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theTROYINDEPENDENT February 14, 2012
Vol. 1 Issue 3
thetroyindependent.org
BY TOMMY ROWBAL Staff Writer
Some are neutral. Some oppose it. Some are for it. But all call it by one name: SOPA. SOPA, an acronym for “Stop Online Piracy Act,” is a bill sent for legislative review to the House of Representatives by Texan representative Lamar Smith on October 26, 2011. The purpose of the bill is to fight online piracy of copyrighted intellectual property and counterfeit goods, such as music and movies. The bill plans to prevent online advertisements from linking to offending sites that host pirated material, therefore removing a source of money from the website. The bill also would block search engines like Google and Bing from linking to the sites. Another new law under SOPA would also force internet service providers like Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome to block access to these websites. On top of that, the bill would expand criminal law to include penalties for unauthorized streaming of copyrighted material, punishable by a maximum of five
years in prison. Supporters of the bill include corporations such as Viacom, Nike, and L’Oreal, who believe that the bill protects the intellectual property market and is necessary to boost enforcement of copyright laws. In other words, it helps keep track of who made what from designs, product formulas, movies, and music. It also helps prevent copyright fraud against foreign websites that are notorious for sharing and selling these items illegally. However, the bill has many opponents like Google, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia, and even the prominent internet group Anonymous who believe that it threatens free trade and innovation. Many also feel that it will enable the government to block access to entire internet domains due to a single piece of offending material posted on a blog or webpage. “What most people don’t understand is that SOPA would affect more than just pirates and thieves,” said senior Matt Gebara. “Even a normal person doing normal things would have committed several crimes without having...known [SOPA] had passed.”
MELANIE FODERA
SOPA reaches Congress in a flurry of controversy
During Amy Feldkamp’s fourth hour 12 AP English class, senior Lia Grabowski laughs with senior Michelle Stuecheli. Grabowski was dressed up for the multicolor day of the Snowcoming spirit week, which began on February 6.
Another take on the matter is that SOPA would require some websites to be blocked in our country altogether, limiting free speech and violating the First Amendment of the American Bill of Rights. “I don’t think the present act suf-
ficiently balances First Amendment rights with the need to stop internet piracy,” said Michigan Senator and Troy resident John Pappageorge . “The current language is too broad and could
See SOPA, page 3
Opinions vary on Troy Mayor Daniels
Boulan sixth grader dies in tragic accident
BY SONALEE JOSHI AND VIVIEN LEE Public Relations
Boulan Park Middle School sixth grader Sean Taglione died early Sunday morning, January 29, from injuries sustained in a car accident. Taglione was autistic, with limited speaking abilities. According to the Troy Police Department, Taglione wandered from home at around 6:00 PM on January 28. The police were
ALICE LIANG
It has been four months since Janice Daniels took office as Troy City mayor, and she has already caused major controversy. Wild rumors have flown about her recent actions, including a potential recall, and students and teachers of Troy High want answers. On December 2, 2011, Mayor Daniels made national headlines for a comment she made on her personal Facebook page regarding the legalization of homosexual marriage in the state of New York. “I think I am going to throw away my I Love New York carrying bag now that queers can get married there,” said Daniels in her Facebook post. She later apologized for her remarks in a public statement, but some are not convinced of her sincerity. “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but she should remember that she is representing people of different opinions,” said Tessa Lanzen, senior. Others, however, believe the matter was overdone. “The mayor should have watched what she said, but I don’t think she deserves such a high level of criticism,” said Wayne Shu, junior.
BY CAROLYN GEARIG Editor-in-chief
Watching the city council meeting, senior Amanda Riddle joins other protestors. Many attendees brought signs.
Other than this scandal, however, most students admitted to knowing little or nothing about her politics, and they feel the voters were not adequately informed on her politics while voting either. Junior Kira Burnett believes that voters should have done more research on the candidates before voting for Mayor Daniels. “I would like to see her step down; I do not feel like her apology [was] sincere,” said Burnett. According to Dave Aldinger, AP Economics teacher and Troy resident, local officials have very little effect on certain issues and mainly act as figureheads for the community. “The mayor is actually pretty powerless; she is just one of seven votes
See MAYOR, page 3
Making the exam
called; while a search was being done, officers came across an accident scene at Coolidge and Golfview in Troy. Taglione had run into the road directly in the path of a Volvo and was struck. He was transported to Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak by ambulance and pronounced dead shortly after midnight. “This is clearly not a situation
See TAGLIONE, page 3
“It’s an extremely stressful time for the teachers, not just students,” said Sherri Parks, English teacher. Laura Ritter, science teacher, spends her time reviewing with her students after school. Teachers race to “I want to do whatever I can to complete grading by help my students,” she said. Fine Arts Department Chair Judi semester end Tuma has more to do now than ever: not only must she issue a practical BY DANIELLE RAYKHINSHTEYN exam in which her art students must Editor-in-chief demonstrate the concepts they’ve 90. 60. 30. 20. 10. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. learned through producing their own So goes the countdown as students pieces, but also a written exam. pencil in their scantrons, hoping they “Now you have double the work got that 72, 85, or 94 percent to keep a normal teacher has,” she said. “[The their grade. Most wear sweats, lacking practical exams] aren’t cut and dry energy after weeks of reviewing, after like a scantron.” weeks of studying. Scott Gibbons, history teacher, But what were the teachers doing in the weeks leading up to exams? See EXAMS, page 3
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PAGE 3 From EXAM, page 1 writes 20-35 percent of his exam from scratch every year. “There are only so many ways you can ask about Napoleon,” he said. Tim Marley, math teacher, doesn’t have to write an exam at all; the math mid-term is a common assessment. “I actually think it’s less stressful. The test is done. I just have to give it out,” he said. Some departments, however, have to give portions of their tests before exam week even starts. Foreign Language Department Chair Renee Haraburda gives her students listening, speaking, reading, writing, and multiple choice sections over several days. “With speaking, it might be two minutes of student time, but it takes the whole hour [to get through everyone],” she said. Unlike Haraburda, Parks said she is still grading when it comes to exam
From TAGLIONE, page 1 involving a youth purposefully ‘running away’ from home, as might be the case in a situation involving incorrigibility,” police said in a press release. “It is not a situation involving a pedestrian purposefully running in front of traffic. Investigators have learned at times individuals with autism may wander—this appears to have been the case here.” Investigation by the Troy Police department showed that the driver of the car, a 44 year old Royal Oak man, was not driving recklessly or intoxicated. He is not expected to face charges. Taglione enjoyed watching movies
time. “You feel like you’re drowning in papers,” she said. Parks said that the loss of the teacher workday on the Friday after exams was devastating. It is not unusual for her to be grading papers for eight hours a day. “It’s very stressful because on top of that, you have to have everything ready for second semester…you’re really doing double duty,” said Parks. Yet, in the week before exams, as Tuma mixed paint for National Art Honor Society (NAHS) to use in painting wall-sized murals of Tuscan scenery, she said she thrives during exam time. “I don’t mind being stressed. I liked being busy. I like being challenged,” she said. Ritter agreed, saying that exams are a part of the job. Added Gibbons: “We may be stressed, we may be busy, [but] it’s what we do. We accept it. We put the work on ourselves. We decide what the exam is going to be.”
From MAYOR, page 1
on the city council, and [she] runs the meetings,” said Aldinger. “So, I don’t like it when local politics becomes about non-local issues such as abortion, gay rights, etc. I didn’t vote for her, but I definitely think many people voted based on nonlocal issues; her opinion on national issues does not really matter.” Recently, rumors have been flying about the burgeoning conflict between Mayor Daniels and THS senior, Skye Curtis. After first hearing about the Mayor’s homophobic comment, Curtis was contacted by senior, Zach Kilgore. As co-founder of the Gay Straight Alliance, Curtis, along with her co-founder, junior Sabrina Lee, staged a protest outside of city hall. “We just wanted to get a few people into action, then we made a Facebook event, and we had almost 500 people contact Zach and I sayand playing computer games, accord- ing how they supported our cause ing to his obituary. He was a partici- and wanted to help.We had a turn pant in Special Olympics as well as a out of about 100 people at the rally and the city council meeting went multitude of sports. Grief counselors were on hand at till almost 2 AM because people Boulan Park Middle School the Mon- were pouring their hearts out and day after the accident. trying to convince the mayor that [homosexuals are] people, too,” said Curtis. Daniels conMichigan International Tutoring tinued to draw attention to the Classes: 248-495-0688 matter when she ACT made another AP CALCULUS (AB/BC) comment to Cur SAT Subject Test : Math I & II tis that was later English-Reading, Writing, Grammar publicized in Math- Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-calculus newspapers such 2885 Long Lake Rd. Troy, MI 48085
as The Detroit News. “I will bring in psychiatrists, who will tell you that the homosexual lifestyle is dangerous,” said Daniels in The Detroit News. “The mayor should have let the [incident] pass; she took it too far,” said junior Peter Hao. The mayor could not be reached for comment.
From SOPA, page 1 incriminate those who did not directly or knowingly break the law.” Internet protests have already begun, taking place as early as November 2011. On November 16, Tumblr, Mozilla, and Equestria Daily, among others, placed black banners over their logos with the words “STOP CENSORSHIP.” Google also placed a link to a petition on their homepage that day, and reported seven million signatures from the United States. In January 2012, Reddit announced plans to black out its site for 12 hours on January 18 in protest to the bill, demonstrating what it would do to the internet. Many other websites and web domains followed suit, including the Cheezburger network, Major League Gaming, and even Wikipedia itself. As of January 20, the bill has been postponed for draft because of the sheer number of protesters. For SOPA’s opponents, the battle has been won for now, but not the war, as the bill has not been thrown out altogether and could return in a revised form. To learn more about SOPA and to express your opinions, visit www.americancensorship.org.
Facing change, Troy is just having fun BY JAKE LOURIM Sports Editor
In the meat of league play, when it seemed Troy had things figured out, the Colts took some hits. The boys’ basketball team realized Thursday, Feb. 2, that its second-leading scorer, sophomore Maceo Baston, transferred to Detroit Country Day. The week before, senior Evan Mahone left the team after missing three practices unannounced. Senior Travis Schupra left as well. This didn’t seem to bother junior James Young Friday, Feb. 3, against second-place Rochester Adams. Troy didn’t miss a beat. “We played as a team and looked at it in a positive way,” junior point guard Zak Noor said. “People have to step up more and work hard.” Beating Adams 63-47 Friday was one of the best efforts of the year. “It’s just a whole different atmosphere on the court,” Troy coach Gary Fralick said. An energetic, cohesive 1-3-1 zone stretched three-quarters of the court for a suffocating defensive effort. With 47 points allowed, it was the second-best defense of the year, surpassed only by the Oak Park game three days earlier. Then, there’s Young. “He’s pretty good,” Adams assistant coach Chris Flynn said. The junior scored 36 points on over 50 percent shooting from the floor and 13-for-20 from inside the arc. He add-
Pick any big shot. Troy star junior James Young’s 3-pointer after a driveand-kick by point guard Zak Noor. Noor’s game-tying triple with 6:33 left. Young’s driving, acrobatic, didthat-just-happen layup with 1:30. Seniors like Bryan Martin and Leo Ayrault and sophomores Danny Wunderlich and Craig Duggan were blowing the roof off the place. The whole Troy bench rose and roared like this 69-63 win over Super 10-ranked Detroit Community saved the season. It just might have. It started with Young, who poured in a season-high 32 points, finally playing how he, the team, and the coaches had expected. He did more than bring it up and shoot. His sticky, mammoth hands grabbed 12 rebounds. His slick instincts dished the ball to the open man. His gravity-defying penetrations eluded the Community defenders in the air. “It’s just good to come out of a game feeling good about it again,” senior captain Jeff Holmes said. “Beating a team that’s the [sixth]-
Girls’ basketball game update BY JAKE LOURIM Sports Editor
Troy junior James Young drives through the lane against Ferndale. Young scored 36 points against Rochester Adams as the Colts took control of second place in the league. Photo by Jake Lourim
ed 12 rebounds. Even with new faces on the floor, Young took over the game Friday, showing that when he’s in the zone, not much else matters. “He’s such a great athlete, good body control, he can finish under pressure,” Fralick said, “and we got him the ball closer to the basket tonight.” Young will be tested soon and often, with home games coming up against Clarkston and Rochester. But he and the Colts made it clear that this team is not going to quit. “We’ll lose the scoring, but we’ll gain more people looking to score,”
Noor said. And everybody in the locker room emphasized after the game: they’re having fun. It sure looked like it when Young took the front of the 1-3-1 press and forced two 10-second violations in the first minute of the second half. It sure looked like it when Young made an ankle-breaking cut to put his defender on the floor, then drove coast-to-coast for a layup. It sure looked like it when he took a pass and slammed home a dunk to put Troy up 17. No matter what happens, this team keeps on chugging.
When the lights come on, the effort comes out JAKE LOURIM
PAGE 5
ranked team in the state of Michigan,” fellow captain Leo Ayrault said, “It not only brings our respect back, but it also brings our confidence back.” These seniors deserve it. They came back for one more year, expecting big things after a league championship in 2011. They were disappointed early. The rough outings piled up. A 23-point loss to Okemos in front of one of Young’s recruiters, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo. A defeat at Southfield where Young shot 0-for-11. A slim one-point victory over Birmingham Seaholm—at home. “We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs,” Young said. “A good win like this will get our spirits up.” The expectations were realistic. With Young playing all-around, Noor running the point, and junior Joe Leonard shooting the lights out, a trip to the Breslin Center was not out of the question. This team slumped because of effort, or lack thereof. They were standing around, they weren’t rebounding, and they were taking poor shots. Saturday, Feb. 12, there was none of that. There was movement in the offense, hustle on the glass, and penetration through the lane. Noor assisted two of the biggest shots of the game and hit another. Young took over a Division I recruit-dominated team. “I’m proud of ‘em,” Fralick said.
“That’s by far the best game we’ve played all year. “Tonight I felt it was one team coming together as one unit, and a unit that was determined to put on a good show…This is a team game, no matter how good any one player is.” Play after play—Young’s blocked 3-pointer, Noor’s key pass, Young’s driving layup, there was tension gushing out of the Troy bench. After a trying time of an expected special season, it seemed everything was going to be OK. When asked if he could talk after the game, Ayrault said excitedly, “It’s about time!” It was about time. “It really brings us together as a family,” Ayrault said. “The problem was, we weren’t really playing together. After this type of game, we’re going to be a family.” “We hit big shots, and we fed off each other,” Martin added. “For once, it was a team effort.” It wasn’t just the shooting, the athleticism, the talent. The effort was there. After a month of inconsistent basketball, things were finally going right. And everybody felt like cheering. for additional sports coverage by Jake Lourim, visit troycoltsportsupdate.com
Southfield-Lathrup 58, Troy 43 (Jan. 27): Lathrup hit five 3-pointers in the first half and crashed the glass in the second, handing Troy its fifth straight loss. Troy stuck with Lathrup in an uptempo first quarter that included five 3-pointers, two by Lathrup guard Michele Hayes. Troy trailed 19-16 after the first quarter. But the Chargers opened the second with two 3’s, opening the lead up to nine. Troy solidified its defense and senior guard Karin Moss added two 3-pointers, but Lathrup still clung to a five-point lead at the break. In the second half, though, Lathrup pounded the glass, played tough defense, and went inside. “They just took it to us a little bit,” Troy coach Dennis Koch said, “and we couldn’t respond.” Lathrup outrebounded Troy, 29-13, including 15-5 in the second half. Junior guard Sabria Cotton led Troy with 11 points and two 3-pointers. Moss got 10 points, five assists, and four steals. “We just need to keep playing hard,” Koch said. Troy 47, West Bloomfield 28 (Feb. 2): Troy coasted to an easy win over the outmatched Lakers. Senior guard Karin Moss started early with an assist to junior Sabria Cotton, igniting a 16-0 run for the second straight game. The Colts forced 12 turnovers with a stingy full-court press in the first quarter. At the four-minute mark, the Lakers had taken just two shots with five giveaways. “It starts with [sophomore] Sydney Heath at the top, because she’s just long, she works hard, and she’s able to cause problems,” Troy coach Dennis Koch said, adding senior Katy McCuish, sophomore Rachael Zelmanski and Moss. “Karin is just quick, and she’s able to get to the ball, get some steals, and then we turn it around.” “When we use our ability, we’re very quick, and we...get a quick lead,” Zelmanski said. Moss, Cotton, and McCuish were not permitted to be interviewed after the game. The game was dedicated to cancer awareness. Koch and assistant coach Jake Lepore wore sneakers in tribute. “A lot of players on the team have been affected by cancer,” Zelmanski said, adding that she has been several times. “For all the people that can’t be here, it just makes us want to play that much harder.” “We were happy to play in this game, we were happy to do something for the Coaches v. Cancer,” Koch said. “But the one thing we talked about is the best way to honor all those cancer survivors and those that we’ve lost because of cancer is to play basketball
PAGE 6
Five stars for The Fault in Our Stars REVIEWED BY CAROLYN GEARIG Editor-in-Chief
I’ve read a lot of books, but The Fault in Our Stars is a special one. I can’t stop thinking about it; it’s been on my mind The Fault since I fin- in Our Stars ished and John Green promptly reread it. Quite simply, it is one of the most touching and beautiful books I have ever read, as well as one of the most heartbreaking. Written by New York Times bestselling author John Green, The Fault in Our Stars tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters, two teenagers who meet at a support group for cancer patients. Hazel has terminal but stable thyroid cancer and carries around an oxygen tank everywhere she
goes, while Augustus has lost a leg due to bone cancer. They meet and fall deeply, passionatly in love. The Fault in Our Stars is possibly Green’s best work. Author and co-author of 5 other books, Green’s work has always been excellent, but he takes it to a new level with The Fault in Our Stars. The characters are the best part of the novel; while Green has always written complex and memorable characters, he improves in this book. Hazel is a witty, cynical, sarcastic teenager, the kind of person I want to be friends with. I found myself deeply relating to her even though our lives are vastly different. Augustus’ views on life and death enthralled me; although he is presented as perfect boyfriend – gorgeous and loving, always wanting the best for Hazel – we learn how his illness has changed his perception of the world. By the end of the book, I felt
like the characters were my friends. I sobbed nonstop for the last 100 pages – there are certain parts that I still can’t think about without holding back tears. Everything that happened to them felt like it was happening to me. As a long time fan of Green and his brother Hank Green’s YouTube channel, Vlogbrothers, I have been waiting in anticipation of The Fault in Our Stars for months. I was not the least bit disappointed. As an added bonus, all 150,000 first edition copies were signed by Green in a four month endeavor. “Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book,” says Hazel. The Fault in Our Stars is that book.
Eleven times the charm REVIEWED BY DANIELLE RAYKHINSHTEYN Editor-in-Chief
American Idol, in season 11, is truly bigger than ever. In the opening segment to their Aspen auditions episode, Ryan Seacrest playAmerican Idol fully talks Wed, Thurs about the Idol 8 P.M. family and FOX how they’ve decided to go on a ski vacation in the mountains of Colorado.
And that’s exactly what they’ve become: a real, beautiful family. After one season to get acclimated to one another, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, Randy Jackson, and Seacrest blend together seamlessly. They actually show shades of their predecessors; Paula and Simon would be proud. Seacrest, as always, leads the pack, using his signature charm to make the show entertaining, funny, touching, and well-paced all at the same time. As the judges sink into their
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roles, it seems that the show itself has lost none of its sparkle, either. Amazing singers and musicians alike continue to audition for the show, putting everything on the line to make their dreams come true. Just as Chris Medina’s (who auditioned after his fiancée was in an accident in which she suffered severe brain injuries), Josiah’s (who was a struggling all-American musician living out of his car who sang with a British accent due to his love of the Beatles), and even Chris Daughtry’s (who auditioned to make a better life for his wife and her kids, whom he treats as his own) stories are unforgettable, so are a multitude of this season’s brilliant contestant’s. There are the 17-year-old who sings because it gives her a reason to stay on her bipolar medications, the single mom going through a divorce and struggling to make ends meet, and the mechanic who just wants to make his deceased, guitarmaking father proud. The real reason Idol has been such a mainstay in pop culture and on America’s televisions is because no one ever gets tired of seeing good people have their dreams come true. When that confetti falls on one lucky individual’s head every May, he isn’t crying because he’s going to make millions or because he’ll be able to drive a fancy car. He’s crying because he achieved his goal, and there’s nothing in the world more satisfying than that. My only complaint would be the hour-long shows: one hour just isn’t enough.
“Red Tails”: the inspirational must-see movie REVIEWED BY ANTHONY PIAZZA Staff Writer
The 2012 movie year gets off to a great start with George Lucas’ new film “Red Tails.” This movie has suffered scathing reviews from some, criticizing its one-dimensional characters and frequent use of cliche dialogue, but there were also critics raving about Red Tails Now playing in its incredselect theaters ible historical accuracy and spectacular acting. The film far exceeded expectations. This film is based on the heroic exploits of an all African-American aerial division of the United States Air Force, otherwise known as the “Tuskegee Airmen,” led by Major Emanuel Stance (Terrence Howard) and Col. A.J. Bullard (Cuba Gooding Jr.), who were stationed in Italy during WWII. The film began with a quote from the mid 1920’s that stated African-Americans are not fit for war because they are cowardly in the face of danger and lack the reflexes necessary to participate in battle. After the quote faded off the screen, the filmmakers wasted no time delivering fast paced action scenes depicting a group of American fighter pilots, who were escorting a group of bombers, that broke off from the main group to chase after a small group of German planes. What the American pilots didn’t know is that the German planes they saw were only a diversion so that the whole fleet of German fighters could come in and decimate the bombers. Aside from the action, the pilots have stories of their own. Joe “Lightning” Little (David Oyelo), a hotheaded and reckless pilot, spots an Italian woman named Sofia from his plane on the way back from a mission and decides to pay her a visit. One of the squadron leaders Martin “Easy” Julian (Nate Parker) is under a great deal of pressure and suffers from a drinking habit as a result. The action scenes themselves could be a little more creative, but the way they were done in the movie was still entertaining, if a little bit repetitive near the end. The special effects were excellent and the moments that the camera would cut to the inside of the cockpits of the various planes added fascinating depth to the aerial dogfighting scenes. “Red Tails” has a story that is almost perfect from the first scene to the end credits. It combines top notch special effects with A-list actors, fast paced action scenes, fantastic dialogue, and a true, inspirational story from WWII.
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VALENTINE’S DAY ADS Mr. Dan Adler: Sorry for making fun of your eye; it was too good to pass up. You’re the coolest guy ever. Well, Owen Prowse is cooler… Syed Murtaza
Rohit Saxena: Man I love you, no quad’in. Your advice is very insightful and helps me through the touch times. LOVE DIESEL! Ujwal Bharath
Jesse Pappas: It’s been a great 8 Liza Burakova: Thanks for all the years of knowing rides to school on you. Let’s creep on Abby Green: suspicious people Even though you’re cold winter morn- soon! the biggest noob/ ings, love you Lily Rau ween, I still love girly! Maddie Parks: Lily Rau You are a Holly- you. I love you!! Jennifer Thompson wood treasure and Syed Murtaza and Laney Hart: I treasure every Diana Otero: You guys are the moment with you. TC Softball: Hahaha. Happy best :). I love you Dylan Castilloux Happy Valentine’s V-day girl! (: <3 with all my heart! Oterror Kristen Shetler Day TC softball Dfizzle temptress. Eddie Tingstad, girls! Love you Erin Tepatti guys! Sabrina Lee: Maggie Steele: I love youuu. <3 Kelsey Allan Hey girly, keep up Coffee date someLauren MacKillop: the great acting; Ujwal Bharath: time? You are as mysteri- you rock! I love you and your ous as the dark side Lily Rau Erin Tepatti highway will be of the moon <3 TDP: blessed <3 Lily Rau Lauren Mackillop, Thanks for all your Rohit Saxena Carolyn Gearig: hard work TDI love you guys! Pers!! Hugh Aparente: Stan Urban: YAY! Jesse Allgeier Happy Valentine’s Happy Valentine’s Maggie Steele Day baby. I love Day! PS tell that Amanda Riddle: you so much <3. girl you like her! Tupper Bigelow: AWWWOO Kyleen Crosby Erica Wideman SURPRISE! OOOOOOO!!!!! Owen Middleton Zach Kilgore Max Dalzell: Mr. Dan Adler: Yearbook Staff: Stay golden, Pony I love you, you’re Juliet Sherwood: You guys rock! the best Boy. I love you! Kris Zuhl Vania Noguez Kyle Leonard Ben Figley
Ms. V: Thanks for putting up with us. We wouldn’t want anyone else. You rock, never change! Fourth Hour
Ruth Jimenez, Shobana Ganganithi, Amy Zhao, Erin Savage: RJ-stop being so cute. SG-I hope parfait comes out your nose. AZ-You are the hottest asian I know. ES-Thanks for putting up with us. I love you guys!! Scooby doo :). Kelsey Dalzell
Rachel Guenther: Every time I see you, my heart stops. I am able to live a wonderful day, every day, because I get to see you every morning. Thank you for everything. I LOVE YOU! <3 Srinivas Simhan
Skye Macrae Curtis: You are simply an amazing person and have helped me through so much. Your smile cheers everybody up! I love you <3. Alex Dello
Meet Matt Reimann BY KATIE SCHLAFHAUSER Staff Writer
Once upon a time, teachers were our age, too. Back when the Rolling Stones were a new band and Seinfeld was the most popular show on television, our teachers were facing what we are now: high school, driving, and a lot of firsts. Here is what Matt Reimann was like when he was younger. Who was your childhood hero? My older brother John; I always looked up to him. Just because he could drive, and I thought that was so cool. I had a paper route, and sometimes I could beg him and he would take me. Were you a good student? No, I was not a good student. In high school, sophomore year, I finally figured it out. Up till ninth [grade] I was at best a low C student.
Reimann ca. second grade, in his elementary school picture.
What was the weirdest thing you ever did as a kid? When I was little, like five or six, I used to pick up gum off the street and melt it and chew it. I didn’t figure out until I was a lot older that you weren’t
supposed to do that. What was the biggest mistake you made? I hit one of my friends with a golf club. I swung and missed the golf ball and hit him in the head and knocked him out, and he had to go to the hospital and get stitches and stuff. Yeah that was the biggest mistake; I shouldn’t have done that. Were you a trouble maker?
No, I had fun in class. I was class clown, but not a trouble maker.
Danielle R: I enjoy the Independent. It’s quite nice. Good job. I forgot how to spell your last name :). Zach Kilgore
See if anyone wrote you a note! Julie Welch: Happy birthday darling! I love you lots and hope 17 is even sweeter than 16 :). You’re the best friend ever! Lindsay Moeller
Library Assistants and Volunteers: Roses are red, violets are blue. I could not run the library without all of you. <3 Mrs. Isaac
Austin Schultz: You are the best friend a girl could ask for. P.S. candy canes and chocolate frosting! <3 Lindsay Podsiadlik
Cast/crew of Drowsy Chaperone: I know we’re going to have a great show! Love you all. Maggie Steele
EunJoo Scherlinck: Keep rocking out, keep writing about people twice your age, love you! <3 Lily Rau
Shivani Rishi, Lauren Dietz, Dianna Maloney: Happy Valentine’s Day, darlings. Vincenzo Julian
Graham C: Happy Valentine’s day! Hoping it’s as Roja Meda: Melanie Fodera: sweet as you are! Really looking for36 notes? You ain’t Christina Snyder ward to becoming seen nothin’. HONbetter friends with EY BADGER! Emily Klopfer: you :). Carolyn Gearig Happy Valentine’s Rohit Saxena day! Love you chiMaddy Martin: ca!! Hal Baker: Thanks for being Erica Wideman Loooooove you big such an awesome bro!!! <3 <3 <3 :) friend! Chris & Derek, Pearce Baker Devon Shamoun <3 you guys ;* Tyler Horne
Evan Best: Le mercredi, on porte le rose. Sabrina Lee
THS Students: Happy Valentine’s Day! Mario
Troy Public Libary gets “flash mobbed” by Troy High Marching Band BY TOMMY ROWBAL Staff Writer
Traditionally, the rule at a library is to be quiet. The Troy Public Library has been especially quiet on Saturdays, the day on which the library has been closed since last July due to budget restrictions. However, January 7 marked the reopening of the library on Saturdays (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM), and with the organizational help of library director Cathy Russ and Troy High band director Brian Nutting, the THS marching band students took celebrating to a whole new level in their own way—by organizing a flash mob. According to Wikipedia, a flash mob is defined as a group of people who assemble
Claire Shabet, I love your chizzled calves. Laura Moriset
suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and coordinated activity for a brief time, then disperse, often for the purposes of entertainment, satire, and artistic expression. On Satuday, January 7, the library opened its doors to jubilant patrons. While people were filing in, the marching band members hid the best they could with their instruments—behind bookshelves and under tables, to name a few hiding spots. Then, shortly after opening, library-goers heard the drumming and the beginning notes of “Walking on Sunshine.” TO VIEW FULL ARTICLE, VISIT OUR WEBSITE.
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theTROYINDEPENDENT Carolyn Gearig, Editor-in-Chief Danielle Raykhinshteyn, Editor-in-Chief Jake Lourim, Sports Editor Peter Mansky, Editorial Cartoonist Sonalee Joshi, Public Relations Vivien Lee, Public Relations Tommy Rowbal, Staff Writer Katie Schlafhauser, Staff Writer Anthony Piazza, Staff Writer Ms. Christina Vettraino, Adviser
Interested in joining our staff? Pick up an application in room 210. The Troy Independent welcomes signed letters to the editor and guest columns. Email us at thetroyindependent@gmail.com. Opinions expressed in staff editorials represent the opinion of the editorial board as a whole.
From The Independent
The value of a journalism class Communication is what keeps the world moving. Communication keeps everyone in touch. Communication is the basis of all existence. So what would a world be like without communication? It wouldn’t be. Businesses would come to a colliding halt, friendships would shatter, and marriages would disintegrate. And what would a world without communication look like? The world without news; the world without newspapers. The newspaper is an important entity, not just in American life, but all over the globe. It informs, entertains, and records. It’s vital to keep the newspaper in circulation. It’s vital to keep the newspaper at THS. The Troy Independent is a forum for the student voice. It pro-
files, exposes, and gives publicity to students, teachers, and faculty. It allows the student opinion to be heard. For The Independent to function, it needs a staff. But not only that— it needs a class. For this year, the Editors-in-Chief have been in the fourth hour yearbook class, working on the paper. The rest of the staff acts as a club. For the paper to really prosper, though, it needs a full time class, with a full time staff. As members of a new newspaper, our staff encourages all to sign up for Writing for Publication: Journalism. The class is truly unique: staffers work at their own pace, design layouts, and when they turn in an assignment, the whole school gets to see it. Something to be proud of. And everyone needs something to be proud of.
North Korean Leader Kim Jung Il Passes Away
overly dramatic mourning. Yet, the sincerity of the show is in question. “The people seemed to be crying really hard,” said senior Jen Liu, one of the few people who knew what I was talking about. “But if you look closely, you can see they don’t have any tears.” Surprisingly, contrary to Osama bin Laden’s death earlier in 2011, there really has been no celebration of Kim’s death. In fact, many of the people I interviewed refused to help me and said plainly, “I don’t really know or care...sorry.” Well, I give them credit for apologizing. I also thought it would be interesting to get the point of view of a SouthKorean (access to a North Korean was unavailable). In the end, I guess they don’t really care either. “North and South Korea are just so separate and different,” said junior Jessica Ku. “So, I didn’t really care... sorry.” As a last resort, I turned to my dad, Jaesoo Lee (who is also Korean). He wasn’t much help either. “When people get old, they die,” he said (no duh!). “Am I suppose to react to that?” According to North Korean media, Kim’s youngest son, Kim Jung Un, is to be the “Great Successor.” However, due to his young age (in his twenties: real age unknown), there is doubt in his ability to lead a country. “He [Kim Jung Un] studied in Switzerland, so he might have a more open mind,” said Lee. “But right now, the future of North Korea is uncertain.”
Long time North Korean leader Kim Jung Il died on Saturday, December 17 from a heart attack. Originally, this article was suppose to be an objective news piece, but due to the lack of knowledge and opinion on the subject, evident in comments such as, “Who’s he?” VIVIEN “He’s dead?” and LEE “Is he from the Korea we like or hate?” I officially declare this article a hybrid editorialnews piece. For those who have no idea what I am talking about, Kim Jung Il has been the leader of North Korea since 1994. While North Koreans call him the “Supreme” or “Dear Leader,” Kim does not have a favorable reputation in the U.S. North Korea is said to have one of the most oppressive governments in the world and lags behind in human rights; former President George W. Bush named the country as part of the “Axis of Evil” due to its nuclear weapons program. After Kim’s death, videos surfaced capturing the reactions of the North Korean people. The videos reveal
Danielle deals da dish: bathroom etiquette Every woman knows that there’s always a line for the bathroom. Concert: Line. Game: Line. Airport: Line. Eatery: Line. Yet, most of the time it’s not too much of a problem because all the women know that all the other women have to empty their bladders just as badly as they do, so they scoot in and scoot out as quickly as possible. High school is a little different. It’s always a really beautiful moment when there’s a line out the door and no DANIELLE one is in the last RAYKHINSHTEYN stall. Yes, those toilets normally do have cigarette burns on them, but—I promise, really—they get cleaned every day after school just like the rest of them. Plus, the hilarity of the 80s will give you something to chuckle about while you do your business. I frequently have this conversation with the girl in the front of the line: “Hey, is anyone in the last stall?” “I don’t know.” Then the person usually proceeds to stand where she is, perhaps waiting for the stall door to magically fly open to showcase whether it is in use or not. “...Well, go check.” Every time I’ve done this so far, no one has been in the last stall.
Peter’s Palette
However, my favorite part of the day is usually right after second hour when I stop in to use the restroom and, upon coming out of the stall, there’s nowhere to wash my hands because everyone needs to look in the mirror for 5 out of the 6 minutes. I’d actually just like to wash my hands so I don’t get an infection in my eye, if that’s okay. The best is when girls use the bathroom to undergo a complete metamorphosis: changing their clothes, puffing up their hair, putting on make-up. Seriously? This is what your bedroom is for, not a public restroom. Listen, I am a girl. I understand we all have our bad days. We all get a re-
I just want to use the bathroom. Is that too much to ask? ally big zit we need to touch up between classes and have bad hair days and end up hating what we’re wearing once in awhile. But it’s a little ridiculous to pull out your flat iron and entire make-up kit between classes. YOU LOOK FINE. In all honestly, I drink a lot of water, so I have to use the restroom quite frequently. When I do, I just want to use it. I don’t want to have to schmooze my way into getting a stall, push my way to a sink, or be hit with a gazillion backpacks on the way out because the mirror girls, with their giant backpacks filled with the contents of their bedrooms and bathrooms, are blocking the way. I just want to be able to use the bathroom. Is that too much to ask?
BY PETER MANSKY Editorial cartoonist