Haley Dowdie

On April 26, 2012, the graduating class of 2012 hosted the annual senior fashion show at Malden High School. Seniors dressed to the nines and worked the catwalk, leaving the audience with smiles on their faces, and filled with excitement.

Every year the MHS seniors host a fashion show to raise money for [...]]]>

Seniors Patrick Decicco and Brittany Powers "red carpet ready"

Haley Dowdie

On April 26, 2012, the graduating class of 2012 hosted the annual senior fashion show at Malden High School. Seniors dressed to the nines and worked the catwalk, leaving the audience with smiles on their faces, and filled with excitement.

Every year the MHS seniors host a fashion show to raise money for prom tickets, graduation, and the senior barbeque. The senior fashion show has become a remarkable and exciting tradition  that the MHS students, enjoy participating in and watching.

Senior Karina Hong

Hosts, seniors Maya Rogers, Chardeza Coleman, Kiara Amos, and Daniel Rendon, introduced the models, keeping the show upbeat. Each student’s outfits and high school career biographies were read as they modeled. The outfits worn by the seniors were of three categories; “Sporting an Attitude”, “Keeping it Retro”, and “Red Carpet Ready”. Seniors Daniel Rendon, Stanley Chan, Domenic Fontana, Juleena Huguley, Annie Feng, and many other seniors made appearances in extravagant attire the night of the show. According to Rogers “[the] outfits were planned by the students wearing them” and each student’s outfit was unique and creative. As the students strutted down the aisles, senior Justin Pham’s well-crafted music selection played accordingly.

The days leading up to the show were chaotic, especially “with how busy the participants were [with] sports and clubs,” claims Rogers. Nevertheless, the senior class was able to pull through and produce a fantastic show. Thanks to the help of their class advisors Maryann Seager and Paul Marques, teachers, administrators, and friends, the seniors fashion show was successful.

From left to right: seniors Karina Hong, Daniel Rendon, Patrick Decicco, Stanley Chan, Dominic Fontana, and Dimas Bardales Photo by Haley Dowdie

Of course, no MHS event would be complete without acknowledging one of the school’s favorite “mentor[s], teacher[s], and friend[s],” Mr. Paul Famiglietti. Famiglietti would have assisted the seniors in the fashion show and been there supporting the class. A video was dedicated to Mr. Fam at the fashion show, in remembrance of his school spirit, assistance, and pleasant nature. Though jerking a few tears, the video mainly evoked smiles and laughs.  Mr. Fam will be remembered in the hearts of all the MHS students and staff.

Grace Stathos 

On May 8, 2012, students, faculty, and other caring members of the community gathered together to walk laps around the Finn Gym in memory of Leslie Ann Razzino.  Razzino, a beloved Malden High school graduate of the class of 2003 and passionate runner and writer, died of cancer on March 18, [...]]]>

Leslie and a friend at a track meet.

Grace Stathos 

On May 8, 2012, students, faculty, and other caring members of the community gathered together to walk laps around the Finn Gym in memory of Leslie Ann Razzino.  Razzino, a beloved Malden High school graduate of the class of 2003 and passionate runner and writer, died of cancer on March 18, 2004.

The walk, which usually takes place outdoors, was scheduled for rain or shine, and was moved to the MHS Finn gym at the last minute because of rain. All were welcome to attend the event, and the gym was filled with supportive walkers and runners from all ages and backgrounds.

Leslie’s twin sister Lisa Razzino, along with her mother, MHS Business teacher Karen Razzino, and her friends from her track team, all came to the gym to run laps in memory of Leslie.

The fundraiser raises money for the Leslie Ann Razzino scholarship, which is awarded to senior girls who “have a passion for writing poetry or they love track, just like Leslie did,” explained Karen Razzino.

The runners, while all gathering to support Leslie, each had their own reasons for attending the event.  Mayor Gary Christenson was doing laps “to support the cause and make sure that Leslie’s memory is always in our minds.”  Principal Dana Brown came to celebrate “another exciting day in memory of Leslie.” Having known Leslie for her whole life, Brown was  proud of the turnout.

Some athletes, though never given the honor of meeting Leslie, felt very connected to her at the event. Senior Annabette D’Entremont was walking because “Leslie really deserves it.”  Senior Matteo Pocobene enjoyed attending the walk, and stated that “Laps for Leslie is a great way to spend some time with your team for a great cause.”

The event raised a total of $2,500 for the scholarship.  This was the ninth annual Laps for Leslie event, and according to Karen Razzino, the fundraiser “always [has] a good turnout… and we are going to try to keep [Laps for Leslie] going for as long as possible.

“Having the walk [in] the gym wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. We had a lot of walkers. We made over $2,500, and we still have money left in the fund. It is pleasing to see girls benefiting from [the fundraiser]. We gave $500 as a scholarship (for poets and track members).

Laps for Leslie, which is still successful every year, is an inspirational way to celebrate Leslie Razzino’s life.

Despite an angry gray forecast and a change of location, Malden students, teachers, and contestants alike were present and ready to participate at the annual Malden Special Olympics on Thursday, May 4, 2012.

The event, which has taken place in Malden for the past ten years, was a

huge [...]]]>

Senior Autumn Deheulle hugging Nedlam. Photo by Lesley Ta

Despite an angry gray forecast and a change of location, Malden students, teachers, and contestants alike were present and ready to participate at the annual Malden Special Olympics on Thursday, May 4, 2012.

The event, which has taken place in Malden for the past ten years, was a

Pine Banks before the Games. Photo by Lesley Ta

huge success this year, with teacher and student volunteers from Malden High School, as well as competitors from both MHS and all five K-8 schools. A day of celebration, unity, and acceptance, the Special Olympics is a series of sporting events that are participated in by students with physical and mental disabilities. “It is an incredible network of dedicated people that assist the physically challenged to develop courage and acceptance while having fun with a group of friends,” praised MHS Sp-Ed teacher Pam Brody. “I think [that the] Special Olympics is a wonderful event for the kids,” added MHS Special-Ed teacher  Debbie Carvahlo. “It makes them feel important and that they belong. It promotes active lifestyles, competitiveness, and makes them feel part of the community.”

Participants getting high fives before they begin the Games. Photo by Lesley Ta

This year, the event was held not at nearby MacDonald Stadium, which is currently undergoing serious renovations, but instead, it took place on the turf field at Pine Banks Park. Student volunteers arrived at the park at around seven a.m., and quickly got to work. Thanks to their efforts, the chairs, tents, and banners were all set up by the time the Olympians arrived. While some praised the openness of the park, others had some problems with the combination of artificial grass and damp weather. “The grass from the turf field keeps getting in my shoes,” laughed freshman volunteer Jenny Nguyen.

While the Olympians competed in various games, such as the 1000-yard dash, the long jump, and volleyball, others took lunch breaks and spent time before the next event by gathering with friends and family under the tents and getting their faces painted by MHS student volunteers. By 12:30 p.m., everyone had finished their events, awards had been handed out, and Olympians, volunteers and spectators began to trudge through the drizzling rain and mud, taking with them nothing but good memories of the day.

Megan Kelly

Pine Banks Turf field, Friday 27 2012.

It is more than a bit chilly. Everyone on the girls varsity lacrosse team who was not lucky enough to keep themselves warm by running around the field during the game that day against Cambridge was huddling in on each other wishing for just one [...]]]> Megan Kelly

Pine Banks Turf field, Friday 27 2012.

It is more than a bit chilly. Everyone on the girls varsity lacrosse team who was not lucky enough to keep themselves warm by running around the field during the game that day against Cambridge was huddling in on each other wishing for just one more layer of clothing to somehow magically appear on their body. Onlookers on both sides of the field were sitting in close groups watching a fierce girls lacrosse game. Close to the sidelines watching the timer for the game was senior Anabette D’Entremont, layered in her goalie jersey with a sweatshirt and a pair of pink flip flops on her feet. If you ever need the game of lacrosse explained to you, or just a wonderful conversation, Anabette, or Ana, as she is nicknamed, is your girl.

“It’s days like these that I wish I was playing defense again,” D’Entremont stated as she rubbed her hands on her legs attempting to create some warmth; D’Entremont for most of her high school career, had played goalie, though for junior year she played a season as a defenseman. For D’Entremont, it is the excitement of the position: “knowing that I’m the last hope,” that draws her into the goalie net. She explained that being a “goalie is actually about body position and being able to cut off angles.”

Junior Varsity coach Susan Famiglietti visits the April 22 game against North Reading. Anabette D’Entremont cane be seen welcoming Famiglietti on the far right in her goalie jersey. Famiglietti has been absent due to the recent lose of her husband and girls lacrosse supporter Paul. Photo by Megan Kelly.

Looking back at her years playing for Malden High School, D’Entremont decided her “favorite part is the people that [she] met, because they are some of the nicest people [she has] seen. [she feels] that lacrosse is a really welcoming sport…[it is] just like a family.” One of the strongest bonds that D’Entremont has made on the team is with varsity defenseman Commie Ayuk.  The two girls met in middle school and have been almost inseparable since. Even with the possible disappointment of not making the desired position on one of the two sports that D’Entremont plays, Ayuk has been a source of support: “she has always been the thing that keeps me up and keeps me going.”

D’Entremont’s plans for the future involve studying at Framingham State University, where she hopes to study psychology and later specialize in working with children who have special needs. Her interest in the field has also prompted her to be one of the founders of MHS’ Autism Awareness Club, “I have seen people around MHS, who do not understand autism and the different types of autism [there are], like Aspergers, and people [laugh] at students who they think are doing something strange, when in reality they don’t [understand] that…something else is going on with them.” D’Entremont’s personal connection to bringing awareness to Autism and related disorders is that one of her younger brothers was diagnosed with the Asperger’s, which is a part of the wider family of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Her brother’s experiences were one of the prompting reasons behind her formation of the group, “I have seen kids kind of look at him differently because of how he acts and does not always get what socially is going on.” Though D’Entremont is not all work and no play: “My favorite thing to do with my brother is to play games because he is a competitive little child and we love to play trivia games, especially math.”

While D’Entremont may be leaving MHS in only  a few weeks, she has made a lasting impression on MHS that will last.

Sumya Mohiuddin
Amanda Moraes

Most people who envision the perfect job see themselves as athletes, doctors or even movie stars. But as the AP Computer Science teacher Paul Marques and his students recently found out, Google is also one of those “perfect jobs.”

A group of 20 visited the Google headquarters located in Cambridge, [...]]]>

A sign welcoming people into the headquarters.

Sumya Mohiuddin
Amanda Moraes

Most people who envision the perfect job see themselves as athletes, doctors or even movie stars. But as the AP Computer Science teacher Paul Marques and his students recently found out, Google is also one of those “perfect jobs.”

A group of 20 visited the Google headquarters located in Cambridge, MA on April 5, 2012, which made this class the first to ever visit Google. After the experience, Marques hopes there are “more times to follow.” The class was treated to a tour by software and project engineer, Sam Oates, who had “never done anything like this before,” and was worried that he would “bore [the students] to tears,” but was “glad it [seemed] as though it turned out to be quite the opposite for everyone!”

However, Oates commented on how the students were “really engaged and had great questions,” and that he was “very pleased at their interest and obvious ability to follow along,” which he credited Marques for, saying that he must be doing “something right.” According to junior Michael Hoang, the trip was an amazing experience because it gave him a “glimpse of the future,” and that they were all able to see how interesting and rewarding computer programming can truly be.

The tour began with a speech delivered by Oates, where he revealed some of Google’s current projects, such as Google Earth, Google Plus, as well as revamping the search engine itself. The students then toured the offices, visited the cafeteria and even “played in the game room,” according to Marques.  These game rooms contained dartboards, and even a mural of Fenway Park. Senior Kevin Chan explained how the manager’s “could care less” if you take a little break, as long as the workers have performed their necessary duties for the day.

After the tour,  there was a question and answer session. Marques recalled that one piece of advice they were given is to “always be programming, like a basketball player is always practicing.” Although programming may pertain to mostly logic, it is always important to keep the basic skills intact, so there is more room for the important projects.

According to Marques, MHS’s computer science program is unmatched by that of any other public high school in the area. Surprisingly, the school’s program is up to par with that of well known private high schools such as Buckingham Browne and Nichols and Phillips Academy Andover. Marques believes that the MHS computer science program is successful because there is a lot of student interest; also because he has a genuine passion for the subject, having been involved since high school and majoring in computer sciences. Marques, a self proclaimed “computer nerd,” was hired in 1998, to help revamp the computer science program at MHS; it seems he has been more than successful.

Looking towards the future, Marques hopes to see computer programming become “more acknowledged,” and expand the K-12 program. He has spoken to Google’s K-12 coordinator, Shannon Mahon, and they are looking for “anyway to tie in,” and hope to see growth and expansion in the Malden school system.

With the addition of computer science in the K-12 full curriculum, Marques believes it will “improve thinking, [and] help [students] in every other class.” Beginning with pure logic, young children are ready to overtake the challenge of computer science.

Jacob Martino
P.J. Montezuma

Going, going, gone.

The Malden High School varsity girls softball team started their season off by winning seven games in a row and now stands with a 7-1 record after falling short against Lynn Classical on Apr. 29, 2012.

Watch this Youtube video to see clips and photos of the girls playing!

Johanna Lai
Jessica Lynn DePaula

The Malden High School crew team has been facing some obstacles on the river ever since the spring season began. These obstacles include fundraising difficulties and not enough positions on the boats for all members. However, these obstacles do not stop the team from being determined to win in [...]]]>

Malden High's boys novice eight boat won first place at this weekend's GBL Regatta. Photo by Johanna Lai.

Johanna Lai
Jessica Lynn DePaula

The Malden High School crew team has been facing some obstacles on the river ever since the spring season began. These obstacles include fundraising difficulties and not enough positions on the boats for all members. However, these obstacles do not stop the team from being determined to win in their regattas; this included the Greater Boston League, which took place on the sunny Saturday afternoon of Apr. 28, 2012.

Freshman Julie Lam stated, “I feel like the season is going well. Even though we did not win some races, everyone on the team [is] committed and works really hard. I can not wait to see how well we do next year.”

Other new members echo Lam’s words, praising the team and voicing their enthusiasm and genuine love for the sport. “I like the sport because it is something new…crew is different and you don’t see it in many schools,” included freshman Steven Angulo.

The team faced off in the annual GBL championship against Medford, Cambridge, and Somerville at the Malden River this year.  Although the Malden crew team did not win the GBL title, there were some positive aspects on that day.  One of the positive impacts was the Boys Novice Eight team winning first place in the race on that day. “The new members of the team actually represent [the] majority of the team this year, allowing us to race many boats at the novice level (about five),” said assistant coach and Science teacher Shauna Campbell. “In the past, we have only had about one or two novice boats, so this is an exciting change because it means that the same number of boats will participate next year at the varsity level.”

Former crew team member, junior Kevin Yang, came back on that day during the crew race. Yang stated that the “crew team is my second family. Even though I did not return to the crew team this year, I wanted to cheer for my teammates. Rowing was always a large part of my life. The friends that I made on the team ended up being my best friends.” Yang could not return to the crew team this year due to schoolwork and focusing on the SAT exam.

Sophomore Cara Mulligan was also at the race on that day. Mulligan stated, “what made me come to the race yesterday is that I have some friends on the crew team, and I wanted to support them. Also, they asked me if I could go to the races. Also, a few of my friends asked if I could take some pictures. “  This was also Mulligan’s first time going to the entire race since she previously went to one last week.

The crew team is losing only one senior at the end of this season, senior captain Manny Martinez. Even though the crew team is only losing Martinez next year, he is one who will truly be missed.

Kayla Bramante
Ariana Langston

Starting off a fairly new and young team, the girls tennis team has high hopes for this spring season. Junior captain Lisa DeLacey hopes to “help others learn the basics of the game, including how to keep score, proper tennis etiquette, and the logistical aspects of tennis.” DeLacey also noted [...]]]>

Members of the girls tennis team compete in a recent match. Photo by Kayla Bramante

Kayla Bramante
Ariana Langston

Starting off a fairly new and young team, the girls tennis team has high hopes for this spring season. Junior captain Lisa DeLacey hopes to “help others learn the basics of the game, including how to keep score, proper tennis etiquette, and the logistical aspects of tennis.” DeLacey also noted how she really wanted to play a role in motivating the girls to practice hard and play hard.”

DeLacey and the team both know that they need a large amount of practice and after everyone on the team knows the basics, it should be much easier to learn the skills of tennis. The team’s goal is to be able to enter states and to do so they have to be able to win, leading back to the key aspect, practice. DeLacey stated, “winning is rewarding in the most direct way possible [but] winning is not everything, learning and effort is ultimately what drives people to attain success.” It is obvious that the team is extremely excited and motivated considering every girl on the team participates with full effort and enjoys the sport.

Senior captain Wendy Tse has mutual feelings with DeLacey towards perfecting the team’s participation in the sport. If she was to give one piece of advice to the team, it would be “to never give up.” Tse shared an experience from her freshman year and how she feels she was one of the worst players. With her dedication and commitment to tennis she rose to the top and managed to become a captain for this season. Just like every other team, practice makes perfect. Tse also gives advice to the team “never feel intimidated and to keep their heads up because they have what it takes” to achieve success.

This year has started off on a good note especially since they have experienced a win over Boston Latin High School for the first time ever. Tse came to the conclusion that “it really was a big deal because none of [them] expected to win that day.” The first win of the season was over Somerville where they swept them 5-0.

Tse also wanted to praise coach Margaret Pettit because she “plays a huge role in how [they] are performing. Coach Pettit pushes [them] harder each and everyday to strive. [None of them enjoy it] but she makes [them] better. And she does what she does to help [them] improve.”

Sophomore Christine Le also feels similar towards Pettit when she states, “coach Pettit, greatly influences the team. She is an excellent coach who is committed to helping [them]  all play as well as [they] can.” Le also shared that she would want MHS to know that “you do not need to be a pro to be a part of the team. [The] coach looks for girls who are willing to commit and learn. As long as you show that its what you want, you definitely have a chance” on being on the team.

Currently, the team’s record is 5-3 and they are still striving with high expectations for the remainder of the season.

Amanda Moraes
Sumya Mohiuddin

With much self-confidence and unity, Malden High School’s boys lacrosse team achieved many of their goals related to growth that they set at the beginning of the season. With the help of Coach and English teacher Brendan Maney, the [...]]]> Boys Lacrosse

Amanda Moraes
Sumya Mohiuddin

With much self-confidence and unity, Malden High School’s boys lacrosse team achieved many of their goals related to growth that they set at the beginning of the season. With the help of Coach and English teacher Brendan Maney, the team pulled itself together, and began to “find success, [and] protect their weaknesses.”

Although the season has started out rough, the team has been improving greatly. According to senior captain Daniel Glynn, the “team chemistry has a lot to do with it.” Having the close relationship between all members already there, the team has only skills to work on. Senior Stanley Chan agreed with Glynn, explaining how “the team unity is present everywhere.” Whether it relates to lacrosse or not, the members on the team can always count on each other.

Already halfway through the season, the boys lacrosse team hopes to beat all the opponents that they had trouble with, and to keep the tradition of winning alive. This means improving on “all aspects of [their] game,” stated junior Paul Kiernan. Attending practice every day helps them to see where they stand as a team, and they create a solid identity for themselves. Evidently, the team is “very competitive: they challenge each other, and call each other on their performances,” Maney informed. This contributes to the strong foundation of the team.

Seasons come and go, but many of the players explained how this one is different. “A lot more talent and experience” has been embedded into the team this year, stated Glynn. To add to this, Maney sufficiently explained how “seasons are the same, but every team is unique.” They have profusely expressed their individuality and unity when they are seen on the field, and as expressed by senior Justin Pham, “working as a team wins games.”

Hoping to pass down a winning team to underclassmen and future lacrosse players, senior captains Glynn and Dimas Bardales find it important to “[help] the team out and [make] sure they are doing the right thing,” informed senior captain Bardales. Even though they might not see it through their eyes, Maney mentioned how the captains are “role models: they come early, stay late, and exert their full effort.” They would not ask anyone to do something that they would not do themselves, and most importantly, they are the “voice of the team.” Glynn and Dimas help guide the team to success, and encourage underclassmen to play their best.

A positive attitude always pushed the team to play their best. Even if they are playing their worst game, Maney proudly said how they “plugged on.” He believes it is “harder to persevere when you are losing,” because even when all seems lost, the boys lacrosse team know how to always keep their goals in mind. Even with one loss, the team knows that there are “things to learn in defeat,” and they easily become a better person, one game at a time.

With a few more games left in the season, the team wants to express their strengths as much as possible, including their “pure will and athleticism,” according to Chan. The team believes winning is not everything; they have already come so far in the season, and they hope to build on what they have to offer.

Kerry Ngan
Alan Shootech

While the season continues, the Malden High School girls track team works deliberately on improving their skills, and breaking their personal record times in order to stay on top of the game. The girls have shown themselves to be [...]]]> Girls Track

Kerry Ngan
Alan Shootech

While the season continues, the Malden High School girls track team works deliberately on improving their skills, and breaking their personal record times in order to stay on top of the game. The girls have shown themselves to be triumphant and unbeatable so far this season. Although they have had a good season so far, there lie many obstacles ahead that will need to be overcome including keeping their winning record, as well as developing into more of a team.

This season, the girls are focusing on their procedure in the meets beforehand to achieve guaranteed success. In order to be kept well trained with the coordination that they possess, they continuously strain themselves to endure their training. Reaching past their limits is no longer just an imaginative goal, but instead has now become a reality that can be achieved through some hard work. The girls proclaimed that it is really is a struggle to attain the ability required to do as well as they do currently. They had to experience many challenges to improve themselves. “I know that [freshman Victoria Hannafin] is running a really good time,” stated senior captain Haley DeFilippis. Not only does track improve their personal record, but also their way of confronting the problems they may have when running a meet.

Even through the various challenges they are confronted with, the girls still try their best to enjoy themselves and communicate amongst each other to build their relationships on the team. “The atmosphere is really nice,” stated freshman Menatallah Hassan because of her developing bond between her teammates. The level of communication that the team currently possesses took time to develop and be what it is today. Nonetheless, they feel that building up their relationship will, as DeFilippis said, help “everyone [to] become more encouraging towards one another.” Encouragement and motivation is what DeFilippis believes will assist in reducing the level of stress when the girls race.

Although the girls have come this far, it began with a very difficult start. DeFilippis reflected on her past how she, “[remembers]… the timed runs,” she pursued in and how, “[she] loved it and thought it was fun,” unlike other students who found running less pleasant. As time continued DeFilippis was placed in events such as the 800 meter run and the one mile, although especially liking the 1000 meter runs, she ran in indoor. She honestly admits that her favorite season is cross country because “It’s like a big family and always has been that way. [She has] never joined a team that’s so united and close before.”

With hopes high, the girls plan on continuing their daily training and maintaining good health in order to acquire the best improvement they possibly can achieve. With the dual meets slowly coming to an end, the girls worry about qualifying and whether they will be able to move on through the upcoming encounters they will have to face. The girls must take precautions and remember to properly “eat, sleep, and hydrate,” DeFilippis stated. The words from Coach David Londino have seemed to become, in her case, “engraved… into [her] head.”

In the end, the girls will enjoy taking on the challenges because they feel that this is what they have worked up for the entire season, and for many others, the entire year.

Amalia Quesada Nylen
Natalie Fallano

At almost mid-season, the boys tennis team is on its way to reclaiming last year’s Greater Boston League title with a current record of 3-3. Despite their loss of seniors, five of their seven members on the varsity team and the addition of a new coach, Jason Payeur, who [...]]]>

First singles, senior captain Matteo Pocobene striking a forehand cross court. Photo by Natalie Fallano.

Amalia Quesada Nylen
Natalie Fallano

At almost mid-season, the boys tennis team is on its way to reclaiming last year’s Greater Boston League title with a current record of 3-3. Despite their loss of seniors, five of their seven members on the varsity team and the addition of a new coach, Jason Payeur, who replaced Berenice Diaz, their spirits remain high. This is due to the strong leadership by their two senior captains Matteo Pocobene and Christopher Li. These two have not only been winning their matches, but guiding the new varsity members and junior varsity squad as well.

Although this is his first time coaching tennis, Payeur has been doing relatively well, according to his players. Junior varsity player and freshman Eugine Szeto noted that Payeur has done a “really great job with managing, and dividing his time between the JV and varsity teams.” Considering most of the team is made up of underclassmen, this development strategy has worked well. “He has a lot of passion and is definitely a great leader,” Pocobene expressed.

Payeur has been committed to conditioning and getting the team in shape, fitness being a prime word in his vocabulary. An athlete himself, he attended Springfield College on a track scholarship and placed second at Regionals as a freshman. This past year, he found his first coaching job at the University of New England, and was a swim coach there for six months before taking the job as a gym teacher at MHS. “I just want to be the best that I can for them,” commented Payeur on his commitment to the team.

The boys now have a set roster for first, second, and third singles, as well as first doubles. Their second doubles team varies match to match. It is important for doubles teams to stay consistent because they need to develop chemistry. So far, the glue of the team has been the three singles, who are all seniors and have years of experience. With the exception of senior Daniel Rendón, three of the four seniors: Pocobene, Li, and Khoshafa have been on the team for four years and have experienced the leadership of three different coaches. With this always changing, they have learned to bond and coach themselves, becoming strong leaders in the process.

Girls tennis senior captain and frequent match-goer Wendy Tse believes the boys team has a chance at winning GBLs again, but thinks that “they should focus on development this year and gaining chemistry. But I would love to see them bring home another banner.”

Malden defeated Somerville, 4-1 on Apr. 25, 2012, and Revere on Apr. 27, 2012, 3-2 with wins by first singles Pocobene, third singles Rendón, and second doubles junior Evans Liang and sophomore Dennis Chin. The team has two league matches coming up this week: Tuesday May 1, 2012 they will play Everett at home, and play Cambridge away on Thursday May 3, 2012. Pocobene stated “we have three GBL matches and we need to win them all if we want to have a shot at the title.”

Second doubles, junior Evans Liang and sophomore Dennis Chin waiting for a serve. Photo by Natalie Fallano.

As the season approaches its end, the boys track team is flooded with meets. The team is trying harder than ever to get the rest they need in order to be healthy and prepared for their upcoming meet against Medford, and for invitational meets. With so many competitions coming up, [...]]]> Casey Lyons
Grace Stathos

As the season approaches its end, the boys track team is flooded with meets. The team is trying harder than ever to get the rest they need in order to be healthy and prepared for their upcoming meet against Medford, and for invitational meets. With so many competitions coming up, the team is working hard to prepare themselves.

Their current record is 2-1, but their goal is to have a record of 3-1 by their next meet. Their other goal is “to win the remainder of [their] meets,” and to also “win the [Greater Boston League] meet along with having more athletes qualify for the state meet,” stated junior Franklin Huynh. Although they are not undefeated, due to their one defeat by Cambridge, a lot of the runners still have individual goals that are being broken or worked on. Everyone is working on getting their best time and trying to break records.

So far, the team has been doing well. A lot of runners have been meeting personal goals, and practices have been going well because everyone contributes their share of hard work and wanting to improve as best they can.  The boys track team “spend a lot of time together” and it “brings [them] together as a family,” stated sophomore David Kibazo. The team is “very young,” stated Coach David Londino,  so they are learning to grow as a team and to work on their leadership, which will help them with their team spirit. “The boys understand they have different goals but they still work well as a unit,” explained Londino.

In the end, the boys track team wants everyone to do their best and try to contribute to the team as much as possible. They need everyone’s support and effort to have a strong team. “We don’t want to win just for us, we want to win for our teammates,” concluded senior Eddie Fisher.

Amanda Rosatone
Kristen Leonard

After many home runs, strikeouts, slides, and steals, the Malden High School Boys Baseball team has had a successful season. With a record of 5-2, the team is halfway to their goal of a 10-10 season. A 10-10 record will qualify [...]]]> Baseball

Amanda Rosatone
Kristen Leonard

After many home runs, strikeouts, slides, and steals, the Malden High School Boys Baseball team has had a successful season. With a record of 5-2, the team is halfway to their goal of a 10-10 season. A 10-10 record will qualify them to go to the state tournament, another goal the team has. Since the team lost in the first game last year in states, they hope to get farther this year and if possible take home the first place title.

Like any team at MHS, the boys would like to claim the Greater Boston League title and have the opportunity to add another year to the GBL banners in the Finn Gymnasium. To accomplish this they will have to beat the teams in the GBL league: Everett, Cambridge, Somerville, and Medford.

Out of all the high schools they have played, the team always wanted to beat Everett because according to Beebe School science teacher and coach Kevin Carpenito, “a rivalry has formed” between Malden and Everett.

The team’s goals are becoming more of a reality due to the strong bond the team has formed throughout the season so far. According to senior captain Austin Teal, “the team has definitely come together and [the team] is not so much a team [but] more of a close knit group of friends,” who are all striving for the same goal.  Along with this team bond, the relationships the players share is also clearly seen by Carpenito, he stated,”[the team] is a good group of kids mostly composed of juniors and seniors that have shown improvement throughout the season.” This is a positive aspect for the team in moving forward because along with their growing team bond, the team is,” steadily improving everyday,” which is also a goal throughout the season as Carpenito reiterated.

This season, freshman Mike Morris proved his talent and was moved up to the varsity level. Morris feels like, “this has been a great experience,” and only hopes to improve with the rest of the team this season. Getting on the varsity team as a freshman  this year was a significant accomplishment in Morris’ life. Morris was able to achieve this position on the varsity team because of his experience and skill in baseball that has developed since he was four years old, when he started playing baseball. In progressing through the season so far Morris feels like, “everyone knows each other better now,” adding to the strong bond all of the players share.

On Apr. 25, 2012, the MHS baseball team played against Cambridge at Pine Banks Field in Malden. The MHS boys walked away with the victory of 9-3. Highlights from this game included Teal’s third inning home run, which put Malden ahead by two, Morris stealing third base on a dropped ball, and junior Nick Powers striking out multiple players throughout the game.

Other victories this season include games against Lawrence (the score being 5-0), Somerville (6-0), and Melrose (5-0) making their goal to achieve state championships a reality.

Field graphic created by Kristen Leonard

People are awfully rude to each other online. In my opinion, all people have their own way of being beautiful; they all just have a different way of expressing it.

The problem with today’s society is that we are too influenced by what other people tell us from behind a computer screen, and [...]]]> Grace Stathos

People are awfully rude to each other online. In my opinion, all people have their own way of being beautiful; they all just have a different way of expressing it.

The problem with today’s society is that we are too influenced by what other people tell us from behind a computer screen, and the sources of our insecurities always trace back to someone who is simply trying to make herself feel better.

I have noticed, and experienced, cyberbullying on Facebook. Most of it consists of “versus” pages, where two girls’ pictures are put next to each other and their friends comment on who they think is prettier.

Sounds stupid, right? It is. These pages cause nothing but drama, especially when two girls who hate each other are versed, and their friends begin commenting how ugly the other girl is. Believe me, that will not end well.
I just do not understand what the creators of these pages must be thinking. I just don’t understand how anyone could feel better after telling a girl, who is obviously insecure, that she is ugly.

In this day and age, there is so much in the media that can negatively influence society. So, why do we let it influence us?

The Massachusetts law on bullying addresses behaviors that “materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of the school.” I think that any sort of bullying, even something as simple as being called ugly, can disrupt one’s education. It is hard to stay focused when all you can think about is what other people are saying about you.

Honestly, I think that girls who hide behind a computer, bullying girls on Facebook, do not quite realize how hurtful they are being. It is one of the worst feelings in the world, when girls from your school are writing on your Facebook, telling you how ugly you are, or that you are weird, or that everyone hates you.

Nothing good can come out of online drama. I think that, instead of bullying each other, girls should celebrate their differences and learn to get along. I know it’s harder than it sounds, but there just is no need to cyberbully.

It is the American duty to be helpful in times of need, to drop what one is doing and jump into active duty with only one goal in mind: to preserve one’s motherland. Drastic times call for drastic measures. However, one should not have to worry about being drafted nor pressured [...]]]> Joel Stevenson

It is the American duty to be helpful in times of need, to drop what one is doing and jump into active duty with only one goal in mind: to preserve one’s motherland. Drastic times call for drastic measures. However, one should not have to worry about being drafted nor pressured into serving one’s country, especially in school.

The thirty-minute lunch is the one period that everyone looks forward to. It is a break away from class, a time to do last minute homework, a time to relax with friends.

    In between cafe A and B are tables stationed for advertisement. There, one is able to find yearbooks for sale, tickets to local fundraisers, and the recruiting officers. Each group will ask you to participate in their activity; a simple no would suffice for most, but not the officers. They will badger you until you either feel so pressured that you give your contact information, or you lie and say you have to go somewhere. And at times that will not work. To them a “no,” is not a “no,” but rather “I am not sure right now, ask me about it tomorrow.”

On Oct. 12, 2011 Malden High School participated in Get Ahead Day, where students at MHS participated in different college activities. Underclassmen went on field trips to colleges and took the PSATs, while seniors participated in the college fair. During the fair, local colleges were stationed at tables and students were able to talk to colleges in hopes that they would find a few that they would like to apply to. The one station that was the least popular was the Army and Marines table, perhaps because students who walked too close were dragged down by questions upon questions, and then forced to give their name, address, and more.

During the summer of 2011, I was walking through Malden Square with friends when a recruiter stopped us and proceeded to ask what we wanted to be. When we told her, she mentioned how the Marines provided those occupations, despite us saying we were not interested. She ignored our statement, then asked another question; we answered and said we were still not interested. It came to a point where we were strongly asking her leave. She then pulled out a contact card and said she could not go back until she got our names and phone numbers, even if we had to lie. So that is what we did, we lied to get her to leave us alone.

As stated by senior Skye MacDonald, “I think it is wrong…they keep trying to convince us that the army or marines or whatever is right for us, and they try to make you sign up for something that you do not really want to do in the first place.”

School should be a place where students feel safe. A place where one is able to express his ideas without being shut down by others. A place where a “no,” means “no,” not a “maybe,” or a “try again tomorrow.”

These recruiters are glorifying the Army, Navy, and the Marines by having other students sit at lunch and help them get kids to sign up, by putting posters around the school showing veterans smiling on the battlefield holding guns that are half their height. Pens and pencils are scattered on the tables where we eat, and flags posted on the walls, as we enter school, and as we leave. Students need to be able to see both spectrums; they need to be able to walk through the hallways without pressure, without grief.

I was one of these kids who was hunted down by a recruiter for two years because I looked “like I would be good at it,”  I was called in the middle of the day to drop what I was doing to take a placement exam, and I was followed by enlisted students who were ordered to follow me around until I came with them to the recruiting office.  I want to know when it ends. Where exactly do we draw the line before even more students give their life away due to pressure?

Kerry Ngan

The Supreme Court deliberates whether President Barack Obama’s health care insurance, the Affordable Care Act, is constitutional or not. By branding this unconstitutional they will destroy one of President Obama’s major achievement in his presidency . The supreme justices have offered severely divided points of views.

The Affordable Care [...]]]> Kerry Ngan

The Supreme Court deliberates whether President Barack Obama’s health care insurance, the Affordable Care Act, is constitutional or not. By branding this unconstitutional they will destroy one of President Obama’s major achievement in his presidency . The supreme justices have offered severely divided points of views.

Chronology of some of the key dates since the Obama administration's Affordable Care Act was signed into law and when arguments on its contituionality will be heard before the Supreme Court March 26-28; also includes summaries of the four legal questions being addressed. MCT 2012

The Affordable Care Act was put into place in 2009 to reduce the cost of healthcare for Americans who are unable afford it. It requires most Americans to purchase a health insurance by 2014 or face a financial penalty of up to 700 dollars a year.

The president himself says that he is confident justices on the Supreme Court will rule the health care constitutional. Millions of children have been given insurance coverage under the law, changes have been made to Medicare’s prescription drug program and that insurance industry reforms have already been put in place.

“This is not an abstract argument,” Obama declared quoted by CNN. “People’s lives are affected by the lack of availability of health care, the in-affordability of health care, their inability to get health care because of pre-existing conditions … I think the American people understand and I think that the justices should understand that in the absence of the individual mandate, you cannot have a mechanism to insure that people with pre-existing conditions can actually get health care.”

He also noted that since both congress chambers and signed into law by the president, ignoring such legislative stamp would be a judicial overreach.

Grace Stathos

After a successful season last year, the Girls Lacrosse team has been working hard in the offseason to prepare for this spring.

This is Caitlyn Germain’s first season coaching at Malden High School. Last year, Germain coached Malden Youth Lacrosse, and some girls from her team are now freshman on the junior varsity [...]]]>

Girls varsity lacrosse playing against Bedford High School on March 29, 2012 at Pine Banks. Photo by Grace Stathos

Grace Stathos

After a successful season last year, the Girls Lacrosse team has been working hard in the offseason to prepare for this spring.

This is Caitlyn Germain’s first season coaching at Malden High School. Last year, Germain coached Malden Youth Lacrosse, and some girls from her team are now freshman on the junior varsity team.

According to Germain, “having fun and developing is obviously really important, [but we have to] strive for success.” The team’s first game of the season was March 28, 2012 against Bedford High School. Germain was “very excited to see how [the team] stacks up against the competition.”

Although Malden did not win the game, the girls stayed strong and worked hard until the game was over. Saturday, March 30 is their next game, the first GBL game of the season, so hopefully there will be a different outcome. Germain is “excited to progress as [the team gets] more into the season.”

So far, the girls have reacted well to having a new coach this year. Germain said “[the girls] have a lot of experience, but there is always room for improvement.”

This year’s senior captains are Stacey Souza and Commie Ayuk. They both are on varsity this year and coach Germain said that they both, along with the rest of the team, are “improving constantly and developing consistency.”

Though the season has just started, the team has already been practicing, “having fun, and developing.”

With zero wins, one loss record for the season, the girls are staying optimistic, and will improve as the season progresses.

Varsity Roster
Danielle Aquinaldo
Christina Ascolillo
Commie Ayuk
Navjyot Bola
Anita Caceda
Maria Gil
Stevie Klein
Carolyn Lam
Sharon Lee
Joyce Ly
Malorie MacDonald
Tina Pham
Catherine Poirier
Brittany Powers
Amanda Ramsey
Stacey Sousa
Paula Suarez
Maggie Surette

Junior Varsity Roster:
Winnie Chen
Vicky Chen
Kezya Costa
Anh Dam
Anabette D’Entremont
Gina DiScipio
Brianna Duffy
Michelle Exxume
Monica Joseph
Marlynda Menzies
Lynn Nguyen
Gina DiScipio
Patricia Seun
Fricya Silva
Gabriella Silva
Elizabeth Tran
Mercedes Trigueros
Julia Vanella

PJ Montezuma

17 year old Trayvon Martin was shot dead on his way home from a convenience store on Feb. 26, 2012 in Sanford, Florida by neighborhood watchguard George Zimmerman. Zimmerman defends his actions because he claims Martin had been acting “suspicious”.

Zimmerman pleaded and was found not guilty as he [...]]]> PJ Montezuma

17 year old Trayvon Martin was shot dead on his way home from a convenience store on Feb. 26, 2012 in Sanford, Florida by neighborhood watchguard George Zimmerman. Zimmerman defends his actions because he claims Martin had been acting “suspicious”.

Trayvon Martin's mother Sybrina Fulton and her lawyer Benjamin Crump, center, demand justice for her son while standing alongside Rev. Jesse Jackson, right, during a rally for the slain teenager at the Klipsch Amphitheater in Miami, Florida, on Sunday, April 1, 2012. (Carl Juste/Miami Herald/MCT)

Zimmerman pleaded and was found not guilty as he stated that his actions were in self defence as justified by Florida’s state “Stand Your Ground” Law.

Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, the parents of Trayvon are pursuing having not only Zimmerman found guilty but also have the lead prosecutor originally assinged to the case, State Attorney Norm Wolfinger investigated by the US Department of Justice in Washington D.C.

To learn more about the incident between Martin and Zimmerma, the prosecution of Zimmerman and the Martin family’s pursuit of justice.

- Watch: “His Name is Trayvon Martin” which is a video segment by Melissa Harris-Perry, a political commentator with a focus on African-American politics, where she describes what happened with Trayvon in a very powerful tone.

- Read: “Trayvon Martin case stirs extremists, groups say” on CNN U.S. to learn what is currently happening with George Zimmerman.

- Read: “Fla. Cases Test ‘Stand Your Ground’ Law’s Limits” on NPR to learn what the “Stand Your Ground” Law is and if that law has been pushed too far with the Trayvon Martin case.

-Watch: two very inspirational in depth discussions about Trayvon Martin. The two videos are from UP w/ Chris Hayes. “The tragedy of Trayvon Martin” and “A hopeful note to Trayvon Martins Case”.

Haley Dowdie

If Malden High School, students from all over the globe walk the halls. With descendants from Vietnam, China, Bangladesh, Colombia, Ethiopia, Venezuela, Egypt, Portugal, Uganda, and multiple other countries, one may call MHS one mini melting pot.

On April 2, 2012 the celebration of the cultures of MHS began in [...]]]>

Haley Dowdie

Megan Kelly

The accents, absolutely charming; the humor, witty; maybe the pronunciation is a bit off (only to American ears), though we can forgive the British for that, because we have more than enough to give thanks to them for. Let’s look at the scoreboard, the British can claim Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, [...]]]> Megan Kelly

Slogan of BBC America, image created by Megan Kelly.

The accents, absolutely charming; the humor, witty; maybe the pronunciation is a bit off (only to American ears), though we can forgive the British for that, because we have more than enough to give thanks to them for. Let’s look at the scoreboard, the British can claim Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who and a multitude of actors, producers, writers and directors who have colored American television and cinema screens for ages, while America can only call copyright to the idea of a democratic government and the Western genre of books and movies.

At the moment, American television stations are calling attention to less than hardworking and stand up American citizens such as the entire cast of Jersey Shore or teenage pop stars who lead double lives or perhaps the best of the best, Toddlers in Tiaras.

It can not be forgotten that American television has made major breakthroughs in the world of Television and entertainment production. Lucille Ball, of the iconic tv show I Love Lucy, had given producers and directors the idea of recording a scene on film rather than performing a live show to audiences via the television. Though with the current lack of any truly compelling or original shows airing on American television screens, it seems that maybe instead of mocking the British entertainment industry with recreations of some brilliant pieces of fiction, American audiences can stand up and applaud it.

No, sit down, the applause wasn’t supposed to be literal, you all have been listening to Dora the Explorer’s instructions for too long. The applause means to do something else. Instead of tuning into mindless shows that are regurgitating plots that have been seen by American audiences for almost sixty years now, tune into something different. Something new. Something a bit more British.

Of course if you were in the United Kingdom you wouldn’t be watching reruns of some bratty rich girl’s sweet sixteen party, but watching actually intriguing and genuinely interesting shows.

So how does an American like yourself go about enjoying some of the best entertainment has to offer it? Well you have the internet my dear Watson!
Websites such as Hulu, Sidereel, XfinityTV and Netflix can stream episodes of some the most popular TV shows in the UK. Though there may be a small monthly cost for viewing, but it would be more than worth it to skip going to Dunkin Donuts for a few days to have a months worth of time to watch quality programming.

Suggested Shows:

A favorite among the teenage population of the UK, Skins is now going to be entering production of its final season though the six seasons that are now released for viewing are of top quality and realistic drama. Think of a better version of Degrassi (everyone’s favorite Canadian teenage drama.)

A reimagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic novel series Sherlock Holmes. Set in 21st London, Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Detective Holmes, Cumberbatch recently attended the Oscars for his performances in War Horse and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

Imagine a ghost, vampire and werewolf live together?  While there is an American version being aired on the Syfy channel, the original version has a well developed plot and there is also a significant lack of sparkles, and much more intelligent humor.

Reinstated in 2005, the classic British sci-fi show stars a “Mad Man with a Blue Box”. The show uses interesting and completely unique plot twists to keep viewers coming back for not just a seven season run, but rather since the early 1960s when the show was originally aired. Not only are there new modern episodes that have class A acts from top British actors of the era but there are also original episodes that were aired through out the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s.

Arianna Langston

From music and fashion, to food and traditions, the Hispanic culture is an array of color and spice. There are 20 some odd Spanish speaking countries in the world. Some being: Spain, Venezuela, Honduras, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, and the many others. All of these countries, though have their own special traditions and [...]]]> Arianna Langston

From music and fashion, to food and traditions, the Hispanic culture is an array of color and spice. There are 20 some odd Spanish speaking countries in the world. Some being: Spain, Venezuela, Honduras, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, and the many others. All of these countries, though have their own special traditions and cultures that make them so wonderfully different.

Photo collage of Colombian fashion designer Amelia Toro’s 2012 spring collection. Photos from Fashion Radical’s website.

The fashion world for example, is present in countries like Colombia and Spain. Colombian designer Amelia Toro brought her fashions to the table at Fashion Week in Colombia’s 22nd fashion week. She brought color and modern style, to the show, giving the Colombian fashion world a popular name. During the 10th Portland Fashion Week, in 2010, Toro designed a special line of new clothes dedicated to her Colombian culture.

This February, in the fashion capital, Madrid, Spain had it’s fashion week, presenting a  plethora of unique innovative designs. According to China News Television Online, Francis Montesinos, a proud Spanish designer showed off his new Autumn/Winter collection at the show this year. An abundance of sweaters, scarves, and new shades of pastel were in his collection.

Along with fashion growing in beauty, Hispanic culture still holds true to its musical culture of Salsa, Cumbia, Merengue, Bachata, and a few others. The Salsa is of Cuban origin, where African drums and the Spanish guitar styles come together and form the famous music we know as Salsa. Cuba is also the origin of the Mambo and even the Tango. Music, was and still is a very important piece of Hispanic culture.

Photo collage of Colombian fashion designer Amelia Toro’s 2012 spring collection. Photos from Fashion Radical’s website.

Today, we still see Hispanic cultures throughout America because of the increase of Latin Americans in our country. Increasing America’s culture as well. We see fashion, arts ,and music flourishing out of Spanish countries themselves and America adding a bit of salsa and spice to our world.

Educating A Life Under the Seas

Kristen Leonard

If one has a question about dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, or fish, then science teacher Shauna Campbell is the one to ask.

Majoring in Marine Biology, Campbell graduated from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. She stated that she has not always wanted [...]]]> Educating A Life Under the Seas

Teacher Shauna Campbell

Kristen Leonard

If one has a question about dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, or fish, then science teacher Shauna Campbell is the one to ask.

Majoring in Marine Biology, Campbell graduated from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. She stated that she has not always wanted to be a teacher, but actually a Marine Biologist ever since the fourth grade. Campbell was told in high school by one of her teachers that she would be good at teaching. She chose to be in the science department of teaching since she was always “engulfed in science.” She also decided that she could “teach during the year and do Marine Biology activities over the summer.” Some of the activities she has done are working with sea turtles in Florida and teaching a college level class to high school students at Hopkins University. This summer Campbell plans to study in Mexico at a biological reserve called El Eden and next summer plans to study in Antarctica. At first, Campbell was a student teacher at Dartmouth High School and eventually got the job she has today educating the students at Malden High School.

Campbell has taught Marine Biology, Advanced Placement Environmental Science, Biology, and even a Weather and Climate class throughout her five years teaching at MHS. Out of the entire curriculum, teaching Marine Biology is her favorite. “I still get to do all the things I was doing in school, but now I get to bring it to the high school level and get to enjoy it everyday,” Campbell explained. Teaching may be fun, but the hardest part to Campbell, is how “exhausting” it is. She said it is hard “having enough energy to do things you want to do in your normal day life and then also to do well at work.” However, this does not stop her from teaching three College Prep classes, one Honors, and one AP class.

Before her career as a teacher, Campbell grew up in the Lynn-Saugus area and attended Saugus High School. While she was in high school, she participated in a variety of sports including soccer, basketball, and softball. When she got to college, Campbell decided to join the crew team because she wanted the opportunity to participate in something that was not available in her hometown. Participating in crew influenced her to take on the role of the co-crew coach for MHS. She enjoys being “involved in a sport not everyone in the area has an opportunity to do,” and coaching at the high school level. Another way Campbell was involved with MHS this year was reliving her high school days as she competed in the Student vs. Faculty game. This was “a lot of fun” for her since she does not “get to play basketball that often.” Besides coaching and teaching, Campbell likes “enjoying the nice weather” by doing many outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking. She also enjoys being with friends and cooking.

Plans for the expensive trip to Costa Rica are not only calling for some lucky MHS students, but Campbell as well. She has volunteered to oversee the trip. This will not be her first time going there, but this still does not stop her excitement. “The food is so good,” exclaimed Campbell, her favorite being the fresh fruit that is indigenous to the area. While she was in college, Campbell traveled to other parts of the world, including Belize and Europe.

Even if one does not have her as a teacher, is not going on the Costa Rica trip, or is not on the Crew team, one can see Campbell on the fourth floor of B house, teaching her students about the wonders of the ocean and the environment.

Amanda Rosatone

Balloons, candy, selling stuffed animals around special holidays, and many other ideas are all ways that Malden High School students try to fundraise money for their group or sport. However; with all of these creative and successful ideas, MHS students got especially excited when the New England [...]]]>

Amanda Rosatone

Balloons, candy, selling stuffed animals around special holidays, and many other ideas are all ways that Malden High School students try to fundraise money for their group or sport. However; with all of these creative and successful ideas, MHS students got especially excited when the New England Coffee fundraiser was proposed.

Sponsored by the New England coffee company, conveniently located in Malden, students have the very interesting task of selling coffee to their family members, friends, and teachers. The fundraiser itself is basically a “trial run,” stated by sophomore class advisor, Jennifer Rogowicz. This “trial run” is a test to see if this fundraiser, or fundraisers similar to this particular one will happen on a yearly basis. Another factor why coffee was the main selling item was because the New England Coffee Company is located in Malden. Having this fundraiser allows the company to become more involved in the community and the public school system while contributing the amount of funds students essentially raise for themselves.

By selling coffee, there are many incentives in which to motivate students to sell as much coffee as they can within the two week time period as the fundraiser ended on April 9th. Due to the fact that the New England Coffee Company contacted the school in proposing this fundraiser, half of the profits of the sales raised by the students goes to their respective class. This is definitely a motivator for those students in the senior class as of currently due to their financial situation and how prices for senior events such as prom and graduation are very expensive.

This particular situation for the senior class is what all grades essentially face in going through their four years of high school. Fundraising has become more of a challenge mainly because of the fact that so many different groups and clubs are doing so that coming up with new and exciting ideas for fundraising is difficult. Along with the fact that half of the sales goes to each class, there are more incentives that motivates students such as the prize for the top seller in each grade receiving an Ipod for selling the most coffee. Along with this, the class that raises the most money will not only receive half of the profits from their sales but they will also receive a greater money prize which will go towards future events.

To a greater extent, this school wide fundraiser will essentially have the effect of raising awareness of fundraising in general. The level of competition will naturally get more people involved, along with the many motivations from all of the incentives this fundraiser provides. Along with this, more people will become aware of how significant fundraising is for their class for future events because “most students don’t see long term,” explained Rogowicz.

Although these incentives are great as many people would try to win the Ipod, surprisingly it is not the main motivator. Sophomore Vanna Ren expressed that, “[she] is selling because [she] wants to help her class because [she] doesn’t want the price of graduation or even prom to be very high.” Along with this, Ren feels like having this grade to grade fundraiser will create a sense of friendly competition between the grades essentially, “bringing [the sophomore] class a little closer together.”

Fundraising will always be a struggle for high school students going through their four years in high school. However, most students have a lot of creative ideas and proposals to make the task of fundraising seem more fun, making more people want to get involved.

Saturday, March 31, 2012, was a night to remember at the Jenkins Auditorium in Malden High School. Old pals, friendly faces, and warm reunions awaited alumni who came trying to reminisce their high school years. Many of them came entirely because of successful comedy impressionist [...]]]>

Saturday, March 31, 2012, was a night to remember at the Jenkins Auditorium in Malden High School. Old pals, friendly faces, and warm reunions awaited alumni who came trying to reminisce their high school years. Many of them came entirely because of successful comedy impressionist Joey “Voices” Noone, who casually connected with other alumni before and after his performance. “It feels great,” Noone explained after seeing his friends and former teachers. Thanks to Facebook, Voices was able to find and keep in touch with many of his past friends. To Voices, “it seems like yesterday” that he was spicing up the life of his classmates and teachers with his hyperactive and dynamic self.

Joey "Voices" Noone posing for photo with MHS Principal Dana Brown and Linden School Principal Richard Bransfield

This show, he claimed, was the “best theater show” he ever performed. Accustomed to singing at dinner shows, he found the “acoustics itself is incredible” in the auditorium.

As stated by a close friend of Noone, Paul Schulte, MHS graduate of 1984, Voices concert was “far more than [he] ever expected.” Traveling all the way down from New Hampshire to attend the event, he grew up with Noone in the same neighborhood and has known him for about 30 years. Noone, pulling off an amazing performance once again, felt comfortable enough with his excited, upbeat audience to jump down stage and get close with them, his charismatic character drawing them to sing along or clap to the rhythm. Energetic and alive, Noone impersonated many famous singers, including Elvis Presley, Michael MacDonald, and even Cher, of who he wore a white thong over his black pants and long, black curly wig to match. Not only did he sing however, but he cracked a many jokes throughout his show as well, captivating the audience with many references to his past and present self. In one case, he described the “bathroom guy,” who recognized and tried to shake his hands with the germ-a-phobic Noone, who was washing his hands at the time. Wishing to keep away from germs for the sake of being healthy to perform for his beloved future audiences, Voices raised his elbow in reply. The elderly “bathroom guy” exploded his fist on Noone’s elbow in return, reminding Noone of a man who kept with the changing times. In addition to impressing singers and making jokes, he threw in a piece of self-made country music as well. Inspired by his ex-girlfriend to create it, Noone’s “Do It All Again” received tremendous applause amongst the audience. His album is set to release soon, and this was the first time he sang his own music at one of his performances. Overall, the event raised more than 8000 dollars.

Joey "Voices" Noone drawing out a door prize raffle ticket.

Beneficial, this event serves another purpose besides connecting alumni and preserving tradition. Hosted by the

MHS Alumni Association, the proceeds from Voices’ concert will aid MHS students in any way possible, such as “scholarships and financial help to buy warm clothes, new eyeglasses, [and] tickets to the senior prom,” explained vice-president of the MHSAA Diane Lind, MHS class graduate of 1954. This association was formed in 2007 by a group of alumni who had reunited under MHS’s 150th anniversary. Through the decisions of its Board of Directors, the association has also hosted other events, such as “Homecoming Lunch last October, where [they] sold raffle tickets and clothing like shirts and hoodies with [their] logo,” described Lind. Another fundraiser that still continues is their “Name a Seat” fundraiser, in which for 100 dollars, a person, family, or business could purchase a brass plate with an engraved message of their choice on one of the Jenkins Auditorium seats. Currently, the association has sold more than 400 brass plates in this event. Much outreaching from Dave Haskell, MHS graduate of 1954 and officer of publicity and newsletter, and Lind contributed to the success of this concert. They have established a sub-committee of the MHSAA for the purpose of forming a program book consisting of ads from many businesses in the city, publicizing through media, and the methods to sell the tickets. The association ranges from many graduates of MHS, from those 50 years ago to those recently, and encourage “all graduates to become members so [they] can do more to help,” stated Lind.

Saturday, March 31, 2012, was a night to remember at the Jenkins Auditorium in Malden High School. Old pals, friendly faces, and warm reunions awaited alumni who came trying to reminisce their high school years. Many of them came entirely because of successful comedy impressionist Joey “Voices” Noone, who casually connected with other alumni before and after his performance. “It feels great,” Noone explained after seeing his friends and former teachers. Thanks to Facebook, Voices was able to find and keep in touch with many of his past friends. To Voices, “it seems like yesterday” that he was spicing up the life of his classmates and teachers with his hyperactive and dynamic self. This show, he claimed, was the “best theater show” he ever performed. Accustomed to singing at dinner shows, he found the “acoustics itself is incredible” in the auditorium.

As stated by a close friend of Noone, Paul Schulte, MHS graduate of 1984, Voices concert was “far more than [he] ever expected.” Traveling all the way down from New Hampshire to attend the event, he grew up with Noone in the same neighborhood and has known him for about 30 years. Noone, pulling off an amazing performance once again, felt comfortable enough with his excited, upbeat audience to jump down stage and get close with them, his charismatic character drawing them to sing along or clap to the rhythm. Energetic and alive, Noone impersonated many famous singers, including Elvis Presley, Michael MacDonald, and even Cher, of who he wore a white thong over his black pants and long, black curly wig to match. Not only did he sing however, but he cracked a many jokes throughout his show as well, captivating the audience with many references to his past and present self. In one case, he described the “bathroom guy,” who recognized and tried to shake his hands with the germ-a-phobic Noone, who was washing his hands at the time. Wishing to keep away from germs for the sake of being healthy to perform for his beloved future audiences, Voices raised his elbow in reply. The elderly “bathroom guy” exploded his fist on Noone’s elbow in return, reminding Noone of a man who kept with the changing times. In addition to impressing singers and making jokes, he threw in a piece of self-made country music as well. Inspired by his ex-girlfriend to create it, Noone’s “Do It All Again” received tremendous applause amongst the audience. His album is set to release soon, and this was the first time he sang his own music at one of his performances. Overall, the event raised more than 8000 dollars.

Beneficial, this event serves another purpose besides connecting alumni and preserving tradition. Hosted by the MHS Alumni Association, the proceeds from Voices’ concert will aid MHS students in any way possible, such as “scholarships and financial help to buy warm clothes, new eyeglasses, [and] tickets to the senior prom,” explained vice-president of the MHSAA Diane Lind, MHS class graduate of 1954. This association was formed in 2007 by a group of alumni who had reunited under MHS’s 150th anniversary. Through the decisions of its Board of Directors, the association has also hosted other events, such as “Homecoming Lunch last October, where [they] sold raffle tickets and clothing like shirts and hoodies with [their] logo,” described Lind. Another fundraiser that still continues is their “Name a Seat” fundraiser, in which for 100 dollars, a person, family, or business could purchase a brass plate with an engraved message of their choice on one of the Jenkins Auditorium seats. Currently, the association has sold more than 400 brass plates in this event. Much outreaching from Dave Haskell, MHS graduate of 1954 and officer of publicity and newsletter, and Lind contributed to the success of this concert. They have established a sub-committee of the MHSAA for the purpose of forming a program book consisting of ads from many businesses in the city, publicizing through media, and the methods to sell the tickets. The association ranges from many graduates of MHS, from those 50 years ago to those recently, and encourage “all graduates to become members so [they] can do more to help,” stated Lind.

Have you ever thought carefully about what you are saying before actually speaking? There are many people out there that take offense to some specific words spoken by people who would usually not even consider it to be offensive. Some offensive words, like the R word, are acceptable to the society today because [...]]]> Kerry Ngan

Have you ever thought carefully about what you are saying before actually speaking? There are many people out there that take offense to some specific words spoken by people who would usually not even consider it to be offensive. Some offensive words, like the R word, are acceptable to the society today because it is used so much, but Malden High School students are campaigning to end the use of the “R” word.

Spread the Word to End the Word is an event for people to acknowledge that there are some words that other people may find offensive. This program was brought to MHS by the Special Olympics and many students from Unified Sports helped raise awareness of the program. This year was the third consecutive year students at MHS created a presentation for Spread the Word to End the Word, which was held in the Jenkins Auditorium on March, 7, 2012, during period one at the end of the day.

The importance of this program is to “promote acceptance and make people aware of what their saying,” stated Barbara Scibelli, the secretary to the athletic office. Spread the Word to End the Word influences students to become more self-aware and to motivate them to make changes. “They just became aware that they should be treating everyone with dignity and self-respect,” Scibelli commented.

Not only has the program made other students realize the seriousness of particular words, but it also made students with disabilities more aware and appreciative people who are around them. “I have seen that a lot of them more comfortable and open up,” said senior O’Shane McCreath one of the students who handed out the awards and spoke in the auditorium. “When I saw them in the hallway none of them ever used to say ‘hey.’ Now when I see them they say ‘hey’ back.”

When offensive language like the “R” word is spoken, students like Witchie Exilhomme, a senior at the MHS, finds it very “disrespectful, especially for the family.” It is not a word that should be acceptable in society today. If Exilhomme were to hear anyone use this word, he admits it would “get [his] attention. [Then he] would tell them that it is not a nice word.”

At the end of the presentation, awards were given out to kids who were in this program. A video displaying their efforts and participation was shown in the auditorium. Students who volunteered for this program sat on the edge of the stage holding the awards of the person they were about the give it to. A few students, such as senior class president Kiara Amos, Exilhomme, McCreath, and junior Jenson Ayuk also gave a speech about the awarded kids. As each award was handed out, the students gratefully accepted it with bright smiles on their faces.

Joshua Kummins

It was a magical season for the Boston College Eagles hockey team and the six-month ride to a fifth Frozen Four national championship concluded on Saturday night, Apr. 7, 2012 with a 4-1 victory over Ferris State University in Tampa, Fla.

With the win, BC caps the season with a 33-10-1 record [...]]]>

Joshua Kummins

It was a magical season for the Boston College Eagles hockey team and the six-month ride to a fifth Frozen Four national championship concluded on Saturday night, Apr. 7, 2012 with a 4-1 victory over Ferris State University in Tampa, Fla.

With the win, BC caps the season with a 33-10-1 record while winning the final 19 games en route to the school’s third national title in just the last five years.

“I feel honored and privileged to be a part of the BC program, the university and specifically the hockey program,” senior captain Tommy Cross said in the post-game press conference following the championship game. “This was the best team I’ve ever been on. We just had something in our mind that the season was only going to end one way and that was our main focus.”

Throughout the season, Cross has been greatly complimented by his legendary coach Jerry York for his tremendous work ethic and leadership qualities. With his collegiate hockey career complete, he will transition to becoming a professional as a member of the Boston Bruins organization.

Cross is a native of Simsbury, Conn. and was drafted by the Bruins out of high school in the second round of the 2007 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Boston hockey fans have all the more reason to support Cross in his journey to pro hockey.

The Eagles lost twice in Maine on Jan. 20-21, 2011 and then rattled off the school-record streak, which included two wins in the Beanpot in February, four wins in the Hockey East Tournament in March and four NCAA Tournament wins.

Before reaching the Frozen Four, BC captured victories over Air Force and Minnesota-Duluth in the Northeast Regional at the nearby DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. During each of BC’s last four championships (2001, 2008, 2010, 2012), the Eagles were victorious in a Worcester regional before earning the Frozen Four berth.

On Apr. 5, BC beat a tough Minnesota team by a whopping 6-1 score thanks to a pair of goals by senior Paul Carey.

Thanks to this title, coach York has now led his alma mater to four national titles as well as an additional championship victory at Bowling Green in 1984.

The victory increased York’s NCAA Tournament record win total to 37 and his 913 career victories are the second most in Division I college hockey history. On Feb. 17, 2012, York became just the second-ever head coach to reach 900 career wins with a home victory over Merrimack College.

BC would not be raising the banner next October without the outstanding performance of junior goaltender and Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player Parker Milner. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native stopped 27 of the 28 shots he faced in the title game and allowed just eight goals in as many games during the playoff run.

“You can’t buy one of these championships,” York said in summing up the 2011-12 season. “You have to earn them. And this team definitely earned it…“You can’t buy one of these championships,” Eagles coach Jerry York said upon his fourth national title while guiding the alma mater. “You have to earn them. And this team definitely earned it.”

Johanna Lai

Everyday in the daily life, there will always be a loved one who would die young , or someone would have a disease and does not tell anyone about this and a family will finally be reunited .   Some people in America would be look  ing for a new television [...]]]>  

Johanna Lai

Everyday in the daily life, there will always be a loved one who would die young , or someone would have a disease and does not tell anyone about this and a family will finally be reunited .   Some people in America would be look  ing for a new television series to watch if it is in a different language and possibly because of the plot. For a lot of people it would be hard to understand the show in English, so they would either have to look online for subtitles or to have someone they know that language would translate  the show to them. For some TV series, it might last for just  one season but end with a pretty good plot that would make people to look forward to watch.

If people are looking for a new TV series to watch, they should watch On Call 36 Hours or otherwise known as the Hippocratic Crush.  On Call 36 Hours is a TV series that takes place in a fictional hospital in Hong Kong called Mercy Hospital. This series involves doctors and their mentors along with residents of Hong Kong dong real-life operations, discovering different type of diseases and real-life situations.

The story begins with Hong Kong actress Tavia Yeung as Fan Chi Yu and Hong Kong actor, Kenneth Ma as Cheung Yat Kin who both works in Mercy Hospital as medical interns majoring in Neurosurgery.  Fan comes from a family of doctors since her father, Fan Chi Ngok played by Hong Kong actor Wilson Tsui is the Neurosurgery specialist at the hospital.  Fan and Cheung became fond of each other and Fan slowly falls in love with him, however Cheung is also hesitant towards love ever since he became a doctor because he was the one who caused his brother, Cheung Yat Hong played by Nathan Ngai, to be paralyzed. He is working hard to make his brother’s dreams of studying in the medical field to come true.

However, Hong soon gets killed by a falling glass bottle while trying to save an elderly  person who was about to get killed by the falling glass bottle that fell down the ceiling. He was with his girlfriend at the time, Kan Ching Ching played by Candy Chang who was a specialist trainee in Internal medicine who works at the same hospital as Fan and Cheung.   Hong’s death made Cheung unfortunately go to depression but before that, there was a love triangle involved between Fan, Cheung and Fan’s sister, Hung Mei Suet played by Mandy Wong. The two sisters did not get along at first; however they slowly were able to get along months later.

    After Hong’s death, Fan was suffering from a very severe illness, which made Cheung very worried and this finally got him back  to his feet. Fan was hoping that there would be a cure; however surgery was the only solution and Kin decided to take the job of doing the surgery along with her father.  But this would lead viewers into curiosity, will Fan survive and will Cheung and Fan also be able to conquer the obstacles and fall in love with each other again?

The philosophies of the people who would look forward to watching this TV series would be unknown since this would be in question.  Whenever they think about it as they watch it, then the predictions that they might have could be more than they expected.

It seems like only yesterday that Mayor Gary Christenson was elected mayor of the city of Malden, but already his one-hundredth day in office is sneaking up on us. Christenson has kept busy visiting and observing classes at both MHS and various Malden k-8 schools, as well as spoken out on [...]]]> Jessica DePaula

It seems like only yesterday that Mayor Gary Christenson was elected mayor of the city of Malden, but already his one-hundredth day in office is sneaking up on us. Christenson has kept busy visiting and observing classes at both MHS and various Malden k-8 schools, as well as spoken out on the proposed MBTA bus cuts and jump-starting a long-talked about renovation to MacDonald Stadium.

Among the issues which he initially wished to work on, and has since made progress with:

MODERNIZING MALDEN
“We are now utilizing all facets of social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube,” Christenson stated. A Facebook fan page has been created for the city of Malden, as well as a Twitter feed, both of which have been extremely well-received by the public, with 832 “likes” and over 500 followers, respectively. “As I have said since I first entered public service, the voice of the people should be the loudest,” Christenson said during his inauguration speech on Jan. 2, 2012. His plans on using social media sites to help make those voices heard have proven successful and very popular with the younger residents of Malden.

A NEW TEEN CENTER
Another idea that Christenson has begun to put into motion is the construction of a Teen Center in Malden. “We are working hard to add a Teen Center and increasing the number of summer jobs available for our teens,” he promises. In late Feb. he announced that a task force including Cathy MacMullin, who is in charge of the YMCA Teen Nights, and Beth Rosa of the Malden Redevelopment Authority, would begin to scout locations throughout the city that would be the best fit for the center. “I think one thing that has really overwhelmed us is the interest of the teens themselves,” he told an audience filled with both adults and Malden High School students on Feb. 29, 2012. “It will be a priority to do everything we possibly can to make this center a reality.”

PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime is going to be a problem in any largely populated area; Malden is not the first city to have dangerous situation occur, and it will not be the last. Monthly Public Safety Awareness meetings are held once a month, in a different area of the city, so that residents can voice their opinions and concerns to the government itself. Also, following the bank robbery and deadly shooting on March 23-24, 2012, Mayor Christenson has taken immediate action in preventing future tragic events in the city of Malden. “First, I am relieved that none of our police officers and residents had been injured. Malden Police Department in partnership with many other law enforcement agencies put their lives on the line to protect us and they deserve our gratitude,” he stated gratefully. The CodeRED emergency call system has already been implemented; this system can send up to 60,000 mass calls per hour if need be to any resident of Malden with a registered phone number.

RELOCATION OF CITY HALL
Christenson says that the goal that has proven to be the toughest to accomplish is his proposal to relocate Malden’s city hall to a newer, more modern building. “The problem with addressing this issue is that City Hall is connected to the police station and it’s nearly impossible to make a move without looking at both functions,” he explains. “This has made this issue more complicated than initially thought.”

Christenson seems to not only be quickly learning how to have a good handle on the city of Malden, but also which methods of change will work the best to improve the city. He does admit that while it is incredibly hard work, being responsible for an entire city’s worth of people, there are some perks that come with his new job. “I try to stick with just my first name as much as I can, but it is cool to be addressed once in awhile as ‘Mayor,’” he admits. When asked what was his favorite part of being mayor he stated, “I think interacting with the great students we have here in Malden. From reading to the younger students to thoroughly enjoying 72nd Annual Junior Varieties, our students are proving that Malden’s future remains bright.”

Amalia Quesada Nylen

This season looks to be promising for the Malden High School girls tennis team. Under the coaching and guidance of English teacher and returning coach Margaret Pettit, the girls are ready for a new and successful season. “I am looking forward to the start of our games,” stated Pettit. “Everyone is so [...]]]>

Members of the girls tennis team participates in a doubles match. Photo by Jason Drapinski.

Amalia Quesada Nylen

This season looks to be promising for the Malden High School girls tennis team. Under the coaching and guidance of English teacher and returning coach Margaret Pettit, the girls are ready for a new and successful season. “I am looking forward to the start of our games,” stated Pettit. “Everyone is so determined this season and I know we are going to work extra hard to get even farther than we did last year,” sophomore Christine Le stated.

The team and Pettit are working to develop new strategies that will allow them to have an accomplished season, put them on the road towards the Greater Boston League Championship, and hopefully qualify for the state tournament.

“This year we are focusing on our strategy more. We will be spending more practices on technique to improve our playing,” Le stated. With so much to look ahead to, the girls are in need of great guidance not only from their coach, but from the captains as well. This year’s captains are seniors, Wendy Tse, Vivian Le, and junior Lisa DeLacey.

The girls also suffered from loss of senior players, including Alison Nguyen, Ivy Bui, and Danielle Ton. “They definitely left big shoes to fill and we will miss them,” Le continued, “but with some determination we will make them proud.” Time can only tell whether the girls will find success on the courts this season, but they have proved to be already on the right path by maintaining a positive outlook before the excitement has even begun.

The Malden High School boys track is preparing harder than ever for this outdoor season. As indoor track came to an end, the runners continue to prepare for this spring’s outdoor track season.  For many indoor track members, the season  transitioned from indoor track to outdoor track to stay conditioned for [...]]]>
Jason Drapinski

The Malden High School boys track is preparing harder than ever for this outdoor season. As indoor track came to an end, the runners continue to prepare for this spring’s outdoor track season.  For many indoor track members, the season  transitioned from indoor track to outdoor track to stay conditioned for the upcoming season. The team continued to practice to ensure that their next season would be a success.

According to sophomore Allan La, the team “goes to the weight room two times a week for strengthening [their] cores and [to] also do speed workouts.” They are practicing for their very first meet of the season against Cambridge. Cambridge has always been one of the tougher teams in all sports, but especially in track.

The track team is looking for a lot of Malden High student athletes to join outdoor track.The boys team recruited many new freshmen members during the cross country season, in hopes to keep the team strong and continuing for many years.

Last spring they had a great season and a number of athletes compete at the all state meet, and the team has similar expectations for this season. Head Coach David Londino is looking to strengthen the team through hard work and consistency.  The team keeps the mindset that the  harder the team works the better the team will do. They are all putting in their hardest and trying their best to fulfill their goals.

The team continues to practice and to strive towards their goal of becoming the Greater Boston League champions once again. On an ever larger scale they also strive to send runners to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) states meet.

Casey Lyons

With the amount of new and returning crew members this spring their future looks bright for the season. The crew team has a lot of new members than they last year. They look forward to training everyone and to future races. There are 64 members this year and it is the “most in [...]]]>

Members of the crew team practice in an eight boat at a recent practice on the Malden River. Photo by Amanda Moraes.

Casey Lyons

With the amount of new and returning crew members this spring their future looks bright for the season. The crew team has a lot of new members than they last year. They look forward to training everyone and to future races. There are 64 members this year and it is the “most in five years since [she] has been coaching,” stated coach Shauna Campbell.

Although having a lot of members can get hectic, the team has managed to figure out a way to organize how they practice. They have tried different ways to organize practices to see which one helps everyone get the same amount of training. So far they have decided to divide practice into two sessions so that everyone can get the help they need. “We do not want the team too separate,” stated  Campbell. So they try to get the team together as much as possible.

Crew may seem simple but it really is not. Many new members are not used to the amount of work the crew team puts into practices and are trying to accommodate to their new schedule. The team is working on improving team effort. Some members need to put in all their effort to make sure that the team is improving so that they know they are prepared. The boys team also wants to maintain their Greater Boston League title and the boys varsity team want to qualify for finals and states. Whereas the girls want to start getting on the map and start building a strong team to be able to compete.

But in order to make a sport fun for everybody they need to make sure everyone feels safe and comfortable. “Especially with the several new members we have this season, it is not easy to detect discomfort and insecurity in a team member,” stated senior captain Manny Martinez.

The varsity team and coaches are trying to make the environment enjoyable and exciting for everyone. They want to make sure everyone is comfortable. “[Crew] is really fun and different,” exclaimed Campbell.

The crew team is happy and excited to work with all the new members and hopes that it will be a great season with all the effort and hard work everyone can contribute to the team.

Roster

Becky Broomstein
Robyn Farrell
Bestine Cong
Meagan Sullivan
Amanda De Moraes
Alana Burdine
Cassandra Jimenez
Catalina Arredondo
Ashley Paniagua
Claudia Baptista
Julie Lam
Devon Moran
Ghita Jaouhari
Jessica Vieira
Katie Troung
Keirra Sweeney
Lesley Ta
Nicole Santorelli
Sabrina Giuliano
Samantha Kiernan
Sammantha Dorazio
Stephanie Silva
Jessica McLeod
Doris Zegarra
Emmanuel Martinez
Alan Nie
Andrew Araiza
Jason Drapinski
Igor Alves
Kelvin Nguyen
Darrell Workman
Tsz Fung Lau
Chris Lee
Daniel Doza
Daniel McClenthen
Eric Chen
Eric Weng
Ivan Williams
James Hickey
Jonathan Drapinski
Kevin Almonacid
Kevin Bui
Ledoux Musasa
Long Nguyen
Mohamed Anwar
Noah Chau
Phong Chu
Sebastian Patino
Steven Angulo
Tristar To
Tyler Zeng
Keith Rachels
Sebastien Percy
Angelica Cranberry
Carol Lam
Mikaela Cassie
Angelica Brewer
John Dovan
Danielle Musasa
John Hastings
Yanet Villanueva
John Du
Tenzin Paljor

Lesley Ta

The highly anticipated movie adaptation of The Hunger Games left avid fans starving for more as it ranked in opening global weekend profits of 214 million dollars. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are expected to become international icons as the leading roles in this adventurous thriller turned comedy. With the rest [...]]]>

Lesley Ta

The highly anticipated movie adaptation of The Hunger Games left avid fans starving for more as it ranked in opening global weekend profits of 214 million dollars. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are expected to become international icons as the leading roles in this adventurous thriller turned comedy. With the rest of the trilogy to film on their hands, this is only the beginning.

Panem, the post-revolutionary futuristic North America is where the film and the book starts. The tyrannical government of this time period is called the Capitol, with its chilling overall leader  President Snow. The country is divided into 12 Districts, 13 before the uprising. In order to keep tight control over their citizens, the Capitol hosts an annual event, the Hunger Games, in which one boy and one girl over the age of 12 and under the age of 18 from each District is selected to participate. These 24 children will be trained and then thrown into an arena where only one comes out alive, hence the killing each other or dying of natural causes thing.

Staff at the AMC theaters in Boston stated that early birds for the Saturday show following the release were let in at 6:45 for my 7:30 showing, and were waiting quite awhile for that opportunity to come. People waited tensely for their turn to indulge in the gory violence and the sickeningly smitten romance between the main characters Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen.

Though the movie was two hours and 22 minutes long, it needed much more time to fully capture the Games. Katniss’ life in District 12 seemed to be stretched over an appropriate amount of time, but her biography was not  fully developed. I would have loved to see how a younger Katniss had to learn how to take care of Prim and herself when her mother was depressed. A younger Katniss learning how to hunt with her father would not have been a bad idea to incorporate either. But the only scene see Katniss and Peeta’s intimate scene in the rain through brief flashbacks that would have left an audience confused if they have not read the book.

The Games were extremely condensed in comparison to the book’s timing. Though there were only a few scenes in which shows Katniss trudging through the woods, the transition of one life threatening challenge to another was within minutes of each other.

Though the Capitol, it is citizens and lifestyle looked futuristic and colorful, it seemed so contemporary and low key in way compared to the book’s outrageous descriptions. I understand that the costumes and designers were trying to create a chic version of the book’s vision to keep it from looking tacky. It was not tasteless in the least.

The blurry fight scenes and unrelenting bits of gore were satisfying enough for a PG-13 movie- or at least for me. Though at times the film left me cringing, there has to be credit given to the actors and actresses that looked so dead.

The director’s cuts of the movie were ultimately disappointing and infuriating as the key aspects of the book didn’t make the final cut to the big screen. The crew seemed determined to be focusing on both sides of the story – the Games and the Capitol- that it was nearly useless. Grudgingly, I admit that the Gamemakers’ outlook provided a better transition sequence since Lawerence was not narrating. I applaud the director of the movie (Gary Ross) for the creativity it took to grasp the concept of the Gamemaker’s side of the flick.

This film also contained more comic relief than necessary.

I am extremely grateful that the directors of the film left out the romantic side of Katniss and Peeta’s story. The rating of PG-13 was more related to violence rather than the mushy side of things.

Overall, the Hunger Games is one of the most well choreographed movies I have seen so far. I would highly recommend that you would drag your friends and family to see it – though it will take a lot of maturity to soak up the situation between Katniss and Peeta. This is the perfect movie for any kind of occasion- date night or just to see some bloody action. Don’t really want to go to the theater to see it? The television network, ABC Family has bought the premier rights for The Hunger Games and will be airing in 2014.The Hunger Games Movie Preview

Ariana Langston

Nothing but sparkles and shine, new collections of design; according to Forbes.com a three day event was assembled for fashion week in the Middle East. Designers from all the surrounding countries gathered together to show off their new designs each one more glamorous than the last.

Beautiful greens, oranges, reds, purples, [...]]]>
Ariana Langston

Nothing but sparkles and shine, new collections of design; according to Forbes.com a three day event was assembled for fashion week in the Middle East. Designers from all the surrounding countries gathered together to show off their new designs each one more glamorous than the last.

Beautiful greens, oranges, reds, purples, and heavenly shades of blue took over the runway. Designers from Afghanistan, Lebanon, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, all gathered to show off their new dresses. These Middle Eastern designers have fantastically captured the audience with their detailed embroidery and incredibly intricate details. Interestingly enough the show was not open for just anyone. Due to the clothing being presented the first two nights, men were banned from coming into the show. Only women were allowed. However, on the last evening married men allowed to attend this special Arabian event.

Even without the men there the show flourished with brilliant bright colors and new eccentric designs unfamiliar to those of which the designers had exposed before. Designer Nawal Al Hooti brought culture and tradition, introducing her new modern collection of Omani inspired clothes, designer Amina Al Jassim’s line followed up with an abundance of color bringing light to the runway. Business is booming for female designer Amina Al-Jassim whose clothing, while still reflecting the culture and beauty of the traditional Saudi Arabian clothing, remains beautiful in color, style, and incredible detail.

Photo collage created by Ariana Langston and Megan Kelly. Dresses on the outside of the image were created by Amina Al Jassim for her 2012 collection, the middle dress was designed by the Kanzi brand based in the United Arab Emirates.

Her collection include Traditional, Classic, Trendy clothing along with wedding dresses along with a few others. She has an incredible amount of different styled traditionally inspired articles of creativity and color, suitable for any age or size. She captures well a stylish new Saudi Arabian influenced collection while continuing to stay true to her heritage with her traditional full covering head scarves and dresses.

This of course is not the only thing going on in the Middle East for fashion. While some Middle Eastern woman do dress in modesty with respectful head coverings they have had a chance to remain modest in dress and still reflect their own personal style.

As the fashion industry continues to grow in the Middle East new fashion trends become more popular, especially for women, where their clothing is so restricted in terms of different kinds of clothing. Some women though, have expanded in various colors lining their headscarves. This is keeping the respect and modesty there while allowing these women to be fashion-forward.

To read more on Middle Eastern fashions and to check out famous designers like those mentioned now, check out:

Nawala Hooti
Amina Al Jassim
Forbes Coverage of Fashion Week