Everyone has seen a movie that’s caused them to laugh, cry, think, and feel inspired.

Purchase your friend’s favorite movie and offer to watch it with them. Whether you like the movie or not, it’s nice to take an interest in your friend’s favorite things.

Make popcorn or bring candy and enjoy spending time together. Not into movies?

Then buy a season of a television show your friend or family member really likes.

This gift shows that you pay attention when they babble on about Glee or describe scenes in detail from the Walking Dead. And if your friend or family members really don’t like watching TV, you can always get them their favorite book.

3. Find/take/get a picture and frame it: Today when pictures are taken, they either end up sitting in your camera or on Facebook. Break the cycle! Try looking through some old family photos and framing one for a parent, sibling, or grand-

Do-It-Yourself Holiday Gifts

parent. If you like more than one photo, buy a photo album and fill out the first few pages for them with pictures. Want a more recent picture? Take your camera or memory card and get some pictures developed; or try going on Facebook and sorting through pictures until you find a pretty and appropriate picture of you and your friends. Pictures, whether good or bad, are memories, and it’s always nice to remind people of good times.

4. Buy a board or card game and offer to play it with your family: Remember family game night? While some might consider this tradition old-fashioned in 2012, family game night does have good intentions. Just think of how thrilled your parents will be to hear that you would rather stay home and play a board game with them than go partying with your friends. Plus, having a board game to play with on Christmas day is a lifesaver if younger cousins, nieces, or nephews come

over to celebrate. Board games and card games can be played by both young and old. Get your whole family together on Christmas – grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and all, and sit down to play a game together. A board game is a great way to bring people together and to have some good old Christmas fun.

Hopefully, with this guide, holiday shopping just got much easier; but remember, the worth of the gift is in the thought!

Happy gifting!

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Tia Wangli and Amita Shukla

‘Tis the season—for giving and getting presents! If you need a quick, easy, handmade gift, this is the article for you. Here are two great ideas: Melted Snowman 1. Start by gathering clay, salt, and a clear ornament (These can be purchased at almost any craft store).

2. Roll out the clay and start shaping it into a small cone. This will be the carrot nose of your snowman. Then, use the clay to create the eyes and buttons on your snowman.

3. Bake or air-dry your clay according to the instructions on the packet. If your clay was not colored, paint them after they have hardened.

4. While waiting for the clay to be finished, use a funnel and pour in 1/3 cup of salt into the clear ornament.

5. When your clay pieces are finished, drop them into the ornament and your snowman is finished! You could also include some cute additions to your snowman, such as mini stick arms or a small scrap of fabric as a scarf.

Heart Gloves 1. Gather your materials. You will need gloves-- the dollar store is a good place to find gloves for this project. You will also need felt, a needle, thread, and pins (or hot glue if you don’t like to sew).

2. Cut out a heart stencil. Check the size by pinning it to the glove and trying it on.

3. Trace the stencil onto the felt and cut it out. Cut the heart in half.

4. Pin one half of the felt heart onto each glove, with the center of the heart turned slightly toward your thumbs.

5. Sew or hot glue the pieces on. Make sure the heart lines up when you put your gloved hands together.

Variations:

1. Cut off the tips of the fingers off to make fingerless gloves.

2. Use embroidery thread for decorative stitching.

With these easy, but creative presents, all your present worries can be solved!

Happy crafting!

THE HIGHLAND FLING, DECEMBER 2012

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9

FTS Give or Receive?

Elisha Eanes

We’re all familiar with this time of the year. It gets dark right after five, there are freezing cold days when only the occasional dare-devil wears shorts. Random Christmas lights and inflatable menorahs pop up on front lawns, and when you walk through town everybody is doing a half jog to hurry out of the cold.

It doesn’t matter what holiday it is Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa - they all have one thing in common; presents are given or received. But which is better? In all the winter holiday stories I’ve ever read, watched, or acted out in total secrecy, the usual moral of the story is that it’s better to give than receive. I figure they’re right, and it’s all because of that incredible feeling you get when you clean up the whole house before your mom gets home from work, or bake a cake for your best friend who’s sick in bed with a cold. The dishes you washed and dried meticulously may have still been

Give Instead of Get

really greasy, and that cake may have been missing a few major ingredients, maybe sugar and flour, but everyone knows that it’s the thought that counts.

You may get all the presents in the worldI mean really good stuff, like seasonal passes to Six Flags, or a used car (that your dad expects you to pay back every penny for).

But all those material gifts are just stuff they don’t make you all fuzzy and tingly inside. Instead, these kinds of gifts leave you possibly excited that you get to ride the Chariot, or anxious because your father wants you to pay him back in “adequate installments.” The bottom line is that it is kind, and morally sound, to give thoughtful gifts than to accept brand new ankle socks and large amounts of Barnes & Noble gift cards. So, when the next gift giving holiday comes around, buy a little something for your boyfriend’s brother, or your aunt’s dog, or whoever. Just remember to wallow in that fuzzy feeling that comes after.

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Amy Wang

When asked, “What’s one of the best things about the winter holidays?” most people, particularly teenagers, immediately think “presents”—admit it! Receiving gifts from friends and family is always a reason to get excited, but every year, there are many people who cannot experience that same joy. Some children never even expect to receive presents because of financial woes, while others are deprived of holiday cheer because they cannot celebrate the holidays with their families. Particularly with many families left desolate by Hurricane Sandy, let us all try to convert our own holiday cheer into the desire to help others in need. Donating to charities can be personalized gifts, too. For example, if your friend enjoys acting and the arts, donate to a charity that supports arts programs in high schools in their name. Holiday charities can also be global or local. By donating to the Uganda Village Project or the Highland Park Food Pantry, you could either help send a child to school in Africa or feed a family your own community. Here are a few suggestions: 1. Donate to a Local Food Pantry When families gather together during the holidays, they sit down to great feasts to celebrate. Helping a food pantry stock up their stores will definitely help provide feasts to those who cannot afford them.

Highland Park is lucky enough to have its own food pantry, located across town in the Senior Center!

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2. Donate to Toys for Tots This organization strives to provide underprivileged children with toys, especially during the winter holidays. You can either donate money (the organization has also set up a special section for Hurricane Sandy victims) or drop off toys at a local Toys R Us or Babies R Us store. Local branches of the organization will deliver the toys.

3. Be an Elf The United States Postal Service created “Operation Santa,” a program that accepts wish lists or letters to Santa from disadvantaged children. These letters are then posted on their website and anyone can pick up a letter from the post office,

buy the present for the child, and drop it off at one of the USPS’s participating locations. The present is then delivered to the child on Christmas Eve. The closest location to Highland Park is the Newark Main Post Office. This is an easy way to make an underprivileged child’s Christmas memorable! Read more about it on BeAnElf.org!

4. Visit a Nursing Home Many times during the holidays, the elderly living in nursing homes cannot spend time with their families and will not be able to feel the joy of the holidays.

Grab a couple of friends and go visit a nursing home. You can carol, put on a show, or just talk to the people there.

Visitors are greatly appreciated and you will definitely make their holidays more cheerful. Some nursing home suggestions are the Brighton Gardens of Edison and St Joseph’s Home.

5. Donate to the Salvation Army Do you ever see the people shaking bells outside of a store with a red bucket next to them? Well, these people wearing red aprons, collecting money from harried shoppers, are part of the Salvation Army.

The donations provide Christmas dinners, toys, and clothing for families in need. So the next time you see someone from the Salvation Army, be sure to drop in few (or more than a few) dollars.

6. Support Global Awareness Group’s iLlama fundraiser Every December, HPHS’s own Global Awareness Group fundraises for Heifer International. Heifer International uses donations to purchase and distribute livestock to families in need, all around the world. These animals become part of their welcoming families, providing them with milk, transportation, and farm help.

Heifer International presents families with chicks, cows, goats, bees, bunnies, water buffalo, and, of course, llamas!

While getting gifts this holiday season, try to give back to the community a little too! There are so many things you can do to make the holidays better for another person. As in the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “For it is in giving that we receive.”

DECEMBER 2012, THE HIGHLAND FLING

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OPINION Why You Should Apply to Gov School (for the Sciences) Xuewei Ouyang

Every summer, eighty-five students from across New Jersey gather for a once-ina-lifetime experience at a free program called NJ Governor’s School of the Sciences. Selected through a competitive process at the high school and state levels, these eighty-five rising seniors are no doubt some of the top students in the state.

Fortunately for me, I was lucky enough to be selected. After the three-week program at Drew University, where NJGSS took place, I believe I speak for nearly all Governor’s (Gov) School alumni when I say that the program was one of the best three weeks of my life. Now as the application deadline approaches once more, for you juniors (and ambitious underclassmen), I hope I can convince you that applying will be one of the best decisions you have ever made.

Ranging from traditional lectures to hands-on experiments and research, Gov School provided me with a wide variety of opportunities that came together to create an intellectually stimulating experience that I would never had experienced in a normal high school.

The mornings were filled with lecture courses concerning advanced or unusual topics not offered in high school. The best part, however, was working with the other NJGSS scholars outside of class on projects and homework. One group project involved preparing a presentation on the connection between ubiquitin and cancer using scientific papers. We struggled to wrap our minds around the process and specifics, working for nearly two hours in our group. It was tiring, but surprisingly enjoyable. The program also focuses on introducing students to research. We designed a realistic experiment after discussing and sifting through a myriad of published journals and papers. By collaborating, we played off of each others’ ideas and concerns until we were satisfied with our final procedure and interpretation of results.

Excited yet? Well that wasn’t all. The program tried to expand our horizons even further by inviting several guest speakers to talk about topics from parasites to the mathematical explanation of love. We also had an extraordinary opportunity to meet Adam Riess, a NJGSS alumni and

Above: the author holding Adam Riess’s Nobel Prize; below: the author participating in a lab.

2011Nobel Laureate in Physics. His lecture on his discovery added the perfect icing to an already incredible educational and intellectual NJGSS cake.

So you might be thinking, “An educational program? Who would want to spend three precious weeks of summer at an educational program?” Gov School may be primarily an educational program, but it is undeniably more than that. The people you meet are the best part of Gov School. Even the classes and research projects would not have been half as enjoyable and challenging without the bright people who took part in it. Although Gov School essentially is a taste of college with its loosely packed schedule and abundance of unstructured free time, it extended beyond that due to the attending students. The number of scholars, eighty-five, neither too big nor too small, allowed us to become a tightly-knit community that does not exist in any university in the United States.

Gov School was a place where you could start a conversation with anyone, or everyone. The first few days, I sat with an entirely new group of people for each meal. Every person had his or her own special and intriguing talents. There were musicians, athletes, dancers, and artists, but there were also some of the funniest and most entertaining people I have ever met. Although groups were unavoidably created, the boundaries were nonexistent.

Regardless of background, everyone shared a common passion for science and knowledge (which often expressed itself in nerdy jokes). After the NJGSS experience, I understood why alumni continued to stay in contact with each other for the rest of their lives.

Although Governor’s School is known for its prestige and number of alumni who attend top universities, I highly doubt that any NJGSS scholar will say that the most he or she took out of the program was its benefit in the college admission process. But whether it be for prestige, for education, or for fun, I encourage all of you to apply for this summer program, which, to put it simply, is college (“the best four years of your life”) condensed into three weeks and enhanced by 10^6.

Skyfall:The Dark Knight in Disguise?

WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS Yang Xu

The obvious popularity of the newest James Bond film, Skyfall, makes its success unquestionable. However, as I watched the action-packed film, I could not stop myself from comparing the dashingly-smooth English hero (played

by Daniel Craig) to another famous face – the rich and famous Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) in The Dark Knight. And the similarities go further than the fact that both men are confident heroes who catch the criminal while seducing women.

For starters, the concept of having an agent assisted by a personal assistant through a hidden room has been a clichéd aspect of several films. Bond’s “Q” and Wayne’s Lucius Fox both assist the protagonist through a control room far away. However, I believe it was the villain, Silva (Javier Bardem), who truly captured the spirit of The Dark Knight.

Silva and the Joker both play the role of a psychologically-scarred villain who attempts to prove his views of society.

While Silva is disgusted with the way “M” disposed of him when he worked for MI6, the Joker wants to expose the THE HIGHLAND FLING, DECEMBER 2012

chaos that lurks inside each individual’s soul through his mastermind schemes.

Both of these geniuses even devise plans that seem to mirror one another: both get captured on purpose and then escape with a pre-planned route. While the Joker cleverly activates the cell-phone hidden inside an inmate, Silva rigs an incoming train to intercept his capture. But perhaps the most indisputable similarity between the two occurs when Silva finally meets “M” after several years and removes his fake teeth to reveal his deformed face. His actions perfectly capture the Joker’s own madness as he explains to a victim how he got his scars from an abusive father. The list of similarities go on and on between the two blockbusters.

Skyfall may have been a successful movie, but Heath Ledger’s maniacal Joker overshadows Javier Bardem’s Silva any day. Personally, I will always find Skyfall to be a mediocre reenactment of a breathtaking film, The Dark Knight.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Not Many Silver Linings Here Oscar Lee One would expect good quality from David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook, given all the talent attached: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver. But, that would just set oneself up for major disappointment. When it first screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, there was a torrent of critical support for the film—reflective of the film industry’s sorry state of affairs. Apparently, average is the new outstanding. As the blog Ultra Culture noted, “90% of the drama, action, and dialogue of Silver Linings Playbook [takes place] literally in the middle of the road.” It’s basically a Katherine Heigl movie with good acting and no Katherine Heigl. The plot itself is just plain ridiculous. It centers on Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper), a former high school history teacher who is sent to a psychiatric institution after beating his wife’s lover to a pulp. The film starts with Pat’s discharge into the care of his parents (Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver). Pat leaves the hospital with the goal of winning back his wife. To do so, he forms a friendship with Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a nymphomaniac widow, who promises to help him with his goal, under the condition that he participate in a dance competition with her. At the same time, his father, Pat Sr., an obsessive football enthusiast and gambler, bets heavily on a football game and the results of Pat and Tiffany’s dance competition in order to finance his dream of opening a cheesesteak restaurant.

Jennifer Lawrence. Need I say more?

She holds up the film, even elevating it a bit, tearing her scenes apart, conjuring up a peculiar concoction of deep sorrow, shielded by a rigid, dour exterior. Lawrence lifts her character, written simply as a crutch Pat uses to get back on his feet, into the stratosphere. Hers is a striking, yet

points, overacting—but he is certainly a revelation. Who knew he could act? The treatment of Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom, The Five Year Engagement), one of the greatest actors alive, has been one of my biggest grievances. Her already small role is further minimized by her character’s lack of development and depth. She

Above; the stunning Jennifer Lawrence (left) and the lackluster Bradley Cooper (right).

sensitive performance that will most likely earn Lawrence her first Academy Award.

My only disappointment is that it will be in such a lackluster vehicle. Bradley Cooper as Pat is sufficient—he is weak at

literally just shuttles Pat around in the car and cooks. Seriously?

As a result of the jumbled, nonsensical plot, the rest of the movie suffers from an uneven keel. That roughness does

work—to an extent—as representative of Pat’s bipolar disorder. The sharp, discordant tonal shifts, the juxtapositions of the emotional highs and lows, which culminate in the artistically chaotic dance at the end, are exceptionally evocative of mental illness. Excluding that, Russell utilizes mental illness too often as a quirk, disguising an otherwise mediocre film, feebly held together by an anemic narrative. The oversimplification of mental illness—“Oh, hey, let’s make him bipolar. That’ll make him seem wild, which will make audiences laugh!”—takes away from its serious, often debilitating nature.

Silver Linings Playbook skims the surface and makes light of a complicated issue, cementing its conventionality, almost entirely devoid of substance. Russell shows his true colors as a practitioner of lazy, sloppy writing, using characters and events as mere plot devices, their sole purpose being to move the story forward, not to develop it. Fights are fought; disagreements are disagreed upon. Both are resolved within minutes—no, seconds, diminishing the legitimacy and emotional impression of said fights. If I wanted safe, middlebrow entertainment, I would turn on the Hallmark Channel. Want an unconventionally textured, emotionally nuanced take on recovery after a blowup? Skip Silver Linings Playbook. Watch Enlightened on HBO instead.

An Unexpected Disappointment Greg Burdea Cloudy skies floated over theaters that harbored Lord of the Rings (LOTR) and Tolkien fans. As I approached the cinema, I noticed several empty trays of 3-D glasses. Arming myself with my pair, I approached my seat, prepared to investigate a 48 frames-per-second (FPS) journey into Middle-earth. Having not read The Hobbit, I expected the film to carry me (along with countless others) through its lore.

Although I didn’t fail to follow hobbit Bilbo Baggins, grey wizard Gandalf, and their pack of dwarves, the movie failed to captivate me in the process. My high expectations from the LOTR movie series set me up for disappointment with The Hobbit.

The journey begins in the past as The Hobbit reveals the history of the dwarves, an essential par t of the movie-trilogy, to viewers. In words that don’t spoil anything for readers planning on watching the movie: the dwarves have much that they plan to reclaim, with the help of Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) and their “burglar” companion Baggins (Martin Freeman).

Gandalf’s details eventually bring more depth to what seems like a slow and shallow beginning of a legendary tale. Viewers find interest in all of Middle-earth’s fantastical creatures, from trolls to wizards; from Orcs to elves; from stone giants to goblins. Size does play a role in

the interpretation of figures that carry super-worldly powers, among other factors such as voice and facial appearance. Movie goers naturally find the balance between good and evil, and the subsequent divide that defines Middle-Earth.

Although “The Hobbit” succeeds in its introduction, as well as in some visual

tiful imagery but portrays it in an oddly fast fashion. I’ve never felt that a movie looked like it was slowly going at fast-forward before. It certainly was unlike anything I had seen before. Others quickly overlook the need to adapt and love the visual delivery of such a first-of-its-type film. Well, to each his own I suppose.

Above; the stunning Jennifer Lawrence (left) and the lackluster Bradley Cooper (right).

components, it fails to bring viewers into the world of Tolkien. Chief in this failure is the 48 FPS display that provides beau-

Another factor that seems to drown the effect of the film is its length. A 2-hourand-50 minute-long movie isn’t easy to

follow if one isn’t absorbed into its story.

Fortunately, The Hobbit did pick up pace with time. Viewers question whether lengthening The Hobbit[’s] plot brought anything substantial to the film. Many consider the stretching of the book fruitless in terms of added depth. Freshman Farhan Rozaidi, who had read The Hobbit beforehand said, “I believe that the reason they spread it out into three movies was to just gain money, I think that it [the film] could’ve been done in one long movie or two average-length ones.” The pointless length of the “Hobbit” trilogy leaves fans wondering whether the trilogy can truly stay on par with its complementary “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

After experiencing The Hobbit in 48 FPS for almost three hours, I’m uncertain whether the film merits recommendation.

Fans of the LOTR series and action or fantasy movies will surely see the film of their own accord; however those who are undecided might be better off saving their money. Having already earned $38 million in its opening day, The Hobbit has surely succeeded in engaging the public’s wallet.

Whether it meets their expectations is an entirely different concern. The creators of the three Hobbit movies have a large task on their hands if they wish to have a trilogy that can stand tall alongside the epic Lord of the Rings films.

Don’t Lose Your High School Memories!

The Albadome Is Now on Sale!

See Ms. Marionni for Payment Plans DECEMBER 2012, THE HIGHLAND FLING

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT A New Kind of HPHS Production Sarah Cheng

As usual, the Highland Park High School Drama Department presented us with an amazing play this fall. Our Town by Thornton Wilder explores the dynamics of a small town in New Hampshire through the relationship of two young inhabitants, as they grow up together and evolve from a bond of friendship to romance. The Drama Department’s production starred sophomore Christopher Michael and junior Maddie Hehir as the protagonists, with senior Riley Ernest as the stage manager and narrator.

Unlike our usual school plays, Our Town had a dark underlying tone. The play was about human experience, and was therefore full of comic and tragic moments, including the death of Hehir’s character.As a viewer, I was very impressed by how well each character adapted to their role and broadcasted their emotions across the stage.

The fact that Our Town had little to no props was not due to the crew’s indolence. The play purposely has minimal scenery; only tables, chairs, ladders, and a few other objects are involved in the set. Thornton Wilder created the play in this way in order to force the audience to concentrate on the characters and themes, rather than the props and appearances. Luckily, such a small set was compatible with the Bartle Auditorium, as the high school auditorium is currently undergoing renovations and could not be used for the performance this fall.

The aforementioned renovations presented the cast and crew with considerable setbacks, as they had to work in a completely different environment and adapt to a round (a stage viewable from all four sides).

One of the problems I noticed was the way that sound echoes throughout the auditorium, which made certain lines harder to hear and understand.

In order for the best sound, actors had to carefully form and articulate each word. The tech crew also had to work with brand new equipment that they were simply not accustomed to, which obviously provided considerable new challenges. However, they definitely deserve praise for effectively mastering the new sound and lighting systems in such a short period of time.

On top of all these adjustments, the cast and crew also had to deal with the week of school lost due to Hurricane

Above (clockwise from top left): junior Aubrey Shombert, playing Mrs. Gibbs, mimes her way around her kitchen; junior Charlotte Millet, as Mrs. Webbs, tearfully awaits her daughter’s wedding; junior Maddie Hehir, as Emily Webbs, and sophomore Darcy Thompson as Mr. Webbs, walk down the aisle; the cast at the wedding of George Gibbs (Michael) and Emily Webbs (Hehir)

Sandy, which drastically decreased the amount of preparation and rehearsal time. Nevertheless, the members

persevered and scheduled around the natural disaster. All in all, the play was very successful, especially considering

the huge obstacles involved with its production.

Philharmonic in the Cafeteria: An Unexpected Find Amy Wang

Although the winter music concerts were held in the cafeteria this year due to the renovation of the auditorium, the orchestra displayed an amazing performance, as usual. To start off the festivities, a talented quartet, consisting of three violins and a cello, played a beautiful rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner”. Then, the Middle School Symphonic Orchestra showed off their skills with three well-rehearsed pieces. Taking the stage next, the expanded High School Philharmonic Orchestra rapidly moved their bows to “Sprint,” impressing with their agile fingers. The concert changed tempo with a bouncy “Badinerie,” evoking the joyous spirit of the season. Finishing off with “Perseus,” an exciting medieval-sound-

ing piece, the Philharmonic once again wowed the listeners with their fluid, but detailed music. The terrific Chamber Orchestra then came on stage, showering the audience with the tranquil tones of Yiruma’s “When the Love Falls.” Changing the mood again, the group played “Calypso Jam,” an extremely fast-paced and funky song. After a brief intermission and a joyful presentation of thanks, the complete high school and middle school orchestras finished off with the famous “Rock the Bells,” bringing in the holiday spirit. This year’s concert was very enjoyable and exciting. If you missed it, don’t worry! The HPHS Philharmonic will give an encore at this year’s winter pep rally!

Right: the expanded orchestra playing under the direction of Ms. Feng.

THE HIGHLAND FLING, DECEMBER 2012

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Playlist: A Break from Holiday Music

PLAYER PROFILES Name: Nina Xue Grade: 11 Instrument: Violin Jacob Choi

Highland Fling (HF): When did you start playing violin? How did you start playing?

Nina Xue (NX): I started playing violin when I was in fourth grade. In school, I joined the first year that orchestra was offered to the student body. Before then, orchestra was nonexistent in the school district, but because the Music Department wanted to start another music-oriented program besides band and choir, orchestra was formed.

Our first orchestra concert consisted of thirty students from all three schools. It amazes me how far the program has come along in eight years, with the membership rising up to about a hundred students.

However, I was the first batch of students to see it grow from the beginning to an interminable time in the near future, so bragging rights go to me!

HF: Do you play violin outside the school? If so,where?

NX: Besides playing in

school concerts, I also play in a church orchestra called Five Loaves Two Fishes. We hold a concert every February to raise money for a different organization every year.

For example, two years ago, the money earned went towards helping the victims of the Japan Earthquake. I also played in the Central Jersey Regional Orchestra in eighth grade, and the very same year, I was accepted into the New Jersey All State Orchestra. However, as of now, I play for fun and entertainment purposes.

HF: How do you feel about playing violin? Are you dedicated to it?

NX: I can always count on the violin to relieve me of my stresses and worries. Closing my eyes and listening to the music brightens up my day. My main enjoyment is tackling a challenging piece that I cannot play right off the bat. I will practice it for a few months, and once I finally feel the style and rhythm of said piece, I can reach my goal. Playing the violin has not always been easy for me. In the beginning, I screeched my bow across all four strings, but I have improved

tremendously since then, thankfully. Since I am busy with other activities, I do not practice too much, compared to the two-three hours I practiced in middle school, but occasionally on days when I want to play, my violin would always be there waiting for me.

HF: What other activities do you participate in?

NX: Other than orchestra, I am in DECA and work on the Albadome. I also play on the girls tennis team. Outside of school, I write for the Chinese News Observer, which is a newspaper for the Chinese community. I also work at the library every weekend.

HF: Who/what is your favorite music and musician/band?

NX: The Backstreet Boys and the Wanted.

Sometimes, I listen to Chinese and Korean pop, but American music suits my tastes better. I do listen to classical music also, such as Mozart and Bach.

My favorite composer is Soon Hee Newbold, and professional violinists that I want to meet include Itzhak Perlman and Sarah Chang.

Highland Fling (HF):

Name: Luke Schroeder Grade: 9 Instrument: Saxophone Simone Kusnecov

When did you start band and why?

Luke Schroeder (LS): I started saxophone in fourth grade, because it seemed like an interesting instrument and Mr. Presty encouraged me to play it.

HF: What’s difficult about the saxophone?

LS: A lot of people say its difficult because it can easily get out of tune and the fingering is hard.

HF: Would you recommend for other students to play the saxophone?

LS: Yes, I would, because it fun and pretty easy to learn how to play.

HF: How was the concert?

LS: The concert was great.

The audience was pretty big and I think we played our music really well.

HF: What can we look forward to in the next concert?

LS: The next concert should be even better.

We’ll have more time, and the music will be more advanced and difficult.

Jana Choi

Having just recovered from post-Thanksgiving turkey comas and the rush of Black Friday shopping, American culture, as usual, begins to usher in the climax of the holiday season as soon as the turkey is off the table. Everyday life is bombarded with everything holiday related; “25 days of Christmas” specials aired by “ABC Family” start even before December arrives, while snippets of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and other holiday songs repeat on the radio with increasing frequency.

By the start of winter break, most radio airtime will probably be dominated by “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Baby,” leaving us sick of the holidays before they have even begun. Christmas tunes have their place, but after thirty plays, the cheerful jingles are no longer as cheerful as they are infuriating. Take a moment to yourself and listen to a couple of these songs before returning to the monotony of holiday music that we find ourselves knee deep in during this time of the year.

Eyes Closed The Narrative

Tiptoe Imagine Dragons How to Be a Heartbreaker Marina & the Diamonds

Madness Muse

28 The Weekend

We Are In Love Cider Sky

Little Numbers BOY

Crave You (Adventure Club Dubstep Remix) Flight Facilities

Spain Jubilants

Wish You Well Bernard Fanning Left (from left to right): Luke Schroeder with his saxophone; Nina Xue with her violin.

DECEMBER 2012, THE HIGHLAND FLING

14

SPORTS Putting Down the Football Helmet: Coach McGlynn Returns to the Basketball Court Highland Fling (HF): You’re well-known as the high school football coach, so what interested you about coaching basketball?

Coach McGlynn (CM): I have coached basketball before; in fact, for the first seven to eight years that I worked in Highland Park, I coached the boys’ freshman basketball team.

I’m really looking forward to coaching the girls because it will be a change of scene for me, considering that I’ve been coaching boys for so long.

Interestingly enough, it ties back in with my family as well. I have two little girls at home, so I asked myself – why not?

HF: Did you have a lot of girls interested in playing basketball this season?

CM: There were about 28 girls this season. I think that’s a good number compared to numbers in the past. There are a lot of girls interested which is refreshing for the program.

HF: Did you host tryouts?

CM: No, we didn’t host tryouts.

We feel we have a good number of girls; however, we may have to establish rotating lineups. Ms. Washington and I have discussed the fact that if we have too many girls we may have to rotate the players between home and away

games, being that there are 28 girls altogether. We definitely do not want to cut anybody, especially the younger girls. We want them to stay interested in the program throughout the rest of high school.

HF: Would you consider this new position a challenge for yourself?

CM: Yes and no. In a way it is challenge because I haven’t coached basketball in five years; on the other hand, I look at it as more of a refreshing type of challenge for myself.

HF: Do you notice a difference in coaching girls rather than boys?

CM: A difference that I see between coaching the girls and the boys, and this is no mark against the boys; the girls are more inclined to want to be coached. They listen and their work ethic is better than the boys. When it comes to being at work everyday and coaching them -- I just can’t wait. I’m excited everyday because they’re looking forward to being coached.

HF: What are your plans for the upcoming season?

CM: The JV coach always has to prepare the girls for playing Varsity the following year, or

even at the end of the season.

My job is to get the girls to understand the game. It is critical that they learn from what Varsity is doing. They have to learn about offensive and defensive plays for both home and away games, and it is important that they understand how to be better students of the game. If I can get them to not just be better players, but better students of the game, I can prepare them for the next level, which is playing with Ms. Washington.

HF: Are there any strategies, concepts, or mentalities you have developed while coaching football that you have brought to the court?

CM: I would say I carried over a defensive mindset. I think the fact that everything starts with the defense in any sport, and the fact that Ms. Washington and I have the same mindset, really sparks the importance of having a strong defense, having an aggressive attitude, and creating turnovers that become great offensive plays. This defensive as well as aggressive mindset is what, I believe, will help us receive more baskets in a game.

HF: How do you feel about working with Coach Washington, the girls’ Varsity coach?

Above: Coach McGlynn is his most well-known domain of football. He is eagerly embracing his new coaching position.

CM: We’re very much alike, which is beneficial to the girls; they have gotten used to it quickly. I think that because we are two very intense people who want to win and expect the best, causes us to feed off of one another. We challenge

one another, and in the end it helps out a lot. We help each other improve as coaches, which benefits our team continually throughout the season.

STUDENT ARTWORK John Yang

DECEMBER 2012, THE HIGHLAND FLING

15

SPORTS WINTER PREVIEWS

Basketball

Annie McCrone The girls and boys basketball teams are getting ready to start their seasons, and their coaches have high hopes. The starting team is made up mainly of seniors – Lexus Blocker, Jessie Dominick, Dierra Doyle, Ashley Lozada, Hannah Stern, Angelica Villanueva, Dimitra Xenopoulou – as well as some underclassmen – Zoe

Karagan, Zanae Torres, and Rachel Beyer.

With seven seniors on this year’s team, the program will evidently need to fill a lot of spots for next year. Similarly, the boys line up has a majority of seniors: Jarren Miller, James Webb, Jordan Long, Ehren Whitfield, and Mike Erlich. The Varsity team has only four non-senior players: Uri Bar, Andy Powell, William Jacobs-Perez,

and Harry Landis.

The boys team’s goals are to be more aggressive and finish at or above a 500 record. The girls want to play well together and learn more about the game. The team is valuing these less material goals over winning.

For those of you wondering when their games will be, it’ll be every Tuesday and

Wrestling

Jacob Choi Wrestling is one of the most competitive sports in our school, and already our athletes are working hard to take their positions. Our veteran coach, Coach Girvan, who has coached since 2000, is preparing well for the season, managing the team and strategizing with his wrestlers. This year, we have seven seniors who have wrestled all the way throughout the high school years, which give advantage for our team. Two well-known names in the sport are Freddy Cacace and Alex

Vanarthos, both of whom won fourth place in Districts last year in low weight class.

David Siegel, also a returning senior, won over 15 matches last year, and Melshawn Taylor, another senior, has just joined the team and is already looking strong.

Although we have talented wrestlers, we do not have many. In other sports, such as soccer and tennis, coaches often end up with an overabundance of players.

However, there are 18 wrestlers wrestling for 14 weight classes this year. There is more than one position in certain weights,

and obviously, one wrestler cannot fill multiple spots. With his current numbers, Coach Girvan cannot fill all these spots, and is hoping for late recruits. As a result, this year, Coach Girvan has unique goal of the season from other sports. He wants to “get as close to the full line up as possible,” as well as “qualify for state tournament,” being one of the top six teams from the Central Jersey Group One. “Wrestling is the most difficult sport in high school. It lasts only six minutes, but very tough and difficult,” said Girvan.

Friday for the boys, with a game or two on Wednesday. The girls will have opened on December 14th. They play mostly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Good luck to all the players!

In order to be in tremendous shape, both individually and as a team, wrestlers must invest their entire bodies to get into shape. The wrestlers’ week-long purges to hydration tests attest to the rigor of the sport. Regardless of a smaller-than-usual turnout, as Girvan says, “we will go as far as we can and will not regret.”

Track Club in Highland Park Grace Chong The Garden State Track Club (GSTC) is a non-profit organization that was created in order to help runners of all abilities and ages in New Jersey. The club is divided into four groups: sprinters, half-milers, distance runners, and elite distance runners. This club hosts three races per year: the Get the Gorilla 5K in the fall, the Road Relays in the winter, and the College Ave Mile in the spring. They are also in charge of a charity called Essays 4 Equipment, which collects gently-used running equipment, such as shoes, spikes, and shorts, and then donates these to inner-city youth runners in need.

The Club is divided into regions: GSTCNorth, GSTC-Beach, GSTC-South, and GSTC-Central. The GSTC-Central has the club’s headquarters in New Brunswick.

The club practices every day. On Mondays and Wednesdays, the team practices right on the HPHS track at 5:30 pm, and on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, they practice at the Rutgers University Student Center. All HPHS athletes are welcome to practice with this club this winter and all year-round.

The Fling interviewed the coach of GSTC, asking why people should join this club, and received a wealth of answers: “The club is great because it offers a fun, unique experience. It offers good coaching, diverse training partners, and a challenge that looks great on a college application! Since the club consists of people of all ages, it is a chance to meet interesting people from all over New Jersey. For example, some of American’s best runners are on our own club; joining allows you the chance to get to know these kinds of runners! Also, you should join because it is a group that can help you get in shape for any sport. You can also enjoy the team year round: some people come only for the summer, others during the winter, while some they participate year-round!”

Currently, some HPHS athletes have been going to the club’s practices, including juniors Joe Ambrosio, Lucas Marin, Emmet Brennan, and yours truly, seniors Dan Siegel and Sylvia Marks, and sophomore Becca Chant. As the coach said, the club is very worthwhile, and all of our athletes should join, whether they are on the track team or not, because it is a great experience to be training with a

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, Miranda Safir, Tia Wangli, Amita Shukla

Above: elite members of the Garden State Track Club compete in a meet. Hopefully HPHS members will soon join their ranks.

group of great runners who accept runners of all levels. Garden State Track Club offers great opportunities to receive good training in our own backyard.

In order to join, you can send an email to the coach of the Club (gardenstatetrack-

The Highland Fling Staff

club@gmail.com) and find out more at www.gardenstatetc.org. You can also join the GSTC group on Facebook: “GSTC Sprint Squad” and our HPHS running group, “HPHS Track Off-Season Training”.

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!

DECEMBER 2012, THE HIGHLAND FLING