June 2014 by The Highland Fling

JUNE 2014

THE

HIGHLAND

FLING L IN O O O H N rd enlightenin i C e gb E S ting w iz m

p ark

H HIG

ful dating s s e r st e sl g transform s n i a g n h e ati l l a ve ch ng itter diver in w k t s r t n e o o i w s i rit v g n n o i e l art lat o s i fri l g cur a a w s io s s ol h o i h

D OR

exha u s t i n g lonel y f gchat u n ge an e SATs tes ch t i n g e sam he cr ic t pro astina t gs io an h p o r s i s mo ta

ar dra a read c i rr n i a n p g g cl n o e d b in p ori hi s ng d n inary m e d r o e s u la n gh d

es r e

gh s c hi

INSIDE

gym forever g h ts r e fig a t y oks yolo w e o o r x k irk c eb h i o t qu m i itiv s t e y i x e a s t r w a n ssy po g e me t e dy h sports a r t if nc i c lu i n oris clu t e le o li

s u c c u le fr n i t e n d s

st u

news

opinion

feature

arts

sports

Proposed Schedule Changes

Fake Moon Landing?

Advice from Seniors

Summer Concerts

Senior Player Profiles

(p. 4)

(p. 6)

(p. 17)

(p. 20)

Common Core, Common Bore

Class of 2014 Plans

Netflix Must-Sees

World Cup

(p. 18)

(p. 20)

(p. 2)

Changes in the SAT (p. 2)

(p. 5)

(p. 14)

news Schedule Changes? Elena Weissmann

n April 7, Superintendent Timothy Capone presented his ideas about a possible schedule change to the high school to the Highland Park Board of Education. Mr. Capone spoke of types of new schedules that would alter the class times, standardized test scores, selection of classes, and even the homework load of Highland Park High School students. The Board discussed this possibility with mixed levels of support; while some members, such as Adam Sherman, seemed optimistic about such a change, others were concerned about the implementation and ramifications of such schedule changes. Capone claimed that a different schedule would not only save precious class time, but would also boost test scores in certain subjects. The current schedule provides students with eight slots for classes throughout the year, with six periods rotating every day. Students are in class for 56 minutes and have three minutes to get to their next class. Certain members of the Board say that this system wastes time, with students spending too many minutes shuffling along to the next class and teachers taking a while to prepare themselves for the next lesson. A block schedule, one of the proposed schedules, would partially eliminate this problem: there would be four periods a day, lasting 90 minutes each. One type of

block schedule, a “4 by 4,” splits the academic year into quarters, leaving eight slots available for classes per semester (with four classes in each of two quarters). This would allow students to take double the amount of classes they currently take over the course of the school year, perhaps causing the high school to expand the array of classes currently offered. Another, more traditional type of blocking, called an A/B schedule, allows students to attend four classes every other day, thus spending double the amount of continuous time in each class. The school would alternate “ABABA” weeks with “BABAB” weeks, and students would take the same eight classes throughout the year. There is also the traditional “straight eight” schedule, which would allow for eight class periods a day and would last the entire year. A final, enticing option is the modified

schedule. Although quite complicated, this schedule would be something of a mix-up between a block schedule and the straight eight schedule. It could potentially include accelerated learning, a block schedule for science classes, an everyday, 56-minute period for foreign language, and time for previewing or remediation.

school year. A new schedule might allow for these possibilities.

Teachers and students have mixed feelings about the tentative new schedule. “I don’t think a student will be able to concentrate for the full 90 minutes,” says French teacher Ms. Havas.

Another wrote, “If the periods are longer, there will be fewer periods per day. This would be good for the homework load, which we all know is too large.” Albeit a little off topic, around six students commented that they believe those who participate in varsity sports should have an optional gym class. Perhaps this is another change that the Board should consider.

Highland Park students seem to agree; when 160 random students were asked if they would be interested in longer class periods, a resounding 89% said no. 88% of the students do not want the schedule to change at all, and 78% believe the current schedule is effective. However, 75% do want to take certain classes that are not currently offered at Highland Park, and 31% would be interested in taking more than eight courses throughout the

A comment section on the survey also allowed for anonymous comments. One student wrote, “The new schedule would be very detrimental to student growth. Especially double-timed periods for only one semester; information would be too difficult to retain. I greatly appreciate the flexibility and effectiveness of the current schedule.”

The Board has not publicly announced the change, when it would occur, or which schedule they would choose. If you are interested in this topic and would like to have your voice heard, come to a Board of Education meeting and speak during the public comment section or feel free to contact Mr. Capone or a Board member; their information can be found on the district website.

Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3 Colleges don’t have enough time. They need a number. Vivek Puduri ‘15

“

Amita Shukla & Tia Wangli

his four-digit number will change your life. Everything is at stake. The number? An SAT score. While this number is not your whole college application, it does play a large role in the initial selection process. The College Board, the corporation behind this standardized test, recently came out with a sweeping reform of this all-important test that has been labeled “overhaul overkill.” These changes implemented by the College Board are intended to help align the SAT with skills students learn in the classroom. The essay will become optional, and the vocabulary will involve less ostenta-

The College Board Is Born!

tious verbiage (fancy words). The previous score of 2400 will now be dropped down to 1600 and a personal favorite of ours includes the removal of the guessing penalty that most students dread. Every student whose family falls into a certain income group will also receive four fee waivers for college applications. In addition, the College Board will be partnering with Khan Academy to provide completely free prep courses for all students.

cording to The Huffington Post, the College Board’s 2010 revenue was $65.6 million. Also, some argue that regardless of the format of the tests, higher-income students will still have unfair resources and advantages. However, SAT validity studies conducted by the College Board and the University of California conclude that the SAT is a very strong predictor of freshman year grades in college, and the writing section is most especially so.

It is also contentious that the same man, David Coleman, who wrote much of the new Common Core curriculum, has become president of the College Board and some worry that he is now monopolizing college admission standards. Can one man be allowed to decide this much about our country’s public schools?

The first class to have to take this SAT will be the freshmen, who seem largely indifferent. Upon prompting, Jefferson Hu ’17 simply said, “I hate essays,” which was echoed by many of his peers, and as such, he prefers the new version. Angelina Li ’17 disagrees, since the old test is predictable and a lot of material for it has already been released. She also noted, “Since it’s easier, more people will score better so it will be harder to compare.”

And the College Board can hardly be called impartial; as Vivek Puduri ’15 says, “They’re just following the money.” Ac-

12 university presidents came together to systematize the college admissions process. The first College Board exams consisted of free response questions which tested specific knowledge in different subject areas.

Alfred Binet Invents the IQ Test

Binet designed the first intelligence test. It incorporated the concept of mental age vs. actual age.

THE HIGHLAND FLING, JUNE 2014

The new SAT is no less bewildering to educators. The lack of prep material out right now has left many confused and uncertain. Luckily, most of the current freshmen, who will be the first to take it, don’t seem all that worried.

World War I Recruits

The army tested millions of recruits using the IQ Test, marking the first time a standardized test was administered on a mass scale.

SATs for the Ivies

The SAT became a scholarship test for all the Ivies.

example question

Rearrange the following letters to make a word and choose the category in which it fits:

The SAT Enters High Schools

Carl Brigham brought the army IQ test to Princeton and Cooper Union, ultimately developing the SAT which was first administered in 1926.

RAPETEKA a. city b. fruit c. bird d. vegetable

1900

This influx of new standards is affecting teachers too. The new PARCC test, which will be the HSPA replacement, has left Mr. Roche and his sophomore students troubled, as the class average in an honors course on the first-ever trial run was just above a failing grade. With its ambiguous questions and odd phrasing, the PARCC test seems like a huge leap from its predecessor.

1905

1911-1914

1926

1930s

opinion

Stupidly Awful Test Becca Chant

very year, over a million high school students across the nation embark on the long, dreadful, boring, annoying journey that is the SAT. The original SAT was based off an army IQ test from WWI, and was meant to level the playing field for college applicants. In 1926, the Scholastic Aptitude Test became available. Eventually the introduction of practice books, classes, and tutoring allowed kids to study for a test. With time, people felt that the test measured how well students could take tests, not their aptitude, which should not require studying. In the 1990s, the name was changed to Scholastic Assessment Test, which was also abandoned later because studies found that the test was not a good assessment of students’ knowledge. So now, the SAT literally does not stand for anything, although it continues as a money making machine for the College Board and an unfair assessment of a high school student’s knowledge. The SAT has a disproportionate effect on the college admissions process. A study conducted by the former Dean of Admissions at Bates College, William Hiss, found that students who were accepted without submitting SAT scores versus students who were accepted with SAT scores had a high school GPA that was .0002 points lower, and a graduation rate of .006 percent lower; virtually the same. Many accepted students who did not submit SAT scores had college GPA’s that outperformed their predicted GPA based on their SAT score. For schools that have a minimum SAT score admission requirement, these scores prevent capable students from admission.

That still does not prove enough for an upper-middle class over achiever, because many students who can afford it pay for private SAT tutors. Not surprisingly, recent statistics show that SAT scores directly correlate with income. The College Board deserves some credit to responding to concern about the credibility of the test, as they have announced major changes to the SAT this year. The current CEO, David Coleman, is an advocate for the Common Core standard that has been adopted in most states. Therefore he wants the test to be more closely aligned with the Common Core. Joe Ambrosio ’14 has already dealt with the SAT and college admissions process, and stated, “It’s cool that they’re addressing concerns and moving in the right direction, but I don’t think standardized testing will ever be a good test of knowledge.” College Board is also partnering with Kahn Academy to create free online SAT courses to attempt to provide for less-fortunate students. Esder Chong ’16 has yet to begin the SAT journey, and while she understands the benefits of the free Kahn Academy tutoring, she told the Fling, “I’d rather take a course in person or have one-on-one tutoring.” While these efforts are a step in the right direction, salvaging the SAT is a lost cause. Standardized testing will never be able to measure a student’s intellectual ability or passion. As uncovered by William Hiss, high school grades really do matter. High school grades correlate better with college GPA than SAT scores do. The idea of measuring aptitude, a founding concept of the SAT, is already measured throughout high school. The SAT’s other founding idea, to eliminate discrimination, does not apply anymore as scores have a direct correlation with income, and while free Kahn Academy lectures may help some, many students will still depend on private tutors and prep classes. On the cover of the SAT is the speech bubble “achieve more.” This message is supposed to encourage kids that no matter where you come from, this test will prove to colleges what you are capable of, as originally intended by the first SAT tests. This may be true to students who can afford to pay for books and tutors and classes. But it is not true for all. The SAT stands for nothing, and correlates not to a student’s potential but to their family’s income. Students who do “achieve more” on the SAT will not necessarily perform any better than other students in college. The College Board continues as a profitable non-profit, and while they have announced changes to the SAT, effective change involves colleges placing less emphasis on the value of the test.

So why do colleges continue to demand SAT scores? For large universities, there are benefits to having simple numbers to accept mass amounts of students. However as these studies have proven, high school GPA and student backgrounds are better ways of accepting students to college based on merit, while taking disadvantages into account.

Colleges must recognize that a score cannot define a student’s intellect, creativity, talent, drive, or passion. The growing list of schools that no longer require SAT scores for admission suggests that the days of the SAT are numbered.

A further flaw with the SAT is that it is a profit engine for the College Board. The College Board made over $62 million dollars in revenue last year, which seems like a lot considering that on their website, they brand themselves as “a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity”—Opportunity that costs $51 per test (add $11 if late), $11.25 to send to each college, and $31 by express. That does not include SAT Subject Tests, which do reflect knowledge as they are based on content not tricks, but cost a base fee of $24.50, $13.50 per test, not including late fees, and fees to send each individual test to college. This “not-for-profit” business benefits from advocating for standardized testing as a necessary component of the college admissions process. However it is not just the College Board that is profiting from the demand for standardized testing. Countless other book companies such as Barrons, Kaplan, Princeton Review, and of course, the College Board’s own prep books all cost anywhere from $20 to $30, with SAT subject prep books costing slightly less. Not only is there a market for books, but also for SAT classes which cost somewhere in the range of $100 per session.

Hello, Writing Section!

SAT-Mania!

The University of California adopted the SAT, sparking a nationwide SAT requirement by American colleges.

The College Board introduced the writing section, more advanced math concepts, and reading comprehension, changing the highest possible score from 1600 to 2400.

Rise of the SAT

Over half a million students were now taking the SAT every year!

1957

2005 JUNE 2014, THE HIGHLAND FLING

opinion NO LIE

Goodnight Moon (Landing) Eli Liebell-McLean

et’s talk about the moon landing hoax. Now, I know what you are thinking. “We know that the United States landed a spacecraft on the surface of the moon on July 20, 1969 as the culmination of the Apollo 11 project. We know that Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong walked on the surface of the moon and that Neil Armstrong delivered his famous line: ‘One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.’ We know that the Apollo 11 landing won the Space Race to successfully land a man on the moon in which the United States and the Soviet Union had been competing.” But how do we know all this? Because we’ve been told in school, by our parents, and of course, by the government that Apollo 11 landed on the moon. At face value, this seems like a legitimate reason to believe something; our parents and teachers have a good track record of telling the truth. The government, however, does not. The United States government routinely lies to its people in order to maintain authority and promote its domestic and international agendas. By no means do we have a monopoly on dishonesty. Governments around the world misinform their people, telling them that ruthless dictators are benevolent, that invasive surveillance programs do not exist.

provide conclusive evidence that the landing was faked. Many can be easily debunked. The photo without the reflection of a camera appears that way because the astronauts wore their cameras on their chests. The stars do not appear in the photos because the astronauts used cameras with very fast exposure times which limited the amount of light, creating the illusion that the stars are not there. Discrepancies with shadows have been replicated by our nation’s top scientists, the Mythbusters, and shown to be a trick of the light. A good deal of what the government says may be fictitious. Look at Ronald Reagan’s denial of the Iran-Contra affair or how James Clapper, the director of National Intelligence, lied to Congress regarding the extent of the National Security Agency’s surveillance activity. It is our duty as citizens of a functioning democracy to question all suspicious action by our government, no matter how apparently ridiculous. The cost of false paranoia is far outweighed by the threat that one day we might accept everything we hear as true.

Would faking the moon landing advance the US’s international agenda? Undeniably. Following World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union became embroiled in a decades-long Cold War, during which both nations strove to create a more powerful nuclear arsenal to prepare for a possible World War III. Each nation sought to expand its influence and guiding philosophy (Capitalism or Communism) on other nations. Although the act of landing on the moon had no physical value for the US or the USSR, the achievement bolstered national pride and demonstrated technological superiority to the rest of the world, possibly expanding the successful nation’s influence. There seems, at this point, no on the moon in 1969 other government. Unless we look made—while they were filming

reason to disbelieve that humans walked than the occasional untrustworthiness of at the flagrant mistakes which NASA the moon landing right here on Earth!

I spoke Highland Park’s amateur cryptologist, Michio Tanaka ’14 about the highly dubious collection of photographs purportedly taken while on the surface of the moon. He pointed out a variety of suspicious details which lack sufficient explanations. These range from the hard-to-spot, like lighting discrepancies and a flag apparently waving in a vacuum, to the almost blatantly obvious, like the lack of visible stars or the fact that no camera can be seen in the reflection of the space suit visor in certain pictures. It’s easy to discount much of this evidence using explanations provided by NASA and aeronautical experts, but it seems hard to believe that all of these details should be discarded. In 1969, Richard Nixon was the President of the United States of America. The Cold War was in full swing and the US needed a victory over the Soviets, who had successfully launched the first unmanned satellite into space. We may never know if the first moon landing was always intended to be a fake or if a last minute situation compelled NASA to lie to the American people. And so the moon landing becomes unquestioned reality. The moon landing was most likely not faked by the United States government. However, the consideration of such a conspiracy should not be rejected as a paranoid delusion. While many details about the photographs f r o m Apollo 11 seem o d d , they do not

THE HIGHLAND FLING, JUNE 2014

Despite being in the shadow of the lander, Buzz Aldrin is clearly visible and illuminated in this photograph. Since there is only one light source on the moon (the sun), this photograph is impossible.

The lack of stars in the background can be cited as proof that the moon landing was faked. However, the astronauts supposedly used camera lenses with extremely fast exposure, which would not capture the light of the stars.

No camera can be seen in this photograph, supposedly taken by an astronaut clearly without a camera in his hand. This can easily be countered by the fact that the astronauts carried cameras on their chests.

There is no wind on the moon, yet this flag flies proudly. Prop flag deliberately staged using a fan inside a film studio deep within the Pentagon?

opinion TREVOR ENDEAVOR

To the Right, To the Right Gabriel Trevor

resident Obama’s critics on the right love to label him with America’s favorite political swear word—“socialist.” But a closer evaluation of President Obama’s record on education reveals otherwise—a move towards the dissolution of state institutions, a shift of power from publicly elected officials to wealthy oligarchs, and the destruction of public sector unions. The Common Core State Standards, and their connection to punitive standardized tests, highlight these changes and display a President ready, willing, and able to buck the labels presented by his Republican opponents. The most dangerous part of President Obama’s education agenda is its bipartisan support, from “moderate” Republicans and Democrats. This creates a sense of false consensus—If former Governor Jeb Bush (R-FL) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) can agree on something, it must be great, right? Back to the Common Core State Standards. The standards themselves are not the whole problem. National standards for education are an admirable goal, and while many educators consider aspects of them flawed, the concept is not terrible. The real problem is the way that these standards are enforced. Before the implementation of the Common Core standards, states generally chose their own standards, of varying qualities. For example, New Jersey students learned different materials than New York students. However, the problems with Common Core standards began at their inception. They were created in 2009 and published in 2010. Rapidly, states began to implement them. Gates Foundation-funded consultants working for the National Governors Association wrote the Common Core. Most of these consultants were college professors or testing experts with deep ties to the testing industrial complex—not K-12 educators who know how children learn or what they need to know. State governments were coerced into accepting the standards because of Race to the Top, a series of grants for education given out by the Obama Administration. Attached to these grants were requirements that states accept the Common Core State Standards in some fashion. This is a common practice in federal grants, but it has created many conservatives enemies of the standards and forced many states desperate for education funding to accept the standards without considering their merits.

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

Oscar Lee Zoe Temple Sarah Cheng Maddie Hehir Jana Choi Elena Weissman Olivia Draper

advisor

Brett Roche

One of the big problems with Common Core, which highlights Obama’s disconnection with the left, is the way Common Core is attached to teacher evaluations. 43 out of the 44 states implementing Common Core require that students take standardized tests based on the standards. Teachers will be evaluated based on these standardized tests. What this means is that teacher are required to teach their curriculum in line with the Common Core State Standards, which—like them or not—will never be perfect. Different states have different percentages of teacher evaluations connected to standardized tests, but the fact is that the increase in testing found under Common Core and its connection to punitive teach evaluations represents a disregard for hard earned labor rights earned by teachers unions over the years. Combined with weakened tenure laws in states like New Jersey, teachers are quickly losing the job security that helps attract qualified candidates to jobs. Not just that, but more and more time is being devoted to teaching to the standardized tests and taking standardized tests. The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC, is a set of assessments implemented in New Jersey and other states based on the Common Core Standards. Next year, these tests will be implemented in New Jersey. PARCC testing will consist of nine assessments in a single year for high school students—in addition to the four hours of state-mandated biology testing, benchmark tests, and quarterlies. Real instruction time that could be spent on projects, discussions, or real learning is wasted preparing for and taking tests that will ultimately never be an accurate measure of student achievement or potential. The PARCC assessments have caused headaches for districts in New Jersey, forcing some (like our own) to purchase expensive equipment to handle the testing, which is largely electronic. Many see the implementation of Common Core as too quick. In New York, in response to public backlash to the Common Core-related testing, the State Assembly voted to delay implementation by two years. In the end, it is important for those who identify with the Democratic Party or the left end of the political spectrum to never stop being skeptical of politicians who claim to be progressive or liberal. Along with his education policy, President Obama has taken much more conservative stances with foreign policy, national security policy, and the economy than many might have expected when they voted for him in 2008.

writers Charlotte Finegold, Tia Wangli, Amita Shukla, Eli Liebell-McLean, Becca Chant, Gabe Trevor, Miranda Safir, Shana Oshinskie, Jisu Jeong, Camryn Kozachek, Dawn Park, Eli Copperman, Olivia Bridges

illustrators & photographers Becca Chant, Eli Liebell-McLean, Katie Mitchell, Charlotte Finegold, Jisu Jeong

the official newspaper of highland park high school highland park, new jersey 08904 . thehighlandfling@gmail.com . hpfling.tumblr.com . facebook.com/hpfling . @hpfling JUNE 2014, THE HIGHLAND FLING

feature

Senior Moment

“

Miranda Safir

Senior year is an emotional roller coaster, starting with college applications, college tours, college interviews. By the New Year, applications are submitted and all that is left to do is to wait for April, when most colleges release their admissions decisions. Accepted, denied, or waitlisted—these moments can be exciting or disappointing, but will pass in the blink of an eye. By May, students must commit to a school. No one can prepare any senior completely for the experience they are about to embark on, but a few seniors offered some advice and reflections to help the next group of students entering their final year of high school.

J oe A mbrosio ’14

“

All facets of life improve when you don’t take yourself too seriously.

“Don’t end your last year with the thought ‘Oh I didn’t do anything differently’ or with any regrets. This is the time to be the person you were scared to be during your first three years.” – Ana Miletic “Do your work in study hall so you can enjoy senioritis.” – Olivia Caputo

L uca G iovannetti ’14

“

“I would say always follow your dreams.” – Ben Goldstein

“

It really flew by. You have to savor every moment, because before you know it, you’ll be graduating.

“Senior year will move way faster than you expect it to, so take the time to enjoy the little things.” – David Segal

“

“Learn to let go.” – Razia Idris

“

Relax and enjoy every moment. Spend time with your friends and family. Stay focused and remember that your education, no matter what college you go to after high school, is what you make of it. Keep in mind that high school is temporary. Get started on your college applications, take your classes seriously, and don’t stop working. M iranda S afir ’14

“Senior year has been awesome without a doubt, although I’ve done about 3% of my homework... Do your homework.” – Tyler Vella

“Don’t make permanent decisions based on your temporary emotions.” – Vi Shetty

“

I would definitely say that I underestimated how much work senior year would be. Having said that, my advice is to plan ahead and do your research about colleges and applications over the summer. The application process can be confusing, and trying to figure it out during the school year was one of my biggest sources of stress, and, honestly, I forgot to have fun this year. Finally, make the best of high school. Do things you enjoy, take classes you like, and spend time with your friends because time flies and you’ll be nearing the end of your senior year before you know it. T abitha L umour -M ensah ’14

“Good night and good luck.” – Samantha Lanni “Start everything early! Be finished with all of your standardized testing before the start of your senior year—you’ll be glad you did. Start the Common App in the summer; get the easy sections out of the way before the school year hits and save your energy for the essays. The first semester of your senior year counts! Work hard, but enjoy your fleeting time at home and with your family and in a town with your friends. It’s a great time to be alive.” – Zoe Temple THE HIGHLAND FLING, JUNE 2014

feature

Hallway Couture Oscar Lee The halls of Highland Park High School may not always be the most glamorous place, but that doesn’t stop students from treating it like a runway. Underclassmen and upperclassmen embraced all types of looks, from secretarial chic to normcore.

Rahmate Islam ’15

Olivia Caputo ’14

Eli Liebell-McLean ’14

Rose He ’15

Top: H&M

Top: Urban Outfitters

Top: Airport

Top: Banana Republic

Pants: Urban Outfitters

Pants: Adidas

Shoes: GH Bass & Co.

Shoes: Birkenstocks

Luky Tapia ’14 Blouse: JC Penney Leggings: JC Penney Shoes: JC Penney Earrings: JC Penney

Sara Balavram ’17

Hailey Conrad ’16

Top: Mandee

Top: Delia’s

Skirt: Forever 21

Pants: Aeropostale

Sandals: Target

Shoes: Target

Tamara Tinawi ’16 Blazer: Mom’s Closet Blouse: Forever 21 Skirt: TJ Maxx Ankle Boots: TJ Maxx

Lily Smith-Mullen ’17

Kara Toman-Haney ’14 Shoes: Nike

Dress: Thrifted

Talia Sclafani ’17 Flower Crown: Claire’s Shirt: Forever 21 Skirt: Delia’s Shoes: Converse

Ms. Adams Dress: Macy’s

Shoes: Target JUNE 2014, THE HIGHLAND FLING

feature

Remembering David Younge O

Charlotte Finegold

n October 2, 2013, the Highland Park community lost one of its most inspiring members, Dave Younge. He was pioneer of journalism and in 2007, he founded The Mirror, a newspaper that covered Highland Park and represented community opinion. For the next five years, Dave wrote for, published, edited, and collected ad sales for this paper. In February 2012, due to the state of Dave’s health, The Mirror published its last issue. To honor his work and the inspiring influence that Dave has had on Highland Park community members, particularly journalists, The Fling spoke to several of his former staff members to hear their experiences of working on the paper and the lessons they learned from Dave. Ghislaine Darden I wrote the column “Old Things Considered.” I began writing about the history of household objects and house repairs, and towards the end of my article writing days, I started writing about interesting tidbits about Highland Park. I was a volunteer writer for The Mirror and had a fairly loose relationship with Dave. I submitted my articles to him every other week. He was a great boss! He left a really valuable communications tool for the community that I miss reading!

and doing. He tried to include issues that were getting under our skin as well as what interesting things our kids were doing in school and on the field. I always expect to see him walking through the library doors, with a great story idea and a wry smile. We all miss him very much.

that I’d even call him a boss, because he never made me feel like that; his managerial skills were unbelievable. You never felt like you were spoken down to…you always felt you were spoken with, and I feel like that’s a really important element to any successful business.

Danny Breslauer Danny Breslauer ‘06 became the head sportswriter for The Mirror while he was at Rutgers. He recalls that he was in Brett Hall on College Ave when he heard from his mom that Dave Younge wanted him for the paper. Although he neither knew Dave nor was specializing in writing, he decided to give The Mirror a try.

On all fronts, including the sports end, Dave really had everything covered. And it’s incredible that he started The Mirror in the first place—I mean, he was a tech writer for Verizon and AT&T and other companies, and he had a big family full of kids who are fantastic individuals. To decide that in his down time he was going to create and run a newspaper is an amazing thing to do. And the community responded to the paper amazingly.

Dave said, “Listen, everyone’s told me you’re a sports writer. I know you did the column for The Fling.” And I joined his team. I didn’t know what I was getting into—I look back sometimes at that writing from 2007 and cringe, but I know that he was a major part of my development as a writer, as a journalist, and even as a broadcaster; any broadcaster will tell you that you need a major writing background, because before you can speak, you have to write. Dave was big on emphasizing that the written word allows you to be as articulate as you can be. If you could master that, you’d be articulate in all forms.

“

Valeri Weidmann I knew Dave from the library, where I work. He would often come in with his family, and it was always pleasant to see him; he had a wry sense of humor and seemed to always be in a good mood. I was happy to hear that he was founding a newspaper and we talked about my interest in writing feature stories and book and theater reviews.

I learned a lot from him about journalism, about inclusion, and about human decency. I learned that there are still people in this town and in this world who understand the importance of independent media.

Dave was great fun to work with and an excellent editor. I enjoyed discussing future articles with him and he suggested many great spins. He knew Highland Park, his audience, and what was going on here and there.

L aurel K ornfeld

THE HIGHLAND FLING, JUNE 2014

“

He was an incredibly brave guy. He never complained or flinched. He was dedicated to his family, serving up a great hometown newspaper to his community, and always ready with a smile for everyone he greeted. Dave provided Highland Park with what was genuinely a mirror of what our downtown was up to, what people were thinking

I’d submit my pitches about sports and community events ever week, and then I’d go to Dave’s house to discuss my ideas. It was a unique experience to sit down and talk about these stories with Dave, because he was both editor and publisher, so he brought rare perspectives to the job.

Sometimes, he’d be adamant about a story he wanted, other times he’d say, “Alright, Danny – go with the flow and do what you think should be covered.” He was a very accessible and a very unique boss—not

He was an incredible asset to the community. Not only did everyone in the community respect him as a journalist, as an editor, and as a publisher, but he also was a part of the community in that he helped out with so many borough events and made sure that everyone had a full grasp of what Highland Park was all about. I mean, it’s a unique place in so many ways—in our athletics, our schools, and our students—and he knew it inside and out. It’s a huge loss to the community, but he’s got a great family, and I know that they won’t let anyone forget him. Elizabeth Estes Liz Estes, a stringer for The Mirror, says that she met Dave about a decade ago as they both were strolling around the neighborhood. I talk to strangers—and so did Dave. He told me about The Mirror before he published his first issue. I was impressed by his boldness—publishing a real, live newsprint paper for our small town, independent of the borough or any other organization. He could sniff out a former public relations person when he met one. He wanted to assign me articles and pay me for them. He pitched one to me—“Go talk to the woman on South Second who keeps posting billboards about how the town is violating all kinds of statutes with its sidewalk ordinances.” I said, “You cannot pay me enough.” And he couldn’t. Nevertheless, I became a frequent contributor. Estes tells of the significant coverage that The Mirror gave to the social justice proj-

ects pursued by the Reformed Church of Highland Park. The Reformed Church needed to connect to all the citizens of Highland Park to let them know what was going on and how they could help. So Dave and his daughters got involved in the “HP Kids Helping Kids” project to build a school in Zambia for AIDS orphans and vulnerable children. Dave published three extensive articles with photos of the school in various stages of development. Thanks to The Mirror, kids volunteered and came up with their own fundraising ideas. Through bake sales, talent shows, soccer marathons, Mr. Ray concerts, and free advertising in The Mirror, they raised $16,000 total and finished a brand new school where before kids took turns learning in a leaky mud hut. The Mirror also helped to spur the Highland Park community to action when a member of the Reformed Church congregation was arrested and detained in the Elizabeth Detention and was threatened with deportation. Dave helped us spring into action. I wrote a series of articles about the terrible conditions we learned about for undocumented immigrants. Thanks to the articles, people would stop me on the street and say, “I had no idea there’s a warehouse for 200 people at the entrance of Newark Airport!” At the Irving carpool pick-up line, teachers would tell me they were praying for our friend and his U.S.-citizen children who are now Highland Park students. The Mirror helped us tell the story about our undocumented neighbors who were otherwise invisible. Estes tells about The Mirror’s third success in promoting affordable housing projects in Highland Park, such as Irayna Court above the church, which houses 6 women who aged out of foster care, and the All Saints Apartments, formerly an Episcopal church on South Third Ave., that now houses eleven formerly homeless US Veterans. Until The Mirror helped Pastor Seth Kaper-Dale explain how these projects would enhance our community, opponents threatened their very existence. Typically these kinds of houses are relegated to the remote areas of town. But, thanks to Dave, Highland Park embraces these people and the community that supports them.

feature I’d say Dave’s legacy was helping people care in a really in-your-face kind of way, the way we all need to be reminded to slow down, learn, and help. Amy Braunstein Amy Braunstein was a reporter and distribution manager for the paper. Writing for The Mirror was my first real job after college that wasn’t waiting tables. I am so grateful he took a chance on me and got me started in local journalism. Working with Dave taught me that local newspapers don’t just happen. It takes the local knowledge, organization and leadership to get the project off the ground. Laurel Kornfeld Laurel Kornfeld was a freelance writer for The Mirror. Dave was kind enough to offer me the opportunity after a publication I had previously been writing for went out of business. As a journalist, Dave was very dedicated to running a successful newspaper in Highland Park. While he included New Brunswick in his coverage, as a borough resident, he had a special love for this town, which was obvious. He always made a supreme effort to provide fair coverage, especially when controversy erupted in town. As a boss, he was easy going, friendly, flexible, and open to ideas I proposed for articles. He was more friend than boss. In my case, he showed personal concern for my wellbeing. At times, I worked on projects from his house, and he always made sure I had something to eat while I was there. He would often order food and pay for it in spite of the fact that he was already paying me to write. One time, the food he ordered never arrived, and I became weak and shaky from hypoglycemia. He went out of his way and drove to a restaurant to get food. Another time I was worried about finding parking in New Brunswick when interviewing a business owner there. He drove me there himself, just to make sure I didn’t have to spend money on parking. I didn’t ask him to do this. He did it because that is the kind of human being he was. Dave was a concerned resident, parent, and businessman in the Highland Park community. He loved this town and volunteered for many projects. In 2002, when Main Street Highland Park began, he ran its newsletter and encouraged other volunteers, including me, to write for it. He was one of the initial members of the Main Street Board of Directors, and to his credit, was not afraid to criticize that board when its practices were less than transparent and inclusive. If someone wanted to serve the town, he welcomed their efforts regardless of their political persuasions. Dave was very much a person of the people, and he was not afraid to acknowledge injustice when it happened. He was always an independent thinker, and as a voter, he was registered as a member of the Green Party. His life and work reflected the ten key values of the Greens, which focus on community-based economics and social justice. He stood for inclusion and real democracy. As a Main Street board member, he worked tirelessly to bring about a more open, transparent process. He acknowledged when something went wrong instead of ignoring it. He actively participated in this community and had friendships with people of all political and religious persuasions. His legacy to this town is that of a fair and professional journalist, a social

and humanitarian activist, and a kind, generous human being. I learned a lot from him about journalism, about inclusion, and about human decency. I learned that there are still people in this town and in this world who understand the importance of independent media. I thank him for including me and valuing my efforts at a time when political polarization led too many people to exclude anyone not in their group, regardless of talent or ability. Jennifer Legra He was such a kind and laid-back soul and gave me the chance to I needed to start using my writing gifts. I always think of him fondly and am saddened to know that he is no longer with us. Howard Princz Howard Princz was another of The Mirror’s sportswriters. He was a wonderful person as both an editor and a member of the community. He was a very fair boss, always open to suggestions on how I could improve my writing skills. As a journalist, his skills were top notch and he was very much non-biased as a writer. The most important lesson I learned from him was being humble, being objective in your writing, as well as being open and honest with the people, in my case the athletes in the Highland Park community and beyond. His legacy for the community was that he had a major impact in giving a fair perspective into what a truly great borough that Highland Park was all about. On November 17, 2013, hundreds of Highland Park community members gathered in the Social Hall of the Reformed Church for a potluck celebration of Dave’s life. Family members, friends, and co-workers spoke extensively about Dave’s magnetic personality and commitment to the town. Says Breslauer, “It really represented everything that Highland Park’s about—the community, celebrating life instead of mourning it. A celebration of life is a great concept, and I think that a lot of people of people can gain a lot from seeing what Dave was able to do for the community in terms of service.” Dave had an incredible influence on journalism in our town and he has been an inspiration for budding journalists, for The Fling, and for committed members of the Highland Park community. He supported partnerships between The Fling and The Mirror by generously lending the high school newspaper distribution baskets to help us reach more of the town. Additionally, select Fling articles were also featured in The Mirror. Sam Trub ’14 had several of his sports articles published. He comments, “I was extremely honored by it. I never imaged that I would ever have an article published in The Mirror. It’s really a great feeling when something you put hard work into is recognized.” Through his hard work on The Mirror and his formal and informal advice for The Fling, Dave improved the quality of journalism throughout Highland Park. His work ethic and passion for journalism has been embodied by generations of high school students, most notably his daughter, Mande Younge ’12 who wrote for, designed, and edited The Fling with a passion and attention to her staff. IN MEMORIAM... David Younge worked tirelessly for the benefit of the Highland Park community. Here we show photographs from his lifetime to celebrate his contributions.

JUNE 2014, THE HIGHLAND FLING

feature

Summer Reading Jisu Jeong

If you have big plans for enjoying a whiff of foreign air, saving the whales, or adding a couple digits to your bank balance this summer, great for you! But for those unfortunate souls whose highlight of the summer will be getting up to go to the bathroom in the middle of binge-watching their favorite shows on Netflix, The Fling has compiled a literary arsenal for the battle against boredom—with help from some of your favorite teachers. So this summer, get out to the library or bookstore and pick up some of these fantastic teacher-approved (but not required) books. Mr. Roche

Mr. Ruck

Everything That Rises Must Converge Flannery O’Connor (320 pages)

A Bend in the Road Nicholas Sparks (400 pages) “I just really loved the twists. I found it very relatable. I couldn’t put it down, and when I got to the end, I didn’t want it to end.”

“It’s a collection of emotionally powerful stories not for the faint of heart.” Everything That Rises Must Converge contains unique stories that revolve around the concepts of morality, race, and faith.

Pick up a copy of A Bend in the Road, a romance story about Miles Ryan, a man who lost his wife in a hit-and-run, and his new relationship with his son’s elementary school teacher. But an unexpected truth is uncovered, which shakes the two lovers’ personal foundations, as well as their relationship. Ms. L. Wilson

Mr. Gold

The Stranger Albert Camus (123 pages)

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking Malcolm Gladwell (296 pages)

“I read it in high school, and it changed my life. It changed the way I viewed the world and everything.”

“It’s a really interesting analysis of how the brain works and how individual people have reached their full potential.”

In The Stranger, Meursault, the protagonist, somehow comes to kill a man. Through the events that follow, Camus explores existentialistic ideas, focusing on our reactions in the face of absurdity.

Blink is about the complex interactions in the brain that occur behind split-second decisions. In this book, Gladwell explains how successful people are able to make the right decisions.

Mr. Colmon

Ms. Stephen

The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance David Epstein (352 pages)

Journal of Chemical Education The American Chemical Society (~150 pages per issue) “It’s really fascinating. Most people won’t be too interested, but if you’re a nerd like me, you’ll love it.”

“There’s a lot of similarity in music preparation and athletic preparation.”

Though not exactly a work of literature, the Journal of Chemical Education (which is the official journal of the American Chemical Society’s Division of Chemical Education) features editorials, articles, and demonstrations about how to get students engaged in learning chemistry.

The Sports Gene contributes to the infamous nature versus nurture debate, in terms of athleticism. Epstein revolutionizes our understanding of what it means to be athletic in this controversial book.

Ms. Barca

Sr. Esteban

Great Expectations Charles Dickens (490 pages)

A Hundred Years of Solitude Gabriel García Márquez (417 pages)

“Enjoy some Dickens over the summer. He’s hilarious.”

“It’s a story about a group of people yet it talks about universal struggles. It’s a beautiful rounded novel.”

Regarded by many as Dickens’s best novel, Great Expectations is a story about an orphan, Pip, whose sole aspiration is to become a gentleman. Suddenly, he ends up with a great deal of fortune, and, as the story progresses, Dickens explores topics like guilt, vengeance, and reward.

THE HIGHLAND FLING, JUNE 2014

Márquez’s Nobel-Prize-winning novel, A Hundred Years of Solitude, is a tale of the history of Macondo, a fantasy town, told through the Buendía family lineage. This magical realism masterpiece revolves around the diverse and constantly-morphing history of Latin America.

The Age-Old Mystery

feature

Shana Oshinskie Where teachers go in the summer—like how some toothpaste tubes manage to produce perfect multicolor stripes—is often considered one of life’s everyday mysteries. However, both can be easily solved either by watching a “toothpaste dissection” video on YouTube or by simply asking what teachers have planned. From Costa Rica to catching up on sleep and everywhere in between, the staff is looking forward to some interesting summer activities. “Viajaré a Costa Rica y España.” - Señor Esteban “Four things: cross country, tennis, camp, and Italy...and maybe visiting Esteban in Spain.” - Coach Stark “Going on a vacation to Maine, visiting the shore, and teaching dance camp. I’m going to stay up late every night and then sleep late.” - Ms. Kaminski “Going to Italy to take an intensive Italian course.” - Ms. Havas “Spending time with my grandkids.” - Ms. P “I’m still deciding! I’m looking forward to not having a summer job and catching up on me.” - Ms. T. Wilson “I’m going on a cross country baseball stadium tour.” - Mr. Harper “I’m going to sleep late every day!” - Ms. Yang “Probably going to Great Adventure, the shore, and staying around school for summer programs I’m overseeing in the middle school.” - Mr. Lassiter

“Going to Austin with some family.” - Ms. Longo “Spending time with Marionni. We’ll be radiating.” - Ms. Dewhirst “Hopefully going to China and getting a job. I’ll probably sleep late.” - Ms. L. Wilson

“I’m going to some conferences, traveling across the United States, and maybe going to the shore.” - Ms. Zimmer “I’m going to sleep late and grow a vegetable garden!” - Ms. Sanders “Riding my bike, walking my dog, and doing house projects.” - Mr. Kruger “Teaching a class at UPenn and travelling for one month.” - Mr. Gold “I’ll be at home cleaning. I’ll basically be a stay at home mom for two months and probably act as a chauffeur.” - Ms. Stephen

“Sleeping. Maybe some racing, working on my car, and hanging out with friends.” - Mr. Roche “Working, going to Greece, and coaching wrestling. Oh, and playing Pokémon.” - Mr. Kasipidis JUNE 2014, THE HIGHLAND FLING

feature

Fun in the Sun Dawn Park

he school year is coming to an end and summer is going to start. We all know what summer is all about; aside from studying for the SAT and working on summer homework, it’s about having fun with friends and family! School is out, so we can do whatever we want to do. But what kinds of fun summer things are there to do? Are you having trouble figuring out your summer plans? Well, don’t worry about it! The Fling compiled a list of great and exciting summer activities that will leave you with fond memories of summer 2014. Since school is out, there is more time to spend with your friends and family! You can do all kinds of simple activities during the summer that will be fun for everyone! For example, you can go out to see movies with others and enjoy a great summer flick. Going on a shopping spree with your friends is a fun activity too, just as long as everyone is buying stuff they all like. It’s also a good idea to visit other people’s houses once in a while; it’ll make you get to know them even more. So there’s many ways you can socialize with people you know and love and have fun at the same time. Taking a walk in the park is great too; it not only gives you a relax-

ing good time with your friends and family, but it will also be beneficial for your physical and mental health. There are also many other sports that you can play, like soccer, basketball, and badminton. Places worth visiting this summer don’t have to be far away. Six Flags is a great example; it houses an amusement park and a waterpark less than an hour away. From a merry-go-round to exhilarating roller coasters and from a wave pool to water slides, Six Flags has plenty of attractions that will excite you after a long fall, winter, and spring of hard classes. Samantha Marder ’16 and Ruth Kang ’16 shared, “Six Flags. Definitely. You get to have so much fun there!” There are also many other carnivals or amusement parks that are worth visiting. It doesn’t matter if it’s a nearby local one or one from a long distance; it’ll still give you a fun time. “I think going on a vacation is fun,” said Rangsiya Thapbunmi ’16. “I’d like to visit Disneyland; I’ve been there before, it was fun.” New York City is a definite must! This famous landmark has plenty of extravagance to offer: Broadway musicals, the National Museum, skyscrapers abound, Central Park, and a whole bunch of various shops, restaurants, hotels, and concerts. Good Morning America hosts weekly concerts at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park over the sum-

mer, so check out who’s going to be on stage, buy a train ticket, and enjoy the tunes! Even if you’re not planning on leaving town, there’s a lot of fun to be had in Highland Park. Our local library holds many special events in June, July, and August. One of them is the Friends of the Library International Film Festival, which will feature a series of movies from around the world that are suitable for teens and adults. Titles include Son of the Bride, Philomena, and Caesar Must Die. There will also be workshops for those who like to spend their spare time doing creative writing including “Writing Your Family History” and “Start an Art Blog.” And don’t forget about Independence Day! There will be many outdoor parties for people to celebrate. There are a lot of fun things to do in our community during the summer, so go ahead and spare some time for fun in Highland Park! As long as you have a fun time, it will make summer feel never ending. Perhaps you are all really to get started on all the fun things you’re going to do. Summer still feels eons away, but it will be here before we know it. All we have to do for now is wait patiently and work hard in school. And when that day comes, get ready to for a great, fun, and memorable summer break!

Teachers Before They Were Teachers Camryn Kozachek Sometimes, it is hard to imagine teachers outside of school, but not all Highland Park teachers started out in the front of our classrooms. In fact, there are many teachers working at Highland Park High School who consider teaching their second or third profession. The Fling interviewed a few teachers to hear about their pre-teaching careers. What job did you have before you became a teacher? Ms. T. Wilson I’m an alternate route teacher, and that basically means I have a life outside going into education. I didn’t do teaching right after college; I was in the business field. Before coming to Highland Park High school, I was a pharmacological representative for Pfizer Pharmaceutical for 10 years, from 1998 to 2007. When I was laid off—a lot of pharmaceuticals during that time laid off a lot of their sales force—I had to find something else to do. I got a severance package, and to make a long story short, I took the year to do a couple of things, like traveling and starting a creative business. Mr. Harper The last job I had was a substitute teacher here. Before that, I worked for a company where I was a salesman for industrial construction supplies. Mr. Gold Well, I started off thinking that I was going to be in politics and government. I majored in political science, and I was working at the governor’s office, and I liked it, but I saw some things there that didn’t excite me and fulfill me, so I left politics and government and I decided to get involved in marketing. I did marketing work for a private company developing a website. While this was happening, even while I was working at the governor’s office, I stayed involved in Model UN and IDIA, an organization that runs Model UN conferences. I really didn’t like being behind a desk, doing that type of work. I liked the volunteering that I was doing with students, like going into schools and helping and advising college students at Rutgers, so I decided to leave that job to go back and to think about education. I looked into some nonprofits that dealt with education, and I ended up at a nonprofit organization doing work involving health education. I was a development associate there and raised money for developing programs. At the same time I started to go back to graduate school for education, and I eventually started working at the organization I was volunteering for previously. I was director of development there, doing curriculum development and civic engagement work trying to get kids involved in their communities, so I got to go to all different types of schools and help them with starting programs, and THE HIGHLAND FLING, JUNE 2014

doing cool things in classrooms. When I finally finished up my graduate studies and got my teacher certification, I eventually ended up coming into the classrooms here at Highland Park. Do you have any interesting anecdotes about your former job? Mr. Harper Not really, probably the most interesting was that I went to a lot of metal shops, and the reason why I wear glasses most of the time as opposed to contacts is that I got a nice piece of metal scrap in my eye. It was the worst feeling in the world. Other than that, it was a pretty boring job. I sat in a construction site smelling room all day and went to construction yards and saw if they needed stuff. You know when your dad builds a deck? I sold the pieces that built the deck. Mr. Gold I was at the governor’s office when Governor McGreevy had to resign because he was having an affair with a staffer. He had to come out as being homosexual, and he was married at that point with a family, and it was a pretty controversial thing. I remember being upstairs and getting a lot of texts from friends that thought it was funny and were making jokes about

it, and while they were making jokes about it, I was watching everyone around me crying because their careers were pegged to this guy.

I knew that their whole lives were going to be different because of that, so it made me think of working in government differently, because when you really are so dedicated to an individual person or politician, you don’t have control over what they do. You never really know the whole truth, and I like the opportunity to feel like I’m in control of my own professional goals. What made you decide to start teaching? Ms. T. Wilson They were always talking in the news, “We need teachers. We need teachers.” So I said, “Well, let me check this out,” so I did, and I started subbing. What was new for me was that I didn’t even know about alternate route and I didn’t want to go back to school. It was a lot more money to go back to school, but people talked to me and said, “You have a master’s degree and a sales background—you can teach business in high school.” So that’s really what happened. I had to have a mentor, then a year of classroom management. I had a good experience with that, and I think that alternate route teachers are very necessary, because, again, we have a lot to bring to the classroom. We can bring real world experience, not just textbook information. Mr. Harper Well I was subbing here, and it was nice that web design, which is a hobby of mine that I’ve had for over a decade, was open, so I jumped at the opportunity to teach a hobby of mine. Mr. Gold I really loved working with college students and I really loved helping them learn how to teach high school students, which was what I was doing when I was advising Rutgers kids. I love that dynamic of teaching, and trying to figure out how each student can be their best. I never felt encouraged to go into teaching, and I wish that I did, I wish that I had decided earlier, but when I finally said “Hey, this is something I’d like to spend my day doing, I’d like to make this my life,” I then committed to it and it’s been a very good decision.

feature

Geoff the Chef Did you have to apply?

Shana Oshinskie & Camryn Kozachek When asked about their summer plans, most Highland Park students will give one of three answers: sleeping, working, or going to camp. Geoff Muniz ’15, however, is following the path less traveled all the way to Mexico for a regional culinary experience.

Yeah, I applied and I got in. Then I applied for scholarship money and got about half the cost back. It’s still going to be expensive, but I’m really looking forward to it.

Can you tell us a little bit about why you’re interested in cooking? Yeah, it’s just something I’ve always liked to do. I really like food and the way it’s made has always interested me. How long have you been cooking?

What are you going to do this summer?

I used to help my mom out in the kitchen when I was little, so that’s always been a big part of my family’s tradition. It’s just a really big part of my family—my grandfather used to own a restaurant, I think.

So this summer I’m doing a study abroad program in Mexico. The theme is regional cuisine in Latin local food culture. Basically, I’ll be going to Mexico for a month as part of a program with a bunch of other high school students, and we’ll be learning about the local food. So for one week we’ll be working in one of the Mexican restaurants in the city of Puebla, and then we’ll study under a chef In El Chico. We’re also going to be going to Oaxaca for a week, and then we’ll do some sight-seeing and touring. We’ll go look at monuments and things, so it should be a lot of fun.

Are you going to go to culinary school? Yeah, I would hope to. Is that influencing how you go through high school? Have you taken any classes to get ready? Not really. I did take one of Ms. Mitchell’s classes, though.

What inspired you to do this program?

What are you looking forward to most?

My family’s been doing this program for a while now; my aunts and uncles went, my mom went, and my grandmother went. Also, I’ve always wanted to leave the country, get better at Spanish, and be a chef when I grow up. And I really like Mexican food.

The ladies. What else are you doing this summer? I might visit some relatives but I’m not really sure. It’s going to be mainly about Mexico.

Screenshot Maddie Hehir Before there were smart phones, there were laptops. Before there were laptops, there were desktops. Before there were desktops, there were libraries. With the evolution of technology comes the evolution of social media. Social media sprang out of the birth of the Internet, and with each passing year it has become increasingly popular. While social media has always been popular since its creation, it has changed forms multiple times. The first main form of social media was email. It still remains a practical form of communication and is used in the professional sphere. While the website Friendster was created in 2003, the later launch of MySpace marked the true explosion of social media.

Social media’s evolution shows that users, especially younger users, prefer less writing in their social media outlets. This is evident as email was all writing and Facebook also had longer writing and messaging. With Twitter’s 140-character rule, writing is limited. Teens tend to favor Instagram and Snapchat as the focus is on the picture rather than the words. One Highland Park student said, “I use Snapchat because I like that you can send a picture and message at the same

time.” Snapchat is often used as a form of texting, which of course still remains popular with both younger and older demographics. Social media sites and their popularity among users continue to change as time progresses. Social media has, however, become a common and seemingly essential part of life and will continue to be. One thing is clear: social media will not be going extinct anytime soon. It will continue to evolve in order to fit its user.

The younger generation has truly shaped the evolution of social media throughout the years and continues to do so today. The creation of Facebook quickly attracted young users and was a way for people to stay connected to others both publically by creating their status and privately through messages. Facebook today has become more popular with adults than teens as teens are switching to new social media sites such as Tumblr and Twitter, while more adults, primarily women in their mid-twenties, flock to Facebook. Sophie Gillerman ’15 still finds use in Facebook. She told The Fling, “I like using Facebook to check in on Highland Park alumni.” Other forms of social media have surpassed Facebook in youth popularity. Instagram, Twitter, and more recently Snapchat have become the “new Facebook.” PLUGGED IN Students, to their teachers’ dismay, love to interact virtually during and outside of the classroom. NOTE: No education was disrupted in the taking of this photograph.

JUNE 2014, THE HIGHLAND FLING

feature

What’s Next for the Class of 2014? Joseph Ambrosio – Indiana University

Tyler Makridis–Vella – West Virginia University

Theresa Antonini – Middlesex County College

Lucas Marin – Westminster Choir College

Tyree Aultman – Undecided

Christian Martinez – Stevenson University

Cesar Avila – Kean University

Daniel Martinez – Middlesex County College

Juan Azcona – Undecided

Brandi Mathis – Undecided

Jonathan Baay – Rutgers University

Emily Merino – Boston College

Balint Balassa – Gap year

Ana Miletic – Brandeis University

Uri Bar – Gap year in Israel

Charlotte Millet – Rutgers University

Igor Bich – The College of New Jersey

Amit Miretzky – Rhode Island School of Design

Emmet Brennan – Rutgers University

Katherine Mitchell – Rutgers University

Yesica Camacho – Rutgers University

Valentina Mondaca – Rutgers University

Olivia Caputo – Rutgers University

Kayla Morgan – Middlesex County College

Andrew Carnegie–Blackman – Undecided

Nina Moyal – Middlesex County College

Jeong Choe – Moving to Korea

Elizabeth Murphy – Wagner College

Grace Chong – Rutgers University

Peter Murphy – UNC Chapel Hill

Samantha Clayton – Middlesex County College

Haeri Noh – St. Peters University

Jeremy Coster – Moving to Florida

Kelsey O’Sullivan – Middlesex County College

Oannya Dowdell–Ceasar – Lincoln University

Chidire Odikanwa – West Virginia University

Bryce Eato – Central Florida or Middlesex

Guanqing Pan – Rutgers University

Zanasia Gaines – Salon Professional Academy

Sebastian Patino – John Jay College

Gabriela Garcia – Middlesex County College

Andrew Powell – Richard Stockton College of NJ

Jecenia Garcia – Middlesex County College

Lars Rasmussen – Rutgers University

Thomas Garrity – Rutgers University

Estephany Reyes – Middlesex County College

Aaron Gartenberg – Emerson College

Devorah Rubin – Middlesex County College

Jabril Giannotti – Marine Corps

Jason Rudolph – Middlesex County College

Luca Giovannetti – Rutgers University

Miranda Safir – Bryn Mawr College

Benjamin Goldstein – Ursinus College

Sanofar Saleem – Rutgers University

Dylan Gordeuk – Seton Hall University

Danny Sanchez – Marine Corps

Nechama Hanoch – Rutgers University

Angel Sarante – Rutgers University

Jonathan Harley – Middlesex County College

David Segal – Rutgers University

Madeline Hehir – Rutgers University

Vaishnavi Shetty – Rutgers University

Michael Hoffman – Fordham University

Aubrey Shombert – Rutgers University

Razia Idris – Rutgers University

Benjamin Siegel – Rutgers University

Alexander Ilnytsky – Rutgers University

Cordell Silverman – Keene State University

Julia Kaplan – Sarah Lawrence College

Samuel Stein – Rowan University

Zoe Karagan – Rutgers University

Dorina Szabo – Middlesex County College

Rebecca Klee – Monmouth University

Michio Tanaka – New York University

Joon–Young Ko – Georgia Tech

Luky Tapia – Middlesex County College

Aidan Kusnecov – Rutgers University

Zoe Temple – University of California, Berkeley

Emily Lanaris – Rutgers University

Zacharia Tinawi – Middlesex County College

Harrison Landis – Carnegie Mellon University

Kara Toman–Haney – Middlesex County College

Samantha Lanni – Rutgers University

Zanae Torres – Middlesex County College

Arleen Lara – Bergen Community College

Gabriel Trevor – Clark University

Helen Lee – Rutgers University

Samuel Trub – Rutgers University

Oscar Lee – Stanford University

Zhiming Tu – University of Rochester

Vincent Lee – Middlesex County College

Lydia Wang – Rutgers University

Travis LeSuer – Middlesex County College

Elena Weissmann – Brown University

Chenbin Liao – Rutgers University

Leah Williams – Northampton Community College

Eli Liebell–McLean – Rutgers University

Nina Xue – Smith College

Alexander Liu – Monmouth University

Mary Yan – Rutgers University

Tabitha Lumour-Mensah – Princeton University

Daniel Zhu – New York University

Zhengyuan Mao Ma – Rutgers University

THE HIGHLAND FLING, JUNE 2014

feature

Letter from the Editor(s)

Managing The Fling often felt like keeping a head above water—navigating conflicting personalities, spending hours on photoshop making graphics, freaking out over low-quality pictures, sending passive-aggressive emails, writing last minute articles to fill up space, lugging around three laptops in my backpack, assuring JS Printing that we will in fact pay our bills.

But all those concerns fade to black when the paper finally comes out. There’s something special about harvesting midnight panic into something tangible, about holding and flipping through hard work. This year, we focused on design and readability, starting with the front page. In previous versions of The Fling, the eye would read up-down, then leftright, adding an element of clutter to the front page. In our version, we simplified the layout to read only up-down. Additionally, we simplified our font profiles to remain constant and streamlined the columns. We manipulated shapes and shades to create contrast and contribute to a cleaner, more modern aesthetic. In other words, we tried to make things prettier.

But The Fling’s not just a pretty face. We did not prioritize style over substance, but rather style with substance. A 16-page Staff Handbook, the brainchild of Charlotte Finegold ’13, was finally completed. It guided writing and outlined journalistic conventions. The Handbook included staff responsibilities, The Fling’s ethics policy, interview etiquette, and more. Because we do not have a journalism class, much of what we do is self taught—the Handbook was crucial in introducing standard practices in journalism. We also decreased the number of issues this year— from 8 to 6. This decreased allowed us to focus more time and energy into individual issues. Quality over quantity, if you will. Additionally, we made a conscious effort to highlight student accomplishments in articles reminiscent of vintage “My Story” pieces. We introduced the “Entertainment Roundup,” an overview of recent music and media we like. Our short “By the Numbers” graphics present data in a way that is visually attractive and straightforward. To expand our internet presence, we built a clean website on tumblr, up-

dated monthly with our most interesting and relevant articles. We accomplished a lot, but we leave The Fling with a couple things unattended. Although we ran a couple bake sales, we were not successful in raising money through ads, which prevented us from attending the Columbia Scholastic Press Association Spring Convention. This year was one to remember—snow days spent layout-ing, exchanging fourteen drafts with Mr. Roche until perfecting the edition, receiving regular emails about our frozen account from our printer— but it could never have ran so smoothly without the help of a few very special people. We would like to extend our thanks to Mr. Roche, the most amazing advisor we could have asked for; Charlotte Finegold, for her limitless dedication to her high school newspaper; our fellow editors, for all of their hard work and long hours; and finally, our readers—you! Without you, this paper would serve no purpose. Thanks for a great year, Oscar Lee & Zoe Temple ‘14

The Fling Through the Years

2011

2012

2013 JUNE 2014, THE HIGHLAND FLING

arts

Carnegie Hall (of Fame) A

Sarah Cheng

pril was an exciting month for the music department as the chorus, band, and orchestra all attended field trips to show off Highland Park’s artistic talent in national competitions. Members of the Philharmonic Orchestra spent the latter half of their spring break in New York City, frequenting Central Park in the morning and Time Square at night as part of their experience at the World Heritage Festival of Gold at Carnegie Hall. Their trip package included a guided tour

of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and tickets to see Les Miserables on Broadway. On the day of their performance, students also had the opportunity to listen to other nationally recognized high school ensembles. Orchestra members had the opportunity to explore the city during free time with a chaperone. This trip meant a lot to every member of the orchestra. Next year marks the tenth anniversary of Highland Park Orchestra’s establishment, and it is amazing to look back at the past nine years to see how far the group has come. One judiciary, impressed

with the performance, commented, “I really enjoyed your performance… Bravo!” Emily Merino ’14 says her favorite part of the trip was getting to meet and hug the actor who plays Jean Valjean, the protagonist of Les Miserables, “His performance was amazing, so I had to meet the man himself. When he came out to greet everyone, he was really sweet and did not hesitate at all to give me a hug. It was seriously the best hug in my life.” Thomas Li ’16 says the most inspiring part of this trip was hearing the other schools

play at Carnegie Hall, “After listening to other people’s performances, I now have more motivation to practice and get better at my own instrument. It was a fun experience, too.” “The stage was gigantic and the acoustics sounded amazing! It’s like you can hear everyone around you play but still hear yourself clearly,” Tia Wangli ’16 recounts her surreal experience. Between sightseeing, shopping, and performing, all the students enjoyed this learning experience.

HIGH STRUNG Ms. Feng, Highland Park High School’s orchestra teacher, pulled some strings to get the Highland Park Philharmonic Orchestra to play in Carnegie Hall.

Charlie Boy D

Becca Chant

uring the summer of 1967, a cold front blew through Metuchen, New Jersey. Charles Joseph Shultz, former Metuchen High School Vice President, newspaper editor, and Boy Scout was killed in action in Quang Tin, Vietnam. 15 years later, Wesley Schultz, Charles’ nephew was born in Ramsey, New Jersey. In 2002, upon the death of Wesley’s childhood friend Josh Fraite, Wesley bonded with Josh’s younger brother, Jeremiah. Wesley and Jeremiah embarked on a musical journey. While living in Denver in 2005 they advertised on Craigslist for a classical

cellist and found Neyla Pekarek. Wesley, Jeremiah, and Neyla formed the folk-trio, the Lumineers, best known for their song “Ho Hey.” The trio has become increasingly popular in recent years and kept their connection with New Jersey strong. In the band’s song “Charlie Boy,” Jeremiah starts by playing a melancholy tune on the mandolin followed by Wesley’s mournful lyrics: “Charlie boy, don’t go to war, first born in forty-four/ Kennedy made him believe we could do much more/ Lillian, don’t hang your head, love should make you feel good/ In uniform you raised a man, who volunteered to stand.” Charlie is Wesley’s deceased Uncle

Charles, the first of four sons, born on December 30, 1944. He was nicknamed JFK in his high school year-book for his unwavering support and resemblance of the Kennedys. After attending Muhlenberg College in 1966, Charlie voluntarily joined the Marine Corps. After all, it was John F. Kennedy who famously stated “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” “News was bad on Upland Ave., Metuchen mourn our loss/ Sons rebelled, while fathers yelled, and mothers clutched the cross.” Charlie lived on Upland Avenue in Metuchen, just up the road from Highland

Park. “Sons rebelling” most likely refers to hippies who angered the older generation, and mothers who prayed for their children. Charlie earned the rank of Second Lieutenant, and was killed in action on June 3, 1967. He was buried in Hillside Cemetery in Metuchen, and was commemorated at the Metuchen Veterans Memorial. While Wesley would not have known his Uncle, Charlie’s death certainly influenced his life as he grew up only an hour north from his uncle and father’s childhood home. “Play the bugle, play the taps Make your mothers proud Raise your rifles to the sky boys Fire that volley loud.”

JERSEY FRESH (Left) Charles Schultz fought selflessly in the Vietnam War; (Right) The Lumineers, who hail from Ramsey, New Jersey, sing about our very own Garden State.

THE HIGHLAND FLING, JUNE 2014

arts

Summer Music Festivals Olivia Bridges

PLAYLIST

When you think of a summer music festival, a wild night in the City filled with loud music, flashing lights, and scantily dressed people might come to mind. Instead of going through the hassle of searching for a ride to New York City after already spending pocket money on an expensive ticket, consider a local music festival. With a diverse number of bands on the lineup, from genres like pop, rock, jazz, metal and reggae, these festivals will offer something for everyone.

Amita Shukla & Tia Wangli

The New Brunswick Jazz Project June - August Various parks and hotels in New Brunswick, NJ Local and up-and-coming jazz musicians Tickets typically $5 and under or free Vans Warped Tour July 6 PNC Bank Arts Concert Center, Holmdel, NJ We The Kings, The Ready Set, The Devil Wears Prada, and more Tickets $60+ Maplewoodstock Music and Art Festival July 12 - June 13 Memorial Park, Maplewood, NJ StarFish, Jimbo’s Jambalaya, FELT, and more Free!

The Stone Pony Center Stage July 25 - August 10 Asbury Park, NJ The Dirty Heads, Slightly Stoopid, Umphrey’s McGee, and more Tickets $45 in advance, $50 at the door XPoNential Music Festival July 26 - June 27 Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ Beck, Band of Horses, The Districts and more 2 day passes $120 Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival August 1 Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ Avenged Sevenfold, Asking Alexandria, Korn, and more Tickets $50 +

In Da ’Hood Jana Choi & Zoe Temple THE VENUE We saw the Neighbourhood at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. We both enjoyed the venue, but navigating through Central Park proved to be more difficult than we had anticipated and we had to rely heavily on our Google Map-reading skills. Despite the crowd, the stage was easily visible from all angles. Deceptively small, Rumsey Playfield comfortably held quite a large crowd—so large, in fact, that the line to enter the venue snaked around the perimeter of the park, a distance equivalent to several city blocks. The turf provided a perfect picnic location to snack on falafel between acts.

ny Brown’s exit, we waited patiently for the third opening act, which never came. We determined, after speaking with a nice middle-aged woman behind us, that the third opening band was actually the DJ playing between sets. The idea of multiple opening bands was very interesting, but the time between acts and the lack of clarity about the third act negated some of our positive feelings.

Summertime means block parties, fireflies, and spare time. While you pass long nights and late mornings, this playlist will distract you from your sunburns and mosquito bites. It’s time to amp it up: get ready for one crazy summer!

Lana Del Rey — West Coast

5 Seconds of Summer — Try Hard

Justin Timberlake — Not a Bad Thing

MKTO — Classic

Jessie J — Thunder

Iggy Azalea — Change Your Life

Olly Murs — Troublemaker

The Ready Set — More Than Alive

THE CROWD The age demographic present at the show represented mostly late teens and early twenties. Everywhere we looked, we saw waves of girls in high-waisted shorts (a lyric from “Sweater Weather”) and crop tops. The party vibe was so strong—we found ourselves inadvertently in the midst of scattered beer cans and looming smoke. At one point during the show, a cohort of teenage girls met up with a team of teenage boys immediately in front of us, and together, they formed the “Turn Up Squad.” This particular Squad proved exceptionally rowdy and annoying, so at first opportunity, we moved as far away as possible: about three inches to the right. THE OPENING ACTS We entered the stadium shortly after 6:00 pm, expecting to wait about an hour for the opening band and another hour before the headliner. We were surprised to discover that the Neighbourhood actually had three opening acts: Born Casual, Little Daylight, and Danny Brown. We both enjoyed Little Daylight, an indie synthpop band similar to the likes of Icona Pop and the Colourist. Next was Danny Brown, a rapper whose controversial (and usually unintelligible) lyrics excited hardcore fans, but confused us. After Dan-

Tiesto — Feel it in My Bones

Jhene Aiko — Bed Peace

Mariah Carey — Thirsty THE HEADLINER It was close to 9:30 pm before the Neighbourhood made their appearance. The lead singer, Jesse Rutherford, repped their west coast roots with a leather jacket reading “Califournia” across the back, a white v-neck, and skinny black pants. As expected from a large group of teenage girls, high-pitched shrills erupted and filled the air to the extent that the sound overpowered the music. Jesse’s sensuous vocals paired with powerful rhythms made the performance one to remember.

Sam Smith — Safe With Me

Beach House — Lazuli

Nicki Minaj — Super Bass

Beyoncé — Partition

Solange — Losing You

Real Estate — April’s Song

JUNE 2014, THE HIGHLAND FLING

arts

Captain America 2: The Winter Failure

Eli Copperman

n 2011, we got Chris Evans (The Avengers) as one of our favorite superheroes, Captain America, and it was epic. This huge commercial success may have been just another superhero movie, but it had thrilling action, depth, and even a few funny lighthearted moments. Now in 2014, we received the long awaited sequel, Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The critics have praised this film excessively and it scored an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, so it is definitely not just another flop as so many sequels turn out to be. The film revolves around a single task: Captain America and his valiant partners must stop a dangerous assassin, known as the Winter Soldier, before it is too late. Because the post-production team put a lot of time and effort into editing Captain America 2, the effects are simply breathtaking, the music score is truly epic, and the sound effects are well placed. And

let’s face it, we all wanted to see one of our favorite cameo appearances from the man himself, Stan Lee. But with every good thing about this film, there are some flaws. The action is extremely repetitive and often confusing, and the acting can get a little dull; Chris Evans, Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker), and Frank Grillo (Zero Dark Thirty) run a little on the bland side at times. Additionally, these characters lack nuance, turning up to be solely terrorists, pointless ad-ins, or a hero to save the day. The lack of originality in this script was disappointing. Some of the humor also just does not work.

computer-generated imagery and amazing soundtrack, right? If you are a die-hard Marvel fan, then check this out. But if you want something that is less violent and actually contains

some good acting, then you might be disappointed. However, one question still remains: When will the next Captain America come out and what will happen in it?

Is this seriously the film that Marvel fans have been waiting for three whole years for? Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a cheesy and bland superhero movie. It has non-stop fighting scenes, acting that can be good but is mostly bad, and a never-ending series of violent kicks and punches. But at least it has its wonderful

Netflix Fix Miranda Safir Netflix has something for everyone! Hopefully, this list will open your eyes to the many choices available and inspire you to watch something new during your down time this summer. DOCUMENTARIES

FILM

TELEVISION

NETFLIX ORIGINALS

Lost Angels: Skid Row Is My Home

It’s a Disaster

Skins UK

House of Cards

This is an eye-opening documentary about an area in downtown Los Angeles, Skid Row, where massive numbers of homeless people live. The stories in this film are gut wrenching, disturbing, and exceptionally informative.

A very funny indie flick about four couples getting together for brunch, during which they find out that the world may be coming to an end. Relationships are strained and tensions arise as friends try to deal with their eminent death. The film features Julia Stiles (10 Things I Hate About You), America Ferrera (Ugly Betty), and David Cross (Kung Fu Panda 2).

This is an amazing show about a group of teenagers coming of age in the United Kingdom. The show deals with many hot topics and can get very dark at times, although it is balanced out with great dialogue and acting. The frequent cast changes keep the show fresh and exciting. Many of the actors involved have gone on to star in major films and television shows, such as Nicholas Hoult (X-Men: First Class), Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionare), and Hannah Murray (Game of Thrones).

The American political system has never been so engaging to people outside the beltway. This thriller features Kevin Spacey (American Beauty) as Congressman Frank Underwood, who will do anything to reach the top. He acts brilliantly alongside Robin Wright (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), who plays his wife Claire. Kate Mara (American Horror Story) plays Zoe Barnes, a reporter in search of an exciting story to get her next big break.

Running Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Radio Bikini Made in 1988, this is an Oscar-nominated film about the aftermath of the 1946 US atomic bomb test on Bikini Atoll (an island in the Pacific). It focuses on the effects of the bomb on the indigenous population and American servicemen involved in the testing. Running time: 56 minutes

Senna This is a very fascinating film about the life of Aryton Senna, who was one of the greatest Formula One racecar drivers ever. Even if you know nothing about Formula One racing, this movie will still be interesting. Running time: 1 hour 45 minutes

THE HIGHLAND FLING, JUNE 2014

Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Butter Butter is a highly underrated independent comedy with a star-studded cast including Ty Burrell (Modern Family), Olivia Wilde (House), and Alicia Silverstone (Clueless). It centers on multiple butter carving competitions. Ty Burrell’s Bob is the reigning champion of the Iowa butter carving competition, but he decides to quit competing, and his wife (played by Jennifer Garner) decides to carry the family torch and enter the competition. She runs into trouble when a young, newly adopted child, Destiny, decides to enter the competition and finds success. This movie has the perfect balance of drama and comedy. Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Number of episodes: 61 Running time: 43 minutes – 48 minutes

Parks and Recreation Amy Poehler (Saturday Night Live) plays Leslie Knope, the Deputy Director of the Parks and Recreation Department in Pawnee, IN. In the later seasons of the show, Ben Wyatt, played by Adam Scott (Party Down), joins and shakes things up when he plans to make major budget cuts to the Parks Department. The writing is fantastic and the cast is very strong. If you enjoyed The Office or Arrested Development, you will love this show. Number of episodes: 90 Running time: 21 minutes

Number of episodes: 26 Running time: 45 minutes – 59 minutes

Orange is the New Black This series centers around Piper Chapman, played by Taylor Schilling (Atlas Shrugged: Part I), who is sentenced to prison for 15 months for a crime she committed ten years ago. Piper was charged for transporting money for her drug-dealing girlfriend, Alex Vause, played by Laura Prepon (That ’70s Show). She must reexamine her relationship with Alex and navigate life in prison. Season two was released, so this is a great time to catch-up! Number of episodes: 13 Running time: 51 minutes – 60 minutes

arts

Teenage Dream Oscar Lee It sucks to be a teenager. It’s isolating, awkward, painful— sometimes all at the same time. And what’s television for, if not to help us feel less alone, to make being a teenager suck a little less? Well, maybe it’s just me, but I don’t and I can’t really relate to the glamour of shows like 90210 and Gossip Girl. I’m more into the gloom of shows like Daria and My SoCalled Life. Daria, the eponymous character, trudges through life and school, with just a verbal scalpel for defense. She carves up the flawed institutions around her, from self-serving school administrators to senseless social norms. The show avoids simple caricature, opting instead for nuance. Her mother and sister, seemingly a corporate robot and brainless drone, make the most piercing observations. And the show isn’t afraid to challenge the central character. Often, it’s Daria who endures the deepest cuts. Behind her harsh exterior is a crippling fear of rejection. Under its bitter surface is a deep reservoir of empathy.

My So-Called Life dives into the daily trials and tribulations of Angela Chase. The show feels like a fever dream; scenes drip into each other and there’s intensity in even the simplest of gestures, but its frequent forays into hot button issues never teeter into after school special. My SoCalled Life’s cousin Freaks and Geeks renders a different tone. It explores social transition and stasis through the lens of the Weir siblings. MTV’s 2008 reality series The Paper captures the intensity of constantly shifting relationships, exploring the alliances and conflicts of a high school newspaper. The show centers on the ascendance of Amanda Lorber into the position of Editor-in-Chief and presents a complex examination of high school social machinations.

I have a complicated relationship with Awkward, also on MTV. I’m not sure why I watch it. It’s about some random (Jenna) who breaks her arm in public fashion, which leads to a cascade of high school shenanigans. I guess I like the aesthetic; a bright wash of color seems to coat the series. And I guess I like the one-liners; Sadie’s sharp snark seems to add a layer of personality. And I guess I like how it has interesting Asian characters; Ming seems to encapsulate the tangled identity politics of Asian America. But in its fourth season, the initial shine wore off—jokes fell flat, Ming left the show—maybe because of a change in showrunners, or maybe because the show really isn’t that great. At its best, Awkward is Freaks and Geeks-lite. Unfortunately, there’s no substance behind its interesting foundation. Tina’s groans are the best thing about Bob’s Burgers. That single sound captures everything there is about the space between the nursery and the cubicle—angst (or, what I like to call early recognition of human misery).

ENTERTAINMENT ROUND-UP albums Out Now The Antlers – Familiars Jack White – Lazaretto Jennifer Lopez – A.K.A. Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence Lykke Li – I Never Learn Mariah Carey – Me. I Am Mariah…The Elusive Chanteuse Miranda Lambert – Platinum Parquet Courts – Sunbathing Animal Trash Talk – No Peace tUnE-yArDs – Nikki Nack The Roots – ...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin

live

Morrissey

June 21, 7:00 p.m. Barclays Center Brooklyn, NY $45 – $144

Kidz Bop Live June 28, 4:00 p.m. The Space at Westbury Westbury, NY $20

Maxwell

Godzilla How to Train Your Dragon 2 Maleficent Neighbors Only Lovers Left Alive

June 25

Neutral Milk Hotel Circulatory System

FKA Twigs – LP1 Steve Aoki – Neon Future

Elena

Beyonce Jay-Z

July 8

August 12

Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case

We Are the Best!

Sam Smith – In The Lonely Hour

Sia – 1000 Forms Of Fear

Out Now

July 8, 7:00 p.m. Heinz Hall Pittsburgh, PA $54 – $94

July 11, 8:00 p.m. MetLife Stadium East Rutherford, NJ $50 – $318

La Roux – Trouble In Paradise

cinema

July 23, 6:00 p.m. Prospect Park Bandshell Brooklyn, NY $39

Rihanna Eminem August 16-17, 7:30 p.m. MetLife Stadium East Rutherford, NJ

X-Men: Days of Future Past

Yves Saint Laurent

June 27 La Bare Snowpiercer Transformers: Age of Extinction

July 11 Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

August 29 The Congress

$72 – $282 JUNE 2014, THE HIGHLAND FLING

sports PLAYER PROFILE Names: Katie Mitchell & Harry Landis Grade: Senior Sports: Fencing & Track and Field Oscar Lee For Katie Mitchell ’14 and Harry Landis ’14, high school has been a whirlwind of school and sports. The Fling caught up with the two seniors to review their high school career. When did you start your sport? How did you get into it? Katie Mitchell I started my freshman year, like early October. I saw the fencing booth at the Street Fair and the club was in Highland Park, so I thought I’d check it out. Harry Landis I started in six grade running for the middle school track team. At first, I really just wanted to try a new sport as I had been playing baseball and soccer in the spring every year before that. Why do you like it? Do you have a favorite memory? Katie Mitchell Well, fencing is fun and it’s really different from a lot of other traditional sports. But I think the environment my fencing club offers is just one of my favorite things about it. I’ve really become closer to all the other fencer and coaches. Everyone is very supportive and we always encourage one another. I’m not really sure if I have a favorite moment but I guess one of top 10 or so, is my win at a competition. That victory gave me a taste of winning and it inspired me to compete more and fence more. Harry Landis I enjoy track because of the variety of events going on at a track meet at any given time. Also, it is the original sport along with wrestling. My favorite memory on the track team was probably this year when we advanced in the state tournament for the 4x400 meter relay. For many of us, it was the first time going on to the next round and it was a nice senior

year accomplishment for Joe Ambrosio ’14 and me. How do you balance school and sports? Katie Mitchell I don’t fence as often as I use to. I used to fence 3 to 4 times a week. Now, I only go twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays. On Mondays and Thursdays, I start my homework much earlier so when I come back from fencing at around 10:30 pm, I don’t have to do any work. Also, if I have a project due the day after, like Friday, I’ll start it in advance so I don’t have to try to finish a project after fencing all night. What have been your greatest accomplishments? What are you most proud of? Katie Mitchell I was recently hired as a coach for my club. So now I teach the introductory classes. I’m just glad that the coaches saw potential in me, enough so, to trust me to teach their students.

BLONDE AMBITION During their time in high school, Harry Landis and Katie have accomplished many feats both on and off the field. (Top): Harry Landis is a 3-sport captain, in soccer, basketball, and track and field. (Bottom): Katie Mitchell spars with an opponent.

Harry Landis Our greatest accomplishment was getting 2nd place in the Gold Division last year. It was really close and we had a great season as a team. Do you plan on continuing your sport in college? Do you have any future plans? Katie Mitchell I’m going to Rutgers and there’s no longer a fencing team, so I don’t know how competitive I’ll be in college, but I’ll definitely keep fencing. I plan to join the fencing club at Rutgers. I also hope to get to know the coaches there and hopefully find another really supportive fencing community. Harry Landis Next year, I’ll be playing soccer for Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. I hope to coach youth soccer or basketball in the future.

Copa do Mundo B

Olivia Draper

razil, Italy, and Spain … who will be the next victor of the 21st century? The 2014 World Cup is approaching quicker than Gareth Bale in the Copa Del Rey final. Already with five World Cup victories, Brazil will host this worldwide event for a second time since 1950. Throughout the competition, teams will play in a total of twelve different host cities, including Brazil’s second largest city, Rio de Janeiro. Starting on June 12, 32 nations will compete for the gold and glory of the World title; some teams on this roster include Australia, Iran, Japan, Côte d’Ivoire Nigeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and of course, the United States. The first game of the 2014 World Cup will be Brazil vs. Croatia in the Arena de Sao Paolo. Currently, Bloomberg Sports expects the final round of the Cup, which will be played on July 13, to be Brazil vs. Spain—the host country versus the defending World Cup champions. The predictions are based on 100,000 simulations for every game

THE HIGHLAND FLING, JUNE 2014

throughout the tournament; according to Bloomberg’s theory, the United States has a 5% chance of making it to the semi-finals, and 0.5% chance of taking home the title. Fear not, the US Men’s National Team captain Clint Dempsey may still lead us to victory.

Who do Highland Park students want to win the World Cup? Micah Gartenberg ’16 tells The Fling, “Personally I would love to see Belgium take home the trophy. Belgium has yet to win a World Cup, and with the likes of up-and-coming players like Eden Hazard and Thibaut Cortuois, I fully expect them to give it a go. Unfortunately, with Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke recently acquiring an injury, the attacking power of Lukaku and Mirallas will have to be enough. With a relatively easy group Belgium will almost definitely move onto the knockout round where, if they play their cards right, they could make it to the final or at least the semis.” Miranda Safir ’14 chimes in, “I’m rooting for the Netherlands because I used to live there and it’s where I found my passion for the game that has become such a huge piece of my life.” Soccer plays a huge part in bringing people closer, from our Highland Park students connecting to other supporters of their favorite team to the entire globe together under one spectacular umbrella of joy and friendly competition.

World Cup by the numbers

number of countries participating

$11 billion estimated cost of hosting the games

20,000

number of families evicted from homes since 2009