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Volume 31, Issue 1 140 Brandeis Road Newton Centre, MA 02459

Newton South High School’s Student Newspaper · Newton, MA · Established 1984 · June 9, 2014

Evaluation Rubric

GRADING

THE TEACHER

By Nathaniel Bolter

photo by Max Baker

P

Students and faculty voice their concerns about the new teacher evaluation system, citing its various shortcomings, which include the infrequency of evaluations

hysics teacher Alexander Kraus looked down at the evaluation rubric and laughed. Indicator III-C, subsection 3 read, “Culturally Proficient Communication.”

“As a physics teacher, [this] is just ridiculously hard to get into your classroom,” he said.

This criterion, a product of the new teacher evaluation system, has become a metaphor for the evaluation system itself: better in theory than in execution. As the system makes its way towards the end of its second year, questions have arisen regarding how well and how often teachers are being evaluated, sparking discontent among faculty and students.

The evaluation system was imple-

mented in the 2012-13 school year as a result of the federal Race to the Top initiative.

Although the initiative set certain standards and provided models for what the evaluation system should look like, individual districts were left to decide the details and wording of the system.

In the Newton Public Schools (NPS), evaluators — who, at South, are the department heads — are required to observe teachers with Professional Teacher Status (PTS), the high school version of tenure, at least twice throughout each two-year evaluation cycle.

Department heads use these observations to fill out a 43-part rubric in an evaluation at the end of each year.

World language department head Su-

zanne Murphy Ferguson, a member of the committee that adapted the national model for the NPS, said, however, that the ultimate goal of the new system is less bureaucratic than the rubric implies.

“The guiding principle behind it ... is a good one ... it’s basically the idea that conversation is key to the whole process,” she said. “There’s a real emphasis put on teachers talking with other teachers and administrators talking with teachers as well.”

According to Kraus, there is a general consensus among the faculty that the evaluation system is not being carried out along the guiding principle of starting a conversation.

Instead, he said, some faculty members with PTS fear that the new system, which requires

at least one unannounced observation per two-year cycle, is being used as a “gotcha,” meaning department heads would show up for an observation at a bad time for the teacher, causing the teacher to receive a lower grade on the final evaluation than what is representative of their ability.

Kim Marshall, a former principal of the Boston Public Schools who now works in education reform, has been advocating for an evaluation system that combines a rubric with frequent observations. She said that these “gotcha” moments should not be a problem if the system is executed correctly.

“Every teacher is afraid of being caught EVALUATIONS, 2

“Eleanor & Park” chosen for One School One Book Bella Ehrlich & Daniel Sellers Sr. News Editor, News Contributor

The English department announced on April 29 that “Eleanor and Park” by Rainbow Rowell is the selection for next year’s One School One Book event, initiating discussion of the merits of choosing another young adult novel and of the purpose of the One School One Book event.

“Eleanor and Park,” a book about two misfit teenagers falling in love, was chosen through a series of meetings held by a selection committee. The 15-person committee consisted of students, teachers, parents, community volunteers and

members of the Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO).

Each committee member brought in a book of his or her personal choice, and the committee proceeded to narrow the list of 15 books down to three. Members then read each of those three books, and a final vote was held.

According to English teacher and committee chair David Weintraub, several distinct goals influenced the selection of “Eleanor and Park,” one of which was the desire to choose a book with a female author. The six previous selections for One School One Book events were books written by male authors.

“I think it’s more of a political statement on the part

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

DJ Business

Junior and sophomore cofound business, deejaying for a wide range of events. page

13

Ligerbots

Robotics team completes robot, makes strides at world championships.

page

17

of us as a school community, as in we value the voices of all people, whether they’re male or female,” he said. “Having a female author who is alive and who’s out there, who’s on Twitter, who’s beloved, who is really great and an important voice for young women all over the world — it provides that inspirational model for young women in this school community.”

The committee also aimed to choose a book that was relatable to student experiences in order to motivate more student participation and engagement. For this reason, ONE SCHOOL ONE BOOK, 3

Team Success Boys volleyball team goes undefeated this season, advances to the playoffs. page

20

NEWS 2 GLOBAL 5 EDITORIALS 6 OPINIONS 9 CENTERFOLD 12 FEATURES 15 SPORTS 20

page 2|June 9, 2014|THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

NEWS

next year’s one school one book announced

two veteran south teachers to retire

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pAGE 4

News@thelionsroar.com|VOLUME 31, ISSUE 1

SOUTH SPOTS

compiled by Roar editors

NEeding Improvement photo illustration by Nathaniel Bolter

The new teacher evaluation system causes concern, confusion among students and faculty as the system approaches the end of its second year in use EVALUATIONS, from 1

Underclass Awards Night Various departments will present awards to achieving underclassmen at the annual event on June 12 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the lecture hall.

South State Parents Meeting The South Stage Parents Group, which helps South Stage with fundraising and logistics, is holding its year-end meeting to welcome potential new members on June 12 at 7:30 p.m. at 35 Road, Newton Centre.

“Don’t Hate, Appreciate” The Newton Free Library will host a lecture entitled “Don’t Hate, Appreciate” on June 19 in the Druker Auditorium from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The lecture is part of a lecture series called “An Open Conversation,” which discusses how Newton kids can manage stress in a highachieving society.

at a bad moment, and we all have bad moments,” he said. “But that fear is usually allayed when there are plenty of visits.”

But according to many teachers, department heads are not making enough visits, causing teachers to feel that they are being evaluated unfairly. “If teachers ... are not being evaluated on a regular basis and then receive a needs improvement rating, that would feel uncomfortable,” Kraus said.

“They might feel there was not sufficient basis to make that observation.”

History teacher Eugene Stein said that the low number of visits stems from the time constraints of the department heads.

In addition to the responsibility of observing teachers, department heads have the obligations of both an administrator and a teacher, as they are required to teach a class.

According to Jamie Rinaldi, history teacher and member of the evaluation system negotiating committee, this overscheduling occurs because department heads are made to do as much as possible, given their salaries, so that the NPS can spend more money in other areas. “We live in a world of finite resources,” he said. “You are going to buy a teacher before another evaluator.”

A deficiency of observations, however, is more due to a misuse of time rather than to time constraints according to Marshall.

“You should be in classrooms watching instruction, making sure things are good ... and talking to people about instruction,” he said.

“We’re only talking about one or two visits a day. Can’t you fit that into your schedule?”

Fewer observations have had an impact on students as well as teachers. A student, who asked to be anonymous, described frustration in that, as a result of the lack of observations, department heads were not getting a full picture of his teacher’s shortcomings. “I feel that only the students in my class understand that the class is so terrible,” the student said.

Sophomore Nick Tumpowsky, who said that he has not “seen any department

4.1

the average number of times students said a dept. head should observe a class each year

heads in any of [his] classes this year,” said that when department heads visited his classes last year, they still did not see a represenative sampling of his teachers’ work. “[My teachers] were almost censoring their teaching to make it look as if they were teaching well,” he said.

The lack of observations notwithstanding, many teachers are still uncomfortable with the system’s rubric, according to Kraus.

“A number of teachers ... have reported stress, anxiety and concerns that they are unclear as to how the evaluation tool is being used to

“A number of teachers have reported stress, anxiety and concerns that they are unclear as to how the evaluation tool is being used to essentially assign teachers a grade.”

- Alexander Kraus, physics teacher essentially assign teachers a grade,” he said.

These problems persist for special education teachers with PTS, who are evaluated with the “Caseload Educator” rubric as opposed to the “Classroom Educator” rubric used for general education teachers.

“In the special education department, you have everyone from speech language pathologists, [psychologists], ... to special ed teachers. So you ... think about how [the rubric] fits for so many different people doing different things,” special education department head Kathleen Farnsworth said. “So ...

I do a translation. For instance, [the rubric] says ‘demonstrates sound knowledge of the professional content.’ I interpret that as being special education skills and strategies.”

The Caseload Educator rubric also fails to take into consideration the writing of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), which delineate special services needed as a result of students’ learning disabilities, and which are, according to Farnsworth, a significant

part of a special education teacher’s job.

Other aspects of the new system have yet to be implemented. The use of student growth measured by the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System as a factor in the evaluations was delayed and will not go into effect until the 2014-15 school year. This part of the system has drawn nationwide and statewide criticism, notably from Educators for a Democratic Union, an influential caucus within the statewide union, which has called for a moratorium on the evaluation system.

Also delayed until next year is the use of student feedback as part of teachers’ evaluations. According to Marshall, students often have a better sense of teachers’ effectiveness than an evaluator who visits several times for observations. “Research shows the kids get it right more than the principals,” he said.

Yet for some faculty members, like English teacher Belin Ye, a new teacher without PTS, the system has worked smoothly.

New teachers are assigned non-evaluative mentors with whom they meet regularly, and Ye said that her mentor has played a large role in making her feel comfortable at South.

“It’s worked for me pretty well,” she said. “But a lot of that is just ... the people I’ve been fortunate enough to work with rather than how everything was designed.”

Stein, who has PTS, said he has also had successes with the new system; history department head Jennifer Morrill helped him develop a new plan for his college preparatory class to match the rubric, which he said was “really helpful” for both him and the students.

The evaluation system of NPS is currently being negotiated between the Newton Teachers Association, the school committee and human resources. Department heads said they will continue to solicit feedback from members of their departments.

These attempts at improvement are a step in the right direction, Kraus said. “I think we need to continue, both among the faculty, the administration and the teachers association, to communicate, to listen and to discuss the way this is happening,” he said.

Evaluations by the numbers In a survey of 118 students and 31 teachers on May 27 and 30, The Roar found that ...

91

PERCENT OF STUDENTS SAID STUDENT FEEDBACK SHOULD PLAY A LARGER ROLE IN EVALS

2.9

the average number of times teachers said that they have been observed by a dept. head this year infographic by Nathaniel Bolter

June 9, 2014|page 3

THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

“Eleanor & Park” causes reflection on 1S1B’s purpose ONE SCHOOL ONE BOOK, from 1

Junior Sam Detjen, however, said he enjoyed the nonfiction aspect of “Outliers,” committee member freshman Noah Kopf which he said he preferred to this year’s sefound that a young adult novel similar to “The lection. “I don’t like to read romance novels, Fault in Our Stars,” which was the selection [and] the ‘Outliers’ was very good,” he said. two years ago, was a good choice.

Another book like “The Fault in Our “One of the goals that we had for this Stars” does not appeal to sophomore Sasha year was to get a similar book to ‘The Fault Badov either, she said. in Our Stars,’ which was a really big success, “I thought [‘The Fault in Our Stars’] ... so a lot of the books that were recom- wasn’t the right book for a school to read, mended ... were also kind of similar in that because … there was nothing different about regard,” Kopf said. “We were open to other it. It was just a plot-line,” she said. options, but in the The similarity end, it was kind of just between “Eleanor a proven method that “I thought [‘The Fault in Our and Park” and “The we were going to be Stars’] wasn’t the right book Fault in Our Stars,” able to get some good however, is only aesfor a school to read because discussion questions thetic, according to … there was nothing different about it, and most English teacher Raimportantly, people about it. It was just a plot-line.” chel Becker. would enjoy reading “I think [‘Eland discussing it.” eanor and Park’] is - Sasha Badov, Class of 2016 The commitvery different. I like tee wanted to move it a little bit better, away from nonfiction due to the seeming because I found the female character more lack of success of last year’s book, “Outli- believable and also because it is a situation ers” by Malcolm Gladwell. “My sense from that more kids are likely to encounter. Many talking to people, especially freshmen and kids are more likely to have crushes or feel some sophomores, was that it was a bit dry,” awkward at one point in their life,” she said.

Weintraub said. “We had three great choices, “In some ways, I think that makes it a better ... but ‘Eleanor and Park’ was an outlier in the choice. … The characters seem very real to three in that it was explicitly about teenagers me, and they’re a bit different from the kids and the teenager experience.” you often see in literature and in young adult

photo by Katie Asch

Rainbow Rowell’s “Eleanor & Park” was chosen in part for its similarity to “The Fault in Our Stars.”

fiction. ... It’s just a good love story.”

Kopf agreed that the realistic and relatable characters are one of the novel’s greatest strengths.

“The issues are a little bit different in ‘The Fault in Our Stars.’ [That’s] a lot about loss and death, and in this book, it’s more about hardship and the people you have to deal with that are not on your side,” he said.

The main purpose of the One School

One Book event does not come down to the literary content, according to Weintraub. “[The book’s] primary purpose is to unify the community in a conversation,” he said. “[It] provides a topic of conversation that cuts across class, it cuts across curriculum level, it cuts across social groups and cliques. ... It reminds everyone that this is a community that has 2,000 members, and we’re all engaged in the same conversation.”

After productive years, Senate looks to future Wilson Chen & Bhavik Nagda

News Contributor, News Editor Senior Jack Lovett has stepped down from his position as South Senate president, leaving behind questions of whether Senate will be able to maintain its productivity from this year, during which 19 pieces of legislation were passed.

Senate’s recent legislative achievements include placing recycling bins in the cafeteria, installing vending machines in the Cutler Commons and negotiating the implementation of anti-stress initiatives with faculty and administrators.

Senate, however, has not always been as effective, according to Lovett.

“Back in my sophomore

year, I think six people ran to one grade,” he said. “My grade had only five people running, and another grade had five people running. It was because everyone thought back then [that] Senate can’t do anything, Senate won’t do anything [and that] the people who do it ... want it on their college app.”

The senators’ lack of interest was reflected in the group’s productivity. In the 2011-12 school year, Senate passed no pieces of legislation; however, in the 2012-13 school year, which was Lovett’s first year as president, Senate passed 12.

Senate advisor and math department head Steven Rattendi attributed this increase in productivity in part to Lovett’s ability to instill senators with a sense of purpose.

“I think one of the things he

came with is a vision for what he wanted the Senate to be and to do, so he had notions of what legislation he would like to be passed,” he said.

During Lovett’s tenure as president, Senate passed 31 pieces of legislation, including the bill that made the Homework Free Weekends school policy. Senate has continued to focus on combating stress in the second half of the 2013-14 school year, and Lovett, junior Senate vice president Peter Klapes and senior secretary of public relations Richard DeNitto have been meeting with faculty and administrators to discuss the implementation of anti-stress initiatives that were announced at a press conference on Feb. 3.

Several of these initiatives — including extended library hours, stress-management seminars held

by the guidance department and a grade transparency policy — will likely be in place for next year, according to Lovett.

Senate’s ability to effect change made freshman Grace Leuchtenberger, a candidate for Senate, decide to run.

“Class office is great and they organize some huge events within the school, but Senate actually does things. They’re organizing to have compost in the cafeteria, and they had recycling there, and that kind of stuff is really important to me,” she said.

Sophomore senator Samuel Fishman said that the Lovett has changed the Senate for the better.

“He’s going to leave behind a positive legacy, and whether or not it will remain as productive as it was under him needs to be seen,” he said. “But it will still remain a very positive, productive body.”

According to sophomore senator Mikaeel Yunus, however, Senate is just beginning to find its place as an instrument of student government.

“I believe there is a lot more to

be done,” he said. “There are a lot of other senators who are doing things that are appealing more to high schoolers, instead of the school, [such as] reducing the parking fee, reducing stress in school and getting stricter guidelines for the summer reading program. And I hope in future years I will be more involved in that business.”

Rattendi said he believes that the changes made in the past two years will translate into future success.

“There are senators that will get reelected who also have strengths that will be able to pull the senate forward in the future. And they will follow in the lead [Lovett] has set,” he said.

Lovett said he has enjoyed setting that lead. “It’s always nice when a student could come up to me and say, ‘There’s a school policy issue.’ [I would] really go through the South political process and come out at the end and think, ‘Wow I really made a difference in these people’s lives,’” he said. “It may not be a huge, huge difference like health care, but it’s a difference.”

A statement from Senate president Jack Lovett:

“

photo courtesy of Nicholas Hurney

Senate President Jack Lovett (sitting at table, right) at the final Senate meeting for the 2013-14 year on May 8.

My philosophy as Senate president was always to be the representative of all the students and to make a difference in everyone’s experience at South. I had hoped to incorporate as many voices and student issues as possible into Senate. I felt an obligation to do everything I could in my position to make our community a better place, and it was always more important to me to put my constituents before myself.

I hope that after I graduate, Senate will continue that spirit and build on the foundation and momentum my colleagues and I established these past two years.”

page 4|June 9, 2014

THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

Veteran teachers Price and Jampol to retire Jason Lange & David Li

News Contributor, Sr. News Editor “I think it’s definitely an end of an era,” English teacher Dana Arnaboldi said.

The 2013-14 school year marks the last full year for two stalwart teachers: Spanish teacher MaryAnn Price and English teacher Robert Jampol. Both Price, who has been at South 29 years, and Jampol, who has taught at the school for 34 years, have impacted students and the South community in ways that transcend the classroom, according to students and faculty.

***

Price said she pursued Spanish education because it allowed her to make unique connections with others. “I was always amazed at how much you could learn about other people once you could speak their language,” she said.

In addition to teaching Spanish, Price has organized the administration of all SAT testing done at South for the last 10 years. For the last two years, she has organized the Advanced Placement exams. Price was assistant Goodwin housemaster from 2004 to 2006, and in 2011, she received the Ann ElliottHolmes Excellence in Teaching Award.

Price’s biggest impact on the South community, however, is what she does in the classroom, senior Andrew Cheung said.

“It’s just being in her class, it feels kind of like home,” he said. “At least to me, it feels like a place where you don’t have to worry about what other people think, and she’ll make jokes. ... It’s just a comfortable environment to be in.”

According to Arnaboldi, Price creates this positive environment wherever she goes.

“Whenever she came over to the English department, she just brought this joy and sunshine, and all the other teachers in there and the students in there were so glad to see her,” Arnaboldi said. “So I just feel like her spirit and personality wherever she was in

the school just made it a better place to be.”

In 2003, a South graduate, who was allowed to choose one high school teacher to honor, invited Price to be recognized by the Merrill Presidential Scholars Program at Cornell University.

Latin teacher Alice Lanckton said the honor was well-deserved. “She’s thoughtful, and she’s a lot of fun,” Lanckton said. “And she’s just such a force for good. She’s always so reasonable when teachers are upset about something.”

Although Price said she looks forward to having more free time to explore her interests, she said that she will miss teaching Spanish at South.

“There are lots of wonderful memories,” she said. “I really enjoyed working with colleagues, especially in the world language department. Just working with the people throughout the building, and meeting great students.”

***

It was the middle of the poetry unit for class of ’12 graduate Lauren Ashbrook’s junior honors English class when the teacher, Robert Jampol, announced that they would be reading “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas.

“When he read it aloud, the emotion in his voice was just absolutely beautiful,” Ashbrook said. “And you can tell how much it is moving him, and that inspires you to think of a poem ... and to let it move you. And I think it’s just [that] the genuine interest and care that he has in the subject matter ... was absolutely inspirational.”

Since 1981, Jampol has been an active member of the South community. In addition to teaching courses at multiple grade levels, Jampol has served on the Board of Trustees for the Heintzelman Competition for Creative Writing, supervised “Reflections,” hosted the annual spelling bee and coached the varisty girls tennis team. In 2011, along with Price, Jampol received the

photo by Katie Asch

Price (left) and Jampol (right) have been teaching at South for a combined 63 years.

Brenda Keegan Outstanding Teacher Award. dents — this is what it’s really been about for Jampol will remain at South to teach me. My goal always is to form a classroom for half the 2014-15 academic year, while community with my students, in which we English teacher Rachel Becker is on maternity not only learn a great deal, but also have a leave, and he will continue to coach the girls great time,” he said. tennis team.

These connections with students have Ashbrook said she thought of Jampol’s a lasting effect, according to Vice Principal class primarily as a writing course, where Mary Scott. he pushed students to write sentences that “When I see alumni ... I always ask “carry as much weight as possible with as them to tell me who you remember from few words as possible.”

South ... [and] who stood out to you,” she “Mr. Jampol had sky-high expectations said. “Very often it’s Mr. Jampol.” for us, and they were at first intimidating, Jampol’s retirement is a loss for the but ultimately empowering. He didn’t doubt South community, according to Bolter. “I that we could reach those expectations. Mr. feel really sad for the classes that won’t get Jampol doesn’t coddle you; he treats you like to have him, because I just really feel like I an adult, and he has confidence that you can wouldn’t be where I am today without Mr. rise to meet that, [expectation]” she said.

Jampol’s junior honors English class,” she Ashbrook’s classmate, class of ’12 said. “I really think that’s an experience that graduate Jessica Bolter said that Jampol’s everyone should get to have.” focus on and care for the little things like Although he said his time at South has grammar, style and sentence structure are been incredible, Jampol said that he is excited rare in English classes. to try something new in his retirement.

Jampol’s favorite part of teaching, he “It’s a great mystery, but I want to try said, has been the class discussions and the something else with my life,” he said. “I’ve relationships he has formed with students. done this and loved it, but to everything “I’ll miss the connection with the stu- there is a season.”

New Faces at Newton South

The Roar’s Anisha Dam and Carter Howe speak with two new hires for the 2014-15 school year

New Vice Principal

Candice Beermann

What is your previous job experience?

was the head of a science department at a large Iheading high school in Canada. ... I spent three years up the science department [at a board-

to foster relationships like that. ... I’m sure that seeing her in action and working with her is going to be able to help me to become a leader like she is.

What changes are you looking forward to ing school in New York]. … I am now getting a master’s degree in education ... at Boston College. making at South?

What do you hope to learn from Mary Scott?

H

er relationships with the faculty are so strong, and they mean so much to everybody in the building that I really want to be able

I

f ... there’s innovations that [people] want to see put in place, then I’ll take those messages and use them to feature new programs. ... It will be sort of a joint process identifying things that need to be improved.

What is your previous job experience?

What do you look forward to at South?

[and] 15 different sports.”

the athletes look like student-athletes and that they have two parts of a person. Sometimes people only look at the student, and they forget they are an athlete. Sometimes they look at an athlete and forget that they are a student. ...

[Another] reason is the challenge of conducting such a large program, and I know I can make a difference.

New Athletic Director

in the athletics department for 10 years outh has a reputation [as] an awesome Patricia Gonzalez Ientwas in Argentina. After that, I moved to a differ- Sschool. Not just for the sports, but for the school, where there were 700 students ... academics. For me, it is very important that

What would you like to change within the department?

I

want to see the leadership development in the athletes. … Not just the captains or the leaders, but everybody else as well.

June 9, 2014|page 5

THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

A Glimpse of the Globe Information compiled by Roar editors from CNN, The Economist, BBC, Al Jazeera, The New York Times, Twitter and the rest of the Internet.

Thailand: what is actually happening?

Thailand, “land of the free” in Thai, is currently under martial law. A military coup against the embattled government of ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has clouded Thailand’s democratic prospects and thrown the future of the deeply divided country into uncertainty.

The history of modern Thailand began when absolute monarchical rule ended in 1932, setting off a tumultuous period of alternating civilian and military rule that continues to the present day. Since 1932, there have been 12 military coups in Thailand.

The current political divisions, however, can be traced back to 2001, when Thaksin Shinawatra was elected as prime minister. Thaksin ran on a populist platform that galvanized the poor, rural voters in northern Thailand and angered the bureaucratic elites of Bangkok and the south.

Throughout his term in

office, Thaksin faced criticism for alleged corruption, and he was eventually deposed in a military coup in 2006.

The military relinquished power in 2007, marking the beginning of a four-year de facto power struggle between the poor, rural “red shirts” loyal to Thaksin and the urban, bureaucratic “yellow shirts.” The “red shirts” comprised the majority of the country, but the “yellow shirts” held sway over the courts, which ousted two pro-Thaksin prime ministers on dubious charges during that time period.

When elections were held again in 2011, Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai party, became prime minister. Yingluck was immediately criticized for her inexperience — she had never held public office or a job in government — and she was labeled a figurehead for her brother, who was then living in exile in Dubai.

Yingluck’s first two years in

office passed without major conflict, but she precipitated her own downfall when attempting to pass a bill that would have given amnesty to Thaksin in November 2013. This attempt caused the “yellow shirts” to protest, calling for the eradication of the Shinawatra family’s influence on Thai politics and the institution of an unelected “people’s council.”

Yingluck refused to step down in the face of the protests but called for early elections in February. The protesters, however, through intimidation and threats of violence, prevented citizens from casting their votes in parts of the “yellow shirt” strongholds in Bangkok and southern Thailand.

The Constitutional Court thus annulled the results of the election because, as a result of the disruptions, it had not taken place on the same day across the country.

Yingluck was eventually removed from office on May

7 when she was charged with nepotism in a politicized court case, and the military, which is perceived to be sympathetic to the “yellow shirts,” took power in a coup on May 22, ostensibly to restore order.

Though the ruling military junta has released a plan to return the country to democracy, the junta has also displayed authoritarian tendencies, cracking down on protests, imposing a curfew, suspending all independent broadcast media and detaining almost 200 political officials and scholars.

At press time, it is unclear what will happen next. Some suspect that Thaksin will attempt to form a government in exile; others speculate that the military will attempt to retain power until the death of the ailing king, who is revered among Thais, in order to manage the period of transition to a new monarch. Some even foresee a civil war as Thailand’s divisions grow yet deeper.

An Overview: The cause: Thailand has long been divided between the rural “red shirts,” who support the Shinawatra family, and the urban “yellow shirts,” who want to eliminate Shinawatra influence.

The effect: Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was removed from office in a disputed court case, and the military has taken power in a coup with the stated intent of restoring order.

Reuters

Nonsensical News:

The far-right National Front party won the plurality of seats in France’s elections for the European Parliment.

National Front’s gains were mirrored by other far-right groups across the European Union’s 27 other member states.

Pope Francis met and prayed with Presidents Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority and Shimon Peres of Israel. During his visit to Bethlehem, Pope Francis had referred to the occupied territories the “state of Palestine.”

President Barack Obama pledged support for Petro Poroshenko, the billionare chocolate manufactuer dubbed the “Chocolate King,” who was recently elected president in Ukraine’s first general election since the ouster of Viktor Yanukovych.

Veterans Affaris Secretary Eric Shinseki resigned following the scandal regarding falsely recorded weight times for veterans in need of health care.

Fun and informational.

The Sith Lord of Ukraine

Oh deer!

Taking a page from senior Matthew Fagundo, a woman was kicked in the head by a deer on May 23 in Washington D.C. as she was getting off a bus.

The deer was reportedly making its way through southeast D.C. when it spotted the crowd of people around a Metro bus stop. Frightened, the deer attempted to leap over the crowd, clipping Dena Lyles, who was exiting the bus, as it did so.

The deer escaped down an alley after the altercation and was unavailable for comment.

White-tailed deer are quite common in the nation’s capital; in January of 2014, the National Park Service announced a renewal of its campaign to reduce the number of

News this week

deer living in Rock Creek Park, where deer grazing has harmed the park’s natural vegetation.

Government sharpshooters were employed to cull the deer population, and the meat from killed deer was donated to food banks.

The Guardian

Questions over Ukraine’s future are at the heart of its continued unrest.

Some want Ukraine to develop closer ties to Russia, its closest partner since the former Soviet republic gained independence in 1991, while others wish that Ukraine would turn to the West and become a truly European country.

There seems to be only one man, however, advocating for Ukraine to become a “galactic empire”: Darth Vader.

Viktor Shevchenko, an electrician who took on the name Darth Vader earlier this year, attempted to run for president in Ukraine’s May 25 elections, but his bid was rejected by the Central Election Committee, which cited forged paperwork.

Vader did succeed, though, in registering for the Kiev mayoral election as the

The Guardian

candidate of the Ukrainian Internet Party, and he campaigned on a promise to end the circus of Ukraine’s past 20 years.

But some questioned Vader’s intentions. A member of the Central Election Committee said that Vader’s campaign may in fact be a Russian ploy to discredit Ukraine’s first general elections since the ouster of Viktor Yanukovych.

page 6|June 9, 2014|THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

Editorials

Editor stresses the necessity of failure

Bella Ehrlich makes her swimming debut

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Editorials@thelionsroar.com|VOLUME 31, ISSUE 1

Evaluation system results in inaccurate portrayal of teachers, needs student input

The Cat’s

Meow All the news that’s fit to print ... and then some!

A Canine Senior Prank Chaos erupted in South’s halls on May 30 when students brought several dogs into school as part of their senior prank.

Senior Gould Reetriver, who helped organize the prank, said she had been looking forward to May 30 for quite some time. “Since freshman year, I was always so interested by the last day of high school. I love my Golden Retriever so much I’ve always wished I could take her with me on school days :),” she said.

Senior Doug Luver, who also brought in his dog, said, “My lab was so calm for the entire day. She didn’t crap anywhere or anything and was only there for attention, but then Stoel pulled another Powderpuff, and I had to take her home. Then, my G block teacher gave my a tardy, on my last [explative] day, because I had to return my dog,” he said.

Freshman Mo Masboi said he suffered from the canine presence. “I touched one of the dogs, and then for all of B block I was sneezing. Like every 30 seconds.”

As a result, most canines were ordered out of the building during advisory. The rampant sneezing was put to an end, but so was Reetriver’s four-year dream.

The Senior That Never Left Several teachers lodged a complaint to the administration after a senior refused to stop coming to school even after her last day.

Senior Neva Einding said she purposefully ignored her teacher’s hints. “Since the start of the year, I made it clear I would keep coming when I’m supposed to be done. I just love learning so much,” she said.

Math teacher Mr. Anoied said Einding is acting very selfishly. “She has zero reason to be at school, but she’s coming anyways because we didn’t go along with her plans for slumping. Now she’s not letting us get our free blocks. It’s ridiculous,” he said.

When Einding was asked about her third and fourth term grades, she said, “What does that have to do with anything? Do grades really define me? I’m doing this out of my love for learning.”

When asked to comment, Anoied said, “No, she isn’t.”

Since the institution of the federal Race to the Top initiative in 2009, school districts have been obligated to implement structured teacher evaluations.

As reported in The Roar on page 1, Newton Public Schools (NPS) requires department heads to evaluate teachers at least twice during each two-year evaluation cycle by observing lessons — once at a predetermined time and once randomly.

In a Roar meeting on May 28, many staff members voiced the opinion that the current system of teacher assessment at South does not yield accurate evaluations of teaching quality.

The majority of the staff present pointed out that they had witnessed teachers drastically change their teaching style and class structure specifically during an evaluated session.

Several students said they had witnessed world language teachers lead class in their respective language only during their period of observation, immediately switching back to speaking English once the evalution ended.

A system that allows teachers to fake their performance not only disrespects a school that promotes academic integrity, but also obstructs the development of these teachers as effective educators.

Two 55-minute observation sessions do not adequately represent a teacher’s capabilities.

The Roar believes that it is necessary to increase the number of these mandatory evaluation sessions.

As suggested by several staff members, observations once every term or three to five times a year would provide the administration with a more realistic portrayal of a

also enhance the validity of teacher evaluations.

Since students are present in the classrooms every day, they have the most realistic impression of the teacher’s skills. As receptors of the teaching experience, students deserve a voice in the evaluation of their education and classes.

Additionally, many Roar members mentioned the absurdity of the generalized 43-part rubric

As receptors of the teaching experience, students deserve a voice in the evaluation of their education and classes. teacher’s qualifications.

As detailed in The Roar’s article, however, department heads do not have enough time to pay frequent visits to classrooms and often only stick to the minimum requirement of evaluation sessions.

The Roar acknowledges that given the busy schedules of school faculty, department heads are often overwhelmed with their other obligations; however, the administration should prioritize teacher evaluations, as the quality of teachers directly impacts the learning environment of students.

The Roar agreed that involving student feedback in the assessment of teaching quality would

designed as a basis of evaluation for all teachers, regardless of course subject.

Not only do these standardized principles fail to account for the specific environments of different classrooms, they also require teachers to abide by certain conventions that are fundamentally not applicable to their courses.

The Roar finds the evaluative system at South not supportive of the school’s values of academic excellence.

The scarcity of the evaluations and the system’s lack of regard for teaching styles should stimulate the administration’s reconsideration of its current practices.

Editorial Policy The Lion’s Roar, founded in 1984, is the student newspaper of Newton South High School, acting as a public forum for student views and attitudes.

The Lion’s Roar’s right to freedom of expression is protected by the Massachusetts Student Free Expression Law (Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 71, Section 82). All content decisions are made by student editors, and the content of The Lion’s Roar in no way reflects the official policy of Newton South, its faculty, or its administration. Editorials are the official opinion of The Lion’s Roar, while opinions and letters are the personal viewpoints of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Lion’s Roar. The Lion’s Roar reserves the right to edit all submitted content, to reject advertising copy for resubmission of new copy that is deemed acceptable by student editors, and to make decisions regarding the submission of letters to the editors, which are welcomed.

The Lion’s Roar is printed by Seacoast Newspapers and published every four weeks by Newton South students. All funding comes from advertisers and subscriptions.

In-school distribution of The Lion’s Roar is free, but each copy of the paper shall cost one dollar for each copy more than ten (10) that is taken by any individual or by many individuals on behalf of a single individual. Violation of this policy shall constitute theft.

Active Travels

89 Roundwood Road Newton, MA 02464

Tel. 617-614-9877 www.activetravels.com

Contact us for all of your travel needs!

Founded by Newton South Parents Lisa Leavitt and Steve Jermanok

New England Mobile Book Fair 82 Needham Street Newton, MA 02461 Tel. 617-964-7440 www.nebookfair.com

june 9, 2014|page 7

THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

THE Editor reflects on the inevitability of EDITOR’S failure, its importance in high school DESK Parisa Siddiqui Editor-in-Chief

On the evening of Friday, May 23, I was frantically slamming buttons on my laptop, pulling plugs out of the wall and checking the theater projector over and over again.

I felt like crying, but I couldn’t make the tears come out. It was the Habitat for Humanity club’s second annual Game Show Night, and absolutely nothing was going according to plan.

I had planned the perfect event: the slideshow was working fine, the contestants had promised to bring their friends and we had a stocked bake sale. The only problem was the projector wouldn’t turn on.

We ended up improvising throughout the night, and we did end up scraping together a good amount of money from the event. But throughout the entire evening, and afterwards, I felt terrible.

No matter how many times my friends and the club adviser reassured me that the event went fine and that people had fun, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had failed as the club’s president.

Looking back, although the event was more chaotic than I had planned for, I don’t think it’s fair to think of myself and the event as failures.

We achieved our goal of raising

money for the club, and a lot of people this. While it is indisputably important seemed to enjoy what we made of event. to keep your grades up and work hard, it That cannot be classified as “failing.” should not overtake your thoughts.

Modern society has propagated a Now that spectacular is the new avculture of perfection; that is, people often erage, we consistently strive to outdo our feel that if they are not completely sucpeers and ourselves. This can be motivaceeding at any given time, they are failing. tion to reach beyond your comfort zone, There is no middle ground in this. but only if we let ourselves accept the posAs a result, people (myself included) sibility that we might not succeed — and often choose not to try something new or we go through with it anyway. risky because they When we believe they will bounce back and not excel at it. The power through “It may not always be on fear of mediocrity after a letdown or outweighs the potwo, we become a large, life-altering scale, tential for success. stronger. Once we but you will always fail in The most become aware of life, more than once. ... Failrelevant example that strength, this of this is in our awareness gives us ure is a stepping stone for day-to-day lives the confidence to success.” in high school. In get over our fear of hallways and classrisk-taking. rooms, there is an Fear of failure omnipresent chorus of something along the in high school transcends academics and lines of, “I can’t believe I got a B+ on that the college process. We also experience the quiz! It dropped my average two percent!” fear of being a “loser” in the eyes of our A B+ on a quiz in high school will peers. not end your existence. It will not cause If you don’t have straight As or take you to get an awful job and make less numerous high-level courses, many think money. It will not consign you to a life of of you as dumb (though they likely would misery. A B+ is not mediocrity. not tell you outright). If your disposition, It’s easy to get caught up in the style of dress, body type and interests do pressure cooker of high school and spend not align with those of the majority, you countless hours stressing about things like are branded as “weird.”

Many see the stigma attached to being somewhat different as a negative — as failing in your social life.

But an interest in science fiction is not weird, just as having an eccentric sense of humor is not weird.

If someone has told you that some facet of your life makes you a failure, do not become too upset. You should train yourself to take these words with a grain of salt.

Ultimately, this criticism may strengthen your resolve and make you more resilient. Others may think of you as lesser, but their harsh words have the power to strengthen you as much as they have the power to tear you down.

Failure is inevitable. It may not always be on a large, life-altering scale, but you will always fail in life, more than once. And cliché as it may seem, failure is a stepping stone to success. Once you have failed, the worst is over, and you can focus on rebuilding and learning from it.

Failure is never planned, and it often happens at the most inconvenient times.

After I got home after Game Show Night, I was worn out from my efforts to resolve the projector problems, but I realized that I now had a laundry list of things to fix for next year.

I already have a tentative plan for the next year’s event. I know that it will be better.

Volume 31

The Lion’s Roar

Newton South High School’s Student Newspaper 140 Brandeis Road Newton, MA 02459 srstaff@thelionsroar.com

Editors-in-Chief

Hyunnew Choi Parisa Siddiqui

Managing Editors

Sasha Kuznetsov Carly Meisel

Business and Production

Chief Copy Editor

Faith Bergman Julia Mount

Darren Trementozzi

Section Editors Sr. News Editors Nathaniel Bolter Bella Ehrlich David Li News editors Bhavik Nagda

Sr. Centerfold Editors Sophia Fisher Veronica Podolny

Graphics Manager Sophie Galowitz

Sr. Sports Editors Sr. Features Editors

Helen Haskin David Kim Jack McElduff

Amelia Stern Nicole Yu

SR. OPINIONS EDITOR

Maia Fefer Shelley Friedland Features editors

Advisers

Ashley Elpern Paul Estin Brian Baron

Ariel Neumann

Photo Managers Katie Asch Max Baker Alexa Rhynd

page 8|June 9, 2014

THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM Columns, rows and squares Each take a digit, falling Between one and nine.

ROSSWORD

bad haiku by Tony Vashevko & Rob Hass puzzles courtesy of sudokuoftheday.com

EASY: 5

1 1 6

1

5

8

4

2

5

9

8

7

2 7

4

6

8 4

1

2

v

9

6

7

4

5

5

8

2

7

1

3

13

17

15

16

1

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18

ACROSS:

6

1 8 3

19

9 1

7

4

6

6

3 9

9

2

5 2

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7 9

3 4

8

2

1. Attempts 7. Casualties of war 9. Impudence 11. Maker of sardonic comments 13. Bonkers

Newton Autodriving School 150 Winchester St Newton, MA 02461

5 8

11

CHALLENGING: 4

4

10

9

9

3

5

6

Crossword courtesy of ukpuzzle.com

DOWN:

2. Asian island also called 12 Formosa 3. Approval 14 4. Painful 5. Eerily perceptive 26 6. Wonky 8. Piling up 10. Heron relative 14. Food 12. Small gnaw15. Designed to ing animal maintain grip 13. Stringed 17. Lured instrument with 18. Specialised circular body terminology 16. Covered 19. Impure ver- walkway of sion of quartz Greek origin

Embarrassing Roar Staff Photo of the Month:

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page 9|June 9 2014|THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

opinions

Freshman advocates for longer school year

Students share what they would have done differently this year

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opinions@thelionsroar.com|VOLUME 31, ISSUE 1

Perspectives:

Should South put more emphasis on sports?

Yes, IT SHOULD

By Victoria Bergman

South fosters an extremely demanding environment that is focused predominantly on academics and grades. There needs to be more room for less stressful activities.

Sports at South are being de-emphasized more and more each year as the focus on receiving high marks increases.

This increased focus on earning good grades comes with an increase in students’ daily load of stress. Sports are supposed to help take away this pressure and take your mind off of homework, tests and grades.

South’s environment emphasizes academics so heavily that even finding the time to play sports is difficult, and this creates stress. Students are missing out on the pleasures of athletics.

Obviously, academic work is always more important than sports, and students should undoubtedly be giving as much effort as possible to their school work and studies.

But there are many students who excel in athletics and would love to be able to go play an after-school sport without having to stress about getting behind in school. Many teenagers have a higher level of interest in sports than in studying, but right now they have to put almost all their concentration into academics.

Currently, since most sports are considered unimportant at South, students who may truly care more about sports than academics are discouraged from

spending time on what they love doing.

Additionally, athletes need to be less stressed out about their homework and tests while playing sports, which would allow them to focus on winning or working extra hard during practice and games.

Also, coming to school thinking only about schoolwork can be unhealthy.

It’s depressing to have nothing to look forward to except classes, homework, studying and tests.

Although I am a member of the field hockey and lacrosse teams, school takes up almost all my attention. When I think about going to school while getting up in the morning, all I can think of is all the classes I need to sit through. I do enjoy being a member of those sports teams, but I can’t get excited or motivated about practice or a game until the bell rings at the end of the day.

If South increased its focus on athletics, students would be able to concentrate on something besides school. This would allow many more students to participate in and truly benefit from sports.

Right now, we put so little emphasis on sports that they do very little to relieve stress. Most people in the community know very little about South’s sports teams.

If South transferred some of its concentration on academics to sports, everyone’s day would be a lot more exciting and motivating and a lot less stressful.

graphic by Maggie Zhang

NO, IT SHOULD NOT

By Ben Rabin

Sports have a huge presence in high schools, occupying a large portion of both the budget and students’ attention. High school sports can have a positive impact on the student community, but school is first and foremost a place for academic learning, and sports should not be a primary focus of our time or resources.

Sports should be de-emphasized due to their potential dangers and their interference with academics.

According to Ken Reed from The Chicago Tribune, over 1.3 million high school students were members of their football teams in 2012, and 20 percent of these students sustain brain injuries.

Approximately 41 percent of high school football players who suffer concussions return to the game too early, putting their health and academic performance at risk.

This trend is not just prevalent in football: Many high school wrestlers, baseball players and soccer players have suffered similar injuries like broken bones and punctured ribs, according to The LA Times.

Our focus on sports means that many athletes push themselves too hard and do not allow themselves time to heal. This results in injuries that not only cause students physical pain, but can also interfere with their academic success and emotional health. The positive effects of sports do not justify encouraging this kind of destructive behavior; there is no reason

to place so much emphasis on something potentially this harmful.

In addition, increased participation in sports can lead to decreased academic performance. Athletes spend countless hours practicing, leaving little time for studying, doing homework and focusing on other important aspects of school.

There is nothing wrong with sports that require hard work and dedication, but many South teams require enourmous time commitments, often resulting in students not getting home until late in the evening several nights a week. In a school that often assigns several hours of homework per night, this time commitment doesn’t leave enough time for sleep and relaxation. If we were less serious about sports, athletes wouldn’t need to dedicate so much time to them every day.

While sports are important to any school community, including South, they aren’t as important as academic achievement.

Of course, keeping all of this in mind, high school sports have an overall positive effect on South, giving us a sense of community, allowing us to celebrate our athletes and our teammates and imbusing us with a sense of school pride.

But this focus should not take so much time and attention away from other pursuits. A more attitude toward sports could result in more time and less stress for students, fewer injuries and greater academic achievement.

page 10|June 9, 2014

THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

Surviving South: Fake It Till You Make It

BY Dina Busaba

I would say I’ve done pretty well in terms of navigating high school. I have a stable group of friends, I received relatively good grades and — for the most part — I did not have much conflict with my peers.

As I learned and matured over the years, transforming from a bratty 14-year-old into something closer to an adult, I have found that the key to successfully getting through high school is quite simple: being fake.

In my psychology class, we learned about cognitive dissonance, the idea that conflicting thoughts and behaviors lead to mental stress, which we as people can reduce by changing these factors.

We can make school a lot less painful by changing both our thoughts and our behaviors.

For students who say they hate school, behaving in a way that suggests otherwise could help change their perception and make them more content.

Faking it in class: Rather than giving up on classes they hate, students should try to stay engaged and committed by doing the homework, reading the assigned textbook pages and studying for tests.

Effort usually leads to good grades, and positive reinforcement to continual engagement and even sometimes to the belief that they actually like the class.

Another aspect of faking it in class is general participation. This means that students raise their hands to both ask and answer questions, do the classwork when the teacher asks them to and discuss whatever they were told to discuss in smaller

groups.

Faking it with teachers: Contrary to the popular belief that teachers are aliens who exsist to make us miserable, teachers are real people with a lot of the same experiences and views as high schoolers.

They’re people who will often help you if you know how to ask.

Freshman year, I did not bother to engage in conversation with my teachers, making sure to keep a clear boundary between myself and my teachers. That tactic was not very smart.

As the years passed, I have learned how to talk to teachers. As it turns out, talking to teachers isn’t difficult. Saying “hello” and “have a nice day” is a good start.

Once students get past the simple greetings, they should try talking to teachers about topics possibly outside of the subject they teach. Okay, breathe. I know this sounds tough. It’s not. I found that from freshman year until now, I have liked my teachers more each year because I engage with them more beyond the classroom environment.

There were some teachers that I initially hated but grew to like as I spoke to them more. Teachers care about students; they pursue a career that requires them to impart knowledge onto students, and that knowledge does not always have to be within the subject they teach. They want to help you, make you feel safe and challenge you.

So even if you don’t really care for your teachers, talking to them forges human connections that makes it pretty

much impossible to hate them and can also keep them from disliking you.

Fa k i n g it at school in general: School can really drag students down, so in order to change how they feel, students should start to frame their thoughts about it in a different way. If we think more positively, we will feel more positively.

Wednesdays don’t have to be thought of as the longest days of the week; instead, they can be thought of as the days that I have my favorite elective or the day with a free long block. Even if this thought process only slightly alters views, the entire act of going to school won’t feel so draining.

Faking it with other students: Let’s face it — liking everyone is impossible.

And no one is asking students to befriend everyone that they come in contact with.

But it is possible to treat anyone politely and respectfully, and acting this way increases productivity in group work and minimzes personal conflict.

Outside of a class or an extracurricular activity, try to be as social as possible. Laugh at peoples’ jokes, compliment something about them, wave at acquaintances. People will have more motivation

graphic by Ariel Neumann

to be nice to you if you are friendly to them.Why mouth off to someone who is being completely cordial?

Basically, the key to surviving high school is faking a positive attitude. Fake it till you make it, till you really do feel good.

I don’t mean to say that students should mask what they’re feeling; students who constantly hate high school and the environment they are in should tell a trusted friend or adult and seek help. But when your own attitude is standing between you and happiness, taking steps to change that attitude makes sense.

Looking back on what I wrote, I feel like a preachy know-it-all. The truth is, I’m an already-nostalgic graduating senior who’s looking back fondly on high school.

I think everyone should be able to look back and say that South was an overall good experience for them. I know it was for me.

A Smarter Summer: Extended School Year?

BY Clare Martin

You’ve just completed a final project, studied for two exams and written an essay worth a good percentage of your term grade. Now, you get to enjoy almost three blissful months of summer vacation. Right?

For now. If supporters of an extended school year had their way, you would still be neck deep in work with several months of school left at this point in the year.

At first glance, this sounds terrible. Adding an additional 25 days to the academic school year, however, could actually prove to be quite advantageous, helping both students and teachers have a less stressful and more productive school year.

Right now, the U.S. is trailing behind countries like China when it comes to education. In fact, according to the most recent Programme for International Student

Assessment (PISA) study in 2012, the U.S. ranks 17th in reading, 20th in science and 27th in math. The U.S. cannot remain a global power if our future leaders cannot perform competitively against those from countries in Asia and Europe.

In recent years, politicians nationwide have made efforts to reform the standard school year of 180 days.

They have proposed several models, but I believe the most viable of these solutions is to add about 25 days of instruction to the school schedule, spreading this time out more evenly over the year. Students absolutely deserve an extended reprieve in between school years — no one should have to attend school year round. The current 10-week summer vacation, however, is far too long.

According to the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA), most students lose about two months’ worth in math skills alone during summer vacation. As a result, teachers must review old material from the previous year, preventing advancement of the curriculum.

Shortening the summer break would prevent students from forgetting so much of what they had already learned. At the same time, this solution graphic by Sophie Galowitz would allow us to

keep four weeks of vacation, which is just enough time to explore new interests, study old ones, apply for a job or internship or enjoy a family vacation.

Not only would students better retain information, teachers could also avoid the frantic end-of-the-year rush that results from the effort to squeeze in the whole curriculum. With a more relaxed schedule, teachers would be able to explore more aspects of their subjects, providing students with a richer understanding.

Besides, haven’t we been searching for ways to reduce student stress?

By allotting more time to cover topics and extending time for assignments, students would not be under so much pressure, and if we had more vacations spread through the year, students would have many small breaks to relieve the stress of the regular school year.

I’m not saying that we will fix the nation’s education problems by shortening our summer break. Increasing time spent in school will not dramatically improve test scores or increase the number of college-bound students.

The issue is far more complex. As the gap between the rich and poor continues to widen, underprivileged kids are left inherently disadvantaged from birth. But we can’t ignore the fact that one of the biggest differences between our schools and the more successful ones in other countries is that we spend significantly more time on vacation in the summer. This is a disadvantage that we can easily fix.

School gives me a sense of purpose, because every time I accomplish something, I am expanding my knowledge. It’s important to have breaks for the sake of mental health, but only while school is in session do I feel like I’m making progress towards my future.

Don’t you want more of that?

June 9, 2014|page 11

THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

UPGRADE

9 SAT is done for the year

campus chatter =

The Lion’s Roar asked...

What is one thing you would have done differently this past year?

Graduation

“Branch out, meet new people and ... talk to people.”

Two early releases in one week Pools open Longest days of the year

- Madison Marks-Hackel, Class of 2017 “I probably would not have studied as much and hung out with friends more.”

- Patrick Maher, Class of 2014

Father’s Day

“I would have joined AP History. ... I was going to last year, but my teacher told me there were too many kids.”

Summer sales More parking spaces Ice cream truck

- Aubrey Adamczyk, Class of 2015 “I’d probably have come out sooner. I should have been more open with my friends and not afraid to tell the truth.”

- Henry Walsh, Class of 2017 photos by Alexa Rhynd

9

DOWNGRADE

Review week Final exams Lack of air conditioning at South Listening to over 400 names called at graduation Humidity Group projects Summer job search Empty hallways

“Maleficent”

BY Parisa Siddiqui

I walked into “Maleficent” expecting a darker, more adult retelling of the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty. What I got was beautiful visual effects, an elaborately planned story and a terrifying but stunning performance from leading actress Angelina Jolie — but nonetheless, an altered, family-friendly plot.

The movie begins with Maleficent — the evil witch who curses the princess Aurora in the story made popular by the Disney animated film — acting as the benevolent, winged guardian of a mystical moor. As she ages, she remains good, kind to a trespassing man.

Once the man betrays her to fulfill his own ambitions, she turns evil, casting a dark spell over the forest she once loved. From there, the traditional story comes into play.

Now, however, Maleficent has a stronger motive to curse the young princess than simply not receiving an invitation to her christening.

The movie began with the promise of being darker and scarier than the original. But after plenty of overly silly fighting among the three good fairies who raise Aurora, a cute but unnecessary cameo from Jolie’s actual daughter Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, and banter between Maleficent and her endearing sidekick, Diaval (Sam Riley), I realized that the movie would not be as mature as I had hoped.

At its core, “Maleficent” is still a family film under the thin veil of a thriller-like fantasy

“Maleficent”

Maleficent (Jolie) curses the newborn princess Aurora to an unending sleep only broken by true love’s kiss.

film, perhaps even more so than the animated version.

I was most impressed by the spectacular effects, characteristic of a high-budget fantasy film with a major star attached. The plot draws from the fairy tale, but Maleficent is no longer a villain. Instead she is a hero who transitions into a miserable anti-hero, who then quickly turns back into a hero. All the wickedness that I thought would make “Maleficent” so enter-

taining was bottled in a diluted form for the second third of the movie. Admittedly, this expectation was born from Maleficent’s look; Jolie’s scarily prominent cheekbone prosthetics were the real stars of the film.

As much as I wish the directors had not strayed so far from the fairy tale, I can forgive them due to the perfect casting of Jolie. She looked and played the part perfectly, and made the film truly enjoyable to watch.

BUILDING A BUSINESS Words of Wisdom The Roar asked a few successful small business owners to give a piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs

“When you get rejected, keep going.

It’s the key to all success.”

- Laurence Sperry, Sperry Product Innovation

“Do something that you like and enjoy doing, because otherwise, you’ll get tired of it. ... It’s definitely stressful and hard at times to get your business up and running, so it just requires patience.”

- Eric Licho, Waban Auto Detailing

“Stay persistent and be goal-oriented at different levels. Have a primary goal and a much larger goal.”

- Gabe Honigsberg, Bubble Dash App

“If you have a dream and you think that you have a really great idea then push as hard as you can to get that idea though because if you don’t try then you’ll never know.”

- Brian Hammel, business teacher

clients SUPPLY

MANUFACTURING

overhead

profit

competition Quality DEMAND

PRICINg

By Veronica Podolny Students turn to entrepreneurship as a means to extend their hobbies, earn money and gain real-world experience

A

ccording to Bloomberg News, 80 percent of all small businesses fail within their first 18 months.

Although this statistic may initially appear daunting to aspiring entrepreneurs, several students and members of the Newton community have found ways to pursue their hobbies and earn money by starting their own businesses.

Laurence Sperry, sophomore Isabel Sperry’s father, founded Sperry Product Innovation in 1992 after taking the manufacturing rights for his first invention, a solvent pump, and selling them to industrial and commercial markets. Sperry now has 39 patents under his name, and in the 22 years since the business’s inception, it has grown in both size and capability. “[All I needed was] a base of creativity and a little bit of money … and a lot of hustling in terms of getting customers,” Sperry said. “I did a lot of work for free in the beginning and proved that I could design and create and invent, and I worked the business up from that.”

Despite his creativity, Sperry faced various obstacles while starting his business. He began pitching his ideas for little money to try and prove himself in the market, but was often faced with rejection. “The first product that I was successful with is probably also the one that was rejected the most,” he said. “I just kept pushing and refining [the idea] every time I was rejected.”

Sperry said that he used the rejection as motivation and ultimately succeeded in developing his business, which has produced multiple award-winning products.

While stories like Sperry’s may be uncommon, a number of South students have transformed their hobbies into profitable businesses, many of which have grown under the support of the Newton community.

loans Investments capital

i nte res t rat es

Business teacher Brian Hammel, who and Theall first started the company, however, teaches South’s entrepreneurship class, said their outlook was not positive. that starting a business in high school is an “The first month or two, we weren’t getting adventurous but relatively safe risk for students, a lot [of clients] because we hadn’t really gotten who may not have to worry about the economic our name out there so it’s kind of frustrating,” cost of failure.

Rhatigan said. “But you just have to wait it out “A lot of students have that safety net of living and then things start working out pretty well.” with their parents and being supported by them, Soon enough, the two gained more clients so they [are] able to go out and take those risks,” than they could manage and reached out to their Hammel said. “They’re fearless … which is great friends for assistance. Now, Rhatigan and Theall because [they] have this innate belief that [they’re] make most of their earning through commission going to succeed at anything [they] do. And thats that they collect from the students they hire. what you need, because if you don’t have that “First, it started off as some boys doing attitude, your chances of failing are much greater.” yard work. Now it’s gotten to the point where Junior some boys You’re going to have to listen to a bunch of ‘no’s’ before Alex Dills hire other you get a ‘yes.’ You’re going to sort of have to have that boys to do and senior Eric Licho yard work,” thick skin and say ‘all right.’ turned their Rhatigan said.

- Brian Hammel, business teacher interest While the in and knowledge of cars into Waban Auto founders of both Waban Auto Detailing and Detailing, a car wash and detailing company. Newton South Work Squad now consider their “For a long time, [we] have been really into businesses successful, Hammel said the risk of cars, and we both also have been into business … failing discourages many aspiring entrepreneurs.

I figured we might as well try to combine the two “There’s a high chance that you’re going to fail and make a little bit of money,” Dills said. or that you’re going to have a hard time getting When Dills and Licho first started Waban the business going. You may eventually succeed, Auto Detailing, they relied primarily on word-of- [but] you’re going to have to listen to a bunch of mouth in order to gain customers. Now, as their ‘no’s’ before you get a ‘yes,’” Hammel said. “You’re business grows, both said they look forward to going to sort of have to have that thick skin and further expansion. say ‘all right.’”

“We’re hoping that we can build up more Sperry added that many high school clients and hopefully get more kids on board at entrepreneurs do not understand the full concept South who would be interested,” Licho said. and difficulty of starting a business.

Sophomores Will Rhatigan and Andy “The only thing I can note in some younger Theall started Newton South Work Squad, people is the misunderstanding of how hard you where they complete any “odd jobs” that clients have to work to become successful,” he said. require. They did the services themselves in the While a number of South students beginning, but now they now hire other students successfully start their own businesses, Hammel to help with some of the work. When Rhatigan agreed that students do not always have a

graphic by David Gorelik

So you want to be know your an entrepreneur? facts

realistic perception of what starting a business is like. “The cool headline examples are the Mark Zuckerbergs of the world who went to college, dropped out and now have a multi-billion dollar industry, but there are tons of ... entrepreneurs that don’t fit [that criteria],” he said.

Dills, however, said that as a high school entrepeneur, he has the advantage of gaining clients who prefer to have the business come to them, which many larger companies fail to do.

“What makes us unique, definitely, is that we go to the customer, so that makes it a lot easier,” he said. “They can see what we’re doing and make sure we’re doing a good job.”

To measure their accomplishments, Dills said that he and Licho look at their income as well as the work that they do. “I would say right now [our measure of success is] quality of work for the price that we charge,” he said. “[We judge ourselves on] the speed, the cost and overall, we just like to have a lot more customers.”

Sperry, however, said he uses employee and customer satisfaction to gauge the progress of his company.

“When you walk in my business, there is a little alarm system and the door goes ‘ding.’ What I tell everyone is if that door dings and you’re happy and you feel really great to be there, that’s our measure of success. And I feel the same way.

If I love to be there, then we’re very successful.”

According to Hammel, young entrepreneurs may eventually effect positive change on both the national economy and the global community. “How are we going to improve the world and change the things that are wrong with the world? It’s totally going to be entrepreneurs,” he said. “I believe that the kids that are in high school right now [who] are really interested in entrepreneurship are going to go on and do something great.”

- The SBA (Small Business Administration) defines a small business as an enterprise with 500 or fewer employees - Half a million businesses are launched each month; however, even more shut down

95% 10% close involuntarily due to bankrupcy

a common mistake is spending too much money on inventory in the beginning

2 Learn About Your Market

before opening the business, learn about the demographic of your area

90% close due to weakness and lack of success and income

Reasons they fail 1 lack of industry experience 2 inadequate financing 3 inadequate cash flow 4 poor business planning 5 incompetent managing 6 too much competition 7 lack of entrepreneurial skills information compiled from Forbes, Small Business Administration and IIB - Business Support Americas

Steps to success 1Start Small

of small businesses fail within the first five years

information compiled from Power Home Biz

3 Know Your Customers

focus on customer service — listen to your clients and predict what they want

4 Set Goals

to note progress and stay on track, have goals and strategies

5 Control Your Inventory

know what you have, how much and what will sell

6 Advertise

market your business tactfully to attract attention

7 Stay Focused

concentrate on the outcomes and don’t take on too much at a time infographics by Veronica Podolny

page 14|June 9, 2014

THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

Mixing it Up Sophomore Max Baker and junior Josh Kaster have merged successful disc jockey businesses to share resources and expand

By Sophia Fisher, Risa Gelles-Watnick and Sally Nelson

W

hen sophomore Max Baker received money as a Bar Mitzvah gift, he did not buy a laptop or put the money into a bank account; instead, he spent $600 on his first set of mixing equipment. Baker used this equipment to start a business as a disco jockey (DJ).

“That really first started him on his way,” Baker’s mother, Stacie Baker, said. “It became an obvious next step not to just mix in his house once he knew how to do it for someone else.”

In February, after several years of deejaying for small parties and events, Baker teamed up with junior Josh Kaster, who was also deejaying independently.

“Some guy at camp was just screwing around with [some] DJ thing on his computer ... putting songs together and playing music, [which] really interested me,” Kaster said.

Baker said that observing DJs at Bar and Bat Mizvah parties also helped spark his interest to become a professional DJ. “At the beginning of seventh grade, my friends were having Bat Mitzvahs and Bar Mitzvahs, and I thought it was really cool how all the technological equipment went together,” he said. “I kind of had an idea that I wanted to run a business, so I saved up some money and bought some DJ equipment and lights and started volunteering doing little things until someone hired me.”

Although both students experienced success as independent DJs at smaller gatherings, Kaster said that combining businesses allowed the two to pool their resources.

“Everyone always raved about [Max’s] lighting, and I love to deejay, so we merged together,” he said. “A big part of ... why I wanted to start working with Max is [that] ... I thought that we could bring [music] to the community at a relatively low cost and with precision.”

Baker agreed that their complementary skills and interests make them good partners. “Josh is a very good DJ, much better than [I], and it works well because he handles the DJ aspect, and I handle the production and technical aspect,” he said.

According to Stacie, running a business as a high school student involves too much work for one person to handle. “It’s a lot to run a business when you’re in high school and you’ve got grades and all these other things going on,” she said. “I think another person to think through or sound

photo courtesy of Max Baker

things off of is a really good asset.”

Although Baker and Kaster began by working at smaller birthday and house parties, they have since worked individually at Brown Middle School events, Sweet Sixteens, house parties, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and weddings.

Baker’s first experience as a DJ at an adult-only event was at neighbor Beth Franklin’s neighborhood party. “I think

“It’s a lot to run a business when you’re in high school. ... I think another person to think through or sound things off of is a really good asset.”

- Stacie Baker, mother of Max Baker he’s very talented,” Franklin said. “He was very professional to work with. He set up on time, he broke down his equipment quickly. It was all done in an extremely professional manner.”

Baker and Kaster primarily promote their business through word-ofmouth as well as videos of events, which Baker creates and edits. “Especially in the 21st century, everyone’s on computers. ... Videos are really a great way to connect with clients because they can see exactly what they’re going to get,” Baker said.

According to Kaster, offering low prices was essential for gaining patrons in the beginning. “I reached out to kids who were having house parties,” he said. “I offered to DJ for very small amounts of money, so obviously that puts your name out, especially if you’re the only kid doing

it.”

Kaster’s sister sophomore Sydney Kaster added that the DJ often dictates the event’s atmosphere.

“I think a DJ can bring the life to a party, because if you just plug your iPod into a dock, all that’s playing is plain songs.

But if you’ve got a DJ, they can play a very important part in the mood,” she said.

Sophomore Jaden Baye-Cigna, who attended a party at which Baker and Kaster were DJs, agreed that they enhanced the mood of the party. “They had all these different colored lights, and without their music and the lights, I feel like it would have been some average, boring party,” she said. “If it [were] just music playing from a computer, it wouldn’t be as fun — the DJs added a certain party element that made it better.”

Some, however, still choose to play music from their own electronic devices for events, rather than hire professional DJs. “A problem, I think, is the willingness for people to pay for this sort of thing, because a lot of people, if they’re having a house party, just put on an iPod or something,” Kaster said. “But that’s something we’re trying to

change at South. We’re not trying to break your wallet, and we’re not trying to make you shell out thousands of dollars to have a DJ. … We want to have fun as much as people in the crowd want to.”

According to Sydney, the prevalance of technology should not diminish the number of DJ businesses. “A lot of things have changed in technology, but I think something that shouldn’t change is having a DJ,” she said. “DJs can produce a better sound than iPods, and I think that an iPod is not a personality — it’s just music.”

Despite the growing use of personal electronics, through positive interactions with customers, Baker and Kaster have succeeded in developing and improving their business over the years. Franklin said that she was impressed by the quality of Baker’s work.

“I just think he’s done an incredible job building his business, and ... he was extremely professional,” she said. “I would not hesitate to have him or anyone else in his business do a party for me again.”

Kaster said the two hope to use their experience to expand their business and also aim to hone their skills.

“We’re at a stage where we know what needs to be done and how an event is supposed to look,” he said.

“There’s no competition if you’re the best and you’re bringing the best, and that’s what Max and I are trying to achieve.”

photo courtesy of Max Baker

Baker deejays at Angier Elementary School’s graduation in June 2013.

page 15|June 9, 2014|THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

FEATURES FEATURES@thelionsroar.com|VOLUME 31, ISSUE 1

RSM strengthens mathematical skills for students

Senior jake alexander ends career in football.

pAGE 16

pAGE 19

Bon Voyage Many seniors choose to attend foreign universities due to lower tuition prices and unique opportunities

By Shelley Friedland graphic by Anjali Shankar

W

hile many of her peers will be travelling across the country for college, senior Leda Olia will be flying across the pond to Edinburgh, Scotland, where she will be attending the University of Edinburgh next fall.

“I really just wanted to go somewhere different, because I feel like a lot of kids from South apply to the same places and the same type of schools,” she said. “I just wanted a completely new experience and a new adventure.”

According to Olia and several other seniors who have chosen to attend college outside of the U.S., lower tuition costs as well as the opportunity to have diverse experiences were some of the major reasons they chose to go to school abroad.

I Senior Sydney Caminetsky, who holds Canadian citizenship and will be attending the University of Western Ontario, said that the cost of Canadian school is significantly cheaper than the price she would be paying to attend school in the U.S. “As a Canadian, I get to pay the Canadian tuition, which is a lot cheaper than schools here in the United States, so it’s almost as though you pay a state school price because it’s subsidised,” she said.

According to senior Joshua Pfannl, who will be attending Universidad Nacional de Asunción (National University of Asunción) in Paraguay, students in Paraguay do not have to pay for many of the expenses that American students do for college. “[School] is definitely cheaper. The culture’s really different, so I’m not really going to spend any money on

[for badminton],” he said.

According to Brown, some students choose to go to school abroad in order to do something unusual and to gain a new perspective.

“Sometimes [students go abroad] purely because they want to do something different,” she said. “It’s a whole new way of looking at things … you’re really forced to make friends into family when you’re there just so you have a support group and a peer group.”

Caminetsky said that she is excited to navigate a new place on her own. “I’m looking most forward to being in a totally new environment … overall I really will not know anyone and so having the ability to go somewhere without many connections will be really interesting,” she said. just wanted a completely new experience Olia said that while she is looking forward and a new adventure. to living in a new environment, she hopes to be treated equally by all of the native Scottish - Leda Olia, Class of 2014 students. “I just hope … when I go there that I’m can be very important to other students. not treated as an international student, [but] that I am “I think that [money] plays a large part in [the deci- integrated into the culture and into the school life there,” sion],” Shekhtman said. “For me, McGill has benefits in she said. the sense that it’s paid in Canadian dollars ... so it makes Shekhtman said that while he does not believe stu[the cost] a little less, and also tuition is less in general.” dents should be required to study abroad, they should be In addition to cheaper tuition, several students open to the idea of it. “I think that it’s a really nice experiagreed that the potential for new experiences in a difence, people should be open-minded and maybe willing ferent country is an appealing factor of going to school to try something new,” he said. abroad.

“People should be encouraged to go abroad ... it’s For Shekhtman, athletic opportunities were the ma- an experience that’s so unmatched by anything else,” Olia jor deciding factor. “I’m a pretty competitive athlete, and agreed. “I just hope that other people have that opportu[McGill] has a varsity team and a good varsity program nity.”

Where are they going?

1

student will attend college in

Paraguay

5

dorms and stuff ... it takes away many expenses,” he said.

College and career counselor Barbara Brown, however, pointed out that while tuition might be less for colleges abroad, there are additional expenses that come with going to school in a foreign country.

“It’s cheaper to go to school [abroad]; however, other things are probably going to be more [costly] … everything is very expensive to buy in most places,” she said. “It’s very expensive to travel back and forth, so you will not get to go home very often.”

Although finances did not significantly impact senior Alan Shekhtman’s decision to attend McGill University in Montreal, Canada, he said he understands that they

Some of the countries seniors will be going to next year are...

students will attend college in

Canada

1

student will attend college in

Singapore

2

students will attend college in

Scotland

1

student will attend college in

Ireland

page 16|June 9, 2014

Relationships: The Whole Picture

EDITOR’S NOTE: Every issue, The Roar publishes a different anonymous student’s perspective on relationships. The views expressed in the “Relationships Column” do not reflect the official views of The Lion’s Roar, nor are they intended as a guide or source of advice for others.

I have been going out with Sam* for about a year and a half now. During these 18 months, I’ve gotten to know him really well, and I’ve realized a couple things.

He has very little fashion sense, burps a lot, makes corny jokes and doesn’t really do his homework.

I still can’t believe we’re going out.

He was not what I expected, but I love Sam. He is a veritable guidance counselor, a shoulder to cry on, a good conversationalist, a fantastic driver and above all, one of my closest friends who probably knows me better than I know myself.

I find him extremely attractive and I love his personality. We just click. How do these two very different pictures fit together? Well, they simply do.

The German writer Goethe once said, “Certain flaws are necessary for the whole. It would seem strange if old friends lacked certain quirks.” And this lovely, imperfect guy’s flaws and quirks are absolutely necessary for his character.

But let’s be real: It’s really hard to accept that your significant other isn’t perfect. It’s hard enough to accept your own imperfections, let alone someone else’s.

In the beginning of our relationship, I was a little bit bothered by the fact that Sam used the same cheesy, romantic lines over and over again. I wished in vain that one day he would dress like the guys on the cover of GQ magazine.

But, as imperfect as he was, I couldn’t believe that somebody so kind, funny and gentlemanly would choose someone so normal and awkward like me.

He treats me better than anybody has ever treated me.

In the beginning of this column, I said that Sam was not what I expected. I didn’t expect that Sam would burp in the middle of a kiss or go work out instead of doing homework. But I also didn’t expect that I would fall in love with this guy.

He has his flaws, but he also goes out of his way to make my day better and makes me feel like the most special girl in the world.

He has stayed with me for this long, despite all of my imperfections, all my awkward moments and late arrivals, and I am grateful for that every day.

I think that a good relationship stems from the mutual acceptance that neither of the people in it is perfect, nor should they try to be.

If Sam were to show up in corduroys and a plum blazer with a fedora, I would probably laugh, even though it would look good on other guys. And if I were ever more than five minutes early to something, he may have a heart attack.

Over time, his imperfections have become just as endearing as his good qualities. I love Sam for all of who he is. *Name changed to protect student’s identity

THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

RSM gives students leg up in math Nighat Ansari & Gabby Taslitsky Features Reporters

When sophomore Sophie Ludin was four years old, her parents sent her to Newton’s Russian School of Mathematics (RSM) to provide Ludin with the opportunity to build and improve her math skills.

Ludin, however, hated the program when she first joined. “The rooms were small and crammed, and two hours of math was the last thing on my mind as a young girl,” she said.

Senior Michelle Zaslavski said she had a similar experience. “I didn’t like [RSM] as a kid,” she said. “Who likes doing math in your spare time?”

Despite its initial lack of popularity among several students, RSM, an afterschool math enrichment program, has sparked the interests of many because of the strong mathematical foundation it provides for its students.

Freshman Bella Gribov said that her positive experience at RSM is largely influenced by the teachers’ distinct teaching style. “It’s a different experience,” she said.

“Russian teachers tend to humiliate their favorite students because it’s supposed to make them work harder. This personally holds very true to me.”

Ludin agreed with Gribov that the unique relationships between students and teachers encourage students to put effort into their work. “I love the teachers [at RSM] … because you develop a strange relationship with them,” she said. “They taunt you a bit and that makes you work harder.”

By equipping students with basic math skills, RSM prepares students for standardized testing, Ludin said.

“RSM helps a lot with standardized tests and SAT in general because we work on SAT very rigorously and thoroughly,”

photo courtesy of Russian School of Mathematics

A teacher at RSM begins to teach advanced math concepts to children as young as five. she said. “We get so much practice with basic or key math concepts that I almost never make silly mistakes with my algebra.”

Gribov said that she believes RSM built her foundation in math well enough to allow her to skip a grade in the subject.

“Almost all of sophomore math ... I already knew because of RSM,” she said.

According to math teacher Alex Palilunas, RSM enables students to have a more solid foundation of mathematical concepts. “My students who took RSM … their algebra and arithmetic were much more sound than the other students,” he said. “I didn’t have to worry about reviewing [basic concepts].”

While students and teachers said that they find that RSM is helpful in solidifying mathematics concepts, several agreed that RSM is not always able to keep up with South’s demanding math courses.

“RSM does help to a certain extent, but when it gets to ninth [to] tenth grade or above, it’s not as helpful,” freshman Justin Cheong said.

Ludin agreed that RSM is not always helpful in keeping students ahead in their school courses. “I think until eighth grade RSM helped me get really solid and I was really good at math,” she said. “RSM sort of fell behind South’s courses once high school started because now I learn things in school first and then in RSM.” Math teacher Leslie Quattrini said she believes that RSM is not required at a high school level as long as students take full advantage of resources presented in school. “[These programs] cost a lot of money,” she said. “I think if you’ve been to every J block of your teacher, you’re going to the math center all of your free blocks and you still can’t pick up on what’s going on, then these schools might be a good idea … but I think the school provides a significant amount resources here that kids don’t use.”

Although Zaslsavski said that South’s math courses continue to be demanding, institutions like RSM help lift some of the stress from students’ lives. “I wouldn’t be where I am without [RSM],” she said.

Summer plans of students and staff

By Shira Abramovich, Nicole Yu and Maggie Zhang

With only a lightweight bag and a single change of clothing, sophomore Catharine Pierce will travel to Laos and Thailand this summer on a 25-day service trip sponsored by Rustic Pathways. “I’m purposely not going [on the trip] with anyone I know, because I just think [that] if you’re going to do such a crazy thing, you’ve got to really get the full experience,” she said.

An avid traveler, guidance counselor James Medeiros plans to visit the Faroe Islands, a group of islands in the North Sea between Norway and Scotland, this summer. He said that he was interested in exploring an unknown region of the world.

“I just enjoy learning about a different culture, seeing a different place [and] just immersing myself into the life,” he said.

Catharine Pierce

James Medeiros

Class of 2016

Guidance Counselor

For math teacher Divya Balikrishnan, the upcoming summer will mark an important milestone in her life — her wedding.

Balikrishnan will also serve as the academic dean at the Summer Institute for the Gifted, an educational summer program held at college campuses across the country. “I hope to learn some stuff [this summer] that I can bring back to the classroom next year,” she said.

Senior Bailey Michell will be working as a student teaching instructor at the Newton Environmental Science Program, a month-long summer program focused on environmental sustainability. “I’m going to ... teach students about the environment and lead them on adventures through the city of Newton to teach them about plants and wildlife and various natural cycles,” he said.

Divya Balikrishnan

Bailey Michell

Math Teacher

Class of 2014

photos by Alexa Rhynd

page 17|JUne 9, 2014

THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

Built to Succeed

By Mona Baloch and Ilana Zeldin

photo courtesy of Ilias Vamvakas

The Ligerbots’ robot (red, with ball) competes in a timed match at the FIRST international robotics championships during April break in St. Louis, MO. The team placed 40th in its division.

The Ligerbots robotics team finished its season at worlds and hopes to continue expanding its diversity as a group

C

heerleaders, mascots and spectators filed into a “One of the things about the FIRST program is petitively,” he said. “Going around when everyone else is football stadium sized arena to support contesthat they want to involve students who are interested in displaying their robots, you can ask questions and learn tants from over 35 different countries. Along with how different systems work.” things beyond just the technical and engineering. You’re 2,720 other teams, the Ligerbots, South’s and North’s joint supposed to have people who are building your business According to South sophomore Ilias Vamvakas, robotics team, attended the FIRST (For the Inspiration plan, involved in your fundraising and involved in builda member of the team’s executive board, the Ligerbots and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics ing spirit and all sorts of other aspects of the team,” she gained valuable information from other teams at the world championships during April break and placed 40th said. event. in their division.

Vamvakas, Samaha and McVittie are part of the “We learned a lot of things about how we could The three-day event, which was the second interna- make [our] organization better, because we spoke to a executive board, a group of six students who are in charge tional competition that the team has attended, took place lot of teams who have a lot more experience and more of managing the team in a business-like manner. In order in the Edward Jones stadium in St. Louis, Mo. During the sponsors,” he said. “We learned … possible strategies for to accomplish the team’s goals, the executive board memsix-week period prior to the championships, the team de- attracting new sponsors.” bers, as well as the rest of the team, must efficiently work signed and built a robot that performed the required tasks together, according to McVittie.

Although the team spends most of its season workfor the competition, which included scoring goals by ac- ing on various robots, Vamvakas said that the Ligerbots “It’s not the mentors who are going out and solicitcurately throwing balls into designated areas. ing people and explaining what our team is Bruce McVittie, a sponsor of the club and and exactly what we do to people,” she said.

[The team] concentrates a lot more on everything you father of club member and South junior Rachel “It’s the students who are the main force.” need to run a business, whether it’s public relations, McVittie, said that the atmosphere of the comKraus said that by allowing students to petition was inviting and filled with enthusiasm. take charge of fundraising and management, graphic design, artwork design or business.

“There was a tremendous energy they gain independence and socials skills. “It in the place, just a sense of learning in teaches them to work with a wide range of - Ilias Vamvakas, Class of 2016 terms of the whole experience,” Bruce said. other people … on very real-world situaNorth junior Alexander Samaha, the Ligerbots’ tions, she said. are more than just a robotics team.

Chief Technical Officer, said that the atmosphere at FIRST According to Elizabeth McVittie, McVittie’s mother “We don’t concentrate solely on the robot,” he was different from that of other competitions he has atand a team mentor, the team also encourages students to said. “[The team] concentrates a lot more on everything tended with the team. pursue careers in technology. you need to run a business, whether it’s public relations, “Everyone is there to compete, but not so com“Nine to 12 kids have gotten internships from mengraphic design, artwork design or business.” tors in the technology industries,” Elizabeth said. “[It’s] McVittie, the team’s Chief Financial Ofbecause those mentors see them, interact with them, ficer, said that the team is currently hoping to know who they are and are willing to offer them jobs.” recruit students who excel in areas other than For Vamvakas, the team has opened up many posrobotics. “We’re looking to attract more people sibilities in fields beyond technology and engineering. He … who are more focused on the organizasaid that participating in the team has helped him in his tional, emotional, marketing and fundraising English class by creating links between subjects that often aspect of the team, because we don’t have a lot do not overlap. “Grants and proposals help with English. of people like that,” she said.

Undoubtedly, if you [have to] write a grant, you will be Ligerbots adviser and science teacher better at doing that [and other writing related work] in Jordan Kraus agreed with McVittie and Vamthe future,” he said. vakas, adding that the team has a place for all Although the team offers educational opportunities different interests. and teaches students various lessons, Elizabeth said that the best part of being a mentor is watching the members pursue their interests. “It’s hugely gratifying seeing something that these kids are so passionate about,” she said.

McVittie agreed and said that although being a part of the team is a large commitment, every challenge is worth it. “I love the community feeling.

If you ever meet up with someone and say you’re on a FIRST robotics team, it instantly establishes a connection,” she said. “It’s so great to be a member of a team [and to] go to a competition and [cheer]. You’ve worked so hard photo by Neoreet Braha photo courtesy of Ilias Vamvakas to get there. … You have that tangible (Left) The team’s robot throws a ball to senior James Dean Sherman-Caffray. (Right) The Ligerbots and their sponsors at the world championships. feeling.”

page 18|June 9, 2014

THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

Red Cross Club succeeds in first year of service Sophia Fisher

Sr. Centerfold Editor On a cold Saturday in early April, junior Alexis Kieran did not sleep in as some of her peers may have; she was packaging and delivering food to families at an American Red Cross (ARC) food pantry in Boston with other members of the Red Cross Club.

“We were there for five hours, … and it was a nice team-building activity,” Kieran, the club’s treasurer, said. “We got tired after a while, ... but it was a good tired.”

Sophomore Ava Shaevel founded the club in late 2013. So far, it has hosted two bake sales, raising $370, organized South’s first student-run blood drive and volunteered at a food pantry in Dorchester.

Shaevel said that she founded the club because she felt that South needed a help-based club that would fundraise for trusted organizations.

“People joined because they wanted a community to go to and they really wanted to help a specific organization or a specific group,” she said. “Helping people is what we’re really all about.”

Math teacher Andrew Kelly, the club’s advisor, added that Shaevel’s motivation and leadership brought many people to the club’s first meetings.

“She was definitely really motivated to have the club happen and got a lot of people to meetings,” Kelly said. “It seems to me that people were showing up because of Ava, and they’re staying because of the cause.”

The club engages in community service opportunities and donates money to the ARC, an organization founded in 1881 which

aims to strengthen disaster relief and prevention efforts and support veterans and impoverished people, according to the organization’s website.

Every seconds, “A lot of people think someone in the that [the ARC] is just about collecting blood, but that’s US needs blood not the case,” Kelly said. “It kind of does everything.”

While the ARC aids One donation countries around the world, can help save freshman and club memthe lives of up ber Ali Nislick said that South’s club mainly helps to people the immediate community. “[Our mission is to] find The Red Cross places around Newton that are provides blood to in need of help and just help about as much as we can,” she said. hospitals In addition to helping the Boston area, the Red Cross Club fundraises and donates the money to the ARC, specifying blood, and that includes students, which the charities to which the money should go. is great, because we’re getting students “[The ARC] doesn’t just do relief involved in the club,” Shaevel said. during a hurricane or during some sort of Allegro said that volunteering at the huge natural disaster,” junior Serena Al- food pantry showcased members’ teamlegro said. “They do immediate stuff for work and passion. people who need it all over the world, like “We had to do assembly lines very food for people who don’t have oppor- organized and very fast ... We took up one tunities and don’t have money to get it.” whole assembly line,” she said. “We were In effort to achieve this mis- so organized, so I think it shows ... how sion, the club organized South’s first well we work together [and] how much student-run blood drive in April. we’re willing to do for the Red Cross.”

“I think that’s a pretty big step, considerNislick, who also volunteered at the ing that’s our first year as a club,” Shaevel said. food pantry, said the club doubled the Throughout the day, ARC officials number of volunteers at the pantry. in Gym B took blood from volunteers, and “We definitely made an impact,” she members of various community-service said. “There were a lot of people coming in clubs offered food to donors. to get food, and we definitely sped up the “We had about 35 people donate process.”

About the American Red Cross 2

information from the American Red Cross

If you began donating blood at age 17 and donated every 56 days until you reached 76, you would have donated 48 gallons of blood — potentially helping save over 1,000 lives

3

3,000

infographic by Veronica Podolny

Shaevel added that she thinks the club helps strengthen and unify the South community.

“I think [the club] gets everyone more connected and involved,” she said.

“It’s really hard to find yourself as a club, but once you do, it has a great impact.”

According to Allegro, the club exposes students to less fortunate communties, which, she said, adds to the appeal of the club.

“A lot of kids who went to the food bank with us weren’t aware of just how many people were in need, and, on that Saturday alone, we served something like 527 families,” Allegro said. “I think joining a club like this will not only allow you to help those people, but just open your eyes to the world around you.”

page 19|JUne 9, 2014

THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

Jake Alexander is...

Every issue, The Roar randomly selects a student and explores what makes him or her unique.

The 5th Quarter Senior Jake Alexander reflects on the end of his football career, plans to shift his focus to lacrosse in college

photo courtesy of Jake Alexander

Jake Alexander (second from right) stands on the football field with his team during the national anthem. After finishing his last season, he plans on pursuing lacrosse in college.

Maia Fefer

Sr. Features Editor Since his sophomore year, senior Jake Alexander has played safety for the varsity football team, and he was named a captain of the team this year. Upon stepping off the field on this past Thanksgiving Day, however, he ended his 10-year-long football career.

Jake will instead be trying out for the lacrosse team at Union College next year, but he said that football has played an integral role in preparing him for the next chapter of his life.

The sport has most importantly taught him how to overcome challenges, according to Jake. “[Football] will teach you a lot of life lessons. … It is a lot of hard work, but you can really see your accomplishments,” he said. “I would say that every season is like a rollercoaster. Every season will have high points and low points, but even when it seems like it is getting to you, … you just have to push through eventually, [because] it will not only make you a better player, but [will] also make you a better person because you are able to face adversity.”

Jake’s brother, freshman Ben Alexander, said that Jake has faced these challenges with an open attitude, which has contributed to his successful leadership.

“I think he does a good job in really making people feel welcome to the sport,” he said. “Being a good leader incorporates welcoming everyone.”

Jake’s history teacher, Deborah

Linder, added that Jake’s leadership is evident in the classrom as well. ”He is a good leader, not only because of group projects, but because he is able to go and talk with me and ask questions,” she said.

According to head football coach Ted Dalicandro, Jake has garnered respect from his teammates by becoming a good role model to others.

“He is … a nice kid and a wonderful and coachable player. He was able to do anything the coaches asked of him, change positions and do whatever was asked [of him] to help the team,” he said. “I don’t think they have a choice to respect … a teammate that is always there, always in the right position, always doing the right thing and always making the team better.”

Jake said that the lessons he has learned from football are applicable to all aspects of his life. “[Football] teaches you that when you work hard, you will succeed,” Jake said. “Doing a sport keeps you occupied instead of going on Facebook or watching TV, because when you get home, you have to do your work. Otherwise, you won’t be able to do it and [will] get bad grades in class.”

Dalicandro agreed that the sport has taught Jake valuable life lessons. “[A lesson] is being able to get through the tough times … [and] just to keep pushing and working through it,” he said. “I think [Jake] has also learned that failure doesn’t label who you are. It helps build who you are, [and] that hard work pays off no mat-

ter what.”

According to Linder, Jake models these lessons in the classroom through his determination and effort.

“He never gives up even when it is hard,” she said. “He takes an Advanced Placement class, and he is a senior, but he continues to try to learn.”

Jake said that he hopes to continue applying these lessons to his endeavors in lacrosse, and that he is excited to expperience a new environment and expand his friend group at Union.

“It is a new chapter in [my life]. You can go there and be whoever you want.

You have a clean slate with everyone, and it will be nice to get to spend another four years with another group of kids,” he said.

Dalicandro said he believes that Jake’s dedication and perseverance will translate into success in all future plans.

“He is a successful kid, and he will be successful down the road, because his work ethic and his ability to just trump forward and keep upbeat will help him.”

Dalicandro said. “Jake has a wonderful future ahead of him, and he has already worked so hard to accomplish all the things he has accomplished on and off the field.”

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page 20|June 9, 2014|THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

SPORTS

SEnior football player Aaron Golub Goes Divison 1

Students share their enthusiasm for the world cup

pAGE 22

pAGE 23

Sports@thelionsroar.com|VOLUME 31, ISSUE 1

united we w

in

photo by Katie Asch

Boys volleyball team ends season undefeated and ranked number one in MIAA divison I rankings

By Josh Goldenberg and Noah Shelton

C

ontinuing a recent trend, the boys volleyball team is experiencing another successful season.

This season, however, could prove to be the most successful in the program’s history.

At the end of the regular season, the Lions, who play in the Dual County League — one of the most competetive conferences in Massachusetts — were ranked number one in the state.

The team went undefeated during the regular season, sporting a 20-0 record in matches and a set record of 60-3.

Both the team’s players and coach agreed that the group has demonstrated a high level of cooperation and dedication to achieve such a record.

Junior captain Jared Chin attributed the team’s success to the team-building activities the members have done throughout the season.

“We have had nights where we would go to someone’s house for dinner and watch some volleyball,” he said.

Sophomore Eli Braginsky said these

team-building activities have helped build some of the girls as managers, and they friendships between team members and help with the fundamentals and help with created a community within the team. the organization piece.”

“We’ve done stuff like go out to The leadership of the team has also lunch as a team and have team dinners contributed to the season’s success, accordwhich help us have great team chemistry,” ing to Chin. he said.

“All three capAccording tains have stepped to junior Tomer up to help lead the “We all set a very high goal, Keren, one of the team,” he said. and we will do anything it most effective ways Braginsky takes to go as far as possible, the team has been added that many of able to improve the younger players even if it means practicing as a unit has been on the team have seven days a week.” by watching hours also stepped up as of film. “Dur- Tomer Keren, Class of 2015 leaders. ing team dinners “The captains and meeting we have been great this watch college volleyball games and year, and lots of other guys on the team are videos of ourselves playing, so we can good leaders as well, so the team is always see what mistakes we made,” he said. going in a positive direction,” he said.

Coach Todd Elwell said he has been Keren said the balance and relationimpressed by the level of engagement shown ships between inexperienced and experiby members of both the boys’ and girls’ team. enced players have been positive. “We have “The girls will volunteer to help some great athletes on the team that have with the boys’ program,” he said. “You get never played volleyball until this season,”

he said. “I noticed that the more experienced players helped a lot by slowly teaching them one by one the right techniques.”

Elwell said he was particularly encouraged by the team’s preparation leading up to this season. “[This year], players [were] going out and finding good coaches or good clinics or good camps to develop their fundamentals,” he said.

Keren agreed that the team’s motivation has been particularly high this year.

“We all set a very high goal, and we will do anything it takes to go as far as possible, even if it means practicing seven days a week,” he said.

The team is continuing to improve as they prepare for and participate in the state tournament, Braginsky said.

“Everyone gives 100 percent in practice, and that leads us to playing great volleyball during the games,” he said.

On June 4, the Lions beat Needham at the South Sectional Finals. The team will be advancing to the state semi-finals to play Acton-Boxborough at Hudson high school on June 10.

a LOOK AT THE TEAM’s HISTORY 2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

South Sectional Champions

South Sectional Champions DCL Champions

South Sectional Finalists

South Sectional Finalists

South Sectional Finalists DCL Champions

18-4

22-2

18-5

16-7

20-3

June 9, 2014|page 21

THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

All-girls frisbee team expands, competes at state level Helen Haskin & Jack McElduff Sr. Sports Editors

Until this year, Angry Corn had been the official ultimate frisbee team at South. This year, however, a new team has formed.

Angry Squash an all-girls response to the traditionally all-boys Angry Corn has emerged as a valid alternative.

Established this year, the team provides girls with the opportunity to play a sport without committing to varsity athletics.

The team quickly gained members and has made strides competitively, playing in several tournaments during the year, including the state tournament, at which the team placed sixth.

Senior Hattie Gawande, one of the team’s co-founders, said that she created the team spontaneously upon hearing that senior and co-founder Margalit Glasgow was also interested in ultimate frisbee.

“Last year, during a free block, I was tossing a frisbee around with some guys, and one of them mentioned that [Glasgow] was trying to start a girls’ team,” Gawande said. “I found her and told her I’d be interested in joining.”

Gawande said that the two were interested in starting a girls-only team to ensure that they would get a significant amount of playing time.

“There were no girls on the co-ed

team, Angry Corn,” she said. “Although we could have played on that team, we knew that we’d get a lot more playing time if we started our own team.”

Despite its recent inception, the team has become one of the most successful teams in the state.

“The club was way more of a success

“The club was way more of a success than we expected. We didn’t expect to get as many players as we did.”

- Hattie Gawande, class of 2014 than we expected. We didn’t expect to get as many players as we did,” she said. “We’re 6-3. We’re in top top six seeds at states, which is really surprising.”

Becoming a competitive team, however, was a long process, according to junior Sophia Autor.

“In the fall, we had practices, and we played a few games,” she said. “We were mostly building up our team.”

Gawande said that although she assumed the role of a teacher when the club first formed, the beginning was a learning process for her as well.

“We advertised in the fall at the club

fair, and we got a surprising number of signups,” she said. “Then we started holding practices where we taught people to throw, but I was also teaching myself at the same time.”

Glasgow said that gender is not generally a barrier between frisbee players.

“I don’t think [frisbee] is regarded as a boys’ sport at all,” she said. “There’s something about ultimate that’s really friendly, so when you get up to really high level club teams, they often have both men and women.”

Still, according to Autor, there was some tension between Angry Squash and Angry Corn at first.

“It was kind of awkward when we started a girls team, because there already was a co-ed team. Angry Corn wasn’t thrilled about it,” she said. “Now we are on good terms. We play against each other, and we’re all friends.”

According to Glasgow, the all-girls team gives girls an inviting environment in which to play sports.

“It’s nice having an all-girls team where we play all girls. We all get a lot of playing time and we feel evenly matched against our opponents,” she said.

According to Glasgow, Angry Squash is not the only girls frisbee team that is growing and succeeding at the competitive level.

“Girls’ frisbee teams are a bit more scarce, but recently, they really have been

photo illustration by David Kim

multiplying,” she said.

Glasgow said she hopes the team’s underclassmen will continue expanding and developing what she and Gawande have started.

“The team has been a big success this year. We got a lot of kids to join even though we started the team from scratch,” she said. “I’m hopeful that next year the team will continue.”

WINNING THE SPRING

By Jack McElduff The girls softball team and boys track and field team ended their successful seasons with each team advancing to the playoffs and winning the Dual County League championship Girls Softball

photo courtesy of Kylie Walters

The softball team built upon their exceptional play from last year, as the team finished this season with a 15-5 record, just missing out on ranking in the top 20 in the state. The team’s high-powered offense allowed it to win games; in one two-game stretch, the Lions scored 44 runs — 25 against East Boston and 19 against Wayland. The team’s record guaranteed them a spot in the state tournament for the second year in a row.

Senior and captain Minh-An Quinn said that the team members’ dedication to the sport was essential for their success.

“We just all really love softball. Out of my four years on the softball team, this team has the most passionate players,” she said.

Boys Track and Field

The boys track and field team dominated the competition, going undefeated during the regular season. The team capped its strong season by winning the Dual County League championship meet. The boys featured several strong relay teams, including the 800-meter medley team of junior Ben Cooper, junior David Berman, sophomore Jamyre Soberanis and sophomore Philip Batler that qualified for the national championship meet in North Carolina.

Junior Along Jamir credits the team’s success to teamwork. “This track and field season, everyone on the team had one common goal, and that was to win our third DCL championship in a row. Everyone contributed into a championship team, and that’s what made our track team unique,” he said.

photo courtesy of Ben Weingart

page 22|june 9, 2014

THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

SPRING=THe PRIME TIME FOR SPORTS

A NEW WAVE OF

Brendan Duggan It’s that time of year again. Flowers bloom, plants sprout and the sun makes a few guest appearances as we Bostonians rejoice over spring.

As students around the world are stressed from final projects, exams and final grades, the world can yet again turn to sports for entertainment and relaxation.

Maybe I should take that back.

Relaxation might not be the best way to describe the NHL and NBA playoffs this year. In the first round of the NBA playoffs alone, five out of the eight matchups went to game seven. In the rink, several games made the preliminary round exciting. For Bruins fans, a regular season of dominance turned over to a postseason of drama.

After keeping the Detroit Red Wings at bay in the first round, the Bruins were pushed to seven games by the Montreal Canadiens, before losing to the Habs 3-1 in Game 7. The only thing that could take away from all of this postseason excitement, perhaps, would be a major scandal or tragedy.

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling managed to put a damper on both his team and the NBA following a racist tangent Sterling had with V. Stiviano, Sterling’s (much younger) girlfriend.

When I first heard about it, I was completely shocked. How could a man as high up as Sterling be so ignorant and racist?

Head coach Doc Rivers and superstar point guard Chris Paul (both AfricanAmericans employed by Sterling, no less) are both important figures in the Clippers organization, and their owner is believed to have had a racist side to him since he bought the team in 1982.

In protest, the Clippers, along with other teams like the Heat, turned their warm-up jerseys inside out, showing their disgust towards Sterling and his remarks.

Many fans turned to leadership to come down hard on the disgraced owner.

Thankfully, NBA commissioner Adam Silver ended the scandal by banning Sterling from the NBA and fining him $2.5 million.

When Sterling’s estranged wife Shelly decided to sell the team, the franchise was opened up to new leadership, and hopefully a brighter future. Had the investigation gone on longer, who knows how much of a distraction the situation would have been.

Moving forward, the playoffs are both amazing and unpredictable. It will be interesting to see if the Heat will threepeat, or if the Thunder will rise to the occasion and finally win a championship under their MVP, Kevin Durant.

Lastly, the World Cup starts June 12, kicking off in Brazil, which some consider to be the soccer capital of the world. Fans from all over the world will be watching. Even non-soccer fans like myself can appreciate the skill and precision behind the world’s best soccer superstars. I actually went to the World Cup final in South Africa back in 2010, and I can say it is easily the best sporting event I have ever attended. This year’s cup will no doubt be just as thrilling.

So, as you finish up your final projects, remember to take a break and enjoy sports, whether that means playing or watching them. And thankfully, because it’s springtime, you can choose between basketball, soccer or hockey.

ALENT

photo by Alexa Rhynd

Senior Aaron Golub, who is legally blind, will play Division 1 college football at Tulane University next fall

By Jack McElduff

Q A Q A Q A Q A

What did your coach say when you told him you wanted to play football?

He definitely had some concerns at first.

But he was happy to work with me and help me do whatever I could to play.

Was there ever a time when you wanted to stop playing football?

No. I’ve always loved playing. It definitely can be hard sometimes, but it’s just what I love doing.

What have you done to improve your skills during your years at South?

I’d say the main thing is just lifting and practicing. I go to school every day and practice before school, and then lift after school, so just staying and getting stronger, and making sure I keep up with all of [the training.]

How have your parents played a role in developing your athletic career?

Both [my mom and dad] have taken me to many different camps that I needed to go to, and get lots of different expousure. Without going to those camps and getting that exposure, I wouldn’t be able to make it to [the college level.]

Q A

Q A Q A

What was the college recruitment process like?

It was definitely difficult. It’s much different than a normal player getting recruited. Colleges only have a certain amount [of long snappers] on the roster, ... so you just need to find a school that doesn’t have a ton on the roster, one that really likes you. All of it really can be chance, depending on what school can end up wanting you at that position.

What made you choose Tulane University?

I just really liked the school. I had an another offer from the University of Illinois. I just felt that I’d fit in better at Tulane, and that I’d have a better chance to earn a starting spot. I just liked [Tulane] overall better.

What advice would you give for students interested in college athletics?

I’d just say to go for it. If you want to play in college, if you want to really do anything, if you work hard enough, and if you work at what you want to do, you can get to where you want to be.

photos courtesy of Aaron Golub

Golub (snapping and working out above) has started on the football team since his junior year. Golub will enter Tulane as a preferred walk-on.

June 9, 2014|page 23

THE LION’S ROAR|THELIONSROAR.COM

Avoiding the “Freshman 15”

FuteBol Fever

Sumit Hariawala & Andy Wang

Public Domain

Students show their excitement for the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to begin on June 12 in Brazil

T

By Yu-En Chang and David Kim

he 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday, June 12 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

With the five-time world champion Brazil hosting the tournament, the excitement within the soccer community is running high. In addition, for the first time since the first World Cup in 1930, all seven world champions, includuing Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and

Uruguay will participate in the competition for the 20th title.

Teams from 32 nations will take part in the tournament. Several students said they are excited to watch their native countries compete for the title.

Three members of the South community shared their enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament.

I’m going to Brazil no matter what.

Andrew Shields Hopefully I can get tickets, but I’m Class of 2015 still thrilled to go cheer for Brazil in Rio since my family is from Brazil.

My family is Russian, but we will be rooting for Argentina since we have Oliver Dyakov been fans of their team for a very Class of 2017 long time. It’s going to be exciting.

Inseok Chang Class of 2014

It’s going to be awesome. I’m really excited to cheer for my country South Korea for the upcoming World Cup. photos by Bailey Kroner

Moving on to college and leaving high school is a scary idea, and gaining 15 pounds doesn’t make this process any easier.

Most students at South are familiar with the “freshman 15,” a common theory that you will have gained 15 unwelcome pounds by the end of your freshman year of college. Getting accustomed to the school work and lifestyle of college can be difficult, but don’t lose track of your personal health. A seemingly harmless decision early on in your life can prove to be fatal later on. We do not advise that you starve yourself to avoid the “freshman 15”, but the key is to eat all those tasty foods in moderation. Most schools have meal plans that offer unlimited food, but with some planning and willpower, you can avoid the temptation to overindulge.

At the beginning of college, try to set personal goals. For example, limit your weight gain to a maximum of one or two pounds for the first few months — do whatever you have to do to make that happen. Also, set your limits in terms of food.

Try to limit yourself to one or two slices of pizza per day rather than one or two whole pizzas a day. Don’t be afraid, however, to have a cheat day, where you eat whatever you want, whenever you want. The bottom line is that everything should be done in moderation to keep your body intact.

In addition to moderation, making simple and smart choices when eating is essential. For example, when picking between grilled chicken and fried chicken, you may not think that there is a huge difference, but a typical 5.5 oz serving of grilled chicken from KFC contains 220 calories and only seven grams of fat, while the same size serving of fried chicken from KFC contains 320 calories and 14 grams of fat. Choosing fried chicken instead of grilled chicken for over a month results in the gain of 2,800 calories, which is the quivalent of gaining a pound of fat.

Don’t forget that your school tuition also pays for facilities such as the gym.

During your years in college, you should familiarize yourself with the gym. From lifting to using the elliptical, any basic excersise can potentially help you avoid the “freshman 15.” Sometimes it is hard to find time to go to the gym, but an hour or two a few times a week before or after class can keep the weight off.

If you ever find yourself struggling to stick with these goals, you can always ask a friend to help motivate you. Doing so would help both of you live healthier lifestyles. You could even help future freshmen avoid the weight gain. Not only would you be helping yourself, but you would also be helping others — paying it forward in a sense. Avoiding the “freshman 15” could be the first step to ending obesity in America.

We know that’s a long shot, but simple actions like these can make a big difference for you and your friends. Health risks, heart problems, high blood pressure and diabetes are all frightening consequences of excessive weight gain; however, you’ll have the answers to these problems if you follow these tips. Good luck with your college journey!

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